Mamie's 2016 Madness (Page 14)

Continuing my list of favorite things...long walks off of short piers, the smells of summer, wild abandon...

...

...

snail's pace

Books Completed in June:
65. Case Histories by Kate Atkinson (reread), audiobook, mystery/detective
66. Zero World by Jason Hough (4 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, scifi/suspense - recommended by Jim
67. The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths (4 stars), ROOT ebook/2016 acquired audiobook - recommended by Beth and Katie, mystery/police procedural
68. The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths (3 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, mystery/police procedural
69. White Noise by Don DeLillo (thinking), library paperback
70. One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson (4.25 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, crime fiction/detective

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:


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


White Noise by Howard Norman - reading this with Kim, Megan, and Charlotte

Coming in July:


Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry - reading this with Diane and Kim

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

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
39. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
40. From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
41. A Thousand Mornings by Mary Oliver (4 stars), library hardback, poetry - read for Mark's AAC
42. Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
43. Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler (4 stars), ER paperback, retelling of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew

Books Completed in April:
44. Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
45. The Misty Harbor by Georges Simenon (4 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, crime fiction/police procedural - recommended by Charlotte
46. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris (3.5 stars), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
47. Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris (4 stars), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
48. Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris (4 stars), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
49. Dark Vineyard by Martin Walker (4 stars), 2015 acquired paperback, crime fiction/police procedural
50. The Portable Veblen (I have no idea), 2016 acquired ebook, um...weird fiction?
51. Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara (4 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, fantasy - series recommended by Roni
52. A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab (4 stars), 2016 acquired audiobook, fantasy
53. Black Diamond by Martin Walker (4 stars), 2015 acquired paperback, crime fiction/police procedural
54. Gorsky by Vesna Goldsworthyy (2.5 stars), 2016 acquired book, retelling of The Great Gatsby
55. Ballistics by Billy Collins (4 stars), library hardback, poetry
56. Shaman Pass by Stan Jones (4 stars), library hardback, crime fiction/police procedural
57. Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer (3 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, crime fiction/mystery

Books Completed in May:
58. The Bird Artist by Howard Norman (4 stars), library hardback, literary fiction, GR
59. Pietr the Latvian by Georges Simenon (3 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, crime fiction/police procedural - series recommended by Charlotte
60. The Crowded Grave by Martin Walker (4 stars), 2016 acquired paperback, crime fiction/police procedural
61. The Other Side of Silence by Phillip Kerr (4.5 stars), library hardback, crime fiction/mystery - recommended by Suz and Charlotte
62. Frozen Sun by Stan Jones (2.5 stars), library hardback, crime fiction/police procedural MY THOUGHTS
63. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (thinking), 2016 acquired paperback, Russian literature
64. A Talent for War by Jack McDevitt (4.3 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, space opera/mystery

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) COMPLETED
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/$.99 audio)
18. Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop - 2nd book in The Others series - ebook
19. King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild - purchased for the non-fiction/history challenge COMPLETED
20. Half-Resurrection Blues by Daniel José Older - Mark's fault
21. The Drowned Detective by Neil Jordan - Charlotte's Guardian reviews COMPLETED
22. A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab COMPLETED
23. The Fade Out: Volume 3 by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips COMPLETED
24. Velvet: Volume 2 by Ed Brubaker - recommended by Roberta COMPLETED
25. The Misty Harbor by Georges Simenon - recommended by Charlotte COMPLETED
26. Gorsky by Vesna Goldsworthy -Charlotte again, and on my own thread! COMPLETED
27. The Trees by Ali Shaw - Guardian review on Charlotte's thread
28. The Portable Veblen by Elizabeth Mckenzie - Charlotte's thread? COMPLETED
29. The Lemoncholy Life of Annie Aster by Scott Wilbanks ($.99 on Kindle)
30. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman ($1.99 on Kindle)
31. Galore by Michael Crummey ($3.99 on Kindle)
32. An American Childhood by Annie Dillard ($1.99 on Kindle) - for the AAC
33. Pietr the Latvian by Georges Simenon ($2.99 on Kindle) - Charlotte's fault COMPLETED
34. The Carter of 'La Providence' by Georges Simenon - Charlotte again
35. The Late Monsieur Gallet by Georges Simenon - Yep. Charlotte
36. The Hanged Man of Saint-Pholien by Georges Simenon - Ahem. Charlotte
37. The Crowded Grave by Martin Walker - book #4 in Bruno, Chief of Police series COMPLETED
38. The Devil's Cave by Martin Walker - book #5
39. The Resistance Man by Martin Walker - book #6
40. Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara ($1.99 on Kindle) - series recommended by Roni COMPLETED
41. Cast in Courtlight by Michelle Sagara - book #2 - series recommended by Roni
42. City of Secrets by Stewart O'Nan - heard about this on Ellen's thread
43. The Blackhouse by Peter May - recommended by Barbara
44. The Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza ($.99 on Kindle)
45. Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard - recommended by Jim
46. Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart - recommended by Charlotte, Mark and Joe ($2.99 on Kindle)
47. Zero World by Jason M. Hough - recommended by Jim COMPLETED
48. Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye - recommended by Roberta and Katie
49. A Talent for War by Jack McDevitt COMPLETED
50. The Glorious Heresies by Lisa McInerney - recommended by Charlotte
51. spill simmer falter wither by Sara Baume - I just liked the sound of this one
52. A Country Road, A Tree... by Jo Baker - I loved her Longbourn
53. Happy Family by Tracy Barone - sounded good
54. The Honeymoon by Dinitia Smith - novel about George Eliot's honeymoon
55. Golden Hill by Francis Soufford - blaming Charlotte's Guardian reviews
56. The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths - blaming this series on Beth and Katie

20/56 completed = 36% have been read

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
7. Ruby by Cynthia Bond - seconded by Charlotte
8. Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan
9. Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye - Roberta also loved this, Katie says the audio is great

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, Ellen also loved this
60. When Books Went to War by Molly Guptill Manning - recommended by Amy

LT recommendations continued...

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
69. The Shepherd's Life by James Rebanks - recommended by Rhian
70. Dodgers by Bill Beverly - recommended by Ellen and Mark
71. The Art Forger by B. A. Shapiro - recommended by Mark
72. Zero World by Jason M. Hough - recommended by Jim
73. Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie - recommended by Susan (and Carrie recommended it to her)
74. Without by Donald Hall - recommended by Ellen, who read it because of the poem that Katie had posted - poetry collection
75. City of Secrets by Stewart O'Nan - Ellen mentioned this on her thread as getting great reviews
76. River Thieves by Michael Crummey - Judy mentioned that she loved this one (on Ellen's thread)
77. The Improbability of Love by Hannah Rothschild - Beth's review on her thread
78. Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine - read Julia's review on her thread
79. Georgiana by Amanda Foreman - read Anne's review on her thread
80. Pleasantville by Attica Locke - read Charlotte's review on her thread
81. Locally Laid by Lucie Amundsen - Janet's review on her thread - I can't believe that she actually got me with this one, but there you have it!
82. Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan Howard - Jim said to just read it, already
83. Black Water Rising by Attica Locke - recommended by Susan, Pleasantville is the next book in the series
84. Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys - recommended by Mark, who said the audio was good, too. Joe also liked this one. Also Mary
85. Last Night in Montreal by Emily St. John Mandel - read Beth's review on her thread
86. Body Politic by Paul Johnston - read Charlotte's review on her thread, she said Suz recommended it
87. All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews - read Anne's review on her thread, she said Beth had recommended it - Anne loved the audio narrated by Erin Moon
88. The Private Lives of the Tudors by Tracy Borman - Susan loved this one!

A few of my favorite reads from 2015:




This should do it - next one's yours!

Happy new thread!

FIRST!?!?

ETA: Gah! Second.

Happy new thread, Mamie :)

>14 katiekrug: Ha! Sweet triumph!

Continuing from the last thread re: knowing it's not the person on the phone's fault ... I have maybe in the past told someone (first-line customer service at a bank), "Look, I know this isn't your fault, and it's not fair to yell at you. So I advise you to go get your supervisor or someone else whose job it is to be yelled at, because I am about to start yelling."

>12 Crazymamie: Erik!!! So happy to see you here! You are first, so here is your prize:



A decadent pool float!

>14 katiekrug: Katie, what took you so long?

>15 Oberon: LOL!

>16 ursula: Oh! I love that. Filing that away for future use. Thanks, Ursula!

>17 Crazymamie: A decadent pool float sounds wonderful. Now I just need some time to sit around in it and read.

Happy new thread, Mamie.

One line my old boss always had with his secretary. He would ask her to get hold of a particular person and she would connect him with the words: "It's his office on the line", he would invariably and rather inelegantly reply, "I didn't know he had a f&*£@g talking office, can we get one?". Quite funny the first time but not every day.

>19 Oberon: Wishing you the best of luck with that, Erik!

>20 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul!

My Dad loved to use the same lines over and over again, too.

Chatty Mamie! Chatty Mamie!

Happy New Thread, my friend! Love the summery topper! Just got back from a bike ride, (still taking shorter ones) and it is sunny, low 70s- perfect!

Haha, Mark! I am ready to chat away! And thank you! Your weather sounds fabulous - it is currently 88 and very humid here, but still better than last week. A bit cooler. LOL!

Happy new thread mom like the topper.

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread Mamie. Love the topper!

>25 GeezLouise: Thank you, Rae - glad you like the topper!

>26 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba!

>27 charl08: Thank you, Charlotte! I knew I had to use that photo as soon as I found it. SO great!

>17 Crazymamie: That looks like it would be fun!

Holey Moley, I'd better say hello and congratulations before this thread disappears into the distance.

Happy New Thread, Mamie!

That sure looks like summer fun up in >1 Crazymamie:.

