Laura (lauralkeet)'s 2024 Reading Nook - Part 1

Alys, exhausted by the new puppy


Ellie, then (8 wks) and now (12 wks)

Welcome to my thread! I'm Laura, 62 in February. My husband Chris and I are retired, and live in an 18th century farmhouse in northern Virginia with our 9-year-old terrier mix Alys, and puppy Ellie (born Oct 2023). Ellie interrupted our predictable routine of gardening, home projects, reading, and (for me) knitting but she has also brought a lot of joy to our life and we know things will settle down as she grows up.

This thread will be all about books, reading, and day-to-day life. I occasionally post about my knitting here, but if you’re so inclined you can see more on my thread in the Needlearts group.

2024 is my sixteenth year in the 75 Book Challenge Group! I can’t imagine a year without bookish discussion with this wonderful community and others who follow my thread. It’s been quite a while since I actually read 75 books in a year, but this group is such an excellent source of book recommendations that my totals don’t really matter. I read mostly contemporary fiction, with the odd classic or memoir thrown in. Last year I added more nonfiction to my reading diet and enjoyed that immensely, so look for more of the same in 2024.

Books Featured on This Thread
(Go here to see all books read this year)
1. Prophet Song
2. Rain Dogs
3. 1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare
4. Lessons in Chemistry
5. Crook Manifesto
6. The Fraud

Series Progress

Active series as of January 1 (updated quarterly):


A snapshot of my active series sorted on the "progress" column.

Series completed/current in 2024:
* tbd

Series started in 2024:
* tbd

Series abandoned in 2024:
* tbd

Currently Reading & On Deck



Madame Bovary

Pulling up a chair and claiming my spot!

I just realized that the new group is up and running! Dropping off my star on your first thread for 2024, Laura.

Happy New Year, Laura. Hooray for the doggies! Ellie is getting to be a big girl. Seeing anything interesting at your feeders?

Welcome back, Laura!

Happy New Year Laura! I'm glad to read that my Thursday Mystery Score of Joyce was good character. I'll try to get to the first in the series fairly early in the year, and I'll let you if I am at all like Joyce. ;-)

I'll be following your reading again this year and looking forward to all the book bullets you send my way. (BTW - you won 2nd place this year for my Annie Oakley Award)

Hi Katie, Ellen, Kim, Mark, Jim, Deborah & Betty! Thanks for the new year/new thread greetings.

Mark, our feeders are bopping these days. Our most frequent visitors are Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Tufted titmouse, Blue Jay, Cardinal, and Chickadee. They are loving the suet right now.

Deborah, I was mostly Joyce, too!

>11 dudes22: Betty, I am honored to have placed in your Annie Oakley Awards. It took me a minute to get it though, because my first association was Ado Annie from Oklahoma! who sang, "I'm just a girl who can't say no". Ha!

My absence around the threads lately means that I completely missed your new pup! Ellie is *adorable*!

>12 lauralkeet: - I don't know whether you are or not, but I'd never accuse you anyway. HA-HA!

>13 scaifea: Yes Amber, we have a new family member. She's been with us since December 4, when she was 8 weeks old. Her mom is a cattle dog (but probably also a mixed breed), father unknown but Ellie has some very lab-like features. She's become a bit leggier over the past 4 weeks so who knows, really. We might do a DNA test.

>14 dudes22: OMG Betty I nearly snorted my beverage!

Every year I think I'm going to wait with visiting the new sites until it's the new year -- came close this year :) Looking forward to following your gardening, pet parenting, knitting, family adventures in 2024!!

Your current reads both sound lovely. Good luck with your reading in 2024.

Happy New Year Laura! Lovely puppy pictures!

Wishing you a happy reading year Laura.

Good to see the dawgs as ever.

Hi Laura!

Wishing you a great one!

Hi Reba, Tess, Rhian, Caro & Susan! I'm not one to leave greetings on all the threads; I hope these fireworks will suffice for you and all visitors. Welcome to 2024!

Well, let's get this year started shall we?

We had a nice time at our friends' house last night. Ellie behaved really well and we stayed longer than we thought we'd be able to. We were still home and in bed before midnight, as usual.

Yesterday I spent some productive time knitting and am now working on the second sleeve of my sweater. This shouldn't take me too long, and then I'll be on to the more fun part of the project: the two-color yoke.



Today I plan to start reading Prophet Song. I've made a nice dent in 1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare, and it's really interesting, but I don't want to read it straight through. I plan to finish the current chapter then set it aside for a bit.

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RAISE, PARTY, MORAL, MURAL
This game never gets old. Are we still sharing Wordles this year? I'll take my cue from others ...

Happy New Year, Laura. I look forward to following your reading and your puppy news in 2024. I hope it's a good year for you.

Happy new year, Laura!

I thought about kicking off with Prophet Song but decided to ease in with something a little easier :)

I'm glad Ellie behaved so well at your friends.

ETA: I only post my Wordle if I'm especially pleased or annoyed with it. *shrug*

>15 lauralkeet: Oh, cattle dog! So she'll be a smartie.

Happy new year!

Hi Laura, and Happy New Year.

>1 lauralkeet: I completely missed the fact that you have a new puppy. I seem to remember thinking that it was a grand-puppy… got that wrong, eh?

>23 BLBera: Thanks Beth.

>24 katiekrug: Katie, I've had a nice spell of shorter and/orlighter reading plus one unsatisfying book, which has put me in the mood for something with more oomph. So I think I'm ready for Prophet Song.

Chris had one of his best ideas ever last night, which was to bring our smaller dog crate with us. Their house has a fairly open plan and it would have been difficult to keep Ellie out of mischief. Our friends have a golden retriever so we gave them a couple opportunities to play, but mostly Ellie was happy to watch the proceedings from her crate as long as we were nearby.

>25 scaifea: She's giving us a sense of her wits already, that's for sure Amber.

>26 karenmarie: Karen, you aren't wrong: we have a grand-dog as well. Julia and Noah adopted Rizzo about a year ago, he's a white floofy dog, a few years old. He joined us this Christmas and had a blast playing with our two.

Kate and Tyler adopted two black kittens back in April, they are about a year old now. They are mischievous and sweet, but they do not travel ha ha.

Happy new year, Laura! Glad to hear you had lovely celebration.

Happy New Year! Happy New Thread!

I cannot wait to see what you think of Prophet Song, Laura. It was one of my 5 star reads from last year.

Happy New Year, Laura. I look forward to hearing about the Ellie adventures. It’s good for Alys to have a little sister, although she won’t be little that long.

Prophet Song garnered the #2 spot on my Favorites list. I could not put it down, although it was ripping my heart out. It hit a little too close to what is happening in our world today. I am eager to hear what you think about it.

>28 MickyFine: Thanks Micky.

>29 alcottacre: Believe it or not Stasia, I have picked up on your enthusiasm for Prophet Song. 😀

>30 Donna828: Donna, I am experiencing very similar feelings about Prophet Song, and I'm not even that far in yet (approx 40pp). I'm completely drawn in and it keeps calling my name, and yet it's intense enough that I'm glad I'm reading another book at the same time.

Happy New Year, Laura!

>1 lauralkeet: Ellie is quite adorable.

>2 lauralkeet: I like that idea to keep track of series in progress. I finished a few last year and am looking for some new ones to start.

>22 lauralkeet: Happy New Year!
I vote for the Wordle update, I like it as a part of your daily update.

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CRANE, PARTY, MURAL

I vote yes for Wordle updates. I plan to keep posting it on my thread if only because it is so much a part of my morning routine. And I like seeing what routes others have taken to get to the solution. (And I guessed moral before mural, as well.)

Happy reading in 2024, Laura!

>1 lauralkeet: Poor Alys, worn out by Ellie. Puppies do grow up way to fast!

Good morning everyone!

We had a fairly lazy day yesterday. Chris worked on a house project for a bit. I spent some time reading and knitting, which was satisfying. I also did a bit of housecleaning. Last year I started off well, when someone (Amber?) mentioned they take care of a different area of the house every day. I came up with a plan and stuck to it for a while, but let things slide sometime in the height of the gardening season. Yesterday I reviewed my weekly schedule, acknowledged it had enough slack and flexibility to be manageable, and decided to give it a try again this year. Wish me luck.

Last night we watched the latest episode of University Challenge (a return to the student competition), and then started a new series, Steeltown Murders:

Set in both 1973 and the early 2000s, 'Steeltown Murders' follows the hunt for a killer in the Port Talbot area of Wales, and how in the first case of its kind, the mystery was solved nearly 30 years after the crime, using modern DNA analysis. 'Steeltown Murders' contrasts police methods of the 1970s with the forensic breakthroughs of the 2000s and functions as a portrait of a town dealing with the repercussions of an unsolved case three decades later, and asks if justice can ever truly be found.

It's off to a good start. Available on Britbox.

As I mentioned to Donna in >31 lauralkeet:, Prophet Song has really grabbed me. But it's also intense and discomfiting. At bedtime last night I read a bit of the Shakespeare book instead, and may continue that routine.

This morning I have a Guild committee meeting over Zoom, and then a hopefully short phone call with our HVAC project contact. The project wrapped up last week and I'm not sure exactly what we need to discuss. *shrug* Time permitting, I may run out to buy birdseed but that's not urgent yet.

Wordle fans have spoken.

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STORE, MANIC, PLAIN, AGING
After my third turn, I had to stare at this for quite a while before I found a way to re-order the yellow letters.

I flamed out on Wordle today, stupid game. *grumble*

Thanks for the reminder to return to University Challenge!

And the new series sounds good. I'll check it out...

Happy New Year, Laura!

Wordle was SO hard today.

It very well may have been me with the room-a-day cleaning thing, since that's what I do, and then I try to dust the whole house on the weekends. No matter how you do it, though, it's still...housework. Blech.

I admit that I feel a bit better about getting skunked by the wordle this morning, since it seems I'm not the only one who thought it was hard. Yeesh.

Happy new year! And congrats on having such a cute little puppy join your family!
Re: housework. I sometimes set the oven timer for an hour and get as much done in that time as I can. Dumb game, I know, but I move fast and when the time is up, well, them's the rules. I'm done.

Happy new year, Laura. I love reading about your gardening, puppy and elder dog, explorations, and, oh yes, also your reading :). I look forward to your post every day.

>37 lauralkeet: I too flamed out on Wordle today (thank you for not making me feel lonely, Katie).

Hi Laura, looking forward to seeing your reading and crafty projects. Knitting is a dark art to me, so in awe already. >;-)

>38 katiekrug:, >39 norabelle414:, >40 scaifea:, >42 RebaRelishesReading: The Wordle was tough yesterday that's for sure. I hate when that happens!

>40 scaifea:, >41 mstrust: Hi Amber & Jennifer. There's no getting around the fact that housework is pure drudgery. One thing I know I can't do is try to clean the entire house all at once. Jennifer, I like your timer idea too.

>42 RebaRelishesReading: Reba, that is the nicest thing to say. Thank you so much! I love the visits and chatter on my thread.

>43 Helenliz: Hi Helen. Your stitching is just as much of a dark art for me! I really enjoy seeing the other things people in this group get up to, besides books & reading.

It's Wednesday but doesn't feel like a Wednesday because Monday didn't feel like a Monday but anyway happy hump day to those who celebrate!

Yesterday's meeting was productive and the phone calls was fine. We had the opportunity to provide feedback on our HVAC project and what could have gone better, and now it's in the rear view mirror and that's a good feeling.

Reading-wise, I'm approaching the halfway point in Prophet Song. It's excellent, but so hard to take in. Yesterday I had to set it aside because I realized it was starting to take over my reality, if that makes sense. I went out to buy bird seed and a couple of other items, and then made dinner. I read some of the Shakespeare book in the evening.

Last night we watched another episode of Steeltown Murders. We're really enjoying it. By the way, yesterday I said it was on Britbox but it's actually Acorn. Oops.

Today's agenda is pretty light. I'm going to do the grocery shopping early because a) I have a routine doc appointment tomorrow and b) there's a lot of snow forecast for the weekend Chris is already fretting about whether the supermarket will run out of things we need. Okay, whatever. I might also make an apple crumble because we have some apples that I need to use up.

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MERIT, TRIAL, TWIRL
I'm always happy with a 3!

>45 lauralkeet: I have started reading Prophet Song as well. Everyone seems to like the read so I am looking forward to it.

Good thinking with the grocery run. How much snow is expected to fall? We are having an unusually warm winter in Canada and the part I live in has yet to see snow that sticks.

>37 lauralkeet: We enjoyed 'Steeltown Murders' as well. The town of Port Talbot is actually the next town along to my home town of Porthcawl, although the two towns are very different. Port Talbot is very industrial, particularly with the steel works, which was huge when I was growing up (it's still there, but much reduced in size). Porthcawl has no industry whatsoever. From what I remember, there are a few scenes set in Porthcawl in the programme, although I don't think it's mentioned by name.

Happy Wednesday, Laura. I agree, Prophet Song is very unsettling but the intense writing really draws you in. Good luck with it and lets hope this isn't our future. How are those winter birds doing?

I've got my fingers crossed that some snow materializes here this weekend! We have no plans, and a quiet weekend at home sounds very appealing after the craziness of the holidays... I'm going to the store today, too, and might pick up some extras, "just in cases." That said, I think most of it is predicted for west of us, but a girl can hope :)

>45 lauralkeet: genuinely no idea what day it is. I started back to day, so it feels like Monday but isn't. I'm claiming remembering my password, after 10 days off, as today's success.
Rather jealous of the snow. It's warm and wet and miserable here. Lots of water, the rivers are very high and there's been flooding in the area. not us, we live on the top of a hill for a reason...

>46 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita. Today the forecast is calling for 10" of snow on Saturday. This is down from nearly 12" yesterday, so it might very decrease further. I can't think of the last time we had that much snow, either here (since 2021) or in the greater Philly area before that.

>47 SandDune: Thanks for sharing your local knowledge, Rhian. We enjoy seeing Welsh actors too, like Richard Harrington, who we first saw in the excellent Welsh series, Hinterland. Accent and pronunciation are also interesting. For example, "Port Talbot" is pronounced as if it's all one word, "portalbot," like a French liaison. Is that common in Welsh?

>48 msf59: Unsettling is a good word, Mark. I'll get back to Prophet Song today. The feeders are hopping. I'm glad I was able to stock up on bird seed before the expected snow.

>49 katiekrug: Katie, since you are crazy enough to want snow, I hope you get your wish. Honestly, I don't mind holing up indoors with a fire and baked goods. I'm not looking forward to taking the dogs out. The fenced part of our property is about 100yds from the house so we can't just let them go out on their own.

>50 Helenliz: Hi Helen, congratulations on remembering your password! I remember having similar difficulty during my working days. I'm sorry you're dealing with wet weather. I've had a glimpse of it through Monty Don's Instagram; in a post yesterday he said the roads near him were impassable. Egads.

Good luck to Chris with the groceries! I feel like the problem around here is not how much snow there will actually be but rather how much snow other people think there will be, resulting in them going wild at the grocery store.

Happy new year, Laura.

>51 lauralkeet: Wow that is quite a bit of snow. Not a problem I need to contemplate too much in the tropics here.

Hi Laura and Happy Wednesday.

I'm glad you're "enjoying" Prophet Song (not exactly the right verb, is it?). I totally understand the plan to intersperse it with something else, especially at bedtime. "...I realized it was starting to take over my reality, if that makes sense." It makes perfect sense. One reason I gave the novel five stars was my experience of looking up from reading, surprised to find myself in this reality rather than that one.

Thanks for the tip on "Steeltown Murders." We are always looking for a new series. We've been rather enjoying the Madame Blanc Mysteries on Acorn but I'd like something a bit meatier.

>47 SandDune: Port Talbot isn't actually a Welsh name. It's named in English for the Talbot family that first set it up. But you're right, locally the two words flow into each other. When I was very small and had just learnt to read I thought the place that I knew as 'portalbot' and the Port Talbot that I could see on the road signs were two completely different places!

But generally Welsh likes to flow nicely!

Holy Moses! Just the third day of the new year, and I'm as far behind as ever. Not looking forward to plowable snow. I just today learned that the guy who's plowed our driveway is unlikely to be available. Haven't needed his services for at least two years, and he's sold his garage/mini-mart.

I have devoted enough time each day of 2024 to read a chapter in Time and Again. My mind is as cluttered as my house. Not good. It shall be tidied up.

