The Read goes ever on and on...MrsLee 2023 chapter 4

Last (?) thread of the year begins now.

I am still reading:
The Measure of Her Powers essays by M.F.K. Fisher.
A Movable Feast essays by Ernest Hemingway.
Enjoying both, but trying to finish them before September is gone.
It is getting hectic here. Expecting new grandson on the 27th, new oncologist sometime this week, and trying to make friends with, or even just see my lovely new Russian Blue kitten.

The reading I get done is sitting quietly on my bed hoping kitten will accept my presence. Ooo! I just caught the tail end of him slinking from under the bed to under the dresser, snagging a treat along the way. Earlier I was laying on my back on the floor with my eyes closed, my hand out and a treat about an inch away from my fingers. After about 15-20 minutes, he finally ate the treat, but I didn't dare turn my head or open my eyes.

Happy equinox one and all! (Accidental double post)

Maybe he's waiting to hear his name.

>1 MrsLee: Happy Equinox, and Happy New Thread!

In reply to Quicksilver and Mercury, how about Mithril? It also does not roll off the tongue easily...

Happy new thread! It took well over a week for our older cat to get acclimated, yours will come around.

>3 Meredy: & >4 clamairy: Oh dear. A dilemma. Last night I was calling him Slinky Boo, but he needs a more dignified name for when he grows up. I do like Mithril! Will keep it in the running.

>5 Karlstar: Thank you. We have progressed to him coming out from hiding. He gives me an astonished look, then jumps back. I think some of his meowing is wanting me to play. Last night I learned it is not very smart to play with a kitten in the dark. My hand came away bloody when he jumped for the toy.

Happy new thread!

Happy New Thread

>6 MrsLee: It is surprising how much damage those little claws can do.

As I've always said, cats are butts. Sometimes when they're being extra buttish; buttz.

First of all, happy new thread. Secondly, I'm with >4 clamairy: on the possibilities seen in the name of Mithril. Three, he's just a little skittish. You're bigger than he is. Sounds to me like he'll come 'round, if he sees you're willing to play. (Of course, being a cat, he may think playtime is -- like -- 3am.

Happy new thread! It took William a couple of weeks to come out from behind the sofa when I was in the house. It's still his favourite place to be when he wants to nap. I'm sure your little boy will get braver every day.

>11 jillmwo: & >12 Sakerfalcon: He is getting braver. He has finally shown himself several times. Yesterday he was so brave, he did a flying leap, bounced the corner of the foot of the bed, then did the same thing to the other corner.

I finished The Measure of Her Powers yesterday. Satisfying to the end. The essays she wrote when she was older were painfully honest.

Began reading Galápagos by Kurt Vonnegut. Haven't had enough time to become involved in the story yet.

Hemingway has me thinking about how these other authors write. I don't always love his writing, at least one of the chapters is asinine, but I understand what he was trying for, maybe. He and I might have different ideas on whether or not various authors achieve it.

Progress! Soon he'll be sleeping under your chin, and you'll be wishing he would go back under the dresser.

>14 clamairy: You are a prophet! Last night when I gave him treats, he ate them from my fingers, then he bravely stuck around for some scritchy-scratches. Later, because he still wanted petting, he was on the bed snuggling. Then he attacked my toes! When this happened again at 3:30 a.m., I began to think "be careful what you wish for." He loved the petting so much I told him he was a silly boy to have waited so long.

>15 MrsLee: This is all wonderful news. I'm so happy for you and the little guy.

>15 MrsLee:. I warned you kitten playtime tends to occur in the wee small hours of the morning. But it's great that he's settling in now.

>15 MrsLee:
That is great news. I see many cuddle-fests ahead.

>18 pgmcc: Even better news: My second grandson was born this morning. He and mommy are healthy. Of course he is one of the most beautiful babies in the universe. Hopefully we get to meet him this Saturday.

>19 MrsLee: Oh my. How wonderful! I'm glad everyone is healthy, and I can't wait to see photos. Congratulations to all.

>19 MrsLee: Congratulations on the grandson and progress with the kitten! Great news all around :)

Congrats on the new grandson!

>19 MrsLee: Congrats on both fronts to you and also to the parents!

What they all said!

>19 MrsLee:
Congratulations on the beautiful new grandson. Best wishes to all involved.

>19 MrsLee: How very exciting! Congratulations to you and best wishes to mother and child as both adjust to new life!!!

Thank you all! It wouldn't be right to share a photo of the kitty and not the grandson, so here is
Griffin Thomas:

>27 MrsLee: Awwww!

Many congratulations to you and your family! What great news!

Thank you, and thanks you. :)

Cheating a little here, but I'm on the last page or two of A Moveable Feast, and will finish it today. Here is the review I wrote.

"Is this fiction, or isn't it? Are not all memoirs fiction to some degree, based on fallible individual memory? Hemmingway said this is a work of fiction. Meant to evoke the time, the place and the people of that time. Was this a kindness on his part, to soften some of the stark words within? Perhaps. Whatever it is, he does a masterful job of taking the reader to the Paris of the 1920s. He gives insight into how and why he wrote the way he did. All very interesting and a book to keep on the shelf."

>27 MrsLee: He's beautiful. And take a look at an that hair!

>30 MrsLee: I'm glad you enjoyed it. One of his best, IMHO.

>27 MrsLee: Aww :)

>27 MrsLee: Beautiful! Congratulations.

Thank you. :)

Kitten's name is Grár. The Old Norse word for grey. But I will probably still call him Boo, Little Shit, and Stinker. I named him that after discovering that Freya had a sleigh drawn by two grey cats, which did not have names in the old stories. A modern writer gave them names, but I didn't like the names she chose because they meant things like amber and honey. Also, Mark said no matter what I named it, he would probably just call it grey kitty. Grár makes little chirrupy noises when he purrs. Sounds like a tribble.

Adorable kitten with adorable name! Although that's a good name for an adult cat, too.

Also congrats on the grandbaby! Griffin is so sweet!

>34 MrsLee: That's a great name!

>34 MrsLee: oh what a good cat name, I love it!
Freya and her chariot of cats is my avatar on gaming sites; I always wondered if they were supposed to have names.

>34 MrsLee: Depending on how you pronounce it, is it possible that he's told you his secret* cat name?

*"But above and beyond there's still one name left over,
And that is the name you never will guess;
The name that no human research can discover ---
But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS (small caps in original) and will never confess."

Which of course still leaves you needing "the name that the family use daily" and the "name that's particular, / A name that's peculiar, and more dignified ..." because of course a Cat needs "Three Different Names".

I surely don't need to pin down the source I'm quoting, do I?

>34 MrsLee: Good progress with the new kitten and a great name. Thanks for the pictures too (human and cat).

Thanks everyone.

>38 hfglen: I know and love that book, and would love to find an original hardcover copy of it. His daily name is likely to be Boo. Not so sure about a third one yet. My daughter says I should give Boo as his name to the vet because they will never be able to spell Grár.

>34 MrsLee: "Grár makes little chirrupy noises when he purrs. Sounds like a tribble."

What a wonderful sound that must be. I love the name. Your daughter might be right, but does it matter? (Boo is what I called both of my pups as an endearment.)

We have been to see the new grandson, he is healthy, eating well, and beautiful. His mommy and daddy are doing well also. His big brother, and I do mean BIG (their Great Dane, Odin), is happy to have a little squeaky thing to watch over, although when loud crying begins he leaves the room.

Grár has forgiven me for leaving him for a couple of days and is a lovable pest now. He wants to cuddle in the night, which would be ok, except I never know when a cuddle will turn into an attack, or a launch off of me (using claws for leverage) to attack something else. When I returned home, I thought there might have been a poltergeist in my room. Pictures were off the wall, books from shelves 5 feet off the ground were scattered, with one under the bed where I couldn't reach it without help. Apparently Grár is interested in travels to Baja.

I've begun reading 3 books. Summerland by Michael Chabon, interesting, slow paced, with the main theme of baseball in fairyland. Not sure I will stick with it, but it isn't bad.
Thomas Becket; Warrior, Priest, Rebel by John Guy. Pretty interesting so far, with lots of details about life in the time period.
Midnight in Peking by Paul French. Not far enough into this to know, but it seems promising.

On the cancer front, I seem to be lost in the land of referrals. The doctor office referred me to the wrong type of doctor, and that wasn't discovered until about an hour before the appointment. So now I'm waiting to hear from the new doctor to get an appointment. I called yesterday but could only leave a message. Each different referral takes about 2 weeks to hear from the office and schedule an appointment. Meanwhile, I can feel the cancerous lymph node getting bigger and more painful. Frustrating.

Oh do I feel your pain. It took 5 weeks for the first oncologist I had to freaking tell me I had cancer, and I had to basically call constantly and beg to be told. Meanwhile, like you, tumor growing and making me crazy. I fired her. The second oncologist couldn't do the type of surgery I wanted and had to pass me to the third one who did. Then she flailed away on sabbatical during my follow up cycle and the office never notified me so I drove an hour for nothing except the joy of being harangued that it was my fault and that they did call. As if. So frustrating. I see that not much has changed in the last 13 years. I hope you get it worked out quickly and that someone can slot you in since the whole snafu isn't your fault.

>42 MrsLee: Thinking of you in the midst of all the upheaval. (((Hugs)))

>43 Bookmarque: I'm just sorry this seems to be so common. Human error must be taken into account I suppose. It's not like I never made a mistake at someone else's expense.

>42 MrsLee: Your story is starting to remind me of the horror pilgrim went through. Fingers crossed that you get that sorted quickly so you can start treatment as soon as possible.

