Mark's Reading Place: Chapter 28

^Black Canyon Gunnison National Park. This is a N.P. I have visited. It is in southern Colorado. It is a smaller version of the Grand Canyon, carved out by the Gunnison River. It is beautiful.

Audiobook:



Graphic/Comic:


Books Read So Far...

October:

125) Dog Run Moon: Stories by Callan Wink 4.3 stars
126) The Grass Is Singing by Doris Lessing 4 stars BAC
127) Telegraph Avenue by Michael Chabon 4.2 stars (audio) AAC
128) A Whole Life: A Novel by Robert Seethaler 4 stars
129) Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir by J. D. Vance 4.2 stars (audio)
130) The Glorious Heresies by Lisa McInerney 4.3 stars E.R.
131) I am No One by Patrick Flanery 2.7 stars (audio)
132) Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson 4.2 stars (audio)
133) The Hike by Drew Magary 3.8 stars (audio)
134) The Association of Small Bombs by Karan Mahajan 3.8 stars (audio)
135) Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill 5 stars CAC
136) The Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman 3.7 stars (audio)
137) To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey 4 stars (audio)

November:

138) Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson 3.7 stars BAC
139) Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl: A Memoir by Carrie Brownstein 4 stars (audio)
140) The Maytrees by Annie Dillard 3.6 stars (audio) AAC
141) Glaciers by Alexis M. Smith 4 stars (audio)
142) Jimmy Bluefeather by Kim Heacox 4.3 stars
143) His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrae Burnet 3.8 stars (audio)
144) Hero of the Empire by Candice Millard 4.4 stars
146) March: Books 1-3 by John Lewis/Nate Powell 5 stars GN
147) The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings 4.3 stars (audio)
148) Truevine by Beth Macy 4.5 stars (audio)
149) Darktown by Thomas Mullen 4 stars
150) The Atomic Weight of Love by Elizabeth J. Church 3.6 stars (audio)
151) The Return of the Soldier by Rebecca West 4.4 stars BAC
152) Spirit of Steamboat (A Longmire Novella) by Craig Johnson 4 stars (audio)
153) The View from the Cheap Seats by Neil Gaiman 3.7 stars (audio)
154) Tao Te Ching by Laozi (S. Mitchell) 4 stars
155) An American Childhood by Annie Dillard 4.5 stars (E) AAC
156) Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood 4.2 stars (audio)

December:

157) The Pigeon Tunnel: Stories from My Life by John Le Carré 4.7 stars (audio)
158) The Shell Collector: Stories by Anthony Doerr 4 stars (E)
159) Zero K by Don DeLillo 3.2 stars (audio) AAC
160) The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje 3.3 stars (audio) CAC
161) A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles 4.8 stars
162) The Poet's Dog by Patricia MacLachlan 4.2 stars
163) A Spy Among Friends by Ben Macintyre 4.4 stars (audio)

American Author Challenge 2016

January- Anne Tyler
February- Richard Russo
March- Jane Smiley
April- Poetry Month
May- Ivan Doig
June- Annie Proulx
July- John Steinbeck
August-Joyce Carol Oates
September- John Irving
October- Michael Chabon
November- Annie Dillard
December- Don DeLillo

Mark's Picks for the AACIII: (under construction)

January- Anne Tyler- Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant Completed
February- Richard Russo- Straight Man Completed
March- Jane Smiley- Some Luck Completed
April- Poetry Month The Dream of a Common Language Completed
New and Selected Poems, Vol. One Completed
May- Ivan Doig This House of Sky Completed
June- Annie Proulx Heart Songs and Other Stories, Bird Cloud Completed
July- John Steinbeck The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men Completed
August-Joyce Carol Oates Blonde Completed
September- John Irving The World According to Garp Completed
October- Michael Chabon Telegraph Avenue Completed
November- Annie Dillard The Maytrees, An American Childhood Completed
December- Don DeLillo Zero K Completed

The General Discussion Thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/209611

The Poetry Thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/220301#
Part 2: http://www.librarything.com/topic/230813#

American Author Challenge 2017

January- Octavia Butler
February- Stewart O' Nan
March- William Styron
April- Poetry Month
May- Zora Neale Hurston
June- Sherman Alexie
July- James McBride
August- Patricia Highsmith
September- Short Story Month
October- Ann Patchett
November- Russell Banks
December- Ernest Hemingway

BRITISH AUTHOR CHALLENGE/CANADIAN AUTHOR CHALLENGE

There is no way, I'll be able to read all 4 of these Challenge authors, per month but I will select one each and try my best to bookhorn them in. There are other various Challenges going on, in '16 and I would like the chance to give one or 2 of those a chance too.

BAC:

January - SUSAN HILL & BARRY UNSWORTH -Morality Play Completed
February : Agatha Christie & William Dalrymple The Murder on the Orient Express Completed
March : Ali Smith & Thomas Hardy The Accidental Completed
April : George Eliot & Hanif Kureishi Silas Marner Completed
May : Jane Gardam & Robert Goddard The Man in the Wooden Hat Completed
June : Lady Antonia Fraser & Joseph Conrad Heart of Darkness Completed
July : Bernice Rubens & H.G. Wells The Island of Dr. Moreau Completed
August : Diana Wynne-Jones & Ian McEwan Atonement Completed
September : Doris Lessing & Laurie Lee The Grass is Singing Completed
October : Kate Atkinson & William Golding Behind the Scenes at the Museum Completed
November : Rebecca West & Len Deighton The Return of the Soldier Completed
December : WEST YORKSHIRE writers
Wildcard : Rumer Godden and George Orwell

CAC:

January: Robertson Davies, Kim Thúy- The Manticore Completed Ru Completed
February: Helen Humphreys, Stephen Leacock The Lost Garden Completed
March: Farley Mowat, Anita Rau Badami Never Cry Wolf Completed
April: Margaret Atwood, Michael Crummey The Heart Goes Last Completed
May: Michel Tremblay, Emily St. John Mandel Last Night in Montreal Completed
June: Timothy Findley, Joseph Boyden Through Black Spruce Completed
July: LM Montgomery, Pierre Berton Anne of Green Gables Completed
August: Mordechai Richler, Gabrielle Roy
September: Miriam Toews, Dany Laferrière All My Puny Sorrows Completed
October: Lawrence Hill, Jane Urquhart Someone Knows My Name Completed
November: Michael Ondaatje, Margaret Laurence The Cat's Table Completed
December: Alice Munro, Rawi Hage

Happy new thread!! Lovely toppers

^ I am starting A Gentleman in Moscow today. Linda P is also reading it and supplied me with a beautiful copy. Bless her heart. I did not read Rules of Civility, which I know garnered a lot of attention. Has anyone here, read that one?

I did not realize, Towles is an American, raised in Boston and currently living in NYC.

Good morning, Mark, and Happy Sunday!

I like the picture of the books, rose, and owl - owls always make me think of my FiL, who collected anything Owl. We have inherited quite a few Owls - pictures, framed artwork, porcelains, embroidery pieces by various and sundry women-folk of the family, even a sun catcher.

A Gentleman in Moscow is on my RL book club list to be read next October. I have Rules of Civility on my shelves, but haven't cracked it yet.....

Happy New thread Mark! And happy Sunday morning.

>6 jessibud2:

Thanks, Shelley! My first visitor!

>1 msf59: Beautiful it certainly is, Mark.

Happy new thread, buddy....and I will hazard not the last of the year by any means.

>8 karenmarie: Morning Karen! Have you seen owls in your area? Sorry, if this is a repeat question. I hope we get you excited about A Gentleman in Moscow.

>9 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel. Happy Sunday, my friend.

>12 msf59: I've heard them but not seen them. And not so many at this house as the previous house. Sad. But here we have open fields and it's a joy to watch birds actually fly for great distances instead of dodging and weaving through the trees.

I try to be quicker then on the last thread. Hapoy new one, Mark.

Happy new one, Mark!

Morning, Mark! Happy new thread!
I need to get round to some of Le Carre's stuff soon...

Happy snowy Sunday, Mark. We awoke to the white stuff this morning. Love the NP at the top of the thread. Lovely.

>11 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul! I plan on going out with a bang. Hey, why not?

>13 karenmarie: Love the bird joy, Karen. Smiles...

>14 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb! Happy Sunday!

>15 katiekrug: Thanks, KAK!

>16 scaifea: Thanks, Amber! Happy Sunday. This Le Carre memoir, sure inspired me to get back on track with his books, especially the later stuff, which he refers to quite a bit in his reminiscences.

>17 BLBera: Morning Beth! We are getting some flurries at the moment but may get some accumulation later on. I was quite content with the mild weather we have been getting.

>18 msf59: I think there's an audio version of one of his books out there, read by Tom Hiddleston... I'd love to get my hands on that one...

Howdy Mark! Happy new thread, happy Sunday! That Gentleman in Moscow has been on my radar and was even in my house for a short time, sigh, I had to send him packing and returned to the library unread :0(

We haven't seen any owls in our area but we've heard them occasionally. I don't have any on my life list either. Bummer.

Happy Sunday Mark!

>7 msf59: I didn't realize it either, Mark. I'm scurrying to finish my current mystery and can then devote full reading time to A Gentleman in Moscow. It's got an interesting premise and, while not too far in, I'm enjoying it.

