Mark's Reading Place: Chapter Eighteen

-Morton Arboretum





-Jackson



“We need the tonic of wildness... At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature.”

~ Henry David Thoreau

Audiobook:



Graphic/Comic:



August:

86) Gordo by Jaime Cortez 4.4 stars E
87) The Secret to Superhuman Strength by Alison Bechdel 5 stars GN
88) The Last Town on Earth by Thomas Mullen 3.8 stars
89) Yellow Bird: Oil, Murder & a Woman's Search for Justice by Sierra Crane Murdoch 3.7 stars (audio)
90) Second Place by Rachel Cusk 4.6 stars
91) Any Other World Will Do by Alex Lubertozzi 4.2 stars
92) Nature's Best Hope by Douglas W. Tallamy 4.3 stars (audio)
93) Afterparties: Stories by Anthony Veasna So 4.6 stars
94) Man Walks Into a Room by Nicole Krauss 3.8 stars
95) The Birds of Opulence by Crystal Wilkinson 4 stars (audio)
96) The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue 4.4 stars
97) Seek You: Journey Through American Loneliness by Kristen Radtke 4.2 stars GN

September:

98) Swimming to the Top of the Tide by Patricia Hanlon 3.7 stars ER
99) The Vagabonds by Jeff Guinn 4 stars (audio)
100) House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune 3.8 stars
101) Sweet Time & other stories by Pixin Weng 3.8 stars GN
102) A Pale View of Hills by Kazuo Ishiguro 3.6 stars
103) The Magician by Colm Tóibín 4.4 stars
104) Death in Venice by Thomas Mann 3.5 stars
105) The Life and Afterlife of Harry Houdini by Joe Posnanski 4.2 stars (audio)
106) Man V. Nature: Stories by Diane Cook 4 stars E
107) The Man Who Lived Underground by Richard Wright 4.4 stars (audio)
108) Meadowlark: A Coming-of-Age Crime Story by Ethan Hawke 3.7 stars GN

October:

109) Great Circle: A novel by Maggie Shipstead 4.7 stars E
110) Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach 4 stars (audio)
111) When Two Feathers Fell from the Sky by Margaret Verble 4.2 stars
112) Tears of the Trufflepig: A Novel by Fernando A. Flores 4 stars
113) Dialogues with Rising Tides by Kelli Russell Agodon 5 stars Poetry
114) Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy 4.5 stars
115) The Office of Historical Corrections: Novella & Stories by Danielle Evans 4.3 stars
116) Icebound by Andrea Pitzer 4 stars (audio)
117) Bewilderment by Richard Powers 3.8 stars
118) Passing by Nella Larsen 4.2 stars

November:

119) Last Things: A Graphic Memoir of Loss and Love by Marissa Moss 4.5 stars GN
120) Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King 4.2 stars E
121) The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch 3.7 stars
122) The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu by Tom Lin 3.6 stars (audio)
123) Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done? by Eric Powell 4.2 stars GN
124) The Fortune Men by Nadifa Mohamed 4 stars
125) Dune: The Graphic Novel (Volume 1) by Brian Herbert 3.7 stars GN
126) Swann's Way (Vol. 1) by Marcel Proust 3.8 stars

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

-Wendell Barry

^A Meet Up with Joe. First time in a few months and we picked an absolutely perfect late fall day.

Hello?? Great Horned Owl chicks.

"An inspiring and intimate self-portrait of a champion of equality that encompasses her brilliant tennis career, unwavering activism, and an ongoing commitment to fairness and social justice."

I am not a big tennis fan but I did enjoy Open a few years back. I also grew up hearing about Billie Jean King, through the years and she always came across as a brave and interesting person. This memoir, which came out in August received very good reviews but it took Bonnie warbling about it recently, that sealed the deal. I started the audio today and it grabbed me immediately.

>1 msf59: I'd love to be sitting on that bench Mark.

Good to see your little reader too.

>2 msf59: I shall probably get to The Fortune Men soon.

Happy New Thread! Those owls are so cute!!

>7 Caroline_McElwee: I have taken a few of my LT buddies to the Arb over the years and it always is a hit, Caroline. I will be into the second half of The Fortune Men tomorrow and I am enjoying it quite a bit.

>8 SilverWolf28: Thanks, Silver. We saw those owls a couple of winters ago. You can't beat those chicks.

Happy New Thread!

>1Gorgeous spot, beautiful baby!

Wow Mark, you have two great books going. Nice.

Happy new one, Mark.

>1 msf59: I love sylvan scenes, but that is topped by the little fellow below.

Happy new thread!

Tricky, that, putting new photos mixed with the familiar or the other way round. Good trees, great bird. May you be out watching the latter among the former.

>10 mahsdad: >11 mdoris: Thanks Jeff & Mary!

>12 brenzi: I am loving both books, Bonnie and thanks to you for the pair.

>13 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. Jackson will always top everything else. Grins...

>14 quondame: Thanks, Susan. I plan on watching both of my absolute joys. No slowing down.

Happy new thread, Mark! Such a nice meet up with Joe.

Happy new one!

Happy new thread, Mark! I love seeing the pictures of Jackson (and the owls, of course).

Happy new thread, Birddude...long may it wave.

Happy new thread, Mark. Love the pictures of Jackson with his book. That's a pretty good one of you and that Joe fellow too.

Happy new thread, Mark!

>1 msf59: The arboretum looks beautiful, and Jackson keeps on growing.

Thanks, Lynda, Jim, Stasia, Richard, Meg & Anita. For some reason Jackson continues to be a hit around here. Smiles...

Happy new thread, Mark!

>23 scaifea: Thanks, Amber!

121) The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch 3.7 stars

“See as much as you can see, I guess. Rachel Carson said most of us go through life "unseeing." I do that some days...I think it's easier to see when you're a kid. We're not in a hurry to get anywhere and we don't have those long to-do lists you guys have.”

“...that's the nature of marine life and the inland bays I grew up on. You'd have to be a scientist, a poet and a comedian to hope to describe it all accurately, and even then you'd often fall short.”

Miles O’Malley is a smart, gifted thirteen year old. He is an only child living with indifferent parents and he finds solace and wonder exploring the tidal flats of Puget Sound. One day he discovers a rare giant squid, washed up with the tide. He becomes a bit of a celebrity with locals and the scientific community. This is a coming of age novel, as Miles tries to grapple with approaching adulthood and understanding the mysteries of his beloved ocean and the warning signs it has been projecting. Lynch is a good writer but this one doesn’t quite reach the heights of his classic Border Songs. I still recommend it.

*Thanks to Marianne for sparking me to finally read this one.

What an adorable thread topper you have!

>25 msf59: Not for me...I want that squid pic for my walls, though!

‘Morning, Mark. Happy Wednesday and happy new thread to you.

I love your topper photos and the meet-up pic with Joe.

>6 msf59: I read Open in 2010, and, like you, enjoyed it. I’ll be interested in what you think of this one about Billie Jean.

>26 thornton37814: I have to agree with you, Lori. Good to see you stop by.

>27 richardderus: Yep I don't think it is your cuppa, RD. Cool squid artwork, right? Just from the internet.

>28 karenmarie: Good Morning, Karen and thanks. Yes, Jackson continues to dominate my toppers. I do not see that slowing down. I am not far into the Billie Jean King memoir but I have a feeling you will really like this one.

123) Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done? by Eric Powell 4.2 stars

I love reading true crime in graphic novel form, even when it is as grisly and disturbing as this one is. I grew up hearing about Eddie Gein and the novel and film Psycho which were inspired by these horrifying events. I never did read the book but consider the film a true masterpiece. Meticulously researched and illustrated, the story follows Gein growing up in the domineering shadow of a tyrannical mother, leading him to commit unspeakable atrocities after her death. If you have the stomach for it, I highly recommend it.

Happy new thread, Mark. Nice topper photos. Jack is growing.

>25 msf59: I liked The Highest Tide more than you did, Mark, but I am glad it turned out to be a solid read for us both. As I mentioned over on my thread, I related heavily with Miles and I think that is what made the difference for me. I have Border Songs on the agenda to read next month.

Happy Wednesday!

>25 msf59: Hi Mark = Highest Tide for Juncoes up here in Token Creek!

>33 m.belljackson: Thanks, Beth. Yep, Jackson will be a big boy before you know it.

>32 alcottacre: Hi, Stasia. My favorite parts of The Highest Tide was Miles interacting with nature and the tidal flats. I just would have liked to see more of that. I can't wait to hear what you think about Border Songs.

>33 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. Glad you enjoying the juncos. I am too, although I have not seen any today. I also have not heard any Sandhill Cranes flying overhead this fall.

Happy new one, Mark! I have finally caught up with you. Love the photos up top of your Jack - so cute and already sharing the book love.

Oi! Heads up: there's a $1.99 sale on the Kindle edition of Owls: A Guide to Every Species in the World by Marianne Taylor through the 22nd! It looks really cool: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019MML974/

Hi, Mark. Have you ever seen a Fox Sparrow? They've been singing right outside my kitchen window the last few mornings. They have a fun song.

Hi Mark! Happy new thread.
>1 msf59: Lovely picture. Autumn in the forest. We've been watching mushrooms lately. Something different from birding.
>2 msf59: So cute. And that smile. And of course he's loving his books?
>3 msf59: Thanks for posting that poem again, it really speaks to me.

>36 richardderus: I just had to buy that one even if it is on the Kindle. Thanks for the heads up, Richard!

>35 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie! Glad you got caught up with my goings on. Hooray for Jackson!

>36 richardderus: Thanks, RD for the heads-up on Owls: A Guide to Every Species in the World. Actually, I might want to own a full-sized copy of this one. The e-book may not do the illustrations or photos justice.

>37 SilverWolf28: Hi, Silver. Congrats on the fox sparrow. Such nice looking birds. They are currently migrating through our area and I actually saw a pair today on my walk.

