2024*1: LizzieD at Home with a Book

I've just finished a program for a study club featuring my artist cousin. Here are three of the bags that he did for Fendi back in the 80s. They sent him the leather pieces cut for the bags, and he painted and returned them for assembly. He did in the neighborhood of 100 for them.

READ IN JANUARY
1. Bookshops and Bonedust
2. Legends and Lattes (reread)
3. The Marriage Portrait*
4. The Man Who Died Twice
5. The Debatable Land
6. The Deepest of Secrets

Into the House in January
1. Anxious People ✔
2. Prophet Song
3. Rome and Persia
4. Translation State - Kindle deal
5. The Women of Troy
6. Yellowface ✔
7. The Man Who Died Twice ✔
8. SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome
9. Emperor of Rome
10. Nettle and Bone - Kindle Daily Deal
11. Murder at Haven's Rock ✔

READ IN FEBRUARY
7. The Unknown Ajax (much reread)
8. Murder at Haven's Rock
9. Anxious People
10. Resurgence
11. The Boy Who Cried Bear

Into the House in February
12. Starling House - Kindle Daily Deal
13. Divergence ✔ - I have no idea when or where I got this one, but I'm glad to have it catalogued.
14. A Pale Light in the Black - Kindle deal
15. North Woods
16. The Broken Road - AMP
17. The Boy Who Cried Bear ✔
18. The Jerusalem Quartet - Kindle daily deal
19. The Long Sunset - AMP
20. Starhawk ✔- AMP
21. Britain AD ✔ - AMP

READ IN MARCH
12. The Wizard's Butler (third time)
13. The Covenant of Water
14. Starhawk
15. Whiskeyjack

Into the House in March
22. The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory ✔ - Kindle (no deal)
23. A Rip Through Time - Kindle daily deal
24. The Dragon's Path - Kindle daily deal
25. Whiskeyjack - ✔
26. Blackcurrant Fool ✔
27. Age of Wonder - Kindle daily deal

READ IN APRIL
16. Betrayal in Death

Into the House in April

*review on book page

OPEN FOR READING IN APRIL
>

(Just because they're open doesn't necessarily mean that I'm going to get to them this month.) (This is such a joke. Maybe this will be the year I actually read *Life* --- maybe not. I do live and read in hope!)

There. That's all I need right now!

I'll be back, said in Terminator tones. *smooch*

For when you get back… Welcome to 2024!

Happy New Year to you and yours, Peggy!

You are a much loved fixture of my enjoyment of this group, Peggy. Starred and will be a regular visitor as always.

Hi Peggy!

Wishing you a great one!

Happy New Year, Peggy. I hope 2024 is a good one for you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, dear friends! How we long for one for ourselves and for our world!
Thank you for speaking, Beth, Susan, Paul, Deborah, Jim, and Richard! I haven't moved in yet, but I'll try to furnish the place soon.

Meanwhile, Karen's used word list was immensely helpful today. I'm not sure that trying only unused words gets there faster, but it might, and it's fun.

Wordle 926 4/6*

🟨⬜🟨⬜⬜
🟨⬜⬜🟩🟩
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, royal, aural, mural

Happy New Year to you, too, my dear! Happy first thread, too.

>11 LizzieD: Wordle in 4 for me today, too. I'm glad the words used list is helpful.

Good luck with your 2024 reading!

Thank you, Tess, and welcome here!

Happy reading in 2024, Peggy!

Thank you, Anita, and the wish right back to you!

Karen, I almost lost my streak today because, according to Wordle and maybe everybody else, I spell today's word wrong. I could have had it in 3. Didn't. Hope you did better!

Wordle 927 6/6*

⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
🟩⬜🟨⬜🟨
🟩⬜🟩🟩🟩
🟩⬜🟩🟩🟩
🟩⬜🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, argon, acing, aping, axing, aging

Happy New Year, Peggy! I'll come join the throng soon.

Tuesday orisons, Peggy me lurve. It turned into winter overnight, so the plants and I are very, very confused...it felt like April a few days ago and now this...?

*sigh*

Thank you for dropping by, Judy. When I see you, I'll star you!

Wednesday blessings for you, Richard. Actually, you're blessed here every day whether you come or not. I don't love winter, but I don't hate it like I used to, and I do love the thought that it's killing insects. *smooch*

Wordle 928 3/6*

🟨⬜⬜⬜🟨
🟩🟨🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, trill, twirl I love Karen's used list!!!

Hi Peggy!

Yesterday's 3 for me was with logical and then comfirmed word choices. Today's 3 was with more help from the spreadsheet.

Yes, the insect-killing aspect of winter always makes me happy here in NC.

Off to the dentist in a while for a semiannual visit then I'll use the treadmill.

Hiya Peggy! I got busy and finished the newest entry into the Clare Carlson mystery series I've been pecking away at last night. Friday I'll put up Broadcast Blues, and today and tomorrow the first three I read. The truth is that I like the familiarity of a series read but am seldom all that excited about the reads themselves...

Let's all celebrate Mother Nature squashing some bugs. I'm pleased at the thought of fewer mosquitos. *smooch*

Happy reading in 2024!!

'Morning, Peggy!

Another Wordle 3 for me. I love my new word.

Gentle hugs for your ma, kind regards to your DH, and many hugs for your own wonderful self.

Kim, thank you for the stars. Happy Reading in good health to you too!

Good morning, Richard. I'm a sucker for the continuing characters in series if the author allows them to grow and change. That's usually the draw for me. I hope to get to your place this morning! If I don't make it, I'll leave a *smooch* here.

Good morning, Karen! Another 3 for me too, as you see. I didn't use the list today; I just lucked out. All those hugs right back to you and your two! (((((Karen)))))

Wordle 929 3/6*

⬜⬜🟩🟨🟩
🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, smart, scant

Happy New Year, Peggy! I got it in three today too.

Hi, Roni! We really are Three Sisters, then!

'Morning, Peggy!

Coffee, kitty in lap, Wordle in 4. Treadmill today, possibly taking Christmas stuff down.

I hope you have a good day.

Good morning, Karen!!! We'll leave Christmas stuff up until tomorrow. I don't see how people have managed to have it since October.

Yesterday Mama's lift chair died. At least it went in an easy position for getting her out of it. My DH had replaced the motor five years ago. It took weeks to get here and wasn't exactly the right one, but it did last this long. He's off this morning to buy a replacement from local stock. (Yikes!) Meanwhile, Mama does have another manual recliner, but it's very low. Happy New Year!

Wordle 930 3/6*

🟩🟨⬜⬜⬜
🟩⬜🟩🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, liner, lunge I did use a list.

Hi Peggy! Jenna and I did get it all down this morning, so yay for that. The only thing still out are my Lladro Christmas Bells. If I buy b lawyer's book case tomorrow at the local antique place that is only open on Saturdays, then I'll put them out and take a pic, otherwise they'll go up 'til next year.

Oh, I'm so sorry that the lift chair died. Sorry about your mama having to navigate the lower manual recliner. Bill's mama loved her lift chair.

Yay for your 3.

Good news here is that Mama has a new lift chair and says that she is comfortable in it. It's a lot bigger than the old one, but we'll get used to it.

Karen, I hope that the rain has already moved off so that you can get the book case that you want and get it home with no problem. I'll be happy to see the pic!

I note that yesterday was my 15th Thingaversary and Lucy's 14th. More power to both of us! I didn't even buy one book, much less sixteen. *sigh*

Wordle 931 3/6*

🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜
🟩🟨🟨🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, clean, cable

Happy Thingaversary. *smooch* for a good day's reading today.

‘Morning, Peggy!

Yay for the new lift chair, and congrats on your 15th Thingaversary.

It’s definitely rainy and cold and gloomy, and I have a slightly sore throat and congestion, so will definitely not go out today. And if I still feel puny tomorrow, Jenna will make the grocery store run for us. Blech.

Wordle in 3 too, Wordle Sister!

Reading and dozing are my plan for today. Senior kitty is in my lap.

Good morning, Karen, and I hope you have the sun in Carolina Blue Skies as we do this morning!

Wordle 932 3/6*

⬜⬜⬜🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, story, stony Had a choice of two for my second guess, and I picked the one I'll always pick. No complaints!

'Afternoon, Peggy. It's gorgeous out, breezy, puffy clouds floating by with Carolina blue skies as the background. Jenna and I've already gone grocery shopping and put everything up. She starts work tomorrow and will make some meals today to make getting up and packing lunch/snacks easier during the week.

Wordle in 5. I was glad to get it and could have easily gotten stuck with Alphabet Soup.

Good morning, Karen. I'm wishing Jenna a fabulous first day at work. I'll be glad to hear from her later today!

Wordle 933 4/6*

🟨⬜🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨🟩⬜
⬜⬜🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, polar, banal, final Best I could do...

I'm working on my program for my study club on Thursday, which features my artist cousin who lives in Rome. I'll have to cut a lot, but I'm finally getting it written and organized. That means that I'm reading very little. *sigh*

Monday, Monday...hoping it's a good day for you, and filled with enough busy to be good but not overwhelming.

Hello, Peggy, I finally made it over to your new thread. Hope you are having a wonderful new year! Looks like your thread is still under construction, as is mine. I haven't finished filling in the top entries.

>30 LizzieD: Hurray to finding a new lift chair that works well so quickly!

And you're off to a great Wordling start to the new year! Have a great week!

Checking in for today, Peggy. Not sure how much I am going to be around this week. We have a ton of stuff to do before leaving on Saturday.

Happy New-ish Year, Peggy. I haven't been around these part much lately but 2024 is a brand new year, and I'll try to follow along a little better.

Hi Peggy! I hope you've finalized your program and can back to some reading.

Looks like you have a chance of some severe weather, too...

Stay safe.

Wordle in 4 for me today.

Drive-by *smooch*

>41 richardderus: Arrival *smooch*

Karen, I need to finish this program before the weather arrives. Schools here are dismissing two hours early with a two hour delay in the morning. I don't look forward to it. I will be exceedingly glad to have my life back. I'll read and hope to spend some time catching up at LT too!

Anne, I'm delighted to see you here! I check in every day, but I don't get around much either.

Stasia, I'm awfully excited for you! I hope it's everything that you hope for - cruise and games!

YAY, Irene!!! Welcome home! I do look forward to working on my thread and visiting yours. Wordle today is as good as it gets for me....

Wordle 934 2/6*

🟩🟨⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, liner

>42 LizzieD: Wordle in 2, fantastic! It took me 3 today, and I was pleased with that.

I look forward to keeping up with your reading and activities this year, Peggy!

Those 2s are few and far between, Irene. I'm always happy with 3.

Hope you're doing OK with the storm. So far so good for us, but I thought I'd check in here before we lose power. We've had one brief outage so far.

So far so good for us today, but we're now under a severe thunderstorm warning, although I haven't heard any thunder yet. Off and on rain all day, and some wind. But the big line of storms isn't far to our west now. Stay safe!

Hi Peggy!

Wordle in 3 today, with the help of my spreadsheets.

We had lots of weather, but no thunderstorms or tornadoes. Got about 2" of rain. Lost power for 2 hours - irony of ironies because the new generator is supposed to be finalized today but the old generator wouldn't crank yesterday. I kept and will still keep the oil lamps, so between them and candles we did fine.