Go, Lonesome Dove! Hope you all have a good time with it.

>30 thornton37814: Yes, it does, Lori. I want!

>31 jnwelch: Ha! No worries, I think you have plenty of time, Joe. That topper just screams summer, doesn't it? And Lonesome Dove does not happen until July; it's just up there as a reminder to me.

Happy New Thread!

Happy New Thread, Mamie!

I'm sorry to hear that Amazon failed you, but could not help but laugh when she said: "Thursday is close."

>33 mstrust: Thanks, Jennifer!

>34 brodiew2: Thank you, Brodie! Right. Guaranteed delivery within 24 hours is practically the same thing as 72 hours. So close and yet so far... It made me laugh after the fact, at the time I was like, are you kidding me. Let me talk to an adult, please, perhaps your mom is available?!

Happy new thread, Mamie!

>31 jnwelch: As someone who is attempting to catch up with your threads, you are no slouch either, Joe.

>36 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg!

>36 Familyhistorian: :-) Maybe that was a bit of the pot calling the kettle black, Meg.

>38 jnwelch: BUSTED!

Back to add that it is kind of like Mark calling ME chatty. Ahem.

hi Mamie. just popping in.

>2 Crazymamie: you reread Case Histories? i've read (listened to) it thrice. actually i've read all of hers at least twice. partly b/c she's one of my favorite authors and partly b/c it's necessary since in audio i can miss a lot. currently rereading Life after life as i'm preparing to listen to the sequel.

>10 Crazymamie: excellent image. :-)

Happy new thread, Mamie. I'm so happy to see another Griffiths fan -- and I get co-credit with Katie!

Hello there, Ellie! Lovely to see you here gracing my thread with your delightful presence!

Yep - I read it the first time, and then listened to it this time around. I liked the narrator, except for how she did Marlee's voice - she made her sound whiny and a bit of a brat, and I think of Marlee as more precocious and sarcastic. I can see how you would miss things just listening to it as it jumps back and forth in time and switches POVs.

Thank you! I adore Nathan Fillion!

>41 BLBera: Thank you, Beth! I am loving Ruth, so thanks so much for helping me decide to pick this series up. And yes, you and Katie are mad co-conspirators - there is no telling what kind of trouble you two will get me into next.

Okay, so someone made heads roll at Amazon - the crutches have just arrived. Amazing!!

>43 Crazymamie: - Shenanigans!

I hope so!

>44 Crazymamie: Ace! (Eventually...)

Hurrah for crutches!! And a happy new thread to you!

Agreed, Charlotte.

>48 ronincats: Thank you, Roni! And yes, hurrah for crutches!!

Rae is in the process of setting up her thread, please stop in and say hello. You can find her here: Rae's Reading Rambles

Happy New Thread!

Wahoo for the arrival of the crutches!!

I'll have to go say Hi to Rae

Thank you, Juli! I was thrilled to see the man walking up to the door with the box. I might have scared him a tiny bit with my enthusiasm.

Rae's thread looks like she isn't ready for visitors yet, but she is - she just needs those first four posts that she already saved.

^Hooray!!

So glad that the crutches arrived. See, I always knew that rants do pay off!

>54 msf59: *grin*

>55 DeltaQueen50: Me, too, Judy! Laughing about your rant theory.

Happy New Thread, Mamie! Backtracking to some of what I missed on your old thread . . . so sorry about Daniel's injury and belated birthday greetings!

Glad the crutches arrived.

Terri, thanks so much for those kind thoughts and wishes. And yes, thank goodness the crutches arrived - I was debating calling back, but luckily, I did not have to do that.

Not as annoying as your Amazon story, but I was expecting a package today (had also paid for 1-day shipping) and got an email saying it was delayed. I clicked the "Track Package" link, and it said the package was delivered, and indeed when I got home, there it was waiting for me! Weird.

(BTW, it was my new Asics sneakers :) )

>42 Crazymamie: Nathan is for to die. and to think those idiots cancelled Firefly after only 14 eps. what a dream team they had. mostly. *sigh*

i didn't know there was a need for crutches in your family. i'm sorry they're needed and awfully glad you could get them.

Happy new thread, Mamie. Hey, I'm 61st! That's sort of like first, right?

Thank goodness the crutches showed up. I hope Dan continues to improve. If he's never watched Sons of Anarchy, that might keep him occupied for hours and hours.

Happy new thread, Mamie!

I'm so glad that the crutches arrived! I think sometimes the tracking info isn't accurate, because, like Katie, I've gotten notices from Amazon before that my package is delayed, only to come home and find it waiting for me. Weird.

Happy new thread, Mom!

Sweet Thursday, Everyone! Last evening was delightful as it was cool enough to sit out on the screened-in porch and read through the evening, which is exactly what Craig and I did. The sunset was another beautiful one with the pinks and oranges that remind me of sorbet. And then the stars!

Today there is nothing on the schedule. Nothing!!! Delightful! Well... I do have to catch Susan again.

>59 katiekrug: That is weird, Katie. I'm glad you didn't have to wait for your sneakers. So, what do they look like?

>60 mirrordrum: Agreed about Firefly and about Nathan Fillion.

Daniel needs the crutches, Ellie. Last week he broke his leg sliding into home - he had to have surgery to set the tibia and the fibula needed a plate and a bone graft to repair. Not fun.

>61 susanj67: Thank you, Susan! Yes, 61st is very close - as close as Thursday is to Monday. Ha!

I will give Daniel your Netflix recommendation. He is feeling loads better and is hoping the incision is healed by the 16th so that he can get it casted.

>62 scaifea: Thank you, Amber! Right. Sometimes the tracking info is completely wrong. Keeps us on our toes, I guess.

>63 Thebookdiva: Thanks, Abby!

>64 Crazymamie: That made me laugh out loud!

>66 Thebookdiva: I know, right?! And where is the beverage?

Morning Mamie! Sweet Thursday, my friend. Glad to hear Daniel is on the mend. The Mighty 75 is rooting for him.

Morning, Mark! I believe in the powers of The Mighty 75! This group is awesome!

These are the new sneaks:

Oh! I like!

Good morning, Mamie! My grandparents has a house on a lake in Cashiers, North Carolina. The two bedrooms that faced the lake had enclosed screen porches. I remember them well, as a kid. The one off our bedroom had a dart board. my brother and I had loads of fun. I imagine that today, it would be a mighty sweet reading spot.

>64 Crazymamie: What a lovely way to spend an evening

>54 msf59: Cute

>64 Crazymamie: Cuter

A sorbet sunset? How evocative!

>72 brodiew2: Morning, Brodie! Your grandparents' house sounds wonderful! I really love the Carolinas - so beautiful.

>73 SuziQoregon: It was, Juli - relaxing and indulgent.

>74 PaulCranswick: It was beautiful, Paul.

>44 Crazymamie: Great news, Mamie! You obviously lit a fire under them.

It was full of fabulous, Joe. She was probably afraid I would call back. LOL!

>77 Crazymamie: Ha! Perfect.

*grin*

Happy new thread and hooray for delivery of the crutches!

Thank you, Heather!

Glad Daniel is doing well!

Ummmm ahhhhh, would you call Amazon for me? There seem to be some plant pulleys that have gone missing ....

Thanks, Janet! Oh, dear about the plant pulleys. And no. You are on your own. But I will send you positive thoughts.

Love the collie taking a bath made me smile.

Me, too, Rae!

wow, Mamie! I just speed-read through this thread and the last. Lots of drama for your birthday, I see. I hope Daniel is past the worst of the pain.

Now that I'm actually retired, I stand a slightly better chance of keeping caught up with your lightning thread. And I've been walking a lot. Would it be possible to join your fitbit community? At least on the days I can find the thing, I can join in. I'll send you my email.

Hi Judy! I do think Daniel is over the worst of it. And yes, more that enough drama for me. It can just go back to quiet and uneventful.

I'll go right now and send you an invite - everyone is welcome. I'm happy to have you - both here on my thread and in the Fitbit group.

Buenos Dias, Mamie!

Hey Mamie. Friday!

Morning, Mamie! HAPPY FRIDAY!!

>88 Carmenere: Good Day to you, Lynda!

>89 charl08: Hello, Charlotte! And yes - FRIDAY!!

>90 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Happy Friday to you! I love Fridays!

Happy Friday, Mamie!

I'm glad Daniel seems over the worst. I can imagine you can use a break from all the drama. Quiet and uneventful sounds mighty good to me, too. Maybe even read a good book or two?

Morning Mamie! Happy Friday! It looks like we are going to get some of your heat & humidity for a couple of days. Fortunately, it will be short-lived. Whew!

>92 jnwelch: Happy Friday, Joe! Daniel is pretty much just taking Advil now, and he is still being a good sport. Now will come the onslaught of all his visiting friends. Ha!

>93 msf59: Morning, Mark! Happy Thingaversary, my friend! It has been very hot and humid here lately, but the evenings have been lovely.

Mamie, I been missing for a while so I've just caught up with Daniel's accident. Glad to see that he seems to be healing well.

Rhian!!! I am thrilled to see you! And thank you for those thoughts - he is healing fabulously. Hoping all is well with you and yours.

Hi Mamie! How did I get so far behind here?!

Hey, Carrie! Um...did you blink? That's usually how I get behind on LT.

>98 Crazymamie: Yep, that's what I do, too. You'd think I'd learn.

Just skimming through, Mamie, and seeing the updates about Daniel. I'm glad the crutches finally arrived and I'm glad he appears to be on the mend. Sheesh.

I still smile every time I see your reading cat, dog, and snail. xo

Watching the Cubs playing the Braves, in Atlanta. They mentioned the word "sweltering."

Did 7000 steps today just around the house (front yard) and two trips to Home Depot. Usually don't get that many unless we take a designated walk!

