Mamie's 2018 Madness (Page 6)

Hi, I’m Mamie. Let’s see…I’m 50, happily married for the past 27 years, mother of four children - the baby will be twenty this year. *gasp* I joined LT in late 2011, just after my Dad had died, and I joined the 75ers and had my very first thread in 2012. SO this is my seventh year here amongst the Mighty 75, and I have to say that this group has been a gift to me. I like that we can share our reading journeys and our life's adventures with snark and with sincerity in equal measures. Okay, maybe a bit heavier on the snark for me. I am looking forward to discovering what 2018 has in store for us. At any rate, there will be wine and laughter and hopefully shenanigans along the way.

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Books Read in February:
12. The Dying Detective by Leif GW Persson (4 stars), library hardback, crime fiction/police procedural (Johansson and Jarnebring series, book 8) - recommended by Charlotte
13. The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion (4.5 stars), library hardback, non-fiction/grief

I am planning on walking the cat again this year. That is, I am just going to go where my reading takes me. I am not committing to any challenges except for Katie’s PopReadHarderSugarEtc.Challenges 2018

Books Read in January:
1. Blizzard of Glass: The Halifax Explosion of 1917 by Sally M. Walker (4 stars), library hardback, YA non-fiction/history - mentioned on Julia's thread last year in reference to the 100 year anniversary of the incident
2. March: Book Two by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell (5 stars), library paperback, GN non-fiction/memoir/Civil Rights Movement
3. Artemis by Andy Weir (4 stars), 2017 acquired audiobook, sci-fi
4. You Gotta Get Bigger Dreams by Alan Cumming, narrated by Alan Cumming (4.5 stars), 2018 purchased audiobook, non-fiction/vignettes with selfies
5. The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher, narrated by Carrie Fisher and Billy Lourd (4 stars), 2018 acquired audiobook - recommended by Mark
6. The White Album by Joan Didion (4 stars), 2017 acquired ebook, non-fiction/essays
7. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (3.8 stars), 2012 or earlier acquired paperback, gothic fiction/classic
8. Ties by Domenico Starnone (4 stars), library paperback, literary fiction/relationships - recommended by Lynda
9. God Stalk by P. C. Hodgell (4 stars), 2017 acquired ebook, fantasy - recommended by Roni and read for her GR of it
10. The Jaguar's Children by John Vaillant (4.5 stars), library hardback, contemporary fiction/illegal immigration - recommended by Katie
11. Nightblind by Ragnar Jonasson (3 stars), 2017 acquired ebook, crime fiction/police procedural (Dark Iceland series, book 2)

Katie’s Dirty Dozen - That’s right, folks, KAK’s reserved spot is back for a fourth year, let’s see what she gets me with this time

1. The North Water by Ian McGuire - Mark and Judy loved this one, too. And also Richard, though a weentsy tidge less.

Susan’s Summer Shivers - Susan’s suggestions for some cold reading during the hot summer, which lasts about 9 months in Georgia

1. The Terror by Dan Simmons
2. The Abominable by Dan Simmons

Every year, LT is an embarrassment of riches for me. I like to keep track of who recommends what and any other pertinent info that lands a book on The List.

1. Curse of the Narrows by Laura m. MacDonald - about the Halifax explosion of 1917. Recommended by Bonnie, Meg, and Susan
2. Greenglass House by Kate Milford - recommended by Amber (she gave it an A!)
3. In America: Travels With John Steinbeck by Geert Mak - recommended by Anita
4. The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton - recommended by Barbara
5. Darktown by Thomas Mullen - Jim, and he says the second book Lightning Men is just as good
6. The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman, audio narrated by Michael Sheen - recommended by Traci
7. Number 17 by Jefferson Farjeon - Harry recommended this series on his thread
8. Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney - recommended by Lisa (jonesli)
9. Slow Horses by Mick Herron - recommended by Deborah and Charlotte
10. The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt - recommended by Carrie
11. Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley - recommended by Caro
12. For the Time Being: A Christmas Oratorio by W.H. Auden - recommended by Christina
13. Under Another Sky: Journeys in Roman Britain by Charlotte Higgins - recommended by Beth
14. The Good People by Hannah Kent - recommended by Bonnie
15. Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton - recommended by Shannon
16. How to Build an Android The True Story of Philip K Dick's Robotic Resurrection by David F. Dufty - recommended by Victoria
17. The Confession by Jo Spain - recommended by Susan (Irish noir, she says!!)
18. Four-Day Planet by H. Beam Piper - recommended by Richard
19. Black Hammer by Jeff Lemire - recommended by Jim (GN)
20. Hedy's Folly by Richard Rhodes - Jim again (the doctor is IN)
21. The Wandering Falcon by Pakistani author Jamil Ahmad - recommended by Judy - interlinked short stories

2018 PopSugar Reading Challenge

1. A book made into a movie you've already seen
2. True crime
3. The next book in a series you started
4. A book involving a heist
5. Nordic noir Nightblind by Ragnar Jonasson
6. A novel based on a real person
7. A book set in a country that fascinates you
8. A book with a time of day in the title
9. A book about a villain or antihero - The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
10. A book about death or grief - The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
11. A book with a female author who uses a male pseudonym
12. A book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist
13. A book that is also a stage play or musical
14. A book by an author of a different ethnicity than you
15. A book about feminism
16. A book about mental health
17. A book you borrowed or that was given to you as a gift
18. A book by two authors
19. A book about or involving a sport
20. A book by a local author - March: Book Two by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell
21. A book with your favorite color in the title
22. A book with alliteration in the title - The Dying Detective by Leif GW Persson
23. A book about time travel
24. A book with a weather element in the title
25. A book set at sea
26. A book with an animal in the title The Jaguar's Children by John Vaillant
27. A book set on a different planet
28. A book with song lyrics in the title
29. A book about or set on Halloween
30. A book with characters who are twins God Stalk by P. C. Hodgell
31. A book mentioned in another book
32. A book from a celebrity book club
33. A childhood classic you've never read
34. A book that's published in 2018
35. A past Goodreads Choice Awards winner Artemis by Andy Weir
36. A book set in the decade you were born - The White Album by Joan Didion
37. A book you meant to read in 2017 but didn't get to
38. A book with an ugly cover
39. A book that involves a bookstore or library
40. Your favorite prompt from the 2015, 2016, or 2017 POPSUGAR Reading Challenges (you can easily Google these)

Advanced Reading Challenge

1. A bestseller from the year you graduated high school
2. A cyberpunk book
3. A book that was being read by a stranger in a public place
4. A book tied to your ancestry
5. A book with a fruit or vegetable in the title
6. An allegory
7. A book by an author with the same first or last name as you
8. A microhistory - Blizzard of Glass: The Halifax Explosion of 1917 by Sally M. Walker
9. A book about a problem facing society today
10. A book recommended by someone else taking the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge

January Stats:

Books read: 11
Group Read: 1
Formatted Challenge: 1
PopSugar Challenge: 8

Books that are part of a series: 3
In Translation: 2
Rereads: 0

Format
hardback: 2
paperback: 3
ebook: 3
audio: 3

Borrowed: 4 (public library)
Archive (Purchased in 2012 or earlier): 1
Purchased in 2013: 0
Purchased in 2014: 0
Purchased in 2015: 0
Purchased in 2016: 0
Purchased in 2017: 4
Purchased in 2018: 2

Authors
Living: 9
Dead: 2

Male: 7
Female: 4

American: 6
Canadian: 1
Icelandic: 1
Irish: 1
Italian: 1
Scottish: 1

New to me authors: 6

fiction: 6
non-fiction: 5

Genres/category
non-fiction/history: 1
non-fiction/memoir: 3
non-fiction/essays: 1
classic: 1
literary fiction/contemporary fiction: 2
crime fiction/police procedural: 1
sci-fi: 1
fantasy: 1

LT Recommendations Read
Mark: 1
Lynda: 1
Roni: 1
Katie: 1

This should do it - next one's yours!

Happy new thread

Thanks, Bryony! You are first!!

Happy New Thread, Mamie!

I love that winter gif in >5 Crazymamie:.

>11 Crazymamie: Thank you, Joe! Me, too with the winter gif love.

Happy new one, Mamie. I've been watching for it. It's the only time I ever catch up with you.

Happy new thread, Mamie.

>14 BLBera: Thanks, Beth! Haha.

>15 jessibud2: Thank you, Shelley!

Hola, Mamie!

Happy new thread Mamie!
Heres to some fantastic february reads. :D

Happy new thread! Love the image in >6 Crazymamie:, that has overtones of menace about it.

So, hi there Mamie! Ummm how goes things? Threadwarming giftie!


Hey, you know what just might have happened? Funny thing! I ummm might have referred to you in all caps. You know, kinda as a joke, like. Ha! Ha ha!

>1 Crazymamie: Happy new thread you snarky little thing, you ;0)

Happy New thread!

Happy new thread, Mamie!

Cake and champagne, you are living right today, Mamie. Happy new thread!

Happy new one, Mamie! Snark. The world does not have enough. The 75ers seems to have it in spades. It is a good thing.

Happy new one, Mamie.

Hope that all is well for you all at the Pecan Paradisio. xx

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Mamie!

