Roberta's (luvamystery65) Howdy thread!

HOWDY!


Welcome to my 75 thread! I am Roberta from the suburbs of Houston, Texas USA. As my user name will tell you I love a mystery most, but thanks to LT, I have an appreciation for other genres as well.

This year, I've decided to keep my 75 thread as a strictly social thread. My main thread is in the 2017 Challenge Group. There I have my lists, reviews, tickers, etc... It's pretty extensive and I'm so over duplicating posts. I would much rather spend my time visiting with my LT friends. If you want to keep track of my reading please come on over and have a look.

2017 Category Challenge Roberta's Colorful Challenge

I love dogs! ;-)

>1 luvamystery65: Welcome back Ro. Looks comfy in that hammock, but of course i would crush the poor pooch.

Hi Ro!

>2 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul! Happy New Year! I don't care how lazy or old a pooch is, they will quickly move before being crushed. ;-)

>3 brodiew2: Hi Bro(die)! :D

Dropping off my star, Roberta! (I think I left the same star on your other thread.....)

>5 EBT1002: Thanks Ellen!

Happy reading for 2017, Roberta.

found you and

Hi Roberta, just starred your thread my dear and look forward to a good 2017 reading year.

Dropping my star, Roberta!

Got you starred in both places, Ro, because I love you that much! MWAH!

Hi, Roberta! Just dropping off a star... :)

Welcome back! I'll keep an eye on your thread over there too.

Happy New Year, Roberta!

I am part of the group.
I love being part of the group.
I love the friendships bestowed upon my by dint of my membership of this wonderful fellowship.
I love that race and creed and gender and age and sexuality and nationality make absolutely no difference to our being a valued member of the group.

Thank you for also being part of the group.

Happy reading in 2017, Roberta!

I wish you from my heart health, happiness, satisfaction and much exciting read in 2017. May all your wishes come true.


from my hometown Zürich, Switzerland

Happy New Year! (dropping a star)

I kept up two threads a few years ago, Roberta, and it nearly killed me. I have announced I'm not taking part in group reads unless I am moved to read a particular book. That does not apply to the Hillerman books. I'll definitely read along with the group again. Heck, maybe I'll even post some comments!

Happy New Reading Year!

Hi, Roberta!

Happy new year, Roberta.

Happy New Year!

Just adding to the social chatter!

Happy New Year, Ro!

I'll follow you on both threads. Here's to a book-filled 2017!

Happy New Year, Roberta! Belated though it is, it's sincerely meant.

Stopping by to say hi, Roberta!

I AM HANGING MY HEAD IN SHAME VISITORS!



I am so sorry! I completely forgot I had this thread. Yikes!

Thank you Barbara, John, Mamie, Katie (Krug), Liz, Jim, Diana, Rachel, Paul, Anita, Barbara (again), Roni, Donna, Terri, Katie (CK), Kim, Joe, Julia and Deb for your greetings, stars, New Years wishes and most important your visit.

I will do better.

Work has been a bear lately, but I have managed to read quite a bit. I'm headed to Vegas Thursday for my cousin Joe's 50th. I hope to get started on Moby Dick soon.

I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts on Moby Dick.

I'm adding Rennie Airth's River of Darkness to the 2017 TBR. I liked it when I started it once before, so this time I'll finish it.

Happy New Thread, Ro! I did not realize you had a thread started over here. My bad. I have found you now. I will try to stop over at your Challenge thread too.

>27 luvamystery65: How did you remember? Not to worry, at least you didn't let it go a couple of months!

I love that, Roberta. Forgetting your own thread is pretty great. :-)

>33 jnwelch: Hahaha I should have given you safekeeping of my house keys, Ro. I'd be living on my own already!

Have a great weekend.

Belatedly dropping off a star. Hope you had a fun trip to Vegas.

>29 PawsforThought: Thanks Paws. I started a thread for Moby Dick
Roberta sets sail on the Pequod!