>99 EBT1002: Ellen! Hello there! It is very easy to suddenly be very behind on the threads - I feel like I am always playing catch up.

Daniel is doing very well - he goes back to the surgeon's on the 16th to get his incision rechecked. If if is healed, they will cast his leg then. I am really hoping for that because I will feel much better once it has a hard cast on it. He has been very good about taking it really easy so far, but he is getting antsy, so more protection would be a good thing.

I am so happy that you like the reading cat, listening dog and the snail - I love them, too, and they remind me of you since I kept them on the thread just for you. xo

>100 msf59: Mark, sweltering is just the right word. Right now, at 7:15 am, it is 74F with 93% humidity. Yuk. By the time it gets up to 90, it will be Extremely Yuk.

>101 ronincats: You go, girl, Roni!! That is most excellent. I have not gotten my steps in the past two days - I NEED to do better.

Morning Mamie! You are up early! I am leaving for work in a few minutes but I prefer to stay right here, with my coffee, books and A/C.

The good news is, is gets much more comfortable tomorrow.

Enjoy your day, keep cool and get some reading in.

Last night we watched Rear Window (the Alfred Hitchcock version with Jimmy Stewart) - the kids hadn't seen it before, and I had told Daniel that now was the perfect time since his leg is broken. It's even the same leg that Stewart's character has broken in the movie. They all loved it! Then we watched the episode of Castle (the 100th episode - Season 5, episode 19) where they do a take on Rear Window. SO funny! And so well done.

>103 msf59: Morning, Mark! I AM up early! I wish you could stay home, too. Then we could try to get into trouble on the threads. Our forecast calls for rain and temps in the 90s for the next few days. Thanks for those wishes -I will definitely get some reading in!

>104 Crazymamie: One of my favorite movies! And my favorite Castle episode!

I want to stay home and get in trouble with Mamie! Wah!

Ooh, Hitchcock! I am so overdue to watch one of his
films. He is one of my absolute favorite directors.

Happy weekend, Mamie.

Good morning, Mamie. Happy Weekend!

>106 cbl_tn: Those are two of my favorites, too, Carrie. My very favorite Castle episode might be the one where the actress who will play Nikki Heat in the movie follows Beckett around to get a feel for the part. SO funny.

>107 msf59: Exactly. Of course you do. It would be awesome. Mayhem brought to the threads courtesy of Mark and Mamie - even has a nice ring to it.

I love Hitchcock, too. We are going to watch Rope tonight.

>108 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara! Happy Weekend to you!

>109 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! Happy Weekend!

Wasn't Grace Kelly a beautiful woman?

Hitchcock movies are great treatment for broken limbs!

Hani loves Castle - myself not so much as I find the sharing of dialogue in a circle when they are going over the clues to be so forced it is laughable. Have to say though that the interplay between Castle and Beckett can be eminently watchable and she is a cutie too.

Have a great weekend. xx

Yes, she was indeed, Paul. And so elegant.

I LOVE Hitchcock, and while I have seen all of them, (I think) the kids have seen just a handful - North by Northwest, Notorious, Vertigo, The Trouble With Harry, Dial M for Murder, To Catch a Thief, and Rear Window.

We all love Castle here. I find it very entertaining, and I love all of the characters. The dialogue does not feel forced to me. Agree that Stana Katic is stunning. And Nathan Fillion is adorable.

Hoping that your weekend is full of fabulous. xx

Oh, Rear Window! I LOVE that one!

Happy Saturday, friend!

Castle, you say? Big fan here, untill this final season . I think one of my favorites is the season 2 finale when Kate is left stunned by the appearance of Castle's ex just as she is about to tell Rick how she feels. I wrote two fanfiction pieces out of that episode. And, Mamie, I also wrote a fanfiction piece out of the episode you mentioned above. Now you know something about me you didn't know before.

>114 scaifea: Me, too, Amber! Happy Saturday!

>115 brodiew2: Yep - we have not watched this last season, so don't tell me. We have only watched up to about half way through Season 6.

I also love that season two finale! And fanfiction!! Brodie! Now I do know something that I didn;t know before!! How fun!

hullo Mamie. happy Saturday eve. :-)

Ellie! Hello, dear! I looked it up for you and the author is Angela Brazil. The name of the book is Dulcy Plays the Game. And you are reminding me that I have not read any P. D. James in a VERY long time.

Glad to hear that Daniel is feeling better. I hope the check up on his leg goes well on the 16th and Daniel can get a cast. So glad I live in a cooler place! Nice today at 18 C or so - like 67 F - though of course it does get up to 85 F and more , every now and then here. I like it not too hot.

>17 Crazymamie: oh em gee, it's a pool reading bed.

>104 Crazymamie: I love it. Finding pairings in all sorts of art forms is the bomb :)

Morning Mamie! Happy Sunday!You mentioned you were getting rain, I hope it cools things off. I wonder if the rain will interfere with the Cubs/Braves game? I think they play around noon.

Happy Sunday, Mamie!

Happy Sunday Mom!

Hope you have a wonderful Sunday mom.

Late to report in today, as I have been very lazy. I am going to have to get back on the ball tomorrow. Last night we watched Hitchcock's Rope, which is decent but not one of my favorites. I have no idea what's on the agenda for tonight, but I would not be surprised if it ends up being the second Jurassic Park movie - I have seen one and four but not the two in between. I really liked Jurassic World but then... Chris Pratt - I LOVE him!

On the reading front, I am almost finished with White Noise, which was Kim and Megan's Bowie pick for this month. Just the last four chapters to go - I really loved the first book (chapters 1-20), thought the middle book a bit of a slog, but not horrible, but the last book baffles me - what is Delillo doing? Where is the humor and the wit and the charm? I am hoping that the ending redeems it, but I am doubtful.

>119 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deborah. Your weather sounds about perfect! We were supposed to get rain, but it missed us, so no let up in the humid temps - it's 93F out there right now.

>120 LovingLit: I know, right?! And I love finding stuff like that, too, Megan - so fun!

>121 msf59: Hey there, Mark! We did not get the rain, and we are about three hours south of the Atlanta area, so I don't know if they were supposed to get it or not.

>122 scaifea: Happy Sunday, Amber!

>123 Thebookdiva:, >124 GeezLouise: Happy Sunday, girls! Thanks for the pancakes this morning, Abby - they were delicious!!

Glad you are having a lazy day, Mamie! I have been having a lazy afternoon. Just a few pages left in Jane Steele.

I agree with you about Rope. Not A-level Hitch but decent enough. More of a curiosity, with the long takes. Hitch liked being challenged.

I have done nothing but read and nap, Mark. Seriously. And wow - you whipped through Jane Steele!

Yep - it's an interesting character study type of piece. I think the ending could have been much more thrilling.

Jane Steele took me a solid week, which is kind of long for a print book for me. I am sure you will love it. It is a lot of fun. I bet it would work well on audio too.

Nothing wrong with reading and napping. I took a cat nap, about 15-20 minutes.

Oh, a solid week - it seemed like only a couple of days to me, Ha! I think that Katie said the audio was good.

I love reading, and I love a good nap. It's just that I did nothing else. The humidity has sucked all the energy from my bones. But, like Scarlet, I believe that tomorrow is another day. LOL!

I hope you have a great new week (with less humidity). Ours is going to rain out tonight, I think. :)

*whispers* (Rope is my favorite.)

Morning, Mamie! Happy Tuesday Eve!

>131 The_Hibernator: Thank you, Rachel - such a lovely thought. It's supposed to rain all week, so we'll see if it rains out. I hope so.

>132 scaifea: Oh, dear! I actually love that everyone has their own favorite - mine is Notorious.

Morning, Amber! Happy Tuesday Eve!

Morning Mamie! Supposed to warm back up today but not bad at the moment. Have a good day!

Going to 96F here today, and the humidity is not letting up. I was sure to hit the market very early so as not to be out when it is at its worse. Thanks for those good wishes - hoping your day is also good!

Hope you have an awesome week Mom.

Hey Mamie, hope you are having a good pre Tuesday. Enjoying the latest Erdrich over here.

Hiya, Mamie! Happy Mmphmumble Day.

Dodgers was excellent. Now back to Jane Steele. Hope your week goes well.

>136 GeezLouise: Thank, Rae - you, too!

>137 charl08: Hey, Charlotte! So far so good with my pre Tuesday. I have that Erdrich out from the library, too, but currently I am reading Dear Mr. You by Mary-Louise Parker because it has to go back sooner. It's making me cry. Like this in the letter she writes to her Dad:

"We all miss you something fierce, those of us who wouldn't exist had you not kept walking when an ordinary person would have fallen to his knees. To convey in any existing language how I miss you isn't possible. It would be like blue trying to describe the ocean."

>138 jnwelch: Hiya, Joe! Thank you - Happy Mmphmumble Day to you! I have Dodgers on the list and Jane Steele in the stacks! Hoping that your week also flows smoothly!

Good morning, Mamie. Here I/we are starting another work week. I hope you day and week is fantastic.

As for 'Rope', I agree that it was good not great. My favorite Hitchcock is Strangers on a Train. Talk about intense. The Trouble With Harry is also a good, but with a lighter tone.

Morning, Brodie! Thank for those good wishes - hoping that your week is full of fabulous!

Oh, I like Strangers On a Train - better than the book, I think. Really well done. The kids like The Trouble with Harry for the humor in it, but it is not one of my favorites.

Pyscho didn't get much mention above, but that could be because it is the most obvious and well known. Rear Window ramps up the tension so well. Plus, it has Raymond Burr which adds at least half a star to any film or show he's in. :-)

Keep cool, Mamie! Do you use the pool on days like those? Dumb question?