>52 norabelle414: That's exactly why I went shopping today, Nora. It wasn't crowded at all. But it will be ... and it was easier to just do the shopping than listen to my dear other half's worrying. Ha.

>53 PaulCranswick: It is indeed a lot, Paul, and unusual for this part of the US. I'll believe it when I see it.

>54 EBT1002: Ellen, now that you mention it I remember you posting about that surprise when you look up from reading Prophet Song. I thought it was interesting, but also forgot about it. It's a very weird experience.

>55 SandDune: Thanks for that explanation, Rhian. Cute story about little Rhian, too.

>56 weird_O: Hi Bill! Sorry to hear about your snow-plowing guy. Our driveway is very long but each end exits into a road. The end where we park our cars is very close to the road so we can just deal with that snow and let the rest melt. Or just stay home until it all goes away! I hope you are able to get by somehow.

Happy New Year Laura! I'm looking forward to following your activities this year! Love the new puppy, she's adorable!

I'm looking forward to what your new puppy thinks of the snow. Get your video camera ready.

Happy New Year, Laura! If you want some comradeship on the keeping the house in order thing, our support group is at https://www.librarything.com/topic/356425

>58 Sakerfalcon: Thanks Claire. Happy new year to you too!

>59 dudes22: That's a good reminder, Betty. I just wish we could upload videos to LT ...

>60 ronincats: Thanks Roni!

Hi everyone!

I sequestered myself in the kitchen yesterday afternoon, to keep an eye on Ellie and prevent her from getting underfoot while Chris was working on a project. But while I was there, I cleaned all of the countertops and wiped down the appliances. Then I made apple crumble. Time well spent!

Last night's viewing include the Shetland S8 finale (interesting twist at the end), and then we decided to give Deadwood a try. It was fun and sufficiently different from the rest of our rotation, that we will probably continue.

I'm still plugging away at the excellent Prophet Song, and A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare. Also the sweater sleeve, which makes for good TV knitting.

Today's agenda includes a routine doctor visit (bloodwork to confirm a new meds dosage is sufficient). I'll drop off the recycling en route. I will probably do a bit more housework to stay on top of my resurrected weekly cleaning schedule.

The weekend snow forecast continues to drop. Now they're saying 3-4" which will turn into rain with temperatures hovering just above freezing. Translation: a slushy mess, a far cry from yesterday's forecast of 10" of snow. I'm not complaining, really, just wondering how we ended up with a heavy snow forecast in the first place.

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LOSER, STAID, SCANT

Last I looked, we were right on the line for snow vs rain this weekend, so my hopes are dashed. *sigh*

Wordle in 3 for me today, too.

Aw, that's too bad about the change in weather predictions. I adore lots of snow (when I don't have to go anywhere) and we just haven't had much at all this year.

We're supposed to get snow today, and then more over the weekend. I haven't heard much about amounts, which probably means just enough to make commutes a mess.

>63 katiekrug: Sorry, Katie. But maybe there will be more snow up north?

>64 scaifea: Amber, I used to freak out a lot more about snow when I had to commute. Once it became okay to work from home (and of course later when I retired), it was less of a concern. There's something to be said for just holing up inside, or walking in the snow when it's fresh and pretty.

>65 AMQS: I imagine you get more snow than we do Anne. I hope you have enough to enjoy it.

I hope we get a nice snow or two this winter. Our experience is when it snows it stays beautiful for two days, then is busy melting for one and on day 4 it's all gone -- just about perfect imo

We enjoyed the last episode of S8 of Shetland. I like Tosh as the lead.

We have had only one snow this winter -- a very wet inch or two back in November. This is not good. The wheat fields rely on a snow blanket to protect them from serious cold and also to provide slow water with the spring melt. Of course, we're not getting serious cold, either. 30s and 40s and either dry or rainy. Very worrisome. Not good for snowshoeing either!

>62 lauralkeet: Glad you enjoyed Shetland Laura. We really enjoyed Deadwood when we watched it, but that was quite a while ago now.

Hi Laura, hope you're having a good start to the new year!

Omg, I missed that you got a new puppy! So cute - I can imagine your day-to-day life is a bit upside down at times with a little one running around.

And ugh about the weather predictions. Frozen slush is the absolute worst. We've having a lot of snow this year, and right now there's a real cold snap (currently about -29 C at our place and some places further north are swaying around -40 C). I do prefer cold to slush even if this is a bit too much.

>67 RebaRelishesReading: My fingers are crossed for your snowfall, Reba!

>68 EBT1002: I like Tosh too, Ellen. She started out a bit subordinate to Ashley Jensen's Ruth Calder, but asserted herself more as the series progressed. I would have liked to see her positioned as the clear successor to Jimmy Perez from the start.

>69 SandDune: Hi Rhian ... Deadwood, like The Wire, is one of those highly rated series that for reasons unknown we missed the first time around (it originally aired in 2004-2006). We are fans of Ian McShane from his Lovejoy days and it's fun to see him in a very different role.

>70 PawsforThought: Oh yes Paws, our life has been topsy turn y since Ellie joined the family. It's been a month now and things are getting more manageable. House training has been pretty easy (accidents have been our fault, not hers), she's sleeping better, and seems to be a quick study when we train her on something new.

Happy Friday!

Nothing much to report from yesterday, other than that I did the things I said I would do and made further progress with both Prophet Song and my sweater. Last night's viewing included an episode of Steeltown Murders, and one of the Gardeners World winter specials.

I don't have much planned for today. I have one more cleaning task I'd like to get done: the range hood. I need Chris' help to remove the filters. It's also time to undecorate the Christmas tree which I might do today, or might put off a day or two. I'm planning to grab as many spare minutes as possible to read Prophet Song. While it's unsettling, I've also become completely caught up in the story and can't put it down.

Fans of winter weather will be pleased to know our forecast has changed again. A winter storm watch has been issued and the current forecast predicts 7.5" on Saturday. Who knows. The Blue Ridge mountains (part of the Appalachians) are just west of us and the predicted weather pattern often changes when it hits the mountains.

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CLEAR, SMILE, FLUTE, BULGE, LUNGE
I get annoyed when I reuse a letter in a space that I already know is yellow. Does "hard mode" prevent that?

>71 lauralkeet: He's very different from Lovejoy isn't he?

Morning, Laura!

That forecast is officially annoying. Pick one, please, and stick with it. Tomm is traveling this next week and is watching Iowa's (his destination) forecast closely. It seems like he'll probably get out there okay, but he's not wanting to get stuck out there.

>74 scaifea: I don't blame Tomm. No one wants to get stuck out here — even me. :-D

>75 rosalita: *SNORK!!*

And with election campaigning heating up, he's not looking forward to possible delays to his travels this year. You and your caucuses. Sheesh.

>72 lauralkeet: I get annoyed when I reuse a letter in a space that I already know is yellow. Does "hard mode" prevent that?
Alas, no, it just prevents you from using letters that are already gray

>76 scaifea: Hey, the Democrats have abandoned Iowa as first-in-the-nation. You can blame this year's chaos on the other guys. :-)

I enjoyed S8 of Shetland as well although I did miss Jimmy. I wonder if there will be a season 9?

>79 BLBera: We're one episode shy of finishing S8. It's good, but yeah, we miss Jimmy.

>73 SandDune: oh yes Rhian. Such a different role!

>74 scaifea:, >75 rosalita:, >76 scaifea:, >78 rosalita: Oh, Iowa. I had to travel to Des Moines on business a few times. That was enough for me ha ha.

>77 norabelle414: Thanks Nora. That's good to know.

>79 BLBera: I asked Google that question just yesterday, Beth. The BBC has not announced any plans for S9 which doesn't mean no, it just doesn't mean yes. So I guess we'll have to wait and see.

>80 drneutron: I'm with you, Jim. Jimmy Perez was a unique in the way he led his team and the sort of person he was. Without Jimmy, the show is on par with many other mystery series. Good, but not great.

>81 lauralkeet: It used to be a nice state, Laura. Not Des Moines so much, maybe, but other parts. :-) I am already actively planning where I will move when I retire because I will not be staying here as I originally planned.

I'm following you puppy adventure. It's inspiring me to get more active about looking for my future dog, though not a puppy!

>72 lauralkeet: "Does "hard mode" prevent that?" Nope. I use hard mode and I can still use a letter in the same yellow location if I lose my concentration. I hate when I do that!

I really hope there is a season 9 of Shetland!!!

And I am so glad you are enjoying Prophet Song.

Envious of your potential snow, Laura. El Nino has made for a very mild winter here with almost no snow. However, we're heading into our first proper cold snap of the winter based on the forecast for the coming week and I'm hopeful it'll bring some white stuff with it.

>82 rosalita: Aww, I'm sorry to hear that, Julia. It can be difficult to leave a place where you have deep roots.

>83 quondame: Susan, I like the way you think. We absolutely adore Ellie but have also acknowledged that puppies are exhausting and that next time (whenever that may be, not anytime soon) we will get an adult dog.

>84 EBT1002:, >85 EBT1002: Hi Ellen, thanks for the info on hard mode. I'll say more about Prophet Song later.

>86 MickyFine: Micky, I'm not sure there will be much for you to envy today. We'll see.

Hello there! Finally getting here to return your visit. Pup is adorable! It's hard to believe she has a cattle dog parent, there's no sign of it there that I can see. :) (Not saying I don't believe you, the pup just looks very lab-like, guess those are strong genes.) We had a cattle dog, she was such a character.

Also hoping you are enjoying Deadwood. I love Timothy Olyphant, and that was a good role for him.

>88 ursula: Hi Ursula, thanks for visiting. We've seen pics of Ellie's mom who allegedly brings the cattle dog genes but is also probably a mixed breed. Recently Ellie has lost some of her baby chunkiness and is looking a bit less lab-like. It's made us very curious, so we'll be doing a DNA test soon.

Hi all!

Well ... I finished Prophet Song yesterday. What a powerful novel. It took up a lot of space in my head, which is very much a credit to the writing but also very unsettling and uncomfortable. I need to sit with it a bit before writing a review.

Last night's viewing included an episode of Deadwood and some other stuff during which I read the Shakespeare book.

It appears the winter weather event will have minimal impact on us; as of this morning they're predicting only about 2" of snow. In the afternoon it will turn to rain with temperatures hovering just above or around freezing through the night. So it might be icy, or it might all melt.

Nevertheless, we have no plans to go anywhere and will be hanging around the house today.

Wordle 931 5/6

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STARE, MAUVE, DANCE, CACHE, CABLE

Hi Laura!

>72 lauralkeet: We took down Christmas yesterday and got the house back to ‘normal’. I personally would love 7.5” of snow, but Jenna starts her new job on Monday and since we don’t know how to cope with that much snow down here, I would imagine things would still be iffy on Monday.

>81 lauralkeet: Aww, come on, Laura. Iowa is where my mother was born, and my aunt is a Dem although my mother and her brother were/are staunch Gang of Psychos followers. Beautiful farmland, the Amana Colonies, etc. Des Moines doesn’t count.

>82 rosalita: Wow, Julia. I just found your ROOTs thread and visit soon.

>31 lauralkeet: No, I do not believe it, lol.

>90 lauralkeet: I need to sit with it a bit before writing a review. I completely understand that.

Have a wonderful weekend, Laura!

>91 karenmarie: Good for you Karen, getting that Christmas tree down. For no good reason I decided to procrastinate, yet again.

I didn't realize my limited experience of Iowa was so ... limited. I get the "beautiful farmland" thing though. I spent my college years in northern Indiana (so much corn!), and spent many years living just outside Pennsylvania's Amish country.

