Mark's Reading Place: Chapter One

-Jackson (4 months)



-Bald Eagle



“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:



January:

1- Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid by Thor Hanson 4.3 stars
2- Love Medicine: Newly Revised Edition by Louise Erdrich 4.4 stars
3- The Unseen (The Barrøy Chronicles, 1) by Roy Jacobsen 4.7 stars
4- When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson 4.5 stars GN

These are the best books I read this year. I read 139 books this year. I read 140 last year. I guess I am pretty consistent. It was a good year of reading. The only type that came up a bit short was my NF reading. Usually, they dominate my lists.

Fiction:

1- Joe
2- Still Life
3- Afterparties: Stories
4- Great Circle
5- Once There Were Wolves

Nonfiction:

1- Shooting Midnight Cowboy
2- The Old Ways
3- Unholy: Why White Evangelicals
4- The Code Breaker
5- All In: An Autobiography

Graphic Novels:

1- Mary’s Monster
2- And Now I Spill the Family Secrets
3- Secret to Superhuman Strength

^ I was able to do some shared reading, with a few of my book buddies recently and really enjoyed it. Kim has also been stoking my interest in it, (we both recently read Hench). I would like this to continue. Primarily, I would like to read books off shelf, but I am still catching up with a few titles that I missed reading last year. I will list some titles and if you are interested, we will set a firm date. My intention was to kick off the year with The Lincoln Highway but I waited too long to request it from the library and now I am far down on the list. As soon as it arrives, I will dig in, if anyone has a copy handy. Of course, I will always be watching other threads, for other suggestions.

The Siege of Krishnapur w/Kerry, Benita? Mar?
Unnecessary Woman w/Stasia Mar?
Cloud Cuckoo Land W/Bill
The Memory of Love w/Linda, Mamie, Kerry mid-Feb
Moonglow w/Kim & Stasia late-Feb
Harlem Shuffle w/Meg, Bill
The Line of Beauty

Hello?? Great Horned Owl chicks.

This group always helps me to read; welcome back, Mark. Best wishes to you always Buddy. Give "babybird" a hug from me.

Lol. I was raring to be the first, but Paul beat me to it. 🤣😂

Morning, Mark! Here we go again - looking forward to seeing where the New Year takes us. Love the Jackson topper, and I am so sorry that you cannot be with him today.

Happy new one, and new year, Mark. Love those toppers!

Merry Jingleballs and a happy ho-ho-ho.

...wait...no, Epiphany's still to come, we're not done yet. So, yeah. Stay healthy over there!

Happy new one! Looking forward to a lot more Jackson sharing this year.

Happy New Year, Mark, I'm looking forward to following along with you and your adventures with books, birds, beer and now, of course, baby!

>6 PaulCranswick: >7 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Paul & Rachel!

>8 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie. Hopefully, I can see Jackson on Sunday. That is the plan anyway.

>9 jessibud2: >10 richardderus: >11 drneutron: Thanks, Shelley, RD, & Jim.

>12 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy. Happy New Year. Yep, everyone will get plenty of the 4 Bs in 2022. You can count on it.

Happy New Year! Hope this is the one where we get together again and see birds, drink beer, and talk books!

Looking forward to your thoughts on These Precious Days.

Happy New Year! Hope you and the family are feeling better and dodging the worst of it.

Happy New Year Mark--looking forward to the 4Bs and a few cartoons in-between!

Happy new year, Mark!! Love the baby bird topper.

>14 alphaorder: Thank you, Nancy. Fingers crossed that this will be our Meet Up year, after an extended hiatus. These Precious Days is off to a terrific start. I love her writing.

>15 mahsdad: Thanks, Jeff. Happy new Year!

>16 kac522: Thanks, Kathy. Hooray for the 4 Bs and boo to our first approaching snowstorm.

>17 banjo123: Thanks, Rhonda. Hooray for Baby Bird!

"Infused with the author’s grace, wit, and warmth, the pieces in These Precious Days resonate deep in the soul, leaving an indelible mark—and demonstrate why Ann Patchett is one of the most celebrated writers of our time."

I think kicking off the New Year with one of my favorite authors is a fine idea. Of course, I adore Ann Patchett's novels but her essay collection This is the Story of a Happy Marriage, which I read in 2014, proved she was equally adept at writing NF. She returns to essays, with These Precious Days. I started the audio today (she narrates too) and can gladly report, that it begins beautifully. 🧡

Hoping to see lots of birds in 2022 Mark.

Happy new year, Mark!

I gave the Patchett to my aunt for Christmas and am looking forward to reading it myself.

Well it will be hard to beat the arrival of Jackson, Mark, but I hope 2022 has some new adventures for you, not least in Costa Rica.

>19 msf59: Ooh! Great! I am looking for a new audio. : ) Happy New Year and I've got you

ed!!

Happy reading in 2022, Mark!

Happy new year, Mark! Looking forward to another year of (mostly) lurking on your very busy thread.

Have a great year of reading!

>1 msf59: Love the picture of Jackson up top. He always makes me smile.

>19 msf59: I am currently listening to These Precious Days and thoroughly enjoying it. I am glad to see that you are as well.

Happy New Year, Mark!

Hey Mark- here I am visiting you from the future -- as always ;) My New Years Day was fantastic...super relaxing (read almost half a book, and just now a bit more of another on in the bath), watched some Yellowjackets (eps 5 & 6), and swam in the ocean with L.

One thing I didn't do though is have a coffee.....and there I was thinking I must have had a hangover - which confused me as I hardly had much to drink last night- when it was really just coffee withdrawal! Silly me. First thing tomorrow I will brew a brew and relax into day two of 2022.

Happy reading 2022 :-)

Happy New year! Looking forward to your reading and birding journey. Of course also cute pictures of Jackson!

Happy New Year, Mark! I am looking for another year of our daily conversations, watching Jackson grow, fun cartoons, and getting book bullets.

>1 msf59: Aww, baby bird and majestic bird. Wonderful.

>3 msf59: I see that you found an image for your Year’s Best Books.

I hope that everybody is feeling better and that you'll be able to see Jackson tomorrow.

>20 SandDune: Me too! Thanks, Rhian.

>21 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie. These Precious Days is off to a terrific start.

>22 Caroline_McElwee: Happy New Year, Caroline. I have Costa Rica to look forward to, along with an Arizona birding trip in April. Yah!!

>23 Berly: Happy New Year, Kim. The Patchett would be a perfect audio.

>24 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita.

>25 MickyFine: Happy New Year, Micky. Good to see you. Stop by when you can.

>26 quondame: >27 thornton37814: Thanks, Susan & Lori.

>28 alcottacre: Happy New Year, Stasia. I think Jackson makes most of us smile. Isn't the Patchett great? It could be my first 5 star read of the year.

>29 LovingLit: Happy New Year, Megan. Glad you are having a lovely holiday. I hope you finally got some coffee in you.

>30 Ameise1: Happy New Year, Barb. Good to see you stranger.

>31 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Figs. I am sure I will deliver plenty of all three.

>32 karenmarie: Happy New Year, Karen. I am doing okay but Sue is still struggling. I hope to get over to see Jackson tomorrow, although we have a big snowstorm heading our way.

^Happy New Year, everyone! I had this calendar made up for Jackson. I handed a few out to some key family members and the response was joyful.

Morning, Mark! That calendar is precious. I'm sorry to hear that Sue is still struggling. Hoping she is feeling better very soon.

Happy new year, Mark. The calendar is a brilliant idea!

Hope Sue feels better quickly! Is Bree feeling any better? Did your son actually have any symptoms?

Happy new year, Mark. I took my first 2021 BB on the Patchett essays, and added it to my library holds list last night. Hope your family is back in good health soon, my friend.

>36 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! I am looking forward to making a new calendar each year. Hopefully, Sue starts feeling better today.

>37 jessibud2: Happy New Thread, Shelley. Thanks, in regard to the calendar. Bree is feeling better, and she tested negative twice in a row. Matt did have cold symptoms. Fortunately, he has been staying with his girlfriend.

>38 lauralkeet: Happy New Year, Laura and thanks. Hooray for a BB strike and such a good one too. Have you read her first essay collection?

^ Sue and I spent NYE watching The Lost Daughter on Netflix. Wow! It is such a good film. Olivia Colman is excellent and so is Jessie Buckley, who plays Olivia's character as a younger woman. It is also directed by the talented actress Maggie Gyllenhaal. What an impressive debut. I am sure all my book buddies will love it. Just sayin'...

Happy new year, Mark!!
>1 msf59: awe, what a way to start off the year!
I had gotten a Netflix alert about The Lost Daughter. Glad you liked it and I will certainly tune in.

>40 msf59: Oh, thanks for this. I love Olivia Colman - adding it to my queue.

>40 msf59: Planning to watch that today Mark.

>35 msf59: Great calendar.

Glad you are enjoying the Patchett.

Happy new year, Mark. I hope Sue starts feeling better soon!

Did you read the Ferrante novel before watching the film? I want to see it but have the book on my shelf and am wondering if I should wait to watch...

Happy New Year!

Saturday happiness wishes, Mark! I'm dropping off a "you're being cruel again, Richard" link: https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-photography-books-2021


A few little bagatelles to whet your curiosity...also going to tempt Jeff with it.

The Jackson calendar is wonderful! I bet they'll keep it forever.

>41 Carmenere: Happy New Year, Lynda. I highly recommend The Lost Daughter.

>42 Crazymamie: I am sure you will love it, Mamie.

>43 Caroline_McElwee: Can't wait to hear your thoughts on The Lost Daughter, Caroline.

>44 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie. I have not read a Ferrante novel. I say, if you have a copy of it, go ahead and read it first.

>45 SilverWolf28: Happy New Year, Silver.

