karenmarie's 17th year in the 75ers - part VI

Welcome to my sixth thread of 2024

Six ways to describe me and books: bibliolater, bibliomaniac, bibliophile, lectiophiliac, bookworm (still a bookworm, because Jenna and Bill got me this bookworm for Christmas one year), and thanks to Janet, Book Dragon!

@lizzied, Peggy, wrote “If I’m kind, I’ll get the day I deserve.” I’m going to try to implement that. No guarantees, but I may get through an hour or two before snark and unhappiness overcome my desire to be a better person.

I found an old post-it note recently, and love the quote:

‘She is currently lost to her better self.’ – Daniel Mallory Ortberg in Slate’s Dear Prudence column

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The Good: Family, friends, kitties, books, and soccer in constantly-rotating order. I’m still recovering from right knee replacement surgery in early May, which will take up to a year to get completely healed although at almost 10 weeks I’m 80% or more there. Jenna is living with her girlfriend. I am happy for her and miss having her here. I can’t think of one thing good politically right now, but perhaps there is something. I am avoiding news assiduously.

While looking for new info on the Orange Fascist in a fit of cognitive dissonance with my stated goal of avoiding the news, I saw an article about Roger Federer giving a graduation speech at Dartmouth. I watched it – it takes about 26 minutes – and thought I’d share the link here. The world is pretty bleak right now, but Mr. Federer gives a bit of hope, a bit of humor, some good advice, and some fun stuff about his career and life.

Roger Federer Dartmouth Graduation Speech 2024

The Bad and the Sad: From the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Doomsday Clock. This information was published in January of this year when the clock was set to 90 seconds before midnight, apocalypse. 90 seconds is the shortest time to apocalypse since the clock was created in 1945.

A moment of historic danger: It is still 90 seconds to midnight
Ominous trends continue to point the world toward global catastrophe. The war in Ukraine and the widespread and growing reliance on nuclear weapons increase the risk of nuclear escalation. China, Russia, and the United States are all spending huge sums to expand or modernize their nuclear arsenals, adding to the ever-present danger of nuclear war through mistake or miscalculation.
In 2023, Earth experienced its hottest year on record, and massive floods, wildfires, and other climate-related disasters affected millions of people around the world. Meanwhile, rapid and worrisome developments in the life sciences and other disruptive technologies accelerated, while governments made only feeble efforts to control them.

I’m in my 10th week of Physical Therapy. I only use a cane if I’m out and at risk of falling on uneven pavement. I’m occasionally still in pain, but less and less every day.

The Ugly: The Gang of Psychos is the ugliest thing going on in this country right now. Vicious, evil people in power with a pseudo-Christian agenda that does not come close to following the Christianity they profess but profane.

I turned 71 last month. I think “How did I get to be old?”

I read and am a charter member of the Redbud and Beyond Book Club, started in 1997. We will meet this coming Sunday at my house to pick books for the next book club year.
I have been married to Bill for 33 years and am mother to Jenna, who turns 31 next month. It’s back to the two of us on 8 acres in central NC with 3 kitties and a daughter 40 minutes away.

A Sunroom-themed montage. Inara Starbuck, 17, wanting to go outside, Zoe Rose, almost 6, and Wash, almost 5, doing their meerkat impersonations.

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My mother in the yellow dress my grandmother made for her, probably for a high school prom. Circa 1949-1950.


My goal last year was 75 books, based on what I thought would be a tough reading year because of my health. Ha. I read 393 books, mostly on my Kindle, mostly using Kindle Unlimited. They were, as my daughter calls them, smut, and my friend Karen in Montana calls them, porn. *shrugs* I still really, really enjoy reading this subgenre of contemporary fiction/romance and will continue until it no longer interests me. It’s getting more challenging to find books as I’ve refined my targeted trope(s), but I’ve become a great detective. This coming year’s goal is 150 based on still reading smut. I haven’t made the goal higher because of my knee replacement surgery, and as I recall from last year, the first month following surgery was not much reading. However, I’ve already read 221 books.
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Express gratitude for what I have - family, friends, intangibles and tangibles - every day.
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2024. Most of the rest of the year will be my recovery from right knee replacement surgery, without Jenna living at home but close by. The new normal for Covid will, I hope, be continued vigilance and an eventual regimen of yearly vaccines as we do with flu. With politics, who knows, but I hope the Democrats continue to keep the Gang of Psychos in check as much as possible and the world does not implode. News avoidance as written above, except when I need my dose of schadenfreude, aka epicaricacy, and continue to revel in any and everything that politically or legally injures Trump. Not in line with what Peggy said, above, but I admit to not being perfect and reserving the right to be inconsistent.