>92 alcottacre: Thanks Stasia!

~~~~~~~~

Weather update: pfffft. A dusting of snow that didn't stick, which then turned to rain. I'm not a fan of heavy snowfall but was looking forward to seeing how Ellie reacted. Oh well.

Hi Laura my dear, i have starred you once again and will be visiting throughout 2024. A belated Happy New Year dear friend.

>71 lauralkeet: There is a forecast for 4-6" late next week. OK with me :)

as to Shetland -- I really liked Jimmy but I like Tosh a lot too. Sort of hope the mainlander will go home before long though.

I'm glad you enjoyed Prophet Song, Laura. It's a dark read, but it's hard to put it down once you start reading it. I have to thank you for your Thursday Murder Club quiz you had on your last thread in 2023 I think it was. I'm now a little over 100 pages into The Thursday Murder Club , and that quiz gave me that extra push to finally pull it off the shelf. I'm really enjoying it.

>94 johnsimpson: Hi John, happy new year! I'm following your thread as well, but I need to delurk and say hello.

>95 RebaRelishesReading: I agree with you about the Ruth Calder character. I guess the producers wanted a well-known actor to pair with Alison O'Donnell's Tosh but I didn't care much for the character.

>96 vancouverdeb: Deborah,I was just over on your thread before checking my own. I'm thrilled to see a new fan of The Thursday Murder Club series.

Good morning!

As I mentioned, yesterday's winter storm didn't affect us; it was just wet and gross. Our patio is a bit icy this morning, but we're expecting temperatures to rise into the mid-40s and that will be all she wrote. Meanwhile, we frittered the day away indoors, mostly trying to keep Ellie out of trouble. As time allowed, I plugged away at A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare. In the evening we finished watching Steeltown Murders, which was a very satisfying series, so well done.

Today is another no-agenda day. I'm feeling a bit cooped up, but there's nowhere I really want to go either. I really *should* un-decorate the Christmas tree; that would feel productive. The 4th season of All Creatures Great and Small starts tonight on PBS, so we will almost assuredly start watching it.

Wordle 932 6/6

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Damn.

1. Prophet Song ()

Prophet Song is set in modern-day Dublin, where the country’s democratic government has been overtaken by a totalitarian regime. When Eilish’s husband Larry, a trade unionist, is “disappeared,” she must single-handedly hold the family together. Eilish does her best to shield them from reality, which is increasingly difficult as violence and destruction become routine. Besides her four children, Eilish is also concerned for her father who lives alone and is beginning to exhibit dementia symptoms.

The situation does not miraculously improve; in fact, the novel is stark and relentless. But Paul Lynch’s writing is masterful, drawing the reader into the story in a deeper way than I have ever experienced. It felt plausible and real–and why shouldn’t it? Similar situations are happening in other countries right now, and we can no longer take western democracy for granted. This is not an enjoyable book, but it is an important one, and a very deserving Booker Prize winner.

>98 lauralkeet: - I had much the same problem with Wordle but managed a 5.

>99 lauralkeet: It doesn't feel quite right to say this sounds like a book I'd enjoy, but I think you know what I mean. Nice review, Laura.

"I'm feeling a bit cooped up, but there's nowhere I really want to go either. I really *should* un-decorate the Christmas tree; that would feel productive. " My song today as well.

I was so annoyed because Fairfax county canceled all school related events and anything on school grounds on Saturday. And they made the decision at 6 on Friday night. My older son had an honors orchestra event that he had to audition for and won't be rescheduled. And my younger son missed a basketball game. I understand when there's real weather and they cancel, but it was just rain and really never looked like it would be anything different.

>102 laytonwoman3rd: I'm glad I'm not the only one, Linda.

>103 japaul22: That's really lame, Jennifer. I really hate when things close or are cancelled on the mere threat of weather, especially when the forecast was as variable and uncertain as this one. I feel bad for both of your kiddos, missing out on something important to them, and for no good reason.

We have had a few days in the past few years when school has been canceled because of forecasted weather, and while I am never sad about a snow day, I fear we may be in for the opposite this year - tons of snow and school in session. It's tricky at a mountain school, too, because we can get way more. We've had school in 14 inches of snow before. Back in the olden days when I was in school the decision was made that morning depending on how much actually fell, but it's rare they call it so late anymore.

>99 lauralkeet: Excellent review of Prophet Song, Laura. Describing the story as "stark and relentless" and Lynch's writing as "masterful" exactly mirrors my experience.

We're watching S4E1 of Miss Scarlet and the Duke and looking forward to the new season of All Creatures.

I managed wordle in 3 today. I agree, Prophet Song was a very deserving winner, Laura. Excellent review.

>99 lauralkeet: I have and started and abandoned A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare. Probably 2011 or so…

>105 AMQS: Hi Anne, it sounds like your area is much better equipped to deal with snow. I think individuals, schools, and businesses freak out more easily here; it was the same in Philly.

>106 EBT1002:, >107 vancouverdeb: Thanks Ellen & Deborah. I didn't want to say too much about the plot and it was challenging to convey what made it a 4.5-star read. I can't say I enjoyed the book but it was pretty amazing nonetheless.

>108 karenmarie: Interesting, Karen. I'm enjoying it although it does sometimes demand more knowledge of Shakespeare's plays than I currently possess ...

Happy Monday y'all,

The Christmas tree is un-decorated, yay! The job is not 100% finished yet. We still need to take down the garland and wreath over our mantel, but that looks pretty so it might be there for a while. The ornament boxes are stacked by the stairs, awaiting my next trip to the attic. Probably when I get the boxes for the garland.

Last night we ended up watching Deadwood instead of All Creatures, due to some issue with the AppleTV PBS app, which wasn't loading even though it was fine earlier in the day.

This morning I'm working a library shift where I will also pick up my holds. I also need to stop by the post office to mail a couple things. And then I guess I'll try to sort out the PBS app.

Wordle 933 4/6

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LEAST, DAILY, RIVAL, FINAL

>110 lauralkeet: Problems with the PBS app? Devastating!

>111 norabelle414: I know, right?! I tried it again today and it was fine. Last night I was able to load PBS Passport on my iPad so I assumed the issue was specific to our AppleTV. But maybe there was just a stampede of people wanting to watch the new season and the app couldn't handle it. Ha.

" Similar situations are happening in other countries right now, and we can no longer take western democracy for granted." Amen, Laura. Good review of Prophet Song. One of my top reads of last year.

Hi Laura. Congrats on getting the tree undecorated.

I think I would like Deadwood but P not so much. We're still adjusting to both being home all day. I'm really enjoying the extra reading time -- today I sat and read while she re-watched an episode of Poirot on her iPad (with earbuds). I suppose eventually I'm going to want to watch some things during the day but for now I just want to read more.

>113 msf59: Thank you Mark. It's a book that will remain with me for some time.

>114 EBT1002: Ellen, I get that. We usually have music playing on the stereo during the day and typically don't watch TV until evening. Sports would be an exception though. Like you, I like to spend my non-viewing time with a book especially in the winter when we're not out working in the garden.

Good morning ...

I had a couple of holds waiting for me at the library yesterday, so my current reading now looks like this:



I'm about 2/3 through the Shakespeare book and plan to read a little bit every day while giving more of my attention first to Rain Dogs and then, Lessons in Chemistry. I zipped through about 50 pages of Rain Dogs yesterday -- I just love the Sean Duffy series.

Last night we watched University Challenge (the winning team was amazing), followed by All Creatures S4E1 which is excellent comfort TV.

Today is going to be very rainy. The forecast originally called for high winds as well, which makes me anxious because we've lost power due to downed trees in the past. They've backed off the wind forecast a bit so let's hope rain is the only thing we have to deal with. Even though my knitting group meets today, I've already decided I'm not going anywhere.

Wordle 934 4/6

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STAIR, DINER, FINER, LINER

Morning, Laura! I like that we're reading about Sean Duffy and his adventures at the same time...

Hope your wind stays relatively calm, and the storm passes reasonably quickly.

Wordle in 4 for me, too.

ETA: Ach! I forgot about UC last night. I'll watch it today...

One of the ladies in our book club has picked Lessons in Chemistry for the month she is hosting later this year, so I'll be watching for your thoughts.

We're supposed to get that rain later tonight and they're saying high winds for us.

And here's my Wordle today which I was very pleased about. I could easily have traveled down the road that you did.

Wordle 934 2/6

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I really enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry and keep meaning to start the Sean Duffy series.

>117 katiekrug: Hi Katie, I'm so glad you introduced me to the Sean Duffy series. It's a good one!

>118 dudes22: Nice Wordling, Betty!

>119 BLBera: Good to know, Beth. I requested it from the library a couple of months ago after a meetup with some women I used to work with. One of them gave Lessons in Chemistry an enthusiastic recommendation. At the time, I had seen press coverage of the book but couldn't recall much discussion here on LT. I probably just missed it. Turns out a lot of people have read and liked it. Who knew?! LOL

It rained steadily all day yesterday; the rain gauge says we had about 2". Fortunately we didn't get the heavy winds that were also predicted. It's supposed to be windy later today but again, not as severe as originally forecast. I spent most of the day on puppy duty so Chris could work on a home project. It's been taking him longer than he thought (only partly due to puppy distractions), and he was happy to make decent progress on it yesterday. Fortunately Ellie was a good girl and didn't make my job too difficult. I did a lot of reading while puppy-tending, so I'm now about halfway through Rain Dogs.

Last night we started watching Slow Horses. I remember reading about this series when it was first released, but we didn't have an AppleTV+ subscription so I put it out of my mind. At Christmas, Kate mentioned having watched it and it turns out she and Tyler have AppleTV+. We share streaming services among the family whenever possible, so this was good news! Anyway, we enjoyed the first episode and will definitely continue.

While watching TV last night I reached a milestone on my sweater project, finishing the second sleeve. Once I've attached it to the body of the sweater I'll see if I can get a decent photo to share.

Today's agenda includes a Fiber Guild board meeting this morning, and in the afternoon we'll take Ellie to the vet for a couple of vaccines. It's just a quick visit with a vet tech; a visit with exam and more vaccines is scheduled for the end of the month.

Wordle 935 4/6

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I really thought I had it in three and was surprised when the last letter came up gray.

>121 lauralkeet: We've just finished Series 3 of Slow Horses, and it continues to be good. And I love the title music. Jacob got me the first book in the series for Christmas so I will probably be getting onto that soon.

Our favourite TV programme at the moment is called 'Pren ar y Bryn'. It's in Welsh (with subtitles). I thought it was going to be a Cymru-noir sort of programme (as opposed to Scandi-noir) but it seems to have invented a category which I'd probably describe as Cymru-goth. It's got stranger and stranger as the series has progressed. Probably not widely available as yet but I think they filmed the English language version at the same time and it will presumably be available this year some time.

Hi Laura!

>109 lauralkeet: I have read all of Shakespeare’s Sonnets, but only a couple of comedies and NO tragedies. Sigh. I have read three other interesting books about Shakespeare or his works, though, Shakespeare: The World as Stage by Bill Bryson, and Was Shakespeare Shakespeare? A Lawyer Reviews the Evidence by Milward W. Martin. I’ve also read The Shakespeare Thefts: In Search of the First Folios by Eric Rasmussen. All great books.

>110 lauralkeet: Yay for undecoration.

>116 lauralkeet: Oooh. I hope you like Lessons in Chemistry as much as I did. I still need to start the Sean Duffy series…

>121 lauralkeet: I’m actually looking at Slow Horses on my shelves. Sigh. Another series to start.

Hope Ellie’s visit goes well.

Morning, Laura!

Tomm is watching Slow Horses and loves it. I adore Gary Oldman, but I think that show may be too dark for me.

Shakespeare: Charlie's reading his first play at the moment for his English class, and of course it's R&J. *sigh*

Another Lessons in Chemistry fan and I had never heard of the Sean Duffy series before...yesterday! Now I am seeing it a lot. Will have to check it out. Hurray for undecorating and wishing you better weather. : )

I also enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry, Laura and the TV series is pretty darn good too. Also found on Apple. Perfect timing.

I've been interested in Lessons in cHemistry off an on, but I'm currently off it. Nora wrote a good review of it late last year and pointed out some things that annoyed her that I felt would probably annoy me, too, so I took it off the list.

I finished Sean Duffy #6 in a marathon session yesterday, and oh my. It was excellent. Even better than Rain Dogs!

Don't let me deter you! A lot of people really like Lessons in Chemistry.

>121 lauralkeet: AppleTV+ has a LOT of great book adaptations, if you're looking for something after Slow Horses: Dear Edward, Silo, City on Fire, Five Days at Memorial, The Essex Serpent, Pachinko. I also recommend Bad Sisters and Severance.

>124 scaifea: I get the "too dark" thing, Amber. We've bailed on a few shows that crossed a threshold for us. I can't tell you exactly what that threshold is, but I know it when I feel it.

R&J ... sigh. Are they also reading Ethan Frome? That's another one that makes me mad because Edith Wharton wrote so many other worthy novels and I feel like it's chosen because it's short.

>125 Berly:, >126 msf59: More fans of Lessons in Chemistry! Yay!

>127 katiekrug: And Katie's not a fan ... oh no!

>128 norabelle414: But Nora says don't listen to Katie. Okay then! LOL. And thanks for all the AppleTV+ recs too!

Just throwing out another great nonfiction about Shakespeare: The Book of William: How Shakespeare's First Folio Conquered the World by Paul Collins. Collins is a favorite nonfiction author of mine, and this one had him traveling between the UK and US tracking folios and fake folios.

Count me as a Lessons in Chemistry fan. I was hesitant for sure, but a colleague gave it to me, told me she loved it, and said she was going to give it to her daughter-in-law when I finished it, so I felt the pressure to get to it ASAP and when I did I couldn't put it down.

Oops, I missed a couple of folks up there.

>122 SandDune: Rhian, I'm intrigued enough by the Welsh program to look out for it in English. Thanks!

>123 karenmarie: Karen, those Shakespeare books sound pretty interesting too!

>130 mstrust: And so does that one. I'm not sure I *need* more Shakespeare nonfiction right now, but I am interested in learning more.

>131 AMQS: That's interesting, Anne. The friend who recommended the book is ... shall we say ... a less critical reader than some of us here, so I'm never 100% sure of her recommendations. But something about it sounded worth trying. And now I see that it seems to have won over some skeptics, which is a good sign.

Lessons in Chemistry is in my second tier "next to read" stack -- perhaps I should dig it out and start it.

>133 RebaRelishesReading: Excellent! It's next up for me after Rain Dogs. It will be fun to compare notes.

I'm a bit below the peak as a Lessons in Chemistry fan, and I'd recommend it.

>135 quondame: good to know, Susan.

I had a plan to work my way through Shakespeare's plays. Stalled based on library availability, but ought to pick it up again. Thanks for the nudge.

Another one tempted by the non-fiction. I have read Will in the World (interesting, but stretched a bit thin) and Shakespearean: On Life & Language in Times of Disruption (interesting and reflects the afterlife of the plays as well).

Yesterday was uneventful. It was nice to see fellow Fiber Guild members at the board meeting. There are only 5 of us, they're all nice people, and we have fun while still getting the job done. Ellie's vet appointment was a quick in-and-out for two vaccines, plus a weight check. She's gained 4.4lbs since her visit 3 weeks ago.

Yesterday's reading included a nice chunk of Rain Dogs; they're close to cracking the case now and the already smart pace is picking up. Last night we watched both Deadwood and Slow Horses, and I started knitting a hat.

Today's priority is grocery shopping, and I need to spend some time thinking through the next part of my sweater project before diving in.

Wordle 936 5/6

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SHINE, WEIRD, CRIER, GRIEF, BRIEF

Wordle in five for me, too. Boo!

I'm glad you're enjoying Rain Dogs. I gave #6 4.5 stars, so you have that to look forward to :)

I will also be making a grocery run today - just need to figure out what I'm buying. Ha.

>129 lauralkeet: Oh lordy, I hope not, re: Ethan Frome. Cripes. He's not been a huge fan of what they've read this year so far (Mice and Men, for one, which is, you know, so happy), but he did like To Kill a Mockingbird. I may have had to sell him to the circus if he didn't...

>124 scaifea:, >140 scaifea: Leaving aside the R&J issue (cause nothing fills that slot except another bit of the Bard), I do think high school syllabus planners need to do some thinking instead of just plugging in the same stuff that they gave us over 50 years ago. Yes, some works are classics for a reason, and god knows I have no quibble with Steinbeck or Wharton. I just don't know that they are the best path to literature for 21st century young minds. I didn't hate Of Mice and Men or Ethan Frome when I read them in high school, but I don't think I got what there was to get until I re-read them much much later. If Charlie is not moved, imagine the reaction of students who haven't had the sort of exposure to Many Things that his parents have provided. One in a multitude may be lit up, but most will probably just turn away from the pursuit entirely.

>139 katiekrug: Have fun, Katie. I noticed on your thread that you're planning to go to TJ's which guarantees some fun impulse purchases.

>140 scaifea:, >141 laytonwoman3rd: One of my daughters, and possibly both, had to read Ethan Frome for high school English, either 9th or 10th grade. Much eye-rolling among their peers. I'm honestly not sure what is "wrong" with it--I thought it was decent, if not Wharton's best--but it sure doesn't click with that age group.

As far as Shakespeare goes, I read Macbeth in 10th grade and it sent me on a serious Shakespeare tragedy reading jag, even going so far as to read tragedies during my summer vacation (I recall lying on the sand with a book ...) I realize that is not normal lol.

To Linda's point, my daughters also had more contemporary works on their summer reading lists and in the curriculum. The problem seems to be more in the selection of "classics" that today's students can both relate to and appreciate.

I have resisted reading Lessons in Chemistry because of all the hype. P really enjoyed it.

I'm two chapters in with Rain Dogs -- I feel like the series gets better as it goes along. The writing is tighter.

>141 laytonwoman3rd: >142 lauralkeet: Ladies, you are dangerously close to getting me started on my Teaching Classics in High School rant. Most of the things we traditionally consider classics are things that the majority of high school aged people aren't old enough/experienced-enough-in-the-world to fully understand or appreciate what makes them classics. Which leads to them hating those works, which in turn leads them to consider all things considered classics as dull and difficult and, and... Add to that teachers (not all teachers, I know, but way too many of them) who, through no real fault of their own and in many cases through the fault of the system they grew up with and are now working within, either actively dislike those classics themselves or at best showcase them to their students as necessary medicine, and things just get worse.

With Latin pedagogy, multiply this problem by a thousand or so: Cicero is THE writer of Latin, and so everyone assumes he must be taught as soon as possible, when in fact it's a terrible idea. I've never met a first-year college student who is ready to read Cicero, which means high school Latin students certainly are not. Their Latin knowledge is no where near mature enough to begin to understand how he works in the language. And so they loathe him. And 99% of the high school Latin teachers I've met loathe him as well, because they, too, were introduced to him way too early. (An embarrassing number of actual classics professors claim to hate him, too, and, well, shame on them for not breaking out of that early fear/hate-it-because-it's-hard mentality. You have a PhD in the subject for sobbing out loud. Grow up. (Can you tell this is a tender subject for me?)) It's a dang shame, because Cicero's Latin is a pure thing of beauty, as are so many classics, when you're ready to understand and appreciate them.

(Welp, turns out you were a smidge closer than dangerously close. Apologies.)

ETA my possible way toward a solution, because complaining without helping is not...helpful:

High school literature syllabi should evolve with the times; there's no rule against reading contemporary literature (even - *gasp* - YA lit) and using it to teach the basic elements of interpretation. Then those students can take that working knowledge of How to Read a Text with them to approach those classics later.

>143 EBT1002: I just finished Rain Dogs, Ellen!

>144 scaifea: No apology necessary, Amber. That sounds spot on to me.

My high school English curriculum included a lot of classics, but we often read them "paired" with something more contemporary so there seemed more of a... point?... to reading them. That's probably not the right word, but they weren't read in a vacuum. The curriculum, at least sophomore and junior years, was also built around themes and within those themes we read both classics and contemporary works, which also made the classics easier to approach and to talk about for a lot of students, I think. I was just a big old nerd and liked most of the classics for themselves :-P

>144 scaifea: Hear, hear!

>146 katiekrug: Yeah, see, I think this audience is not exactly a broad sample of the general population. We're all those nerds who loved the classics at an early age!

>147 lycomayflower: You really shouldn't encourage me like that, you know.

>148 scaifea: Try and stop me!

I have never understood why we don't scaffold an appreciation of and (hopefully) enjoyment of reading into language arts and English classes just like elwe do other skills. Q1 kids pick their own books with no requirements and reflect on why they like them (or don't). Q2 Kids pick their own picks but are asked to challenge themselves with some element of eack book (comprehension, theme, new to them genre etc), Q3 teacher recommends popular, fun, YA etc books to students based on what they liked and didn't from their own picks in forst two quarters, Q4 teacher steers students toward a classic they have some chance of enjoying based on first three quarters. Or something like that. Obviously it would have to be designed to work in a classroom setting with dozens of students but something would surely work? I think you're way more likely to find something interesting in Pride and Prejudice if you read a YA romance, then a YA regency romance, then an adult historical novel set in that time period, then P&P. (For example.)

(Silly me is typing this on my phone. Apologies for typos. Will come in and fix when I get to my compy.)