>143 brodiew2: Psycho is very good, but not one of my favorites, and the kids haven't seen it yet - they keep saying, um...NO. Totally agree about Raymond Burr - LOVE him.

>144 msf59: Thanks, Mark - I will try. Usually the pool gets quite a workout, but lately it has been empty. I think we all feel a bit badly that Daniel cannot get in it right now. It feels like it would be rubbing it in - adding insult to injury. Literally. Ha! I crack myself up!

>145 Crazymamie: Shame he can't get in the pool. I guess that comes at the next stage for rehabbing it?

Hope you have a good day. I can report the Erdrich was fab, well worth reading. Unsurprisingly! In other news, trying some runner beans and watching the heroic home dwarf bean plant reflower and grow *more beans*.

Morning, Mamie!

>146 charl08: Right - he just has a splint on it right now, and his incision is not healed, so he cannot get it wet at all. If his incision is healed when I take him back to the surgeon's on Thursday, they will cast it then. Gonna be a long haul for him, poor guy.

Thanks for those wishes! Hoping your day is full of happy. I have the Erdrich out from the library (and about ten other books!) *ahem* You are responsible for several of them.

Love hearing about the beans! Last night I made beef stew, and we used some of Craig's red potatoes in it - YUM! They were really good. Tonight we are making those Swiss pan burgers with rosemary-mushroom sauce. I will have to double the recipe or make two batches since the boys are here this time. Can't wait for the boys to try them, since the rest of us loved the recipe.

>147 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

I just started listening to this yesterday, and it is full of fabulous! Gaiman narrates it himself and talks between pieces - it feels like an intimate conversation, and it is full of the love and importance of reading. It just came out at the end of May and contains more than 60 pieces of his non-fiction, Gaiman describes it:

“It’s a collection of my nonfiction. It’s not every speech, introduction or article I’ve written, but it’s all the speeches that seemed important, all the articles I was still proud of, all the introductions that seemed to be about something bigger than just telling people about the book or author they were going to read.”

The Gaiman sounds great. You're not convincing me to pick up White Noise, Mamie.

Beth, I was just over at your place! The Gaiman is so wonderful! And I ended up liking White Noise quite a bit - hoping to get a review together later today for that one. I needed to let it marinate for a bit.

Hi Mamie - I love books that have to marinate. Onto the list it goes.

Well, that was easy! I also love books that have to marinate - says something about the writing that you can't let it go and must mull over what you read before you can talk about it.

Morning, Mamie! Come and join us in Oregon! It's pleasantly cool here, and we're going book shopping tonight!

Good morning, Mamie!

>149 Crazymamie: Oh good, thank you for being the trailblazer on this one. I should have more faith, but I wasn't sure whether this one would be full of fabulous or not. Glad to hear it is!

>154 cbl_tn: How fun would that be?! If only!

>155 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! I am really loving Gaiman's latest so far. I am thinking it would be slightly less fabulous in print because the audio really feels like he is talking just to you.

Morning Mamie! I will try not to add insult to injury, so I will tread carefully. Grins...

We have a warm, muggy one here today too. Glad you are enjoying the Gaiman essay collection. I want to get to that one too.

Morning, Mark! LOL! It's HOT here today - more of the same, and we still haven't gotten the rain they promised us. Wah! I want that rain.

The Gaiman is not just essays - also speeches, like his Newbery acceptance speech, and I loved the whole story of that.

Today's Kindle Deal is an awesome one - the first 14 books in Cara Black's Aimee Leduc series are on sale for just $1.99 each. These are murder mysteries set in France featuring Aimee Leduc as a private investigator.

Good morning, Mamie! I hope your day is going well. I'll check out Cara Black. Is there a favorite of hers you'd recommend?

Morning, Brodie! So far, so good with the day. Concerning Cara Black, I have only read the first few in her Aimee Leduc series, and I loved those.

Last Saturday it was 82 degrees here and I was dying (and complaining). Heard on the news this morning that you're going to have a break and will have "beautiful" weather this weekend -- in the midi-80's. Hope you can stay in the house with the A/C on except for brief sprints to the pool!

Ha! It has been very soupy here lately, Reba. Usually I read a lot on the screened-in porch, but that is unbearable right now because of the humidity. I am laughing because I had just told the kids - it's only going to be 87F this weekend.

>159 Crazymamie: Did you buy them all Mamie? Sounds like a good series.

>104 Crazymamie: Castle you say? Nathan Fillion you say? hunh. i can't watch much telly. anything Sarah Lancashire is in is a must. OITNB also. however, i may just have to take a glipse. glipse? oh well, glipse it is. probably a bit longer than a glimpse.

>118 Crazymamie: mwah mwah mwah, dahling.

LOVE that you watched Rear Window while Daniel is laid up

Hi, Mamie! :)

>164 charl08: You know me so well, Charlotte. I did.

>165 mirrordrum: Yep, Castle, and it's really good. And fun. Just take a wee glipse at it, Ellie.

You are too clever for me - by the time I responded, you have moved your message. I figured you were trying to keep me on my toes. Ha!

>166 SuziQoregon: It was so fun and absolutely perfect timing - even the same leg, Juli!

>167 tymfos: Hi, Terri!

Ok. I'm caught up to here, Mamie.

Hitchcock--We like a couple of his early films, The 39 Steps, which departs from the book very early on, and The Lady Vanishes. Some one mentioned liking the film of Strangers on a Train better than Patricia Highsmith's book of that title; I'm the opposite. Hitch also filmed two du Maurier books, Jamaica Inn and Rebecca. The latter was altered from the book, but I suspect the changes to it were required to conform to the production code.

Broken limbs--My 10-year-old granddaughter Gracie was on crutches because of broken foot for six to eight weeks. I couldn't believe how well she hustled around on them, never dragging the foot. The family went to Paris while she was still on crutches; a couple of times they rented a wheelchair for her, but she mostly preferred hoofing it. Standing on line to see the Mona Lisa in the Louvre, she got knocked off her good foot and crutches; the security folks took right up to the head of the line. Pow!

I'll bet your Daniel will be scooting around just fine once he gets the cast. Sounds like the inactivity is more vexing than the injury.

I was unaware of the existence of knee scooters until two years ago--much more suited to mobility than crutches. Can be rented. Just saying, once that cast is on.

>169 weird_O: Hello, Bill! Lovely to see you here! I like the BBC version of The 39 Steps, which also departs from the book very early on. And I am the one who likes the Hitchcock movie better that Highsmith's Strangers on a Train, but that might be because I saw the movie version first, and there was something about the book version that bugged me, but I can't remember what now. I would have to revisit it. I am sure you are right about Jamaica Inn and Rebecca - I know Hitchcock was forced to change the ending in Suspicion to conform with the studio's wishes.

AWE! Poor Gracie, but it sounds like she was a good sport about being on crutches while touring Paris - that will make for great stories when she is older, I bet. And good for the Louvre!

You are right about the inactivity being more vexing than the injury at this point. Crossing my fingers that when we go to the surgeon's tomorrow his incision will be healed so he can get the cast. Then he will be able to do much more without worrying about re-injuring the leg.

>170 ronincats: That does look like it would be much faster as long as you had smooth even surface, Roni!

Morning, Mamie!

Morning, Amber!

Morning Mamie! Looks like we are sharing the same weather. Hot & Muggy! Ugh! At least I have my books to distract me and I am off tomorrow. Silver linings, my friend.

Enjoy your day!

Morning, Mark! And still no rain. We did get to enjoy the screened-in porch in the evening, so that was really lovely. Hooray for a day off tomorrow!! Craig has a half day today - every Wednesday, actually. Totally agree that it's all about looking for the silver linings.

Hoping that your day is also full of joy!

Morning, Mamie!

Hilarious and great idea to watch Rear Window with Daniel. That will be a lasting family memory, I'm sure.

Oh, a half day off every Wednesday. One summer job in Chicago (with a publisher) I had a half day off every Friday. I worked within a short walk of a very nice beach (North Avenue) downtown, and on Fridays Madame MBH and I would happily head over there mid-day with a picnic to start the weekend.

That was my favorite schedule ever. I can see the benefits of having the half day off on Hump Day Wednesday, too.

Morning, Joe! The Rear Window viewing was so fun because none of them had seen it before. And Daniel LOVED it!

That is a lovely memory that you have shared. Sounds like a wonderful start to a weekend.

In his practice in Indiana, which was much larger, Craig had every Wednesday off - the whole day. When we moved here, his partners each had Tuesday and Thursday for half days, which left Wednesday because Mondays and Fridays are bad days for that sort of schedule - all hands needed on deck. Craig was already used to Wednesday, so it worked out fine. One partner has now retired, so he could switch to Thursday if he decides he wants to do that.

>170 ronincats: The other day I saw a man with a thing like the bottom of a crutch that was strapped on his bent leg. It allowed him to walk and looked to me like he would be able to fit into more places than with the knee scooter and do things like climb a few stairs. Either would be MUCH better than crutches imho.

Good morning, Mamie!

>177 Crazymamie: None of them had seen it? Wow. I guess not everyone has been exposed the joys of classic film. I hope this opens the door to more. there is plenty of classic suspense out there. And then there is NOIR.

>178 RebaRelishesReading: Like this, Reba?



Daniel just has these, I fear:

>179 brodiew2: Morning, Brodie! Believe me, they have been exposed to the joys of classic film. They are just not as joyful about it as I am. I have focused on my own favorites which include Bogart and Cary Grant. I try to keep Jimmy Stewart to a minimum because Rae still has not forgiven him for stealing both the girl and the credit from John Wayne in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence. Seriously.

Ha! 'Liberty Valance' is great cinema. Such marvelous characterizations, performances, and direction. I guest that leaves out The Philadelphia Story, but still leaves room for My Man Godfrey.

Perhaps she can have Grant and Steward in TPS!