Wordle 935 3/6*

⬜🟨⬜⬜🟨
🟨🟨⬜🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, write, threw

I have to run out right now, but I'll be back!

(((((Karen)))))

Happy belated Thingaversary!!

>47 LizzieD: I got it four. Humph. ; )

Thank you kindly, Kim. (I Humph for four too until I have a string of fives and sixes.)

BOOKSHOPS AND BONEDUST by Travis Baldree

A pleasant fantasy prequel to another that I really enjoyed is a good way to start the new year. Viv is a wounded orc, who is having to heal from a battle wound in a strange city. She finds good friends and adventure, all the while knowing that she will move on when her mercenary company comes back for her. I prefer the earlier book, Legends and Lattes when Viv has retired, but this was a lot of fun.

A secret *Humph*, but I'm glad to have it.

Wordle 936 4/6*

⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟩⬜⬜🟨
🟨🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, crone, fried, brief

Hi Peggy. First of all, Happy New Year of Reading. Congrats on 15 years of LT. It’s a marvelous place to be, isn’t it?

>49 LizzieD: Coincidentally, I just added Legends and Lattes to my list operating possibilities. It was recommended on a Facebook group for comfort reading. It’s good to know that you enjoyed it.

Hi Peggy!

Wordle in 3 again.

It's so beautiful out, but I'm going to stay in today just because I can. I forgot that I have a hair cut tomorrow in Winston-Salem. Jenna can't go because of her new job, so I'll make the trek by myself. Note to self: Flip page in desk calendar to current week.

Donna, it's such a pleasure to see you here! This is a wonderful place, and the 75 group is the best part of it! I read *Ls&Ls* because Roni enjoyed it. That should be a good bonus recommendation for you!

Good afternoon, Karen! We walked, and it is beautiful. Now I'm about to serve up a bowl of cabbage soup for Mama and me. I'll run it through the food processor so that it's a slurry that Mama will eat, as per Lucy's advice. She was drinking the broth and leaving the veggies. Anyway, happy haircut tomorrow!

I didn't look at your list until my last guest. It kept me from 5. Now I see that my #2 is on the list. I might learn; might not. I'm waiting to hear how the program went. It's just about time for my friend to be getting home.

'Morning, Peggy!

Good idea to create a slurry for your mama. She's good at cherry picking food, isn't she? Veggies out of soup and nuts out of candy.

Wordle in 3 for me today. Some days I rely on the spreadsheet to help me find words to use, but today it was my thinking of words and only checking to see if they were on the already-used list. I'm happy that today's effort was the latter use.

Good morning, Karen! That's exactly how I used the list today, and we are 3 Sisters. Yay!
I have a dexascan early this afternoon and hope to get back in time to walk. That is the extent of my planning for the day! I confess to rereading Legends and Lattes. I didn't intend to, but there it was, and so there I am. I also started The Man who Died Twice just because I wanted to. Poor everything else!

Wordle 937 3/6*

⬜🟨⬜⬜🟨
⬜🟨⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, quite, route I don't know why I wanted to use the strange letter at #2; I just did. I've even used the answer as a go-to narrower-downer. I like 3 though.....

>49 LizzieD: Do you suspect that Baldree will be making a series out of Viv and her cronies in the coffeeshop world?

Have a lovely weekend aheads reads, Peggy!

>55 LizzieD: Hi Peggy, I hope you're having a good day and your appointment goes well!

I had the same second word as you so maybe it wasn't so strange, but it still took me 5 to solve Wordle today. Too much guessing. I went through 3 words with the final 3 letters before I found the right one.

I hope the rough weather expected later today will pass through without causing any trouble. Stay safe!

>56 richardderus: Hmmm. I don't really think cinematically, Richard. I'm pretty sure the the prequel would work on screen in a Shrek-like adaptation. There are too many different-sized sentient beings to use humans, I think. Much less happens in the coffeshop world. He's like Nathan Lowell in detailing ordinary physical developments (chapters spent on tearing out the interior of a livery stable and turning it into a coffee shop, for example). I find reading it a comfort; the process would be boring to watch. I wonder what Roni thinks. I'll ask her. Lovely weekend to you too! *smooch*

>57 atozgrl: Hi, Irene! The dexascan itself took all of 6 minutes. Otherwise, I gave myself another day of relaxation. I liked it so much that I hope to do it again and again and again! Our weather is long gone and much less severe than Tuesday's. Hope it was the same for you!
Happy Wordling tomorrow!

Hi Peggy!

It's a beautiful breezy day here. I don't have any obligations outside the house, but may zip up to the UHaul place on 15-501 to get some book boxes. My new overflow-books strategy is working well.

Wordle again in 3.

Good morning, Karen! Same gorgeous day here. We were 68° last night when I got home! It's not so warm this morning and getting progressively cooler as next week progresses. Happy to hear that your overflow-books strategy is working well. I don't have one.
And --- we're 3 Sisters again. I'm happy to have the list to check. I've pinned it, but I need to copy it to WordPad or whatever this poor little computer has so that I can add words.

Wordle 938 3/6*

⬜🟩🟩⬜⬜
🟨🟩🟩⬜🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, reach, heard

I'm happy to have gotten today's Wordle in 5. I think it may be the first time they've used a present participle/gerund as the goal. I didn't look at Karen's list well enough to be sure. The doubt caused me to lose at least one step.

Wordle 939 5/6*

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟨🟨⬜
⬜⬜🟩🟩🟨
⬜🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩least (don't see that often), minor, chino, boink, doing

Hi Peggy.

I think they've used a present participle/gerund four times, including today.

Beautiful Carolina blue skies, nice breeze ruffling the magnolia leaves. Jenna's gone to visit her human, as she puts it, I'm puttering, will probably go to the UHaul place AND the grocery store so I don't have to go out tomorrow. The Senior Center won't be open, as it's part of the county now and will be recognizing MLK Day, so no treadmill tomorrow for me.

>61 LizzieD: I had the same thought about today's Wordle, Peggy, and like you I took an extra turn because of it.

>62 karenmarie: Thanks for the info, Karen. I guess it's not unprecedented, but it's rare enough that I still won't automatically "go there" the next time.

>61 LizzieD: Since they used aging at the beginning of this year, which nearly skunked me, I thought of it sooner today and got it in 4. I might have had it in 3, but picked a different one to guess first.

Stay warm this week, Peggy!

'Morning, Peggy!

Wordle in 3 for me today, a busy day planned.

3 Sisters! A non-busy day planned!! I'm back into The Marriage Portrait and hope to read some today. Now that's a plan!
I went a little wild through my friend's generosity, so I shouldn't be getting in more books for at least a month.

Wordle 940 3/6*

🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟩⬜🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, linch, lunch If I had thought 30 more seconds, would it have been 2???

New week orisons, Peggy! *smooch*

Happy to have you join me for the new week, Richard! *smooch* yourownself

Wordle 941 3/6*

🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟨⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, color, blond Checking for used words was very helpful. Thank you again, Karen!

Hi Peggy! I joined you and Karen with Wordle in 3 yesterday but today it took me 4. After getting the first two letters in 2, I decided I needed to use a word to either identify or eliminate letters. I'm still trying to avoid using a used words list; I'd rather try to figure it out on my own if I can.

Looks like we're in for the cold this week. I hope you can stay in and stay warm!

Thanks, Peggy, for your kind words regarding my osteoporosis. I am very sorry to learn that you suffer with it too and your mom even more so. It's difficult , and can be painful . As I mentioned on my thread, I have been very wary of the medications. I am really glad they worked for you.

Well, you have lots of book possibilities on deck for January. I have not read any of them, but I own The Marriage Portrait and The Covenant of Water. One day....

Hi, Irene! I'm finding that I work harder with the used words list since most of the words I choose to narrow things down have already been used. If I have to use one because I can't think of anything else, I do. Otherwise, I cudgel the brain to think of another word of equal value. Good luck to us all! We seem to have joined the rest of the country, so stay warm!

Deborah, I appreciate your visit. I know that the pain from a compression fracture is excruciating. I'm sorry you've had to deal with that. I didn't see your objections to medications on your thread, and I'll look again when I'm not asleep. My first doctor was a very able endocrinologist who explained that the horrible warnings happen to people who are seriously compromised. I am not quite carefree as I get them, but I am more than grateful for the good outcome so far. I wish us both well!

I'm really reading The Marriage Portrait right now. I don't like it as well as I did Hamnet, which was magical. It is worth the reading time though and sad in its own way.

I have faced the fact before. I'm just peculiar. Nevertheless, I'm happy with my Wordle 3.

Wordle 942 3/6*

⬜⬜⬜⬜🟩
⬜🟨⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, quirt, court

'Morning, Peggy!

Brrr. It was 13F this morning, only about 25F now. I need to use the treadmill later, so will bundle up.

Wordle in 4 for me today.

Good early afternoon, Karen!!! A few miles make a difference. It was 21 when I checked at 8:00. That's plenty cold!

Please, friends, check out my topper now. I think the bags that Dell did are gorgeous! I did a cursory check on EBay. They have vintage Fendi bags offered but none of these.
(Richard, I can imagine you carrying the man's bag...)

>71 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! I had to go out this morning, and did my best to stay warm. It took awhile before it got to a reasonable temperature.

When I did Wordle yesterday, for my second word I decided to try something using the L instead of the word I usually use when I only have one letter. If I'd done my normal thing, I would have had it in 3. That was frustrating. Today it was Wordle in 4 again, which is fine by me since there wasn't anything I could have done better.

ETA >1 LizzieD: Wow, those are impressive bags! I especially like the blue one.

>74 LizzieD: Oh wow! I love the man's bag. The others are too elaborate for my taste and small opening, but that fruit basket one is TDF.

Good night, Irene and Susan! I'm happy that you both admire one of the bags. I obviously think my cousin is something special. That said, I'd be ashamed to carry a bag that was so expensive.....too many people for whom that amount of money would be life-changing. On the other hand, I feel free to admire them.

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Thursday to you.

Wow, gorgeous bags. Amazing artwork, beautifully put together. It probably wouldn't surprise you that I'd like the men's bag.

Wordle in 5 today. Grumble.

>77 LizzieD: Aren't they gorgeous! I definitely agree that owning such a thing is something I'd find uncomfortble but aesthetically they are quite admirable.

*smooch*

Good morning, Karen and Richard! I'm pleased that you both admire Dell's work. He's a remarkable man. I would get lost in the leather of that man's bag. I'm not sure when I'd have time for anything else besides touching, smelling, and admiring if I had such a thing.

Wordle 943 2/6*

🟨🟨⬜🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, stole Were it not for Karen's used list, it would have been three for me.

Karen, we are back on the see-saw.
*smooch*, Richard.

>80 LizzieD: Hi, Peggy, Wordle in 3 for me today, since I didn't look for the used words list. After the first word, I had 3 possibilities, and chose the wrong one first.

Wow, those Fendi bags are amazing!

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Friday to you, your mama, and your DH.

Congrats on your 2. It took me 5 again today.

I probably won't go out today to use the treadmill. I have some congestion and a sore throat from drainage. It's as much to protect people at the Senior Center as to keep myself healthy... I'm already talking myself into it even though half an hour ago it was just a wisp of an idea.

Good morning, Karen, Lucy, and Irene!