So sorry the appointments are taking forever. I hope they get scheduled soon.

Grár sounds like a cat I would love! We named Skippy after Skippyjon Jones because he was such a hyper little stinker. He loved to climb the drapes! He still is quite spunky, especially when at the vet’s.

>46 Narilka: Believe me, pilgrim is often on my mind.

>42 MrsLee:
Sorry to hear you are being messed about by professionals screwing up. My thoughts are with you and infinite hugs are proffered.

>42 MrsLee: What they all said. {{{{hugs}}}}

>42 MrsLee: Sending you all my best wishes that this situation improves rapidly. Cancer is bad enough without having to deal with this kind of incompetence.

I finally have an appointment next Thursday. Not even in the mood to type everything I had to do to make this happen. I'm not thrilled about the doctor I have been referred to; melanoma is in no way his specialty, so I suspect that I will be asking him to refer me to a cancer specialty hospital in Davis (a 90 minutedrivefromour home). More possible delays, but we will see. If I have learned anything, it is to be the squeaky wheel. Hard part is, I am dealing with a lot of exhaustion, very difficult to be the squeaky wheel.

Speaking of which, my desire to read is not enough to make me pick up books. I am working on the family cookbook, reading my grandmother's diaries and making notes, but that is all I want to do. In the evenings I watch Star Trek Enterprise and now I've found a series that makes me LAUGH! It is on Paramount+/CBS and is called "Ghosts." Not terribly original, but the premise of one character plus the audience being able to see and hear the ghosts, and all the others not, is a fun one. Also there are some good (funny) character reveals. Also, I have at least 2-3 belly laughs an evening. Much needed when my go-to emotions are fear and despair.

>52 MrsLee: I sending more good juju your way. I wish I could amplify it somehow. I'm so glad to hear you've found something to make you laugh.

>52 MrsLee: What >53 clamairy: said. Best wishes for the appointment and whatever follows from it.

If I have learned anything, it is to be the squeaky wheel.: My late father in law had a few health issues (not surprising, after a tough childhood during the Depression and war service during the Second World War) but he got on relatively well in the health system with the help of one of his daughters, who he referred to as his "attack dog".

>52 MrsLee: I'm glad you have an appointment, finally and I hope it works out or at least they get you to the right person soon.

We love Ghosts! Its a funny show.

>53 clamairy: Thank you!

>54 haydninvienna: Thank you. It isn't in my nature to try to bother people. I try to be respectful and assume they know what they are doing and will do what they should. However, it won't change their lives any if I die, only mine, so I have become more assertive. I am blessed to have a couple of people willing to be that attack dog for me when I need it. I haven't needed it yet.

>55 Karlstar: Thank you. I find it very hard to stop watching the show at night, but I don't want to run out of it too soon!

After my bone density test, I thought no news was good news. When I told my doctor that, she told me to definitely speak up. So good on you for being the squeaky wheel! Keep squeaking!

I hope this doctor gets you all the help you need.

I love “ghosts.” It’s based on a show of the same title and premise from the UK. That one is also pretty funny.

>52 MrsLee: We also love Ghosts. Such a funny show.

Sadly being the squeaky wheel is the only way sometimes. Keep up the fight! Your health is worth it.

Cancer update: I saw the oncologist yesterday. I have stage III melanoma, and I need some further imaging done to find out if it is in fact stage III or has developed into stage IV. I am rooting for stage III, which is still treatable and possibly even curable with immunotherapy. Stage IV is incurable, but treatable for a longer prognosis with immunotherapy. I begin the treatments in the next 7-10 days. It will be every 3 weeks for 1 year. Immunotherapy enables the body's immune system to recognize and attack the cancer cells. It is not as difficult as chemotherapy. No hair falling out, but there can be other complications such as nausea, rashes and more. My psyche alters between numb, resigned, hopeful and disbelief. Please don't feel you need to respond to this, if you do, know that I appreciate it in case I don't thank you individually. I want to keep you up to date because I know this is a place where I have friends who care, but I'm not asking for sympathy or commiseration. I know you all feel that, as I do when life is difficult for you.

On the reading front, not much, still in the same books and enjoying them a little each day.

On the Star Trek front; I've finished Enterprise and moved on to Discovery. This isn't being my favorite. It doesn't have the light-hearted episodes I love. Pretty dark stuff. However, the drama, effects and acting are very good.

To break up the darkness of Discovery, I watched a movie called The Burial (haha, leave it to me to find lightness in a drama about funeral homes). It was interesting and well done, based on real events. I tried it because it was billed as a "comedy" drama. There wasn't much comedy involved, in fact it was pretty serious. I've found this with several things I've tried recently described as comedy. Has my sense of humor gone awry? I don't think so. "Ghosts" was comedy, "Why Women Kill" not so much, at least from the first episode I watched. Another series I tried but couldn't even finish the first episode, about a man who was bullied by his mother into private investigation, not funny, just painful. I watched one episode of a series with Jane Seymour as a retired literature professor turned detective, "Harry Wild." It has potential. Not silly comedy, but at least some amusing moments. The last line reminded me of my dear friend who died a couple of years ago. The professor had just detailed to a young man his character flaws and strengths and said she was never wrong. He said that must be hard on her. Her line; "It's a pissing burden." My friend had that ability, and she would have said the same thing.

>59 MrsLee: I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis and really hoping for you that it is stage III.

Have you watched Upload? We thought that was fun and enjoyable.

Oh, Lee. My heart aches for you. Just know that you are loved.

*warm hugs*

>59 MrsLee:
Sorry to hear about the diagnosis. Wishing you the best for the treatment.

You may not be asking for sympathy but your getting it, asked for or not. Sending you multiple hugs and good wishes.

Trust you to find a comedy about a funeral home.

Regarding your Star Trek viewing, I quite liked the first three seasons of Discovery. Then it just started boring me with its attempts to get weirder and weirder. I have given up on Star Trek and Star Wars spin-offs.

The day just got a little dimmer hearing about what you're facing. I'm so sorry and a little sick at the thought. Hoping for the best outcome for you and that treatment isn't an ordeal. Dismay, numbness, disbelief and anger are all normal. Grief will work though its stages and leave you wanting to fight it.

Lee, you're often in my thoughts and I hope for the best outcome for you!

I was seriously annoyed by the Harry Wild series. I think I made it through an episode and a half before I gave up and returned the DVDs to the library. Have you tried a series called "Only Murders in the Building"? My husband and I have just started watching the first season and it's pretty funny and very well done. The TV equivalent of a cozy murder mystery, with an amazing cast of regulars and guest stars.

>59 MrsLee: Oh, Lee. With all my heart, I hope that it is Stage III. (((Hugs)))

Thank you friends. It is a great feeling to know that you all care and are willing to listen.

>60 Karlstar: I tried that awhile back and didn't get through the first episode. I will give it another chance.

>63 pgmcc: That's how I felt about Enterprise, but I stuck it out. We shall see. I know what is in the works for Captain Lorca and I'm not happy because I quite like him

>65 tardis: I can see myself having that reaction to Harry Wild. I was hoping it would become less annoying. :( I will try the one you suggest if I can get it for free. I am pretty tight fisted about my viewing habits.

>60 Karlstar: — >66 jillmwo: What they all said, but even more so. At least there seems to be more treatment options now than in 2002, and the hope of a better outcome. {{{{hugs}}}}

>67 MrsLee: The first two episodes of Upload are so much different than the rest of the show, but so important to the background. Give it a couple more episodes when you're looking for something to watch.

(((((Lee))))) Seems like you need all the hugs you can get.

Oh Mrs Lee, I'm sorry to hear that your ordeal continues. I can only offer concern and hope your doctor has a good treatment plan without delay. Immunotherapy is a fascinating approach and I hope it will be successful for you.

I don't watch Netflix often but can second Karlstar's recommendation of Upload; it took a few episodes for me to get engaged with the characters but I did enjoy it. I've heard good things about the Sandman series, and a new show called 'Blockbuster'. I'm hoping to catch up to 'The Crown' and am waiting on a new season of 'Cobra Kai' (yes it's silly but fun :) and keep meaning to get back to The Umbrella Academy (I only watched the first season so far) and the second season of 'Russian Doll'. I hope you can find some enjoyable escapism for a time.

Thank you all. I feel the love.

>69 Karlstar: & >71 Darth-Heather: I will give "Upload" a second chance.

>71 Darth-Heather: Thank you for the recommendations. Are they all light-hearted?

>59 MrsLee: Here's hoping for the best outcome possible and moving straight on to that immunotherapy without delay. Hugs!

Oh, Mrs. Lee, sending you lots of love and hugs.

I second the Upload suggestion. It ended up being pretty cute. And I enjoy Murders in the Building; Steve Martin and Martin Short are always good together. I believe it’s on Hulu. Discovery is a dark one. I do enjoy it, though. Hmm, I’ll have to think about what other light hearted things I watch. Usually I go for a rom-com when I need lighthearted. Which reminds me, have you watched the one with Jennifer Anniston and Adam Sandler? I think it’s on Netflix. They go on vacation and get caught up in a murder mystery. I enjoyed it. Also, Brady for 80 is streaming. It’s cute and I’m not a Tom Brady fan.

I’ll be sending you positive/healing juju.

>73 Narilka: & >74 catzteach: Thank you!

>74 catzteach: The cynic in me wants to say I hate rom coms, but the reality is that now and then they fit the bill, and I have loved more than a few of them, so thank you for the recommendation, will see if I can find it. A murder mystery is a bonus for me.

I only have Amazon Prime, and through that, Paramount +, and a Vizio TV which seems to offer lots of free things, until you try to watch them and they aren't. I also have Roku.

