Amber's (scaifea) Thread #23

Hey, everybody!

I'm Amber, a one-time Classics professor, turned stay-at-home parent/lady of leisure, turned part-time library assistant, turned once again Classics professor. I spend my free time sewing, writing, knitting, baking, and, of course, reading.

My reading life is happily governed by lists, which means that I read a healthy variety of things across various genres.

I'm 46 going on 12 and live in Ohio with my husband, Tomm; our son, Charlie; Mario, the Golden Retriever; and the newest addition to the family: Agent Fitzsimmons, the Border Collie.

The haircut isn't all that new anymore, but, well, here I am:



Favorite Books from 2020
The Lumberjanes collected comic volumes
Call Down the Hawk
New Kid
The Wise Man's Fear
The Slow Regard of Silent Things
Pride and Prejudice
Silver in the Wood
A Tale of Two Cities

What I'm Reading Now:
-Henry VI Part 1 (Shakespeare re-read)
-The Prisoner of Zenda (1001 Children's Books)
-One Last Stop (romance list)
-A Letter for the King (audiobook)
-The House in the Cerulean Sea (family bedtime read-aloud)
-Never Let Me Go (books I'm reading with my friend, Rob)
-A Darker Shade of Magic (Read Soon! Shelves)
-Last Exit to Brooklyn (100 Banned Books)

Books on Deck:
-Rabbit Run (Banned Books)
-Lud-in-the-Mist (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list)
-Wheels within Wheels (Prometheus Award)
-More Fool Me (Fry bibliography)
-Les Miserables (books by year - 1862)
-(an unread book from my shelves)
-(a book from my Read Soon! shelves)
-The World of Tibetan Buddhism (Buddhist reading list)
-Death in the Stacks (cozy mysteries)

The five-ish or so books I have going at once and the On Deck books nearly all come from the following categories and lists:

1. A book from the 100 Banned Books book (at least currently. As soon as I finish this list, I'll replace it with another, and oh, I've got tons of lists).

2. A children's book, for Charlie's library. I'm trying to collect books from various award lists, and I like reading them before reading them to Charlie or deciding to add them to Charlie's shelves. For this category, I’m currently working through three lists:
a. 1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Die
b. The Newbery Honor books
c. Cooperative Children's Book Center list

3. A book from the Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List, in chronological order.

4. A list I'm working through together with my best friend, Rob: The Hugo/Nebula/WFA/Bram Stoker (and other) lists (combined, in chronological order)

5. For this category, I cycle through 9 different stacks:
a. Agatha Christie's bibliography (in chronological order)
b. Stephen Fry's bibliography (in chronological order)
c. John Boyne bibliography (in chronological order, sort of)
d. Neil Gaiman's bibliography (in some order other than chronological (don't
ask)).
e. Christopher Moore's bibliography (in chronological order)
f. Maggie Stiefvater's bibliography (in chronological order)
g. The NEH Timeless Classics list
h. The National Book Award list (in alpha order by title)
i. The Pulitzer list (in alpha order by author)

6. An unread book from my shelves.

7. A book from my Read Soon! shelves.

8. A book on Buddhism or from the Dalai Lama's bibliography.

9. Book-a-year challenge: Three years ago, along with a few others in this group (*cough* Paul *cough*), I made a year-by-year list to see how far I could go back with consecutive reads. I've since been trying to fill in the gap years.

10. A cozy mystery.

11. A full-on re-read through Shakespeare's stuff.

12. A read-aloud-to-Charlie-at-bedtime book (or two).

13. An audio book, which I listen to as I knit/sew/otherwise craft/drive.

14. A romance novel.

15. This slot is reserved for books that just grab me and shout that they need to be read Right Now.

Books Read

JANUARY
1. Spinning Silver (Alex Award) - 10/10 = A+
2. Swamp Thing: Twin Branches (Stiefvater bibliography) - 8/10 = B
3. Manchild in the Promised Land (Banned Books list, AlphaKIT: M) - 9/10 = A-
4. The Wish Giver (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
5. Silas Marner (audiobook) - 8/10 = B-
6. The Story of Tracy Beaker (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B-
7. Thick as Thieves (series reread) - 10/10 = A+
8. Lumberjanes #16: Mind over Mettle (series read) - 10/10 = A+
9. Pilgrimage (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books) - 7/10 = C
10. Each Tiny Spark (Schneider Honor Book) - 7/10 = C
11. The House on the Borderland (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 6/10 = D
12. Beyond Religion (books on Buddhism) - 9/10 = A
13. Outlander (romance list) - 6/10 = D
14. Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun (Newbery Honor Book) - 7/10 = C
15. Far Away Across the Sea (1001 Children's Books) - 10/10 = A+
16. The Daylight Gate (Read Soon! Shelves) - 8/10 = B-
17. The Queen of Attolia (family bedtime read-aloud) - 10/10 = A+
18. Works and Days & Theogony (Myth course readings) - 9/10 = A-
19. The Book Thief (books I'm reading with my friend, Rob) - 10/10 = A+
20. Return of the Thief (series read) - 10/10 = A+

FEBRUARY
21. The Bacchants (myth course reading) - 9/10 = A
22. Camp (romance) - 8/10 = B+
23. Song of a Whale (Schneider Award) - 8/10 = B-
24. Gardens of the Moon (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 4/10 = F
25. Oedipus Rex (Myth course readings) - 10/10 = A+
26. Antigone (Myth course readings) = 10/10 = A+
27. Agamemnon (Myth course readings) - 10/10 = A+
27. Upon the Head of a Goat (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
27. Volcano (Newbery Honor Book) - 7/10 = C
30. A Promised Land (audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
31. The Stone Book Quartet (1001 Children's Books) - 7/10 = C+
32. The Libation Bearers (Myth course readings) - 9/10 = A
33. Eumenides (Myth course readings) - 10/10 = A+
34. Electra (Myth course readings) - 10/10 = A+
35. The King of Elfland's Daughter (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books) - 7/10 = C
36. The Goalkeeper's Revenge (1001 Children's Books) - 7/10 = C
37. Conrad: The Factory-Made Boy (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B
38. Medea (Myth course readings) - 10/10 = A+
39. The Frogs (Myth course readings) - 9/10 = A
40. Metamorphoses (Myth course readings) - 10/10 = A+
41. Iliad (Myth course readings) - 10/10 = A+
42. Odyssey (Myth course readings) - 10/10 = A+
43. Aeneid (Myth course readings) - 10/10 = A+
44. The Histories (Myth course readings) - 10/10 = A+
45. Till We Have Faces (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books) - 8/10 = B-

MARCH
46. My Sweet Orange Tree (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A
47. Lord Foul's Bane (BSFA) - 2/10 = F
48. Manolito Four Eyes (1001 Children's Books) - 7/10 = C
49. The Early History of Rome, Book 1 (Myth course readings) - 9/10 = A
50. Farmer Boy (family bedtime read-aloud) - 9/10 = A-
51. The Henna Wars (romance list) - 8/10 = B+
52. Cursed (Schneider Award) - 9/10 = A
53. Heroides (Myth course readings) - 9/10 = A
54. The Apocolocyntosis (Myth course readings) - 9/10 = A
55. Sandman: The Kindly Ones (Myth course readings) - 10/10 = A+
56. Tales of the Rue Broca (1001 Children's Books) - 7/10 = C
57. Far Away Across the Sea (family bedtime read-aloud) - 10/10 = A+
58. After the Rain (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B-
59. Ready Player Two (from my Read Soon! shelves) - 9/10 = A
60. The Moonstone (audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
61. Memoirs of a Geisha (books I'm reading with my friend, Rob) - 8/10 = B

APRIL
62. The Club Dumas (unread book from my shelves) - 9/10 = A
63. Good Night, Mr. Tom (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A
64. The Liverpool Cats (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+
65. The Ugly American (100 Banned Books) - 9/10 = A
66. The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+
67. The Haunting (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B
68. The Whistle, the Grave, and the Ghost (family bedtime read-aloud) - 9/10 = A
69. Sense and Sensibility (unread book from my shelves) - 8/10 = B+
70. Middlemarch (audiobook) - 2/10 = F
71. Ordinary Hazards (audiobook) - 8/10 = B-
72. Chaotic Good (Read Soon! Shelves) - 9/10 = A

MAY
73. The Beast Player (Printz Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
74. Another Country (100 Banned Books) - 8/10 = B-
75. Lumberjanes Vol. 17: Smitten in the Stars (series read) - 10/10 = A+
76. The Worm Ouroboros (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books list) - 4/10 = F
77. Where the World Ends (audiobook) - 9/10 = A
78. In the Beginning: Creation Stories from around the World (Newbery Honor Book) - 7/10 = C+
79. Max and Sally and the Phenomenal Phone (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B-
80. BUtterfield 8 (unread books from my shelves) - 9/10 = A
81. Nine Princes in Amber (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 4/10 = F
82. Stories: All-New Tales (books from my Read Soon! shelves) - 8/10 = B-
83. Visitors from London (recommendation from Julia) - 9/10 = A
84. Storm (1001 Children's Books) - 7/10 = C
85. Dig (Printz Award, audiobook) - 9/10 = A
86. The Crossover (reread with Charlie) - 9/10 = A
87. The Rose and the Ring (1001 Children's Books) - 6/10 = D
88. Guard of Honor (Pulitzer list) - 8/10 = B-
89. The Girl on the Train (Read Soon! shelves) - 9/10 = A-
90. Sunday's Child (1001 Children's Books) - 7/10 = C
91. Mrs. Dalloway (books I'm reading with my friend, Rob) - 7/10 = C
92. Captive Prince (romance) - 8/10 = B+
93. High School (audiobook, Alex Award) - 9/10 = A
94. Scorpions (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
95. Children of the Alley (Banned Books) - 8/10 = B-
96. On the Banks of Plum Creek (family bedtime read-aloud) - 9/10 = A-
97. Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me (Printz Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
98. The Swallows (Alex Award) - 9/10 = A