>46 richardderus: Happy New Year, Richard. The photography books look pretty stunning. Thanks for sharing. Yes, I think this and futire calendars will be perfect keepsakes.

The Lost Daughter movie sounds fantastic! I am sure the book is too.

We watched The Summer of Soul last night - also terrific. Enlightening and entertaining.

Happy New Year, Mark!! Glad to see the Billie Jean King autobiography on your top nonfiction list. I really enjoyed that one, too.

>48 alphaorder: Happy New Year, Nancy. Yes, The Lost Daughter is fantastic. Have you read Ferrante? I have not. I also loved The Summer of Soul. One of my favorite films of 2021.

>49 lindapanzo: Happy New Year, Linda. Yep, loved the King memoir.

Happy New Year, Mark. Great topper!

I'm also reading These Precious Days! Great minds...

Hey, I came across The King of Confidence by Miles Harvey at the library the other day. It’s a very good narrative nonfiction about a con man type that joined, then broke away from the Mormon Church in the 1840s only to set up a “kingdom” on Beaver Island in Lake Michigan. The story’s astonishing, and Harvey tells it well. I think you’d like it.

>35 msf59: I love that! What a great idea.

Happy Saturday, Mark!

Happy New Year, Mark. Love your baby bird up top.

Man oh man, how did I forget Mary’s Monster as a favorite GN! Good for you for not doing that. I’ll add it to my Faves to get it some more well- deserved PR.

Personally, it seemed like a down year for GNs. Usually there are some memorable ones, where authors take inventive advantage of the format, like she did in Good Talk. Even Bechdel’s wasn’t high voltage. I’m hoping a bunch will come our way in ‘22.

Talk about starting fast! Zero to 55 posts in one day? You are a Star Attraction. Okay, maybe it's Jackson we all want to see.

I have finished by first book of 2022, a little story collection I picked up only a couple of evenings ago. An Elderly Lady Up to No Good. The lady is Maud Adelsiöö, an 88-year-old Swede who lives a life quite charmed, but harbors a nasty streak. In five stories, running but 171 pages, Maud dispatches a half-dozen neighbors—including her older sister.

Is this throwing down the gauntlet to start 2022? Better watch out.

>51 BLBera: Happy New Year, Beth! Yep, These Precious Days is wonderful. Patchett proves once again, she is one of the best authors working today.

>52 Berly: Happy New Year, Kim.

>53 drneutron: Ooh, The King of Confidence sounds really interesting. Thanks, Jim. I added it to my audio list.

>54 alcottacre: Happy New Year, Stasia.

>55 jnwelch: Happy New Year, Joe. Great to see you. Hooray for the Baby Bird! There were some good GNs this year, including Mary's Monster. I didn't have as much success with my poetry.

>56 weird_O: It is all Jackson, Bill. I am just a bookish prop. I never heard of that story collection. Did you enjoy it? I also just finished my first book of the year.

-Clay Bennett

>59 msf59: ha! Excellent.

(from your fully-caffeinated friend, Megan)

Happy new year, and happy reading Mark!
I'll be following along, wishing for lots of BB's and Birds.

>35 msf59: It's important to remind people of the essential priorities of those they know!

Happy new year Mark and wishing you a year of great reading. Thanks for the hot tip about The Lost Daughter. I will definitely watch it!

>60 LovingLit: Hooray for fully-caffeinated friend, Megan! You will need it, getting back to work this week.

>61 EllaTim: Thanks, Ella. Happy New Year to you. The B's will be in full force.

>62 quondame: Great point, Susan.

>63 mdoris: Happy New Year, Mary and thanks. I hope all my pals here watch The Lost Daughter. Have you read Ferrante?

^We started watching HBO's Station Eleven mini-series. It shows promise. I read the book in 2014, so I might be a little fuzzy on the details, but I fondly remember the traveling troupe. Good cast too, of mostly unknowns. Anyone else start it yet?

^ I was able to do some shared reading, with a few of my book buddies recently and really enjoyed it. Kim has also been stoking my interest in it, (we both recently read Hench). I would like this to continue. Primarily, I would like to read books off shelf, but I am still catching up with a few titles that I missed reading last year. I will list some titles and if you are interested, we will set a firm date. My intention was to kick off the year with The Lincoln Highway but I waited too long to request it from the library and now I am far down on the list. As soon as it arrives, I will dig in, if anyone has a copy handy. Of course, I will always be watching other threads, for other suggestions.

The Siege of Krishnapur
Unnecessary Woman w/Stasia Mar?
Cloud Cuckoo Land
The Memory of Love w/Linda, Mamie mid-Feb
Moonglow w/Kim & Stasia late-Feb
Harlem Shuffle w/Meg
The Line of Beauty

Morning, Mark! I have The Memory of Love in the stacks, and will join you for that one.

>65 msf59: I was wondering about this series. Loved the book.

>67 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie. We would love to have you along for The Memory of Love. I have been meaning to get to that one for ages.

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday to you! I see that your Bears play today at 1 p.m. Go Bears!

>34 msf59: I’m sorry Sue’s still struggling. I hope today’s the day she turns the corner.

>35 msf59: What a wonderful idea. January’s pic is sweet.

>40 msf59: Sounds wonderful, and I’m definitely an Olivia Colman fan. And it’s on one of the two streaming services we have – perfect.

>65 msf59: Sad. We don’t get HBO. I read the book in 2015. It was very strange and wonderful. Fuzzy on details, too.

>66 msf59: - I've had Memory of Love on my shelf since 2011, so count me in on that one!

>70 katiekrug: Fun!

Morning, Mark!

>65 msf59: I've watched the trailer for this one a couple of times and I'm tempted. I loved the book, too. Maybe I'll talk Tomm into giving it a try...

Hi Mark! Happy 2022. I do hope Sue feels better, and that you both are glowing with health the rest of the year. Great topper of Jackson.

Morning Mark! I hope Sue is feeling better.

I started my 2022 thread and did something different this year. I listed 14 of the 28 new releases I am looking forward to. Stop by and take a look. You might add a few gems to your wish list that you weren't aware of yet.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/338289#n7704285

>70 katiekrug: >71 Crazymamie: This is perfect, Katie & Mamie. I thought I was the only one, who had not read this one. LOL. It will have to be the later part of Feb, since our Costa Rica trip is first part of the month and I prefer something lighter for vacation reading.

>72 scaifea: Happy Sunday, Amber! I hope you give Station Eleven a try.

>73 ffortsa: Happy New Year, Judy and thanks. Great to see you.

>74 alphaorder: Hi, Nancy. Sue is doing better. She is heading out to do another rapid test, before returning to work tomorrow. I will stop by your new thread shortly.

"The first book in Louise Erdrich's highly acclaimed "Native American" trilogy. Filled with humor, magic, injustice and betrayal, Erdrich blends family love and loyalty in a stunning work of dramatic fiction."

^Well, it looks like I am now kicking off the year, with 2 of my favorite authors. I still can't believe I had not read Love Medicine. That will no longer be the case, since I started it today and like most of Erdrich's work, it hooked me pretty quickly. This is the 8th book, I have read by her and of course, I'll have to read the rest of this trilogy too.

Happy snow-dusted Sunday's reads, Mark.

Happy New Year, Mark! I'm making my way around and dropping off stars. You know I'm looking forward to following your reading adventures in 2022, undoubtedly suffering (ha) from a book bullet or twenty, and seeing pics of Jackson as he grows into a toddler!

All the best to you and your whole family, my dear friend.

I'm reading Harlem Shuffle in October with my book club, Mark. If you don't mind waiting that long for a shared read, it would be fun to talk about it with fellow LTers as well.

Happy New Year Mark. I watched the Olivia Coleman movie last night and thought it was excellent too.

Mark, you've always had a busy thread and now with Jackson pictures I will have even more trouble keeping up. He is delightful. I sneaked some peeks of him on your thread and FB last year. Being a grandparent is one of the best things that has happened in my life. I miss the babies, but I'm pretty sure my kids are done and I will have to wait for great-grandbabies.

I noticed while I was lurking in my year away that shared reads are very popular here. I read Memory of Love when it came out and bought a copy of it for my permanent library. I gave it 4.5 stars and would love to reread it with you and the others next month.

You will love Costa Rica. My daughter and family were there when things started shutting down at the very beginning of the Covid rampage. I was glad when they made it back home, but they had a wonderful time. We built a factory in Honduras 4 years ago and I used to want to go there with my husband until I learned that it was the murder capital of the world. We have armed guards that live in the fenced enclosure and had one of our managers kidnapped (when she was off the property) but it doesn't keep my DH away. I worry. CR is a tourist destination so you shouldn't have any problems. Jackson needs you!

Happy Reading in 2022!

>76 msf59: What a wonderful topper! He is getting longer! And he still is happy as ever!

I put Love Medicine on the tbr list. I vow to only add books I know I will read. This will be one of them.

Hi Mark, happy 2022! Looking forward to following along this year.

>40 msf59: Glad you liked it! We may watch it later tonight. Are you watching Coleman in Landscapers? Based on a true story, it’s...odd. I’m not sure if I like it or not.

We also have Station Eleven on our watch list.

Hope Sue is feeling better!

Hi Mark. My 4 month hold on The Lincoln Highway finally came in so I was able to make it the first book of 2022. I loved it and gave it 5 stars, I hope it strikes you as well. Now I have to get my hands on other books by Amor Towles!

‘Morning, Mark! Glad to see that the Bears won.

Brrrr. Looks like a cold day ahead for you. We might see a few snowflakes this morning, right now it's raining like nobody's business and we've had an inch of rains since midnight.

You missed me up there in >69 karenmarie:.

>75 msf59: I’m happy to hear that Sue’s doing better. 🤞 for a negative test.

