Storeetllr Keeps Score: Read, Baby! Read!

Happy 2020 and welcome to my thread!


Budding booklover Ruby reads with her mom

Hi, I'm Mary. I didn't have a thread for 2019. I just didn't think I'd have time to keep up with it and everyone else's threads. Mid-December last year, I moved from Pueblo CO to Nyack NY to live with my daughter & son-in-law & help my daughter in her last month of pregnancy & first few months as a new mom and then to be the live-in Granny-Nanny for Ruby when Meg went back to school in the spring. Well, I was right, between that and getting artistic with watercolor painting and rock painting, it was crazy busy, but I've missed the 75ers and LT. So, even though I expect 2020 is going to be just as busy - more so these first couple of months since we just moved into a new house where I haven't finished unpacking and I have surgery scheduled for early January - I decided to jump back in the water and hope for the best. Anyway, I live in the basement (it's a nicely finished walkout, really, if a little small) of our new house with Nickel, an African Grey parrot. Besides painting, reading, and hanging with Ruby, I'm also a volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

I've been posting pics of my granddaughter in my Gallery, but here are a few that I really like, plus a couple showing off my very amateur artistic endeavors.


Ruby's first trip to the aquarium


Ruby's first tooth


In front of our new home on the day we closed escrow


Watercolor painting "Lone Tree"


Rock painting is such fun!

My new rating system, stolen from Katie, but I also use half stars to raise a book's rating if it's slightly better than the full star rating:

2 stars = below average
3 stars = average
4 stars = above average
5 stars = perfect *for me*

(Anything below 2 stars is unlikely to be finished)

Currently Reading

A Longer Fall by Charlaine Harris

Books Read:

January

1. The Grand Design by Stephen Hawking. 3.5 stars Audio. Review here.
2. The Last Necromancer by C. J. Archer. 3.5 stars Audio. Review here.
3. A Briefer History of Time by Stephen Hawking 3.5 stars. Audio. Review here.
4. Accepting the Lance by Sharon Lee. Audio. 3.5 stars.
5. The Child Finder by Rene Denfeld. Audio. 4 stars.
6. The Vanishing: Fogg Lake by Jayne Ann Krentz. 4 stars.
7. Binti by Nnedi Okorafor. 4 stars.
8. The Art of Theft by Sherry Thomas. 3.5 stars. Audio. Holmes and friends go to Paris to steal a painting in order to help an old lover of Mrs. Hudson who is being blackmailed. I enjoyed this one, but not quite as much as others. Still, a good solid installment in the adventures of Lady Sherlock.
9. Her Majesty's Necromancer by C. J. Archer. 3 stars. Audio.
10. A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh. 3.5 stars. Audio. A murder mystery by the author of two urban fantasy series that I enjoy. It's set in New Zealand, in a small seaside community where a decade or so earlier a number of young women, hikers who were visiting the area, went missing. Now, another young woman, this time a well-liked local, has disappeared. I enjoyed it okay but wasnt blown away by it. For one thing, I didn't feel connected to any of the characters.

Feb

11. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. 5 stars. Audio. I admit I put off reading this for two weeks, thinking I probably wouldn't like it, that the subject matter would be too " heavy." I also saw a blurb that seemed to indicate it was written in free verse, a form of writing I pretty much loathe. None of those things ended up being true. Yes, some of the subject matter was about difficult issues, and the writing was very definitely poetic, but the author's voice got inside me, made me live her life, love those she loved, feel her feelings: confusion, longings, and rage. I look forward to more by her. Thanks to Karen (witchyrichy) for the reccie.
12. Golden in Death by J.D Robb. 3.5 stars. Audio. Not quite as good as others in the series. Eve was mellower, almost subdued. The premise was a bit of a stretch. And Susan Erickson the narrator's rendition was lackluster. Also, it was more a procedural and less about the characters I've grown to love. Still, it was enjoyable enough I read deep into the night two nights in a row
13. Cast in Oblivion by Michelle Sagara. 2.5 stars. Audio. Should have been titled Cast in Boredom imo. So. Much. Talking. And tho I guess Kaylin has stopped acting like a sulky 13 year old for the most part, she's still annoying in her willful ignorance. The only reason I finished it was because it's part of a series I have enjoyed.
14. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. 4 stars. Audio. This is a reread or me, but I read it long enough ago (about a decade) that I had forgotten most of the details, though I did remember the broad plot. As with the first time I read it, I enjoyed it a lot.
15. Cast in Wisdom by Michelle Sagara. 3.5 stars. Audio. More enjoyable than the last installment, but Kaylin continues to annoy me, as does the author's choppy style of writing. I loved the ending, though, which actually made me tear up.
16. Me by Elton John. 4.5. Audio.
17. October Man by Ben Aaronovich. 3.5. Audio.
18. Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire. 3 stars. Audio. The final showdown between Jack and Jill, I felt the world building was a bit thin, and the story felt rushed to me, though that may have been due to the reader. In fact, I might have given this continuation of the Wayward Children series (#5) three-and-a-half stars except it was read by the author who rushed through it like people tend to do when they aren't professional narrators. Looks like I'm in the minority on this, though, so take my mini-review with a grain of salt.

Recommendations

The Good Man Jesus and Daemon Voices (Karen)
Binti (Judy)
The History of the Ancient World and History of the Medieval World (Jim)
Accepting the Lance (Joe)
(And it's only January 2. *sigh*)
Late Migrations (Mark)
Women Who Read Are Dangerous (torontoc)
The New Jim Crow (Rachel)
The Child Finder (Donna)
Brown Girl Dreaming (Karen)
Red at the Bone (Mark)
The Half-Drowned King (Anita)

DNF

HI MARY!

Great to see you back. Ruby is adorable, I love your "Lone Tree," good for you on the volunteer efforts, and hooray for the new home. Is it in Nyack? My step-aunt and her wife live in Upper Nyack, so I know a little of the area...

I hope we can make a meet-up happen in 2020 when you're recovered from surgery (boo to that) and more settled.

Happy new year!

Great to see you back, Mary.

Another resolution is to keep up in 2020 with all my friends on LT. Happy New Year!

Best wishes for 2020!

Thanks, Katie! Yes, it's in Nyack on Route 9W just north of 59. As for meeting up, I'd like that. Let's plan something for the spring, shall we? I should be okay to drive again by the end of February.

Thanks, Paul! I'm on board for all those resolutions except more road trips. After last year's marathon 1,800 mile road trip of a move, I'm done with driving further than about an hour away.

(Edited to correct street name.)

Hi, Diana! Thank you! I'll be around your thread soon to wish you the same.

Welcome back!

Happy 2020! I hope the surgery goes brilliantly.

Welcome back, Mary. Your granddaughter is just a bundle of cuteness. Looking forward to updates from you this year.

Good to see you back, Mary. Your life sounds crazy busy and full. Good luck with your surgery.

Hi and welcome, Jim, Richard, Mickey and Meg! It's so good to be back in the 75er group!

>12 richardderus: Thanks, RD. I hope so too.

>13 MickyFine: She is that - cute and smart and funny and sweet. I love her so much!

>14 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I know I've got my fingers crossed.

So, I found this end-of-year meme on Richard's and Katie's threads. I always love doing this; it's such fun!

Fill in the prompts using titles of books you've read this year.

Describe yourself: Old Bones

Describe how you feel: Reticence

Describe where you currently live: The Universe in a Nutshell

Your favorite time of day is: Moonshadow

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: The Library of the Unwritten

Your favorite form of transportation: Tilt A Whirl

Your best friend is: The Girl with All the Gifts

You and your friends are: Tempting Danger

What’s the weather like: Storm Cursed

You fear: The Consuming Fire

What is the best advice you have to give: Shelter in Place

Thought for the day: For We Are Many

How you would like to die: Doing Justice

Your soul’s present condition: In an Absent Dream

What is life for you: Almost Everything

ETA (from Richard's via Harry Butler's threads):

Your favorite food is: The Library Book (What? It's food for the soul, right?)

What I would like for my birthday next year: Shards of Hope

Happy reading in 2020, Mary!

ETA: sorry, posted twice

>16 Storeetllr: - Great answers!

And Happy New Thread, Mary! Love the Ruby toppers! She is a beauty. I am sure she is the light of your life. I hope to see you around more often in 2020.

Marking my place. We missed you last year!

Welcome back!! Love all the photos up top and sending you best wishes for the upcoming surgery. Happy reading!!



Wishing you 12 months of success
52 weeks of laughter
366 days of fun (leap year!)
8,784 hours of joy
527,040 minutes of good luck
and 31,622,400 seconds of happiness!!

Nice to see you back Mary!

Lovely picture of your adorable grandchild. Reading genes?

Happy reading year. And good luck with that surgery.

I am SO glad to see you back! I checked threads a few times last year to check but you did have a busy year, didn't you? The rocks are fun and I looking forward to seeing more of your artwork and that grandbaby along with your reading. I am three weeks into recovering from hip replacement surgery and managing almost to live without the cane. Sending all my healing thoughts for you as you face your own surgery.

Happy new year!

Lovely topper! Happy New Year Mary!

>17 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita! Back atcha!

>18 FAMeulstee: No worries - double posts just up my post count. lol

>19 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie. That meme is always such fun to do - and to see what others put for their answers!

>20 msf59: Aw, thanks, Mark! She is not only the light of my life, at this point she IS my life. Love that baby. Here's a pic from when she was only 3 months old that encapsulates what I feel for her

>21 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori! I missed you guys too! Glad to be back.

>22 Berly: Hi, Kim! Thanks, I'm so happy to be back! And thanks for your good wishes for my upcoming surgery. One good thing, at least I'll have a lot of time to read while I'm recuperating. I hope.