>30 brodiew2: I look forward to your thoughts. Airth sounds right up my alley.

>31 msf59: No worries Mark. I started this thread at the last minute. More to socialize. All my reading I am posting over in the Category Challenge thread since I set it up last Oct.

>32 Familyhistorian: I was looking for my Horror! Group thread which I only post in once a month. It was right next to this thread which I labeled Howdy. My eye just kept looking at both and thinking they were Horror! to my own horror! LOL!

>33 jnwelch: Sure is Joe! Now you can tell Debb, "At least I've never lost one of my own threads!"

>34 PaulCranswick: Ha ha!!! Not a chance Paul because I know your Hani leaves nothing to chance!

>35 SuziQoregon: Thank you Juli! Welcome. I had an ok trip to Vegas. I really didn't want to go. Bad timing, but all in all it wasn't too bad.

>36 luvamystery65: Debbi loved it, Roberta. :-)

Hi Roberta, hope all is well with you my dear, sending love and hugs.

Just popping in here to say Hi!!

Good morning, Ro! I hope all is well with you!

>37 jnwelch: ;-)

>38 johnsimpson: Love and hugs back to you and Karen.

>39 Berly: Howdy Kim!

>40 brodiew2: Morning Brodie! It's been busy but I'm settling back into a routine after vacation.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend and your new blue jug!

Hi Roberta, hope you have a really good weekend dear friend and send love and hugs.

Howdy, Ro!

>42 Familyhistorian: & >43 johnsimpson: Thank you! I went out to lunch yesterday with some of my nieces. The youngest of that bunch just turned 25! Then one of the anesthesiologist gave us his tickets to see Kristen Chenoweth at a new local venue. The seats were great and we had free valet parking. She is a teeny tiny powerhouse and just as hilarious live as on TV.

>44 katiekrug: Howdy KAK! Glad you found your wine glasses. Unpacking is not for wimps.

>45 luvamystery65: Oh I bet Kristen Chenoweth was a hoot! What a fun time. Happy weekend. : )

No need to hang your head in shame, my dear. I don't know how you keep up with more than one thread, anyway!

Hi there. Just keeping this thread warm here. : )

Howdy, Ro!

Catching up here folks!

>46 Berly: She told this story when she was at University in Oklahoma she got the part in Chorus Line where she sang Dance: Ten; Looks: Three. Her teacher changed the lyrics of tits and ass to boobs and butt "because the Bible Belt!" She sang it for us like this and told us after that she told that story to Marvin Hamlish and he told her to promise him that she would never repeat that. LOL!

>47 DianaNL: Thanks Diana! I hope your weekend was lovely and that your week ahead is too.

>48 EBT1002: I'm still struggling Ellen, but I did finish Bleak House.

>49 Berly: Thank you Kim. It's much appreciated.

>50 katiekrug: Howdy KAK! Thanks for popping in.

Nice to see you, Roberta! I hope you're doing well.

>52 rosalita: Howdy Julia! Crazy busy and going through some personal stuff, but all in all not bad. Thank you.

Well, I hope all that other mess clears up for you. I miss seeing you around these parts, but I understand how real life has a way of taking over!

Nice to see you back for a fleeting visit at least, Roberta.

Have a lovely weekend. xx

Hi Roberta, hope you have had a really lovely weekend my dear, I must say I miss your lovely comments dear friend, sending love and hugs.

>54 rosalita: Thank Julia.

>55 PaulCranswick: I appreciate it Paul.

>56 johnsimpson: Howdy John. I am really looking forward to this weekend. It looks like we are in for nice weather and I'm off.

I went to see Glenn Frankel on Wednesday at Brazos Bookstore. I met up with Lisa (LisaMorr) who visits Houston a LOT for her work. I loved Frankel's The Searchers: The Making of an American Legend so I am very excited about High Noon: The Hollywood Blacklist and the Making of an American Classic. Frankel's research is extensive and I loved the narrative style of his previous work. From his talk and Q & A, I do believe this book will be just as good.