I am actually enjoying "Harry Wild" although there are parts of it (like her relationship with her son) that I don't love. I think one big thing I enjoy is that it is set in Dublin and gives me some visuals for the Dublin "trilogy" series by Caimh McDonnell which I adore.

>75 MrsLee:
I have not heard of “Harry Wild”. This is not the first time someone living thousands of miles away has informed me of something happening in my own backyard. I need to investigate.

>75 MrsLee: My husband and I watched the Harry Wild series and he was very disappointed that there weren't more of them.

>76 pgmcc: & >77 jillmwo: Harry Wild is the kind of intellectual, mouthy woman I aspire to be, but am too reserved to ever be. :)

>78 MrsLee:
I think you may be underestimating your own achievements. :-)

>59 MrsLee: Belatedly catching up with threads ... I'm keeping my fingers crossed and holding my thumbs that it is Stage III. Keeping you in my prayers and sending virtual hugs.

>75 MrsLee: oh now i see; for some reason I had Netflix shows in mind, but if you have Prime there are some other suggestions to look at. I haven't been watching much tv in recent months and when I do have the mind space for it I prefer less-challenging and lightweight content; it's what I am able to handle right now.

Mrs Maisel series is quite good and there are several seasons.
I also loved Sneaky Pete with Giovanni Ribisi; the twists are very clever.
Jean Claude Van Johnson series is short. It's action-movie-ish but tongue-in-cheek and made me laugh.
Mozart In the Jungle series has a few moments that drag but is mostly entertaining.
Kathleen Madigan's standup comedy shows are really good.
Life in A Tide Pool is a natural science series that is enjoyable and low-key.
Boston Legal!
Ghostbusters Afterlife movie was more fun than I expected it to be.

some on my wishlist that I haven't tried yet:
Renfield movie (with Nicholas Cage) got good reviews.
Durrells in Corfu series looks grand and I hope to get to it soon.
Fluffy's Food Adventures series combines comedy with food network and I'm hoping it will be fun.

I'm glad you are enjoying Ghosts; the Boy Scout leader and the guy with no pants make me laugh.

I'm adding "Harry Wild" to my watchlist now too - thanks for the suggestion!

>79 pgmcc: *Blows a kiss from here to France*

>78 MrsLee: Thank you.

>79 pgmcc: "I prefer less-challenging and lightweight content; it's what I am able to handle right now"
Exactly where I'm at right now. I enjoyed action adventure with comedy, murder mysteries which are not dark, etc. Thank you for your recommendations! I've watched several of those you mentioned, and enjoyed them, so we seem to be on the same wavelength. I look forward to trying the others.

I ran out of "Harry Wild" episodes last night (until I want to pay for another channel, and I only allow one at a time so it's Paramount + until I'm done with Star Trek). Speaking of which, "Discovery" went darker than I expected, Turning Ash, who I quite liked, into a Klingon, which passed me off. I don't care for the dark universe episodes in any of the series. Just an excuse for the cast and crew to play the bad guys. Yeah, yeah, exploring our dark sides, yada, yada, yada.

I tried "Upload" and didn't hate it, so will continue with that for now.

I try to read a bit each day. Summerland is a fun story, were I in a different mindset I would be eating it up, but I find myself skimming some of the sidetrack passages to get back to the main characters. Chabon has thought this world through in great detail. It combines Norse and Native American mythology, and possibly more, but those are the obvious ones. They are subtly inserted with his own twist. Also baseball. I'm sure there is a reason for the baseball, but it isn't much of a draw for me.

The book I'm reading about Thomas Beckett is well written and is connecting or filling in details of early English kings which I seem to be encountering in much of my reading.

The true story of the murder in Peking of a young foreign woman is also well written and quite a good murder mystery. I know very little about Peking in the 1930s, although bits and pieces of the history have popped up in my reading here and there.

>82 MrsLee: I hope you enjoy Summerland. I bought a copy ages ago when it was a remainder at Barnes & Noble. I really enjoyed Wonder Boys and The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, but is this one considered YA?

>83 clamairy: Yes. It is YA, but a very THICK book. I am not in love with any of the characters, except maybe Thor, the boy who insistshe isan android. But as I say, I think my mindset is not right for it, not that the book is lacking.

>74 catzteach: I'm going to second the recommendation for Only Murders in the Building. For us, it is the best show on TV right now.

>75 MrsLee: Checking in a bit late here...

Very sorry to hear about your latest health update. Fingers are crossed here for a stage III diagnosis and a full recovery - and I sure hope your upcoming doctor visit brings you some good news.

On Amazon Video, we recently watched a Woody Harrelson movie called 'Champions'. It's a light-hearted feel-good flick that we really enjoyed. Also on Amazon, if you haven't already watched it, I'll happily 2nd @Darth-Heather's rec of Jean Claude van Johnson. I was never a big fan of his but I give him credit for poking fun at himself. That show made me like the guy more than I ever did watching his macho-nonsense fighting movies.

It's too bad you don't have Netflix* as the main actress in Ghosts also stars in another really good show called iZombie.

I'll add another vote for Only Murders in the Building, but I'm pretty sure that one is only on Hulu.

Oh! Another option might be to check your local library system. Our county system offers the Kanopy app, (installable on most any smart TV), which allows streaming of TV shows and movies. My sister also borrows DVDs from her library and has found that many streaming shows eventually end up there on disk.

* On the off chance that you have cell phone service through T-Mobile, they offer 'Netflix on Us' with specific plans. As a result, our monthly Netflix subscription is paid by T-Mobile and is included with our monthly bill at no extra charge. Anyone that has a 'Magenta' plan should qualify. We also have Apple TV via the same deal. And speaking of Apple TV, if you can find a way to watch it, the Ted Lasso show is a delight.

@MrsLee, had you already tried the McDonald & Dodds detective series? It's a relatively mild British series (available on Britbox and/or Acorn) but still pretty smart. Set in Bath, it's got lovely scenery, especially in the establishing long-shots where you get to see the famous Crescent! These came out in 2020, so it's possible that you will have already encountered them.

>86 ScoLgo: Thank you. I appreciate the recommendations and made a note of "Champions." Alas, I don't have T-mobile. I did watch the first couple of seasons of Ted Lasso, courtesy of my son, and I agree that it is delightful.

>87 jillmwo: I did watch that show not long ago, when I had Britbox. Good stuff.

Yesterday I made a finish of Summerland. I did that by skipping-skimming the last 4th of the book and reading the final chapters to see how it all turned out. I never have liked Coyote/Loki and get very impatient with stories that give him an upper hand. Perhaps even more so now as my own mortality is difficult to ignore. Anyway, I skipped to where he gets his comeuppance and called it good. I highly recommend this story to those of you who like to immerse yourselves in the details of a story and enjoy humans interacting with the fay, and mythology. Or if you love baseball.

I am reading the book about Thomas Beckett on my Kindle; and I intend to finish it before I begin the book I really want to be reading, Other Plans by Caimh McDonnell.

Thoughts on "Star Trek: Discovery." I love it now that Captain Pike is onboard. I'm thinking he is my favorite Captain of them all, but I haven't watched all of them. He seems to leave his ego aside, or be able to put it aside if shown that it is getting in the way. I also like the way he deals with his crew, actually listening to them, and, and, well, I like him. I know that he isn't ruined (at least not yet) because I have already watched "Strange New Worlds."

Thoughts on "Upload." I think I would classify this as comedy/horror. Not in-your-face-horror (in spite of the exploding heads), but that underlying, horrible, subversive nasty stuff. The thought that people would snuff out their lives to live in a digital retirement home, even before they had a life-threatening disease, and put themselves at the mercy of whoever owns the digital copies, not to mention faulty servers, etc. *Runs screaming from the room*

I tried to watch the movie "Senior Moment," starring William Shatner and Christopher Lloyd. Eh, couldn't get through it. Painful, boring, not fun.

>90 MrsLee: Yes, there are quite a few scary aspects to 'Upload', despite the light tone. How much have you watched so far?

>91 Karlstar: On Prime I've watched up to Season 2, episode 2. They don't have any more than that.

>92 MrsLee: Season three just started, we watched the first 2 episodes last weekend.

Finished (by heartless skimming) Thomas Becket: Warrior, Priest, Rebel. An engaging biography, I am not in the right place to know the details of two stubborn men with oversized egos. I know, an over simplification, but there it is. I am glad to have read it, because it gives another layer to my understanding of the times and the people who lived in them.

I now have a clear slate, and I think I will begin Other Places by Caimh McDonnell today while I am receiving my first Keytruda treatment. I have wanted this to begin for a long time now, and finally the pieces of insurance approval and testing have fallen into place, but I find myself a bit unnerved.

Thinking of you and hoping everything goes smoothly for you.

>94 MrsLee:
Wishing you the best for the treatment. Hoping Mr McGarry keeps you entertained. I am about 20% into it at the moment.

>94 MrsLee: I will send extra good juju your way. I hope the treatment is painless and effective. *big hugs*

>94 MrsLee: One thing at a time. Hopefully the book serves to distract you in all the right ways.

>94 MrsLee: I don't blame you for feeling unnerved! Lots of good wishes to you and hoping that it all goes smoothly.

>95 Sakerfalcon: - >99 haydninvienna: Thank you. All went well with the treatment. I came home tired, most likely due to the fact that they gave me a Benadryl to mitigate any allergic responses before the treatment. Spent a peaceful 40 minutes reading while the stuff dripped into my body. No ill effects this morning, except a big dose of procrastination and wanting to be under my blanket; probably due to the fact that it is colder here than it has been and we haven't turned on the heater yet. Also, finishing a good book.