OH! I LOVE The Philadelphia Story - they have seen that one multiple times!! Luckily she saw that one before The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence.

My Man Godfrey is an excellent idea! I love me a good screwball comedy, and I don't think they have seen that one.

Where you love, Cary Grant (whom I also enjoy), William Powell is my man. Pun intended. ;-P

Ha! Love him in The Thin Man and also How to Marry a Millionaire.

SO many great performances. Have you seen Mister Roberts? Powell is in such great company, but his ship's Doctor is classic.

I'll stop now. I could talk all day on this subject. :-)

Yes - I had forgotten that one, but my Dad loved it.

Never fear, you are in exactly the right place to talk about old movies - LOVE them.

>181 Crazymamie: Ha! Mamie. I love those fast talking movies (but have not seen much Hitchcock, although I do love The Lady Vanishes. I was going to say I love Rosalind Russell, but what I really like is His Girl Friday. I went and had a look at her film list. Some of the titles - and the posters... Whew.

Hey, Charlotte! Me, too with the fast talking - the dialogue was always so clever! Oh! His Girl Friday - YES!

This one is from Arsenic and Old Lace.

Oh - we love that one, Brodie!

mirabile dictu, Mamie. on Gutenburg i found all the Angela Brazil books so by enlarging the font i can at least sample them and there's pichers, too. saw this one and figure this would have been you. in another life. naturally.



thank you, Mamie. a needed distraction.

old movies. *sigh* my favorite movie of all time is Les enfants du paradis (Children of paradise) with Jean-Louis Barrault and Arletty, filmed underground in Paris during WWII, released 1945. written by Jacques Prevert.

and favorite bit of uber-classic dialogue:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MheNUWyROv8

oh be still my beating heart. don't make 'em like that anymore, alas.

Big Hug to Mamie, for bailing me out! LOL. I was thinking of just skipping over it, since I am so close to finishing my current read, but you brought it front and center and I dealt with it.

Ooh, I love Liberty Valance! How about that stellar cast?

>192 mirrordrum: Where have you been all my life, Ellie? I LOVE Children of Paradise, although I have not seen it in many years. I do have the Criterion DVD of it. It is simply gorgeous!

>192 mirrordrum: Ellie! That is so great - a fantastic find! And that is definitely me in another life - I look carelessly glamorous, don't I? I hope that I am just taking that tennis racket to a good friend or holding it for someone because, trust me, you DO NOT want to see me attempt sports of any kind. I do feel I could manage the sophisticated spectator, though, after all, I do have vintage sunglasses and a devil may care attitude.

I have not seen the movie that you mention, which means I have homework to do.

That dialogue happens to be from my all time favorite movie - my kids can quote all the good lines, which is pretty much the entire movie. Hard to believe that Bacall is only nineteen there, isn't it? You are so right - they don't make them like that any more. *sigh*

>193 msf59: Thank you, Mark! Oh no - mustn't skip over that - it was funny, and we all love to laugh here. You dealt with it beautifully, my friend!

Yes, Liberty Valence had an awesome cast - but don't bring up that movie on Rae's thread. LOL! Steam comes out her ears - the nerve of Stewart's character!! Rae is a huge John Wayne fan, if you hadn't figured it out yet - her GranDad would have been proud.

>194 msf59: Now I know I have to track it down!

Hi Mamie, I love all this discussion of classic movies. In fact I now have a hankering to see one of my favorite Bogie films, "The Treasure of Sierra Madre". If you are looking for an excellent William Powell film, I suggest "One Way Passage", with Kay Francis, and even better, the great character actor Frank McHugh.

I'm afraid I have not watched much in the way of Classic Movies! Hangs head in shame! On another note, I'm glad that Daniel is little more mobile with his crutches.

>196 DeltaQueen50: IS 'On Way Passage' a silent, deltaqueen50?

Frank McHugh? Frank McHugh? DeltaQueen50, I thought I was the only one who knew about him. He worked in so many films James Cagney (My second favorite classic film actor of all time).

Footlight Parade and The Fighting 69th come to mind immediately. But there are so many more.

>190 brodiew2: a brilliant example of talking out the side of one's mouth right there!!! (what did we ever do before gifs??!!)

>198 brodiew2: "One Way Passage", filmed in 1932, is not a silent, so you get to enjoy both Kay Francis' slight lisp and Frank McHugh's excellent laugh. I love Frank McHugh and, of course the great James Cagney, they made an excellent pair.

>196 DeltaQueen50: Hey, Judy! I love "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre"! I will look up "One Way Passage" - that sounds familiar, but I might be confusing it with something else. I love Frank McHugh - such a great character actor. He was in "Going My Way" which was one of my mom's favorites.

>197 vancouverdeb: Say it isn't so, Deborah! LOL!

Daniel is doing really well - he is SO ready for a cast. Tomorrow is the big day, so we'll see what they say.

>198 brodiew2: I think he and Cagney were good friends in real life, if memory serves, Brodie. James Cagney was awesome - so talented!

>199 LovingLit: Truth, Megan!

>200 DeltaQueen50: They did make an excellent pair, Judy.

>194 msf59: Mark? i've been here all along, benighted. i don't know anyone else who's ever even heard of it. i haven't seen it for years b/c first it wasn't available except in little art cinemas they don't have in Knoxville, heaven help me, and then b/c by the time they got 'round to DVDs, my eyes wouldn't read subtitles and god forfend they should dub it in English as i'd lose Arletty's voice. may just get it anyway. criterion you say? that's aces. wish i could buy you a beer, my friend. i just bought the Criterion DVD. voila! Garance and Jean-Baptiste are on the way.

>195 Crazymamie: yes, Mamie, carelessly glamorous and madcap. i suspect the tennis racket is actually for pasting bad evil persons so fear not. :-)

>202 mirrordrum: Go Ellie! Go Ellie! I was a serious film buff in the '90s and early '00s. I still am but I don't watch as many films. I remember hearing serious film lovers mention Children of Paradise and I was fortunate enough to finally see it.

It is a under-seen, under-rated classic!

Mamie, I can't handle horror or suspense, so don't make a practice of watching Hitchcock. I did watch The Birds on a date in my teens, but even Two on a Guillotine, a spoof of horror films, was too much for me. I watch Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Bing Crosby and the like for my entertainment.

Good luck to you and Daniel on this big day!

Morning, Mamie!

>202 mirrordrum:, >203 mirrordrum: I am going to rent it from Amazon Prime, so I will report back after i watch it. Thanks so much, Ellie! And you came away from the conversation with a prize, too! Hooray for that!

I am relieved to know that I need not play tennis with that racket.

>204 msf59: Look at you being a serious film buff, Mark!

>205 ronincats: Ha! I am not big on horror, but I love suspense. The girls love to watch those old musicals, and my mom loved them, too. I love Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn...like that. We will try to squeeze in some lighter fare for you, Roni.

>206 DianaNL: Thank you, Diana! His appointment is at 9:40, ao we leave in about an hour. Fingers crossed!

>207 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

>180 Crazymamie: Yes, I think so. It looked like a really good idea.

It certainly seems more practical than crutches, Reba.

"Look at you being a serious film buff, Mark!" Seriously, from the late 80s into the early '00s, I put myself through my own amateur film class. We had a small group of friends and cousins that formed a film club. From silent film to foreign film. We hit it all.

Books have moved front and center in my life now, but I still LOVE film.

Morning Mamie! Sweet Thursday!

Morning, Mark! Oh, I believed you - you know a lot about films. Your amateur film class sounds like so much fun - I would love that. It would actually be fun just to do it with our crew. How did you chose the films? Did you keep a list?

I also love both books and film - if I could only have one, it would be the books, but I would miss the films.

Sweet Thursday to you, my friend!

At our film club meetings, we usually just socialized and talked movies, for a few hours and chatted about the films we saw, since the last time we met.

Our big event was, at the end of the year, we would get together and discuss our 25 Best Films of All-Time List. This would be a blast and it changed a bit every year, so it remained fresh.

The Godfather 1 & 2, (we combined them, so a small cheat) has always been my #1 pick.

>192 mirrordrum: I'm another one who loves "Children of Paradise", Ellie. It's a joke in our family, because Madame MBH was not so taken with it - we were dating, and I took her after she had a hard work day. As she says, it's a four hour French movie, with subtitles, featuring a mime. She was not amused. (I've seen it twice, and should make time to see it again - wonderful movie).

Love that cover and title of Madcap of the School. Why don't we use "madcap" any more? Great word.

Love the classic Bacall-Bogie exchange, too.

Good morning, Mamie! Sweet Thursday!

>213 msf59: So cool, Mark, and sounds like so much fun! I am a huge fan of the Godfather movies!

>214 jnwelch: Oh, I love that story, Joe! Craig loves karate movies and has learned that he has to watch them by himself. LOL!

So lovely to see both of my Sweet Thursday boys here together!

>192 mirrordrum: >214 jnwelch: I may have to seek this out given the classic school setting. I agree, Joe. Madcap is a cool word. Zany is as well.

>213 msf59: The first rule of film club: We make 'em an offer they can't refuse.

We are back from the surgeon's office. Daniel hit the jackpot - the doctor gave him the choice between a cast and an aircast. The advantage of the aircast is that you can remove the top section for icing the leg and also that you can take the cast off to take a quick shower or to check the incision. Daniel chose the aircast - smart boy! The doctor said that he does have to be able to trust Daniel to wear it all of the time except for the icing or the shower, and that he still cannot put any weight on it at all. He goes back in three weeks for a recheck, and I think they will take new films at that time. In the meantime, he is going to go to PT to help reduce the swelling in his foot - I guess they have something that helps to massage the fluid out. I asked if it hurt, and the doctor said that actually it felt good. Daniel's surgeon has had the exact same surgery that Daniel had, so it makes me feel very good about trusting him.