>23 EllaTim: Hi, Ella! Yes, I like to think she got my (and her mom's) reading genes. Here's an old pic of her "reading" when she was a little more than 3 months old. She's always been a book lover - though she still sometimes would rather chew on a book than read it. (Teething. Ugh.)

>24 witchyrichy: Karen! Great to see you here! Yes, I missed the 75er group, but back in Dec. '18 I had decided to skip making a thread because I thought I wouldn't have time. Turns out, I had enough time to go on FB and Twitter almost every day, neither of which enriched my soul (the opposite really). This year, I'm skipping those sites and spending my free time here.

Oh! How is your new hip? Sounds like your recovery is going well - three weeks is pretty fast to be able to walk around without a cane, isn't it? Once I'm done with this surgery, I may look into hip, knee and foot replacement. lol Thanks, and happy new year!

>25 The_Hibernator: Thanks so much, Rachel! Happy New Year to you too!

Hooray, Mary's back! Great to see you back among us book lovers, Mary. Ruby is gorgeous and I can see that she fills your life with love and happiness.

>16 Storeetllr: Heh, I like the additions, and yes indeed the library books feed one's soul!

>26 Storeetllr:, >27 Storeetllr: *baaawww* such a punkin preshus!

Judy! I was hoping you'd stop by! Yes, Ruby is amazing and the love of my life. Where is your thread this year? I'll go searching when I get a chance, but, if you see this first, can you let me know?

>30 richardderus: :) Speaking of books, I still have a bag of books for you. (I'm such a flake.) Shall I mail them or wait until March when I can drive again to have a meetup with you and bring them in person?

>32 Storeetllr: Let's do the meet-up! I'd love to *finally* get to hug you in person. We'll plan it last minute in case of nasty surprise weather, if you're okay with that...ice storms next to the sea are, well, No Fun.

Yay! An in-person hug sounds wonderful! Let's do that. I'm good with spontaneity. Better, in fact, than with planned outings. (I usually come up with "reasons" I can't make it after worrying about it for however long the plan is in place.) (Yes, I'm an introvert with agoraphobic tendencies.)

Well, good for spontaneity then, because anything that combats isolation is a good thing (even when it's damned uncomfortable).

Mary, I am hanging out at the Category Challenge this year and here is a link to my thread: https://www.librarything.com/topic/313184#

>35 richardderus: True, true. We'll combat isolation and discomfort together then. :)

>36 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy! Be right there.

Happy Reading in 20/20!

Thanks, Rhonda!

Happy New Year, Mary! Thanks for stopping by my thread.

>2 Storeetllr: Nice pictures here and throughout the thread!

>16 Storeetllr: I like your answer to the food question, and especially to the transportation question.

Happy New Year, Mary! Great to have you back!

>40 harrygbutler: Thanks, Harry! I'll be posting lots more pics during the year. Fair warning! :) Curious why the transportation question especially. Like carnivals? As for me, IRL, you won't catch me on one of those contraptions! I get motion sickness too easily.

>41 jnwelch: Thanks so much, Joe! I'm glad to be back.

I found you! So glad to have you back here in the group and looking forward to sharing your year of reading!

Happy New Year, Mary. Lovely photos. I love your painting. Grandkids are the BEST!

>43 Copperskye: Yay! Glad you found me, and glad you decided to have a thread this year too, Jo. And glad to be back in the fold, though I'm not sure how well I'm going to do with keeping up. Still, I feel happy to be here.

>44 BLBera: Hi, Beth! Thanks so much for your kind words. I've really enjoyed learning how to watercolor, though I still have a long way to go. And rock painting is more fun than I expected. Yes, grandkids are definitely the best. I never quite understood how different it is to be a grandma rather than a mom. Now I do. It's not that you can "give them back" when they get fussy, either. Maybe it's more that I feel free to enjoy her more, knowing that her mom turned out okay despite everything, and so will she, and not having to worry about my milk drying up or whether she's pooping enough (or too much) or all those other little worries moms sometimes have.

1. The Grand Design by Stephen Hawking. 3.5 stars. Audio, narrated by Steve West. Dense and often difficult to grasp for this science/math-averse 70-something who nevertheless finds herself fascinated by quantum theory, black holes, dark matter, the theory of relativity, M theory, the origins of the universe, the possibility of multiple universes, and all things cosmos. I'm going to have to reread this at least once or twice more if I want to understand some of the concepts, especially since the reader had a soporific, monotone voice that ended up making my thoughts drift off if it didn't put me to sleep altogether so that I often had to go back a chapter or two to where I was before losing track. (And with a British accent too, which I usually like!) Perhaps next time I'll get it in print.

2. The Last Necromancer by C. J. Archer. 3.5 stars. Audio, read by Shiromi Arserio. Historical urban fantasy set in London during the reign of Victoria. Charlotte, now known as Charlie, has been a street urchin for a number of years after being cast out by her father when, as a young girl and without meaning to, she resurrected her mother after the woman's death. We meet her when she's being threatened with rape by other prisoners in a jail cell, having been caught stealing food. One man tries to help her and is killed for his trouble, after which she resurrects him and sets him against the brutes. When a guard comes to find out what all the screaming is about, she escapes, only to fall into the clutches of the shadowy Ministry of Curiosities and its even more shadowy leader who's called by his own men "Devil." The novel had a few problems for me, mainly the way Charlie suddenly devolves from a street-smart petty thief into a weepy girl with a crush on Devil and a sudden desperate need for love, but it was well-written and I enjoyed it anyway, especially the Frankenstein trope, and it was a nice break from Hawking.

Nice job balancing your reading!! They both sound good. : )

Thanks, Kim! Yes, they were good, if not great. I started them toward the end of December but just couldn't finish them before the end of the year. Which reminds me, I want to post my favorites and stats from last year. Even though I didn't have a thread, I kept track using LT's "Your Books" library, which worked out okay.

2019 Stats:

Total books read: 103
Fiction: 96
Non-Fiction: 6
Poetry: 1

Favorites:

Doing Justice by Preet Bharara
Almost Everything by Anne Lamott
Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs
Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh
Gate to Women's Country by Sheri S. Tepper
A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas

Also good:

The Library Book by Susan Orlean
The Library of the Unwritten by A. J. Hackwith
Our Universe: An Astronomer's Guide by Jo Dunkley

ETA 2019 was a strange reading year for me. I think I reread more previously read books than new books. (Note: All the favorites on the above lists are original reads, not rereads.) I think it had to do with feeling a bit overwhelmed: new city, new living arrangements, new baby (which was good but different), plus I was in a reading slump much of the year, and previously loved books were sometimes all I felt capable of reading. I'm feeling much more settled now: liking my new neighborhood, making friends here, living in my very own place, and feeling more sure of my grandmothering skills, so I hope to read more new books than ones I've already read. Even so, I am going to reread the Murderbot novellas before May when the new novel comes out. 🤪



ETA that one book on my favorites list - Gate to Women's Country was a reread, but I counted it anyway because the last time I read it was decades ago so had forgotten a lot of it.

Happy New Year, Mary!

Thanks, Susan! Love the book star!

I swear, the universe is full of wonderful and strange surprises! I just read a Science Alert article about a black hole that's shooting out "wibbly wobbly spacetimey jets." It's things like this that keep me interested in astrophysics, even though I have a hard time grasping most of the concepts.

Well, I effusively welcomed you back on my thread and came over and saw your photos, but it doesn't look like I spoke up.



Happy New Year, Mary! So glad you are back. How is Nickel doing?

>28 Storeetllr: It's funny about those social media platforms, isn't it? Just had a conversation on Paul's thread about disconnecting from Facebook especially. I use Twitter more professionally but am frustrated by the lack of real conversation and sharing. Liking, sharing but not much responding.

And my hip is coming along. I was in pretty bad shape going into the surgery so am already walking better than I did pre-replacement.

Looks like two interesting reads to start the new year.

>53 Storeetllr: I love this weirdness about the magnetic ropes around the Space Whale:

>54 ronincats: Haha, Roni - I've done that! So glad you came back for a visit and commented this time! Nickel's fine. I am sure she is hoping this is the last move for a long time. (It's her 7th move since 2009, poor baby!)

>55 witchyrichy: Hi, Karen - Yes, I've pretty much stopped using FB due to Zuckerberg's policy of allowing politicians to place false ads in exchange for $$. I will have to continue to go on it in my capacity as a volunteer for Moms Demand Action, and when I do I admit to looking at my friends' and family's posts, but other than that, I'm done with FB. And Twitter is just too depressing for words. Some of the tweets are beyond deplorable, and I've found myself tweeting nasty things back, which I don't like to do, out of sheer frustration. On a different and happier subject, glad your hip replacement is a success!

>56 richardderus: I saw that photo of the Space Whale and its magnetic ropes. Wow! is all I have to say about it.

>42 Storeetllr: I do like carnivals and pretty much all the rides they have, though I don't often take advantage of the rides anymore, and visits to amusement parks are few and far between.

Yes, I loved amusement parks when I was young, and used to visit Six Flags in Santa Clarita CA and the amusement park at the Santa Monica Pier when my daughter was little, but haven't gone to one in a long time. Have you read Chris Grabenstein's John Ceepak mysteries yet? They're set in a town on the Jersey Shore, and many of them feature rides at the amusement park. They're a lot of fun.

Lovely to see you have a thread in the group this year, Mary, and what a sweet thread topper pic! I am super impressed by your rock painting. Sending you good luck vibes for your surgery and a speedy recovery.

🌟Mary, your thread is going gangbusters already. So glad you are back in the fold. Here’s to a wonderful new year filled with good books and lots of Ruby pictures. Of course, she’s a reader!

>60 lkernagh: Thanks, Lori! I have a couple more rocks to paint, then I have to find more. I'm finding it very satisfying! Thanks for your kind wishes. I'm a little freaked by the whole surgery thing - my first "real" surgery (not counting a C-sec in the 80s) - and it's quite intimidating. Trying to have positive thoughts.