As I mentioned late on the previous thread, thanks for the bird info. I was talking to a co-worker from Arkansas who helped me narrow it down. It might have been a coot or else a teal. At this point, I've looked at so many duck-like pics that I think I'm confusing myself. I'm hoping that there's a news report or a police report about unincorporated McHenry county road blockage. Probably not since it happens fairly often, though usually with plain old ducks. Mallard or whatnot.

Enjoying the first snow, Mark. At first it was a few flakes milling about but now, two hours later, it's starting to stick a bit.

>19 scaifea: I will have to look for the Le Carre myself. Sounds good.

>20 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda. A Gentleman in Moscow begins very well. I think this will be another '16 gem.

>21 Morphidae: I am hoping to add an owl to the Life List, this coming year, Morph.

>22 luvamystery65: Happy Sunday, Ro! Good to see you!

>23 lindapanzo: I just started A Gentleman in Moscow. I am liking it a lot. The birds you described from yesterday, do not sound like coots, which I have seen. They are black, but you never know.

Snow is falling here and beginning to coat the grassy areas. Sighs...

>23 lindapanzo: Hmmm, are there different color coots? These were beige/brown, light colored.

^ Tis the season, to be jolly...okay, let's not get ridiculous. The snow is pretty and all but...

If you look closely, that is a red-bellied woodpecker at the suet feeder. Pretty red-head.

>1 msf59: Beautiful, Mark, it looks indeed black. The small owl it cute!
Have seen many owls in the zoo, only one time an owl in the wild, but do hear them sometimes.

>26 msf59: That is a lovely woodpecker, his head looks more red than his belly ;-)

>25 lindapanzo: This is an American Coot. I do not know if this is similar to what you saw:



>27 FAMeulstee: Hi, Anita! We love our owls don't we? Yes, I do not know why they call them red-bellied, when clearly they are red-headed but the actual red-headed woodpecker has a solid red head.

Happy new thread and gorgeous opening picture!

>29 banjo123: Thanks, Rhonda! Happy Sunday! Colorado is a beautiful place. I NEED to get back.

What an amazing opening photo! I could stare at it for a long time!

We truly live in a beautiful country.

Happy Sunday Mark.

>31 Whisper1: Happy Sunday, Linda! Glad you like the N.P. topper. Thanks for the seasonal image. Perfect for our snowy day.

Happy new thread, Mark! Love the red-bellied woodpecker!! We don't get those around here.

^I braved a snowstorm for a library run and oh, what a glorious bounty!

A nice variety too: The Poet's Dog, which everyone is raving about, a BAC, a AAC, a volume of poetry, an Austin classic and an audiobook, The Professor and the Madman, which I heard warbled about on a podcast this week. Sounds really good. Has anyone read it?

They were also having a Book Fair, where librarians were giving away some of their favorite books. How cool is that? So, I grabbed 3.

I was so very far behind on your previous thread and just catching up. So glad that you liked Hag-Seed I did too. Saw the reference to Adam Gopnik and while I have not read his books (remain unread on my shelf-now in boxes from moving), I think he is amazing and make sure I read anything he writes (which can be from soup to nuts) but always with intelligence and great writing style, in the New Yorker mag. Presenlty in Kona, Hawaii where it is raining, can you believe it? and snow on top! Found the most wonderful used book store. It is gigantic and found An American Childhood after seeing the warbling on your thread. So I pounced. It is not in my new library system. Question? I have not been able to find a single mail box and had to go to the main post office to mail a letter. Most perplexing!

>33 Berly: Hi, Kimmers! Hooray for red-bellied woodpeckers! Do you put up bird feeders?

>35 mdoris: Happy Sunday, Mary! Hooray for Kona, Hawaii! That is where we were, two years ago and want to go back. If you like beer, go to the Kona Brewery.

I will have to check out Gopnik. What are your favorite works by him? Congrats on getting a copy of An American Childhood. It is so good.

We have got rid of many of our mailboxes too. Hard to find them.

>34 msf59: - Wow! Nice haul. I love Winchester and The Professor and the Madman is excellent!! It was one of the first of his I encountered. I've since read many and try to find as many as possible on audio as he is a great narrator of his own work. You're in for a treat.

We have no snow yet up here in the great white north.... but I'm sure it's coming...

>28 msf59: #1 There is already a red-headed woodpecker and #2 "The reddish tinge on the belly that gives the bird its name is difficult to see in field identification."

Glad you're enjoying your Sunday, Mark. I watched the Bears game and took a nap on the couch during the Giants/Steelers game.

I heard that we got about 5 inches of snow up this way. More than expected but less than most other localities. Very pretty when you don't have to go out in it.

How did you contain yourself to only bring home three books from a sale?

I think you will like the Poet's Dog. It is a charming book.

Happy Sunday, Mark. I love that picture in >1 msf59:! I have been to the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado but haven't been to the south of that state which I hear has some fantastic places to explore. Must plan a road trip to that area.

>36 msf59:, Oh yes, for sure have found Kona Brewing for some scrumptious fish tacos and longboard beer. Yum and guzzle.

>38 Morphidae: Yes, Morph there are red-headed woodpeckers. They are found in the Midwest but I have not see one yet. And you are correct about the red-belly. It is just harder to see.

>37 jessibud2: Glad you loved The Professor and the Madman. Speaking of a good audio, this is how I heard about this one, they were discussing well-narrated audios and Winchester was mentioned.

>39 lindapanzo: Sounds like you had a good day, Linda. I just came in from shoveling. We got about 4 inches or so. Wet & heavy, but at least the pavement was warm, for easier removal.

I did not get in as much reading as I would have liked but I am going to try and read until I go to bed, if I can get off the computer.

>40 Whisper1: It wasn't a book sale, just library staff giving away their favorite books. There were a couple of books I had all ready read and others that did not appeal. What a great idea. Hats-Off!!

>41 DeltaQueen50: Happy Sunday, Judy. Good to see you. Funny, I have not been to Rocky Mountain National Park. Sad, I know but it is high on my list.

>42 mdoris: Hooray for Kona & Longboard! My favorite of their beers, is Fire Rock Pale Ale. We liked their food too. Have a great time, Mary!

>44 msf59: Enjoy!! I probably won't read til after the Blackhawks game. The third period is about to start so it won't be much longer.

>43 msf59: - I listened to his Pacific earlier this year. I have read a few paper copies of his books but once I head him narrate, I prefer to try and find the audio versions. Not all writers are good readers, by any means but there are some who really are. Among my faves, aside from Winchester, are Bill Bryson, Malcolm Gladwell and Elizabeth Berg.

Professor and the Madman was the book that made Simon Winchester a star. He had published a non-fiction book previously, but it didn't become as well known as Professor. I believe that Winchester narrates this one and having an author narrate their own book is a rarity. I am sure that you will like this work of non-fiction.

#34
Doll Bones by Holly Black is a good children's novel. It may surprise you with some of the darkness in it, but then that is Holly Black. Doll Bones was a Newbery Honor book a few years ago.

Looks like a good library run. Even if it was in the snow.

>26 msf59: wow, snow! We haven't had snow here in quite a few years now. And certainly not in December, which of course is officially summer!

>34 msf59: I spot my edition of While Noise!! It's pretty isn't it?

>45 lindapanzo: The Hawks lost that one? Boo!

>46 jessibud2: I will have to search for more of Winchester's audios. I can't belive I haven't read him. I love NF.

>47 benitastrnad: Another Professor and the Madman fan! Yah! Looking forward to it and it's relatively short. I have been listening to some fine authors narrating their own work lately- Terry Tempest Williams, Gaiman and Le Carre. All first rate.

Looking forward to this Holly Black book too, although, that one will have to wait.

>48 LovingLit: Our first snow-fall. About 4 inches. A little more in other areas. And yes, that is your edition of White Noise. Looking forward to it.

Nice Haul up there!

So, I officially put Handmaid's Tale on my tbr foothill for next year.

Your thread moves way too fast for me, Mark! I'm sorry I missed all the Owl talk on your previous thread. We have occasional Great Horn Owl sightings in the neighborhood but they are more often heard than seen. One did silently swoop at me one evening down in the green space - that'll get your attention along a dark trail. Better it than a bat, though. My favorite "listen" one night was to an Eastern Screech Owl with its darling "whinny" and "trill". I wish I could have seen them.

>50 The_Hibernator: Oh good! Every woman needs to read The Handmaid's Tale. At least once.

Happy newish thread, Mark. I am sure you will like the Winchester, I know I did.

Morning, Mark! Yay for finally getting some white stuff! Those bare trees and bare ground were making me sad.

>50 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel! Good for you on, The Handmaid's Tale. One of the library staff was giving away copies of it yesterday. How cool. Of course, I all ready have a "keeper" copy.

>51 Copperskye: Hi, Joanne! Yes, things have been rockin' on the Marky-Mark threads. Thanks for chiming in on the owls. Always love to hear about sightings. We have GHO here too. Now, I need to see one and a Screech.

>52 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg! I hope to bookhorn in The Professor and the Madman this month. Glad to hear you are a fan.

>53 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Yes, suddenly it is winter. My first day of trudging through the snow and it looks to be a bit wintery all week. Sighs...

On audio, I am starting Zero K, for the AAC finale. I hope it works in this format. Joe is also currently reading it. I have not read DeLillo in many years. I know LT opinion on him is mixed. We will see...

>49 msf59: - Another good one by Winchester that he narrates was The Men Who United the States. I have a review of that somewhere. I read it last year

Good morning, Mark!