>58 luvamystery65: So cool, Ro! I saw that book at B&N yester day afternoon. It looked really interesting.

I visit my daughter in Houston frequently, and I love Brazos Bookstore!

>59 brodiew2: Yes it does.

>60 arubabookwoman: If you are in the area and would like to meet up or go to one of their book events, please message me. I also go to events at Murder by the Book a block away.

Hi Roberta, hope you are having a really good weekend my dear, sending love and hugs.

I would love to meet up with you on one of our trips to Houston. We were just there over President's Day week, and probably won't get back til October (I go to Quilt Festival every year). My daughter lives in walking distance of the Half Price Books in Rice Village, so there's another bookstore option. I have seen the Murder bookstore, but haven't been in.

Hi, Ro. Looks like a great book event and LT meetup!

>58 luvamystery65: Hi Roberta! Lovely picture :-)

Great meet-up photo! Both Frankel books sounds interesting.

Hope you're having a good weekend.

>58 luvamystery65: Yay for a meetup! I need to check out both those books by Frankel.

Hello all! I've been sick with this respiratory crud that is going around. I still can't shake this cough. Ugh!

>62 DianaNL: & >63 johnsimpson: Thank you. I've been feeling pretty yuck but I did go with my niece last Sunday for her to choose her wedding dress. She looks like a princess and since she is my princess, that is perfect.

>64 arubabookwoman: I love Half-Price books in Rice village. Message me when you are headed to Houston and we can work something out between our schedules. How fun!

>65 ronincats: >66 susanj67: >67 rosalita: Thanks! It was fun.

>68 Berly: Thanks Kim, my last Sunday was lovely ^

>69 SuziQoregon: Howdy Juli! I can safely vouch for the book based on The Searchers. It was an excellent read.

Just dropping by to say I hope you are feeling better. Any daffodils there yet?

Hi, Roberta!

Hope that you are now feeling A-OK, Roberta. xx

The Searchers possibly remains my all time favourite movie,

>71 ronincats: I'm feeling much better but I still have a small lingering cough.

>72 jnwelch: Howdy Joe! I was able to get Saga Vol. 7 via Hoopla. It was a good one.

>73 PaulCranswick: Feeling better Paul. Thank you. The Searchers was one of my mom's favorite movies. I loved the book by Alan Le May.

Howdy, Ro! I'm going to be in Houston the first week of May.... you free for dinner any evening?

Hello, Roberta!

>75 katiekrug: Howdy KAK! I'll PM you my schedule for that week.

>76 alcottacre: Hi Stasia! It's so nice to see you around the threads again.

>74 luvamystery65: Whoa! Saga 7 is out?! I'm on it!

Hi Roberta, glad to see you are feeling a lot better my dear and nice to see you around the threads dear friend. Hope you are having a really good weekend and send love and hugs.

>78 jnwelch: I hope you snagged up a copy. Volume 7 was good.

>79 johnsimpson: Thank you John. Working this weekend, but I've got my regular crew here and that makes all the difference in the world.

Hi Ro!

Wishing you a very Happy Easter.

Or just Happy Sunday!!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, Roberta!

Hi Roberta, hope you are having a really good weekend my dear and the weather is good with you dear friend, sending love and hugs.

>81 EBT1002: >82 johnsimpson: >83 DianaNL: >84 Berly: >86 mstrust: >87 alcottacre: >88 johnsimpson:

Howdy to all that have been popping in and keeping my thread warm. I had a quiet Easter and this past weekend went home to see my Dad. My aunt and uncle renewed their wedding vows and we had a memorial mass for my great aunt Sylvia.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, Ro.

Hi, Ro! Just checking in with my pal. I miss your face!

The mystery is where is Ro?! Hope to see you soon around these parts.

Hi Roberta, just passing by to wish you a really good weekend my dear, sending love and hugs.