Hi Mamie, happy newest thread! Checking for some tête-à-tête from the tattle-talers from the last thread. They were fun :) :) :)
More tête-à-tête please people!

*huff* *puff* *stagger* Impossible to keep up around here, Mamie! *flop*

Tête-à-tête my hind leg! More like mano-a-mano!

Have you ever gone up against an Offended vice-goddess?! *wheeze*gasp*

Happy new thread, Crazy!!! You are on



Hope you enjoy The Girl with all the Gifts.

Happy new thread!

Good morning, Mamie. Happy Friday!

Off to a great start with 11 books! Happy Groundhog Day!

Apologies, everyone! I meant to check back in again yesterday, but the day got away from me with THINGS THAT MUST BE DONE. Today is Abby's birthday - she is 22, which does not seem possible, however, I have checked her birth certificate, and sure enough she is indeed two decades and two years old. Today also marks four years with our Mercy - we found her in our crawl space after hearing mysterious meowing for several days. We kept checking outside but could not find a cat, and finally we figured out that she was UNDER the house. What a blessing both ladies have been to us.

Happy birthday, Abby! Thank you for letting your mom share your photos with us over the years. I really enjoy seeing the world through your eyes.

And Mercy, why I remember when you first found her. So tiny and cute, even to a non-lover of cats (not a cat-hater, but I'm really a dog person at heart).

Happy new thread, Mamie! Enjoy your day!

Happy birthday to Abby, and happy finding day anniversary to Mercy!

Happy Abby New Year!

Happy birthday, Abby!!

Happy birthday, Abby!

Happy birthday, Abby! And happy new thread, Mamie :-)

Adding my congrats and good wishes!! Lovely, both!

>17 katiekrug: Hola, Katie!

>18 jolerie: Thank you, Valerie! Hopefully February reading will be just as good as January was.

>19 Helenliz: Thanks, Helen! I had a lot of fun picking the images for this years thread.

>20 richardderus: You know, I think I saw that. I thought that permaybehaps the shift key had gotten stuck, but now I see that you were just joking. *raises one eyebrow* What a card you are. But you have brought threadwarming gifts, and I am feeling generous, so I tell you what, let's forget about the deckled edge pages debacle, shall we?

>21 Carmenere: Thank you, Lynda!

>22 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Anita!

>23 ChelleBearss: Thank you, Chelle!

>24 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg - I try.

>25 brodiew2: Thank you, Brodie. I totally agree.

Happy new thread, Mamie!
And a very happy birthday to Abby!

>26 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul! It's all good here. xx

>27 drneutron: Thank you, Jim!

>28 scaifea: Thanks, Amber!

>29 LovingLit: Thank you, Megan! Too funny - you tracked it down, huh? I love when shenanigans happens!

>30 ronincats: Hello, Roni! Can I get you a beverage? A fainting couch? I appreciate your exertions on my behalf.

>31 richardderus:

>32 Berly: Thanks, Kim! I am loving The Girl With All the Gifts, and the narration is excellent.

>33 thornton37814: Thank you, Lori!

>34 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! Happy Friday!

>35 sibylline: Thanks, Lucy! Happy Groundhog Day to you!

>37 rosalita: What a lovely message, Julia - Abby is sitting right here, so I read it off to her, and she was touched. Thank you from both of us.

Mercy has grown into such a beautiful and elegant cat.

Oh, happiest of birthdays to sweet Abby!!

Happy Birthday to Abby!

>38 harrygbutler: Thank you, Harry! We plan on celebrating both ladies today, so it should be full of fabulous.

>39 richardderus: Thank you, BigDaddy! *smooch from Abby*

>40 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle! I am reading these off to her, and she is grinning big time.

>41 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!

>42 susanj67: Thank you, Susan! She has sent Daniel out to fetch McGriddles for everyone.

>43 jessibud2: Thank you, Shelley!

>46 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita - lovely to see you here!

>50 scaifea: Thank you, Amber!

>51 katiekrug: Thank you, Katie!

Happy birthday to your baby. Are you wondering "how did that happen?"

Mercy is a very satisfied looking cat now. So glad you were able to rescue her from her predicament.
I'm a cat person (studiously ignores the dog person up thread>37 rosalita:) and I'd have one again. Only we go away for weekends too often that it wouldn't be fair. Although I do now work at home 4 days a week, so maybe I need the company? hmmm. Now there's an idea...

Weekend is almost here. 32 minutes and counting. >:-)

>54 Helenliz: Thank you, Helen. It's amazing to me that they are all adults now - when Birdy turns twenty in October, they will all be in their twenties. And yes, I do wonder how did that happen even though I have been here the whole time.

Mercy is a joy. We love having her - she is a very dignified cat. She never gets onto the counters or tries to eat our food. She also does not play with things that most cats would play with - I guess it is beneath her to play with bottle caps, although she does love to bat around a pecan (in its shell) if we give her one. And she is very vocal with her meowing - she tells us important things all the time. Like when the bird feeder is empty.

And yes, I think you do need a cat for company. They are such lovely creatures.

Hooray for the weekend! Ours should be full of fabulous with the birthday, the anniversary, and the big football game.

"My" Abby will be turning 4 on Tuesday. I will have to remember to share a picture. She's a little spitfire.

Abby-Birthday to Abby!

Wow to have all the kids in their 20s.....I can only dream. The days are long but the years are short right? :D

And Vice-Goddess Mamie deigns to extend mercy unto her unworthy follower!

>56 katiekrug: It doesn't seem like she could be four already, Katie! And yes, do share a photo. Birdy was also a spitfire.

>57 jolerie: Thanks, Valerie! Yep - exactly. When you are in the moment, it feels like it will last forever, but then, suddenly, it is gone.

>58 richardderus: *belly laugh* Abby says please have a McGriddle - her chosen birthday breakfast:

>60 Crazymamie: Abby is clearly cut from the same cloth as her merciful, all-forgiving Vice-Goddess mother. I accept with humble alacrity.

Lest you become too accustomed to this level of sucking up:

Just popping in to say I hope you have a wonderful weekend when it arives for you.

>61 richardderus: *grin* Nicely done on both parts. *smooch*

>62 BBGirl55: Thank you, Bryony! Hoping your weekend is also full of wonder!

>60 Crazymamie: Oh my stars, that looks delicious! I looked it up to see if we have them here, but no. However, I did discover a Q&A website for McDonald's, where they explained that they don't have them here, but that Big Macs and Quarter Pounders are available worldwide. (Not at breakfast, though, if we're being pernickety...). Someone else asked whether there were any healthy items on the breakfast menu, and to their credit they didn't just answer LOL.

>64 susanj67: They are most yum, Susan. I'm sad that you don't have them there. Don't know if I ever mentioned that I used to work at McDonald's? Back in my high school and college days - they were very good about letting me work my breaks and my summers when I was back home. I always wonder why people expect to have healthy options at places like that - I would guess that maybe their yogurt parfait would come the closest. Do you have those on menu there?

>64 susanj67: - Susan, they may not offer it in the UK, but on the McD's breakfast menu here they have an egg white delight sandwich which isn't *too* awful health-wise and is pretty tasty... If you ever come back to the US, I will treat you to one!

>65 Crazymamie:, >66 katiekrug: We don't have either of those here :-( But it seems we do have a cheesy bacon flatbread, which I hadn't seen before. Mamie, one of my friends used to work there too, when we were at high school. Apparently "If you have time to lean, you have time to clean" never really leaves you :-) I want McD's now. I might have to venture out tomorrow and find an errand that takes me past the gorgeous new branch on Ludgate Hill. I can't think what that might be, but I still have some time :-) Meanwhile, I hope y'all enjoyed Abby's breakfast!

Happy birthday to Abby and how nice for her to think of you all and send out her brother for breakfast. Mercy has turned into a very regal looking feline.

Joining the Happy Birthday wishes for Abby, Mamie. She's missed around here!

>61 richardderus: Can I just say that the coolest thing about that gif is how the water holds the shape of the balloon just a fraction before falling. Physics is so cool... 😁

>70 drneutron: Physics is indeed way cool, but the best thing about the GIF is the certainty that the cat was miserable afterwards.

...what? I'm on record everywhere: I hate cats.

>66 katiekrug: That's good to know, Katie - I haven't seen that one.

>67 susanj67: I hope you can think of an errand, Susan.

>68 Familyhistorian: Thank you, Meg! Luckily Daniel is always happy to run an errand when food is involved. I will give Mercy your compliments - she is just as sweet as she is pretty.

>69 jnwelch: Thank you, Joe! I will tell her.

>70 drneutron: *grin*

>71 richardderus: A friend of ours used to have a cat that just loved water - she was constantly turning on the sink faucets.

>73 Crazymamie: See? SEE?! Just like a cat to be the opposite of what's ideal and perfect. That is, easy to torment.

Happy Birthday to Abby and happy coming home day to Mercy; both are absolutely lovely!

>74 richardderus:

>75 ronincats: Thank you, Roni!

Happy birthday to Abby and "gotcha day" to Mercy.

And happy new thread to you, Mamie! I'm attempting to catch up a little but afraid it's a bit of a hopeless task. I'm enjoying your book recommendations lists from all of us up top. Do you start over every year, or have you carried over past recommendations to a list elsewhere? :)

Thank you, Mary!

