Mark's Reading Place: Chapter Three

-Rainforest. Costa Rica.



-Collared Aracari



“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

Jackson. 5 months

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
5- These Precious Days: Essays by Ann Patchett 4.8 stars (audio)
6- The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles 3.8 stars
7- Spellbound: A Graphic Memoir by Bishakh Som 3.7 stars GN
8- Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan 4.5 stars
9- The Film Club: A Memoir by David Gilmour 3.8 stars
10- Dare to Disappoint by Ozge Samanci 4 stars GN
11- The Palace Thief: Stories by Ethan Canin 4 stars

February:

12- In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez 4.6 stars
13- Young Skins: Stories by Colin Barrett 4.5 stars
14- The Scene of the Crime by Ed Brubaker 4 stars GN
15- Pastoral Song: A Farmer’s Journey by James Rebanks 4.5 stars (audio)
16- The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna 4 stars GR

^ 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.

The Memory of Love Group read: https://www.librarything.com/topic/339479
Winesburg, Ohio Group Read led by Lynda Mar
Link: https://www.librarything.com/topic/339258#n7745832
Moonglow by Michael Chabon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/339114
Unnecessary Woman w/Stasia Mar?
The Siege of Krishnapur w/Kerry, Benita? Anne? Mar?

Cloud Cuckoo Land W/Bill
Harlem Shuffle w/Meg, Bill, Kim, Benita, Meg April
The Line of Beauty

Hello?? Great Horned Owl chicks.

Happy new thread, Mark. I thought you were leaving for Costa Rica today.
Love the last pic of Jackson on your last thread!

Happy new thread, Mark!

Almost time for your Costa Rica trip :-)
I hope to finish Underland: A Deep Time Journey today, this might very well be my first 5* read this year.

I had to laugh on your last thread as here in Maine temps have been around -7F with a -27F wind chill more than once in the last week or so. It has just started snowing here, and they are predicting 18". Not as much as in Boston.

Happy new thread, Mark!

Happy new one!

>6 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. We leave early Monday morning. It will be a long day. You know I will also post that Jackson photo over here.

>7 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita. I also loved Underland. Glad it was such a big hit for you.

>8 labfs39: Hi, Lisa. It sounds like you are getting hammered up there in Maine. Yes overall, we have been lucky. Hard to complain, especially now that I am retired.

>9 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie.

>10 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Figs.

Happy new thread, about-to-fly-to-warmth man. It's about a foot out there, but I don't need to touch a trotter to the pavement so let it snow, sez I.

>2 msf59: Love the Jackson faces!

Happy new thread, Mark. I am checking in on this one before I get too far behind :)

Good luck dealing with your impending weather transition: deep freeze to tropical. I'll not bet, however, on how worried you are about it. Have a grand vaca.

‘Morning, Mark! Happy Saturday to you and happy new thread. Brrr! Still not going to get warm in your neck of the woods.

From your last thread: Antisemitism, religious intolerance in general, white supremacy… never ending. I think many people have learned alot, it’s just entrenched powerful people/entities that will never change and who still have the crazies following them.

>2 msf59: Such a sweet face.

>5 msf59: Yay for the GHOs.

>11 msf59: Ah, Monday. I’d lost track, too.

I just had two Carolina Wrens on my two-sided suet feeder - a pleasure to watch them.

Jackson and Costa Rica! Two things guaranteed to make me smile to see.

Just stopped by to see how the packing is going.

Happy new thread, Mark! And hooray for The Time of the Butterflies. That's one of my faves.

>3 msf59: I expect to finish Pastoral Song today, Mark. I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am.

Hi Mark. It’s almost Bon Voyage time! I know you and Sue will have a fabulous time in beautiful Costa Rica. My daughter and family were there when Covid became a thing in the USA. They probably wouldn’t have minded a delay in leaving.

I’m looking forward to your bird sightings. Here’s hoping that your extreme cold will be over by the time you get back. Safe travels, friend.

>12 richardderus: Thanks, Richard. Last time I checked Costa Rica's current temp it was 77F. Mmmmmmm...that will feel good. Glad to hear you don't have to get out in any of that hefty snow.

>13 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia and hooray for those Jackson faces. Many more of those to come. That is a promise.

>14 weird_O: "deep freeze to tropical." Ooh, I like the sound of that, Bill and thanks, we are looking forward to it.

>15 karenmarie: Happy Saturday, Karen and thank you. Hooray for warmer climes, sweet faces, GHO babies and visiting Carolina Wrens.

>16 Storeetllr: "Jackson and Costa Rica! Two things guaranteed to make me smile to see." They sure make us smile too, Mary. No packing yet, we are getting the house in order. I will probably do my packing tomorrow morning. Mine doesn't usually take long.

>17 banjo123: Thanks, Rhonda. I am really enjoying The Time of the Butterflies and can see why it would be a fave.

>18 laytonwoman3rd: I am so glad to hear you are enjoying Pastoral Song, Linda. I also think it has been very good. I still have at least 2 hours left in the audio, so I won't finish it until after I get back.

>19 Donna828: Thanks, Donna. We are looking forward to this trip. Everyone that we have talked to, that has been there has loved it. It will be nice to join those ranks. My bird target list is into the 80s now. I am expecting to do pretty well.

^A future Jeopardy champion? I wouldn't be surprised. Sue took this photo yesterday. My FIL got him this onesie. What a nice great grandpa.

>22 msf59: LIKE!!

Mark, I read that Alvarez book some years ago and thought it was really well done.

Have a great trip--hope you spot a few Lifers and Sue gets some R&R after a tough month.

Wishing you the BEST time away Mark and looking forward to photos of CR and of Jackson upon your return! Oh....and books too!

Hello Mark! It's been a while. I seem to come and go with the tide. Congratulations on the addition of Jackson to the family! Best wishes in the new year for your reading and beyond. Also, have a nice vacation!

>22 msf59: He certainly is growing grandpa. And a great smiler.

Happy new one, Mark.

I think I echo everybody else in my appreciation of Jackson's photos - his smile is winning.

Did you see Tim is leading a Group Read of Maus starting today? Thanks to some book-banners in Tennessee, Maus is having a revival.

>28 labfs39: It's interesting how things can backfire!

Have a great trip, Mark!

Happy new thread!

>22 msf59: He could take the daily double at $2000!

Have a very birdy vacation!

>28 labfs39: I read the reports of the banning of Maus by a particular school board in Tennessee apparently on the grounds of profanity. They were debating whether to redact some of the "offending" words and keep the book but the board narrowly voted to ban the book.

I'm sorry to say that the decision is ridiculous. I have long been an advocate for the importance of ensuring that futures generations never be allowed to forget the Holocaust and Spiegelman's book is the singular most effective tool to achieve that with children of a certain age. I am sure that we are not talking here about under tens.

Profanity? What the Nazi's did went a little further than profanity. The school board should hang its head in shame.

Happy new one! Looking forward to a vicarious Costa Rican trip through you.

Dear Mark, I hope you have a wonderful time! I can't wait to hear all about your adventures.

Maus. I can't believe what's happening. I mean naked mice are certainly shameful, but... But seriously, I as assigned Maus in college and it felt groundbreaking even then - it would have been the early 90s. I've never forgotten it.

Going back to your previous thread, it was English Creek that you sent me many years ago. You also sent me The End of Vandalism, whic I read last year and really loved. So thank you! And I will take your advice and start with English Creek.

>23 kac522: Thanks, Kathy. We are looking forward to our trip and adding to my Lifer list. Glad to hear you enjoyed the Alvarez novel and I am not all surprised.

>24 mdoris: Thanks, Mary. I hope to take plenty of photos on our trip and of course sharing some of them here, along with more Jackson photos.