Snow. Wow. 4" would have caused our entire county to come to a screeching halt. Several nights it got down to the high 20s, but last night it was 40F.

Simon Winchester is one of my favorite authors. The Professor and the Madman was the first one I read. Since then I've read Krakatoa and Pacific and listened to A Crack in the Edge of the World. I have The Men Who United the States waiting to be read. Wonderful author, kind of reminds me of Bill Bryson in that he gets interested in a subject, then masters it, then writes a brilliant book about it.

Morning, Mark! No snowfall here, just rain which we badly need. Kind of gloomy today, but it's fitting for a Monday, I think.

Happy New Thread, Mark!

Dramatic photo up there in >1 msf59:. Looks like a beautiful spot.

A magazine had a long excerpt from The Professor and the Madman, and I loved it. Madame MBH read the book, and ditto. I read his Krakatoa and thought it was good. He's one I keep meaning to read more of.

A Gentleman in Moscow has sounded intriguing as others have commented on it. Looking forward to your reaction.

Hi Mark - I'm eager to hear your thoughts about A Gentleman in Moscow. I think I it might have been my favorite of 2016!

>57 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. More Winchester titles on the list. He must be good.

>58 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Actually we ended up getting 5-6 inches and some areas got nearly 8.

Lots of Winchester love. Good to know.

>59 Crazymamie: Morning Mamie! Hope you get some rain.

>60 jnwelch: Morning Joe and thanks. Another heavy work day and this time with snow in the mix. Groan...

I hope to get to the Winchester later in the month.

>61 vivians: Morning, Vivian. I am only 50 pages into A Gentleman In Moscow but I am enchanted by the lovely writing.

Happy new thread - now that you're 63 messages in...

Happy new thread, Mark! I hope you had a good weekend.

I promise not to say anything about The Count. Nothing about how the endgame is in play and they machinations and coming so satisfyingly to fruition. Not one word about John Lee and his immersive narration. Not a peep.

My other reading has stalled a bit over the weekend, but not in slumpy way. Just busy.

I have a copy of The Professor and the Madman here. Somewhere. Someday.

>64 drneutron: Thanks, Jim! I am over-run with visitors, what can I say? The light is always on, my friend.

>65 brodiew2: Hi, Brodie! I did have a good weekend and I survived Monday, so all is good. Glad you were so pleased with The Count. Sounds like a winner.

>66 laytonwoman3rd: I hope to get to The Professor and the Madman soon, Linda. Have you read other Winchester books?

I'll join the band of The Professor and the Madman fans. I loved it as well when I read it back in day. Winchester weaves a fascinating tale.

>68 brodiew2: I did not realize that The Professor had so many ardent fans over here. I am looking forward to being one of them. Have you read other Winchester Books?

No, I have not read any others, though I have Krakatoa on the shelves. I have also heard that The Men Who United the States is good. I was looking in The Atlantic recently, but a bad review turned me away. I may return to it, but there are others to explore!

I have not read Winchester before either.

After the snow and a tough day at work, I think you deserve a beer, Mark.

I'm also a fan of The Professor and the Madman

Good luck with the DeLillo.

Well, I highly recommend Krakatoa. It was great!

>70 brodiew2: Thanks, Brodie! The Winchester love continues.

>71 laytonwoman3rd: Well, it looks it may be the right time, Linda.

>72 BLBera: Thanks, Beth! I did relax with a beer and I am enjoying Zero K too, although this guy is not for everyone.

>73 drneutron: Well, it looks like Krakatoa is now on the list too. Thanks, Mr. Jim.

My owl story:

Several years ago I was on a hike in the Oregon Cascades with a handful of friends. One of them had been "keeping an eye out" for owls although there were several of us and it was broad daylight. But, you know, being susceptible to influence, I kept my eye out, as well. I remained skeptical. Well, indeed, near the end of the hike I spotted a pair of Spotted Owls sitting in a Douglas Fir about 20 yards away! They were on separate branches a few feet apart from one another. We stopped and watched them for about half an hour. One of them was sound asleep but the other watched us right back and it was breathtaking.



Ever since then, I do keep an eye out for owls when I hike, even during the day (let's be honest, that is usually when I'm hiking). I've seen one other owl, a couple of years ago in the Washington Park Arboretum here in Seattle. Another memorable experience.

Although I did not love White Noise, I am glad to have read it. I have long wanted to read DeLillo and I'm glad your AAC finally motivated me to check him off my reading bucket list.

I also enjoyed The Professor and the Madman when I read it a while back.

Have a great Tuesday, Mark!

>75 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen! I LOVE the owl story! And there is a lesson there too- if you look hard enough, you could even spot them in the daytime hours. Cool. I hope my time is coming. Getting into birding has made me a better observer.

>76 EBT1002: I can tell DeLillo is not for all tastes but you gave him a try and now you can move on to the many, many other authors and books on that bucket list.

The Professor and the Madman love continues. I definitely missed the boat on that one, the first time around.

^Ooh, I love this motto! This my mission, although I would insert "warble" after "read". Just sayin'...

Morning Mark! Looks like you've gotten a touch of snow! We are still green here in Southern Ontario. Chloe is very sad as she is so excited to wear her new winter boots!

Morning, Mark! >78 msf59: NICE!

>79 ChelleBearss: I am hoping that Chloe gets her snow very soon!

Good morning, Mark!

>78 msf59: Yes! Words to live by.

Zero K - I'm in the last 1/4, so we'll see. Not a fan so far.

I did make some progress in the Rilke, and I continue to appreciate the Stephen Mitchell translation. Way more engaging than what I tried before.

Stay warm today, buddy. The chill has started.

We have snow here too, Mark. Now all the sloppy stuff has turned to ice. Our last snow was in 2014. Just hoping it will all go away quickly!

No snow here in Toronto yet, Mark. But in Montreal, where snow tires are mandatory (after Nov 1, I think), and they ought to know how to deal with such weather, this happened yesterday:

I don't think anyone got hurt. But what a circus! A lot of roads leading into downtown Montreal are very steep. I learned to drive on those roads, in winter! But black ice is another animal altogether. I think what must have happened is that the city just didn't salt early enough, before the ice froze. Crazy!


https://twitter.com/CBCMontreal/status/805843358455369728

(edited to add that I've been corrected. Snow tires mandatory in Mtl by Dec. 15. Not that they would have made much difference in that scene from yesterday, on black ice, on a hill!)

>78 msf59: Sounds great to me. Hope the snow is not too deep (bit crisp and even, maybe?)

>79 ChelleBearss: Hi, Chelle. Good to see you. I am sure Chloe will get plenty of snow romp in.

>80 Crazymamie: Morning Mamie! I think that motto fits all my us.

>81 jnwelch: Morning Joe. It sounds like we are at a similar place in Zero K. I will end up liking it a bit more, unless it completely falls apart. I should finish it today.

Good news about the Rilke. I have not cracked my copy yet.

>82 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. I think Deb mentioned the snow. Ice is not good. Hope it all goes away soon.

>83 jessibud2: Hi, Shelley. Sounds like Montreal got hit pretty hard. I will check the link out later. I know Ilana mentioned it being pretty bad.

>84 charl08: It could have been a lot worse, Charlotte and today we sunshine and milder temps, so it should melt some of this off.

Good morning, Mark!

Frost covered windshield this morning. Winter weather has arrived in greater Seattle. I got my key in the lock, and was able to turn it with effort. I got in the car and closed the door but it bounced open. Ack! I sat there for a couple minute trying to use the auto lock from inside the card to no avail. I had to get going or be late to work so I held the door closed with my right arm and drove with my left. This would not last long. When I got to the red light at the bottom of the hill, I jumped from the car and tried the key in the outer lock again. It worked! I got back in the car and door closed normally. Whew! Listened to that book on the way in to work.

On another note, in addition to Hero of the Empire being on Amazon's best list, so was Brighton, the Boston crime novel I reviewed on my thread. Cool news.

>75 EBT1002: that's a great owl story, Ellen! Lucky you.

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

>87 brodiew2: Hi, Brodie! Sounds like you had quite an adventure on the way to work this morning. Glad it all worked out. You might want to put a little lock lubrication in all the door slots.

I remember you warbling about Brighton. I did snag an audio of it but it promptly got buried. Time for an excavation?

>88 lauralkeet: Owlish waves to Laura!

>89 Morphidae: Hi, Morph! Lots and lots of love for The Professor and the Madman. I think it may be time to join the fray. Have you read any of his other books?

>90 msf59: No, but Krakatoa is on Mount TBR.

Not to confuse things, but I discovered the hard way that The Professor and the Madman was published in England with a different title (The Surgeon of Crowthorne). I began to read the second one and realized it was the same book. And further, there is another Winchester title, a few years after Professor, called The Meaning of Everything that delves further into the OED. You'd think, how much more can possibly be said and how can he write another whole book and keep it fresh and interesting? The answer is, he just does. On all counts. He's that good a writer. Really.

>91 Morphidae: Krakatoa is now on my list too. Thanks!

>92 jessibud2: Ooh, those different titles. Trying to ruin our day, right? I am transferring the audio of The Professor and the Madman to my iPod as I type.

" He's that good a writer." That is good enough for me, Shelley.

Talk of woodpeckers reminded me, Mark.

>78 msf59: Excellent motto, and yes to adding "warble."

>94 weird_O: That is amazing.