No worries about catching up. I start a new list each year - I can find the list from the previous year just by going to my last thread of whatever year I want. I think I have been doing it now for three years?

>71 richardderus: - Pffft. You may be outnumbered, ya know....

Happy birthday to Abby!! And congratulations to you, Mamie, for raising such great children! I can't believe you've had Mercy for 4 years...seems like just a few months ago you rescued her.

>78 Crazymamie: hm, I'd remembered last year but had forgotten you did it the year before that as well. Where does the time go?

Happy #6, happy belated birthday to Abby and happy quasi second birthday to Mercy!

I always thought I was both a dog and cat person, but last year learned I have a light cat allergy when I had one in my house and on my stomach every night when friends were on a long holiday. Only light, because I put on a surgery mask the last two weeks for cuddle hour and took pills. The cat hated that mask...

So, sadly no own cat in my future, and also no dog as long as I have to work that many hours. Life is so much more fun with pets!

Happy birthday to Abby.

Happy new thread Mamie.

And now I'll join Roni over there. >30 ronincats:

>70 drneutron: yup, physics is just a bit awesome.

Morning, it's Saturday. And it's our turn to have a birthday. I'm now married to a slightly grumpy half centenarian. I'm not quite sure how that happened... He didn't want a birthday cake, so I'll share this with you instead.

>84 Helenliz: Congratulations? Thanks for the cake.

Hi Mamie and happy Saturday to you.

Happy belated birthday to Abby. We always consider the day we get kitties as their birthdays, so happy belated birthday to Mercy, too.

Happy weekend, Mamie!
Skinnytaste never responded to my question (and it appears my name has disappeared off the questions list) but she has modified the recipe to show just the one entry of salt (1 1/4 teaspoon salt) and has removed the kosher salt.
Nate requested it for dinner again tonight!

>79 jessibud2: Ha! *waves at Shelley*

>80 RebaRelishesReading: Reba, thank you for those kind words and for the good wishes for Abby. I can't believe that Mercy has been here for four years, either. Every day I am thankful for her - she adds so much to our lives.

>81 bell7: I know, right, Mary?!

>82 Deern: Thank you, Nathalie! Such a bummer about the cat allergy because cats are so much more adaptable to a busy schedule. Hoping one of these days things will slow down for you, and you will be able to treat yourself to a dog. Nothing like unconditional love and complete loyalty to make life full of fabulous.

>83 humouress: Thank you, Nina! Help yourself to the fainting couch and the beverages.

>84 Helenliz: Happy Saturday, Helen! Thanks for sharing the cake. I turned fifty last June, and it was most exciting.

>85 humouress: *grin*

>86 karenmarie: Hello, Karen. Thank you! Good thinking with the kitties - ours are all rescue kitties that came to us as wee ones, so we just celebrate the month that they arrived here at the Pecan Paradisio.

>87 ChelleBearss: Thank you, Chelle! Too funny about the Skinnytaste question, but I guess we got an answer, huh? I will definitely make it again, but I will stick with just the 1 tsp of Kosher salt since that's what I used before, and it tasted delicious.

*waves fan weakly*

>91 humouress:

Happy Saturday, Mamie. I don't know if your family's like ours, but birthday celebrations are never restricted to one day. We just started birthday week for Madame MBH. I bet Abby would like this idea. :-)

Happy Saturday, Joe! I bet Abby would like that idea, too. Heh.

Morning, Mamie!

Happy weekend Mamie. Twenty books out from the library and I have no idea what to read.
And belated congratulations to Abby!

>95 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

>96 charl08: Thank you, Charlotte! Happy weekend to you! Oh, dear about the library books. I have actually been doing a very good job of reading the ones I have borrowed - for a change. Do you have a mystery out? If so, I vote for that one.

Abby says thank you. It was a very good birthday.

Let's all just do it ourselves:

Happy weekending.

Thanks, Richard! We love doing meals that way - baked potato bar, taco bar, burger bar...YUM!

Happy Saturday, Mamie and Happy New Thread! Only 200-plus posts, since I left, so not as many as I expected...grins.

I hope you had a nice, smooth week and thanks for keeping my thread warm, during my absence.

Hi, Mamie! Just catching up trying to catch up on threads. It's a lost cause, I'm afraid, so I'll just pick it up here.

>1 Crazymamie: Love it!

Happy weekend!

>36 Crazymamie: Beautiful!

>2 Crazymamie: I LOVED The Girl with All the Gifts!

>100 msf59: Mark!! Mark is back! And thank you - a very Happy Sunday to you. The week was actually slightly bumpy but nothing at all to complain about. Rest assured that your thread will always be kept warm for you whenever you must be away from it.

>101 Storeetllr: Hello, Mary! Starting at the bottom is always absolutely fine by me. I appreciate your stopping in.

Happy Weekend to you!

>102 The_Hibernator: Thank you - I agree Abby and Mercy are both beautiful young ladies.

I am also loving The Girl With All the Gifts - it's great on audio.

It's superbowl Sunday so I'm guessing we're not going to see much of you today. Enjoy it.

Hey Mamie! I made Swiss Pan Burgers with mushrooms and rosemary last night! Manoman I didn't think ground chuck could taste soooooo good!
Have a happy Sunday!!

Ages ago, you recommended David Tennant's read of On Her Majesty's Secret Service to me - I just got around to listening to it, and it was great. Thanks :)

Book #12: The Dying Detective by Leif GW Persson (4 stars), library hardback, crime fiction/police procedural (Johansson and Jarnebring series, book 8) - recommended by Charlotte

This was very good, so a huge thanks to Charlotte for recommending it. It's actually the (Susan look away, please) eighth book in a series featuring Lars Martin Johansson and Bo Jarnebring, Swedish CSI detectives. Both detectives are now retired, but Johansson was famous in his day for being able to "see around corners", so he is now a living legend. Unfortunately, in this book he has a stroke right at the very beginning, and he has been told that he must mend his ways - eat right, exercise, take things easy. He has lost his feeling in his right hand and he cannot properly control that arm. He is in the hospital recovering when he is given something he cannot resist - the opportunity to solve a cold case.

This particular case was the rape and murder of a nine year old girl almost three decades earlier, and the deeper mystery lies in what to do with the murderer when he is discovered because the statute of limitations has passed on this case. It missed the new legislation that abolished the statute of limitations for these types of crimes, and it missed it by only a few precious weeks. So now, even if they catch him, they cannot prosecute him.

This is really well done. The writing is excellent, the characters are fully developed, and the real mystery lies in determining what is just - how can someone who has worked his entire life to uphold the law now turn a blind eye to what the law says is right? And yet how can it possibly be right to let the rapist and murderer of a nine year old girl go free?

The story unfolds slowly and pulls the reader right into its pages. My only complaint is that it is perhaps a bit longer that it needs to be - it twice runs slightly astray to tell us what we already know - children are precious and should not be harmed. Still, those are minor transgressions in an otherwise perfect mystery. Highly recommended.

*Just a side note for those of you who, like me, have issues with reading about child abuse - the crime here is an old one, so we are quickly told the basic facts and the story moves forward. It is not graphic and it does not linger on them or flashback to the crime.

**It was surreal for me to read about his stroke and his difficulty with his arm after just sharing the story of my Dad's stroke and same issues on my previous thread. The opposite arm, but still...serendipity, baby!

>104 richardderus: Well, the game is not until later, so I'll be around for part of the day. And thank you. GO EAGLES! *smooch*

>105 Carmenere: Oh! Awesome! I am so glad that it was a hit with you - it's one of our favorites! Happy Sunday to you, Lynda!

>106 evilmoose: Hooray, Megan! I adore David Tennant. I am so happy that you listened to him reading the Bond book and that you liked it. Thanks so much for letting me know!

>36 Crazymamie: Happy birthday Abby! And happy 4 years at Pecan Paradiso to Mercy!

Hope you and the family enjoy your Sunday.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday to you, Mamie!

Go Eagles! Anybody but the Patriots, but the Eagles are looking good. Bill and I will be watching tonight for sure.

Thank you, Heather! It's Super Bowl Sunday here (professional football), so we will be enjoying a fabulous spread of appetizers while watching the game. Hoping your Sunday is also full of fabulous!

>110 karenmarie: Thank you, Karen! We are also rooting for the Eagles - it's Daniel's favorite team, so he is very excited.

>107 Crazymamie: Great review. I feel sure someone else recommended this one to me!

I'm not usually a fan of crime centred around small children either, so the point you make about that is important too.

Sitting comfortably watching a lovely sunset : pinks and golds.

Happy February, Mamie. The snow is falling right now, but I believe it is destined to melt. Eventually. Sometime.

I am reading about WWII spies and such like. Decent, but not really compelling.

I heard something about a sporting competition this evening. You hear anything about that?

>107 Crazymamie: The EIGHTH!! *has acute OCD fantods*

Kindercrime...ugh...permaybehaps not.

Happy Sunday, Mamie. Always good to have a team to support.

>113 charl08: Thank you, Charlotte! I do not think I would have found it on my own - I had to request it from the ILL service. I want to go back and read the previous books now, but I noticed that the first three books have not been translated into English, so I'll have to start with book four.