>61 Donna828: Aw, thanks, Donna. Glad to be back! And good books and Ruby is all I could ask for! (The reader genes are strong with this one!)

3. A Briefer History of Time by Stephen Hawking. 3.5 stars. Audio. I swear, I read (listened to) this back in August, but I didn't count it so may not have finished it, though I did remember all of it, including the ending. A lot to process, but, after reading a few books on the subject, I'm a bit more comfortable with many of the concepts. Things change so quickly in the field of physics these days that some theories that were popular last century (like in the 1990s) are no longer thought completely valid, and some that were not thought highly of are now the thing, but this book and its predecessor (which I read and reread a year or two ago) set the stage and explained many of the basics in a way this science/math challenged amateur at least can almost grasp. One part of this book that didn't appeal was the one where he discussed time travel. It's a concept that is so out there that, although Hawking seems to say Einstein's theories prove it's possible, I just can't accept it as a thing I need to pay any attention to. But I do love reading about quantum theory and string theory and all the other weird and wild theories that appear to govern the awe-inspiring universe in which we find ourselves.

>63 Storeetllr: A Briefer History of Time sounds awesome and I am always looking for good audio books and I haven't read any physics in a while. Right now I am listening to Liquid Rules, which is all about the liquids this guy encounters on a plane ride: waves he sees out his window; alcohol being served; the sticky part of notepads and all sorts of other weird things. Fascinating with a good dose of humor!

>63 Storeetllr: I did reasonably well at school, math-wise, but I keep feeling the new physics theories are so out there, that they all feel like something I don't have to pay attention to. So kudos to you for reading this, Mary.

>56 richardderus: Loved the space whale.

>64 Berly: Now that seems interesting!

>59 Storeetllr: I haven't come across any of those mysteries yet. Thanks for letting me know about them!

Three books already! You're on a roll, given that it's the fourth day of the year!

Three books already! You're on a roll, given that it's the fourth day of the year!

I have no idea how that double posted. As far as I know I only punched "post message" once.

>63 Storeetllr: These books are always good reads for me, but most of the time I agree with >65 EllaTim: that they're so far removed from practical reality that I'm left feeling I've stumbled into a Philosophy course. Still worth reading if only because bending one's brain prevents its ossification.

Many years back I read somewhere, Mary, that A Brief History of Time was the most-purchased but then unread book out there. We certainly sold a ton of them when I was a bookseller. Like you, I enjoy reading all the clever theories about our awesome universe, even when they sometimes sail above this amateur's head. I liked this Stephen Hawking one a lot at the time. Good to hear it holds up well all these years later. He was brilliant, wasn't he.

I am glad to see you back on the threads! Got you starred.

>64 Berly: Hi, Kim. Liquids sounds intriguing. I'll have to see if I can get it from the library.

>65 EllaTim: My interest in astrophysics came out of nowhere a year or so ago, Ella. Before that, I had zero interest in the subject except for how pretty the stars were, at least the ones still visible in the skies above the cities where I lived. Many of which are actually galaxies rather than individual stars. And as plot points in scifi novels, of course.

>66 harrygbutler: Oh, I think you'll enjoy them, Harry. At least I hope so.

>67 The_Hibernator:, et al. Heh, serendipitously adds to my post count, Rachel. Not that I'm counting, or that it makes any real difference as I could never compete with the big five. Or, you know, the big 25, for that matter.

>70 richardderus: With you there, Richard. On both sentiments.

>71 jnwelch: Yes, too brilliant for my pedestrian brain sometimes, Joe. I had his Brief History on my shelves for about a decade before I read it last year. I'm glad I finally read it. It got me started.

>72 benitastrnad: Benita! You found me! I was hoping you would. No thread again this year? Happy New Year!

Edited to fix some typos. I hate using my tablet for typing.

Happy New Year and welcome back, Mary!

>73 Storeetllr: I treated myself to a refurbished iPad Pro for my recovery. Trying to stay away from the laptop as I didn't want to be tempted to work. I even have a bluetooth keyboard. But, I discovered I couldn't seem to make straight quotes required by LT, and it is just harder to use with copying links and so forth. Definitely meant for touch screen. So, back to the laptop for major typing and sharing.

>74 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl! Glad to be back and happy you stopped by!

>75 witchyrichy: Even with a keyboard, Karen! I don't have one, and it's just impossible! I can read posts/tweets and do google searches and play spider solitaire just fine on my tablet, but typing? Not so much.

So tomorrow I head to the hospital for a week's stay. :( Not sure how much I'm going to be online during that time, so, if you don't hear from me for a few days, don't panic. :) If it's a few weeks, well, not sure what to say about that. (Trying to stay positive though.)

Anyway, I asked my DD (Darling Daughter) if she wanted me to board Nickel while I'm gone, and she said she could handle taking care of her. This morning, while I am here to monitor, DD came down, let the bird out of her cage, carried her to her feeding perch, made her breakfast, washed and changed her water bowl, and filled her dry food bowl, no problem and with only a little trepidation on her (and my) part. Ruby, who came down to supervise, was very interested in the whole process. Later today DD will put Nickel to bed. So far so good. Crossing fingers there are no mishaps (bites) while I'm gone.


Nickel looking skeptical about the whole thing

Best of luck, Mary, with your surgery and I am sending you healing thoughts for a quick recovery.

Best of luck with your surgery, Mary.

>77 Storeetllr: - What a lovely picture of Nickel! I thought he was "camera shy". ;-)

>77 Storeetllr: Oh, sorry to hear this Mary. I hope the hospital stay goes well. Update us when you can. Praying the Nickel behaves and DD has limited stress. Gentle hugs to my pal.

Good luck, Mary. Will be thinking of you.

Sending lots of love and healing thoughts to you and Nickel and DD!

>77 Storeetllr: Good luck, Mary.
I hope all turns out well both for you, and Nickel and your daughter.

Best wishes, and sending you healing thoughts, Mary!

Wishing you all the best during your hospital stay, Mary, and a speedy recovery afterwards. I’ll be thinking all good healing thoughts for you.

I’m sure Nickel will be a good girl while you’re gone (even though in the photo she certainly has a look in her eye like she’s contemplating something!)! Such a pretty girl!

Excellent-outcome *whammy* all around! *smooch*

Wishing you well, Mary. I'm sure it's a relief known that Nickel is so well cared for. Heal quickly and let us know how you're doing. Recovery time sounds like a good time to read books and share them on LT. (((Gentle Hugs)))

Hope all is going well, Mary! I know both Nickel and your daughter (and your granddaughter!) are missing you.

Thank you for sending me all the well wishes. I see I'm really behind on everyone's threads, not least because there was no secure internet service at the hospital. Also, I was pretty much out of it for much of the time. Couldn't even read, which was a bummer since I had brought a half dozen books to read. Anyway, I'm finally home and feeling much better, but not quite up to responding to each post separately. Hope to have more energy by the weekend so I can get back to everyone

>89 Storeetllr: Sounds like you are on the road to recuperation, Mary! I hope it continues!

Glad to hear you're home and recovering well so far. Take care, Mary!

>89 Storeetllr: Great to see you are home, Mary. Hope that will speed your recovery and enable lots of reading and posting.

Good to hear you're home from your hospital stay, Mary. Sending lots of positive healing thoughts. I'm glad your DD was able to take care of Nickel for you. I hope you can do some diverting reading now while you get better.

>89 Storeetllr: Sending lots of healing thoughts to you. As someone just five weeks out from surgery, my advice is do what you feel like doing when you feel like doing it. I also had trouble focusing on reading. The only thing I made myself do was PT and walking as I knew it would contribute to a speedier recovery. I still tire easily and find myself doing things like email and work in bite-size pieces.

Glad you're home and feeling better Mary! Sorry you couldn't get any reading done while you were cooped up!

I hope your recovery is going well, Mary!

Stopping by to check on your recovery, Mary. Glad to know that you are home. Nickel must have missed you!

Hi, Judy, Lori, Mark, Katie, Karen, Anita, Ella, Joanne, Richard, Donna, Roni, Stasia, Micky, Paul, Joe, and Rachel. Thank you so much for your continuing kind words and well-wishes. It's meant a lot to me during this rough time. I didn't want to talk about it before - I was so freaked out about it that even thinking of it made me hyperventilate - but I had to have open-heart surgery to repair a valve that has been prolapsed since the late '70s and which suddenly went bad. I wasn't ready for it, not having had any indication before mid-December that there was a problem. Anyway, the surgery went well, my heart is now "like new" (haha), and I'm now 10 days post-op and feeling much better.

I'll be starting to do the rounds probably tomorrow, see what everyone's gotten up to while I've been out of commission, but I wanted to respond to a few posts here personally.

>79 lkernagh: Nickel's a ham; it was Rosie who thought the camera was her mortal enemy. (It is a feeling with which I totally identify!)

>80 msf59: >85 Copperskye: Nickel was a very good girl while I was away, and my DD and Dear Son-in-Law took care of her well. I've been home (upstairs at my daughter's place) since Sunday, and yesterday was the first I felt up to going down the stairs to see her. I was afraid she might bite me or something for abandoning her, but we had a lovely reunion. I spent more time down there with her today, and I plan to move back to my own space either Saturday or Sunday. My DD's been a great nurse, but I'm ready to be in my own space.

>88 ronincats: I missed Ruby so much! Being here but unable to pick her up is a trial, but just watching her play and learn and grow is the best medicine ever!