>77 richardderus: Hey, RD. I got a little reading in, visited with Jackson, had a couple of beers and got to see a rare Bears win. Yep, a good Sunday.

>78 EBT1002: Happy New Year, Ellen. As usual, I am also looking forward to sharing my reading life, (and pics of birds & Jack) with my friends here.

>79 bell7: Hi, Mary. I will probably read Harlem Shuffle sooner than that but you never know, right?

>80 brenzi: Happy New Year, Bonnie. Wasn't The Lost Daughter fantastic? Have you read Ferrante?

>81 Donna828: Happy New Year, Donna. Great to see you. "Being a grandparent is one of the best things that has happened in my life." I could not agree with you more. He is such a joy! Now, I can't wait to have more. I got to watch your grandkids grow up on LT.
We would love to have you join us on The Memory of Love. I think we may have done a shared read or two over the years. We hope the Costa Rica trip happens. Fingers crossed. I did not realize you had a factory in Honduras. Sounds a little scary. I am glad DH was unharmed. I did hear the birding is excellent there.

Are you all recovered yet Mark?

>82 Whisper1: Hi, Linda. I am glad you put Love Medicine on the TBR. Are you a Erdrich fan?

>83 Copperskye: Happy New Year, Joanne. Did you watch The Lost Daughter? If not, I am sure you will love it. I have not watched Landscapers. I am sure you will also like Station Eleven. Sue is doing better but she is taking off a couple more days.

>84 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy. Congrats on kicking off the year with The Lincoln Highway. I wish I could join you and I also hope I don't have to wait 4 months. And now you have to track down A Gentleman in Moscow. A pure delight.

>85 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Sorry I didn't reply to you up there. I had definitely read the post and once I came back, I promptly skipped you. Yes, nice seeing a Bears win, along with a great visit with Jackson. All the boys were hanging out. Only single digits out there at the moment, so no birding for me today. I do have errands to run though.

>88 Caroline_McElwee: Hi, Caroline. Yes, I am feeling pretty good. Thanks. Sue is still in recovery mode though.

Morning, Mark!

I saw this and thought of you, for when you come visit us in Ohio, yeah?:

https://www.thespruce.com/best-birds-to-watch-for-in-ohio-4685511

I mean we're no Costa Rica, but still...

>90 scaifea: Morning, Amber. I love this link. Many of my favorite birds are on there. I know Ohio is a great birding state. Magee Marsh Wildlife Area has been one of the places on my birding Bucket List. I have to get there one spring.

^Jackson was cheering on the Bears yesterday and got to see a win. Of course, he had just sucked down 2 bottles and was raring to go.

>92 msf59: We need Jackson to become a Chief’s fan. Yesterday’s loss was disappointing.

Morning, Mark! Jackson does look raring to go in that photo! What a sweet face he has.

>92 msf59: What a cutiepooh! I'm glad his team won.

Happy week-ahead's reads, Freezing Man.

>58 msf59:. Yeah, I thought of some other good GNs from ‘21 and added them to my Favorites list. Little Victories, Spellbound: A Graphic Memoirand Ballad for Sophie. So maybe it wasn’t such a down year for GNs after all. I did have the sameproblem finding good poetry books other than the Andrea Gibson one, Better Be Lightning.

>92 msf59:. Go Jackson! In other sports news, the Bulls have won 7 in a row, the last two on buzzer-beaters.

I’m going to give that Station Eleven show a try. I sure loved the book.

Yay for the Bears, although the win was probably just as futile as the Browns on Monday night football.
Better luck next year to us.

>1 msf59: Oh, that baby!

Happy New Year, Mark! Wishing you a year filled with good books, tasty beer, lovely nature hikes, amazing photography, lifer birds, and special times with your beautiful grandson.

>93 Donna828: I didn't see a lot of the Chiefs game, but the Bengals were definitely on fire. They have had a great season.

>94 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie. Yep, Jack is my sweet-faced boy, and he is really focusing on faces now. I love it.

>95 richardderus: Hey, RD. At least we have crept up to 20F, with sunshine. I might get out on the trails tomorrow.

>96 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. I will have to check out those other GNs. Always need some ideas in that format. Go Bulls! They have been red-hot! You must be in your glory.

>97 Carmenere: Hi, Lynda. Yep, the Bears have had a dismal season, along with your Browns but at least they both have terrific quarterbacks. Let's just get some better teammates around them.

>98 Storeetllr: Happy New Year, Mary. Great to see you over here. I sure have missed your visits. Thanks for all the great wishes, you know, I adore every one.

-Mike Luckovich

>92 msf59: Somebody looks ready to take on 2022! Go Jackson!

>66 msf59: I will happily read An Unnecessary Woman with you, Mark. Just say when.

>76 msf59: I have that one set aside to get to soon. I am really hoping that I like it. I just got her latest, The Sentence, in today.

>92 msf59: I love Jackson sitings!

>100 msf59: Spot on.

Happy New Year, Mark! You had asked me to let you know when the graphic novels thread was up. It's called The Graphic Stories over on Club Read. We've also started a list of recommendations based off the thread and the conversation on my thread that started things off. It is called, wait for it, Club Read's Graphic Stories Recommendations. I hope you'll stop by and share some of your knowledge and recommendations.

>92 msf59: Cutie!

>100 msf59: Yes please!

Have you watched The Power of the Dog yet, Mark? So good!

>1 msf59: Jackson is so cute!! Happy New Year!

>86 msf59: I've read four of her books but not this one, Mark. Maggie Gyllenhall directed so no wonder it was good. And of course Coleman was mind blowing LT good, as usual.

>104 labfs39: Something I wasn't looking for, but I took a detour to the graphic novels thread and lit the star so I can find it again. My interest in that book realm is growing. This month the America Author Challenge, which Mark started, is focused on graphic novels. I have several things on my list for the challenge.

Mark. Have I been here yet this year? I don't know. But your thread's star is lit. I don't want to be a stranger. Ah yes. >56 weird_O:. You asked if I liked the little book of stories I read to begin the year. The answer is YES.

>108 weird_O: I'll pop over and check it out.

Although not by an American author, Turkish, in fact, I started a fantastic graphic novel today called Dare to Disappoint: Growing Up in Turkey. If anyone is participating in the Asia Reading Challenge, it fits in this month's Turkey theme.

>101 quondame: He sure does, doesn't he? Go Jackson!

>102 alcottacre: I would love for you to join me on An Unnecessary Woman, Stasia. That would probably be a March read, at this point. If that is, okay? Love Medicine has been very good so far. She is quite the storyteller. I have also heard good things about The Sentence.

>103 Storeetllr: It would sure be nice to see some hopeful signs in 2022, Mary but things are grim in this country.

>104 labfs39: Happy New Year, Lisa. Great to see you and thanks for the GN link on Club Reads. I will definitely stop by.

>105 Copperskye: I not only saw the film The Power of the Dog but I read the novel it was based one, beforehand. It was a terrific read. I liked the film, much of it pretty stunning but it just fell short of greatness for me. I wish I could have seen it on the big screen.

>106 leperdbunny: Happy New Year, Tamara! Wow! Great to see you! Yep, as you can tell, we are quite fond of our Jackson.

>107 brenzi: Ferrante's work never really interested me, I guess and not enough LT warbling to alter that. Yep, the two leads in The Lost Daughter were excellent. I would like to see more of Jessie Buckley's work.

>108 weird_O: Hey, Bill. I have been warbling about GNs, along with Joe and a few others for more than a decade. We would love to have you start sampling some. The AAC feature should be a good start. Glad you liked the short stories.

>109 labfs39: Ooh, Dare to Disappoint: Growing Up in Turkey sounds good. I love reading memoirs and NF in GN form.

-Belted Kingfisher

^I was out with a birding friend last week and spotted this kingfisher perched along the lake. It was a moderate distance away, but it stayed still just long enough for me to snap off a few shots. One of my favorite birds. Great hairstyle too.

Mark, picking up on your comment about Jessie Buckley: We really liked her in both Chernobyl (intense, a real downer, but excellent) and War and Peace (also excellent with a really strong cast).

Gorgeous kingfisher! You're able to get some really great pics of birds.

>113 lauralkeet: Morning, Laura. I thought Chernobyl was excellent and did not realize Buckley was in that. She is supposed to be great in the film, Wild Rose where she plays a country & western singer.

Thanks, in regard to the kingfisher. If the birds perch long enough I can get lucky.

^Erik kindly recommended The Wildlife of Costa Rica: A Field Guide so I picked up a copy of it from the library. I am sure I will be purchasing my own edition. Speaking of kingfishers, there are several types found in CR:



-Amazon Kingfisher

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you. I’m sorry Sue’s still under the weather. I hope you enjoy your solo birding walk.

>90 scaifea: and >91 msf59: I saw this and thought of you, for when you come visit us in Ohio Chatham County NC, yeah?:

Triangle Birder's Guide - Jordan Lake and Chatham County Birding Sites

I mean we're no Costa Rica, but still...

*smile*

>92 msf59: Go Jackson! Sweet boy. I’m surprised he didn’t go into a milk coma after 2 bottles.

>93 Donna828: We watched the Chiefs game, too, Donna, because the Chiefs are my back up team (Panthers…)

>100 msf59: Sad but true. The Gang of Psychos is really working hard to get rid of the democracy bits of the USA.

>112 msf59: Yay for the Kingfisher! Great photo to show his tuft and long bill. We used to see a Kingfisher near a pond on the way into town. We still call it the Kingfisher Pond although now we see more egrets, herons, and bald eagles.

>115 msf59: - Ha! Looks like a kingfisher pretending to be a hummingbird!

Morning, Mark! happy Tuesday!

>112 msf59: Love this! I think I could pull off that hairstyle.