read - 393 last year

1. Just a Bit Wrecked by Alessandra Hazard 12/31/23 1/1/24 205 pages Kindle Logan and Andrew Straight Guys 11 2020
2. Just a Bit Captivated by Alessandra Hazard 1/1/24 1/1/24 239 pages Kindle Aiden and Zain Straight Guys 14 2023
3. Tell No One by Barbara Elsborg 1/1/24 1/2/24 280 pages Kindle Tag and Delaney 2022
4. The Making of Jonty Bloom by Barbara Elsborg 1/2/24 1/3/24 383 pages Kindle Jonty and Devan Unfinished Business 1 2020
5. Reinventing Cato by Barbara Elsborg 1/3/24 1/4/24 327 pages Kindle Cato and Vigge Unfinished Business 3 2021
6. Waiting for Ru by Barbara Elsborg 1/4/24 1/5/24 352 pages Kindle Ru and Jasim Unfinished Business 4 2021
**abandoned Brave for You by Crystal Lacy** 166 pages
7. Fairy Tales for Angry Little Girls by Lela Lee 1/5/24 1/6/24 168 pages Hardcover
8. Falling by Barbara Elsborg 1/5/24 1/6/24 333 pages Kindle Malachi and Harper Fall and Break 1 2017
9. Breaking by Barbara Elsborg 1/6/24 1/7/24 333 pages Kindle Archer and Conrad Fall and Break 2 2017
10. He's the One by Barbara Elsborg 1/7/24 1/8/24 377 pages Kindle Col and Theo Fate We Make 1 2023
11. Hold On by Barbara Elsborg 1/8/24 1/9/24 322 pages Kindle Dominic and Ren Fate We Make 2 2023
12. This is Real by Barbara Elsborg 1/9/24 1/9/24 262 pages Kindle Murdo and Lukas 2022
13. Edge of Forever by Barbara Elsborg 1/10/24 1/11/24 348 pages Kindle Pasha and Levi 2018
14. Zeke's Wood by Barbara Elsborg 1/11/24 1/11/24 68 pages Kindle Zeke and Gideon 2017
15. With Or Without Him by Barbara Elsborg 1/11/24 1/12/24 306 pages Kindle Haris and Tyler 2017
16. Drawn In by Barbara Elsborg 1/12/24 1/13/24 335 pages Kindle Kell and Gethin 2016
17. Cowboys Down by Barbara Elsborg 1/13/24 1/14/24 287 pages Kindle Jasper and Calum 2017
18. Give Yourself Away by Barbara Elsborg 1/14/24 1/15/24 353 pages Kindle March and Caleb 2017
19. Every Move He Makes by Barbara Elsborg 1/15/24 1/16/24 277 pages Kindle Logan and Zak 2017
20. Dirty Games by Barbara Elsborg 1/16/24 1/17/24 346 pages Kindle Linton and Thorne 2017
21. Where Forever Started by Barbara Elsborg 1/17/24 1/18/24 Kindle Barney and Raf 2017
22. The Bastard and the Heir by Eden Finley and Saxon James 1/19/24 /1/19/24 337 pages Kindle Darcy and Wren 2024
**abandoned The Fake Boyfriends Debacle by Hayden Hall** 79 pages
**abandoned In The Gray by Christina Lee** 140 pages
23. A Wedding in a Week by Con Riley 1/19/24 1/20/24 292 pages Kindle Marc and Stef 2023
24. Assassins Are People Too by S. C. Wynne 1/20/24 1/21/24 133 pages Kindle Marc and Dillon Assassins in Love Series 1 2019
25. Assassins Love People Too by S. C. Wynne 1/21/24 1/21/24 131 pages Kindle Marc and Dillon Assassins in Love Series 2 2019
26. Assassins Save People Too by S. C. Wynne 1/21/24 1/21/24 122 pages Kindle Marc and Dillon Assassins in Love Series 3 2019
**abandoned Love Me Again by Max Walker** 70 pages
27. Crashing Upwards by S.C. Wynne 1/21/24 1/22/24 314 pages Kindle Harper and Sam 2018
28. His Death Bringer by Courtney W. Dixon 1/22/24 1/23/24 316 pages Kindle Luca and Dante The District 1 2023
29. Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen read by Arte Johnson 12/31/23 1/23/24 11.5 hours audiobook
30. Keeping It Casual by Jax Calder 1/23/24 1/23/24 140 pages Kindle Dustin and Jeremy 2023
31. The Anonymous Hookup 1/23/24 1/24/24 121 pages Kindle Lane and Sam 2022
**abandoned Love is Blind by S.C. Wynne** 30 pages
**abandoned Head Over Feels by Bix Barrow** 284 pages
32. The Mission by Barbara Elsborg 1/24/24 1/25/24 146 pages Kindle Conrad and Arlo 2023
33. A Spaceman Came Traveling by Barbara Elsborg 1/25/24 1/25/24 62 pages Kindle Seven and Cooper 2023
34. Trapped for the Holidays by Courtney W. Dixon 1/25/24 1/25/24 98 pages Kindle Rhett and Patrick 2023
**abandoned Return by Fire by Tracey Jerald** 34 pages
**abandoned Stix & Stones by Courtney W. Dixon** 191 pages
35. Anticipating Disaster by Silvia Violet 1/26/24 1/26/24 248 pages Kindle David and Oliver Anticipation 1 2019
36. His To Own by Leo Rivers 1/26/24 1/27/24 151 pages Kindle Rowan and Zane Heart of Thornes 1 2023
37. Mine to Claim by E.V. Olsen 1/27/24 1/27/24 Kindle Rex and Devon Wasteland Temptations 1 2023
38. Mine to Protect by E.V. Olsen 1/27/24 1/28/24 62 pages Kindle Rex and Devon Wasteland Temptations 2 2023
39. His to Break by E.V. Olsen 1/28/24 1/28/24 51 pages Kindle Mac and Cal Wasteland Temptations 3 2024
40. Nixon by Laura John 1/28/24 1/28/24 238 pages Kindle Dante and Nixon Hunter Security 1 2023
41. Kissing in the Snow by Laura John 1/29/24 1/29/24 101 pages Kindle Dane and Ryan related to Sentinel Protection Duology 1 2021
42. Damaged Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie 1/29/24 1/29/24 399 pages Kindle Maximoff and Farrow Like Us 1 2017
43. The Plus-One Entanglement by Paulina Ian-Kane 1/29/24 1/30/24 127 pages Kindle Asher and Jordan Love After Forty 1 2023
**abandoned One by Paulina Ian-Kane** 197 pages
44. His Mafia Prince by Leo Rivers 1/30/24 1/31/24 133 pages Kindle Angelo and Sebastian Toscano Doms 1 2023
45. The Billionaire's Rival by Silvia Violet 1/31/24 1/31/24 276 pages Kindle Ford and Jay Bad Boy Billionaires 2 2023
46. True North by C.E. Kilgore 1/31/24 1/31/24 57 pages Kindle Chris and Joshua Hearts Compass 1 2015
47. Down South by C.E. Kilgore 1/31/24 1/31/24 61 pages Kindle Gabe and Liam Hearts Compass 3 2015
48. Back East by C.E. Kilgore 1/31/24 2/1/24 57 pages Kindle Eli and David Hearts Compass 2 2015
49. Out West by C.E. Kilgore 2/1/24 2/1/24 62 pages Kindle Alex and Mateo Hearts Compass 4 2015
50. Objectified by C.E. Kilgore 2/1/24 2/1/24 48 pages Kindle Zane and Tyler 2015
51. Shades by Jaime Reese 2/1/24 2/3/24 340 pages Kindle Killian and Nick 2018
52. Grayson Ryder: A Thief's Thrill by M.L. Giles 2/3/24 2/3/24 244 pages Kindle Grayson and Colson Grayson Ryder 1 2018
53. Just Friends by Tina Kove 2/4/24 2/4/24 159 pages Kindle Ben and Tarjei 2020
54. Love and Moonlight by Killian Ford 2/4/24 2/24 177 pages Kindle Jax and Victor 2023
55. The Escape: Soren's Saga by Nicky James 2/4/24 2/25/24 291 pages Kindle Soren and Remy Healing Hearts 3 2017
56. A Day Makes by Mary Calmes 2/5/24 2/6/24 236 pages Kindle Ceaton and Brin The Vault 1 2021
57. Not What It Seems by Nicky James 2/6/24 2/7/24 442 pages Kindle Cyrus and River 2021
58. Cravings of the Heart by Nicky James 2/7/24 2/7/24 298 pages Kindle Arden and Iggy Trials of Fear 6 2019
59. Accidentally August by E.M. Denning 2/7/24 2/7/24 191 pages Kindle August and Crispin Walking Disaster 1 2023
60. As Much As I Try by Erica Montrose 2/8/24 2/9/24 208 pages Kindle Edwin and Liam 2022
61. Oliver by E.M. Denning 2/9/24 2/10/24 195 pages Kindle Oliver and Jordan Walking Disaster 2 2023
62. Last First Kiss by E.M. Denning 2/10/24 2/10/24 201 pages pages Kindle Logan and Ezra 2021
**abandoned Murder Husbands by E.M. Denning** 96 pages
**abandoned Dario: Wicked Legacies by Victoria Sue** 146 pages
63. Mafia Target by Mila Finelli 2/12/24 2/13/24 301 pages Kindle Giulio and Alessio Kings of Italy 4 2023