>94 witchyrichy: I still tire easily and find myself doing things like email and work in bite-size pieces. Oh, my, yes! This is so true! I'm trying to do a little more walking every day and considered buying a Fitbit, but my physical therapist said my smartphone has a free app that will do the job, so I've been using it for the past couple of days. So far, I'm a wimp at 1500 steps, but I plan to increase that by 500 steps every day until I reach 6000 steps. If the weather would cooperate, I could do some of that walking outside, rather than a round from bedroom to bathroom to kitchen, down to my place, back up ... you get the picture. :)

>98 Storeetllr: I am happy to hear that your surgery went well and you are on the road to recovery. Take care of yourself!

4. Accepting the Lance by Sharon Lee. 3.5 stars. Perhaps it was the circumstance of when I read this - anticipating surgery, then recovering post-op - but this never quite came together for me, especially the DOI sequence(s). I still am not sure what just happened there. Yes, I will reread it sometime, and yes, this is a nice tying off of some threads from previous books/arcs, but it's not my favorite adventure in the Liaden universe.

Hi Mary, I am happy that your surgery went well and that you have family right there with you to help in your recovery. Remember to take care of yourself and let nature takes it's course. I bet just getting to see Ruby was a healing moment for you! :)

>99 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia! I've just been over to your thread to "drop a star" and say hey.

>101 DeltaQueen50: Thank you, Judy! My daughter's been taking very good care of me, and Ruby is a joy! You're right, just getting to see and be with Ruby was and continues to be healing.

Oh, how scary for you and to have the surgery so quickly! I like having time to process and it sounds like you didn’t. No wonder you were so freaked out. I’m so glad you’re home and feeling better! My brother had a valve replaced many years ago and I remember that he felt so much better afterwards.

Here’s to your good health and continuing recovery!

>98 Storeetllr: I'm so glad your surgery went well and you are recovering steadily. Such major surgery with so little notice must be a particular shock.

>100 Storeetllr: You were much more generous with stars than I was. It really didn't hold together or have much narrative force.

I’m glad everything went well and you’re recovering!

>103 Copperskye: Thanks, Jo. Yes, it all happened quickly, but, on second thought, that might have been a blessing because, with more time to worry about it, I might have gone completely round the bend and run away or something.

>104 quondame: Thanks, Susan. It was a shock, almost as if my heart had betrayed me, but it had held steady for 40-some years after initial diagnosis so I can't really fault it for finally giving out. Now I feel a tenderness toward it, as if I need to comfort and praise it for being such a good heart. lol Is that weird or what? As for Accepting the Lance, I saw your review after I finished the book and agree with you. I gave it the extra half star just because it helped distract me post-op. Credit where it's due.

>105 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!

5. The Child Finder by Rene Denfeld 4 stars. Audio. I'm not usually a fan of child murder/abduction thrillers, but this novel was unputdownable. I liked Naomi's back story and the way the author wove it into the current search for two very different child disappearance cases. It was gritty and some of the details made me ill to think they happen to children ever or at all, but it was gripping and, in the end, both Naomi and Madisen (the Snow Child) showed a stunning courage. Extra credit to the author for making the villain sympathetic in a rather unique (as far as anything I remember reading before) way. Thanks to Donna for recommending!

>106 Storeetllr: Yeah, I thought about that, too! Less time to process equals less time to panic. Thank goodness, too, that you were with your family when this happened and not in Pueblo. I could have come down for a few days to be with you, but that and other help certainly doesn’t compare to what you have there!

Feel better!

>107 Storeetllr: I don’t like abduction/kids in danger stories either but may give that one a try sometime.

I'm so glad you are recovering well and can reunite with Nickel. It must have been very frightening, but they can do amazing things today.

>98 Storeetllr: Great news, Mary!

I'm glad you are recovering so well, Mary!

I'm so glad The Child Finder worked for you, Mary, especially in your weakened condition. What a scary heart ordeal for you. I am so glad you are in New York with DD and family to help you recover. I do lots of walking around the house on the coldest winter days. It's amazing how many steps one can get in that way. Audio books are great walking companions! Take care, friend.

>107 Storeetllr: I am glad to hear that you enjoyed that one, Mary. There is a sequel now out as I discovered on someone's thread (don't ask me who as I cannot remember), so you might want to check it out as well: The Butterfly Girl.

Mary - I also send you thoughts for a speedy recovery. I also enjoyed The Child Finder although I did have to suspend my disbelief a bit. I'd like to read more by Denfeld.

>98 Storeetllr: Glad to hear you are up and moving. Set small goals that are just a little hard and you'll be doing 6000 steps in no time. (That is my daily goal for now.) I have been using my treadmill to help me establish a more regular walking pattern after limping for the past few years.

Wow, that was MAJOR surgery and I am so glad that you are making a good recovery now!

Delightful to know you're improving and that the surgery was accomplished without undue drama. The trend will continue!

>108 Copperskye: I know you'd have come down to help, Joanne, and it would have been much appreciated, but you're so right about having family here.

>109 arubabookwoman: Hi, Deborah! Thanks for stopping by my thread! And thanks for your kind words. Yes, I was really scared, but they did a great job (I'm told), and my recovery is going well. I'm already up and doing a lot of my own chores, just so long as they don't entail lifting anything heavier than 5 lbs., exerting pressure with my arms, or raising my arms over my head, things like that.

>110 jnwelch: Yes, it is! :)

>111 EllaTim: Thanks, Ella!

>112 Donna828: Thanks, Donna - it did work for me. I'm looking forward to the next in what I guess is going to be a series?

>113 alcottacre: Yes! I'll be checking that one out as soon as I get to the half dozen books I had on hold at the library that suddenly appeared in my Loans at the same time. Isn't that just the way.

>114 BLBera: Thanks, Beth!

>115 witchyrichy: Small goals are about all I can deal with, Karen, though I feel I'm getting stronger every day. I'm up to 2000 steps now, but with the weather being so awful (either cold and snowy/rainy or freezing and sunny), I'm trying to do it inside, which is soooo boring. :) I'm glad you're doing so well post-op!

>116 ronincats: Thanks, Roni. Yes, it was, more major than I had realized before I woke up post-op and felt like I was dying. lol Even now, almost 2 weeks after the surgery, my mind shies away from thinking about exactly what was done.

>117 richardderus: Oh, I wouldn't say there was no drama, Richard, but most of it took place inside my head. lol Thanks for all your good wishes for my recovery. *smooch*

6. The Vanishing (Fogg Lake) by Jayne Ann Krentz. 4 stars. When they were teens, Catalina and Olivia witnessed a murder while spending the night in a cave renowned for its woo-woo strangeness but became convinced they must have hallucinated it. Fast forward 15 years, they've opened a private investigation agency, using their paranormal senses - along with solid investigative techniques - to solve their cases, when Olivia goes missing one night. Nothing heavy, just light and enjoyable paranormal romantic suspense, and exactly what I need right now.

>120 Storeetllr: Adding that one to the BlackHole. I read paranormal romances every now and again. Thanks for the recommendation, Mary.

Welcome, Stasia! I enjoy Krentz's paranormal romances once in awhile. They are similar to the In Death books: familiar plots and characters so they are comfortable, but enough of a difference to be fun.

Currently reading:

Binti
A Longer Fall by Charlaine Harris

Hmm, Touchstones not working today?

>123 Storeetllr: I just ordered that one for the library. I'll be curious to see what you think.

Which one, Lori? A Longer Fall is the second of a series. Do you have the first one, An Easy Death?

>120 Storeetllr: That lady's a *machine*, keeping three personas in three genres going at once! Three books a year! Makes me tired to imagine it.

Happy dramaless days, skull theater maven.

>126 richardderus: Right?!? She and Nora Roberts are both machines. skull theater maven LOL

Hi Mary, all these thrillers you have been reading are putting me in the mood for a good thriller! Luckily February's ScaredyKit is Psychological Thrillers!

>125 Storeetllr: The new one.

>129 thornton37814: The new one won't make sense without reading the first. As usual with series.

Woot - Can't believe I haven't made it to your thread. I love the topper. Granny-nanny sounds like an outstanding gig.

I enjoyed The Childfinder. Someone recently pointed out there is a sequel, which I hope to get to later this year.

>129 thornton37814: I'm pretty sure the other one is on the shelves so presumably library users have that opportunity to read it.

Hi, Mary. I am sorry it took me awhile to get back over here, but I am so glad to hear the surgery went well and you are well into your recovery. Sending lots of positive & healing thoughts. Glad to see you are reading some books and Nickel was well-behaved.

Woot - Can't believe I haven't made it to your thread. A very late Happy New Year to you.

I love the topper of Ruby and Meg. Granny-nanny sounds like an outstanding gig.

I enjoyed The Childfinder. Someone recently pointed out there is a sequel, which I hope to get to later this year.

>132 thornton37814: Whew! That's good.

>133 msf59: Oh, my, Mark, there's no need for apologies. I'm so far behind, if I were to apologize to everyone whose threads I haven't gotten to yet I'd be on LT all day and into the night doing just that.

Actually, between a wonky internet connection, my laptop (which is easier to use for typing anything longer than a couple of words) being too heavy for me to lift (I'm restricted to lifting nothing heavier than 5 lbs. until the beginning of March), and my getting tired easily, I haven't been posting nearly as much as I want. I have been visiting threads using my tablet, but it's so hard to type with that I usually don't post anything.

>134 streamsong: >131 streamsong: Hi, Janet! Welcome to my thread and thank you for the happy new year wishes, which are never too late to receive imo! Granny-nannying is the best job I ever had. Can't wait until I'm able to get back to it. I've got the sequel to Child Finder on my TBR list too.

Ruby turned 1 year old on Thursday. It's hard to believe an entire year has gone by since she joined the family, yet it seems she's ALWAYS been here. Isn't that some paradox! Today her mom and dad are throwing a Where The Wild Things Are birthday party for her. I'm sure it's going to be a lot of fun. I hope I can muster the stamina for it.


Love my daughter's sense of humor

Happy Birthday to Ruby!

Thanks, Katie!