>90 PaulCranswick: >91 msf59: >92 Berly: >93 johnsimpson: Thank you so much for keeping my thread warm friends.

Got through our new computer system at work and now just doing annual competencies and getting ready for our Magnet status audit next month. I'm also back at trying to get my aunts house packed up and sold. It's going to be slow going because I am still in a flare up and just can't get it all done at once. Fingers crossed it goes smoother than I think it will.

I met up with LisaMorr on Wednesday night. We had a nice dinner and great conversation. Of course we exchanged books. I love when I KNOW my books are going to a good home. Lisa brought me some Virago Modern Classics. I'm excited because I am trying to read more books by women authors. Tropical storm Cindy was threatening but she was more bark than bite in my neck of the woods. Thank goodness!

No photos of the meetup. We should have taken photos of our food. So delicious and beautifully presented too.

I started a bullet journal on June 1st. I've committed 3 months to it to see if it will help me be better organized. I've always used a calendar book and to do lists and sticky notes everywhere so this puts it all in one place. You can go down a rabbit hole with this, but I am keeping mine very utilitarian. Once my 3 months are up, I will share my thoughts about my experience.

Wow! Sounds like you have been busy. Glad you had such a nice meetup, but then, when aren't they fun? Good luck with the bullet journal. And happy weekend!

>94 luvamystery65: I use a bullet journal as well, Ro, and I have found it tremendously useful to have everything in one place and neatly organized. I do not decorate mine, either, although some of the layouts I have seen from others are beautiful. But that is not my style and I'm more focused on the utility rather than showing it to other people.

Mine's pretty minimalistic too.

>95 Berly: A lot more busy than I'm used to Kim. Love meetups.

>96 rosalita: I love seeing how creative people are with bullet journals Julia, but it would stress me out to keep up with that.

ETA: >97 SuziQoregon: Glad to know there are more of us than the internet led me to believe. :)

Good to hear from you, Ro!

I have a bullet journal, but only use it as a meta-list where I collect all my reading, watching and other lists. Plus track the number of books I've read. I don't use it for journaling or as a calendar.

Hmmm, the Texas contingent seems to have problems with providing pictorial evidence of meet-ups!!

Hi Roberta, Hope all is well with you my dear and that you are having a really good weekend dear friend, sending love and hugs.

>99 katiekrug: Thanks KAK!

>100 PawsforThought: I do love the list aspect of the bullet journal. I've always used a calendar, so this just keeps everything in one place for me. The index is a life saver.

>101 ronincats: So sorry Ro! This is my 4th or 5th meetup with Lisa. I was so frazzled by traffic and a little worried about the tropical storm, that I didn't even think about taking a photo. Let me get my book haul together and take a photo. Will that do? ;-)

>102 johnsimpson: Howdy John! Thanks for popping in. Love and hugs to you and Karen. The weather kept us from going to San Antonio and working on my aunt's house, but I did get some things done around here.

Stopping by to say "hello" Roberta! I hope you summer is off to a lovely start.

>104 lkernagh: Thank you Lori! Summer is busy and HOT!

I get confused - I just posted on another thread of yours, Roberta. My new Series Push, if you haven't read any of it: Ruth Galloway mysteries by Elly Griffiths. Set in eastern England, and Ruth is a great character. First one: The Crossing Places.

>106 jnwelch: Imagine how I feel! LOL! There are six books in the series. Should I nominate it for next years mystery year long read?

>107 luvamystery65: Yes, please!

Happy Sunday, Ro! Glad to see you posting here and there. We miss you, when you are away. I hope life is treating you well, my friend.

Another pleased to see you back posting here, Ro. xx

Hello my dear, nice to see you posting, miss you when you are away dear friend, sending love and hugs.

Good luck with the Bullet Journal. I found it helpful, especially the habit trackers, future log for upcoming books, collections for when library books are due, etc. LOL.

Hi Roberta, hope you are having a good weekend my dear, sending love and hugs.