>25 brodiew2: Hi, Brodie. Good to see you, stranger. In regard to Jackson, we are overjoyed having him part of our lives. He brings happiness every time we see him.

>26 Caroline_McElwee: He sure is, Caroline. He is fast approaching the sixth month mark.

>27 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. Jackson continues to warm our hearts.

I'm late to your new thread, Mark, and now your trip to Costa Rica is imminent. Wow! I wish you safe travels, although I don't know how you're going to survive without your daily Jackson fix.

>28 labfs39: That is very cool news, Lisa. It so great to see this sparking interest. Take that TN. I can't reread it, this time around but I hope to in the coming weeks.

>29 mdoris: You got that right, Mary!

>30 brenzi: Thanks, Bonnie.

>31 quondame: Thanks, Susan. I agree with you on the 2,000 smackers for Jack.

>32 PaulCranswick: Thanks, for your thoughts on the Maus discussion, Paul. Have you read the GNs?

>33 drneutron: Thanks, Jim. Come on, CR!!

>34 AMQS: Hi, Anne. Yes, we are very excited about our CR trip. Hopefully, I will be sharing lots of photos. Very sad about the Maus ruling but it seems have sparked a lot of interest in it. I completely forgot that I had sent you those books. I hope you enjoy English Creek. I liked it more than the follow-up.

>36 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. Yes, we will miss Jack but I am hoping Bree sends a daily photo or two.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday to you. I know you're getting ready for your trip but hope you plan on watching some of the football today. I'm in the Chiefs and 49ers camp, the first for me, the second for my aunt.

Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday.

>31 quondame: What Susan said!

>38 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Oh, I will be watching some football, all right. Get that packing in early. I like the Chiefs too but you got to be impressed with what the Bengals have done and the same with the Rams. I doubt this will be as exciting as last week but it should decent matchups.

>39 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie and thanks. We are going to miss our Jackson. It will be about 2 weeks. 😢

Have a great trip, Mark!

>41 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie! We are pumped.

^I have seen many Great-tailed Grackles while in Mexico but this one suddenly appeared in Illinois. It hung around a couple of gas stations at a truck stop area, (it appears it liked McDonalds) for more than a week so scores of birders made the trip to see this rarity. We made it down there, (about a 40 mile drive) on Wednesday. Fortunately, we got good looks and photos. Here it appears, that a European Starling wanted to hitch a ride.

*grumble*

Yeah, have a "good" time, whatever

*grouch*

>2 msf59: Mark - Jackson looks ready to head on out to Costa Rica with you - he wants to see The Trogon!

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Birds continue to empty feeders, with a little help from our deer, fawns, and, likely, a raccoon or two.
What a welcome bright spot the Cardinals are...I love the snow and, with a winter face mask and warm boots,
can handle the cold, but the ICE on the driveway has been more than challenging.
January did not bring a nice warm rain thaw - hope February delivers.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

My copy of Jewelweed finally turned up, with Milton the Bat my favorite character
and Wally, Ivan, and August close behind Nate, Jacob, and "Mrs. Helm."

Dart and Blake haven't evolved as characters learning from any of their mistakes, from repeat jail time to lying and stealing.

Did you finish your group read?

>32 PaulCranswick: Paul - Looks like Tennessee School Boards didn't learn anything from The Scopes Trial...

>44 richardderus: No worries, RD. I would be grumbling too. I just hope there are no problems getting out of here.

>45 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. Great to see you. I have a couple different Trogons on my target list. I like seeing your feeder report. Mine have been hopping today too but were quiet yesterday.

I finished Jewelweed about a month ago. I liked it but did not love it. Driftless was the true gem, IMHO. I am sure glad I discovered him.

>46 m.belljackson: Amen!!

Happy new thread, Mark! Hope you have safe travels and an absolute blast. Can't wait to hear about your trip and all the birds you add to the Life List.

Hi Mark, I just dropped by to wish you a Bon Voyage. Enjoy your trip and soak up enough sunshine to get you through the rest of the winter.

I read The Time of the Butterflies last year and loved it!

I'm knowing you will have a great time on your vacation. I'm looking forward to all the photos you'll post of all the flamboyantly plumed birdies you see. ENJOY!

Enjoy your holiday in the warmth, Mark. Safe travels.

>48 bell7: Thanks, Mary. We are really looking forward to our trip and me adding to my Life List. Grins...

>49 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy. I am about halfway done with The Time of the Butterflies and really enjoying it.

>50 weird_O: Thanks, Bill. I can't wait to see plenty of " flamboyantly plumed birdies"!

>51 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I am hoping it all goes smoothly.

^Go Bengals & Rams! Very impressive wins. It should be a great Super Bowl.

>53 msf59:
Would have been better with the Chiefs and the 49'ers. But you can't win them all - not even if you are Tom Brady.

What about that tennis today? I miss Ellen and her devotion to that game.

>22 msf59: Love that one. I would not be surprised if he is a future Jeopardy champion either!

Have a wonderful trip to Costa Rica. Take lots of bird pictures!

>43 msf59: That is a beautiful bird, Mark, impressive tail. I love all black colored birds :-)
Safe travels!

>54 benitastrnad: I like the Chiefs too, Benita but I liked the slight underdog in that one and the Bengals played great. I don't watch tennis, so I missed that one.

>55 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia. I got to see Jack yesterday and gave him extra kisses. I sure hope I get plenty of opportunities to take photos. I will be prepared.

>56 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita. Do you any type of grackles where you are?

-Motmot

>57 msf59: Sadly not, Mark, all grackles live on your side of the globe (North-America, South-America, Caribbean).

Have a wonderful trip, Mark!

‘Morning, Mark, and I’m going to say it - Happy Monday - because I know you’re thrilled to be getting out of cold Dodge for warmer climes. Have a wonderful time.

>40 msf59: Well, the games ended up being pretty exciting too, didn’t they? Both my teams lost, but I’m content that the Bengals and Rams will head off to the Super Bowl in two weeks.

>43 msf59: Fantastic sighting. And your photos are excellent.

Happy New Thread, Mark!

Love the Costa Rica pics! Have a great time! Don’t wear layers, we’ll take care of that back here.

Glad you got to see some exciting playoff football before departure. Did you sneak Jackson into a suitcase?

Morning, Mark! Wishing you safe travels today.

Waving good-bye!!

I'm looking forward to the Super Bowl this year for the game itself--not for the commercials.

I want a motmot outfit. Maybe a hat. So cool.

>66 richardderus: And THAT's how the whole kill'em-for-their-feathers-thing got started in the 19th century.

I hope you are racking up lifers.

In Mr Lincoln's Way a boy's love of birds helps save him, with some assistance from Mr. Lincoln.

How’s life in the Land of Colorful Birds?

We’re having a major storm here in Chicagoland. Don’t worry; we’ll save some for when you get back.😀

Safe travels, Mark! Have a wonderful time and experience! Besides birding will you be zip-lining through the canopy and getting a birds eye view of things?

Oops, almost forgot, when you have time, know that there's this if you're still interested in a group read of Winesburg https://www.librarything.com/topic/339258#n7745832

Happy there is lovely Costa Rica, Birddude? Hoping they're struttin' their stuff for you everywhere!

Mark, Mark, Mark! We don’t have to wait 8 years for another Jess Walter’s book. He has a new story collection coming out in June (I think). Called Angel of Rome

Yippee

Hope your having fun down South.

Buenos dias, from Costa Rica! Quick check in. Having a fantastic time. Weather is stunning. Just got 4 Lifers before breakfast and heard howler monkeys. As I finish my eggs and beans & rice, I have a jaw-dropping view of the Arenal Volcano over my left shoulder. Pure bliss. Thanks for keeping my thread warm & cozy.