>136 Storeetllr: LOL

I see the apple fell not so far from the tree!

Happy personal new year to Ruby.

Happy birthing wishes to Ruby! Glad to see the posting uptake here. Is this a sign of good post-surgery recovery?

Happy birthday to Ruby.

>139 richardderus: Thanks, RD! (Meg's droll sense of humor puts mine in the shade.)

>140 lkernagh: Thanks, Lori! As for my post-op recovery - so far, so good, but I've got a ways to go yet.

>141 quondame: Thanks, Susan!

Ruby's party was a lot of fun. There were so many people and babies and kids, though, that it wore me out halfway through and I had to retreat downstairs for awhile.




The night Ruby wore her wolf suit...


So Many Kids

Happy birthday (a little belatedly) to Ruby.

>142 Storeetllr: That is so cute.

Oh wow, Ruby is a year old already! Happy birthday little one! Love the party theme!

Happy Birthday, Ruby! It looks like a fun celebration, Mary! Yah!

>143 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul! Your birthday wish is not belated at all. Her birthday's not going to be over until her other grandparents are able to celebrate. (Her grandma is in hospital - complications from chemo - and wasn't able to be here for the big day.)

>144 Copperskye: Right? How did a year go by already? Where the Wild Things Are was Meg's favorite book from a period of her childhood (mine too - I read it so often I could recite it without having the book in hand).

>145 msf59: Thanks, Mark. It was a lot of fun, but exhausting, not only for me but for the parents too.

Happy Birthday to Ruby! (And happy recovery to you, Mary.)

It is indeed hard to believe that it is a full year since Ruby's birth!

>119 Storeetllr: I have had several people asked me if I watched the video of my surgery and I laughed! Not sure I would have had it. And, like you, I can get a little squeamish just thinking about what they did or the xray I saw of my new "hip."

Glad the birthday party was fun. It's good that you could escape though ;-)

You are so fortunate to be so near Ruby, and to be able to see her as she grows and experiences a new world everyday. FaceTime is great for grandkids, but nothing beats the real thing!

Happy belated birthday to Ruby, Mary. Isn't it wonderful to live near grandchildren?

Apologies to everyone for not responding quickly to posts on my thread and for not getting around to everyone's threads. Between a spotty internet connection, a stomach bug that kept me resting in bed the past two days, and the fact I can't really type well on my tablet and my laptop is too heavy for me to carry around with me, I haven't been able to do as much as I'd like. I actually have been visiting other threads using my tablet but not posting on all of them, but I hope to soon stop lurking and start posting. Anyway, just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your visits to my thread notwithstanding my seeming indifference, which isn't indifference at all, as I hope you know.

>147 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy!

>148 ronincats: The year just flew by, Roni! I knew it would, having experienced the phenomenon with my daughter 36 years ago, but it's still caught me by surprise.

>149 witchyrichy: Oh! I used not to be so squeamish, Karen, but the mere thought of what was done to me gives me the creeps and makes me quickly think of something else. I can look at the incision site now, but I still don't like to touch it. I also just found out how much the damn surgery cost, and it's giving me palpitations. I do not believe I am worth that much, tbh. Thank God for Medicare is all I have to say.

>150 arubabookwoman: I am lucky, Deborah! It was totally worth moving away from a place and friends I loved to be close to her.

>151 BLBera: Thanks, Beth, and yes! It is.

I owe a few reviews:

7. Binti by Nnedi Okorafor. 4 stars. YA, which isn't my favorite genre, but I enjoyed this novella about a young woman from a reclusive tribe in Namibia who, we are told, is a mathematical genius and the first of her people accepted into Oomza U., the renowned galactic university. This is the story of her encounter with the murderous Meduse, an alien life form inimical to humanity, and how she survives. Thanks to Judy for the reccie.

8. The Art of Theft by Sherry Thomas. 3.5 stars. Audio. Holmes and friends go to Paris to steal a painting in order to help an old lover of Mrs. Hudson who is being blackmailed. I enjoyed this one, but not quite as much as others. Still, a good solid installment in the adventures of Lady Sherlock.

9. Her Majesty's Necromancer by C. J. Archer. 3 stars. Audio. Too YA for me, I'm afraid, but I did enjoy the first in the series and want to see how things turn out, plus I like the premise. Too bad there's not enough necromancy and more than enough angst.

>153 Storeetllr: Of course you are worth it! Even if the numbers on paper represented actual fund exchanged that would be true, but of course the relationship between what shows up on the bills and what is paid is obscure. But yes, Medicare is something to be thankful for, thanks to previous administrations, and may it survive this one.

Sorry about the stomach bug, Mary. It doesn't seem fair that you should have that to contend with while recovering from major surgery!

Mary - so good to read that your move to New York has turned out so wonderful for you in so many ways!

Love, Baby Ruby, Healing, Support, Care for Nickel, Successful Surgery, Family...
and now your healing recovery at home and with LT friends.

>155 quondame: Thanks, Susan. I guess I am, especially in the context of my role as granny-nanny for my little wonder baby. Grandparents are so important to a child's emotional health, at least I found it so as a child with dysfunctional parents and how my own grandparents saved me. Not that Ruby's parents are dysfunctional - the opposite, from my observation - but still. Anyway, I've been pondering the high cost of that life-saving surgery and what people with similar issues who are without Medicare or any insurance must do - or not do - to survive. It is one of the big issues of the day, and I do not know the solution, only that it must be solved.

>156 katiekrug: Right?!? Well, I'm pretty much over it now, but ugh. It was nasty while it lasted. At least I didn't have to throw up, though I felt nauseous. My DD went out and got me ginger ale, which helped, and I drank a lot of mint tea and broth, which was all I felt like.

>157 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne! So nice to see you here! Thanks for the reminder of all that I have to be thankful for, not the least of which are my LT friends. I haven't used the tripod you gave me here in NY yet, but as soon as I can lift anything heavier than 5 lbs and feel up to it (which should be when the first leaf buds appear in the spring), I plan to go out to do some landscape photography.

From Tor Publishing's e-newsletter:

A Poem, From Murderbot:
While we (impatiently) wait for NETWORK EFFECT to be released into the world (5/5/20), we present to you a poem written while happily daydreaming about Sanctuary Moon.

>159 Storeetllr: How weirdly wonderful. Thanks for sharing that!

Happy Belated Birthday, Ruby!

I hope the stomach troubles are gone, Mary!

>158 Storeetllr: My own parents' best was deeply flawed, attributed to the even more sever lapses and commissions of 3 of my grandparents, so not much help there. But they had the strength of survivors and gave all 4 of us substantial support as well as object lessons.

Happy Saturday, Mary! Hooray for Binti! These are such fun books.

>159 Storeetllr: I have a mad urge for some plums now. :)

Hope you’re doing better!

>160 richardderus: It is, isnt it! Glad you enjoyed it. I cant wait for the new Murderbot novel.

>161 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia. Ruby had a fun first birthday. Yes, I'm quite over that nasty bug, thank goodness.

>162 quondame: Sorry to hear it but glad you got support. My grandma was flawed too, as I learned later, which led to my dad's flaws, but she was good to me when I was a child so I'll always be grateful to her. (And you know what they say: if you can't be a good example, you'll have to be a horrible warning. I took my parents' actions and used them as a yardstick of what NOT to do as a parent.)

>Hi, Mark!

>Haha, Joanne. Yes, thanks, I'm feeling pretty good.

A couple more mini-reviews:

A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh. 3.5 stars. Audio. A murder mystery by the author of two urban fantasy series that I enjoy. It's set in New Zealand, in a small seaside community where a decade or so earlier a number of young women, hikers who were visiting the area, went missing. Now, another young woman, this time a well-liked local, has disappeared. I enjoyed it okay but wasnt blown away by it. For one thing, I didn't feel connected to any of the characters.

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. 5 stars. Audio. I admit I put off reading this for two weeks, thinking I probably wouldn't like it, that the subject matter would be too "heavy." I also saw a blurb that seemed to indicate it was written in free verse, a form of prose writing I pretty much loathe. None of those things ended up being true (at least in the audio version; I believe the text version is free verse). Yes, some of the subject matter was about difficult issues, and the writing was very definitely poetic, but the author's voice got inside me, made me live her life, love those she loved, feel her feelings: confusion, longings, and rage. I look forward to more by her. Thanks to Karen (witchyrichy) for the reccie.



Because our internet connection pretty much sucks, I'm using a tablet to write this, so please forgive any errors. I'll add covers when (if) I ever manage to get online using my laptop.

ETA covers and addition to review of MofS (orig post 2/5/20)

I also loved the audio of Brown Girl Dreaming, Mary. So good. Have you read her Another Brooklyn? It's also excellent (I read it, didn't listen to it).

No, I didn't, but now I will. Thanks for the reccie, Katie!

I'm pretty excited. Just learned that the audio of the new Eve Dallas mystery Golden in Death is waiting for me in my library holds queue. I'll be starting it this afternoon. *rubs hands together a la the Simpsons' Mr. Burns*

>166 Storeetllr: I pulled Brown Girl Dreaming for a display this week.

>166 Storeetllr: I have Brown Girl Dreaming on the shelf. I read Another Brooklyn late last year and loved it.

>170 thornton37814: Excellent choice, Lori!

>171 Copperskye: I've got Another Brooklyn in my queue, Joanne, and hope to get to it this month.

Stopping by to say hello and hope you are doing better all around.

I was fortunate to grow up with grandparents who were a regular part of our lives. My mom's parents ran a mom and pop grocery store in the town and that's where we got our groceries each week. I worked there now and then, too, mostly tending the big candy display, putting nonpareils and swedish fish into brown paper bags for the kids who came with their pennies. My dad's mother was a widow who taught me to crochet, a lifetime hobby for me. I realize how fortunate I was and your granddaughter is blessed to have you!

