karenmarie - glad to be here in 2022, part IX

Welcome to my ninth thread of Two Thousand and Twenty-Two!

The Good: Family, friends, kitties, books, in constantly-rotating order. I continue to use a treadmill 3 times a week, and low-sodium is my new normal. Jenna’s home. She’s regrouping as are so many people her age – it’s pretty tough out there now. She’s a hard worker and Asheville simply didn’t work out for her for a variety of reasons. The job search begins next week.

The Bad and the Sad: Covid seems to come and go by county by county now. Our county is high risk right now and has been for several weeks. The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade in a paean to the worship of sperm and control of women here in the US. Ukraine is still a war zone.

The Ugly: The Gang of Psychos is doing more and more to harm to our republic. Even though I have always disagreed with most of their policies, at least they weren't right-wing nut jobs until you-know-who reared his ugly head.

The encouraging: Kansas, red Kansas! voted to retain a woman’s right to an abortion. I’ve lost 47.5 pounds and am reaching a weight I haven’t been at for at least 20 years, probably more. I want to lose 2.5 more pounds by October, in time for my annual physical so I can astound my GP. More, obviously, would be better. *smile*

I am so glad I’m retired, and am beyond grateful that I don’t have to venture out to work to earn a living ever again. I’ve paid my dues. Every day I don’t work is a cause for celebration.

I read and am a charter member of the Redbud and Beyond Book Club, started in 1997. We’ve established a schedule for May 2022 – February 2023, and I loved the first book. I didn’t finish The Sentence and didn’t finish When They Call You a Terrorist. I have already read Less for August’s meeting, coming up this week. I am President for our local Friends of the Library. My new Treasurer is working out well. I gave my resignation, effective June 30, 2023 at the July meeting. I’ll stay on the Board as Immediate Past President for however long the next President serves, then completely leave the Board and just stay on the Book Sale Team. I feel good about this.

I have been married to Bill for 31 years and am mother to Jenna, who just turned 29. As I wrote above, she’s returned home to regroup. The three of us live in our own little corner of paradise on 8 acres in central North Carolina USA.

We have three kitties. Inara – 15, Zoe – 3 1/2, Wash – 2 ½. Inara was helping the Beanie Baby Ants prop up my Kindle. Zoe was relaxing in her new perch – a tub of photos, which I’ve now had to protect with bags until I decide what to do with the photos. Wash knocked everything off the printer, then decided to hang out.


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This picture is from 1998, when Jenna and I were being silly.
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My goal last year was 100 books and I exceeded it by 3. This year’s goal is reduced to 75, but a bodice-ripper-reading streak in May, June, July, and early Auguwt already has me at 148 books read. My reading mojo has come roaring back with a vengeance. A reduced pages goal made sense, too, but I’ve already read almost 45K pages.

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Poetry is not a go-to genre by any means, however, I am going to choose a new poem for each new thread. While looking for a quote in my journal from college, I found a poem by Janet Frame, a New Zealand author. I cannot find it on the internet and can’t remember where I found it, but it spoke to me when I wrote it in the early 1970s and still speaks to me. No guarantees about the accuracy, but knowing me at the time (and even now), I’d have made sure I got it right.

STORY by Janet Frame

farmers farming
sun sunning
rain raining
gunners gunning
pain paining
palms napalming
dollars doling
harmers harming
farmers farming

consuls consoling
peace piecing
treaties entreating
tells tolling
dollars doling
nights knighting
gunners gunning
day delaying
sun sunning

gunners paining
consuls napalming
rain gunning
farmers entreating
night farming
day harming
dollars raining
peace delaying
sun tolling

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2022 – not much better than 2020 or 2021 so far, but in different ways.

Books Read

January
1. The Guncle by Steven Rowley 12/19/21 1/2/2022 324 pages hardcover
2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling 9/29/21 1/6/22 audiobook 19 hours
3. Some Die Nameless by William Stroby 1/3/22 1/12/2022 337 pages hardcover
4. Should We Stay or Should We Go by Lionel Shriver 1/14/22 1/24/22 266 pages hardcover
5. Faithless in Death by J.D. Robb 1/25/22 1/29/22 385 pages trade paperback

February
6. Forgotten in Death by J.D. Robb 1/29/22 2/1/22 388 pages trade paperback
7. Midnight in Death in Silent Night by J.D. Robb 2/1/22 2/1/22 90 pages mass market paperback
8. Interlude in Death by J.D. Robb 2/2/22 2/3/22 92 pages mass market paperback
9. Remember When by Nora Roberts 2/3/22 2/6/22 243 pages mass market paperback
10. Big Jack 2/6/22 2/8/22 287 pages mass market paperback
11. Haunted in Death in Bump in the Night by J.D. Robb 2/9/22 2/10/22 100 pages mass market paperback
12. Eternity in Death by J.D. Robb in Time of Death Anthology 2/10/22 2/13/22 108 pages trade paperback
13. Ritual in Death by J.D. Robb in Time of Death Anthology 2/14/22 2/14/22 88 pages trade paperback
14. Missing in Death by J.D. Robb in Time of Death Anthology 2/15/22 2/15/22 96 pages trade paperback
15. Possession in Death in The Other Side Anthology by J.D. Robb 2/16/22 2/19/22 80 pages mass market paperback
16. Killing Floor by Lee Child 2/20/22 2/26/22 407 pages mass market paperback
17. Chaos in Death in The Unquiet Anthology by J.D. Robb 2/26/22 2/27/22 90 pages mass market paperback
18. Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America by John McWhorter 2/16/22 2/28/22 194 pages hardcover
19. Taken in Death in Mirror, Mirror Anthology by J.D. Robb 2/27/22 2/28/22 86 pages mass market paperback

March
20. Wonderment in Death in Down the Rabbit Hole Anthology by J.D. Robb 3/1/22 3/1/22 94 pages mass market paperback
21. A Tap on the Window by Linwood Barclay 3/2/22 3/5/22 500 pages hardcover
**abandoned** The Winshaw Legacy by Jonathan Coe 58 pages
22. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1/7/22 3/8/22 audiobook 21.5 hours
23. The Locked Room by Elly Griffiths 3/8/22 3/10/22 363 pages hardcover
24. Maus by Art Spiegelman 3/11/22 3/11/22 159 pages trade paperback
25. The Book of General Ignorance: Everything You Think You Know Is Wrong by John Mitchinson 1/21/22 3/11/22 315 pages hardcover
26. Better Off Dead by Lee Child and Andrew Child 3/13/22 3/14/22 325 pages hardcover
27. The Scholar by Dervla McTiernan 3/15/22 3/18/22 360 pages trade paperback
28. Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger 3/12/22 3/20/22 302 pages hardcover
29. The Good Turn by Dervla McTiernan 3/18/22 3/23/22 407 pages trade paperback
30. The Woman In Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware 3/24/22 3/26/22 340 pages

April
31. The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman 4/9/22 4/9/22 29 pages
32. Last Words by Michael Koryta 3/27/22 4/12/22 420 pages trade paperback
33. The Adults by Caroline Hulse 4/11/22 4/16/22 368 pages trade paperback
34. The Story of Human Language by John McWhorter 3/9/22 4/20/22 audiobook 18 hours
35. A Personal History of Thirst by John Burdett 4/17/22 4/23/22 301 pages hardcover
36. The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn 4/23/22 4/24/22 416 pages Kindle
37. An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn 4/24/22 4/25/22 419 pages Kindle
38. Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn 4/26/22 4/27/22 412 pages Kindle
39. To Sir Philip, With Love by Julia Quinn 4/27/22 4/29/22 369 pages Kindle
40. When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn 4/29/22 4/30/22 381 pages Kindle

May
41. It's In His Kiss by Julia Quinn 5/1/22 5/1/22 373 pages Kindle
42. On The Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn 5/2/22 5/22/22 430 pages Kindle
43. Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn 5/2/22 5/3/22 376 pages Kindle
44. The Girl With the Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn 5/3/22 5/4/22 384 pages Kindle
45. The Other Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn 5/4/22 5/5/22 337 pages Kindle
46. First Comes Scandal by Julia Quinn 5/5/22 5/6/22 371 pages Kindle
47. Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn 5/6/22 5/6/22 Kindle 218 pages
48. A Night Like This by Julia Quinn 5/6/22 5/8/22 420 pages Kindle
49. The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn 5/8/22 5/9/22 434 pages Kindle
50. The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn 5/9/22 5/10/22 378 pages Kindle
51. The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn 5/10/22 5/10/22 322 pages Kindle
52. What Happened in London by Julia Quinn 5/10/22 5/11/22 372 pages Kindle
53. Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn 5/11/22 5/11/22 377 pages Kindle
54. The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn 5/11/22 5/12/22 364 pages Kindle
55. Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn 5/12/22 5/12/22 370 pages Kindle
56. To Catch an Heiress by Julia Quinn 5/12/22 5/13/22 377 pages Kindle
57. How to Marry a Marquis by Julia Quinn 5/13/22 5/14/22 375 pages Kindle
58. Midnight Marriage by Lucinda Brant 5/14/22 5/15/22 322 pages Kindle
59. Autumn Duchess 5/15/22 369 pages Kindle
60. Dair Devil by Lucinda Brant 5/16/22 5/17/22 Kindle
61. Proud Mary by Lucinda Brant 5/18/22 5/20/22 367 pages Kindle
62. Satyr's Son by Lucinda Brant 5/20/22 5/21/22 345 pages Kindle
63. Salt Bride by Lucinda Brant 5/21/22 5/22/22 350 pages Kindle
64. The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare 5/22/22 5/22/22 366 pages Kindle
65. ‎The Governess Game by Tessa Dare 5/22/22 5/22/22 372 pages Kindle
66. The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare 5/23/22 5/23/22 352 pages Kindle
67. Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare 5/23/22 5/24/22 370 pages Kindle
68. Say Yes to the Marquess by Tessa Dare 5/24/22 5/25/22 373 pages Kindle
69. When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare 5/25/22 5/26/22 376 pages Kindle
70. Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare 5/26/22 376 pages Kindle
71. A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare 5/27/22 5/27/22 376 pages Kindle
**abandoned** The Blind Duke by Olivia T. Bennet 112 pages
72. A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare 5/27/22 5/28/22 356 pages Kindle
73. A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare 5/28/22 5/28/22 373 pages Kindle
74. Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare 5/28/22 5/29/22 373 pages Kindle
75. One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare 5/29/22 5/30/22 384 pages Kindle
**abandoned** Twice Tempted by a Rogue by Tessa Dare 140 pages
76. Deadly Engagement by Lucinda Brant 5/30/22 5/31/22 276 pages Kindle

June
77. Someone to Watch Over Me by Lisa Kleypas 6/1/22 6/4/22 362 pages Kindle
78. Four Nights with a Duke by Eloisa James 6/4/22 367 pages Kindle
79. Desperate Duchesses by Eloisa James 6/4/22 6/5/22 Kindle
80. An Affair Before Christmas by Eloisa Janes 6/5/22 6/5/22 388 pages Kindle
81. Duchess by Night by Eloisa James 6/5/22 6/6/22 6/6/22 361 pages Kindle
82. When the Duke Returns by Eloisa James 6/6/22 6/7/22 375 pages Kindle
83. This Duchess of Mine by Eloisa James 6/7/22 6/8/22 372 pages Kindle
84. A Duke of Her Own by Eloisa James 6/8/22 6/8/22 386 pages Kindle
85. Three Weeks With Lady X by Eloisa James 6/8/22 6/9/22 378 pages Kindle
86. Seven Minutes in Heaven by Eloisa James 6/9/22 6/10/22 Kindle
87. Wilde in Love by Eloisa James 6/10/22 6/11/22 274 pages Kindle
88. Too Wilde to Wed by Eloisa James 6/11/22 6/12/22 370 pages Kindle
**abandoned** How To Be Champion by Sarah Millican 49 pages
89. Born to be Wilde by Eloisa James 6/12/22 6/13/21 361 pages Kindle
90. Say No to the Duke by Eloisa James 6/13/22 6/13/22 364 pages Kindle
91. Say Yes to the Duke by Eloisa James 6/13/22 6/14/22 386 pages Kindle
92. Wilde Child by Eloisa James 6/14/22 6/16/22 374 pages Kindle
93. My Last Duchess by Eloisa James 6/16/22 6/16/22 254 pages Kindle
94. Much Ado About You by Eloisa James 6/16/22 6/17/22 344 pages Kindle
95. Love, Hate & Clickbait by Liz Bowery 6/14/22 6/18/22 325 pages trade paperback
96. Kiss Me, Annabel by Eloisa James 6/17/22 6/9/22 384 pages Kindle
97. The Taming of the Duke 6/19/22 6/20/22 394 pages Kindle
98. Pleasure for Pleasure by Eloisa James 6/20/22 6/21/22 Kindle
99. Lady Susan by Jane Austen 5/29/22 6/21/22 76 pages hardcover
100. Potent Pleasures by Eloisa James 6/21/22 6/22/22 Kindle
101. Duchess in Love by Eloisa James 6/22/22 6/23/22 Kindle
102. Fool for Love by Eloisa James 6/23/22 6/25/22 355 pages Kindle
103. A Wild Pursuit by Eloisa James 6/25/22 356 pages Kindle
104. Governor by Leslie Richardson 6/27/22 6/28/22 400 pages Kindle
105. Lieutenant by Leslie Richardson 6/28/22 6/28/22 273 pages Kindle
106. Chief by Lesli Richardson 6/28/22 6/29/22 244 pages Kindle
107. Yes, Governor by Leslie Richardson 6/29/22 6/29/22 47 pages Kindle
108. Pet by Lesli Richardson 6/29/22 6/30/22 201 pages Kindle

July
109. Dignity by Lesli Richardson 6/30/22 7/1/22 330 pages Kindle
110. Your Wicked Ways by Eloisa James 7/1/22 7/3/22 Kindle
111. Captivating by Onley James 7/3/22 7/3/22 277 pages Kindle
112. Intoxicating by Onley James 7/3/22 7/4/22 374 pages Kindle
113. Exasperating by Onley James 7/4/22 7/5/22 275 pages Kindle
114. Infuriating by Onley James 7/5/22 7/5/22 361 pages Kindle
115. Satisfying by Onley James 7/5/22 7/5/22 75 pages Kindle
116. Bad Habits by Neve Wilder and Onley James 7/6/22 7/7/22 328 pages Kindle
117. Play Dirty by Neve Wilder and Onley James 7/7/22 7/8/22 247 pages Kindle
118. Head Games by Neve Wilder and Onley James 7/8/22 7/8/22 171 pages Kindle
119. Unhinged by Onley James 7/9/22 7/10/22 294 pages Kindle
120. Psycho by Onley James 7/10/22 7/10/22 269 pages Kindle
121. Moonstruck by Onley James 7/10/22 7/11/22 295 pages Kindle
122. Headcase by Onley James 7/11/22 7/11/22 292 pages Kindle
123. Mad Man by Onley James 7/11/22 7/12/22 281 pages Kindle
124. Domesticated Beast by Onley James 7/12/22 7/13/22 296 pages Kindle
125. Endangered Species by Onley James 7/13/22 7/14/22 222 pages Kindle
126. Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow 4/22/22 7/15/22 audiobook 29 CDs, 35.5 hours
127. Dangerous Breed by Onley James 7/14/22 7/15/22 242 pages Kindle
128. Disciplinary Action by Onley James 7/15/22 7/16/22 281 pages Kindle
129. Novel Affair by Ava Olsen 7/16/22 7/17/22 214 pages Kindle
130. His Cocky Valet by Cole McCade 7/17/22 7/18/22 240 pages Kindle
131. His Cocky Cellist by Cole McCade 7/18/22 7/18/22 384 pages Kindle
132. His Cocky Prince by Cole McCade 7/18/22 7/19/22 389 pages Kindle
**abandoned** Deadly Affair by Lucinda Brant 111 pages
133. Dom of Las Vegas by Tricia Owens 7/19/22 7/20/22 138 pages Kindle
134. Limited Liability by Tricia Owens 7/20/22 7/20/22 156 pages Kindle
135. Acceptable Sacrifices by Tricia Owens 7/21/22 7/21/22 161 pages Kindle
136. Devious Lies by Parker S. Huntington 7/22/22 7/23/22 690 pages Kindle
137. High Roller by Tricia Owens 7/23/22 7/23/22 150 pages Kindle
138. Asher Black by Parker S. Huntington 7/23/22 7/25/22 355 pages Kindle
139. Niccolaio Andretti by Parker S. Huntington 7/25/22 7/25/22 331 pages Kindle
140. Bastiano Romano by Parker S. Huntington 7/25/22 7/27/22 486 pages Kindle
141. Renata Vitali by Parker S. Huntington 7/27/22 7/28/22 Kindle
142. Damiano De Luca by Parker S. Huntington 7/28/22 7/28/22 Kindle
143. Most Wanted by Tricia Owens 7/24/22 7/29/22 Kindle 179 pages
144. Ranieri Andretti by Parker S. Huntington 7/29/22 7/30/22 137 137 pages Kindle
145. His to Keep by Violet James 7/30/22 7/31/22 165 pages Kindle

August
146. His to Teach by Violet James 7/31/22 8/1/22 306 pages Kindle
147. Darling Venom by Parker S. Huntington 7/30/22 8/2/22 660 pages Kindle
148. One Bossy Proposal by Nicole Snow 8/3/22 8/5/22 518 pages Kindle
149. Trouble by Tia Louise 8/5/22 8/6/22 268 pages Kindle
150. Lessons in Obedience by Tricia Owens 7/31/22 8/7/22 144 pages Kindle
**abandoned Fearless by Tia Louise** 77 pages
**abandoned Prince by Tia Louise** 176 pages
151. Boss of Me by Tia Louise 8/8/22 8/8/22 285 pages Kindle
152. One to Hold by Tia Louise 8/8/22 8/9/22 192 pages Kindle
**abandoned One to Keep by Tia Louise** 37 pages
153. The Billionaire's Auction by Bri Blackwood 8/9/22 8/10/22 221 pages Kindle
**abandoned Criminal Intentions by Cole McCade 18 pages
**abandoned The Billionaire's Possession by Bri Blackwood** 126 pages
154. Death Defying Acts by Tricia Owens 8/10/22 8/11/22 144 pages Kindle
155. The Dom's Club by Tricia Owens 8/11/22 8/12/22 141 pages Kindle
156. Easy Money by Tricia Owens 8/12/22 8/12/22 127 pages Kindle
157. Significant Other by Tricia Owens 8/12/22 8/13/22 169 pages Kindle
158. Aftermath by Tricia Owens 8/13/22 8/14/22 204 pages Kindle
159. Flesh and Blood by Tricia Owens 8/14/22 155 pages (averaged from 11 books, 1710 pages) Kindle
160. Maximum Commitment by Tricia Owens 8/15/22 8/15/22 165 pages Kindle
161. Fearless Leader by Tricia Owens 8/15/22 8/16/22 241 pages Kindle
162. In the Blink of an Eye by Tricia Owens 8/16/22 8/17/22 214 pages Kindle
163. The Battle for Black by Tricia Owens 8/17/22 8/18/22 298 pages Kindle
164. The Ultimate Team by Tricia Owens 8/19/22 8/20/22 229 pages Kindle
165. My Lover, My Enemy by Tricia Owens 8/20/22 8/20/22 195 pages Kindle
166. To Have & To Hoax by Sienna Blake 8/20/22 8/21/22 204 pages Kindle
**abandoned The Paw-fect Mix Up by Sienna Blake** 114 pages
167. The Sound of Truth by Tricia Owens 8/21/22 8/21/22 234 pages Kindle
168. Bound by Lies by Sienna Blake 8/21/22 8/22/22 248 pages Kindle
169. Shattered Alliance by Tricia Owens 8/22/22 8/23/22 244 pages Kindle
170. Exchange of Power by Tricia Owens 8/23/22 8/25/22 230 pages Kindle
**abandoned Bound Forever by Sienna Blake** 201 pages
171. Prodigal Son by Tricia Owens 8/25/22 8/27/22 173 pages Kindle
172. The Mind Spy by Tricia Owens 8/27/22 8/27/22 170 pages Kindle
173. Hide and Seek by Tricia Owens 8/27/22 8/28/22 189 pages Kindle
174. Master of No One by Tricia Owens 8/28/22 8/29/22 456 pages Kindle
175. Ghost of Lies by Alice Winters 8/29/22 8/30/22 415 pages Kindle
176. The Hitman's Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love by Alice Winters 8/30/22 8/31/22 365 pages Kindle

September
177. Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow 7/16/22 9/2/22 audiobook 12 CDs, 14.5 hours
178. The Hitman's Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes by Alice Winters 8/31/22 9/2/22 359 pages Kindle
179. The Sinner and the Liar by Alice Winters 9/3/22 9/3/22 312 pages Kindle
180. Pleasing Master Parker Parts 1-3 by Austin Blake 9/4/22 9/4/22 156 pages Kindle
**abandoned Pleasing Master Parker Part 4 by Austin Blake** 65 pages
181. Billion Dollar Sugar Baby by E.M. Demming 9/5/22 9/6/22 Kindle
**abandoned What He Craves by E.M. Denning ** 45 pages
182. Lucien: A Dark Mafia Romance by Silvia Violet 9/6/22 9/6/22 249 pages Kindle
183. Angelo: A Dark Mafia Romance by Silvia Violet 9/7/22 9/7/22 264 pages Kindle
184. Devil: A Dark Mafia Romance by Silvia Violet 9/7/22 9/8/22 264 pages Kindle
185. Giorgio by Silvia Violet 9/7/22 9/8/22 272 pages Kindle
186. Niall by Silvia Violet 9/8/22 9/9/22 246 pages Kindle
187. Leo by Silvia Violet 9/9/22 9/9/22 260 pages Kindle

Currently Reading:

Pilgrim by Timothy Findley 6/20/22 486 pages hardcover 1999
Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner 8/17/22 Kindle 1971
The Traitor and the Fighter by Alice Winters 9/3/22 Kindle
Xavier by Silvia Violet 9/9/22 Kindle 2021
The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith 8/30/22 112 pages hardcover 2022
The Federalist edited by Jacob E. Cooke 5/28/22 656 pages hardcover 1961

Adds. Last year was supposed to be a year of controlling my insatiable need for books, but I fell off the wagon big time. 316 books acquired last year, which was ridiculously high compared to the previous year's 128.

I won't make any promises for this year, though.