Great to see that you have arrived safely and that initial experiences indicate you are going to have a great holiday.

Morning, Mark! Sounds like your vacation is full of fabulous so far. Looking forward too hearing more about it and seeing photos when you return. Soak it up, my friend!

'Morning, Mark! Yay for CR, good weather, gorgeous scenery, howler monkeys, and 4 lifers!!

Breakfast sounds yummy, too.

>73 msf59: Glad the trip is such a big success already!

Thanks for checking in, Mark. Waiting for photos!

>73 msf59: Yay for the lifers and the views!

>73 msf59: Congrats on the lifers! Enjoy the warmth :)

>73 msf59: Sounds wonderful. Howler monkeys sound eerie.

Looking forward to tales of in time.

>73 msf59: Enjoy the vacay!

>73 msf59:. Doesn’t get better than that, Mark. I hope your muscles for smiling aren’t getting too tired.

Looking forward to seeing a few photos when you get back . . .

Fellow is obviously enjoying himself!

When you check in Mark you'll see you have been wished a happy weekend from an envious Yorkshireman three continents away.

Buenos dias, from Monteverde. We are now high in the mountains, a very different terrain. Beautiful sunshine but very gusty winds. We arrived here yesterday afternoon. We did a jungle night walk last night for a couple of hours and it turned out to be a lot of fun. I did get 3 Lifer birds, along with a viper, green frog, scorpion and a tarantula. Sue and I are off to do a hanging bridges tour, in the cloud forest.

Thanks again everyone for keeping my thread warm.

Just the thought of a jungle night walk makes me shiver, Mark. No, thank you, but I am happy that you enjoyed it. I also do not want to see any of the amazing creatures that you have seen in person. Heh.

Hola, Mark! I'm with Mamie, there is no way I would walk through a jungle in the dark, maybe not even in the daytime, mainly because of the sightings you mentioned. Viper?! Nooooo thank you!
Enjoy the hanging bridges tour. Another travel experience I would forego - I don't like heights. However, I do love hearing about it.
Any good Costa Rican beer?

I did a canopy tour via hanging bridges in a rainforest in Ghana, and it was scary but so worth it. Hope you and Sue enjoy!

Hi Mark!

Thanks for reporting in from Monteverde. Yay for 3 lifers, *shudder* to a scorpion and tarantula. Funny – I didn’t even worry about the viper compared to the arachnids. Enjoy the hanging bridges tour in the cloud forest.

Can't wait to see photos!

...hanging...bridges.....................

No.

Glad you're enjoying! Looking forward to the pics.

It all sounds so wonderful! Except maybe the viper. And the scorpion. (My sister, whom I helped raise, had a tarantula as a pet, so those babies don't scare me. Much. At night, in a jungle, though...)

Glad you're having a good time! Enjoy your hanging bridge walk in the cloud forest. (Sounds like the title of a book: "Cloud Forest Bridge" or something like that.

>92 Storeetllr: A boyfriend gave me a tarantula for my birthday. Totally unexpected. I bought crickets for it but it wasn't having any and pined away.

Hi Mark! Glad you are having a fun trip.

>93 quondame: Oh, poor baby. My sister's thrived for a couple of years, but then it escaped and we never found it. And, yes, that was definitely an issue.

>95 Storeetllr: After I read more I realized I should have made a place in the enclosure for it to have a burrow. But neither I nor the giver knew anything about taking care of large insects and it was BI (before internet). Nor was I really thrilled about having such a dependent.

>85 msf59: Wonderful adventures Mark.

Sounds so great, Mark. Canopy-walking on hanging bridges - so cool. How was it seeing a tarantula? I’d be jumping out of my shoes!

Welcome back? Have you returned to our lovely winter yet?

>85 msf59: A night jungle walk would be fun if we had Mowgli (Jungle Book) for a guide -
and Ka to keep your howler monkeys from stealing folks away.

Was your viper hanging from a tree?
Scorpions bite = shake out your shoes!
Mexican Tarantulas move so beautifully...

How lucky you are and glad you are a photo master!

Hola, from San Jose! We are at the airport. Everyone tested negative, so we can return home. Yah! Long day ahead though- we connect in Ft. Lauderdale and arrive home at midnight. Ugh! I did hire a birding guide yesterday and added many Lifers. Looking forward to sharing the details with some pics. Thanks again for the visits. Adios...

>101 msf59:

>101 msf59: Welcome back to LT! Bird pics required.

Safe travels, Mark!

Hope the return trip goes well. Can't wait to see the pics!!

Have a safe return trip! Can't wait for all the pictures as well :)

^This is our first sunset at Jaco Beach, our final destination. This is on the Pacific coast, directly south of San Jose. We were in the mountains the first two locations so seeing sunrises and sunsets was more difficult. It is a beautiful place.

We are home. Currently 28F. It was 82F yesterday. Feeling a bit ragged after an 18hr day of travel. I am taking a chill day, which will include lots of reading and a nap or two. I will also attempt to catch up on LT, albeit very slowly so bear with me.

I have over 50 posts to respond to, so if it is okay, I would just like to thank everyone who stopped by. I have reread all of them and appreciate all the good wishes. As you can tell from my infrequent updates, we had a fantastic time, in a one-of-a-kind country. I know it is risky traveling with Covid but we all escaped harm and I was impressed how well masked up the people in CR were.

And then there were the birds...I am thinking 65-75 Lifers but it will take a little time to count those up, along with going through quite a few photos.

>107 msf59: Rest up, Mark. That sunset photo will keep us going until you have more zip.

>107 msf59: what >109 laytonwoman3rd: said, don't rush! Savor the deliciousness of the Lifer List's explosion.

>73 msf59: 4 Lifers before breakfast sounds wonderful!

>85 msf59: 3 more Lifers?! Wow!

>101 msf59: With all these Lifers, I am surprised you are actually coming back :)

'Morning, Mark, and happy Thursday to you.

Glad you made it back safely, both travel-wise and COVID-wise, my dear friend.

I look forward to more info about your trip, along with as many pictures as you care to share!

Welcome home, Mark! Glad you made it safe and sound. Your sunset photo is full of gorgeous. YIKES to 18 hours of travel - give yourself plenty of time to recover from that. The threads will wait.

>109 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks, Linda. Definitely dragging a bit this AM. Hopefully more pep later on.

>110 richardderus: Thanks, Richard and I really appreciate all the uplifting posts while I was away.

>111 alcottacre: Hi, Stasia. I am very happy with all my Lifers on this trip but I missed many more so hopefully I will return one of these days. Thanks for keeping my thread warm.

>112 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday and thank you. I think this will be a very lazy day.

>113 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie and thank you. We knew it would be a rough day today so we were somewhat prepared. I appreciate you keeping my thread warm.

^Since there are about 6 of us, planning to read The Memory of Love I was thinking of setting up a Group Read thread. Sound good? It would be either today or tomorrow.

The Group Read Thread of The Memory of Love is up. Please join us: https://www.librarything.com/topic/339479

>115 msf59: A dedicated thread is a good idea, Mark. I'm finishing up an Israeli police procedural (for lack of a better term) and will probably be ready to begin The Memory of Love tomorrow.

Glad you are back, Mark!
Looking forward to your list of lifers!

>116 laytonwoman3rd: I will set it up, Linda. I agree it is a good idea. How is the procedural?

>117 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita. We sure had a great time.

^The Resplendent Quetzal is one of the more beautiful birds of Mexico and Central America. We were lucky to see 4 of them. 2 males, 2 females. This is a digi-scope photo, using my cell phone and a guide's scope. I could not get a clear photo of any of them, with my own camera, since they always seem to be tucked into deep foliage. This photo is of a male. The female is darker and more nondescript. Honestly, a photo does not do these birds justice.

Great to see you here again!