My Seattle winter weather adventure was less interesting than Brodie's but I learned this morning that the footbridge from the Light Rail Station to the Rainier Vista, up which I then walk to get to my office, gets very slick on frosty mornings. Yikes!

>94 weird_O: That is some serious force, Bill. Yikes! Do you know what kind of woodpecker this is? It has the same red markings on the back of it's head, like a male downy.

>95 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen! Glad you like the motto and please be careful on bridges. That is an order.

Flying Couch: A Graphic Memoir by Amy Kurzweil

This autobiographical graphic novel, tells the tale of three generations of women, including the author. The stand-out here is the author's grandmother, was able to escape from a concentration camp as a young girl and survives the war on her own daring and wits. Plus, she is such a hoot and a free spirit, as an aged woman, telling her story. This is a wonderful family memoir- funny, sad, insightful and nicely illustrated.

>97 msf59: Wish listed.

>98 EBT1002: I have not been reading as much, in the GN department but I definitely wanted to warble a bit on this gem. You will really like it.

>95 EBT1002: - It does look like a downy but the length of the beak makes me think it could be a hairy woodpecker.

>94 weird_O: - Wow, that's crazy! Reminds me of a very funny book I once read called Why Don't Woodpeckers Get Headaches by Mike O'Connor.

;-)

158) The Shell Collector: Stories by Anthony Doerr 4 stars

It is no secret, that I am a fan of All the Light We Cannot See, so I was interested in exploring some of his earlier work, including his first story collection, from 2003. Not a surprise- the guy can write. He grabs you right away with the title story, featuring a blind malacologist, who finds joy in collecting shells. Doerr shifts effortlessly, from the Kenyan coast, to an Ohio suburb, to the wilds of Montana, in these various tales. He also has a deep understanding and passion, for nature and the outdoors. Some stories are stronger than others but this is a satisfying, well-written collection.

Hi Mark, still enjoying A Gentleman in Moscow. I'm nearly done with Book 1. Trying to read it every night for an hour before I go to sleep.

>100 jessibud2: I agree with the longer beak being a hairy but the coloring looks slightly different from a downy and a hairy.

>102 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda. Glad you are enjoying A Gentleman. I am too. I am at the 150 page mark. This is such a good story.

Like Brodie and Ellen, we here on the " South Coast" as it called in Canada have a wicked strike of winter. Our " skytrains" - elevated rapid transport has had a tough time running, buses can't make it up a lot of the hills, and generally it is a mess. Apparently we are to be hit with another snow/ icestorm with high winds on Thursday afternoon/ evening. " Arctic Outflow " weather. I loved Kit's Law so much, I'm not sure what is next. I've had my eye on A Gentleman in Moscow but I've yet to get it.

>83 jessibud2: Yes, that is the problem here too - black ice and hills and the snow clearing just can't keep up with it.

Loved both his books. Rules of Civility established his chops as a serious craftsman of mood and period, then he allowed himself to explore a lighter approach and have a lot more fun with A Gentleman in Moscow. Loved them both.

>104 vancouverdeb: Tonto on the South Coast! Sounds like an adventure. Hope your "wicked" little snowfall is behind you. I hope you can slot in A Gentleman in Moscow. I am just a third of the way through but can tell this is a special read.

>106 dusty594: Hi, Dusty! Good to see you. Thanks for chiming in on the Towles books. I am loving A Gentleman.

Morning, Mark!
Another big fan of Winchester, here. I've read a handful of his books and absolutely loved them all. Hop to it, mister - you'll love, 'em, too.

>108 scaifea: Morning, Amber! More Winchester love! Yah! I have The Professor and the Madman locked and loaded. Hope to get to it very soon.

^On audio, I am going to start The Cat's Table for the CAC. I have not read Ondaatje in many years, so it will be nice to pay him a visit. I think LT opinion on him, seems mixed. Let's see how this one goes. For the record, I loved The English Patient.

I was about to say I wasn't a big fan of The English Patient, though now that I think about it, it was the movie I didn't like. I enjoyed the book. Funny how my first reaction was to think about the movie.

>110 msf59: >111 The_Hibernator: I've seen the movie verson of The English Patient and really REALLY disliked it. Blech. Maybe I should try the book, though?

>111 The_Hibernator: >112 scaifea: Interesting....I really liked the film and that was after really enjoying the book too. Different strokes, right?

I like The Cat's Table in the early going...

Good morning, Mark! I hope all is well with you.

>1 msf59: I think I forgot to mention your beautifully ominous topper.

>110 msf59: I've heard of Ondaatje, but her has not been my cup of tea. I'll say this, though, both covers you posted are intriguing.

I liked the Ondaatje - I think he drew on his own childhood experience of travelling to England. I've also read his memoir about growing up in Sri Lanka, which was fascinating. Loved both the film and the book of the English Patient. Oh, the glamour of Kristin Scott Thomas and Ralph Fiennes.

Good morning, Mark. I read The Cat's Table back in 2011. I don't remember much about it; I gave it 3.5 stars but didn't write a review (I could probably find comments in one of my 2011 threads, but I'll just leave this be). I hope you enjoy it!

I'm about finished with Maman, What Are We Called Now?, a Persephone book that is little-known but very timely and quite moving.

I hope you're having a good Wednesday!

Hello, Mark! I also enjoyed both the book and the movie of The English Patient, but the book I LOVED. I haven't read anything else by him, so I shall be awaiting your thoughts on The Cat's Table.

Much cooler here today - it's really nice to not sweat while doing the Christmas shopping.

>112 scaifea: I would still recommend the book, Amber.

>114 brodiew2: Hi, Brodie! Glad you like the topper. All is good here but we are getting some cold weather, only in the low to mid-20s, for the next few days.

I wouldn't think Ondaatje would be your cuppa.

>115 charl08: There is some English Patient love. Yah, Charlotte. And I agree Fiennes and Thomas were perfect, in the film. The memoir sounds interesting. I may have to hunt that one down.

>116 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen. The Cat's Table could end up being about 3.5 for me too, although I do like it. It just drags in a few spots.

>117 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie! I plan on revisiting both the film and the book of The English Patient. It has been a LONG time for both. Glad things have cooled off for you. Only about 26-27 here today.

^How cool is this? This is a Great Horned Owl and it was spotted by a fellow birder, in our northwestern suburbs. I think he took this photo in his backyard.
WOW! Do you see these talons? Hey, when is my turn?

ETA- I just made this my desktop backdrop.

That is a gorgeous photo!

I would add to the Professor and the Madman love, but I already have. The first Simon Winchester book I read (listened to the recorded version) was Map that Changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology. I would recommend that you listen to the Simon Winchester books. He is an EXCELLENT narrator. He is as good as Neil Gaiman. You can read some of those other narrative non-fiction works that you have lined up and save the pleasure of Simon Winchester for walking your route.

I just got a notice that the recorded version of Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen is narrated by the author. How cool is that? You had better get your name on the waiting list for it from the library so that you can let all of us here on LT know how good, or bad, Springsteen is at reading out loud.

I'm another fan of the movie of The English Patient. I haven't read the book, but I plan to.

I also have The Cat's Table on audio, so I am hoping you give it a positive review :)

>120 Crazymamie: This is the before shot, Mamie! OMG!

>121 benitastrnad: I will definitely be looking for more Winchester audiobooks, Benita. And I see that my library has the digital audio, of Born to Run. I really want to listen to this one. I have heard good things and I am so glad The Boss is narrating.

>122 katiekrug: Hi, Katie! Glad you made it to the new house, without a hitch. Ondaatje narrates The Cat's Table. His accent is interesting but his delivery gets a bit more monotone at times.

Like you, I found Cat's Table to be so - so. It was okay, a 3.5 read for me. I did write a review, but all I remember is that I was glad it was a library book and not a book I'd purchased. Ohh! The Great Horned Owl! Very cool. We have them around here too. I must say that no, I don't seem to encounter owls on my after dark walks with Poppy. Likely best that way, in case they decide to swoop down and take Poppy away! :)

Beautiful owl picture Mark. I think I've mentioned this before, but saw one (a tawny?) in one of the local wildlife centres. Looked up and saw a huge bird on a branch before s/he flew off. Apparently there are a few of them around the area, which is a happy thought.

Hope you manage to find Ondaatje's memoir. His upbringing in Sri Lanka was like a different world - part colonial, but because his family had been there for so long, also reflecting something more complex. I'd love to visit Sri Lanka - it looks so beautiful but this is the closest I've come!

>125 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb! I should finish up The Cat's Table today. I am sure it will a 3.5 read. I prefer the experiences on the ship, compared to the narrator's thoughts, about his later life. Not a bad read, just an unexceptional one.

I wonder if owls have ever carried off small dogs? Those talons are big enough. Hmmmm...

>126 charl08: Thanks for more owl lore, Charlotte. My day will come, my friend. And yes, I will hunt down Ondaatje memoir.

Morning, Mark!
Love the owl photos - such cool birds.
Boy, that wind isn't fooling around out there - stay warm, friend.

>128 scaifea: Morning Amber! Yah for owls! Boo to chilly winds! Hope the mail is light.

Morning, Mark! And thanks for providing the back of the owl - so amazing that your friend got such great shots. Sounds like I can safely skip The Cat's Cradle, but I think I'll look for the memoir that CHarlotte is talking about.