1. Kindle - An Elderly Lady Is Up To No Good by Helene Tursten and Marlaine Delargy
2. Amazon - The Longevity Plan by Dr. John D. Day and Jane Ann Day
3. Amazon - My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk
4. Amazon - Should We Stay Or Should We Go by Lionel Shriver
5. Kindle - Sam by Lonnie Coleman - RD
00 The Book of General Ignorance: Everything You Think You Know Is Wrong by John Mitchinson - bought December, just added to catalog
6. Amazon - Faithless in Death by J.D. Robb
7. Amazon - Forgotten in Death by J.D. Robb
8. Kindle - Walking on the Ceiling by Aysegül Savas
9. Jenn - A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain by Robert Olen Butler
10. Kindle - Kohinoor by William Dalrymple
11. Kindle - Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson
12. Amazon - Mr. Flood's Last Resort by Jess Kidd
13. Kindle - In the Presence of Absence by Mahmoud Darwish
14. Kindle - Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World by Fareed Zakaria
15. Kindle - South Sea Fever by D.A. Horncastle
16. Amazon - Jim Hanvey, Detective by Octavus Roy Cohen
17. Amazon - Abandoned in Death by J.D. Robb
18. Amazon - Maus I by Art Spiegelman
19. U of Chicago Press - A Brief History of Death by W.M. Spellman
19. U of Chicago Press - Patty's Got a Gun: Patricia Hearst in 1970s America by William Graebner
20. U of Chicago Press - Nuns Behaving Badly: Tales of Music, Magic, Art, and Arson in the Convents of Italy by Craig A. Monson
21. U of Chicago Press - Confederate Cities: The Urban South during the Civil War Era by Andrew L. Slap
22. Amazon - Down the Rabbit Hole by J.D. Robb
23. Amazon - Mirror, Mirror by J.D. Robb
24. Amazon - The Unquiet by J.D. Robb
25. Kindle - Twenty-Five to Life by R.W.W. Greene
26. Amazon - The Book of Disappearance by Ibtisam Azem
27. Amazon - Raise High The Room Beam, Carpenters and Seymour an Introduction by J.D. Salinger
28. Kindle - The Narrative of Sojourner Truth by Sojourner Truth
29. Amazon - Unfinished Business: Notes of a Chronic Re-reader by Vivian Gornick
30. Thrift Shop - Beau Brummell: The Ultimate Man of Style by Ian Kelly
31. Thrift Shop - The Mummy Congress: Science, Obsession, and the Everlasting Dead by Heather Pringle
32. Thrift Shop - Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women by Geraldine Brooks
33. Thrift Shop - Last Words by Michael Koryta
34. Book Sale Volunteer book - Royal Escape by Georgette Heyer
35. Book Sale Volunteer book - Counterfeit Conspiracies by Ritter Ames
36. Book Sale Volunteer book - Marked Masters by Ritter Ames
37. Friends Book Sale - Abstract Aliases by Ritter Ames
38. Friends Book Sale - Fatal Forgeries by Ritter Ames
39. Friends Book Sale - Bronzed Betrayals by Ritter Ames
40. Friends Book Sale - Soul Mountain by Xingjian, Gao
41. Friends Book Sale - Carolina Moon by Jill McCorkle
42. Friends Book Sale - Pulse by Felix Francis
43. Friends Book Sale - Blue Labyrinth by Preston & Child
44. Friends Book Sale - Transcription by Kate Atkinson
45. Friends Book Sale - Miss Kopp Just Won't Quit by Amy Stewart
46. Friends Book Sale - Montana 1948 by Larry Watson
47. Friends Book Sale - The Case of the Caretaker's Cat / The Case of the Perjured Parrot by Erle Stanley Gardner
48. Friends Book Sale - Bland Beginning by Julian Symons
49. Friends Book Sale - Blue Lightning by Ann Cleeves
50. Friends Book Sale - The Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles
51. Friends Book Sale - The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers
52. Friends Book Sale - Postmortem by Patricia Daniels Cornwell
53. Friends Book Sale - The Shadow District by Arnaldur Indridason
54. Friends Book Sale - The Only Story by Julian Barnes
55. Friends Book Sale - Miss Pinkerton by Mary Roberts Rinehart
56. Friends Book Sale - Riding the Rap by Elmore Leonard
57. Friends Book Sale - The Wandering Fire by Guy Gavriel Kay
58. Friends Book Sale - Insidious Intent by Val McDermid
59. Friends Book Sale - Swing, Swing Together by Peter Lovesy
60. Friends Book Sale - Snow by Orhan Pamuk
61. Friends Book Sale - The Summer Tree by Guy Gavriel Kay
62. Friends Book Sale - Midnight Assassin: A Murder in America's Heartland by Patricia L. Bryan and Thomas Wolf
63. Friends Book Sale - An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
64. Friends Book Sale - The Darkest Road by Guy Gavriel Kay
65. Friends Book Sale - A Bitter Feast: A Novel by Deborah Crombie
66. Friends Book Sale - The Simple Art of Murder by Raymond Chandler
67. Friends Book Sale - The Bridesmaid by Ruth Rendell
68. Friends Book Sale - Dick Francis's Gamble by Felix Francis
69. Friends Book Sale - Killing the Shadows by Val McDermid
70. Friends Book Sale - The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel by Anthony Horowitz
71. Friends Book Sale - The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
72. Friends Book Sale - A Puzzle for Fools by Patrick Quentin
73. Amazon - The Adults by Caroline Hulse
74. Thrift Shop - The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead
75. Thrift Shop - Tar Heel Ghosts by John Harden
76. Thrift Shop - Guilty Not Guilty by Felix Francis
77. Kindle - From Manassas to Appomattox by James Longstreet
78. Leftover from Friends Book Sale - A Personal History of Thirst by John Burdett
79. Kindle - The Road to Oxiana by Robert Byron
80. Amazon - Like a House On Fire by Caroline Hulse
81. Amazon - The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
82. Kindle - The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
83. Kindle - An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
84. Kindle - To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn
85. Kindle - When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn
86. Kindle - On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn
87. Kindle - Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
88. Kindle - The Girl With the Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn
89. Kindle - The Other Miss Bridgerton
90. Friend Karen - Stolen Words: The Nazi Plunder of Jewish Books by Mark Glickman
91. Kindle - First Comes Scandal by Julia Quinn
92. Kindle - Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn
93. Kindle - A Night Like This by Julia Quinn
94. Kindle - The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn
95. Kindle - The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn
96. FoL Audio Visual Sale - The History of the Supreme Court by Professor Peter Irons
97. FoL Audio Visual Sale - Shakespeare's Tragedies by Professor Clare R. Kinney
98. Fol Audio Visual Sale - The Terror of History: Mystics, Heretics, and Witches in the Western Tradition by Professor Teofilo F. Ruiz
99. Fol Audio Visual Sale - How to Read and Understand Shakespeare by Professor Marc C. Conner
100. Fol Audio Visual Sale - 1066: The Year That Changed Everything by Professor Jennifer Paxton
101. Kindle - The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn
102. Amazon - Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan
103. Kindle - Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn
104. Kindle - The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn
105. Kindle - Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn
106. Kindle - To Catch an Heiress by Julia Quinn
107. Kindle - How to Marry a Marquis by Julia Quinn
108. Kindle - Midnight Marriage by Lucinda Brant
109. Kindle - Murder at the Brightwell by Ashley Weaver
110. Kindle - The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare
111. Kindle - Autumn Duchess by Lucinda Brant
112. Kindle - Dair Devil by Lucinda Brant
113. Kindle - Proud Mary by Lucinda Brant
114. Kindle - Satyr's Son by Lucinda Brant
115. Kindle - The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn
116. In the House, found in a drawer - A Southern Album: Recollections of Some People and Places and Times Gone By by Irwin Glusker
117. Amazon - The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones
118. Kindle - The Plot to Seize the White House: The Shocking True Story of the Conspiracy to Overthrow F.D.R. by Jules Archer
119. Kindle - The Governess Game by Tessa Dare
120. Kindle - The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare
121. Kindle - Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare
122. Kindle - Say Yes to the Marquess by Tessa Dare
123. FoL volunteer book - The Federalist edited by Jacob E. Cooke
124. Kindle - When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare
125. Kindle - Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare
126. Kindle - The Blind Duke by Olivia T. Bennett
127. Kindle - A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare
128. Kindle - A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare
129. Kindle - A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare
130. Kindle - Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare
00 Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari - bought it in 2017 but had forgotten to add it to my catalog
131. Kindle - One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare
132. Kindle - Twice Tempted by a Rogue by Tessa Dare
133. Kindle - The Sentence by Louise Erdrich - returned. Ugh.
133. Kindle - Desperate Duchesses by Eloisa James
134. Thrift Shop - Siler City - Verses for the Dead by Preston & Child
135. Thrift Shop - Siler City - Love is Blind by Lyndsay Sands
136. Thrift Shop - Pittsboro - Two Graves by Preston & Child
137. Thrift Shop - Pittsboro - Don't Look Down by Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer
138. Thrift Shop - Pittsboro - Duchess by Night by Eloisa James
139. Kindle - Someone to Watch Over Me by Lisa Kleypas
140. Kindle - Four Nights With a Duke by Eloisa James
141. Kindle - Desperate Duchesses by Eloisa James
142. Kindle - An Affair Before Christmas by Eloisa James
143. Kindle - Duchess by Night by Eloisa James
144. Kindle - When the Duke Returns by Eloisa James
145. Kindle - This Duchess of Mine by Eloisa James
146. Kindle - A Duke of Her Own by Eloisa James
147. Kindle - Three Weeks with Lady X by Eloisa James
148. Kindle - Seven Minutes in Heaven by Eloisa James
149. Kindle - Wilde in Love by Eloisa James
150. Kindle - Too Wilde to Wed by Eloisa James
151. Amazon - Reclaiming Two-Spirits: Sexuality, Spiritual Renewal & Sovereignty in Native America by Gregory D. Smithers
152. Kindle - Born to be Wilde by Eloisa James
153. Kindle - Say No to the Duke by Eloisa James
154. Kindle - Say Yes to the Duke by Eloisa James
155. FoL volunteer book - Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
156. FoL volunteer book - Selected Poems of Langston Hughes
157. Kindle - Wilde Child by Eloisa James
158. Kindle - My Last Duchess by Eloisa James
159. Kindle - Much Ado About You by Eloisa James
160. Amazon - Pilgrim by Timothy Findley
161. Kindle - Kiss Me, Annabel by Eloisa James
162. Kindle - The Taming of the Duke by Eloisa James
163. Kindle - Pleasure for Pleasure by Eloisa James
164. Kindle - Potent Pleasures by Eloisa James
165. Kindle - Memoir of Jane Austen by James Edward Austen-Leigh
166. Kindle - Duchess in Love by Eloisa James
167. Kindle - Fool for Love by Eloisa James
168. Kindle - Governor by Lesli Richardson
169. Kindle - The Wild Pursuit by Eloisa James
170. Kindle - The Complete Works of Alexander Hamilton
171. Kindle - The Affectionate Shepherd by Richard Barnfield
172. Friend Karen - The Mutual Admiration Society: How Dorothy L. Sayers and her Oxford Circle Remade the World for Women by Mo Moulton
173. Amazon - Pietr the Latvian by Georges Simenon
174. Kindle - Lieutenant by Lesli Richardson
175. Kindle - The Canterbury Tales and Other Poems by Geoffrey Chaucer
176. Kindle - Chief by Lesli Richardson
177. Kindle - Yes, Governor by Lesli Richardson
178. Kindle - Pet by Lesli Richardson
179. Kindle - Dignity by Lesli Richardson
180. Kindle - Diligence by Lesli Richardson
181. Kindle - Desire by Lesli Richardson
182. Friend Jan - Open and Shut by David Rosenfelt
183. Friend Jan - First Degree by David Rosenfelt
184. Friend Jan - Bury the Lead by David Rosenfelt
185. Kindle - Your Wicked Ways by Eloisa James
186. Kindle - The Politics of Vaccination ed Christine Holmberg et al.
187. Kindle - Captivating by Onley James
188. Kindle - Exasperating by Onley James
189. Kindle - Infuriating by Onley James
190. Kindle - Satisfying by Onley James
191. Kindle - Bad Habits by Neve Wilder and Onley James
192. Kindle - Play Dirty by Neve Wilder and Onley James
193. Kindle - Head Game by Neve Wilder and Onley James
194. Kindle - Unhinged by Onley James
195. Kindle - Psycho by Onley James
196. Kindle - Moonstruck by Onley James
197. Friend Linda (Whisper1) - You and Me and the Wishing Tree by Nancy Tillman
198. Friend Linda (Whisper1) - You're Here for a Reason by Nancy Tillman
199. Kindle - Headcase by Onley James
200. Kindle - Mad Man by Onley James
201. Kindle - Domesticated Beast by Onley James
202. eBay - Arabella by Georgette Heyer
203. Kindle - Endangered Species by Onley James
204. Kindle - Dangerous Breed by Onley James
205. Amazon - Radioactive: Marie & Pierre Curie: A Tale of Love and Fallout by Lauren Redniss
206. Amazon - Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
207. Amazon - What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
208. Kindle - The Benefits of Farting Explained (and) A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift
209. Kindle - Disciplinary Action by Onley James
210. Kindle - Novel Affair by Ava Olsen
211. Kindle - His Cocky Valet by Cole McCade
212. Kindle - His Cocky Cellist by Cole McCade
213. Kindle - His Cocky Prince by Cole McCade
214. Kindle - Criminal Intentions S01 E01 The Cardigans by Cole McCade
215. Kindle - Dom of Las Vegas by Tricia Owens
216. Kindle - Limited Liability by Tricia Owens
217. Kindle - Acceptable Sacrifices by Tricia Owens
218. Book Warehouse Asheville - Amberlough by Lara Elena Donnelly
219. Kindle - His to Keep by Violet James
220. Kindle - Tied Up by Jesse Fuchs
00 The Dead Sea Scrolls by The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
221. FoL volunteer book - The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow
222. Amazon - Trust Exercise by Susan Choi
223. Kindle - The Roommate Risk by Talia Hibbert
224. Thrift Shop - Going Under by Justina Robson
225. Thrift Shop - Selling Out by Justina Robson
226. Thrift Shop - Chasing the Dragon by Justina Robson
227. Thrift Shop - Down to the Bone by Justina Robson
228. Kindle - Home Grown Talent by Joanna Chambers
229. Kindle - A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn
230. Amazon - The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith
231. Kindle - The Histories: Complete by Herodotus
232. FoL 'free' book that would otherwise go to the thrift shop - The Hidden Gospel by Neil douglas-Klotz
233. FoL 'free' book that would otherwise go to the thrift shop - Good News Study Bible - the Bible Societies and Harper Collins

Culls. Last year I culled 72. While looking for some books for friend Louise today I saw two very poor quality mass market paperbacks that I should cull... perhaps I can focus on culling unreadable books if they don't hold sentimental or intrinsic value, of course.

I am toying with the idea of culling a book for every book I acquire. Toying only, but I did just find 3 mass market paperbacks with print too small or too yellowed.

1. Kissing the Gunner's Daughter by Ruth Rendell
2. Artists in Crime by Ngaio Marsh
3. A Dark Adapted Eye by Barbara Vine (pseudonym for Ruth Rendell)
4. Some Die Nameless by Wallace Stroby reasonable, but not enough to award it permanent shelf space
5. Cold Shot to the Heart by Wallace Stroby
6. The Heartbreak Lounge by Wallace Stroby
7. The Devil's Share by Wallace Stroby
8. Kings of Midnight by Wallace Stroby
9. Gone 'Til November by Wallace Stroby
10. Suite 606 - contains an Eve Dallas novella, duplicated in another book on my shelves
11. Out of This World - contains an Eve Dallas novella, duplicated in another book on my shelves
12. Dead of Night - contains an Eve Dallas novella, duplicated in another book on my shelves
13. The Lost - contains an Eve Dallas novella, duplicated in another book on my shelves
14. Big Jack - duplicate of a copy in Remember When
15. The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht
16. The Winshaw Legacy by Jonathan Coe
17. Number 11 by Jonathan Coe
18. The Power of Babel by John McWhorter
19. The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
20. A Personal History of Thirst by John Burdett - liked it but not enough for shelf space
21. A God in Ruins by Leon Uris
22. Accused by Lisa Scottoline
23. Betrayed by Lisa Scottoline
24. Corrupted by Lisa Scottoline
25. Keep Quiet by Lisa Scottoline
26. Look Again by Lisa Scottoline
27. Every Fifteen Minutesby Lisa Scottoline
28. The New Oxford Book of Seventeenth Century Verse edited by Alastair Fowler
29. Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
30. White Oleander by Janet Fitch
31. Lady Sophia's Lover by Lisa Kleypas
32. The Chamber by John Grisham
33. Japanese Proverbs
34. Somewhere I'll Find You by Lisa Kleypas
35. Stranger in My Arms by Lisa Kleypas
36. Midnight Angel by Lisa Kleypas
37. Only With Your Love by Lisa Kleypas
38. Because You're Mine by Lisa Kleypas
39. Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
40. When Strangers Marry by Lisa Kleypas
41. Forever My Love by Lisa Kleypas
42. Untamed Heart by Georgina Devon
43. Those Who Hunt the Night by Barbara Hambly
44. The Wind Dancer by Iris Johansen
45. From Time to Time by Jack Finney
46. Time and Again by Jack Finney
47. 3 by Finney by Jack Finney
48. Larry's Party by Carol Shields
49. Birds of North America by Pearson, Thomas Gilbert. (Revised by David L. Wray and Harry T. Davis).
50. The Quaker by Liam McIlvanney
51. The Drunken Forest by Gerald Durrell
52. Second Sight by Isobel Bird
53. So Mote It Be by Isobel Bird
54. Merry Meet by Isobel Bird
55. Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko
56. The Round House by Louise Erdrich
57. A General Introduction to PsychAnalysis by Sigmund Freud
58. An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
59. The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn - I have all the other books just in Kindle and don't want to get them all in paper, so...
60. In the Dark House by Deborah Crombie
61. A Bitter Feast by Decorah Crombie
62. Necessary Blood by Deborah Crombie
63. Early Man and the Ocean by Thor Heyerdahl
64. How to Do Everything by Courtney Rosen & the eHow Editors
65. Willoughby's Return by Jane Odiwe
66. The Last Girls by Lee Smith
67. Dangerous Lady by Martina Cole
68. A Very Private Plot by William f. Buckley, Jr.
69. A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash
70. Rotters by Daniel Kraus
71. The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann
72. On The Road by Jack Kerouac

Statistics Through August 31

176 books read
17 of them on my shelves before 1/1/22 and not rereads
12 books abandoned, 1219 pages abandoned
52869 pages read
92.5 audiobook hours
Avg pages read per day, YTD = 218
Avg pages read per book, YTD = 300

Book of the Month: The Hitman's Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love by Alice Winters

Books by Month
January - 4 paper books 1312 pages, 1 audiobook 19 hours
February - 14 paper books, 2473 pages
March - 10 paper books, 3193 pages, 1 audiobook 19.5 hours
April - 9 paper books, 3173 pages, 1 audiobook 18 hours
May - 36 e-books, 13344 pages including 2 books abandoned with 252 pages counted
June - 31 e-books and 1 paper book, 10,849 pages, including 1 book with 49 pages abandoned
July - 37 e-books and 1 audio book 36 hours, 10,030 pages including 1 book with 111 pages abandoned
August - 31 e-books, 8,550 pages, including 7 books with 749 pages abandoned

Author
Male 9%
Female 91%

Living 99%
Dead 1%

US Born 91%
Foreign Born 9%

Platform
Hardcover 6%
Trade Pback 7%
Mass Market 5%
Audiobook 2%
e-Book 80%

Source
My Library 73%
Library 1%
Kindle Unlimited 23%
My Library, culled after reading 2%
Borrowed from a friend 1%

Misc
ARC/ER 0%
Re-read 2%
Series 87%

Fiction 98%
NonFiction 2%

Author Birth Country
Australia 4%
England 5%
Ireland 1%
Sweden 1%
US 89%

Original Decade Published
1870-1879 1%
1950-1959 1%
1980-1989 1%
1990-1999 4%
2000-2009 18%
2010-2019 51%
2020-2029 24%

Category
Contemporary Fiction 43%
Crime Fiction - Mystery, Thriller, Suspense 14%
Fantasy 1%
Graphic Novel 1%
Historical Fiction 39%
Informational Nonfiction 2%
Poetry 1%
Science Fiction 1%

Book Acquisition Date
2007 - Joined LT, added 1853 books 2
2011 8
2013 1
2018 1
2019 2
2020 1
2021 5
2022 108
Other 48

Average Rating
2.0 - Bad 3
2.5 - Average 5
3.0 - Good 15
3.5 - Very Good 24
4.0 - Excellent 95
4.5 - Outstanding 33
5 - Masterpiece 1

Average Rating 3.87

August Lightning Round

His to Teach by Violet James 7/31/22 8/1/22 Kindle

Harper and Nate’s story. Meh.

Darling Venom by Parker S. Huntington 7/30/22 8/2/22 Kindle

Kellan and Charlotte meet on the roof when they are each at the end of their rope. They keep meeting until one day… they don’t. It should have been about half as long. Some of the plot lines were predictable from a mile off. Tte’s baggage about his brother seems unbelievable. I’m glad I read it, but sheesh. Where’s an editor when you need one?

One Bossy Proposal by Nicole Snow 8/3/22 8/5/22 Kindle

TCFW – too cute for words. Also went on way too long, and was way too predictable. Caveat emptor for explicit sex.

Trouble by Tia Louise 8/5/22 8/6/22 Kindle

Alpha male, meet strong-willed young woman. He’s got commitment issues, she’s not into one-night stands. Predictable, but the journey was pleasant. Characters are vivid. Caveat emptor for explicit sex.

Lessons in Obedience by Tricia Owens 7/31/22 8/7/22 Kindle

Sixth in the Max/Ethan series. Max and Ethan go on a vacation to a gay resort in Greece to reaffirm their love and re-establish their relationship away from Las Vegas and in an open and accepting environment. Max feels he must stay in the closet because of his high-end security firm, yet Ethan wants more. Things work out well, with both men sharing what’s important to them and each sacrificing a bit for their relationship. The conversations are honest and realistic, and once more caveat emptor re the sex.

Boss of Me by Tia Louise 8/8/22 8/8/22 285 pages Kindle

Alpha male Patton and MBA grad Raquel’s story, spiced up with her sister’s story, Patton trying to take care of military buddies who are flailing after their last mission went sideways, and some work-related skullduggery. Mostly meh, actually. I won’t read any of the rest of the series. Caveat emptor re sex.

One to Hold by Tia Louise 8/8/22 8/9/22 192 pages Kindle

Another alpha male, Derek, and abused wife Melissa meet while he’s at a conference and she’s at a spa with a girlfriend. She’s fleeing a bad marriage, he’s instantly smitten. Somewhat better than the last one by Tia Louise, but still eminently predictable. Second series I’m abandoning after one book. Caveat emptor re sex.