>169 Storeetllr:

>173 witchyrichy: Grandparents can make a huge difference, either good or bad, depending! Glad yours were good, Karen. ETA what are Swedish fish?

>174 richardderus: Exactly, Richard!

So, turns out Golden in Death was not quite as good as others in the series. Eve was mellower, almost subdued. The premise of the mystery was a bit of a stretch. And Susan Erickson, the narrator's rendition was lackluster. Also, it was more a procedural and less about the characters I've grown to love. Still, it was enjoyable enough I read deep into the night two nights in a row.

>176 Storeetllr: Oh dear...well, to be fair, it's #50 in the series so things are bound to sag a bit.

>177 richardderus: My word, 50th in the series?!

>177 richardderus: It wasn't awful, Richard, just not my favorite of the series. All the In Death books are enjoyable to one degree or another and must-read-as-soon-as-possible-after-publications for me.

>178 PaulCranswick: Yes, amazing isn't it! Nora Roberts is, like Jayne Ann Krentz, a writing machine.

So, I've had a lot of trouble with our internet connection that I was actually thinking of getting my own connection (I share the internet with the kids - they have the router and modem upstairs), but I moved my laptop out of the kitchen where it had to be while I was recovering (because it weighs more than I was able to lift) and it's working just fine here in the living room. Which is about six feet from where it was on the kitchen table. (It's an open plan space, too.) Go figure.

So, I hope now I'll be able to post more often than before here and on others' threads. Now if only I can catch up.

A couple of mini-reviews:

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. 4 stars. Audio. This is a reread for me, but I read it long enough ago (about a decade) that I had forgotten most of the details, though I did remember the broad plot outline. As with the first time I read it, I enjoyed it a lot. Very clever premise. It helped that I read Jane Eyre between the first time I read The Eyre Affair and now. I'd have given it a half star more had the narrator been a bit less monotone.

Cast in Wisdom by Michelle Sagara. 3.5 stars. Audio. More enjoyable than the last installment, but Kaylin continues to annoy me, as does the author's choppy style of writing and repetition. I loved the ending, though, which actually made me tear up.

Hooray for improved connectivity!

Hi, Mary! Glad to see a flurry of books being read. And hooray for Brown Girl Dreaming! I have three of hers and all have been terrific. You no longer have bird feeders set up, right?

>169 Storeetllr: I wonder how I will feel about that one when I finally get to it. I am reading Memory in Death right now.

>182 katiekrug: Indeed! It was maddening! What a difference 6 feet make, huh?

>183 msf59: I've got Red at the Bone in my queue, thanks to your rave review, Mark! The bird feeders aren't set up yet at the new house, but that is next on my list of TTD after I get rid of the ants that have suddenly appeared in the laundry room. So far, none are in my living area (cross fingers). Tonight I used a Borax/sugar mixture to deter them, but tomorrow I'm going for the big guns.

>184 alcottacre: I'll be interested to know what you think of it when you do get to it, Stasia.

What >182 katiekrug: said!

>181 Storeetllr: I loved Jane Eyre and I’m pretty sure I have The Eyre Affair on the shelf somewhere. I really should give it a go!

Hope you’re doing well!

>180 Storeetllr: Poor internet connections can really be a downer. My internet connection at home was a bit ropey last week but seems much better now.

>180 Storeetllr: Computers! They are great when everything works.

>181 Storeetllr: I also read The Eyre Affair years ago and was thinking I should reread it before continuing with the series. I'm happy to hear it holds up with rereading.

Have a wonderful weekend.

>186 richardderus: Right?!?

>187 Copperskye: You should, Joanne. I think you'd enjoy it. I should say that it took me 3 tries before I got into it the first time, but I think it was the fault of the narrator (I was listening to it as an audiobook), but then I loved it. Not sure what the problem was - maybe just my mood at the time I first tried it. Yes, thanks, doing well, though I feel my recover is slow. I want to be able to do everything I used to do before the surgery, but that's not happening for awhile. It kills me to not be able to pick up Ruby whenever I want. And she doesn't seem to understand why I won't grab her up like I used to do.

>188 PaulCranswick: Yes, it is, Paul. I'm glad your internet is working well, especially because you need to be connected to your mom now. Glad to hear she is doing so much better! Everyone's prayers and healing thoughts must be working.

So, I just spent a pile of $$ for more art supplies, even though I'm not painting as much as I had been before I went in for surgery. I have started practicing with watercolors again, but not enough to justify breaking the bank on art supplies. *sigh* I'm such a sucker for a 20% off coupon. Anyway, I bought some watercolor pads to carry around with me and paint plein air (as if that's ever going to happen), and also some canvas panels in case I get the urge to start painting with acrylics. *another sigh* Finally, I bought some outdoor acrylic paint for rock painting. As soon as I finish posting mini-reviews of my last two books, I'm going to practice painting tulips, my latest project. Here's a pic of one tulip I painted yesterday.



Lest you find yourselves impressed, know that this is only one of about a dozen tries. None of the others were worth the paper they were painted on. Oh, well, one is better than none, right?

One nice thing: This coming Tuesday will be 6 weeks since my surgery. I've been discharged by the surgeon and the visiting nurse and will be starting cardio rehab soon. I should also be able to start driving again this coming week. I. Can't. Wait. I've been feeling dependent and stuck in the house. Though my family has been good about driving me where I need to go, I hate to bother them and just want to be able to do it myself.

Anyway, the visiting nurse was admiring some of my artwork, and especially one of the painted rocks, so I gave it to her. She seemed to really like it and said she's got it on her desk. Come spring, I'll be "releasing" the rocks I have finished into the wild, putting them in hidden corners of places I go and hoping people enjoy them and even take them home for their own gardens.

>158 Storeetllr:

Your Spring tripod-assisted Landscape Photos will be really welcomed!

As is your Good News Recovery and the fun of The Hidden Rocks.

Latest reads:

Me by Elton John. 4.5. Audio. I'm considering giving this a 5 star review, it was so good. TBH, I don't usually enjoy celeb memoirs/autobiographies and expected this one to be catty and not very well done. Was I wrong! Although he did dish, most of it was about himself and his own behavior. He wasn't really nasty about anyone, even when he did throw a bit of shade at some of his celebrity acquaintances. Not even those who did him wrong. And he was pretty upfront about taking responsibility for his own bad behavior while acknowledging the underlying reasons for it without excusing it. Anyway, this started out like a trip down memory lane to the very beginning of the golden era of rock, and I loved it, even his unbridled enthusiasm for his successes, which sounded more like astonished delight than smug satisfaction. By the time he got into some of the craziness, which was told with self-deprecating humor and refreshing honesty, I was thoroughly hooked. Highly recommended, even for those who are not big Elton John fans.

ETA I crossed the country (from Chicago to L.A.) in 1973 in my 1966 Chevy Impala listening to two albums on 8-track tape: one was Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, and the other was an Elton John album (not sure which one, though I know Levon was on it, and I think Tiny Dancer, so it could have been Madman Across the Water. At any rate, it was magical. Both albums were.)

The October Man by Ben Aaronovich. 3.5. Audio. Novella (Book 7.5) about Peter Grant's counterpart in Germany, this case begins when a man is found in a Trier vineyard suffocated by a strange growth of hairy fungal rot all over and inside his body. We're introduced to Tobias Winter, an investigator for the Abteilung KDA, the branch of the German Federal Criminal Police which handles the supernatural. He and local cop Vanessa, his liaison, meet the local river goddesses, one of whom is acting as mother to her mother. I laughed at Kelly's (of the River Kyll) answer when Tobias asked her how the London river goddesses handled things: "You're not my type." Yes, Tobias was a bit jealous of Peter Grant. It was an interesting story and I recommend it to fans of the Rivers of London series.

>158 Storeetllr: Thanks, Marianne! I hope so!!!

"I crossed the country (from Chicago to L.A.) in 1973 in my 1966 Chevy Impala listening to two albums on 8-track tape: one was Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, and the other was an Elton John album (not sure which one, though I know Levon was on it, and I think Tiny Dancer, so it could have been Madman Across the Water. At any rate, it was magical. Both albums were."

^I love this memory. The first time I heard Dark Side of the Moon was on 8-track and of course it blew my mind. My first Elton John album was Honky Chateau, which was also amazing. I think that one came out, right after Madman Across the Water. I saw John in concert, in '76, I think. The Bitch is Back tour. The Beach Boys opened up, believe it or not.

Glad you liked John's memoir. I am waiting for the audio to come available, from my library. I have heard nothing but good things.

And I love your memories, Mark! I never saw either Floyd or John in concert *sad face*, though I did see Roger Dalton's The Wall concert in, I think, 2011 or '12 in L.A. It was wonderful. I wish I'd seen The Bitch is Back tour.

I also saw Joe Cocker and Mad Dogs and Englishmen with Leon Russell, whom I was reminded of by the John autobiography. That concert with Cocker and Russell was absolutely amazing.

I am sure you will love Me, and I hope it becomes available from your library soon!

>195 msf59: The touchstone harvester just balked at Dark Side of the Moon since I don't think you were talking about the Sherrilyn Kenyon novel.

Haha, don'cha just love Touchstones sometimes!

The correct Dark Side of the Moon is here.

>191 Storeetllr: Nice! Celebrate your creativity! Don’t sweat the $!

Have you seen the movie, Rocketman? It was excellent! I still need to read or listen to Me.

One of the first albums I ever owned was the self-titled, Elton John. Love that one! The other was Cat Stevens, Tea for the Tillerman. I still have them. 1970, I think, for both. My older brother kept me supplied in good music. I’m sure he also wanted me to stop playing his albums. We saw Elton John at the Pepsi Center several years ago. It was a great concert! Too bad he had to stop his concert in NZ today (or yesterday) due to walking pneumonia. :(

Oh, that's a great memory, Joanne. Having been the eldest of my siblings too, I can understand how your brother felt. :)

I'm sorry too that Elton had to end his concert for health reasons. It's kind of funny, though. The book ends with him saying more or less that he was going to stop touring. I guess he's too much a showman to stop. Good for him!