I am jealous of your lovely sunset - it is VERY gray here today and raining. Hoping it lets up long enough for Craig to grill the wings tonight.

>114 weird_O: Hello, Bill! How is that ankle doing? It's pouring rain here. I'll have to come see what you are reading that is decent but not compelling - poor dear!

I did happen to hear about that sporting event, and I say:

>115 richardderus: Yep. And I know and usually avoid it, too.

>116 Helenliz: Hello, Helen. You speak the truth. *grin*

>107 Crazymamie: LA LA LA LA-LA-LA-LA-LA...

Hi Mamie! Hoping for standalone reads in your future :-)

>119 susanj67: To my credit, I did not know it was the eight book in the series. I mean, I always try to start at the very beginning with a series. Unless I don't. Truly.

Happy Sunday, Mamie. Good review of The Dying Detective. Like RD, the kindercrime aspect gives me pause, but you do make it sound good.

Hello, Joe! Happy Sunday! And thank you. I do always like to warn people about things like that, but truly there is no graphic description or dwelling on it - it's more about figuring out how and where she disappeared and what will they do if they catch him because he can no longer be brought to trial for that crime.

Happy Sunday, Mamie! Hope you have a day filled with books and football.

Oh, yeah- Go Eagles!!

Happy Superbowl Sunday! I saw a funny Tweet earlier today and thought of you. Something to the effect that the tweeter heard there's some sort of ball game going on around the same time as the Justin Timberlake concert. lol

Go Eagles.

Happy Sunday, Mark! Exactly what I am planning on - books and football. And some seriously good snacks.

YES! GO EAGLES!

>124 Storeetllr: Thank you, Mary! Oh, thanks so much for sharing that - too funny!

GO EAGLES!

*Richard, dear, please avert your eyes*



SO, I rarely ever drink soda anymore unless we are out somewhere, and I am in the mood for one. BUT yesterday I tried the new Ginger Lime Diet Coke, just out of curiosity, and I love it. And I like the taller, slimmer can. Now I am wanting to try the other new flavors.

The Audible Daily Deal today is Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston for just $3.95. This one is beautifully narrated by the fabulous Ruby Dee - it is a stunning performance that I was blown away by when I listened to it.

>128 richardderus: I TOLD you not to look, Bigdaddy. *hands Richard a cold compress*

*smacks compress over eyes*

the aspartame it burns it burns my tissues *sob*

srsly tho

Diet? Ew. The flavors sound good, but I like the Dry brand for tasty flavored fizz. Do y'all get that there?

>131 richardderus: I have always preferred diet soda because the regular is SO sweet to me. I just can't do it- like syrup to me. Dry? I don't know - I will look for it.

The reason I like them is that they don't make my gums hurt and my teeth feel like they're in fur coats before I'm halfway done with them. Too too too too sweet. Diet stuff tastes to me like wet aluminum shavings smell. So my options are limited.

If I can find them, I will give them a try - what's your favorite?

Cucumber, followed by Rainier cherry. The only one I didn't like too much was lavender. I'm not a big lavender-as-food fancier, so it's no surprise.

ETA but the other weird flavor—rhubarb—is really interesting and has a lovely crisp edge to it. Watermelon is borderline too sweet.

Thanks for that!

Hi, Mamie! Happy Sunday!

I don't care for diet sodas and can't drink the regular ones anymore, so for a fizzy fix I try to make shrubs, because I can control the amount of sugar mixed with the fruit and vinegar. I mix with club soda for drinking purposes and find them quite refreshing. Raspberry is probably the best, followed by strawberry and blackberry. Given Richard's comment in >135 richardderus:, I think this spring I may look into trying rhubarb.

I usually drink Italian soda cut with sparkling water because of the too-sweet factor. I'm with RD that diet anything tastes ick. I will be looking for Dry soda, though, if only because of the weird flavors on offer!

Hi Mamie, Happy Super bowl day! just so you know there is a vote going on over on my thread.

>137 harrygbutler: Hello, Harry! Happy Sunday!

Um...shrubs?

>138 Storeetllr: I keep trying different ones, Mary, because sometimes you're in the mood for fizzy, but I can't take anything too sweet. I normally drink coffee, water and wine, but you know, sometimes...

>139 BBGirl55: Hello, Bryony! Thank you. I will be right over to cast my vote.

>140 Crazymamie: Shrubs.


This brand came down with a friend from Boston. Pineapple basil...oooo

>142 richardderus: OH! I have not seen those before. Thanks, Richard!

>142 richardderus: thanks for that I was lost!

>137 harrygbutler: so they work like a cordial to add to water/soda water? Interesting. Do they keep for very long? And have you ever tried a plum based combination?* I have an over active plum tree, so anything that helps to use up the fruit is worth a go. Last year I made jam (couple of pounds) plus sorbet (approaching 6 pints of it), stewed a load, eat them for lunch for a month and still gave lots away. It's a nice problem to have, when it basically gets no care & attention from me to produce all this fruit!

*sorry, that's the end of this inquisition session.

>144 Helenliz: Me, too, Helen. And very good questions. I am jealous of your plum tree - how delightful.

>127 Crazymamie: I tried the cherry one - it was pretty good! And mrsdrneutron like the ginger one.

>140 Crazymamie: Yes, but I make mine at home. Shrubs are essentially syrups made from fruit, sugar, and vinegar. You soak the fruit in the vinegar for a week or so, squeeze through cheesecloth or a mill, and blend with the sugar over heat, then bottle. The taste gets better over time as it all blends. (One can cheat and blend a fruit syrup — our local Polish deli has several varieties — with the vinegar.) I then mix with club soda to make a quite refreshing summer drink.

Some raspberry shrub I made a couple years ago, with the shrub on the left and the drink on the right (about 1/5 syrup, 4/5 club soda):


I had similar hopes for switchel when I made that, but alas the ginger-honey combination proved too cloying for my tastes.

>144 Helenliz: Exactly. You can also use them to make fruity mixed drinks.

I have made a plum shrub. It works, but I didn't find the flavor very distinctive — but the problem may have been the plums I used. I've also made blueberry and peach and cherry.

Bottled they would keep for a long time. I keep mine in the refrigerator, but I only make one flavor at a time; it is better after several weeks there.

Oh, and for the initial steeping, I use a covered bean pot. I make sure the fruit is covered with the apple cider vinegar, and I stir a couple times a day. I don't refrigerate the fruit & vinegar while this happens, but some people do. (Some recipes call for combining the sugar and fruit first (in the refrigerator), and then blending with the vinegar after a few days.)

Here's the recipe I've had the best success with, but I do steep the fruit longer and don't use quite so much sugar: http://www.grouprecipes.com/46665/colonial-raspberry-shrub-drink.html

>146 drneutron: I love the ginger one, and I am wanting to try the cherry. I mean, Feisty Cherry - who can resist that? We were just needing out over the very cool photos on your thread, Jim. And you hit me with two book bullets. I'll have to come back over there and post now that I have gotten the laptop back from Daniel.

>147 harrygbutler: SO very much like making a simple syrup - I might try that. Very cool, Harry! Thanks so much for coming back and elaborating.

>147 harrygbutler: I added this in my post above while you were replying, Mamie, so I'll put it here as well.

Here's the recipe I've had the best success with, but I do steep the fruit longer and don't use quite so much sugar: http://www.grouprecipes.com/46665/colonial-raspberry-shrub-drink.html

They're among my go-to hot weather drinks since I learned of them (thanks to a dinner at the City Tavern in Philadelphia).

>149 harrygbutler: Thank you, Harry! How much longer do you steep the fruit?

>150 Crazymamie: I usually do from 5 to 7 days. I did once lose a batch, though, because I didn't make sure the fruit was always completely covered, and it started to mold — which is probably why some recipes have you steep the fruit in the refrigerator.

>151 harrygbutler: Okay. Thanks for that - I'm thinking I will try it.

>151 harrygbutler: ditto, thanks for the info. I will try it come autumn (assuming I can find it in the huge number of threads that Mamie will have by then)

Helen, just mark the post as a favorite.

>154 Crazymamie: Ahh, yes, I'd forgotten that function. Have done so. >:-)

*grin*

I don't do any bottled drinks anymore, except for a malt whisky now and then... I keep it at coffee (black, no suger), green tea (gunpowder, no sugar) and tap water sometimes with a bit of lemon juice. It took a while to get used to drinks without any sugar, but now every sugared drink tastes way to sweet.

I’ve tried a couple of different drinks to replace the soda and didn’t really care much for them but I guess Hint was the best. I’ve just settled for water for the most part. Wine of course. Coffee and tea.

>127 Crazymamie: Ohhh, I need!! Feisty cherry, yes! I doubt they are available here but if I can find them I'll be sure to try them!
I also can't drink sugary pops but I do buy Coke Zero for the times I want a pop type drink! I love cherry cola but I've never found it in diet before!

>127 Crazymamie: Interesting! I live in a country where we have Diet Coke, Coke Zero (the only one I drink occasionally when driving, I don't like sodas anymore) and brand new: Coke Zero with stevia. No flavors. Very elegant cans, those would find a market in Italy. I'd even try the lime ginger one!