>148 scaifea: - Oh, for sure. My point was just that I thought my school's curriculum made things more approachable for the non-nerds.

>149 lycomayflower: - I love this.

>149 lycomayflower: I love this idea, too, but ain't no HS teacher got the time or the resources for it, I suspect. There's a lot of extra prep time and work in there, and they're already stretched (and, of course, embarrassingly underpaid).

ETA: I actually LOVE this idea for a small, community-college type course. Or a Continuing Education course.

>151 scaifea: Yeah, I think you are assuredly right. But the idea maybe? If you have to teach them x classic, first you have them read something designed for them to like that you can relate to that classic? I dunno. It always felt like they wanted us to *like* it but didn't bither to teach us how. (I already did, so I was fine. But the same thing was happening in gym class. And there I was the one who was like "yeah, no". No one EVER tried to help me find what I might like about a sport or physical activity.)

>152 lycomayflower: I agree that it's a fantastic idea. I think, in theory, that love of reading is supposed to be taught in the lower grades, though?

(Well, I mean, there IS no inherent enjoyment in physical activity, so there's your problem.)

*waves at Laura* Nice thread you've got here. Be a shame if someone came in and...took it over...

>144 scaifea: Excellent rant, Amber. I don't remember very many of the books assigned in secondary school. I do remember wading through An American Tragedy and Sister Carrie, a couple of Thos Hardy's tomes. Hmmm. That was sixty years ago.

>153 scaifea: You survived Dreiser as a teen? You too, should take a bow.

>152 lycomayflower: Gym class has always been notorious for not teaching the kids who need the help, but focusing on the kids who are naturals. Boo. I could have used some teaching in that class, and in 'art' classes as well.

However, being a nerd, I never minded the assigned books 60 years and more ago, and was shocked when the outstanding student in my senior class hated Moby Dick. That one I finished at 2am because - well - I needed to.

Laura, finally caught up to your thread! Happy New Year, happy new puppy, happy everything.

This is a great conversation! I am just taking it all in and enjoying it. Thank you and please carry on!

>138 lauralkeet: It makes so much difference how lucky you are with your starting word. I got it in three least, brain, brief

OK -- bringing Lessons in Chemistry forward -- hope to start it this afternoon.

I don't remember reading any classics in high school. Is that because I'm blocking it out or did we really not read any...?

>144 scaifea: And yet.

To this day I read things I don't "fully understand or appreciate what makes them" good. It was much more so when I started reading nearly everything in sight in 7th grad and pretending I read more widely still.
Full understanding is overrated in that for a good book, even partial understanding - plot or characters or setting - is so rewarding. There are so many books I've gone back to again and again - and expect to revisit again should I live so long - and each time new layers of understanding unfold. A lot depends on the student, but if a work has real quality, something will settle from the page to the brain.

>149 lycomayflower: And yet I read P&P before I was 13 and fell so hard in love I've never come out, and without any such preparation.

>160 quondame: Me too. But I was inclined to. I was trying to think of ways to help develop the inclination in students who aren't.

>161 lycomayflower: The desire to light others with what lit us is so strong, and it is wonderful to get that positive feed back. But I don't think it really can be directed - just offer little bites of the best you can gather. I remember the high school geometry teacher who read from Fantasia Mathematica and had several students asking for more like that.

Hi Laura! A little late checking in for the new year, but I hope it's a year of happiness and reading bliss. 😁

I had a crap English teacher for GCSEs (exams we take aged 16). I remember doing Macbeth & Hamlet, and wading through Thomas Hardy's Under the Greenwood tree, took me over 30 years before I tried Hardy again. Also Austen (who I still can't get behind, despite having read all of them, several more than once).
I remember doing some contemporary books, including one called (I think) pardon me you're stepping on my eyeball.
We did have some reading that was undirected. I remember having an essay on one occasion where we had to pick a book, read it & write about if it would make a good movie and how it might work. You got to pick the book, I read an Alistair MacLean.

Teachers at that age can put you off a subject for life.
Conversely, the good ones can give you wings.

Thanks everyone for the lively conversation about introducing students/young people to classic literature. I enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts and experiences.

I also want to acknowledge a couple visitors who popped in with their new year greetings in the middle of all that. Happy New Year Judy (>157 ffortsa:) and Lavinia (>163 PlatinumWarlock:)!

>160 quondame: Sounds like you were a very special student, but I think you've not quite understood my point here, probably because you seem not to have been in the majority of students I'm referencing. S'okay though. Carry on.

Morning, Laura!

Happy Friday!

Once again, not a lot to report from yesterday. Groceries were shopped, and the weather was nice enough to take the dogs for a long walk in the afternoon. I did a bit of planning for the next part of my sweater but because it's all bunched up on the needles I wasn't able to get a decent photo. We'll see if that changes after I knit a bit more.

As mentioned upthread, I finished Rain Dogs yesterday and then read some of the Shakespeare book at bedtime.

Last night's viewing included an ep of Slow Horses, and we started a new crime series, Criminal Record, starring Peter Capaldi.

I don't have much planned for today. I expect I'll start reading Lessons in Chemistry, and also do some knitting. I'm at a transitional point that would benefit from dedicated concentration.

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2. Rain Dogs ()

Sean Duffy is the lead investigator in the death of a journalist, The unusual circumstances make it seem as if suicide is the only possible cause, but something doesn’t seem right. The journalist was reporting on a Finnish delegation exploring a business opportunity in Belfast, and following a tip which, if true, the Finns would want to suppress. Duffy and his team doggedly follow every trail, even in the face of opposition from higher-ups, to get to the bottom of the case.

While the bones of this plot have undoubtedly been used in other crime novels, the characters and setting are what elevate these mysteries to a higher plane. Set in Belfast during the Troubles, the Royal Ulster Constabulary has their hands full. Each book in the series incorporates some significant historic events of the period. The police force are an interesting bunch, and in this novel young Lawson is fully elevated to the “sidekick” role. Duffy is a typically flawed detective with a messy personal life, which advances somewhat in each novel despite never really taking center stage. Rain Dogs ends with a very significant life experience, and it will be interesting to see how that plays out in subsequent books.

Hi Laura! Just passing through...

>168 lauralkeet: - Great comments, Laura. You capture the book and series so well without saying too much. I find that so hard to do!

Nice Wordle. Two's always make me happy.

>167 lauralkeet: Wordle-in-two! Good one!

Karen O

One of these days I will start the Sean Duffy series...

You have quite the pedagogical discussion going here. :) I think a lot of teachers offer more relevant reading, if they can. In many states, the high school curriculum is mandated, so there isn't a lot of wiggle room.

We are finally getting snow! About a foot is expected today.

The book arrived! Thanks.

>167 lauralkeet: OK, thanks to you I moved Lessons in Chemistry to the top of the stack and started it yesterday. I can't wait to read more this afternoon. I LOVE IT.

>169 karenmarie: Hi Karen! *waves*

>170 katiekrug: Thank you so much, Katie. It's tough to review part of a series. I don't want to give away the mystery, nor do I want to say too much about the main character's ongoing story arc. Sometimes all I have to say is "a solid entry in the series," but fortunately this time I pulled a few more words out of my brain.

>171 dudes22:, >172 klobrien2: Thanks Betty & Karen!

>173 BLBera: You have quite a pedagogical discussion going on here
Indeed, Beth! I am completely unqualified to join in with the likes of Amber, Laura, and yourself but I sure do enjoy reading what you all have to say.

>174 RebaRelishesReading: That's great news, Reba! I plan to start it tonight. Or maybe later this afternoon, we'll see. I realized I was pretty close to finishing the Shakespeare book (once I realized how many pages were devoted to things like the notes and index) so I just powered through to the end. It was interesting and I enjoyed it, but am now ready to move on.

>167 lauralkeet: Happy Friday! i hope you enjoy lessons in chemistry. It was a good read for me.

I'm so behind on threads this year.

Hmm, 'Steeltown Murders' not on Acorn here. Shetland8 was better than I expected, but like everyone I missed Jimmy.

Prophet Song is near the top of the tbr mountain, but I'm waiting for the right mood. Hope you enjoy Lessons in Chemistry Laura.

>166 scaifea: Oh, but I was - up until the middle of 6th grade I had difficulty reading and was considered both slow and troublesome, inattentive, noisy and sullen. Something about the SRA reading cards, my mother's fight with the school to get me re-classified re-arraigned my internal and external worlds, but I remember not relating to the reading material before 6th grade and that I never really connected to all the symbolic blather that filled out teachers' presentations. I was a bit better at mythic references, as good stories had appealed to me long before reading became easy.
Of course I'm still troublesome, inattentive, noisy and sullen and feel only the most robust books can bear the weight of symbolism and be good reads.

>176 figsfromthistle: I haven't read much yet, but I like it so far!

>177 Caroline_McElwee: Caro, I dug a bit deeper and found that Steeltown Murders originally aired on BBCOne in May 2023. Maybe it's available on iPlayer?

Ooh, I am late to, but loving the conversation about classics in HS (and beyond). I am a teacher, so I can appreciate how teachers are so stressed so thin, but I really appreciate the ones who will make the time and effort to teach BOTH classics and more contemporary YA lit that kids will be more inclined to read, and which also contain such universal themes and Big Ideas. But this requires keeping up on newer lit yourself. And being willing to try. Marina actually had a teacher who said that all modern YA books are crap. Um, okay.

And going down to elementary, I had some very heated, very contentious conversations with colleagues when I tried to update the book room - the place where we store book sets that are read in book groups and lit circles. No, we really don't need to assign overtly racist books published in the 1930s to groups of young readers. Yes, there are wonderfully appealing, diverse books available now.

I like seeing your Wordle too. I stick mine on FB but without the spoilers thingummy, because I have no idea how to do that there.

Loved the discussion about teaching and reading *the classics*. Somewhere upthread someone mentioned an acquaintance not liking "Moby Dick". Er, I didn't either, despite trying several times. The author intruded into the story too much for me, and I didn't warm to him. I was, however, solidly on the side of the whale.

>180 AMQS: I'm glad you're enjoying the conversation, Anne!

>181 tiffin: Thanks Tui. I didn't read Moby Dick until I was in my 50s, when I'd like to think I was mature and objective enough to give it a chance. But I just didn't care for it.

Good morning ...

Yesterday was a reasonably productive one. I did that bit of transitional work on my sweater. I made the right decision to do that work when I could concentrate. It required counting (!!) which I still goofed on but fortunately could easily put right. I also finished the Shakespeare book and started Lessons in Chemistry. It's so different from my recent reads, much lighter in tone, which is actually a welcome change.

Last night's viewing: episodes of Deadwood and Slow Horses.

Today's agenda is pretty light. Knitting and reading as usual, I hope. A woman I met at barre invited us to stop over for a glass of wine late this afternoon -- like a happy hour I guess -- which is an interesting low-commitment way to get together. We'll see how it goes!

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3. 1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare ()

In 1599 Shakespeare was instrumental in building The Globe theater, and wrote several of his better-known plays: Henry V, As You Like It, Julius Caesar, and Hamlet. This was also a year of war, unrest, and uncertainty in England. This book sets Shakespear’s work against that backdrop, describing in detail the political situation in England and the cultural impact of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, which would soon be at an end. Shakespeare’s plays helped the audience understand present day events by telling the stories of long-dead figures; sometimes he also got away with criticism and satire.

The book is equal parts history and biography, a combination that worked for me. It was also interesting to read about those whose work influenced Shakespeare, although I admit I was easily lost when the author took deeper dives into Shakespeare’s writings and those of his contemporaries. But that’s probably just me.

Morning, Laura!

I only read Moby Dick a handful of years ago, too, but I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I was assuming it would be a complete slog. I think I was just in the right mood at the time? I might hate if it I picked it up again today...

The Shakespeare book sounds good!

How is the new season of Slow Horses? I am still deciding after seeing a lackluster review.

>185 scaifea: I was really hoping to like it, Amber. Oh well!

>186 msf59: Mark, we are late to the Slow Horses party and still on Season 1. But my daughter highly recommended it and she zoomed through the first two seasons.

>182 lauralkeet: I support you in your thoughts on Moby Dick, Laura. I had to suffer through it in a couple of classes.

The Shakespeare book sounds good. Since so many of his contemporary playwrights are not well known, I can see how that part would be a struggle. I only know a few, from teaching Shakespeare. You remind me, I do have several Shakespeare studies books on my shelves. I should pull them off; I always enjoy them when I do read them.

>167 lauralkeet: well done on the '2' for your Wordle. I love a '2' day :)

>188 BLBera: Hi Beth. I think the other reason I struggled with that aspect of the Shakespeare book is that I'm really weak on poetry. The author lost me whenever he commented on a sonnet, or lines from a play. For some reason I didn't have the patience for it and just wanted to get back to the prose.

>189 LovingLit: Thanks Megan! 2s are few and far between for me, so it's always a joy.

We had a nice get together yesterday with Susan-from-barre and her husband. Two hours of wine, nibbles, and conversation ... some common ground was found ... maybe we'll get together again sometime. We were home early enough to have a quick dinner and settle down for our usual evening viewing. In this case, it was an episode each of Slow Horses and Criminal Record.

Yesterday I also logged some reading and knitting time, so yay.

We don't have much planned for today. We still have some sort-of-Christmas decor up (e.g., garland on the mantel, a wreath on the door) so maybe I'll deal with that. Also: read, knit, repeat.

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"read, knit, repeat" sounds pretty much perfect.

Hi Laura!

>182 lauralkeet: I tried Moby Dick several years ago but abandoned it. It might have just been the wrong time, but the right time isn’t making itself known.

>191 lauralkeet: Ha. Read, knit, repeat for you is read, putter, repeat for me.

>192 tiffin: Yep, it's a good formula, Tui.

>193 karenmarie: the right time isn't making itself known
Karen, let that be a sign. If a book isn't calling to you, it just isn't. Not that I sense any feeling of obligation, but I know that I've read books in the past just because I thought I should, and life's too short for that nonsense.

Hi everyone ...

I was able to take down some of the decor yesterday but there are a couple things I need help with and my helper was busy with something else. We'll get there eventually. Meanwhile I enjoyed reading Lessons in Chemistry, and worked on my sweater. I was finally far enough along that I could lay it out flat and get a decent photo, so here it is. I'm quite smitten with the color combination.



Last night's viewing included an episode of All Creatures Great and Small (knitting a hat while watching), and some sports that provided me with more reading time.

There's a dusting of snow on the ground this morning and flurries are expected for the next hour or so. Temps are supposed to remain just below freezing today so the ground is likely to remain slightly snowy. There's more snow forecast this evening, but in our area the total accumulation should only be about 1".

Fortunately I have no plans today other than a 9am class at the gym. I don't have a library shift because they're closed for MLK Day. I'll do some house cleaning, too. So far I'm staying on track with the weekly cleaning schedule I reinstated at the beginning of the year, yay me.

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As of today, I have a 400-game streak.

I really admire your knitting skills. The sweater is beautiful, and I absolutely love that color!

>196 arubabookwoman: Gosh, thank you so much Deborah! I seemed to take to knitting like a duck takes to water, and then after I retired decided to pursue a certification program which was both fun and instructive.

>195 lauralkeet:: That's pretty much a perfect autumn sweater. It's the colours of leaves, dried grasses, with a hint of nutmeg. A perfect dog walking sweater when the weather calls for a good sweater. Love it!

A 400 Wordle streak!!!?????!!!!! I'm surprised to see that I've been playing it for 720 days straight, and continue to be proud of my 226 win streak. Meanwhile, I bow to the Conquerer!!!

I will not get into the pedagogic commentary except to say that I was forever grateful that my methods teacher at UNC-CH drummed into our heads that our purpose as English teachers was to "help create a permanent reading habit."

I must put in a word for Moby-Dick. I've loved it. I was set for my 3rd reread the year I joined LT, and I confess that I didn't do it then but hope to do it sometime.

LOVE that sweater! I am a lover of browns and yellows, so I think that's a great color combination.

I read Moby Dick for the first time after joining LT. That would be 2012 (that I read it). But I skipped the whale-processing directions...uh...well, because! Just because.

I used to wear sweaters. I have an enormous drawer jammed full of sweaters. But I just don't wear 'em. My operating temp has changed. I think I read a post here (LT) just recently about men running hotter than women.

Good morning, Laura. It is taking me a long time to get caught up with my thread reading this year. So much activity…

>99 lauralkeet: “This is not an enjoyable book, but it is an important one, and a very deserving Booker Prize winner.” Well said. I was like you and had to let the book settle a bit before I could write about it. You are off to a great start to your reading in 2024.

>116 lauralkeet: All of your current books look good. I’ve only read the first one in the Sean Duffy series. I look forward to more as I love books with settings in Ireland, especially during The Troubles.

I enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry when I read it last September. I liked it but perhaps not as much as others in the group. It was a solid 4 star rating for me and I commented that it was “a mixture of tragedy and fun that was a bit of a roller coaster ride.”

>198 tiffin: Thank you Tui. I'm looking forward to wearing this one.

>199 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! Thanks for your kind words about the sweater. I love your comment about the purpose of English teachers. I'm sure it's not easy, but it's apt.

As for my Wordle streak, I do have one advantage: a hubby who also does the Wordle. We have been known to confer when the going gets tough. Neither of us will give away the solution, but we will answer questions like, "is there a repeat letter?"

>200 weird_O: I gotta say Bill, Moby Dick had a bit too much whaling in it for me. And that processing bit ... just no. Interesting that you no longer need sweaters to keep warm.

ETA:
>201 Donna828: Hi Donna! Looks like we cross-posted. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Lessons in Chemistry. I'm really enjoying it but can also see your point.

>199 LizzieD: >200 weird_O:

I'm reading Moby-Dick for the third time - with both the Rockwell Kent and Barry Moser illustrations.

Next to them is the truly great and memorable Pop-up Moby-Dick, along with Why read Moby-Dick?.

I skip the gruesome stuff and go for the wisdom - Ahab just blew off the Rachel's request for help finding the Captain's son
and is having one of his truly berserker Pip conversations.

^^^^

Regarding Shakespeare choices: my 4th graders read both A Midsummer Night's Dream and, the next year's class, Macbeth.

They were featured at the Wisconsin Spring Green American Players performances - had a lot of parents volunteer for those field trips!

Your sweater is lovely, Laura.

Macbeth is one of my favorites, along with Richard III and Othello. And Hamlet. Basically, I like the a-holes.

I liked Moby Dick quite a bit. Not every sidebar tangent was interesting, and I rooted for the whale to take everybody out, but I thought it was mostly very interesting and well-written. But I get that not everyone would like it, it's a little too long.

>144 scaifea: I LOVE that rant! I especially love the helpful bit with the insight that teaching high school students more accessible literature can still help them the basic elements of interpretation. Also, maybe not alienate as many high school students from reading generally. And yes, include some challenging lit in the curriculum, but in a way that helps adolescent brains (Latin I don't know, but adolescent brains I do!) develop a tolerance for challenging reading by understanding that (a) not all reading falls into that category and (b) the rewards are different. Neither better nor worse, simply different.

>195 lauralkeet: Lovely sweater, Laura. I agree that the colors are very appealing.

I'm interested in your comments about Lessons in Chemistry. I'm still on the fence about whether to give it a go.

>195 lauralkeet: That's a beautiful sweater -- both color combination and pattern. Doesn't hurt that your stitches are so perfectly even either, of course :)

I hope you're enjoying Lessons in Chemistry.

We have more than a "dusting of snow" on the ground so I haven't been out of the house (except for a couple of quick photos) since last week. Last I heard a thaw is due on Wednesday which is good because there are things I need to do!

>195 lauralkeet: - My wordle streak ended with my computer problems after we lost electricity in a storm on Sat. I'm quite bummed about that.

I don't know why someone (ahem @lycomayflower) didn't alert me to what was going on over here in the last week, especially after Amber took my cue and launched that marvelous rant! Anyway, great discussion. And THEN it turned to Moby Dick...."I'm reading Moby-Dick for the third time - with both the Rockwell Kent and Barry Moser illustrations. Next to them is the truly great and memorable Pop-up Moby-Dick, along with Why read Moby-Dick?." ALL of those are in our house as well, along with In Search of Moby Dick. And the @flamingrabbit will defend every syllable of the novel with gusto. He was already in love with in when we read it in an American Lit course in college; he had, I believe, read an abridged version as a kid, and admired Gregory Peck's Ahab (he was appalled when our professor mocked the "rubber whale" in that movie).

>203 m.belljackson:, >205 mstrust:, >206 EBT1002:, >209 laytonwoman3rd: I don't have much to contribute to the Moby Dick discussion but I'm glad you all are enjoying it!

>204 BLBera:, >206 EBT1002:, >207 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you Beth, Ellen and Reba.

>208 dudes22: Betty, I lost all of my Wordle stats around July 1, 2022. We'd been on vacation in Europe, and I did the Wordle every day. I don't know what was going on behind the scenes but almost 6mos worth of stats were wiped out when we returned. I've played 563 games since then and must have gotten skunked in there somewhere, hence the 400-game streak.