Irene, I didn't need to check the list today, but I did anyway. Doing it on my own was sort of nice though, and I really like giving myself a chance to get it in 2. I don't mind looking at the list in your situation above because I have already thought of the word, and choosing it from among 3 is just luck.

I thank you on Dell's behalf, Lucy.

Karen, you've been very good. I'm sorry about the upper respiratory mess. I live with the drainage but not the sore throat most of the time. Stay home! Take a grand tour of the house for a half hour if that will make you feel better! Meanwhile, Happy Friday to you, Bill, and Jenna!!!

Wordle 944 3/6*

⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
🟨⬜⬜🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, north, thing

LEGENDS AND LATTES by Travis Baldree

This is such a fun little fantasy. I was ready to reread following the prequel. To my surprise I found a lengthy acknowledgement section and a short story on my Kindle when I opened the book. I know that Amazon sometimes updates materials when you put your Kindle online, but I remembered their alerting me to changes in books in years past. I think.
Anyway, a battle orc opens a coffee shop in a city that she doesn't know and that doesn't know coffee. She finds a home, friends, and a successful business. When trouble comes threatening, she has help. Don't underestimate the power of a good cup of coffee!!

THE MARRIAGE PORTRAIT by Maggie O'Farrell

I did enjoy this. It lacks the magic of Hamnet though, and I was disappointed. If somebody else had written it, I'd probably be more thrilled because it is a very good historical novel.

Lucrezia di Medici is the third daughter and least-valued child of Cosimo and his Spanish wife Eleanora. She is also likely the smartest and most talented, the one most likely to go her own way. When she is nine, she is holding a pet mouse when her sister Maria and her fiance Alfonso d'Este walk by. Alfonso looks at her, makes a perfect mouse face, and winks. Her fate is sealed. Maria dies, and four years later Alfonso asks for Lucre in marriage. (Her parents also saw each other once, and were married at his request.) At fifteen she is married and off to Ferrara with only her maid Emilia to help her find her way in her new home.

The action then moves from her marriage in 1560 to her final days as duchess in 1561. She has not gotten pregnant, and Lucre is sure that Alfonso means to kill her.

Everything is there for historical drama, but somehow the action only smoulders without catching fire. In an afterward O'Farrell explains how she borrowed elements of her plot from stories of other members of Lucrezia's family. I did enjoy it, but it isn't magic.

Hiya Peggy! Happy weekend-ahead's reads. *smooch*

>84 LizzieD: Wordle in 4 for me again today. I thought for a second that I had gotten it in 3 as the colors came up, but no luck--wrong final letter.

The bitter cold is coming back this weekend. I hope you, your DH, and your mama all stay well and warm!

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Saturday to you.

Wordle in 3 today, using my new-new starting word. Arsenal plays at 7:30 and I'll putter and read the rest of the day. I might nap, too - probably got 4 hours of sleep.

Good morning, Karen. I should say you need a nap!!!! We're 3 Sisters, and we'll see what Irene has done when she comes back (I hope). Good luck to Arsenal!
Did you, I wonder, decide that your new first word was too good and that the fun was gone?

Good morning, Irene! We've gotten through one cold night. I can't believe that my weather ap says that next Thursday and Friday will be 79°. NC in winter! *fall and spring too*

Good morning/Good weekend, Richard! Hope you can stay in and concentrate on reading! *smooch*

Wordle 945 3/6*

🟩🟨🟨⬜⬜
🟩🟩⬜🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, lamer, large

>89 LizzieD: No, 4 again for me today. I went in the wrong direction with my second guess.

The weather around here sure is crazy, isn't it? From one extreme to the other. But I hope this deep cold is killing off the bugs.

Fewer bugs this summer is indeed the hope, Irene.

I have reached a new level of incompetence today. I was taking a load of laundry out of the machine when I realized that they had been through the whole cycle without any detergent. Makes me wonder what I'm missing.

At least I've had a good Wordle week...........

Wordle 946 3/6*

⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
⬜🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, intro, north

Morning, Peggy! I am finally recovered from the ICKs and visiting everyone I have missed.

*smooch*

Hi Peggy! Brrr again. 12F here first thing. It's not past freezing yet, currently 29F.

Arsenal stomped Crystal Palace, 5-0, making me very happy. Wordle in 4 today. Beautiful cold blue out there.

As to my first word, I yielded to the Wordle Gods at NYT and tried slate until they said if you're in hard mode to try trope. I don't see why it's hard mode - Any revealed hints must be used in subsequent guesses That only helps, right? Of course, if you always use two words regardless of the hints in the first word, you can't use hard mode. I never use two words regardless of what the first word shows, so I'm good.

Happy that you're happy with Arsenal, Karen! I've been doing a lot better in hard mode with no second word set - and the used word list, thank you very much! I always try to get the following letters in my second word, r and n, and the correct vowel if my first word's vowels are wrong.

Glad to see you come by, Richard. *smooch*

Wordle in 3 for me today. I often use a regular second word and find it often helps me get to the correct word quicker, as today. And I'm mad at myself when I try hard mode instead and it takes me longer than it would have had I used my regular second word, as happened earlier this week. Of course, I'm still avoiding the used word list.

I'm looking forward to the warmer weather, although I'm somewhat concerned at getting spring-like temperatures so early in the year.

Hope you have a great week!

>90 atozgrl: Never mind the bugs. It kills off the mold so gives us allergic folks a little time off! I'll take it.

I love that our different methods of attack keep us Wordling, Irene. Yay for your 3! I used "unity" as my second word for years. Since I'm in hard mode, that no longer works.

Oh Judy. Speak not to me of mold and allergies. I've given up on getting time off from the whole upper respiratory panoply. I have 3 daily nasal sprays, and still I drip, cough, and sneeze. My ENT man warned me to expect it all to worsen as I age. I'm in favor of aging at this point, so O.K.

As to books, I'm enjoying The Man Who Died Twice about twice more than I did the first outing of the TMC, and that's saying a lot!

'Morning, Peggy!

I did not realize that you're on 3 sprays daily for upper respiratory panoply. URP? I guess so. And yes, aging is better than the alternative.

Wordle in 3 for me today, with serious use of the spreadsheets.

Hi Peggy, happy Monday! Being in favor of aging myownself, I extend that radius of gladness to the friends I wish to accompany me on the journey.

Oh, and you too, of course.

:-P

Good morning, Richard and Karen! I'm happy to be sharing the world with both of you and being aware of the fact! (((((Karen))))) *smooch* for Richard anyway
(My DH is convinced that the new heart murmur - a very slight one - is a result of my violent coughing when in the deluge of post-nasal drip. EEeWWWwww)

Wordle 947 4/6*

⬜🟨🟨⬜🟨
⬜⬜🟨🟨🟨
⬜🟨🟨🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, irate (used AND repetitive), dated, tweak I was afraid I was skunked. Nothing helped until the brain kicked in at last.

>98 LizzieD: Say it ain't so! My poor DH struggles with allergies most of the year. I don't want to hear it gets worse with age!

Wordle in 3 for me today, for the second day in a row, so I'm happy.

Congrats to you, Irene! Love those 3 days! I don't know about allergies as such. This is just the way I'm constituted, I'm afraid. Then too, this is the sinus capital of the world. I'm afraid though that if you're prone to the problem, it does get worse.

'Morning, Peggy!

Well, you just sort of snuck that one in - (My DH is convinced that the new heart murmur - a very slight one - is a result of my violent coughing when in the deluge of post-nasal drip. EEeWWWwww) I'm sorry. Yikes.

Wordle in 3 for me today, with 2 lucky guess after using my starting new word again.

Morning, Karen. I think it's nothing to be concerned about, but I'm scheduled for an EKG in a week or so.

3 Sisters! I checked the used list, and neither of my guesses was on there. You know - I've never checked my first word.... It's not there.

Wordle 948 3/6*

🟨⬜⬜🟨🟨
🟩🟨⬜🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, sloth, still

Peggy me lurve, hoping the EKG shows a minor untroublesome murmur...they do exist, so may it be one.

*smooch*

Thanks for the wish, Richard. I'm not buying trouble --- I don't lack energy for our walk or anything like that, so I hope it's OK.

I'll be back when I finish *Thursday Murder Club 2* in a few minutes. I love it!!!!

Wordle 949 4/6*

🟨🟩⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩⬜⬜🟨
🟩🟩⬜🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, rebel, reply, relic In my mind that was logical and fun.

'Morning, Peggy!

I'm glad Wordle was logical and fun for you today yesterday.

I needed a bit of spreadsheet help and got it in 3.

edited to add for Thursday: Wordle in 3 again. Less help from the spreadsheets.

Good for you, and Good Morning, Karen!

I'm less satisfied with today's 4 because my second guess with the correct first letter was pure serendipity. Then I was fairly logical, and I do use your list to make sure I'm not repeating a used word. I'll take it happily though.

Wordle 950 4/6*

🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟩⬜🟩⬜🟨
🟩🟩🟩⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, broil, blond, block

Last night I went sound asleep sitting up and "reading" The Debatable Land. I'll finish it by the weekend though. I might even finish another mystery, which would make this the best January in several years.

Wordle 951 5/6*

🟨⬜🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜🟨🟨
⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜
🟩🟩⬜🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, rival, manly, allow, aloof I'm relieved but not proud at all. I used a couple of lists. *sigh*

Hi Peggy! Happy Friday to you and yours.

Wordle in 4 for me today. Glad you're using The List.

Falling asleep sitting up and 'reading' reminds me that I frequently fall asleep over my Kindle in bed these days.

Good morning, Karen. Good for you! I was afraid I was going to be skunked.

Sorry about encroaching old age.
I've just spent an unconscionable amount of time registering a book to read with Stasia on TIOLI. I get along fine with "I am not a robot," but the new "Check pictures with ____ until no _____ are left," gave me fits. My eyes are not good enough to pick out a bicycle, for example, from a blurry little picture. I guess I'll complain, but I don't have time to do it now.

Happy Friday right back to you!!!

Morning, Peggy! Have yourself a merry little Friday. I am still seething from my latest read and can not focus on anything new. YouTube videos are my outer limit, and those only on science stuff. Facts are soothing when the world shows you its ugliest side. *smooch*

Hi Peggy! Happy Saturday.

I actively dislike those I am not a robot proofs of checking pictures. I'm so literal, that I tend to guess wrong sometimes.

Off to the antiques place to see if they have any lawyer bookcases and/or to look at a glass-fronted cabinet they showcased on their website the other day.

Oh, and I got skunked in Wordle. I am not happy about that, obviously.

Good morning, Karen! Good luck with the cabinet shopping. I hope that the lawyer bookcase is still there, that it is just what you want, and that you get a deal!!! One can always hope.

I'm sorry about the Wordle skunk. I expect it any day now.
That said, I wish you'd go back to "stale". If I had paid attention to your used list, I would have gotten it in 2. Of course, I'm more than happy with 3.

Wordle 952 3/6*

⬜🟨🟩🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, snare, snake

Morning, Peggy, have a glorious Saturday of doing whatever the heck you want as long as it is reading. *smooch*

Hi Peggy!

I was successful with the cabinet shopping. It's not a Lawyer's Bookcase but better, in that there are only 2 doors that swing open, 5 shelves, antique glass, and very sturdy. I'm happy. I wrote a check and Bob will deliver on Jenna's day off, which she thinks is Wednesday but will confirm.