JUNE
99. Steeple (impulse read) - 9/10 = A
100. Journey to Jo'burg (1001 Children's Books) - 7/10 = C
101. Dao de Jing (books I'm reading with my friend, Rob) - 9/10 = A
102. My Friend the Painter (1001 Children's Books) - 7/10 = C
103. Drowned Country (from my Read Soon! shelves) - 9/10 = A
104. The Ruins of Gorlan (audiobook) - 9/10 = A
105. Captain Fracasse (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B-
106. The Dark-Thirty (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B-
107. Cards on the Table (Christie bibliography/audiobook) - 9/10 = A-
108. A Likely Story (cozy mystery series read) - 8/10 = B+
109. Gates of Fire (unread book from my shelves) - 7/10 = C-
110. What Katy Did (1001 Children's Books) - 7/10 = C-
111. Red, White, and Royal Blue (romance) - 9/10 = A
112. Gargling with Jelly (1001 Children's Books) - 4/10 = F
113. Mister Impossible (Stiefvater bibliography) - 10/10 = A+
114. Somewhere in the Darkness (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
115. Crazy Lady! (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
116. Three Men in a Boat (books I'm reading with my friend, Rob) - 7/10 = C-
117. Do You Dream of Terra-Two? (audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
118. A Girl Named Disaster (Newbery Honor Book) - 9/10 = A

JULY
119. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (100 Banned Books) - 4/10 = F
120. Dominicana (Alex Award) - 9/10 = A
121. Getting Near to Baby (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
122. The Duke and I (romance) - 9/10 = A-
123. Uncle Silas (books by year - 1864) - 9/10 = A
124. Black Girl Unlimited (audiobook) - 7/10 = C
125. The House of the Scorpion (Newbery Honor Book) - 9/10 = A
126. The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas (family bedtime read-aloud) - 9/10 = A
127. Heart of a Samurai (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
128. When You Trap a Tiger (Newbery Medal Book) - 8/10 = B
129. The Cat, or How I Lost Eternity (1001 Children's Books) - 6/10 = D
130. Driftless (challenge read) - 9/10 = A
131. The Fifth Form at St. Dominic's (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A
132. Halinka (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 - A-
133. Tashi (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+
134. The House in the Cerulean Sea (audiobook) - 9/10 = A
135. The Sound and the Fury (books I'm reading with my friend, Rob) - 7/10 = C-
136. Sick in the Head (Read Soon! Shelves) - 8/10 = B-

AUGUST
137. Three Times Lucky (Newbery Honor Book) - 9/10 = A-
138. All Thirteen (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
139. Black Sun (audiobook) - 8/10 = B
140. The Experience of Insight (audiobook/books on Buddhism) - 8/10 = B
141. Fighting Words (audiobook) - 9/10 = A
142. Seven Little Australians (1001 Children's Books) - 7/10 = C
143. Lumberjanes #18: Horticultural Horizons (series read) - 9/10 = A
144. Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
145. You Should See Me in a Crown (audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
146. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (family bedtime read-aloud) - 9/10 = A
147. The Viscount Who Loved Me (romance genre) - 8/10 = B
148. Gender Queer (Alex Award) - 9/10 = A
149. The Boy Who Was (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
150. Plain Bad Heroines (audiobook) - 9/10 = A

SEPTEMBER
151. Riot Baby (audiobook) = 8/10 = B+
152. We Dream of Space (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
153. The Weirdstone of Brisingamen (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B-
154. Vis and Ramin (Read Soon! Shelves) - 8/10 = B+
155. Better Late Than Never (cozy mysteries) - 8/10 = B+
156. The Owl Service (audiobook/1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+
157. A Wish in the Dark (Newbery Honor Books) - 9/10 = A-
158. Forever... (100 Banned Books) - 8/10 = B

The Kiddo at Work:



The Mario and her Magical Rainbow Snoot:



And Agent Fitzsimmons, pretending to help me bake when really she wants the peanut butter that's just off screen:

Next one is yours!

149. The Boy Who Was by Grace Taber Hallock (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
A collection of stories dealing with myths and history, all based around the town of Amalfi in Italy. The eponymous boy is one who mysteriously lives the life of a goatherd from the time of Odysseus's wanderings through the 1800s and who has a subtle hand in some key events in history despite his humble trade.

This is an early Newbery Honor Book - the last of the back catalog for me and one that took some doing to track down - but it stands up pretty well, honestly. It's a clever way of introducing kiddos to some key points in history, and the stories are interesting and nicely told.

Happy new thread! Simmons is so adorable, I would not be able to resist giving her some peanut butter.

Happy new one, Amber.

Happy New Thread, Amber. I am always remiss in visiting your humble abode, but I saw your new one was early enough to sneak in before it got overwhelming. :)

Happy new one!

Happy new thread, Amber. Did I read your review correctly, you're completely caught up on Newbery's? If so, congrats!

>8 foggidawn: Ha! Well, she *does* get peanut butter, but not when she's doing something she knows she shouldn't (like jumping on the counters)! Actually, they both get a little spoonful of peanut butter everyday; Mario because she takes her pills with it and Simmons because, well, you can't give pb to one dog and not the other...

>9 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie!

>10 mahsdad: Good to see you here, Jeff! I lurk more than I post over on your thread, anyway, so it's all good.

>11 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!

>12 MickyFine: I'm caught up with the back catalog; I have two more of this year's Honor Books to go and then yep, I will have Read All the Things. ALL THE THINGS.

>17 scaifea:

>13 scaifea: Exactly! At my parents' house, the dogs gather every morning to take their "medicine" -- Sasha gets an arthritis pill hidden in a piece of hot dog, and the rest of the dogs (1-4 other dogs, depending on who's visiting and whether Lexie comes over from my uncle's house next door) get a chunk of hot dog sans pill. Just another reason Lottie loves the farm -- she doesn't get "medicine" every morning at home!

>18 MickyFine: Ha! I think Sammy would be more impressed than Dean, but I'll take it!

>19 foggidawn: *SNORK!* Yep! We call it the "medicinal peanut butter" here, even though half of it is placebo.

Hey...maybe if we offered the vaccine with a spoonful of peanut butter and a chunk of hot dog we could get the anti-vaxxers to take it?

Happy new thread, Amber! I just bought dried apricots for my friend's grand-dog. Gotta keep the kids happy, right?

Happy new thread, Amber! >21 scaifea: LOL.

>22 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda!

Oh, apricots - fancy!!

>23 curioussquared: Well, I mean, they're already taking vet meds, right, so...

And thanks, married lady!

>25 scaifea: I was going to say -- is there any way we can infuse the invermectin with the vaccine? Sheeple, indeed.

>26 curioussquared: *snork!*

Happy new thread!

Great news about your crown.

>13 scaifea:, >21 scaifea: medicinal peanut butter

Woody gets a twice-daily cocktail of pills these days, which have a definite odor to them and there's no way he'd take them without peanut butter. When he started the medication we were low on PB so I stocked up and was surprised the other day to see how much we've used already. He actually looks forward to his meds now, so that's a good thing. And somehow Alys is none the wiser.

Hi Amber. Happy new thread, and I'm glad to hear that you can get the permanent crown on today.

>28 quondame: Thanks!

>29 lauralkeet: Aw, Alys! Pay attention!!

>30 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen! I'm so relieved to have it done and dusted.

Happy New Thread, Amber! Glad to hear you have a copy of The Buried Giant on shelf.

Happy new one, Amber.

Happy new thread, Amber!
I can see that Simmons hopes to get some of that peanutbutter :-)
Good you could get your permanent crown today!

Happy new thread, Amber. Your threads have been intimidatingly fast. Hope I can keep up with this one. Love the hopeful Simmons photo up thread.

>34 msf59: Thanks, Mark! I can't wait to get round to it sometime!

>35 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul.

>36 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita!

Simmons is every hopeful and ever scheming. Good thing she's adorable.

>37 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg!

Happy new thread, Amber!
Peanut butter is universally loved, it seems.

Happy New Thread, Amber.

You barely turn around for 5 minutes and you've already missed almost 50 posts.
Happy New Thread, Amber.

>42 EllaTim: Thanks, Ella!

Peanut butter is a huge part of our lives here at Scaife Manor, I'm happy to say.

>43 connie53: Thanks, Connie!

>44 SirThomas: Thanks, Thomas!

Today's Agenda:
Charlie has a dermatology appointment this afternoon, so I'll be picking him up early from school today for that. Otherwise I'll probably do a bit of cleaning, maybe take a walk with Mario (if it isn't raining), possibly do some sewing, and and a quick trip to the library for holds.

On the reading front:
I finished Plain Bad Heroines (review to come) and started listening to Riot Baby, but didn't really get any other reading in yesterday.

What We're Watching:
Tomm's pick last night: 30 Rock.

150. Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth (Alex Award/audiobook) - 9/10 = A
This Alex Award winner is not immediately easy to summarize. It's in some ways a fictional history of a curse that surrounds a Rhode Island boarding school for girls, starting with the strange deaths of two students in the early 1900s. It's also an intertwining of several different narratives which move back and forth through time; one involving the two women who founded the school and the strange events that led to the school's beginnings and the tragedies that happened there, another set in the present day and following three young women as they play their parts in a movie being made - based on a book one of them wrote - about those tragedies, with a few smaller but related stories woven in as well. All these women feel the pull of the place and of the curse in various ways, and by the end all the pieces fall into their places in an intricate and satisfying pattern. Nearly all the women in the story are either gay or bi, and the theme of lesbianism-as-curse is threaded through the story beautifully. It's not heavy-handed and it doesn't feel as if sexuality makes the rest of the plot take a back seat, but instead it is both an important part of the story and also seamlessly included. Overall, a very cool story - very creepy in parts but never outright scary - very well told.