It's a winter wonderland! There's 2-3" of snow out there this morning and it's very pretty. We had flurries most of the day yesterday, hardly enough to be noticeable but it began to accumulate. It snowed harder after dark and continued past our bedtime.

Last night's viewing: University Challenge, Deadwood, and Slow Horses (where we finished Season 1).

I nearly finished Lessons in Chemistry last night. This morning I was up early with Ellie and took advantage of that quiet time to read the last 20 pages or so. It's an unusual and interesting book. I'll be back with a review later after I've had time to gather my thoughts.

This morning I'm going to do a bit of snow shoveling to clear a path from the two doors we use most often. I have a Guild committee meeting at 10am, thankfully over Zoom. Later this afternoon I have a hair appointment. I'm counting on the roads to be clear by then. Even now, traffic looks fine on well-traveled main road visible from our house.

While I'm out I hope to pick up my next library hold, Zadie Smith's The Fraud, and start reading that next. I have other books waiting in the wings if that doesn't work out ...

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>195 lauralkeet: That is a wonderful color combination. Looks like the sweater is almost done.

>211 lauralkeet: Have a great day. Sounds like it is a busy one with hair appointments and going to the library.

>206 EBT1002: Excellent point about adolescent brains, Ellen. I'll add that I think it's important not to advertise any particular topic/book/whatever-one's-teaching as difficult. Because they'll believe you. Instead, showcase it as simply, as you say, different from anything they've encountered before.

>209 laytonwoman3rd: Woot for the MD love! I even enjoyed the long dissertations on whale minutiae. It felt like listening to a good friend excitedly launch into an explanation of their specialized field. Good for you, Herman, for finding something you're passionate about! Tell me all about it!

Morning, Laura!
We've got a couple of inches of snow here now, too, but it came early this morning and there's been no signs of plows yet. So taking Charlie to school this morning was slightly dicey, but thankfully it's only about a mile drive.

Love your sweater, Laura. The colors are very pretty.

I'm waiting on your Lessons in Chemistry thoughts to see if I should put it back on my library list. No pressure :)

We have snow here, too, and it's still coming down. I love waking up to it.

Love the jumper! I can't knit, it is one of my blind spots, so I'm in awe of what people can do with sticks & yarn.

I read Moby Dick in 2017 for the first time. In my review "Did I enjoy it? Not sure. But I did always want to know how it ended (badly)". The whale chapters turned my stomach, I'm afraid. Just a bit too much for me.

I'm slightly jealous of the snow, we're forecast a couple of cold, clear days, which are almost as good.

How good it is to be able to keep up with you, Laura! I sigh for snow. The last time snow fell here during the day was the day of O'Bama's first inauguration. We have had one snowfall at night since, but I had to stay up until 2:00 to see it fall. That was significant because while I was watching snow whip past a street light, a gray fox came running into my picture from the same direction, and I got to have a good 15 seconds of that. Magic!

Nobody has mentioned Melville's humor. That's a big attraction for me.

>214 katiekrug: Katie, from my biased point of view (I love it!!) I think Lessons in Chemistry has your name written all over it!

>195 lauralkeet: Wow, Laura - that sweater is just gorgeous!

>214 katiekrug: Katie, I second. I think you'd love it. Having said that, I, too, am waiting for Laura's verdict:)

What did the puppy think of the snow?

>214 katiekrug:, >215 Helenliz: Thanks for the sweater love, Katie & Helen!

>216 LizzieD: I can imagine you don't see snow very often in your neck of the woods, Peggy.

>217 RebaRelishesReading:, >218 AMQS: My thought on Lessons in Chemistry have been percolating today. I think I finally hit upon a couple of salient points. Hopefully I'll get a review up tomorrow!

>219 dudes22: Ellie love the snow, Betty. We decided against letting the dogs run around in their fenced area today, but took them on a walk down the road where there was plenty of snow to explore. She enjoyed sniffing it and pouncing on it. 😃

a puppy and snow -- how fun!!

Looking forward to you Lessons in Chemistry thoughts.

>195 lauralkeet: The sweater is looking great! I love the colors together. My daughter is just learning to knit so we've had some video calls knitting together and discussing various aspects. It's fun to see her learning.

>221 RebaRelishesReading: coming right up, Reba!

>222 ursula: Thank you Ursula. I love that you and your daughter share a love of knitting. My older daughter Kate is responsible for getting me started. She came home from her first term at uni madly knitting a hat. I thought, "that looks like fun," and immediately took a few lessons at my local yarn shop. More than 10 years later, we are both still knitters and enjoy sharing our projects with each other.

Knitting brings back great memories with my mom. She taught me how to knit when I was 10 and I remember that she had a good deal of patience with me. It was something that we always did together and even knitted matching sweaters..Now she rarely knits. Perhaps it's a good tradition to start up again.

Happy mid week!

Brrr! It's really cold outside: 10F/-12C with an expected high of just 25F/-4C.

I didn't pick up my library hold yesterday but will get it before the end of the week. I just didn't feel like making multiple stops when I was out for my hair appointment. I decided to start reading Crook Manifesto, which we already had on our shelves at home. I enjoyed Harlem Shuffle late last year, and this is more or less a continuation of that story.

Last night's viewing: an episode each of Deadwood and All Creatures Great & Small.

I'm going to the gym this morning, and will then hunker down indoors. I might tackle a couple of chores, like vacuuming, and I need to do the menu planning and grocery list making so I can shop tomorrow.

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4. Lessons in Chemistry ()

Elizabeth Zott is a research chemist and single mother. There is nothing unusual about that status today, but this novel is set in the late 1950s and early 1960s when patriarchal society made it next to impossible for any woman to have a career, and an unmarried woman even more so. But Elizabeth Zott is no ordinary woman, and boldly confronts every challenge set in front of her.

This premise sets up a classic “overcoming adversity” storyline but delivers in an anything-but-classic style. The narrative is fast-paced and witty. Zott is a larger than life character, a sort of superhero. The “baddies” are a bit over the top, but effectively depict the misogyny and gender bias of the time. I was initially put off by the two characters whom Elizabeth is closest to: her daughter and her dog. But I couldn’t help getting swept up in their story, and when I began to see those characters as something akin to magical realism, everything clicked.

While some of the constraints women face in the 1960s have been relaxed, our society is still rife with gender bias. Hopefully readers will both enjoy Zott’s story and reflect on where we’ve come, and how much further we have to go.

Oh, I see we're grocery list sisters today. *fist bump*

Tomm and I watched a trailer for the Lessons in Chemistry show, and it looks great! I adore Brie Larson and she seems perfect for the part.

>225 lauralkeet: - Cold here, too, and I'm not looking forward to going out...

Nice Wordling!

>226 lauralkeet: - Gah! Still on the fence about it. Maybe I'll try the audio.

>226 lauralkeet: I'm of the generation whose career choices were "secretary, teacher or nurse". I worked my way through college as a secretary but wanted more and chose a profession where I was often the only woman in the room. You're spot on with your last paragraph!! Nicely done, Laura.

>227 scaifea: *fist bumps Amber* Isn't it exciting??!
I don't expect to watch the Lessons in Chemistry series because I don't think it's Chris' cuppa and we nearly always watch TV together. But I did watch the trailer after reading the book, and Brie Larson is spot on.

>228 katiekrug: Katie, lucky for you there are plenty of other books out there for you to read.

>229 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks so much, Reba. My mom was born in 1936 and had similar career choices. It was also a given that she would work only until having children and, as a Catholic, it was her god-given purpose to have children. I was born 1 year into their marriage and that put paid to my mom's nursing career. She was a frustrated, angry woman and while that caused me a lot of issues and pain, I can hardly blame her.

Another fun fact: when I was born in 1962 the newspaper birth announcements gave credit only to the father: "Mr. John Doe, on February 18, a daughter." Honestly.

I think you missed me up there 2x. No worries. Glad you enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry. I will have to look for the series on TV as I also enjoyed the book.

One thing I feel grateful to my parents for was that they never tried to convince me that I should have certain types of jobs were suitable for girls. And given that they were born in 1920 and 1921 respectively, they could well have had those sort of ideas. Instead, when I went through my 'I want to be an architect' phase, which lasted between about age 5 to age 10, my Dad bought me a drawing board and a T-square.

>231 figsfromthistle: Oh no Anita! Not once, but twice?! I am so sorry. I could blame Moby Dick, but honestly it's just my own inability to keep up with the conversation.

I enjoyed your knitting related comments.
>212 figsfromthistle: I even composed a response to this one in my head, I just never posted it. There are 48 rounds of colorwork plus a neckband. In the photo I'd completed 8 rounds of colorwork, and now I've done 13. I'm getting there ...

>224 figsfromthistle: I love your knitting memories. My mom didn't knit but she taught me to sew and I have a lot of nice memories from that time. My older daughter and I are both knitters and I really like connecting with her about our projects.

>232 SandDune: Your parents were very wise, Rhian and I agree, very open-minded for their generation. To my mom's credit, despite her anger at society I was strongly encouraged to follow the sort of path she wished had been available to her.

>230 lauralkeet: The birth announcement is hilarious (and awful). My mom went back to work as soon as I was in kindergarten because we needed the money. Mother worked in a factory at a job I think was most often done by women. My dad did his best but his "career path" was rather, um.., winding. He was, however, amazingly supportive of me always telling me I could do whatever I wanted if I worked for it -- never a "women's work" or "men's work" out of his mouth! Bless them both.

Looks like "Lessons in Chemistry" will broadcast on Apple TV which we don't have so I may not get to watch it.

>226 lauralkeet: As much as I love dogs, I never did get over Six-Thirty. I did know a couple of women mathematicians when I was growing up in the 50s and 60s, working for one the summer of '68, but possibly the remoteness of the naval base gave them more opportunity than was generally available. If there were women scientists there, they were outside my parents' social circle.

You've almost sold me on Lessons in Chemistry. I think the cover made me think " chick lit" , which is not really my thing, but your review sounds quite different from what I expected. I love the sweater too.

>235 RebaRelishesReading: hilarious and awful is right, Rhian. I remember discovering this as an adult, when I was going through my baby book, and I was astonished. My dad was a corporate career guy through and through. Mom went back to work when I was 12. Nursing was not an option (too much had changed), but she was an accomplished sewist and taught lessons in a fabric store. When I was in high school and college, she went back to school for a bachelors degree.

>236 quondame: Yeah ... Six Thirty. I understand. I loved him but ... well, he was one of my "magical realism" references.

>237 vancouverdeb: I had the same reaction to the cover, Deborah. There's more meat inside, I think.

>226 lauralkeet: Okay, I might give it a try one of these days. :-)

Good job on the two for Wordle today.

And we got about 6" of lovely snow today. It's the light fluffy kind. Very nice. Still, I'm ready to be on Kauai in just under 48 hours!

I also enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry; I think part of that was that it was not exactly what I was expecting. I will certainly never think of pencils in the same way again. :)

I love the birth announcement.

I was born 1 year into their marriage and that put paid to my mom's nursing career. She was a frustrated, angry woman and while that caused me a lot of issues and pain, I can hardly blame her.
Parallel lives! Although I was 9 months later and mom never wanted to nurse but it was the only schooling her father allowed. She went back to uni when I was ten and got a Business degree.
I remember arguing with her that saying I *had* to go to university was the same as her being told she couldn’t go. I wanted to go regardless, but I shouldn’t have been because she said I had to. Hehe, ‘pain and issues but I can hardly blame her’; you are kinder than I. That angry 70s woman was quite the experience to grow up during.

>237 vancouverdeb:, >238 lauralkeet: Apparently the author doesn't like that cover either! "On the bookshelf behind us is a row of international copies of Lessons in Chemistry. ... One notable absence is the American edition, the cover of which has a cartoonish woman peeking seductively over glasses on a flamingo pink background. Elizabeth Zott would not approve. “I got so many complaints on that cover,” she says, recalling an online event with several hundred female American doctors. “They all held up their books and they’d all thrown away their covers. I said: ‘I’m with you!’ and I took the cover off. " From this interview in the Guardian

>239 EBT1002: 6" of snow today, sunny Hawaii tomorrow right? Lucky you, Ellen!

>240 BLBera: You're right Beth, the novel was not what I was expecting either, and I enjoyed being surprised by it.

>241 raidergirl3: Parallel lives indeed, Elizabeth. I didn't realize we shared the "angry 70s mom" life experience. I bet I'm not kinder than you. I just didn't give it the full treatment here. It's actually very helpful and comforting to hear from someone else who grew up in that kind of environment. I really appreciate you sharing that.

>242 Sakerfalcon: Claire, thank you so much for sharing the Guardian interview. After I finished the book I read a couple reviews of from major publications, but they seemed to give it a rather superficial treatment. While the article is an author interview, if I hadn't read the book yet I would certainly be tempted. Everyone who's on the fence should go read that article!

>226 lauralkeet: - This was already recommended to me by a friend, and she said it was one of her top 2 books at our book club meeting this month. I think she might pick it for the month she's hosting later in the year, so I'll definitely be getting to it.

Sweet Thursday, Laura. Good review of Lessons in Chemistry. I liked the book too. I hope you reconsider watching the TV series. The cast is great. Chris may end up liking it.

We’ve just started watching the TV series of Lessons in Chemistry. Very good so far.

At the age of 102 my mother still hasn’t forgiven the world for making her leave school at 13 years and 11 1/2 months. (It’s one of the few things that she does remember now). This was before the 1944 Education Act so the only way to continue schooling after that date was to win a scholarship to the Grammar School. Only a couple of places were available, and my mother came third or fourth in the exams. There was no way my grandparents could have paid any fees, but I think they’d had let her go if she’d won a scholarship.

>244 dudes22: That's great Betty, I hope you enjoy it.

>245 msf59: Thanks Mark. It's good to see another Lessons in Chemistry fan here.

>246 SandDune: Looks like we cross-posted, Rhian. That's a really interesting story about your mum. It's easy to forget how times have changed for the better.

Hey everyone,

Thanks for all the great conversation! You all are the best.

Yesterday's weather kept us indoors except for dog walks, but on the plus side we had the wood stove going. I curled up for a while with a dog and Crook Manifesto. Not a bad way to spend the afternoon eh?

Last night's viewing: an episode each of Criminal Record and Slow Horses (where we started season 2).

Today is grocery shopping day, and I'll also stop by the library while I'm out. Other than that there's not much on the agenda. I keep putting off the vacuuming so we'll see if that happens.

Sorry, it's kind of boring around here!

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>226 lauralkeet: Feeling ever so faintly smug as I read Lessons in Chemistry for my RL Book Group in October 2022, and it was my choice! Although my review obviously didn't do it justice as no-one took a BB from me! At least the rest of my group also liked it very much, and, as I have called them all rather humourless here on LT, that was quite a surprise. My copy had the quartered design not the large, simpering face so that probably helped!

Hi Laura.

>195 lauralkeet: I continue to be in awe over your creativity and skill and love the colors.

>226 lauralkeet: I like your review a lot, and appreciated the fantasy aspects of the book, too. Or is it sci fi, since we’re not sure about dogs and who knows about humans?

>230 lauralkeet: My mother wanted to be a concert cellist, realized that she didn’t have the skill, and took her MRS. degree a year before I was born. 2 more children later, she was frustrated and angry about her lot in life, too. Another fun fact: when I was born in 1962 the newspaper birth announcements gave credit only to the father: "Mr. John Doe, on February 18, a daughter." Honestly. Ah yes. The miraculous male carrying a child to term and going through labor with her.

I was born 1 year into their marriage and that put paid to my mom's nursing career.
Joining the ranks of children who arrived and upset life. I was born 10 months after their wedding (unplanned). Mum was training to be a legal secretary and had to give that up.
When I was at university & met a serious boyfriend, my Dad apparently had kittens that I might throw it all up. Mum responded that I wasn't stupid enough to make the same mistake she did. >;-)

My parents did put some barriers in my way, but mainly as my dream job as a child was to be a motor mechanic, like my dad. They thought I could do better, so i decided I'd join the Wrens & service helicopters. For which you had to be 5 ft 4, and I still don't meet that threshold.

I've seen enough to add Lessons in Chemistry to the list. I'm with those who thought it would be a bit chick-lit from the appearance & marketing.

>243 lauralkeet: It's actually very helpful and comforting to hear from someone else who grew up in that kind of environment.

Exactly how I felt when I read your comment!
Every time my daughter said she wanted to be an esthetician, my mother would tell her she needed to go to university. She started uni for a year and didn't enjoy it or do well. We let her follow her dream of beauty school and after a couple of years she said she didn't want to do pedicures forever, and now she's gone back to uni and loving it. And she has the best part time esthetician job, with tips, while in university.

>240 BLBera: "I will certainly never think of pencils in the same way again."
Well, that has piqued my curiosity!!!

>230 lauralkeet: I was born two years before you were. I wonder if my birth announcement was similarly biased! Hilarious, not hilarious.

Just had to add that I read Moby Dick in 4th grade, simply because my teacher had it on her bookshelves in the classroom and in small town middle America in 1958 with no access to other books outside of school and the town library (I already had read the entire children's section) I read whatever I could get my hands on. I imagine I read it mostly as an adventure story, but I didn't skip over the processing parts.

>249 CDVicarage: Kerry, it looks like you read Lessons in Chemistry relatively soon after it was published. I'm sure I read comments about it on your thread, but you may have been the first and I lost track of it. Plus, there was that awful US cover ...

>250 karenmarie: Hi Karen, thanks for your kind words about my sweater knitting. And I loved your comment about "the miraculous male carrying child to term..."

>251 Helenliz: Helen, I'm sorry your dreams of helicopter maintenance were shattered. 😉 At 5'0" I wouldn't qualify either; fortunately I was more interested in computers/IT which had no height requirement.

>252 raidergirl3: Elizabeth, it's funny, I was never conscious of being pushed to attend uni, but there was never any question I was going to do so. I can imagine if I'd shown leanings toward a different path my mom (and probably dad too) would have applied pressure, just as your mom did with your daughter. I'm delighted she's finding her way. There are so many paths to successful adulthood that kids shouldn't be forced to conform to someone else's ideal.

>253 EBT1002: Hi Ellen, I'm glad your curiosity is piqued. Thank you also for spelling that word correctly. Yes I am a word snob and proud of it!! And about birth announcements -- I was absolutely shocked by my discovery. My mom just shrugged, like that was the way it was back then. Crazy!

>254 ronincats: I'm impressed, Roni!

>237 vancouverdeb:, >238 lauralkeet: I, too, had was somewhat turned off by the cover but then loved the book.

In spite of my parents' generation, to only question in my childhood about university what where I would go, never whether. Thank you Mom and Dad.

I guess I'm unusual being both expected to go to university as a girl in 50s and growing up in a community of varied scientists but feeling no direction myself, though I did reasonably well faking it. I did blunder into a technical field, but knew many who were deeply engaged and followed much deeper and more direct ambitions.

"in 1962 the newspaper birth announcements gave credit only to the father: "Mr. John Doe, on February 18, a daughter." WOW. That's new one on me. I'm several years older than you, and my birth announcement in the local paper read "Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Snyder of Equinunk are the parents of a daughter, born Saturday." And I thought our little river valley was as far back of beyond and the march of progress as you could get!

>226 lauralkeet: Glad it worked for you Laura.

>246 SandDune: I enjoyed the series too.

>256 RebaRelishesReading:, >257 quondame: Kudos to your parents, Reba & Susan.

>258 laytonwoman3rd: Linda, I was born in Sacramento, CA. Maybe they were just unusually backward? I may not have the wording exactly right, but am sure the mother wasn't named because it was such a surprise to see that. If only I could remember where my baby book is stored ...

>259 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks Caro!

We woke up to about 3" more snow today. It was in the forecast but didn't start until after bedtime and I'd forgotten about it by morning. Schools are closed, which was enough to make me decide not to go to the gym.

I'm glad I did the grocery shopping yesterday. I've been trying to shop on Thursdays recently, to get the sweet sweet senior discount. But I also thought it wouldn't hurt, in case there was snow. I also picked up my library hold, so that's all my errands done and nothing forcing me out of the house until dinner, when we usually do some sort of takeout.

Last night's viewing: an episode of Deadwood accompanied by knitting ... and for the life of me I can't remember what else but I was reading Crook Manifesto instead of watching. I'm really enjoying the book.

Last night I roasted a chicken for dinner, so I think today I'll make chicken stock from the carcass. And I really must do the vacuuming I've been putting off.

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I also ran my errands yesterday and can enjoy a quiet, snowy day at home. As soon as the snow starts :-P

Sending it your way, Katie...

We've been in the house (literally) for a week now but we're going to brave the snowy street outside our door in the hope that the main street, 3 blocks away, will be clear. Not only is Hubby about to go stir crazy, we're starting to need some groceries. Hope yours comes and goes quickly.

>265 lauralkeet: Good luck Reba! In most places the residential streets tend to be a mess for a while but the busier main streets get plowed and are more heavily traveled which also helps to clear them.