>38 EllaTim: Thanks, Ella. Good to see you. Glad you like the photos. Autumn shots and Jackson are irresistible. I am having a hard time dropping that Berry poem.

>39 alcottacre: There is the owl lover! LOL. It does sound like a promising volume, Stasia.

Hiya, Birdman. I'm on the road tomorrow, planning a pleasant excursion along some of the Keystone State's byways. My itinerary routes me very close to the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, which straddles the line between Lebanon and Lancaster counties. The last time we were there, snow geese covered the lake. I don't know what I'd find there tomorrow, but it is worth a slight detour to take a look.

Today was another glorious day. Sunny and in the low 60s. I pruned oaks we planted a little too close to the driveway, and when both the batteries for my little cordless pruning saw ran out of juice, I set my folding camp chair in the leaves under those trees, brewed a cuppa, and read two or three Carver stories whilst the batteries recharged.

I think tomorrow is expected to be cooler and gloomy.

>41 weird_O: Sweet Thursday, Bill. Glad to hear your rambling road plans for the day. Just a day trip or are you heading somewhere specific? Let me know what you see at Middle Creek. Seeing scores of snow geese is quite a sight to see. How are you enjoying the Carver collection? It will also be cool & gloomy here for the next few days.

-Jackson & Cooper. Best buds. Bree took these pics a couple of days ago.

Morning, Mark!

>43 msf59: Oh gosh, that is so sweet! I love it.

>44 scaifea: Morning, Amber. You know I had to share that one.

Morning, Mark!

>43 msf59: I love these - the boys are just hanging out.

>43 msf59: - LOL! Reminds me of a pic I took of my nephew, propped on my mother's bed with a teddy bear. The first pic has them almost the same size. The second pic, on the same bed, same position, same teddy bear, but around 8 or 9 months later and it looks like the teddy bear has shrunk! Just you wait; take this same pic of Jackson and Cooper 6 months from now and it will look like Cooper has shrunk!

>43 msf59: That's so adorable!

>40 msf59: It's a great deal, no matter what, for a birder. All the owls in the world!

Welp. Thursday. Yeup.

>47 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! Hooray for the best buds!

>48 jessibud2: Morning, Shelley. I think that would be a cool idea of taking the same pics at different stages of Jackson's life. I will have to float the idea with Bree. Thanks.

>49 richardderus: Morning, RD. It is an ugly day here so visiting Jackson may give us a little sunshine. I agree the owl book is a great deal.

Love the Jackson and Cooper pics!

Happy new thread, Mark. Enjoying seeing your birding adventures and new photos of Jackson.

>51 katiekrug: Best buds for sure, Katie!

>52 bell7: Thanks, Mary. Good to see you. Glad you like my birding and Jackson updates. These will continue.

Mark, a friend just told me about a relatively new series, so far only 3, by an author I have not heard of, based here in Ontario. He writes mysteries with birds as a theme. She is going to lend me one. I am not generally a reader of mysteries but she said I'd enjoy them so I will give one a try. I will come back later with more info (author's name, titles, etc)

>43 msf59: The good parts of life.

>54 jessibud2: Please do, Shelley. Thanks for thinking of me.

>55 quondame: Amen, Susan.

The Media's new thing is to say we cannot Thank You Veterans for your Service,

so Thank You for being Brave enough to try to defend this strange country!

Made it back, Mark. I didn't get lost lost, but I got off course and missed the wildlife center. I expected to see some signs to help me, but no.

>58 weird_O: Aw, bummer! I was looking forward to the wildlife center report, Bill. Maybe next time?

^I just finished up a solid police thriller, on Netflix, that I can recommend. It is set in Copenhagen. The killer marks his targets with creepy chestnut figurines. It can be pretty grisly at times. It is also based on the book The Chestnut Man, which I have not read. I am also enjoying "Welcome to Utmark", an offbeat Norwegian drama, with plenty of dark edges to it. This can be found on HBOMAX. I like shows set in interesting places.

Morning, Mark!

You do like the dark stuff - ha! I admit that Utmark looks interesting despite the dark edges...

>61 scaifea: Morning, Amber. Yes, I do like the dark stuff, as long as it is confined to my books and TV viewing. Utmark has it's share of colorful, flawed characters, all well-acted.

>60 msf59: Thanks for the tip on The Chestnut Man - now to convince D that it's ok for her to watch it... 😀

Hi Mark! Thanks for the advice yesterday. 😁 Ah! I've been liking Scandinavian thrillers. 🙂

>63 drneutron: I think you will like the series, Jim. Well-written show. Nice atmosphere.

>64 The_Hibernator: You are welcome, Rachel. Anytime. Good luck to Aaron.

I'm entirely sure that, when you get to The Chestnut Man on pages, you'll think highly of it. I'm glad the Netflix version's good, too!

>66 richardderus: Hey, RD. It is doubtful I will get to The Chestnut Man in print. I am not reading much mystery books these days but I am glad to hear you liked it. Check out the Netflix show.

^Well, I am all ready to go with Swann's Way. I have my Penguin Drop Caps edition, with the Lydia Davis translation, (thanks again, RD!) If anyone would like to join our little group read, you are more than welcome. We will read it at our own leisurely pace. I am not going to set up a separate thread for this but everyone is free to leave their comments right here.





-Lydia Davis

Just dropping by to wish you a "Happy Weekend, Mark!" Love the Jackson and Cooper photos and am hoping to see many more in future.

Hi Mark, I am finally finished with all my planning and setting up of threads for the 2022 Category Challenge and now I have to catch up with everyone. I have The Chestnut Man on my kindle so will probably try to get it read before I watch it on Netflix. I have also taken note of Did you Hear What Eddie Gein Done - you know me, I like to walk on the dark side every now and again!

>68 msf59: You are tempting me... I have at least two editions of Swann's Way. My husband had a music professor in college, who became a life-long friend (he passed away in 2009). He used to point to his lovely editions of Proust's entire work and say "I don't think I'm quite old enough to read him yet, but one of these days..." I don't know if he ever got around to it, but when I do I know he'll be on my mind.

>69 alcottacre: Happy Weekend, Stasia! I got to hang with Jackson, Duke & Cooper yesterday. The Boys!!

>70 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy. You are set for 2022, eh? Pretty impressive. I will watch for your thoughts on The Chestnut Man and then I highly recommend the Netflix show. I am glad I got your attention with Eddie Gein. It is a very good GN.

>71 laytonwoman3rd: Hi, Linda. I would hope you can join us for Swann's Way in memory of your professor friend. It's nice to read it in a small group. Perfect excuse.

Kindle Daily Deals:Two of my favorites- Blood Meridian https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XT60E0?ref_=pe_170810_612593700_kddgb_4_lm

& Into the Wild- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000SEFNMS?ref_=pe_170810_612593700_kddgb_7_lm

^Of course, I own print copies of both.

Morning, Mark. It is, it is.

I have the Proust. I also have three other books I've already started. So what's a fourth? I can deal with it. I think...

I liked Into the Wild! They're really cheap, too, these sale files.

I'm really having trouble finishing Reckless: The Petrified Flesh. I enjoy it, I appreciate it, and I don't want to rush it, but I need to get it off my plate so I can get to other things! *sigh*

So on to Winter in Sokcho it is. Nice short read. Just what the doctor ordered.

>74 weird_O: Happy Saturday, Bill. I just started the Proust. It takes some focus in the early going. Like many classic books, I am sure it will take me a bit to get into the rhythm of the narrative.

>75 richardderus: Hooray for another Into the Wild fan. Good luck finishing Petrified Flesh. Winter in Sokcho sounds interesting.

>76 msf59: Morning, Mark, or, as our new Master would say - "For a long time, I went to bed early."

As I wrote on Joe's thread, as you ease into the start of Combray, one may wonder why people say that reading Proust is so difficult.

Then up pops "metempsychosis," which sends many of us to dictionaries. Inspired to compare with "reincarnation?" Whew.

As we are lulled back in, on page 2 comes "kaleidoscope of darkness,"
which may lead to wonder if you think of your own light circling kaleidoscopes.

Happy Saturday, Mark! I hope it has been a good one!

Happy weekend, Mark! I was thinking of joining in the Proust read, but right now it seems a bit much for me.

>77 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. LOL. Only 20 pages into Swann's Way. A bit slow getting into the rhythm of it but I am I am starting to connect to it. Have you read the entire series?

>78 alcottacre: Happy Saturday, Stasia. It has been a good day. Thanks.

>79 banjo123: Happy Saturday, Rhonda. I wish you could join us on the Proust. I am sure everyone will be reading it at their own pace.

^Read to me, Grandpa! I love his kaleidoscope of expressions. I can't get enough of this kid.

>81 msf59: That looks so "Oh wow, what's next?", "What, wait, you stopped!"

>80 msf59: Mark - 20 pages of Proust already!

I'm still on page four, wondering about the "torment" of being put to bed early...
then remembered the times I got sent to bed while it was still light outside...
both as punishment and to recover from Measles. (had to look up spelling - it's been about 70 years!)

>81 msf59: He looks very serious about whatever it is that you are reading to him - he is taking it all in!

>30 msf59: grisly and disturbing??! I could call myself drawn to dark, but grisly and disturbing might be a step too far for me....and unspeakable atrocities?? *faints*
lol

>82 quondame: Yes, Jackson's shape-shifting expressions get me every time. if that doesn't put a smile on your face, nothing would.

>83 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. I am so glad you are reading along with us in Swann's Way. The only way I can get through it, is by reading a certain chunk a day. I am hoping 40 to 50. We will have to see if I can manage that. Glad it brought back a few childhood memories.

>84 alcottacre: I had The Fortune Men with me that day, Stasia, so that is what he was focused on. I am not sure what he is going to think of Proust. LOL.

>85 LovingLit: Hi, Megan. Gein was a seriously disturbed man, so I could not downplay it. "Unspeakable atrocities" about sums it up.