I finished up Midnight in Peking and was left with a sense of awe for the author and his research. The book was a compelling read, in fact, I couldn't stop reading it this morning. I don't often read true crime; and this one read very much as a murder mystery. The fact that the crime was never solved by officials, but most likely solved by the persistence of the father, even though he had no resolution, made it a very sad tale.

Now on to the fun of Other Plans.

I read Midnight in Peking some years ago--yes, it was an excellent read.

I am glad to hear yesterday went well for you. (((((MrsLee)))))

I'm glad it went smoothly. I hope you continue to have no side-effects.

That's a relief about the treatment. I hope it continues and is effective at wiping this out!

Glad to hear you aced the treatment.
Midnight in Peking could end up being a BB hit. I will look into it tomorrow.

I'm watching Star Trek: Animated series now, which came out in 1973. I almost like it better than TOS. The story lines are interesting, what they pack into 25 minute episodes is pretty cool. It has most of the original cast voices, but Bones is not as annoying and the acting is more subdued. Because it is drawn, it can be more creative in aliens and locations than TOS. Pretty cool. I never watched this before, in fact I didn't know it existed until I watched the special on Star Trek a couple of months ago.

I swear there is a Death Star in the opening credits, and I've seen it a couple of other times as well. Hmmm, crossover? Star Wars didn't come out until 1977.

>105 MrsLee: There's one episode in the animated ST series entitled "The Pirates of Orion" where the author is Howard Weinstein. It was his first professional sale as a writer. Howie was part of our wedding ceremony back in 1981. (I seem to recall that he read from the Song of Solomon for us.)

Howie has written two novels since then. Westerns. Galloway's Gamble was the first but I can't remember the title of the second one which came out w/in the past two years.

Good to hear your treatment went well.

I never knew there was an animated Star Trek. It sounds interesting.

Good to know that it went well. Keep reading — you're doing better than I am in reading.

>106 jillmwo: I don't think I've got to that episode yet. I will play close attention when I do. :)

Cat/kitten woke me up at midnight last night, rather than fight to get back to sleep, I read "Other Places". Took a lot of discipline to pou it down at 2:30 and go back to sleep. Only 3 hours left to read!

In my "thinking" room, I will begin reading Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain, by Maryanne Wolf. I have no memory of acquiring this, but it is the random pick from the paperback TBR bookshelf, so we shall see.

>109 MrsLee:
Proust and the Squid looks interesting. You may have scored a hit there. It has certainly piqued my interest. Good shooting.

E.T.A. OK, you can mark it up as a hit. Delivery from 4th to 11th November.

>100 MrsLee: Good to hear the first treatment went well!

>110 pgmcc: Pretty good since all I said about it was that I had no memory of acquiring it. :D Dare I say you are an easy mark? For what it is worth, I am finding it interesting so far, perhaps a bit more scholarly than I anticipated.

>100 MrsLee: Glad the treatment went well.

>110 pgmcc: That one sounds like a basis for the Science of Reading, which is finally making its way into the schools as the way to teach reading: explicit phonics instruction along with background knowledge. It’s how I’ve always thought reading should be taught. If you get more interested in that part of it, a podcast called Sold a Story is worth the time.

>113 catzteach: In her preface she says that a third of the book is about dyslexia. In this morning's reading, she gave an excerpt from Proust about reading, had us read as quickly as possible yet not lose the meaning of what he said, and now she is breaking down all the steps our brains had to go through to complete the exercise. Fascinating.

>113 catzteach:
Thank you for that.

>100 MrsLee: That's good news!

>109 MrsLee: Your kitten is acquiring excellent catting skills!

In spite of my best efforts to stretch out the reading of Other Plans, I finished yesterday. It was set in Oregon, in the northeast corner. Somewhat unsettling to me in that the author made an unlikely scenario seem plausible. In a way it felt like he wanted to write a story just to bash racists, which he did thoroughly. I can get behind that, and of course he did it humorously, but I was a little frustrated at the ending which meant that the story had not advanced the overall plot at all.

I'm going to begin Henry VIII by Shakespeare today. Hoping I can finish by tomorrow, but it doesn't really matter. Lots going on with the grandson today and tomorrow. Yesterday they came over and painted and sticker-faced pumpkins.

>117 MrsLee: Other Plans was a bit of a detour in respect of the main arc. Still humorous. It did reinforce the characters in my mind.

>118 pgmcc: Yes, I enjoyed spending time with the characters, I feel bad for the kidnapped nuns though.

>100 MrsLee: So glad to know your treatment went well and you had no ill effects afterward. I'm pulling for you on this thing. Both my younger son and my late husband went through it and came out clean.

>120 Meredy: Good to know!

>121 MrsLee: caught up, finally!

Love your kitty, was going to suggest the name "Will of the Wisp" but I like your choice of Grár.

Immunotherapy is the way to go, have heard so much good about it from the physicians here, and during their conferences.

Will keep you in my prayers, dear friend. (hugs)

>122 fuzzi: Thank you!

I began reading Frenchman's Creek, by Daphne du Maurier, but have only accomplished the first chapter. Monday and Tuesday are not good reading days for me because we watch our grandson on those days. Yesterday, due to the festivities of the day, was exhausting. Hope I can get back to the story today. The first chapter has me despising Dona. Can't abide people who abuse animals like that. Perhaps the author will give her a valid reason later, but it left a bad taste in my mouth.

>123 MrsLee:
We are of one mind about Dona.

Chapter 2 of Frenchman's Creek. One of the problems people who own unoccupied homes today are facing, are homeless people taking up residence. Apparently this was an issue long ago as well. Eww, for discovering some man had been sleeping in your bed looking at your portrait.

>106 jillmwo: I watched your friend's episode of Star Trek. A good episode. Interesting to read on Wikipedia that he was only 19 when he sold it and is the youngest author to write an episode for Star Trek. At least as of 2018.

Mrs. Maisel is pissing me off. I'm on season 3 and she is self centered, arrogant and an idiot! I suppose they are saying that is what a comedian is? Maybe. Not fun to watch her lose every opportunity because of her pride and arrogance and total disregard for others.

She can be a little maddening, but I look at how closed her world and role is in that place, time and cultural space she's in. Rose just wants her to be a mini-Rose. Imogen just wants her to look at pretty dresses and Tupperware. Abe, in his detached, emotional straight-jacket, is the most supportive because he can't get involved and so is basically a spectator. She's trying to break out of it, but because she's already boxed in to some extent (two kids), she feels it more and I wonder how much is regret that she didn't start sooner.

And yeah, I think you have to be a bit fucked up to be gusty enough to get up in front of people and say the things she or Lenny say, and in the ways they say it. Being arrested for speaking...no First Amendment protection back then, that takes guts and a bit of crazy.

>127 Bookmarque: I get it, but I also feel she could bend a little to make some money for Susie and herself/family. Last night was the episode where she got into a pissing match with Sophie Lennon on Sophie's game show. Sure, Sophie behaved badly, but Midge looked just as bad when it was over. Why would she expect anyone to give her a break when she reaffirmed every man's opinion about women and cat fights? Ah well, I suppose the show is a drama after all. It is making me curious about Joan Rivers, and I might have to look for a biography or autobiography on her. Maybe. Maybe I don't care that much.

Speaking of caring. Saw the oncologist yesterday. Stage IV it is. I haven't told my family yet. My son and his family are having a little getaway this weekend and I don't want this news clouding their enjoyment.

What this means; a different, harder treatment regimen in the hopes of delaying the inevitable. Will have brain MRI on Monday. If it is positive, I will need radiation treatments before the immunotherapy can continue. Because the tumors are still small, the hope is that with treatment it will be 5-7 years before I check out. Who knows what can happen in that time?

This certainly does put a new perspective on the TBR pile. If I can/want to read, I think I will be pretty ruthless about discarding books for any reason at all.

For those of you on Facebook, I have a wicked post planned to announce this, but it won't happen until a my family is informed. If they didn't know I was twisted before, there will be no doubt after.

Oh, @MrsLee. Hold on to the hope of those 5-7 years (and hold on to your wicked sense of humor as well). (((Hugs)))

>128 MrsLee: Oh dear. What Jill said. {{{{Even more hugs}}}}

I had lost track of this thread, so I’m just catching up with your health issues.
Sending love and hugs too.
And my brother beat a very quick moving blood cancer…what… about 10 years ago.
Very important - find a family member or friend who can be your advocate, asking the scientific questions and not letting anything slide.
😘

My heart just broke a little, Lee. I am so sorry you are dealing with this. My brother has incurable cancer as well so I am somewhat familiar. Wishing you strength and love. You know you'll get that last part here. Who knows what can happen year to year.

>128 MrsLee: I will continue to pray for you.

>128 MrsLee: Oh, Lee. Just know we are all sending you the very best of juju and keeping you in our hearts.

>128 MrsLee: What everybody said. I'm in line to hand out (((((hugs))))) when my turn comes up.

I will add my {{hug}} to the others, and hope that you get some good books and shows to provide a little escapism when the world is just too much, and that your diabolical plan for announcing your news goes exactly they way you want it to...

>128 MrsLee: Can't begin to imagine how you're feeling at a time like this. You know you'll have all our love and support and we're here if you need us.

>128 MrsLee:
I am bunking the queue and giving you infinite hugs. Your sense of humour has always appealed to me. Keep it twisted. All the best with the treatments. I’ll be here to give whatever support I can. Loads of love on its way from this side of The Atlantic.
Be ruthless with books or shows that are not doing it for you.