I'm another easily scared away by your fast climbing numbers. Glad I could sneak in a hello here. Will have to file away PB against future need. Duende is young and healthy now, but down the road? But really, she's proven supremely indifferent to human food.

Morning, Amber! Happy new one! That photo of Simmons made me laugh out loud. Those eyes!!!

>50 justchris: Hi, Chris. We don't give the dogs human food except for the peanut butter for pills and popcorn when we have it.

>51 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie!

She has very sweet, but sometimes-scarily intelligent eyes. Always scheming, that one.

>49 scaifea: Sounds like one I need to check into!

>54 drneutron: I think you'd really like it, Jim!

Congrats for reaching the magic 75, Amber!
Congrats for reaching the magic 75, Amber!

>56 SirThomas: Ha! Thanks, Thomas!!

Congratulations of 150!

Hi Amber my dear, Happy New Thread and congratulations on 2 X 75 books for the year so far.

>49 scaifea: Congratulations on reaching 2 x 75, Amber!

Hi Amber.

Congrats on 75 x 2!!

>58 quondame: >59 johnsimpson: >60 FAMeulstee: >61 karenmarie: Thanks, folks!

>38 scaifea: " I can't wait to get round to it sometime!" LOL. I think we all feel the same way, about most of the books stuck on our shelves.

Morning, Amber. Happy Wednesday. 78F today. Yippee!

Today's Agenda:
Teaching this morning, menu planning and prepping my grocery list for tomorrow, possibly a Mario walk if the rain lets up, a bit of cleaning, maybe some sewing, hopefully some reading. Mulligatawny Soup for dinner tonight.

On the reading front:
I started two new ones yesterday: We Dream of Space and One Last Stop and both are really good so far. I also made some progress on Riot Baby, which is another good one, but it's *not* an easy read/listen.

What We're Watching:
My pick last night; we started a rewatch of Stick It (the gymnastics movie). We didn't have time to finish it because after dinner Charlie asked Tomm to help him study for his Math quiz - Charlie told me the other day that he really likes it when his dad helps him study and just...*cue heart melting*

Also, on the way to his doctor's appointment yesterday we had a long and really fun conversation about the Persian War and the Battle of Thermopylae; Charlie asked tons of great questions and seemed really interested in it (his Social Studies teacher briefly mentioned the 300 in class yesterday, apparently, and he wanted to know more). I get people asking me all the time if I miss the times when he was little and am I sad that he's "growing up so fast," and they're usually a little taken aback when I say no. I have loved every stage with this kiddo and each one is more fun and interesting than the last. Yeah, each one has its own struggles, sure, but yesterday is just another example of how fun it is to watch him change and grow.

>64 scaifea: Aww, that is so nice. And for what it's worth, adult children are really cool, too, and they never stop changing and growing.

>65 lauralkeet: I know that I love the relationship I have with my parents now that we're as much friends as we are parents/daughter, and I'm eager to see what kind of adult Charlie turns out to be. Your daughters seem like the coolest people - you've clearly done some very good parental work there, Laura!

>66 scaifea: Aw shucks. I'll agree with that if we take the "you" as plural. Chris was a stay-at-home-dad and shouldered most of the day-to-day responsibilities.

>67 lauralkeet: That's excellent! Way to go, Chris! When I was teaching at Kenyon, one of my fellow Classics colleagues had been a stay-at-home dad while his boys were little (his wife is a biology professor, also at Kenyon). He *loved* it, and when I had Charlie he immediately offered to babysit if I needed someone (his boys were both grown up by then). I took him up on it a few times and he was wonderful with Charlie, and also always managed to spend most of the department gatherings with Charlie in his arms, showing him how the leaves on the trees look different from one another at a picnic, or getting him to giggle at the Christmas lights at the holiday party. It was so lovely to see. He's the one who nicknamed Charlie Charliemagne and it instantly became the official department moniker for him.

Morning, Amber!

>68 scaifea: Love this story - thanks for sharing. I am another who has loved every age, and the teenage years were some of my favorites. It's amazing to see them coming into their own and I felt privileged to have a front row seat.

>69 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie!

That's exactly right - it's such a privilege to get to be a part of their formative years, yeah?

151. Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi (audiobook) = 8/10 = B+
Ella has special powers that give her the ability to see other people's memories, project her spirit long distances away from her body, see into the future, and bring down destruction on those who anger her. Her brother, Kevin, was born in LA during the 1992 Los Angeles riots, and inherited all the troubles, injustice, and angst that those days of chaos represented. The novel alternates between their stories, following Ella as she struggles to find meaning in this country's history of racial injustice while also trying to find a purpose for her gifts, and Kevin as he lives the life of a black man in a criminal justice system that practices anything but. Short but compelling, bleak but also beautiful(ly frightening) in the way it depicts the potential power behind generations of justified anger.

Today's Agenda:
Simmons goes to the vet this morning to get spayed, so today and this weekend will be slightly more full of fret than usual - Tomm's mostly worried about the actual procedure and I'm worried about keeping her from running and jumping until the stitches are done. Ugh. Anyway. I'll drop her off this morning and then go do my grocery shopping, come home to a meeting with a student, then probably do a little cleaning, maybe some writing, maybe some sewing before we pick her up this afternoon.

On the reading front:
I read bits from A Darker Shade of Magic and We Dream of Space yesterday, and I started a new audio (The Black Kids) this morning.

What We're Watching:
It was DC Night last night, so while Tomm and Charlie did their thing, I watched some OUAT.

'Morning, Amber.

>72 scaifea: Hope Simmons does well with her surgery and recovery.

>72 scaifea: Hope all goes well! With Lottie, I was also concerned about keeping her calm. The meds did the trick for the first few days...

Morning, Amber! I'm with you - keeping they from running and jumping post-surgery is the tough part. Hoping her surgery and recovery go smoothly and quickly. Our vet recently started offering laparoscopic surgery for spaying, and I think that would be so much better for recovery. I wish it had been available for Mercy and Mischief.

>73 karenmarie: >74 foggidawn: >75 Crazymamie: Thanks, Ladies! Here's hoping the meds they give us work to keep her semi-stoned for a few days...

>76 scaifea: At that age, they heal quickly, at least.

I hope Simmons and the rest of the Scaife clan come through the whole process smoothly. *hugs and ear scritches* (your choice on who needs ear scritches most lol).

>77 foggidawn: Here's hoping!

>78 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky. I'll distribute some ear scritches to Mario, too, just because.

Hope Simmons is a good girl, and doesn't try to be rambunctious during convalescence. I think this procedure bothers the humans way more than the critters involved, usually.

>81 laytonwoman3rd: I suspect you're right; I'm a bundle of nerves already and she's not even home yet.

Best luck with Simmons. Drugs do help.

Hi Amber. Missed most of your previous thread and confess I didn't try to skim much.
Just back from a visit to the west coast and seeing some family after nearly 2 years.
I feel so bereft. I hate that people are not committed to getting vaxxed. Utter selfishness.
I'm kind of bent out of shape over the political people not stepping up to the plate to ensure this type of public health.

>83 quondame: Thanks. Yep, the drugs have helped with our others dogs, too.

>84 SandyAMcPherson: Ah, but it's a goodly chunk of the political people who are egging on the selfish nonsense. So, yeah.

Quick Simmons Update:
She's hold and very groggy and seems very confused and sad about the cone and probably also about not feeling very good. My anxiety is through the roof. 10 days with the cone on and keeping a close eye on her and her stitches all the time?! Blerg.

Quick Reading Update:
I'm abandoning The Black Kids on audio because it's just not holding my interest at all. Moving on to The Weirdstone of Brisingamen.

Aww poor Simmons. And poor you! Hang in there.

>87 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie. I'm a bundle of nerves this morning. It's going to be a long 10 days.

Today's Agenda:
Teaching, weekly bill sorting, baking (but only brownies from a mix, I think, since anything more would be too much for me today while trying to make sure Simmons doesn't pop her stitches), and a walk with Mario and some sewing while Tomm's taking his turn on Simmons Duty. I don't anticipate getting much reading time today. Yay for Frozen Fridays, which means I don't have to worry about cooking.

On the reading front:
I read a bit of Legendborn yesterday, plus a bit of We Dream of Space, and I started The Weirdstone of Brisingamen on audio this morning, which here at the start, at least, reminds me of Under Sea Over Stone, and that's definitely a good thing.

What We're Watching:
Tomm and Charlie watched the latest What If episode in the living room with Simmons while I stayed in my office with Mario (we thought it would be a good idea to keep them separated last night - Simmons tends to want to rough-house with Mario in the evenings).

^I think we cross-posted on Wednesday. Just sayin'...

Morning, Amber. Happy Friday. I am birding in the AM and then I am getting my Jackson fix in the PM. Sounds like a solid plan to me. Have a great holiday weekend.

>90 msf59: Sorry I missed you up there - you're right, I think, that I was still typing up my next post when you posted and so I never saw it.

Yay for Jackson Time today! Enjoy.

Good morning Amber. How is Simmons this morning? I have to admit that while we tried to limit jumping and general boisterousness, we never made it through the full cone-wearing period with our pups. They hated it so much and it made us sad to see them that way. I hope Simmons perks up a bit today -- but not too much.