64. Afogato by E.M. Lindsey 2/13/24 2/13/24 262 pages Kindle Caleb and Bodhi Brew Biz 1 2023
65. Most Of You by E.M. Lindsey 2/13/24 2/16/24 280 pages Kindle Emil and Renzo The Beginning of Always 2 2023
**The Kidnapping of Roan Sinclair by Ashlyn Drewek** 131 pages
66. The Dotted Line by Claire Cullen 2/16/24/ 2/16/24 121 pages Kindle Benn and Leo Tangled Gentry 1 2017
67. Branded by Roelle Denning 2/16/24 2/16/24 277 pages Kindle Declan and Remi Allies 1 2023
68. Stepbrother Dearest by Willow Dixon 2/17/24 2/17/24 314 pages Kindle Caleb and Gray Crimson Club 1 2023
69. Fakers With Benefits by Willow Dixon 2/17/24 2/18/24 330 pages Kindle Caleb and Gray Crimson Club 2 2023
70. Surviving the Break by C.P. Harris 2/18/24 2/19/24 289 pages Kindle Max and Ash Chadwick 2 2020
**abandoned Staking His Claim by Ki Brightly and M.D. Gregory** 135 pages
**abandoned The Former Assassin's Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend by Alice Winters** 96 pages
71. Reindeer Games by N.R. Walker 2/20/23 2/20/23 157 pages Kindle Leif and Russ Ace's Wild 6 2019
72. Nuts by S.E. Jakes and Stephanie Tyler 2/20/24 2/20/24 90 pages Kindle Preston and Jagger Ace's Wild 2 2019
73. Reunion by Neve Wilder 2/20/24 2/20/24 132 pages Kindle Cole and Dane Ace's Wild 7 2019
74. The Good Liar by C.P. Harris 2/20/24 2/21/24 346 pages Kindle Cole and Jasper Infidelity 1 2023
75. The Boss's Boy by Aja Foxx 2/22/24 2/22/24 379 pages Kindle Dmitri and Eiji Mafia Mayhem 2 2023
76. Love Language by Jax Calder 2/22/24 2/22/24 59 pages Kindle Ash and Dominic 2024
77. The Fishermen by C.P. Harris 2/23/24 2/24/22 474 pages Kindle Leland and Franklin Infidelity 2 2023
78. Want You Still by C.E. Ricci and Marley Valentine 2/24/24 2/25/24 366 pages Kindle Kindle Will and Pierce 2024
**abandoned The Way We Hate by Myka Loren** 196 pages
79. The Truth of Loving You by Heather Leighson 2/25/24 2/26/24 383 pages Kindle Cole and Shane Unframed Art MM Romance 1 2023
80. You Have Arrived At Your Destination by Amor Towles 2/27/24 2/27/24 50 pages Kindle 2019
81. Crankshaft by K.M. Neuhold 2/26/24 2/27/24 245 pages Kindle Porter and Steele Big Bull Mechanics 1 2022
**Fool's Gold by J.V. Speyer** 99 pages
82. Rhythmic Bliss by Leigh Jarrett 2/27/24 2/27/24 140 pages Kindle Lucas and Nick LJ M/M/ romance 7 2023
83. From the Ground Up by Harper Robson 2/27/24 2/27/24 263 pages Kindle Mason and Jackson Hot Dam Homes 1 2022
84. Falling for Raine by Lane Hayes 2/27/24 2/28/24 208 pages Kindle Raine and Graham 2024
**abandoned Dearly & Deviant Daniel by L.A. Kaye** 159 pages
85. Lovers Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie 2/28/24 2/29/24 467 pages Kindle Maximoff and Farrow Like Us 2 2017
**abandoned Dearly Deviant Daniel by L.A. Kaye** 159 pages
86. Alphas Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie 2/29/24 3/1/24 488 pages Kindle Maximoff and Farrow Like Us 3 2018
87. Tangled Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie 3/1/24 3/1/24 483 pages Kindle Jane and Thatcher Like Us 4 2019
88. Sinful Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie 3/1/24 3/2/24 501 pages Kindle Jane and Thatcher Like Us 5 2019
89. Headstrong Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie 3/2/24 3/3/24 468 pages Kindle Maximoff and Farrow Like Us 6 2019
90. Charming Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie 3/3/24 3/4/24 499 pages Kindle Oscar and Jack Like Us 7 2020
91. Wild Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie 3/5/24 3/5/24 498 pages Kindle Akara, Banks, and Sulli Like Us 8 2020
92. Fearless Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie 3/5/24 3/6/24 587 pages Kindle Akara, Banks, and Sulli Like Us 9 2021
93. Infamous Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie 3/6/24 3/7/24 587 pages Kindle Akara, Banks, and Sulli Like Us 10 2021
94. Misfits Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie 3/7/24 3/8/24 464 pages Kindle Luna and Donnelly Like Us 11 2022
95. Unlucky Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie 3/8/24 3/9/24 588 pages Kindle Luna and Donnelly Like Us 12 2023
96. Nobody Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie 3/9/24 3/10/24 812 pages Kindle Luna and Donnelly Like Us 13 2024
97. Damaged Like Us 3/11/24 3/11/24 399 pages Kindle **reread** Maximoff and Farrow Like Us 1 2017
98. A Bit of Rough by Laura Baumbach 3/13/24 3/13/24 217 pages Kindle Rough Series Book 1 2007
99. Lovers Like Us 3/11/24 3/14/24 466 pages Kindle **reread** Maximoff and Farrow Like Us 2 2017
100. Fire and Sand by Louise Collins 3/14/24 3/14/24 108 pages Kindle Jake & Maddox Adrenaline Jake 3 2018
101. Guns and Shadows by Louise Collins 3/14/24 3/14/24 130 pages Kindle Jake & Maddox Adrenaline Jake 4 2018
102. Diamond in the Rough by Louise Collins 3/14/24 3/14/24 207 pages Kindle Jake & Maddox Adrenaline Jake 5 2019
103. #20DaystoLA by Tanya Chris 3/14/24 3/15/24 252 pages Braxton and Craig 2020
**abandoned Kept in the Dark by Charlie Cochet** 137 pages
104. Stealing the Silver Fox by Daniel May 3/15/24 3/16/24 170 pages Kindle Ezra and Tony Obsessed With Him 3 2023
105. No Angel by Daniel May 3/16/24 3/16/24 194 pages Kindle Enzo and Hill Obsessed With Him 4 2024
106. Christmas With The Billionaire by Amber Ridge 3/16/24 3/16/24 58 pages Kindle Wyatt and Drake Boy Next Door 5 2015
**abandoned My Chaos, His Calm by Romeo Alexander** 65 pages
107. My Brother's Best Friend by Aiden Bates and Ali Lyda 3/16/24 3/17/24 258 pages Kindle Jamie and Nico Caldwell Brothers 1 2020
**abandoned Touch and Go by Aiden Bates** 177 pages
**abandoned Alphas Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie 73 pages
108. The Flirty Vet by Casey Cox 3/17/24 3/18/24 401 pages Kindle Col and Wilby Vet Shop Boys Down Under 1 2024
109. Runaway by Casey Cox 3/18/24 3/19/24 260 pages Kindle Conrad and Jedfire Escape 2 2021
110. Conversation Hearts by Avon Gale 3/19/24 3/19/24 28 page short story Kindle Sinjin and Levi 2019
111. Learning to Feel by N.R. Walker 3/19/24 3/19/24 252 pages Kindle Nathan and Trent 2015
112. Old Acquaintance by Avon Gale 3/19/24 3/19/24 31 pages Kindle Andrew and Elias 2019
113. The Revenge Agenda by Saxon James 3/19/24 3/20/24 276 pages Kindle Rush and Hunter Accidental Love 3 2024
114. Alaskan Thunder by Nando Gray 3/20/24 3/21/24 104 pages Calvin and Zayne 2024
115. Without You by Marley Valentine 3/21/24 3/21/24 290 pages Kindle Deacon and Julian 2020
116. In the Eye of the Beholder by Dianna Roman 3/21/24 3/22/24 387 pages Kindle Daniel and Eric 2023
117. The Gentleman by Dianna Roman 3/22/24 3/23/24 257 pages Kindle Cameron and Pete 2024
118. You Again by Dianna Roman 3/23/24 3/24/25 262 pages Kindle Johnny and Aiden Men of Olympus 1 2022
119. A Minute More by Cora Rose 3/25/24 3/25/24 210 pages Kindle Wesley and Simon Timeless 1 2023