>107 msf59: That's not the San Jose that came to mind. My mind, anyway. I know the way to that one.

>119 msf59: Oh frabjous day!

>120 quondame: LOL. Pretty clever, my friend.

^Also, seriously missing this little guy. Bree and our Aunt, who has been helping Bree, while she works, have been supplying photos and videos of this precious bundle while we were away. Sue is with him now and I will get my turn tomorrow.

Sweet new pic of Jackson. Yay for your getting to see him tomorrow.

>122 msf59: Aw!

>118 msf59: I just posted my review, Mark. I guess you'll have to visit my thread and see! (Hint: I liked it)

In honor of your return, Mark, I've started puzzling out this'n.

Welcome home, Mark!
>119 msf59: Stunning! One can see why this beauty was sacred to both the Mayans and Aztecs.
Enjoy catching up with Jackson. I bet you've got so much to tell him.

>123 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. Sue is going over to Bree's for a few hours and then bringing Jackson by here. He will be all mine for the afternoon. Yah!

>125 laytonwoman3rd: I will have to stop over, Linda.

>126 weird_O: That is a perfect tribute, Bill. Thanks. Looks to be a tough one.

>127 Carmenere: Thanks Lynda and good morning. Hooray for the Quetzal and catching up with Jackson. I get to do that today. Yah!

-Black-cowled Oriole



-Grey-headed Chachalaca. Many of these around, especially at our first volcano location.



-Long-tailed Tyrant. I wish the lighting would have been better. Beautiful bird.



-Crested Guan. Also, many of these around our first location.

'Morning, Mark! Happy Friday/Jackson day to you!

>129 msf59: Interesting birds, great photos. You'll have to report on how many Lifers you got sometime after you've had a chance to settle back in. I think you said 65-75?

Morning, Mark! Happy Friday! Lovely birds - that first one especially is stunning. And Jackson never disappoints - such a cutie!

Welcome back, Mark! I'm just going to lurk here, admiring your photos and giving you time to catch up and get fully back in the saddle. Looks like it was a fantastic trip.

Welcome back! Sounds like a lovely trip, especially this: I am thinking 65-75 Lifers.

Such a wonderful pic of Jackson. Bet you can't wait to see him again. He will be happy to see you too!

>129 msf59: I just like saying "chacalaca" so much that I want them to be naturalized to Long Island.

Happy Friday!

>119 msf59: oooo, love this little chap.

>122 msf59: Only birds could keep you from this little chap, enjoy your turn tomorrow Mark.

>130 karenmarie: Happy Friday, Karen. Jackson should arrive soon. Yah! My Lifer total should be closer to 65. I am going to have to count again. Still sorting it out.

>131 Crazymamie: Happy Friday, Mamie. Glad you like the oriole. I loved it too and hooray for Jackson. I will be spending the afternoon with him.

>132 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. Good to see you. Slowly catching up around here and I will be posting more pics.

>133 alphaorder: Thanks, Nancy. Good to see you. I think I will be closer to 65 on the Lifer list. Not bad at all but there were still a bunch I would have liked to have seen. Next time? Jack will be here shortly.

>134 richardderus: Who doesn't love saying "chacalaca"? Happy Friday to you too, Richard.

>135 Caroline_McElwee: Happy Friday, Caroline. Even birds can't keep me from our Jack. I get to spend the afternoon with him. Yah!!

^The Arenal Volcano. This was the view outside of our door, at our first stop. The bottom photo is me and my friend Carl. It was a hike up to a viewing spot, near the volcano. We were wearing bathing suits because the tour also included crossing a stream near a lovely waterfall.

>128 msf59: Yay for Jackson time!

>129 msf59: Oh my!
>137 msf59: Ditto!

Welcome back! I am loving all the photos.

>134 richardderus: Makes me think of high school and college band during football game: "Boom! Chacalaca! Boom chacalaca!"

I want them to be naturalized to Long Island. "Make it so!"

>137 msf59: Was Carl with you when we met in Gettysburg?

>138 quondame: Happy Friday, Susan. Glad you like the photos. I am enjoying my Jackson time. He is sleeping at the moment.

>139 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Figs. Many more photos to come.

>140 weird_O: "Boom! Chacalaca!", Bill!! Yes, the very same Carl. This time accompanied by his lovely wife.

Looks like you had a wonderful trip Mark. And as an added bonus you get to come back to sweet Jackson. Lucky you.

>115 msf59: One of these days I will get around to that one, but it will not be any time soon, especially as my local library has exactly 0 of her books.

Glad to see you back! Thanks for sharing all of the photos. I am looking forward to seeing more.

Welcome back, Mark! It’s so good to “hear” your voice—you were certainly missed. Loving the bird and mountain photos! My husband and I are saying “chacalaca” to each other, and this could go on for days!

Karen O

>142 brenzi: Hi, Bonnie. It was a wonderful trip. Thanks. And as a bonus we get to hang out with Jack on our return.

>143 alcottacre: Happy Friday, Stasia. No worries. I will be sharing more photos. I can pass along my copy of The Memory of Love once I am finished with it. Sound good?

>144 klobrien2: Thanks, Karen. You are making me blush. Glad you like the photos and are having a good time with “chacalaca” with your better half.

We picked up Jack a souvenir book in Costa Rica, "The Toucan and the Rainbow". I read it to him today and he definitely seemed to like it. It also appears that the toucan is his new favorite bird.

I started The Memory of Love today. Not far in, but it drew me in pretty quickly. Once again, if you would like to join us, please do. This is the link:

The Group Read Thread of The Memory of Love is up.
https://www.librarything.com/topic/339479

>143 alcottacre: I would love it, Mark. Thank you!

Enjoying your trip recaps and photos, Mark! So cool that you were able to add so many Lifers to your list. I'm glad to see Jackson enjoys the toucan :) I'm sure seeing him again helps make up for coming back to the cold weather here.

>146 msf59: Can't start too early with books and birds, Mark.
How much did Jackson grow while you were away?

Hi Mark, The Memory of Love was a 5-star read for me back in 2011. Soooo good. I am sure you'll think so, too.

>148 alcottacre: You got it, Stasia.

>149 bell7: Happy Saturday, Mary. Glad you like the pics. A birder could see many more Lifers here but that requires hiring a guide each time. I did it once and next time, I will hire one at least twice. Yes, Jackson quickly warmed our hearts yesterday.

>150 FAMeulstee: Hi, Anita. Yep, you have to train them young. Jackson doesn't seem to have grown as much but he certainly has become more alert.

>151 lauralkeet: Good to know, Laura. Based on the first 20-30 pages, I can tell this one will be special.

Lovely photos of Costa Rica! Such beautiful birds.

>153 SandDune: Happy Saturday, Rhian. Good to see you. More photos to come...

-Emerald Toucanet

Our second spot was in Monteverde (2 nights), high in the mountain country. We visited Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, (quite a mouthful). We got a quided tour and saw some interesting things, including the Quetzals, but one of the coolest discoveries was visiting a hummingbird gallery just outside the gate, where we found this toucanet perched nearby, begging for a photo op.

-Green-crowned Brilliant (female)



-Purple-throated Mountain Gem



-Violet Sabrewing



-Violet Sabrewing

^The hummingbird gallery was truly amazing, with hummingbirds zipping by, close to our heads. Hard not to get a couple of decent photos. The Sabrewing was my favorite. Also beautiful in flight. There are over 50 species in CR. I saw 5 or 6 sp.

‘Morning, Mark! Happy very cold Saturday.

>137 msf59: I take it your friend Carl is not a birder? No binoculars, scopes…

>146 msf59: Looks like a wonderful book, and good for Jackson to be so discerning at such a young age!

>155 msf59: and >156 msf59: Gorgeous birds. I’m especially envious of the hummingbirds, since we only get Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds here.