>128 MrsLee: Very sorry to hear your news, wishing you the absolute best.

>128 MrsLee: I'm so sorry to hear this. Sending hugs and prayers to you and your family.

>128 MrsLee: Oh man :( Here's hoping for the best possible outcome. Sending virtual hugs.

Please know that although not individually thanked, each of your kind messages has been read and reread and appreciated.

I finally caught a break. The cancer has not yet spread to my brain, so immunotherapy begins next week. The new one. It has been a very difficult week informing my children and siblings. Not an easy bit of information to impart, and what with that and waiting for the brain scan results, and being very ill over the weekend, I am emotionally and physically drained. However, with the clear brain scan, I should have the time I need to finish my cookbook and other projects that are important to me, as well as spend time with family and go places I want go like the ocean and the forest.

I'm sorry to say that Frenchman's Creek has been a victim of the suck fairy for me. I can see why I enjoyed it as a teenager, but at this point in my life, when romances without humor or a sci-fi or fantasy twist or just some human depth, it doesn't appeal. I skipped the whole middle section from where she met the pirate until her husband showed up and am skimming from there to the end to make sure I haven't missed anything.

I am enjoying Proust and the Squid, although for a bit there I was afraid it was going to be too specialized for me. Working on the history of written languages and alphabets, and how learning to use them has changed our brains. I only wish there were more illustrations of the languages mentioned. I bought Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See, which was mentioned by the author as a novel which speaks of the unique language used by Chinese women to communicate on fans and other places (so DAMNED frustrating not to be able to buy books on Amazon app).

Finished watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel last night. Episode 7 of season 5, where Abe Weissman and his newspaper friends are sitting around a table discussing some very deep thoughts, was worth the whole series.

Well that is a glimmer of light in the darkness MrsL. I am so hopeful for your therapy and all it can do for you. I can't even imagine having to tell news like that, but I've been on the receiving end of it and know that feeling well. Still dealing with it since there is no cure for my brother, but it's a slow-moving cancer and he probably has years to go.

I'm afraid to revisit Frenchman's Creek for similar reasons. I have a copy, but it sits with my other du Mauriers, just keeping company. I should have a go at Jamaica Inn though.

Abe was a highlight of Mrs. Maisel for me. And her in-laws cracked me up. Glad they aren't mine though!

>142 MrsLee:
I am in the middle of what you describe as "...the whole middle section...". This is my first read of Frenchman's Creek and I will finish it. However, it is no Rebecca or My Cousin Rachel. I feel it is too romantic and unreal to be of any great value. It strikes me as a teenager dream of romance. I noticed in Rebecca that du Maurier was manoeuvring the reader into siding with wrong doers; she had the reader in the position of sympathising with a man who murdered his wife. In Frenchman's Creek she has the reader identifying with a woman who sides with a pirate, has been a member of the privileged elite, who abuses servants and animals, and who at the drop of a hat is betraying her countrymen.

I am writing it off as a simple romance, but not a great novel. I found Jamaica Inn more compelling.

I think the next du Maurier I read will be Hungry Hill. I understand this is set in Ireland and commits many bloopers.

>144 pgmcc: We are in agreement about it. I can't wait to hear what you think of Hungry Hill, as I read it recently enough to remember.

>143 Bookmarque: Thank you. All my best to you and your brother.
I did enjoy the two completely different families of Mrs. Maisel, although I would not be able to be in the same room with any of them for very long. :D

>142 MrsLee: amen, a blessing. My dad's cancer was the type that would not respond to immunotherapy.

>143 Bookmarque: That is some good news. Progress!

>144 pgmcc: I'm interested in your thoughts on Hungry Hill. I've always mean to read more du Maurier after enjoying Rebecca so much yet never got around to it. Frenchman's Creek is sounding like one to avoid.

>142 MrsLee: That is good news. I hope the therapy is one that's easy on your system. As always, I'm hoping for the best possible outcome for you.

>142 MrsLee: I think you were due a break. Best wishes and hopes that you catch a few more good breaks.

Yankees you all. I'm going to leave that correction my phone made. I like it.

Tonight I'm watching Star Trek: The Motion Picture. It is oh so very 70s, visually at least. I remember when this came out. Went to see it in the theater three years before I met my husband. I'm trying to recapture the thrill I must have felt at seeing a new Star Trek adventure. I don't remember ever loving this one though. It is funny to watch now. All the loving looks between Ilia and Deker are gag worthy. The visuals are trippy.

>150 MrsLee: I also went to ST: The Motion Picture at the theater, was underwhelmed.

But my dh was (still is) a Trekker, and so I dutifully went with him to see #2, The Wrath of Khan. It remains my favorite in the series.

>150 MrsLee: Laughing at your phrase "so very 70s". Yes it really was. I can't bear to watch it. (It was bad in the theaters but we had to behave ourselves. Watching it on TV in a private living room, folks just pull it to bits -- the dialogue, some of the set arrangements, Ilea herself.)

I think its the dialogue that really starts my eyes rolling. Seriously, someone got paid for writing that?

>150 MrsLee: & >152 jillmwo:
My favourite line is, "We have it exactly where it wants us."

>152 jillmwo: This is why I have to watch things by myself at the other end of the house from my husband. I heckle. I don't do that when I'm watching a new movie or with someone else who hasn't seen it before. Unless they start it.

>153 pgmcc: Love that line! Kirk delivered it well, too.

Catching up on thread.

Mrs. Lee, sorry about the stage IV but so glad your brain is tumor free. I am sending you love and support from Oregon. I hope the immunotherapy works miracles. (((((hugs)))))

Oh, and I stopped watching Mrs. Maisel after season two. Kudos for sticking with it.

>155 catzteach: Thanks.

I finished what I am going to read of Frenchman's Creek. The spoiler is of the very end of the book, so no peeking unless you don't mind. I give kudos to Dona/Daphne for fighting off and killing her nemesis by herself, no men required. And that she didn't end up tossing her life and children over for the pirate. Although she burnedher bridges in Cornwall.

>156 catzteach: I did too. When she got up on a chair at her friend's wedding reception and made a joke that silenced the room, I stopped. That was just too obnoxious and mean-spirited. The having-to-be-drunk shtick was just going the wrong way. At that point I'd had it.

So I was disappointed in her, and I was also disappointed not to find out if my prediction came true when Susie (marvelous Susie!) came on the scene, namely, that at some point Midge was going to have to move in with her.

>158 Meredy: The answer to your prediction they did not move in together, at least not permanently, although Susie stayed with Midge for awhile when her life was being threatened. .
For what it's worth, Midge did seem to truly sorry when she screwed up. That sid not stop her from screwing up. I would say that some of the other storylines make it worth a watch. Her parents in France and such. Not perfect people, for sure, but interesting. I found it fascinating to look into who was representing which real people. For instance Midge was inspired by Joan Rivers, Susie by Sue Mengers and so forth. It gave me a little insight into a community (New York city Jewish) and a time (50s and 60s comedy clubs) I would otherwise not have known. That scene is about as far away from my life as another country/culture could be; having been raised on a small farm near a small town in the mountains of California.

I began The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun: together with The Corrigan Poems by J.R.R. Tolkien. It is a fairly short book. Haven't got to the poetry yet.

Was watching an Inspector Allyn mystery last night, and there was indeed an elephant; as a table decoration in a man's home.

>142 MrsLee: Glad to hear your good news, I hope the therapy is productive. I felt the same way about ST:TMP, even at the time I knew it wasn't good, but it was good to see Star Trek on the big screen. Now, it is mostly unwatchable.

>151 fuzzi: Wrath of Khan is the best of the Star Trek movies.

>142 MrsLee: I am so relieved to hear this. Sending you best wishes for your treatment and for good books to distract you.

Hoping for excellent results from the therapy!

I went to the nurse practitioner today to review the results of the brain MRI in person and go over the treatment plan which begins tomorrow. She said, "Your brain is perfect!" I made her repeat it for my husband. ;)

>163 MrsLee: "I made her repeat it for my husband."

Thereby showing that she didn't need to "say it three times" (Hunting of the Snark, if anybody didn't get the reference immediately) for it to be a truth we in the GD have known for years.

>163 MrsLee: Haha! You should have recorded it on your phone so you can play it for him when he needs to be reminded.

>163 MrsLee: That's great news! How many people's brains have the official stamp of approval? I bet you are in a select club!

>165 clamairy: this!

Woo hoo!!! That is so great. I'm smiling like a jackass over here. Tears in eyes.

Boy, @MrsLee, nobody said that to me when I had to get my MRI. I'm jealous.

>163 MrsLee: Congrats on your perfect brain and good luck with the treatment.

I love my cheering section here. *Blows kisses*

Finished reading The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun by Tolkien. The main poem is poignant and sad, a folk tale from Brittany of the likely outcome if humans involve themselves with the fay. I enjoyed the comments on the history of the poems, it is an area of folklore I was not aware of before.

Next up is the book my 2 year old grandson brought me from the TBR shelves, The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan. Not much reading time right now, but I will dip in and out of it.

Last night we hosted Cousins Game Night, wherein any and all cousins and friends who are able are welcome to show up at my house and play games. There were 23 people here last night. They organized a pot luck dinner, a lovely time was had and all I had to do was sit and watch! My nephew's wife was trying to sell me on the Wheel of Time books which she has just discovered, and I ended up giving her a bag full of books from my shelves. They were books I have enjoyed much, but probably won't read again, like the Bujold fantasy series. I only loaned her the first 2 Vorkosigan novels though. I probably will read them again. So now I have room on my shelves!