~~~~~~~~~

This morning I made chicken stock, and also decided to do a Mississippi Roast in the slow cooker for tonight's dinner. This was planned for tomorrow, with takeout tonight, so I'm just flipping the plan. I also did about half of the vacuuming, and then after lunch I went out and shoveled some snow to clear paths for dog walking, etc.

I have no idea where all this energy came from today, but I am now going to reward us with a batch of Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies.

>265 lauralkeet: Wow! You've been busy! Good for you! And the cookies sound divine (ooh, I still have a little container of my daughter's Christmas cookies in the freezer. Don't want them to get freezer burn, do we?!)

Happy weekend to you!

Karen O

>266 klobrien2: Rescue those cookies, Karen! Now! LOL

Snow flurries continued most of the day yesterday although they probably didn't add much to the overall accumulation. Schools and several businesses were closed, including our gym which assuaged our guilt about not going to class.

Weirdly, I actually kind of enjoyed shoveling the snow, probably because this is our first significant snowfall in 3 years. We don't have a snow blower (we didn't need one in Philly and haven't needed one here ... yet). I started out thinking I'd just shovel a walking path from the back door to the road, but in the process took pity on delivery drivers and decided to tackle a segment of the driveway. Our driveway is very long, with each end exiting on to a road. Fortunately our cars are very close to one end (and that's also where deliveries happen), so if that side is clear we can leave the rest of the driveway alone. All that to say, it's a satisfying task and was also a bit of a workout.

Last night's Mississippi Roast was decent, but not as good as previous efforts. For some reason the beef did not shred as it was supposed to. The internet offers a variety of reasons for this: the cut of meat used, amount of liquid, and length of time in the slow cooker. I've made this recipe before without problems so maybe it was the cut? I ended up mostly cutting it in chunks and it was still tasty served over noodles. We'll probably have more for lunch today. 🤷‍♀️ And of course the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies were also fab. I used this Betty Crocker Recipe.

Last night's viewing included an episode of Slow Horses, and then a 1946 film called The Killers, based on a Hemingway story. It was just okay in my book, very much of its time I guess I'd say.

There's not much on our agenda today. We might take the dogs out to play in the snow, and then let them warm up by the wood stove. Alys looooves the wood stove and yesterday Ellie realized that she does, too. I expect I'll spend more time with Crook Manifesto; I'm now reading the third and final part of the book. I'm enjoying it but also ready for something new.

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Playing in the snow followed by time next to a wood stove? Alys and Ellie are definitely living their best lives. I'm a little jealous. Hopefully it's just as much fun for you, Laura. 😊

>265 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. We did fine and it was really good to be out.

I had to google that Mississippi pot roast. I may just have to get my crock pot back from my lad who made off with it a few years ago!

Hi Laura! Our cold and snow is clearing out for now, and since I have parking lot duty twice a day I am glad for the reprieve!

As usual I am late for the discussion here. I was born in 1970 and my mom happily stayed home, to her surprise, as she had been the student body president of UC Berkeley in the 60s, etc. But when my parents divorced she "had a feeling" that computers were going to be big and started her second career in tech volunteering in an Apple retailer in exchange for them teaching her everything they could about computers (she's now on her third career at age 80 teaching English at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich). My dad was always very supportive of me but has somewhat limited imagination. When I was an excellent student of French he knew my career options would be French teacher (bad) or UN translator (good), and I think he's been bewildered by my career trajectory ever since. He knows my job is very technology-heavy and sometimes says aloud that it's good that I have Stelios around to help me with that technology stuff (if he says this within earshot of my stepmother then I get an apology phone call later).

>269 MickyFine: Hi Micky. As the older dog, Alys is very committed to teaching Ellie about the finer things in life. The wood stove is one of those. Alys will toast in front of it for hours.

>270 RebaRelishesReading: That's great, Reba.

>271 tiffin: Tui, I don't cook with beef very often. When I do it's almost always a stew or roast. I love the "set it and forget it" nature of the slow cooker.

>272 AMQS: Thanks for sharing your story, Anne. Fun fact: my dad also went to UC Berkeley, although probably a bit earlier than your mom. He earned his BS in Industrial Engineering in 1957 and a Masters in 1959. I love hearing how your mom made the best of her situation and accomplished so much.

My very traditional, conservative father-in-law was befuddled by my feminism and career orientation. He also had little understanding of technology. I remember him once holding forth on how "the real money in computers is in repair," failing to understand that my job at the time involved managing a group of technicians who did just that. I'm pretty sure I was earning more money than they were LOL.

>265 lauralkeet: Sounds like you found a lot of energy! The Mississippi roast sounds delicious.

HAppy rest of the weekend.

>274 figsfromthistle: Thanks Anita!

It was pretty cold outside yesterday so instead of giving the dogs playtime in the snow, we took them on a couple of "business-focused" walks, and then it was back to the wood stove. They appeared to have no complaints.

Last night's viewing: an ep each of Slow Horses, and Great Canal Journeys (comfort TV with Timothy West and Prunella Scales).

I've been making pretty good progress on my sweater while watching TV this week. Last night I reached the point where you begin gradually decreasing the number of stitches in the round, reducing the sweater's circumference from the full chest measurement down to the neck opening. Shorter rounds means faster progress, but I'm now also at the "gosh I hope I have enough yarn" stage. I'm pretty sure I do, but I always fret about it nonetheless.

I finished reading Crook Manifesto at bedtime last night, and really enjoyed it. Next up is Zadie Smith's The Fraud. I've seen mixed reviews, so we'll see how I get on with it.

Today will be a lot like the past few days: staying indoors with no agenda.

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Oh, I'm glad you're trying The Fraud. I haven't really gotten along with Zadie Smith's books in the past, but I am intrigued by the subject/time period of this one. I'll be curious to know what you think.

>276 lauralkeet: - We've been enjoying the fireplace in our family room when we watch TV in the evenings this week. I keep hoping to get a picture of Nuala and/or Leonard curled up in front of it, but neither seems interested. Nuala might actually be a little scared of it :-P

Wordle in 3 for me too today.

Have a good Sunday!

I know that Yarn Fret very well. So stressful! Which is why I tend to buy *way* too much yarn for a project and have an embarrassing amount left over at the end. Worth it, though, to delete one small stress from my life. Plus, it adds to the stash!

Just popping in to say again how much I enjoy your daily updates. I've never been able to maintain my own thread as I'm too much of a lurker.
thanks for the Adrian McKinty rec! I just read the first one and loved it. I couldn't put it down even though I had another book that was due at the library yesterday and I had some correcting that should have been done - I guess I know what today will be about. But I also plan to get a walk in as well.
Also, my father was a civil engineer, and I ended up in a somewhat male-dominated field (chem degree/physics teacher)
Got Wordle in 3 today!

Thanks for reminding me about Crook Manifesto. I had completely forgotten that it is resting on my shelf waiting for my attention. *sigh*

>277 japaul22: Watch this space, Jennifer! It's been years since I read anything by Zadie Smith, and I honestly can't remember if I genuinely liked her work, or only thought I was *supposed* to like it. The Fraud is historical fiction, which is not her usual genre. Intriguing, if nothing else.

>278 katiekrug: I think our dogs might be scared of the fire too, if it were in an open fireplace. The stove hides the flames behind a door (we wish it was glass, but it's not), so you just get this lovely warmth.