The Billionaire's Auction by Bri Blackwood 8/9/22 8/10/22 Kindle

Improbable tale of a young woman who owes a crime boss and has to work for him at a bar. Ace Bolton sees her, then separately he’s invited to a party where women are auctioned off. She’s since pissed off the crime boss, who auctions her off. Ace ‘buys’ her. A cliffhanger, so I’m off to read the second, The Billionaire’s Possession. Caveat emptor re sex.

Death Defying Acts by Tricia Owens 8/10/22 8/11/22 Kindle

Max/Ethan #7. Max’s security agency is hired to protect a gay acrobat act being harassed because they’re gay. As always, the plot is good, the characters well-written, and the conversations are realistic. Max and Ethan’s relationship is ever-evolving and each of them learns more about the other during this case. Caveat emptor re sex.

The Dom's Club by Tricia Owens 8/11/22 8/12/22 Kindle

Max/Ethan #8. A man from Max’s past comes to Las Vegas and it’s not a good thing for Ethan or Max. I continue to love the plots and dialog and character development. Caveat emptor re sex.

Easy Money by Tricia Owens 8/12/22 8/12/22 Kindle

Max/Ethan #9. Two apparently separate cases collide dangerously. Not one of my favorites, although the chemistry and dialog between Max and Ethan continues to be fantastic. Caveat emptor re sex.

Significant Other by Tricia Owens 8/12/22 8/13/22 Kindle

Max/Ethan #10. Ethan’s father has a heart attack and his parents come to visit Ethan in Las Vegas. Ethan has to keep his secrets since they involve Max, but it puts a strain on him. In the meantime, a billionaire investor wants to buy into Max’s company. Lots of good parent-child emotion, lots of happy surprises. Caveat emptor re sex.

Aftermath by Tricia Owens 8/13/22 8/14/22 Kindle

Max/Ethan #11. Ethan’s former lover and fashion photographer Merrick hires Ethan for a week’s security protection. There are hidden forces at play, and the denouement is particularly intriguing. I can’t say often enough how strong the dialog and emotions portrayed between Max and Ethan are. Certainly as good as any ‘serious’ literature or fiction out there, IMO. But – bonus! – caveat emptor re sex.

Flesh and Blood by Tricia Owens 8/14/22 8/15/22 Kindle

Max/Ethan #12. After Max’s mother tries by buy Ethan off, Max decides they will go to Europe to confront his parents in Barcelona. I really enjoyed this book, but had a hard time with how easy it seemed, after 30+ years of putting up an emotional barrier with Max, to all of a sudden capitulate and explain what was going on with them. Max’s father, who was cold and distant to Max his entire life, explained that coldness and although not thrilled with Max being gay and having a husband, started the healing and reconciliation process. At the same time, Ethan went to the Poole home in Barcelona and spoke with Max’s mother. She also explained the coldness to Max. Max and his father joined them there, and they all spent the day together before Max and Ethan headed back to Las Vegas. The dynamic between Max and Ethan continues to be wonderful and the dialog between them emotional and rewarding. Caveat emptor re sex.

Maximum Commitment by Tricia Owens 8/15/22 8/15/22 Kindle

Max/Ethan #13, last in the series. I’m sad to be at the end of the series, but so glad I read it. Ethan is hired to protect a reality TV celebrity. At the same time he and Max are planning their wedding in Indiana. Max’s mother is trying to sabotage things in order to have the venue moved to England. All’s well that ends well, for this book and for the series. Perhaps as soon as next year I’d consider re-reading it.

Fearless Leader by Tricia Owens 8/15/22 8/16/22 Kindle

Another series by the same author as the Max/Ethan series, this first book introduces us to Black, leader of Juxtapose City 2, a special police unit in the future, where psypaths, including telepaths and empaths, are ‘out’ but considered second-or-worse class citizens. After a mission goes bad and two members die, JC2 is given two new members, a thinly-veiled right-wing nut job named Sola and an empath named Calyx Starr. Very dark, with many subplots. Caveat emptor re sex. I’m intrigued and am already reading the second in the series.

In the Blink of an Eye by Tricia Owens 8/16/22 8/17/22 Kindle

Second in the Juxtapose City series, with Black and Starr being sent undercover to expose a pornography ring. Things don’t go as planned. Caveat emptor re sex.

The Battle for Black by Tricia Owens 8/17/22 8/18/22 Kindle

Third in the Juxtapose City series, Black continues to be tormented about his past, Calyx continues to fall deeper in love with him. Caveat emptor re sex.

The Ultimate Team by Tricia Owens 8/19/22 8/20/22 Kindle

Fourth in the Juxtapose City series, Another new member to the team when an op at the end of the last book goes south, this time another psypath. Calyx and Black continue their romantic dance around each other, more layers in Black’s past. Serious cliffhanger in this one. Caveat emptor re sex.

My Lover, My Enemy by Tricia Owens 8/20/22 8/20/22 195 pages Kindle

Fifth in the Juxtapose City series, this one is a book about betrayals, set ups, and more convolutions in the plot. Black and Calyx keep dancing around each other, but the commitment is there. Caveat emptor re sex.

To Have & To Hoax by Sienna Blake 8/20/22 8/21/22 Kindle

Feisty American woman meets billionaire Australian playboy. Amusing hijinks ensue, HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

The Sound of Truth by Tricia Owens 8/21/22 8/21/22 Kindle

Sixth in the Juxtapose City series. Black and Calyx Starr meet Echo, twin psypaths, and learn of tunnels leading to the Silent City. In the meantime, a strong psypath and enemy of Black’s is on a rampage. Caveat emptor re sex.

Bound by Lies by Sienna Blake 8/21/22 8/22/22 Kindle

Wow. Just, wow. A woman on the run is romanced by a mysterious man who only has two rules: 1. Patience. 2. I can touch you but you cannot touch me. I did not figure this one out at all, and it’s a cliffhanger. Totally excellent. Caveat emptor re sex.

Shattered Alliance by Tricia Owens 8/22/22 8/23/22 Kindle

Seventh in the Juxtapose City series. Black and Calyx are on the run. The Silent City and Captain Dickerson are pushing Black. I found the end of this entry upsetting, because I do not like where Black is going with his plans. Caveat emptor re sex.

Exchange of Power by Tricia Owens 8/23/22 8/25/22 Kindle

Eighth in the Juxtapose City series. Black has to neutralize the power of his old lover/enemy known as Genesis while keeping Calyx and his JC2 team safe. A stunning result for Black personally, and how he manages to balance everything is a tribute to Owens’ intricate plot turns and twists. Caveat emptor re sex.

Prodigal Son by Tricia Owens 8/25/22 8/27/22 Kindle

From Amazon:

Though Black has managed to defuse the escalating war for the time being, he has left himself, Calyx, and the rest of JC2 in a vulnerable position. Friendless on the streets, mistrusted by the police, Black knows that when his enemies come he can present little defense against them...and that is not an option. To keep Calyx out of danger and to re-position himself where he needs to be when the Silent City recovers and gears up for war again, Black decides to throw himself on the mercy of Captain Dickerson. But will the price he have to pay be too much? Or is there no limit to what Black is willing to do to keep the man he loves safe from harm?

This series has me fully engaged, with vivid characters I care about, well-written dialog, interesting plot twists. I’m already sad that I only have 2 books left. Caveat emptor re sex.

The Mind Spy by Tricia Owens 8/27/22 8/27/22 Kindle

Penultimate (God! I love this word) book in the Juxtapose City series has Black, Calyx Starr, and the JC2 up against a psypath who’s bent on destroying both normals AND psypaths in favor of robots – think Data on ST:TNG. Black learns more and more about the perfidy of Captain Dickerson, and there are quite a few touching scenes displaying love. Not sex, although there’s plenty of that, too.

Hide and Seek by Tricia Owens 8/27/22 8/28/22 Kindle

Yay. This can’t be the last in the series. Black gets help from an unexpected source, discovers something startling about another JCPD officer. Things get cleared up, things get complicated. Caveat emptor re sex.

Master of No One by Tricia Owens 8/28/22 8/29/22 Kindle

Remind me to not read any more books where a female character calls a male character “Master.” Ugh. I actually kept reading to find out why things were going so wrong for the Chimera. Caveat emptor re sex.

Ghost of Lies by Alice Winters 8/29/22 8/30/22 Kindle

Hiro can see and speak with ghosts, and even interact with them if he concentrates hard enough. His murdered brother visits him all the time. This ability gets the attention of Maddox, a detective, who is investigating a homicide. Hiro helps him solve it by use of his ability. Maddox is skeptical about this ability, but won over. He’s also won over by Hiro personally, and ditto Hiro about Maddox. His brother’s murder is part of a series of murders. There are snarky ghosts, jealous ghosts, vengeful ghosts, cat ghosts, and even a raven ghost. It’s all quite amusing and laugh out loud fun, and the mysteries are deftly handled and intricate. Caveat emptor re sex.

The Hitman's Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love by Alice Winters 8/30/22 8/31/22 Kindle

What a treat! Leland the hitman watches Jackson the PI fall over a fence, baring his ah… assets… and immediately falls in lust. So much laugh out loud humor, with Leland as crazy as a June bug and Jackson totally smitten. Leland is lethal but promises to not be a hitman until a case threatens them personally. There is a neurotic dog and vacuum that does not survive. Jenna said I was cackling, and there were several times I could barely breathe for laughing. Caveat emptor re sex.

103 books read

0 Masterpiece
17 Stunning
51 Excellent
28 Very Good
6 Good
1 Average
0 Bad
0 Very Bad
0 Don't Bother
0 Anathema

Best Fiction
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine
Widow of the South by Robert Hicks
Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley
The Mandibles: A family, 2029 – 2047 by Lionel Shriver

Best Nonfiction
Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
Ties That Bound: Founding First Ladies and Slaves by Marie Jenkins Schwartz
Never Caught by Erica Armstrong Dunbar
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit

Top five overall for the LT Top Five Books of 2021 list:
An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine
Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley
Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
Ties That Bound: Founding First Ladies and Slaves by Marie Jenkins Schwartz
A Promised Land by Barack Obama

…...

Welcome! The next one's yours.

And, I can't resist re-posting my Wordle result:

Wordle 413 2/6* adieu, alien

🟩⬜🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

TWO! I'm happy. My starting word really paid off this time.

Happy new thread, Karen! Fun pics!

Happy New Thread, Karen! Once again, congrats on that weight loss. That is so impressive.

>10 jessibud2: Hi Shelley, and thank you.

>11 msf59: Hi Mark, thank you. Right now I'm in a bit of a holding pattern weight-loss-wise, but falling last Saturday and not working out this week made just maintaining an accomplishment.

>8 karenmarie: LOL

You are *ripping* through the romantic novels! Onley James clearly needs my attention, as does Tricia Owens. Being Max, I can see that Ethan's got some thinkin' to do.

New-thread orisons, Horrible. *smooch*

Happy New Thread, Karen!!!

All the books - read, acquired, culled - WOW This is what LT is about!!!!!

As to Wordle, I knew you'd do it! I made it in 3 and am very satisfied.

>13 richardderus: Hiya, RDear. Thank you. Well, hello Max. *smile* and *smooch*

>14 LizzieD: I cannot imagine my life without LT, Peggy. Simple, stark truth. I've lost my stats several times, but honestly don't remember a 2 before this batch - I now have two 2s out of 79 games played.

Happy new one, Karen!

Nice Wordling :)

I know y'all'll need a bigger place now...how 'bout this 20-bedroom, 15-bath luxury extravaganza for only $860K? It's in Tryon!
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/330-Carolina-Dr-Tryon-NC-28782/245996328_zpid...

Happy new thread, Karen!

>9 karenmarie: WOW, Wordle in two!

Happy new thread, Karen!

>16 katiekrug: Thanks Katie. Oh yes, my first word for Wordle definitely paid off today.

>17 richardderus: How intriguing, RDear! If we were younger and had another $860K on top of the purchase price… wowza.

>18 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita, and thank you. I was very happy with my Wordle result for today.

>19 quondame: Thanks, Susan.

Well, I managed to miss most of your last thread again. Sigh. I may go back to see what you've read. Otherwise per your intro I guess things are OK. And congrats on the weight loss. Another 2.5 lbs by October seems doable!

Happy new thread! Seeing the cats, I’m in the middle of a Firefly re-binge. Gotta slip on the brown coat every now and then!

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, dear Karen. Your reading continues to astound this year.

>21 ffortsa: Hi Judy! I'm happy to see you here, thanks. Things are okay. Jenna's home to regroup, I'm reading r-rated romances, and thanks for the weight-loss encouragement.

>22 drneutron: Hi Jim, and thank you. We're watching Castle right now, start-finish. We've never watched it before and love it. There are, of course, many references to Firefly, some subtle and some not so subtle. Yay for brown coats.

>23 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita, and thank you.

>24 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. I can't say my reading is particularly high brow, but it's lots of fun.

Wordle 414 X/6* adieu, brake, relay, shear, spear, swear Boo, hiss.

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...
The excitement for the day will be picking up prescriptions from the pharmacy. Their drive through is out of commission, so I'll have to go in. I also need a birthday card for my turning-three-tomorrow great nephew Asher. Oops. Late, although the mommies always go overboard with parties and presents for their two boys, and getting a card and check after the hoopla is over means it won't get lost in the card-present overload.

Morning, Karen. Happy Sunday. I had a great reading day yesterday. Might be the same today, since nothing much planned. The heat and humidity will keep me off the trails. Feeders very quiet this AM.

'Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday and yay for a potentially great reading day. My feeders are quiet, too.

The heat and humidity will be nasty here today, too. Last night we had a serious thunderstorm roll through and got perhaps 1" of rain.

>25 karenmarie: Good morning, Karen. I did it in 6 with the same reaction. Maybe tomorrow.

I wish you safety in your outing. I think I'll pick up Chinese for our lunch. I'll go when almost nobody is in the restaurant and get right out. Their staff is always masked in some fashion. Stay cool!

Hi Peggy! I just visited your thread. Congrats on 6, which beat my getting skunked.

Well, look at you, going to get take out. Bill brought home salads for Jenna and me and a sub/french fries for him yesterday.

Today I'll be making low-sodium vegetable beef soup and low-sodium cornbread. Miss J will help.

Grocery store now in addition to pharmacy.

In the meantime, noise-cancelling wireless earbuds and a bit of reading. Pilgrim is coming along, albeit slowly. I could just try to slam through it to get it in by the end of August, but I won't. If, however, I really devoted some time to it, perhaps.

Hey there, Horrible. *smooch*

I wear the full noise-cancelling headphones when Old Stuff finds something he wants to watch. (The Mets games are the exception, I watch those with him.) They save my sanity.

Cornbread! I haven't made cornbread in too long. It's super easy in the crockpot, and I love it so. Good reminder and thanks.

Today's book is either The Cult of the Saints: Its Rise and Function in Latin Christianity (I re-watched some season 12 GBBO so Rob and I could get our Chigs fix and got to thinking about St Honoratus, patron of bakers, therefore about this Kindlebook I got aeons (!) ago for $1.99) or finishing up The Bruising of Qilwa, which I want to review for tomorrow. Not much left to read in it....

Happy new thread, Karen. Congratulations on the weight loss and the books read! Best of luck with your culling. I need to do some of that.

Morning, Karen. Looks like you are getting plenty of rain and humidity too. The AM rain will keep me off the trails but I plan on visiting Bree later this afternoon, to hang out with all of them. Sean gets off early today. Stop by my thread later, I have some news to share.

>30 richardderus: Hi RD, a day late. *smooch*

So far the earbuds work fine. They are a brand that TW recommended or got for Katie, Tozo. I can imagine that full on headphones are needed in a small space with OS. I’m charmed that you watch Mets games with him.

The cornbread came out well. I substituted no sodium baking powder, which changes the batter texture and flavor, but it’s still yummy. The soup was a hit, too, and we’ll have both again for dinner tonight.

Ooh, relics. When I was in West Germany in 1979 my friend Haika and I saw a relic in a church – I found it creepy and flat out weird. Bones, jewels, and pink gauze, all proudly displayed in an enclosed glass case. I can’t remember the Saint’s name.

>31 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg. Thank you. I need to and will cull more books this year. Good to luck to you with the same task.

>32 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark. Yes, rain almost every night last week, even if only a sprinkle or two. You and I have the same forecast for today – 92F, heat index of 100F, and 30% chance of precipitation. Yay for a Bree, Sean, and Jackson visit.

…
All quiet here. Bill’s still asleep, Jenna’s upstairs looking at things on her cell phone. My ankle is coming along – swelling and bruising are down – and I might work out today. I have to do some Friends work for cashier/Square volunteers for the September book sale. We don’t have a volunteers coordinator and I’m really pissed that this part of the volunteers schedule has fallen to me.

Wordle 415 2/6* adieu, unfit

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Happy Monday, Karen.

Re: cornbread. Did you use your standard recipe (the one you shared with me), with the baking powder substitution? Or have you found another more suitable recipe?

Sorry you're stuck with unpleasant Friends work. But hey, congrats on your stellar Wordle result!

Hi Laura! I used my standard recipe with the baking powder substitution. I didn't have non-fat milk in the house - I seem to have stopped drinking milk and am not making some of the recipes I used it for - so bought a 16-ounce bottle of whole milk yesterday just for the cornbread. It uses one cup. I have always used Morton Lite Salt - half potassium chloride/half sodium chloride in the recipe so that didn't change. Obviously the cornbread tastes a bit bland. Jenna and I used unsalted Kerrygold butter on it, and I gave Bill his piece with regular salted butter. I need to use up all the non-Kerrygold salted butter then just buy all Kerrygold all the time.

Thanks re my Wordle result, and ugh to the Friends stuff.

Better late than never - Laura asked on her newest thread on July 31st if anybody had a good homemade tomato sauce recipe. Here's mine, based on Craig Claibourne's in The New York Times Cookbook.

Fresh Tomato Sauce
Craig Claiborne’s NY Times Cookbook

3 red, ripe, unblemlished, fresh tomatoes, about ¾ pound
2 T butter
2 T finely chopped onion
¼ bay leaf
1 t chopped fresh or dried thyme
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 T chopped fresh basil leaves

Peel the tomatoes and cut away the cores. Chop the tomatoes. There should be about 2 cups.

Heat 1 T of butter in a small wide skillet and add the onion. When wilted, add the tomatoes, bay leaf, thyme, salt and pepper. Cook for about 15 minutes.

Pour the sauce into the container of a food processor or blender and blend. Return to the skillet. Reheat and swirl in the remaining butter. Put through a fine sieve, if desired. Stir in the basil leaves.

Yield: About 1 ¾ cups.

Karen’s barely recognizable version of Craig Claiborne’s Fresh Tomato Sauce

Put 3-4 Tablespoons olive oil into a large skillet and put on medium low heat. Add 1 large yellow onion, chopped, and 3-4 cloves of garlic, minced or put through a garlic press. Let this mixture cook slowly, stirring occasionally.

Boil water in a medium sauce pan. Place tomatoes in the boiling water, 2 or 3 at a time, letting them sit in the water about 30 seconds to a minute. (If tomatoes have blemishes or other questionable spots, cut them out before putting the tomatoes into boiling water.) Remove with slotted spoon and put in a large bowl to cool. Remove skin and core. Cut in half and squeeze seeds and liquid out. Chop or squeeze by hand. Use enough tomatoes to yield 6 – 8 cups chopped tomatoes (20 -25 medium very ripe tomatoes). Add to onion-garlic mixture. Add 1 - ½ teaspoons dried thyme, 1 bay leaf, and salt and pepper to taste. Let cook on medium low heat for 20 minutes or so, stirring occasionally, until all clear liquid has evaporated out, but mixture is still soupy.

Remove the bay leaf. Pour the sauce into the container of a food processor and blend thoroughly. Return to the skillet. Add about 2 Tablespoons of butter and 1-2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil.

Cook over low heat until the butter has melted. Place sauce in a bread pan or bread pans, cover with aluminum foil, and freeze. When frozen, remove and place in freezer zip lot bag(s) or seal with food saver.

So flavorful. I used it successfully with orange tomatoes, too - can't remember the variety - but it makes for a fun spaghetti sauce/lasagna.

Oh wow! A two-day! I'm not all the way surprised, given how broadly applicable the word is.

I am seriously jonesin' for cornbread now...

*smooch*

'Morning, RDear. Yes, I was happy with my did-it-all-by-myself Wordle 2.

Cornbread - make it so!

Jenna and I spent half an hour cleaning off some of the shelves in the guest bedroom closet. Some trash, some donations, lots of linens to go through.

*smooch*

>36 karenmarie: Thanks for sharing the tomato sauce recipe, Karen. I like your take on it better than CC's. Claiborne doesn't use garlic, and that is just wrong. He also doesn't blanch the tomatoes, which I prefer because the skins fall right off.

One thing is certain: there are about a million ways to make tomato sauce!

Hi Karen my dear, Happy new thread. I hope that you, Bill, Jenna, Inara, Zoe and Wash all had a really nice weekend. I am typing this as i watch the closing ceremony of the 22nd Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham.

Sending love and hugs to you all and of course Kitty skritches from both of us dear friend.

>39 lauralkeet: You're welcome, Laura. I made gallons of my version of the tomato sauce over the years - using my own homegrown tomatoes. I hope you like it. Oh - here's another recipe, but not from fresh tomatoes. A friend from when I worked in LA was from an Italian-American family in Pittsburgh, and this is her mother's tomato sauce recipe.

Mary Cavalier's Tomato Sauce

1 48-oz can tomato juice
1 1lb-13 oz can tomato sauce
2 12 oz cans of tomato paste
2 12 oz cans water
1 bay leaf
Pepper
3 medium onions, sliced
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1 ¼ cups oil

Empty can of tomato juice, sauce and paste into large saucepan. Add the cans of water. Stir until completely smooth, all lumps of paste gone. Add bay leaf and sprinkle surface with pepper. Place on low heat.

In another skillet, saute onions and garlic in oil. Onions should not brown but become pletely wilted. Pour the oil from the onions into the sauce. Stir until the oil is incorporated into the tomato mixture. You should see a gold sheen across the surface of the sauce. Let cook over moderate to low heat for 1 hour.

>40 johnsimpson: Hi John, and thank you. Yes, we're all doing well - I hope you and yours are doing well, too. We had a nice weekend and a good day today. Sending love and hugs to you and Karen and kitty scritches to your dear felix.

Friends work to get cashier and Square volunteers for the Fall sale. Might try to go work out today, although right now my ankle and knee aren't happy. Grrrr.

Wordle 416 4/6* adieu, blank, scram, patty

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Happy "new" thread, Karen. Not sure how I got so far beind already.