>114 msf59: Mark, Jessie Buckley played the woman who was pregnant at the time of the disaster, and whose husband worked at the reactor. A compelling performance.

>113 lauralkeet: He's great. Still never seen a kingfisher, but I love them.

>116 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. Sue is just taking it easy, doing what she needs to do. Triangle Birder's Guide looks fantastic. I will have to explore it further. I may give me some ideas when I return to NC. And hooray for Jackson & kingfishers!

>117 jessibud2: There will be so many amazing looking birds in CR, Shelley, including many different hummingbirds.

>118 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie! I would love to see you with that hairdo. B.A.G.

>119 lauralkeet: I remember that character, Laura. I didn't realize she was Irish.

>120 Caroline_McElwee: I hope you get a chance to see a kingfisher one of these days, Caroline. They are special.

Kingfishers: Effortlessly cool since 60MM Years BCE.

Hoping your Costa Rica trip results in a good shot of an Amazonian one, Mark.

>115 msf59: Kingfishers must be really widely dispersed. Here is a picture of a malachite kingfisher I saw in Amboseli.



Glad you found the Costa Rica wildlife book - hope it is useful.

>122 richardderus: LOL. Yes, indeed, RD. I would be happy seeing any of the kingfishers in CR.

>123 Oberon: Hi, Erik. That malachite kingfisher is gorgeous. I am sure I will buy a personal copy of that field guide. Thanks again.

'Morning, Mark! Happy Wednesday to you. I hope you can get some reading in, what with the snow and frigid temps today.

Happy Wednesday morning, Mark! Hope you're keeping warm.

>125 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. The wind is howling out there. It will be a good few days to stay hunkered down with the books.

>126 bell7: Morning, Mary. Not sure we will get out of the teens today and those wind chills? Forget about it...

-Clay Bennett

Everyday we get to see a beautiful heron down by the seashore where the fresh water stream comes in. I love seeing it! One day I will try a get a good photo!

>128 msf59: Oh! And we don't even get gunpowder and cool creepy masks, but white shaman dude.

>110 msf59: March is just fine with me for An Unnecessary Woman, Mark. We can decide on when exactly as the time draws closer.

Looks like I haven't visited your thread yet this year, Mark. I'm here to remedy that. I'm in for Harlem Shuffle when you start that read.

>129 mdoris: I love the bird reports, Mary. I am assuming it is a Great Blue?

>130 quondame: Good point, Susan.

>131 alcottacre: Sounds great, Stasia. It is nice to finally get to some of these long languishing gems.

>132 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. I thought you had been by but good to see you anyway and I would enjoy some company with Harlem Shuffle.

-Common Goldeneye. M/F (NMP)



-Common Merganser M/F (NMP)

^The migrating waterfowl are one of the major highlights in January and February. Of course, as long as there is open water and the rivers usually stay clear but not always. We see both of these species regularly during this time. Getting a clear photo is tough, though and I normally use my scope to view them. Mostly, they are found paired up too.

Hi Mark. Enjoy your time with Jackson today.

>128 msf59: This is now a dark anniversary in US history for sure.

>134 msf59: Gorgeous birds. Thanks for pics, even if they’re not yours.

>135 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Definitely a dark anniversary, with nothing resolved. Hooray for Jackson and waterfowl! Taking advantage of the joys of life.

Sweet Thursday, Mark!

That reminds of Steinbeck and this question . . . Did Still Life make you think at all of Cannery Row? Something about the camaraderie and love among the SL characters reminded me of it, even though otherwise they’re so different.

You mentioned the Station Eleven tv series. We’re watching it. That yhird episode with Miranda and (foolish) Arthur - OMG! It just walloped us. We’re watching it in two halves so we can catch our breath. I hope the actress playing Miranda gets nominated somewhere. That sales pitch scene - wow.

Good day for staying in, playing with Jacksons, and reading. I got Debbi an electric piano for Hanukkah (at her request) and I know she plans to practice on it. We’ve resumed writing together in the afternoons, so I look forward to that.

>133 msf59: Yup, a great blue and I love watching him when he is asleep or maybe trying to retain heat as that long neck just disappears. He has his pals around ducks, geese and trumpeter swans. The poor things must be very cold these days. Just in from shoveling out the driveway with abut 8" falling last night. It is heavy snow and freezing rain is forecast. Ugh. But it is gorgeous!

Happy Thursday, Mark!

>134 msf59: Two birds that our places have in common in winter, Mark, I saw some common mergansers earlier this week.

Afternoon, Mark!

>128 msf59: Oof!

De-lurking to say hello, Mark. That is all. Happy reading and birding!

>137 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. I did not think of Cannery Row while reading Still Life but I like that comparison. I loved both books. I am so glad you started watching Station Eleven. We also just watched ep 3 and really liked it. I agree with you on the actress that played Miranda. We plan on watching ep 4 tonight.

Hooray for Debbi and her new electric piano. Maybe she can play me something, next time I come over.

>138 mdoris: Hooray for the scrappy GBHs! They are still spotting them here in the Chicago area but I would think with this latest arctic blast, they will have fled for good.

>139 alcottacre: Sweet Thursday, Stasia!

>140 FAMeulstee: Glad to hear that you also get to see the goldeneyes and mergansers, Anita. We also see red-breasted mergansers, but I did not see them that day.

>141 Crazymamie: Good evening, Mamie! I hope you had a good day.

>142 lauralkeet: Sweet Thursday, Laura. No birding, other than brief looks at the feeders but I did get Jackson time in, along with a decent amount of reading.

^I think someone was happy to see Grandpa today. How about this smile? Not easy to capture, let me tell you. I got to read a few pages to him too and he seemed to like it. More Jackson time tomorrow. Yah!!

>145 msf59: Finest kind baby!

>145 msf59: awwww, what a great smile! Glad he's enjoying your reading to him too

>145 msf59: - Sooo cute!

>145 msf59: Absolutely adorable!

Hi Mark - I got overwhelmed last year and stopped following most threads, hopefully I can do better this year.
>66 msf59: I have a copy of The Lincoln Highway, I'm reading some roadtrip books for my category challenge, so would love to join a shared read along the way.
I also have The Memory of Love & The Siege of Krishnapur on my shelves. I started the Farrell a year ago but put it aside. If timing is right I'd like the nudge to read these.

Graphic Novels - not a great year for GNs for me, I ended up reading manga instead. Sylvie was a cute memoir and also Dare to Disappoint: Growing Up in Turkey which Lisa mentioned above.

>145 msf59: Such a great expression! Yay for the fun you're having with the young gent.

>145 msf59: ❤️❤️❤️

I got The Lincoln Highway for Christmas. As it currently stands, I'd be open to a group read.

I might be able to borrow Cloud Cuckoo Land and Harlem Shuffle.

I commiserate with you on your weather woes, Mark. We've had snow here since December 24. Roads were so bad that our Christmas dinner was moved to December 26. We don't do snow here very well.

I'll keep a better eye on your thread this year. Have to see when you decide to start in with Harlem Shuffle.

>145 msf59: Sweet! Just lookit dem cheeks!!

>145 msf59: What a sweetie pie.

>65 msf59: oooh, there's a mini series? I was late to the book - only read it 3years ago - but loved it.

I've been watching Yellowjackets lately....I think you might like it Mark! It certainly is dark, but has the added bonus of a 90s soundtrack and heaps of 90s nostalgia (not the least of which is Juliette Lewis in one of the main roles).

>145 msf59: that smile! *heart melts*

Thanks, Susan, Mary, Shelley and Mamie! He is our shining star and I get to see him again today.

>150 avatiakh: Hi, Kerry. Great to see you. You have been missed around here. I may not get to The Lincoln Highway for a while but I could shoot you a message once I get my copy from the library. I will probably read The Siege of Krishnapur soon, within a week to 10 days and The Memory of Love will be for early March. Mark your calendar. Love doing shared reads. I am requesting Dare to Disappoint: Growing Up in Turkey from the library.

>151 richardderus: >152 Storeetllr: More Jackson love! Yah!

>153 weird_O: Howdy, Bill. I am at the mercy of the library system and the huge waiting list for The Lincoln Highway but I can shoot you a message once it comes in and I will do the same with Cloud Cuckoo Land & Harlem Shuffle.

>154 Familyhistorian: Sorry to hear about all your snow, Meg. I am sure it is especially tough when you are not used to it. We have had very little so far this season but the winter is young. I put you down as a possible companion with Harlem Shuffle.

>155 laytonwoman3rd: >156 Caroline_McElwee: And more Jackson sweetness. Thanks, Linda & Caroline.

>157 LovingLit: Hi, Megan. Station Eleven is on HBO, so I am not sure you have access to it but I am enjoying it and so is Joe. Ooh, Yellowjackets. I have not heard much about that one, but I like "dark" & 90s music.

Hooray for Jackson's heart-warming smile!

Morning, Mark!

>145 msf59: Oh, that sweet smile!! I love it!

‘Morning, Mark! Happy Friday to you. Enjoy your Jackson time again today. Be careful of withdrawl symptoms!

>145 msf59: Such a cutie! And all for grandpa.

>158 msf59: I’m not promising anything, but I bought myself a copy of The Lincoln Highway and would be open to attempting it for a shared read. I’ll try to not have a health crisis in the middle of it. *smile*

>160 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Yep, that Jackson smile! You can't beat it.

>161 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Heading out shortly and yep, pure torture. I would love to read The Lincoln Highway with you but the wait could be grueling.

-Spectacled Owl

A couple more of my target Costa Rica birds. I have a list of over 60 and keep adding. It is hard to believe but CR is home to over 50 different hummingbirds. Wow. I will need lots of assistance with those guys.



