Shelley's Take Two - Reading off my own shelves - 2023

Hi, I'm Shelley, retired teacher, living in Toronto. Last year was one of my worst for reading, so this year HAS TO be better, right? Hopefully, my upcoming cataract surgery will inspire me to stop squinting and with better vision, will also come better attention span. Who knows!

I am not committing to joining any official challenges this year but will be lurking and joining in when the whim meets my (tentative) plans. Those plans, loosely, are to devote each month to the books in one room of my house, ie, each bedroom, the living room, the basement, then repeat. If nothing else, it will hopefully provide me much needed focus. I wish I could say that no new books will be allowed in but we all know how silly a promise like that is!

Meantime, welcome! Come on in, the door is always open:

Watchcats:



Who goes there?

Happy new year Shelley! At first I thought you were already on Thread 2 for 23!

Hi, Rhonda. You're first! And yeah, I know. I always seem to be in too much of a hurry to proofread properly, especially for that which is not easily editable! Maybe Jim can help me fix that...

Happy New Year, Shelley, and >4 jessibud2: YES, although you can't fix it yourself, you can message Jim (drneutron), the admin for the 75 Challenge Group, and I think he has the magical powers to fix your thread title.

Dropping a ⭐️ and wishes for a very Happy New Year!

Hi Shelley and Happy New Year! I'm dropping off my star with no associated promises to visit very often. Still, I hope 2023 is a better reading year for BOTH of us since 2022 was not up to par for either of us.

Very best to you ~~~

Welcome back, Shelley! I made the topic edit - let me know if you need any other changes.

>7 kac522: - Hi and thanks, Kathy. Yes, I did message Jim, and he has already worked his magic!

>8 Storeetllr: - Hi and thanks, Mary. A happy new year to you too.

>9 EBT1002: - Hi Ellen. Thanks! And to you too.

>10 drneutron: - As always, thanks, Jim! Much appreciated!

Wishing you a comfortable reading year in 2023, dear Shelley.

>3 jessibud2: I love that!

Dropping a star, Shelley. Happy New Year!

Have you starred! Heres to a brand new year!

Midnight here and finally got my thread started! And starred yours. Happy wishes for you in 2023, Shelley

Thanks and welcome, Paul, Mamie, Anita and Sandy. Happy new year all!

Lots of options here today and thankfully, I got it before running out!

Wordle 561 5/6 meaty, pious, chive, shine, whine

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Happy New Year, Shelley! We are closing out another wonderful year of books and banter and I am looking forward to sharing another with you, along with the occasional bird sighting. Good luck with that surgery.

Ahhh, here you are.

The shenanigans may now commence.

Hope your 2023 is filled with good books!

>3 jessibud2: Oh my gosh! I did not remember seeing this little bookshop graphic when I posted last night (or rather, just after midnight Jan. 1).

I popped over here to look, after I saw this post.
I saved the design from a Christmas e-mail which a friend in the UK e-mailed. We're both "bookshop junkies" and her Christmas greeting had the design at the top of her letter. I guess these memes are all over the social media but since I'm not, I don't know what's 'out there'.

I was crazy to stay up so late, but I really wanted to compose something so that people would feel welcome to post greetings. I'm still faffing around with filling my reserved spaces.

I'm looking forward to catching a few BB's here, since I like getting ideas from the different book topics on your thread (compared to my choices).
In 2019, I was inspired with your review of Liquid rules and I liked it enough to rate it a 4**** book. It was something I never would have picked out on my own.

>17 msf59:, > 18 , >19 thornton37814: - Hi and thanks, Mark, Richard and Lori!

>20 SandyAMcPherson: - Hi Sandy. You really made me giggle when I saw the pic on your thread and after, your post when I mentioned it. No worries, great minds think alike and let's face it, it's exactly the kind of image that draws LTers like a magnet!

I do think you mixed me up with someone else, though, as I am not familiar with the book Liquid Rules. My final book of last year, though, might interest you if you love travelling and language and great writing. It's by a Calgarian I had not known before, Glenn Dixon, and is called Pilgrim in the Palace of Words. I reviewed it on my last thread a couple of days ago.

Happy New Year, Shelley. I love the quote >2 jessibud2:. I hope 2023 is a good year for you.

Happy New Year, Shelley!

>21 jessibud2: you mixed me up with someone else,
So much for my private notes on the book! I'm thinking it was 2019 when I grabbed the BB, so it will take some digging. Thanks for the correction.

Wordle 562 4/6 meaty, pious, shirt, skirt

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>22 BLBera: - Hi Beth. Thanks. Anna Quindlen is a fave of mine and that quote really spoke to me, too.

>23 ronincats:, >24 Berly: - Thanks, Roni and Kim.

>25 SandyAMcPherson: - Well, you're still a step ahead of me. I never made notes of who hits me with BBs. Perhaps I should! ;-)

Hi Shelley, happy new year and thread! Dropping a star :)

Hi Shelley, I'm dropping my star. I like your plan for reading from the different rooms in your house. Maybe I should do that too. Now that I think of it I have books in three rooms too. Hmm

>28 vikzen: - Hi Vic! Thanks for stopping by and good to see you here. Happy new year!

>29 Familyhistorian: - Hi Meg. Um... actually, my books are in every room, bedrooms, living room, basement, dining area, even kitchen though I did not include that room in the list. And probably the only reason I don't have any books in the bathroom, is that there simply isn't room! Anyhow, we'll see how it goes. This month, I am focusing on the books in my bedroom. I will be able to run through this roster a few times throughout the year. Let's hope it makes a dent...;-)

Did anyone love Jeopardy last night as much as I did? The biggest nail-biter so far, for Ray for sure but, cool and calm as ever, he pulled off his 13th win! And I LOVED the category on history read by, and involving the books by, Erik Larson, one of my favourite authors! I have read several by him, including those in the clues.

I am still working on wordle this morning. It's just not revealing itself to me so far so I am giving it time... ;-)

Wordle 563 4/6 meaty, pious, train, antic

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>32 jessibud2: I don't have the stamina you do to spend more than a few minutes. It was just a guessing game today until the right combo came up:

Wordle 563 5/6

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Kathy, if I can't get it in around 10 or 15 minutes or so, I walk away and come back later. Sometimes, all it needs is fresh eyes.

I should have gotten Wordle in 3 today. Had all the letters, but the third and last letters were in each other’s places. (What the heck is actin??? Should have waited till I finished my coffee.)

>35 Storeetllr: - Hi Mary. I don't drink coffee so I can never use that as my excuse. Pure ignorance is all I have, when it doesn't work for me, lol! Today was a bit better:

Wordle 564 4/6 meaty, pious, yearn, layer

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If I wasn't so lazy, I'd have my actual physical scrabble tiles next to me to play with, moving letters around in front of me. Instead, I use paper and pencil and try out various combinations that way. I am a very visual and concrete learner and need to actually *see* things for them to stick...

>36 jessibud2: I don't have a scrabble set anymore, but if I had one, I'd totally steal that idea from you! Genius!

It was a 4-day for me, too. I still think there's some double-secret cabalistic plot behind how the words show up, like today's when the GOP is going nutsy-cuckoo about the Speaker of the House of Representatives election! Heeheehee

>37 richardderus: - Hi Richard. I have only a vague understanding of the way the American politics work, in the current situation. And frankly, if I am totally honest, I am content to read the headlines to know how it worked out, rather than to try to wrap my head around it all..;-P

In other news, Canadian Ray Lalonde's Jeopardy streak ended yesterday and this interview clip was featured on tonight's news:

https://globalnews.ca/news/9386230/ray-lalondes-winning-streak-jeopardy-ends/

I was sad to see him go and not to be sour grapes, but the new champ isn't impressing me so far. He seems to come across as bored!

Hi Shelley. Do you have a date for your cataract surgery? I've had surgery on both eyes, and it is a remarkable difference. I noted that colors were much more bright!

>39 Whisper1: - Hi Linda. Thanks for asking. Yes, in fact, it is tomorrow! I appreciate the encouragement I have been getting from you and so many others. I am still anxious about it but I am trying to remind myself that tomorrow at this time, it will be behind me. I hope I can sleep tonight... the surgery is scheduled for 2:30 in the afternoon and my friend who is taking me will pick me up and get me there by 1:30, as required. I can't eat after midnight tonight - seems like a rather long time to be without food but I can have water or clear tea (isn't all tea clear?) Anyhow, I will survive... I truly hope I will see better. My vision has been getting progressively more blurred over the last several weeks and I am having to lean in very close to my computer screen. Even the print on the pages of books looks faded. If all that can be remedied, I will be over the moon. I guess that as long as it does not get worse and I don't come home blind, I will be thankful...

Shelley, good luck tomorrow. Will was an eye doctor. He highly recommended the surgeon who removed my cataracts. Immediately, I could see better. I trust the same will be true for you. Please keep us posted regarding your surgery. Prayers are sent your way.

Wishing you well for your surgery tomorrow. I'm confidant you'll be surprised how easy it is and how much better you'll be able to see afterward. Talk to you after the surgery when you're back online. My dental surgery today went well. I'm fine and in no pain. We'll drink a toast to both of our successful surgeries afterward. Okay?!

Sending positive thoughts your way for your surgery, Shelley.

Thank you Linda, Madeline and Kathy. While in bed last night waiting to fall asleep, I realized that in running around all day doing errands yesterday, I had forgotten to ask about your surgery, Madeline. Good to hear it went so well! Yes, we can raise a cup of hot chocolate together later on!

I have saved some last minute household cleaning chores for this morning; this will give me something to do instead of thinking about the breakfast I am not eating!

Wordle 565 4/6 meaty, pious, sheen, sleek

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The surgery will make quite a difference. The only thing is for the next couple of weeks you will have to squirt eyedrops in your eyes. Good luck -you will notice a clearer vision right away.

Thanks, Cyrel. I sure hope so!

Shelley, adding my best wishes for soldiering through this procedure.

Thinking of you today and hoping all goes well with your surgery!

Hoping your surgery goes smoothly Shelley.

Good luck with your surgery.

Shelley, thinking of you and hoping your surgery went smoothly.

Thanks Sandy, Mary, Caroline, Beth, Mamie. Appreciated.

Well, this morning is considerably better than yesterday. The doctor prescribed 3 different drops, one of which I already had from the procedure a few months ago and he said I could use those (it came in 2 bottles; one bottle was unopened so he said to use that one and ditch the half used one). My regular pharmacy is quite far from me (Costco) so I called a local pharmacy to see if they could fill the other 2 for me and deliver. They said yes so I emailed the prescript to them and the pharmacist phoned me to say she was out of stock with the 2 I needed. Low stock supply is a big issue here on many pharmacy products. I will call another pharmacy shortly and hope for the best. Considering I am supposed to be using these drops immediately, I am trying not to panic. I do have an apptmt to go back to the eye doctor this afternoon and I hope that maybe there is a pharmacy in his building. So far, I have only been using the drops I still had. At least that!

As for my actual eye, well yesterday I was not a happy camper. My vision was wonky and I felt quite off balance all evening. And uncomfortable, achy. I took Tylenol, as permitted. The patch they covered it with was a clear patch so I could see out of it but they taped it on to my face and I was only to remove it to dab dry the tears. It was tearing constantly and after removing and retaping it twice, I was quickly out of the usable tape they provided. So I took one of those stretchy tensor bandages and just wrapped it around my head, pirate style. Thank goodness I was able to sleep well. This morning, the vision in that eye is definitely clearer and I am not having to lean in so close to my computer screen. The eye is not tearing nearly as much and as many of you have mentioned, the colours are sharper. But walking around the house without my glasses is still feeling off-balance. Yet wearing the glasses, also. I was told that it will be this way till I get the other eye done. Yikes. I also have a headache today, likely because of this, and I just hope it doesn't develop into a full blown migraine. My face is achy and feels puffy though it doesn't look it.

Ok, enough moaning and groaning. I will try to get to threads as I can but I think I won't be on the computer much today, just yet.

Wordle 566 5/6 meaty, pious, chide, genie, belie

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Hi-it will get better!

What >55 torontoc: said.

>54 jessibud2: It hasn't hurt your Wordleing! Streak's alive.

Enjoy the weekend ahead, Shelley.

>53 jessibud2: Shelley, I am glad you are able to see the eye doctor this afternoon. Maybe the doc's office can help with the out of stock drops. Sometimes there's a cache from pharmaceutical companies' samples which medical offices receive.

Good luck with the continued recovery.

Your post-op course sounds a bit rough, but the main thing is that you can see more clearly and brighter with the operative eye. Your brain has to learn to coordinate the vision of those two eyes now. They’re different. You’re on the road to recovery. Let me know when I can start warming up the hot cocoa!