Have a terrific Tuesday! I feel for you - my right knee has been protesting since I got up this morning and the daily steps are just not happening right now.

Morning, Karen. Things went better yesterday with Juno. The biggest issue is house training her. She "went" a couple of times in the house. Who knows what kind of environment she came from, so we are trying to be patient. My visit went well with Bree & Co. Always good to see Jack and it was nice to see a cold front blow in. We have some very nice weather for the rest of the week. Off to my Rehab stint...

Hey Karen! Just wanted to say thanks for a tip you left on my thread yesterday (perhaps unconsciously). You mentioned having pre-ordered the third Thursday Murder Club book. For some reason I thought it had already been published. So I checked my library and saw it was already in their system and yes, there was a queue, so I added my name to the list. Of course I need to read the second book first, but that shouldn't be a problem and I can always suspend my hold if necessary.

>42 karenmarie: I'm sure you'll get it all accomplished in a timely way.

*smooch*

Irritating Wordle today!

>43 alcottacre: Hi Stasia, and thank you. I can say the same about your thread – not sure how I get so far behind. It’s all okay.

Thanks re my day. I got the Friends stuff done, with two emails sent. Now I’m just waiting for replies. Sorry about your right knee. I took some Tylenol when I got up and think I’m going to try the treadmill. I’m excited that the closer-of-the-two Senior Centers is open again in the town where our bank and pharmacy are located, plus all the other businesses that I’m more familiar with. I’ll be heading off when I finish up here.

>44 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark. I’m glad Juno’s settling in, although peeing isn’t cool. Perhaps she’s marking her territory or just stressed out? I know you and Sue are already great Juno parents, so good luck. Has Jackson met her yet? Yay for excellent weather and Rehab. The next two days are going to be nasty weather-wise here, but it will cool off a bit after that.

>45 lauralkeet: Hi Laura. You’re very welcome. I pre-ordered that book January 25th. Yay you’re in the queue. And, enjoy the second book.

>46 richardderus: I finished up a while ago and am pleased. Now I can breathe for a teensy bit. Yes, Wordle was irritating. It was alphabet soup, but I guessed right. batty, tatty, and fatty, of course

*smooch*

>47 karenmarie: I forgot entirely about the "B" word! I guess because the Caribbean population uses it in such a different way, and I'm surrounded by them.

Ah, had to look it up. I can see why you wouldn't automatically think of it.

Ah, that first sip of coffee is always the best. Not much on the agenda, fortunately. I may go work out, but I have to admit that my right ankle and left knee are definitely chastising me for using the treadmill yesterday.

Wordle 417 5/6* adieu, swift, privy, click, cling

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The last part of fourth paragraph of The Federalist No 34, written by Alexander Hamilton, in my copy of The Federalist, edited by Jacob E. Cooke.

January 5, 1788

To the People of the State of New York.

A cloud has been for some time hanging over the European world. If it should break forth into a storm, who can insure us, that in its progress, a part of its fury would not be spent upon us? No reasonable man would hastily pronounce that we are entirely out of its reach. Or if the combustible materials that now seem to be collecting, should be dissipated without coming to maturity; or, if a flame should be kindled, without extending to us, what security can we have, that our tranquility will long remain undisturbed from some other cause, or from some other quarter? Let us recollect, that peace or war, will not always be left to our option; that however moderate or unambitious we may be, we cannot count upon the moderation, or hope to extinguish the ambition of others. Who could have imagined, at the conclusion of the last war, that France and Britain, wearied and exhausted as they both were, would so soon have looked with so hostile an aspect upon each other? To judge from the history of mankind, we shall be compelled to conclude, that the fiery and destructive passions of war, reign in the human breast, with much more powerful sway, than the mild and beneficent sentiments of peace; and, that to model our political systems upon speculations of lasting tranquility, is to calculate on the weaker springs of the human character.

I found this passage particularly beautiful and devastating.

I also had to look up a word used extensively in this paper that I don’t recall seeing in earlier papers but must have been there.

Advert
intransitive verb
1 : to turn the mind or attention —used with to adverted to the speaker
2 : to call attention in the course of speaking or writing : make reference —used with to adverted to foreign-language sources

Morning, Karen. Happy Wednesday. I am still adjusting my routine to taking care of Juno. I am moving up onto the first floor during the day, because the downstairs, aka the Man Cave, is carpeted so I don't want any accidents. She is becoming more comfortable each day. Jack has not met her. Hopefully soon.

Trail Watch in the AM. Books in the PM.

>50 karenmarie: I did not do my normal walking yesterday because my right knee was being uncooperative - not to mention the sinus headache and tummy troubles. I am back at it today though. Take care of yourself and give yourself a break if you need it!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Good morning, Karen. I second Stasia's advice. It's so frustrating when being good to one part of the body puts another part wrong. Boo. Hiss.

Boo. Hiss to me on Wordle too. Like you, I got it in 5. Unlike you, that's my normal level.
Enjoy your day!

>51 karenmarie: "Advertisment" is formed from that weird word. Makes sense...to turn the attention, to call attention by speaking or writing, is the soul of an "adverstisement."

Let us recollect, that peace or war, will not always be left to our option; that however moderate or unambitious we may be, we cannot count upon the moderation, or hope to extinguish the ambition of others.

*sigh* Lost in the heat of vituperation, I fear.

Hi, Karen! Nothing else of note to say, but I just wanted to give a wave.

>51 karenmarie: We usually only see it's derivative in advertise. Sharon Lee & Steve Miller use another starting in Fledgling where Advertency is an important class. Advertency really should be prioritized.

>52 msf59: Hi Mark! I hope you had a good Wednesday – I’ve had a good one so far. I hope you can get back to your Man Cave soon – with a trained Juno. I also hope Trail Watch went well and that you got lots of good reading in.

>53 alcottacre: Yikes, Stasia – knee, headache, and tummy troubles. I hope you’re recovered from everything. I did take a break today – I did not work out. We’ll see how tomorrow goes.

>54 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. You’re right about taking care of one part hurting another part. However, even without pain meds today my knee and ankle are quite a bit better. 5 beats skunk. Not a competition, either, just a personal challenge, eh?

I made raisin scones this morning, using non-sodium baking powder. Jenna and I both loved them and there are enough for all three of us for brekkie tomorrow.

>55 richardderus: I didn’t put that part of the definition in, but yes, advertisement is definitely a form. Hamilton was a brilliant man and had a thorough grasp of history and the nature of humankind. Unfortunately, he had two personal lapses (the Maria Reynolds affair and his pamphlet against John Adams), three if you count being willing to duel with Burr, and died way before his time.

>56 scaifea: Hi Amber, thanks for visiting.

>57 quondame: Ooh, Susan, another excellent form of the word. I love words.

>50 karenmarie: I am reminded that we use the same first work for every wordle, seeing your middle letter running a thread through todays one! Mine looked similar :)

Are you finished Gillespie and I yet? I have had that on my list for an age.
ETA: Actually I have officially read it, but I think it was my first ever audiobook, used while recovering from surgery, but the drugs were too strong and I could concentrate on it at all!

Happy Thusday, Karen.

>58 karenmarie: Glad to read there is progress in knee and ankle. Breakfast with raisin scones sounds good.

>59 LovingLit: Hi Megan! There are a few of us who like to use the same starting word, although Richard uses a different starting word. I like ours. *smile*

I must admit that Gillespie and I is staring forlornly at me, asking me to continue. I'm pretty involved with Pilgrim, am reading 2-3 of The Federalist papers each week, and blushingly admit that I'm still in an ...extreme... romance phase - meaning books my daughter calls smut and my friend in Montana calls soft porn. I can't explain it, but especially now that I've taken the plunge and gotten a good starting deal on Kindle Unlimited (2 months for $4.99, going up to $9.99/month after), I don't see an end to reading this genre.

...
I have a chiropractic appointment today and am supposed to go to book club after that. However, because of the heat the hostess is going to have it indoors and according to the CDC, our county is at high risk for Covid. I loved the book, Less, but feel like I need to pass.

My ankle and knee are still making their presence known, but just barely, so I'll go work out today, brace on my knee and compression sleeve on my ankle.

Wordle 418 3/6* adieu, mange, glean. I reminded myself that I do not use N's as frequently as I should, and got this good result.

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Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. All good here. Juno getting more relaxed every day. Bree asked me to come over today, instead of tomorrow, so it is a Jackson Day! Yah! Another hike, perhaps?

'Morning, Mark, and a very sweet Thursday to you, too. I'm glad Juno's settling in. Yay for a Jackson day and perhaps a hike.

...
I sent an email with my regrets at not attending book club today. Sigh. Makes me feel bad, but indoors with high Covid risk? I've done some risky things this summer - a wedding and a birthday/anniversary celebration - but that was before the counties in question were high risk. But now 67 of 100 of North Carolina's counties are high risk according to the CDC, including mine.

I think I forgot to mention that Jenna (finally) got her first booster last Friday. She had Covid in January but now that she's home AND we have another copy of her vaccination record it was easy to just walk into the pharmacy and get it done.

Good for Jenna and Good for you and Bill too!!!

Sorry about the continuing pain and sorry about the book club. I guess I should think about resigning from mine.

I'm stuck in 5 Wordle attempts today. My 3rd guess was a little stupid - didn't notice that I was using the E in a wrong place. Oh well.

Be safe and cool!

>63 karenmarie: Good on Jenna for finally getting the COVID booster done!

Have a thunderous Thursday, Karen.

>64 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. Yes, it makes things just that much safer for all of us.

I'm happily surprised at how little my knee and ankle hurt after a vigorous treadmill workout today - I increased the incline AND the pace yet barely reached my target heart rate. Came home feeling pretty good.

I'm hoping I feel comfortable attending next month's book club. The book is The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. Frankly my initial thought is why would I want to read this, but I always start book club books even if I don't always finish them. I've reserved a copy from the Library and can probably pick it up tomorrow or Saturday.

Sorry about the Wordle 5 rut. Safe, yes, cool, because indoors.

>65 alcottacre: Hi Stasia, and yes, we're glad. No real thunder, but a thunderous end to a satisfactory book - 7th in the Max/Ethan series.

...
Almost time to start prepping chicken for lemon chicken. Lemon chicken dark meat for me and lemon pepper chicken white meat for Jenna and Bill. Cauliflower for us and corn for Bill.

*smooch*

I don't even know where today went. I've lost something like three-quarters of it to the expected mild upheavals of existence...but they're handled where they can be, and where they can't they'll wait.

Hi RD! I've had days like that, glad you came to visit when you did. Handled where they can be and where they can't they'll wait is a good way of ... ah... er... handling it.

*smooch*

Morning, Karen. Happy Friday. I had a great morning with Jack. We were gone 3 hours and he napped twice on the trails. It sure gives Bree a break and I get to do what I want to do too. I saw 22 species. Our weather has been beautiful. A solo walk today and then yard work. Enjoy your day.

Have a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend, Karen!

>69 msf59: 'Morning, Mark! I'm so glad you and Jack were able to hit the trails, and 22 species is marvelous. Looks like today's a busy day outdoors for you - enjoy it with the cooler weather.

>70 alcottacre: Hi Stasia, and thank you. Back at'cha, for sure.

...
Jenna and Bill are both still sleeping, I've got my first cup of coffee in hand. I need to work out today and visit Louise - I've been neglecting her what with Jenna being home and sprained ankles and all.

I've had decent response on my call for cashier and Square volunteers, but there are still gaps to fill in. Sigh.

Wordle 419 4/6* adieu, tamer, waxen, label

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>71 karenmarie: You'll need to get out the thumbscrews, Horrible, to generate the volunteer spirit. I have faith in you, Mme Torquemada.

Happy weekending!

Hiya, RDear.

My didn't-work-out-last Treasurer has volunteered to cashier all day Saturday, so that's a big help.

*smooch*

Sorry to see that more Friends of the Library stuff has fallen to you, Karen. Looks like guilt may have worked for the Saturday cashier and really, shouldn't more able bodied volunteers be going out of the way to make your life easier given your current status?

Morning, Karen. Happy Saturday. I really enjoyed my solo walk yesterday and I am attending a guided walk today. I have not birded with this particular group in nearly 2 years. Our weather continues to be gorgeous. I love having the house open. Enjoy your day.

Hi Meg.

I wish we had more able bodies volunteers for these particular jobs.

We have two separate entities of the Friends - the Board, of which I'm President, and the Book Sale Team, of which Reece is President, although he hates my saying that. Only one other person and I are on both. The Book Sale Team makes all its own decisions and isn't directly controlled by the Board, which we're perfectly happy to continue. The BST brings in lots of revenue in normal times (we're talking $30-$40K annually) and manages the sales by itself. The Board leaves them alone. Of course, being on both, I serve two separate entities.

We've been having a rough time recruiting to the Board. It's understandable with the upheaval of the last 2 1/2 years from Covid. Also, it's mostly seniors who want to volunteer, and quite a few of them have recently decided to either volunteer on other boards/groups/churches or stepped away from volunteering completely. We also lost our Volunteer Coordinator just after the aborted Spring 2020 Book Sale. Two small sales this year were easy to have cashiers and Square for, but this is a bigger undertaking.

Unfortunately, as the past Friends Treasurer and implementer of the Square system for debit/credit cards, it makes sense that I find volunteers for this sale. It just means that with my heart attack last November and subsequent lifestyle changes, Bill working from home more and getting less able to move around (knees and his unwillingness to challenge his PCP or just go to the walk in Ortho Clinic like I did in January) and now Jenna coming home, as lovely as that is, I'm in a position of less energy - physical, mental, AND emotional - to deal with much more than that. So I'm cranky about it.
...
Today is the Panthers first pre-season game at 1 p.m, against the Washington Commanders. Bill and I will watch. Jenna will be mowing, and then, as she puts it, killing things on her PS4. In the meantime, it's a delicious 56F, low humidity. I've opened windows and am drinking coffee. Bill and Jenna are still asleep, and the kitties wander in and out. Heaven.

Wordle 420 4/6* adieu, shout, lurch, hunky

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Rather naïve assumption of how members of ‘the representative body’ will understand the feelings and interests of all classes of citizens in The Federalist No 35, written by Alexander Hamilton, in my copy of The Federalist, edited by Jacob E. Cooke.

January 5, 1788

To the People of the State of New York.

It is said to be necessary that all classes of citizens should have some of their own number in the representative body, in order that their feelings and interests may be the better understood and attended to. But we have seen that this will never happen under any arrangement that leaves the votes of the people free. Where this is the case, the representative body, with too few exceptions to have any influence on the spirit of the government, will be composed of land-holders, merchants, and men of the learned professions. But where is the danger that the interests and feelings of the different classes of citizens will not be understood or attended to by these three descriptions of men? Will not the land-holder know and feel whatever will promote or injure the interests of landed property? and will he not from his own interest in that species of property be sufficiently prone to resist every attempt to prejudice or incumber it? Will not the merchant understand and be disposed to cultivate as far as may be proper the interests of the mechanic and manufacturing arts to which his commerce is so nearly allied? Will not the man of the learned profession, who will feel a neutrality to the rivalships between the different branches of industry, be likely to prove an impartial arbiter between them, ready to promote either, so far as it shall appear to him conducive to the general interests of the society?

If we take into the account the momentary humors or dispositions which may happen to prevail in particular parts of the society, and to which a wise administration will never be inattentive, is the man whose situation leads to extensive inquiry and information less likely to be a competent judge of their nature, extent and foundation than one whose observation does not travel beyond the circle of his neighbours and acquaintances? Is it not natural that a man who is a candidate for the favour of the people and who is dependent on the suffrages of his fellow-citizens for the continuance of his public honors should take care to inform himself of their dispositions and inclinations and should be willing to allow them their proper degree of influence upon his conduct. This dependence, and the necessity of being bound himself and his posterity by the laws to which he gives his assent are the true, and they are the strong chords of sympathy between the representatives and the constituent.

A very philosophical paper, quite dense and indicative of Hamilton’s intellect.

>77 karenmarie: Is it not natural that a man who is a candidate for the favour of the people and who is dependent on the suffrages of his fellow-citizens for the continuance of his public honors should take care to inform himself of their dispositions and inclinations and should be willing to allow them their proper degree of influence upon his conduct. This dependence, and the necessity of being bound himself and his posterity by the laws to which he gives his assent are the true, and they are the strong chords of sympathy between the representatives and the constituent.

I suspect that, in his quiet reflective moments, Hamilton thought these thoughts with hope and an earnest desire to believe them. Nothing, however, in History or in philosophy or in religion, suggests that they are in any way accurate.

Morning, Karen. Happy Sunday. It looks like we may have cross-posted yesterday. No worries. I am not mad. 😁 Nothing planned for the day, other than a few house chores and some book time. Fine with me. Juno has been with us a week now. Still getting used to each other.

>78 richardderus: 'Morning, Rdear! In thinking about Hamilton's life, I consider that his tying himself to revolution against England and even remotely considering that it could succeed is of an optimistic nature that would allow for what he wrote above. Intellectually he could see it, therefore it could actually occur. If he couldn't consider that it would work, he might have tried to think of something else that would be consistent with his world view/need for the United States to succeed.

I'm still stunned at what he and Washington wrought with the strong Federal Government we have today against Jefferson/Madison/Monroe's desire to limit the Federal Government. Madison, intellectual/moral turncoat, wrote essays for The Federalist but got back to Virginia and his slave holdings and under the influence of Jefferson and renounced them. At least, that's my take on it.

>79 msf59: 'Morning, Mark, and a happy Sunday to you, too. Apologies for missing your post. Once again I was composing a post in Word, brought it over, and forgot that someone might have posted in the meantime. I hope the guided walk with a group of folks you haven't seen in two years went well. Yay for opening the house up - I've done that again this morning. I hope your quiet day with chores and books goes well. Glad to see that your Bear won. So did my Panthers, by the skin of their teeth at the end of the fourth quarter.

...
Another quiet day here. I might go grocery shopping. I will read. I might persuade Jenna to play Yahtzee or Hand and Foot with me.

Wordle 421 3/6* adieu, brain, khaki

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Wordle 421 6/6

Good morning, dear Karen. I wish I could just give up.....

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'Morning, Peggy!

But you solved it. Today I admit to using my cheat sheet of the official 2,309 words to help me out. I still figure if the list is limited, then I can use the cheat sheet. *smile*

I'm onto thread sixteen for my sixteenth Thingaversary, Horrible. *smooch*

Congrats on your sixteenth Thingaversary.

Just visited, dear one, but really? A spider? Thank goodness I can scroll by things quickly.

*smooch*

Ah, coffee.

Bill's heading off to work today. Jenna mowed the front and back yesterday before we got rain last night. I did some work getting the Sunroom/my home office back under control.

Going to give my ankle a rest today after a bit of yard work Saturday and yesterday's efforts. But I did get three workouts in last week, even with a wonky ankle.

Wordle 422 5/6* adieu, coven, loser, power, poker

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Last sentence of the penultimate paragraph, in reference to the possibility of a national poll tax, in The Federalist No 36, written by Alexander Hamilton, in my copy of The Federalist, edited by Jacob E. Cooke.

January 8, 1788

To the People of the State of New York.

And as I know nothing to exempt this portion of the globe from the common calamities that have befallen other parts of it, I acknowledge my aversion to every project that is calculated to disarm the government of a single weapon, which in any possible contingency might be usefully employed for the general defence and security.

Morning, Karen. I have Trail Watch this morning. I have a busier week ahead, building up to Jack's party on Sunday. Some family members are sick so I hope everyone is feeling better by then. Glad to hear you started the Stegner. Be patient.

Hi Mark! Enjoy Trail Watch this morning. Yay for Jackson's party on Sunday, sorry that some family members are sick. Fingers crossed that they're all recovered.

I've barely started the Stegner. I'll be patient.

Morning, Karen. All good here. Still easing Juno into our routines. Heading out to my Rehab stint. Our weather continues to be gorgeous.

'Morning, Mark! Happy Tuesday to you. Glad Juno's being eased into your routines. I hope Rehab goes well. Yay for gorgeous weather - we've got it, too.

Yesterday I was reading in the hammock and Zoe came to visit. She was all over me, rubbing, purring, making biscuits on my stomach...



Today it's back on the treadmill and grocery shopping. No rest for the wicked.

Wordle 423 4/6* adieu, queer, cruel, gruel

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I"m very jealous of your hammock, Karen. I'd like to get one for our deck, if I can convince TW that we don't need the ginormous picnic table and benches that came with it....

'Morning, Katie. I can't remember how long we've had this hammock and stand. The best hammocks in the world, IMO, are Pawley's Island Hammocks. We actually bought this one at the PI workshop/store sometime soon after we'd moved into this house, so 24 years? We watched them making one, and I actually got to help do a teensy bit of weaving on one. Very exciting. I also think we got the stand through them, because this is exactly the one we have.

Pawley's Island Hammock
Stand

You've mentioned how tall TW is - this would absolutely work for him too.

>92 karenmarie: this brought back fond memories. We took two family vacations to Myrtle Beach when I was a teen, and on one of them my dad was smitten with Pawley's Island Hammocks, and bought one. It was great. I loved hanging out in it, in our back yard.

Have a great day Karen!

>92 karenmarie: - Thanks for the info, Karen. I'm saving it :)

>93 lauralkeet: Hi Laura! Bill's aunt and uncle, and then later on one of their sons, had an oceanfront cottage at Garden City Beach. We stayed at it several times but also rented cottages down there with Bill's dad and stepmom when Jenna was little, so were able to do a lot of exploring. I seem to recall that in addition to the adult hammock/stand, Jenna got her first Breyer Horse at a toy store there. She couldn't have been older than 3. We told her she could pick out a toy, never expecting that she'd come up with a $35 full-size Breyer horse. She could barely carry the box to us. The first of perhaps 50? Anyway, yay for your dad being smitten with a PI hammock, glad you were able to enjoy it in your back yard.

I hope you have a great day, too.

>94 katiekrug: You're welcome, Katie!

>90 karenmarie: It was 5-day for me.

Hoping you're well-suited for the day. *smooch*

Hiya RDear. 4, 5, either way, so much better than being skunked, eh?

Today will be an okay day. I did enough Friends stuff yesterday to not feel too bad about not doing any today.

I'm glad that the Senior Center in Pittsboro opened the new exercise room after I had to go to Siler City for 3 months to use theirs. Saves 10 miles round trip, and all the stuff I need for errands - bank, Library, pharmacy - are in the Pitt. Today I'll also go to the bank to deposit a check and cash another. And, as I joke with friend Karen in Montana, I don't have any books and need to buy one or two to put on empty shelves.