I did not see Rocketman. It's now on my list of films TBW.

More concert memories- I did see Pink Floyd on "The Animals" tour in 1977, at Soldier's Field. Yep, psychedelics were involved. Grins...I would have loved seeing "The Wall", in what ever incarnation. I never did see Joe Cocker and Mad Dogs and Englishmen but I did see Joe solo, in Germany, in the early '80s. I think he was one of the openers for The Pretenders.

Oh! Such great memories, Mark. (Including the psychedelics, of which I was also acquainted.) Joe Cocker was a hell of a singer/showman! The Wall concert was absolutely fantastic, even if half of Floyd wasn't part of it. Back in the day, I saw The Stones a few times, Jim Morrison and the Doors (Morrison was stoned out of his mind - it was actually sad), Dylan, the Steve Miller Band (actually during a rehearsal, not a concert), Led Zep, who opened for Iron Butterfly at Chicago's Electric Theater back in the late 60s, BB King. A few more, but I can't recall them all. Good times! Crazy, but fun.

You will so love Elton John's autobiography!

ETA I like The Pretenders!

Wow! You saw some great early bands. I am not sure I ever met anyone that saw The Doors. And early Zeppelin had to be a treat. I saw them at the Chicago Stadium, in 1977. 3 out of four nights. Yep, big Zep's fans. I finally did see Dylan, a couple of times in the 90s, early 00s. Always a great show. I managed to see Queen a couple of times too- once in '77 or '78 and then in Munich Germany. Freddy was also quite the showman.

>193 Storeetllr: I am a fan of the Rivers of London series, so I will probably get around to it sooner or later.

>203 msf59: Oh! Queen! It's one band I bitterly regret not seeing in concert.

I went with my friend Buffalo Phil (don't ask) and my little brother to the Electric Theater to see Iron Butterfly. (Mind-expanding substances were involved.) We were lying around waiting for Butterfly when, all of a sudden, Zep started playing, maybe Communication Breakdown. Anyway, one of the songs on the Zeppelin album. EVERYbody in the room sat up and looked around as if stunned. Then the entire audience was in the palm of their hands. We didn't even care if Iron Butterfly ever came on stage, and, when they did, it was like an anticlimax. I went out next day and bought the album, which (of course) I still have. It was a magical night, that is for sure.

>204 alcottacre: I still need to read The Hanging Tree, which I cannot seem to find on audio, before I can continue with the series. I may have to break down and read it on kindle instead.

I love your Zeppelin story and I completely believe it. I also remember sitting in more than one basement, with a black light on, possibly stoned. listening to Iron Butterfly. One hit wonder but what a hit!!

>202 Storeetllr: I'm still trying to remember who all I saw at the one pop concert I ever went to in college, it was at Winterland. 1968 or 69 I know Cannonball Adderley played and my brother insists that Jefferson Airplane were there as well, but in spite of being entirely sober, I remember almost nothing. My roommate and I were pretty much commandeered and taken at the last minute, and it was way out of my usual experience.

Hi Mary, I am finally making the rounds and trying to do the impossible - catch up! Sounds like your recovery is coming along nicely - once you are fully recovered you have so many creative hobbies to pursue! I am going tomorrow for a cortisone shot which I hope gives me some mobility back.

>193 Storeetllr: I crossed the country (from Chicago to L.A.) in 1973 in my 1966 Chevy Impala listening to two albums on 8-track tape: one was Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, and the other was an Elton John album (not sure which one, though I know Levon was on it, and I think Tiny Dancer, so it could have been Madman Across the Water. At any rate, it was magical. Both albums were.

I did the same thing in 1974, cross your country, I mean. We were in a '66 Acadian from Nova Scotia as we started from Halifax, stopped in Montreal then headed south to Florida, went across the southern states and then up the Pacific coast. I don't remember what we were playing but then it might not have been heard over the arguing in the car - there were 6 of us.

I saw Elton John in concert around '76 as well. I'm waiting for my hold on his book at the library. Glad to hear that it exceeded you expectations, Mary.

I'm loving this trip down memory lane!

>206 msf59: Haha, yes, I well remember lying on the floor stoned with the black light on listening to pychedelic music through earphones. One specific memory was The Beatles, I think the Sergeant Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band album. Or it could have been Zep. Either way, it was mind blowing. Ah, the memories.

>207 quondame: Oh, my goodness! Only one rock concert? I - I don't know what to say! Well, if you saw Cannonball Adderley at Winterland in '68, you probably also saw Cream, which is another band I bitterly regret not seeing in concert.

>208 DeltaQueen50: What is this thing you call "catch up?" :) Good luck with it, Judy. I don't even try, though I do my best to keep up. I hope the cortisone shot helps. There's little as depressing as not being able to get around. I just talked to my surgeon's N.P. who said I can start driving again (YAY!!!) and also pushing the limits of what I can do for myself, just to not overdo it. What a relief! Six weeks today since surgery, and it's been maddening to have to depend on others for many basic things (like refill the humidifier or change the bedlinens or vacuum or get a bowl down from the top shelf of the cupboard, things like that).

>209 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg! How funny that we both took road trips around the same time! Yours sounds more intense than mine, and a lot more miles driven. And six in one car for that long! No wonder there was a bit of arguing going on.

How cool that you saw Elton John in concert. I think you'll enjoy his memoir when you get it. I listened to it, and the narrator was wonderful, with just the right amount of snark/humor/regret in his voice (depending on what he was reading at the time), so I'll be interested to know what you think of the text version.

>195 msf59: The album is Madman Across the Water, Mark and it is in his top three albums for me.

My absolute favourite Elton John album is Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy which would make any of my top ten lists. His brilliant Goodbye Yellow Brick Road would be my other of his essential albums.

>211 Storeetllr: I think the across country trek was more of a thing at the time, Mary. Maybe we just weren't as aware of all the bad stuff that might happen. We did take a long break in Florida because my parents lent us there house there - a bit more room than in the car!

I am looking forward the Elton John book. I like Rocketman too. How great that you got the ok to go back to driving. Yay for independence!

>193 Storeetllr: Okay, my memory must have been on a road trip when I wrote the other was an Elton John album (not sure which one, though I know Levon was on it, and I think Tiny Dancer, so it could have been Madman Across the Water. On secondthird thought, I believe it was actually the eponymous "Elton John" (1970), which contains neither Tiny Dancer nor Levon. *sigh* Well, it was 47 years ago. A lot of newer memories has obviously obliterated or at least obfuscated some of the older ones. Thanks to Joanne or bringing that album to my attention.

>212 PaulCranswick: I don't have any Elton John albums, Paul (the 8-track tape long turned into mulch in some landfill, I am sure), and am thinking maybe I should remedy that.

>213 Familyhistorian: Well, cross-country road trips are definitely a thing of the past in my life, Meg. I can barely survive the drive into the City these days. (Are we there yet?) I bet Florida was a great place to visit back then. Were you on the Gulf or Atlantic side?

Adding to the 60s memories:

Pink Floyd in California at a garage concert -

Muddy Waters, Howling' Wolf, Buddy Guy, the Cream,
the Butterfield Blues Band, and The Art Ensemble of Chicago - all in Chicago -

In Madison, the Stones, Joan Baez, Willy Nelson, and Dylan...

>214 Storeetllr: For me as a kid travelling in the back of the car listening to and singing along with my parents small 8-Track collection. The Beatles, Roy Orbison, Elvis, James Last, Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra, The Everly Brothers and Johnny Cash.
I still cannot hear that rich voice starting "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" without getting goosebumps.

Mary, I love all the chatter about old-time rock concerts. I’ll bet no one else has seen (or possibly remembers) Herman’s Hermits, though. They performed at the Baumholder, Germany Officer’s Club shortly after DH and I got married. Lol.

I’m so glad that you get your wheels and independence back. Pretty soon you will be able to handle the wiggly Ruby again. Keeping your distance must be so hard on both of you.

>215 m.belljackson: Squeeee! Pink Floyd at a garage concert! *Be still my beating heart!* Your line-up of concerts in Chicago and Madison both make me green with jealousy, Marianne. The only ones I saw of those you mentioned were the Stones and Dylan. I admit, though, to not recognizing The Art Ensemble of Chicago, though I was born and raised in Chicago.

>216 PaulCranswick: Oh, Johnny Cash! I admit to loving his voice too. Folsom Prison Blues and I Walk the Line are iconic Cash. My parents unfortunately were not music aficionados, except my mom liked Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, and, of all things, Mario Lanza. Also Jo Stafford, whose 78rpm gospel album I listened to (along with Mario Lanza) on an old record player when I was just a kid (and still remember the words to one of the songs: Whispering Hope). Later in his life - after my mom died - I introduced my dad to Simon and Garfunkle, and he used to cry to Bridge Over Troubled Water. Otherwise, he thought rock was trash.

>217 Donna828: Of course I remember Herman's Hermits, Donna! I still know the melody and most of the words to I'm Henry the Eighth I Am. lol It's such a good feeling to know I'm almost back to normal, though I haven't gotten behind the wheel yet. It's been a month and a half since I drove a car, and the thought of driving is a little intimidating. The other day, I picked Ruby up (I was sitting and she was standing between my knees, so it wasn't a huge effort) and got a big snuggly hug for my effort, and she's learning not to poke at my owie, though she still tries now and then. She's really changed a lot in the past month and a half. I'm loving being able to be close to her again and hold her, even if I have to be sitting to do so.

Edited to fix a typo.

ETA to add a gospel singer my mom liked.