>92 lauralkeet: Morning, Laura. Simmons is very dopey still, mostly, I suspect, because we're keeping her stoned. Honestly, I don't want her to perk up! And yeah, the cone is already off because she was so pathetic with it on, but we'll put it back on when she's alone in her crate. Otherwise we'll just watch her like a hawk for now. She hasn't tried to lick the stitches too much yet, at least.

Hope that Simmons heals quickly so that stress levels drop fast. Happy long weekend eve!

Woo, your threads are flying these days, Amber. And knowing what a skilled seamstress you are, I can’t wait to see what LT costume you come up with after all this.

Hope you’re setting up for a very fine holiday weekend, my friend.

>94 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky.

>95 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! LT costume? Actually, I'll need to start on Charlie's Halloween costume soonish. He just needs to decide what he wants to be this year...

>89 scaifea: Huh. I like both of them, and you're right, they have a similar feel - never thought of it (I don't think I've ever read them in close proximity, though). Cool!

Unfortunately, Weirdstone is the only Garner I like - some of the others in the same setting are OK, but nothing good. Have you read any others by him, and liked them?

>98 jjmcgaffey: The only other Garner I've read was The Stone Book Quartet, but I didn't dislike it. Owl Service is also coming up on one of my lists.

Today's Agenda:
I think Tomm wants to get some work done in the garage (which doubles as his woodworking shop), so I suspect I'll be on Simmons duty most of the day. Which in turn means I won't get much of anything accomplished. Yay. Maybe some reading while she naps? We'll see.

On the reading front:
I only managed a few pages in Vis and Ramin yesterday, but I did listen to some of The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, which I'm enjoying so far.

What We're Watching:
Spiderman: Homecoming, as part of our Friday Night Marvel Marathon.

>100 scaifea: - Tomm can have Saturday, and you get Sunday. Right? Right?!?!

>101 katiekrug: *snork!* Well, we split today and I suspect we'll split tomorrow, too.

152. We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
A month in the life of three siblings in early 1986, in the days leading up to the Challenger explosion. Cash, Fitch, and Bird all have their various troubles negotiating the everyday unhappinesses of middle school, and their constantly-fighting parents make home life equally unwelcome. Bird is the steadiest of them all - she's smart and quiet and more excited than any of the other middle schoolers about the upcoming shuttle launch, since she wants to be an astronaut when she grows up. Her brothers don't realize just how much of an anchor she is for them until things go horribly wrong with the Challenger and her own world turns upside down.

Hm. I'm torn about this one. It's very well written and impressive on several levels, but it's also too heavily depressing. Kelly dwells too long on the children's unhappiness, I think, before starting to turn the story on it's too-slight upward slope at the end. I get what she's doing here, and for some I'm sure it works well (clearly, as it won a Newbery Honor this year), but for me she's just a little too heavy-handed with the gloom.

>102 scaifea: - Oh, well, that works, too.

>104 katiekrug: I suppose. She's being pretty good, really, and I'm starting to relax a bit about the whole thing. It's hardest in the evenings, which is her really rambunctious time of the day, to get her not to zoom and jump around. But the stitched look really good and she's not really trying to lick them at all. We've stopped using the cone except at night and if we need to leave her in the crate for a bit (meal times, mostly, and when we crate her for a couple of hours in the afternoon), and that's working fine. So, as usual, my anxiety has made a bigger deal out of the thing than it really is. Typical.

Today's Agenda:
After yesterday's glorious 70s and sunny and breezy weather, it looks like we're in for a dreary, drizzly day today. I'm happy with both, especially since I don't have to go anywhere today. As long as it stays a straight-down kind of slow rain, I'll keep the kitchen screen door open to listen to the rain and enjoy the cool air. I'm on Simmons duty this morning, but will likely get some sewing time in this afternoon. Thai Coconut Chicken Soup for dinner tonight, and possibly some Brown Sugar Bread Pudding for dessert.

In the Sewing Room:
I finished up my annual Project Charlie Pajamas last week and I've moved on to some new Halloween placemats.

I've been making Charlie's pajamas for 11 years or so now - I think I started when he was 2 because his torso and legs were so long that the footies just didn't work for him and he hated the super-tight knit PJs for little kiddos. A couple of years ago he started helping me pick out the fabrics, and this is the first year that he went mostly with solids (although I love the plaid and the pride flag print he chose!). He's growing up, I suppose:



On the reading front:
After finishing We Dream of Space, I started A Wish in the Dark, read a bit of Better Late Than Never, and listened to more of The Weirdstone of Brisingamen.

What We're Watching:
Charlie's pick last night: Brooklyn 99 and an episode of Gilmore Girls.

Good Sunday to you, Amber! Wow, what a nice selection of cozy looking pj's.

>107 Carmenere: Happy Sunday, Lynda! And thanks!

Happy Sunday!

>106 scaifea: Nice Pj's. Also yay for an episode of Gilmore girls. I used to love that TV series.

Morning, Amber. Happy Sunday. We had our dreary day yesterday. Today will be gorgeous. I hope to read a nice chunk of Cerulean Sea, probably out on the front porch.

Hi Amber!

>105 scaifea: I’m glad to hear that Simmons is coming along and it’s less stressful than you thought her recovery would be.

>106 scaifea: Gorgeous materials for PJs. Lucky Charlie. I can’t properly repair an opened seam much less actually sew something, but I bought Jenna two onesies in the last several years – Carrot and Flying Squirrel. There's a very slender young woman hiding in there...

Enjoy your drizzly day being cozy inside, Amber! I hope you get some decent reading time in as it's perfect weather for it. :)

For some reason the PJ post made me wonder if Charlie shows any interest in sewing. I mean, how cool would it be if he started making his own pajamas, and freed Mom up for...I dunno...more reading?

Happy Sunday, Amber. Too bad about the Erin Entrada Kelly book. What you say makes a lot of sense to me. Part of the appeal of YA/middle grade books is the lighter tone and optimism. Even with one like Fighting Words.

>109 figsfromthistle: Hi, Anita! We *love* Gilmore Girls. I think this is maybe the fourth time through for Tomm and me and the second time for Charlie.

>110 msf59: I hope you love the Klune, Mark. It's a wonderful read!

>111 karenmarie: Wow, Karen, those pajamas are...interesting. Ha!

>112 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky. The weather is making me very groggy today, so I've been reading but also almost nodding off...

>113 laytonwoman3rd: Charlie asked me a few years ago to show him how to sew, and at the time he made a couple of pillows and such, so he knows the basics. If he wanted to make the pajamas I wouldn't say no, of course, but I'd be sad about it. I love sewing for him.

>114 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. MG books that win awards like the Newbery tend to tackle Big Issues, and that's great and helpful and necessary, but there's also a fine line to balance along between tackling those issues and not bogging the reader down in them too much. This one just doesn't quite manage to stay on the high wire.

>120 scaifea:. 👍

153. The Weirdstone of Brisingamen by Alan Garner (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B-
Two young siblings are staying on the country farm in the English countryside where their mother grew up while their parents go abroad, and they quickly find themselves caught up in an ancient battle between good and evil as the boundaries between the world of modern Cheshire and the old England of wizards and morrigans blur and fade. A weirdstone that was long ago stolen from a wizard has made it down the years and into the children's hands as a family heirloom, and their presence with it back in its former homeland awakens the dark forces that want it. And so begins a journey to deliver the stone to safety that makes companions of the children, their farmer-caretaker, a wizard, and a couple of dwarves.

Susan Cooper meets The Chronicles of Prydain with a heavy splash of Tolkien, if Frodo were a modern-day British middle grader and the Fellowship were skulking through the Cheshire countryside, accidentally seen by a few bemused farmers along the way. So, actually, let's through in a dash of Monty Python and the Holy Grail as well. And it could have been as awesome as it sounds, but it was too short and more than a little too sloppy. I was left wanting much, much more.

Today's Agenda:
I had such plans for getting up at my normal time and treadmilling and being a Motivated Person, but here it is past 7am and I'm still in my pajamas eating my breakfast. Meh. The sleep-in was worth the slight self-disappointment. The coffee cake I made yesterday is delicious, I have to say. So, anyway. I'll probably do a bit of cleaning, probably more sewing and reading, too. Meatloaf, baked potatoes, and broccoli for dinner tonight.

On the reading front:
I read a small chunk of Never Let Me Go yesterday. I'll probably start listening to The Owl Service today.

What We're Watching:
We watched a bit of The Day After Tomorrow, one of my favorite disaster movies, although in the current, um, climate, it's a little too on the nose, if I'm honest.

I've been retired for four years now and can hardly imagine that I once routinely showered, dressed, and left the house before 7am. Nowadays, although I'm always up around 6:00-6:15, we're usually sitting down for the first cup of coffee around 7. Every once in a while one of us will have an "early" appointment, like 8:30, and it feels so rushed.

So anyway, I hope you enjoy your more leisurely morning!

>124 lauralkeet: I slept in until 630 this morning and it felt pretty great for a Monday. I'm usually up at 5am during the week. Yeesh.

My body, if left to it's own devices, likes to sleep from around 10 or 11 to 7ish. I do 5 a.m. wake ups for Mr. Fine every other week but I can't imagine doing it for me. You're a stronger lady than I, Amber. Have a great holiday Monday.

Hi Amber!

Holidays are meant for sleeping in. Yay for jammies, coffee cake, and yummy sounding dinner plans.

We love The Day After Tomorrow. Yes, a bit too on the nose right now.

>124 lauralkeet: Every once in a while one of us will have an "early" appointment, like 8:30, and it feels so rushed. I quickly learned to schedule appointments no earlier than 9, although even that feels rushed.