>130 Crazymamie: Morning Mamie! I would highly recommend The Cat's Cradle but not so much on The Cat's Table. Grins...

Okay, first off- It is ridiculously cold out here with howling winds. No Sweet Thursday for this guy!

Secondly, there are waves of migrating birds flying across our Chicagoland skies. I saw several flocks all ready and yesterday, there were reports that there were thousands of Sandhill Cranes beating their way south. Are they telling us something? Sighs...

Hiya, Mark! Sweet Thursday!

I'm back in the saddle. Love the owl photo up in >119 msf59:. How amazing to come upon that Great Horned Owl like that.

Zero K was just so-so for me, in the end. I'm liking Create Dangerously so far, and I'm going to try The Mammy, which Mamie recommends.

P.S. I cross-posted with yours. Sorry about the ridiculous cold and howling winds. I take back that Sweet Thursday! Try to stay warm. It is wicked out there.

Oh, dear! Well, at least you know what I meant. Um...speaking of birds, guess what we have? A whole pecan tree full of vultures. And I am not kidding you - Birdy counted, and there were 23 of them. Someone hit a deer that fell onto our property, and ... We are waiting for he city to come pick up the body. Poor little doe.

Good morning, Mark! I hope all is well. Stay warm, brother.

Hi Mark, Happy Thursday. I think those migrating birds have been honking all night, keeping me awake lately. Last night, I came home from work and watched the 3-hour live musical, Hairspray, and then went promptly to sleep, which isn't like me at all.

Stay warm. It's cold now but a brutal Arctic blast next week. Oh well, it's winter. We will deal with it.

Yeah. Complain now...next week is supposed to be worse!

^Sandhill Cranes. I heard that there were 30,000 of these guys, flying over Chicagoland yesterday. Beating feet south...Smart birds.

>133 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! I survived the first frigid day. Create Dangerously sounds good. I want to read more Danticat.

>134 Crazymamie: Wow! 23 vultures? Sounds like a crime novel. Must have been an interesting sight. Poor little deer.

>135 brodiew2: Hi, Brodie! It was a tough one today but this will be the first of many. Next week is supposed to be brutal.

>136 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda! I am sure you heard the cranes honking. They are pretty distinctive. I heard a flock or two today but could not see them, because of the cloud cover.

"Oh well, it's winter. We will deal with it." Amen, my friend.

>137 The_Hibernator: Thanks for the cheery reminder, Rachel. Grins... And, since I have this weekend off, that means I get the honor of working 6 straight next week. Oh boy! Oh, boy!

Re: The English Patient. If I recall correctly I loved the book and loathed the boring film.
Or the other way around.

Re: Sandhill Cranes. From the Nature Conservancy:
"Each spring thousands of lesser sandhill cranes migrate through Central Washington on their way to breeding grounds in Southern Alaska. After wintering in California, these large, long-legged birds arrive in Washington in mid-February, with peak numbers in early April.

With wing-spans that can reach more than 6 feet, their springtime courtship rituals are a site to behold. An estimated 25,000 sandhill cranes migrate through Eastern Washington, and they’re both amazing to watch and to hear, as they communicate to each other with high-volume calls."

We've seen them. They're amazing.

Hi Mark! Loving all the bird pictures. Hope you are able to stay warm.

In my new community many of these beautiful huge birds come in November and hang out on the valley floor and there is great enthusiasm in the community for them, trumpeter swans. They remain there for the winter.



I remember really liking Anil's Ghost by Ondaatje.

>140 EBT1002: Thanks for the Sandhill Crane info! Interesting birds. I have seen them in flight but I am not sure I have seen them on the ground.

It looks like opinion on the film version of The English Patient is mixed. I liked it.

Hooray for snow! For you...that is!!

>141 banjo123: Hi, Rhonda! It looks like we have more snow and colder temps coming next week. Oh joy!

>143 mdoris: Hi, Mary! The trumpeter swans are beautiful. I hope to see one, one of these days.

Morning, Mark! Happy Friday off! Charlie's off school today, too, so I'm really looking forward to spending the day with him.

Morning Amber! Enjoy your day with Charlie. Sounds fun.

157) The Pigeon Tunnel: Stories from My Life by John Le Carré 4.7 stars

“…We all reinvent our pasts…but writers are in a class of their own. Even when they know the truth, it’s never enough for them.”

“I’m a liar…born to lying, bred to it, trained to it by an industry that lies for a living, practiced in it as a novelist.”

David Cornwell, aka John Le Carre, is no armchair author. He has lived the life and in this beautifully written memoir, by one of the best spy novelists of our time, he takes the reader on a journey, that touches down in many historical and personal locales, over six decades. His years, working for MI6, the British intelligence service, working in Hollywood, interviewing terrorists and meeting luminaries like, Arafat, Richard Burton, Andrei Sakharov and Stanley Kubrick. His warm friendship with Alec Guinness, aka George Smiley. And those are just snippets, of what is in these glorious pages but what really stands out, for me, is the profile of his father, who was a true con-man and rapscallion.

I think I have only read about six of his books and mostly the earlier classic stuff. This has inspired me to pick him back up again, especially his later work.

Le Carre also narrates the audiobook and does a wonderful job, with wit and nuance. The perfect storyteller. Do yourself a big favor and track this one down.

**A BIG Shout-Out to Mamie, for putting this on my radar.



-Richard Burton in The Spy Who Came in From the Cold.

Good morning, Mark!

Love the enthusiastic review of Pigeon Tunnel. Thumb from me!

Did I see somewhere that you're reading A Spy Among Friends? I thought that one was most excellent.

The Danticat continues to be very good. It's like having a conversation with her.

Is this a day off? I hope so. It's chilly out there.

>148 jnwelch: Morning Joe! I highly recommend Pigeon Tunnel and yes it inspired me to read A Spy Among Friends. Le Carre actually name-drops Macintyre a couple times in the memoir, praising his work on the Philby book.

I am driving out to Rockford, today, to lunch with my 90 year old aunt, so I plan on listening to a chunk.

Morning, Mark! Thanks for the shout-out!! And nice review - I will give it my thumb if you posted it. I thought the whole thing was so well done and could not believe what a great narrator he makes for his own writing. The Richard Burton chapter was one of my favorites.

>Good morning, Mark! Safe travels, today.

The Count is concluded.

Happy Friday! I'm thread hopping on my phone while babysitting..,

I liked the movie version of the English Patient and thought that the opening sequence was beautiful. It was a page out of David Lean and Lawrence of Arabia.

>150 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie! I posted the review. Thumbs are welcome. I agree, the Richard Burton segment was fantastic.

>151 brodiew2: Happy Friday, Brodie! My day went very well. Hooray for finishing The Count!

>152 The_Hibernator: Happy Friday, Rachel! Good luck babysitting.

>153 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita! I agree with you, about the opening sequence of The English Patient. David Lean definitely comes to mind.

^On audio, I started A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal. Yes, I love Ben Macintyre and many of my LT cohorts have loved this book but I have to give the Pigeon Tunnel credit for pushing me over the edge. Thank you Mr. Le Carre and thank you, Mamie!

>142 EBT1002: Ellen, are you excited that it's snowing in Seattle? LOL!

Haven't read the book of The English Patient but I did not like the movie. Felt like Elaine Benes did. Ha ha!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B57bOy2Dzjg

Loved the movie + it lead to me reading Herodotus

>156 luvamystery65: That is hysterical, Ro. I am not sure I have seen that before. Elaine definitely did not like that film. Lol.

>157 Oberon: If you are telling the truth, Erik, I am with you sir.

Happy Friday, Mark. A couple of days off?

>158 msf59: Truth. My copy has pictures from the Cave of the Swimmers on the cover.

Pleased to see that Le Carre's memoirs struck pay dirt buddy. I just read Simon Armitage's book Walking Away in which he mentions Le Carre's house on a headland overlooking the ocean in Cornwall.

I will be travelling South shortly and may not be around much in the next day or so but I just about managed time to wish you a great weekend.

>159 BLBera: Happy Saturday, Beth! Yep, my long weekend. Gearing up for the deep freeze next week. Groans...

>160 Oberon: Grins...

>161 PaulCranswick: Hi, Paul! You will love Pigeon Tunnel for so many reasons. Hope you can snag a copy. I am meeting up with Joe again, for a Chicago Bulls game tonight. Safe travels, my friend.

"To a foreigner, it must have seemed that Russia had become the land of ten thousand lines. For there were lines at the tram stops, lines before the grocer, lines at the agencies of labor, education and housing. But in point of fact, there were not ten thousand lines, or even ten. There was one all-encompassing line, which wound across the country and back through time."

-A Gentleman in Moscow

159) Zero K by Don DeLillo 3.2 stars

“We are born without choosing to be. Should we have to die in the same manner? Isn’t it a human glory to refuse to accept a certain fate?”

Jeffrey Lockhart is summoned by his billionaire father, to a compound, (somewhere in Russia),where his ailing mother is living her last days. This is a place where an individual can choose their moment of death and then they are preserved in a cryogenic state.
I really wanted to like this novel more. DeLillo is such a craftsman and the premise here is very interesting. His writing is smart and agile, but he also rambles into territory that left my eyes glazed and my mind cloudy. Maybe, my brain is unable to untangle his various forays and tangents, so I will have to leave it to bigger intellects. Hey, I heard James Patterson has a new book out...