>279 scaifea: Amber, the one advantage I have with this yarn is that I'm using the yarn recommended in the pattern so I could buy the number of skeins specified with some degree of confidence. I had to make some adjustments for fit which may use more yarn, but even the next size up called for the same number of skeins. Fingers crossed.

>280 raidergirl3: Thank you so much, Elizabeth! And I'm so pleased to see another Sean Duffy fan. I just requested the 6th book from the library today. 100% of the credit is due to Katie who recommended the series so enthusiastically on her thread.

>281 laytonwoman3rd: Happy to help, Linda! Ha. Chris bought the book in October when we were visiting a recently-opened bookshop. After reading a few pages he realized it's actually a follow-on to Harlem Shuffle, so he had to buy that book and read it first. Then he convinced me to also read them both. It's rare for us to read the same books, but it happens once in a while.

Happy Monday ...

Not much to report from yesterday. I started reading The Fraud, which is working for me so far. Evening viewing included an episode of All Creatures Great and Small, and some YouTube videos on various subjects (sports, art, etc.)

This morning I'm working a library shift. I'm not sure what the rest of the day will bring, although I'm making a pot pie for dinner using some leftover roast chicken from last week. The weather is supposed to warm up a bit, so maybe it will be nice enough to give the dogs some play time instead of just going on walks.

Hmm ... I guess that's all for now!

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5. Crook Manifesto ()

Ray Carney owns a furniture store in Harlem, occasionally supplementing his income by dealing in stolen goods. Some of these capers were the subject of Colson Whitehead’s previous novel, Harlem Shuffle. Following those events, Carney retired from the stolen goods trade; when Crook Manifesto opens in the 1970s, Carney has spent four years building the furniture business into a local success story. But when his daughter begs for tickets to see the Jackson 5 in Madison Square Garden, Carney sees only one way to make that happen.

As Carney reconnects with some of his old cronies, readers are reunited with colorful characters from Carney’s past, and taken on a wild ride through various illicit and illegal dealings. Like Harlem Shuffle, the story is told in three parts, each set a few years apart. While Carney is the thread tying it all together, in Crook Manifesto other key figures are given center stage. We see more of Carney’s wife Elizabeth, who has a career of her own and is largely unaware of Carney’s side hustle. And then there’s Pepper, who once worked for Carney’s father, and can be counted on when muscle is most needed.

At first glance, Crook Manifesto appears to be a novel about alliances, betrayals, and car chases, But Colson Whitehead uses these stories to demonstrate the challenges Harlem residents face every single day. People are just trying to get by, but are often held back by poor living conditions, low educational attainment, and limited job prospects. The city fails them at nearly every opportunity, as both government and law enforcement are seduced by corruption that lines their pockets. Occasionally these individuals pay a price for their misdeeds, but there’s always someone right behind them to keep the system running.

Hi Laura!

>251 Helenliz: Great story about your mother, Helen!

>257 quondame: Susan – we’re eerily alike in this respect, being expected to go to university, feeling no direction. I took a business degree because it was practical and while there also blundered into computers. My career was less exciting than yours but made me happy – programmer, analyst, and manager of small IT departments in mfg environments.

>260 lauralkeet: I didn’t realize you were born in CA.

>268 lauralkeet: I have a photo of my husband using our leaf blower on powder snow. I just posted it on my thread.

>283 lauralkeet: I tried Zadie Smith once, White Teeth, and bailed. Congrats on your Wordle 3 – I got it in 3 today, too.

I need to get to Harlem Shuffle, which I own....

>285 karenmarie: Hiya Karen! My parents grew up in CA, mostly in the Bay Area. My dad went to UC Berkeley and was began his career with Procter and Gamble in Sacramento. He was soon transferred to P&G's HQ in Cincinnati, so I was only in CA for the first ~10months of my life. I don't remember much. 😂 But since nearly all of the extended family was on the west coast, my family made a "pilgrimage" every few years.

I like your husband's creative solution to the snow removal problem!

>286 katiekrug: I get it Katie. In 2020 I made a huge dent in my in-house TBR and since then I've bought fewer books. I still have a lot of unread Virago Modern Classics though, and it's hard to fit them in when there's always something else attracting my attention. I hope you get to it one of these days.

>273 lauralkeet: The idea of Alys teaching Ellie about the finer things of life made me smile. I've been reading a lot about elephants lately and how the older ones teach the younger ones about life and it's rules and this fit right in.

>285 karenmarie: I don't really think of the series of jobs I held as a career, nor would I call it exciting, except I did enjoy the learning new "languages" and playing with new toys, though I'd get bored half-way through the second or third project requiring the same language or skills. And I did get badly burned out before 55. Fortunately after I cashed in the stock options.
I did one venture into management at 41 after my first pregnancy ended in a still birth and my second in miscarriage. But I had all the wrong good intentions, the company reorganized with new management, and Becky persisted to completion.

>288 RebaRelishesReading: I'm glad you liked that, Reba. Sometimes Alys just gets annoyed with Ellie but they sure were cute snuggled up together by the stove.

>289 quondame: Hi Susan.

Hi all,

It was nice to be back at the library yesterday (the Monday before was a holiday/snow day). There were a couple staff members there who I hadn't seen yet this year.

I couldn't quite settle into anything meaningful in the afternoon. I have a bit of a sinus thing going on which made me feel tired. Reading made me sleepy, but I wasn't able to relax into a full-on nap. Oh well ... I managed to keep myself awake until our usual bedtime. Evening viewing included University Challenge, a contest between two really exceptional teams, followed by an episode of Slow Horses and some Arrested Development.

Today's agenda is once again low key. We're expecting temps to reach the 40s so hopefully some of the snow will melt away. It's nowhere near as pretty as it was on Friday. Other highlights will include a trip to the store for more Advil Cold and Sinus. We've both had this thing and are starting to use up our supply. Pretty exciting stuff, I know.

Wordle 948 4/6

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SPITE, STICK, STILT, STILL

The snow started to melt yesterday, with chunks sliding off the roof, icicles dripping, and a fair amount of slush. Today will be much warmer so the snow will continue to disappear. We're expecting high of 52F/11C if you can believe it!

Yesterday's highlight was a dog-walking adventure with Ellie. We headed up the gravel road that runs alongside our house. I let her walk in the snow at the side of the road (on a leash of course), and she was sniffing around as dogs do, nothing unusual. Suddenly she pulled something from the snow, a cylindrical gray shape that I thought at first was a large stick/small log. But I quickly determined it was, in fact, a dead squirrel. Ack! I'm not sure how, but I got her to drop it without having to touch the thing. Then I realized I needed to move this "attraction" further from the edge of the road. I lifted it with my foot and lobbed it a few feet away. It landed head first in the snow with its butt and tail poking out, as if it died in the middle of burrowing. No way could I have done that if I was actually trying!

It was difficult to top that experience, but I settled in with The Fraud for a while and in the evening we watched an episode of Slow Horses which was pretty exciting since we are near the end of the season. I finished the color work yoke on my sweater; all that remains is the neckband. For it to be fully finished (and photo-ready), I'll need to weave in all the yarn tails on the wrong side and block the sweater.

Today I need to do the menu planning/grocery list making. And with the sweater almost in the rear view mirror, I'm going to spend some time today planning my next project. I started a hat a little while ago which is fairly straightforward and I'll continue working on that, but I'm also playing with some color work ideas for another hat, which will use up some yarn in my stash.

Wordle 949 3/6

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WRITE, MISER, RELIC
Based on what I learned in the first two turns, it took a while to find something that would work for my third turn. This may have been the only possible word but anyway I was glad it worked!

Menu planning/grocery listing twins today - woot!

The squirrel saga is hilarious!

Wordle: I spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to sort out what word ending in C would work. I tend to judge my daily intelligence by wordle and the other various word puzzles I do every morning, and by this morning's results, today may be a challenge for me...

>292 lauralkeet: - EEK! to the dead squirrel. But your kick-lob form is impressive :)

I also got Wordle in 3 today!

>292 lauralkeet: I think it is Daisy's lifetime ambition to catch a squirrel- but she's never managed it yet, dead or otherwise!

>293 scaifea: I tend to judge my daily intelligence by wordle ...
* nods in understanding *

>294 katiekrug: Thanks Katie and congrats on Wordle in 3!

>295 SandDune: Our lab Woody got a groundhog once, Rhian, but fortunately that's it for dogs catching animals. I think Ellie had the advantage this time, what with it being an ex-squirrel.

I was hoping vultures would take the squirrel away today but it's still there. It has since flopped over on its side and has probably ... erm ... thawed. So gross.

Love the squirrel lob story!! Glad your snow is exiting politely.

>296 lauralkeet: In our previous house and garden - deep in the countryside - we got a lot of grey squirrels - I counted thirteen at once one day - and Kevin, our cat hunted them. He was successful several times and once ate most of one but he left the bodies lying after that so it must have tasted unpleasant. Of course he didn't need them for food as he was a well-fed cat.

Hi Laura. I'm glad you approve of my spelling skills, lol. Misspelling words like pique bugs me, as well.

I've heard mixed reactions to The Fraud, will be interested in how you like it. One of my RLBG friends really hated it.

Sorry you are both in need of cold medicine. That is no fun at all!

I'm currently reading Chenneville. I'm about a third into it and it is quite good so far.

>297 RebaRelishesReading: I'm glad too, Reba. I don't mind snow when it's fresh and pretty, but now it's just a yucky mess.

>298 CDVicarage: Great story, Kerry. Our neighbors' barn cats are frequent visitors and I often see one of them making off with a rodent. But never anything as large as squirrel. I'm glad they don't leave bodies lying around though. That's nasty.

>299 EBT1002: I think my reaction will also be "mixed," Ellen. I'm glad you're enjoying Chenneville!

The snow is nearly gone from all the paved surfaces, but the grass is stil slushy. We're expecting highs of 58F today and 67F tomorrow (yes -- it's still January!) so that should take care of the rest of the snow.

Yesterday I figured out the designs I want to use for the color work hat and created charts to help me stay on track while I knit. I have everything ready to go for this project, but I think I'll spend a little time on the other hat before starting.

My sweater is 99% done. I worked the neckband last night and wove in some yarn tails. I have a few more tails to take care of, and then the final step is a short seam in each underarm to finish attaching the sleeves to the body.

Last night's viewing: an episode each of Criminal Record and All Creatures. The latter has been quite emotional this season, but in a good (not sappy or melodramatic) way.

Today is mostly about getting the grocery shopping done, which will happen before lunch. I need to make a couple other stops while I'm out. This afternoon I hope to finish my sweater. I'd really like to finish The Fraud; we'll see how things go this afternoon and evening.

Wordle 950 3/6

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GLARE, CLOTH, BLOCK

Hi Laura!

>287 lauralkeet: So, technically a California baby but really a Ohio & etc. baby.

>289 quondame: Got it, Susan. Becky persisted to completion. You crack me up and am sorry for the stillbirth and miscarriage. I know they're a long time ago, but still.

>292 lauralkeet: Great Ellie/squirrel story. I love the vision of the squirrel’s newest resting place.

>302 karenmarie: That's right Karen. As you might imagine, I don't really consider myself a Californian.

>302 karenmarie:, >289 quondame: I know they're a long time ago, but still.
You are so right, Karen. Those are genuine grief-inducing losses. Susan, I should have acknowledged that and apologize for not doing so.

On a lighter note, I'm glad you enjoyed the Ellie/squirrel story.

Morning, Laura (I still have 2 minutes left to say that)!

I'm really excited to see your finished sweater and to hear more about the new hat project - your knitting is always so gorgeous.

Also, I think I've found a new title for you, just there at the bottom...

>301 lauralkeet: Can't wait to see a photo of your sweater when it's finished!

Do you have any tips for weaving in yarn tails? I'm always afraid they'll come loose when the garment is worn or washed.

Back on the subject of cats catching things, when we had our book club dinner last week my friend was telling me about something she’d seen recently. They have bought a field behind their house and are rewilding it, and she was telling me how she had recently seen a cat stalking a deer in it. Admittedly only a muntjac, which are very small as deers go, but even so that was one ambitious cat! Apparently when the deer saw it it ran off with the cat in hot pursuit!

>304 scaifea: I love that, Amber!

>305 RebaRelishesReading: Reba, I do indeed have tips! I've sent you a PM with some links. Hope they help!

>306 SandDune: Oh my goodness, Rhian. That's one bold cat!

Our cat once came up the garden path dragging a seagull. It was bigger than she was. We think it had been stunned or pretty much dead when she found it, as they're pretty tough.
Also Mum had a fear of feathers and I'm allergic to them, so tidying that away went well! I think the spade & a broom came in handy.

Hope the snow leaves and doesn't remain slushy & messing the place up.

>304 scaifea: *snort*

>307 lauralkeet: Thank you so much, Laura! I'm going right over to look at it.

>303 lauralkeet: Accepted. Not necessary, but thank you.

Not even trying to catch up, Laura, but I wanted to thank you for helping to keep my thread warm in my absence.

Have a fantastic Friday! I hope you have a wonderful book-filled weekend.

>308 Helenliz: OMG Helen, a seagull ??!! That's incredible.

>309 RebaRelishesReading: you're welcome, Reba.

>310 quondame: Thanks Susan.

>311 alcottacre: Welcome back Stasia!

It's Friday!

A week ago we were watching our second significant snowfall in a week, and it was very cold and windy. At 6am today it was 59F/15C, with high of 69F/20C expected. So weird! The heat wave will be short lived, but we're still expecting temps in the 40s for the next week which is pretty mild for this time of year.

I finished the final tasks on my sweater yesterday, so now I just need to block it. Blocking involves soaking the sweater in water, pinning it out to the desired shape & measurements, and then letting it dry. Because it's rather thick wool, the drying can take a few days. I've been dithering over whether to bother with blocking, but that's just because I'm impatient. Blocking usually improves the overall shape and appearance so I know it's the right thing to do.

Yesterday I finished The Fraud, which I have very ambivalent feelings about. More on that later. I've decided to read Madame Bovary next. I read it years and years ago, as part of a World Lit course in college. Chris is currently reading Anna Karenina, and we were discussing some similarities in plot between the two books. It made me want to revisit this classic. I am certain I will get more out of it now than I did in school.

Last night's viewing: we finished S2 of Slow Horses, and Chris watched a YouTube video, a book discussion of the first three parts of Anna Karenina. I worked on my hat project while watching TV, and read Madame Bovary during the book discussion video.

I don't have much of an agenda today, except for blocking the sweater. And I should write a review of The Fraud while it's fresh in my mind.

Wordle 951 5/6

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SHAPE, TRIAL, DALLY, ALONG, ALOOF

>313 lauralkeet: - Ah! So that's what "blocking" is. I had wondered...

We have similar agenda-free days today :)

>314 katiekrug: Happy to enlighten you, Katie! 😀

6. The Fraud ()

William Harrison Ainsworth was a Victorian author, part of a literary circle which also included Charles Dickens, William Thackeray, and others. Ainsworth didn’t fare as well over the long term; none of his work is in print today. His housekeeper, Eliza Touchet, was married to William’s cousin but came to live with William and his family after becoming a widow at a relatively young age. Eliza is smart and well-read, and becomes somewhat of a trusted advisor to William. And so we have the story of William’s career, his insecurities, and Eliza’s ongoing efforts to buck him up.

At the same time, a legal case grips the nation. Roger Tichborne was believed to have died at sea, en route to Australia, when suddenly a man turns up claiming to be Tichborne and seeking the family wealth he is entitled to. While there is plenty of evidence that this “Roger” is a fraud, a black man named Andrew Bogle staunchly backs him up and claims to know the man from his days managing a Jamaican sugar plantation. Eliza and William’s wife Sarah become obsessed with the case, attending the trial several days per week.

At this point the narrative begins to spiral. The chapters are quite short, sometimes around five pages but sometimes less than one page. There are frequent shifts between time periods, but this is not always made explicit and can be confusing. While the people and events are real, it’s not clear whether these two storylines actually intersected, or if this was a literary device to join independent plots. I think I would have preferred more focus on one or the other, since bringing them together didn’t quite work.

Way behind here!! I also loved Lessons in Chemistry and wondered why it had such an inappropriate cover; the sweater looks like it is coming along nicely; I had to laugh/cry at your birth announcement giving all the credit to your dad; and I have The Fraud in my TBR and I am not sure your review moved it up the stack at all, LOL. Oh, also congrats on your Wordle streak!