Just dropping by to leave a hug, Ro. (((Ro)))

How was Gaiman? How was Gaiman? Waiting with bated breath...

Time for a quick catch up...

>108 jnwelch: done

>109 msf59: >110 PaulCranswick: >111 johnsimpson: Thank you gentlemen

>112 BookLizard: I'm in month two and I'm not utilizing it well yet, but still, it's better than what I was doing before. I like it.

>113 johnsimpson: Thank you

>114 ronincats: Thanks Ro, the hug is much needed.

>115 msf59: I loved Gaiman Mark. This is my second time seeing him and he did not disappoint. I saw him both times with my friend Bonnie. She loves him too.

We are being appraised for our Magnet status and today is my department's review. I was going to see Roxane Gay tonight but I'm exhausted and I just can't. Perhaps next time. I will get my book autographed by her though.

My aunt went into the hospital last Monday with gallstones and pancreatitis. She threw up so much that her electrolytes were so depleted. She had a cardiac arrhythmia in CT scan. She was brought back in less than an minute, but now we are dealing with this, the gallstones, pancreatitis and no alcohol at all. This is huge as my aunt has been drinking for more than 50 years. She has also been drinking heavily more than 30 years. In the last year, I have persuaded her to drink less, but not quit.

I almost missed Neil Gaiman due to her condition. She came home Friday night. My niece Martha, who is also an RN, came to stay with her while I attended. This was a huge gift for me!

Anyhow, I am mentally exhausted and physically tired too, but I am not defeated my friends.

Posting this on my other threads so if you read this more than once, I apologize.

>117 luvamystery65: I'm so sorry for your RL troubles, Roberta! I'll keep you and your aunt in my thoughts. {{{{{Ro and Tia Dora}}}}}

>117 luvamystery65: I'm sorry to hear about the troubles you're going through with your aunt, but so glad for you that your niece could look after her so you got to treat yourself with some Gaiman! You deserve it!

That's a lot of stress! I hope your aunt is doing better today. And I'm glad that you were still able to see Gaiman. Nice niece!

I loved Gaiman Mark. This is my second time seeing him and he did not disappoint.

*green with envy*

What did he talk about? Norse Mythology?

Roberta, very sorry to read about RL and your aunt's current health condition. My thoughts are with you, your aunt and your family.

Sending good thoughts to you and yours Ro. So glad you got to see Gaiman and so jealous. ; )

>118 rosalita: >119 PawsforThought: >120 mstrust: >121 jnwelch: >122 lkernagh: >123 Berly: Thank you so much everyone. My aunt has her stress test today. After this we can book her gallbladder surgery.

>121 jnwelch: Joe he read from many of his works, including Norse Mythology. He answered questions that were submitted in writing from the audience. He told stories and made us laugh. Thanks to my niece Martha, I was able to enjoy my evening.

>124 luvamystery65: Sounds lovely, Roberta. What a guy.

Awesome! One of my favorite classics. Glad you liked it!

>126 luvamystery65: Well done! Moby Dick is one of those books I started but never got very far into. Not because I didn't like it, but I was in a bad place reading-wise. I'll pick it up again some day.

way more information than you ever wanted to know about whales
There's no such thing. Whales are one of the great loves of my life. Whales rule!

>126 luvamystery65: Congratulations! Enjoy your feeling of accomplishment.
I've yet to tackle that one but it's somewhere in my future.

>126 luvamystery65: I read it back in 2010 and was surprised how it was readable and sometimes funny.
The geek in me loved everything about whales ;-)

Whoohooo! Congrats. Moby was a high school English read for me.

>126 luvamystery65: WOOT!! Well done, Roberta!!

>126 luvamystery65: Congratulations, Ro! That's a big milestone.

way more information than you ever wanted to know about whales and whaling. So true! :-)

Hi Roberta, hope you have had a good week my dear and wish you a great weekend dear friend and send love and hugs.