The 2019 Nebula Award Finalists have been announced. I haven't read even one in any category. *smh* What was I doing last year? What the hell was I doing?

Oh, right. I had taken the year off LT.

Never. Again.

https://www.tor.com/2020/02/20/announcing-the-2019-nebula-awards-finalists/

>217 Donna828: I had an old vinyl recording of Herman's Hermits' film soundtrack "Hold On!". There are some splendid songs on it including one called "Wild Love" which I used to sing back in the day.

>218 Storeetllr: It is easy to cry to Bridge Over Troubled Water, Mary. x

>219 Storeetllr: Oh no I haven't even heard of any of the nominees! What is the difference between a novella and a novelette?!

Bridge is a favorite of mine, Paul. The original by S&G, and then my daughter sang it at her high school graduation in a duet with a girlfriend. It was so beautiful. Both girls were in choir and performed in all the musicals put on by the Drama Dept. during their h.s. careers. I cried that day, that's for sure!

Oh! Glad I'm not the only one who hasn't read any of them, though I should at least have read one or two because scifi/fantasy is a favorite genre of mine.

The difference is word count. A novella is usually around 30k words (anywhere between 20-50k). A novelette is between 7,500 and 17k words.

>222 Storeetllr: Well you learn something every day, Mary! I hadn't heard really the term "novelette" before and still think it a bit of an odd construction. So if a novella is 20-50k words and a novelette is 7,500 to 17,000 words, what about the poor chump who writes something that is 18,200 words and falls between two stools?!

Heh. Leave it to you, Paul. Good question, tho. I don't know the answer, but i think it would be up to the publisher, or the writer, if it's going to be self-published. Unless there's a third designation I don't know about, like novelalette. 😂

>224 Storeetllr: Hahaha good try! I suppose the writer would be foolhardy to be barred from either category for a few more or a few less paragraphs!

Have a great weekend.

>191 Storeetllr: I am impressed, Mary.

I saw Elton John in concert on Halloween when I was in college. It was a fun experience.

5,000-7,499 words = long read

17,501-19,999 words = novelina

50,001-59,999 words = e-novel

60,000 words and up counts as a proper novel.

Although at 250,000 words, we start referring to them as kitten-squishers. This is the industry standard term.

Hi Mary, I haven't read any of the Nebulas Nominees, but I have heard of a couple and even have one or two on my wishlist. I am now off to check out the ones that are new to me. Have a nice weekend.

kittten squishers

*snerk*

>225 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul! You have a lovely weekend too.

>226 BLBera: Thanks, Beth! I bet the Elton John concert was fun.

>227 richardderus: Hahaha, kitten squishers.

>228 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy!

We got some really devastating news today. My daughter's mother-in-law - Ruby's other grandma - has been fighting cancer for a couple of years now, but it looks like the fight is just about over. She's being discharged from the hospital in the next few days and going into hospice care at home. Unless she rallies, it looks like she doesn't have a lot of time left. My son-in-law is devastated, as are we all. I'm not sure how often I'll be online in the next little while, because we're going to try to have Ruby spend as much time as possible with her, which will necessitate either me or my daughter's dad going with her to help with the baby. Also, I want to spend some time with her too. She's been a really good mil to my daughter and so kind and welcoming to me since the kids got married and especially since I moved here. Anyway, prayers and healing thoughts for Kathy will be appreciated.

So far, 2020 is turning out to be a crap year.

>231 Storeetllr: Oh how ghastly. Is Kathy going to her own home or does she live with you daughter?

>231 Storeetllr: That is awful news, Mary. I will keep your family (including daughter and MIL) in our thoughts and prayers. I think this time with those who loved you and yours to show them how much they mean to you all and that they are special and loved themselves is so precious. Coming from my own recent experiences these are really sad but defining times. xxx

So sorry to hear this Mary, sending lots of good wishes to Kathy and your family.

>231 Storeetllr: Sad news for the whole family. I'm wishing Kathy the best passing possible when she's ready to make it.

>231 Storeetllr: Oh no, I’m so sorry your families are going through this. It’s very sad. Wishing you all strength in the coming days.

>232 quondame: She's going to her own home, where she lives with her husband, who isn't doing well at all. (I'm the grandma who lives with my daughter and her family.)

>233 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. I know you understand. And your thoughts and prayers are appreciated. Sometimes, they really are the only things left.

>234 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy.

>235 richardderus: Thanks, Richard. She's not ready, but it doesn't look like she's got much choice at this time, barring a miraculous recovery. Which is what we're all hoping for.

>236 Copperskye: Thanks, Joanne. It is so very sad. I know she was hoping to watch Ruby grow up, at least for a few more years. She knew there was no cure, but none of us thought it would happen so soon.

My son-in-law went to the hospital early today with his dad (he stayed overnight with his dad who is not doing at all well) and said his mom looks worse today, is confused and hardly able to talk. We all freaked, but then come to find out they gave her Demerol Xanax this morning for her anxiety. We're on an emotional roller coaster.

Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire. 3 stars. Audio. The final (or is it? one never knows in the world of Moors) showdown between Jack and Jill, I felt the story was a bit thin, and it felt rushed to me, though that may have been due to the reader. In fact, I might have given this continuation of the Wayward Children series (#5) three-and-a-half stars except it was read by the author who rushed through it like people tend to do when they aren't professional narrators. Looks like I'm in the minority on this, though, so take my mini-review with a grain of salt.

I am so sorry to hear about Ruby's other Grandmother. Such a sad time for the entire family. Life can be so hard.

Thanks, Donna. So hard.

My daughter's been going to the hospital with her husband the past few days, leaving the baby with me and Ruby's California grandpa. (And when I say I haven't had a minute all day to do anything except take care of that baby, notwithstanding there are TWO of us and only one of her, believe it.) Anyway, they've been told it may be only days, and the question now is whether they can get approval to bring R to the hospital so Kathy can see the baby one more time in case they don't release her to go home (because her weakened physical condition won't allow it). It's just devastating to contemplate that she won't be able to watch R grow up, and that R won't get to know her other grandma except through stories.

Oh, I am sorry, to hear about your daughter's MIL. How sad. She sounds like a good lady.

As you know, I am really enjoying the Elton John memoir and I am currently listening to Tumbleweed Connection. I completely forgot how good this album is.

Oh, Mary, I am so sorry to hear about Ruby's other grandmother. My thoughts are with you all.

Thanks, Mark and Beth.

Kathy passed last night. Her husband and son were with her.

She knew she was going to die from the cancer, but neither she nor any of us thought it would be so soon or happen so fast. She deteriorated so quickly they weren't able to send her home. Thank goodness her sisters and brother were able to be there to say goodbye and that we were able to bring Ruby to the hospital on Wed. so her grandma could see her one last time.


Last photo I took of Kathy with Ruby - 11/23/19

>243 Storeetllr: I'm so sorry for your family's loss.

That’s so sad for the entire family, Mary. Rest in peace, Kathy.

Thank you, Susan and Joanne.

>219 Storeetllr: Thanks for posting that link, Mary! Several of the books I already had in the BlackHole, but I had to add a few.

>243 Storeetllr: I am so sorry to hear the bad news! My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours, Mary.

Thanks, Stasia.

>219 Storeetllr: Sorry for adding more titles to your BlackHole. (Really not sorry - I added a bunch to my Ever-Expanding TBR Universe.)

I am sorry for your loss, Mary. How fast.

>243 Storeetllr:

Thank you for this beautiful photo and so sorry that she was gone so soon - all that LOVE!

Mary, so sorry for your family's loss, but happy Kathy didn't have to go through a long and painful decline. (((Mary))) Hope your physical recovery continues well.

I am so sorry for your loss.

Hugs from me too, mary. Condolences to your family.

That's a lovely picture of Ruby and Kathy.

I'm so sorry for your family's loss, Mary.

Thanks for your kind words, Beth, Marianne, Roni, Anita, Judy and Katie. I often talk to my daughter about how great the LT community is and will convey everyone's condolences to her and her husband.

>249 BLBera: Yes, it was so fast, made even more so by the doctors not talking to her family straight about her chances back when her kidneys failed a month and a half ago. I mean, her husband and son were expecting her to continue chemo after she got stronger, yet it's clear now that wasn't ever going to happen. It's possible her husband just didn't listen when he was told, but my daughter doesn't think so based on what she observed in the last week or two.

>250 m.belljackson: Her love for the baby really comes through in that photo, doesn't it!

>251 ronincats: There is that, though it was painful enough there at the end. Thanks for thinking of me, Roni - I'm doing great. Except for a little tenderness and bruising at the incision site, I'm almost back to full strength, and I think my energy levels have gone up. It's so nice to be able to do most things for myself again!

I am so sorry to hear about your daughter's mother-in-law. The picture is lovely.

Glad you are feeling better. And >175 Storeetllr: Swedish fish are chewy fish shaped candies.

I’m so sorry for your loss. A good mother-in-law (and grandma for Ruby) is a precious thing, and I’m sure she will be sorely missed by all.

>256 witchyrichy: Thanks, Karen. At the wake, they had a slide show celebrating Kathy's life including some really sweet Kathy/Ruby pics. Re Swedish fish: sounds a little like gummy bears, except fish-shaped. I Googled them and see they're not as soft as gummy bears and have a powdery coating.

>257 arubabookwoman: Thank you, Deborah. She was a special lady and very loved.

>243 Storeetllr: Sorry about the loss of your friend, Mary, but what a wonderful photo with baby Ruby! I am sure you will treasure that one.

>259 msf59: Thanks, Mark. Kathy was a friend, but she was also Ruby's other grandma. She, like me, had always wanted a grandchild but had pretty much given up when Ruby came along. Also, like me, Ruby was the light of her life. The fact she will not see Ruby grow up and that Ruby will not know her (except through stories) makes her loss even more poignant.