>156 msf59:, >155 msf59: *happy sigh* I love getting all the visuals and the fun of knowing what they are, without the traveling hassle.

Happy Superweekend!

I thought I recognized Carl as the guy who accompanied you to Washington D.C. for the ALA conference and who was a companionable companion at Kramer's Books and Afterwards Cafe. By-the-way, ALA is havinig an in person summer conference this summer and it is in Washington, D.C. I plan on going.

>115 msf59: Thanks for setting up the group read for The Memory of Love, Mark. I'm still in but probably won't start reading until next week. This will be a reread for me. I read it when it first came out in 2011 and gave it 4.5 stars.

It sounds like your Costa Rica trip was a huge success. The scenery is beautiful and the birds were bountiful. Welcome home!

>157 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. Yes, I am the only real "birder" of the group, although I am planning on getting Sue a pair of binoculars. They all help spot things, which is a big help. Glad you like the bird pics! And yay for bookish Jackson!

>158 richardderus: Happy Saturday, Richard. I am glad you are enjoying your ride-along without the hassles of traveling and yes, there are plenty of those but for us, well worth it.

>159 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita. Great to see you. Carl is well known among my LT pals. He also has hung out with Jim & Bill too. Could you send me a reminder about ALA. Not sure, I can pull it off this year but you never know.

>160 Donna828: Hi, Donna. Great to see you. Glad you are joining us on the Group Read. We sure had a good time in Costa Rica. More pics to come...

>155 msf59: The hummingbird gallery sounds wonderful. I find those particular birds fascinating (along with owls, of course).

Thanks for sharing all of the photos! The birds are wonderful!!

>156 msf59: What gem like beauties though the standout is the Green-crowned Brilliant!

HI Mark, great that you had such a good trip and thank you for sharing your gorgeous pictures.

>162 alcottacre: The hummingbird gallery was quite special, Stasia. If others weren't waiting for me, I could have easily stayed another hour or so. Sadly, no owls were seen. Maybe next time.

>163 quondame: Glad you liked the Green-crowned Brilliant, Susan. The more I look at the photo the more I appreciate it too.

>164 mdoris: Thanks, Mary. It was a wonderful trip.

^I finally received a bird list from the guide who took me out last Tuesday. He listed many birds that he heard or saw but I did not. That said, I saw an impressive amount. I was waiting for this list, to run a final total for the entire trip. I am going to go with 72 LIFERS on this trip. Sure, I could have probably doubled this if I would have hired more guides but I am pleased with it for my first time in Costa Rica.

Wow, Mark, 72 in one trip sounds pretty impressive to me! The hummingbirds are really striking. We only have Ruby-throated here.

>166 msf59: !!!!!!!

These are some great pics!

Your trip sounds amazing. What a nice respite from everyday life!

72 new bird sightings is pretty impressive! I do think of you when I see birds around here, and when I am away. I guess every country has their share of amazing new-to-you birds....but we gotta get you here to NZ to see ours!

>166 msf59: 72 lifers!!! That is impressive, Mark!

I am pleased with it for my first time in Costa Rica
So you want go again to expand that list ;-)

72 lifers -- that's amazing, Mark! And I love that you're already thinking about a return visit.

>167 bell7: Thanks, Mary. We only get ruby-throated hummingbirds here too. I hope to get more when we do our Arizona birding trip in April.

>168 richardderus: You can say that again, Richard. 😀

>169 drneutron: Thanks, Jim. More to come...

>170 LovingLit: It was amazing, Megan. Thanks. I think of going to NZ all the time. Now, to just make it happen. We have a big trip to Alaska next year, so it will probably not happen then either. Sighs...

>171 FAMeulstee: >172 lauralkeet: Thanks, Anita & Laura. We would love to return to CR. We are mulling over going to Ecuador first, if we make it back down that way again.

-Clay Bennett

-Scarlet Macaws. These beauties were my favorite of my sightings, (sorry Queztals, but I saw and heard many more of these on our coastal trip). We had taken a sailboat over to an island and lo and behold 5 or 6 macaws were feeding in these trees and close enough for some pics.

I really wanted to see more parrots, (at least 5 or 6 species of them) and there were a lot of them on the coast but getting them close enough to observe was very difficult.

>175 msf59: I wanna look like a macaw! All red'n'yeller'n'blue'n'green everywhere!

Only not a bird.

And yet again, I've come upon the source of species imperliment, haven't I.

What a great flock of lifers Mark. Amazing. Memories for a lifetime.

‘Morning, Mark, and happy SB Sunday to you.

>166 msf59: Congrats. That’s an amazing number of LIFERs.

>174 msf59: Love it. So true.

>175 msf59: Impressive photos of gorgeous birds.

edited to add: I just had a pair of Carolina Wrens working on the double-sided suet feeder. Not colorful at all, but it was very nice to see them here.

>176 richardderus: You would make an absolutely lovely Scarlet Macaw, Richard.

>177 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Caroline. Honestly, I am lucky to have got as many photos as I did. Incredible memories.

>178 karenmarie: Morning, Karen and thanks. I still have a batch of photos to share. The hits keep coming. Yah, for the Carolina Wrens! My feeders have been eerily quiet this AM.

Do lifetime sightings include only those birds you see once in your lifetime even if they are outside of your home territory and you are not likely to EVER see them again, or are they birds that are found around your home territory?

Very interesting about the Toucans. Are there very many species of them? Are they restricted to Central America? They would make unique and creative baby decorations since they have such vivid colors and babies could see them easily.

A few weeks back you noted that you saw a bird that was not normally seen in Illinois and I wondered why it was there? Do you have any insight about why it was so far off range?

There are lots of people reading Memory of Love right now. I may have to add another title to my constantly growing TBR list. I look forward to your comments about it. I am deep into Moonglow at the moment and am glad that I jumped into the group read on that one. It is very good and I enjoy the comments from the other participants in the group read.

>180 benitastrnad: Happy Sunday, Benita! You are full of questions today. Grins... A LIFER is a first-time ever bird, regardless of its location. Many birders keep separate lists, for states, counties and countries. I am trying to beef up my numbers for my own county. We saw the Great-tailed Grackle a couple of weeks ago here. They were everywhere in CR and are also in Mexico. Why this one showed up here, is anyone's guess. It just happens from time to time and birders are ecstatic over the opportunity to add it or any stray bird, as a state first.

I think there are 4 or 5 different types of toucans found in CR. They are found in the Neotropics, from south Mexico to South America.

I am really enjoying The Memory of Love and I think you will too. I will be joining the GR of Moonglow soon. Glad to hear you are having a good time with it.

-Crested Caracara



-Gray Hawk



-Roadside Hawk (immature)

^These are the 3 raptors that I was able to photograph. The Caracara being my favorite and one I IDed myself. I did see at least 3 others in flight, all with the help of my guide.

>175 msf59: >182 msf59: I really love the colors of the Scarlet Macaws, Mark, but I am most impressed by the Crested Caracara. Such a majestic raptor!

So many gorgeous birds! Glad you had a good trip, and safe travels.

>174 msf59: Yes, real love!

>175 msf59: What a charmer.

>182 msf59: A fierce trio.

>183 FAMeulstee: Hi, Anita. I also loved both the macaws & caracara. Two of my favorites.

>184 banjo123: Thanks, Rhonda. It was a wonderful trip.

>185 quondame: Happy Sunday, Susan. Hooray for the "charmer" and "fierce trio"!

-Harry Bliss

>181 msf59:
I figured that you must be keeping separate lists - otherwise why note the location of where you saw the bird? So there are more than one species of Toucans, or are they just different types. What makes them different? Color patterns, size, feathering?