^A friend and I went and saw the latest adaptation of Dune. It is also currently playing on HBOMax but I really wanted to see it on the big screen and that was the correct decision. It is a stunning looking film and ended up surpassing my middling expectations. I would give it 3 out of 4 stars. The cast was fine and so was the pacing, which I thought would drag. Sadly I had never read the original novel but when I visited with Joe he lent me Dune: the Graphic Novel, Book 1. I did have enough time to finish it before the film but it set things up for me pretty well. Thanks, Joe.

**There were only 8 or so people in the theater, so we had at least 3 or 4 rows to ourselves. Whew!

Yay for Dune! I hope you can get round to the novel at some point because I think you'd love it.

>88 scaifea: Hi, Amber! I did enjoy the GN or at least the first volume. Maybe, I will try the book at some point.

>87 msf59: Yahoo! I'm really glad the experience set you up for a good time. I'm not sure I'll ever go back into a movie theater...not just the plague worries but the pain problems, and the part of the Northeast I'm in doesn't have any Alamo Draft House-type theaters.

>90 richardderus: - *whispers* There's an ADH in Brooklyn...

Happy Sunday, Mark! I'm glad you enjoyed your outing to see Dune. TW watched it at home and seemed to enjoy it.

>90 richardderus: Did you watch Dune yet on HBO Max? Curious to hear your thoughts. ADH theaters?

>91 katiekrug: Hi, Katie. I take it you had no interest in seeing Dune?

“Once in my room, I had to stop up all exits, close the shutters, dig my own grave by undoing my covers, put on the shroud of my nightshirt. But before burying myself in the iron bed which they had added to my room because I was too hot in the summer under the rep curtains of the big bed, I had a fit of rebelliousness, I wanted to attempt the ruse of a condemned man.” Page 31

“Narrative devices intended to arouse curiosity or emotion, certain modes of expression that make one uneasy or melancholy, and that a reader with some education will recognize as common to many novels, appeared to me- who considered a new book not as a new thing having many counterparts, but as a unique person, having no reason for existing but in itself...” Page 45

Swann's Way update: I am 50 pages in. It was a slow start but it is getting easier as it goes along, with lovely flashes of narrative brilliance. Most of these early pages are about our childish narrator refusing to go to bed until he is kissed by his mother. LOL.

Has anyone else started the novel? I think Marianne reported being on page 5.

>92 msf59: - Not really my thing, despite TW's best efforts :)

Alamo Draft House theaters started in Texas and are of the full menu, adult beverages, dine-in-your-seat variety. They were one of the first chains to do it, and they are super quirky and do lots of fun things, in addition to showing the latest releases.

>93 msf59: Mark - Likely Poe and Proust could have had many Great Meet-Ups!

>87 msf59: I'm going to see it tomorrow Mark.

>93 msf59: I will start at the end of the month. I have three commitments before, including a tome for a work book group.

>93 msf59: I did get a copy from the library, but am now, well on the computer, but the book I'm reading is Woman on the Edge of Time which is sort of misery porn just now, so I'm taking a break over in Liaden™ space for feel goods.

>86 msf59: OK, I will answer to Shelley, Mack. LOL.

Happy Sunday, Mark!

Mark, I am still thinking about reading Swann's Way; I have the Montcrieff translations, but I wanted to try a newer translation. I thought I had picked one up, but can't find it. So I did reserve at the library, will see how long it takes.

I LOVED this book as a young person. But now I am older, not sure how it will work.

>97 quondame: Also, how are you liking Women on the Edge of Time? It's been years since I read, and thinking of gifting it to my daughter, as she likes feminist dystopian fiction, but is it too 70's for a young person? Sorry, Mark for the digression.

>100 banjo123: It is that version of 70s that white people sympathized with from a safe distance, but it has a strong current/undertow what it's like to have no advantage coupled with a sensitive intelligence that recreates a now we'd run from if only we could. I don't feel it's a young persons book, not just because of beatings and rape but the lack of admission and outrage about those.

>83 m.belljackson: Torment of being put to bed early? That was mentioned in Moby Dick, too. 🤣😂 Was it a punishment to a kid?

I have tried reading Swann's way in the past and know, like Mark, I will only be able to handle small chunks at a time because of the density.

>92 msf59:, >91 katiekrug: Brooklyn? What is this "Brooklyn" of which you speak? Rob's just moved to Poughkeepsie to go to CIA (which I insisted he do, but damn!), so that's a place I just ain't goin'.

I did see the film.

Cheekbones ≠ acting.

>91 katiekrug: I've actually been to that Alamo Draft House! We saw something silly like The Incredibles, but it was a nice way to see a movie. Turns out there are a couple ADH's here in Northern VA. That may be the only way to get me back into a cinema.

*** Hi Mark! ***

>94 katiekrug: They have similar dine in theaters here, Katie but I am not really a fan of them. Too many distractions.

>95 m.belljackson: Good point, Marianne. How far did you get today?

>96 Caroline_McElwee: Looking forward to your thoughts on Dune, Caroline. I am also glad you will be getting to the Proust later in the week.

>97 quondame: How is "misery porn", Susan? Not familiar with that particular genre. Grins...

>98 alcottacre: Not sure how that happened, Stasia. And don't call me Mack. LOL.

>99 banjo123: Happy Sunday, Rhonda. I hope you can join us for a reread of Swann's Way.

>102 The_Hibernator: Happy Sunday, Rachel. I did not remember that in Moby Dick. LOL. I hope you decide to join us on the Proust, even if it will be in small chunks.

>103 richardderus: Hey, RD. So I take it you didn't really care for the film. I agree they lingered too much on Timothée Chalamet, but I like him as an actor so I thought that was a minor distraction.

>104 lauralkeet: Hi, Laura. Thanks for your comments on ADH. Actually I really enjoyed The Incredibles, but it has been many years.

>105 msf59: When nasty things continuously happen to someone who can't get away just because of who has them in their power.

>102 The_Hibernator: Where was the bed "torment" in Moby-Dick? Ishmael? I missed that one!

My reading is going a lot slower than Mark's, trying to let Proust's world envelop my night-time reading.

This is a second reading and mostly what I remember is father's impatience, Mother's kiss,
being in love with Combray, wondering about 'Gilbert and Albert' and the Madeline.

>105 msf59: I could always call you worse things, I guess :)

>108 m.belljackson: It was way at the beginning of the book. Ishmael mentioned that his stepmother did it as a punishment once and dwelled on how horrible it had been.

>106 msf59: It was...okay. It could have been a whole lot worse but lawd it wasn't great...very, very pretty to look at; very exciting; but too loud or too soft, too dark-brown, and if I'd never read the book I wouldn't've known what the hell was happening.

Rob sat there staring at the screen for a minute, said, "who are these people and why should I care?" (Although I am informed that if Jason Momoa/Duncan Idaho crooks a little finger at him, I will just have to forgive Rob's straying.)

>111 richardderus: Yep, too brown, too loud, too soft. But I did enjoy the human scenery.

I didn't get to the Proust on Sunday. I was chilling my buns at a field hockey tourney that my granddaughter was playing in. The scholastic game is over, and Gracie is on a club team. This was a small warmup tourney for teams of Under 19-year-olds. Saturday was a tourney of teams of Under 16s. Gracie is 16, but she qualified for that series based on a birthday-cutoff. Saturday was brutal, rain, wind, cold. The umbrella I had is trash, and so is the one my DiL lent me as a replacement. Sunday was much better because it was dry.

I'll get to Proust this week.

>107 quondame: Perfect explanation, Susan.

>108 m.belljackson: Thanks for your thoughts on the Proust, Marianne. I should be able to read a good chunk of it this week. I will give regular updates.

>109 alcottacre: You certainly could, Stasia. Grins...

>111 richardderus: Not sure seeing it on the big screen enhanced my appreciation of the film but I liked it more than you and Rob. I liked Jason Momoa too. I wish he could have lasted longer.

>113 weird_O: Hey, Bill. The Proust can wait. The granddaughter takes precedent. Sorry the weather was cruddy, though. I am sure Swann's Way will take you awhile to get through, so I suggest starting it ASAP.

-Harry Bliss

Morning, Mark! I have read the first 160 pages of the Proust, and I am liking it, but I think it's one you definitely have to in the mood for. Thriller it is not, but the writing is lyrical and thought-provoking.

>115 msf59: Ha! That's what our Indiana yard was like.

>115 msf59: >116 Crazymamie: Oooh, yes! My parents' yard in Indiana used to be like this, too, when I was a kid (they've since had to cut down several of the old trees). I *loved* Raking Day - we'd spend honestly a good part of the day raking them all up into giant piles and then that evening after dinner we'd burn them. Best smell in the world.

>110 The_Hibernator: >114 msf59: Yikes, I will go back and read it to compare his experience with Marcel's.

Going slowly, I'm up to page 44 where he delivers:

"Dead forever? Possibly.

I find the Celtic belief very reasonable...

It is the same with our past. It is a waste of time for us to try to summon it."

Help? this is irony, right?

Have a great week-ahead's reads, Birddude. I'm just hoping the sequel will come to a better end than this one.

>112 quondame: Yep.

A junco, Mark! I had a junco visit this morning! Finally! :-)

>116 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie! Congrats on reading 160 pages of the Proust. That is impressive. I should be just over a 100 pages by the end of the day. Yes, we did not expect this to be a thrilling page-turner but the lovely writing is making up for that. Glad the comic brought back some Indiana memories. I like fall but I do not like raking.

>117 scaifea: Glad that comic stirred up some wonderful memories, Amber. No more leaf burning. Now you have to bag it and in many places pay for it .I try to mulch as much as I can.

>118 m.belljackson: Marianne is at 44 pages! Yah! I am currently at 75 and hoping to read another 30 or more. Yes, I would call that quote irony.

>119 richardderus: Hey, RD. Busy morning, with food shopping and other errands. Light snow falling out there right now. Good afternoon to hang with the books.