Coffee's on the go, the breakfast bar's set, sit and sniff the hyacinths while the biscuits finish baking.

Hey Mamie! I'm all for slim cans but nononononononono!!! to diet! ptui ptui ptui "aluminum shavings smell" , too true. They are marketing poison.
I guess I've made myself clear on how I stand on this one.
I'll stick with Evian with a slice of lemon!

Have a wonderful day, Mamie :0D

>107 Crazymamie: That sounds like a really good book/series, even if a bit emotionally difficult. Onto the wish list.

Happy belated birthday to Abby and Happy belated rescue day to Mercy.

Nope - I'm incapable of picking up a new series at anything but book one.

Hiya, Mamie. Hope you're having a good start to the week.

>127 Crazymamie: I don't remember where I saw an advert for those drinks as well. I wonder if they are available up here since I too am curious about the new flavours! Glad to see you enjoyed them enough to want to try to the other ones. :D

Happy Monday Mamie!

>157 FAMeulstee: Hello, Anita. Yep - I cannot take too much sugar in drinks. I usually drink coffee in the morning, water throughout the day and wine in the evening. But every great once in a while, I want a soda, so then I do the diet.

>158 brenzi: Agreed, Bonnie. I have a soda maybe once a month or so.

>159 ChelleBearss: I hope you can find them so you can try them, Chelle - I loved that name, too.

>160 Deern: That is interesting, Nathalie. And surprising to me. Abby and I also thought the taller slimmer cans were elegant looking.

>161 richardderus: Charming blast from the past, Richard! Abby is off today, and so she has been baking all morning - she made orange pound cakes in this beautiful molded pan, so the cakes came out shaped like roses. And then she made banana bars. Most yum!

>162 Carmenere: Lynda, don't be shy - tell us how you really feel. Wow! I had no idea that diet soda was such a hot topic. I very rarely drink soda, and when I do it's going to be diet, so...

Hoping your day is also full of wonder!

>163 RebaRelishesReading: It was really good, Reba. I need to check to see if the library has the fourth book in the series, which is the first one available in English translation.

>164 SuziQoregon: Thank you, Juli. I do usually try to start with the first book in a series - when I requested it, I thought it was a stand alone.

>165 jnwelch: Hello, Joe! A very good start to the week since the Eagles won last night - we were a very delighted household. And it was a good game!

>166 jolerie: You'll have to let me know if you find them, Valerie.

Happy Pre-Tuesday to you!

Hi, Mamie. Spending my last vacation day, curled up with the books. Only in the mid-teens out there at the moment, with more snow on the way. It looks like a tough week to come back, but I will persevere...

Hope you enjoyed your Didion.

Is this the place where I come to complain about fizzy drinks? Am I too late? If not... why do they insist on having to make water sweet and fizzy!? Why does water need bubbles? I like drinking substances that don't tickle my nose, why on earth should I pay good money just to have stuff go up my nose?! And the sugar, and the flavours?! What's wrong with perfectly good tap water? Young people these days, always on my lawn with their rhubarb caramel fizzy water elongated cans.

Happy Tuesday Mamie!

>171 msf59: Hello, Mark! An excellent use of a last vacation day. YIKES to that weather.

I did enjoy the Didion - I'll try to put some thoughts together on it today.

>172 evilmoose: Oh, dear, Megan. I love just plain water, although you would not want to drink it from the tap in Georgia. I drink a lot of it every day - at least two liters. BUT sometimes I want a fizzy drink. Sometimes I want flavors. And I'm fifty, so it's not just the young people. The sugar not so much - no sugar for me.

>173 The_Hibernator: Thank you, Rachel! Happy Tuesday to you!

Hi, Mamie! I hope you have a terrific Tuesday!

>161 richardderus: Very nearly my dream kitchen — particularly if that's at least two side-by-side large ovens in the stove — though I prefer a dinette or a booth to tall stools.

Hello, Harry! Thank you - terrific Tuesdaying to you, too!

'Morning, Mamie!

Since I'm prone to calcium kidney stones, having had 3 sets now since 2012, I avoid oxylates - dark colas, dark leafy greens, and peanuts (although I'm not so good at avoiding the peanuts.) When I want that bite that comes with a carbonated drink I allow myself a Dr. Diet Pepper about once every 2-3 weeks and occasionally steal some of Bill's diet Sprint/Seven-up. Black, no sugar coffee in the morning, water/unsweet tea in the day, red wine a couple of times a week in the evening. The occasional cup of hot tea must have Stevia or, in a pinch, white sugar.

>161 richardderus: That stove is eerily similar to the one we had when I was little - the only difference being that there were 2 burners on each side and a griddle in the middle.

Morning, Karen! Such a bummer about the kidney stones - I have not had those, but I did have gall stones, and they are extremely painful. Thank goodness I had my gallbladder removed a few years ago, so no more of that. I used to drink multiple sodas a day when I was younger, but now I rarely drink them. Just very occasionally when I really want a cola drink - so probably once a month or so. My tastes have just changed as I have gotten older. And I like how you describe it - "that bite that comes with a carbonated drink" - YES. I also like my coffee black, except for that first morning cup - then I want a little milk in it.

Happy Tuesday, Mamie!

I always take milk (or cream) in my coffee, no sugar.

>180 jnwelch: Happy Tuesday, Joe! Right - no sugar.

Very belated happy birthday to Abby and belated happy adoption day to Mercy (from Picasso, Mycroft, Bandit, and J'Zargo).

Adding to the soda conversation - I drink a lot of water (and skim milk and tea), but there are just times when I really want some carbonation. I have been a Dr. Pepper drinker for as long as I can remember and they now have a Diet Dr. Pepper Cherry which is just about the only diet soda I will drink. We do have a Soda Stream which we use in spurts - the Soda Stream diet sodas and the regular sodas are supposed to be healthier for you than those found in the store (different sweetener), plus they are cheaper and no bottles/cans to recycle.

>176 harrygbutler:, 178 It's darn close to my dream as well. In more prosperous times, I wanted a Wolf stove much like that, with two electric wall ovens, for a total of four. In those days I planned for Thanksgiving and Yule chez moi. Now I lurk in my bedroom praying no one will call and ask me over; so far I'm 1 for 3 on that score Thanksgivingwise, and (blessedly) 3 for 3 on Yule.


Buffet lunch! Mamie is clearly rushed off her feet. This way there's no dishes to wash.

I'm a water or seltzer girl myself. I used to drink a lot of diet soda (Diet Coke or Diet Dr. Pepper) but weaned myself off with the help of seltzer. Turns out I just like the carbonation :) I'll still sometimes get a diet soda when we eat out and it's too early for a glass of wine ;-)

I don't really like water, unless it's from chalk springs. It's what I grew up on and most people think having bits of chalk floating in your water off putting, for me it's howit's supposed to taste (I exaggerate a little for comic effect, our water would fur up a kettle in a couple of weeks). Otherwise it tastes soapy (really bad description, the best I can do). So I tend to go for sparkling water, as it has a different taste, which isn't soapy.
As for other drinks, I've pretty much gone caffeine free as the driving factor. One coffee in the morning (black) then rooibos (red bush) tea (no milk) or squash for the rest of the day. If I'm out I'll drink tea (with milk) but again, prefer decaf if I can get it. Not a great fizzy pop drinker, but will if there's vodka in the coke. Or, even better, vodka & Tia Maria.

I'm bad. I basically drink coffee flavoured milk and sugar. At least that is what my husband says to me....haha.
We recently bought a aeroccino which froths up your milk or cream and brings out this hint of sweetness which is absolutely divine. :)

Looks like our tastes in soda are about as diverse as our tastes in books, Mamie. I don't drink soda or anything that is carbonated if I can help it. Don't like the fizz.

>178 karenmarie: Since I'm prone to calcium kidney stones, having had 3 sets now since 2012, I avoid oxylates - dark colas, dark leafy greens, and peanuts My kidney stones were calcium ones too, Karen. I didn't know oxylates were what to avoid. Silly me, I assumed it was calcium even though my doctor wants me to take it for my bones.

>187 Familyhistorian: That's what my doctor told me, and I've looked around on the internet and it seems to be confirmed somewhat. It's calcium oxylate - but don't do anything radical based on what I'm saying but research it for yourself. Of course giving up dark colas should be good for most people, right? Dark leafies are another matter altogether. I take serious vitamins and don't have any deficiencies by not getting spinach and kale and etc.

Happy Amber Arbor Day!!

I'll just leave this here, as I *know* you'll want to celebrate with me:

>189 scaifea: Nicely played, Amber! *belly laugh*

>183 richardderus: Oh, I have to skip over that food. I need to lose a few pounds, (okay, more than a few), and it is never easy, regardless of the exercise I get.

Happy Tuesday, Mamie. Survived day one. Always nice to have that one under your belt.

>107 Crazymamie: I love the look of that one! I am going to see if my library has it :)

>189 scaifea: Arrgh! It's back!! The old tête-à-tête, I mean....of *course*

>182 rretzler: Thank you, Robin, and please convey our sincere gratitude to your feline crew.

I am loving learning about everyone's drink preferences! Rae is a dedicated Dr. Pepper fan - her very favorite beverage on the planet.

>183 richardderus: Thank you, darling! No dishes to wash is ALWAYS a winner.