Hi Shelley my dear, just dropping my star off and i will be a better visitor this year, sending love and hugs dear friend.

Shelley- I just thought of some advice that I got- It you are waiting for your second cataract operation and wearing your glasses gives you a headache- ask your optician to remove the glass ( from the side that was just operated on) from the glasses. This way you have your good eye seeing through the ( empty) frame and your eye that still needs the eyeglass prescription has the correct glass. Does that make sense?

Thanks all. Yesterday was better if still somewhat off kilter. Cyrel, that sounds like an idea! I have to go back to see him again on Tuesday (not sure why but I'll go) and I will ask about that. My headache yesterday did end up as a migraine so if doing what you suggest will help avoid a month-long migraine till the next surgery, I will try anything. It might look weird but that is the least of my worries!
And the pharmacy in his building had the drops I needed in stock so that problem is no longer a problem. I have no idea how to create a spreadsheet on the computer so I just used paper and pencil to make myself a schedule/chart for the drops. I have to take each drop for differing amounts of times per day, for 4 weeks and I will never be able to keep track without something written to be able to check off as I do it. Maybe it's the teacher in me but it works for me. (I hope!)

Wordle 567 3/6 meaty, pious, lemon

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Glad to see things are improving a bit.

Sorry about the migraine. That must have certainly screwed things up for you in your effort to get back to normal.

How about if the doctor replaces one lens with just clear glass so it won't look weird?

Paper and pencil works. That reminds me of a book I read by Atul Gawande which I highly recommend. Check out The Checklist Manifesto : How to Get Things Right. No pun intended, of course! :D

That was the first book by Gawande I ever read and it was excellent (if not somewhat terrifying).

I will ask the doctor and see what he suggests. I don't want to be spending money doing things to my glasses until all the surgeries and recuperations are done. I will then have to get new prescriptions anyhow so I may just wait, but we'll see.

The clear glass idea will also work. I just stopped wearing my glasses but your prescriptions sound like you need to have them for your " not yet operated on eye".
Your doctor should help you make a decision on glasses for with now. You are right that you will probably need new prescriptions after both surgeries. ( My doctor just said about reading glasses- go to the pharmacy and buy some 2.75 glasses- they worked for me)

>3 jessibud2: That looks like my kind of book shoppe! I would probably feel right at home there.

Good luck getting the eyes straightened out!

I get stressed Shelley when it comes to anything to do with our eyes. So vital to avid readers of course. I have been asked by Hani so many times to get laser treatment to correct my shortsightedness but I am frankly frightened of possible negative consequences from the procedure.

I hope that your cataract issues are resolved soon. xx

>64 torontoc: - Well, my next appointment is on Tuesday, just 2 days to wait. I have to say, as each day goes by, it feels as if it's better and harder, at the same time. The taking off and putting on of my glasses constantly is a pain in the ass but the part that bothers me most is the headaches. I had a full blown migraine the day after the surgery, then yesterday, nothing. Today, it's already starting and I just hope it doesn't get worse. I am not sure I want to endure a month of this.

>65 alcottacre: - Thanks, Stasia. And yes, that's my kind of shop too!

>66 PaulCranswick: - Thanks, Paul. Of all the senses to lose, sight is my biggest nightmare. I am the world's biggest baby when it comes to anything near my eyes, which is why this stressed me so much. I never in a million years thought I would ever be able to put drops into my eyes but it is amazing to me what one can manage when there is no choice! I still miss sometimes but I'm getting better at it.

Wordle 568 3/6 meaty, pious, opera

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I just finished the incredible coffee table tome by Ken Burns Our America A Photographic History. The photos he selected were wide-ranging and fascinating. Some were stunning and others, incredibly difficult to look at. The blurbs and the background of each, gave me insight into much I did not know. Highly recommended.

I also picked up Maus from the library yesterday so that will be the one I start today. I am also currently reading a slender book by Whoopi Goldberg, called Is It Just Me?. It's a collection of short essays/rants and is quick reading. Reminds me a bit of Rick Mercer's rants, for the Canadians here on LT who will recognize the reference. I like Mercer better, frankly, but I will finish this one and move it along.

>68 jessibud2: Maus is amazing. I have a copy here I’m circulating among some friends. I think Barbara has it now.

Perhaps, once you feel confident in the results of your first eye surgery, maybe the surgeon can move up your second surgery a bit. I and another friend had each of our eyes done two weeks apart. Tell your ophthalmologist about the eye strain precipitating migraines. Perhaps with that information, the doctor would be able to squeeze you in for an earlier surgery.

>69 SqueakyChu: - I plan to do just that, Madeline. Fingers crossed that that will work out. Sooner is better. I also can't really travel to see my mum until all of this is done.

>68 jessibud2: It is hard to beat a Rick rant. ❤️

In visiting Rhonda's thread and seeing her cats, I thought I had forgotten to post a pic (or few) of my boys. But apparently I did not forget. But what the heck, here is another. It's their *holding hands* that got me in this one:

>72 jessibud2: Sweet!

>67 jessibud2:, Hi Shelley my dear, i am also a big baby when it comes to anything near my eyes, i cannot bear anyone touching my eyes, if i have something in my eye, i have to deal with it, i cannot let Karen near. I can watch open heart surgery whilst eating Tomato Soup but eye surgery and i have to look away.

>71 MickyFine: - Hi Micky, welcome to my thread! And yes, Rick's Rants are classic. I adore that guy!

>73 SqueakyChu: - Yes, they are, Madeline! Most of the time...

>74 johnsimpson: - John, you made me laugh out loud! I am not sure I could watch any medical procedure and eat soup!

>72 jessibud2:. So, so cute!

Sorry about the eye issues, the headaches sound awful. Hopefully it will be better soon!

>72 jessibud2: Aww very cute!

Sorry to hear about your migraines. I am sure the the prescription for the eyeglasses will change. While you wait for your next surgery you could buy some of those cheaper glasses and punch out the lenses and put in the correct reading strength in each side. ( example the left you may need 2.5 and the right 2.75.) The dollar store, winners and shoppers have inexpensive ones and could be a quick solution to alleviating your migraines.

>76 banjo123:- Thanks, Rhonda.

>77 figsfromthistle: - The problem is, while waiting for the next surgery, I still need the prescription that I currently have in the right side or I won't be able to drive. My right eye sees distance. The left side sees close and it does now but having the left lens in the glasses now makes it all blurry. I will wait till Tuesday and see what he suggests. The headache today wasn't as bad as the one on Friday.

Wordle 569 4/6 meaty, pious, piece, pixie

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Happy reading in 2023, Shelley!

Wordle 570 3/6 meaty, pious, grimy

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>80 FAMeulstee: - Hi Anita. Thanks, and good to see you back!

Picked up today from the library: Putting it Together How Stephen Sondheim and I Created Sunday in the Park With George. Can't wait to dive in.

>27 jessibud2: I keep track of BBs by putting it in the tag section. A book rec from you would be tagged as "Jessibud2's Fault." ; )

>72 jessibud2: So cute "holding hands"!

So sorry about the headaches. What did the doctor say today about the glass lenses? And can you move up the date of your second surgery? Hang in there!

Hi Kim.
Today's appointment went ok. I no longer have to sleep with the eye patch on, which is a step in the right direction. He agreed that removing the left lens of the glasses was a good idea but he suggested replacing it with clear glass until after the second surgery and new glasses will be made. He said it's to protect the eye from dust and wind, which makes sense. So I went to the glasses place downstairs in his building and they did that for me while I waited. It's easier to see now without having to take my glasses off all the time but for some reason, I still feel somewhat off-balance. Nothing dire and I can live with that, I guess.

As for the second surgery, the gal who books that for me is still away on vacation so I have to call her next week. It hasn't even been one week yet since the first surgery so I guess there is no rush but I will definitely ask for it to be sooner rather than later, if I have any choice at all.

Well, the actually sounds like pretty good news! Glad the eye place could fix your glasses on the spot. Small miracles are much appreciated. I hope the off-balance thing goes away soon; I bet it will over time as your brain adjusts and puts the new eye pictures together. Sending big hugs.

I am glad that the adjustment was made to your glasses!

>72 jessibud2: So cute.

>85 jessibud2: Glad things are progressing well Shelley.

>86 Berly: - I think you are exactly right, Kim, re my brain learning to readjust. I just have to remember to pay close attention when I go down the stairs so I don't misstep and fall.

>87 torontoc: - Thanks, Cyrel. Especially for the initial suggestion re the glasses. I am not sure he would have suggested it to me if I hadn't mentioned it to him first.

>88 Caroline_McElwee: - Thanks, Caroline. I won't complain....

I sure pulled this one out of thin air! I have no idea how I even thought of word 3 but it worked!

Wordle 571 3/6 meaty, pious, sedan

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When I got new bifocal glasses a number of years ago ( before I had the cataract operations), the optician told me to look down when I went down stairs.( I still do)

>91 torontoc: - Oh, I always do and always have. I also always hold the railing, if there is one.

Glad your surgery went well and you're adjusting!

>89 jessibud2: It can take some time for your brain to adjust, Shelley.
I got my glasses at 25, and my lazy eye suddenly could see. Took me years before I could walk downstairs with glasses.

>93 ChelleBearss: - Thanks, Chelle.
>94 FAMeulstee: - I think you are exactly right, Anita. I expect a long adjustment period. Especially after I get the second eye done.

Third day in a row for a 3-day! My first 2 words are a huge help in providing letters, especially the correct vowels.

Wordle 572 3/6 meaty, pious, leapt

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I finished Maus this morning and to be honest, at this moment anyhow, I have no burning desire to seek out book 2 in this series. I really need to be in the mood for Holocaust literature (especially memoir) and I am not, these days.

I am also DNFing my first book of the year, the Whoopi Goldberg Is It Just Me?. I got almost half way through and realized that yes, I agree with her that respect in general is a thing of the past these days, just about everywhere you look. But do I want to read an entire book of her ranting about it? Not really. Into the donate (or LFL) bag it goes.

I also requested the dvd of the Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park With George from the library and it should be here in a couple of days. I decided that I want to watch it before I dive into the book by James Lapine I recently picked up from the library, Putting it Together How Stephen Sondheim and I Created Sunday in the Park With George. I think I actually saw an interview with Lapine about this book not long ago, also.

I am also starting a book by Rachel Joyce, called Perfect. I loved her The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and I have 4 other titles by her on my shelf. I hope this is as good. Has anyone here read it?

>96 jessibud2: Agreed. Holocaust reading needs to be parceled out in small doses as important as it is. One needs to be in the mood for it, especially if it hits too close to home. I really liked the character of Artie's father who reminded me very much of my dad, but it was my mom's parents who died in the gas chambers of Auschwitz. I also liked that the characters were animals rather than people so the action was a little bit more distant and readable.

>96 jessibud2:, >97 SqueakyChu: My copy was both volumes in one book (The Complete Maus) and I finished it last week. I did take breaks, because it gets overwhelming...and yet at the same time, I couldn't stop reading...I had to force myself to close the book.

What struck me was the relationship between the author and his father, and then the author's own struggling as the child of a survivor, and trying to make sense of it all. Although he doesn't specifically point that out, we can see it in how he deals with his father. I kept coming away with the father being quite the wheeler and dealer, but you had to be to survive. And I agree that the characters as animals helped give some distance.

>97 SqueakyChu:, >98 kac522: - Well, I am an odd one out. I actually did not like the fact that they were portrayed as animals. It felt unreal. Maybe that was the point but it didn't work for me. Lots of serious topics and stories are done in graphic novel format these days and that's fine. But I didn't feel any empathy with mice and pigs. And that felt, in a way, disrespectful, given the subject. Oh well, I often seem to have different perspectives than others. No big deal.

>99 jessibud2: I can understand that feeling. At first it seemed odd and uncomfortable, but after a while I think it helped me identify in the pictures who was Jewish, who was Polish, who was German, etc., which would otherwise be very difficult to distinguish in a cartoon. (Imagine if it were a movie with human actors--you could tell by accents, clothing, surroundings, etc.) It also helps visualize the "hierarchy" that was reality at the time. I think at some point in the book (or maybe I read it somewhere else) Spiegelman states that he didn't feel he was good at drawing human faces, and felt he would get them "wrong." In another way, the animal figures probably helped him distance himself enough to tell the story.

Maus was the "One Book, One Chicago" selection this year, and there were events surrounding the book. The final event was a conversation between Spiegelman and his wife Francoise Mouly on stage in front of a live audience. The actual conversation starts at the 20 minute mark. I haven't watched the whole thing yet (it's long), but it may give better insights as to why he made the artistic choices he did:

https://www.chipublib.org/blogs/post/watch-on-demand-oboc-keynote-with-art-spieg...