>188 benitastrnad: Many birders use eBird to keep their lists and save data, so location and time are important.

"eBird is among the world’s largest biodiversity-related science projects, with more than 100 million bird sightings contributed annually by eBirders around the world. eBird data document bird distribution, abundance, habitat use, and trends through checklist data collected within a simple, scientific framework. Birders enter when, where, and how they went birding, and then fill out a checklist of all the birds seen and heard during the outing."

"What makes them different? Color patterns, size, feathering?" In regard to toucans, they fall into a group that encompasses 40 different species, so they come in all various sizes and colors. The Emerald Toucanet I featured up there was much smaller than the yellow-throated toucan I saw earlier.

Hi Mark, and happy day after Sunday to you.

>182 msf59: Beautiful pics, wonderful birds, especially the Caracara. I can see why it’s your favorite.

I was glad the Rams won, simply because they are a SoCal team and I'm from SoCal. It was a pretty good game, although I'm sorry Beckham got injured and sorry about the non-face-mask call that gave the Bengals a TD. Both quarterbacks looked pretty battered by the end, too.

>187 msf59: Ha! That's priceless!

Happy week-ahead's reads.

>190 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. Glad you like the bird pics. The caracara is gorgeous, right? It was a tough, hard fought game last night and I have no problem with the Rams winning. Great to see Stafford win it all, after being stuck in Detroit all those years.

>191 richardderus: Hey, RD. Just ran a few errands, including a library stop, so the rest of the day will be with the books. Another raw and cold day here.

^I think someone else is getting tired of winter...He sure loves that tongue.

>193 msf59: Ha! I'm with him.

>192 msf59: Cold cold cold here, too...by my seaside-wimp standards. Books, ho!

Hi Mark, it certainly sounds like you had a great trip. I am enjoying all your bird pictures but I gotta say >193 msf59: is a fantastic picture - what a cutie!

>193 msf59: I love that...the face especially, but also the keep-warm get up.

Just skulking through. I'm in a lurking phase. Like what I see here, my friend.

>193 msf59: Cuteness overload!

>194 richardderus: I am with him too, Richard. Also staying warm & cozy with the books this PM.

>195 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy. Great to see you. It was a wonderful trip and we loved seeing Jack on our return.

>196 weird_O: Howdy, Bill. Bree does bundle little Jackson up. Lurk away, my friend. I am pretty much just reading today, anyhoo...

>197 quondame: You can say that again, Susan.

-Mike Luckovich.

>193 msf59: Great photo Grandpa. Did you enjoy your turn?

>166 msf59: 72?! That is awesome!!

>193 msf59: I love that face! Did you tell him about the 72? That does not look like an impressed face, lol.

Happy Monday, Mark!

>200 Caroline_McElwee: Hi, Caroline. That is Bree's photo. She was dressing him up to go out. Yep, I loved my Jackson turn on Friday. More of the same this week.

>201 alcottacre: Happy Monday, Stasia. I did not mention the 72 event to Jack. I sure hope he doesn't stick out that tongue, when I do so.

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday. I had a post all written for yesterday but guess I didn’t post it. I miss my mind…

>192 msf59: I don’t know anything about Stafford – guess I should read about his being stuck in Detroit.

>192 msf59: What a sweet face, especially with the editorial comment.

>199 msf59: The Gang of Psychos continues to prove its insanity…

Morning, Mark! Loving all the photos, but the one of Jack made me laugh. I want his hat.

>203 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. You were here yesterday AM at 830. Is that the post you were talking about? Matthew Stafford played for the lowly Detroit Lions for 12 long years and went nowhere.

Hooray for our sweet-faced boy!!

>204 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie. Good to see you. Glad you like the pics. Jack is certainly well-dressed, even with his headgear.

>199 msf59: Oh my heck, YES! Revolting beliefs these clucks publicly hold.

Looks like you had a fantastic trip, Mark. That’s a very cute pic of Jack all bundled up. Makes me feel glad I live where I do though.

Hi Mark - any Trogons?!

>206 richardderus: "Revolting beliefs" is a polite way to put it. The hypocrisy is rampant.

>207 Familyhistorian: It was a great trip, Meg. Back to the winter grind here. Another snowstorm arrives on Thursday. Sighs...

>208 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. I got 3 different trogons but no clear photos. My best look was at a slaty-tailed trogon:



-Slaty-tailed Trogon (NMP)

>193 msf59: SO cute! The tongue makes me laugh, I love it when babies start sticking it out.

Gorgeous pictures of all the CR birds, too. The macaws are gorgeous and the raptors really striking.

>210 bell7: Happy Wednesday, Mary. Jacks sure loves that tongue. It cracks me up every time. Thanks, in regard to the bird pics. I get lucky every now and then.

^We had a Barred Owl yesterday at the Arboretum. The same spot where we have seen them in the past, although I have not seen one in nearly 2 years. This one has a damaged left eye and has been a resident for a few years now. I did snap off a few shots but my buddy Mike got much better ones, including this one. He is a pro. A great FOY!

12- In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez 4.6 stars

Rafael Trujillo, was the brutal dictator of the Dominican Republic for decades. This novel set in the 1950s and ‘60s, follows the Garcia family as they get swept up in the terror of this regime. It mainly focuses on the four daughters, three of which are assassinated after visiting their jailed husbands. They are the “butterflies”. This is a beautifully written novel. My first by Alvarez and certainly will not be my last.



13- Young Skins: Stories by Colin Barrett 4.5 stars

Wow! What a terrific debut, set in Glanbeigh, Ireland. These stories, along with a terrific novella, follow mostly unsettled young men, as they hang in bars and nightclubs, struggling to find their footing in desolate times. The prose is sharp and vibrant. My kind of short fiction.

‘Morning, Mark. Happy… Wednesday... I had to check the calendar. Early yesterday I was thinking it was Wednesday the 16th, which I didn’t realize was wrong ‘til about 9 a.m., hence my craziness.

>209 msf59: Trogons are beautiful birds – I just did a duckduckgo images search.

>212 msf59: Congrats on the FOY Barred Owl.

Gorgeous Barred Owl, Mark. We hear them around here sometimes but have yet to see one.

Glad to hear about all the successful bird sightings but I was wondering if you had any success with the other wildlife. Personally, I am a big fan of sloths. My wife considers howler monkey's her favorite thing about the tropics and the kids could watch leaf cutter ants at work for hours. Any luck on the other animals front?

Hi, Mark! Finally got the energy to read through your thread.
Your trip to CR sounds fabulous! Gorgeous photos of the birds of CR (and IL), but the ones of Jackson are my favorites hands-down.

>214 karenmarie: Happy Wednesday, Karen. Glad you got the day right. Grins...I also love the trogons. I just wish I could have seen them better. Thanks, in regard to the barred owl. I love these guys.

>215 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. I hope you get to see a barred owl. They are so elusive, even more than GHOs.

>216 Oberon: Hi, Erik. As you can see we had a great time in CR. Of course, I was chasing a lot of birds on this trip but I also love all animal life, of all kinds. We did a sloth tour in Arenal and got to see both sloths, the two-toed and three-toed, (probably 5 total). One had a baby too but I could not see it clearly. Here is one of them:



Surprisingly, not a lot of other mammals. Probably due to them being mostly nocturnal. We did see a white-nosed coati. We did hear and see howler monkeys but not very good looks. Sadly, that was the only monkey. We did see an olingo, which is similar to a kinkajou. We also saw many iguanas, lizards, a couple of frogs and a viper. Of course, I would have loved to see an anteater or cat like an ocelot.

>217 Storeetllr: Happy Wednesday, Mary. Good to see you. Hope you are feeling better. Our trip was great. I know you love parrots. I wish I could have seen them better and took pics. Most of it them were flyovers. Loud & quick.
And who wouldn't be crazy about my little Jackson? He is a scene-stealer. That is for sure.