Oh, I think you will enjoy that Amy Tan book. I gave that one 5 stars back in the day.

As for the Wheel of Time book series, I was just moaning to @Karlstar how hard they are to get through for me if I'm reading them. However, if I'm listening, sometimes I keep my earbuds in for many hours at a time. Perhaps you can try borrowing the first one read by Rosamund Pike.

>172 clamairy: On Wheel of Time, maybe? I'm not enthused about starting a long series set in a different world at this moment. That's why I only read the first in Brandon Sanderson's huge series. My brain doesn't want to commit!

>173 MrsLee: I hear you. I am already partially-semi-quasi committed to the Wheel of Time. :o) Listening while doing chores, gardening or driving works well for me.

I read the first Wheel of Time book, and... that was enough for me.

@MrsLee. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

>176 pgmcc: Thank you! Spending it with my children and grandchildren in Reno, NV at my son's house. My only job is to hold the baby, watch the fun, and eat the food.

>177 MrsLee:
It appears you have all the important jobs.

>177 MrsLee: Those are the very best opportunities offered by the holiday! Happy Thanksgiving!

>177 MrsLee: Sounds like a great day. Safe travels and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

>177 MrsLee: What @Karlstar said, and the sentiments others have expressed

Thank you friends. It was a lovely day.

>182 MrsLee: glad to hear you had a good time with family.

Aw, what a perfect holiday!

Mrs Lee I have popped in to visit, see what you’ve been reading and be here to share in the love, laughter and comradeship of the beloved Green Dragon. Hugs my dear Lee. Grar sounds delightful, grandbabies are the best things on earth(among all the other wonderful things) and I’m holding you in my heart ❤️.

>185 katylit: Thank you for stopping by! We would welcome you as a regular again. ;)

>185 katylit: Yes, we would definitely appreciate seeing more of you.

>185 katylit: And another vote for seeing more of you!

My husband has chosen to be called by the grandchildren, "Großvater. My 2 year old grandson has managed to call him "Saughter." Mark was teaching Geoffrey to say "Swetnika" and Akintews (our last name and also backwards), then he said, "Now say grandma." Geoffrey said, "Bitch!" (His word for bridge. He saw a bridge/ramp in the Animal Crossing game.)

He has made a game of not saying my name when asked. He is a tease, but we better work on his pronunciation!

I give you this story in place of reading talk because my reading has been slow and piecemeal, but I haven't given up!

>189 MrsLee: Oh my!! That is hilarious. His timing was impeccable!

>189 MrsLee: Hahahaha! I love littles!

We once tried to teach a neighbor boy to say “fork.” That was super hilarious as he couldn’t say his Rs just yet!

>191 catzteach: my sister told me of one of her son's playmates who tried to say "truck", but had a hard time with the T sound, came out like an F...

>191 catzteach: Our little fella must have learned the word "bucking" at daycare (we do live in Red Bluff where rodeo is king). Only that's not how he says it. :D

>189 MrsLee: Ha, great story! My niece when she was little couldn't say clap, it came out with an r instead of an l. Now whenever called for, my mother will say 'Everybody crap!'.

>194 Karlstar: lol love it.

Hahahaha! These stories made my night! :D

Having a hard time reading The Hundred Secret Senses. I enjoy all the stuff about Chinese history and customs, but the main character/narrator is so unlikable! Wallowing in self pity and bitterness, I think the story will lead up to a resolution for her, but the journey is tedious. I'm trying to feel things from her perspective, being raised with a sister who possibly has mental illness and neglected by her mother, but she is really trying my patience.

>197 MrsLee: I have a hard time reading stories that have mostly unlikable characters. It's one of the reasons I disliked The Great Gatsby.

>197 MrsLee: It's been almost 30 years since I read it, so I don't know how I would feel about it now. Back in 1995 I was riveted.

I'm finally getting caught up on reading these. So sorry to hear your news! Holding you in the light and hoping for the outcomes you want.

>198 fuzzi: Me too, and more so the older I get.

>199 clamairy: I finished it yesterday. Mixed feelings. The parts about China, and the sister, Kwan, were very interesting. However, for me, dealing with the extreme toxicity of the narrator sister through all but about 10 pages at the end was a chore. I have to have admiration for the author though. It is no small talent that can achieve the effect of this book. Because the narrator is a toxic person, they constantly insert themselves into the tale as if they were the main story and that it is about them, when in the end, it truly is about sister Kwan. I don't know how to express this well. I don't regret reading this, but it was a difficult one to enjoy.

>200 Jim53: Thank you. I had to have a port installed on Monday to make it easier for long term treatment. Had a bit of a breakdown in the doctor's office when he asked me how I am doing with all of it. I guess the procedure brought home the fact that this is my life now; procedures, medicines, treatments, appointments, etc. Not the life I aspired to.

>201 MrsLee: I'm so so sorry, my friend. I hope it does not limit your mobility.

I understood what you meant. I'm glad you don't regret reading the book.

>201 MrsLee: I accompanied my brother when his port was installed and again when they removed it. When you think about it, it’s a marvelous delivery system and it means serious treatment is happening.

Just looked it up - brother Howie’s treatment was 11 years ago. He’s still going strong in a curmudgeonly fashion.
Hugs.

>202 clamairy: Thank you. Right now the shoulder feels like I've been on a shooting range with a large rifle yesterday. It delivered a big kick, that should fade as the wound heals. I do appreciate the medical advancements which make it possible, and the benefits it offers.

>203 2wonderY: Very glad to hear that about your brother. :)

I'm planning to finish Proust and the Squid today. I have enjoyed reading it, and learned a lot about the way we learn, although not as much practical information as I would have liked, it wasn't designed to be that. It does give a good foundation for understanding the various methods of teaching and what they are designed to accomplish. We're I to be teaching again, I think this would have helped me understand my children better and how to choose curriculum which suited them.

The books I will begin today: Onward and Upward in the Garden by Katharine S. White. This is a hardcover and so will be read in my reading chair at home. I have another book by this author which I quite enjoyed. She does for garden writing what M.F.K. Fisher does for food writing.
Also starting A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle. A tried and true author, also a paperback so it can go with me today for my infusion cycle which is a 3+ hour long process.

>204 MrsLee: You might be able to get through 2/3 of the Mayle book if forced to sit still for 3+ hours! Maybe that could be viewed as one of the upsides of this whole process?

>205 jillmwo: It would be if my brain and eyes could concentrate for that long! I will probably drift in and out of sleep, since for some reason I woke up at 3:30 and couldn't fall back asleep. Gave up at 4:30.

>206 MrsLee: Oh, nights like that are awful. My sympathies!!!!

Short health update for the curious, others can skip to the second section, unless you don't care for spurious rants about holiday movies. After my infusion last week, it knocked me on my butt. The next day felt like I had all the bad things. Could not read, or listen to music, hurt everywhere. This passed in about three days last time, but this time it kept getting worse, and by Monday I was running a high fever. After all the testing was done, we know know that my lungs are in great shape, I don't have Covid, RSV or the flu. My blood labs are not great, about what you expect from a person with cancer. About the healthiest person around who feels like she might die any moment. What terrifies me is that the side effects might escalate with every infusion. Ok, shaking that off, because today, finally, I started feeling a little better.

On to the rant! First of all, I never watch Christmas movies, except for a few classics which are my favorites. For some reason this year, my brain told me to start watching random seasonal movies each night. Be kind. Give the world a chance, yada, yada. I can't even name them for you because I try very hard to scrub them from my mind. Every night I give my husband a review (he may not have a perfect brain, but he knows better than to go on these adventures). "Stupid" "Dumb" I think the best has been, "Not horrible." They seem to be about horrible people who are horrible until the very last moment, then suddenly they repent and everyone loves them. Ah, sweet forgiveness. I find myself yelling at the TV characters, "Jerk!" "Asshole!" "Liar!" and much, much worse. Possibly I just want to be angry right now.

I intend to watch my favorites next week.

>208 MrsLee:
Hoping your side effects settle down. Big hugs from afar.

Regarding Christmas movies, you are right; for every hundred you might find a semi-decent one. Stick to the ones you know are good unless you get a strong recommendation from a friend.

>208 MrsLee: What Peter said, but from even further away.

You could always watch the legendary Star Wars Christmas Special (I Believe it's available on YouTube).

>208 MrsLee: bwahaha on your Christmas penance! I couldn't do that. I probably watch 3-4 moves annually, not including my favorites.

What are your favorite Christmas movies?

Still keeping you in my prayers.

>210 haydninvienna: noooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I watched that when it premiered, and then sank to the bottom of a bog.

>208 MrsLee: More hugs from the other end of earth!

I've been binge-watching Only Connect, and yesterday the family watched 6 episodes of the ITV quiz Countdown, on DD's recommendation. Greatly enjoyed, but maybe not if your brain feels like mush. Any whichway up, I wouldn't touch (almost) any "holiday movie" with a bargepole. Though saying that, it occurs to ask if anybody has watched the adaptation of Hogfather. If so, is it any good?

>208 MrsLee: I'm so sorry. Do you have to have them weekly? I know they can give you meds if you have nausea, but I don't think there's much they can do about the fatigue and the body aches. Fever is a terrible side effect. Did they say if that was a common reaction?

Re: the Christmas movies, I don't generally watch a new one unless it's highly recommended. Last year I watched Christmas Vacation for the first time since the 1980s. There were a few funny bits, but I won't be watching that again any time soon. The Muppet Christmas Carol and It's a Wonderful Life, are probably the only films I watch most years. Sometimes I watch Elf, A Charlie Brown Christmas or A Christmas Carol with Alistair Sim. (Last year I watched the new Pinocchio with my son and his girlfriend, which is not a Christmas movie but was phenomenal.) We used to watch Love, Actually every year as a family. The first Christmas after Pete passed we decided to smoke a bunch of weed and watch it because we thought it would be so much funnier, and we needed cheering up. And we decided it was awful. The men are all 20 years older than the women they end up with. You have three cases of bosses romancing their subordinate employees. Ugh.