That conversation must have been very moving. I will watch your link a bit later on. Thanks, Kathy.

Wordle 573 4/6 meaty, pious, qualm, human I made a little mistake in my third word but that's ok.

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Sheesh. This took me all morning to figure out and now that I have, I wonder how I didn't *see* it immediately! I had to walk away for awhile then come back.

Wordle 574 5/6 meaty, pious, coach, board, koala

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Today’s Wordle was a hard one for me too! I got it in 4, but only because my third guess (polka) made it inevitable.

Wordle 574 4/6

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Happy Sunday, Shelley. Just checking in. How is your eye doing? I thought Maus was outstanding but I completely understand being in the right frame of mind to read it. I hope you get to the second one at some point.

>103 Storeetllr: - Hi Mary. I had too many choices for today's and of course, made all the wrong ones! Especially considering I had so many of the letters early on. I did trip up on my third word. I seem to do that a lot... sigh...

Wordle 575 6/6 meaty, pious, poise, snipe, spike, spire

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>104 msf59: - Hi Mark. The eye is adjusting, thanks. I have had a migraine for a couple of days straight but that could be thanks to the sun, which has made only its second appearance of 2023 yesterday. I wear my
sunglasses over top of my regular glasses, which apart from being highly attractive (not!), helps protect the eye. My regular glasses have a transitions coating on the lenses, causing them to go dark when outside. I love that but since replacing the left lens with clear glass, only one side darkens. Even more attractive, lol! I can hide that with the sunglasses, though. I will call the doctor's office tomorrow and see if they can give me a date for the next surgery.

Hope that all is relatively ok, your optical constraints considered. xx

Enjoy what is left of your Sunday.

Hi Paul, thanks. So far, so good!

Wordle 576 4/6 meaty, pious, clock, frock

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Wordle 577 3/6 meaty, pious, adopt

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>109 jessibud2: It was a good wordle day for me as well. (2). Happy Tuesday!

Wordle 578 4/6 meaty, pious, wharf, chard

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So yesterday, miracle of miracles, I called the doctor's office and a human answered! Not a machine! I was so shocked, I nearly hung up, haha, but I didn't. Anyhow, I now have a date for the second cataract surgery: Feb. 9. As luck would have it, I also have another appointment that day in the morning with a rheumatologist. I had been waiting almost 4 months for that one and had no intention of cancelling it so Feb. 9 will be a busy day for me.

Anyhow, given that info, I decided to book a train to go see my mum in Montreal. I haven't been there since mid-November. I will go on Friday (this week) and return home next Tuesday. So, today and tomorrow are busy errand days, in prep. Hmmm, what books to pack...? Stay tuned...

I was just in Montreal for the weekend ( bat mitzvah of friend's granddaughter) and there was a lot of snow ! but the city had plowed the roads.

Safe travels to Montreal. Have a good visit with your mum. Glad you got your eye surgery date moved up. Good reading on your trip!

>113 torontoc: - Cyrel, Montreal always has tons more snow than Toronto. They also have tons more experience dealing with it, lol. I remember many years ago a friend and I went to Quebec city and the piles that had been plowed formed *walls* of sorts, on the sides of the streets. The roads and even the sidewalks were clear but the piles were high. All within 24 hours of a big snowfall.

>114 SqueakyChu: - I have chosen these 3 books for the trip. No guarantees I will finish all of them but they all came off the shelves in my bedroom, which is in keeping with my plan (January - books from bedroom):

My Russian Grandmother and Her American Vacuum Cleaner
The Emperor of Paris
The Song of Names

and maybe one more. It'll sneak in if there is room:
The Library of Lost and Found

Congrats on successful appointment-making; have a safe trip AND I enjoyed the Meir Shalev book--a very interesting and engaging way to tell his family's story. A good pick for the trip.

Have a safe and good trip to Montreal. Looks like you have some great books to take with you. I quite enjoyed the Library of the lost and found. It was a cozy/happy read.

Hurrah for getting a second date for your surgery!

>116 kac522: What?! A Meir Shalev book I haven't heard of? I'll have to get it!

ETA: Heh! I did hear of it. It was already on my wishlist because Kerry recommended it to me in 2011. LOL!

Well, having the appointment in the morning of your second eye surgery will distract you from your hunger, Shelley. Good to see that you are adapting to your first eye being done. I hope your trip to see your mum goes well. Safe travels!

>112 jessibud2: Glad you were able to rescedule the second cataract surgery, Shelley.
Good luck with all preparations and packing, and safe travels tomorrow.

>116 kac522:, >117 figsfromthistle:, >118 SqueakyChu:, >119 Familyhistorian:, >120 FAMeulstee: - Thanks, Kathy, Anita, Madeline, Meg.

Madeline, you crack me up!

Meg, I actually thought of that, too!

Well, for crying out loud. Maybe if I had paid attention and not messed up guess #3, I could have had that one extra turn and got the answer before running out of time. Oh well...

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meaty, pious, muggy, muddy, murky, musky

Hope your trip runs smoothly Shelley. Glad you have your eye op soon too.

Shelley, I second Caroline's post above. I hope your trip goes well, and of course, your surgery on February 9th is something to look toward to with hope and prayers.

Thank you, Caroline and Linda. I leave here to drop Theo off at Hotel Vet in around half an hour, then home and out the door again shortly thereafter. It's a whole day affair. Takes about an hour to get downtown to the train, then 5 hours on the train, and another half hour to my mum's. Thank goodness for books!

And the streak begins anew:

Wordle 580 5/6 meaty, pious, treat, drape, alter. I always seem to have one turn where I haven't paid close attention. Sigh.

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>124 jessibud2: You are brave to do all that traveling AND still get the drops in your eyes!

Well, I did skip drops yesterday. No way to safely attempt that on a rocking train! I may be brave but I'm not crazy! ;-)

Still not sure how to transfer my wordle play to here from my phone but the streak is alive.
I got it in 4 today.

For only the second time ever, I got wordle in 2! In fact, I actually had all 5 correct letters in my first word but only 2 in the right spot. It wasn't difficult to shuffle them around for the second guess. Wow, that was a surprise.

I am enjoying Meir Shalev's memoir, My Russian Grandmother and her American Vacuum Cleaner. I can't seem to find the right keys on this stupid phone to make the proper notations. On my tablet, there is a second page of those symbols, not so on this phone. And I am reminded yet again that it's time to start shopping around for a new phone. Preferably before I throw this one against a wall...

Safe travels Shelley.

Thanks, Caroline. I travel home tomorrow.

I managed to get wordle today in 6 so the streak is still alive. Close call

Safe travels home, Shelley. Hi to your mum. We missed you on BcinDC Zoom this weekend, but we got to visit with Bookgirrl. Have an easy next eye surgery.

Well, I am home and boy, did it feel good to sleep in my own bed! I never sleep well when I visit my mum because I have to sleep in the same room and she coughs at night, waking me up every time. Among other issues (the sofa bed isn't MY bed, let's just say that)

Anyhow, I think I slept almost 9 hours last night, which is rather unheard of for me. I certainly feel better this morning. And having my boys back was the best.

Snow is expected today starting around noon so I will head out in around an hour or so to get some groceries before it lands. I accidentally snapped off the side of the casing of my side mirror on the car yesterday when I took the car out of the garage to go get Theo from boarding. It could have been worse; the mirror itself is intact and still functioning. I will try to glue the piece back together using that Gorilla Glue (what an awful name!). I guess I was a tad too close to the wall in the garage. I am usually more careful than that but yesterday, well, I guess not.

It was a good visit, without any appointments to rush to but it wasn't without its little drama. Somehow, my mother managed to get lost in the building. In the space of a few minutes when no one was paying attention, she got into the elevator and went downstairs then couldn't find her way back to her own floor. When someone saw her and called her floor, they came to get her and brought her back. I was in the room the whole time and had no idea this was even going on. She was quite shaken and unnerved and she cried a lot, quite scared. I calmed her and said we would figure out a way to make sure it didn't happen again. I asked for and was given a lanyard (from the nurse supervisor) and I made her an ID card, of sorts, with her name, room number and her *Tower 2* written on it (her residence has 2 buildings, Tower 1 and Tower 2, connected by a common central lobby. She had walked around and gone up the elevator to her floor, except in Tower 1, thus her disorientation and confusion.) Anyhow, she now wears a nice official-looking lanyard and I think she'll be ok. The staff are, once again, on alert to watch out for her. It was quite heart-breaking to see how scared she was. In a moment of clarity, she told me, "I think I need help! I'm losing it!" She has actually said this to me before and frankly, I almost prefer it when she is more oblivious to her condition and what's going on around her. She is calmer then. Those moments of clarity cause her such anxiety. It's so sad.

Also, there is one caregiver who usually does evening shifts on the weekends. Every time I have been there, I have had words with her. She is not a nice person. She doesn't have patience or compassion or kindness in her. This weekend was the final straw. It's kind of long to go into here but in short, I asked her name (because my mum wanted to know and I said I didn't know but I'd ask). She wouldn't tell me. My mum asked her, then. She snapped at her and said she told her once and my mum had said it was a hard name to remember. I reminded her (politely) that my mum has dementia (which she knows) and wouldn't remember any previous conversation, and that maybe she could tell ME her name. She wouldn't answer me. I asked one more time and still, she ignored me as if I wasn't there. So while she took my mum into the washroom to prepare for bed, I went out into the hall and asked another staff member what this woman's name was. She told me and I asked if she was always this rude. The staff rolled her eyes and didn't answer but that told me all I needed to know. On Monday, I found the supervisor and sat and talked with her. I explained that I was concerned and after giving her many examples of interactions I witnessed with my mum as well as the situation with the name, I said I just felt she didn't have the kindness and compassion to work with such vulnerable residents. I told her I didn't want her to lose her job but I just didn't want her with my mum. This supervisor, Kathleen, said that before I ever mentioned the woman's name, she knew who I was talking about because this is not the first complaint she has had about her. She said there would now be one verbal warning and if it happened again, a suspension. She said no one working here should be here just to collect a paycheck; that kindness and compassion must be part of the skill set. She was very sympathetic and though I hated having to do this (I usually avoid any sort of confrontation at all costs), I felt good that I had spoken up. If I don't advocate for my mum, who will? And for others, as well, who maybe don't have anyone to advocate for them. So, another little fire put out. Sometimes, I feel that's all I do...

Meantime, my mum took 6 out of 10 games of gin rummy over me.....;-)

Wordle 585 3/6 meaty, pious, maize

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I can't seem to post results here from my phone and my tablet is giving me trouble lately but my streak remains alive and I even got it 2, on one of the days I was away. A rarity, for sure!

Such a long trek to go an see your Mum, Shelley. Good thing you were there to advocate for her about the unkind care aide. Congrats for getting Wordle in 2 although you couldn't post the results. Do you have a NYT account that allows you to switch the device you are playing on so that you don't lose your streak?

Hi Meg. I do subscribe to NYT and I am able to play on my phone and my tablet as well as my laptop at home. Problem is, I don't know how to post the results from the smaller devices to LT. From my laptop, I usually just click that *share* button, and then I can just do the CTRL+V to paste results onto LT. That isn't working from the phone and tablet, though, honestly, my tablet is giving my much grief on a number of issues lately. Hehe, as long as *I* know my streak continues, that's what matters, right?

>131 SqueakyChu: - Hi Madeline, sorry I missed you up there. Yes, Madeleine told me about it. Next time!

>132 jessibud2: Meantime, my mum took 6 out of 10 games of gin rummy over me.....;-)

Despite all the stress and concern, what a great memory to keep of your mum!

Thanks, Kathy. It never ceases to amaze me what the dementia brain retains and what is lost. We played games a lot in our house when I was growing up, cards, board games, word games, puzzles. I had the idea that next time, I may bring my travel magnetic scrabble game and see if that will work with her. Frankly, I don't think she gets as much mental stimulation as I would like. They have all kinds of activities where she is but she always declines to participate. They won't force her, of course, but when I am there, I try hard to get her doing things, even if it's just a short walk (or playing cards).

The Canada Reads final 5 list has been announced and Mattea Roach (of Jeopardy fame) is one of the defenders. She will be defending the book by Kate Beaton, Ducks. The theme this year is one book to shift your perspective. The competition takes place from March 27-30.

https://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/meet-the-canada-reads-2023-contenders-1.671...

Well, this came out of nowhere!

Wordle 586 3/6 meaty, pious, beefy

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Sweet Thursday, Shelley. Welcome back. Glad you had a good visit with your Mom and it was nice that you were able to play as many games with her.