>127 drneutron: >128 PawsforThought: >129 mstrust: >130 FAMeulstee: >131 Berly: >132 scaifea: >133 jnwelch: >134 johnsimpson:

Thank you kindly all. I really did enjoy Moby-Dick. I hope to read it again one day.

>135 luvamystery65: Thank you John. I went to visit my Dad this past weekend and I had a nice visit. He seems to be declining, but we will keep an eye on things.

Currently I am awaiting news on Harvey our tropical storm/hurricane. I work this weekend so I'll likely be stuck at the hospital. I am worried about my aunt, cousin and dogs. We are preparing to stay put but I am wondering if they should evacuate. I'll make a decision with them tonight.

Stay safe, Ro!

I'm packing for the hospital. My cousin Joe is in charge of home health and doggie day care

I hope everyone in your world stays safe in the hurricane, Ro. I will be thinking of you all.

What Julia said, Ro. Sending positive thoughts your way.

Joining the others with hopes that things stay safe in your part of the world, Ro.

Just read that the storm's been upgraded to cat 4. I hope you and yours are safe and taking all the precautions to stay that way.

Yikes Roberta - it's all over our news too, and it looks awful. I hope all your family are OK.

Hi, Ro. Please keep us updated, my friend. Hoping the worst of Harvey missed you. Fingers crossed.

Hi Roberta, hope Hurricane Harvey is not causing you too many problems my dear. I have been seeing reports on our news and coastal areas seem to be taking a battering and the last report we got was that it had been downgraded to cat1 but heavy rain will cause problems for days if not weeks. Our thoughts are with the good folks of Texas at this worrying time dear friend, sending love and hugs from both of us.

Roberta--Hoping that things are going okay for you and yours with Hurricane Harvey. Thinking of you!! Be safe.

Quick update from work. There was a tornado last night in my master subdivision, but not the smaller one I live in. Close but did not reach me. I still have power at home according to Center Point energy and some updates from my cousin Joe. I'm staying at the hospital tonight and possibly tomorrow.

My fence is old and needs to be replaced, but I have been holding out. I am hoping it makes it unscathed or with minimal repair needed. That is my major worry for my dogs not escaping my yard once the storm is over.

Thanks for all the good wishes. I'll be back after the storm and respond individually

Thanks for the update Roberta my dear, stay safe and hope damage is minimal for you dear friend.

Thanks for checking in, Ro. Still keeping you all in my thoughts. Take care!

Thinking of you, Roberta. Fingers crossed that you and yours will stay safe.

Stay safe, Ro. Thinking of you and yours. On the brighter side I wish you

Thanks for the update, Ro. Woo, the news footage of the Houston area is a shocker. I'm glad you're okay.

Our son's FIL just drove a U-Haul from Houston to McAllen, and saw a semi flip over in front of him on the highway. He's so lucky he made it okay - very stubborn but charming man.

P.S. Happy Birthday! What an unusual one, right?

^Hope you manage to have a lovely birthday, Ro, despite the horrific aftermath. I hope the flooding is not affecting you. Fingers crossed.

Happy Birthday Roberta my dear, despite all that is happening in Texas at this time I hope you have a really lovely day dear friend, sending special birthday love and hugs.

Happy birthday from me too, Roberta. I miss you in these parts much of the time. xx

Thank you all for the birthday wishes!

I'm still on the ride out team for Hurricane Harvey so I'm still staying at the hospital. I'm hoping to get home by tomorrow evening. So far my cousin Joe reports that all is well at home.

Will update.

Thanks, Roberta. I hope they have a (relatively) comfortable spot for you to sleep at the hospital. Is the hospital receiving a lot of patients from the effects of the storm?

Hang in there!!

Had to evacuate yesterday. Still at the hospital but with my aunt and 2 dogs. My cousin Joe took the other 2 dogs to a cousin's 3 story apartment. My house is fine right now. The river should crest today and let's see if our levee holds up. We are safe and that is the most important thing.