>121 msf59: My parents are way out in the country and if they still had enough leaves to pile and burn, I suspect they still would. But yeah, you can't do that in town.

>120 jessibud2: Hooray for the dark-eyes junco, Shelley. I am sure you will see others over the next few months. This photo I took a couple weeks ago. I have not been seeing them every day but just enough.

-Clay Jones

>124 msf59: Sad, but true.

>125 richardderus: With no end in sight, RD.

^ I shared this one with Charlotte, our resident penguin lover. I think Jackson rocked it!

>127 msf59: Ah, another penguin lover. Awkward flightless birds, gotta love 'em. Cute kid, of course.
A Patreon author had a teenage werewolf explaining penguins to a vampire earlier today.

I'm a fan of penguins too, (who wouldn't be unless in close proximity...smell!!).

>127 msf59: Jackson looks perfect in his penguin sleeper!

>128 quondame: What book or story was that? It sounds like something I'd like to read.

>130 SilverWolf28: Wen Spencer is working on the sequel to Black Wolves of Boston which falls into the urban fantasy sub-genre with werewolves and vampires and others, but not in the young woman between two guy trope, but they form community against other bad forces. I love Wen Spencer's books as all of them are fun reads and she plays differently with the toys in the box.

Hi Mark, I’m woefully behind so I can’t say that I’m all caught up here. But photos always catch my eye especially a little cutie like Jackson!

I took note of your TV viewing recommendations. They sound intriguing.

Morning, Mark! Love Jackson rocking those penguins. He sure is a cutie.

In Swann's Way I finished up Part I, and have started on Part 2.

Morning, Mark!

>127 msf59: Jackson looks so sweet and cuddly in that one! Adorable, as always.

Keep those photos coming!

>128 quondame: I love penguins too, Susan. I doubt I will ever get a chance to see one though, in the wild, of course.

>129 mdoris: More penguin & Jackson love! Yah, Mary!

>132 Copperskye: Hi, Joanne. Thanks for stopping by and catching up. Expect more Jackson pics, especially since I have no bird pics in the pipe. In regards to TV viewing- I am also enjoying HBOs Scenes From a Marriage. Great acting showcase.

>133 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie. Making the early rounds today, eh? I think Jackson just about rocks whatever he is wearing, right? Wow! You are moving right along with Swann's Way. I am just over a 100 pages. We are hanging in there.

>134 scaifea: Morning, Amber. Yes, Jackson is undeniably cuddly. I plan on getting back over there on Friday and I am sure more photos will be taken.

124) The Fortune Men by Nadifa Mohamed 4 stars

Cardiff’s Tiger Bay is a bustling port city in Wales. The year is 1952 and we are introduced to Mahood Mattan, a smooth talking young Somali. He is a father, gambler and petty criminal. After a brutal murder of a shopkeeper, Mahood suddenly finds himself a suspect and he is soon arrested. His lawyer, along with the help of his estranged but devoted Welsh wife try to build a defense for the innocent man. Mahood has escaped other difficult scrapes in his life but the odds are against him here, as he desperately hopes they find the real killer before his own execution.
This is a solid, well-written novel, with strong lead characters. It was short-listed for the Booker Prize and I have no problem with that.

*Thanks to Ellen for passing this book along to me. If anyone else is interested, I would gladly keep the joy going.

>138 msf59: - Clearly that guy doesn't have pets who want breakfast when they want breakfast and don't care if you are retired...;-)

>138 msf59: Heh. I do so love being reminded that, under ordinary circs, I'm *totally*on*my*own* time-wise. *happy sigh*

>127 msf59: Auntie Stasia will have to find him one with owls on it!!

>137 msf59: That one is in my December TBR stack :)

>139 jessibud2: And that would be me, Shelley. I am still resisting another pet, although Sue would like another dog. She does understand it would put a glitch in our freedom, so, so far I am winning.

>140 richardderus: It is a good life, RD, although I still go to bed early and get up early. A lifestyle that completely suits me.

>141 alcottacre: Ooh, Auntie Stasia has a wonderful suggestion. I will have to pass that onto Jackson's Mom or grandmother. I am sure you will enjoy The Fortune Men when you get to it.

^Back to the Arb this morning, after being gone from there for a couple of months. It was a beautiful fall day. It has been exactly 2 weeks since my tumble and I am still sore but I am trying to get out more and more. Only saw 11 species, the highlight being a pair of red-breasted nuthatches.

>142 msf59: It does happen every now and again that I have good suggestions. Not very often though. I do not want to spoil everyone :)

>143 msf59: Lovely, just lovely.

^Wow! Feral Creatures for 3 bucks?? That is a Kindle steal! It just came out in August. S.T. would be ecstatic. I grabbed my copy:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PV4K8XZ?ref_=pe_170810_612715720_kdd_btf_1_lm

>144 alcottacre: Do not underestimate yourself, fellow Owl Lover! Actually I was looking for a barred owl this morning. I have seen them a few times at the Arb. No go today.

>146 msf59: Ah, too bad. I do love seeing the owl pictures that you post, Mark.

>145 msf59: I saw that today! Such a great deal on such a delight of a book.

>143 msf59: Pretty, pretty day to be out stalking our feathered friends. (Dirty old man! Give those red-breasted nuthatches their privacy! Sheesh, these humans....)

>143 msf59: - Red-breasted nuthatches are daily visitors to my feeder, Mark. And I am happy to report a few more juncos this morning, too, in addition to the house finches and cardinals. But I am NOT happy to report that a pigeon is back, hanging around and where there is one, there are sure to be more. I am almost beside myself. I don't want to have to deprive the songbirds by taking in the feeder again especially in the winter, but I am running out of ideas for how to keep the pigs away. Lucky for them my aim (with little pebbles I have stockpiled) is terrible. I don't actually want to hit or hurt them but I want them to be nervous and think this isn't a safe place to hang out and just go somewhere else.

>137 msf59: Cardiff’s Tiger Bay is a bustling port city on the coast of England. No, no, no, no Mark you must never ever ever say such a thing!! Do you realise how much trouble even whispering such a sentence could get you in if you ever chose to visit Cardiff? Cardiff is NOT in England. Cardiff is in Wales. It is not the same thing at all.

Sorry I got so agitated by your first sentence that I didn’t actually read past that. I will go and read the rest now.

>143 msf59: That photo is full of gorgeous! You framed it perfectly, Mark.

>150 SandDune: - LOL. When I read that, I thought to myself, "I hope Rhian doesn't see this!"

>143 msf59: - Great photo, Mark. Glad you had a good ramble!

Hi Mark: I'd be interested in Fortune Men if it is still available.

>147 alcottacre: I sure hope I can get some owl photos for you and me, Stasia. I should get some chances over the next few months.

>148 richardderus: So you are another fan of Feral Creatures, eh? Not surprised. Yep, you caught this dirty old man out. I have a fixation on both white-breasted and red-breasted. If there were brown-breasted I would be guilty of that, as well. Grins...

>149 jessibud2: I love the fact that you get red-breasted nuthatches at your feeders, Shelley. I have never seen one at my own but some of my birding friends have. Bummer about the pigeons. Is there any kind of deterrent for them.

>150 SandDune: I feel terrible and ignorant, Rhian. Please forgive this uninformed Warbler. I quickly looked on a map, saw it was in the UK and made a rash decision. I corrected it. Any chance you will read the book? Grins...

>151 Crazymamie: It took me a couple of tries, Mamie but I finally settled on this one. Trying to get more fall color but it didn't quite work.

>152 katiekrug: Yep, I seriously fumbled on that one, Katie. The main protagonist married a Welsh woman but I still did not make the connection. I am enlightened now. Whew!

>153 BLBera: It is yours, Beth. PM me your address.

>124 msf59: That hits close to home here this week. It seems BC is at the forefront of climate change.

>149 jessibud2: I had a similar problem, but was able to train my dog to keep crows, and only crows, away from the feeders.

Okay, Fellow Proustians,
I'm up to page 66 and so headed to Search for Combray
to see if the fabled Steeple of St. Hilaire still stands. All Yours!

>257 banjo123: - I have no dogs and my cats are indoor cats. My neighbours must think I am crazy because I have been known to chase the damned pigeons with the spray bottle, too. And guess what they do? They pretend to fly off and just land on the road, just out of my reach. I really hate that pigeons (and if I am honest, squirrels, too) can outsmart me. I am not even sure why they come. I have only one feeder, it's a tube feeder with the cage that slides down to cover the ports for any bird heavier than a songbird (they never actually attempt to land on the feeder anyhow) and I use sunflower hearts, no shells and little, if any, spillage. So why they waste their time here, I have no idea. They must be bored and think, let's go torture Shelley. ;-p

>154 msf59: - None, as far as I know, Mark. I asked at the bird store. I emailed and asked at the website for Feeder Watch. No one has any practical solutions. :-(

>155 msf59: You are forgiven Mark!

>131 quondame: Sounds really interesting.

>156 Familyhistorian: Why is BC at the climate change forefront, Meg. I better research...

>157 labfs39: That must have been a heck of a dog, Lisa. I am impressed.

>158 m.belljackson: Thanks for your Proust update, Marianne. I hope I am not ruining anything but the "Steeple of St. Hilaire"
survives. I am at 160.

>159 jessibud2: It sounds like you have tried different things, Shelley. What a bummer. I hope they move on. We do not have any issues with pigeons or at least we do not have any in the 'burbs. We just have mourning doves stop by regularly.

>160 SandDune: Quite a relief, Rhian. Grins...

-Dave Whamond

>163 msf59: Ugh. Yep.

>164 scaifea: I sure hope they make the right decision here, Amber. If not, we are in bring trouble.

>165 msf59: Agreed.

Hi Mark. You might want to check a link I put on my thread. Great photos and not a pigeon among 'em! Ha! ;-)

>166 scaifea: Fingers crossed...