>126 MickyFine: We go to bed around 10-1030 and when I sleep in on the weekends, I general am up by 730 (I *could* sleep longer but the guilt is stronger than the pull to close my eyes again).

>127 karenmarie: Morning, Karen!

It *so* feels like a Sunday today, and honestly that bothers me a little. I don't like schedule disruptions. But yeah, the sleep-in and the pj breakfast was nice.

I love disaster movies so much. No idea why, but I have always loved 'em.

Happy Labor Day, Amber. (I’m lobbying to get it renamed “Lazy Day”).

To bad about The Weirdstone of Brisingamen. I’ve thought periodically about reading it, but your review may have finally put that to rest. You confirmed what I suspected from others’ comments.

>130 jnwelch: Hi, Joe!

Yeah, it's too bad about the Garner book. But I'm not too dissuaded, apparently, since I'm listening to another of his now...

>44 SirThomas: I second that! Happy (newish) Thread, Amber.

>132 connie53: Ha! Thanks, Connie!

Today's Agenda:
I've got a virtual stack of Latin quizzes to grade before taking Mario to the vet for a thyroid check-up at noon. We'll probably try to squeeze in a walk before then, too, and at some point today I want to pop into the library to pick up holds. I'll also do a bit of cleaning, and I need to do some course prep work, as I'm taking on an independent study student for the rest of the semester.

On the reading front:
I read a chunk of One Last Stop yesterday, which is really getting good, and a bit of A Wish in the Dark. I also listened to some of The Owl Service, which, so far, is a bit better than the last Garner, although to be fair I really liked that one at the beginning, too...

What We're Watching:
Tomm's pick last night: a handful of 30 Rock episodes.

Morning, Amber. I had a good holiday weekend- birding, biking and socializing. I did manage some book time too. About halfway done with Cerulean Sea. A fun read. I hope all went well at the Scaife Manor.

Thank you, Amber, for pointing out The Buried Giant.
I love the book.

>135 msf59: Morning, Mark. I'm glad you're enjoying the Klune.

>136 SirThomas: Wonderful, Thomas! I don't know when I'll get round to it myself, but I'm glad you loved it.

>134 scaifea: Is your independent study student an undergrad or graduate student? Hopefully it's a fun project for you to supervise.

>139 MickyFine: It's an undergrad student taking beginning Latin, but for reasons that I can't get into here, being in the regular class isn't an option for her. She's an absolute delight, though, so yes, it'll be fun.

>140 scaifea: Sounds wonderful. :)

>122 scaifea: Good commentary. Book sounds kind of wish-washy with all those tropes muddled together. B- sounds generous!

>142 SandyAMcPherson: Meh. I didn't *hate* it, it didn't give me angry thoughts, and I was interested enough to pay attention and follow the story. So that's a B-level for me.

Today's Agenda:
Class prep, teaching, possibly a walk with Mario if the rain holds off, menu planning and prepping my grocery list for the week, maybe some sewing. We've a fridge full of leftovers so no cooking required tonight.

On the reading front:
I managed a couple of chapters in A Darker Shade of Magic yesterday, a couple in A Wish in the Dark, and I listened to a bit of The Owl Service, which so far is better than the last Garner.

What We're Watching:
My pick last night: Cool Runnings.

ETA:
I made Baking Powder Biscuits to go with our soup last night and I'm having a cold biscuit for breakfast with my coffee. So delicious.

>144 scaifea: Aww, I have such a soft spot for Cool Runnings. It was a favourite in my family when I was a kid - not least because of the fun of recognizing all the Calgary landmarks.

How are you liking A Darker Shade of Magic? Any book crushes yet?

>145 MickyFine: I have long loved Cool Runnings - it's just such a happy little movie. And I remember watching the Calgary Olympics as a kid, so that part is fun, too.

I'm liking it okay, but it's slow to get going for me. It's mostly my fault and not the book's, I think, though, because I have a ton of books going at once right now and not a lot of time to read any of them. *shrug* I'm sure once I can get more into the story I'll like it more.

Today's Agenda:
Charlie has an appointment with his eye doc this morning, so I'll be picking him up from school for that in a couple of hours. It's always such a *long* process, this doc visit, with the dilating and they're always behind schedule. Ugh. But then after we're going out for lunch and to play hooky the rest of the day, so that'll be fun.

On the reading front:
I finished up Vis and Ramin yesterday, decided to abandon Legendborn (I just can't manage to get interested in it and it's 500+ pages and I'm not willing to give up that much of my life to it), read a bit more of A Wish in the Dark, and started Forever. I'm also still listening to The Owl Service.

What We're Watching:
Tomm had to work late after dinner last night, so Charlie and I watched a couple of episodes of The Babysitters' Club, which is honestly an absolute delight.

Hi Amber!

>147 scaifea: I was seeing a therapist in California in the 1980s - different from Charlie's eye doctor appointment in all respects except one. They were always behind schedule and I'd sit and sit and sit and sit. I finally asked them if I could call to see how far behind they were, and they said yes. When I'd call and they were 45 minutes or whatever behind schedule, I'd ask if I could come in 45 minutes later. They loved it because they didn't have an irate patient sitting there, and I loved it because my blood pressure wasn't going up and I wasn't wasting time away from work.

>148 karenmarie: Ha! Smart thinking, Karen! I got an appointment reminder a couple of days ago about this one, and it listed all their Covid precautions, one of which is that they will send us back out to our car for 45 minutes after giving him the dilating drops. So that's a big part of the appointment length problem, I think. I mean, 45 minutes?! Surely the drops don't really take that long to kick in?! But I'm honestly happy about going back to the car. Much more comfortable to sit there and wait. Charlie's reading The Most Dangerous Game for his English class right now and he's asked me to read part of it aloud to him while we're waiting (if his eyes won't let him do it himself), so that'll be fun!

>122 scaifea: The Weirdstone of Brisingamen was pretty much my favourite book at a certain age, and it made Mr SandDune’s top ten of his favourite children’s books as well. I know many people think otherwise, but in my opinion it’s so much better than Susan Cooper!

>150 SandDune: Far be it for me to argue with a native fan, Rhian. You're most welcome to hold it as a favorite. I'll stick to my love for Cooper.

Morning, Amber! Sweet Thursday. Good luck with Charlie's doc appt. I like the sound of The Owl Service. Smiles...

>152 msf59: Morning, Mark, and Sweet Thursday to you, too! Thanks for the luck wishes - here's hoping it doesn't take forever today. And ha! Yes! The Owl Service does sound like it would be right up your alley, doesn't it?

154. Vis and Ramin by Fakhraddin Gorgani (Read Soon! Shelves) - 8/10 = B+
An epic-length Persian poem written in the 11th century and based on a Parthian love story that goes back even farther. A beautiful young woman and a handsome young man fall in love when they are just kids sharing the same nanny, but she's promised to a king (the young man's uncle) then married off to her brother (ew) instead, and then carried off to be the wife of the originally-promised king. In the end young lovers in love find a way to be together, with the help of a nurse (there's always a helpful nurse in these stories). It follows the common tropes for these kinds of tales and it's a fascinating look at how old stories evolve through different times and changing cultures. Not my favorite long form love story poem, but I'm still happy to have read it, especially as I was given my copy - a Penguin Classics edition - by the translator, who also happens to be my friend. We met when I was in grad school teaching Intensive Latin and he, a Professor of Persian at OSU, enrolled as one of my students. Incredibly kind and charming man.

>149 scaifea: 45 minutes does seem kind of extreme! I've had eye doctors who dilated my eyes at every appointment, and others who only do it if there's some reason for concern.

>147 scaifea: I was surprised that they're dilating Charlie's eyes. I've been wearing glasses since I was 11 and I've never had my eyes dilated. Like Foggi noted, for all the optometrists I've been to it's a procedure they only do if there's specific concerns.

Regardless of dilation or not, I hope you and Charlie have a great time playing hooky this afternoon. :)

>155 foggidawn: >156 MickyFine: Weird. All of our eye doctors have always dilated our eyes at every appointment.

We've been there and back again; Charlie's eyes are healthy and he's picked out new frames for his new lenses. We celebrated with lunch at one of Charlie's favorite places: Piada. I am now exhausted and ready for a cup of tea.

>157 scaifea: Yay! for healthy eyes and new glasses.

>158 laytonwoman3rd: Yes!!

155. Better Late Than Never by Jenn McKinlay (cozy mysteries) - 8/10 = B+
Another entry in the Library Lover's Mystery series. This time Librarian Lindsey and her staff hold an Amnesty Day at the library, during which patrons can return all overdue books - no matter how long it's been - and not have to pay the fees. The event results in someone returning a book that was checked out twenty years ago by a woman whose unsolved murder happened on that same day, and Lindsey is immediately on the case. There's also more love triangle business between Lindsey, Sully, and Robbie, but it seems by the end to be resolved, at least for now.

This is an okay volume in the series, but not my favorite so far. It may be that the bloom is off the flower for this series for me. We'll see.

>149 scaifea: As I spent 3 mornings hanging out at Urgent Care early this week, and another at a Dr.'s office I'm pretty sure I was in the vicinity of Covid. It would be great if you could check in from your car and go straight to the treatment area. I'll avoid any gettogethers for a couple of weeks for sure. At least Saturday evening I was able to go hang out with a couple of friends on their patio.

>161 quondame: Honestly, it seems to me that doctor's offices are some of the safer places to be, since they require masks and tend to check temps as you walk in the door.

Today's Agenda:
Teaching, baking (Cinnamon Sugar Cookies), grocery shopping, birthday present wrapping (Charlie turns 13 next week, if you can believe it), possibly some sewing, maybe some reading. Ooof. Busy day. TGIFrozen Friday for dinner.