*smooch*

>92 karenmarie: Hammocks can be made with sprang - the structure comes out the same only reversed and doubled to get 2 for 1 set of warping and twining, so I suspect they actually use a sort of braiding. The structure is perfect for uses that require it to spread but not lengthen much.

>98 quondame: Hi Susan. What you wrote is Greek to me, but I looked up images of sprang and see how useful it is. Spreading and not lengthening are exactly what's needed for a rope hammock.

Wordle 424 6/6* adieu, chime, price, slice, voice, twice Grrrr.

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...
Jenna and I will be going to Bill's work for a quick visit then lunch out with Bill and the office manager. She wants to meet Jenna.

In the meantime, yesterday was stressful, and I didn't sleep well. I woke up at 2:40, tried to get back to sleep, and failed miserably. So here I am.

Morning, Karen. Happy Wednesday. Sorry you woke up so early. Hooray for hammock time with Zoe. I am leading a bird walk this AM and leaving shortly. Wish me luck. Enjoy your nap later.

>99 karenmarie: I feel your pain, Karen. I was up at 2:45am myself. I do hope you get some rest in today. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

>99 karenmarie: At least I was up for practical reasons. Ugh.

I won't mention my Wordle score of 3, out of sympathy for your pain.

>100 msf59: Hi Mark! I hope your Wednesday has gone well so far and hope the bird walk went well. I napped for about 1 ¾ hours. I told Jenna to come get me at 5:30 if I hadn't already wandered downstairs, and so she did.

>101 alcottacre: Hi Stasia. Sorry you were up so early, too. I love naps.

>102 richardderus: Sorry you were up, too, RDear. Yay for your 3. See – I can be happy for someone doing better than me.

>103 karenmarie: Among the ways you're a better person than I am.

>61 karenmarie: I for one fully support you reading the genre of your choice. I grew tired of being a literary snob a few years ago and am very much now a "do what you want" type person ;)

Happy Thursday, Karen!

>90 karenmarie: Lovely picture. I have never tried a hammock, it looks comfortable.
>103 karenmarie: Sorry you had a short night, and needed a nap in the afternoon.

You missed me last week ( >60 FAMeulstee: ), but I will continue my Thursday routine ;-)

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. Glad you got a lengthy nap in yesterday. I hope it didn't interfere with your night sleep. My bird walk went well. Not a staggering number of birds but enough to keep the attendees happy.
My Jackson plans have shifted a bit this week. I will head over there this AM for a few hours, instead of tomorrow morning. Squirrels, rabbits and sparrows at my feeders. Sighs...

URGENT: Feeder Update- 2 northern flickers, robin, grackle and a pair of blue jays. B.A.G.

>104 richardderus: ‘Morning, Rdear. I am gracious in Wordle play, absolutely. I have a much darker side.

>105 LovingLit: Hi Megan. I’m glad you decided that reading what you want is more important than reading what you think you should. I debated whether even to report some of what I'm reading here, but didn't want to start down a slippery slope.

>106 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita, and thank you. What I love about the hammock is that it’s on our front porch. I have a nice little table nearby and can look out and only see trees, parts of the front porch and house, and bird feeders. Plus sky, of course.

The nap worked wonders and I actually got 8 hours, perhaps even closer to 9, last night, without interruption.

>60 FAMeulstee: I’m sorry for missing you above, Anita. The raisin scones turned out well, and since I tried and didn’t particularly like blueberry/lemon scones and cranberry scones, will go back to them, perhaps as early as next week. They don’t seem to interfere with my low sodium diet and I’ve attained and passed the goal of 2.5 more lbs by October set above. I’ve now lost 52 lbs.

>107 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and a very sweet Thursday to you, too. My daughter joked about the nap – we keep the upstairs at 72F. I’d prefer 75F and she’d prefer 69F, so we’ve reached a happy compromise. I was chilled yesterday afternoon and was under a sheet, a blanket, two small micro-fleece blankets and a bedspread. I also had a perfectly marvelous sleep mask. Jenna called me a burrito – all wrapped up.

Yay for the bird walk, glad the attendees were pleased. Glad you’re getting to see Jackson this week before The Party. Ugh to rabbits, squirrels and sparrows. My feeders are quiet right now. Suet and hummingbird feeders are still inside because of the Foul Raccoons and looks like I missed Bird First Breakfast. One female Cardinal just took off from Crepe Myrtle to field, and I see movement in it but no actual birds making themselves known.

…
Errands today include Library book, treadmill, pharmacy, and a teensy grocery store run, hoping they have Jenna’s Oat Milk. They didn’t have Original the other day.

Wordle 425 4/6* adieu, bloat, thank, twang I particularly like days when all I do is confirm words I've already thought of against the 2,309 word list and do not start looking on the list for words that fit the current pattern. Today was one such day.

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FIFTY-TWO POUNDS!!!

AWESOME achievement, Horrible, and how glad am I that you've done it. I hope more raisin scones (never tried those) reward you amply.

*smooch*

Congratulations on your weight loss, Karen! Keep up the good work.

Hi Karen my dear, congrats on your 52 pounds weight loss dear friend, you are an inspiration.

Karen, losing 52 pounds is a very wonderful accomplishment. Congratulations!!!!

>109 richardderus: Thanks, RDear. I was surprised when I got on the scale on Monday, expecting the number to have gone in the other direction. The raisin scones are quite good, IMO. They've also got lots of cinnamon - yum. *smooch*

>110 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I surprise myself, frankly, that I continue to lose weight. The two biggest things contributing to this are volume control and working out three times a week – the working out is for my heart but I wasn’t exercising at all before my heart attack. Also, I’m also sort of unintentionally off of dairy because cheese has lots of sodium and lately I have been eating only two meals a day several times a week. Just not as hungry and enjoying the weight loss. I still have *mumbledy mumbledy* pounds to lose.

>111 johnsimpson: Hi John, and thank you. I could be glib and say that all it takes is a heart attack, AND I could be serious and say that all it takes is a heart attack. 8 months after my STEMI heart attack with 100% blockage of the main aorta, I'm actually grateful for it.

>112 Whisper1: Thank you, Linda.

…
Bill’s going to work today. Jenna’s leaving at 3:45 to go to a wedding shower/party then stay the night with friends to actually go to the wedding the next day. My guess is she’ll also stay tomorrow night and come home Sunday. Dare I say that I’ll actually have perhaps an hour completely to myself in the house today? This introvert and homebody loves to be alone in the house.

And as always, yay for coffee. Freshly ground medium roast beans made with our wonderful well water. Black, no sweetener.

Wordle 426 5/6* adieu, mouth, hurry, shrub, shrug

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Congratulations on the continued weight loss, Karen. You've done a great job managing your health since the heart attack.

I hope that hour of alone time happens as planned. Such a simple pleasure, often difficult to achieve.

I usually stop here early, before I'm fully caffeinated and therefore before I've done the Wordle. Every single day I have to remind myself your Wordle is one I haven't done yet, and I MUST. NOT. CLICK. on the spoiler. So far so good.

Anyway, glad to see life is treating you well.

Happy Friday, Karen. Hooray for the continuing weight loss. So impressive. I enjoyed my time with Jack yesterday and I will be scooping him up from Bree's around noon today and he will hang with us to this evening. This will give Bree a chance to take care of a few party things.

Is Jenna currently looking for work? If so, any leads?

Yay for shredding those pounds!! You really have been doing everything right.

RD, you know I love you but spiders are clearly a foreign and invasive species and fear of them is not only natural but an effective survival mechanism. St David tipped us all off with Ziggy Stardust and the spiders from Mars. From MARS. No way spiders originated on this world.
Everyone's freaking out about the dissolution of democracy and global warming, when our greatest challenge has been spiders all along. People of Earth! Rise up and defend yourselves. Arm yourselves with a broom and a can of raid and repel the invaders!

>116 SomeGuyInVirginia: RAID won't kill spiders. Never forget they're females (if you can see them, they're females) protecting their babies.

Arachnids, by weight, exceed humanity in global biodomain. We live in their world. (Imagine what Hitchcock could've done with "The Spiders" not "The Birds!")

>113 karenmarie: So much YAY for your caffeination via such pleasurable delivery substances. And I hope you get more than just an hour alone.

Happy Friday, Karen! I hope you get - and enjoy - that quiet time. The Wayne is going out tomorrow evening, and I am looking forward to a little me-time myself :)

>117 richardderus: Oh my gawd, you've been radicalized! Listen man, it's not your fault and you're still a good person! Walk toward the light, Carol Anne!

If God didn't want people to be afraid of spiders He would not have made them so damn creepy and poisonous. That whole creepy/poisonous thing is the first clue. I'm here to tell you the truth, that spiders were injected here like some cosmic virus buy a merciless alien life force, and if a benevolent deity had created them then spiders would look like bunnies. Right, you'd see a bunch of bunnies on a web hopping around adorably and spinning rainbow webs on, like, a bazillion TikTok videos. We live in a world where there are no cute spider videos on the web, anywhere. What, you're saying we don't have rainbow bunnies TikTok videos?! Merciless alien life form.

>119 SomeGuyInVirginia: ...you confuse the arachnidae with Homo "sapiens", sweetness. Murderous extranatural predators with apocalypse-inducing powers. Y'all's gawd whomped up a lotta stuff, but none of it bipedal except Homo "sapiens"...she might be a right wench bt she didn't do *this* to her planet!

I know two things for sure! Bread good and spiders bad! During the height of the Cold war they did not make monster movies about the attack of the killer whole wheat loaves, and no kid was ever rushed to the ER because he got bit by sourdough!

And another thing. If they ever made a movie and used a whole bunch of spiders I bet they'd replace that 'no animals were harmed during the filming of this movie' with a statement that read _we killed every one of these goddamn spiders. Squashed 'em all and bug bombed the store where we bought them from. You're welcome.'

When my oldest was about 8 or 10, my mother signed him up for a Time/Life series on nature. One month, he opened the package and pulled out the book, YIKES!, shoved it back in the packing, and never looked at it again. *S P I D E R*

That reminds me, I need to see if the local library has a copy of Charlotte's Web available to children, that insidious masterwork of leftist pro-spider propaganda! I'll have that puppy pulled faster than Black Widow venom can cause numbness and tingling!

Couple other things you're never going to hear.

1) No sir I am not going to crawl underneath your house to get your tennis balls. There's bunnies down there and you know it!

2) Henry, knocked that firewood together real good before you bring it in the house. I don't want you bringing any bunnies in here!

3) I had this dream and it seemed so real. I was being chased by lovely butterflies. I was sure I was a goner!

4) Is this 911? Can you come over and kill a fruit fly?

5) (having rounded a corner in the garden and come across a sparrow) HOLY SHIT!

>125 SomeGuyInVirginia: 1) Bunnies carry rabies. Rabies is fatal and easy to contract from a crazed, tooth-wielding rodent. Also, bunnies are rats with a better PR campaign.

2) Bunnies indoors leave, um, traces that can spread hantavirus. Knock knock, Henry.

3) ...towards a cliff? into the maw of a blast furnace? into a swamp where they's gators? Important to know the context.

4) ...asked the Child in the Bubble.

5) Three-foot tall Passer domesticus Chernobylensis would elicit this response from me, though of course your spider-scaredy-self mileage might vary.

But I doubt it.

All caught up here.

52 pounds!!!! Thats amazing!

Happy weekend.

>126 richardderus: >127 figsfromthistle: Well look, you've scared the straights away! I hope you're happy!

1) bunnies may carry rabies, but they were only doing it for a friend!

2) Well maybe you just need to start hanging out with a better class of bunnies is all I'm saying. Oh my God I sound like my mother.

3) Don't remember.

4) You wish, if only to not be so very very wrong. A friend of mine worked in maintenance in a large condo property, and those calls came through more than you would have thought.

5) Can you imagine what the movie Harvey would have been like if the imaginary animal were a giant venomous spider and not a fluffy bunny? Yeah, neither can I. Case closed.

>125 SomeGuyInVirginia: >128 SomeGuyInVirginia: What, you haven't watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail?

Yay, for continued weight loss!

>114 lauralkeet: Thank you, Laura. No, I didn’t get the hour. Bill came home Ten Minutes before Jenna left. He’ll probably run errands this morning – gas up his SUV, take trash/recyclables to the dump, bring back lunch for us. Well, don’t click on today’s spoiler – I got skunked good and proper. Alphabet soup as Richard calls it.

>115 msf59: Hi Mark. Yes, I’m pleased. I do have more to go, but I’ve actually started going through my closet to find things I haven’t worn in years or decades. I have pants in 8 – 18, shirts in 10 – 3X. Yay for your Jack time on Thursday AND Friday.

Jenna has updated her resume and put it on Indeed. We’re also going to get in touch with a friend of ours who is the Director of Weddings & Special Events at Fearrington, a super posh venue about 20 minutes from here. And, the Branch Librarian has told us of a potential job with the local community college, due to open up in October, currently under wraps, that she’d put in a good word for with the Provost. I know the Provost, too, and he'd definitely look at Jenna's resume for Rita and me.

>116 SomeGuyInVirginia: Thanks, Larry. Slow and steady wins the race.

>117 richardderus: Nope. See above reply to Laura. No rest for the wicked. I guess it’s all the extreme romances I’ve been reading. *smile*

>118 katiekrug: Hi Katie, and thank you for the wish. Enjoy your quiet time TW-less tonight.

>123 weird_O: Hi Bill. Poor lad, but I guess he wasn’t permanently damaged. *S P I D E R* indeed.

>127 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita, and thank you. I need to prepare data to let one of the Friends of the Library prepare the taxes for last fiscal year – something my Treasurer should have done had she not left me hanging last year. Taxes are due September 15th, and I promised Pete on Thursday I’d get the data to him within the week. And I need to send out a request for more cashier/Square volunteers for the book sale – lapsed members this time. At this point the President of the Book Sale Team and I agree that we won’t be picky like the Volunteer Coordinator was about whether someone was actually a member or not.

>129 quondame: Thanks, for reminding me of the killer bunny scene, Susan. I just watched it on YouTube. And thanks re the continued weight loss.

…
Peace in the kingdom. Gingers zoomed outside as soon as I opened the kitty door. Senior kitty Inara Starbuck is still upstairs. Bill is still asleep. Jenna is in Thomasville.

As I mentioned above, I’ve got some Friends activities I want to complete by the end of the weekend. Other than that, just relaxing.

>116 SomeGuyInVirginia: - >128 SomeGuyInVirginia: Richard and Larry - I’d like to conjure up a gorgeous room with natural light pouring in, filled bookshelves, Persian carpets on hard wood floors, comfy sofas, chairs/ottomans, side tables, groaning side boards filled with every tasty treat under the sun, all miraculously low sodium, and tables with coffee, tea, and all manner of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, all as a backdrop and setting for the two of you to meet. The rest of us would chime in periodically, but just listening to you two would be satisfaction enough.

Wordle 427 X/6* adieu, slate, cheat, bleat, cheat - clearly not enough coffee - and great. Harrumph.

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Morning, Karen. Happy Saturday. Busy day yesterday but we are enjoyed our time with Jackson. Also the meet up went well with Juno. Jack, of course, is used to dogs. Not sure Juno has been around human babies before but she became automatically protective of him. We will take it slow. I did not get a lick of reading in but I hope to make up for it today.

Good luck to Jenna and her job search. 🤞

'Morning, Mark! Happy Saturday to you, too. I'm glad to hear that Juno became protective of Jack. I guess he's one of her puppies.

I just visited your thread to report that I think I'm really going to like Angle of Repose. I like the narrator's style and the vivid images he presents. Plus, how can one resist a line like this?

Even while you paid attention to what you must do today and tomorrow, you heard the receding sound of what you had relinquished.

>132 karenmarie: What a perfect statement of aging gracefully's central premise: Let go. My commonplace book got a little fatter. He also says, a little later than that quote:

I know no way of discounting the doctrine that when you take something you want, and damn the consequences, then you had better be ready to accept whatever consequences ensue.

Another leg of the stool supporting a happy old age.

>130 karenmarie: I'd tune in for the Richard and Larry Show. Podcast? Streaming? What? Will there be a studio audience? Brilliant concept, Karen.

Dear Karen, You are THE WOMAN!!!! I'm warmed all over that you're taking care of yourself so splendidly!

Will it make you happy to know that I saw part of Harry Potter 3 yesterday and have now restarted the series? I'm trying to read it to Mama, hoping that she will be interested enough to follow the action. We'll see.

Yep --- aging is a lot about letting go in order to enjoy fully what's left. I like Stegner, and *Angle* is the big one that I haven't read yet. I don't think I can do it right now. I'm just being happy that I've been able to put down my little space operas.

Love to you for your Sunday!

>133 richardderus: Hiya, RDear. Yes, aging gracefully is the goal, albeit a hard one. I’ve started letting go of things, both physical and mental. Here’s to a happy old age.

>134 weird_O: Hmmm, Bill. Well, there are a lot of comfy sofas and chairs in this conjured-up room of mine, and since it is imaginary, anybody who wants to come on over for a meet up is welcome. We’ll record it, of course, and both stream and have a podcast of it. We can create a YouTube channel and other streaming options and vehicles for podcasts (I don’t even know what those would be). Plus, of course, any international services for friends who come to the meet up(s) from outside the US. Or, of course, since this room is imaginary, videos and podcasts can go out in the ether. LTers and guests are the audience, but a participatory audience, not sit-away-from-the-action audience. Food! Beverages! Friends!

>135 LizzieD: Hi Peggy, and thank you for your kind and loving words.

Oh yes to Harry Potter. Always and forever. My most recent re-read was from April 2017 – April 2018 via audio book. We have watched all of the movies, but never as a marathon. We have them on Blu-Ray, and it may be something I suggest to Bill for when we finish Castle. Lifetime has been airing the series, but we discovered that they’re not airing them all in order *or* Bill’s DVR displaying of them in recorded order is a problem. So we bought season 5 on Amazon Prime yesterday for $20, and will probably do the same with 6-8.

This is my first Stegner. AND, I’m still reading/enjoying Pilgrim. This week has gotten away from me for both that and The Federalist, but I’m heading off to read Federalist No 37 right now. This one is by James Madison, so we’ll see how much I see different between his and Hamilton's style since most of the papers are by Hamilton and are the ones I’ve most recently read.

Jenna is coming home today from visiting friends for a Friday party/shower and Saturday wedding. The kitties, having gotten used to her in the 5 weeks she’s been back home, really miss her. We do too, of course.

I might cook tonight. We’ll see what I’m in the mood for and wish to inflict on Bill and Jenna. *smile*

Wordle 428 X/6* adieu, break, meant, lathe, paste, taste Another skunk. Sheesh. I was on the right track, though.

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Part of a middle paragraph, and the last bits of the last paragraph, in The Federalist No 37, written by James Madison, in my copy of The Federalist, edited by Jacob E. Cooke.

January 11, 1788

To the People of the State of New York.

All new laws, though penned with the greatest technical skill, and passed on the fullest and most mature deliberation, are considered as more or less obscure and equivocal, until their meaning be liquidated and ascertained by a series of particular discussions and adjudications. Besides the obscurity arising from the complexity of objects, and the imperfection of the human faculties, the medium through which the conceptions of men are conveyed to each other, adds a fresh embarrassment. The use of words is to express ideas. Perspicuity therefore requires not only that the ideas should be distinctly formed, but that they should be expressed by words distinctly and exclusively appropriated to them. But no language is so copious as to supply words and phrases for every complex idea, or so correct as not to include many equivocally denoting different ideas. Hence it must happen, that however accurately objects may be discriminated in themselves, and however accurately the discrimination may be considered, the definition of them may be rendered inaccurate by the inaccuracy of the terms in which it is delivered. And this unavoidable inaccuracy must be greater or less, according to the complexity and novelty of the objects defined. When the Almighty himself condescends to address mankind in their own language, his meaning luminous as it must be, is rendered dim and doubtful, by the cloudy medium through which it is communicated. Here then are three sources of vague and incorrect definitions; indistinctness of the object, imperfection of the organ of conception, inadequateness of the vehicle of ideas. Any one of these must produce a certain degree of obscurity. The convention, in delineating the boundary between the federal and state jurisdictions, must have experienced the full effect of them all.

…
The history of almost all the great councils and consultations, held among mankind for reconciling their discordant opinions, assuaging their mutual jealousies, and adjusting their respective interests, is a history of factions, contentions and disappointments; and may be classed among the most dark and degrading pictures which display the infirmities and depravities of the human character. If, in a few scattered instances, a brighter aspect is presented, they serve only as exceptions to admonish us of the general truth; and by their lustre to darken the gloom of the adverse prospect to which they are contrasted. In revolving the causes from which these exceptions result, and applying them to the particular instance before us, we are necessarily led to two important conclusions. The first is, that the convention must have enjoyed in a very singular degree, an exemption from the pestilential influence of party animosities; the diseases most incident to deliberative bodies, and most apt to contaminate their proceedings. The second conclusion is, that all the deputations composing the convention, were either satisfactorily accommodated by the final act; or were induced to accede to it, by a deep conviction of the necessity of sacrificing private opinions and partial interests, to the public good, and by a despair of seeing this necessity diminished by delays or by new experiments.

Different style, different logic, but as powerful as Hamilton, this paper discusses the Convention that created the Constitution itself.

Morning, Karen. Happy Sunday. More Jack party news over on my thread. Big day. We have some great hummer activity at our feeder. Sue finally saw 2 hummers on the feeder at the same time. This has never happened. I made fresh nectar yesterday.

>132 karenmarie: I love the Stegner quote. I am nearly 70 pages in and I am also hooked.

>137 karenmarie: until their meaning be liquidated and ascertained by a series of particular discussions and adjudications As funny and legalistic as that sounds to modern-usage ears, it's extremely precise and meaningful in this context of disseminating law as the received wisdom of comportment and action in the world. Trials, arguments, decisions are all acting to dissolve the adamantine block of The Law thereby to flow into channels of actual human interaction. So very well, if obscurely to us, said.
the convention must have enjoyed in a very singular degree, an exemption from the pestilential influence of party animosities; the diseases most incident to deliberative bodies, and most apt to contaminate their proceedings
Seeing the Whigs and the Tories make such ugly sausagey compromises of principle to enact necessary regulation of commerce and conduct must've appalled Madison the most of all the founders. What would he have made of January 6th's treasonous mob and their seditious leader?
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/13/nyregion/right-wing-rhetoric-threats-violence...

>136 karenmarie: 5/6 for me. Damned alphabet.

>138 msf59: Hi Mark! Yay for two hummers on the feeder, hope the party went well. Glad we're both hooked on the Stegner - thanks for inspiring me.

>139 richardderus: I love the precision of the Federalist papers, all 37 so far. This one was particularly appealing because of the precision and going from general concepts to specific types of behaviors.