>167 jessibud2: Morning, Shelley. I checked out the excellent photos. I like the mix of common with more rarities.

>163 msf59: Revolting. I hope that, when he's released, he's assassinated.

Happy Wednesday, Mark!

>162 msf59: Mark, yes, and what a solid and beautiful steeple St. Hilaire is, helping to make Illiers a destination

and not just because it may be the only town in the world that changed it's name for a book!

>169 richardderus: The verdict will probably not change anyone's views but I sure hope the jury does the right thing, RD.

>170 alcottacre: Back at you, Stasia. I did get to see a couple of barred owls this morning but at a wildlife center. Still a cool experience.

>171 m.belljackson: I did not know that, Marianne. Getting some more pages read today?

"The air was saturated with the finest flower of a silence so nourishing, so succulent, that I could move through it only with a sort of greed, especially on those first still cold mornings of Easter week when I tasted it more keenly because I had only just arrived in Combray...” page 55

“Always try to keep a piece of sky over your life, little boy’, he would add, turning to me. ‘ You have a lovely soul, of a rare quality, an artist’s nature, don’t ever let it go without whatever it needs.’” page 75

“My walks that autumn were all the more pleasant because I took them after long hours spent over a book. When I was tired from reading all morning in the parlor, throwing my plaid over my shoulders I would go out...” page 173

I am hanging in there, at a 190 pages. I should start Part Two today. Yes, there are some eye-glazing passages but the lovely ones continue to keep the pages turning, albeit a bit slowly. I do love all the walks this family takes. Europeans are so much better than that, than Americans.

How is everyone else doing?

Just hit the jackpot at my feeder, Mark. Within 10 minutes, here is what I saw: a ton of juncos, a few red-breasted nuthatches, a pair of house finches, a female cardinal (whose breast looked yellow! But it could be a trick of the light as it's gray and rainy here today), a downy woodpecker, even a chickadee, which I haven't seen in ages. Also, a robin hopped across the lawn! Rarely see those in November. This is why I hate to take in the feeder! No sign of the pigeon. Hey, maybe the juncos will swarm and dive bomb him if he shows up! That'll teach him! :-)

>174 jessibud2: That is an awesome feeder report, Shelley. I am sure that put a big smile of your face. Congrats on the robin. I have not seen one in my yard, in several weeks.

Just reporting in, you Grand Proustian Poobah. I'm seriously mulling if this is the time to commence to begin Swann's Way.

>173 msf59: Hi Mark - got Proust into the hundred, yet, as my daughter would say, bored "beyond heavenly belief,"
with the mean great-aunt, with repetitive Aunt Leonie, with Eulalia ...

Literary gems got harder to find and I'm still mystified by the bottom of page 89 where, so far as I've read and noticed,
he mentions "you" as though he's been writing to 'you" all along...???

>174 jessibud2: Just saw a book title for you: Where Pigeons Don't Fly...

I'm procrastinating on the Proust, off reading for TIOLI challenges and the currently hopeless task of keeping up with my just about to be due library books. And @richardderus isn't helping with his reviews of essential seeming reading......

>163 msf59: Sigh.

Good luck with the Proust.

>179 quondame: *preens*

>176 weird_O: Howdy, Bill. You make the call on the Proust. I know we are not exactly raving about it, so I see your point, but I am glad that I am finally tackling it.

>177 m.belljackson: I hope you stick with it, Marianne. I am enjoying your comments. I am still finding enough gems but I agree this is not a smooth, easy read. I should be into the 2nd half of it, later today.

>179 quondame: So you have not started Swann's Way yet, Susan? I agree the other book commitments along with Richard's tireless barrage of promising titles makes it difficult.

>180 BLBera: Thanks, Beth. I am hanging in there with it.

>181 richardderus: As you should...

-Jason Adam Katzenstein.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Thursday to you! I hope you have a great solo jaunt today.

I've drawn a line in the sand and will not try to catch up.

I did scroll up to see the cartoon and saw >182 msf59:. I think that I have a pretty major excuse for not attempting it at this time, although I did read all 16 pages of the intro and A Note on the Translation before my heart attack. I'd like to think that I'd be firmly entrenched in it right now, but the only thing I've been able to even attempt is The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan, which friend Rhoda sent to me the other day.

>173 msf59: I plan to pick this up next week Mark.

Hi Mark. I was driving home about an hour ago, from the supermarket and about 2 blocks from my house, I noticed a corner house whose lawn looked a bit *busy*. It took just a moment to register that it was FILLED with starlings! I mean, easily 50 or more!! Thankfully, I don't get them at my place and though I know they are pests to some people, I have always found them to be really beautiful. But they do travel in swarms and I'd hate for such a large swarm to interfere with my little songbirds. Still, it was quite a sight!

Proust. It is a propitious day for reading this man's work, since it is the 99th anniversary of his death.

Happy Thursday, Mark!

>184 karenmarie: Sweet Thursday, Karen. Great to see you back, my friend. I did get out on my solo jaunt but it was cold & windy so I didn't last long. I understand you putting the Proust aside for now but I hope you pick it up again at some point.

>185 Caroline_McElwee: I am looking forward to your thoughts on the Proust, Caroline. As you can tell by the response over here, it is a challenging read.

>186 jessibud2: Love the starling report, Shelley. They are migrating in large flocks and you got to see it. They usually land in open fields so I don't think you have to worry about them visiting bird feeders.

>187 weird_O: I love the word "propitious", Bill. An interesting reminder.

>188 alcottacre: Big Waves to Stasia!

>182 msf59: Not yet, and not real soon. My current read is a bit of a clog too - written for guys in the 1930s it is cemented to its time.

>183 msf59: That picture leaves out the smells which make the dogs experience much richer!

Hey there Birddude, happy...um...what day is it, again...oh yeah, Thursday!

Chouette kept me awake until 4a and then, after being weird and not very nice to me, then the damned book refused to let me sleep until I'd reviewed it and rated it 4 stars in spite of my wanting to rate it 2 or 2.5!

The nerve! Bullying damned story.

>190 quondame: As you can tell from the other participants, there is no rush. I thought it just might be easier to read it along with a small group than toughing it out alone. Great point about the doggie scent.

>191 richardderus: Happy Thursday, Richard. My wife's schedule keeps me on track. Your reading has been stellar of late. Keep it up.

I am just grinding away with Proust. This whole section is about Swann in Love!

>189 msf59: We get lots of starlings in the summer when they are feeding their babies, but not this time of year. I quite like them, they are so noisy and argumentative, and they never stay very long so the other birds seem fine.

I saw a Greater Spotted Woodpecker at the bird feeder today, a bird I have never seen in the garden before, so was very excited. It seemed keen on our peanuts, so hopefully will come back.

>192 msf59: Hi Mark - your mention of reading along "with a small group" reminds me of around a year after joining LT, in maybe 2018.

I signed up to an Invitation for a group read of And the Earth Did Not Devour Him No Se Lo Trago La Tierra.

The Leader guided us with the number of pages to read, with relevant questions.
He responded in depth to all our answers and questions.

A young teacher/professor at a boy's alternative school in California (M. Neutron would likely remember his name),
he expanded the book which he had taught for years so that we all got enlightened, English and Spanish.
He then disappeared from LT.

I of course assumed that any person suggesting a Group Read would also be A Guide!

>193 SandDune: Hi, Rhian. European Starlings are considered an invasive species here but not by me and not by many of my birding friends. I like seeing them and they don't cause any havoc in our area. Ooh, I would love to see a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Nice sighting.

>194 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. Are you implying that I am doing a lousy job on leading this group read? LOL. Hey, I never considered it more than an informal group read. More of a shared read than anything. I have hosted formal group reads in the past, along with hosting the AAC for 5 years, so I do know what it takes. Honestly, I am not sure I would sure I would have had the smarts to lead a formal one of this one. It is a challenge.

>162 msf59: The Province of BC has once again declared a state of emergency (third time this year). We've had heat, fires and now flooding. It was major with people stranded, a town evacuated, highways washed out. Victoria and Vancouver are cut off from the rest of Canada. Not good as Vancouver is a major port. So it was a record breaking weather event due to climate change.

>196 Familyhistorian: That sounds like a very rough year for the BC, Meg. I am so sorry to hear that. I hope 2022 will be much more kind.

-Steve Breen

>195 msf59: No way, Mark! I know no one (Caps) capable of hosting a formal Proust Group Read!

What books did you do with a "formal read?" That would have been fun with Border Songs.

This is a great informal read - it would be welcome to hear more from other readers.

>199 m.belljackson: Sorry, Marianne. I thought you were getting a dig in. LOL. Honestly, I can't remember what my group reads were. It has probably been a decade or more but I did a good job. Grins..

>197 msf59: Me too, Mark!

>198 msf59: But they need to both be inside!

>200 msf59: Okay, Mark, but you can still perform as the Reluctant Proust Guide

IF you can:

1. give us some clue about the "you" at the bottom of page 89...?

2. find any LT people who actually grow Hawthorne, pink and white, & are willing
to give growing details...

3. inspire all of us to figure out our own Madeleines...

(the idea of a lime blossom tea soaked soft cookie, however prettily scalloped, is not real appealing)

and, okay, 4. for those of us who are lazy = find an online site with Swann's Vinteuil Sonata...

I tried to work Birds in to keep you awake, but all I get is "Swan"...

Hi Mark! Proust huh? Not in my immediate future, but have fun!

Morning Mark!

I know you are in the middle of Proust, but I stopped by to mention my Friday Reads, which I think you might like. Mary Jane. Daniel from Boswell recommended it to me. Shawn took it right out of the box and read it before me. Loved it. So check it out.

We're headed to Sturgeon Bay today to have lunch with Shawn's mom for her 91st birthday! Haven't seen her since before the pandemic. Her four kids will be together at her daughter's house. It will be a real treat!