**abandoned Say I Do by Brea Alepoú and Skyler Snow** 170 pages
**abandoned Blu, My Protector by RS McKenzie** 156 pages
120. The Geographer's Library by Jon Fasman 1/26/24 3/27/24 15.5 hours audio book 2005
121. Hot Mess by Misha Horne 3/26/24 3/27/24 309 pages Kindle London and Erik 2020
122. Little Demon in the Details by Nordika Night 3/27/24 3/29/24 376 pages Kindle Blake and Mercer 2023
123. The Caretaker by C.P. Harris 3/29/24 3/29/24 265 pages Kindle Noon and Solace Infidelity 3 2024
124. Bad Boy by Emma Alcott 3/29/24 3/30/24 398 pages Kindle Colton and Russ Masters of Romance 1 2021
**abandoned Sweet Thing by Emma Alcott** 121 pages
**abandoned Picture Love by A.F. Zoelle** 149 pages
125. Wedding Bells by Peter Styles and J.P. Oliver 3/31/24 4/2/24 Kindle Sebastian and Matt Finding Shore 3 2018
126. Endless Stretch of Blue by Riley Hart 4/2/24 4/3/24 253 pages Kindle Enzo and Damon 2019
**abandoned Boss of Attraction by Kimberly Knight and Rachel Lyn Adams ** 51 pages
**Losing Control by Riley Hart Ben and Dante Broken Pieces 3 2015**48 pages
127. Monopolize Me by Evie Noir 4/4/24 4/5/24 468 pages Kindle Dakota and Lirio The New York Series 1 2020
128. Monopolize You by Evie Noir 4/5/24 4/6/24 479 pages Kindle Dakota and Lirio The New York Series 2 2021
129. The Secret Lives of CEOs by Joey Mayble 4/6/24 4/6/24 197 pages Kindle Max and Cameron Gay Awakenings 2
130. Monopolize Us by Evie Noir 4/7/24 4/9/24 499 pages Kindle Dakota and Lirio The New York Series 3 2022
131. Unforgettable by Marley Valentine 4/8/24 Kindle Oz and Reeve Vino and Veritas 18 2021
132. Secret Desires by Amber Ridge 4/10/24 4/10/24 34 pages Kindle Nicholas and Daniel Boy Next Door 4 2014
**abandoned White Noise by Lark Taylor ** 168 pages
133. To Have and to Hold: Taken by Abigail Kade 4/10/24 4/11/24 170 pages Kindle Worthy and Crow Criminal Delights 12 2019
134. Brazen Affairs by Ashley James 4/11/24 4/12/24 295 pages Kindle Vaughn and Camden Hidden Affairs 1 2023
135. Eden by Avon Gale and Emily Rossman 4/12/24 4/12/24 224 pages Kindle Rayne and Brandon 2022
136. RPF - When Fiction Gets A Little Too Real by M. Grano and C. Azzo 4/12/24 4/16/24 458 pages Kindle Sam and Levi 2024
**abandoned Drawn In By You by R.M. Neill** 106 pages way too precocious daughter, too angsty Travis, too much
137. Storm Clouds and Devastation by Ashley James 4/16/24 4/17/24 286 pages Kindle Bodhi and Jules Hidden Affairs 2 2023
**abandoned Embracing His Shame by Brigham Vaughn** 212 pages Kink okay, but Forrest's fear of relationships irrational and Jarod starts being interested.
138. Say My Name by Ashley James 4/18/24 4/19/24 308 pages Kindle Travis and Mateo 2023
139. Insatiable Hunger by Ashley James 4/17/24 4/18/24 340 pages Kindle Elias and Zeke Hidden Affairs 3 2023
140. Aftercare by Tanya Chris 4/18/24 4/19/24 211 pages Kindle Garrett and Aayan Ever After 1 2017
141. Aftershock by Tanya Chris 4/19/24 4/20/24 218 pages Kindle Garrett and Aayan Ever After 2 2017
142. Aftermath by Tanya Chris 4/19/24 4/20/24 236 pages Kindle Casey and Brooks Ever After 3 2019
143. Red Flags and Tuesdays by Nordika Night 4/20/24 4/21/24 251 pages Kindle Reid and Atticus Weekday Weirdos 1 2024
144. Professor Platonic by Lucy Lennox 4/21/24 4/21/24 42 pages Kindle Jack and River 2023
**abandoned Hired Hadley by Nora Phoenix** 211 pages To use a phrase seen most recently on Richard's thread: Couldn't be arsed.
**abandoned various and sundry** 50 pages
**abandoned An Immense World by Ed Yong** 144 pages I do not have the mental bandwidth for this and it's been 6 months
145. Out of the Office Romance by Twoony 4/22/24 4/24/24 536 pages Kindle Kade and Nolen AND Louis and Mason 2023
146. The House of Being by Natasha Trethewey 4/12/24 4/24/24 hardcover 77 pages 2024
**abandoned Blue's Boss by Candice Blake** 76 pages Ugh. Poor writing, too many shortcuts, ridiculous situations.
147. Six Feet Apart by 4/24/24 4/24/24 113 pages Alina Popescu and A L Bates Kindle Darius and Aadi 2020
**abandoned No Secrets by Nora Phoenix** 123 pages
148. Gentle Hands by Emily Buckley 4/24/24 4/25/24 159 pages Kindle Matthew and Tom Growing Pains 1 2020
149. Payback by Alexa Land Kindle 4/25/24 4/25/24 182 pages Kindle Malcolm and Daniel Firsts and Forever Stories 10 2023
150. Message Received 4/25/24 4/26/24 by D.K. Sutton 314 pages Kindle Ben and Sean Sloan Brothers Book 2 2023 my library call center, ben sub Sean dom trust fund
151. The Heir's Disgrace by August Jones 4/26/24 4/27/24 426 PAGES Kindle Drew and Ollivier Doormen of the Upper East Side 1 2024
152. Say Yes by Jen Samson 4/27/24 4/28/24 422 pages Kindle Colt and Sebastian 2022
153. For You, Sir by Emily Brandish 4/28/24 4/29/24 306 pages Kindle Jun and Einar 2023
154. Deep Under by Tanya Chris 4/29/24 4/29/24 47 pages Kindle Maddox and Jack Deep Under 1 2016
155. Back Under by Tanya Chris 4/29/24 4/29/24 47 pages Kindle Maddox and Jack Deep Under 1 2021
156. How to Shield an Assassin by AJ Sherwood 4/29/24 4/30/24 254 pages Kindle Ari and Carter Unholy Trifecta Book 1 2019
157. How to Steal a Thief by AJ Sherwood 4/30/24 5/1/24 197 pages Kindle Ivan and Aiden Unholy Trifecta Book 2 2020
**abandoned Finding Him by Chad Lane** 87 pages
**abandoned A Detached Raider by Ana Night** 50 pages
158. Dual Destruction by Kate Hawthorne 5/1/24 5/3/24 246 pages Kindle Sage and Golden Duality 1 2021
159. Hitman's Secret by MJ Red 5/6/24 5/6/24 32 pages Kindle Charles and Oliver 2021
**abandoned How to Hack a Hacker by AJ Sherwood** 132 pages
160. 10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall 5/7/24 5/9/24 386 pages Kindle Sam and Jonathan Material World 1 2023
**abandoned Hunter by M.C. Adams** 95 pages
**abandoned His Mafia Lover by Gabrielle Melo ** 33 pages
**abandoned A Christmas Reunion by Nic Starr ** 41 pages
161. Employing Patience by Saxon James 5/11/24 5/12/24 290 pages Kindle Art and Joey Divorced Men's Club 4 2023
162. Glory by Leo Rivers 5/12/24 5/12/24 81 pages Kindle Zach and Wyatt 2023
**abandoned Pretty Things by Devon McCormack ** 49 pages - already read it and only gave it 3*
163. Lights, Camera, Passion by Isabel Lucero 5/12/24 5/14/24 396 pages Kindle Jacoby and Roman 2024
164. A Mountain Man Walks into a Coffee Shop by Mal Trevino 5/14/24 5/15/24 81 pages Kindle Josiah and Lennon Harlow Mountain Men 1 2023
165. A Mountain Man Walks into a Library by Mal Trevino 5/15/24 5/15/24 81 pages Kindle Samuel and Remy Harlow Mountain Men 2 2023
166. A Mountain Man Walks Into His Brother's Best Friend by Mal Trevino 5/16/24 5/16/24 87 pages Kindle Noah and Gabriel Harlow Mountain Men 3 2023
167. Snowflake Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses by M.J. O'Shea 5/16/24 5/16/24 52 pages Kindle Toby and Cook 2023
**abandoned Touch Me Gently by J.R. Loveless** 102 pages Ugh. Just... ugh. Soppy, inexplicably gay for you, too many mentions of how feminine Kaden is
168. Nothing Special by Casey Cox 5/17/24 5/18/24 247 pages Kindle Benji and Darren 2022
169. When London Snow Falls by Hayden Stone 5/18/24 5/20/24 320 pages Kindle Charlie and Ben When Snow Falls 2 2022