-Violet Sabrewing

Morning, Mark! Happy Friday.

>163 msf59: Those look like fabulous choices! The intensity of the spectacled owl makes me laugh.

Good morning, maestro. Happy Friday!

Your work schedule was so ever-shifting that you probably never got that TGIF feeling. I still get it at a primal level, even though the work-a- day is a thing of the past. Part of it for me is we don’t work out on the weekends, and I can sleep in.

We’re still riveted by the Station Eleven series. It’s not really a binge series for us (watch a bunch in a row) because each episode is so full of things to think about that we have to take a break. Debbi just told me that People magazine called the series “elusively beautiful.” I like that, but need to think about “elusively” for awhile.

I’m reading two books that might not park in your alley: Gilded, a YA-ish fantasy by the Cinder author, and The Firekeeper’s Daughter, an Ojibwe-based YA.

I do recommend you try the GN Cheer Up: Love and Pom-Poms (touchstone?) as unlikely as that seems from the title. The realistic trans high schooler portrayal is worth the price of admission.

Looking forward to those Ocean Vuong and Ada Limon collections in April and May!

Friday orisons, Mark...that violet sabrewing is some kinda gorgeous. I hope one displays himself for you in CR.

>158 msf59: By all means, Mark. Send me a message whenever you actually get to The Lincoln Highway.

>164 Crazymamie: Happy Friday, Mamie! And hooray for the intense spectacled owl!

>165 jnwelch: Happy Friday, Joe. You are correct, the TGIF thing really didn't work for me but after a while I just never thought about it. We watched the 4th episode of Station Eleven last night. I agree it should be savored. It is a lot to take in, especially this ep. Thanks for the YA recs. I could always use one of those. And thanks for another GN rec.

>166 richardderus: Hey, RD. Hooray for the violet sabrewing! Hopefully, that will be one of many hummers that I see.

>167 weird_O: I sure will, Bill but if you get the itch to start it, by all means do so.

^Miraculously, my copy of The Lincoln Highway came in from the library. Honestly, I didn't expect it for another month. I plan on starting it later next week, Thursday or Friday if anyone wants to jump in.

>167 weird_O: Yep, that is you, Bill.

Wow, congrats on the quick library hold, Mark! I'm reading it now so I'll be interested in your thoughts and others in the coming days

>170 bell7: Thanks, Mary. I was like 60 out of 300 holds. Crazy, right? Are you enjoying it?

Happy Saturday, Mark. Go Lincoln Highway! Enjoy hanging out with the boys.

We’re going to wait for it to warm up some, then walk to the movies to see the new Spider-man. Hope you get in some good reading time and good Jackson time.

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Saturday to you.

>163 msf59: I love it that your list keeps growing. Both the owl and hummingbird are gorgeous.

>165 jnwelch: Joe, I scheduled my rehab at 11 a.m. so I didn’t have to get up to an alarm for it. I do get up to an alarm if I sleep later than 8:50 so that I can take my meds on schedule. Fortunately, the alarm rarely goes off.

>169 msf59: Well, I probably won’t join in because I’m going to be reading My Name is Red for the January Asia Book Challenge. *sad face*

>172 jnwelch: Happy Saturday, Joe. I am really looking forward to The Lincoln Highway. Glad it came in. Our hiking plans for today were nixed, because of the cold so I might just be hanging out with the books. Have a good time at the show. I am pretty burned out on the superhero films, so I will be taking a pass on that one.

>173 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Yep, that CR Target list could easily top a hundred but I also do not want to be overwhelmed. I am sure I will see plenty that I don't even have on there. I would have loved having you along for the ride with The Lincoln Highway. If something changes, you are more than welcome.

Happy weekend, Mark.

Jackson truly is a shining star! His pictures bring a smile to my face, and I LOVE that you are reading to him. Is Sue over the Crud? It must be torture for her to not be around J.

I am patiently waiting my turn for The Lincoln Highway from the library. They came through with The Sentence yesterday and DH kindly grabbed it for me. I am slowly making my way through My Name is Red. The short vignettes and multiple perspectives are helpful with my Covid Fog.

>169 msf59: Wow! That was fast. I hope you love it like it was Dickens!

>175 Ameise1: Happy Saturday, Barb. Good to see you, my friend.

>176 Donna828: Yep, Jackson is definitely a shining star and Sue has been in serious withdrawal on not seeing him for a couple of weeks. She tested negative yesterday and feels much better. Bree is dropping him off here tomorrow. Yah!! Glad you got The Sentence. I just read Love Medicine, so I will have to save that one for later in the year.

>177 richardderus: Yep, I got lucky, RD and now I can bookhorn it in before our CR trip. I would not have liked hauling that one around on vacation. Dickens??

"Born on the Norwegian island that bears her name, Ingrid Barrøy’s world is circumscribed by storm-scoured rocks and the moods of the sea by which her family lives and dies. But her father dreams of building a quay that will end their isolation, and her mother longs for the island of her youth, and the country faces its own sea change: the advent of a modern world, and all its unpredictability and violence. Brilliantly translated into English by Don Bartlett and Don Shaw, The Unseen is the first book in the Barrøy Chronicles and a moving exploration of family, resilience, and fate."

Ellen sent The Unseen to me a while back and I kept it handy, since it sounded so good. I started it today and it is terrific in the early going. And the blurb is right- it is a beautiful translation. Have anyone else read this?

Jackson is so cute, Mark! Looking forward to your comments on the Lincoln Highway.

>179 msf59: This sounds really good as well!

So, Mark...your urgent and fast-twitch attention, please. A poet. P.O.E.T. Needs your attention. THE ESSENTIAL GWENDOLYN BROOKS by ELIZABETH ALEXANDER is $1.99 and is a must-buy. Her work is brilliant and magical.

https://smile.amazon.com/Essential-Gwendolyn-Brooks-American-Project-ebook/dp/B0...

>179 msf59: Oh that sounds good. Just reserved it and long wait. Oh well! P's paternal grandparents were from Norway so always like related books.

>171 msf59: I am, Mark! It's long enough that I may still be reading it when you start next week. Hopefully it's as good as A Gentleman in Moscow, which I really loved a few weeks years back.

Glad to hear that Sue's doing better! We're getting your cold front, I think. It was 12 degrees with a wind chill of 2 this morning, and needless to say I did the bare minimum of errands!

So glad your book came in sooner than expected. I don't know about everyone else, but I'm getting better at returning my borrowed audio- and e-books as soon as I finish them so others on the hold list can get them sooner. I started doing that about a year ago, when it occurred to me that, with Covid keeping people from going to the library to borrow print books, more people were borrowing e-material, and wait times were getting longer. Anyway, enjoy your book and Jackson! Glad Sue's feeling better and will be able to give that baby some grandma snuggles!

Hi Mark. I'm glad you're enjoying The Unseen. I found the setting as well as the characters to be incredibly memorable.

I have The Lincoln Highway on my kindle. I hope to get to it soonish but January is so far being consumed by the long-but-fabulous Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead.

>180 banjo123: >181 banjo123: Happy Saturday, Rhonda. I can't wait to dig into The Lincoln Highway. Probably on Thursday, but possibly earlier. The Unseen has been wonderful so far.

>182 richardderus: Thanks for thinking of me, RD. I tried Ms. Books at one point and didn't connect. I may have to try her again.

>183 mdoris: All I can say, Mary, is give The Unseen a try. It has been very good and the translation is excellent.

>184 bell7: Hi, Mary. Glad to hear you are enjoying The Lincoln Highway. He set the bar pretty high with A Gentleman in Moscow but I would be happy with something half as good. Sue is doing much better. We even went out for dinner tonight. Sorry, you are experiencing a cold snap. We had that last week.

>185 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary. I do my best to return a book as soon as I can, for the exact reason you said. Interesting how long the ebook waiting lists are. I pretty much stopped requesting the newer titles. Sue will be getting plenty of Jackson time in tomorrow. She is over the moon.

>186 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen. I am loving The Unseen. I really appreciate you sending it to me, otherwise this one may have never made it on my radar. I am so glad you are loving Great Circle. One of my favorite reads of last year.

>169 msf59: Lucky indeed! I am still waiting for mine. I may just have to purchase it instead. Hope it's a good read for you!

I will join you in reading Siege of Krishnapur if you are going to read it in March. I have a copy of it somewhere and do want to get this one read at some point. Might as well read it now.

>189 figsfromthistle: Hi, Figs! I was definitely lucky with The Lincoln Highway. Looking forward to starting it soon. Good luck with your copy.

>190 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita. I would love to have you along with The Siege of Krishnapur. I will try to send out a reminder later next month.

Morning, Mark! The Unseen looks really good. Hooray for Sue and Jackson being reunited today.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday to you. Enjoy your time with Jackson today, if you can wrestle him away from Sue.

A Carolina Chickadee just grabbed a sunflower seed and zoomed away, a Carolina Chickadee Wren had a bit of suet, and the Cardinals are coming in for some breakfast. It sure helps to fill the feeders!

Go Bears! Go Panthers!

>173 karenmarie:. Smart on setting your rehab time in late morning. Our workout isn’t until 10:30 am, but I do the treadmill (with book) for an hour before that. With breakfast and LT, that means I have to get up earlier than I would otherwise.

Happy Sunday, Mark. I’ve wondered about people burning out on superhero movies. I’m not surprised that you have, and I bet you have plenty of company. I will say that this new Spider-man one was particularly good. We were trying to figure out how many Oscars or nominations were shared among the actors, like Marisa Tomei, Cumberbatch, Garfield, Hayden, Jamie Foxx. I was a big Doctor Strange fan as a kid (of course I was) and Cumberbatch was a great pick to play him.

I finished Gilded, and my only disappointment is I hadn’t realized it’s the start of another series, so major plot lines wait to be resolved.