On the reading front:
After finishing up the McKinlay, I read a bit more of Never Let Me Go, and I listened to more of The Owl Service, which I'm close to finishing. We'll see how the ending goes, but so far at least this one is much better than the previous Garner was.

What We're Watching:
We finished watching The Day After Tomorrow and then watched the last Gilmore Girls episode, which I can't ever get through without sobbing.

Good morning, Amber! Cinnamon Sugar Cookies sound scrumptious with a mug of Earl Grey tea.

I just read this in The Washington Post's books newsletter:

Read any good Covid tests lately? If you live in Ohio, your public librarian can help out. An innovative program funded by the Ohio Department of Health is offering Abbott BinaxNOW home covid tests for free through the state’s libraries. In August, 246 library locations gave away more than 53,000 tests.

That is so cool! Access to tests is a huge problem here in Iowa, with shortages all over the place. I'd love to see us do something like this. Maybe in an alternate universe ...

>164 rosalita: Morning, Julia! I love the way you think - I may have to have a cup of Earl Grey later when I taste test the cookies... (I'm finishing up a cup of Constant Comment right now.)

And YES! My local library system is participating in this - I saw the announcement on their webpage yesterday. It's very cool.

>164 rosalita: I haven't heard of any similar programs in PA, but I'm passing this on to our CEO, just in case.

>166 laytonwoman3rd: I'd love to see it catch on everywhere, Linda!

>163 scaifea: I'm the same way with the last episode of Gilmore Girls. That last shot of the two of them in the diner being identical to the last shot of the first episode... right in the feels for me.

>168 MickyFine: >167 rosalita: It would be great to see it more places, for certain.

>168 MickyFine: It's not so much that last scene for me, although I do love the ring composition there, as it is the idea of the two of them both going through separation sadness. I know that's down a too-short road for Charlie and me, so it's extra-tear-making.

So I was nearly hit by a car in the grocery parking lot today. It was kind of hilarious.

This little old woman was backing out of a spot as I was starting to walk past behind her and into the store. She slowed and I assumed she saw me and so kept going, but then she started again, so I paused, and then she paused again and I really assumed she saw me that time. As it turns out she did see me, but then thought she was pressing on the brake when in fact she slammed down on the accelerator and zoomed backwards and right toward me. I was able to run ahead and out of her way, just barely. She finally found the actual brake, and I leaned down to look in her window, to make sure she was okay. If I were her (and I've done that whole thought-I-had-my-foot-on-the-break-but-OOOPS-NO-THAT'S-THE-GAS thing) I know I would have been heart-a-mile-a-minute freaked out, so I wanted to make sure she was okay. She rolled down her window and said, "OH NO, ARE YOU OKAY?! ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE OKAY?!" And I started laughing, assured her I was just fine, asked if *she* was okay, and commiserated on how that sort of thing happens all the time. Then she started laughing, and we stood/sat there for a good couple of minutes laughing with each other. I nearly lost a limb today to a Buick but so far it's actually been the high point of my day.

156. The Owl Service by Alan Garner (audiobook/1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+
An ancient Welsh curse gets reenacted every generation, and we're here given one iteration of the doomed scenario when a family comes to vacation in the home that the step-daughter has inherited from her father, and she, her step-brother, and the son of the housekeeper (who herself has a strange part to play in events) find themselves inevitably and unwillingly taking on the magical age-old roles that started it all. Will they be able, unlike so many before them, to resist the pull of the curse and break the cycle?

So yeah, this one is much better thought-out and executed than that Brisinger mess, I have to say. It's an interesting plot and Garner does a fair job telling it, with Gwyn - the housekeeper's son - stealing the story by being by far the most interesting and well-drawn character.

>171 scaifea: Glad you both were fine and got a good laugh out of it. Hopefully the rest of your weekend is much less eventful.

"I nearly lost a limb today to a Buick but so far it's actually been the high point of my day." You really do crack me up. So glad you didn't get cracked up by the Buick, though.

Morning, Amber! Happy Saturday. I like both of your current reads. I plan on starting Ishiguro's debut A Pale View of the Hills which has languished on shelf for years.

>173 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky.

>174 laytonwoman3rd: I'm glad you got a good laugh out of it, Linda! I sure did.

>175 msf59: Morning, Mark! Never Let Me Go is really good so far, but I think my final opinion will really hinge on the ending, which could be very cool (and honestly I don't have a clue where he'll go with it here at the halfway point) or too grim for me to love. We'll see...

Hi Amber!

>171 scaifea: Glad the story had a happy ending. Great book title, by the way, Nearly Lost a Limb Today to a Buick. Short stories, perhaps.

Today's Agenda:
I woke up with a nasty sore throat, which could be any number of things: allergies, sleeping with the fan blowing in my face, a cold coming on, or just the general Fall Morning Sore Throat, which Charlie and I always seem to suffer through every year. *shrug* I'm medicating with hot coffee. Seems reasonable. I'll probably have ice cream later. Which reminds me that I asked my students yesterday if they had any fun weekend plans (always a risky thing to do with college students, but sometimes I can't resist), and one young woman said, "I'm planning on having ice cream for dinner!" in a genuinely excited way, so of course I asked the necessary follow-up questions (it wasn't just for dessert but was going to be the entire meal and it was frozen custard, technically, not ice cream, but that's of course even better) and now she's my favorite student.

I don't really have solid plans for today. Laundry, reading, sewing, I think, mostly. Simmons gets her stitches out on Monday and she's been doing really well, so we've relaxed quite a bit about her this week. Tomm's grilling pork chops for dinner, so I don't have to worry about food prep today, which is great.

On the reading front:
I read bits of One Last Stop and A Wish in the Dark yesterday, and I started listening to Black Like Me this morning. I think the latter will be difficult to get through because I already have extremely mixed feelings about what's going on and the author's attitude. We'll see how it goes.

What We're Watching:
Family Game Night last night (Phase 10) and then we watched the next installment in our Friday Night Marvel Movie Marathon: Black Panther. Easily one of the very best Marvel movies.

>179 karenmarie: Ha! Sounds more like a country music song title to me, although of course I think you'd have to actually lose the limb for it to count as country music...

>178 scaifea: Ah, I hope you enjoy it more than I! Which I suspect you will, if you weren't misled as to its genre. (Still cranky about that.)

And I'm sorry the shift in seasons is getting to you! I hope your coffee is doing its job.

>182 London_StJ: Ha! I was just over on your thread rereading your review! I went into it not knowing anything about it, so I won't be disappointed about the genre at least (I can't read horror anymore anyway).

And thanks! Throat is still sore, but the coffee is good.

Hi Amber! As always, I love the photo toppers. Agent Fitzsimmons is a cute addition to the family. I find myself wondering what nicknames she has accrued.

>171 scaifea: Well, I'm glad it was funny but also really glad you were not in fact hit!

>184 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen! Simmons is mostly just...Simmons, although sometimes she's "putz'" or "genius" depending out what she's gotten into...

And thanks! I'm pretty glad the accidental lead-foot didn't hit me, too!

Today's Agenda:
Chocolate Chip Scones are in the oven, and then after breakfast I'll spend the day much like I did yesterday, I suspect: reading, sewing, laundry, possibly a nap in there somewhere. Charlie's virtual birthday party is today - he's invited his friends to play Jackbox with him online this afternoon and he's very excited to have all his Wisconsin and Ohio friends together. I'm looking forward to hearing the giggling - I'm certain there will be lots of it.

On the reading front:
I'm trying to finish up A Wish in the Dark this weekend; we'll see if I can make that happen today. I also listened to a bit more of Black Like Me, but I'm still not sure that I'll not abandon this one at some point. It's pretty cringe-making, to be honest.

What We're Watching:
Charlie's pick last night: the first episode of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.

Sounds like an excellent weekend, Amber. Happy (almost) birthday to Charlie!

>187 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky. Happy Sunday to you.

Today's Agenda:
Busy-ish Monday: Teaching, which is now two classes because of the new independent study, a meeting with a student, a bit of cleaning, possibly a walk with Mario if I can squeeze it in, and then we take Simmons to the vet to get her stitches out this afternoon. Chicken and Smoked Sausage Stew for dinner tonight.

On the reading front:
I finished A Wish in the Dark yesterday - review to come - which means that I am now officially a Newbery Nut! I've read *all* of them, both the Medal winners and the Honor books. Over 400 books. WOOT.

I also decided to abandon Black Like Me and instead I'm now listening to A Letter for the King.

What We're Watching:
Tomm's pick last night: a couple of 30 Rock episodes.

So here's what's been going on in the sewing room lately: I've been working on some new placemats for Halloween:

Funny coincidence: last week during my library shift, I was helping to move some books from one set of shelves to another. I try not to get distracted by looking at the actual books, but happened to notice that one of them was Black Like Me. And I thought, I wonder how that one holds up.

I think I've found my answer here! Ha.

>191 lauralkeet: *snork!* Yeah, it's pretty cringey. It felt so self-congratulatory for something that was, to my way of thinking, just an elaborately-justified project in black face. I mean, if you want to know what struggles persons of color go through, I dunno, maybe read their own works? Or if you're in a place of author privilege, help black authors get published? Just...blech.

>189 scaifea: Congrats on reaching Newbery Nut status — do you get a certificate? I think you need a certificate.

So glad Simmons is getting her stitches out, and that the whole thing went relatively smoothly. Another hurdle cleared in the dog-owning adventures!

Hi Amber!

>189 scaifea: Congrats on reading all the Newberys. That’s an amazing accomplishment. Are there one or two that stand out or are there too many good ones to choose from?

>190 scaifea: "Love"

Morning, Amber. Hope you had a good weekend. I've started Pax Journey Home, by Sara Pennypacker, the follow up to Pax. Very good so far. Another great cover by Jon Klassen.