-Mike Luckovich

‘Morning, Mark! Happy Thursday to you. Brrrr! 1-3 inches, high of 29F. Stay warm and enjoy those books.

>221 msf59: It would be funny if it weren’t so criminal.

>193 msf59: What an awesome picture of your little valentine!! Jackson must bring so much joy into your lives.
Will you be counting birds this weekend?

>222 karenmarie: Happy Thursday, Karen. It has been a quiet AM, with the books. Other than a quick library run, I think I will be hanging tight.

>223 Carmenere: Sweet Thursday, Lynda. Yep, can't get enough of our little Jackson. Looking forward to spending the day with him tomorrow. Thanks for the reminder on the backyard bird count. We have a busy weekend ahead but I should get some counting in. You?

>224 msf59: Yup, I've just topped off the feeders.

>225 Carmenere: My feeders were slow earlier but they have picked up a bit. Seeing anything different?

Happily you Thurs along, eh what? May your Day be bright and beautiful.

>219 msf59: Glad you got to see some sloths. They are really cool animals.

Hi Mark - so excited to see your photos and hear about your trip. We're planning a trip there in March (to Arenal and Guanacaste) and can't wait to see the sloths!

>227 richardderus: Hey, RD. It has been perfectly lazy day so far with the books. No complaints here. Light snow falling.

>228 Oberon: We learned some fun facts along the way, about sloths too. Like they only come down once a week to poop. Strong constitution, right?

>229 vivians: Hi, Vivian. It should be beautiful in Costa Rica next month. We loved Arenal. I am just disappointed that I didn't make it up to the Arenal Observatory Lodge. There was a sloth park right in Arenal, where you are guaranteed to see sloths. I had heard good things about Guanacaste too. You will have a fantastic time.

^In case anyone was concerned that I have only been fixated on birds & babies, no worries- I have been loving my books as well. This is from a recent library run. I got Moonglow for the Group read and will start it next. I also have Winesburg, Ohio for another GR. I requested Firekeeper's Daughter after Joe raved about it. If anyone wants to join me on it, I will probably start it in about 10 days. The last 2 books are GNs that Joe also recommended. The hits keep coming.

>231 msf59: Oooh, I also loved Firekeeper's Daughter - hope it's a good one for you!

>232 bell7: Hi Marc! Oh, just the thing for a cold day. It looks very cozy, and that beer is just the right color! Enjoy.

>232 bell7: Happy Friday, Mary. I am glad to hear you are a fan of Firekeeper's Daughter too. Looking forward to starting it.

>233 EllaTim: Happy Friday, Ella. That beer is a black & tan- Harp & Guinness. Yep, it was tasty. And I have Jackson to warm me up today.

"The powerful driving force of Chabon’s new novel is the deathbed confessions of the narrator’s grandfather. Revealing the pains and surprises caused by secrets, lies, and war, Moonglow is a rich examination of a family history built on hidden truths, an emotional love story, and a fantastic work of autobiographical family history-turned-novel."

I am a fan of Chabon, reading and enjoying 4 of his novels but somehow didn't get around to Moonglow, among several others. Thanks to Kim for the inspiration, in finally getting to it and setting up a Group Read to boot. I will start it today.

-Bill Bramhall

‘Morning, Mark! Happy Friday to you.

>231 msf59: Nice arrangement, looks like you’ve got lots of good books lined up.

>236 msf59: Another sad but true and funny too.

>237 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Yep, I have some promising books lined up, to take me to the end of the month and beyond. Off to see my Jackson...

There he goes a-Jacksoning, tra la tra la tra la. Enjoy it!

>239 richardderus: Morning, RD. I miss this kid. It has been a week. He will be smothered with love. Grins...

>235 msf59: Hope you enjoy Moonglow, I too am a big fan of Chabon. He, like Walter, is one of my immediately want to read anything by him authors. I read this several years ago and liked it quite a bit.

Enjoy your time with Jack, Mark. Moonglow looks interesting.

>242 mahsdad: Happy Friday, Jeff. Lots of distractions today, so I didn't get as far into Moonglow as I would have liked. Really liking what I have read though.

>243 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. Our Jackson time continues, for another hour or so. Of course, loving it. Moonglow has been very good in the early going.

^Jackson is waving hello from the frigid Midwest! He warms you from the inside out.

>245 msf59: *baaawww* what a sweetiepunkin!

Hi, Mark. Glad to read you have started Moonglow. I am just about halfway in a re-read, and I must admit that a lot whizzed past me on the first read in 2017. I also listened to the Zoom chat Art Spiegelman had about a week ago about the flap over Maus. The two are kinda sorta mashed up in my mind just now. The Holocaust, slave laborers building rockets, the USA smooching up to SS-Sturmbannfuhrer von Braun.

>245 msf59: On the better side, I wave back to your charming grandson.

>245 msf59: - I think he's saying, "No photos, please" like a little celebrity-in-training with the paparazzi.

>245 msf59: What a great smile.

>245 msf59: He just keeps dialing up the darling!

>245 msf59: Awwww, such a cutie.

Hi Mark and welcome home. I followed your adventures some on FB. It sounds like it was a worthwhile trip!

I LOVED Moonglow.

I started The Memory of Love yesterday. Today was our last day on the island so I didn't read much as we were busy visiting our favorite beach, eating shave ice, etc. I'll read on the long flight across the Pacific tomorrow.

>213 msf59: I have had In the Time of the Butterflies on my TBR shelf for ages. You inspire me to try to get to it in the next couple months.

>246 richardderus: He is definitely a "sweetiepunkin", RD.

>247 weird_O: Hey, Bill. I am enjoying Moonglow very much. I just won't get much reading time in this weekend. I like your comparison with Chabon and Spiegelman. Very apt. Yah, for waving Jackson.

>248 katiekrug: LOL. You may be on to something, Katie. He has certainly hit celebrity status, or at least in our family.

>249 Caroline_McElwee: >250 quondame: >251 bell7: Thanks, Caroline, Susan and Mary! He certainly knows how to spread that joy.

>252 EBT1002: Happy Saturday, Ellen. Thanks. We had a great trip. Still buzzing about it. You are enjoying a lovely getaway yourself, right? I will have to stop by your place and get more details. I am enjoying Moonglow and can clearly see why everyone seems to be enjoying it in the Group Read.

I hope you enjoy The Memory of Love. I am glad I finally got to that one. And I think you will LOVE In the Time of the Butterflies, once you get to it. Actually, I found it more satisfying than the Forna novel.

-Mike Luckovich

‘Morning, Mark, and happy super cold Saturday to you. Enjoy your birding adventure.

>245 msf59: Of all the pictures you’ve shared, I think this is perhaps the best so far. Such a sweet face and happy wave.

>255 msf59: I hope they all get the prison time they deserve.

>245 msf59: So adorable, that Jackson baby!

Karen O

>255 msf59: LOL! I hope the dogs get them.

Sounds like a great trip in CR, and love the photos of Jackson. The best yet!

Happy weekend, my friend. Good to have you back.

>256 karenmarie: Happy Saturday, Karen. It was COLD at our birding event. Single digits with that fierce wind chill but I did bag 3 Lifers and we had a warm building to take refuge in.

I am glad you like the Jack pic. I love that one too.

>257 klobrien2: The kid is photogenic, making him a perfect subject, Karen.

>258 jnwelch: Happy Weekend, Joe! I am sure you are having a grand time with the grandkids. Savor every second, my friend. Yep, we had a great time in CR and loving our time with Jack on the return.

Oh that Jackson. He does indeed have a heartwarming smile. You are one lucky Grandpa, Mark.