Thanks so much for all the positive thoughts and vibes that you sent our way - I KNOW that it makes a difference.

>216 brodiew2: LOVE the word madcap!

"We make 'em an offer they can't refuse." Or we take them to the mattresses.

>217 Crazymamie: looks almost Star Warsy. Warzie? Warzy? too tarsome to have to wear that in the summertime. casts are such a nuisance and thank goodness for them and the new kind. plaster ones are beastly.

>218 Crazymamie: >216 brodiew2: "madcap" suits you to a T which, obviously, was why i picked that one. there's a marvelous piece in the Guardian about the 2002 production of Brazil's Daisy Pulls It Off at the Lyric in London.

>213 msf59: i got intro-ed to foreign film classics by 2 boyfriends, Sheldon and Bill. since they were both heads, the first time i saw the double bill of Truffaut's Shoot the Piano Playerand Jules et Jim i was so wasted that they all blurred together. i have come to like Jules et Jim since. Sheldon also introduced me to Children and Bill to Bergman, Battleship Potemkin and Dassin's Phaedra. naturally i fell head over heels for Melina Merkouri when she sang the theme songAgapi mou (i love you) to Tony Perkins. i have no idea if the film was any good. got lots of Bergman at another art theatre in the City where my then-partner and i attended the yearly Bergman festival.

have a nice slide to Friday, y'all.

I loved Rear Window. Excellent film choice while Daniel is laid up with a broken leg.

Yay for the air cast!!!

>208 Crazymamie: >205 ronincats: one of the scariest ever, imo, was Sorry, wrong number. Barbara Stanwyck and all. oh and i love Invasion of the Body Snatchers--the classic b&w. set in Marin County. too wonderful. i saw it as a young person and was looking under the bed for weeks. eeeeeek.

>219 mirrordrum: I know, right?! That's what I said - now you're ready for space opera! I was SO happy that they gave him the choice between the aircast and the plaster cast.

I thank you kindly - I am honored that you think madcap suits me. And I LOVED the article!

I have seen very few foreign films, and most of them were during my college days when they would feature them on campus. I love your foreign film story - such fun memories.

Um...we will not be sliding anywhere, Ellie - that is how Daniel got into this mess in the first place. LOL!

>220 EBT1002: We thought so too, Ellen! And he will always remember the first time he saw it. Ha!

The aircast is fabulous - they even gave us an extra liner so that we can switch them out! Fabulous!

>221 mirrordrum: Oh, I love Sorry, Wrong Number! I need to dig that one out. Also Call Northside 777 - of course, there we go with Jimmy Stewart again. And I love the old sci-fi movies! DO NOT get me started - Craig will not watch those with me, but sometimes I can talk the kids into it. I especially love the ones with truly bad special effects. I know. I am completely nuts.

>219 mirrordrum: I was introduced to Truffaut, through "The 400 Blows", but my favorites are Shoot the Piano Player and Jules & Jim. I also discovered The Seventh Seal around this time and that opened up a helluva door. Love me some Bergman.

Not familiar with Phaedra, although I have heard of Dassin.

**Sorry for the hijack, Mamie! Who loves you, baby?

Now, Mark, you know you can hijack my thread any time! I know you love me!

>221 mirrordrum: >222 Crazymamie: Oh Snap! (Yes, I just said it.) You just turn on a dime from madcap to mayhem...screwball to nightfall (best I could come up with)...Comedy to NOIR.

Sorry, Wrong Number is quite suspenseful and a stellar performance by Stanwyck, not known for victim roles at the time.

'Call Northside 777' is a fine police procedural. I like Stewart in that one.

Oh, yay for the aircast!!

Woohoo for the aircast Mamie!

Morning, Everyone! Friday!! Big Whoot for Friday! Nothing on the agenda today except getting my hair cut - and boy, does it need it. I have had the last two appointments cancelled - the first one because the stylist couldn't make it, and the second one because I had to take Dan to the surgeon's. SO it is making me completely crazy right now. If I had to go much longer, I might have taken matters into my own hands and trimmed a bit - it's happened before.

I have no idea what's for dinner, so if I don't think of something, we might just be ordering pizza. Actually, that sounds pretty good. And um...easy. I guess we'll see...

>225 brodiew2: LOL!

>226 scaifea: Well said, Amber!

>227 luvamystery65: Exactly how I feel about it, Roberta!

Good morning, Mamie!

Fun to read the movie discussions. Our favorite Bergman was Fanny and Alexander, which generally was one of his more upbeat ones. I was a big Fellini fan back in the day, with Amarcord my favorite. I also liked those Truffaut movies. A more recent French film we liked was Amelie.

Scary movies like Sorry, Wrong Number: the one that got me was Wait Until Dark, the one with blind Audrey Hepburn being tormented by thugs in search of something they think she has.

Happy Friday Mom!

Morning Mamie! Happy Friday! Hooray for happy dances, haircuts, air casts & pizza!

>230 jnwelch: Ooh, Fanny & Alexander and Amarcord. Two of my favorites...

Happy Friday, Mamie. Good news that Daniel seems to be healing well.

Love all the classic movie talk.

>217 Crazymamie: - Right choice, I reckon - looks like a cast-off from a section of one of Darth's Stormtrooper band.

Have yourselves a lovely weekend at the Pecan Paradisio.

Happy Friday, Mamie! I'm finally all caught up here after my little vacation. Hooray for Daniel's continued healing!

Re: classic films, two of my favorites are 'It Happened One Night' and 'Bringing Up Baby.' And I have a soft spot for 'Penny Serenade'...

Hope you have a great weekend!

Good morning, Mamie! Happy Friday to you. Enjoy your haircut!

>230 jnwelch: In the same vein as both Sorry Wrong Number and Wait Until Dark, is When A Stranger Calls. Creepy Phone Films.

>235 katiekrug: As much as I am a fan Grant and screwball, 'Bringing UP Baby' was one I have never connected with. I will keep trying. It Happened One Night is a fantastic film.

>230 jnwelch: Afternoon, Joe! I am loving all these movie suggestions - filing them away so I can track them down and watch them at my leisure.

Oh! Wait Until Dark creeps me out - probably because my Dad was blind. Once was enough of that one for me.

>231 Thebookdiva: Happy Friday, Abby!

>232 msf59: Hey there, Mark! Happy Friday! I love your enthusiasm - matches mine exactly today. I am thankful.

>233 BLBera: Hello, Beth! Happy Friday! Daniel is doing so great now that he is over the hump of the surgery and the injury. He goes to PT to reduce his swelling on Tuesday, so I am sure that will help, too.

>234 PaulCranswick: Me, too, Paul. Yep. The cast is so much better than what we were expecting. Thank you for those weekend wishes - should be a relaxing and indulgent weekend for us as Craig is off.

>235 katiekrug: Happy Friday, Katie! SO lovely to see you here - I missed you! And yes, hooray for Daniel's healing and good fortune. No complaints from me.

I love both of those first two films films that you mentioned, but Penny Serenade is just too sad for me.

Hoping that your weekend is full of fabulous!

>236 brodiew2: Afternoon, Brodie! Happy Friday! It felt great to get the haircut - SO much better! Now I can be human again.

I love Bringing Up Baby - it's just so over the top, and of course Grant and Hepburn are great together. I also like them in Holiday.

'Holiday' is a fantastically quirky film. I adore it.

*grin* Me, too!

frabjous Friday, Mamie.

>228 Crazymamie: hyoooooj grin

Night of the living dead, the blob. just sayin'. also just sayin' Steve McQueen.

So many films I haven't heard of. I have rewarded Roman Holiday so many times - the 'real Italy' in the background is just as good as the leads.

(And what Katy said. Plus The Shop Around the Corner)

Hooray for aircast!! Here's hoping it heals really fast.

>241 mirrordrum: Thank you, Ellie! I have seen The Blob - yes, ma'am! I am putting Night of the Living Dead on the list, thank you very much.

>242 charl08: Roman Holiday is a good one - and completely charming, too. I haven't seen The Shop Around the Corner in years!

>243 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba - I am hoping the time goes quickly for him. It's a long time to stay still for someone who is usually so very active.

>200 DeltaQueen50: >201 Crazymamie: I couldn't resist. I posted a series of these over on my thread, but this is fun picture of Cagney and McHugh in The Roaring Twenties. Enjoy.

Take a couple of days off and miss an entire thread. Basically. Goodness.

Good morning, Mamie and happy Saturday to you! Woo Hoo for Daniel being semi-mobile again! I'm sure he's anxious to cast away those crutches as soon as possible.

>245 brodiew2: Ha! That's a great one, Brodie!

>246 nittnut: Hello, Jenn! But you're here now - that's what matters!

>247 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda!! I have been missing you here!

Daniel has at least four weeks of no weight bearing on that leg still, so it's going to be a bit, but yes, he is ready to get moving.

Morning, Mamie! Happy Saturday!

Morning, Amber! Happy Saturday indeed!

Good morning, Mamie! Happy Saturday!

We saw Roman Holiday for the first time just a couple of years ago. So charming. Audrey Hepburn is irresistible.

Morning, Joe! Happy Saturday! Totally agree about Roman Holiday.

Morning Mamie! Happy Saturday! We are some warm weather moving in again for the next few days. I will persevere...

Love all this classic movie talk. Loved Roman Holiday. I would also include Love in the Afternoon. The age differences in these films, between the leads was absurd but boy, were these great romantic stories.

Morning, Mark! Happy Saturday! We are actually getting a bit of a break today - overcast and only going to 86F.

Yea, Love in the Afternoon - Gary Cooper suddenly looked ancient.

Morning mom have a fabulous weekend.