I’ve learned to listen when you and Ellen team up on a book, so I’m adding Great Circle to my WL.

Enjoy your Sunday, buddy.

Hey Mark! Jeez the bird feeders have been bustling!
How fortunate to get your hands on The Lincoln Highway! I'm way way way way WAY down on the list.
Enjoy and of course I look forward to your report.

>194 jnwelch: Good call, Joe.

Hi Mark!

>192 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie. Yep, loving The Unseen but haven't had a chance to dig in yet today with Jack nearby and the Bears playing. Hopefully later.

>193 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. Yep, Sue is keeping a tight hold on Jack but I got a little play time in as well. Bears may win this one. Hooray for the chickadees.

Library holds are a law onto themselves, Mark. Always showing up when you least expect them and usually in bunches too! Enjoy your time with the books today and good to see that Sue will get lots of Jackson time.

>194 jnwelch: Happy Sunday, Joe. Glad to hear you both liked the latest Spider-Man film. I have to admit that is a strong cast. Glad to hear you also liked Gilded. I am reading little fantasy these days. I am so glad Great Circle landed on your list. One of my top reads of last year.

>195 Carmenere: Hi, Lynda. Glad to hear the feeders are bustling. Ours are fairly busy too. Nice to see all the juncos. I hope your copy of The Lincoln Highway comes in soon. Fingers crossed.

>196 EBT1002: I concur, Ellen. He needs to join the club.

>191 msf59:
I will dig the book out of whatever box it is stored in and be ready to join you. Sometime in February?

My books have been treating me very well so far this year. I loved Hidden Palace. It is the sequel to Golem and the Jinni and I have waited four years for the author to finish book 2 in this series. It was worth the wait. I also enjoyed Hench but do think it got off to a slow start. I am now reading Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows for a real life book group and I am really liking that one as well. My nonfiction book is a big'un. It is 500 pages and is Unwarrented:Policing Without Permission by Barry Friedman. I am about 75 pages into this one and know it will take awhile to read, but it is really packed full of information about how and why our policing as gone so wrong. It was published in 2016 and the author discusses the Ferguson, MO problems in the introduction, but his examples of poor policing are from farther back than that and are obsucre cases that should have been warning bells and instead were largely ignored by the public. This book won the American Bar Association's Silver Gavel Award in 2017 and so far it is worthy of that award. It is very infromative and relatively easy to read.

Hi Mark, I still haven't felt the urge to read the newish Towles but I did enjoy his previous one A Gentleman in Moscow.

>200 benitastrnad: I am booked up for February, Benita. How about early March for The Siege of Krishnapur? We can send each other reminders. Glad you are enjoying your current reads. The policing book sounds interesting.

>201 brenzi: Hi, Bonnie. Maybe my potential warbling of The Lincoln Highway will spark some interest. Joe certainly liked it quite a bit.

-Long-eared Owl

^Yesterday was a great birding day. A birding pal, and an intrepid tracker, helped us locate a roosting spot for long-eared owls. I have been on the hunt for these elusive beauties for a few years now. We not only spotted one, but there were also 4 there, huddled in the deep cover. This one was the only one sitting in the open, so I could snap off a few shots. I am sure my pro-photographer buddies got better shots but I was very pleased. We kept our distance and never flushed them and then we carefully departed. Yah for a New Year LIFER!!

I have now seen every owl, that is seen in this part of the country. I would still like to get a Boreal Owl, but they very seldom leave Canada. Now and then they show up in northern MN, so there is a chance.

Well done on the owl sighting, Mark. I'm impressed you've seen them all now. Great photo, too.

>204 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. Owls are very difficult to find and these are especially tough. They migrate down here for the winter. Not sure we would have found them without some assistance. I didn't mention it but it was also very cold and icy on these trails but it was worth every second of it.

Morning, Mark! Hooray for another Lifer.

‘Morning, Mark!

>203 msf59: Congrats. Lifer, first of year, AND you completed your list of owls in your neck of the woods. Nice pic, too.

>206 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie and thanks. It was an exciting day.

>207 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. This was the hardest of the owls to find, so I am glad to that under my belt. It was also a Lifer for my other 2 birding buddies. Lots of smiles all around.

>203 msf59: Yay for a New Year's Lifer! I'm impressed with the shot you got. It's a beautiful mess of fractals.

Happy week ahead, though the rest of the week has one helluva high bar to jump to match Sunday!

Just saw on Richard's thread that your son's car jumped gear and hit the side of our house, which includes the garage door frame, so that can't open. At least Sue had left earlier. WTH??

Sorry to hear it. I hope it can be fixed quickly, easily, and inexpensively.

Congrats, mark on the lifer!

>210 karenmarie: Wow! I hope so too!

Wow that owl photo is gorgeous. Those ears are fabulous. I hear them (don't know which specie) frequently during my early morning walks but have never spotted one. Keep the Jackson photos coming - such a cutie!

>203 msf59: What a stunning bird Mark, and a very fine photo IMO. Congratulations on your first New Year's lifer.

Love that owl photo, Mark. You’re getting good! Congrats on the lifer.

All is well on my end. After years of his Sharpe series being finished, Bernard Cornwell has written a new one, Sharpe’s Assassin, and I treated myself. Can’t wait! These are terrific historical novels.

Hope your day goes well and you get some good reading time.

Congrats on the Lifer owl, Mark!

I heard about your Monday woes on Richard's thread. I hope everything gets repaired/sorted out soon. What a bummer!

Hi there Mark! Happy New Year and congrats on new baby Jackson! Great legs! Takes after his granpa.

I thought of you the other day when a Steller's Sea Eagle came to perch in our little coastal town in Maine! It was a "lifer" for many out-of-towners (even out-of-staters) who came for the sight and crammed our little roads. With an 8 ft wingspan and weighing in at about 20+ pounds, it was quite a sight. It comes from Siberia! Was spotted in a few places across the country before it got here. When I saw this giant - at dusk - he was skimming over our cove. It looked like a B52 coming in for a landing! (Almost)
If this link works, you can read about it:
https://bangordailynews.com/2022/01/07/opinion/editorials/the-sea-eagle-has-land...
I LOVED The Lincoln Highway! Towles is a favorite author of mine.

>202 msf59:
March works for me, as it will probably take that long for me to find the book. I know I have it because I have all three of J. G. Farrell's novels. I will just need to dig it out.

The books have been treating me very well so far this year. I read Hench but finished it on December 30 so counted it as last year. I also read Circe, Invention of Wings, and then Hidden Palace and was very happy with all of them. Even my current reads have been very good. I am hoping for a quiet evening tonight so that I can spend some time reading while my chicken soup cooks. My current recorded book is a good one. It is Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. It is the first one in the Chaos Walking series. The series was made into a TV series and I decided that before I watch the series I would like to read the books. They were hits when they were published back in 2007-2010, but I just never got around to reading them. Now that there is a TV show nipping at my heels I felt the heat to get to it and opted for the recorded versions of the trilogy. The series is reminding me of the Scythe series so I think I will be happy reading this trilogy in preparation for watching the TV series.

I am not anxious to read Lincoln Highway. I am not sure why but the blurbs and the reviews left me with a memhhh feeling so I think I am going to skip this one - or at least push it back and maybe read it someday. I do want to read Great Circle sometime this year.

Hi Marc! Your thread is going so fast. I wanted to compliment you on the kingfisher picture in >112 msf59:
Lovely picture. I loved the muted colours of the bird, so fitting with winter, and the background. Good shot. Punky hairdo is fun as well.

And fifty species of hummingbirds in Costa Rica. Wow.

And then I had to remember the number 112 until I could find a place to post.

>209 richardderus: "New Year's Lifer!" That has a nice ring to it, doesn't it RD? Unfortunately, it has been easily offset by the accident this morning. Sighs...

>210 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen. We were able to get the door up and my truck out but the garage door repair guy strongly suggested not to touch the garage door again. It could fall off the rails. Sadly, this will not be inexpensive repair but we of course have insurance. Sighs...

>211 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley.

>212 drneutron: Plus Matt was knocked down on the driveway and was banged up a bit. He missed work today but should be back on track tomorrow.

>213 vivians: Thanks, Vivian. I got lucky with that owl shot. Funny. I am not sure how the LEO sounds. You are most likely hearing great horned or barred owls. They seem to be our most frequent and most vocal.

>214 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Caroline. I sure like the sound of a New Year's Lifer!!

>215 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. Glad you like the owl pic. It is probably the best time of year to locate and photograph owls in general. I read a couple of the Sharpe books, many years ago and always remembered you were a big fan.
I am enjoying my time with The Unseen, that is for sure.

>216 bell7: Thanks, Mary. It is certainly a bad day. Making phone calls and fortunately got my pickup out the garage and closed it back up. It can't be touched again until everything is repaired.

>217 -Cee-: Thanks, Cee and Happy New Year to you too. It sure is great to see you. You have brightened an upsetting day. Yep, we sure love our little Jackson. He is our shining star. I read an article about the Sea Eagle. Wow! I think it was thousands of miles away from where it should be, right?

>218 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita. I always enjoy getting the book update. I loved the Chaos Walking series. I watched some of the TV series but I think I was a bit underwhelmed. Joe thinks The Lincoln Highway is more of a guy's book. He may be onto something. Several of my female pals were not interested.

>219 EllaTim: Hi, Ellea. I am glad you like the kingfisher photo. They are very striking birds. I would love to get a closer shot of one of them. It is just not easy. They spook easy.

>203 msf59: Congratulations, Mark, that is a beautiful lifer!

Sorry to read about the garage door woes. I hope it can be repaired soon.

>169 msf59: I have already read that one or I would. Enjoy!