Congrats on your three! Stale would have definitely given it to me. Sigh.

Thank you, Richard, for the good wish. Alas, that didn't happen nearly enough. Sunday is another day. *smooch*

OOOOO! I can't wait for you to get the cabinet installed and filled! You know we're looking for the picture.

Today's Wordle -------- I wasn't interested, didn't concentrate (look at stupid guess 3), but managed eventually to get it in 5 as you see.

Wordle 953 5/6*

⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜🟨🟨
🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, chore, reign, queer, ember

THE DEBATABLE LAND by Graham Robb
Robb is turning into a semi-favorite author on the basis of two books now. More later, I hope.

>119 LizzieD: What a great title! Delighted the book was a good read. *smooch*

'Morning, Peggy.

Wordle in 5 again for me today.

Cabinet will be delivered Wednesday at 11. Same day, of course, that I promised to take Louise out to lunch, so I won't be able to play with it 'til mid-afternoon.

It's always nice to find a new author, isn't it?

Good morning, Richard and Karen! I really need to write a few words about *DLand*, the buffer between England and Scotland for eons until they divided it between them. May I get to it before the month is out!

Of course, you'll miss the delivery of the cabinet! Life's like that. Jenna isn't going to be there either, is she? Bother!
Robb doesn't feel new to me since I read The Discovery of Middle Earth several years ago. I loved and adored it, and really liked *DLand*. I'll look for more at some point.

Wordle 954 3/6*

🟩🟩⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, leper, leggy I would never have gotten this without a couple of lists. After I looked at the used words, these were the only two choices. I thought of #2 on my own, but might never have gotten around to #3. How much do I dislike cheating? Some ........

>119 LizzieD: >122 LizzieD: I really liked The Debatable Land The section on Roman maps still thrills me! So nerd cool!

drive-by *smooch*

‘Morning, Peggy!

>122 LizzieD: I wasn’t clear. Jenna and I will both be able to get the area ready for the cabinet, be here when it's delivered, and Jenna will be able to help Bob get it into place. It’s just that I’ll have to leave before I can actually do anything with it until after I return from going to lunch with Louise.

I got Wordle in 3 today. I needed help with the second word, but got the 3rd word all by myself. I did, of course check it against the words already used list.

Ah. I'm happy to hear that you will be there for delivery! Anticipation is a good thing too, and I know that you and Louise both look forward to your time together.

I'm relieved that I got Wordle without help other than checking the used words. I was really, really sure that my third guess wasn't on the list, and was a trifle surprised that it was accepted. I'm happy with my four and congratulate you on your three.

Wordle 955 4/6*

🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨🟩⬜
⬜🟨⬜🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, oiler, gluey, expel I've used my second guess before, so that didn't surprise me this time.

Is playing Wordle fun?

Heavens, Owltherian! If you love words, Wordle is great fun. Welcome to the 75ers and this thread. I hope you'll add books and make yourself at home among us.

Mercy! I missed both Richard and Susan. Good grief! You know you are always welcome and warm my heart when you visit. I need to write a few words about *DLand*. I'll just say now that I was enjoying it up to the point that he began to write about Walter Scott of Buccleuch, whom I know through Dorothy Dunnett. Then my heart melted. Ptolomy's map was the icing on my nerd cool cake.

It's tomorrow, so *smooch* for Wednesday, Richard!

THE DEEPEST OF SECRETS by Kelley Armstrong

This is the last of the Rockton novels, set in the wilds of Alaska in a hidden settlement where people can live who need to disappear for a couple of years. This isn't the strongest of the series. I figured out both mysteries and missed character development. That's OK. I know what happened to the ones I care about. I'm looking forward to the next series in a new place that begins with Murder at Haven's Rock.

Happy Day! If all goes well, I have a whole day to dip in and out of books to decide what I'll read in February. That includes some long-time currently reading books that I'm not reading.

Meanwhile, I have no idea where my second guess came from. The used word list was a comfort. Thank you, (((((Karen))))).

Wordle 956 4/6*

🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟩⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, pylon, hilly, bulky

'Morning, Peggy!

Four for me today, too. Your second guess gave you the correct third letter, so it was a good one.

Enjoy your planning for and anticipation of books for February.

Peggy, I thought of you last night. My husband and I stumbled across the fact that we could watch the 1984 series, The Jewel in the Crown via PBS Passport. In 1984 we were young newly-marrieds and still have fond memories of clearing our schedules to watch this once a week. We started episode 1 and were immediately captivated. Tim Piggott-Smith was positively boyish but Ronald Merrick is pure evil.

I'm not sure what your TV-viewing options are, but I know this is one of your favorite series, too.

>128 LizzieD: I have been reading quite a bit- I'm now reading uhhh- Long Shadows by Erin Hunter and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelo and i like words so i may give Wordle a try!

Hi Peggy, the Fendi bags made by your cousin are incredibly artistic. Today is yet another day without sun. This is going on for the second week. I long to see sunshine.

Thinking of you and sending lots of good wishes.

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Thursday to you.

Wordle in 3 for me today, so I'm chuffed.

Off to take friend Dwain to PT/OT today to give his girlfriend a break, so will get a lot of reading done. I can't just take him and drop him off because he may have to wait outside between appointments and needs the companionship.

Good morning, Karen. What a good friend you are, and amply rewarded by friendship and an enforced reading time!!! Congrats on your 3! I knew my #2 had been used, but I was in a hurry and wanted to know about the diphthong.

Wordle 957 4/6*

🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟨🟨⬜
🟩🟩⬜⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, clean, alure, alive I didn't think my #3 was a word, but it means "a walk or passage." O.K.

Welcome, Linda!!!! You are a dear, and I think about you often even though you don't know it. I'm glad that you like Dell's bags. He is a graduate of Maryland Institute College of Art and lives in Rome with his Italian wife, making his living by doing restoration and domestic decoration from Manhattan to Moscow. Love and good wishes right back to you!

Hi, Owltherian! I wish you'd start a thread to chart your reading and reactions. Good luck with Wordle if you take the plunge!

Laura, you are singing one of my favorite songs! Always a technology or so behind, I got a DVD player and spent way too much money buying DVDs of favorite series and movies that I was afraid would eventually be unobtainable: *Jewel*, *I, Claudius*, *Anne of Green Gables* - the Megan Follows one, *Name of the Rose*, *Boyfriend School*, Truth about Cats and Dogs*, *Sayers* with Edward Petherbridge. If I were to write fan fiction, my goal would be a piece about Ronald Merrick and Pamela Flitton Widmerpool meeting. That would be an emotional black hole that might swallow up all the emotion in the Empire.

Thursday *smooch* for some good reading done

>135 LizzieD: Ronald Merrick and Pamela Flitton Widmerpool

OMG Peggy, what a hoot!
I have you to thank for knowing who Pamela is ...

I'm glad you have all those DVDs!!

‘Morning, Peggy!

Wordle in 3 for me again today.

Mention of DVDs – while chatting with friend Dwain yesterday, he mentioned that he’s got 1000 DVDs and I asked if I could borrow some for my upcoming recovery from KRS. He said yes, so I need to check ‘em out.

> 138 3 Sisters, Karen!
Wordle 958 3/6*

🟨🟨⬜⬜🟩
🟨🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, fleet, cleft How lucky is that?!?!?

Wow! Virtue rewarded again! I hope that Dwain has some things you really will enjoy.

>137 lauralkeet: I know that you love *DttMoT* as much as I do. I'm glad that you enjoy the idea of Ronald and Pamela, maybe the two emptiest people in literature, meeting. I think they'd devour each other one way or another.

I'm thrilled to have my DVDs too. I neglected to mention that I found a 4 DVD set of *Dance* a long time ago and bought it although I didn't have a real way to play it. I haven't watched much of it; I'm a bit afraid to. Even at 4 DVDs they'd have to omit so much of what makes that series memorable.

Since this is about books, I should say that I've been rereading The Unknown Ajax, one of my top five Heyers*, since Lucy mentioned that she was reading it. I didn't mean to. I simply meant to watch Hugo being delicious meeting the new family, but then I couldn't stop. The other thing I did was to restart *Life*. I know this time to keep notes of who lives where. Maybe I'll read it this year. I am fascinated by it. I'm off to the eye doc in just a bit, expecting not to get shots and hoping to find out what to expect for the next few months. I'll have a bit of time to read Anxious People since Stasia and I are at least starting it together.

*Frederica, A Civil Contract, The Unknown Ajax, The Toll-Gate, and The Talisman Ring --- or maybe I mean *TTR* and then (TT-G*.

Peggy me lurve, have a great weekend-ahead's reads. I am still on my Political reviews binge, so doubt me much there's much to appeal to you for reading. Today's was so infuriating I was sure a new cerebrovascular disaster was imminent. Hoping your reads will be less angering!

Hello Peggy.

All's quiet here in central NC. Jenna's vegging out, Bill's chatting with a friend of his, and I'm puttering here on LT with plans to read very soon.

Wordle in 4 for me today.

Be careful what you let in, Richard! I am resisting the addition of anything beyond Liz Cheney and Cassidy Hutchinson, and I haven't been able to read either of those. I got enough into CH to learn that she had very weird parents. Anyway, I'm eager to read everything that I have open for the month. That means that I likely won't finish but a couple of them. *sigh*
Good weekend and good reading to you! *smooch*

I am stumped on today's Wordle. I got all but one letter on the second try and need to let it rest. Frustrating! Owltherian, this was not fun for me!

Wordle 959 4/6*

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟨⬜🟨🟨🟨
⬜🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, choir, doric, micro

Good for you, Karen! So far from setting me loose, my eye doc found my good right eye active again. I go back for a different brand of shot next week since Humana wouldn't approve a same-day diagnosis/treatment with the new drug. It should be OK, but I surely don't want to lose any more vision until I have to.

ETA: Well, I got it when I came back. I think of this as a prefix rather than a word, but what do I know???

>142 LizzieD: The only way I know of it being a noun by itself and not a prefix is in big parts of South America that is the local term for a tuktuk. Not a thing I assume is *widely* known....

*smooch*

Thank you, Richard. That's some - vindication - I guess. I certainly had to google tuktuk, so thanks for new information!

*smooch*

Wordle 960 4/6*

⬜🟩⬜⬜⬜
🟨🟩⬜🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, renew, merge, verge No lists. I guess I should have checked #3, but I didn't.

(((((Peggy)))))

Wordle in 6, avoiding the dreaded skunk.

The phased-in approach to the new cabinet is coming along - floor protectors under the wheels and shelves in, both courtesy of Jenna.

Perhaps bells later this afternoon.

I hope you have a wonderful day.

Sunday *smooch* for dear Peggy

Monday *smooch* for dear Richard

I'm off to your thread hoping for pix, Karen. I trust that today's Wordle suited you better. I think you're brave to continue to use that starter.

Wordle 961 3/6*

🟨🟩⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, reply, repel That's more like it!

'Morning, Peggy!

There ARE pix. Two of them. I'm a happy camper with this cabinet. And, I know the perfect thing to hang over it and have already found something that works on the hanger on the side.

Four for Wordle, today. I actually like this starter word, even though I got skunked recently.