I was sure I posted here to welcome you back, Shelley. Probably wrote a message down and forgot to push the button.

That is the hardest part of dementia, when realising the decline.
Good you stood up for your mother. And glad she still can win playing gin rummy :-)

Welcome back! Glad you had a nice visit with your mom. Even if she beat you at gin rummy :)

>132 jessibud2: Yay mom for the gin rummy wins.

That 'carer' (misnomer) definitely needs to change her attitude or find a job that needs her kind of temperament Shelley. She sounds like a perfect metre maid (sorry drivers)!

Here is a tale from the *Weird* files. One for the books, for sure.

Canada Post is known for a lot of things, not all of them good. Yesterday, I was taking in my mail and saw a postcard from Key West Florida. At first I thought it was through postcrossing, as I am a member there and get a lot of postcards that way. I read it and then I wondered who it was from. Then I looked at the address. It was addressed to someone in Whistler, British Columbia!! I live in Toronto! Whistler is clear on the other side of the country! The handwriting was actually printing, very clear and beautiful, no chance at all of being misread. And it gets weirder: there were 2 stamps on the card, one American, one Canadian. No post office cancellation marks at all. Poor Canada Post, such confusion. Clearly someone was asleep on the job. Or needs to look at a map once in awhile.

So, today I wrote this up, and put my letter and the postcard into an envelope and sent it to its rightful home. Hopefully, the recipient will have a good chuckle and a crazy story to tell.

>145 jessibud2: That is very weird. We usually only get our own mail, although it has a tendency to show up at 8pm, like it did tonight.

Wow, like yesterday, this was a wild guess - and it worked!

Wordle 587 3/6 meaty, pious, worry

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>147 jessibud2: Inspired third guess, Shelley. I must say that your 2nd word strategy is an unusual one. Not sure that it would help or hinder me, but somehow it seems to work for you!

I am 80+ posts behind and not even trying to catch up, Shelley. I hope the eyes are doing better these days.

Have a fantastic Friday!

>141 msf59:, >142 FAMeulstee:, >143 figsfromthistle:, >144 Caroline_McElwee: - Thanks, Mark, Anita, Anita and Caroline. In spite of everything, it was a good visit. And in spite of her *adventure*, my mum's sense of humour remains intact. Not so the memory, but that's the way it is....sigh.

>146 kac522: - We usually have a regular mail carrier, Kathy and when he is on the job, he usually delivers the mail late morning/early afternoon but when he is off and someone else takes his route, it can be any time at all. I have seen the mail being delivered quite late in the day as well as early in the day as well. I don't much care as long as it gets delivered! Over the years, there have been other issues I have had to call the post office about, such as leaving the mail hanging half out of the box or not shutting the lid of the box altogether so that it has gotten wet from the rain, for one example. And on quite a few occasions, I have received mail for someone else with my address number but from a different street (not to mention, a different name!). The first time that happened, I just dropped it back into a local mailbox with the street name underlined. When it continued to happen quite a few more times, I wrote a note and paper-clipped it to the letter and put it back into my box so the carrier would see it. My note asked that the sorter please pay attention as this was NOT my mail. The most recent time this happened was last week. The first time was several years ago. I suppose I could have gone and found that house and put it into their box myself but honestly, if it was a one-off, I might have but they really just need to do a better job of doing their job!

>145 jessibud2: Wish I could see the recipient's face. And you got the loan of a pretty card Shelley.

>150 jessibud2: My neighborhood has a Facebook page (I don't have a Facebook account but my husband does). And the main posts on this neighborhood page are:
1) pictures of lost (and found) cats and dogs;
2) "my internet is out on such-and-such block" and
3) "I got mail/packages for so-and-so...does anyone know them" posts.

So poorly sorted mail is pretty widespread, I think.

>148 PaulCranswick: - My first 2 words give me all 6 vowels, to be used or eliminated, Paul, and I'm sticking to that strategy, even when it fails me, as it occasionally does. My biggest problem is not paying close enough attention and sometimes not noticing when a letter is green and in place, then taking a guess and forgetting that, thus wasting that guess. One of these days I will remember...

>149 alcottacre: - Hi Stasia. I missed you and Paul when I was posting, apparently. Sorry about that.

>151 Caroline_McElwee: - Me too, Caroline! I did put my return address on the envelope, almost hoping he will send me a note back :-)

>152 kac522: - I guess so, Kathy....;-p

A bit trickier today:

Wordle 588 5/6 meaty, pious, think, grift, flirt

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For Mamie, after a conversation on her thread: this is Buddy (on the left) and Jessie, and me, many moons (and more hair and less weight!) ago! June 1984, according to what I wrote on the back. They would have been around 6 weeks old. Jessie lived to 17 and Buddy, to 18 and a half years old. I still miss them!



Sorry for the poor colour quality.

I love the photo, Shelley! Thanks so much for posting it. And now I know where your user name came from. Lovely that they lived so long.

Good for you for standing up for your Mom and registering a complaint about the care giver. That kind of interaction is never okay.

Love the story the postcard gone AWOL!

>156 jessibud2: You are all so cute Shelley. And how lovely your furry pals lived long lives.

>157 Crazymamie:, >158 Caroline_McElwee: - Thanks, Mamie and Caroline. After them, I got Mia and Lexi and they too, lived long; Mia, 18 years and Lexi, nearly 21!! My current 2 are just 3 and 5 now but so very different in personalities from the previous 4.

Wordle 589 4/6 meaty, pious, silky, fishy

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>156 jessibud2: I love this photo! Buddy and Jessie are adorable and you are pretty cute too. 😁

Happy Sunday, Shelley. I requested Twilight Zone: Essential Episodes from the library. The wife and I are looking forward to checking them out.

Hi Mark. Thanks.

Did you catch my post office story up there, in >145 jessibud2:? Did you ever have anything like that happen on your watch? :-D

>145 jessibud2: That is a good postal story and a little Twilight Zone-like. Grins...Glad you mailed it out properly. Very kind of you.

>163 msf59: - That's what I thought, too! Doo-doo-doo-doo...doo-doo-doo-doo... ;-)

Hi Shelley.

I just started playing Wordle a few days ago (today will be my 12th round, I think). I don't know what took me so long. I LOVE it!!!!! I do keep choosing obscure words before more common ones (e.g., yesterday I guessed QUIRT before FLIRT for what reason I my own self cannot fathom) so my stats aren't great. Yet. Haha.

>156 jessibud2: I LOVE that photo! We never stop missing them, do we? I still miss Dorian (died at 14) and Edgar (died suddenly of heart disease at age 9) and especially Abby who lived to be 18.

xoxo

>147 jessibud2: I'm impressed! Another one where my obscure thinking did me wrong. I guessed lorry, and then sorry, and finally WORRY.

>164 jessibud2:, >165 EBT1002: - Hi Ellen, I started off choosing different words for wordle each time, eventually settling for my first 2 starting words that I use all the time now. I find that being able to eliminate vowels early, gives me a good strategic foothold. Of course, it doesn't always work, especially for those words which have a lot of possible options. But yes, it's sure addictive, and fun!

Thanks re Buddy and Jessie. They grew up to be quite big cats but they were just irresistible when they were that teeny. Even though they were littermates, they had very different personalities. My mother used to remind me that my brother and I also came from the same parents but were very different people! lol. Buddy was by far the more affectionate of the 2.

Wordle 590 4/6 meaty, pious, chafe, crave

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That's a strange postal story, Shelley. Items don't usually end up in the wrong province.

>169 Familyhistorian: - No kidding. Especially a province on the other side of the country. I was quite shocked, myself. I am secretly hoping he writes back to me (I put my return address on the envelope).

Tricky:

Wordle 591 4/6 meaty, pious, grows, cross

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>156 jessibud2: How adorable!

>145 jessibud2: It's nice that you posted it to the correct address. I have to admit that out postal service in my small town is phenomenal. Somehow mail from people who even have the wrong postal code gets here. Sometimes accidents happen though.

Have a great Tuesday!

Wordle 592 5/6 meaty, pious, cross, scowl, scold
For some crazy reason, I can't say why, I used a guess that was actually yesterday's word. Weird.

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January wasn't as good a reading month as I had hoped. Between issues with my mum, my own stress over the cataract surgery, and general laziness, it could have/should have been far better. I am not sure whether to be hopeful going forward or just relax and accept that this is what it is. Whatever.

For the AAC, children's classics, I reread 2 childhood faves by Robert McCloskey: Make Way for Ducklings and Blueberries for Sal. When I visited Boston a couple of years before covid, I went to the park and sat on the statue of the Ducklings, commemorating that book! So fun! I also read 2 Canadian children's classics before I remembered that this was the AAC: The Hockey Sweater by Roch Carrier, captured brilliantly by the NFB (National Film Board) and narrated by Carrier himself. A true classic: https://www.nfb.ca/film/sweater/

and Franklin in the Dark by Paulette Bourgeois.

I also read the new Ken Burns photo book, called Our America.

Maus by Art Spiegelman. Important book for sure but it didn't hit me the way it did others. I am not particularly drawn to read the sequels. Maybe some day but not now.

Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton. With the success of her new book, Ducks Two years in the Oil Sands, I was reminded that I had this earlier book by her on my shelf. It was interesting though I felt at times that it was a tad juvenile.

The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly by Margareta Magnusson. She of the death cleaning fame. This was a light, quick and lovely read. I have now requested the Death Cleaning book from the library in the hope that it will spur me on...

My Russian Grandmother and her American Vacuum Cleaner by Meir Shalev. Technically, I will finish it today so perhaps it shouldn't count for January but I'm counting it anyhow. I loved this book. For some inexplicable reason, this is the first book by Shalev I have read. I do own others but haven't got to them yet. And, much as I loved this book, I wonder if others would *get it* as I did. I speak Hebrew and I have lived in Israel for a number of years and so many of the references were familiar to me. Not sure they would resonate with readers who are not familiar, although, if I think about it, when I read books about other cultures and countries I have never visited and languages I don't know, I am not bothered by them at all; sometimes, it's part of the charm. Anyhow, this was a lovely read.

Except for the library borrows, all others came from my bedroom shelves. It's now February and the plan this month is to read from the shelves in my second bedroom, aka, computer room. That will include the February AAC book by Richard Power, The Overstory. I have picked out a few others as well, including a bio of sorts by Carol Burnett that I have been wanting to get to for ages. I also have a few library books on my kitchen table and in transit to me as we speak.

So glad you enjoyed the Meir Shalev book. I have A Pigeon and a Boy somewhere around here that I should read one of these days.
I listened to Carol Burnett read her book This Time Together. Although I watched her show occasionally, I wasn't a big fan. I really enjoyed her book, though, and she does a fantastic job on audio.

>175 kac522: - I read that Carol Burnett memoir years ago, Kathy. The one I have and hope to get to this month is called In Such Good Company and in fact, isn't a memoir, as I had thought but rather a reminiscing of the years of her tv show. I was a big fan and have always admired her.

<176 I'm sure it will be funny; even in that first memoir, she had some great tales about the show.

Wordle 593 4/6 meaty, pious, slick, shirk

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Ithelped having 4 out of 5 letters in my first 2 turns.

Wordle 594 3/6 meaty, pious, tasty

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It's bitterly and dangerously cold here this morning. I wore many layers just to go out and hang up the bird feeder. There were around 4 or 5 birds waiting for me and I barely got the feeder up before they were on it! Mostly goldfinches and I think a couple of juncos but it was still dark and I was too far away to tell. They say it's -18C but feels like -28C right now. Our high will only be -15C today. The one saving grace is that there is not much wind at all so far. It makes me sick inside to think of homeless people, always but most especially at times like these. I am thoroughly discouraged and disgusted with politicians for not making this a top priority. They talk a great talk and say a lot of empty words but seriously do nothing.

In other news, I watched a terrific interview on tv last night, a conversation between my favourite local tv host and none other than Bob Woodward. Woodward speaks slowly but he is very sharp and quite funny. I had many laugh out loud moments. He was talking (mostly) about his new book, The Trump Tapes and how, after such extensive access with trump and trump's total buy-in and cooperation, trump is now suing Woodward for the book. He spared nothing about how he felt about trump and the many comparisons and overlap with Nixon were fascinating. Woodward has a unique perspective and great insight. Not sure if anyone here is interested - it's an hour long but went by very quickly - but here is the link: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/stream-live-conversation-journalist-bob-185600634...

I don't plan to venture out into the cold today so I hope and expect to finish up The Twilight Man. The new Gauld is now waiting for me to pick up at the library but it will have to wait another day...

>174 jessibud2: Nine books in January (if I totted up correctly) is nowhere near a disaster, Shelley everything considered. xx

>180 jessibud2: I got a chill just reading that! Please take care and wrap up warm.