Congrats on the 125. I will be fortunate to get half that amount this year, even with all the great books!

>203 m.belljackson: I can do at least an imitation of a Reluctant Proust Guide. I will check into the "You" in page 89. I am also curious about the Hawthorne trees. Here are the French madeleines:



"The Vinteuil Sonata is a fictional musical work described in the novel sequence In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust. The sonata features mainly in the section Swann in Love. The character Charles Swann associates a musical phrase in the piece with his love for Odette de Crécy.

The quote from the novel: "It was on one of those days that Odette happened to play for me the passage in Vinteuil’s sonata that contained the little phrase of which Swann had been so fond."

**I am currently 280 pages in, so making progress.

>201 Familyhistorian: Fingers crossed, Meg.

>202 quondame: Ain't that the truth, Susan.

>204 Berly: Hey, Kimmers! Great to see you. I can see why Proust remains a challenge for many readers but it also proves how impressive it is finish this mammoth work. I will certainly finish the first novel but that will probably be it.

>205 alphaorder: Happy Friday, Nancy. Have a great trip to Sturgeon Bay and Happy Birthday to Shawn's Mom. If you warble this loudly about a book, I usually pay attention. I will look into Mary Jane. Thanks.

Morning, Mark! I used to make madeleines, but somewhere along the way I've misplaced my pan...

'Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you. Enjoy your time with Jackson.

I've got a female Cardinal on the sunflower feeder and saw another bird swoop by too quickly to identify, but otherwise it's very quiet.

>206 msf59: Wow, Mark, Thanks to you for upping our game!

Maybe you folks near a big city bakery can actually taste fresh Madeleines...?

I'll go look up "lime blossom" tea. I'd love to plant a Hawthorne and see it in his full bloom.

Just as Anatole France is supposed to be the actual inspiration for Proust's author, B. (can't find complete name),
I thought there might be an actual Vinteuil composer.

Morning, Mark! I have been powering through the Proust, and I will finish it up today. That second section with Swann in Love is slightly mind-numbing.

"Swann in Love" is often excerpted and read as a stand-alone piece. I see why. But it really sorta misses the point of the exercise, I think, to decide for Proust that this story, Swann's Way, somehow doesn't or needn't count as a *whole* work.

Pro tip: NEVER buy madeleines unless you're in Paris *and* can still smell the baking aroma of them. When they've sat out for an hour or so, they taste a lot like "angel" "food" "cake".

>208 scaifea: Hi, Amber! I am sure your madeleines were fantastic.

>209 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. I had a great time hanging out with Jackson. He is my boy. Thanks for the feeder report. Mine are hopping and I just saw a male cardinal pop into the festivities.

>210 m.belljackson: I am glad I was able to up my game a bit, Marianne. I am not merely middling. I got a lot of reading to get to this afternoon.

>211 Crazymamie: Happy Friday, Mamie. Good for you powering through the Proust. I am stuck in that mind-numbing section. I have a few days left.

>212 richardderus: Hey, RD. Great point about Proust and the In Search of Lost Time project. It is meant to be read as a whole but it is doubtful I will complete it. Did you?

Funny, madeleines are mentioned as being sponge cakes. Not sure if that was the original French intention.

>213 msf59: - A-yup :(

>214 msf59: I have read the whole megillah in the Scott Moncrieff translation...sub-ideal...but only Swann's Way in the Davis translation. I can tell you that, should you decide to take on the entire cycle, you should make double-super-extra certain the she's the translator!! Mr Scott Moncrieff was, um, of his time. She is of ours (and a gifted translator in general).

>213 msf59: Daily.

>206 msf59: I must find my madeleine pan and make those beautires again soon. I made a mountain of them for a party once and they were scrumptious.

>213 msf59: The judge, jury, and Kyle gave everyone even more reasons to hate white people.

>215 katiekrug:

>216 richardderus: It looks like Davis has only translated the first one but I could be wrong. Kudos to you, for finishing the sub-par version.

>217 mdoris: Let me know if you find that madeleine pan, Mary. The cookies sound amazing.

>218 m.belljackson: Amen, Marianne. I hope the reaction on the streets is subdued.

^I was hoping Jackson would be glad to see me today. These photos may tell a different story. There were plenty of smiles too, but I had a harder time capturing those. Regardless, I sure love hanging out with this little guy.

>213 msf59: What a travesty that trial was. And now a misguided kid is an experienced killer with a fan club, and no societal censure whatsoever. What will he do next?

>220 msf59: He continues to try to figure Grandpa out...

>221 laytonwoman3rd: Hi, Linda. I think the beginning of the end started with Trayvon Martin and the Rittenhouse verdict just upped the ante. We are moving into the Dark Ages, my friend. Now, all eyes on the Arbery verdict in Georgia. Sighs...

>206 msf59: I love Madeleines Mark. In Paris there is an annual competition between the boulangeries. Last time I was there, we were staying just round the corner from the winner of the year, so you won't be surprised to know we had a daily dose.

>220 msf59: Ha, I love the look in the second photo Mark.

>220 msf59: Mark, maybe Jackson is trying to tell you which photos he doesn't want shared with his first girlfriend...

>220 msf59: Haven't you taken enough picture? Cuddles please, and read man, read!

>222 msf59: Unbelievable. I am so sad. Scared to hear the Arbery verdict ....

>220 msf59: I think he is just reacting to the verdict, not you. ; )

>206 msf59:
I don't know how Proust used Hawthorne's in his book, but a couple of years ago I read a book titled Mays of Ventadorn by W. S. Merwin. Merwin is an American poet and he lived part of the year in France. I didn't understand the use of the word "Mays" in the title. Turns out that is the name of a tree, specifically the Hawthorne Tree. The area in which Merwin lived in France was famous for its Hawthorne trees and thick stands of this tree were quite common in that area of France. In France the Hawthorne blooms in May - hence the common name - May Tree. Because it was so common in that area it was often referenced in the early poetry and troubadour music of the early Middle Ages and from that beginning became important to poets from that region of France to the present day. The leaves, buds, and stems of the Hawthorne tree are all edible. When the leaves are new on the tree they are used to make salad. The buds are eaten or can be made into a jelly. Hawthorne jelly was traditional in England and France and can be found in many areas of the American South and is considered to be a "traditional" Southern food. The stems are used to make a tisane. Turns out that recent research shows that a tisane of Hawthorne has a chemical in it that can be used to treat chronic heart failure and relieve the symptoms of heart disease. The Hawthorne, or May Tree, is also a traditional symbol of hope. In addition, the wood of the Hawthorne is resistant to rot and absorbs shock quite well so was used to make handles for tools and farm implements. The North American Hawthorne was an important tree to the Native Americans for many of the reasons listed above.

I am not sure if any of this information helps you to figure out why the Hawthorne is important to Proust, but maybe there is an explanation there somewhere.

>220 msf59: He looks a might perturbed in those pictures. Did you wake him from his beauty sleep? (not that he needs it, of course!)

Happy weekend, Mark! I hope you get to spend more time with Jackson!

>223 Caroline_McElwee: Happy Saturday, Caroline. I love the word "boulangeries." Sounds like a dreamy place.

>224 m.belljackson: Good point, Marianne and I think he is going to be quite the ladies man.

>225 quondame: LOL. That is so true, Susan but he did get an abundant of hugs. No reading though.

>226 Berly: Hi, Kimmers! Lets hope they at least get the Arbery case right.

>227 benitastrnad: Hey, Benita. Good to see you. It has been awhile. I miss your visits and book updates. You just supplied us with some solid information on Hawthorne trees, most of which I did not know. I know we have Hawthorne trees here in the Midwest but I am not sure I could identify one. I like the name May Tree:

'Morning, Mark, and happy Saturday to you!

>220 msf59: Inquisitive little face, wondering what Grandpa is doing.

>220 msf59: Love that bottom pic! He has the *raised eyebrow* thing down pat! lol! You better behave yourself, Grandpa, or he might sic Duke on you!

>230 msf59:, >227 benitastrnad: Proust plays with all the subtexts of hawthorns at some point, IIRC, but probably the biggest is Nathaniel....

Happy Saturday!

Morning, Mark!

>220 msf59: I am so jealous of Jackson - he can already do the one eyebrow thing. Something I have yet to perfect.

>230 msf59: Good to know that Hawthornes thrive in the Midwest - I will look to plant a small one in the Spring.

We already have mighty Oaks, including a 150 year old, Maples, purple Lilacs, way too many Black Walnuts and Box Elders,
2 giant Cottonwoods, 2 lovely weeping willows, a white Lilac, a Redbud, Pines, Cedars, Hazelnuts, Hickory, one Apple, Juniper,
a Mountain Ash, Birch, River Birch, and other odd ones that have survived rabbits and deer.

The ones that refused to thrive in the clay soil were Lindens, from which one can make the fabled "lime blossom" tea.
It can be created using Lime flowers or bought as Linden Tea.

>231 karenmarie: Happy Saturday, Karen. How can you not love that "inquisitive little face"? ❤

>232 jessibud2: Thanks, for the warning, Shelley. Grins...As I was telling Sue this morning- I can snap off 10 shots in a row of Jackson and get a different expression in every one.

>233 richardderus: Hey, RD!!

>234 Crazymamie: Happy Saturday, Mamie. I can't do the eyebrow lift either. I will have to see if Bree or Sean can manage it.

>235 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. Are these trees all on your property? If so- WOW! I am trying to learn more about trees, mainly about identification but I am not doing as good as I hoped. I vow to get better.

The White-headed Woodpecker

Quiet. Given to prying more than pecking, an odd member
of the family, lives only in the high pine forests of western

mountains like the Cascades, where I spent an afternoon
almost a decade ago in Roslyn, Washington looking for what

I could find of Black people who’d migrated from the South
almost a century and a quarter prior. The white-headed

woodpecker doesn’t migrate and so is found in its
home range year-round when it can be found. Roslyn,

founded as a coal mining town, drew miners from all over
Europe—as far away as Croatia—across the ocean, with

opportunities. With their hammering and drilling to extract
a living, woodpeckers could be considered arboreal miners.