...
edited to add:

Next day's Good morning. (((((Peggy)))))

Wordle in 5 today. First time I haven't gotten a single letter from my first word.

Off to book sort and etc. Cleaning ladies and the first time they're here since they broke my cook top. Sigh.

Happy Tuesday, (((((Karen)))))! I've gloated over the pictures. Good for you!
Enjoy your Tuesday sorting and maybe eating with friends. I'll be thinking about you as you talk to the ladies about the cook top.

Wordle in 5 for me today too, and I was glad to get it. No joy in my first two words as you see!

Wordle 962 5/6*

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, round, piggy, chick, which WHEW!

GOOD NEWS FOR FRIENDS OF NATHALIE!!!

She is well and still in Merano as far as I can tell. She said only that she withdrew in the pandemic, afraid of finding bad news, and then was embarrassed to come back to LT. I assured her that if she has time to be here, she will be most welcome!
I had posted on her fb page three years ago, but she had withdrawn from that too. She had to reactivate it as part of a training course and just saw the message.

>150 LizzieD: That is great news, Peggy! I am so glad Nathalie is well. I hope she decides to come back. *smooch*

>150 LizzieD: Wonderful news, Peggy!
I knew Nathalie had been in contact with Barbara (Ameise1) last year, or the year before. I am happy with any sign of life from her.
And thank you so much for sharing it on my thread.

Hi Peggy.

Nice to hear about Nathalie. I am not a particular friend of hers, but I'm sure your mind is relieved.

Wordle in 3 for me today. And yes, insomnia. I did finish a book, though, from 3 - 4:45.

Hi, Richard (*smooch*), Anita (I looked for Barbara's thread here and somehow missed it; I'll try again just to reassure myself), and Karen (I checked Nathalie's last thread and didn't see your name there)! I'm still really happy to have heard from her. She has what I take to be a current picture on her fb page - still completely lovely!

Oh, Karen. I'm sorry for the interrupted sleep, but finishing a book is always a good thing. We're 3 Sisters. I'm ashamed of my second guess with one letter in the same wrong place, but after checking the list a million times, I finally got it. On with the day!

Wordle 963 3/6*

⬜🟨🟨⬜🟨
🟨⬜🟨⬜🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, thane, after

>154 LizzieD: Barbara has a thread in Club Read 2024 at https://www.librarything.com/topic/356392
Darryl also has a thread there.

Ah! Thank you, Anita. I think that both of them may have found her new picture on fb. I'll try to check again.

>150 LizzieD: I'm glad to hear Nathalie is well too. I always followed her thread.

Rhian, I'm glad that you got the word that Nathalie is well! I apologize for not sending you a personal message. I checked only her last thread in a very cursory way. I don't think I got the word to Lori either, but it's too late for me to do that tonight.

Thanks for letting us know that Nathalie is well, Peggy. I do remember her from LT in the past. She lived in Italy , I think. I'm glad you are doing so well with your reading so far this year.

'Morning, Peggy!

Wordle in 3. I won't be able to follow through with my New Year's Resolution to always post to 5 threads in addition to the three I post to every day, but I have to leave in 55 minutes, which includes brekkie and etc. and making sure I have everything in my 'go bag'. Plus rewarding myself with a teensie bit of reading, of course.

Have a lovely Thursday.

Hi, Deborah! Italy is right for Nathalie. You're right that this was my best reading January in years. I'm afraid that February will be back to my normal slow pace. I like everything I'm reading right now, so I read a bit of everything every day and finish nothing.

Morning, Karen! I wish you a good day! I'm back from the hospital for what turned out to be an echocardiogram. I have a greater appreciation for our hearts noting how mine works without a break and has done for 79 years. Wow! Congrats on your 3 streak!

Wordle 964 4/6*

🟨🟨🟩⬜⬜
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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, email, plane, place I knew that second guess wasn't going to be helpful, but somehow I had to try it.

Hiya Peggy! Happy Thursday. *smooch*

‘Morning, Peggy, and happy Friday to you. I hope your day is a good one.

I had an echocardiogram in March of 2022. It takes quite a while, for sure. I hope your results are good.

Thanks for the 3s, but today took 4.

Hi, Karen. Eye shot this morning, so I'm just now getting here after a Wordle. 3 for me today: our see-saw. The used word list is invaluable!

Wordle 965 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, storm, stiff

Hi Peggy.

Ugh to the eye shot, yay for the eye shot. I'm glad you are using the used word list.

Wordle in 4 for me today.

I'm a tad weary from yesterday's Great Appliance Campaign, and only have a few on-line adulting things that need to get done today. Other than that, perhaps some soccer, perhaps some puttering, definitely some reading.

Hi, Karen! Ugh and Yaya sums the eye shot up nicely. I'm off to check your thread to see whether there was any joy in the Great Appliance Campaign. I have been really good for me --- a load of wash, vacuuming, and breakfast + other little niggles. Soon it will be shower time and then lunch and then MAYBE READING!!!!!

Wordle 966 5/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, noire, price (notice where the E was in Noire, DUMMY!), brief, fried --- I didn't even notice that I had the F when I finally got the word.) Really dumb luck with help from the used word list!

'Morning, my dear Peggy.

I hope you're on the upside of the shot. Brava for all the stuff of yesterday. I know shower days are burdensome and hope you and your mama got through it tired but not exhausted.

I hope you got some reading in, too.

I do that too with Wordle - use a word and keep it in the wrong place. Wordle was 5 for me today.

Peggy me lurve! Have a Sunday *smooch*

Dear Karen and Richard, you can't know how welcome your visits are here. Thank you! HUGS and a *smooch*

Wordle 967 4/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, repin, nerve, never

'Morning, Peggy. Happy gloomy Monday to you.

Sigh. Quarantined. I didn't think about the fact that I can't use the treadmill this week. We also have to cancel the Morgan Stanley financial advisor driving from Charlotte on Thursday for an in-person meeting. I might still be able to go to the Retirement Party for the County Librarian on Friday if both Jenna and we test negative on Thursday.

Wordle in 3 for me today.

Oh dear. I hadn't really parsed what a quarantine would mean to you. I'm sorry. Welcome to my world - sort of. I hope you can find places to retreat and read. I do hope you get to go to the retirement party. That's Rita?

Good for your Wordling! I deserved to lose this one. That I didn't is explained only by my waking up and realizing what an idiot I had been.

Wordle 968 5/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, stark, tansy, saith, pasta Really?????

THE UNKNOWN AJAX by Georgette Heyer

*Ajax* is my third-favorite Heyer (behind Frederica and A Civil Contract. I love and adore Hugo, and that's all there is to it.

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Tuesday to you.

Yesterday's Wordle: I tried pasty first, since I usually try words that don't have two of the same second vowel. Didn't work that time, did it?

Yes, lots of things aren't happening that normally happen this week. Today I'm not going to book sort although I tested negative again last night. Your devotion to your mama by quarantining since the start of Covid is awe inspring.

Wordle in 3 for me today, with help from both spreadsheets.

The Unknown Ajax is in my top 8 - those I rank 5*. Hugo is wonderful. Comfort reading at its finest!!!

The retirement party is for Linda - the county Librarian. She was in charge of the 3 branches of the Chatham Community Libraries. Rita is the branch Librarian for Pittsboro's weirdly named Chatham Community Library.

Happy Tuesday right back to you, (((((Karen)))))! I'm relieved that you're still testing negative. I'm glad that Rita isn't retiring, but sorry you don't get to go out to say "Happy Day" to Linda. Thanks to the used words, I managed 4 as you see below.

Wordle 969 4/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, sandy, schwa, scram Sort of a strange choice, don't you think?

Snowed-in Tuesday *smooch* for my dear Peggy

'Morning, Peggy!

Wordle in 3 for me today. Off to my pre-op appointments soon, longish day, but Kindle and North Woods in hand.

Happy Day, Karen!!!! I'm happy, happy, happy that you are getting to your appointments!!!!! I hope you get the right amount of reading time! We are once more 3 Sisters.

Good morning, good Richard! SNOWED IN!!!!!!!! I wish you may get away in a good book without interruptions. *smooch*

Wordle 970 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, talky, talon I wish I had thought two minutes longer and come up with #3 at #2. Whatever. I'm happy to see 3 again.

I'm am so bummed that Karen has COVID that I don't know what to do.

Wordle 971 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, sprat, ascot I'll be singing My Fair Lady songs all day.

I know what you mean about Horrible, Peggy...it seems so grotesquely unfair. I really hope she gets the surgery on schedule! *smooch*

Good morning, Richard! I'm almost off to check Karen's thread. She's planning to post this morning. She seems to have improved without feeling at all well yet. YOU stay safe! *smooch*

Wordle 972 2/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, stash Thank you for the used words again, Karen!

Wordle 973 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, slang, psalm Yay!

>181 LizzieD: I would expect nothing less from a fine Presbyterian woman as yourself! Have a great day, Peggy!

*grin* ---- just so long as you don't expect more, dear Laura!!!

Just catching up dear lady in order to wish you the very best of Sundays.

By the way I received a lovely message from Nathalie on FB, the day after you had informed me of her "return".

Morning, Peggy me lurve. Have the day that you deserve. *smooch*

Lovely to see both of you here, Richard and Paul! I'm glad that Nathalie got back in touch with you, Paul. I'll do my best to deserve a good Sunday, Richard! *smooch*

Wordle 974 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, drone, ridge

'Morning, Peggy. I hope you have a wonderful day.

I'm back to posting to more than my thread. Temp 98.6F, and I only feel a bit week weak, not sick. 3 more doses of Paxlovid.

AND, Wordle in 2 today. I must be holding my mouth right...

>178 LizzieD: - >180 LizzieD: I appreciate your love and worry - both of you. At this time, the surgery's still on.

>187 karenmarie: Best of good mornings, Karen! I'm gratified to hear about the normal temperature and hopeful that the last three doses will set you up for full recovery! PHEW for the surgery as scheduled!

Congratulations on Wordle in 2 and the shape of your mouth!!!! I'm happy with my 4 today. I've always wanted to use my second word and had no expectation of my third word's being accepted. It is a word, and I'm happy to tuck it into my vocabulary.

Wordle 975 4/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, imbue, chine, price

I hope to be back later today so say that I've finished Anxious People. The more I read, the more I like what he's done with the book. I just don't much like the way he's done it.

Monday orisons, Peggy me lurve. Have a gorgeous one. *smooch*

Good afternoon, Richard. It's gorgeous here for sure! Same for the rest of your day! *smooch*

ANXIOUS PEOPLE by Fredrik Backman

This is a fairy tale posing as reality posing as a fairy tale. Who knows? This is my first Backman, and I won't be in a great hurry to read him again, but I'm happy to have read this one. At first I was taken with his setting a scene and then returning to it with crucial information that was omitted the first time and coming back again, etc. I grew impatient with that. I also grew impatient with the authorial voice that amused me at first with the generalized second person, then made it personal to the reader. Happily for me, that mostly disappeared in the last quarter of the book. Connection upon coincidence upon connection also left me sometimes scoffing and sometimes sentimentally sensitized.

We are all idiots.

True enough, Mr. Backman.

Sometimes it's screwball comedy: Lennart, in a tight housing market, sells his ability to ruin an apartment viewing for the other buyers so that his employer gets it at a better price. This time he has sneaked in, stripped to his socks, and is sitting on the toilet wearing a rabbit's head, a picture not to be unseen every time the new occupant goes into the bathroom.