170. Scandal by T. Ashleigh 5/20/24 5/22/24 197 pages Kindle Austin and Beckett Black Diamond 6 2023 too trope-y no explanations for certain things
171. Tripwrecked by A. Poland 5/22/24 5/23/24 311 pages Kindle Aiden and Finn 2022
172. Ambiguous by Leslie McAdam 5/23/24 5/24/24 286 pages Kindle Sam and Julian IOU 1 2022
**abandoned Thirst by Jaylen Florian** 56 pages
**abandoned Craving You by Avril Ashton** 100 pages
173. Studious by Leslie McAdam 5/24/24 5/25/24 248 pages Kindle Danny and Alden IOU 2 2022
174. Oblivious by Leslie McAdam 5/25/24 5/26/24 185 pages Kindle Noah and August IOU 3 2023
**abandoned Curious by Leslie McAdam** 150 pages
175. Unmanageable by Leslie McAdam 5/27/24 5/28/24 242 pages Kindle Scott and Luke In Vino Veritas 3 2022
176. Survive the Streets by Alex Timothy 5/29/24 5/30/24 264 pages Kindle Bailey and Gabriel Survive Series 1 2022
177. Survive the City by Alex Timothy 5/30/24 5/31/24 258 pages Kindle Bailey and Gabriel, Renée and Peyton Survive Series 2 2022
**abandoned The Gardener by Charles Reeza** 122 pages
**abandoned Twice Shy by Sally Malcolm** 136 pages
178. Too Hostile by Nicole Dykes 5/31/24 6/2/24 214 pages Kindle Fletcher and Ronan 2024
179. Greyson Fox by TL Travis 6/2/24 6/2/24 287 pages Kindle Greyson and Samuel Greyson Fox Saga 1 2019
180. The New Neighbor by Rye Cox 6/2/24 6/3/24 204 pages Kindle Caleb and Zack Corio Heights 1 2021
**abandoned The Obsession by Christie Gordon** 67 pages
181. The Law of Attraction by Jay Northcote 6/3/24 6/4/24 238 pages Kindle Alec and Ed 2016
182. Like a Lover by Jay Northcote 6/4/24 6/4/24 193 pages Kindle Josh and Rupert Housemates 2 2015
183. A Betting Man by Sandrine Gasq-Dion 6/4/24 6/4/24 158 pages Kindle Kent and Terry Men of Manhattan 1 2017
**abandoned The Cocky Neighbor by Rye Cox** 120 pages
184. Just a Bit Heartless by Alessandra Hazard 6/5/24 6/6/24 224 pages Kindle Jordan and Damiano Straight Guys 13 2022
185. Himbo by Emmy Sanders 6/6/24 6/7/24 296 pages Kindle Cas and Jason Elite 8 Studios 6 2023
186. Right-Hand Man by T.S. Ankney 6/7/24 6/7/24 112 pages Kindle Eli and Dante Hot Take 1 2022
187. I've Been Careless With a Delicate Thing by Marina Vivancos 6/7/24 6/7/24 99 pages Kindle Silas and Oscar
188. Truth By His Hand by Casey Cameron 6/7/24 6/9/24 402 pages Kindle River and Ellison 2017
189. Submission by by Jodi Payne and Chris Owen 6/9/24 6/10/24 318 pages Kindle Tobias and Noah Deviations 1 2019
190. These Monstrous Deeds by TJ Hamel 6/10/24 6/11/24 435 pages Kindle Carter and Nathan/Travis Monstrous Deeds 1 2021
191. A Dangerous Game by TJ Hamel 6/11/24 6/12/24 325 pages Kindle Carter and Nathan/Travis Monstrous Deeds 2 2022
192. One Last Time by TJ Hamel 6/12/24 6/13/24 354 pages Kindle Carter and Travis Monstrous Deeds 3 2023
193. Drown in You by TJ Hamel aka Taylor McNiff 6/13/24 6/14/24 557 pages Kindle Casey and Jake Monstrous Survivors 1 2023
**abandoned Domination by Jodi Payne and Chris Owen** 189 pages
**abandoned Cold Hard Cash by KL Hiers** 143 pages
**abandoned An Unlocked Heart by KC Wells** 218 pages
194. Heat by TL Travis 6/15/24 6/15/24 227 pages Kindle Daughtry and Campbell 2022 one skeeter shy of a blood transfusion
195. Craving the Chase by Syn Blackrose 6/15/24 6/15/24 264 pages Kindle Noah and Chase 2024
196. You've Got Male by DJ Jamison 6/16/24 6/17/24 164 pages Kindle Chase and Austin Rom-Com Reboot 2 2024
197. Where There's a Wil, There's a Way by PT Ambler 6/17/24 6/17/24 264 pages Kindle Rhys and Wil Duly Domesticated 1 2024
**abandoned Heart Trouble by DJ Jamison** 59 pages
198. Splintered by SJD Peterson 6/18/24 6/19/24 196 pages Kindle Hutch and Noah 2016
199. Under the Alpenglow by TH Compton 6/19/24 6/19/24 151 pages Kindle Elijah and Nyx Love Abroad 8 2023
200. The Truth In My Lies by LA Witt 6/19/24 6/20/24 294 pages Kindle Seth and Brandon 2024 purchased
201. Stealing His Heart by Marina Lander 6/20/24 6/20/24 43 pages Kindle Antonio and Eric 2017
202. Just a Taste by Briar Prescott 6/20/24 6/22/24 351 pages Kindle Lake and Ryker 2024
203. My Best Friend's Secret by Romeo Alexander 6/22/24 6/22/24 297 pages Kindle Adam and Bennett Men of Fairlake 1 2023
204. Attraction by Carly Marie 6/22/24 6/23/24 354 pages Kindle Dexter and James Undisclosed 3 2020
205. Stalked But Not Afraid by Nicole Dykes 6/23/24 6/24/25 196 pages Kindle Roman and Brooks Spark of Hope 2 2020
206. The Bouncer by Heath Grayson 6/24/24 6/25/24 291 pages Kindle Blake and Kane But We're Bros! 1 2023
**abandoned Nathan by Carly Marie** 198 pages family BDSM club including grandma, eliot immediately telling Austin he's gay after 35 years in the closet and etc.
**abandoned Hit or Miss, to Kill or Kiss by Romeo Alexander** 53 pages
**abandoned Free Fall by Kathryn Nolan** 141 pages
207. Mr. Right Now by Ilsa Olsen 6/26/24 6/27/24 190 pages Kindle Drew and Sullivan Suits & Sevens 2 2021
208. The Redemption of Roman by T. Ashleigh 6/27/24 6/28/24 348 pages Kindle Alex and Roman 2022
209. Under Your Skin by Lee McCormick 6/28/24 6/29/24 370 pages Kindle Levi and Jonah 2024
210. Fen by Barbara Elsborg 6/29/24 6/30/24 395 pages Kindle Fen and Ripley 2024
211. Work: Strictly Professional by Jesse H Reign 7/1/24 7/2/24 284 pages Kindle Wyn and Derek Bad Decisions 2 2024
212. The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin by Gordon S. Wood 4/1/24 7/2/24 audio book 10 1/2 hours
**abandoned Let Me Show You by Becca Seymour** 74 pages
213. Twisted Rivalry by Devon McCormack 7/2/24 7/3/24 316 pages Kindle Jonas and Ryan 2024
**abandoned First Comes Marriage by Shira Anthony** 144 pages
214. Ignite by Abigail Glenn 7/3/24 7/4/24 317 pages Kindle Ezra and Cain Sinro Enterprises 1 2024
**abandoned Fool's Spring by Roe Horvat** 141 pages
215. Salt by Fearne Hill 7/4/24 7/4/24 268 pages Kindle Florian and Charles Island Love 1 2024
**abandoned Forsaken by Sloane Kennedy** 120 pages
216. Notorious by Leslie McAdam 7/5/24 7/7/24 358 pages Kindle Johnny and Kurt IOU 5 2024
217. Marked by the Omega by Ashe Moon 7/7/24 7/7/24 258 pages Kindle Mason and Christophe Luna Brothers 3 2017
**abandoned Brushed with Love by Fearne Hill** 164 pages
218. Dangerously Happy by Varian Krylov 7/7/24 7/7/24 213 pages Kindle Adrian and Dario Fault Lines 1 2014
219. Bad Things by Varian Krylov 7/8/24 7/9/24 380 pages Kindle Xavi and Carson Fault Lines 2 2024
220. P.S. I Loathe You by Isla Olsen 7/9/24 7/10/24 276 pages Kindle Wes and Devon 2022
221. The Good Boy by Lisa Henry and JA Rock 7/10/24 7/11/24 330 pages Kindle Lane and Derek The Boy 1 2021
**abandoned By His Rules by JA Rock** 170 pages
222. Among the Living by Jordan Castillo Price 7/11/24 7/12/24 143 pages Kindle Victor and Jacob PsyCop 1 2009
223. Criss Cross by Jordan Castillo Price 7/12/24 7/13/24 149 pages Kindle Victor and Jacob PsyCop 2 2009
224. Body and Soul by Jordan Castillo Price 7/13/24 7/13/24 158 pages Kindle Victor and Jacob PsyCop 3 2009