Great work reading from your shelves! that's a goal of mine, that I always seem to lose when shiny new books appear.

>181 PaulCranswick: - Hi Paul. It's still frigid today but by Sunday, we will be above 0 celcius again. An almost 30 degree jump in the space of a couple of days. No wonder people get sick. Anyhow, I'm not complaining. I do not like extremes in temperatures at either end of the thermometer so warmer is just fine with me right now.

I will return The Twilight Man (which was excellent) to the library later on as I pick up Revenge of the Librarians. I expect to make short work of that one then I can return to the book about the making of Sunday in the Park with George, which I renewed and am eager to get back to.

>182 banjo123: - I came up with a plan of sorts, Rhonda, whereby I am trying to focus on one room per month - no, I don't live in a 12-room house, lol, just room by room, then repeat. I do seem to have books in every room of the house so really, it shouldn't be a problem. The problem seems to be that I am a real mood reader and if I happen to be in a room that is not my room of the month and something catches my eye, I have to remind myself to just keep walking and FOCUS on the goal... ha! We shall see how it all works out. I did pretty well for January, and have already chosen 3 books from my computer room for February.

I did it again, didn't pay close enough attention and in my 4th guess, I failed to account for one letter I knew should have been there. Will I ever learn?

Wordle 595 6/6 meaty, pious, quint, bruit, unfit, unlit

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Wordle 596 5/6 meaty, pious, alone, range, dance

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Finished Revenge of the Librarians in one sitting yesterday. He is really quite brilliant, that Tom Gauld. Although, I will admit that I often mix him up with Grant Snider. They both have similar art styles and definitely similar mindset and sense of humour. They both should be 75ers!

In addition to getting back to the James Lapine book, I am about to start Browse, a collection of essays from a variety of writers on their favourite bookshops that have had an impact on their lives. I had planned on reading Overstory for the February AAC, but I don't feel in the mood for something heavy right now. So that will have to wait for some other time.

I liked Revenge of the Librarians - the work made me smile!

>156 jessibud2: Shelly, I love the photo of you and the kittens! And, I certainly understand the power of love we receive and give to our animals. Lilly was transitioned last summer and I still find myself looking for her at the space where she would be by the front door. Lying on the cool tiles throughout winter and summer.

And, like others I smile now knowing where you got your LT name. I certainly understand that you still miss these precious kittens/cats. Whisper1 is from one of my favorite dogs. She lived for 13 years. When we had to transition her, I called my former husband and asked if he wanted to be there with her/with us. He arrived at the vet's office so sad, and it reminded me of the many good traits he had before the bad things occurred. He never had pets before he knew me. It was a joy to see him soften because of the love of a special dog. She was number 1 to us.

>188 Whisper1: - Hi Linda. Thanks for your kind words. And you are so right about pets; welcoming them into a family truly does soften people and brings out kindness in all of us. I could not live without my furry family!

Well, this was trickier than I expected! But the streak stays alive. Funny how I had all green letters this time and it still took me all 6 turns!

Wordle 597 6/6 meaty, pious, birth, filth, width, ninth

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>180 jessibud2: It is interesting how politicians say that there is not enough space for the homeless to sleep overnight. There are so many temporary things they could do ( Set up emergency cots in community centres or libraries). It is no wonder that if they are unable to come up with short term solutions, they certainly would have no clue how to stretch their brains for long term ones. Perhaps they should try living on the street for a week and maybe then they would be more inclined to implement solutions faster.

Ok end rant.

Happy Monday!

Morning, Shelley. I am slowly savoring Revenge of the Librarians. I don't want it to end.

Don't know how many of you have read Margaret Renkl. I read her first book, Late Migrations and own but have not yet read her second book. But she is also a guest essayist in the New York Times, and her article today was just so lovely. About the lessons we can learn from observing bird migrations. I will add the link but am not sure if it's viewable without subscribing. It includes a magnificent short youtube clip at the end of the awe-inspiring murmuration of starlings.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/06/opinion/sandhill-cranes-migration.html?campai...

>190 figsfromthistle: - It's pathetic, that's what it is, Anita. In my humble opinion, (most) politicians are nothing more than cowards with power. They want to be seen as *leaders* but they are afraid to ever do anything that might actually be important and useful on their watch, in case it isn't popular and might lose them votes. Disgraceful.

>191 msf59: - He is great, Mark, isn't he? I have a similar-themed book by Grant Snider, called I Will Judge You by your Bookshelf. If you haven't seen that one, request it from the library. You'll love it.

I just started Browse last night. The first essay is by Henry Hitchings, the editor of this collection and it's a good start to the book.

Here are two separate quotes, just from his introductory essay:

A bookshop accident launched a lifelong passion.
It's this phenomenon that Mark Forsyth addresses in his essay "The Unknown Unknown: Bookshops and the Delight of Not Getting What you Wanted". When we shop online it's easy to find what we want, yet, when it comes to books, "it's not enough to get what you already know you wanted. The best things are the things you never knew you wanted until you got them. " "A desire satisfied," reflects Forsyth, "is a meagre and measly thing. But a new desire!"

Sasa Stanisic's piece in this volume likens the relationship between vendor and reader to a drug user's link with his dealer: "One of you has the goods, the other wants a supply of them."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm sure none of us here has ever felt that...ahem...
And it's why I love to go INTO physical bookshops.....

Wordle 598 4/6 meaty, pious, taper, apple

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I finished the first essay in Browse last night. It's by author Ali Smith. She wrote about volunteering her time a few days a week in an Amnesty International charity shop.

"For every book I donate myself - and this is the problem with a shop like this - a new-bought old book or two, or three or four, tend to come home with me. So much for culling..."

;-)

Lots of options today.

Wordle 599 5/6 meaty, pious, chair, plain, flail

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>180 jessibud2: I don't miss that cold, cold weather, Shelley. I'm glad it warmed up for you.

>198 Familyhistorian: - Meg, it was such a gorgeous day here today! Blue skies, sunshine and almost 9C! I went and got my car washed, to get the salt off it and it literally shone! I had forgotten what colour it was, lol! But rain returns tomorrow, though it will still be warm-ish. Hopefully, it will wash away what remains of the snow and muck. It truly felt like spring today, but I am not fooled. Winter is not over just yet. It's still February.

>199 jessibud2: I was quite tempted to wash the car today but realized that it's going to rain all day tomorrow....it was such a lovely day today. Sunshine for a change. I actually sat outside for 20 min and hosed out the garage.

>200 figsfromthistle: - I have a garage so I didn't mind getting it washed today. Tomorrow I have my second cataract surgery so my friend will be picking me up to take me and bring me home, so the car will be nice and clean in the garage :-).

Wordle 600 5/6 meaty, pious, stave, stare, stage

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All good things and a speedy recovery for your second eye surgery!!

>203 SqueakyChu: - Thanks, Madeline. I had a follow up apptmt this morning at 7 am! Thank goodness his office is only a 15 minute drive from my house and there is very little traffic at that hour. I was home before 8! So far so good. Still a bit of blurriness and I have to figure out the glasses thing but he said to wait at least a week to do anything about that. And so, now begins the regiment of drops again. Can't wait till that's over!

Apparently, I had all I needed in my first turn, but there were far too many possibilities:

Wordle 601 5/6 meaty, pious, weary, heavy, heady

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I found this one hard and needed to step and and come back after awhile. But I got it. In spite of yet another not-paying-attention use of a letter already disqualified.

Wordle 602 5/6 meaty, pious, velum, rerun, debug

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Back to better times:

Wordle 603 3/6 meaty, pious, giant

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It's no secret that I am not a fan of Margaret Atwood's books. But she is one funny lady and I think I have enjoyed every interview with her or article written by her that I have heard or read. This one, from today's online version of The Atlantic, is priceless. I hope it comes through for those of you who aren't online subscribers. It's titled "Go Ahead and Ban My Book" and her logic is exquisite! It's a great article! I dare *them* to respond half so eloquently.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/02/margaret-atwood-handmaids-tale...

>208 jessibud2: Atta way to tell 'em, Maggie. She is eloquent, and funny, and what's more, she's right! Thanks for sharing that, Shelley.

>209 laytonwoman3rd: - Glad you enjoyed it, too, Linda, and that you were able to access it.

Wordle 604 4/6 meaty, pious, super, usage Again, yet again, I screwed up my guess #3. When will I ever learn...?

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>208 jessibud2: Thanks for that article, Shelley. Not bad for a lady of 83.

I've just been reading some Atwood, but sort of in a round-about way, and it made me think of you. I just finished the Canadian 19th century classic Roughing It In the Bush by Susanna Moodie (a bit of a slog, but OK) for the Victorian thread in Club Read. When I first was trying to find a copy, Atwood's The Journals of Susanna Moodie kept coming up in searches. So I picked it up--it's a series of poems (with original artwork by Canadian artist Charles Pachter) that are reflections on Moodie's memoir, which Atwood spent time studying. I'm not very good with poetry and it pretty much went over my head.

But then another book of Atwood's came up in my search: Strange Things: the Malevolent North in Canadian Literature, which is a series of 4 lectures Atwood gave at Oxford in 1991. The first lecture is about the doomed 1845 expedition of Sir John Franklin to find the Northwest Passage, and how it has influenced Canadian literature and culture. She ends the lecture with the lyrics to Stan Rogers' song, "Northwest Passage." I've heard the song a zillion times, but never really got the full meaning of the lyrics until now.

So that is how I got from Susanna Moodie to Margaret Atwood to you😂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMRpYtAhGAo

Wow, great post, Kathy, thanks. I adore Stan Rogers and have several cds by him. Unbelievably, being the diehard folkie that I am, I only heard of him for the first time shortly after he died in that plane crash. I've been a fan ever since and also, of his brother, Garnet, who I have seen in performance many times.

There is a lovely picture book about this song, called Northwest Passage by Stan Rogers (words) and Matt James. Also, a few years after his death, there was a documentary made called One Warm Line
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3882136/

Getting back to Atwood and that connection, it doesn't surprise me to hear that she wrote about Susanna Moodie. I also tried her journals and found them a slog. There was an excellent film made from the book by Charlotte Gray, called Sisters of the Wilderness, about Moodie and her sister, Catharine Parr Traill. Gray is a terrific writer and does Canadian history really well.

And yes, Charles Pachter is well-known here. He can be whimsical, though his style of art is not my taste, particularly. Hard to imagine him illustrating *serious* work such as Moodie, though. Unless Atwood's poems weren't serious...

And last year, I think, Canada Post put out a Stan Rogers postage stamp. Needless to say, I use them whenever I can!

Can't figure out how to rotate this.

>212 jessibud2: Oh, that stamp is totally cool! I did listen to Stan Rogers back in the day. I heard him on our outstanding Chicago classical radio station, WFMT, which has a folk show called The Midnight Special (and is still broadcast every Saturday night from 9pm to midnight Central and online, too). I probably started listening to this show back in the late 1970s (it's been around since the late 1950s), and the hosts often played Rogers. I think I have one album of his, but like you, I bought it after he died.

The most interesting part of the Atwood/Pachter colloboration was their introductions. Atwood talked about how she became familiar with Moodie (pretty much giving up on the book in her younger years and then persevering as an adult). Pachter's was more fun: apparently Atwood & Pachter met in 1959 when they were teenage camp counselors at a camp in Ontario. He was the arts guy at the camp and she was "Peggy Nature", introducing the kids to all kinds of creatures, including insects, snakes and even having the kids pet the toads to "prove" they wouldn't get warts! Sounds like Atwood, right? He called her Peggy throughout the intro.

I'm definitely interested in both those books and have added them to the WishList; right now I've got a dozen library books out so they'll have to wait a bit :)

>212 jessibud2: If you make and save a tiny edit Shelley, it should be the right way up when you post again.

>174 jessibud2: I think the Shalev is a great title...and sounds really amusing, too.

Have a good reading week, Shelley.

>213 kac522: - Kathy, how do I find that radio show online?

I believe Atwood goes by Peggy to many who know her.

Have you read anything by Charlotte Gray? I have read a few of her books.

>214 Caroline_McElwee: - How do I do that, Caroline? I tried to do it on my computer but for some reason, I couldn't. Is that something I could do here on LT?

>215 richardderus: - RICHARD! I feel like running and giving you a big hug! Carefully, of course. So good to see you venturing out of your thread! Yes, the Shalev book was really enjoyable to me. Are you back to reading yet?

>216 jessibud2: I've read a few truly terrible romances...J really need not to ignore my picky tastes in fantasy stories...and made strides in s centenary history of Jaguar cars, so bit by bit...