Sometimes it's a look at people dealing with desperation, despair, death, hope, forgiveness, life: "...loneliness is like starvation., you don't realize how hungry you are until you begin to eat..." "...if our past was all that defined us, we'd never be able to put up with ourselves."

Idiots

'Morning, Peggy.

Wordle in 5 for me today. One dumb mistake, otherwise I'm not unhappy with my guesses.

I have only read two by Backman - A Man Called Ove and Anxious People, and loved them both. I actually preferred AP to Ove when I thought about it. I have no intention of reading anything else by him, however.

Gorgeous, cold morning here in central NC, blue skies with a hint of wispy white near the north.

Have a good'un!

>190 LizzieD: Morning, Peggy! Unlike our dear Horrible, and even you, I abominate Backman's drippy, sentimental, cloying twaddle. One of the many times I deploy the iconic ATD in discussing others' opinions about matters literary.

Spend a lovely Tuesday, me deario, and stay well. *smooch*

>192 richardderus: I can almost totally agree with you, Richard, except that I have a sentimental heart. After I finished, I forgave much because I like happy endings. As I say, I won't likely read another unless it falls in my lap and I have nothing else. *shriek*
Enjoy your Tuesday too...another gorgeous day in SE NC!

>191 karenmarie: Good morning, Karen. See what I said to Richard?
Wordle??? WHEW. I stupidly didn't check my 4th guess on the used list and was lucky that alpha order worked this time. My second guess was also dumb, another word I've always wanted to try. So I cry LUCKY!!!

Wordle 976 6/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, junta, artic, watch, batch, match

(((((Peggy)))))

Sorry Wordle was so tough for you yesterday.

>192 richardderus: ATD, RD, ATD. *smooch*

Doing too much yesterday at least gave me a straight 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep - well actually, sleep coma. I'm not complaining at all.

Wordle in 3 today. When you see the pattern on my thread, you'll be amazed.

It's a beautiful central NC day - blue skies, cold outside, warm inside.

Good morning, (((((Karen))))). I'm glad that you slept a normal amount last night but sorry that it was a coma from overdoing it. Be careful with yourself!!!!!

No pattern to speak of, but we're 3 Sisters. Yay!

Wordle 977 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, flour, build

Peggy me lurve, it has been SUCH a weird day. I liked a comic book. About Tolkien. I agreed with my roommate, like *actually* agreed not just to shut him up to my horror...and I got two YouTube plugs for my blog.

I need a long sleep to recover from this weird, weird day.

Oh my goodness, Richard! Do I wish you another or wish you back to normal? I'll stay tuned!!!
*smooch* for getting on with it!

Wordle 978 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, reach, heavy HOORAY for the used word list!!!!!!!

'Morning, Peggy!

>196 richardderus: What have you done to Richard? A comic book and agreeing with OS?

>197 LizzieD: Congrats on Wordle in 3. Took me 5 today. So glad the used words list is still working for you, my dear.

Good morning, Karen!!!! Richard is his own man, predictable only in honesty, I think.

The used words gave me another good Wordle day, and I thank you every morning! It takes me forever to use a vowel twice, but I eventually managed it.

Wordle 979 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, grant, apart

Good afternoon, Peggy.

Same vowel twice is always confounding, but I got it today on my second word.

Overcast, icky out, puttering and reading for me today. More work on the Library, which will be fun.

Gentle hugs for your ma, greetings to your DH, and lots of hugs for you.

Good morning, Karen. What a clean, lovely sky we have! Enjoy your day!!!
I have been busy like a normal woman this morning, and I'm ready for a relapse.

Wordle 980 6/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, drone, hiker, viper, wiper, piper Oh good grief. I'm happy to have gotten it.

RESURGENCE by C.J. Cherryh

This isn't one of the best of the series nor yet one of my favorites. I will state with assurance that there are no bad Cherryhs. One approves of the growing maturity of nine year-old Cajeiri and rejoices that he has moved to solve the problem of Boji. One is likewise warmed to hear Ilisidi call Bren "paidhi-ji." Otherwise, this one is mostly political maneuvering, and I enjoy atevi politics.

Now I have only two more in the series. I know that Cherryh has had health problems, and I noted that Jane helped write the latest entry. I wish for more.

Gorgeous day! Happy Wordle!

Wordle 981 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, strip, smith

HI Peggy!

>201 LizzieD: Another day of gorgeous Carolina blue skies. No relapses! Just normal crazy busy for you.

>202 LizzieD: Had to look up who Jane is – her spouse – and see that she’s 81.

Yipes to yesterday’s 6, glad today is 3. It took me 5 today.

>202 LizzieD: I met Cherryh in 1979,in the elevator at OKcon in Tulsa...she is extremely tiny and the seven teenaged lads in there with her were being boisterous, so she was shrunk into a corner hoping that nothing permanent would happen to her, poor thing.

My brush with greatness.

*smooch* for a happy Sunday, Peggy.

>203 LizzieD: Hello Peggy, I don't think I've commented here for a while. Yesterday's Wordle was 6 for me as well, but today was 2, to my great surprise.

Have a great week!

Greetings, dear Irene, Richard, and Karen!

Wow, Richard! I am imagining you saving CJC at least from being stepped on. Cool!

Karen and Irene, what we do with our 6 tries is fascinating! Congrats on your 2, Irene! Very nice!

My sister really enjoyed Anxious People and my sister in law has even lent me the book. But I don't think it's for me. I did enjoy A Man Called Ove though.

'Morning, Peggy!

Wordle in 4. Fewer symptoms, temp of 98.5. We'll see how today goes - tomorrow a.m. I'll take a Covid test and call the surgeon's office with those results and any/all symptoms I hve and let them decide. I'm good either way at this point.

Hi, Deb! My dear friend here at LT but not among the 75ers really loved it and has given copies to other people. We normally agree, but as you see, I didn't love this one.

Wordle 982 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩least, trine, often Don't even ask.

'Morning, Peggy!

Wordle in 4 for me today.

Surgery's been put on hold. They want me to reevaluate in a week and to call their scheduler.

Dear Karen, you know how sorry I am for the delay. Well. I've cut up enough about it already, so I'll just say that you know how to accept and move on.

Wordle 983 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, messy, sense I checked your list but didn't have to discard a guess.

I dropped in! Right now Unknown Ajax is at the top of the list, but really, it changes depending on which one I'm reading! That scene, though, at the end! I picture GH laughing to herself as she wrote it.

I always love to see you here, Lucy! --- back in a bit ---

THE BOY WHO CRIED BEAR by Kelley Armstrong

Hi Peggy. Happy Wednesday.

Wordle in 4.

Howdy do, Peggy! *smooch*

Good morning, good morning, Good Richard and Good Karen!

(I first typed "moroning." That's accurate for my day so far. See Wordle!)

Wordle 984 5/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, rebel, penal, jewel, devil

Good morning, Peggy!

Heh. Moroning. That's about how I'm feeling right now...

Wordle in 4 for me today.

Good morning, Karen. Oh no! You Wordled in four and it took me five, using the list and some odd words.....

Wordle 985 5/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, knave, brace, phage, image

Peggy! *smooch*

Hello, my dear. Happy Friday.

I got Wordle in TWO today, a very nice start to what will otherwise be a 'don't do anything and get over the Covid crap' day.

WoW for Wordle in tWo!!!!! I'm very happy with my 3 - especially after a couple of 5 days.
I wish you patience for your day and some joy in it. I'm liking the current blue skies, but I think we are waiting for rain.

Wordle 986 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, worth, forty

'Morning, Peggy.

Three's good, and that's what it took me today.

Another day of doing nothing, which is what I need. I did fill the bird feeders yesterday - yes, I could have asked Jenna, but the 5 minutes of fresh air was quite nice.

Good morning, (((((Karen)))))! I'm thankful that you're giving yourself the time you need to recover and also glad that you had a break from showers to gill the feeders and get some fresh air. I hope you see a great improvement today! Shower day for us, and I need to get it going.

I took forever to finally get Wordle in 4. I'm not complaining, but congrats as always on your 3!

Wordle 987 4/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, harpy, argon, urban

I'm reading The Covenant of Water again and finally being taken in by it.

>224 LizzieD: The Covenant of Water stated off so straightforwardly sweet that I was - huh? It has complex'd up some, that's for sure.

I'm glad to see you here, Susan. You know that I certainly don't make it around the threads as I'd like to do, so I appreciate the visit. I have Philipose just now arriving in Madras for college, so you see that I'm not even half through. I must say that I'm eager for Parambil's residents to become involved with Digby. If that doesn't happen (as in *All the Light...*), I'm going to be an unhappy reader. It's a monster of a chunkster.

>226 LizzieD: I've just got back to Parambil after things getting really complicated for Digby, so I'm still way behind. I had to read the first quarter of The Goblin Emperor for my main online book club and that is hard to put down.

'Morning, Peggy!

Wordle in 3 and improvement in my quest to be Covid-free by Tuesday.

Oh Susan, *Goblin Emp* is awfully hard to put down. I haven't followed up on it yet, both because I got involved with Cliopher and because I just couldn't face the names again. I'll keep a list when I do return to it.

Hooray for improvement on the COVID front, (((((Karen)))))!
Today's Wordle was almost a disaster for me. O-Wah-Taygoo-Siam!!!!!

Wordle 988 6/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, stare, stake, stave, stage, state You see that I even tried a word that I knew had already been used. When my brain freezes, it really is solid.

'Morning, Peggy. Sorry about yesterday's Wordle for you. You did avoid a skunk, though.

Wordle in 3 for me again today - I thought of the second and third words all by myself, just checking them against the words used list.

>230 karenmarie: Me too, Karen. Satisfying after yesterday's near debacle.

Wordle 989 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, place, frame

Hi Peggy.

Wordle in 4 for me today, with a bit of help from both spreadsheets.

It's gloomy here. I don't usually let any weather but summer nastiness bother me, but looking outside is a teensy bit depressing right now.

Good morning, Karen! It's still perfectly sunny here - not a cloud in the Carolina Blue.

Wordle 990 6/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, groin, funny, punch, munch, hunch The streak struggles on. (Yes, I know that 2 and 3 are on the list; I couldn't help it.)

Hey there Peggy. I got all your clouds, and their rain! It is slobbery like a giant mastiff-mouth out there.

Stay well, me lurve.

'Morning, Peggy.

6-3-6. Here's hoping that today's Wordle is 3. Or even 2.

Amazingly, I got it in two. It's a word I thought of and only used the spreadsheet to confirm that it hadn't already been used. Have I mentioned that I like my new starting word? *smile*

Good morning right back, Karen!!!

Wordle in 2 is a great start to any day. I'm happy that you're pleased with your new starter word. I remain so with mine although yesterday it was a complete skunk. Today I was surprised that my #2 was not on the chart. #3 was the only choice!

Wordle 991 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, teach, teary

I'm in reading "massive dessert table at the wedding reception" mode - so many good books calling everywhere I look. Last week though, I was sad and started my faithful Nathan Lowell's The Wizard's Butler again for the 4th time or so. Even though I've read my favorite part, I have a need to finish it - maybe insurance against the next round of less-good.