225. Secrets by Jordan Castillo Price 7/13/24 7/14/24 200 pages Kindle Victor and Jacob PsyCop 4 2009
226. Camp Hell by Jordan Castillo Price 7/14/24 7/15/24 246 pages Kindle Victor and Jacob PsyCop 5 2009
227. GhosTV by Jordan Castillo Price 7/15/24 7/18/24 330 pages Kindle Victor and Jacob PsyCop 6 2011
228. Slippery Creatures by KJ Charles 7/18/24 7/19/24 248 pages Kindle Will and Kim The Will Darling Adventures 1 2020
229. The Sugared Game by KJ Charles 7/19/24 7/20/24 268 pages Kindle Will and Kim The Will Darling Adventures 2 2020
**abandoned Sapphire Sunset by C Travis Rice** 170 pages trite, predictable, stupid actions, weird plot
230. Subtle Blood by KJ Charles 7/20/24 7/21/24 274 pages Kindle Will and Kim The Will Darling Adventures 3 2021
231. Married to His Marshal by Shiloh Swift 7/21/24 7/22/24 87 pages Kindle Benoit and Nicky His Blue Collar Man 5 2023
**abandoned Ancient History by AJ Truman** 77 pages
232. Rehearsal with my Groom-to-be-Boss by MM Angeles 7/23/24 7/23/24 26 pages Kindle Colton and Billy Dirty with My Boss 6 2023
233. Filthy Sweet by R Cayden 7/23/24 7/24/24 217 pages Kindle Owen and Fox Love Unexpected 1 2021
234. Second Chance at First Love by NR Walker 7/24/24 7/24/24 88 pages Kindle Paul and Derek The Storm Boys 0 2023
**abandoned New Tricks by Jodi Payne** 164 pages
**abandoned Guarding His Heart by R Cayden** 88 pages
235. Cryptic by Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga 7/24/24 7/25/24 175 pages Kindle Derek and Matt Puzzles 1 2021
236. Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by The Countess of Carnarvon 7/15/24 7/26/24 audiobook 8 hours narrated by Wanda McCaddon 2012
237. Mine to Hold by Sullyn Shaw 7/27/24 7/27/24 79 pages Kindle Brohm and Draven 2023
238. The Amazing Alpha Tau Boyfriend Project by Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey 7/27/24 7/28/24 Kindle Archer and Eli Alpha Tau 1 2023
**abandoned Boss of Attraction by Kimberly Knight** 62 pages
**abandoned Blue Harbor Billionaire by Declan Rhodes** 29 pages
**abandoned Dominated: His Rough Protector by Jamie Harlock** 107 pages
**abandoned The Time-Out by Vinni George** 89 pages
**abandoned Filthy and the Beast by R Cayden** 104 pages
239. Wobble by Becca Seymour 7/28/24 7/29/24 60 pages (?) Kindle Cory and Eric Outback Boys 1 2023
240. The Harder We Fall by Rebecca Raine 7/29/24 7/29/24 254 pages Kindle Tristan and Sam 2021
241. Skeletons in the Closet by Nicky James 7/29/24 7/31/24 360 pages Kindle Tal and Diem Shadowy Solutions 1 2024
**abandoned The Hitman Vs Cade: Complete by Maddox Auheim** 53 pages
**abandoned Chokehold by Leigh Rivers** 281 pages
242. Broken by Nicola Haken 7/31/24 8/2/24 329 pages Kindle Theodore and James 2016
243. The Upside of Irrationality: The Unexpected Benefits of Defying Logic at Work and at Home by Dan Ariely read by Simon Jones 7/27/24 8/2/24 9 hours audio book
244. Brutal Souls by Quell T. Fox 8/2/24 8/4/24 395 pages Kindle Justin and Sevastian Dark Hearts 1 2024
245. Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg 8/4/24 8/4/24 28 pages hardcover
246. Ginger Snapping All The Way by Gabbi Grey 8/4/24 8/4/24 267 pages Kindle Maddox and Ravi Love In Mission City 1 2021
247. Marrying Mr. Majestic by Lucy Lennox 8/4/24 8/5/24 286 pages Kindle Waylon and Silas 2024
**abandoned Three Ties to Bind by Michelle Dare** 135 pages
**abandoned Time for Love by Laura N. Andrews** 84 pages
**abandoned First Comes Marriage by Shira Anthony** 101 pages
**abandoned Forever You: Trade Me by Laura N. Andrews** 44 pages
**abandoned The Cowboy and the Barista by SC Wynne** 41 pages
**abandoned All The Broken Pieces by Rebecca Raine** 46 pages
248. The Sweetheart Quest by Jacy Braegan 8/7/24 8/8/24 167 pages Kindle Rhodes and Trevor Sweetheart Escapes 4 2023
249. Deadly Little Sparrow by K.M. Neuhold 283 pages 8/8/24 8/8/24 283 pages Kindle Xaviaro and Sparrow Mafia Bound 1 2024
250. Ace in the Hole by Ava Drake 8/5/24 8/09/24 5.75 hours Audible audio book narrated by John Solo Christian and Stone Wild Cards 1 2016
251. Protecting the Nerd by Nora Phoenix 8/9/24 8/9/24 296 pages Kindle York and Quillon Forestville Silverfoxes 4 2024
252. One More Night by Charlie Novak 8/11/24 8/11/24 40 pages Kindle Jack and Harry 2020
253. Diamonds in the Rough by Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga 8/11/24 8/12/24 223 pages Kindle Ash and Sebastian On the Ranch 3 2024
254. Seven-Card Stud by Ava Drake 8/10/24 8/13/24 6.5 hours Audible audio book narrated by John Solo Collin and Oliver Wild Cards 2 2016
255. First Rodeo by Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga 8/12/24 8/13/24 293 pages Kindle Sam and Thomas The Cowboy and the Dom 1 2020
**abandoned Too Close to the Flame by Ryan Taylor** 100 pages
**abandoned The Billionaire: The Portland Protectors by Emerson Beckett and Rheland Richmond** 150 pages
256. Silver Buckle Linings by BA Tortuga 8/14/24 8/15/24 238 pages Kindle Benji and Sterling 2024
**abandoned The Silencer by Cora Rose** 163 pages
257. Snow on the Roof by Sean Ashcroft 8/16/24 8/17/24 201 pages Kindle Grant and Sunny 2017
258. Make Me Burn by Avril Ashton 8/17/24 8/17/24 90 pages Kindle Wes and Jayce The Make Me Series 2 2018
259. Make Me Blaze by Avril Ashton 8/17/24 8/17/24 101 pages Kindle Dominic and Siva The Make Me Series 3 2018
260. The Substitute by Sean Ashcroft 8/17/24 8/17/24 253 pages Kindle Flynn and Zach 2018
261. Christmas Bubble by Ana Ashley 8/17/14 8/17/24 254 pages Kindle Coach and Bubble 2022
262. Under His Name by MA Grant 8/17/24 8/18/24 179 pages Kindle Sam and Nicholas Accidentally Undercover 5 2024
263. Under the Radar by Linden Bell 8/18/24 8/18/24 213 pages Kindle Logan and Jared Accidentally Undercover 6 2024
264. The Law of Seduction by MM Phoenix 8/18/24 8/19/24 243 pages Kindle Nate and Ethan Suit Up 1 2024
265. High Balls by Tara Lain 8/19/24 8/19/24 8/20/24 196 pages Kindle Theodore and Snake Balls to the Wall 5 2020
266. Snow Balls by Tara Lain 8/20/24 8/20/24 134 pages Kindle JJ and Ryan Balls to the Wall 6 2020
267. All In by Ava Drake 8/14/24 6 hours Audible audio book narrated by John Solo Zane and Sebastian Wild Cards 3 2017
268. Partnership by Valerie Vaughn 8/20/24 8/22/24 212 pages Kindle Syler and Arthur Covert Affairs 1 2020
269. Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts by Charlie Cochet 8/22/24 8/22/24 112 pages Kindle Quinn and Spencer Four Kings Security Universe Novellas 1 2020
270. A Very Gay Dare by MM Phoenix 8/23/24 8/23/24 49 pages Kindle Shawn and Justin Curious 1 2022
271. Just for Tonight by MM Phoenix 8/23/24 8/23/24 20 pages Kindle Sander and sub, not named Curious 3 2021
272. Modern Warfare by Valerie Vaughn 8/23/24 8/24/24 194 pages Kindle Syler and Arthur Covert Affairs 2 2020
**abandoned Employing Patience by Saxon James** 257 pages, actually read and finished it in May. sheesh.
273. Pretty Policeman by Fifer Rose 8/22/24 8/25/24 391 pages Kindle Micah and Damon Pretty Policeman 1 2022