>203 msf59: Yay for owls!!

Have a wonderful week!

>203 msf59: What an impressive picture of that impressive owl! And a lifer!

Hope Matt wasn't hurt. Garage doors can be repaired....

>222 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita. It was a great bird. Yes, we are very bummed about the garage. I think there is more damage than we think.

>223 alcottacre: Hi, Stasia! I can't wait to jump into The Lincoln Highway. In the next day or two. This was a special owl but then again, they all are, IMHO.

>224 quondame: You sure can't beat a New Year Lifer, Susan. A special one.

>225 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. Matt was knocked to the ground. A bit banged up but will be okay. He will be back to work tomorrow. Unfortunately, the damage extends beyond the garage door. It involves masonry and carpentry work. Sighs...

Hi Mark, oh dear, I foresee some garage repairs in your future! Good news that you received a copy of The Lincoln Highway, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Hey that garage ding? Six-pack of duct tape will fix ya right up.

edited to add this link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/01/10/spotted-snowy-owl-dcs-union-s...

>228 weird_O: - Ooo, I have plenty of pigeons for that snowy!! Someone, direct her up this way! ;-)

Morning, Mark!

Ooof, I'm sorry about the garage damage, but I'm glad everyone is okay!

So sorry to hear about the garage situation, Mark. I'm glad no one was seriously injured, and hope the repairs aren't too bank-breaking.

>227 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy. It is always something, right? We have our issues with our adult son but this time we felt sorry for him. Can't wait to dig into The Lincoln Highway.

>228 weird_O: Duct tape? One of man's greatest creations. This will take just a bit more than that:



^The support post was pushed in, so the garage door will have to be removed until the wall is repaired. At least we got the door open long enough to get my truck out. Whew! The brick work will have to wait until much warmer weather. Honestly, this could have been much worse in many different scenarios. Believe it or not that cement stoop really stopped more serious damage. It slowed the car down, popping his right tire in the process.

>228 weird_O: Thanks for a much lighter note on the snowy owl, Bill. I am sure DC birders are ecstatic. I got my first snowy of the season last month.

>229 jessibud2: I wonder if you can rent one, Shelley?

>230 scaifea: Morning, Amber. Matt was banged up a bit but he will return to work today.

>231 lauralkeet: Thanks Laura! And Good Morning! Of course, our insurance will cover it but that 1,000 deductible is ours or should I say Matts. Disassembling the entire garage door and putting it back up is about 750.

Morning, Mark! I'm sorry about the not good kind of excitement you had yesterday - total bummer. Glad Matt is okay if a little banged up. Hoping Tuesday is nice and quiet for you.

Hey Mark! The good the bad and the ugly - Spotting a lifer, crash, damage. I'm so glad to read Matt faired better than the garage and that's what's most important. Hope you can find a good mason, they seem to be few and far between.

Banged up heals...doors get fixed. You're mobile, so's Matt, a disaster averted!

‘Morning, Mark. Good luck getting the repairs started and etc.

>232 msf59: Ooh, that looks bad. I can see that it will be expensive to repair; hope the insurance comes through.

>233 msf59: Gulp. $1000 deductible.

>232 msf59: Oops!

>234 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie! Yep, today is much more relaxed. Just waiting on a couple of guys to come and do estimates. Lots of book time.

>235 Carmenere: Hi, Lynda. Good to hear from you. It definitely has been a good, bad & ugly couple of days. We are lucky to have connected with a mason. He will drop by tomorrow morning.

>236 richardderus: Very good point, RD. It could have been so much worse and Matt is just fine.

>237 karenmarie: Hi, Kare. Yep, dealing with the aftermath. At least it has been very quiet around here. We got a handyman coming later this afternoon and another two guys tomorrow. Yep, that deductible is a whopper but that is the only way to keep down that premium.

>238 Caroline_McElwee: Yep, a very big OOPS!!

- Adam Zyglis

I won't mention our $10,000 flood insurance deductible, eh? ;-)

Glad things have calmed down, that Matt is fine, and that you are already getting folks in to deal with the repairs!

>241 katiekrug: $10,000? That is friggin' insane!! Hard to quibble about a lowly grand. Yes, we got a guy coming in this afternoon and 2 tomorrow. Thanks, Katie.

Flood insurance is a bit of a racket, but we live in a flood plain and the mortgage company required it. And it's $10K for structure and another $10K for contents. So we got hosed with the flood last year. Still trying to claw more money out of them :)

I hope that the estimates come in well for you, Mark.

Happy (?) Tuesday!

Hi Mark, I went to the library today and found a copy of the Dutch translation of The Unseen. Took it home :-)

>243 katiekrug: That really sucks, Katie. Like dealing with the ugly aftermath and clean-up isn't stressful enough, you have to worry about paying it out of pocket. A racket, indeed.

>244 alcottacre: It appears to be a slow process, Stasia. Hanging in there.

>245 FAMeulstee: Hi, Anita. Hooray for picking up The Unseen. I just finished it and thought it was excellent. I will have to read the next book in the series. I hope the Dutch translation is as good as the English one.

-Saw-whet Owl (NMP)

I forgot to mention, that we saw a second owl species, the same morning we had the long-eared owls. It was the tiny, well-hidden saw-whet. I could not get a clear photo but my birding buddy did and this is his shot. This was not a Lifer but it is always great to see these elusive little guys.

I didn't mention this in my original post but these two owls, including the short-eared owls, migrate here for the winter, so that is usually the only time you will see them in the Midwest.

Mark, I'm so sorry about the freak garage accident at your house. As if life these days isn't exciting enough. I'm glad your son wasn't badly hurt, except for his pride maybe?

I love owls. We have our resident Barred Owls here and see an occasional GHO, but none of the other varieties you've spotted. Between birdwatching and watching Jackson, you have the two best hobbies on LT imo.

Can't wait for your comments on The Lincoln Highway. I'm creeping up on the library list.

>232 msf59: Ouch! Quite a damage. Hopefully you can have it repaired soon.

>247 msf59: Nice pic. The Saw-whet Owl is quite camouflaged!

>232 msf59: Oh, ouch! So sorry you are dealing with that, Mark, but as you and others have said it's not as bad as it could have been. Glad no one was badly hurt.

>248 Donna828: His pride and in his wallet, huh?

>247 msf59: I love tiny owls, like the Saw-whet and also screech owls. Europe has a species called a Little Owl. The first time I heard it mentioned I thought it was just a generic name for owls like the saw-whet. But no, it's the common name for Athene noctua.



Have a great day, Mark!

>248 Donna828: Hi, Donna. It sure was a tough way to start the week. Right now, the biggest hassle is not being able to use the garage and yes, Matt is still a bit rattled about the accident. Of course, I remember you mentioning your resident barred owls. We have them here too, but very seldom do they venture into the urban areas. I want to see my FOY, (first of the year).

>249 figsfromthistle: Hi, Figs. This is how the saw-whets roost, in deep cover. This makes for finding them very difficult, since they are completely nocturnal.

>250 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary. Yep, it was a tough way to start the week but God, it could have been so much worse, in several different scenarios. Matt is not good with money, so this is definitely going to be a direct hit to his wallet, even if it is just the deductible.

>251 lauralkeet: Morning, Laura. I had not heard of the Little Owl. Quite an original tag, right? I have only seen screech owls twice and they can be found here throughout the year. Tough little buggers to spot. There have been 16 species of owls found in Costa Rica so I am hoping to at least see a couple of those guys.



-Black-and-White- Owl. Costa Rica

‘Morning, Mark! Happy Wednesday to you.

>240 msf59: It’s too bad that the Gang of Psychos has descended to the level they have.

>241 katiekrug: Had I been taking a sip of coffee, Katie, I would have choked. Yikes.

>247 msf59: Excellent photo of the elusive little owl. Your buddy did well.

>252 msf59: Although you said that it was a freak accident, I'm not sad to hear that you're making Matt pay the deductible. Jenna had a speeding ticket she irresponsibly let go to court, had about $600 in expenses relating to it that we fronted, but she paid us back within a year.

>253 msf59: Oooh. Now that’s an owl I’d love to see. Those black eyes and white and black stripes…

>247 msf59: Wow, Now that's good spotting! Good job, Mark!

>254 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. I am glad you like the photo of the saw-whet. There have been one or two wintering at the Arboretum, these past few years but no reports of them there yet. I feel bad that Matt will have to pay, (he does too) but that's how it is. I sure would love to see one those black & white owls.

>255 Carmenere: Hi, Lynda. I can hardly take credit for the saw-whet owl. The same incredible birding buddy that helped us find the long-eared owls, also put us on this one. My other buddy took the photo. I am just glad to have seen it.

1- Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid by Thor Hanson 4.3 stars

This is not just another diatribe against climate change and environmental destruction but a fascinating look at how nature and wildlife have evolved in small ways, to thwart these dangerous changes. I have noticed subtle shifts in avian behavior. Of course, there is going to still be major losses, that cannot be avoided but it is encouraging to read a book that offers a glimmer of hope in these trying times.

2- Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich 4.4 stars
The setting is a North Dakota Ojibwe reservation, following two families: the Kashpaws and the Lamartines., through several decades and how their lives intertwine. There is magic, love, betrayal and deep-seated family devotion in these pages. A very ambitious and impressive novel for a debut. This is also the first of a series of books that deals with this a read and these people. I will be continuing.

3- The Unseen (The Barrøy Chronicles, 1) by Roy Jacobsen 4.6 stars

“...once you settle on an island, you never leave, an island holds on to what it has with all its might and main.”

The Barroy family live on their own island off the Norwegian coast. This wonderful, almost hypnotic novel captures their day to day lives, with the many struggles they encounter, along with glimmers of love and joy. The fine details and descriptions may overwhelm some readers, but I was swept along with it. I also want to commend the incredible translation by Don Shaw. This is the first of a trilogy. If I can find the others, I will be continuing. Thanks again to Ellen, for sending it to me.