**I read this for the AAC.

Happy Saturday, Mark! I liked the quotation from A Gentleman in Moscow, which sounds interesting. Are you reading it now?

>164 msf59: Ditto, Mark.

Loved the Elaine video. I never did see that movie, and she making me glad I missed it.

The Mammy is turning out to be quite a treat. This is one you might like.

I'm at work for a meeting. Boo. But I should be out around lunchtime. See you tonight!

>165 kidzdoc: Morning Darryl! Yes, I am deep into A Gentleman in Moscow. It is a terrific read and will probably end up, as a top book of the year for me.

>166 jnwelch: Happy Saturday, Joe! I hope the meeting goes smoothly and I hope the snowfall later does not impede our Meet-Up.

The Mammy sounds good. Not familiar with that one.

Morning, Mark!

>166 jnwelch: - Morning, Joe. The Mammy sounds fun! I will have to look for that one

>168 scaifea: >169 jessibud2: Big morning waves to Amber & Shelley!

Hey Mark, Happy Saturday! Wow, Bill's pic of woodpecker in motion is brutal!!! No wonder Woody says hahahaha hahahaha hahahahahahahahaaaaaa.

The Professor and the Madman is my favorite Winchester but Krakatoa is a close second.

Have you battened down the hatches for Sunday's snow?

>171 Carmenere: Morning Lynda! They are talking 3-6 inches in our part of the city and heavier totals, north. Fingers crossed it is not too bad!

I plan on getting to The Professor and the Madman soon and Krakatoa is on the list.

I hope you are enjoying your long weekend, Mark. Sounds like you have things set up to have a good time.

So I'm rushing now to find out more about A gentleman in Moscow.

Just a quick hello and Happy Sunday, Mark.

I bought my hubs the Kim Philby book for Christmas last year because he's a big Le Carre fan and especially Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. But darn it, he hasn't read it yet. The Pigeon Tunnel sounds interesting too, but I'll probably just mention it instead of buying it for him. :)

>173 Familyhistorian: Happy Sunday, Meg! It has been a nice long weekend, but we are getting hitting with our second snowstorm and that will continue until this evening...sighs.

>174 avatiakh: Hi, Kerry! I should wrap up A Gentleman in Moscow. It is such a terrific read and will recommend it for everyone.

>175 Ameise1: Happy Sunday, Barb. Hope you are having a good weekend.

>176 lauralkeet: Morning, Laura. Sorry, your husband didn't find time to read A Spy Among Friends. You can not go wrong with any Macintyre book. Have you tried him at all? I also hope he can get to the Pigeon Tunnel. It is a Must Read, for spy fans.

^Joe graciously invited me to a Chicago Bulls game last night. We battled another snowstorm for a Meet-Up and had a terrific time, plus the Bulls beat the Miami Heat 105-100. And yes, we still chatted books, whenever we had the chance. Duh!

>178 msf59: - Looks like you two had a great time

Toronto still doesn't have enough snow on the ground to cover the grass though some is expected to begin later this morning. Go figure...

^I just hit the 500 review mark. Okay, easy on the eye-rolling, I am fully aware of the fact that, my mini-scratchings, are not really "reviews" but hey, 500 is still an impressive number and my warbling has struck a few targets over the years. Just sayin'...



^Man tooting own horn.

>179 jessibud2: Morning Shelley! It looks like our snow has stopped for now. It dropped a few inches but it is supposed to start up again later. Oh, joy!

Good day, to curl up with the books.

Wow. 500 reviews! Good job!

>184 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel! Hope you are snuggling up with the books today.

Congrats on the 500!

Loved Elaine and The English Patient. Lovely to start the day with a laugh and a smile. I may have to re-watch that movie.

>178 msf59: Looks like you two enjoyed a good time with game & booktalk :-)

>180 msf59: WOW!

>186 streamsong: Morning Janet and thank you. I also loved the Elaine video and the film. i have not seen it in many years either.

>187 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita! Yes, a good time with Mr. Joe. Never a dull moment.

Congrats on 500 reviews, mini or otherwise!

I go awol for a bit (okay a few months) and I miss all the picks for AAC 2017!

Hope all is well with you Mark?

Good morning Mark!

That was a terrific time last night. So glad we were able to work it out. Did you say there was a Bulls-Miami game going on? :-)

A Gentleman in Moscow is in my future. 500 reviews?! Wow! Congrats!

WOOT for 500 reviews!! Toot away, friend!

>184 The_Hibernator: Well, my meeting at work was cancelled because of snow, but I went to church. Now I don't plan on moving too far from a pile of blankets. Wish I had a fireplace!

>189 Morphidae: Yah, for minis and no eye-rolling!! Thanks!

>190 BekkaJo: Bekka stopped by! Bekka stopped by! Hooray! Good to see you! We still have a couple more weeks before the new AAC launches, so your timing is perfect. And yes, all is well here.

>191 jnwelch: LOL! So, that's who was playing, eh? Morning, Joe! Been busy with A Gentleman in Moscow this fine A.M. Just 35 pages left.

>192 scaifea: Morning Amber! Thanks and the tooting will continue.

^Another snowy day in Chicagoland. The feeders are active and a squirrel awaits the arrival of Reese, the Mighty Watchdog.

I made a make-shift squirrel baffle, that you can see above the suet feeder. It is not a complete deterrent, (these guys are devilishly, tenacious) but it does discourage them now and then.

I see you ignored me, 🙂

>193 The_Hibernator: >196 The_Hibernator: I did see you there, Rachel and I was coming back. Honest! I was waylaid by a book...

"I don't plan on moving too far from a pile of blankets. Wish I had a fireplace." We have a gas one, in the Man-Cave and it is working just fine.

Well I guess I can forgive you if you were busy reading

>198 The_Hibernator: I finished A Gentleman in Moscow, (excellent) and now I started a slim little book called The Poet's Dog, which has been all the rave.

Afternoon, Mark! Congrats on 500 reviews! Most impressive, my friend. And what do you mean that you haven't heard of The Mammy - I reviewed it on my thread not that long ago. Are you telling me that you don't hang on my every word?! *blinks*

500 reviews is great stuff Mark, congratulations. I too have my blanket, my comfy cushions, and my book. No snow though.

Congrats on the 500 review mark, Mark. Go Bears. Go Seahawks.

>200 Crazymamie: Guilty as charged, Mamie! I was so wrapped up with your other book recs, that I let that one slip by. Bad Mark. If it is any consolation, it is now on my radar. Smiles...

>201 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte! And hooray for comfy cushions and books!!

>202 BLBera: Thanks, Beth. I watched some of the Bears game. They lost. I guess, there is no sense in winning, at this point, right?

I have not checked the Seahawks score.

I have neglected to add my congrats to the 500 pool! Congrats!! It's quite an accomplishment

Woot! 500 Reviews! I think that calls for beer, don't you, Mark! :) Sorry for all of your snow. I think / hope/ pray that ours is on its way out! Rained like crazy yesterday when I was out with the dog, but it was on 33 or 34 F! Man that is cold! Especially with the rain! Here on the balmy South Coast we aren't used to that sort of thing. I had to dig up some gloves , but I ended not wearing them. A hat or toque -what is that?

Just about finished Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin, the first in his tartan noir series! Loving it!

Great set up for the birds! Yes, those squirrels are tenacious.

>205 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb! Yes, I am celebrating #500, with a beer. Okay, two beers. And yes much of the US is getting hit pretty hard this early winter season and I see you are catching some of it too.

I do not think, I have ever read Rankin.

Congrats on reaching 500 reviews, Mark.

Except for shoveling, twice, it was a nice day to sit inside, read, and watch sports. Oh and take a nap on the couch. Football seems to do that to me this season.

Are you happy with the snow?

It was very cold down here Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and today it was back to normal weather for the South.

I did the last of my Christmas shopping and it involved a trip to Barnes & Noble. Came away with a half price copy of Ross King's new book Mad Enchantment. Pretty good! Well, I was excited. I had it on my wishlist.

>208 benitastrnad: Benita, I just ordered Mad Enchantment after reading your recommendation. It sounds wonderful. I can't wait to get it!

Hi Mark! Stay warm this week!

>207 lindapanzo: Thanks, Linda. Hope you had a good day. I had a lazy one, curled up with the books. My kids did most of the shoveling but I think there is an additional 2-3 inches, since last time I looked out there.

>208 benitastrnad: Happy Sunday, Benita! Cold temps down south, eh? It has been crazy all over.
Not only will I have to wade through some snow this week, we are going to have some ridiculously cold weather to boot. Sighs...

Mad Enchantment sounds interesting.

>209 Dianekeenoy: Thanks, Dianne. Good to see you. Hope you had a nice weekend.

Congrats on the 500 reviews, Mark.

Are they saying that your ridiculously cold weather will be due to "Arctic Outflows"? That's what they are calling it here. Now it is just sloppy because it is raining on top of the snow. I am not looking forward to tomorrow or the freeze that they predict is coming especially as no one has plowed the parking lot or drives to get out of where I live *sigh*. Oh well, we will soldier through. Good luck with your cold weather.

Morning, Mark! I started listening to Sabriel yesterday and I'm enjoying it so far. I think I remember you saying you've read this one? The audio is excellent - Tim Curry!

Stay warm out there today!

>211 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg! They are calling our cold blasts, a polar vortex. I had not heard of Arctic Outflows. Whatever it is, something seems to be out of whack.
I hope you manage with the nasty weather.