*smooch*

>216 jessibud2: when you have your picture open, there should be an edit button (mine is top right), then several symbols will show. You want the one that looks like a frame (or diagonal crosses with arrows - see below)



On my phone it is bottom row right, on Ipad usually runs down the left of my image.

Click on that and it will make a frame around your picture and you can drag it to tweak the image. Just make a tiny change and save, then you should be able to upload.

>218 Caroline_McElwee: - Hmmm. When I open the photo in my gallery, the only edit button is below the photo and when I click it, it takes me to the page where I would add a photo, uploading from my computer, etc. I don't see those symbols. I didn't do it from my phone. I took the photo of the stamps in my phone, then emailed it to myself. From my email (on my laptop), I dragged it to my desktop and uploaded it from there. This is as much as I know how to do. When I have photos downloaded to my laptop, I can usually crop and fix things that way but not from the desktop. I am really so clueless, it's honestly amazing I can do this much! Maybe someday, if I purchase an iphone, I can learn more. The current smart phone I have is nearly impossible to download photos from. I have been doing homework and might be close to purchasing an iphone. That's for another thread...

I think it might be easier to just turn your head sideways, for this pic, lol!

>216 jessibud2: The Midnight Special is every Saturday night from 9pm-Midnight (Central) at https://www.wfmt.com/ Just click the "Listen" button. Also just before the Midnight Special at 8pm on Saturday nights is Folkstage, which is a live (or previously recorded) performance by folk musicians in the Chicago area.

You can also go directly here: https://www.wfmt.com/programs/the-midnight-special --near the bottom there's a link where you can listen to a previous program now (without waiting until next Saturday night!). The woman who hosts is relatively new (last couple of years), and she plays a little bit different things than in the older years, but she's still pretty good.

I have not read Charlotte Gray, but hope to remedy that soon with the book you recommended.

>219 jessibud2: I think it might be easier to just turn your head sideways, for this pic, lol! Agreed!

>220 kac522: - Thanks, Kathy. I will give it a try (if I remember!) Our cbc radio used to have a wonderful program called Roots and Wings. It was folk, and world music and I loved it. It went off the air ages ago. These days, the cbc seems to be targeting a younger demographic and there is far too much rap and hip-hop for my taste. They also removed a few other great shows, oldies, jazz, blues, etc. Our demographic is the cbc's loyal bread and butter. What they don't seem to understand is that there are 5 million other stations on the air to cater to that younger set and they are highly unlikely to switch to cbc. Oh well. No one asked me, that's for sure.

Of course I could just have done it for you Shelley duh!

Oh! Thanks! You are my new tech guru, Caroline! :-)

To answer my own question about when will I ever learn (to pay closer attention), the answer, apparently, is never. I did it again today and thus, wasted a turn:

Wordle 605 5/6 meaty, pious, cloud, round, sound

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I guess I have more luck than brains...

Morning, Shelley. Of course, we both get dark-eyed juncos but we had a west coast variation visit a local forest preserve. I could not get a photo but my friend was able to take a few good ones. This is a dark-eyed junco (Oregon variety). A beauty.

>225 msf59: - Wow, Mark, thanks for that. He is pretty! Same pink beak, though!

Wordle 606 4/6 meaty, pious, flash, salsa
And yes, unbelievably, I did it again; stupid guess #3

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>224 jessibud2: At least you got yesterday's Wordle, Shelley. There were too many possibilities for me.

>212 jessibud2: I remember that Sisters in the Wilderness was a much easier read than Roughing It in the Bush but the sisters sold those stories so I think they were written in the same way as many of the books at that time - basically a hard slog for readers in the current day.

Wordle 607 4/6 meaty, pious, manic, magic

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I had an opposum in my back yard early this morning. Theo alerted me. He likes to sit on his perch and guard the yard. Then, just now, before coming home from yoga, I saw one (dead) on the road near the pharmacy, several blocks away from my house. I wonder if it was the same one. I will never know but I have only ever seen one here once before so it's not like they are common, like squirrels. Still, it's sad to see roadkill on quiet suburban streets. I guess food sources are scarce for everyone right now.

Opposums are some ugly critters, with a face only a mother can love. I have a photo somewhere of the first one I ever saw, on my front lawn, years ago.

>230 jessibud2: Around a year ago, I opened the front porch door to give our neighbor's cat her nightly treat -

and there was a tiny little possum staring frighted up at me.

Quickly closing the door, I looked out again in awhile and it had moved into the cat's heated triangle house
where it created a BIG mess of food and etcetera.

After cleaning, washing, and hanging out the house the next morning,
I left a cut up apple in front of the porch at night and called out:

"Possum, Perry Possum, come eat your apple!"

After the apple disappeared overnight, I added: I love you, Perry Possum!"

When it is super frigid, he does not come. I saw him a week ago.

Possums usually live for only a year so I hope that he/she is teaching its babies about the apples and, now, pecans.

"Opposums are some ugly critters, with a face only a mother can love." True, and they always looks so freakin' MAD when you see them dead, don't they?

>231 m.belljackson: - Opposums are not often seen in my neighbourhood. We are a suburb but still considered urban, as opposed to rural. I would never offer food, though as I don't want to encourage them to hang around. When I first saw it this morning, I worried that it was a rat, which totally freaked me out. But it was far too big for that, yet smaller than the neighbouring cats who are allowed to roam outside. I ran to get my phone (camera) so I could take a snapshot then enlarge it later to get a better look but by the time I got back to the window, he was gone. If I had never seen one before, I might have thought it was a large rat. Seeing the dead one later in the morning, though, convinced me that that was what I saw.

>232 laytonwoman3rd: - I didn't really stop to have a close look, Linda. I just drove around it. It must have been hit, not run over, though, because it looked like it was just sleeping in the middle of the road. No squish, or blood or mess at all. Poor thing. I hope someone called the city to come take it away, before someone did run over it later.

>233 jessibud2: Possums used to be kept as much loved pets...not a great idea anymore, if it ever was...

Just read on a different site that possums in the wild can live for three years, not just one!

My little Oasis is 3.3 acres, so possums feel safe along with all the other wildlife unless a coyote wanders by.

>230 jessibud2: Oh yes, ugly critter, had to check out Mr Google. Had heard of but never seen a picture of.

>235 Caroline_McElwee: - :-)

PHEW!
Wordle 608 6/6

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Possums are revolting-looking and dreadful neighbors and/or roommates. I haven't seen one here on Long Island but I'm in the thoroughly urbanized part while still not having garbage cans or the like that garner their interest. Dumpsters aren't as appealing to them as getting into one isn't reliably followed by getting out again.

>237 richardderus: - Hi Richard. Well, it looked like he was digging in the back yard in my garden, which obviously has no food for it at the moment. Looked like he may have been trying to burrow under the fence to maybe get under my next door neighbour's deck. We had a skunk under her deck once, several years ago and that was no fun at all. It has since been quite efficiently (I thought) blocked from my side. Time will tell, I guess. Not sure what he was looking for. It was Thursday and our garbage pickup day is Tuesday so there were no bins out in the front anywhere. He apparently didn't get the memo...

Geez - has anyone actually SEEN a baby possum???????

We used to have a baby possums come to our porch every night to eat the cat food we left out for our feral cats. Possums are actually good critters to have in our yards. I miss ours. We haven't had one since our last feral cat died. I think they're so ugly that they're cute. I like most animals (except for German cockroaches and mosquitoes).

This one is Gepetto.


This one is Gepetto.


This one I named Possibility.


This one is Pinocchio - because of his long nose. :)

>240 SqueakyChu: - Agree to disagree on this one, Madeline! ;-)

Wordle 609 5/6 meaty, pious, chair, flail, avail

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Just checking in on you, Shelley. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

>240 SqueakyChu: Sweet Little Gepetto!

Thank you for the Great Photos.

>243 m.belljackson: I really do think that our neighborhood possums were adorable! Look at Possibility’s sweet face!!

>244 SqueakyChu: Possibility looks like Perry Possum's Mom,

who was once curled up in the middle of our back driveway.

When I went back to move her to the side, she had zipped away!

I had to walk away and come back but it jumped out at me that second time:

Wordle 610 3/6 meaty, pious, kiosk

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I am not, I don't think, in a reading funk again, so much as in an indecisive state. I have already packed and unpacked 4 different books to take with me when I leave for Montreal tomorrow, changing the choices almost each day. Who knows if that will change again in the next 24 hours. So far, as it now stands, I am taking the book I have been dipping in and out of (it's a collection of essays so easy to do that), Browse, The 101 Most Influential People Who Never Lived (looks like a fun read), The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted (I love this author and though I am not a fan of short stories, I am willing to give this one a shot), All You Can Ever Know, a memoir, and Yours Truly, Thomas. Well, ok, that's 5 and no one knows better than I do that there is no way in hell I will read 5 books in under 5 days but just in case, you know? In case I don't like one and can't finish, or something like that.... How did I ever teach school and make important decisions every day when I can't even decide what books to pack for a short trip?!

>247 jessibud2: I think packing books for a trip is one of the hardest decisions of the trip! Besides the size & weight decisions, you just can't imagine being without a book, but what if it's not the right book for how you're feeling on the trip? At home, you put it down & pick up something else. But that thought of not having a book you want to read is the worst nightmare. So you bring way too many, just to be "safe."

I know I need to start a new thread, but it will have to wait till I get home. I didn't get around to doing it before I left and I'm now on the train to Mtl. I can't do it from my phone.

Also can't seem to post wordle from the phone but my streak is alive and I got today's in 3!

Safe travels, Shelley. Hope all is stable with your mum. Never heard any more about your eyes so I assume your last operation went well.

Thanks, Madeline. The surgery for the right eye went fine but I am experiencing floaters in my left eye and it's driving me a bit crazy. I have to wait a month before I can get new glasses so for now I have blue light glasses or something like that. I bought them at the pharmacy. They are clear lenses just to have something to protect my eyes from dust and wind. They are big clunky things but it's better than nothing.

Hi Shelley...what's made the cut for your Mtl reading?

See post 247, Richard. Those are what I brought. I should finish Browse tomorrow. It's a lovely collection of essays, several by authors I had not heard of. I will post some quotes later.

It's going to be very cold here over the next few days but I have decided to brave it and take an early morning walk tomorrow to visit my favourite little indie bookstore. They open at 9 a.m. and I haven't been there since the summer. So who knows what treasures I will return with. Stay tuned...

It took me 5 guesses to wordle today but the streak lives.

It wasn't as cold this morning as I had anticipated so my walk was quite nice. I came home with 4 books:

Red Zone by Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who played professional football with the Kansas City Chiefs and won a Super Bowl, but was also a med school graduate and left the NFL to come home to Montreal to work on the front lines of the COVID crisis. I have heard him interviewed and am really looking forward to his inspirational story.

The Storyteller of Casablanca, a dual timeline story of war.

The Confidence Men by Margalit Fox, another NF story of success during wartime.

Also, another slim volume called Montreal's Street Art Gallery 2, showcasing a number of street art, wall and building murals, including one of the famous ones of Leonard Cohen.

I also bought myself a neck support pillow because I had been using just a small soft throw pillow stuffed into a pillowcase to sleep on at night and have been waking up with a sore neck. At least now I will hopefully be able to get a decent night's sleep and not feel cranky
(and creaky) in the morning.

And since my retail therapy splurge wouldn't be complete without a snack, I also indulged in a bag of Oreo minis. I haven't bought Oreos in years.

And apropos to an earlier discussion upthread, I coincidentally saw but did not buy a book at the bookstore called - I swear - Possums are NOT Cute, subtitled And Other Myths About Nature's Most Misunderstood Critter. It was 50% off the cover price but that wasn't enough to entice me to look at a book filled with photos of this thing. Oy

>253 jessibud2: The 101 Most Influential People Who Never Lived looks like fun, too! *smooch*

>255 richardderus: I think that may be my next one to read, Richard. I am definitely up for fun reads these days.

The streak lives but barely. It took me all 6 to get it today and I was one letter off from my 3rd turn. Sheesh,

In other news, yesterday on my morning walk I somehow managed to trip over my own feet on perfectly clear and dry sidewalks and fall forward onto my knees and face. Miraculously, no damage done. Pants not torn, no blood, mittens prevented scraped hands and cheap sunglasses saved my eyes. Only the tiniest of scratches on the bridge of my nose, barely noticeable at all. I was embarrassed but I was able to continue my walk and shopping without further issues. Last night I began to feel achy and this morning my left leg and right wrist are sore but honestly, it could have been a lot worse. Another case of more luck than brains...Sheesh.

Oh, my. Be careful, Shelley. I had a stupid fall myself last year and was so thankful nothing was broken. Keep the rest of your Montreal visit uneventful!