** I received an ARC of Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid, so if anyone is interested, I would gladly pass it along. I am sending The Unseen to Rhonda. Got to keep spreading the book joy.

Morning, Mark.

I’m just catching up on your garage story. I’m glad your son is okay. That must’ve been quite a shocker. I like Bill’s duct tape suggestion, but it looks like it needs more than that. I was going to suggest squirting WD40 on it, another multi-use product. That wouldn’t help, I can tell.

The Firekeeper’s daughter ended up being a 5 star read for me.

>258 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. Hopefully we can get this house damage repaired quickly. We would sure love to have the use of our garage back. Yep, duct tape & WD40- miracle cures. You got me pumped about The Firekeeper’s daughter. I will have to request it once I get back from our trip.

>247 msf59: Lovely!

I was thinking of you today when I ran across this passage in Pleasure of Ruins: "Mrs Maudslay meanwhile kept hour in the tent, doctored the villagers, watched the birds, for which she had a passion. . ." The Maudslays were excavating ruins in Guatemala.

>257 msf59: I am hoping to get to Love Medicine some time soon!

Happy Wednesday!

>257 msf59: Three good reads! I'm glad for you!

>253 msf59: That is one snazzy owl. I would love to be that dapper.

All good news from the eye doc, so I am on a victory lap!

>260 alcottacre: Happy Wednesday, Stasia. I love the quote from Pleasure of Ruins. I see no reason why you won't adore Love Medicine. Erdrich Rocks! More owl news today...

>261 richardderus: Hey, RD. Hooray for good reads, snazzy owls & positive eye doc news!

"Amor Towles spins a beguiling and rollicking historical adventure set in the 1950s, brilliantly imaginative, and with an unforgettable cast of characters, ostensibly about a Lincoln Highway road trip to California that keeps gets derailed."

^Like scores of us over here, I adored A Gentleman in Moscow and could not wait to read his latest offering. He, of course takes a complete 180 in this novel, which is light years from The Count but based on the first 50 pages, this is going to be another gem.



-1948 Studebaker Land Cruiser

Sorry to see that you are dealing with damage to your garage, Mark. It's definitely not a great time to have to do house repairs or have your vehicles without a place to park inside. Good to see that Matt's injuries were minor.

>264 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. We are dealing with it. Like I mentioned a few times before, it could have been much worse.

^Mama GHO on the box. I have not got out much the past 3 days but I had to stop at this spot and was rewarded. Great-horned owls have been nesting in this area for the past few years. It will be great to witness this cycle again. I can't wait to see the chicks.

>266 msf59: - Wow! So cool that you see them!

>266 msf59: Excellent, Mark. And this is your photo, right?

>263 msf59: Excellent, Mark. I want to finish Way Station—I have less than 100 pages to go—before taking up The Lincoln Highway.

You know, I remember the grownups in my early life talking about the Lincoln Highway, as in chatting about what route to take from here to there. It was U. S. Route 30, extending along the Main Line (the Pennsylvania Railroad's main line to the west), through Lancaster. But instead of following the railroad to Harrisburg, Route 30 continued west across the Susquehanna River and through York.

Well, maybe Towles talks about the route. I don't know.

HI Mark, I just thumbed your review of The Unseen. i'm looking forward to reading that one!

Loving your owl photos.

>257 msf59: Decent start to the reading year, Mark.

>263 msf59: Even for me, much less keen than you on ornithology, that cuts an impressive sight.

>266 msf59: I cannot wait to see the chicks either!

>267 jessibud2: We are very lucky to have this GHO nesting in an easy location. We always hope that the owls are left alone and not given much human pressure. I stay long enough to snap a couple pics and then quietly depart.

>268 weird_O: Howdy, Bill. Yep, my photo. Love my owls. Looking forward to having you join me on RT 66. Yes, this route figures heavily in the book. Times Square to San Francisco. It passes through Chicago too. Built in 1912.

>269 mdoris: Thanks for the Thumb, Mary. Those are rare these days. I can't warble enough about that title. I hope you get to it. Glad you like the owls.

>270 PaulCranswick: Hi, Paul. Always good to see you. Yep, my reading is off to a fine start. Glad you like the classic auto.

>271 alcottacre: If the eggs hatch, you will see chicks, Stasia. Last year, there was a problem with the first round and it failed but the second time was a success. Yah! Hopefully I can get Papa next time.

>271 alcottacre: alcottacre: If the eggs hatch, you will see chicks, Stasia. Last year, there was a problem with the first round and it failed but the second time was a success. Yah! Hopefully I can get Papa next time.

This was the GHO chick in the same box from last year:

‘Morning, Mark! Happy Thursday to you.

>258 jnwelch: What a stunning cover! Not my usual genre, but I’ve been known to buy books because of their covers. And, from Amazon, Soon to be adapted at Netflix for TV with President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama's production company, Higher Ground.

>266 msf59: What a great pic. Thanks for sharing.

>273 msf59: Awww, sweet and fierce face.

What a great era of TV we're living in! So many more delights, so much more programming with thought behind it...like the Obamas' company's stuff...along with the expected, inevitable dross.

Like books, there's just some eras that stand out. I'm not sure the 20s are a superb overall literature decade to date, but I've found some gems and I know you have as well.

>273 msf59: I remember that wide-eyed chick from last year!

Happy Thursday, Mark!

>274 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. Were you referring to The Firekeeper’s Daughter? Now, I really want to read that one. Glad you like the owl pics. I sure hope I can share more.

>275 richardderus: Hey, RD. I think it is a special time for TV viewing. Definitely plenty to choose from and lots of quality picks too.

>276 alcottacre: Happy Thursday, Stasia. Lets hope I can duplicate those shots, in the coming weeks. I can't remember if there was only one chick in that brood or two.

-Michael Ramirez

Keel-billed Toucan

A couple more target birds for Costa Rica. I think my list is in the mid-60s.



-Montezuma Oropendola

>279 msf59: - Such amazing birds, Mark, but I can't help think of Fruit Loops very time I see a toucan!

>280 jessibud2: I am with you, Shelley. I think there are like 4 types of toucans found there. I will be happy with one.

‘Morning, Mark! Happy Jackson Day. Oh, er, yes, happy Friday, too.

>277 msf59: Yes, I was referring to The Firekeeper’s Daughter.

>279 msf59: Gorgeous birds.

Waving hello

Happy Jacksonday!

Not sure if you will see this in time, or if you've seen before on Laura's thread, but eagle in nest right now:

https://www.dullesgreenway.com/eagle-cam/

>274 karenmarie:. The author, Angeline Boulley, also loves that cover, Karen - something we don’t often hear from authors. I hope you enjoy the book. I’m ready for the Netflix adaptation when it comes out! Can’t wait to see who they cast.

Happy Friday, Mark. Cool to see mama GHO up there. What a fascinating type of bird.

I started Sharpe’s Assassin, and it’s great to march again with Sharpe and his buddy Patrick Harper, as they get another assignment from “Nosey”, the Duke of Wellington. It should be another good weekend for reading. Apparently we’ve lucked out in having a bad storm curve around us, heading southeast and then up the east coast.

Oh, and Happy Jackson Day. I’m sure you’ve having a good time with him.

Making good progress along The Lincoln Highway, Mark. It is very entertaining. With the exception of Billy, the travelers are awfully self-centered and unaware, aren't they. I like the mix of backgrounds Towles presents through the supporting cast. As soon as the disabled man appears, both legs missing below the knees, I knew he was a railroader. Judi's great-grandfather was a railroader who died in the rail yard.

>282 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. I am really looking forward to reading The Firekeeper’s Daughter and I agree it is a striking cover. Jackson Day continues, and it has been a joy.

>283 labfs39: Big Waves to Lisa!

>284 richardderus: It has been a great Jackson Day, RD! Yah!

>285 Caroline_McElwee: Happy Friday, Caroline. I have been trying to check in on Laura's eagle cam each day but did not today. Thanks for the reminder. And both adults are currently on the nest. Yah!

>286 jnwelch: Happy Friday, Joe. I also love that cover of The Firekeeper’s Daughter. Expect more pics of Mama GHO, possibly Papa and future chicks. Enjoy your Sharpe book and yes it has been a great Jackson Day.

>287 weird_O: Hi, Bill. Wow! I think you have caught up with me on The Lincoln Highway. Emmett and Billy have just jumped on the freight train. We have been on Jackson duty today, so it is cutting into my reading time but I can't complain at all. It sounds like we are both enjoying it.

^Jackson Day continues at Mi Casa. He is napping now. I was told to keep rolling him on his stomach, to strengthen his neck and he usually fusses but this time he started laughing and then was able to roll back over on his back. Can't get enough of this kid.

Look at Jack holding his head up. That's just great.

>290 msf59: Adorable!

Oh, nice!

>290 msf59: Oh gosh! Just getting cuter he is! How is that possible?

>290 msf59: Quite cute! He seems to always be smiling :)

>290 msf59: Incredible!! Jackson is holding his head up! He gets cuter by the day!
It dawned on me that your daughter's name is Bre, my daughter's name is Breanna. And, one of my twin grandson's name is Jackson!

Thanks, everyone! Glad but not surprised that Jack has so many adoring fans. It was a special day with the boy.

>296 Whisper1: I think that is excellent, Linda. I like this spelling of "Breanna" the best and I am glad we both share the same moniker for our daughters. And of course, yah for Jackson.

>290 msf59:. Strong neck! Way to go, Jackson!

>298 jnwelch: If this doesn't put a big smile on your mug, nothing will. Go Jack!!