Currently Reading:

Who Wrote the Bible? by Richard Elliott Friedman 7/20/24 trade paperback 1987
Before You Break by KC Wells and Parker Williams 13.5 hours Audible Audio book narrated by Joel Leslie Ellis and Warren 2018

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt hardcover 355 pages 2022
North Woods by Daniel Mason 1/6/24 Hardcover 372 pages 2023
The Federalist edited by Jacob E. Cooke 5/28/22 656 pages hardcover 1961

adds - 337 last year

1. Thrift Shop - How to Give Up Plastic by Will McCallum
2. Thrift Shop - Worth Dying For by Lee Child - hardcover upgrade for mass market paperback
3. Thrift Shop - Hieroglyphics by Jill McCorcle
4. Thrift Shop - The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni
5. Thrift Shop - Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
6. my catalog - readded so net 0 with cull, below: Foreigner by C.J. Cherryh
7. brought back into my catalog - The Complete Vampire Chronicles: The Tale of the Body Thief, the Queen of the Damned, the Vampire Lestat, Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice
8. Kindle - Where Forever Started by Barbara Elsborg
9. Amazon - Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat because I had to have a book by someone with that name
10. Kindle - Assassins Are People Too by S.C. Wynne
11. Kindle - Assassins Love People Too by S.C. Wynne
12. Kindle - Assassins Save People Too by S.C. Wynne
13. Amazon - The Complete Tutankhamun by Nicholas Reeves
14. Kindle - Trapped for the Holidays by Courtney W. Dixon
15. McIntyre's - Sacred Altars by Anne Strand
16. McIntyre's - On Digital Advocacy by Katie Boue
17. McIntyre's - A Line in the Sand by Kevin Powers
18. McIntyre's - Son of the Old West by Nathan Ward
19. McIntyre's - Boundaries and Protection by Pixie Lighthorse
20. McIntyre's - The Plague by Albert Camus
21. McIntyre's - Transient and Strange by Nell Greenfieldboyce
22. McIntyre's - Building a Better Boomer by Neil Offen
23. McIntyre's - Please Unsubscribe, Thanks! by Julio Vincent Bambuto
24. McIntyre's - The Apple in the Dark by Clarice Lispector
25. McIntyre's - Nuts & Bolts by Roma Agrawal
26. McIntyre's - Longstreet by Elizabeth Varon
27. Kindle - Crashing Upwards by S.C. Wynne
28. Kindle - If I Met You First by A.B. Julian
29. Amazon - The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of the Whole World by Matt Kracht
30. Amazon - The Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2023 edited by Amor Towles
31. Amazon - Random in Death by J.D. Robb
32. Amazon - The Secret by Lee Child and Andrew Child
33. Kindle - A Case of Conscience by James Blish
34. Kindle - A Lesson in Thorns by Sierra Simone - rec by elorin/Robyn
35. Louise - Stokes Field Guide to Bird Songs by Lang Elliott with Donald and Louise Stokes - audio book
36. FoCCL - The New York Times Complete Civil War edited by Harold Holzer & Craig L. Symonds
37. FoCCL - The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
38. U of Chicago Press - Giza and the Pyramids: The Definitive History by Mrk Lehner and Zahi Hawass
39. Amazon - Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma by Claire Dederer
40. Kindle - Losing Control by Riley Hart
41. Kindle - Monopolize Me by Evie Noir The New York Series Book 2
42. FoCCL - S24 The Essential Kabbalah by Daniel C. Matt
43. FoCCL - S24 Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography by John Dominic Crossan
44. FoCCL - S24 Just Because They've Left Doesn't Mean They're Gone by Stephen A. Bly
45. Kindle - Monopolize Us by Evie Noir The New York Series book 3
46. Kindle - Monopolize You by Evie Noir The New York Series 2
47. FoCCL - Tenth of December by George Saunders
48. FoCCL - The Holy Bible Containing the Old Testament in The Confraternity - Douay Texts and the Entire New Testament in the Confraternity Translation 1959
49. Amazon - The House of Being by Natasha Trethewey
50. FoCCL - Roman Britain by H.H. Scullard
51. FoCCL - What's a Christian to do with Harry Pottery by Connie Neal
52. FoCCL - Androgynous Judaism by Jacob Neusner
52. FoCCL - Citizens of London by Lynne Olson
53. FoCCL - The United States, a Modern History, 2 volumes. U.S. History To 1865 and U.S. History Since 1865 by Michael Kraus and Foster Rhea Dulles
54. FoCCL - Unlucky for Some by Jill McGown
55. FoCCL - Acid Row by Minette Walters
56. FoCCL - Sanctuary by William Faulkner
57. FoCCL - Light in August by William Faulkner
58 - 100. FoCCL - Great Books of the Western World 43 of 54 books, 1952 edition
101. Kindle - The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock and Other Poems by T.S. Eliot
102. Amazon - The Huguenots or The Early French in New Jersey by Albert F. Koehler
103. Kindle - Finding Him by Chad Lane
104. Kindle - Message Received by D.K. Sutton
105. Kindle - Payback by Avery Mist
106. Kindle - Waiting, Hoping, Wishing by Nic Sparks
107. Kindle - 10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall
108. Amazon - Better the Blood by Michael Bennett
109. Kindle - Thirst by Jaylen Florian
110. Kindle - Long Winter by Rachel Ember
111. Kindle - A Betting Man by Sandrine Gasq-Dion
112. Amazon - The Behavioral Code: The Hidden Ways the Law Makes Us Better . or Worse by Benjamin van Rooij
113. Kindle - Submission by Chris Owen and Jodi Payne
114. Kindle - Domination by Chris Owen and Jodi Payne
115. Kindle First Reads - A Clean Kill by Steve Konkoly
116. Amazon - The Great Gelatin Revival: Savory Aspics, Jiggly Shots, and Outrageous Desserts by Ken Albala
117. Amazon - Jellies & Their Moulds by Peter Brears
118. Kindle - The Truth In My Lies by L.A. Witt
119. FoCCL - Wanderings by Chaim Potok
120. FoCCL - Complete Works of Oscar Wilde
121. FoCCL - Blowout by Rachel Maddow
122. Amazon - Devil is Fine by John Vercher
123. Sister Laura - Kindle - Yellowface by R. F. Kuang
124. Sister Laura - Kindle - North Woods by Daniel Mason
125. Friend Karen - Cauliflower: Over 70 Exciting Ways to Roast, Rice and Fry One of the World's Healthiest Vegetables by Oz Telem
126. Friend Karen - Historical Dictionary of Librarianship by Mary Ellen Quinn
127. Amazon - Testosterone Rex by Cordelia Fine - in honor of Anita, @fameulstee
128. Amazon - The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson
129. Hwan - Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers
130. Kindle - Slippery Creatures by KJ Charles
131. Amazon - Selected Works by Franz Kafka
132. Kindle - P.S. I Loathe You by Isla Olsen
133. Kindle - Table for Two by Amor Towles
134. FoCCL - The First American by HW Brands
135. FoCCL - Prayers for Peace compiled by B. Martin Pedersen
136. FoCCL - Salvation by Sholem Asch
137. FoCCL - The Last Album: Eyes from the Ashes of Aschwitz-Birkenau by Ann Weiss
138. Amazon - Dinosaurs by Lydia Millet
139. FoCCL - The Pocket Pema Chödrön
140. FoCCL - Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
141. FoCCL - The Book of Delights by Ross Gay
142. FoCCL - The Wall by John Hershey
143. eBay - Safari: A Chronicle of Adventure by Bartle Bull
144. ebay - *April* Great Books of the Western World volume 5
145. Amazon - James by Percival Everett
146. Amazon - Overstory by Richard Powers
147. Amazon - The Good Lord Bird by James McBride
148. Amazon - Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
149. Amazon - Knife by Salman Rushdie
150. re-add from stacks of childrens' books - Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
151. FoCCL - The Forgetting Room by Nick Bantock
152. FoCCL - The Upside of Irrationality by Dan Ariely
153. Kindle - What Binds Us Here by M.H. Auheim
154. Amazon - What the Bees See - Photographs by Craig P. Burrows
155. Kindle - The Rest of Forever by Kate Aaron
156. Kindle - I Hear They Burn for Murder by JL Aarne
157. Audible - Misbelief by Dan Ariely
158. Audible - Ace in the Hole by Ava Drake