>208 MrsLee: A mighty battle rages within. This is probably the worst it will get. Your body will learn swiftly to accommodate the action.

One of my favorite holiday films is
It Happened on Fifth Avenue.

Oh man...I hope the infusions don't get worse. I'm sorry this one has knocked you down for a bit. And...stick to the classics!

Thank you all. Now I want to find a globe and put shiny stars where you all live. When I'm sad I could spin it and see all the love around the world. Muppets Christmas Carol
It's a Wonderful Life
A Christmas Story
Elf
The Lemon Drop Kid
The Bishops Wife

There are probably more, but they are not accessible to my memory at the moment. Please note the complete absence of Miracle on 34th Street and Charlie Brown Christmas Special. Maudlin is not my go to emotion, I try to avoid it, and I have always hated the voices in the Charlie Brown things. They grate on my last nerve. Won't even let my husband play the music. Bah! Humbug!

>214 clamairy: LOL to your reaction to Love Actually. I have a sweet and kind friend who asked me to watch that with her years ago, it was her favorite holiday movie. All the way through in my head I was saying, "Really" "Really"? I didn't find it painful (apart from being the same sort of romance theme most modern Christmas movies are) because I have a soft spot for Hugh Grant (except they pair him with very young actresses). Have no desire to watch it again though. I'm more likely to watch one of the tough guy movies with lots of bullets and car chases.

>218 MrsLee: Yes, I also love Hugh Grant (and Colin Firth), and the Bill Nighy scenes are phenomenal. I watched whichever one has Kate Winslet and Jack Black in it a couple of years ago, and that was okayish. They are all completely implausible. I have less trouble believing in elves and orcs.

(I absolutely adore the jazz score from A Charlie Brown Christmas. 🤣)

>218 MrsLee: and >219 clamairy:. There are elements to Love Actually that I kind of like and others that I just find too painful to watch. But in some ways, it offsets the idiocy of routine Hallmark Christmas movies. Is there no executive at Hallmark who realizes how much that formula sets up people to secretly feel like utter failures during the holiday?

Here's hoping the side effects of treatment dissipate soon @MrsLee. I have someone on this side of the country who is also undergoing treatment and all my thoughts are split between you and her.

>218 MrsLee:
We watched Love Actually once and found it very twee but a bit funny. I cannot, however, watch it a second time. One thing I found great about it was Bill Nighy's role. It really brought Bill Nighy to my attention and I have enjoyed is work in other films since.

We watched Scrooged the other night. I love The Ghost of Christmas Present in that film. I understand the actress is now playing a main role in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, a series I have not watched.

>219 clamairy: "I have less trouble believing in elves and orcs."
Hahaha! Exactly!

>220 jillmwo: Thank you!

>221 pgmcc: I am a fan of Bill Nighy also. Please remedy the sadness that is you not having watched Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
I bogged down in Next Gen, and lost the will to continue my mission of completion. It's just that I know the Borgs are coming and I am very uncomfortable with that storyline.

>222 MrsLee:
I have lost interest in Star Trek and Star Wars since they started all the spin-offs, back stories and prequels. There is just too much to keep track of.

>208 MrsLee: I hope you are feeling better today and continue to do so.

>221 pgmcc: Do you like Scrooged? I have to admit, most of the new Star Trek series are a mixed bag, but I really enjoy Strange New Worlds.

>223 pgmcc: Your first mistake was trying to keep track. With so many of these movie franchise things, it's best to simply treat each viewing as a single roller coaster ride. (I suspect the people who write the scripts enjoy creating vast complexity in their fantasy universes.)

>224 Karlstar: I enjoy Strange New Worlds, but I'm not trying to fit together all of the arcane pieces that cross between the various series.

>208 MrsLee: Also hoping your side effects go away soon in general.

I don't think I could do a Christmas movie marathon like that lol

>226 Narilka: Thank you! I felt 33% better yesterday, too early today to tell, but I think the trend is Upward now instead of downward. :)

Love Actually is a "problematic fave" for me -- I love so many of the actors in it, but oof, it has not aged well. I still watch it most years. I also love the first 3/4ths of Elf -- it walks the line between funny and stupid for most of the film, then falls off toward the stupid side near the end. Muppets are my safe bet for holiday cheer, and the original cartoon version of the Grinch.

>228 foggidawn: Agree entirely that both the Muppets' version of The Christmas Carol as well as the cartoon Grinch (with Boris Karloff as the narrator) are nicely reliable fun.

>229 jillmwo: I mentioned once that I liked the Grinch, and someone (I think it was my middle sister) had the temerity to ask which one. I almost couldn't muster a response, but finally managed to gasp out, Boris, of course.

>208 MrsLee: I hope your news will improve more and more. I'm continuing to hold you in the light daily.

>224 Karlstar:
Yes, we enjoy Scrooged. Bill Murray's speech at the end was a bit OTT and I think it ran away on him, but overall we get kick out of the film. I particularly like The Ghost of Christmas Present.

So sorry the infusions are making you feel so crappy. I hope the side effects fade as the treatments continue.

As for Christmas movies, I do still like Love Actually because of the actors and the little kid storyline. There is a short sequel that was made for Red Nose Day that I just recently viewed.

I enjoy the latest Grinch. I just recently watched Elf for the first time. I am not a fan of Will Ferrell. The movie wasn’t too bad, though.

I would prefer to watch all the Doctor Who Christmas specials before a lot of the movies out there. And I stay away from the Hallmark Christmas movies like they are the plague.

Watched The Christmas Train with, was it Danny Gover? I think it was a Hallmark production. I didn't hate it, but don't need to see it again.

Last night was Skipping Christmas. I remember enjoying the book, the movie? Just eh. Too much spoofery-stupid stuff. Next was Santa who? With Leslie Nielson. Just OK.

I was finally entertained by a newish Christmas movie. It is an invention of the process Charles Dickens went through to write A Christmas Carol. The Man who Invented Christmas is the name of the movie. While one might argue that they stretched some of the facts A Visit from St. Nicholas, by Clement C. Moore, was written 20 years earlier and gave us many of the decorative traditions that we follow today. Dickens gets to the heart of the holiday in "The Christmas Carol." Anyway, I enjoyed this one and it's characters and would watch it again if there was a fan with.

>223 pgmcc: I did watch the Star Wars prequels, once. I've seen some of the spinoffs, meh. But I can rewatch the original three anytime.

I liked Star Trek movies #2, #4, and the Next Generation movie First Contact. I just can't get into any of the others.

>217 MrsLee: well, shucks. I still love A Charlie Brown Christmas, my favorite of all the Peanuts cartoons, and the only one I choose to rewatch.

A Christmas Carol (1951, aka Scrooge) with Alistair Sim is still the best movie version, imo. I have a DVD that has Patrick Macnee as the "host", which is fun because he was in the movie as a very young man. The Muppets version is enjoyable, and I do recall a cartoon version of the story from the 1970s that was very faithful to the original story, might look that up.

The made for TV movie The Homecoming is a delight, finally bought the DVD. It's been added to my annual holiday watch list.

I like the original Miracle on 34th Street too, with Maureen O'Hara and a very precocious Natalie Wood. Guilty pleasure.

And I love the original Grinch. Chuck Jones is da bomb.

>234 MrsLee: I watched that film last year and found it halfway decent. The book Mr. Dickens and his Carol is probably a bit more accurate and I enjoyed that more, but they are very similar.

Anyone had a gander at the new fireworks hunt? I was only able to get one off the bat, without internet help. It is clear to me that I cannot navigate LT on my phone. I think I know the answer to two or three more clues but cannot find the pages for the life of me. I found where to find the list of names of all the staff, and what they do, but the clue makes it sound like there might be a page where thier pictures and a short bio is listed. I found one of those pages, but not where all are in one place. Too frustrating for me at this time. I used to be good at this stuff when I worked from my laptop.

>238 MrsLee: I thought I checked yesterday, maybe it was Saturday and it hadn't started yet. Thanks for the reminder. I got one off the bat I think it is a lot easier on a big screen.

>238 MrsLee: & >239 Karlstar: It's definitely easier on the big screen as you can have a couple of tabs going at one. One for the clues, and one or more for searching! (Yes, I know could do that on my phone... but it's a chore.)

Oh, that artwork!

>240 clamairy: Agreed on the artwork, love it!
I do run two tabs on my phone, but I think it is the redesign of the site that is defeating me. I used to know how to find the store and other infrequently used pages, but now it seems I can only run across them by chance. If I go looking I am doomed.

I watched the last episode of season 2 of GhostsUK last night. It was a fun Christmas episode. I gotta say, this is one series where I prefer the American version to the UK. The American ghosts have more interesting character backgrounds, as do the couple who own the house.

After that I watched Jack Reacher with Tom Cruise. He did ok, I kept imagining the actor from the TV series in it, because Mr. Cruise is not the right size, no matter how well he can act.

Wait, what?! You guys do those hunts on your PHONES? Holy cr*p. I need big screens to get through those.

>242 jillmwo: Yes, well, some of us don't do them very well on our phones! I found the required 2 clues to earn a badge (thank you LT for keeping the bar low enough for me to creep over!) and quit.