Did you notice my hospital let us bring our dogs? Cats too! I have the most amazing employers. We are also the only hospital open in our area.

>159 PawsforThought: Glad to hear you're doing well despite having to evacuate. Can't imagine what it's like for you all.

What Paws said, Roberta. So glad you're all okay, including the dogs. Kudos to your employers.

Happy belated Birthday!!

Sorry to hear you had to evacuate. Hope all remains above water at home. Very cool on letting folks bring pets to the hospital.

Belated Happy Birthday wishes! I bet this is one you won't forget. Sorry you had to evacuate but so glad you were able to get the animals safe as well.

Oh, dear! I'm sorry you had to evacuate but how great that the hospital let you being your pets to work. Clearly they understand that employees distracted by worry over their pets won't be as productive. A lovely act of compassion.

Glad to see that you are doing well under the circumstances Roberta, and I agree, you do have a very understanding and compassionate employer! Stay safe.

Harvey Update from me.

Did well in my home. Nothing flooded, not even my street. Lots of people I know were evacuated and their homes are flooded. It breaks my heart. Our hospital system has raised 7 million for employee relief. I work for such a great system. Everyone has pitched in.

Thank you for the birthday and belated birthday wishes and checking in on me. >160 jnwelch: >161 SuziQoregon: >162 ronincats: >163 rosalita: >164 lkernagh: & >165 luvamystery65:

I have completed my 75th book on August 31st!

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

Thanks so much for the update, Ro. Glad to hear that everything is fine at your personal home.
Congrats on raching 75 with one of my favourite books.

Glad to hear you're alright and nothing was flooded at home.

And hurrah on the 75th book! How great to reach 75 with a 5*! I love The Master and Margarita and am thrilled to see you loved it too.

Hi Roberta, congrats on reaching 75 books read for the year my dear and glad that your home and street avoided flooding dear friend. Sending love and hugs.

Very relieved that all is well with you, Ro! Happy birthday and congratulations on #75. :)

Congratulations on reading 75 books, Roberta. Even better news, though, is that you and your family are safe and didn't suffer flooding damage from Harvey. What a wonderful employer you have. I always thought hospitals should have dogs and cats around to lighten the atmosphere!

Roberta--Sorry you had to evacuate!! Glad to hear you are safe though. Congrats on 75 and happy belated birthday.

Glad to hear that your house is undamaged and you all are safe and sound, Ro. Don't forget to take care of yourself as well as everyone else!

What a relief for you that your house isn't damaged.
And congratulations on reaching 75!

Congrats on 75! And I'm glad you didn't have any Harvey damage.

Very glad to read your update and congrats on 75!

Congrats on 75!

So glad you weren't flooded but jeez - it's just awful all around there.

^Hooray for Ro!

Glad you weren't flooded out, my friend. My heart goes out to your city. How awful.

Hi Roberta, hope all is well with you my dear, sending love and hugs dear friend.

A belated congratulations on hitting the 75 book mark, Ro!!

Thank you all for the congratulations on reaching 75. It's been a crazy busy month for me. LT time and reading time have taken a hit.

Hi Roberta, hope you are having a really nice weekend my dear and wish you a lovely week ahead and send love and hugs from both of us dear friend.

This is a time of year when I as a non-American ponder over what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for this group and its ability to keep me sane during topsy-turvy times.

I am thankful that you are part of this group.

I am thankful for this opportunity to say thank you.

On this day of Thanksgiving, I am grateful for many things, one of them being my



Thank you for being so wonderful! : )

Happy Thanksgiving Roberta my dear.

>183 PaulCranswick: >186 luvamystery65: Thank you John. I've been a ghost here and I appreciate you keeping my thread warm.
>184 Berly: Thank you Paul
>185 johnsimpson: Thanks Kim

Duplicate post from my CC thread. This is what I've been reading.