>184 katiekrug: I also like the seltzer when the water is feeling a bit boring, Katie.

>190 Crazymamie: *grins*

Play your cards right and you may just receive a nice thread-warming, um, plant, on a regular-like basis...

>185 Helenliz: I'm gonna have to take a pass on the chalk water, Helen, although that is a fascinating story. And no also to the decaf - I could do it if I had to for health reasons, but luckily, I'm not there yet. And the vodka part made me laugh - it's good to have standards. *grin*

>186 jolerie: Valerie - I tell Craig that he has a little coffee in his milk and sugar. I love my aeroccino - we use it pretty much every day. I have recently discovered that I like almond milk in my coffee if I steam it first in the aeroccino - it comes out beautifully with a decadent foam.

>187 Familyhistorian: It would be so boring of we all had the same tastes, Meg, so I love that we are all different.

>188 karenmarie: *waves at Karen*

>191 msf59: That's the beauty of the virtual stuff, Mark - no calories. Happy Tuesday - congrats on surviving day one back.

>192 LovingLit: It's really good, Megan - hoping your library has it.

>194 scaifea:

Hi Mamie.
I'm really wishing I had committed to walking the cat with you this year. I thought I was being so footloose and fancy free with such liberal challenges as the AlphaKIT (how hard could it be to read a book with the title or author starting with a P and one with J in February?), ColorCAT (how hard could it be to read a book with a brown cover in February?), etc.... But it's still too structured!!!! Gah!

So. Next year (I said this on Katie's thread and I'm saying it here), I'm only doing the PopSugar and Read Harder challenges. Challenges that are not tied to particular months so I really can read in whatever order I choose. I might still do the RandomCAT because it's, um, random.

By the way, I came over here to ask if you've listened to any books narrated by Julia Whelan?

>199 Crazymamie: Hello, Ellen. I hear you, Sister! That is exactly what I loved about the PopSugar and Read Harder challenges - you can just read what you want and then see it it fits anywhere. I am participating in the other category challenges only when I feel like it or happen to be reading something that works.I hope you do walk the cat next year - it is very freeing.

I have not listened to anything narrated by Julia Whelan.

Another plain water girl here. I used to like Coca cola (no diet stuff) but soda is really not healthy and I am trying to find the easiest things to eliminate from my diet to get healthier, so soda went first. (I am still finding sugar tough to cut back on but working on it). Our tap water is fine so that's a plus. I like drinking cold water, especially in the heat of summer.

I recently tried a drink (various flavours) made with basil seeds. Sounds bizarre but I googled it and it's actually a thing. And leaning to the healthy side, too. I stopped drinking any store-bought juices (too much sugar) a couple of years ago and the only juice I drink is juice I squeeze from oranges or clementines myself. But this basil seed stuff may be considered juice so I am not making a habit of it.

I don't drink coffee at all and have eliminated sugar from my tea drinking.

For what it's worth, I try to have a small bottle of Coke in my fridge to sip from when I have bad stomach cramps or a bad migraine. Something about the coke seems to kill what ails me in those cases. But only one small bottle and it can go flat before I finish it. I just do sips and only at those times. Yeah, I am weird. You won't be the first to mention this.

Wow, Shelley - most impressive. I don't drink juice at all - too sweet for me. I do love coffee, though. I mostly just drink it in the morning and then switch to water. I have not heard of the drinks made from basil seeds - did you like it?

I don't think you're weird - I say go with whatever works for you.

>197 Crazymamie: Ha!

The only soda I drink these days is ginger ale. Otherwise, as much water as I can manage a day, usually one cup of coffee and several cups of tea. Unless we go out to my favorite Mexican place, where they serve Mexican Coke in a glass bottle and pour it into a glass of ice for you. The. Best.

>202 scaifea: I like a tiny bit of ginger ale when I am not feeling well - it helps to settle my stomach. I love the Mexican restaurant story! That is usually where I indulge in a Diet Coke because our favorite Mexican place here has THE best fountain drinks. I like a lot of ice and wedges of lime in there, too.

My very absolute favorite place to get a Coke is The Indian Oven in Columbus, OH (which is also my very favorite Indian restaurant). They chill the glass Coke bottle, chill the serving glass *and* fill it with ice, so the Coke is super cold. SO GOOD. And they have the very best Chicken Tikka Masala and Kheer in the history of ever.

>188 karenmarie: Hmm, I wonder how I got the kidney stones if I never drank dark colas or ate kale, maybe it was spinach?

>195 Crazymamie: Well, differences make it interesting as long as every one can live and let live and not try to change your opinions - like maybe about certain pictures of trees. LOL

For what it's worth, I hardly ever drink fizzy drinks. I prefer to get my sugar from chocolate, cakes, biscuits or lollies.... I'm a purist in that sense ;)

>206 LovingLit: Hah, I'm with you OtherMegan - fizzy drinks seem like a waste of my sugar allocation.

>193 Crazymamie: Good for Rae - she has very good taste!

>204 scaifea: Amber, I haven't been to the Indian Oven in ages. We used to go when it first opened, but since I no longer work downtown... My favorite is Amul India here in Dublin, and my favorite dish is Chana Masala. It's off the menu but they will make it if you order it. I also love the Taj Mahal on North Campus but don't get there much anymore either.

That reminds me of a funny story when Ed and I used to eat at another Indian restaurant for lunch downtown many years ago. He loves Gulab Jamun but couldn't think what it was called one day. So he asked the waiter for "those desert balls." Minutes later, the waiter walked back and handed him two glass bowls - with nothing in them!

>208 rretzler: Robin: I've been a fan of the Indian Oven since it was a hole in the wall on North High Street back in the early 90s. The owner is fabulous, too. I remember the Taj Mahal, too, which is just a block from Tomm's old apartment. Very cool.

Morning, Mamie!

You all are doing it wrong. The only acceptable drink at a Mexican restaurant is a margarita on the rocks with salt. The end.

Hi Mamie!

Hi just quickly catching up and popping by so you know the Vote on my thread was tied, so please go vote again. Thanks.

>204 scaifea: That sounds full of fabulous, Amber! Of course, now I am wanting Indian food.

>205 Familyhistorian: Very true, Meg. In my defense about the tree, I simply mentioned that I was tired of looking at it - not that it wasn't a worthy topper. And I might have pointed out how long it had been given the position of honor. Maybe. *grin*

>206 LovingLit: You made me laugh, Megan! Purist, huh?! Abby is also a purist, so you are in very good company.

>207 evilmoose: Haha! They are not worthy! When I am counting calories, I become a complete nut about what is worthy. My thing is that I really love a good beverage, so I will often choose the beverage over the food.

>208 rretzler: *grin* I will tell her, Robin.

Your story made me laugh out loud. Now there's a good way to lose some weight.

>209 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Now I am REALLY wanting Indian food. *sigh*

>210 katiekrug: Hello, Katie! I completely agree with you, however, if I am the driver then I do the Diet Coke. With wedges of lime - and you would be surprised how many times they bring it with lemon, and then I have to look all snooty by saying that actually I requested limes.

>211 BBGirl55: I'll be right over, Bryony!

Now you have the kids to serve as designated drivers and you can indulge in the margs!

That's true, but I usually drive because I am in love with my new (to me) Highlander. I should drive there and let one of them drive home. Heh.

Hi Mamie!
It's not often that I will allow myself to use precious calories on a pop! I need those for food!

>217 ChelleBearss: I never use calories on a pop, since I only drink diet and then very rarely, BUT I do love me a latte. And wine. And those margaritas Katie was talking about.

>191 msf59: I hear you! I normally pop in here after I've finished work, which is mid morning Mamie time.So just time time to see breakfast, or elevenses, laid out in full. I then am not in the mood for my stepping, as I really want a piece of cake.

Fortunately, today it's a bit early to start on the booze, even for me. >:-)

Hello, Helen! Here's a healthy snack for you to indulge in:


Vegan spring rolls

>220 Crazymamie: Mmm, they look good but anything would look good at this point as I have to fast until I get to the lab for some tests.

I'm a seltzer guy, plain, no flavorings pls.

We have boutique tap water at our house. We have a well. Not far away is a great big Nestle straw plunged deep into our aquifer. Nestle's minions pump water out of the ground and into tankers that haul it about 18 miles south. From tanker into little plastic bottles goes our water.

Every once in a while, I down a Coke or some such. Not often.

>221 Familyhistorian: Oh, bummer, Meg! Hoping it goes quickly for you.

>222 weird_O: I like a little something in my seltzer, Bill, even if it's just lime wedges. And look at you with the fancy water at your doorstep.We had a well when we lived in Indiana, and the water was very good. Here, the water is FULL of calcium, so drinking from the tap is an unpleasant experience. It's drinkable after it goes through two filters and comes out the refrigerator water line.

Not often for me, either, but back in the day I loved the stuff.