(((((Peggy)))))

Beautiful Carolina blue skies. Jenna and Bill are both asleep, so it's nice and quiet. I'll enjoy it while I can.

Wordle in 3 today.

There are all sorts of reasons to read, of course, and reading to combat sadness is as good as any reason. I hope The Wizard's Butler gives you comfort.

(((((Karen))))) 3 Sisters again! It feels good! There are semi-gray clouds in our Carolina blue that were not there when I came across a half hour ago, but we still have sunshine!

Wordle 992 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, exile, clone

Morning, Peggy. It is still grey and ugly here, after my travels in the rain yesterday I am NOT going outside at all!!

*smooch*

'Morning, Peggy. I hope you have a good day.

Up too early, but I did get a chance to be masked in the Sunroom and chat with Jenna a few minutes before she left for work.

Other than that, I'm hoping to hear back from the surgeon's office today. Wordle in 3. Reading and puttering are on the agenda.

I am glad you are having Jenna time, dear Karen. I am now seething that you haven't heard from the surgeon's office. I'm sure that lots of doctors have wonderful, caring office staff, but it seems to me that a lot of them don't - or don't hire enough people to get the work done in a way that allows them to be caring. They owe you a call back.

Oh, Wordle. Today I was convinced that my last letter in guess 2 was correct. It wasn't. So I took an extra try. Distraction? Failing power of observation? Stubbornness? Failing mental capacity? A mixture of those does not bode well for the future.

Wordle 993 4/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, alive, cable, early

Hi Peggy. Happy Saturday. Gloomy and rainy up north here. *smile*

I'll go with distraction, which is the kindest answer.

I still hadn't heard back from them by the end of yesterday, so of course paranoia has set in and I'm wondering Are they ghosting me? Breaking up with Medicare money and my co-payments? This is the first time they've really disappointed me. I'll call the office first thing Monday and keep calling back until I actually get a human being.

Wordle in 4 for me today. I'm really proud of my 3rd word, since it just came to me out of the blue. After that, it was easy.

Happy Saturday, dear Peggy!

Happy Saturday right back to you both, dear Richard (*smooch*) and dear Karen ((((((K))))))!

It's gray and spitty here too with a bit of wind in the bare-branched trees. I've been good so far today - changed sheets, vacuumed, etc. It's shower day. After that I intend to do nothing but read. Good luck to me!

Wordle 994 4/6*

⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜🟨🟨
⬜🟨🟩🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, noire, wreck, cheer

I'm off to look at Karen's third word!

It was grey and it rained here today too, Peggy, but Poppy and I lucked out and found a sunny spot in the day - or at least it was not raining for our walk today, so that was great. I managed Wordle in 2 today, but that is just so much luck.

Good morning, Deborah! I'm happy to see you here and also regard a break in rain long enough for a walk a Good Thing. Wordle in 2 is always amazing (especially since it happens so seldom to me)! Congratulations!!

Wordle 995 3/6*

⬜⬜🟩🟩⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, crash, grasp I'm happy.*

*I've been thinking lately about being forced to spend two days of class time with Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens in my 11th grade English class. Two responses are typical of the whole class.

"There were some good ideas here, but I'll never use them. I am contempt with myself as I am."

"I have great self-a-steam."

So with Wordle in 3, I am contempt with myself.

'Morning, Peggy, and happy Sunday to you.

Wordle in 4, congrats on your 3. It's always a pleasure to only see greens.

Yes, gorgeous Carolina blue skies today.

Love the 11th grade English class responses. I hope that one or more of the students has thought back to that book and your forced discussion of it and realized that you were giving them good teen and life lessons. I've had to mentally apologize to my 7th grade Home Economics teacher over the years for the churlish and mean-spirited thoughts I had about her.

Onward! Upward!

>246 LizzieD: Morning, smoochling. I think your self-a-steam is very well-foundered.

Have a very Peggy week to come.

Good morning, Richard! Yep. That self-a-steam founders quite often - not a great element to combine with a huge ego. *smooch*

Morning, Karen. I'll just say that teaching is hard. I just hope that I helped more kids than I hurt through those years.
I know your new pet word did you proud today.

Wordle 996 4/6*

⬜🟩⬜🟨⬜
🟨🟩⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, seize, messy, pesky

'Morning, Peggy, and loud guffaw to I know your new pet word did you proud today.

Yes, Wordle in 3 for me today. We're not Wordle sisters in numbers, but we are definitely Wordle sisters in spirit and love!

'Morning, my dear. I hope you have a good day.

Wordle in 3 again. Up early this morning, heard Jenna getting ready for work and came out to say hi. Couldn't go back to sleep, but I may take a nap later.

Have the day that you deserve, Peggy me lurve.

Kind wishes received with thanks, Richard and Karen!

If I'm kind, I'll get the day I deserve, Richard. *smooch*

You are on a good Wordle roll, (((((Karen)))))!!! If it were not for the used word list, I'd have been skunked more times than I can say, including today.

Wordle 997 5/6*

⬜🟩🟩⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, beard, meany, weave, heave

Love, it, Peggy. Beautiful Carolina blue skies, I'll be on a road trip to my surgeon's office for my one year followup to my left knee surgery in a bit.

If I'm kind, I'll get the day I deserve. Words to live by. Is there ANY room for snark?

Wordle in 6 today. So glad I didn't get skunked.

I hope you have a good one.

>255 LizzieD: Be safe on your road trip, dear Karen, and enjoy the warm enthusiasm you're bound to get for your determined care for yourself. You do have a gorgeous day to be out and about!

No room for snark, but it muscles itself in accompanied by impatience, judgment, and other unlovely traits. *sigh*

We're on our see-saw again. I'm glad that you didn't get skunked. My pet word was helpful today; so was luck.

Wordle 998 3/6*

🟩⬜🟨⬜⬜
🟩🟨⬜🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, larva, local

Wordle 999 4/6*

⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜
🟩⬜🟨🟨🟩
🟩🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, spine, singe, since I am not ashamed.

'Morning!

Brava for yesterday's three and today's four. I got it in three today, but only because I guessed right.

Sigh. Okay, no snark. I'm not sure I can get through a day without being bratty in one way or another.

Another gorgeous day out although there are a few bits of white gossamer drifting by.

(((((Peggy)))))

edited to add: Friday

Hi my dear.

Wordle in two, with my favorite new word. Other than that, a low-grade fever. Different day, same sigh.

Just a fly, hi, bye!

Peggy! *drive-by smooch*

Hi, Lucy! *smooch* Richard!

Oh, Karen, I'm sorry about the fever. You feel bad with low-grade without feeling able to give up. I want you at 100%!!! But --- Wordle in Two WooHooo WooHooo!!!

Wordle 1,000 🎉 3/6*

⬜🟨⬜⬜🟩
⬜🟩🟩🟨🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, cruet, erupt I have to wonder about a mind that comes up with #2 before #3. Otoh, the used list helped me reject several non-helpful guesses. Thank you, Karen!

THE COVENANT OF WATER by Abraham Verghese

I enjoyed the book. I thought that it was too long, and it didn't wow me as Cutting for Stone did, but it is a good book.

This was a surprise. I consulted the used word list and this was all I could think of since the noun form was on there.

Wordle 1,001 3/6*

⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, quoth, toxin

((((((Peggy))))))! Gentle hugs for your mama and kind regards to your DH.

>260 LizzieD: You're welcome.

>261 LizzieD: toxic had been used, of course, so since my first word eliminated topic, toxin it was.

Not 100% yet, although last night was 100F. I don't feel bad, but realize that fevers do sort of pull at one.

I even filled my bird feeders yesterday.

'Morning, Peggy. Happy Sunday to you.

Wordle in 3. Zoe was kitty loafing at my right elbow, just waiting for lap time. She got lap time, and I've posted the moments on my thread. *smile*

Sounds like a fine start to the day, Karen! I should have stuck by alpha order to Wordle in 3, but I chose the word I thought of first and that seemed more likely. Oh well.

Wordle 1,002 4/6*

⬜⬜⬜🟨🟩
🟩⬜🟩🟩🟩
🟩⬜🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, short, sport, snort

Alpha order bit me today.

Wordle 1,003 4/6*

🟨🟨⬜🟨🟩
🟩🟨🟩⬜🟩
🟩⬜🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, sleet, smelt, spelt I take it that the last two are noun forms rather than verb.......

Crudbuckets! Alpha order is so ingrained in us, is it not, and so seldom does one any Wordle-favors.

Happy new-week *smooch*

'Morning, Peggy.

Four is respectable for a devious word. I got lucky with three. Luck of the Irish a day late.

'Morning, Peggy. Love to you and yours.

Four is respectable for a devious word. I got lucky with three. Luck of the Irish a day late.

I'm off to visit Louise in a while, then will have to do some adulting when I get back. Sigh.

>265 LizzieD: Hi Peggy, Wordle in 4 for me today as well. I also tried smelt first. I wasn't familiar with the noun form of today's word, so I didn't think that could be it until it was the only choice. I even tried svelt only to have it rejected; apparently it's spelled with another e on the end.

I hope you have a great week!

We were absolutley Wordle twins today, Irene! svelt was my first choice, which was rejected as you say. If you haven't looked it up, spelt is a primitive grain. It's famous in Roman history for the spelt-cake marriage ceremony that was religious and permanent.

I'm glad that your DH is recuperating well. I know you two will be equally thrilled when he is back on his feet and feeling normal!

'Morning, my dear.

Wordle in 3, cleaning ladies switched to Friday, so I can run an errand or two.

I hope your day goes well.

Thank you, Karen. Enjoy your day too. I was lucky to get Wordle at all as you see below!

Wordle 1,004 4/6*

⬜🟨🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨⬜🟩
⬜🟨⬜⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, phage (duh. Look at that A), nacre, abide

>270 LizzieD: We really were Wordle twins yesterday! Svelt was actually my first choice before I tried the other two. I did look up spelt after seeing the answer, as I had trouble believing they would use the verb past tense as one of their words. But I didn't see anything about the spelt-cake marriage ceremony, so I learned something from you today!

Wordle in 3 for me today. My third word was as much an attempt to correctly place the A and find additional letters as it was a guess at the answer.

My DH has made remarkable progress with his knee, as we're just two weeks out from the surgery. But he is dealing with a lot of swelling, and the leg is tender, and that's bugging him today.

I hope you had a great day!

Hi Peggy! Happy Wednesday to you and yours.

Wordle in 3 for me today. Beautiful Carolina blue skies, early spring.

>273 atozgrl: I'm sorry to read about the swelling, Irene.

Peggy! *smooch*

'Morning, Peggy.

Wordle in 4, and I deliberately used a word not on the list of 2,309 original words. Had I been more patient, I could have gotten it in 3.

I'm going to try to implement "If I'm kind, I'll get the day I deserve." today. So far so good, but it's still very early.

Good for you, Karen!

We're doing our best, and Wordle has been a quick distraction at weird time.

Yesterday I enjoyed 3 least, login, lingo I used the list a lot. Someday I think I'll add recent words to it, but that's not a priority.

Today
Wordle 1,006 4/6*

⬜🟨🟩🟨⬜
🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩
🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, spare, snake, shade Fine with me.