Currently, I am listening to The Eustace Diamonds by Anthony Trollope. It wasn't in my plans to go beyond The Barsetshire Chronicles this year, but then Liz had to mention that it would be better to read the first Palliser novel before the last Barset novel, and here I am! I just finished Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde. It was very heavy, but excellent. I'll have to read her poetry. I'm not a huge poetry person, but after these essays, I believe I should at least try her poetry out. I'm still plucking away at A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin. I truly love her writing. Some of stories hit too close to home with the alcoholism. I live with one, don't want to read about it right now. Still, it's a beautiful collection of stories and I am winding my way through. I have an annotated Poe collection I bought and I'm reading three of the stories for my Horror! Group selection this month, Fall of the House of Usher, The Pit and the Pendulum and The Purloined Letter. The three stories are listed in the 1001 Books to read before you die collection. I'll read those three, count it as one book read, and put the rest of the book aside to finish next year. I also joined the group read of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami over in the 75 Group. I'm a bit stalled out on it. I've picked up again as Whispersync. It seems to help. This is my third attempt at Murakami. I tried 1Q84 a few years ago, but put it aside. I read Kafka on the Shore earlier this year. I had a mixed reaction to it. I see why he is so beloved, but as a woman, I am bothered by his writing. I can't quite put my finger on it, which is why I am still reading him.

I hope to finish my Shirley Jackson biography by the end of the year and read Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell. I also want to read Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 by Anna Deavere Smith to close out my category challenge officially. Of course, I always make time for a Christmas murder mystery. I have to find my book, The Santa Klaus Murder by Mavis Doriel Hay, but I'm also reading 2 am at the Cat's Pajamas by Marie-Helene Bertino for my RL book club.

Yes, I joined a RL book club! I've only been to one meeting. It was interesting. They mainly get together to drink wine, but that suits me. Y'all are my book club that I wouldn't trade for the world.

I'll do my best to get around the threads next year, but I won't start a thread in the 75. I've also handed over the reigns of my mystery project to Terri (tymfos) and Benita. We will be reading two mystery series set in Italy and I'll for sure join in on the Guido Brunetti ones. Our Horror! Group has moved over as a KIT in the Category Challenge next year, so I'll be able to limit my thread to the CC. I'll be going back to school next year so I my time will be limited.

Going back to school? That sounds promising! Best of luck.

>190 luvamystery65: More a necessary evil I must do for work. I have horrible anxiety when it comes to school, but I will survive. ;-)

>189 BookLizard: That is exciting news, Roberta. What will you study?

Sorry though that I won't have this thread on my list of places to park myself next year but I hope you'll stop by mine occasionally and say "hi".

>192 luvamystery65: Thank you Paul. I will be studying for an advanced degree in nursing.

We'll miss your thread, but hopefully you'll come visit as often as studies allow. Lots of luck!

>193 mstrust: I will be studying for an advanced degree in nursing. Great, Roberta! I hope you can stop by and wave once in a while. You'll be missed!

Good luck on your advanced schooling, Ro. We will miss you, my friend. I hope you can drop by once in awhile and let us know how you are doing.

Hugs, to my Texas pal.

Roberta--That is exciting, about the advanced schooling for nursing! What area of specialty? How long is the program? One year or more? At least I will see you on the Guido thread. ; ) Big hugs.

Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas Roberta my dear and send love and hugs from both of us dear friend.

Wishing you all good things this holiday season and beyond.

Merry Christmas from Philadelphia, Roberta!

Happy Christmas, Roberta! If you're working, I hope there is at least some Christmas food to keep you going :-)

^I hope you are having a great holiday, Ro and you are finding some R & R.

Happy Boxing Day!!

Happy Holidays, Roberta!

Hi Roberta, just stopping by to wish you a Very Happy New Year my dear and hope that 2018 is a really good year. Sending love and hugs to you from both of us dear friend.

Thank you everyone for the holiday wishes. You can find me in 2018 over at the CC for my home thread. I'll be popping in various group reads over here though.

Happy New Year!

My 2018 thread is here http://www.librarything.com/topic/270737