>212 scaifea: Morning Amber! I did like Sabriel but I never followed through with the rest of the books. I did turn a co-worker/pal on to the books and he really enjoyed all of them. I hope they work for you.

And yes, not looking forward to walking the route for 6 days straight. Ugh!

^I am starting Things We Lost in the Fire: Stories. Looking forward to this story collection. It shows promise. This was an ER win.

On audio, I will continue A Spy Among Friends, which I am loving.

Morning, Mark! I have requested A Spy Among Friends from the library.

Happy 500, Mark! That's quite an accomplishment!
Hope your route is snow free today!

>216 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! I am into the second half of the Macintyre. I am sure you will love it.

>217 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle! Good to see you. Sadly, there will be snow today and through the week and beyond. I think we got about 6-7 inches over the weekend. Oh, well, it is winter...

Morning Gang! My A.M. visits, this week, will be limited due to weather issues. I will have to leave my iPad home, starting tomorrow too, due to frigid temps. Send warm thoughts, compadres.

Howdy Mark! Stay warm my friend.

Good morning, Mark! I hope all is well with you.

How goes the Lee narration on the Macintyre?

I have had Cloudsplitter on my list of books to read for years. My sister read it and thought it was amazing, so you can bet that is one of your AAC authors in which I will participate.

Hey, buddy.

Hope it wasn't too bad out there for you today.

Mamie's the one who got me started on The Mammy, which I loved. You know I'm a big fan of The Poet's Dog. I'm glad it's become a widespread rave.

>220 luvamystery65: Thanks, Ro! Good to see you, my friend.

>221 brodiew2: Hi, Brodie! The Lee narration of A Spy among Friends is going great. He is the perfect voice for this. I should finish this one tomorrow.

>222 benitastrnad: Glad you will be joining us on the Banks, AAC. I am going to try and read Cloudsplitter too. I can't believe I haven't read it yet.

>223 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! It was a typical heavy Monday, with cold temps thrown in the mix. I survived. I really enjoyed The Poet's Dog and The Mammy is now on the list.

>224 msf59: Great! Sorry about the cold temps. Next week looks daunting, too.

My last day of work before the holiday is this Thurs and I was browsing the weather forecast. The Packers/Bears game on Sunday here might see a high temp of 2 degrees. I wonder if that'll be the coldest Packers/Bears game ever. Sounds like a good day to stay home under the covers and read, doesn't it?

>156 luvamystery65: That clip cracked me up! It's how I felt, too! But I do remember that the novel was excellent.

500 reviews. Excellent work, my friend!

I remember when I lived in Wisconsin, the only time the university closed was when it was -40F with -80 wind chills. I think they still played football at Lambeau Field that weekend.

I've heard good things about Things We Lost in the Fire. I look forward to your review (as you start your next 500...).

>195 msf59: Smart squirrel.

Mark, do you have *Hot Shots* in your neck of the woods? They are little pouches that have something in them (not sure what). You shake the up and they get really warm. Stick 'em in your mittens and they stay hot for up to 7 hours. They sell them everywhere, sports shops, pharmacies, etc. Several years ago, when I took a vacation to Quebec City's Ice Hotel, I used them in my mittens overnight and my hands were still toasty in the morning! :-)

Congrats on the 500.

Sorry I haven't been around. Just starting a new job, that's keeping me busy... Good problem to have.

Finished Hag-Seed, really enjoyed it. I have a whole bunch of books that I haven't "reviewed", gonna have to speed-round it before the end of the year. If I can squeeze in 2 more books, I'll break 100 for the year. :)

Stay warm!

>225 jnwelch: Suddenly we are plunged into January weather. Does that mean January will be more like February and then...

>226 lindapanzo: Ooh, just a few more work days left. Sweet! I am jealous. My BIL and the nephews are going to the Bears/Packers game on Sunday. Brrrr....Even if the Bears were playing good and the tickets were free, I would take a pass.

>227 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen! That is quite a mountain of snow. Hopefully our snow totals, stay reasonable.

I did not get a chance to read much of Things We Lost in the Fire today but I really like the little I did read.

>229 jessibud2: Hi, Shelley! We do have those "hand warmer" packs. Work recently passed out a few. Funny, I have rarely ever used them. They would come in handy later in the day, especially after a lunch break, when the mail feels frozen, in my grip.

>230 mahsdad: Thanks, Jeff. Good to see you. I hope the new job is going well. Glad you liked Hag-Seed. That one was a nice surprise.

Almost at a 100, eh? Sweet!!

Morning, Mark! Another chilly one today - I hope your audiobook keeps you warm!

Morning Amber! It looks like we are stuck in an arctic pattern for the next week or so. Ugh! Come on audiobooks!

Morning, Mark!

A wee bit nippy out there all right. This is the time of year when I start to layer up.

I started Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Very good so far. It's one I've been meaning to get to for ages.

Hope the audio book helps your tough weather day.

Hi, Mark! I originally wasn't planning to participate in AAC '17, but I see that you've chosen two African American authors whose books I had planned to read next year, Zora Neale Hurston and James McBride. Count me in for those two months, at least. I would like to read a novel by Ernest Hemingway, but December may be a tough month to do so.

I hope that you stay as warm and dry as possible on your rounds today.

>234 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Only low teens out here at the moment but the sunshine and lack of wind make it a bit more tolerable.
Not familiar with Roll the Thunder...

>235 kidzdoc: Morning Darryl. Always good to see you. Glad you will join us for at least 2 of the AAC authors. I am looking forward to both of them too.

Good morning, Mark! I hope all is well with you. Stay warm!

Wow, 500 reviews. Way to go!

>237 brodiew2: Doing okay, Brodie. Just another cold one. 4 more days of this. Ugh.

>238 mdoris: Thanks, Mary. It took me 8- plus years but I did it.

Oh good grief. Just saw the first predictions. 14 more inches of snow on Fri/Sat and then possibly sub zero highs on Sunday. Glad I don't really need to be anywhere til about Wednesday.

Stay warm, Mark. I think this stuff is going to stick around for a while.

Oh boy, Mark. I don't envy you the cold. It usual comes here, but travelling across Indiana and Ohio seems (usually) to knock the icicles off and it isn't quite so cold when it passes over us. The weatherpersons on TV here keep referring to the cold as originating in Siberia. Is there anything here in the US those Russkies aren't messing with?!?

I ran across NPR's list of the best 300 books of 2016. I must admit being unfamiliar with most of them, though I am compiling a list of title's that have gotten good notice here at LT.

>240 lindapanzo: "Good Grief" is a nice description about our current weather, Linda! I heard about the 14 inches too, but I just listened to WBBM weather and they did not mention it for Friday into Saturday. I sure hope they are right. Fingers crossed.

>241 BLBera: Thanks, Beth! It looks like we are in a deep freeze for awhile. Oh, joy!

>242 weird_O: Hi, Bill! Good to see you! Wherever the weather is coming from, it has been nasty and will continue to to be so. Ugh.

Like to see the list you are compiling, my friend.

>243 msf59:- Mark, my friend's husband just got home today after being stranded in Chicago for 2 nights. He was there as part of a curling tournament and their flight (Saturday) got cancelled. We've had some *weather* too, last Saturday into Sunday but nothing like yours.

Stay warm!

Hi Mark, I have caught up in Christmas preparations the last few days and have fallen behind here at LT. I have been reading a lot and have just finished a couple of books off the 1001 Books List - The Talented Mr. Ripley and War With the Newts both were excellent. I have not started on Last Night At The Lobster my first Stewart O'Nan and so far it is very good.

Stay warm, my friend, wouldn't want you to freeze up your warbling chords!

It sounds like you all are in for a cold and snowy spell. Take care and stay warm, my friend!

Morning, Mark!

>244 jessibud2: Hi, Shelley! Sorry, to hear about your friend's husband being stranded. Why couldn't it have been somewhere balmy?

>245 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy! Good to see you. We are going to be in the deep freeze here for a few days. Groans...

I have not read The Talented Mr. Ripley or War With the Newts. I will be featuring Highsmith for next year's AAC, so maybe then. Glad you are enjoying the Lobster. I like that one too.

>246 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen! I could use all the warm wishes that folks could send. Only single digits tomorrow. WTH?

>247 scaifea: Morning Amber!

^ I do not usually read two story collections at a time but, oops, I did this time. At least, Things We Lost in the Fire: Stories is set in Argentina. On audio, I started Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage: Stories for the CAC. The stories are set in her native Canada. I love Munro and she immediately reminded me, why she is one of our finest short story writers.

Morning, Mark! I have not read any Munro - Bad Mamie! Maybe next year.

Stay warm out there, my friend.

Morning Mamie! Getting ready to start the route. Single digits at the moment. Lovely..

I hope you can find time to read Munro. She is a treasure.

Like Mamie, I have yet to read any Munro. Bad Katie!

Bundle up and stay warm, my friend!

>250 msf59: - Mark, I am not generally a fan of short stories though I have read a few, including Munro, who is, as you say, a treasure. I loved The View From Castle Rock and I know I read another at least one or two others of her collections when I was younger; I think Something I've Been Meaning to Tell You and possibly also Lives of Girls and Women. I also have at least 2 or 3 other more recent volumes on my physical shelves right now.

I also have (but have not yet read) what looks to be a really interesting book called Lives of Mothers & Daughters a memoir by one of her daughters, Sheila Munro. Hmmm, maybe I will pic up one of those volumes for your short story month in 2017!