I think that the compromises were stunning and exactly what the country needed in order to be the country. Representation based on numbers? Legislature. Representation based on equal value by state? Senate. Strong executive branch? Washington and Hamilton felt it necessary and once the Constitution was approved and Washington unanimously elected, Hamilton, a Federalist, worked tirelessly and painted Executive Power with broad strokes.

Unfortunately, Madison became a Republican as opposed to a Federalist, completely under Jefferson's sway and in pursuit of his slave-holding class. But here, while pursuing the Constitution, he is in synch with Hamilton and John Jay and although he only wrote a few of the papers, they are, IMO, the equal of Hamilton's.

Damned alphabet, indeed.

...
Well, I grilled steaks using my Calphalon grill pan on my propane cooktop. Grilling outdoors could not have improved the flavor. Jenna and I had broccoli and all three of us had air fryer french fries. I had a juice glass of Justin Syrah and we watched Castle. A highly satisfactory evening. Jenna's whupped, so went upstairs early. I'll be reading down here for a bit then head up, too.

Morning, Karen. The party went great. We could not ask for a better celebration for our special little boy. I am joining a birding buddy soon and then an oil change for the truck. I only read a few pages yesterday, so I hope to read a bigger chunk of Angle of Repose today.

'Morning, Mark! I love the pic of you, Sue, and Jackson on your thread. 45 is a pretty healthy crowd, too. Enjoy your birding buddy time, errand, and reading time.

I think I need to get my right foot/ankle x-rayed. It's still not healed, and it may be a fractured bone. Not sure about this - it's just that I expected it to heal before now. It's been 23 days.

Bill's gone off to work. His boss has been making noises about him being their full-time again, Bill's hoping to appease him with the 3 days a week that he's supposed to have been at the office but hasn't been since before my heart attack. We'll see how this goes.

In the meantime, putzing, a bit of Friends stuff, reading, etc.

Wordle 429 4/6* adieu, eight, remit, merit

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Too far behind to really know what's going on in your world.
Looks pretty good from a quick scan. That quote from The Federalist was very interesting. So much American history that I don't know!

>142 karenmarie: Between my first and second words, I got all 5 letters. I'd've needed to be insentient not to have gotten it right in three!

Happy Mondaying. *smooch*

Good morning, Karen! As to Wordle, you and I are right in step, and given Richard's words, I predicted a 3 for him and was right.

I'm sorry about the ankle, hope Bill is able to convince his boss that he is more productive as he is, and wish you and Jenna a good, slightly lazy day of catching up and enjoying what you want.

>136 karenmarie: No, no, no. Not just anybody!! Richard and Larry. Larry and Richard.

As you said to Larry in >130 karenmarie:: ...all as a backdrop and setting for the two of you to meet. The rest of us would chime in periodically, but just listening to you two would be satisfaction enough.

>143 SandyAMcPherson: Sandy! I’m so happy to see you here. Lots going on, mostly good. I’ve now read 37 of 85 Federalist papers. My ambitious goal is to have them all read by the end of the year. You know more US history than I know Canadian, that’s for sure.

>144 richardderus: Yay for 3, RD. I’m much more in the 4-5 camp, as today’s result attests. I had a pretty good Monday, although Bill and Jenna snarled at each other over a TV spot about a black female aviatrix from the 1920s, of all things. I wasn’t there so don’t know the details. *smooch*

>145 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. So much of Wordle is luck. And starting words, of course.

I love Bill AND I’m glad to see him go off to work. I have never made any bones about stating that I need time alone in the house. Bill’s working from home, with the TV on when he’s on breaks and taking lunch, and having it on all day on the weekends, first thing in the morning, and in the evening (although we usually watch something, currently Castle is really hard on me, always has been. It was a huge shock when we got married, that someone else would be in the house at times when I needed to be alone and regroup. Ah well, 31 years in, and I’ve learned to get what I need - quiet - in other ways.

>146 weird_O: Well Bill, yes, Richard and Larry. But we’re there, too, and can chime in occasionally. I love them both enough to want to interact in person and enjoy the fun.

…
Bill’s working from home today. I am debating whether to go to Urgent Care for my ankle or work out or both. Sigh. I got the Friends tax prep done yesterday and sent off to Pete, who thinks I got everything he needs.

I’ll probably chat with my sister today. She’s got an appointment with a pulmonologist after her 60%-sure diagnosis of Long Covid three weeks ago. She never got a second booster, never officially HAD Covid and always took a test that came back negative when she thought she’d been exposed or had what could be considered symptoms. Puzzling, sad. Maybe there will be a different or more detailed answer today.

I'm still reading Pilgrim, The Federalist, and my extreme romances, reclassified this year as contemporary (vs historical) fiction. Not hiding them, because they're in my lightning rounds, just simplifying classifications. I'm listening to Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow in the car.

Wordle 430 5/6* adieu, hotel, money, woken, woven

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Morning, Karen. I am drinking my final cup of coffee, putting the final touches on a mini-review, while Juno is stretched out beside me. I have Rehab duties today and then books in the PM. I am 160 pages into Angle of Repose and completely locked in.

'Morning, Mark! I just posted on your thread - great minds.

Busy fun day for you, for sure. I've only logged in 52 pages on the Kindle, and plan on reading more this morning. I'm glad it's got you completely locked in.

The Wayne keeps saying he wants to go into the office (very) occasionally, but then wakes up and thinks about the commute and is like, "Nope." I can't really blame him, as it's at least an hour one way (walk a few blocks to bus or have me drive him to the train, sit on bus/train, get on subway, walk a few blocks to office), but it would be nice to have the occasional day with no one else in the house... He's working from the office two days next week, but that's because we'll be in the city for the US Open, so no empty house for me. Ah, well.

Anyway, I think you should go to urgent care. Better safe than sorry, and if it is broken and you don't get that taken care of, it'll just lead to bigger problems down the road. But you probably know that :)

Hi Katie!

We love 'em AND love our time alone. I can understand TW not wanting to go into the office. Bill's commute, by car, is 45 minutes each way, and even listening to NPR, that's pretty much the worst part about going in. Ah well for you next week. Timing, right?

I called my insurance to find out how much an Urgent Care visit costs. It's $65, no big deal, but decided to roll the dice to see if I could see my PCP or a PA today. And guess what? They have a new doctor in the practice after being short staffed for quite a while, and I can see him today at 11 a.m. And that visit will definitely be less than $65, so there's that. I'm glad I haven't taken any pain/anti-inflammatory meds today that might mask something. And, they can take x-rays right across the hall.

>108 karenmarie: Congratulations on losing 52 pounds, Karen. That is amazing!!

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Hallo smoochling. I'm pretty sure Larry and I could carry a cable-access "Old Guys Talk Books" show. IF we had wine. Or scotch. Or wine and scotch. And hunky lads to pour us into our limos afterwards.

...I like this idea more and more...

Yay for the doc visit! This needs solving. I'm crossing all crossable parts that you'll come away with an action plan.

Happy Tuesday!

>152 alcottacre: Hi Stasia and thank you. I'm having a reasonable day so far, having just gotten home from the doctor, the pharmacy, and eaten a bit of lunch.

>153 richardderus: Hiya, RDear. Wine and/or scotch are included in the tables with coffee, tea, and all manner of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages bits from the Conjure Room description above. Hunky lads would be available, too, of course, to pour you into your limos.

So I visited the new doctor. He's young but thorough. He pushed and pulled and poked and gently twisted both feet/ankles, with the left for comparison. There's still swelling on the outside of my right ankle, but he's convinced it's a sprain, not a break. If it's not better in two weeks, he wants me to call so we can set up an ortho appointment, possibly x-rays, and etc. He said that working out is good for it. The pain has never been excruciating or even really bad while working out, so I might go back into town later today or just work out Wed - Fri. My mind is relieved, even if things are a bit tingly/painful from his efforts.

So no other action plan than letting it heal.

>154 karenmarie: I'm so glad he's thorough! It really does give the patient satisfaction. *smooch*

Bags I the Oscar Isaac lookalike!

>154 karenmarie: What the medicos call 'soft-tissue injuries' usually take longer than broken bones, oddly enough. Hope your ankle thingy resolves soon.

>154 karenmarie: It's great you got an office visit so fast! And got real attention. I thought the funniest thing when I went in with a bad ankle was that when I said it -didn't- hurt for the Dr. to twist my foot in a certain direction, she told me it was broken and sent me to x-ray. It was broken. The bummer was I was told to keep weight off it, but they had no wheel chair or crutches to offer me so I could get back to my car.....

>156 ffortsa: Too true.

I'm so glad you were able to get in to see the doc, Karen, and seconding Judy's comment about soft tissue injuries. It's good to know it's not broken and that the workouts you're doing can and should continue.

Morning, Karen. Happy Wednesday. My Rehab stint went well yesterday. I have Trail Watch duties this AM, then meeting a friend for lunch and then going over to Bree's to help with Jack, while Bree takes care of some real estate stuff. I don't expect to get much reading in today. Nothing happening yet at my feeders...

>155 richardderus: Hiya, RD! He was thorough enough that I can still feel the effects this morning. But I will go work out today, will probably go grocery shopping, too. Oscar Isaac is a hottie. Okay, he’s yours. I don't like his full beard, and his scruffy beard is one day short of being scruffy enough in most of the pictures I just looked at.

>156 ffortsa: Hi Judy. My ankle thingy and I thank you. *smile*

>157 quondame: I was actually stunned that they got me in right away, Susan. I’ve been seeing my PCP since 1998, when Jenna was 5 and we both switched to him from Bill’s doctor. UNC Medicine has really established a presence down here, 25 miles south of Chapel Hill in those 24 years. The only thing I wish for would have been if sweet new doctor been able to give me an ankle support. He is so new to the practice – it’s his first week - that a couple of times he said he didn’t know where things were. No worries about his skill or level of care, though. I got an ankle brace at Walgreen’s yesterday but believe it or not the straps were sewn on incorrectly with the Velcro not being able to attach. I’ll return it today and bought one on Amazon just now that should arrive tomorrow.

No crutches or wheel chair amazes me, frankly.

>158 lauralkeet: Hi Laura, and thanks. I dislike using the treadmill, but need it for my heart.

>159 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Wednesday to you. Yay for a good Rehab stint yesterday. Wow, so busy today! Enjoy it all. The books will be there tomorrow… A female hummingbird came looking for brekkie. The feeder wasn’t out, but is now. I refilled the sunflower seed feeder, too. A female cardinal and a male house finch are visiting.

…
And so both Bill and Jenna are still asleep. Jenna came in to my bedroom at 2 a.m., seeing the light on. I’d just woken up for a few minutes. We chatted for a few minutes, admired our kitties, then she went back to bed and I turned off the light. I slept for a total of 7.5 hours.

Coffee, a bit of LT, reading, etc. I’m having trouble recruiting cashiers and Square for the fall book sale. Sigh. I'll work out today and most likely go grocery shopping.

Wordle 431 6/6* Gads. Alphabet soup. adieu, glade, seedy, weedy, reedy, needy

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That's very good ankle news, Karen! I hope you can sort of go easy on the exercise today, but what do I know?

Sorry about the Wordle today. SO frustrating when that happens. I got it in 4, but my third try was ridiculous. I'll take it and look hopefully toward tomorrow.

>154 karenmarie: Like Richard, I am glad that your new doctor is thorough. I hope that the ankle heals on its own!

Have a wonderful Wednesday, Karen!

>160 karenmarie: Recruitment troubles aside, I hope you're disfruiting your day in pleasure and happiness.

>159 msf59: Hi, Mark! I have read you saying you have “Trail Watch duties” and I am so curious as to what that means. I have a vague notion, but could you clarify? I apologize if I missed it previously.

Sound like you have a fun day going!

Karen O

P.s. sorry to post my question to Mark on your thread, Karen!

>160 karenmarie: I don't think my PC Dr. sees a lot of broken bones walk in....

>130 karenmarie: What a gorgeous image, and what a brilliant mind you have to create such achingly lovely rooms. Of course this is also why I loved you since day one. Well I definitely want to keep the room, I will tell you that Richard is smarter, better red, and infinitely more clever than I am, and I'm sure that where we to meet in person, Will be to giggle and stare into a corner. I do think I have better connections and would be able to set up a reservation fairly quickly, but the fact of the matter is that Richard is a lot smarter than I am. But I'm cuter, much cuter, and younger. Yes I said younger and let's just go with that.

>153 richardderus: We could TOTALLY do that. Tonight we have a very special program, Richard and Larry and the Literary Whine, a POV discussion from an old fart and a gracefully aging yuppie on what is best in the printed word, what is gripping, and what grips best. Join us tonight at 7:00. We did have 8:00 but Richard needs to get to bed early and Father Flanagan and the chorus of the Sisters of the Twisted Bicycle graciously accepted the spot.

>161 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! I worked out for 31 minutes, with 1.5 incline, at 2.3 pace. It was somewhat painful right ankle- and left knee-wise, but my heart appreciated the effort. Tomorrow’s Wordle in 3! That’s my goal.

>162 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia. Lots of busy-ness, but a 2 hour nap, so that’s quite wonderful.

>163 richardderus: Hiya, RDear. Good day, lots of laughs with Jenna here just now. She described a swarming field of June bugs as a ‘den of June bugs’ and I’ve been laughing hard enough to cry ever since.

>164 klobrien2: No problem, Karen – we all do that now and again. Nice to see you here.

>165 quondame: Yes, broken bones usually go to the ER. Although, when Jenna went to Camp Seafarer in the summer of 2010, before her Senior year after one of our horses bashed her into the side of the stall and she played stoic but it hurt for the next 2 weeks, it was only due to having a hand surgeon being a volunteer doctor and his suspicions that it was actually broken and she wasn’t malingering, that we got a diagnosis of a broken scaphoid bone. Damned camp.

>166 SomeGuyInVirginia: Flattery will get you everywhere, Larry. I’d love to keep that room, too. Better connections, cuter, and younger… you’re Very Special.

I love it! The Literary Whine. I will not comment about the Old Fart and the Gracefully Aging Yuppie, but will say that we cherish Jenna’s Guncle Larry. May I just say that I, personally, stay up ‘til midnight or so, even though I’m *mumbledy-mumble*, older than either of youse two.

…
Worked out, filled the gas tank of my SUV, spent much money at the grocery store. Lovely nap. And etc.

Good to see that you got the concern about your ankle addressed so quickly, Karen. Soft tissue injuries do take longer than you'd think to heal.

Happy Thursday, Karen.

I was going to write some more lenghty response about hoping Jenna will find a job soon, Bill returning to work a few days a week, and your ankle. But it is way to hot here, so I keep it short...

>168 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg. Patience is a virtue, eh? I am wearing an ankle brace although it does NOT work with my shoes, so it's an around-the-house thing, not an out-and-about thing.

>169 FAMeulstee: I'm sorry you're having such extreme heat, Anita. It's so draining and limiting. Thanks for the visit.

Up at the *vulgar word* ass crack middle of the night. It might have been a mistake to take the Benadryl, although it seems to have helped with the sneezing. I've been up since 3 a.m., and recognized the futility of trying to get any more sleep. I predict a nap sometime later today. Anyway, I just had my first sip of coffee, which was epic. And I just met yesterday's goal of Wordle in 3, also epic.

Wordle 432 3/6* adieu, boost, clown. It could have gotten nasty with alphabet soup, but my first guess was serendipitous.

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edited to add a bit from Pilgrim. I can't read too much at once because it's so marvelous that I don't want to rush and am persevering.

"All the thoughts and experiences of the world," he whispered, 'have been etched and moulded here... the animalism of Greece, the lust of Rome, the mysticism of medieval times, the return of pagan ideals, the sins of the Medicis and the Borgias ... I am older than the mountains beyond those windows, and like the vampire I despise, I have lived many times, Doctor Jung. Who knows, as Leda I might have been the mother of Helen - or, as Anne, the mother of Mary. I was Orion once, who lost his sight and regained it. I was also a crippled shepherd in thrall of Saint Teresa of Avila; an Irish stable boy and a maker of stained glass at Chartres. I stood on the ramparts of Troy and witnessed the death of Hector. I saw the first performance of Hamlet and the last performance of Molière, the actor. I was a friend to Oscar Wilde and an enemy to Leonardo ... I am both male and female. I am ageless, and I have no access to death." p 238 in my hardcover edition

Heady stuff.

Third from last paragraph in The Federalist No 38, written by James Madison, in my copy of The Federalist, edited by Jacob E. Cooke.

January 12, 1788

To the People of the State of New York.

It is a matter both of wonder and regret, that those who raise so many objections against the new constitution, should never call to mind the defects of that which is to be exchanged for it. It is not necessary that the former should be perfect; it is sufficient that the latter is more imperfect. No man would refuse to give brass for silver or gold, because the latter had some alloy in it. No man would refuse to quit a shattered and tottering habitation, for a firm and commodious building, because the latter had not a porch to it; or because some of the rooms might be a little larger or smaller, or the ceiling a little higher or lower than his fancy would have planned them. But waving illustrations of this sort, is it not manifest that most of the capital objections urged against the new system, lie with tenfold weight against the existing confederation? Is an indefinite power to raise money dangerous in the hands of a federal government? The present congress can make requisitions to any amount they please; and the states are constitutionally bound to furnish them; they can emit bills of credit as long as they will pay for the paper; they can borrow both abroad and at home, as long as a shilling will be lent. Is an indefinite power to raise troops dangerous? The confederation gives to congress that power also; and they have already begun to make use of it. Is it improper and unsafe to intermix the different powers of government in the same body of men? Congress, a single body of men, are the sole depository of all the federal powers. Is it particularly dangerous to give the keys of the treasury, and the command of the army, into the same hands? The confederation places them both in the hands of congress. Is a bill of rights essential to liberty? The confederation has no bill of rights. Is it an objection against the new constitution, that it empowers the senate with the concurrence of the executive to make treaties which are to be the laws of the land? The existing congress, without any such controul, can make treaties which they themselves have declared, and most of the states have recognized, to be the supreme law of the land. Is the importation of slaves permitted by the new constitution for twenty years? By the old, it is permitted for ever.

It is not necessary that the former should be perfect; it is sufficient that the latter is more imperfect.

Best is the enemy of better. The Constitution was better than the Articles of Confederation, and the implementation, especially by Washington and Hamilton, brilliant.

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. I enjoyed my time with Jack yesterday. He had his examine yesterday, along with two shots, so he was a bit more subdued. I gave him plenty of loving. No plans for today, other than a couple of chores and errands and lots of reading. We have dog training class tonight. Our second one.

'Morning, Mark, and a very sweet Thursday to you, too. Yay for Jack time yesterday, although sorry about the shots. I never liked those doctor visits because Jenna was always fussy after. Chores, errands, and reading - not bad at all. Good luck with Dog Training Class #2.

Oof, sorry you were up so early, Karen. I woke up around 3:30 to pee (I've been upping my water intake and paying the price!) and then couldn't settle back down for a while, but did eventually.

>167 karenmarie:, >166 SomeGuyInVirginia: Heh. Y'all two. Such a pair of jokers.

It's been a bad patch but it is getting better, if slowly. I'll be back around today, I expect. Still not 100%.

HOORAY for us, Karen! We expressed a hope for 3 today, and we both did it! Maybe we should hope more often, or maybe I'll just be grateful for this one and forge on.

Sorry you had a bad night. Nap for sure! But I'm glad that you continue to enjoy Pilgrim so much. In spite of passages like the one you quoted, I was still more intrigued by Jung's character. GOOD book!

Take care and have a lovely day!

>174 katiekrug: Hi Katie. I am glad you were able to get back to sleep. I always give it about 15 minutes or so, then if I’m still awake I get up. Yes, water does interrupt sleeping through. *smile*

>175 richardderus: With love, RD, with love. I’m sorry you’re still not 100%, dratted doctor. Heck. Even damned doctor.

>176 LizzieD: Yay for your 3, my dear. I hope for an easy result every day, but some days it just doesn’t go that way. Those days I’m grateful if I don’t get skunked.

I didn’t have a bad night, just a short night. Went to bed around midnight, woke up at 3, hung around upstairs ‘til whenever, thought I could go back to sleep but couldn’t, so gave in to the siren call of coffee.

I am so intrigued by the character of Pilgrim that although I love Jung, so far I’m reading to find out what happens with Pilgrim. All of the characters are beautifully fleshed out and vivid.

I’ve eaten some protein and am going to off to use the treadmill and might stop in at the thrift shop because … books.

I want a pill that would be equal to ½ hour of treadmill. This going into town and actually working out sucks.

>177 karenmarie: I am with you on wanting that pill.

Morning, Karen. Happy Friday. Juno did good in class yesterday. We should have sit, down and stay down pat soon. We just have to make sure we work with her daily. I am joining a birding group this AM and then Bree will drop off Jack around noon, so we will have him for the afternoon. Pure torture, right?

I am 340 pages into Angle, so moving right along. It helps that it is so good.

>178 quondame: Hi Susan! Unfortunately, I haven't heard of any research in this area.

>179 msf59: 'Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you, too. Good news about Juno being a good student. Your day sounds like a good one, too. And yes, I'm so sorry that you have to spend time with Jackson.

I'm on page 81 of 671, Kindle version.

...
Coffee in hand, kitties fed, Wordle solved. My only errand for today is to work out.

Wordle 433 3/6* adieu, choir, irony

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>180 karenmarie: Hi Horrible! It's Friday, I'm within hailing distance of not being miserable anymore, and my latest read's absolutely a cracker.

I like the trend.

Yay for a 3-day! Me too. *smooch*

Good morning, dear friend!!! Me too, me too! 3-day!

Take care and enjoy the day!

Morning, Karen. Happy Saturday. Yep, yesterday was busy. We had a great time on the bird walk and Bree dropped Jack off early so we had him the whole day and ended up going back to their place in the evening to hang out outside. We had few beers and some laughs on a beautiful night. As expected, no reading got done. I hope to catch up a bit today.

>181 richardderus: Hi RDear! It's now Saturday. I'm glad you're within hailing distance of not being miserable anymore. Congrats on a wonderful read, whatever it is. And congrats on 3, too. *smooch*

>182 LizzieD: 'Morning, Peggy. Congrats on your 3, too. Parts of the day were good, parts were weird, the Panthers won last night. I watched through the half, when they were up 14-0 over the Bills. Mayfield threw for 2 touchdowns, Darnold personally carried it into the end zone for 7 more points in the second half. He then apparently proceeded to turn his ankle. I can SO relate. What I cannot relate to would be having to run around on it, turning and twisting and dodging, and getting hit by men who weigh 300 pounds.