Hi Shelley. I am so glad your fall did not result in any injury. It sounds scary, though.

I don't know if you saw it, but a friend sent me a tweet by the New York Times that today's Wordle is really tough. As of this morning when that tweet went out, 25% of Wordlers did not get it in six. The usual rate is 1-2%. I haven't done it yet today but I admit I'm a bit nervous.

>258 SqueakyChu:- Thanks, Madeline. I went out walking again today, perhaps a tad less distracted and a bit more careful. I needed to get a few more things for my mum's pantry and wanted to take advantage before the big snow arrives tomorrow. I was pretty sore when I woke up this morning but it dissipated during the day and now, just my right thigh feels a bit sore. I am truly thankful and I bet the leg stretches I do every morning have served me well in this.

>259 EBT1002:- Hi Ellen. Yes, wordle was a tough one today; far too many options and not enough turns for them all. I did get it but it took me all 6 tries. I can't seem to post my graphic from my tablet or phone but at least I can play so no complaints! As for my fall yesterday, the main thing is that it did not prevent me from reaching my favourite indie bookstore and getting my fix! Priorities, right?😁

>254 jessibud2: >259 EBT1002: Well, I'm one of those that was stumped by Wordle today. (That's Feb 22 for those of you who are already on tomorrow).

So glad that the fallout from your fall was minor, Shelley. Hope everything else goes well for you in Montreal.

Wordled in 4 today so back to my average.

Tried taking my mother to a sitting fitness class this morning. Man, she can be stubborn. She mostly just sat there not participating and I wish I had started doing this earlier in the week. But I am trying to arrange for a companion to take her to some activities a few times a week, just to get her out of her room. In some ways, this is where I see the dementia affecting her personality the most. All my life, I have known her as a non-stop active social butterfly. I was the painfully shy, introverted kid who she was always trying to get involved doing things, to make friends. The roles have definitely reversed now and I even told her that she doesn't have to always participate, that just being around other people, and chatting would be good. She nods, then zones back out.
Sigh.

She took 2 out of 3 games of gin rummy yesterday...I brought my travel Scrabble but I am not sure she is up to it. I will see, later ..

>262 jessibud2: Can you also play some of the music she loved while playing cards?

She was never musical. In our family, it was my father who bought and played the records I grew up listening to. My mother was also never one to sing (can't carry a tune). But they bring in singers here to perform for the residents, maybe once or twice a week, and she does enjoy going to those. I did buy her a small transistor radio but she never remembers that she has it, despite my placing it in a visible place on the counter and setting it to the station she always used to listen to.

I'm sitting on the train now, not quite half way home. I got wordle today in 3, but as usual, can't post the graphic here from my phone. Well, at least I know my streak lives, even though it won't show that once I get back to my laptop. Whatever.

I finished *Browse* the other day but decided to start a memoir by Nicole Chung called All You Can Ever Know, instead of a different book. It's holding my interest and is very good so far. I am not adopted but for some unknown reason, adoption has always fascinated me. I did have a close friend in elementary school who was adopted and that was probably when it came onto my radar. There have been the (probably predictable) occasions during my (predictably obnoxious) teenage years that I may have asked my parents a time or two if they were sure I wasn't adopted, or maybe switched at birth. My mother's pat response was always: nope, I'm sure. I was there! 😏

Back to graphics:
Wordle 616 4/6 meaty, pious, nifty, fifty

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Wordle 617 3/6 meaty, pious, syrup

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Very sore knee, most likely as a result of the fall earlier in the week. I hadn't realized how sore it was when I was in Montreal because there are no stairs to navigate there, like there are at home, and once I got home and had to kneel down on the floor (even though I always use a garden pad to kneel on) to clean the litter box, I felt immediately how painful that was. Oh well, nothing to do now but remember before I kneel and just be careful and take it slowly on my stairs.

I did sleep almost 10 hours last night. I think that was a combination of just being (blissfully) back in my own bed, and just needing the sleep. Truth be told, I could go for a nap right now but I do have a ton of things I have to do today so no naps for now...

Hi Shelley, and round two on my posting to your first thread of the year. I know I posted, but alas, I just probably got a Word document started, got diverted, and lost it.

>4 jessibud2: Aww, the boys. Sweet pic. I particularly love the tail hanging off the back.

Congrats on getting cataract surgery for both eyes. The eye drops were the worst part of it for me, and I am glad you came through with flying and improved colors. And the final bit about getting glasses that work will even out soon.

Skippety-skip skip

>257 jessibud2: I’m sorry you fell, glad no damage.

>262 jessibud2: Platitudes come to mind about leading a horse to water and etc., but I know you want the quality of her life to be better than it seems to be and this is stressful for you.

>267 jessibud2: I’m sorry your knee is sore from the earlier fall. Glad you’re home and got a good night’s sleep. Naps are good, by the way. Just sayin’. *smile*

Hope your knee feels better soon! Falls are scary.

I thought Nicole Chung's book was really good when I read it.

I did end up having another nap, for about an hour.

>268 karenmarie: - Hi Karen. Nice to see you here! I am still feeling achy from that fall but I am more than aware of how lucky I am and how much worse it could have been. Re my mum, I am feeling a bit down about the situation. I realize that there is a limit to how much I can control anything. I don't live with her and can't monitor what does and doesn't happen, day in and day out, 24/7. I guess I have to be grateful that she is fed, kept clean and in a safe place. I just wish it wasn't so far away, geographically.

>269 banjo123: - Hi Rhonda. The fall was more surprising than scary, in the moment. I am trying to take it as a lesson and be more aware of what my feet are doing when my mind is elsewhere! And I am very engaged in Nicole Chung's book right now and hope to finish it by tomorrow. I hear there is a sequel, which I will seek out from the library soon.

Ouch. I dread falling these days as getting up is very hard for several reasons. Hope you feel better soon. Sleep is healing Shelley.

Sorry to hear about your fall. Glad it was not too bad. Hopefully the aches go away soon!

Good to see that you are home and got to sleep in your own bed, Shelley. I hope that your knee gets better in no time.

I hope your knee feels better soon. I am wary about falling in winter; my bones are old.

Thanks, Caroline, Anita, Meg, Beth. A bit better today, thanks but I am still sleeping a ton more than usual, though that may be due more to mood than physical pain. Sigh, always something.

I messed up once again on guess three but at least the streak lives:

Wordle 618 5/6 meaty, pious, shore, gorse, worse

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I am heading out to do a few errands before the snow starts again later this afternoon. They always make it sound worse than what we actually get but still, I have no desire to be on the roads, no matter how much snow is falling.

Hi Shelley

Just a note to say I am thinking of you. You've had a lot on your shoulders. So many care about you, including me. Please know that you are loved and respected by so many.

I am saddened that you fell. I'm glad you are able to get some errands accomplished. Regarding care of your mother, I agree --She is fed, lives in a good place. You care a lot about her. I was in a similar situation years ago with my 88 year old grandmother. I was working in a stressful environment, had a divorce from a man I loved a lot, but could not handle his Viet Nam issues that caused him to spon out of control, I purchased my own home...It was a lot of stress.

Thus, I write to say I admire you, and know how difficult it is to try to pursue our own life while caring deeply about issues of parent(s) that you cannot control.

I know from experience that this group is a wonderful support. When one of us is hurting, so many reach out. And, you my dear, have certainly reached out to me time and time again. Now, I feel it is my turn to tell you how much I care about you.

I'll send a private message, but for now, know you are loved. I hope you feel the power of how many love you.

Hugs,

Linda

Wordle 619 4/6 meaty, pious, panko, polka

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Here is Perry Possum in his cat house: https://pics.cdn.librarything.com//picsizes/93/19/9319ee6a6c6932c636f54413351437...

I am Canadian:

Wordle 620 3/6 meaty, pious, moose

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>279 jessibud2: Hahaha! I learned on my trip to Canada to visit you the difference between an elk and a moose. It took me five tries on this Wordle.

Glad to see your are back home, Shelley.

>279 jessibud2: LOL, I am Dutch and had it also in three :-)

I hope your snow event wasn't as bad as ours on the weekend, Shelley. Happily it looks like it is melting now.

Too much RL drama right now. Though I haven't been posting, my wordle streak lives. 6 a couple of days ago, 4 yesterday and 4 today.

Wordle 623 4/6 meaty, pious, tween, trend.

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The readers digest version is that on Monday, I am heading back to Mtl. We got hit with a huge snowstorm last night but I expect traffic and travel will be cleaned up enough by Monday so as not to impede anything. It's very pretty out the window but I am prepared, and did all my errands yesterday so I won't have to leave my house till Monday, except maybe to shovel the snow away from the foundation in the back. This is my post-flood paranoia from a few years ago.

I know I need a new thread. I will try to set that up this weekend, but no promises.

My mum may have cracked a rib but in my warped wisdom, I have asked the caregivers and nurses at her place to manage the pain with strong tylenol and NOT to send her to the hospital. I will take her on Tuesday morning. Her husband is in Florida so I can't recruit him to help, and my brother is in the States. My mum has dementia and I will not allow her to be sent to the hospital alone, to sit in emerg for what is certain to be hours, before being seen. She cannot be alone in this. The hospital system is broken, and communication with families is as good as non-existent. I feel quite helpless and I am hoping being dosed with tylenol will be enough though I know it probably won't be. But this is the only solution, as far as I can figure out. The fact that going to Mtl is a 7-hour travel day for me (without any delays factored in), is a pain in the ass, for sure, but this is what it is. I flew once, at the beginning of covid and though it's technically a one hour flight, the travel time to and from, made it almost as long and I HATE flying. At least on the train I can relax.

There is more, of course, but this is enough stress to last a lifetime, for me. And, to make matters worse, the knee I fell on last time I was in Mtl that didn't bother me at all, initially, is now hurting a lot. Not when I walk, thank goodness, only when I go up or down stairs. I happen to live in a townhouse and have a lot of stairs so this isn't fun. Physio will have to wait till I get home next Friday. In the meantime I am using that stinky hot/cold gel stuff that is supposed to help, but in truth, isn't at all.

Anyhow, off to finish some laundry. At least my boys are behaving themselves. Owen is on his window perch, thanking me for his being an indoor cat. Theo, on the other hand, looks like he wishes he could go out and see what he can find under the piles and piles of snow. Not happening...;-). I am happy to report that Theo, now a big boy of 3 years old, seems to have matured a bit. He isn't quite as manic as he used to be and he hasn't attacked his brother in quite some time. So much so that I am actually leaving him at home this time. My pet sitter says everything will be fine but I have told Theo to behave. There may have to be some bribery involved.....

I may find some time for a lightning round of books later on. Not that there has been a lot but there have been some...

I am sorry that you have to deal with all that you have described.
Take Care

>283 jessibud2: It is a lot. All I can offer is the understanding of one who has been through the mom-with-dementia thing (although with less traveling involved--days trips there and back were a regular thing). And the advice a good friend gave me, which did help a bit---remember to breathe. You are doing the best you can, and it is enough.

I am so, so sorry that all of this is on you and your mum now. Just take one day at a time. First deal with your mum and see that she gets the appropriate care. When you get back home, please follow up with your primary care physician about your knee. The doc may want to x-ray it.

Sorry to hear about your mom. Hope all goes well in Montreal. Safe trip ((Hugs))

Thank you, Cyrel, Linda, Madeline, Anita. Still plenty to do today before I leave tomorrow morning. Yes, I am trying to remember to breathe. I will miss my final yoga class on Thursday but I try to do the stretches and breathing I learned in those classes, every day, to ground myself.

Wordle 624 4/6 meaty pious, joint, toxic

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Happy Sunday, Shelley. Just checking in. Hope all is well. Seeing any early migrants at the feeders? We have quite a few new birds moving in and the juncos are still hanging around.

No migrants yet though the juncos are still here and a friend saw a flock of robins near the lake. They haven't made it up my way yet, though

Our news showed the thunder snow you got yesterday, Shelley. Did much of it dump on you?

We got a ton, Meg. Over 30 cm and heavy wet snow at that. Our townhouse condo is in big trouble, though, as the so-called contractors who are responsible for clearing it, did a crappy job. They came and went 3 different times yesterday, did the road but only a few driveways, causing all manner of problems for homeowners. Right now, well over 24 hours later, maybe half have not been done. I bombarded the board and property mgmt with emails yesterday asking what was going on. Thankfully, so did many others. Today I walked around and took pictures of elderly homeowners trying to move the snow out of their driveway. The snow is very wet and extremely heavy. I sent all the photos to board and mgmt and less than half an hour ago, got a reply that someone will be here shortly to finish the job. I replied saying that was nice but it's the homeowners who are waiting who ought to be notified. My driveway got done last night at 8:30, after 3 emails from me. I also noted that the driveways of the board members had been cleared. I saw that on my walkabout this afternoon.