I used to *love* 'Love in the Afternoon'. I re-watched it a couple of years ago, and honestly, it just seemed kind of creepy. I don't remember the age difference in 'Roman Holiday' being as obvious, but I am hesitant to re-watch it, lest it not hold up, either...

'Sabrina' had a big age difference, too, I think.

Happy Saturday, Mamie!

>255 GeezLouise: Thank you, Rae! You, too!

>156 Crazymamie: Ha! I know just what you mean, Katie! They kept pairing the new young fresh faces of Hollywood with the older established ones - sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. I actually adore Sabrina, but I think the newer version works better as far as the pairing of old and young - you get why Sabrina could fall for Harrison Ford, but it is less obvious with Humphrey Bogart. And I LOVE Humphrey Bogart. LOVE HIM. And in real life Mr. Bogart did get the gorgeous young woman. I think the best pairing of Audrey with a much older leading man is when Cary Grant plays it. Charade works and it never feels creepy.

Happy Saturday, my friend!

Playing catch up once again with your thread, Mamie. I will start off with very belated Happy Birthday unbirthday wishes to you. Now that I know your birthday is the day before my other half's, I won't forget. ;-) Sorry to read about Daniel's broken bones. I have suffered through sprains, etc but I have to this day never fractured/broken a bone in my body. *frantically looks around for wood to knock on and zeros in on the end table*

Read your rant about the crutches for Daniel and my first thought was "These aren't supplied?". I know... I have never needed crutches but still, part of me always assumed that crutches were things one had access to, even if on a paid deposit basis. It is news to me about having to outright purchase crutches, that hopefully will only been required over the course of the one injury. one learns something new every day!

Happy new thread. That opening topper pic screams "Summer!" to me. ;-)

Glad to see the crutches have arrived.

>104 Crazymamie: - OMG.... I love that dress (the one worn by the woman in the middle... you know.... what's her name.) I have yet to watch Castle. I just picture Nathan Fillion in his Firefly role and haven't gone beyond that.

Congrats on Daniel choosing the aircast. You have one very smart lad there, Mamie!

Thank you, Lori! I have had broken wrist, broken ribs and broken toes, and I once chipped the bone in my ankle, but I have never broken a leg. *also knocks on wood*

I think the hospital would supply the crutches for a pretty penny. We didn't do that because we had old crutches up in the attic - but we didn't know that they only extended to accommodate a height of 5'9" - Daniel is 6', so those crutches didn't work very well for him.

So glad you like the topper - I knew as soon as I saw it that I had to use it. You're right - it does scream summer.

Agree that the dress Grace Kelly is wearing is absolutely gorgeous - she has quite the lovely wardrobe in this movie. Nathan Fillion is really great in Castle - it actually took the first few episodes to sell me, but I am now totally hooked, and they just get better.

I was so relieved that Daniel chose the aircast - he has never had a traditional plaster cast, so he has no idea how incredibly stinky and gross they get. I cannot even imagine the plaster cast combined with the Georgia heat - YIKES!

>258 lkernagh: our daughter recently needed crutches and we were able to rent them from the local drug store. Cost $25 for as long as she needed them I believe.

Hi Mamie! I'm glad to hear that Daniel's appointment went well. The air cast sounds like a great choice. My father wasn't given that option when he broke his foot a few months before he died. He found a product called a Cast Cooler (I think) that hooks up to a vacuum cleaner and suctions air through the cast. It was a great help with the itching and the odor.

I still remember the day I took him to the orthopedist and they sent him home with a cast and a prescription for a walker. If he had been able to use crutches I think they would have provided those. (For a fee, of course.) The walker prescription wasn't much help in getting him out of the car and into the house. Fortunately, I had friends who came to the rescue until I could get to the medical supply store to pick up a walker.

True, the cost for crutches directly provided by the hospital would probably cost a pretty penny. Even with provincially funded health care there are things that BC health does not cover. Not sure about crutches and would just as soon not test the system for an answer.

Grace Kelly - duh! slaps palm to forehead I cannot believe I couldn't recognize Grace Kelly. I still want her dress (or a reasonable knockoff). ;-)

Oh, I completely forgot about the Georgia summer heat.... plaster cast BAD, air cast GOOD.

>260 RebaRelishesReading: - That makes sense. I think we have a local store for basic medical needs (crutches, etc) that one can rent.

Morning, Mamie!

Happy Sunday! I've heard it's going to last 48 hours and we'll go right in to Tuesday.

Happy new week Mamie! Glad Daniel is doing well!

Hi Mamie - I just watched "Desk Set." I love Tracy and Hepburn. Nice to have a Sunday that lasts 48 hours.

Hope you are having a great weekend, Mamie. With Daniel's cool new aircast does that mean he can now climb the stairs?

>245 brodiew2: that is just what my lovely other was doing today while I was at uni, bottling his (not-bootleg) beer. :)

Still basking on the glow of your edition of White Noise? I am still working through it (2 other books completed inbetween) so still have that to look forward to.

I have missed your entire thread?!?! How is that possible? Sorry, sorry, sorry....Happy Mmphflday! I will have to go back and read what you've been up to. : )

Crazy--Oh my! Best wishes to poor Daniel! The Air Cast seems a good choice. And speaking of needing a haircut...I look awful in all the graduation pictures because I just could not get in to get mine cut!! Hoping to pull that off this week. Love all the old movie talk. And I have to find a copy of White Noise since I am leading the charge with Megan on this one...whoops!!

And I missed your Birthday, too!!! Happy, Happy belated older day. Hope it is a great year for you.

Happiest of extended Sunday's, Mamie!

How is it Tuesday Eve again already?! Yeesh.
Anyways, mornin', Mamie!

Morning, All! I did not make it here yesterday - I have viral sores on my tongue that are making me crazy. Well...crazier. I think they feel a bit better today. Anyway, I have mostly wanted to sleep, so I have been very lazy - I need to get stepping today!

Not too much that has to be done - a bit of laundry, pay some bills, make up the menu plan for the week, drink a vat of coffee...

I am wanting to start this week working on decluttering the Paradisio - too much stuff that doesn't have a proper home, so it needs to either get one or get out.

On the reading front, I finished a book yesterday - One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson. This was the second book in the Jackson Brodie series - really loved it. It is intriguing how she begins with what feel like completely different story lines and then works her magic weaving them all together. Life is like that with only how ever many degrees of separation - I am thinking six. Is it six? Anyway, I very much like her style, and boy, can she write. I went immediately into the third book, which is titled When Will There be Good News. I am already mourning the fact that there are only four book in this series. *sob*

Morning, Mamie! You are making me want to revisit the Jackson Brodie books - maybe on audio...?

I am back to work today :( Actually, it will be good to get back to my routine, including my steps and good food choices. I didn't do too terribly on vacation, so that's good. I went to the track this morning and it was hot and humid - I might as well have been in Georgia!

Have a great day!

>260 RebaRelishesReading: Good thinking, Reba!

>261 cbl_tn: Hey, Carrie! That cast cooler sounds like just the thing. The prescription for the walker is so crazy - how were you supposed to get him out of the car if it had just been you? We have a walker around here someplace, too - probably the attic. Craig had a hip replacement a few years back (in December, in Indiana - talk about bad timing), and he used a walker at first.

>262 lkernagh: You can get crutches from Amazon for as low as $24.

Yep. Grace Kelly - I have those mental moments, too! Where you know that you KNOW but you can't think of the name or the word. And agree that the dress is GORGEOUS!

And right - the aircast is definitely a better fit for the weather down here.

>263 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

>264 Carmenere: You made me laugh, Lynda! Such great news about the 48 hour Sunday that goes straight into Tuesday!!

>265 The_Hibernator: Thank you, Rachel! Hoping that your week is full of fabulous!

>266 BLBera: Hey, Beth! Desk Set is one of my favorites!

We are in complete agreement about the 48 hour Sunday. LOL!

>267 Familyhistorian: I was not feeling great this weekend, Meg, but the weather was lovely. Yesterday especially was truly fabulous - I spent a lot of time reading on the screened-in porch. And yes - Daniel now has permission to climb the stairs, but he has not yet attempted it. He still cannot put any weight on the leg, so he would have to use the crutches to get up each step - a daunting prospect.

>268 LovingLit: Yep. Still sending loving glances and occasionally stopping to fondle the latest edition to my Penguin Deluxe Classics shelf. *sigh*

Where are you at with it, Megan?

>269 Berly: Nope. Because you are here now, Kim!! No need for apologies. Ever.

Oh dear, about the haircut! Needing a haircut and not being able to get one makes me completely insane. I actually got mine cut as short as possible - think Jamie Lee Curtis, and I am loving it!



Mine is actually a bit shorter than that because my hair grows incredibly fast. But that is the exact style.

I thank you for those wonderful wishes, and I hope that you get your hands on a copy of White Noise very soon.

>271 Carmenere: Ha! Thank you, Lynda! Happy Extended Sunday to you!

>272 scaifea: I know, right, Amber?! Seems like it was just Tuesday Eve a moment ago. Good morning, to you!

>274 katiekrug: Morning, Katie!! I had only read the first Jackson Brodie book, so I revisited that one on audio, and it was perfect that way. Really well done except that I didn't like the way the narrator did Marlee's voice - made her too whiny and bratty sounding. I could not find book two on audio that was unabridged. Weird - I don't like abridged audios anyway, but I would think that you really shouldn't do that with a Kate Atkinson book considering how she weaves the story lines in and out of each other. And each book is done by a different narrator, which is also odd. Anyway, the first one is really good that way.

I NEED to get back to work with the stepping! I think you did really great on vacation - you stepped up a storm!! I turned in a very sad performance last week. If you can get up and go to the track before reporting for a full work day, then I can at least get my steps in, so thanks for that motivation.

We actually got a bit of a break from the humidity yesterday, which was really nice. Only going to 87 today, but the rest of the week is back to the 90s - UGH!