Book #13: The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion (4.5 stars), library hardback, non-fiction/grief

"Grief, when it comes, is nothing we expect it to be.....Grief turns out to be a place none of us know until we reach it. We anticipate (we know) that someone close to us could die, but we do not look beyond the few days or weeks that immediately follow such an imagined death. We misconstrue the nature of even those few days or weeks. We might expect if the death is sudden to feel shock. We do not expect this shock to be obliterative, dislocating to both body and mind. We might expect that we will be prostrate, inconsolable, crazy with loss. We do not expect to be literally crazy, cool customers who believe that their husband is about to return and need his shoes. In the version of grief we imagine, the model will be 'healing'. A certain forward movement will prevail. The worst days will be the earliest days....We have no way of knowing that this will not be the issue. We have no way of knowing that the funeral itself will be anodyne, a kind of narcotic regression in which we are wrapped in the care of others and the gravity and meaning of the occasion. Nor can we know ahead of the fact (and here lies the heart of the difference between grief as we imagine it and grief as it is) the unending absence that follows, the void, the very opposite of meaning, the relentless succession of moments during which we will confront the experience of meaningless itself."

The Year of Magical Thinking was the book that Didion wrote to express her grief and her understanding of it when, in less than a two year period she lost both her husband and her daughter. This book deals with just the death of her husband of forty years John Gregory Dunne. Their daughter Quintana had fallen ill during the Christmas season, and was in a coma in the hospital. On December 30th, after coming home from visiting their daughter, Didion's husband had a massive heart attack and died. Didion would have to deal with this loss while continuing to visit her daughter, who will recover only to again be hospitalized after a fall where she hit her head and required brain surgery. Again the daughter will recover only to die a few months later. The death of her daughter is dealt with in her follow-up book Blue Nights.

In writing about her own grief, Didion does the same thing that she has done so many times in her essays about the 60s and 70s - she places herself in the story. Firmly anchors herself there, and then steps back out so that she can report on the details as an almost objective observer. It works here so very perfectly - she reveals her vulnerability, her need to understand, her need to accept while acknowledging that she finds this an impossible task. There is no great wisdom to be grasped no matter how endlessly we seek to explain how we are supposed to go on after our world collapses, and life as we know it is forever altered. Grief is a surreal experience. It is not a linear progression - it takes each of us on our own journey, demanding an inventory of memory and of self.

"I have been a writer my entire life. As a writer, even as a child, long before what I wrote began to be published, I developed a sense that meaning itself was resident in the rhythms of words and sentences and paragraphs, a technique for withholding whatever it was I thought or believed behind an increasingly impenetrable polish. The way I write is who I am, or have become, yet this is a case in which I wish I had instead of words and their rhythms a cutting room, equipped with an Avid, a digital editing system on which I could touch a key and collapse the sequence of time, show you simultaneously all the frames of memory that come to me now, let you pick the takes, the marginally different expressions, the variant readings of the same lines. This is a case in which I need more than words to find the meaning. This is a case in which I need whatever it is I think or believe to be penetrable, if only for myself."

Lovely review, Mamie. Are you going to read Blue Nights? I want to but will take a little break first, I think.

>225 katiekrug: Thank you, Katie. Yes - exactly my thoughts. I want to read it, but I want to take a Didion break first.

>224 Crazymamie: Well said. Brava.

It's 32°/0C and raining. That is more heinous, more vile, more unnatural than voting Republican even.

>224 Crazymamie: Great review, Mamie! I read it and was so appreciative that she bared her soul to us.

>227 richardderus: Thank you kindly, Richard. It is pouring here, too, but it is also 63F. I wish we could trade a few degrees.

>228 karenmarie: Thank you, Karen. I cannot imagine dealing with the death of my husband while my daughter was in a coma - I just cannot even wrap my head around it. I thought the book was so eloquent and I appreciate that she didn't give herself a pass - she was brutally honest.

>230 EBT1002: I LOVE that, Ellen!

>224 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie! I also really liked The Year of Magical Thinking. It's absolutely amazing, her ability to report on her own life.

>230 EBT1002: LOL

>232 nittnut: Hello, Jenn. I completely agree - I really love her writing.

>224 Crazymamie: Great review of The Year of Magical Thinking, Mamie! Big Thumb! Glad you were able to enjoy a pair of Didion reads. I still intend to read Blue Nights.

And thanks for the warm southern breeze earlier. It all helps.

Hiya, Mamie. Just checking in. I'll circle back and read your review of Magical Thinking when I get find my marbles and get them back in my head.

>224 Crazymamie: that's a great review. Still not sure it's one I will read, not sure I'm up to that kind of experience, even second hand. Grief & I don't play well together.
>235 jnwelch: I, supposedly, have found all mine. Yes, really. No further appointments unless I want to contact her. Not quite sure how I feel about that!

>207 evilmoose: OtherMegan
I could say that same thing! (I think I just did?) ;)

>224 Crazymamie: oh wow. That one sounds like a doozie. Did you cry reading it??! I think I would have, by the sounds of the subject matter.

Morning, Mamie! I've had The Year of Magical Thinking on my shelves for ages; I hope I can get round to it eventually.

Morning, Y'all! It has stopped raining for the moment, and the sun has come up - it's a bright, beautiful world out there. Supposed to go to 63F today. Last night was good - we watched a couple of episodes of the first season of Buffy. I love that show, but I am not a fan of the college years, so I stick to the high school ones, which are very campy and fun. Then we watched the first episode of the newer Battlestar Gallactica - I love that Starbuck is female in this version!

.......

....

On the reading front, I am loving all of my current reads. I have March: Book 3 out from the library, and I am about one third of the way into it - these GNs are just so well done it is amazing. I wish these had been available when I was teaching the kids about the Civil Rights Movement. On my Kindle, I am reading Chimes at Midnight, which is the seventh book in the October Date series - urban fantasy set in San Francisco, and The Philip K. Dick Megapack, which is a collection of 15 of his short stories. I want wanting to pull a Richard and read the short story and then watch the episode of Electric Dreams (the Amazon Prime original series) based on it. In print I am reading A World Gone Mad - the WWII diaries of Astrid Lindgren, the author of the Pippy Longstocking books. This is so interesting - she kept a diary/scrapbook during the war years in which she pasted newspaper clippings (not included in the book but they are described) and wrote not just about the war but also about daily life in Sweden during the war. I am also still working my way through Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner, which is fascinating to me as I love both of the movies. And finally, on audio I am still listening to The Girl With All the Gifts, which is fabulously narrated by Finty Williams (the daughter of Judi Dench) - so good, and I should have finished this ages ago. I need to find more listening time.

Sweet Thursday - here's hoping it is full of fabulous!

>234 msf59: Thank you, Mark! I am honored to receive the thumb! And I am so glad that my warm thoughts reached you - sending you more today.

>235 jnwelch: Hiya, Joe! You poor, poor baby. I hope you are felling better today. And also that you found your marbles.

>236 Helenliz: Helen, thank you. I totally get not wanting to read about grief. Definitely a tough subject - there were so many things that she said in there that spoke to me, so I am glad that I read it.

>238 LovingLit: It was a doozy, Megan, but it didn't make me cry - I am a pretty tough nut. It did hit home with me, and it is one I think I will probably read again at some point.

>239 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Do make time for it when you are in the mood - she writes so well about losing her sense of self and about navigating grief.

Happy New Thread, Mamie, and Sweet Thursday!

I love what you're reading. Great idea to do a Richard, and read the PKD story and then watch the series.

To me, March Book 3 was the best of that amazing series, which is saying a lot. Just a great wrapup.

Morning, Joe! Sweet Thursday! You are remembering that you have been to this thread several times, right?

I am very excited about the PKD project - I just need to track down all of the stories.

I was happy to finally get the final March book - I requested it directly after finishing book two, but it took while to get here.

I'm glad you're enjoying Girl with All the Gifts. I agree, the narration was fantastic.

Aha, so that's why the narrator of Girl With All The Gifts seemed familiar, yet not familiar! If I'm remembering rightly, there was something about her voice that was reminiscent of Judi Dench, while obviously not being her.

>245 The_Hibernator: Hello, Rachel. It's very good - I feel badly about neglecting it, so I need to make time to listen.

>246 evilmoose: Megan, that is exactly what happened to me, so I looked her up to see why she sounded so familiar.

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

>240 Crazymamie: Gallactica, eh? One of my favorite hours of tv ever is that first episode of the series, '33'. This after the miniseries when the show started, right? '33' is pulse pounding with tension. It is well acted and produced. So good. I later fell off from the series, but season 1 is brilliant.

>248 brodiew2: Morning, Brodie! Okay, I have not even heard of '33'. I will check it out.

33 is the first episode of the ongoing series after the reboot was introduced in the Miniseries. I have no doubt you will enjoy it when you get to it.

Oh, thanks for explaining that - I missed it the first time around. Heh.

>244 Crazymamie: Mamie darling, if you want easy access and don't mind spending $10 on a Kindle book, here are all the stories the series is based on.

*smooch*

I agree! The beginning of Buffy was much better than the college years. Although the last episode was a gooder!

Could use some of your southern warmth today. I'm building myself an igloo today. :)

Great selection of books you have going.

>240 Crazymamie: I'll see if one of my libraries owns A World Gone Mad. It sounds very interesting.

ETA: They don't. I added to my Amazon and Book Depository wish lists.

>252 richardderus: Richard, thanks for that! *smooch back*

>253 jolerie: And also the Thanksgiving episode where they have Spike tied up - we LOVE that one.



Sending warm thoughts your way, Valerie!