STARHAWK by Jack McDevitt

I used to love Priscilla Hutchins, especially Deep Six and Chindi. This is a prequel to McDevitt's series about the ftl interstellar ship captain, who explores deep space for alien cultures, dead or alive. I thought this was only so-so, but it provided some distraction, so good enough. A terraforming company is killing off a whole planet, and protestors are becoming more and more violent as Priscilla graduates from the academy and tries to get a job. I hope I still like the other books when I reread them. It will be a long time before I reread this one.

'Morning, dear Peggy.

Yay for your 4, today it also took me 4. I was stupid and used a rejected letter again.

I'm sorry for the reason for the distraction, but reading is such a wonderful distraction when needed.

Hi, Karen. Actually, the 4 was yesterday. Today was 3, but I didn't put it on here. Oh! My account shows up on this computer too.... Believe me, I know ALL about reusing a rejected letter.
Wordle 1,007 3/6*

⬜🟩🟨⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, recap, decay

'Morning, Peggy!

Sorry for the mix up.

Congrats on the 3.

It took me 4 today.

We got lots of rain last night, which, of course we needed. It also knocked the pollen down.

Hooray for less pollen - us too!

Wordle 1,008 3/6*

⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜
🟨⬜🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, spine, risen As usual, the word list was helpful if frustrating. I checked at least 4 words that had already been used.

I haven't said, but my mama has taken a sudden, sharp turn for the worse. We have good sitters and hospice, so I'm much relieved.

((((Peggy)))) ... holding you and your mama in the light.
Take care.

So sorry, Peggy, and sending you peace. Hold on to your precious memories.

Karen O.

I'm sorry to hear about your mother's decline. I'm wishing you all possible comforts for this time.

>282 LizzieD: Oh, Peggy, I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. I was so grateful for hospice with my own mother, I'm glad you have their support. Sending lots of ((((hugs)))).

((((((Peggy))))))

I’m so sorry about your dear mama, as you know. I’m glad you’ve gotten hospice and other care in for her.

Thank you, my dear friends. I'll get back to you later. As Shelby Foote said about Walker Percy, "Walker is busy dying."

Meanwhile, I took a Wordle break.

Wordle 1,009 4/6*

🟨🟨⬜⬜🟨
🟨🟨⬜🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟨🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩least, elite, motel, towel

Peggy wanted me to let you all know that her dear mama died last night about 3:30. It was easy in the end.

I met her mother several times, and she was a dear, smart, sweet woman, just like our Peggy.

Please keep her and her DH in your thoughts and prayers.

So sad with you today, Peggy me lurve. It's a blessing that it was an easy passing. Safe journey home to Mama.

{{{Peggy}}}

Peggy, you have been in my thoughts almost constantly since your last post. I am thankful her passing was easy, but of course it's not easy for you. May a lifetime of memories sustain you. ❤️

^^^^What Laura said. That was so eloquent I don't have much to add. But my thoughts and prayers are with you and your DH now. May God bless you both.

Condolences and sympathy, Peggy. Take care of yourself.

I'm so sorry to hear that you've lost your mother, Peggy. This is a tough time, and I hope you can find some peace and comfort.

Oh, condolences about your mother. You've been a very loving daughter to her for a long time. I hope you take time to absorb this.

Wishing you peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow ((hugs))

Thank you for sympathy and support, Anita, Judy, Linda, Susan, Irene, Laura, and Richard.

We're doing OK. We'll have a worship/celebration of life service Tuesday. I haven't gotten to the legal stuff yet - just trying to get the house back together for the influx of cousins.

I also have endured an ear wax saga (I produce a lot of it.) that was finally resolved this evening at the hospital urgent care. Both ears are clear after a miserable 2 days. The ear docs here don't want to spend the 10 minutes of flushing it out - I'm a bit livid.

I'm so sorry about your mama, Peggy. You have been such a wonderful and loving daughter to her. Love and hugs and prayers.

Deaer Sweet Peggy, I am sorry that your mama passed away. Pat yourself on the back for all the time, love and support you provided to her. We should all be as fortunate as your mother was in having a daughter that loved her so very much. I'll be thinking of you in the coming days as the busy time of preparations starts.

You are loved!

Thank you, Deborah and Linda! If my mama had had a dozen daughters, we all would have been equally eager to take care of her.

I have Wordled through all of this - a good distraction. I've gone 4, 3, 4, and today ---

Wordle 1,014 3/6*

🟨🟩🟩⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, pearl, realm

Oh! Today marks a 300 day streak.

>300 LizzieD: Wow, a Wordle streak of 300? Impressive! I had Wordle in 3 today too, different starting word, but the next two were the same as yours.

>297 LizzieD: I'm sorry you had such a rough time trying to get ear wax cleared. I can relate. I always seem to produce a lot myself, and I have found that some PCPs will check it at every annual physical, while others do not. I wish they all would check and flush it out if it has built up.

Wishing you much stamina, etc., getting the house ready for visitors, and hoping you have a beautiful memorial service on Tuesday. Many ((((hugs)))).

Hi, Irene! Thank you for good wishes. I am avoiding insurance figuring-out by being here. I also need to wash the late breakfast dishes for more avoidance. I frankly don't know what I'm doing, but that's not so different from normal.

If ear wax and hair were cash crops, I could have retired at least ten years earlier than I did. My ENTs kept my ears cleaned out, but the last one died a couple of years ago. I had no idea that it was a big deal.... Roni has put me on to a home kit at Amazon that I'll check out one of these days. I'll let you know.

I'll tell you that Karen's used word list has saved me more times than I can number. I seem to be in a pattern....
Wordle 1,015 4/6*

⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟨🟩
🟩🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, noire, forge, force I'm back in my don't-stop-to-think-whether-other-words fit the pattern mode. Four serves me right.

WHISKEYJACK by Victoria Goddard

This is such a charming series! I can't write about this one without spoiling. Jemis, however, comes more and more into his own through more and more dangerous magic. I don't want to top out, but I have Blackcurrant Fool lined up already.

It's good to hear from you, Peggy. It sounds like you're doing okay under the circumstances. Keep on Wordling, reading, and stopping in here anytime you need a break.

Hello, my dear.

(((((Peggy)))))

>300 LizzieD: Excellent streaking, Peggy me lurve! I hope y'all's day is half as gloriously gorgeous as ours is. *smooch*

Hey, Richard, Karen, and Laura, with thanks for kind thoughts. I'm doing a lot better than I expected to do. I think maybe I did most of my grieving as I watched my mama lose more and more of herself. Who knows? Anyway, I went to church this morning, and that was good.

Wordle 1,016 3/6*

⬜⬜🟨⬜🟨
🟩🟩⬜⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, tango, taboo Still following that 4,3,4,3 pattern.

I just read the sad news about your mothers sudden decline and passing, Peggy. My condolences and many (((hugs)))

'Morning, my dear. I'm glad you're doing better than you thought you would, and I know that you gave your all to your mama.

I'm glad you were able to go to church.

Wordle in 3 for me today, Wordle Sister!

Thank you for your sympathy, Anita. She was completely worn out, so it was time.

Thank you, Karen. I keep expecting to crash and not crashing. Maybe I am being mature about this, and that's a surprise.

We are the 3 Sisters again!

Wordle 1,017 3/6*

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟨🟨⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, round, frond I think that would be a nice name for a little girl.

>306 LizzieD: "I think maybe I did most of my grieving as I watched my mama lose more and more of herself." I know this was true for me, Peggy. I used to have to stop the car somewhere on the way home from a visit to my mom and cry it out. She had left us in dribs and drabs for a couple years. That, combined with all the practical matters that needed tending to before and after she passed away, kept me from exhibiting many signs of grief when she died. BUT, don't be surprised if you DO crash over some little thing that seems insignificant. There can be tricky triggers lying in wait. (((Hugs)))

>310 laytonwoman3rd: ^^^what she said

Peggy, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I know it wasn’t unexpected, but it’s still a tragic blow. Her suffering is over. May you and your family find peace in the days ahead. (((Hugs)))

Thank you, Donna. Really, Mama did what she needed to do, and I'm pretty much at peace for her. I'm still pretty much numb for myself, but the worship/celebration of her life today was as nearly perfect as we get in this old world. I love your support.

I did this this morning.....
Wordle 1,018 4/6*

⬜🟩⬜🟨⬜
🟨🟩🟨⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, resin, serge, serum

>313 LizzieD: the worship/celebration of her life today was as nearly perfect as we get in this old world.
I'm so glad to hear that, Peggy. As a lover of church music, I'm curious whether the service included solos or hymns (and if so, what they were).

'Morning, Peggy!

>313 LizzieD: Given your sorrow and grief, you couldn't have asked for much more.

...
So, Wordle in 3 for me today.

You don't have to read this unless you want to. It's about my day yesterday with Mama's service.

Laura and Karen, I'm ashamed to say that I still haven't been able to pull out Mama's favorite Bible verses or hymns from my self-centered memory. I did choose hymns that I love and that I'm sure she loved too: "Holy, Holy, Holy" (This was our first hymn at every worship service I attended until I was 15 or 16 years old. I thought it was a doctrine of the Presbyterian Church, and was gobsmacked when I finally went to a regular service somewhere else and they didn't sing it at all), "For the Beauty of the Earth," and "A Mighty Fortress" (I was gobsmacked again to see that Lutherans use a different English translation). (I'll write this down somewhere else.... I want the congregation to sing "Be Thou My Vision" instead of "Beauty" if I get a service while keeping the other two. We read the 100th Psalm responsively. David's homily was based on Micah 6: 6-8 and Galatians 5: 22-24. He tied the justice in Micah with the "law" following the gifts of the Spirit in Galatians in a way that I hadn't considered and managed to speak about my mama at the same time. It was healing. Having many cousins there was healing. Having our niece and nephew and their spouses there was healing (the 3rd niece is in Costa Rica for some reason...). Having 3 of my high school best friends, the husband of one of them, and the husband of a 4th who couldn't come because she had just had surgery last week was healing. We went out to lunch for me and a snack for them later, and that was wonderful. The 5th member of our group is in upstate SC, and her husband just wasn't well enough for them to come. I couldn't have asked for better.

Wordle 1,019 2/6*

🟨⬜🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, plait Again, Karen, the used word list saved me a guess.

>316 LizzieD: The service sounds perfect, Peggy.

That sounds like a wonderful service, Peggy. Nicely done overall, and excellent music selections.

What a perfect day in memory of your Mama. I'm so happy that you had that, Peggy! *smooch*

>313 LizzieD: the worship/celebration of her life today was as nearly perfect as we get in this old world.

I am so glad to hear that!

>316 LizzieD: "Be Thou My Vision" is one of my favorite hymns. I am so glad you had friends and family there with you.

>313 LizzieD: >316 LizzieD: It sounds like a wonderful service (and afterwards) for you. I'm so happy to hear that, for your sake! Very glad to hear that it was healing. "Holy, Holy, Holy" is my favorite hymn.

Irene, Stasia, Richard, Laura, and Linda, thank you all for the affirmation. My cousin who was here from Quebec for two days went home this afternoon, and we walked, and I had a nap.

BETRAYAL IN DEATH by J.D. Robb

I thought that this was an especially good entry in the series. I don't think I'm going to live long enough to read all that I own at the rate I've been going, but I'm glad to have them just in case!

It's time and past time to start a new thread, so I will, but I won't dress it up yet.