Yesterday was weird because Alex the house cleaner, sweet boy that he is, accidentally didn't have his phone plugged into his charger properly Thursday night and woke up naturally pretty late. So he was late to Louise's and then late to ours - he didn't start 'til 1:45 instead of 11:15. I kept debating whether to work out and remembered that Louise said listen to your body! Well, my body said stay home. My mind said go, and my mind won. I'm not sure it was a good idea, but I have 'til at least Tuesday to have to decide again.

I might go into town with Bill when he runs errands this morning. Two reasons - his knee hurts worse than my ankle, and it would give Jenna a teensy bit of time in the house ALL ALONE.

In the meantime, coffee in my Bob Edwards cup.



And, of course

Wordle 434 4/6* adieu, duvet, bused, ruder

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>183 msf59: Hi Mark! You almost snuck in without me seeing you - I was composing my first message of the day in Word.

Yay for a wonderful day with Jackson, Bree, and, I presume, Sean. Sue, of course. Reading should definitely take a back seat to cherished family. I hope you get in some reading today.

>184 karenmarie: Happy Satrudeay! I'm not a lot closer to normalcy, but at least I'm not farther away. That is more than enough.

The outstanding read is Monday's review: Real Bad Things

Be well and happy today. *smooch*

I echo Richard, Karen. Be well and happy today. Be careful with the ankle too!

Love the cup for the coffee. I"m going to have some. AND I also Wordled in 4.

Happy Saturday, Karen. I'm sorry to hear both you and Bill are still experiencing discomfort with your various joints.

>186 richardderus: Hiya, RD! I guess treading water is better than losing ground. I’m well and happy today. *smooch*

>187 LizzieD: Thanks, Peggy. My ankle’s okay today, too. Yay for Wordle in 4.

>188 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie.

Coffee, sleeping family, quiet.

Wordle 435 4/6* adieu, vague, gauge, gauze

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Morning, Karen! I thought I was on my own thread and posted my Wordle. Glad I realized my mistake :)

I obviously need more coffee...

Hi Katie!

Believe it or not, I thought of your first word vs. my first word. I'm glad you weren't skunked.

>191 katiekrug: - Oops, you responded so fast. Now none of this makes sense!

Going to put my Wordle on my thread :-P

Wowza. Back and forth. My brain hurts.

And the "Happy wife, happy life" trope gave me the fantods.

Morning, Karen. Happy Sunday. We had an exciting day yesterday- We bought a camper. Of course, it is used, from a private owner and a bit small but will fit our needs. We are going to leave it in the storage area where it is now, about 30 miles away. At least for the next month or so. If we had the property you have, we could keep it at home. September is going to be a busy month.

Feeders quiet at the moment. We did have a red-bellied woodpecker stop by briefly yesterday and the male grackle seems to show up regularly too.

'Morning, Mark, and congrats! I know you've been looking for one for quite a while. Thinking about some of the folks who have campers or pontoon boats out here, yes, there's room, but the grass is always overgrown right up next to whatever, since most riding mowers can't get close enough. Keeping it in a storage facility keeps it from being an eyesore.

Of course, right now our entire yard is an eyesore. Jenna's going to mow today. I'm trying to find our weed wacker, so far without success. I'll kill Bill if he's gotten rid of it - the extra battery is charging in my Sunroom.

Yay for your busy September. Mine's going to be busy, too, but it's with a Friends book sale that I'm skeevy about, what with the High Risk Level for Covid in my county. It's been at that status for a month and I frankly can't understand that. My guess is it's the western part of the county with all the Trump crazies, not the purple central part where I live or the north and eastern blue part where all the UNC Chapel Hill folks/retirees live.

I had a Downy show up the other day at the suet feeder. There's quite a bit of natural food out there, though, and this time of year is less busy for the feeders out here.

Last paragraph in The Federalist No 39, written by James Madison, in my copy of The Federalist, edited by Jacob E. Cooke.

January 16, 1788

To the People of the State of New York.

The proposed constitution therefore, even when tested by the rules laid down by its antagonists, is in strictness, neither a national nor a federal constitution; but a composition of both. In its foundation it is federal, not national; in the sources from which the ordinary powers of the government are drawn, it is partly federal, and partly national; in the operation of these powers, it is national, not federal; in the extent of them again, it is federal, not national; and finally, in the authoritative mode of introducing amendments, it is neither wholly federal, nor wholly national.

Discussion of the republican form of government, then a breakdown of the Confederacy’s national character vs. what some saw as a not-desirable federal character of the proposed Constitution.

Good morning, Karen! Happy Sunday to you. You're having a very good start, I'd say.

I flipped my mental coin and used your 4th word this morning instead of your 3rd one, or I'd have been back to 5. I appreciate random good luck any time it shows up.

>195 msf59: Wow! Congratulations, Mark! You are going to be happy campers!

>197 karenmarie: "Federal" systems are guaranteed to make sausage-laws because they require some form of consensus. There is a lot to process in making a government that will not please everyone but will alienate the fewest citizens and radicalize the bare minimum.

The founders were skilled compromisers and we have very few of those in public life today. I suppose getting shouted at in both ears simultaneously is not an appealing job description.

*smooch*

I woke up this morning to find my entire Wordle filled in! Turns out a friend who uses my account to do some of the puzzles I don't like did the Wordle too, and of course it carried over to me.

I'm trying to find a way to give her access without ruining mine. She could just pay for her own Games subscription, but we've never had a conflict before. Maybe she will spend the money.

Oh Judy, how frustrating! I just finished Wordle and it's my start-the-day pleasure, along with coffee.

I hope you can figure it out. I hope she's the type of friend to whom you can say "Please never, ever play Wordle again. It's one of my favorite things and your playing it has messed my stats up." Alternatively, good luck with getting her to pay for her own subscription.

...
Speaking of coffee and Wordle, first cup is in hand with my Bob Edwards Morning Edition cup and here's alphabet soup Wordle.

Wordle 436 4/6* adieu, grief, thief, chief

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>200 ffortsa: Judy, the key is to make sure your friend is logged out of your account before playing Wordle. Wordle is still free to play. It does not require a NYT login although if you have one, your stats are saved in a more reliable way. So she could just make sure she's logged out of your account before playing Wordle. Or, she could create her own free NYT username (no Games subscription required), and just be sure she's logged into that one whenever she plays Wordle.

** hi Karen! **

Morning, Karen. I am going to the lakefront with a couple birding buddies. Trying to beat the traffic. Hope to see some good birdies. Enjoy your day.

>202 lauralkeet: Hi Laura!

>203 msf59: 'Morning, Mark. My goodness, you're up early. Enjoy your birding buddy adventure.

...
The above-mentioned coffee, puttering, and hanging out with Jenna today as Bill heads off to work. His knee is pretty much all recovered.

Monday began well...I Wordled in 3! *smooch*

>200 ffortsa: I had no idea you could even give access to anyone else and I think I'm going to continue not knowing that in case anyone asks :)

Have a marvelous Monday, Karen! I am glad to see you are still enjoying Pilgrim.

>180 karenmarie: I think I made the same progression for that Wordle :) The joys of 'ADIEU" as the first word are never-ending.

I hope you had a marvellous Monday, Karen, and you get a good night's sleep.

Morning, Karen. I almost skipped over you today. You are usually my first visit, but I must have got sidetracked.
We had 40 species of birds down on the Chicago lakefront. A beautiful morning and we were almost back home when the storms blew through. I have my Rehab stint this AM. Books in PM.

>205 richardderus: Hi RDear. Congrats on 3. My 4 was unfortunate, since I had the most of it on word 2. *smooch*

>206 RebaRelishesReading: Hi Reba. Sharing passwords is time honored, but becoming less and less feasible as providers crack down.

>207 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia. Yesterday was quite pleasant, and I’m over halfway through Pilgrim now.

>208 LovingLit: I have cast my lot with adieu as a first word. Others vary their first word. It all makes for lots of fun and variety, Megan.

>209 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg. Yesterday was good, and last night’s sleep was also good. My poor husband got about an hour’s worth of sleep last night.

>210 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Unless you’re out of town and don’t have access to internet, I look forward to and appreciate your daily messages. 40 species is impressive, and it sounds like you had good timing. Yay for Rehab and books.

Wordle 437 4/6* adieu, corer, often, onset

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Today's a work out day. I am also going to go to the grocery store, but probably the new one further up the road. I hear it's a bit more upscale than its sister in the heart of town. I also need to get a new weed wacker, I think, since I can't get either battery to hold a good charge. Oh well, ten years or so is not bad at all. Jenna mowed the back yesterday and will mow the front today and we're having the pastures bush hogged on Friday or Saturday.

Have a terrific Tuesday, Karen! I hope the work out and the yard work go well.

Hi Stasia, and thank you. I'm heading over to your thread to see how things are going for you during these stressful times.

A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn, Kindle version, is available for only $2.99. I snapped it up.

>215 karenmarie: My DH has that one in hardcover, Karen, but I haven't read it.

I wrote you a bit back on my thread that I won't duplicate here. I don't know that it's worth another visit.....

Morning, Karen. Happy Wednesday. I am attending a paid "focus group" today, in the city, for some extra cash. It will be an all day event. Of course, we have to scramble to make sure someone can let the dog out mid-day. It looks like it is taken care of. I did finish Angle of Repose yesterday. No reading will get done today.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, Karen!

>216 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. Amazon sends me emails with offerings. I haven't actually bought one in months. I couldn't resist this one.

>217 msf59: 'Morning, Mark, and happy Wednesday to you, too. Extra cash is always good. Right now we're getting $100/month from a friend of ours so he can store his riding lawn mower and etc. here while his new house is being built and they're living in an apartment. Glad Juno won't be trying to hold it in. *smile*

Well, I've only read about 10 more pages of Angle of Repose. I really, really like it. I'm fickle, though, and between Pilgrim and now The Ink Black Heart, it will just have to continue slowly through the rotation and my moods.

Wordle 438 2/6* adieu, prize. I swear I thought Oh, crap, alphabet soup, then the word prize floated into my brain. Booyah!

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...
Bill actually went to work again today. Jenna's still sleeping. Kitties fed, coffee in hand. I'm going to start getting caught up on low-message-since-last-visit threads or play the 'line in the sand' card on other threads. Guilt is getting to me, plus curiosity about LT friends I haven't visited in too long. After a bit of that, it's time to read for a while.

Your Wordle was inspired; yup, alphabet soup for me today.

Wordle 438 6/6

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I haven't been visiting threads that often either, or when I have I haven't been leaving comments. I don't feel like I've been reading a lot either, so I don't know what I'm doing with my time, exactly! Hope all is well with you. :)

>219 karenmarie: Wordle-in-two is wonderful! Big congratulations to you! Took me 4, but a least I had only a small cup of vegetable soup.

irate, gripe, pride, prize

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>220 streamsong: Pure D luck, Janet. In my recent set of stats, I’ve only gotten twos 4 times out of 104. Sorry it took you all 6.

>221 ursula: Hi Ursula! So glad you’ve come by to visit. I haven’t done a lot of visiting, but I have been reading like a crazy woman since May. Admittedly most of the books are what my daughter calls smut and my friend Karen in Montana calls soft porn. I’m perfectly happy to continue reading them, especially now that I’ve gotten Kindle Unlimited and am not paying more than $9.99/month no matter how many I borrow. I’m also reading serious stuff – The Federalist, Washington: A Life on audio book, Pilgrim and The Ink Black Heart, and Angle of Repose.

>222 klobrien2: Hi Karen, and thank you. Ah yes, I love my luck, sorry it took you 4.

Jenna mowed the front today - about 2 acres or so. I weed whacked a bit of the walkway. I also thoroughly cleaned both Tidy Cat Breeze System boxes - threw out the pellets and pads, washed all three pieces and dried thoroughly, and put in fresh pellets and pads.

...Time to go upstairs and read The Ink Black Heart and start the second in a fun series - The Hitman's Guide by Alice Winters.

Happy Thursday, Karen!

>219 karenmarie: Wow, Wordle in TWO!

Hi Anita! Thank you - I hope your Thursday is going well, too.

It was a happy surprise, and so is today's three.

Wordle 439 3/6* adieu, guilt, fungi

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I will work out today, perhaps putter, and definitely read. Coffee is starting to work its magic.

Here's a lovely quote from Pilgrim. The Carl Gustav mentioned is Jung, the comment from his wife Emma:

Believe me or not, Carl Gustav, a mother and her child converse. Not always in words, but in many other ways as well. I send down thoughts and I know she receives them. She sends back waves as answers - even as questions - and the waves flood all the way through me. It is true. It is true. Believe it. She is my little fish and I am her ocean. She is my swimmer - I am her sea.

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. A long, long day yesterday. More details on my thread. Fortunately, my son stopped home for lunch and let out Juno. She still had a very long day in the crate. At least, that won't happen very often. I am switching Jackson duties with Sue, so I will be going over there today and Sue will go tomorrow and bring him back over here for an over-night stay. Not sure how much reading will be getting done, but we will have our little boy.

>225 karenmarie: 4 for me, after a long, long ponder.

*chuckle* Y'all aliens and y'all's intrauterine waves.

Happy Thursday! *smooch*

'Morning, Mark. Sweet Thursday to you, too. Glad your son was able to let Juno out during his lunch time. Yay for Jackson time. Reading will definitely be there during Non-Jackson Times.

>227 richardderus: 4 is not unreasonable for this word. I loved that quote, glad it gave you a chuckle. Happy Thursday to you, and a big *smooch*

...
Well. Almost 3 hours later, I think I have the corrected data Pete needs to do Friends taxes. I made the assumption (silly me) that the Membership and Donations Reports from Wild Apricot were accurate. When I went back to our actual checking account and Categorized Every f***ing thing, revenue went up by the amount that we seemed to be out of balance by. Thank God this will be the last time I'll have to deal with this. Fingers crossed that it's now what Pete needs without large discrepancies.

Hi Karen my dear, i have been MIA recently due to energy worries but i am back, i will be putting a new thread up soon.

>228 karenmarie: That is really annoying, Karen, and a lot of work you didn't need at all.
Keeping my fingers crossed.

>229 johnsimpson: Hi John! I have been remiss in visiting your thread and will head over there soonest. Sending love and hugs to you and Karen and kitty skritches for dear Felix.

>230 FAMeulstee: Pete called last night and said that the data was exactly what he needed. Now I can't trust the Wild Apricot reports. Sigh.

Wordle 440 5/6* adieu, gloat, prank, scarf, charm

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Bill will most likely go into the office today. He's not up yet. Jenna is asleep, too. The kitties are fed, and I've got my first cup of coffee in hand.

edited to add:

>5 karenmarie: YTD stats through August
>6 karenmarie: New Lightning Round

Morning, Karen. Happy Friday. I am the only one up too. Sue is off for the holiday weekend and will be going to Bree's. She will bring Jack back here early afternoon. He will do an over-nighter with us. I am meeting a birding buddy and hopefully can get some reading in before the little master shows up. Nothing happening at the feeders.

Hiya, Mark! Happy Friday. Up early in a quiet house is always a pleasure. Enjoy Jack this afternoon, birding buddy this morning.

I've got a female Cardinal on the wild bird seed feeder and a House Finch on the sunflower seed feeder. Various and sundry birds in the Crepe Myrtle, but I can't tell who they are, just that they are moving around.

The first and last paragraphs in The Federalist No 40, written by James Madison, in my copy of The Federalist, edited by Jacob E. Cooke.

January 18, 1788

To the People of the State of New York.

The second point to be examined is, whether the convention were authorised to frame and propose this mixed constitution.

…

The proposed constitution therefore, even when tested by the rules laid down by its antagonists, is in The sum of what has been here advanced and proved, is that the charge against the convention of exceeding their powers, except in one instance little urged by the objectors, has no foundation to support it; that if they had exceeded their powers, they were not only warranted but required, as the confidential servants of their country, by the circumstances in which they were placed, to exercise the liberty which they assumed, and that finally, if they had violated both their powers, and their obligations in proposing a constitution, this ought nevertheless to be embraced, if it be calculated to accomplish the views and happiness of the people of America. How far this character is due to the constitution, is the subject under investigation.

Much denser and harder to follow than previous efforts by Madison, IMO.

Have a fantastic Friday, Karen!

Good morning, Karen! 5 for me today too. Will check you later!!!!!

>234 karenmarie: Sounds like a lot of ex post facto justifications. Those're always fdense and rough to parse, I suspect by design.

I got Wordle in 3!

Happy-weekend *smooch*

Hi, Karen. It's been awhile since I"ve made the rounds here. I haven't put out my feeder all summer, in the hope of warding off the pigeons, though I still see them once in awhile. I hope they are getting the message loud and clear that there is nothing to see here, so just move on. I am hoping to try putting out the feeder again in the fall. I really miss my birds!

>234 karenmarie: With your Federalist leanings, you may want to contact AbigailAdams26,

LT Early Reviewer leader, for the story of her name.

Morning, Karen. Happy Saturday. We had a great birding trip yesterday. Many fall migrants, mainly warblers. We are hoping for more of the same today, as I attend a guided walk. I also paid off the camper and received title. The owner is a very nice guy and will help us along the way. Sue had her hands full with Jack but it was nice spending so much with him. They are still sleeping. Of course, I got zero reading in. Bree is having a get-together over at her place this afternoon, for family and friends. I don't expect to get much reading in today either. Sighs...tomorrow?

Enjoy your day.

>235 alcottacre: Hi Stasia. I did have a pretty good day. Worked out, so got all three in this week. Made turkey taco meat using your wonderful low-sodium homemade taco seasoning – I’ve already gone through the first batch. Bill had tacos and Jenna and I had taco salads for dinner.

>236 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. I didn’t come back to LT yesterday. It took me 5 today too, darned alphabet soup.

>237 richardderus: Oh yes – justifying the Convention after The Constitution is out in the world trying for the 9 states to ratify. However, there must still have been enough questioning that the Federalist triumvirate decided to directly address it. Yay for your Wordle in 3. It took me 5 again, alas. 3-day weekend with nothing planned – sometimes I envy people who are extroverts and love large social gatherings. *smooch*

>238 jessibud2: Hi Shelley! Nice to see you here. I can understand your frustration with the pigeons, since I feel the same about raccoons and squirrels; I hope you have better luck in the fall.

>239 m.belljackson: Hi Marianne! I’ll do so as soon as I post this. I’ve already looked at her profile and opened a message.

>240 msf59: 'Morning, Mark, and happy Saturday to you, too. Yay for a great birding trip. I'm glad you finalized the paperwork on the camper and got the title. Yay for a get together today. No rest for the wicked - 🤞 for reading time tomorrow.

Wordle 441 6/6* Alphabet soup! adieu, flunk, lurch, bully, fully, gully. It could have been sully, but I guessed right and avoided getting skunked.

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Coffee in hand listening to some shooting off to the north - most likely past Hwy 64. Sounds like pistols and a rifle.

We're having the pastures bush hogged this morning. That's the most excitement planned for the day.

>241 karenmarie: We're both guessing-game vets today, Horrible. *smooch*

Bush-hogging the pastures! Ooo eee y'all're livin' la vida loca!

At least we both didn't get skunked. I'll take a 5 or 6.

Yup. Of course he's late, but I bet he didn't think we're this far out. I imagine he's trundling along, dragging his trailer with the tractor on it behind. I even got out of my jammes and into real clothes for him!

*smooch*

5 for me today too, Karen, what with my first word being a total washout.

I trust that the bush-hogger is there and hogging. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Hi Karen. I'm enjoying an indolent long weekend. I do need to make a food run very soon (or suffer the consequences).

>244 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. The bush hogger bush hogged. The pastures look like pastures again. I had a pleasant day working on cashier instructions for the September 23-24 Friends of the Library Book Sale and reading.

>245 weird_O: Hello Bill. Yay for long, indolent weekends. I can relate to having to make food runs. Make it so!

Wordle 442 4/6* adieu, libel, infer, inter

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Bill and Jenna will probably watch the first of the new Amazon LoTR series today. It's not my cup of tea and so I'll pass.

Morning, Karen. Happy Sunday. We had a productive bird outing yesterday. 40 species. We also had a nice time at Brees. I even managed to get a little reading in while Jack was napping. We are laying low today. Some house chores and lots of book time. I counted at least 8 robins out there this cloudy AM.

178. Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow





From Amazon:

From National Book Award winner Ron Chernow, a landmark biography of George Washington.

In Washington: A Life celebrated biographer Ron Chernow provides a richly nuanced portrait of the father of our nation. With a breadth and depth matched by no other one-volume life of Washington, this crisply paced narrative carries the reader through his troubled boyhood, his precocious feats in the French and Indian War, his creation of Mount Vernon, his heroic exploits with the Continental Army, his presiding over the Constitutional Convention, and his magnificent performance as America's first president.

Despite the reverence his name inspires, Washington remains a lifeless waxwork for many Americans, worthy but dull. A laconic man of granite self-control, he often arouses more respect than affection. In this groundbreaking work, based on massive research, Chernow dashes forever the stereotype of a stolid, unemotional man. A strapping six feet, Washington was a celebrated horseman, elegant dancer, and tireless hunter, with a fiercely guarded emotional life. Chernow brings to vivid life a dashing, passionate man of fiery opinions and many moods. Probing his private life, he explores his fraught relationship with his crusty mother, his youthful infatuation with the married Sally Fairfax, and his often conflicted feelings toward his adopted children and grandchildren. He also provides a lavishly detailed portrait of his marriage to Martha and his complex behavior as a slave master.

At the same time, Washington is an astute and surprising portrait of a canny political genius who knew how to inspire people. Not only did Washington gather around himself the foremost figures of the age, including James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, but he also brilliantly orchestrated their actions to shape the new federal government, define the separation of powers, and establish the office of the presidency.

In this unique biography, Ron Chernow takes us on a page-turning journey through all the formative events of America's founding. With a dramatic sweep worthy of its giant subject, Washington is a magisterial work from one of our most elegant storytellers.

Why I wanted to read it: Hamilton and Washington were of a like mind during the Revolutionary War and during Washington’s first term as President with Hamilton as his Secretary of the Treasury. After being absolutely stunned by Hamilton, I wanted Chernow’s take on Washington.

I listened to this as an abridged audiobook. I know, I know, abridgments are a mortal sin, but frankly, 12 CDs, 14.5 hours, was a good way to get the essence of this book. And without signing up for Audible, it's impossible to get hold of an unabridged audio book through Amazon.

So many fascinating things about Washington, from his childhood and early years as a soldier, through his calculated efforts to acquire Western lands and build up Mount Vernon. He married logically after being in love with a married woman although his marriage to Martha was good and quite possibly sexually satisfying, as a reference to several books they had access to implies. He was a family man without direct descendants, a slave owner who seems to have almost always been conflicted by the peculiar institution. He was land rich and cash poor for pretty much his entire life. He made several crucial mistakes during the Revolutionary War, as well as several brilliant military maneuvers that kept hope alive and eventually helped turn it to success.