Wishing for you a day full of fabulous!

Oh, I LOVE the Curtis cut! I'm betting you look completely fabulous with it, too. I'm signed up for an appointment to get mine cut on Thursday...

Me, too, Amber! The kids say it really suits me, and I am LOVING that it takes no time whatsoever to take care of. Ha! I am all about low maintenance. Are you getting something new with your cut or is it a trim?

Morning Mamie! A muggy, Monday here in Chicagoland. Ugh! At least it will be a short week.

I also loved One Good Turn, one of my favorites of the Brodie series. Will Atkinson write another Brodie book? The suspense builds...

Good thing you got that haircut!

Good morning, Mamie!

>273 Crazymamie: I agree with the coffee cup, but I'm sorry to hear about the viral sores. Hope they're passing quickly.

I want to read that Jackson Brodie series at some point. I thought Life After Life was really good.

>281 msf59: Morning, Mark! It's actually not too bad here today.

I am really hoping that Atkinson will eventually write another Brodie book - such a great series, and Brodie is such a fabulous character.

>282 katiekrug: How did you know, Katie?! That is exactly how I was feeling. Ha!

>283 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! The viral sores are being a pain - making things taste funny and they hurt. I am also hoping they pass quickly.

I think you would like the Jackson Brodie series - such great writing and really rich detail and character development. She just pulls you into the story.

Sorry to hear about the mouth. Sadly >282 katiekrug: is pretty much every morning here :-)

Glad you liked the Brodie. Like Mark, I hope she writes more too.

Howdy Mamie! Glad to hear you got yourself a short and sassy new do. Perfect for the Georgia summer. I am listening to Heart of Darkness narrated by Kenneth Branagh per your and Katie's warbling. Just started but love the narration.

>282 katiekrug: I love it!

>285 charl08: Thank you, Charlotte. LOL about >282 katiekrug: - That's how I was feeling. My hair was down past my chin, which is VERY long for me - it was going crazy in the humidity because I have an S wave in my hair that just keeps getting bigger and bigger in this Georgia weather. NOT a good look.

LOVED the Brodie. I want more already and I haven't even finished what I have. Greedy, greedy Mamie!

>286 luvamystery65: Howdy Miss Roberta! The haircut is indeed perfect - and much better for walking in this heat.

Oh! Hooray for the Kenneth Branagh narration of HoD - so full of fabulous!

Did someone say Brodie? :-)

Good morn/afternoon, Mamie. I hope all is well with you. Glad to hear Daniel's recovery is proceeding.

>266 BLBera: >276 Crazymamie: 'Desk Set' is good, but I prefer 'Adam's Rib' and even 'Woman of the Year' for Tracy/Hepburn. They were such a great team.

Ha! We did indeed, Brodie! Good Afternoon. I thank you for those lovely wishes and thoughts.

Adam's Rib and Woman of the Year are both excellent - I adore Hepburn, but I have a soft spot for Desk Set, which was a favorite of my mom's. You are so right that they made a great team.

Mamie! I'm reading A Country Road, A Tree - did I remember right that you bought this for a recent haul? I can't put it down...

Hey Charlotte! Yes! Excellent memory - I bought it as part of my birthday haul. Perhaps I should pick it up immediately and dive in?

Or maybe save it for when you need a really good book?

Love the Curtis haircut.

48 hour Sunday?! Where do I sign up for it?

>280 Crazymamie: Meh, I always get the same cut: shoulder length (but then let it grow for 6 months before I get another cut, so right now it's midway down my back) with long layers, and angled slightly round my face. No bangs, of course.

Morning! Today Daniel goes back to the surgeon's for some cold compression therapy that will help to get rid of the last of the swelling in his foot and ankle. It's supposed to feel good, so I hope it does.

I am needing to restock the pantry, so if I am feeling like it after I drop him back home, I might run to the market. And I didn't make up the weekly menu yesterday, so I will need to do that today.

.
On the reading front, a couple of my library reserves came in yesterday - I picked up The House at Sea's End, which is the third book in Elly Griffith's Ruth Galloway series, and Sister Bernadette's Barking Dog, which is a book that Carrie had read on sentence diagramming. Not sure I'll read the whole thing, but I was intrigued enough to want to at least dip in and out of it.

>292 charl08: Good thinking, Charlotte!

>293 BLBera: Me, too, Beth! So easy and so much cooler.

>294 cbl_tn: I know, right, Carrie?! Can we just get it delivered weekly?

>295 DianaNL: Thank you, Diana!

>296 scaifea: Well, okay then, Amber. Carry on! About the longest I keep a haircut is six months or so, and then I get it cut differently just for fun. I am thinking, however, that the latest do might just be a keeper - I really love it.

>298 Crazymamie: That's why I keep getting the same haircut - I just love it. I also love that my hair is now, magically, naturally curly/wavy, since Charlie arrived on the scene. B.C. it was always super-straight, and now I absolutely love the curls.

Morning Mamie! We have a beautiful day here in Chicagoland. Low 80s, blue skies and low humidity, plus my current books are singing along. All is good.

Good luck to Daniel's ankle and the shopping list. : )

Catching up a bit before I head out for the day. It's my last day in Portland. Flying back to Charlotte overnight (via Atlanta). Then I have a bit of a drive to my house. I just hope I sleep enough on the flight to be able to manage that.

Good morning, Mamie!

>290 charl08: How did I miss A Country Road, A Tree? I loved Longbourn by this author, and I love Samuel Beckett. That one jumped right onto the WL.

Hi, Mamie! Just stopping by to say hello. (waves)

Hi Mamie! I've got A Country Road, A Tree loaded on my iPhone, and briefly considered making it my next listen today, but instead went with Career of Evil. I've been curious about Jo Baker's other books ever since I read (and loved) Longbourn, but haven't yet found too many readers here on LT (or on Audible, for that matter), who have anything to say about her other books.

Hope Daniel enjoyed his treatment.

Do I see mention of summer? Here too, actually. It is an unusually warm period, today 18DegC! I no complain. ;)

Hi Mamie! I hope you can get Sister Bernadette's dog to stop barking. ;-)

Hey Mamie! Hope those viral thingies are gone by now! I enjoyed The House at Sea's End hope you do too!

Morning, Mamie!

Good morning, Mamie! Hope all is well at the Pecan Paradisio.

Hey Mamie! Hope you are recovered and that Daniel's treatment went well. I quite like the sound of cold compression therapy as it is too muggy here (but I'll pass on the broken leg).

Morning Mamie! Happy Wednesday! Looks like we will have a stormy day but I am hoping it holds off, until later. Silent prayer....

Have a good day!

Late to check in today - still not feeling 100%, but I am much better than I was. Daniel's therapy went well - he said it did feel good, so hooray for that! Not too much to repost other than that - I went through all of the spices and ditched the expired ones. I know, pretty exciting stuff! I have also been completely hooked by When Will There be Good News - I think this will end up being my favorite Jackson yet. Almost finished...

>299 scaifea: Yep. I hear you, Amber! And hooray for curly!! Mine was stick straight before children, too, and after I had an s wave. Good to know I am not alone!

>300 msf59: Morning, Mark! I am a day late and a dollar short. *grins* I can't complain about the weather here- hot but not nearly as humid as it had been. the pool has been getting a workout.

>301 Berly: Thank you, Kim! Check on both of those!!

>302 thornton37814: Hey there, Lori! Lovely to see you stopping in! Hoping that you made it home safely - that is a bit of a hike after the flight. I bet those kitties have been missing you!

>303 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! I know, it's afternoon and an entire day has passed... *cough* I picked up A Country Road, A Tree as one of my birthday books as soon as I saw who had written it - I loved her Longbourn.

>304 tymfos: Hello, Terri! Thanks for stopping in! *waves back*

>305 Smiler69: Hello, Ilana!! I LOVED Career of Evil - it was my favorite in the series so far, and it is excellent on audio!

Daniel did enjoy his treatment - thanks for thinking of him.

>306 LovingLit: Yep. definitely summer. Your "warm" 18C (64F) made me smile; I love those kinds of temps. It's supposed to be 100F (38C) here on Saturday. Should be fun. NOT.

>307 cbl_tn: LOL, Carrie! That dog has been pretty well behaved this whole time!

>308 Carmenere: Hey, Linda! Not quite - I still have a few of those sores, but they feel much better. I am liking The House at Sea's End so far. It's been fun reading these close together so I haven't lost the flow of the previous books.

>309 scaifea: Morning, Amber! *grins* Um...Afternoon, Amber!

>310 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! All is well here, thanks for thinking of us. I'm making French Dip sandwiches for dinner tonight, so I am looking forward to that!

>311 charl08: Hello, Charlotte! Still battling the viral sores, although they are much better. Daniel's treatment went very well - he said it felt really good. He took a photo of it, so I'll have to have him send it to me so that I can post it, and you can see what it looked like.

>312 msf59: Morning, Mark! Well...Afternoon, but that never sounds as good! Happy Wednesday! DId you get your storms? It's sunny and 94F here. Beautiful!

>305 Smiler69: Just picked up Career of Evil at Powell's. Can not wait!! : )

>313 Crazymamie: Good idea on the spices. Some of mine are, well, aged. And as to When Will There be Good News...I loved that one!

Ixnay on the viral sores--be gone I say!! Hope you are feeling better. Whew! 94 is hot!

>317 Berly: Career of Evil is SO good, Kim!!

Thank you, Kim - I am feeling better, it just seems like it is taking forever for the sores to go away. Almost... And yeah, some of those spices moved with us from Indiana, so NOT good. But it's all taken care of now.

When Where There Be Good News is my favorite one yet - I LOVE Reggie! And all the literary references. And Jackson, of course...

94 is not terrible, but I am not looking forward to 100.