A habitat, a home range, is where one can feed and house
oneself—meet the requirements of life—and propagate.

In 1888, those miners from many lands all in Roslyn came
together to go on strike against the mine management.

And so, from Southern states, a few hundred Black miners
were recruited with the promise of opportunities in Roslyn,

many with their families in tow, to break the strike. They
faced resentment and armed resistance, left in the dark

until their arrival, unwitting scabs—that healing that happens
after lacerations or abrasions. Things settled down as they do

sometimes, and eventually Blacks and whites entered a union
as equals. Black save for a white face and crown and a sliver

of white on its wings that flares to a crescent when they
spread for flight, the white-headed woodpecker is a study

in contrasts. Males have a patch of red feathers
on the back of their crowns, and I can’t help but see blood.

-Sean Hill

From Poem-A-Day

Way behind on Swann's Way. I had a massive headache all week and didn't get any reading done.

>238 The_Hibernator: Happy Sunday, Rachel. Thanks for checking in. Sorry to hear about the headache. I hope you are doing better now. I also hope you stick with Swann's Way. No question, it is challenging but it has it's rewards. I should finish it today.

Morning, Mark!

>240 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! Books & football. Yah!!

^Jackson turns 3 months old today. Time sure flies and this little guy continues to be a joy.

Aw! Happy 3 months to Jackson! That is a very cute trio of photos to celebrate the moment.

In addition to be increasingly adorable, he is also quite the fashion plate!

>242 msf59: Oh boy...now the pedal hits the metal! Developmental milestones come thick and fast!

I'm glad you're appreciating Proust in Lydia Davis's hands. I sincerely doubt that going further would be wise or desirable. It doesn't change much...Baron de Charlus is still louche.

>243 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie. Those were all from last night. He was so lively in his bouncy chair, kicking his legs and sharing smiles and coos with both Grandma and me. Yep, we were in heaven.

>244 jessibud2: Bree definitely deserves credit for dressing Jack so well. Yep, he is about as adorable as a baby can get.

>245 richardderus: Hey, RD. Yep, I remember that from my own kids. It certainly becomes fast & furious and they suddenly become surly teenagers. I can believe I will be in my mid-70s by then. Shudders...

I so appreciate you recommending the Davis translation. Not sure I would have stuck with it, otherwise.

-Clay Bennett

Hi Mark, and happy Sunday to you! Go Bears! Go Panthers!

>242 msf59: Wow. 3 months. Sweet pics, especially the bottom one. Safe, secure, zoned out.

>246 msf59: Ah yes, the surly teenage years. I’m glad those are behind me, for sure.

>247 msf59: I particularly love the kiddie-scissors he's used to illustrate who's doing the cutting.

>235 m.belljackson:
You can never have enough Black Walnut trees. I spent a good part of my childhood planting them because the drought of the 1950's killed a good many of them in my home area. When I move back I intend to plant several of them in the yard.

As for Linden trees. That was another pet project of my father's. We have two big ones in the front yard and they both bloom in the spring. They stink! They smell horrible and opening the windows of the house were impossible while they were blooming. We had to have them because Lindon trees are traditional for Czech people. We carried water and babied those trees until they grew up enough to survive on their own. Now they are 30 feet high and hide the house from the street. But they still stink and the spring.

>230 msf59: & 233

I wondered why W. S. Merwin would title a book with the word "Mays." It didn't seem to fit, but when I did the research I discovered all those connections to poetry, place, time, and medicine. It made it clear why Merwin, a poet, would use that term. I figured that probably Proust was doing the same thing, or might do the same thing. Especially, given that the Hawthorne is important to French history and culture. Poets can be very subtle, but sometimes they are so obvious that the meaning slips right past us. And, in this case, geographical distance also is a factor. The North American Hawthorne is a relative, but it is different than the European varieties and since we live in the U.S. the historical and French cultural aspects would not be information that we would be likely to know.

My reading is going well. I finished Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris. I found the book good, but not as good as the hype made it out to be. The first half of the book was good, but the last third was just a mess. I couldn't decide if it was magical realism, fantasy, thriller wannabe, or what? I think this is a case of a first time author who had a good idea for a book and then couldn't figure out how to end it. This is not a book that I am going to be recommending as it was just too confusing. It did have great cover art - amazing and eye catching. That was very well done. I listened to the book, and the narrators did a good job of reading but none of that could make up for the problems in it.

On-the-other-hand, I just finished reading Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid and really liked this one. It has so much packed into one book and the narrator for it is excellent. If you are looking for an entertaining book to listen to, try this one. Excellent plot and great characters. It is packed full of social and cultural issues to chew on. It tackles the lack of respect for womens's work as well as race. It is funny and interesting while being provocative. It raises many issues and makes the reader think about them, but doesn't wander and doesn't slap a person in the face with them. An added bonus - It has a Great ending as well. This was a Reece Witherspoon Book Club selection and I have to say that I am gaining more and more respect for the people doing the selecting for this book club. I have read several of these books in the last year and have found them to be literarily accessible as well as thought provoking.

I am listening to/reading the literary thriller The Maidens by Alex Michaelides and am enjoying this literary murder mystery even though I am not fond of the narrator.

I am headed off to visit my sister in Montana for a week. I am facing the trip (through airports) with a bit of trepidation. You may have read on other threads that the book I am taking for my airport reading is To Serve Them All of My Days. It is a oldie but Richard and Bonnie have assured me it is a goodie. My copy is 698 pages in length and I found out that the book is really two books published as one sometime in the 1970's. I figure that will take me through the trips while I am sitting in Denver, Salt Lake City, and Detroit.

>250 benitastrnad: Funny about the Black Walnut trees since there's a guy in Madison who homeowners offer to pay if
he will add them to their list of the places he picks up Black Walnuts.

He then spends his winters shelling hundreds of thousands (this is true) of the nuts, which he then sells.
As you likely know, breaking into the final shell can be sn ordeal even with the best of equipment.

Squirrels here take care of most of them.
Many plants and trees will not grow near Black Walnuts.

But, oh, the taste of Black Walnut Ice Cream!

We've got a pair of hawthorne trees. To me, the singular feature of the hawthorne is the length of its thorns. Some of them top 2 inches in length. Wicked. My wife loved them, but as the groundskeeper, I am less enthusiastic.

I'm thwarting myself with the Project Proust, just by finding books that are immediately more compelling than Swann's Way. Eudora Welty, Roz Chast, Albert Murray on the Blues, James McBride.

So James McBride. I visited my brother yesterday, and in the course of a long chat, he told me about being visited by James McBride. Tom, my bro, has lived in Pottstown roughly 50 years, worked on the newspaper, is on the school board. He got a post card from McBride with a request for Tom to call him. McBride is doing research for a novel, and he was told that Tom would be a good source. So a date is set and McBride drives his Chevy Volt from Brooklyn to Pottstown. A fine time is had by all. Damn! My own smarter younger brother.

>248 karenmarie: Happy Sunday, Karen. It sure helps that Jackson is so photogenic. I am watching the Bears right now. Good luck to your Panthers. They should have a good chance against Washington.

>249 richardderus: Me too, Richard. A perfect touch.

>251 benitastrnad: >252 benitastrnad: Happy Sunday, Benita. I didn't really see a running theme for Hawthorns in Swann's Way but I could have easily missed it in all the verbiage.

Sorry, Other Black Girl didn't work for you. I also enjoyed Such a Fun Age. I think I also did it on audio. To Serve Them All of My Days has also landed on my TBR list. I had never heard of it.

>253 m.belljackson: Ooh, black walnut ice cream. I want some.

Hey, buddy. I probably should be expelled from Librarything. I've fallen so far behind on your thread and everyone else's. How do folks keep up?

the good news is I finished Swann's Way! Thank you for the group read! That's one I was resigned to never checking off the list. I gave my reactions over on my thread. Now I'll peruse yours and find out what you and Marianne, and maybe Mamie, have to say about it.

Hi Mark! I am glad you found Swann's Way worthwhile. Any plans to continue the series?

>242 msf59: Wow. He's more there ever picture. Well, except when he's checked out!

>246 msf59: Teenage people are challenging, but grandparents can often avoid being targeted by the surly and cash in on the fascinating person emerging. Parents, not so much.

Again, such cute photos of the little tyke, Jackson! I totally agree on your writeup of Such a Fun Age -- I loved that one. Have fun on your trip and stay safe! : )

>256 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. I thought you might have got mad at me about something. LOL. Just kidding of course...Congrats on finishing Swann's Way. That makes three of us that finished it and we both share very similar feelings about it. It seemed to really work for Mamie.

>257 banjo123: Hi, Rhonda. I did give Swann's Way a favorable star rating and I am glad I read it, but not nearly enough for me to continue the series.

>258 quondame: >259 quondame: He is our boy, Susan! No question about it. Great points about the emerging teenager.

>260 Berly: Hey, Kimmers. Go Jackson! We have not plans on going away. You might have referred to Benita.

>242 msf59: He just gets more adorable the older he gets!

Happy Sunday, Mark!

My daughter went to school with a Maple and his younger brother was Hawthorn.

>250 benitastrnad: Lol, I love the smell of lindens

>262 alcottacre: Hi, Stasia. I missed you yesterday. I had a fine Sunday and Jackson continues to be adorable.

>263 labfs39: That is an interesting pair of names, Lisa. I wonder if there were any bird names in class, as well. Grins...

Morning, Mark! Yay for finishing Proust and for more Jackson photos!

>265 scaifea: Morning, Amber and thanks. I feel liberated after finishing the Proust. I am free!