Congratulations on reading all the Newberys! That's impressive. Now you need to figure out how to casually work it into conversations with neighbors , , ,

So good you read all Newberys, Amber!
I did read all books that won a "Gouden Griffel", the Dutch equivalent. But that prize started way later in 1971.

Yet more congratulations on reading all the Newberys!

Also the placemats are super cute.

>193 rosalita: I don't think I get any sort of certificate, Julia, but I *am* seriously considering writing up an article about the experience, especially since this next year will be the 100th anniversary of the award. The timing seems particularly good.

And YES to Simmons and the stitches! We're kind of exhausted with this hold watching her super-close and trying to keep her from being too much of a hellspawn.

>194 karenmarie: Hi, Karen! As I mentioned to Julia, I'm thinking of writing up a thing about the experience, and if I do I'll definitely includes some bits about my favorites.

>195 jnwelch: I saw that you were reading that sequel, Joe, and I hope you love it! I think I'm going to give it a pass; I loved the first one, but it was *so* sad and I don't think I'm in the right place for such a thing right now. I do love Klassen, though.

And thanks! Casually? Ha! Bold of you to assume I have the conversational finesse not to just blurt it out every time I meet someone on the street...

>197 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita! And good for you for finishing your award list, too!

>198 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky!

Congrats on finishing the Newberys, Amber!! That's crazy impressive.

>204 rosalita: I love it!!!

>204 rosalita: That is absolutely perfect.

>204 rosalita: *SNORK!!!* YES!! I love it! You're the best, Julia.

>205 curioussquared: Thanks, Natalie! I mean, it only took me 13 years...

>206 lauralkeet: Right?! That Julia is so clever and cool.

>207 scaifea: Glad you like it. :-)

>210 rosalita: It's genius!

You might want to print it out and have it laminated so you can whip it out of your bag whenever you feel you're not being given the level of respect and attention that you deserve ...

>212 rosalita: Oh, that's an excellent idea. I'm certain it would work, too... "Do you know who you're dealing with?!" *whips out Newbury Nut Card and awaits the genuflecting*

>213 scaifea: Exactly! A little less backtalk, a little more bowing-and-scraping, please!

157. A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat (Newbery Honor Books) - 9/10 = A-
Pong is growing up inside a prison for women in a flameless city lit by the magical powers of one man. When that man, the governor, tells Pong that he has no real worth, Pong believes him, loses what little hope he had, and runs away, even though that will mean a life as a fugitive for the rest of his days. He leaves behind him his best friend, who remains in the prison until he ages out and becomes another member of the homeless street children, and also a young girl, who is the privileged daughter of the prison warden and who is determined to track down Pong and bring him to justice. All three children follow their own journeys of self-discovery and -worth, and all of them find their own lights along the way.

A bit of a slow burn, this one, but well worth it in the end. It has a full and fully-developed cast of characters and a lovely and inventive story to go along with them. Recommended.

>212 rosalita: - Or she could laminate it and punch holes int he top corners, string a cord through it, and just wear it around her neck. Or maybe turn it into a sandwich board to wear...

Hi Amber!

Congratulations on the Newbery completion! I love the certificate, too. And huzzah that the last book was a good one for you. The committee and I are working as hard as we can on coming up with some new ones for you to read. ;-)

I also love the Halloween placemats, and am glad about Simmons' stitches coming out.

>216 katiekrug:

>217 foggidawn: Thanks, foggi!

Today's Agenda:
Welp. Today was supposed to be a nice, quiet day. But it looks like I may be going back to the vet, this time with Mario. She was limping a little yesterday morning, but, well, she's getting older and sometimes that happens, but then we noticed that her whole back leg was completely wet. Tomm looked her over and it turns out she has licked that leg completely raw and she seems to have some sort of either bad bite or rash back there. He cleaned it last night and wrapped it, gave her a Benadryl, and put Simmon's old cone on her for the night. This morning it's slightly less swollen, but still red and angry, so I may need to take her to the vet. Ugh. Just when I was happy that I could stop worrying constantly about Simmons, now I'm really worried about Mario.

And then I woke up this morning to an email from the school that a kid in two of Charlie's classes had tested positive for covid. Charlie won't need to quarantine because he's vaccinated and wears a mask to school, but still of course now I'm going to be nervous that we'll all come down with it. We were going to visit my parents this coming weekend, but that's right out the window now, too.

I am *so* tired of being worried. About...everything. All the time. Just...so tired.

Anyway.

Sorry for the mini-breakdown. It's just, everything feels like a lot right now.

>220 scaifea: Oh, Amber! That's some rotten stuff that's landed on you. I hope the vet can fix Mario up pronto. And knowing intellectually that Charlie is well-placed not to be infected is not at all the same thing as feeling it in your heart. Sending lots of warm, healing thoughts to Scaife Manor right now.

Oh shit!
Best wishes for your 2 and 4 legged family, Amber.

>221 rosalita: Thanks, Julia. You're right about the knowing and the feeling being very different. I teeter totter back and forth between telling myself I'm a dummy for worrying because we'll all be fine and arm-windmilling back from The Cliffs of Panic and Despair ("Inconceivable!"). I also told Tomm this morning that we should just start signing his checks over to the vet's office. It feels like lately we've given them enough to fund a new wing of the building... *sigh*

>222 SirThomas: Ha! Thanks for that, Thomas. I appreciate any and all supportive expletives.

Welp, indeed. Poor sweet Mario. I hope it's a simple matter of some antibiotics. And I hear you about the constant covid-related worrying. I'm doing that teeter-tottering thing too. Hang in there ...

>224 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. I'm thankful that Charlie isn't a big ball of worry, at least. He seems to be taking everything in stride and trusting us when we tell him that the vaccine and the masking is keeping him safe. His biggest worry is that the football game in two weeks will be canceled and he won't be able to have first band performance!

Oh, that's so rotten, Amber - I'm sorry. :( I'm glad Charlie's not worried, and hope everything blows over soon.

Morning, Amber. Sorry to hear about the Covid scare but I am glad Charlie is taking it in stride. Keep us updated.

Hi Amber!

I am *so* tired of being worried. About...everything. All the time. Just...so tired.

Worrying about our children and family and our fur kids is always there, of course, but I'm sorry that there's the threat of Covid and Mario's bite/rash.

You're doing all the right things, of course, but that doesn't make the worry go away. Hang in there.

>226 London_StJ: Thanks for that. I'm so glad that Charlie's not the kind of worrier I am. He worries, but not obsessively, and he seems to have inherited a good think-through-the-issue-logically-then-move-on streak from Tomm. I mean, he certainly didn't get that from me.

>227 msf59: Thanks, Mark. Will do.

>228 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. You're right about the worry always being there, but it would be nice if I could make it back down to normal levels of fret. I've been on high alert so long now that the mental and emotional fatigue is definitely setting in.

>218 scaifea: - YES!

>220 scaifea: - Ugh. Just ugh. I'm sorry you are having to deal with that double whammy, Amber. Hang in there and take care.

*hugs* You're right, it is a lot right now. Hang in there, friend.

Way up there at >165 scaifea:. I didn't know about the Ohio libraries and covid tests. I'll check my local county library.

Poor Mario. If it's not one thing, it's another. Aging is tough.

I'm glad Charlie is taking his fellow student's covid diagnosis in stride. You've done all you can do outside of remote learning but who wants to do that again.

So sorry about all of your worries now. Glad Charlie is vaccinated and you don't have to worry (much) about him getting sick. Sorry about Mario's leg too. Tough times, these.

Ugh, sorry you got hit with the double whammy of dog problems and covid scare, Amber. I can definitely sympathize with feeling like you're personally keeping the vet afloat -- I feel like we've paid ours several small fortunes in the past few weeks and have some expensive stuff coming up soon too. Fingers crossed Mario's problem is easily resolved and Charlie comes through covid-free!

Thanks, everyone, for the kind words and thoughts. I really appreciate them!

Mario Update:
Apparently she has massive allergies to...who knows what. The vet said that Golden Retrievers are just prone to lots of allergy sensitivities. So she's had an antibiotic IV, she's got a newly shaved leg (which looks *awful,* like a really bad burn), and she now has three weeks of antibiotics and steroids and a cone of her very own. Yoicks.

>237 scaifea: Aww, poor Mario! I can sympathize, as I often get rashes/hives from random allergens. Hope the meds clear things up quickly!

>238 foggidawn: Thanks, foggi. And poor you! At least you don't have to wear a cone, I guess...

>237 scaifea: oh wow. At least that will clear up the current nastiness, but wouldn't it be nice to know the cause? Sigh.

Our kitty Midnight would occasionally, unpredictably, start licking one of her legs, and during these periods she also tended to become very reclusive so we didn't notice the problem until it was pretty bad. Steroids and antibiotics did the trick.

After thinking it was an allergy but not finding anything unusual in her environment, the vet suggested anxiety was at the root of it. We were never exactly sure what made her anxious, although the licking definitely happened anytime my daughter brought her cat with her on a visit. Any possibility Mario could be dealing with some Simmons-related anxiety?

>240 lauralkeet: Oh ugh, I hope it's not anxiety related. I feel like allergies would be easier to treat.

With Midnight, we used a Feliway Calming diffuser that plugged into a wall outlet. We put one in the room she spent the most time in and that worked, because she was pretty inert most of the time LOL. There's a similar product for dogs called Adaptil. But I'd discuss with the vet before jumping to any conclusions.

>242 lauralkeet: That's good to know. Here's hoping the meds we have work and we don't have to rethink it!