Stay warm today!

Edited to add that duh, I can't include Alice Munro for the AAC! She is Canadian! But I think I will still read her next year for my own goal of reading more CanLit and reading more of the books already in my house.

Good morning, Mark!

Stay warm, buddy.

Good morning, Mark. Get those chestnuts roasting!

Soooo cooold. Stay warm.

Hello visitors! I appreciate all the warm wishes. I just heated up leftover stew for lunch. It is hitting the spot.

I will be back, later today for individual replies...

Glad to hear you're handling the cold. Looks like tomorrow and also Monday will be the cold ones. I'm assuming that you don't work on Sunday and can stay home and watch the Bears/Packers game that day.

Mark, I am so proud of you for reviewing 500 books. I depend on my LT friends to tell me why or why not I should read a certain book. It is a very helpful feature that keeps my TBR list plump and sassy! Thanks for taking the time to review and warble!

>253 katiekrug: Hi, Katie! I survived another chilly one. Thanks. You should join forces with Mamie and do a Munro read, next year. She is so damn good.

>254 jessibud2: Hi, Shelley! Thanks for chiming in on Munro. This is only my third book, by her, so I have lots of catching up to do too. I also loved Castle Rock.

Lives of Mothers & Daughters sounds really interesting. I had not heard of that memoir.

>255 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! It wasn't bad out there today, until the afternoon and then the wind began to gust. Brrr...

>256 brodiew2: Hi, Brodie! Roasting those old chestnuts, as I type this. Grins...

>257 The_Hibernator: Hi, Rachel! Trying not to think about tomorrow. They are talking single digits, with windy conditions. WTH?

>259 lindapanzo: We are getting hit pretty hard, Linda. And now they are talking hefty snow totals, starting Friday night, into Saturday. Groans...

At least I have Monday off. Whew!

>260 Donna828: Thank you very much, Donna! Yes, 500 mini-reviews translates into a lot of warbling. No wonder more vocal chords are shot. Grins...

I think we all like our TBR lists "TBR list plump and sassy". Hope your current reads are treating you well.

>262 msf59: It's good you have Monday off. That might be the coldest night of them all. After tomorrow, I'm not back at work until Dec. 27th. I hope at least some part of next week is tolerable, so I can get things done.

We'll be single digits and windy too. But Saturday will be -22!

>263 lindapanzo: Ooh, you lucky, lucky woman! My next vacation, is in about 5 weeks. I can not WAIT!! It will be thawing out time.

>264 The_Hibernator: Yikes, Rachel! Please stay bundled, my friend. Sounds like a perfect time, to curl up with those books.

Glad you have Monday off. Stay warm in those windy conditions...

>266 charl08: Thanks for the warm wishes, Charlotte! I will need them. I hope my books offer me the perfection distraction.

Morning, Mark!

Your leftover stew lunch sounds wonderful! Do you go back to the office for lunch or home? Or do you keep a microwave in your mail truck...?

Morning Amber! "Or do you keep a microwave in your mail truck.." not a bad idea. LOL. I have a gas station on my route, with a microwave. I can go back to the post office, which is on my route too but I do not like to be "seen", if you know what I mean. I am packing chicken noodle soup today, with oyster crackers.

>269 msf59: Oh, great idea, the gas station! And the soup sounds perfect for today. Try to stay warm, friend. Charlie's hands are both chapped already, even though they haven't been going outside for recess because of the wind chills. He can't seem to get that he really needs to wear his gloves, even just for going from the car to the school...

^Yep, only 8 degrees today folks! With the windy conditions, it will be well below zero. Can you say- Yikes? I knew you could.

I am putting on my big, old-school parka today and I hope my 2 story collections keep me cozy.

>270 scaifea: Come on, Charlie! Wear those gloves! I hate it, when I get chapped hands. Ugh!

Yikes, is right, Mark!! Your hot lunch sounds like a wonderful way to melt the icicles on your brow. Hope the route goes quickly today!

>233 msf59: "snork" Yes, indeed, readers are know for their multi-tasking abilities!

>272 msf59: He's been fighting the Bag Balm I've been rubbing into his hands the past couple of nights - here's hoping the memory of that gloopy stuff will make him remember to wear the glove today!

>273 Carmenere: Lynda: Remember those Campbell Soup commercials, with the snowman coming in from playing to eat the soup and melting into a little kid? I'm now picturing Mark as the kiddo!

>274 scaifea: >273 Carmenere: Ha! now that you've mentioned it, Amber, I do remember that commercial! Excellent commercial. Don Draper must have written that one.

>275 Carmenere: *snork!* I bet he did!

My cell says it is -2 as I head to the route. Jingle bells, jingle bells...

>277 msf59: Holy Below Zero, Batman!

It's brutal out there, Mark. I'm glad you've got the old school parka and the distracting short story collections. Hang in there, buddy. Good karma on having Monday off.

Both Roll of Thunder and Create Dangerously are really good. The latter gives a personal, "behind-the-scenes" look at Danticat and her Haitian roots. Fascinating. My GN (which isn't really a GN) right now is Shaun Tan's Singing Bones, with an intro by Gaiman. Tan's sculptures are really cool. I'll keep you posted.

Morning, Mark! Sorry about those temps - YIKES! Stay warm, my friend.

>274 scaifea:, >275 Carmenere: I also loved that commercial.

My cell is now showing 4 degrees. Lots of blue skies and sunshine but it is sadly, all a facade...

On the bright side, my chicken, noodle soup is sure hitting the spot.

Oh, brrrrrr, Mark. This is a small comfort but I think the snow storm we are having in Montana is supposed to come your way in the next few days, so it will warm up slightly.

I have 18 degrees here with a foot of snow overnight. The snow is about done and then it will clear off here going well below zero until the new snow which is forecast on Saturday.

Good morning, Mark! I hope all is well with you.

If you haven't seen the movie musical Scrooge, I recommend it. It has my favorite Ghost of Christmas Present who sings an excellent song with Scrooge.

Sweet, bitter cold Thursday Marky. thank you for doing the work you do while sluggards such as i are inside and warm in our snugabouts. we're a steamy 29 F and thinking of you fair gives me chilblains. hang in there buddy.

here's a little something to toastify you.

We've broken 1 degree F here. Might go up to 2 later. With snow too! Since when does it snow when it's this cold?

I understand about not wanting to be seen during lunch. Though my reasons are because I'm introverted and don't want to spend even more time socializing off the clock. Lol

Stay warm, friend!

And I NEED to read more Munro!!

Wow, our 20 degrees doesn't sound so bad...

>287 drneutron: - Nor our 23!

Or my 56. Oh, wait, I'm loving my 56F. Never mind. Carry on!

One of your colleagues, Mark?

Granted, I wasn't out walking around in it but, with the sun out and the wind diminished, it didn't feel that bad today. I think it got up to 13, amazingly, which is well above what we thought for today.

I am safely home now and my holiday time off has begun!! Hurrah, hurrah.

>290 weird_O: Excellent image, weird_o!

Wow! I have the best visitors, in the world. This is why I love this place! Hugs and High-Fives to all!

>273 Carmenere: Hi, Lynda! Yes, my hot lunch hit the spot. Is this frigid stuff in your forecast?

>274 scaifea: >275 Carmenere: Hooray for Campbell Soup commercials! I am not sure I remember those but I love the imagery!

>278 jnwelch: "Holy Below Zero, Batman!" is an understatement, my friend! I did survive the day, like the old pro I am. Glad to hear all your books have been hitting the right notes! NEED to request Singing Bones!

>279 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie! I am home and in the toasty Marky-Mark Man-Cave. So, all is good, my friend.

>281 streamsong: Hi, Janet! Looks like you have been getting hit pretty hard too. We are getting more snow tomorrow night and Saturday! Maybe, another 6 inches-plus? Oh, joy!!

>282 brodiew2: Hi, Brodie! I am home. I survived. I honestly can't remember if I saw the Albert Finney version of Scrooge. I know I am a fan of the original B & W and the George C. Scott version but not so sure if I have seen this one.

>283 mirrordrum: Hi, Ellie! Good to see you and hooray for being a "sluggard"! I wish I could be one, especially with weather like this.

Ooh, thanks so much for the cracklin' fire. It is perfect.

>284 The_Hibernator: Hi, Rachel! I am sure you are even suffering worse than we are, so I feel your pain and we have more joy on the way. Sighs...

Yes, I prefer not to stop back at the office, during the work day. Suddenly they know my "business" and sometimes they will have more parcels for me to deliver. No, thank you!

>285 EBT1002: >286 EBT1002: I think you understand what I am going through, Ellen. Grins...

And yes, READ MORE MUNRO! That is a direct order.

>287 drneutron: >288 katiekrug: Many times our weather heads east, and the wind is currently blowing from the west so guess what, kids?

I think we will be back into the low 20s tomorrow but with more snow in store. Sighs...

>289 Crazymamie: Ooh, I want to be at the Pecan Paradiso! Sniffles...

>290 weird_O: Love it, Bill, but no one I know! It looks a bit like Alec Guinness, doesn't it? He does have a lot of parcels, which I do recognize.

>291 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda! The wind was not ferocious, so that did help. I was bundled up, pretty good though and that helped. Fingers crossed that the upcoming snow is not too wicked.

Hooray, for starting vacation. Must be a great feeling.