Hi Kim! It's always nice to see you here and I appreciate all of your comments. I was kind of bummed about The Fraud, even though I'd seen mixed reviews. Zadie Smith was such a phenom when she first hit the literary scene in her 20s; her novels were challenging and you could appreciate her craft. The Fraud didn't have that spark.

Good morning!

We took the dogs on a long walk yesterday to make the most of our one-day summer-in-January. Alys even got to wade into her favorite creek. Ellie just watched, a bit unsure, which was fine with us. I blocked my sweater, so now it just needs to sit on the blocking mats and dry out, which will probably take a few days.

Last night we had takeout from a new ramen place in town, which we hadn't tried yet. I think we've only had ramen once before so we are no experts, but it was pretty good and we will return.

Tor our evening viewing we added two new programs to our rotation. First, a 2019 dramatization of Les Miserables (on PBS) starring Dominic West as Jean Valjean and David Oyelowo as Javert. The screenplay was written by Andrew Davies, who is well known for his costume dramas. I had to keep reminding myself this was not a musical, although I kept imagining familiar melodies in the background. 😀

Next, Monsieur Spade starring Clive Owen (on Acorn). Set 20 years after The Maltese Falcon, the O.G. hard-boiled detective is now 60 years old and retired in the south of France. But of course this tranquil lifestyle doesn't last. Looks promising.

I don't have much planned for today. I probably have a few chores to do, if I choose. I'm sure I'll read more of Madame Bovary, and I might start my color work hat project. The hat-with-cables is coming along nicely.

Wordle 952 4/6

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STARE, SPADE, SNAKE, SHAKE
An exercise in letter elimination. This could have ended badly.

>219 dudes22: We have Monsieur Spade on our future viewing possibilities, it seemed like it could be interesting.

Morning, Laura! I also have Monsieur Spade in the queue and am hoping to check it out soonish.

Good work with blocking the sweater - I am also impatient and would be tempted to skip that step, but it sounds like the results are worth waiting for. I am always amazed by you mad skills with the yarn. Can't wait to see the final project.

Congrats on the newest family member - Ellie is full of adorable!

Your squirrel story made me laugh out loud.

Here's hoping your weekend is full of fabulous!

I Wordled in 5. As you said, it could have ended badly.

Looking forward to seeing your sweater!

Sorry The Fraud was disappointing. That one has not called to me.

Hat with cables and a colourwork hat? All the challenging stitches going on!

>320 ursula: Hi Ursula. I hope you enjoy Monsieur Spade.

>321 Crazymamie: Mamie! Happy New Year! It's so nice to see you. Thanks for your kind words about my knitting, as well as sweet Ellie. She's a handful, but too cute for words.

>322 katiekrug: You know Katie, The Fraud wasn't calling to me either. And yet I requested it from the library, just because Smith has such a fine reputation. Oh well. An okay read will make me appreciate the better ones even more.

>323 MickyFine: Hi Micky, we cross-posted and I'm glad I spotted it! Yeah, I like to have something of interest in my knitting: stitch patterns, color, what have you. The sweater tested my limits because it was a lot of plain knitting before getting to the color.

Morning, Laura!

I got the wordle in 2, but I think it's only because a colleague mentioned snakes yesterday and because I'm so stupid afraid of the things I had a nightmare about them and they're just on my mind this morning. Silver linings, I guess.

>316 lauralkeet: Hi Laura - I enjoyed The Fraud a it more than you, although I agree that the time shifts were confusing. I listened to the audio, read by Smith, and that was a pleasure. I also listened to an episode of "The Rest is History" podcast (which I highly recommend), in which the two hosts, historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, interviewed Smith and reviewed the whole Tichbourne case (episode 400).

>316 lauralkeet: Great comments. The Fraud didn't work well for me, either, but I love Smith and was maybe my expectations were too high? After reading comments from people who loved it, I would like to give it another try at some point.

>326 vivians: That sounds like it would be a good listen.

Callia just finished blocking her sweater also. She had to find a room she could close as the cats were very interested, and she had a friend whose dog destroyed a sweater while blocking!

>325 scaifea: Hi Amber! I'm amused that one of your worst fears helped you get an excellent Wordle score!

>326 vivians: Hi Vivian, that podcast sounds pretty interesting. I just looked at their episode list and ... wow.

>327 BLBera: Good point about expectations, Beth. It was a fairly standard historical fiction kind of novel, and I'd just like to see something more (which I can't really define, but ...)

>328 AMQS: Oh my Anne, I know exactly what Callia is dealing with! We don't have cats right now, but I've had to protect my knitting from them in the past. These days I am being very very cautious about leaving things out in Ellie's reach. I haven't been wearing my hand knits either, because she's currently prone to jumping up.

Yesterday progressed according to plan, with a decent mix of reading and knitting. In the evening we watched an episode of Les Miserables and ... hmm ... I'm sure there was something else but it wasn't a series so I've forgotten it.

This morning I had a bit of an own goal with Ellie. These days she needs to go out at about 4:30, but she goes straight back into her crate so we all can sleep a bit longer. Unfortunately I guess I didn't lock the door properly because she managed to get out around 5:15! She can't quite jump up on the bed yet but she was giving it her best effort. And there was no way she was going back into that crate ... oh well.

We had about 1.5" of rain yesterday evening and overnight, but thankfully the heaviest rain has stopped. It looks like we might see a bit more towards evening. Once again, there's very little on our agenda so I guess today will be a sort of repeat of yesterday.

Wordle 953 4/6

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MOUSE, TIMER, MAKER, EMBER

>326 vivians: I'll check out that podcast even if I don't read The Fraud.

Hi Laura and Happy Sunday! I got a lucky 3 in world today; my starter word got me off on a good path.

I know you've been in conversation with Beth about Chenneville. I finished it the day before yesterday and gave it five stars. John Chenneville is now one of my all-time favorite literary characters. :-)

>331 EBT1002: Hi Ellen! I saw your post over on Beth's thread. I, too, enjoyed News of the World more than Simon the Fiddler. Based on your comments, it sounds like Chenneville has them both beat which is saying something. I'm only 10th in line so this one hasn't taken off in our library system yet, which is perfectly fine with me.

Good morning, happy Monday, etc. etc.

I don't have much to report from yesterday. I didn't get as much reading done as I hoped because I kept dozing off! We decided to go out for coffee, a much needed pick-me-up. Evening viewing included an episode of Deadwood and various other stuff.

I'm working a library shift this morning. In the afternoon I'm on solo puppy duty because Chris needs to run an errand that will take some time. That will limit my reading time obviously, although we've had some success establishing a nap schedule so I will take advantage of that (unless of course I end up napping too ha ha).

Wordle 954 4/6

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LEAST, LEMUR, LEVEL, LEGGY

* peeks around the door *
Anybody here?

All is well here, albeit a bit uneventful. I enjoyed some productive knitting yesterday. Reading is slow though. There's nothing difficult about reading Madame Bovary but a page-turner it is not.

Last night's viewing included University Challenge and an ep of Monsieur Spade.

Today I have a few odds and ends to take care of, and I'm meeting a knitting group friend for coffee. Hopefully I'll make more progress in my book as well.

Wordle 955 3/6

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GREAT, MOUSE, EXPEL
Got lucky with this one. I wanted to figure out where the yellow letter belonged and decided to repeat it.

I'm here! Yesterday got away from me...

Was UC any good? I might watch it while I eat lunch today.

Wordle took me all 6 guesses today. D'oh!

>335 katiekrug: Oh yes, it was a good match! There are some really excellent teams this year.

* peeks around the door *
Anybody here?

Ha! I always feel weird posting my daily agenda when it's right up against the day before's, but then it's easy to forget that just because no one's posted doesn't mean no one's reading/listening. I appreciate folks who post only when they actually have something to say, so I try to do the same most of the time. Which leads to me lurking a lot because I don't frequently have intelligent things to say...

I really thought I was going to get skunked by the wordle today, but magically pulled the answer out of my butt somehow at the last minute. Same with Connections, which was embarrassingly difficult for me this morning. I should just crawl back into bed since it seems like it's gonna be a Dumb Day for me.

Where/how do you watch University Challenge? I'm interesting but have no idea.

>337 scaifea: it's easy to forget that just because no one's posted doesn't mean no one's reading/listening.
I totally agree, Amber! I lurk a lot too and have to remind myself to say hello once in a while.

University Challenge: it's absolutely the sort of show you'd like. Katie is a regular watcher too, so you know it's cool. It airs on BBC Two Monday evenings UK time, but if you're like me and don't have a VPN, you need to rely on the person who takes it upon themselves to post the episodes on YouTube. Search on "University Challenge 2024" or "University Challenge Season 53," or go to the channel that's currently posting, the oddly named Cosmic Pumpkin. Episodes are nearly always up by early Monday evening our time. They're currently in the quarter-finals which is probably a good time to start watching. Many of the original 28 teams have been eliminated, but you still have time to develop preferences for one team over another. Let me know what you think!

>316 lauralkeet: Looks like one I can safely not add to the BlackHole. Life is too short!

>334 lauralkeet: There's nothing difficult about reading Madame Bovary but a page-turner it is not. Yeah, I am having that issue with Bleak House (my favorite Dickens, but still).

Have a terrific Tuesday, Laura!

>338 lauralkeet: Oh great - thanks for the info!

I forgot to add up there that I *adore* Madame Bovary but yeah, it isn't exactly action-packed.

UC! UC! UC!

My Monday nights are now bereft, with the end of Only Connect for another season. It's like Connections, only 15 season older. >;-)

>342 Helenliz: - Oh, man. I love Only Connect and haven't watched any in a while. Thanks for the reminder, Helen!

(Hi Laura!)

We always watch Mastermind, Only Connect and University Challenge on Monday evenings but I wasn't feeling very well yesterday - only a cold but still horrible - and went to bed before UC. I'll watch it tonight.

>339 alcottacre: I'm glad I'm not the only one, Stasia. I haven't read Bleak House, but I really liked the TV adaptation. We just re-watched it not too long ago. I highly recommend it if you haven't seen it.

>340 scaifea: Amber, it's great to know there's a fan of MB out there. I remember liking-not-loving-it when I read it in college. I have no recollection of how it was covered in class either, but I doubt they leaned into the feminist angle because I would have remembered that.

>341 katiekrug: *fist bump* hopefully we've snared Amber in our trap, Katie.

>342 Helenliz: LOL Helen, I'm familiar with the existence of Only Connect (also easily found on YouTube), but have yet to succumb.

>343 katiekrug: Hi back at ya Katie!

>344 CDVicarage: That's a nice Monday viewing lineup, Kerry. I s'pose we could recreate that here if we really wanted to. I know this is heresy but for some reason Mastermind has never really grabbed me.

>337 scaifea: I tabled both the Wordle and Connections today. Often my brain isn't fully firing at breakfast, which is at about 6:10 am, so if I get stuck I'll defer. But sadly no bolts of lightning have brought me ideas, from my butt or other places...

Hi! Gotta run...haven't done either my Wordle or Connections for the day yet! LOL

>346 AMQS: I do Wordle early in the day, Anne, but usually don't get to Connections until later. It definitely uses a different part of my brain. And I failed on it today, sadly.

>347 Berly: Go Kim go! I hope you have better luck with Connections than I did.

>345 lauralkeet: I suspect that a big part of me loving MB was because of the professor who assigned it. He was fabulous.

>346 AMQS: *SNORK!!* I'm relieved that you've had no bolts of lightning coming from certain places...

>345 lauralkeet: No, I have not seen the television adaptation of Bleak House. Since I pretty much watch no television, can you enlighten me on where I might find it? Was it a PBS series or BBC or something?

>349 scaifea: The prof makes such a difference, Amber. As of course you know! I took World Lit in summer session, as an antidote to the Chem class which fulfilled a science requirement. Even though I was a big reader I mostly loved the idea of reading outdoors in the summer sun.

>350 alcottacre: Stasia, it was a BBC production and aired on PBS Masterpiece. It might still be available with PBS Passport; it's also on Britbox and Hulu at the moment.

>348 lauralkeet: Got Connections no prob; Wordle was a struggle and I squeaked by. : )

I once again demonstrated the value of eliminated letters with Wordle (got it in 4) and lucked out by seeing two categories fairly quickly in Connections which helped the last two fall into place (as usual the 4th one would never have come to me on it's own)

We've started watching Monsieur Space too and I'm enjoying it. I'd never read any of Hammett's books but maybe I'll give them a try sometime.

>351 lauralkeet: I have never even heard of Britbox and I do not have Hulu. I will have to check about PBS. Thanks, Laura.

>352 Berly: Some days are like that, right Kim?

>353 RebaRelishesReading: I saw one of the categories, Reba, but kept getting it wrong. So annoying! I'm glad you're enjoying Monsieur Spade. I haven't read any of Hammett's books but apparently Spade features in only one full-length novel: The Maltese Falcon. He also appears in some short stories. The Maltese Falcon is a really good movie. Bogart is great as Spade. Have you seen it?

>354 alcottacre: Ah well Stasia, I hope you track it down one of these days.

It's Wednesday already! Last week was dreadfully slow; so far this one is zipping along.

I enjoyed my coffee meetup yesterday; I'd been feeling a bit cooped up in the house for some reason, and a couple hours away was just what I needed. I also managed to work in some reading time, and now have just under 100 pages left in Madame Bovary. I won't finish it today, but since I'm so far along I'll still count it as a January book for my stats.

Last night we had a FaceTime chat with Kate so there was less TV-watching. But we had recently discovered that the superb 1984 series The Jewel in the Crown is available on PBS, so we started episode 1. The series is based on the books, The Raj Quartet, about the final years of the British Raj and the shift to Indian independence. We watched the series waaaay back when it first aired and it has remained with us all this time, so a rewatch is definitely in order.

This morning I'm going to our monthly Guild membership meeting, where we have a fiber expert Zooming in to give a talk. I also need to have a little chat with our secretary, who is responsible for sending out meeting notices but never manages to include the information about the program, which I provide to her every month. I'm not sure what's going on but she's just not getting it, despite trying several different ways to explain/demonstrate what's needed. Sigh.

This afternoon Ellie has a vet appointment, where she will get a couple more vaccines and a general checkup.

Wordle 956 5/6

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GRATE, MOUND, QUICK, HUSKY, BULKY
There weren't many available letters remaining by the time I got to my fifth turn!

Morning, Laura!

I also need to have a little chat with our secretary

>354 alcottacre: - Stasia, you could see if your library has it on DVD.

Morning, Laura! I also Wordled in 5 today. That's weird about the Guild secretary. You'd think she'd be happy to have some content for messages.

>356 lauralkeet: "We watched the series waaaay back when it first aired and it has remained with us all this time, so a rewatch is definitely in order." We feel the same way, and thank you for pointing out that it's still available.

Also, " I'm not sure what's going on but she's just not getting it, "

>358 katiekrug: Doh! Why didn't I think of DVDs? Thanks Katie.

>357 scaifea:, >359 laytonwoman3rd: You have both fully grasped the situation.
Unfortunately the meeting ran long and I knew I wasn't going to have time to do justice to the subject. I really wanted to do this face-to-face, but I'm going to text her tomorrow and see if we can connect by phone.

Hi Laura. P is a huge fan of "Jewel in the Crown" so we own it on DVDs. I have watched it with her once, several years ago, and I didn't love it as much as she did. I've told her they are re-airing it and she will likely check it out, partly in the hopes that they did some upgrading (of what kind, I do not know).

>361 EBT1002: Ellen, PBS isn't actually re-airing JITC. They just have the original series available on demand through PBS Passport. I don't think it's been "upgraded" at all. The video quality is good, but probably similar to DVD?

>356 lauralkeet: I just read The Raj Quartet for the first time last year. I hope you enjoy the series as much as I enjoyed the books!

>358 katiekrug: Thank you for that suggestion, Katie. My local library does indeed have it. Now if I only had a working DVD player. *sigh*

>316 lauralkeet: I have it, started it, but may have said before the short (and I like shortish) chapters put me off Laura. That said I'm not put of with the vignettes rather than chapters in Anne Michaels' wonderful new novel Held.

Smith will probably wait. My favourites of hers are White Teeth and On Beauty, the second due a reread this year.

>355 lauralkeet: Yes, I saw The Maltese Falcon many, many years ago. I seem to remember liking it. I also saw The Jewel in the Crown long, long ago but a rewatch sounds just right. I'll have to look for it.