>193 msf59: >245 msf59:>261 What Donna said. You have such a cute grandbaby.

>245 msf59: Adding my agreement too. That is a great photo, Mark.

Wishing a great weekend to a rightly proud grandpa.

>261 Donna828: Hi, Donna. Always good to see you. Yep, I am a very lucky Grandpa. Loving every moment of it.

>262 brodiew2: Hi, Brody. Good to see you too. As you can clearly tell, I am loving being a grandparent.

>263 PaulCranswick: Hi, Paul. Looks like the waving Jackson photo has become a big hit over here. I am not surprised.

^I attended my first "Gull Frolic" yesterday with my birding buddies. This was far north, nearly at the Wisconsin border, along Lake Michigan. A popular winter gull and waterfowl spot. Lots of sunshine but it was bitterly cold. That does not stop the dozens of birders from attending. Gulls are notoriously difficult to identify. Even many seasoned birders have a tough time, so this was a good opportunity to see them in action. I managed to get 2 LIFER gulls and one diving duck. Fortunately, the harbor club was very close by, so we spent ample time there warming up and eating lunch.



-Harlequin Duck (NMP, I WISH!) This one has been a target bird for several years. I did not get great looks but good enough to count. Many birders were chasing this one.

Hi Mark! Happy Sunday to you.

>265 msf59: Congrats on the 3 LIFERs. My body temperature’s dropping just looking at that pic. *smile* What a gorgeous duck.

>265 msf59: I was going to warble your praises to the skies over that harlequin duck shot! That lucky shutterbug caught the sexy beast at precisely the perfect moment and angle. Amazing...sorry it wasn't you...but the rate you're going it will be soon!

That does look like a very cold day, Mark, kudos to you for braving the freeze - at least you were rewarded with some good sightings! I love the most recent Jackson picture - he is definitely very photogenic! It seems like my grandson was that age just yesterday - but, gulp, he's now twenty-two! The times does fly by.

>265 msf59: What a fine fellow!

I can't take the cuteness overload Mark. Honestly.

>265 msf59: Congratulations on 3 lifers, Mark!
Always fun to see a picture of a group of birdwatchers, the watchers being watched.
The harlequin duck is a beauty.

>265 msf59: Must have been icy cold! But three lifers, one of them a harlequin duck, it’s worth it.
Gulls are so difficult. A real challenge.

>266 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. Sorry, I never made it back over here yesterday. Thanks, in regard to the Lifers and yes that duck is a beauty.

>267 richardderus: Hey, RD. Getting any photo of the harlequin would have been difficult on Saturday, due to distance and lighting but maybe someday, I can get a close enough shot.

>268 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy. Good to see you. Glad you like the Jackson pic. Yes, we remember how fast these years go, with our own kids, so we are savoring our time with our baby boy.

>269 quondame: He certainly is a fine fellow, Susan. I never appreciated how beautiful waterfowl are, until I took up birding.

>270 brenzi: The kid continues to amaze, Bonnie. Something you are certainly aware of. The joy does not stop.

>271 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita. I also like seeing a group of birders in action, like this. It is also amusing how the crowd shifts and hurries in another direction when something else is seen. Despite the very cold temps, it was a very good day.

>272 EllaTim: Thanks, Ella. I think it is going to take me many more years to learn my gulls but I have time. Smiles...The Iceland Gull was nearly pure white, so they were a bit easier to identify.

Standing by a Shelf

When he looks at the edges,
The covers of books and records,
He remembers when and where
He got them, how it felt.
Everything’s a testament
To life lived on the fringe
Of some sense of sanity.

All the vehicles for imbibing
These treasures are obsolete.
Even his eyes and ears, as their
Function fades under each year’s
Mud and tussle to stay alive

The damned fine few who know
Try not to lose the memories,
Talk as if each was there
For the other, laughter supplants tears.
If he can, a story gets written
About each song, how a chord
A lyric, the last line of a book

Make more sense, the same as the
Warnings his mother threw
at fledgling feet like seeds in soil.
He wishes he could buy them all again,
Heed the messages, grow as if
Each signpost was a vitamin
Make what became a recollection
A catalyst for pathfinding and strength.

-Brandon D. Johnson From Poem-A-Day

Happy Monday!

Congrats on getting three lifers!

>276 figsfromthistle: Happy Monday, Figs and thanks. Always nice to get a few local Lifers under my belt.

'Morning, Mark, and happy day after Sunday to you.

After we started watching Reacher the other day, I got inspired and have started re-reading Killing Floor, the book the first season's based on. I was surprised at how much I remembered from reading it. Well, actually reading it 3 times, in 2011, 2013, and 2015. *smile*

>275 msf59: Nice.

>278 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. I am glad you are enjoying the new Reacher show. I did read the first 3 Reacher books. I liked them but felt like I had read enough. I know fans still eat them up.

>279 Caroline_McElwee: Hi, Caroline. I liked the poem too.

-Teresa Burns Parkhurst

>281 msf59: A good deal of that going around. Although Mike decided to cleanup for the evening with Chris and Eric. It's surprising to see the table top again, however briefly.

>281 msf59:. LOL! That's hilarious.

>282 quondame: It appears we are not alone. Grins...

>283 banjo123: I definitely got a chuckle out of it too, Rhonda.

>281 msf59: *snort* I can definitely relate to that

Glad you had such a fun (if cold) birding trip and got to add two more lifers! That duck is really striking.

>285 bell7: Hi, Mary! The Gull Frolic was a lot of fun, plus it was cool hanging with some of the birders I knew. I would do it again, despite the frigid temps.

‘Morning, Mark! Happy Tuesday to you. I’ve loved every Reacher book except the first collaboration with his brother, Andrew Grant, who is now writing as Andrew Child on the Reacher books. I have the second collaboration here on my shelves, and might actually read it after Killing Floor. If it doesn’t click, then I’ll be done with the series.

>281 msf59: I was in that phase in November, even before my heart attack. Fortunately, now I’m in a caring frame of mind again. I finally have a house cleaner I like and trust and who does a good job, and we’re having the outside windows cleaned today.

>281 msf59: That's a familiar feeling.

>282 quondame: That's familiar too, Susan. I move the stuff on the table simply to make room for more stuff.

I'm going to assume, Mark, that you are happily engaged with Moonglow. I was nonplussed that I remembered so little of it, 4 1/2 years after first reading it. But that allowed me to enjoy it all over again.

>281 msf59: It's like the cartoonist Parkhurst has been living in my house.

>265 msf59: Glad you had a good time, Mark! Not my thing, but, if I'd joined your group, I'd have been waiting inside the harbor club for you all to come back in out of the cold. Congrats on your 3 LIFERS!

>3 msf59: I just received a copy of "The Lincoln Highway" so will have to find time to read it. Good luck with your reading!

>281 msf59: Heh. Yeup!

Birding tomorrow, I hope, in better weather...?

>287 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. Glad you have such a good time with the Reacher books. I am also glad you got back into the "caring frame of mind" again. Hooray for a house cleaner. We never had one of those.

>288 weird_O: Howdy, Bill. I am nearly 300 pages into Moonglow and really liking it. I am so glad you decided to do a reread, especially since you didn't remember much about it.

>289 Storeetllr: LOL. Hi, Mary! How are you, my friend? I don't think the Gull Frolic would have been your thing but the Harbor Club would have been a good fit. They even had a nice bar, but it wasn't open. 🙂

>290 ocgreg34: Hi, Greg. Great to see you. Are you a 75er? I hope you enjoy The Lincoln Highway. I see that you are reading some good books. I loved Homegoing.

>291 richardderus: Hey, RD. No birding plans yet for tomorrow. Another change in weather and it will be very cold...once again. I am tired of this crap and I am sure I am not alone.

^Can you believe this little guy is 6 months old?