>220 scaifea: Becky has a deep anxious worring disposition as well and at 28 she's a bit to old for me to assign it to lack of experience and understanding that people aren't paying nearly as much attention to her as she imagines. Sometimes I don't know how to deal with all that worry - I had to learn the hard way not to assume my mother's worries and I'm not going to retreat from that for Becky's but I don't want to dismiss them offhandedly.
Becky's current worry is that Nutmeg's rashes will cause Kira's foster parent to reject us as adoptors. So Nutmeg has been placed in wee rubber booties and the result is entertaining. If it is effective remains to be seen.

>244 quondame: Ha! It took me entirely too long to figure out that Becky probably wasn't your improbably-old dog!

158. Forever... by Judy Bloom (100 Banned Books) - 8/10 = B
Follows the story of Kath, a teenager who is negotiating her first serious relationship, sex, and the issues all of that creates. It feels a bit dated and Kath as the narrator annoyed me, but for all that it felt pretty authentic, certainly for its time and probably still, at least in part. And Bloom does a great job setting out the options for safe sex and how to go about them, and both showing that there are consequences for having unsafe sex (unwanted pregnancy in the case of one of Kath's friends) but also that having safe sex as a teenager isn't actually the end of the world and that abstinence isn't the only viable option. So overall, it's a bit clunky and outdated in parts, but it's clearly a giant among early YA novels on the subject and it definitely paved the way for the genre.

>246 scaifea: Now you've got me wondering: Is there a modern-day equivalent to Judy Blume? Or has the field of YA opened up so much that that role of discussing forbidden topics for teens is filled by many authors these days?

Judy Blume was such a pioneering legend. I never read Forever but Are you there god? it’s me Margaret was huge.

>245 scaifea: Though Becky did refer to Gertie as the little sister she never wanted. They had a very sibling sort of relationship once Gertie realized Becky wasn't a temporary presence in our household - I got Gertie the year Becky was a freshman at college and Manny was desperate for companionship - Mike was working in DC and I had Manny at my heels all day every day.

>247 rosalita: I read widely enough in the YA genre to safely say that the field is wide open these days. Sex isn't a taboo subject, really, and there's a wonderful variety of representation out there across the LGBTQ+ spectrum as well. It pretty great, really, and the writing can be spectacular, too.

>248 lauralkeet: I *loved* Are You There God? It's Me Margaret when I was in junior high. LOVED it.

>249 quondame: *grins*

>250 scaifea: Yes, that's an incredibly positive development — more books on sensitive topics mean more kids are exposed to the concepts and given tools to think about them.

>253 rosalita: Yes! It's wonderful.

>251 scaifea: Yep, me too, Amber!

>255 lauralkeet: Woot!!

Morning, Amber! Happy Wednesday. How is Mario doing?

Welp. It's happened. I'm the mom of a teenager. He's opened his presents already (a board game (Root), a video game (Miitopia), and a new D&D adventure kit), seems very pleased with them, and is off to school. I'll get started on the cake this morning so it can be cooling while I teach and then I'll frost it after my classes. I also need to do my menu planning and write up my grocery list for tomorrow's shopping. Panera-style Mac & Cheese for dinner, as per the birthday kiddo's request. We may or may not be starting an LT account for him later this evening, too...

On the reading front:
I started my reread of Henry IV Part 1, which is one of my very favorite Shakespeare plays. It's like a warm blanket and a tray of tea and cookies. Prince Hal was one of my very first fictional boyfriends and I fall in love with him and his plays all over again every time.

I also started The Prisoner of Zenda; I'm only a few pages in, but it's already a hoot.

And I listened to more of The Letter for the King, which is just excellent so far.

What We're Watching:
DC Night last night, so while they were doing their thing, I watched an episode of OUAT. Gold is back from the dead! But now his son is dead! And there are flying monkeys! I love this show.

Happy birthday Charlie! Sounds like a great birthday already. And I'd forgotten that he's now LT-eligible. OMG. This is gonna be great.

>257 msf59: Morning, Mark! Mario is doing *much* better, it seems, after the antibiotic IV boost. We got her started on the antibiotic and steroid pills this morning, too, and she seems in much better spirits. Plus, she's a real trooper about the cone - she doesn't seem to mind too much. Right now she's sitting at the glass front door watching the kiddos walk by toward the school, which is one of her morning rituals.

>259 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura! Maybe soon you'll be able to convey your birthday wishes directly to him! He's been excited about joining LT for a long while now.

Happy birthday, Charlie! I’m excited to see him around here.

ETA: Glad to hear Mario is feeling better, too.

Buon compleanno, Charlie!

>262 foggidawn: >263 rosalita: Thanks, ladies!

Happy birthday to Charlie! And yay for being able to start an LT account - wow, he's growing up fast, huh? But I get the feeling I don't have to tell you that... :)

>265 bell7: It's fast and it's not fast. At first blush it seems like I've blinked and he's not a toddler anymore, but when I stop and think about it, yeah, it seems about right. I've enjoyed every stage and every age so far, and I can't wait to see what's next for him.

Happy birthday to Charlie!

Glad to read you have less worries about Mario now.

>267 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita! And yes! Mario seems much better this morning (although the leg still looks like a cooked turkey leg, ew) and we're pretty relieved. We're hoping the meds keep doing their job and she gets all the way better soon.

‘Morning, Amber!

>237 scaifea: I’m glad to hear it’s ‘only’ allergies, but antibiotics and steroids and a cone of her own, just after you got Simmons sorted out from her surgery, has to be frustrating.

>258 scaifea: Wow, congrats on having a teenager. Happy Birthday, Charlie! Exciting about the LT account in the offing, too.

Hi Amber. Longish time since I de-lurked here. Lots going on ~ Mario (glad he's mending), teenager in your house, etc.
I was interested in your reading The Letter for the King. Is it sophisticated teen reading or would an advanced 11 to 12 y.o. reader find it enthralling? I didn't know this title, but I like searching out these older stories.

>204 rosalita: Perfect!

And Happy Birthday to Charlie!

>269 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen! Yeah, yesterday I felt pretty darned overwhelmed, but Mario is starting to improve and things are looking a little better today. I have birthday cake stress now, though. I always worry about screwing it up. *sigh*

>270 SandyAMcPherson: Hi, Sandy. So far (I'm only about 20% along) I'd say an 11-12 yo who likes old school fantasy (knights errant, evil kings, an important and secret mission through the forests while being chased by wicking knights,...) would love this one.

>271 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe!

>273 scaifea: Excellent!

Happy birthday to Charlie. I hope he has an awesome day.

Feel better scritches for Mario.

You've watched Hollow Crown, right? Hiddles as Hal is so excellent.

RE OUAT: I'm happy for you to have Gold back and delighted you're getting closer to what might be my favourite of all the season finales.

Happy birthday to Charlie and get well wishes to Mario. I'm glad she's been an easy patient (I know Charlie's been an easy kid). Good wishes to all of you :)

>276 MickyFine: Oh, I could talk for days about how Hiddleston is the greatest Hal of all time. It's the reason I love him so much, beyond even his wonderful Loki. I honestly have a long explanation for why I feel this way about him and his Shakespeare performances, but I don't have time to type it all out right now. Birthday cake to decorate and all that.

>277 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks so much, Reba! You've got that right about Charlie - he makes the parenting thing pretty easy. And Mario is being a saint, the sweet goof.

Happy birthday, Charlie!

>280 drneutron: Thanks for the good wishes, Jim! I'll pass them along!

Happy Birthday to Charlie!

Happy Birthday, Charlie!

Happy birthday to Charlie! Tim recently acquired a copy of Root as well so I imagine we'll give it a test play soon now that we have time to do stuff that isn't wedding-related :)

Happy Birthday for Charlie and I'm sure the cake is going to delight!

I'm glad to hear about Mario's improvement and good behavior.

>282 SandDune: >283 laytonwoman3rd: >284 curioussquared: >285 quondame: Thanks, folks!

>284 curioussquared: The game looks really good! We'll probably play it soon.

Happy Birthday Charlie! Like many of us over here, it is been wonderful watching this young man group up, right here.

>287 msf59: Thanks, Mark! He *has* grown up here in the 75ers group, really. And he's just now created his own account!

He's clicking around and checking things out for now, but he very well may join the group and start a thread here soon. It's crazy to think that 13 years ago I was posting newborn photos at about this time...

His username is nerdytheorist, in case any of you want to head over to his profile page and say hello...

>288 scaifea: So how do we find a specific member name on LibraryThing? Or profile page for nerdytheorist?

>289 SandyAMcPherson: https://www.librarything.com/profile/nerdytheorist
But it doesn't look like Charlie is quite ready for visitors.

>290 quondame: Thanks, Susan. And it is too soon to see visitors there, but good to find out what books are cool for Charlie. I'm hoping for insights because I have a very nerdy younger cohort developing in my immediate family.

Happy Birthday, Charlie!

Also from me a Happy Birthday, Charlie!

>289 SandyAMcPherson: >290 quondame: >291 SandyAMcPherson: Too soon for visitors? It looks to me like you can post to his wall just fine, but of course only if you like.

>292 kidzdoc: >293 SirThomas: Thanks, folks!

The new thread is up:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/335273

>294 scaifea: Not that we couldn't post, just that when I looked his profile was spare.

A belated Happy Birthday to Charlie my dear.

Thanks, John!

>105 scaifea: Maybe the anxiety helped get you prepared and make this go as well as it did.

Presumably that will be why you have it - some part of you expexts that it will help.

>299 ArlieS: Ha! Well if that were the case, I'd be ultra-prepared for *everything* in my life and I'm afraid that's just not true.

>220 scaifea: Belated sympathy, and I hope both Mario _and_ Charlie are fine.