>238 MrsLee: yep. I got one, too. I got very frustrated because so many of the clues seem to point toward recent literary prizes/events, which I do not follow, and new bestsellers, which I don't look at. Oh well.

>234 MrsLee: Thank you so much for referring all of us to that movie -- The Man Who Invented Christmas!! It has a wonderful cast of actors and provides a delightful lift to the spirits! I can't tell you how many times I have passed over it in my recommendations until today. I needed something on while I decluttered in anticipation of Christmas visitors and this was such a nice thing. I told my husband that we will have to watch it together on some evening between Boxing Day and New Years!!

>244 fuzzi: Well, the theme was book happenings in 2023, so they had a pretty narrow field. Google helped me find the answer to #1 I think? The author from The Land of the Midnight Sun.

>245 jillmwo: I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I thought it was well done. I had not heard much about Dickens' father, and I'm not sure how much of it was true, but apparently Dickens really was apprenticed out when his folks were taken to debtor's prison.

I'm poking along in my reading. I can only handle about 20 minutes before my brain turns off, but Onward and Upward in the Garden is a terrific book to read in the winter. Katherine S. White wrote a series of articles for the New Yorker after she retired as an editor there. She reviewed seed catalogs and made it quite entertaining, educational and interesting. I remember my grandmothers, mother and my younger self pouring over seed catalogs, dreaming big dreams for our gardens. This is almost like having a cozy chat with them. I do find myself skimming certain details about the companies, but I have to be careful because she frequently adds charming asides and I don't want to miss them.

I can’t imagine trying the hunts on a phone! Way too tiny! I have to do it on my laptop or desk computer and have multiple tabs open while I do. If I’m really into it, I’ll have the Talk up and get clues from others as well.

The Man Who Invented Christmas sounds really good. I’ll have to watch that while I crochet.

I remember my dad getting plant and seed catalogs when I was a kid. I loved looking at all the flowers and plants. I seem to remember one he would get that actually smelled like the flowers (???). I loved those catalogs. Thanks for that memory. :)

Oh yes...the Burpee seed catalog was a regular in my house growing up. First the ritual of seeing if there were new varieties and debating whether to try them. Then actually picking the seeds my parents needed. Months go by and then the seed box is opened and seedlings started. My dad had a row of grow lights set up under the basement stairs with racks under them for the tiny peat pots of seeds. It was warm because it was right near the big woodstove and we would all rotate the flats so that everyone got some light. The smell! When they were big enough and the temps warm enough, they'd go into the small greenhouse my dad built. A few weeks in there and into the ground they went.

Thanks for those memories, too!

oh yes, the seed catalogs! it was such a nice way to daydream of spring during dreary winter days. we used to go through and circle all the ones we would like to try, although my grandfather only ever ordered tomatos and marigolds.

A late contribution to the holiday-movie discussion: Better Half and I have just been watching James Martin cooking shows. In one he spent a few seconds mentioning how much he enjoys watching old movies at this time of year. Made me think that maybe the ideal festive movie would be the original 1949 version of Whisky Galore, if only one could find a copy! Failing that, maybe the underlying book is due for a re-read.

>250 hfglen: That looks like a fun book.

I love the Burpee catalog, so many great new varieties and old trusted ones too. I had a few old-ish ones collected but gave them up in the last move. Their limoncello basil, which looked like regular basil but with a lemony scent, was great last year.

>246 MrsLee: I didn't pay attention to the theme...that would explain it.

I used to love the Burpee seed catalogs. We got Park's, too.

>252 Karlstar: & >253 fuzzi: Have either of you seen the White Flower Farm catalog? I don't know if they are still publishing. My grandmother swore it was the best guide to gardening she had read and made sure I got a copy. I saved it for many years, but it left me in one of the purges for space.

>252 Karlstar: Lemoncillo basil sounds wonderful! If I drank anymore, I would get some and try it in cocktails.

In a surprise turn of events; my son and family who have been battling RSV came over this evening to let my 2 year old grandson play in the cul de sac. I sat on the porch as long as I could and watched. Amazing how watching that boy can revive my spirits. Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!

>255 MrsLee: Bless you all.

>254 MrsLee: I still get the White Flower farm catalog. I got introduced to them when I was taking landscaping classes. When we lived in the Hudson Valley, their farm in Litchfield CT was only 2 hours away, so we made the trip there several times. Great place to visit, they have wonderful gardens and a great selection of plants. Pricey, but really excellent.

Glad to hear that you had a visit. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

>255 MrsLee: That's a wonderful Christmas treat! I hope you're having a lovely time.

>255 MrsLee: What a great way to share some family time when there are complications! Glad you got to see the little one for a while.

>255 MrsLee: I'm glad you got to see them all, even if it wasn't what you'd hoped for. Sending hugs your way.

>255 MrsLee: That's a lovely way of bringing everyone together at the holiday. Very thoughtful as a gift. Enjoy these days of Christmas.

>257 Karlstar: I'm glad they are still in business.

Thank you everyone for your good wishes!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and may you have a better New Year to come.

>255 MrsLee: What a lovely Christmas surprise :)

>262 MrsLee: Here's the link to their store site, which is very nice: https://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/garden-displays

They aren't too terrible at spamming with the catalogs, but you'll get at least 4 (2 spring/summer, one fall, one holiday) if not more.

>265 Karlstar: That looks like a lovely place to visit.

Dear Lee, I have not been on lt for ages but yours is the first thread I visited when I came back, having loved your reviews and personality in the past. So sorry to hear about your illness. Sending you good thoughts for your treatment.

>267 littlegeek: Thank you. I was thinking about you a couple of days ago and wondering how you are! Very glad to see you here and hope all is well with you.

This morning my husband told me he was putting the frog mythology stuff in the dishwasher. Yes, I was reading at the time. After a minute or so I paused. "What are you putting in the dishwasher?"
"Karl's mixology stuff." (Karl being my son)
"Oh, that makes loads more sense."

Now I can't stop thinking about frog mythology stuff that would go in the dishwasher.

>269 MrsLee: I admit that I am wondering (just in passing) whether the mythology is something that the frogs themselves have or if it is mythology that includes frogs...

My husband and I sometimes share housekeeping moments like that as well.

>270 jillmwo: A valid question; and now I would like to know that as well. If you don't answer that question, all other thoughts and theories are potentially invalid.

I managed to finish my last book of the year today, in spite of the company. A crying, fussy baby with parents trying to sooth, gives grandma reading time.

The book was A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle. Perfect to end on as each chapter is arranged to describe by month, their first year living in Provence. As you read, you begin to meet and understand the various characters they are meeting, the cultural mores of the area, the weather and geography, and see the progress (or lack thereof) they are making on the renovations to their home. Delightful and gentle reading.

I'm going to start the new thread, because I think I have a quiet moment. Not sure when I will be able to work up my reading statistics. It has been a long habit to do this on the first of the year, but I have company, so we shall see. I will add them here when I do.

Love you all! Thank you for your support and care this year - it has meant a lot to me.

>271 MrsLee: Love you too, MrsL. You're still one of my favourite people even though I've never met you.

>272 haydninvienna: :) Sweet talk will get you everywhere.

Here are my Year End Stats, make of them what you will, or not. My total books read, 72, is a number I am pleased with. I didn't think I would get that far this year, but to be honest, 9 of those were DNF. I still count them because I invest enough in the book to give it a fair shot and know why I can't finish, then I can pass them on and have room on my shelves.

The proportion of fiction 51, to nonfiction 21, is about average for me. I very much enjoyed my nonfiction this year.

Male 39, to female 25, I don't worry about. I read what I'm interested in and I don't care which gender writes it. 8 were written by male/female partners.

27 books by authors never read before, but again, I read what I am interested in and if it happens to be by a new author, fine.

A whopping 45 three star reads, and only 2 five star (which were likely rereads). That's OK. I've been reading mostly off of my TBR shelves, so this tells me that my shelves have interesting works on them which probably don't need to be saved. In fact, I would say that I probably gave away about 45 books this year, in spite of my stats.

A fairly typical reading year in spite of the cyclones circling in my head. I did notice there were some months I read 11 books, and others I only read 2-4.

Year End Counts:
Mystery: 27
Fantasy: 15
Fiction: 12
Western:
Graphic Novel:
Drama: 2
Children: 2
eBook: 12
Audio:
Short Stories: 2
Novella: 2
Scifi: 1
Comics:
Humor:
Poetry: 2
Pamphlet:
YA: 1
Cookbook:
Reread: 6
DNF: 9
Fiction: 51
Nonfiction: 21
Total: 72

Ratings:
Loved it, will probably reread, definitely keep***** 2
Liked it lots, will recommend, possibly keep to loan**** 16
Liked it, will probably not keep unless reference or part of series*** 45
Didn't like it, but others might** 9
Hated it, probably didn't finish, would like to shred*

Stats:
72 books read, 51 fiction, 21 nonfiction
39 by men, 25 by women, 8 combined male and female, ** Anonymous
27 by authors I’ve never read before
59 physical books, ** audio, 13 ebooks
Oldest writing was by Aesop (in “Aesop’s Fables” 600BC), oldest physical book from 1912 (“Shakespeare’s Works, Vol. II”).
Oldest illustrations “Aesop’s Fables” (1909) by Edward J. Detmold.

Not counting ebooks, audio books or rereads
Books Retained After Reading: 24
Books Rehomed: 36 on record, but I gave about 15 away in December (forgot to write which ones)

Average date of original book published: 1964
Average date of book I read published: 1992
Median date of original book published: 1985
Median date of book I read published: 2002
Mode date/decade of original book published: 2010s
Mode date/decade of book I read published: 2000s