>254 SuziQoregon: Thanks, Juli - I am very happy with the line up.

>255 thornton37814: Lori, if you PM me your address, I'll be happy to mail it to you when I finish it.

We had a one-day break in gruesome weather today, and Philly used it for a grand whoop-de-do for the Eagles football players. Yesterday we started with snow that turned to sleet, then drizzle. Tomorrow is scheduled for gloom, followed by considerable rain on Saturday and Sunday. That gives way to general cloudy gloom most of next week.

I AM PUMPED!

Got a new battery in the car. We used the car only once or twice after my little misstep before Christmas, and sitting in near zero temps for two or three weeks did in the battery. But now...now I can get in and drive without doing the jumper-cable two-step. Yipee.

ETA: I'm thinking I might read a book. What do you think? Should I?

>240 Crazymamie: Kitten and puppy. Always makes me smile.

Happy almost Friday, Mamie!

Happy actually Friday, Mamie!
OK, it is ridiculously early, but the weekend is in sight.

Morning, Mamie! I am a devoted Buffy fan, but he haven't watched it in a good long while now. I don't think Charlie's quite ready for it (he gets spooked pretty easily still).

Good morning, Mamie! Happy Friday!

Happy Friday, Mamie!

>257 weird_O: Hello, Bill! Sorry about the doom and gloom weather you're having. It's pretty gray here today and only going to 57F, which is quite a drop in temps for us. I have a headache because the weather can't make up its mind. More rain coming, too, which I do not mind at all as my errands have all been run.

New battery - I remember those days from when we lived in Indiana. I do not miss that part.

I think reading a book might be jus the thing, so I say go for it!

>258 EBT1002: Me, too, Ellen! And they also make me think of you, so they stay. It actually was Friday here when you typed that message - it was 12:46 am. I was fast asleep. For once. Hoping that your Friday is full of fabulous, my friend!

>259 Helenliz: Thank you, Helen! I love me a Friday.

>260 scaifea: Morning, Amber! They took Buffy off of both Netflix and Amazon Prime, so we bought the first season to indulge ourselves - we all love it. I totally get that Charlie is too young for it yet, I can't remember how old my kids were when we watched it for the first time, but I am sure they were all in double digits.

>261 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry! Happy Friday!

>262 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda! Happy Friday!!

I'll add my Good Morning, and Happy Friday, Mamie!

Becca and I used to watch Buffy. So many good ones. That one where it's silent for what, half the show?, was probably my favorite.

We've got one of those big snows you remember; it's probably going to end up being a foot or so. They've closed the schools and courts, and a lot of businesses are closed, too.

Thanks, Joe! Happy Friday to you! The morning has been great so far - Birdy and I have been doing a great job of getting things done so that we can sit back and relax this afternoon.

Yep, we have big love for Buffy here - that episode you mention is a good one. I don't like the college years as much as the high school years, but there were some good ones in there.

Wow to the snow - hoping you can just hunker down through it. Are you feeling any better?

Just back in time for wishing you a Happy Weekend! I'm another Buffy fan, but whenever I try a rewatch, I stop somewhere in season 4, it's just not the same anymore. There are some great later episodes, okay, but the dynamics of the group changed so much after season 3 and I also wasn't a fan of the exaggerated styling in later seasons with all the curly hair and high heels.

>267 Deern: Hello, Nathalie! Thank you for those weekend wishes - hoping yours is full of fabulous. I totally agree with you about Buffy - the first three seasons are so much better than the rest of the series.

>266 Crazymamie: Way better, thanks. I even worked out this a.m.

Happy Friday, Mamie. Trying to visit a few threads before I zonk out. It won't be long.

Isn't The Girl With All the Gifts a fantastic audio? I warbled incessantly about that book. I did not realize that was Dench's daughter. Cool.

Hi Mamie and happy Saturday to you.

>240 Crazymamie: Buffy and Battlestar Galactica. We love Buffy, but I do agree with you about the college years. It picks up again, IMO. >256 Crazymamie: And we absolutely adore Spike. Did you like Angel? We had a love/hate relationship with it, but Fred was outstanding and Wesley was fun when he showed up.

Our calico cat’s middle name is Starbuck in honor of the female Starbuck in the ‘new’ version. I loved the first 2 seasons, liked the third, and the fourth one basically just pissed me off.

It’s raining cats and dogs here. We’re supposed to get rain off and on through Monday night.

Good morning, Mamie! I hope you enjoy a superlative Saturday!

Morning Mamie, have a super Saturday. Rugby for the rest of the afternoon for us.

>269 jnwelch: Glad to hear it, Joe. And I am impressed you even got a work out in. Bonus points.

>270 msf59: Hello, Mark! I bet work was rough yesterday - your weather made our news.

Yes - fabulous audio. I do have you down as recommending it. Finty Williams delivers it perfectly - I will be looking for more by her.

>271 karenmarie: Morning, Karen! Happy Saturday! Now I am trying to remember if we actually watched it all the way to the end, or if we just bailed towards the end. Hm...We also adored Spike - and James Marsters is also a fabulous audiobook narrator. I loved Angel the character, but I never watched the spinoff show of that title. I wish they had kept that character on Buffy.

I love that your cat is named after Firefly and Gallactica characters! I recognized Starbuck, but I was of course picturing the original - loved that show growing up. We were watching that first episode of the new one, and I kept thinking where have I seen her before, then it dawned on me that she plays Victoria in Longmire! Our cat Mercy, by the way, is named after Mercy Thompson from the Patricia Briggs' books.

Raining here, too. Looks like we have the same forecast - rain through Monday night. It's very foggy here right now, which is fun if you don't have to go any where, but not so much if you do. Fog always makes the pecan grove looks like a magical place.

>272 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry! Thank you for those good wishes! Hoping your Saturday is full of fabulous!

>272 harrygbutler: Hello, Helen! Thank you. I had never seen rugby until the last Olympics, and then we couldn't get enough of it - very fun to watch. Sounds like your afternoon will be full of delight.

>55 Crazymamie: Good Morning Maimie! "It's amazing to me that they are all adults now - when Birdy turns twenty in October, they will all be in their twenties. And yes, I do wonder how did that happen even though I have been here the whole time."

My girls are 35 and 45, and what is most surprising to me is that my grandchildren, who were such incredibly beautiful little ones, are growing up as well. Kayla will be 15 in a week, the twins will be 15 in March, and then beautiful spunky Zoe will be 14 in April. I'll retire next fall, and I hope that I will be able to go to Ohio more often to see my family there. My daughter and son in law would love us to move to Ohio.. But, we would be leaving behind Kayla, and the Ohio group of teenagers would have little time for grammy.

I hope your day is a good one. This was a week of snow and ice. The walkways and steps at the university were a sheet of shiny ice. The rest of the week brought more snow and grey, grey days.

Happy weekend, Mamie! Hope you are having a good one with your family!

Morning, Linda! SO lovely to see you here! Time is a funny thing, isn't it - when you are in the moment it feels like it will last forever, and then, suddenly you blink and that moment is a memory. A reminder to make the most of each and every day.

It is a powerful thing to be wanted, so it is fabulous that your daughter and sil would love to have you closer. I would only move, however, if that is what your heart desires.

The snow and the ice make me so nervous for you - please be very careful, dear one. We have had mostly rain, which I don't mind at all. Georgia gets so much sun on a regular basis that the gray days, when they come, are actually a nice respite. But I remember the winter gray from Indiana, and it was heavy - I would be longing for the sun and a boost in my energy and spirits.

Hoping that your weekend is filled with fabulous. And that the sun finds you very soon.

>277 ChelleBearss: Thank you, Chelle! Happy weekending to you! Should be a good one - Craig is off, so we will probably just hang out and watch the Olympics for the most part.

Snackage! Churros and cajeta:

>280 richardderus: Most YUM! Thank you, BigDaddy! It is pouring buckets here, so that hits the spot - the perfect accompaniment to my coffee.

'Morning, Mamie! Pouring buckets sounds like a perfect stay-in-and-read day.

>274 Crazymamie: I have never seen the original Battlestar Galactica. Bill tells me that a lot of people were upset at the idea of a female Starbuck.

>282 karenmarie: Morning, Karen! Agreed about the plans for the day. I am going to add in a little watching of the Olympics.

I can remember watching the original show with my Dad, and I loved it. And Also Buck Rogers! Anyway, I love that they made Starbuck a woman - very cool, I thought.

So I obiously missed two complete threads... how can that happen?! Hope you are doing fine anyway, Mamie! :D

Happy reading weekend!

>284 PersephonesLibrary: Thank you, Kathy. Better late than never, always. And I LOVE that gif! I have a soft spot for The One Hundred and One Dalmatians, both the original book by Dodie Smith and the Disney movie.

Hiya Mamie, shall we join George in an espresso?

>286 richardderus: - I will, thanks! (and I don't even drink coffee or espresso or anything in that family. But I might, for him!;-)

> 286 Um...let me think about it. YES! That man is easy on the eyes. *sigh*

>287 jessibud2: You made me laugh, Shelley!

>287 jessibud2:, >288 Crazymamie: I know, I know...I'd drink tea if he offered it to me. *happy sigh*

>289 richardderus: Me, too.