Washington always regretted that he didn’t have a strong formal education, but was the right man to be First President of the United States. No other man could have succeeded in solidifying the national character of the US during the crucial years after the Constitution was approved. He, along with Hamilton, was a proponent of strong federal government, and although he didn't give a free hand to Hamilton, Hamilton was his right hand in creating institutions and setting precedents that implemented this version of the US.

He died as he lived – reserved, contained, controlled. He had Martha fetch two wills while on his death bed. He had her burn the first, written during the war. The second, written 5 months before he died, freed his slaves upon Martha’s death, unintentionally wreaking havoc for Martha because her dower slaves were not included (they were entailed upon her first husband's descendants). Intermarriages between Washington's slaves and her dower slaves complicated things, and fear for her personal safety if she were to be murdered by a slave anticipating her death caused her to free Washington’s slaves during her lifetime.

Six word review: Fascinating study of a fascinating man.

>247 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday to you. Yay for 40 species yesterday and a nice time at Bree’s. I’m looking at House Finches, and a female Cardinal in the Crepe Myrtle. I’d love to see some Robins. Chores and books sound good for a Sunday.

>248 karenmarie: A flawed, interesting person with a strange sense of Honour. Modern founders aren't as liable to mythologization like those of antiquity, but we've given Washington more than a few coats of concealer.

Wordle? Wordle!
Wordle 442 3/6

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Hiya, RDear.

Ah, Washington. I think that Chernow removes a few of the coats of concealer, although I'll use your phrase, autres temps, autres moeurs. He was quite honorable for the times. I'm not sure he ever cheated on Martha, actually, unless I really missed something from the book. He toiled away for the army, knowing his estate was suffering. He was not exactly sickly, but had serious bouts of illness off and on his entire life, one or more which may have caused him to be unable to have children. He served long after he wanted to retire to Mount Vernon. And on and on, although on the other hand he always had an eye to his place in history, loved impressive uniforms, and acted the role people wanted him to act.

Bravo for 3.

Morning, Karen. Good review of Washington. For many years I was making my way through presidential bios. I read the first 10 or 11 in order and nine scattered ones, (including FDR to Nixon). I should get back to it.

A good chill day yesterday and will probably do more of the same today.

>248 karenmarie: My library has the unabridged version. But at 42 hours - NO! I ordered the abridged version.

>252 msf59: 'Morning, Mark. Thank you. I know several people who've had a personal Presidential Biographies challenge. I want to read more about Lincoln and perhaps John Quincy Adams. Yay for another chill day.

>253 2wonderY: Hi Ruth! Well, darn. For someone who has been a member of the Board of the Friends of the Library for 8+ years, you'd think I'd would check the Library first. Ours has the 42 hour version, too. However, I must say that the abridged version was enough for me. I hope you find it fascinating, too. I read His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis in April of 2017, but don't remember much about Washington from it, frankly.

Wordle 443 5/6* adieu, clock, broom, stoop, whoop

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Quiet day. I need to do a bit of Friends stuff to schedule Square training for my cashiers for the September 23-24 sale. Reading, and hibernating upstairs in the Retreat (dubbed 'Our Retreat' by Jenna since that's where she plays games on her PS4) while Jenna and her Dad watch the first of the Rings of Power series on Amazon Prime. I'm not a LoTR fan.

Good morning, Karen. Happy Labor Day to you with hopes that you can breeze through the FoL stuff and have a whole day for reading and hibernating and whatever else you choose.
Wordle in four for me because my richer-in-consonants first words eliminated your third and fourth tries.

LoTR --- one of the dichotomies with almost no middle ground. I, of course, have loved it for decades but haven't made time to watch the Prime offering yet.

Hi Peggy! All I need to do is finish up the Cashier Instructions, different sets for the first and second days because of half day pricing on the second day, then sending those instructions out to cashiers. I also need to send out Square instructions to my Square Squad and figure out my availability for training sessions. 3 of them volunteered at April and/or May sales so I honestly don't think they need training unless they want it. We'll see.

Believe me, I tried to love LoTR. Bought the books, got bogged down. Bought the audiobooks, got bogged down. Got rid of them all. Jenna loves the books and likes the movies, Bill has never read the books, not being a reader, and loves the movies.

I'm very happy for LoTR lovers who have Prime Video and can watch this lavish production.

>256 karenmarie: "Lavish" is le mot juste indeed. "Obscene" is my word for it. Anyway, I Wordled in 4 today but had completely forgotten to do so until you reminded me! *smooch*

I haven't posted here in a while, Karen, but that doesn't mean I haven't been lurking. I like hearing about how well Jenna is fitting back into home life. And I'm excited about your upcoming book sale because it reminds me that ours will be here next week. I love looking through the books for the ones I want to add to my permanent collection. Not much room on my shelves so I have to be very selective. It's a labor of love. Good luck with your sale!

Catching up with you, Karen. I love your Bob Edwards mug pictured way up thread. Still kind of annoyed with NPR regarding his departure.

I’m glad you’re enjoying Angle Of Repose. It’s a good one.

It must be library book sale season. Ours is this week.

Morning, Karen. I had a nice solo bird outing yesterday (it has been a great fall migration so far) and then Bree invited us over in the afternoon. We got to introduce Juno to the "boys". After carefully checking each other out, they got along fine. It was nice to see Juno romping around in a fenced yard. We are not sure she had even had that kind of freedom before.

I have my Rehab stint today. Things should be really slowing down there, as they have been releasing a lot of animals and taking in much less.

Morning, Karen!

>241 karenmarie: Glad to know you are enjoying the taco seasoning, Karen!

Have a terrific Tuesday!

>257 richardderus: Hiya, Rdear. Lavish, obscene, po-TAY-to, po-TAH-to. Amazon is, according to this CNN article, streaming it to 200+ countries around the world, so it’s a pretty huge dealio.

LoTR Controversy

I’m glad to be your Wordle reminder person. *smooch*

>258 Donna828: Hi Donna! I'm happy to see you delurk. I’m looking forward to Sunday, September 25th, when the sale will be over, all books donated from October 2019 – March 2020 will be sold or donated to local thrift shops, and we’ll start accepting donations again. I’ll have personal books to catalog, a new Treasurer to train to prepare the Revenue/Expenses/Net Income statement for the sale and get the cash/checks prepared for the bank. The money is now not my job.

Enjoy your book sale, get exactly what you need for your collection. Of course it’s a labor of love, and thank you re our sale. As a side note, when I originally took the Treasurer’s job, I made it a condition that I be a customer the first 2 hours of every sale. Even after I ‘only’ became President and started serving on the book sale team, I’ve made sure I get those first two hours to buy books. I think they’re too afraid I’ll quit if I can’t do that.

>259 Copperskye: Hi Joanne. Ah yes, how NPR screwed over Bob Edwards. I was so distraught that I stopped donating to my local station for two years and let them know why. He’s apparently hosting a podcast for AARP these days. I might check it out. I've now been a sustainer since they started the program locally at WUNC.

I’m back down the rabbit hole of what I’m calling extreme romances, my daughter calls smut, and my friend Karen in Montana calls soft porn. Sigh. Angle of Repose awaits calmer times since I’m stressed about the book sale and Jenna’s dynamic with her dad. He just can’t ever shut up around her. He thrives on chaos, she and I thrive on calmness. There's no yelling, but she goes upstairs a lot.

>260 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Yay for a nice solo bird outing. I’m glad Juno and her dogs got on fine, more than glad to hear that she was able to romp around outdoors. Yay for Rehab. Is the slow down seasonal or just random?

>261 katiekrug: Hiya, Katie! Sorry for Nadal fans to read that he got upset at the US Open.

>262 alcottacre: Hi Stasia, and thank you. We love the taco seasoning. I use Spice Islands Chili Powder, since McCormick's is death by salt.

…
So emails to my cashier and Square volunteers, confirming each person’s schedule and attaching cashier instructions, discount charts for member purchases, and Square install/transaction processing instructions. Sigh. I just hate this crap. Not.My.Job.

It’s raining, steamy, stay-inside weather. I do have to go out to work out today. Fortunately, I’m not so sweet that I’ll melt in the rain. In fact, the older I get, the more outspoken I get. Still trying to not blister ears, but it’s getting harder and harder to keep my mouth shut.

In the meantime, coffee, a bit of reading, THEN starting the official day.

Wordle 444 6/6* Gads. Alphabet soup, and there was even one MORE word I could have chosen that would have skunked me. adieu, fault, haunt, vaunt, gaunt, taunt

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Good morning, Karen! I'm sorry about the frustrating alphabet soup. This is one of those days when my first words gave it to me in 3. It might easily have been 4 or 5, but I wanted to know where the t went.
I just put this on Richard's thread, but since you know my mama, I'll tell you too. I asked her if she wanted to get right up or wait until I had Wordled and started breakfast. She said, "You go ahead and gurgle, and then I'll get up."

ONE DAY I'm going to make it to your book sale!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a fine day.

Good afternoon, Peggy. Ah yes, Wordle. Even when I get skunked I enjoy playing it, although being skunked makes me sad for a minute or two.

I know and love your mama. She's endearing.

I do want you to come to the book sale, but this one will be mostly bereft of fiction/mystery/science fiction because we had that categories sale in April. Perhaps spring?

I've been spending most of my day so far with Friends stuff, confirming volunteer slots against original emails and finalizing the cashier instructions. So not what I wanted to do today.

We've had quite a bit of rain. The Fancy Feast delivery from Chewy arrived. I've eaten left-over tilapia and half a pepperjack/Miracle Whip/whole grain bread sandwich. I finished another contemporary romance, very sweet, actually. I haven't looked at Pilgrim, The Federalist, or The Ink Black Heart in days. I need to pick out a new audiobook, too. My day could hardly get more exciting...

>263 karenmarie: I've rabbited nearly the whole of September so far on Wen Spencer's Elfhome series. Sometimes there's a certain flavor that suits.

Morning, Karen. Happy Wednesday. I worked in the ICU yesterday. Cleaning cages. This is the area where the animals recover before being released to the general rehab section. First time working here and getting to witness the sheer dedication that goes on caring for these ailing creatures. I am going on a guided walk this AM. Books in the PM.

Ooh, the Big Book Sale coming up. Something cool to look forward to.

Hi Horrible, Humpday orisons. *smooch*

Are the cashier/volunteer acquisition efforts going well? I'm sure you're on top of the situation but is there progress?

I'm not all the way sure I need to tell you this but you *do* fully understand that your well-being comes miles and miles and miles ahead of the Friends sale's success, right? No covering all the open shifts!

>266 quondame: Hi Susan. Enjoy your Elfhome series. Indulging a favorite genre is a good thing, since none of this is really homework.

I'm reading a 'Dark Mafia Romance'. This is the second Mafia series, different author, that I've read during my May - September romance phase.

>267 msf59: 'Morning, Mark, and happy Wednesday to you. Yesterday sounds intense. Today sounds more relaxing, although for me a guided walk would be a bit much. Yay for books in the PM.

The best part of the sale will be my being able to peruse the books the Sunday before. I'm especially interested in a whole bunch of Jewish Studies/History books donated by a former volunteer whose wife died, he closed down his house/library here, and has moved to California to live with a daughter. I'm salivating over those.

>268 richardderus: Hiya, RDear. Happy Humpday to you, too.

I’ve gotten the cashier/volunteer/Square schedule finalized, although at this point I’m thinking I should not have Jenna there. She’s been vaccinated, had Covid in January, and has gotten one booster. I'll probably take her off the schedule. Right now out county is back to medium, from green last week and red for the 4 weeks before that.

I’ll be there the entire sale, and if it’s slower than otherwise expected, I’ll hide out in the book sort room. I can also shut down some of the stations and just make people stand in line longer, after all. I spoke with one of the book sale team members yesterday, who voted NO GO on the sale. I voted a "Very Reluctant GO, and I'll be masked the whole time", but I admire his strength in just saying NO. He won't be at the book sale. We both discussed resigning from the book sale team. Different reasons mostly, but still. *smooch*

Wordle 445 4/6* adieu, store, clerk, leery

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Workout today. Emails to Friends book sale volunteers after one more review of the Cashier's Instructions and confirmation of volunteer schedules. Reading. Etc.

Richard is 100% correct, dear Karen. I hope that today is the day that you feel free to pick up your fascinating books again. I'm eager for you to get into *IBH* so you can tell us how it is!

Wordle in 4. Good for me!

We cross-posted, so we are Wordle Sisters again. READ some!

I'm after COVID boosters today. I'd love to get our flu shots at the same time, but I really don't know whether they're available yet. When I regretted study club for September, the hostess said that she had nearly died from a COVID/bronchitis duo last month. Her daughter and grandson walked in her house the day she tested positive, she yelled, "Get Out Now!," and they both had it within 4 days --- all three of them boosted. Still not a thing to play with.

>270 LizzieD: and >271 LizzieD: Hiya, Peggy! All I need to do is buckle down for the next ... 3.5 hours ... then I can read without guilt. I'm comfort reading right now, and yes, I've been comfort reading since May. Sigh.

I've read a bit of The Ink Black Heart and have figured out that C.B. Strike, first two seasons, is on Amazon Prime. It requires money, but hey.

Congrats on your Wordle in 4, Wordle sister.

The book sale team member who I spoke with yesterday got Covid, doesn't know how, in July, and passed it on to his wife before he knew he had it. Here's what he wrote:

Linda and I contracted covid in early July. Our experience was not pleasant and Linda actually had a rebound infection which prolonged her discomfort. When we finally tested negative, both of us continued to experience some symptoms that lasted an additional 6 weeks. We don’t want to experience this again.

Both of us were vaxxed and boosted and wore our mask whenever out in public. So I don’t know where or how I contracted the virus before passing it to Linda. I can only say that if we were not vaxxed, it could have been worse. All of the SARS viruses are still present with the omicron varieties accounting for most of the new cases. This variety is extremely contagious which may explain why I became infected even while wearing a mask in public. If any of you have been out to the grocery store or most anyplace now, it appears that 95% of the people are not masking anymore. This is baffling to me considering the extreme contagious nature of the omicron varieties and that 400 people die each day in the USA from Covid.---That is a concerning statistic as is the long term impacts of covid on vascular, brain and major organs.

Wednesday silliness. Jenna as a baby Sith Lord according to me, me as a Gregorian-chanting monk according to Jenna. For your sensibilities, RD, I did not post the one with me holding our chunk-a-cat Washbourne Ryder.

I'm more in the Sith-Lord category myownself...heh

What I really am is astonished it was cool enough to make the...garment...endurable!

*smooch* for refraining from irritating my THEM-loathing eyestalks.

Hey! What's up with this cool down? At noon today, the outside temp at the front door was 68°. It is brighter now than it was at noon, but still not sunny.

I've cracked the cover of Delta Wedding (I saw on the group-read thread that I have the same edition on you do). But I keep being distracted and haven't yet finished the first chapter. I'm immediately reminded of Carson McCullers' The Member of the Wedding; similar gathering for a wedding and the impact of the event on the young family members. Set in the south.

I'm sure all your work will be rewarded by a high-yield book sale. I'm going to the Bethlehem Library book sale next week. Mixed in amongst field hockey games and dentistry.

>269 karenmarie: Stay safe! All this impatience folk are overwhelmed with to "get back to normal" scares me rigid!

>274 richardderus: Aye aye, Sith Lord! Light weight material, plus AC, plus I’m lizard-like and almost always cold. Winter microfleece sheets on the bed all summer, plus 3 blankets and a bedspread. And you’re welcome re THEM, even if it is my own thread.

>275 weird_O: Hiya, Bill. 68F? My oh my. Lucky you. I haven’t cracked the cover of Delta Wedding yet, alas. I haven’t read anything except Dark Mafia Romances for the last several days. *eye roll*

I hope we have a high yield book sale. Good luck at yours – get more books than you anticipate. Boo hiss dentistry, yay for field hockey games.

>276 quondame: Nothing’s normal and I cannot believe how people are acting like it is.

>273 karenmarie: Funny pictures, Karen, nice disguise.
Happy Thursday!

>278 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita and happy Thursday to you, too. We had fun. I originally put it on simply to see how it fit after my sister got it for me last November. Jenna saw me in it and got into a hilarious mood, so I went with it.

Wordle 446 5/6* adieu, cloak, clamp, clasp, class

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Coffee in hand, Bill and Jenna still asleep. Kitties fed. It's still dark out. I like this time of day.

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. The guided walk went well yesterday. Our weather continues to be beautiful. I am also trying to take care of a few important things in regard to the camper. I got the title transferred over and today I need to put a brake controller in the pickup. Lots of lots of sparrows invading my feeders. I wish they would give us a break.

>273 karenmarie: Cool! The costume looks great.

>273 karenmarie: >280 msf59: I am with Mark - I think the costumes look great!

Have a thunderous Thursday, Karen.

>280 msf59: Hi Mark! I hope all your errands went well today. Thanks re the costume.

>281 alcottacre: Hi Stasia, and thank you. Today went well. I worked out, took a nap, and got just that much further along with Friends stuff.

Morning, Karen. Happy Friday. You sure have been busy. This is my Jackson day and I plan on taking him for a long, walk on the trails. I will be bringing him back to our house today too, so he can spend the afternoon. Enjoy your day.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you, too.

Way more busy than I want to be, frankly. But things will calm down after the book sale. Enjoy your Jackson day.

Wordle 447 4/6* adieu, bloke, scene, theme. An appropriate word for readers!

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Bill's gone to work, Jenna's asleep. Coffee in hand. I'm determined to get this Friends stuff done today in addition to working out and probably getting the new Covid booster. I checked at the pharmacy yesterday and supplies arrived. Supposedly, all I have to do is show up.

>284 karenmarie: It was 3day for me...but I had 4 letters of five between my two stalwart starters.

Happy productive Friday! *smooch*

Good morning, Karen. Sounds like a full day! I'm waiting until next week to get our boosters. Moderna for Mama was still not here when I called Wednesday. I wish flu shots were available now, but they didn't even have a date when I called. One day you'll wake up and there won't be anything to do but read, putter around, and play with the other residents of your house.

>285 richardderus: I knew it.

>285 richardderus: Hiya RD! Congrats on 3. I just got home from getting my Covid booster. Walgreen's lied to me yesterday - said I could just walk in today without an appointment. Waited in line for 15 minutes, then they said I needed an appointment. Can't make appointments there, have to do it online. Sheesh.

So I had the brilliant idea of going to the independent pharmacy in town to see if they had the vaccine - they did - I asked if I could make an appointment and they said I could get it right then. Yay! I'm all Pfizer'd up with the latest and greatest.

And I worked out, so there's that, too.

>286 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. I'm pretty much done being productive for the day. I could have gotten my flu shot, but I like waiting 'til October and can get it at my doctor's office when I have my annual exam. Or if I don't want to wait 'til the end of October, I can go to this new pharmacy in town.

Reading, puttering, and playing with the other residents of my house sounds heavenly.

I have to get the latest shot. And a flu shot. And blood work. And so it goes.

I read out of the first chapter of Delta Wedding and surged into chapter two. You do need a roster of the home team. How did an unmarried lady in the family get the name "Jim Allen"? Miz Welty sees all and writes it down and sneaks it into the narrative. You have to stay alert, 'cause otherwise you must back up and reread more. I'll be liking it.

P.S. Gracie's team is 3-0 on the season, and they have yet to give up a goal. But many games to be played, better teams to be faced.

Hi Bill. I've gotten the shot. I'll get the flu shot later. I'll blood work before my annual exam - it's already scheduled.

Delta Wedding sounds fine. If you've never listened to Miz Welty read her short story Why I Live at the PO, here 'tis. It, too, is mighty fine.

Why I Live at the P.O.

Congrats to Gracie. Here's hoping they continue to do well the rest of the season.

Western light coming in through a stained glass piece in the foyer last week. We had the piece commissioned for the house in 1998 by Mirtha Umana-Murray, and some of the glass is antique.

>290 karenmarie: Lovely colors.

>291 quondame: Thanks, Susan! We sometimes don't look at things we see every day. The sun coming through on it brought it to my attention again.

Wordle 448 5/6* adieu, crook, lobby, lowly, lofty

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Noticeable reaction to the Covid booster last night, and I'm definitely not 100% today. Thank goodness not much that I have to do today. The coffee is getting rid of some of the fog, Tylenol is getting rid some of the aches.

Morning, Karen. Happy Saturday. Sorry, to hear about the booster reaction. I hope it subsides through the day. I am working on my second cup of coffee, with Juno stretched out nearby. One more week and we will be on our first local camping trip. Yah!

'Morning, Mark. Happy Saturday. Thanks for the sympathy. I'm already feeling better, but still not 100%.

You have coffee and Juno, I have coffee and Zoe Rose. She's currently on my desk calendar and Kindle. She hovered yesterday, too, and here's a pic of her.



Anticipation, of course, is half the pleasure. Where are you going and how long will you be away?

Good morning to you and Zoe Rose. I'm sorry about your booster reaction but glad that you know you're getting good immunization from it. Enjoy a lazy day, dear!

I'm scheduled for boosting and flu-b-gon at the same time...I expect more than the usual nothing that flu shots usually give me. Worth it...in the decades I've had flu shot I haven't had flu.

Happy weekend's reads, smoochling.

>295 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. I'm pretty whupped tonight and a bit achy, but not too badly off.

>296 richardderus: Glad you're scheduled for both soon, RDear. Thanks re the weekend's reads. *smooch*

Morning, Karen. Happy Sunday. I hope you woke up feeling better today. I was busy yesterday so did not get any reading in but enjoyed hanging out with friends for most of the day. Laying low this AM, (rain for the next 2 days) and going over to Brees later to watch the Bears game. Oh, yeah- Go Bears!!

'Morning, Mark, and a very happy Sunday to you, too.

I do feel better, thanks for asking. You're the opposite of me - I got reading done and not much else. Go Bears, beat those 49ers! My Panthers play the Browns, both first games of the day, and my backup Chiefs play the Cardinals, second game of the day. Third game is Bill's Cowboys vs the Bucs. I don't envision watching football all day, but I might dip in and out of the 2nd and 3rd games.

Off to create my tenth thread.

Wordle 449 4/6* adieu, claim, habit, tibia

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I got the same Wordle today, only my word #3 was TIDAL.

See you in the new digs.

>300 richardderus: The word I always use for my first word, adieu, more often than not eliminates 'd' words. This usually throws me into a tizzy, because I almost always think of a second word that has a 'd' in it and then have to mentally backtrack and do something else.

Yes! Thanks for posting on Thread the Tenth.

*smooch*