Grrr. I usually enjoy shoveling my driveway but yesterday, I only managed around half because it was just too heavy. They are probably a bit nervous about liability if anyone injures themselves doing the job meant to be done by contractors we are paying for. I'm curious to see if they will offer any refund for us though I am not holding my breath.

It's above zero now and will be for the rest of the week. It will probably all melt by the time I get home Friday but that's beside the point. And certainly no excuse for slacking off.

>283 jessibud2: That is again a lot on you plate, Shelley.
Completely understand you would not let your mother go to hospital alone. Is there any possible way someone from the facility would accompany her?

No, Anita. They are so short-staffed as it is and waiting at the hospital could be an all-day affair. This is the only option, really. I am now at the train station in downtown Toronto and my train leaves at 11:30, about 45 minutes from now. Another long travel day ahead.

I recently found a book that seems to be what I need now so it is my travel read. It's called My Parent's Keeper. Maybe it will offer me advice I can use..

Wordle in 4.

Safe travels, Shelley. I hope all goes as well as can be expected both for you and your mum.

Thanks, Madeline. Another hour and a half to go. At least it's sunny and clear today. Hope all is well with you.

>297 jessibud2: Family and friends are sick off and on with all kinds of things, but we seem to be recovering before we catch the next disease!

Chag Purim sameach! We are going to try to actually go to services for the first time in three years for Purim tonight. I had to cancel hamantaschen-making this year because I had a weird stomach bug prior to the weekend. I didn't think it a good idea to host food preparation in my kitchen. I miss those hamantaschen, though. First time I ever missed making them as a parent. I gave the fillings I bought to my younger son so he made them at his house yesterday with his two kids.

Quick catch-up. The good news is that my mum does not have a cracked rib, just likely internal bruising. After her xrays, we were told to wait in the waiting area for the doctor. Then someone came out and said the doctor said we could go home. Well, I remained calm and polite but meek introverted me had had enough of hospital bureaucracy - I did mention, didn't I, that after her 2 biopsies in November, it looks another 2 and a half MONTHS to get those biopsy results? The doctor never bothered to call and after those 2 and a half MONTHS of not being able to even get through to leave a message, I decided enough was enough and contacted the hospital ombudsmen office to place an official complaint. Don't you know the very next day he called to tell me there was no cancer. No apology for the delay, nothing. I said of course I was very relieved with the results but extremely disappointed to have had to wait so long. Stone silence. So, if you think I was going to leave that hospital yesterday without a face to face talk with the doctor, forget it.i was prepared to sit there all day. Fortunately, this doctor was much nicer and took us into his office and read her whole medical file on his screen. He asked me questions, and answered mine. We left feeling much better. My mother had been complaining that the Tylenol they had been giving her here was having no affect on her pain. She had been getting one extra strength every 6 to 8 hours. He increased it to 2 every 4 hours. Even today, I can see a difference in her comfort level.

I am happy to be her advocate even though being assertive is so far out of my own comfort zone. But my mother always taught me as a child, that sometimes you just have to do what you don't want to do because it's the right thing to do. A lesson my brother clearly missed and her husband wouldn't understand if his life depended on it. The hardest part for me is the geographical distance. Oh well. At least I don't have to drive.

Wordle in 3 yesterday and 4 today.

Wow, Shelley! A win-win. You were able to clearly voice your displeasure directly to those who needed to hear it. I always advise my husband to rightfully complain about things that are not done correctly, but often he opts out. I am so happy about the better health news for your mom and her increasing comfort. Enjoy the rest of your visit. You both did well.

I am reading 2 books at the moment. The one I mentioned in>294 jessibud2: is good and I find myself marking passages every few pages. There was one anecdote that I thought was brilliant. The author said she had had a client whose elderly parents lived alone and in a remote rural part of their state. He insisted on climbing a ladder to shovel snow off his roof. When she offered to pay for someone to come do that for him, he balked. She said he was a very staunch Republican so she set up a separate special bank account into which she deposited money for just such a helper to do the outside work. She told her father about it and said if there was any money in it by June, she was going to donate it to the Democratic party in his name. The author said she never found out if that worked but she was so impressed by the woman's cleverness and sense of humour in dealing with an elderly parent who was not willing to accept help. Of course, I am lucky that I don't have that problem. This book is giving me needed perspective and a realization of how much worse things could be.

I am, of course, not reading it in front of my mother; not sure that would be very nice as she always wants to know what I'm reading and what it's about. Reading was as much of a habit for her as it is for me and she misses it. She just can't focus or retain what she reads. I still have the Saturday paper delivered to her and I sometimes bring her magazines but that's about it. But the other book I am reading and enjoying is one she enjoyed hearing about when I told her about it. It's called The Red Leather Diary by Lily Koppel. Koppel was a young journalist on her first job at the New York Times in New York City when she came across a pile of old steamer trunks outside on the sidewalk one day. They were waiting to be loaded into a dumpster headed for landfill after the landlord of the building where they had been stored in the basement decided to get rid of them so he could renovate that storage area. Among the treasures Lily took home was a red leather diary that was over 70 years old. She read it, was mesmerized and decided to write about for the NYT. The feedback was incredible, and she was encouraged to expand it into a book. And then, she decided to try to see if she could find the 14 year old owner of that diary, who, if she was still alive, would now be in her 90s.

The rest is in the book. Let me just say, she succeeded. It's a charming and delightful glimpse into NYC of the 1930s and into the life of a 92 year old woman still full of life. And there are photos.

After telling my mother about this book, she commented, I'm almost 90. I said yes, next birthday. I was amazed and impressed that she was able to make that connection. Her sense of all things time-related is skewered, at best, most of the time. Go figure.

The brain works in mysterious ways.

Wow. I can't imagine not meeting with a parent or family to discuss lab or radiographic results with a patient, and not just because I couldn't legally submit a bill without a F2F encounter. Good for you for insisting that the doctor speak with you, and I'm glad that your mother does not have a fractured rib, Shelley.

Waiting 2-1/2 months for a biopsy result is unconscionable.

Thanks, Madeline and Darryl. I am, in truth, getting used to be more assertive. I won't even go into what's going on with the Quebec govt changing the rules of my guardianship and my having to get her bank and investment company to simply make those changes to the files. I am amazed I have any hair left at all. This has been since December and while the investment company finally got their act together and did what needed to be done last week, the bank has been basically navel gazing and doing nothing. I have phoned, emailed and even managed to speak to them but still, nada. I am developing a more than strong hatred of institutions. What is wrong with people?. I am probably a dinosaur to even say this but what ever happened to picking up a phone, dialing and getting to speak to a human? The bloody world is ruled by answering machines and I swear, this will be the end of civilization, if war and pollution don't get us first. Mark my words.

And yes, Darryl, 2 and a half months is definitely unconscionable. I should have asked him what excuse he would have given me if her cancers had been back. Truthfully, I probably would not have had the nerve to say that even if I had thought of it while I had him on the line but I can tell you, I have completely lost confidence in the hospital system here. And under no circumstances will I ever let her be taken to the hospital unless I am here. Yeah, I am exhausted.

Wordle in 4 today

"I am happy to be her advocate even though being assertive is so far out of my own comfort zone." I was going to tell you it gets easier, but then I see in >303 jessibud2: that you've discovered that for yourself. I had a repulsive encounter with a cardiologist who was supposed to be evaluating my mother, and I sent the practice a written description of the whole visit in simple sentences. I didn't even say I was complaining, just that I wanted it documented. I also sent a copy to my mother's medical insurance provider. The next thing I heard was from the insurance company, saying they had arranged for her to be re-evaluated by another doctor, in another location.

>305 laytonwoman3rd:- Thanks, Linda. And good for you for doing that, too. It's gratifying to get a positive response to something that was wrong, if frustrating to have to do that at all. As for me, I am not a doctor and really resent having to work as hard as I have been getting basic information that's really their job to deliver. Don't make me go to Dr. Google for answers! Which is where I discovered that biopsy results could take between 2 days and 2 weeks. It was at that point (2and a half months) that I made my call to the hospital complaints dept.

As Gilda Radner used to say, it's always something. And, from my perspective, it just never ends...

I have just hired a companion for my mum. She will begin at the end of the month, a few hours a day, 3 days a week. She will take my mum downstairs to activities and just be someone to be with her and talk to her. She has worked here before and even knows my mum (though I am certain my mum will not know her) and she comes highly recommended. We spoke on the phone this morning for half an hour and I feel good about this. My biggest fear is that of my mum outliving her savings. So far so good but man, that too, doesn't stop...

Wordle in 5 today

>300 SqueakyChu: Sorry it was necessary to go out of your comfort zone Shelley, but glad you got a doc this time who was more professional and kind.

>301 jessibud2: You got me with The Red Leather Diary.

>306 jessibud2: Oh the companion sounds good. And maybe in time if they click, she will want to support if something crops up, to save you travelling long distance if it isn't a major emergency.

Home! Exhausted but home. It's been a long stressful week and apart from the sweet reunion with my boys, the best thing waiting for me upon my arrival was a postcard from Whistler, British Columbia. Remember my story up in >145 jessibud2:? Well, the recipient sent me a card, thanking me for my effort and telling me a bit of background about his relationship between him and the sender of that original postcard gone AWOL. They are longtime friends and he will be giving her away at her upcoming wedding. So lovely. I had wondered if he had received my note and the card and was so happy to see this card. It really made my day!

>308 Caroline_McElwee: - Thanks, Caroline. I really had no concentration this week so, in spite of having brought 4 books with me, I am still in the middle of the first 2. Welcome to my life.

I WILL start a new thread sometime this weekend. It's snowing here again and I made it home just before it got heavy. I have no plans to leave this house for awhile.

>299 jessibud2: Way to stand up for your Mom, Shelley. You have certainly had a lot to deal with recently. I hope you get some you-time this weekend. And that you start a new thread. ; ) Hugs.

Well, I tried but failed to make it to the end of Jeopardy last night so don't know who won. I was in bed and dead to the world before 8:30 and slept 9 hours straight! Unheard of for me. I guess I needed it...ya think?

I have a ton of paperwork to try to sift through this morning and at some point, will have to do a short grocery run. My brother and I were supposed to talk last night but I asked to wait till today or tomorrow. I had a long texting session with him while I was on the train coming home yesterday. He is my brother and while he is not a bad person, this journey with my mum has not exactly been a 50/50 shared responsibility. More like 90/10, if I am generous. I basically told him he has to step up and take more responsibility, that I just can't do it all. We have some decisions to make and while I could, if I had to, make all the decisions myself (and it wouldn't be the first time), he just needs to be more involved. I was more than a little pissed off at him that it took him till yesterday to contact me and ask how she was. He knew I was there, he knew I had taken her to the hospital for xrays on Tuesday but it took till Friday for it to occur to him to ask. He will just have to forgive me if my patience is gone. I feel pretty close to the edge all the time lately and I am pretty sure I will end up crying at some point when we talk later but maybe he needs to hear that, too. He doesn't like to hear me vent, and often shuts me down, saying that it's only going to raise my blood pressure and make me ill. I also told him that I don't have a blood pressure problem, never did but that keeping everything inside will make me ill much faster and too damn bad if he doesn't let me vent when I need to. I am hoping that makes him feel a bit guilty but either it does or it doesn't. I have learned that I have to look out for myself first because I'm no good to anyone else if I don't. Thankfully, I have good friends who always listen and lend their ears.

I look like I've ages 20 years.

In better news:

Wordle 630 3/6 meaty, pious, email. I was surprised at this one. Thought for sure, it couldn't be.

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Sorry about all the stress!

"I look like I've aged 20 years." Maybe your brother needs to see you, as well as hear you. (((Shelley)))

Thanks, Cyrel and Linda. I will colour my hair next week so maybe that will shave a few years off. I will still *feel* it, though. ;-p

There is nothing like being an advocate for someone in a health situation to make you more assertive, Shelley. It sure did that for me in a hurry. Good to see that your efforts for your mum paid off. I hope you don't get a dump of snow like last time.

How cool that you got a reply from the postcard recipient in Whistler.

>315 Familyhistorian: - Very true, Meg. Very true. And yes, I was really pleased and chuffed (as the Brits say) to get the card from Whistler!

Wordle 631 4/6 meaty, pious, filth, birth

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>310 Berly: - Today, Kim, today!! ;-)

>309 jessibud2: Glad you got the card and the story Shelley.

>318 Caroline_McElwee: - I was so pleased, Caroline. I wondered if he would respond and am so happy he did.