"Thomas Savage's (April 25, 1915 – July 25, 2003) acclaimed Western is "a pitch-perfect evocation of time and place" for fans of East of Eden and Brokeback Mountain. Set in the wide-open spaces of the American West, The Power of the Dog is a stunning story of domestic tyranny, brutal masculinity, and thrilling defiance from one of the most powerful and distinctive voices in American literature."

After finally finishing the Proust yesterday, I can move onto something new. Yah! I first heard about The Power of the Dog through film-maker Jane Campion, who recently made a film out of this novel. My library system did not have a copy so I bought it. It sure sounds like my cuppa. This was first published in 1967. I am surprised I had never heard of it.

BTW- The film, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst & Jesse Plemons is currently playing on Netflix and in select theaters. I will see it soon.

>266 msf59: *snork!* Freedom!!

>267 msf59: I generally don't like westerns, but I may be persuaded to watch the movie if Cumberbatch is in it... And I'll be interested in what you have to say about the book!

>268 scaifea: I have been hearing how good Cumberbatch is in this film. A complicated baddie.

'Morning, Mark! Sorry your Bears lost. My Panthers did, too. But I was glad to see the Chiefs win.

I'm glad you finished Swann's Way, congrats.

>270 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. My Bears are a lost cause. We have a promising young quarterback but we need an overhaul, starting with the coach and GM. I did see the Chiefs game. Nice to actually see a talented team play.

I am glad I stuck with the Proust. Do you think you will ever get to it?

Good Monday to you, Mark! It's really difficult to keep up with your awesome thread.
What can I say? Jackson, is a cutie patootie! Keep those pics coming.
I just purchased Dune, the original novel, for Will for Christmas. He's been looking at it but he reads so much in school, he hesitated on buying it. I'm hoping by the time he graduates in May, he'll enjoy reading a non-assigned book.
Sorry about your Bears. Browns won but as usual it was an edge of my seat performance.

Re the Proust - I honestly don't know. I have the Scott-Moncrieff translation on my Kindle and have to return the Davis translation to the Library this week. My reading has been taking a hit lately, so certainly not any time soon. I've tagged it '2022 read', though, and if I get in the mood I hope I'll remember that the Davis translation is preferable.

>272 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda. No worries- there will be plenty of Jackson pics to come. Not sure I will ever get to the original Dune novel but you never know. I did enjoy the volume one of the GN.

I know your Browns have been struggling too, but at least they pulled out a win yesterday. The Bears have dropped 5 straight. Sighs...

>273 karenmarie: I would say try to stick with the Davis translation, if and when you decide to return to the book. I am not sure if I would have stuck with it, with a different translation.

Monday orisons, Grandpa. Spend it wisely and well...but well even if not wisely.

>275 richardderus: Hey, RD. The day is going fine. Doing a couple of chores and lots of reading and feeder watching. The Power of the Dog is off to a strong start. I never did read the Winslow book by the same name, although it was on my TBR at one point.

>264 msf59: Maybe you will like this! Our former neighbour and good friends have a grand-daughter named Sparrow. She is now abut 8 years old.

>267 msf59: Thank you. It comes to Netflix (Canada) Dec. 1st. I like Jane Campion films!

Good for you to have a Proust under your belt!

>267 msf59:, >269 msf59: I am so looking forward to seeing this new Cumberbatch film. He's a terrific actor and I've read some positive reviews of this film. I'm glad it will be out on Netflix right away.

>277 mdoris: Hi, Mary. Hooray for little Sparrow. How cute. Nice to hear from another Jane Campion fan. I recently watched her first 3 films, concluding with her masterful The Piano. I am hoping that The Power of the dog is another gem.

>278 lauralkeet: Hi, Laura. I have heard good things about the film and Cumberbatch's performance. Looking forward to it.
I would like to see it on the big screen but it is currently on a limited release here.

Just heard about Savage on one of the podcasts I listen to Mark (don't remember which one). But I just added the Netflix movie to my queue 😊

No luck at my local library with The Power of the Dog either, Mark. I will be curious to see what you think of it when you are done.

Have a terrific week!

>280 brenzi: I am assuming they were saying positive things about Savage? BTW- Jane Campion the director of The Power of the Dog was also the director of Angel at my Table & The Piano.

>281 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia. The week is humming along, as usual. Funny, my library system also did not have a copy of The Power of the Dog. It must have been out of print, until the film revived it. It has been very good. Just what you want in a western.

Good Bones

Life is short, though I keep this from my children.
Life is short, and I’ve shortened mine
in a thousand delicious, ill-advised ways,
a thousand deliciously ill-advised ways
I’ll keep from my children. The world is at least
fifty percent terrible, and that’s a conservative
estimate, though I keep this from my children.
For every bird there is a stone thrown at a bird.
For every loved child, a child broken, bagged,
sunk in a lake. Life is short and the world
is at least half terrible, and for every kind
stranger, there is one who would break you,
though I keep this from my children. I am trying
to sell them the world. Any decent realtor,
walking you through a real shithole, chirps on
about good bones: This place could be beautiful,
right? You could make this place beautiful.

-Maggie Smith

^Joe posted this same poem awhile back. He lent me this collection and once again this poem blew me away and I wanted to share it here. The rest of the collection was okay but this one knocked it out of the park.

^The Sandhill Cranes (NMP) are on the move. I was hearing reports early yesterday, including from a fellow mail-carrier, that they were being seen and heard in large numbers. I sat outside my patio awhile with my book, (it was cold, so I didn't last long) but I did first hear a flock flying overhead and then saw about 30 winging their way southeast. This is the first of the fall for me. Thousands were reported, probably into the 5 digits. The northerly winds must have triggered something.

>284 msf59: - Wow! Beautiful!

We had our first dusting of snow overnight. Still light, only on some parts of the lawns, not others (I guess due to the winds). Time to get out the boots and mittens!

I am still seeing a few juncos at my feeder, along with the regulars.

Hehe, my sitting outside reading days are over for this year!

>285 jessibud2: Morning, Shelley. I wish I could get a photo like that but they are difficult to photograph in flight or at least for me. I can get them on the ground, if I get lucky. Warming up to the mid-40s here today, so that is right around normal for this time of year. I did have a pair of juncos stop by yesterday.

>284 msf59: How wonderful to get to see this Mark. Your photo?

>287 Caroline_McElwee: No it is not, Caroline. This may even be a painting. LOL.

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you. Enjoy your hike with Jackson this morning.

>283 msf59: I made a copy of that poem from when Joe posted it, and it’s on my corkboard. I see it every day. Nice to see it here, too.

>284 msf59: Wonderful. Glad you got to see a flock.

Morning, Mark!

>283 msf59: Like Karen, I love that poem.

>284 msf59: Well, that image is full of gorgeous.

>284 msf59: Beautiful Cranes calling this morning near Token Creek.

Glad we have all finished good old Swann, but not sure we have inspired others.

As written to Joe, I was figuring out what my Madeleine would be from my childhood
and came up with Lime Sherbet and Peoria, Illinois to start. His is more Mexican.

Hi Mark...last new-book release day before Turkey Day! Yay!

>289 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. Looks like the hike with Jackson will be early afternoon. Chilly, but beautiful out there. Hooray for Good Bones and sandhill cranes!

>290 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie. Isn't that poem wonderful? Too bad, the rest of the collection is not to that level. I am thinking I making that crane image my next topper.

>291 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. You should be hearing and seeing plenty of sandies! They are certainly on the move. Yep, I do feel quite liberated after finishing the Proust.

>292 richardderus: Hey, RD. Were you making any purchases?

>293 msf59: A few DRC reviews to com, but not purchases. They do back up on me...of course if I didn't behave like a lunatic and acquire books at a rate suitable to someone who's guaranteed to live to 150 with full potency....

>294 richardderus: I am with you, RD. There are still so many new releases I want to catch up on, I am not even paying attention to the current crop or at least maybe a quick glimpse here and there.

Hey, buddy. What a beautiful photo of the sandhill cranes!

Now I know why I recently read about Power of the dog. The Jane Campion film! It sounded like the movie will be another good one from her.

As soon as I loaned you the Destroy All Monsters and Dune GNs, our trainer wanted to borrow the Brubaker, and Debbi wanted to read the Dune one before seeing the movie. (She read the original, but it’d been a long time). No worries; first come; first served.

Woo, the aftermath of Swann’s Way still feels sweet. Lots of open reading time! As I mentioned, I’m reading a light one Stasia enjoyed, The Book Charmer, and You Better Be Lightning, the new one from Andrea Gibson.

What’s the latest from Jackson? Has he read Swann’s Way yet?

You seem to be busy (as usual), Mark. I'm loafing in my older son's living room, listening to Thanksgiving dinner preparations that are going in the kitchen. We're having the family feast tomorrow for...reasons. The aromas are wonderful.

Along with my laptop, I brought Stomping the Blues and Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? Finished Eudora Welty's One Writer's Beginnings last night. Swannie's still in the Green Room.

You talked about A*L*L the excellent books coming out and how hard it is to keep pace. I just looked at The New York Times' list of notable books published in 2021. Lots to wish for. And I'm trying to put together a Christmas list for family that does NOT have books on it. Hah. Just hah.

>296 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. Finally getting back over here, after spending some time watching Jack. Glad you like the cranes. Yep, I am loving The Power of the Dog and can't wait to see the film. We will have to hook up again, so I can return those GNs which I finished.

How is the Gibson collection? Dumb question? Jackson is taking a pass on the Proust. Smart boy...

>296 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. Just getting back after spending some time with Jackson. Glad you like the cranes. I think I found my next topper. Yep, I am loving The Power of the Dog and can't wait to see the film. We will have to get together so I can return those GNs, which I finished and enjoyed. How is the Gibson collection? Dumb question?

Jackson is taking a pass on the Proust. Smart boy...

>297 weird_O: "Swannie's still in the Green Room." You are always good for a chuckle, Bill. It sounds like you are getting some reading in, while you loaf around. I am sure you are having a good time with the Chast.

I saved that NYT list but haven't explored it yet.