159. FoCCL - Running the Amazon by Joe Kane
160. FoCCL - The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
161. FoCCL - JFK from Parkland to Bethesda by Vincent Palamara
162. FoCCL - Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers
163. FoCCL - The Inheritance: Poisoned Fruit of JFK's Assassination by Christopher Fulton and Michelle Fulton
164. FoCCL - French Quarter Fiction: The Newest Stories of America's Oldest Bohemia edited by Joshua Clark
165. FoCCL - Tar Heels: Five Points in the Record of North Carolina by North Carolina Literary and Historical Society
166. FoCCL - Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
167. FoCCL - What Really Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton, narrated by same
168. McIntyre's Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem
169. FoCCL - The Echo Maker by Richard Powers
170. FoCCL - Eight Detectives by Alex Pavesi
171. FoCCL - Hercule Poirot's Silent Night by Sophie Hannah
172. Audible - Seven Card Stud by Ava Drake
173. Kindle - The Night Will Have Its Say by Ibrahim Al-Koni
174. Amazon - The Mystery of Three Quarters by Sophie Hannah
175. Amazon - The Killings at Kingfisher Hill by Sophie Hannah
176. Kindle - My Fake Billionaire by Ana Ashley
177. FoCCL - The Origins of Intellect: Piaget's Theory by John L Phillips
178. co-opted from Jenna - The Mabinogion by Sioned Davies
179. co-opted from Jenna - Disease and History by Frederick Cartwright
180. co-opted from Jenna - The Remington Historical Treasury of American Guns by Harold L Peterson
181. FoCCL - Once Upon a War: Women in War by Dixie Swanson
182. Kindle - Counsel Culture by Hye-jin Kim translated by Jamie Chang

culls - 64 last year

1. Grant by Ron Chernow - CDs
2. How to Read and Understand Shakespeare by Professor Marc C. Conner - DVDs
3. The History of the Supreme Court by Professor Peter Irons - DVDs
4. Shakespeare's Tragedies by Professor Clare R. Kinney - DVDs
5. Terror of History by Professor Teofilo F. Ruiz - audio CDs
6. Great Artists of the Italian Renaissance by Professor William Kloss - DVDs
7. The History of Ancient Egypt by Professor Bob Brier DVDs
8. Dreams of My Father by Barack Obama - CDs
9. Fairy Tales for Angry Little Girls by Lela Lee
10. The God Dog Connection by Marti Healy dogs - ugh
11. Nothin' But Good Times Ahead by Molly Ivins - duplicate
12. The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters

***mass market paperbacks - small print, tanned, not interested in any more, etc.***
13. The Age of Innocence by Wharton, Edith
14. False Impression by Archer, Jeffrey
15. Deep Storm by Child, Lincoln
16. Cat O'Nine Tales: And Other Stories by Archer, Jeffrey
17. Atonement by Mcewan, Ian
18. Faithless by Slaughter, Karin
19. Fatal Burn by Jackson, Lisa
20. At The Stroke Of Madness by Kava, Alex
21. Eden Burning by Lowell, Elizabeth
22. Don't Scream by Staub, Wendy Corsi
23. The Rebel Angels by Davies, Robertson
24. Sphere by Crichton, Michael
25. The Making of the President 1960 by White, Theodore H.
26. Beauty and the Beast by Howell, Hannah
27. The Program by White, Stephen
28. Travels by Crichton, Michael
29. Foreigner by Cherryh, C. J.
30. World of Wonders by Davies, Robertson
31. I Know This Much Is True by Lamb, Wally
32. The Four Feathers by Mason, A.E.W.
33. The Next Accident by Gardner, Lisa
34. The Third Victim by Gardner, Lisa
35. The Survivors Club by Gardner, Lisa
36. The Key to Rebecca by Follett, Ken
37. Perdido Street Station by Mieville, China
38. The Broom of the System by Wallace, David Foster
39. Death's Door by Sawyer, Meryl
40. Why Aren't They Screaming? by Smith, Joan
41. Malice Domestic by Hardwick, Mollie
42. The Sculptress by Walters, Minette
43. Cold Allies by Anthony, Patricia
44. The Divide by Evans, Nicholas
45. A Knife to Remember by Churchill, Jill
46. Sullivan's Evidence by Rosenberg, Nancy Taylor
47. The Times We Had : Life with William Randolph Hearst by Davies, Marion
48. Beneath the Skin by French, Nicci
49. The Winter of Our Discontent by Steinbeck, John
50. Travels with Charley by Steinbeck, John
51. Blind Justice by Alexander, Bruce
52. The Daily Jane Austen: A Year of Quotes by Austen, Jane
53. A Regency Christmas 6 by Balogh, Mary
54. Someone Perfect by Balogh, Mary
55. The End of the Road by Barth, John
56. A Seer Out of Season: The Life Of Edgar Cayce by Bro, Harmon H.
57. After the Storm by Castillo, Linda
58. Among the Wicked by Castillo, Linda
59. Down a Dark Road by Castillo, Linda
60. Her Last Breath by Castillo, Linda
61. Shamed by Castillo, Linda
62. Victory by Conrad, Joseph
63. The Last Plantagenets by Costain, Thomas Bertram
64. The Manticore by Davies, Robertson
65. May We Borrow Your Husband?: And Other Comedies of the Sexual Life by Greene, Graham
66. Fever Season by Hambly, Barbara
67. Traveling with the Dead by Hambly, Barbara
68. To Die For by Howard, Linda
69. Mortal Fear by Iles, Greg
70. A Dangerous Man:: A Novel of William Wild Bill Longley by Johnstone, William W.
71. The Ritual Bath by Kellerman, Faye
72. A Grave Talent by King, Laurie R.
73. Night Work by King, Laurie R.
74. O Jerusalem by King, Laurie R.
75. The Miernik Dossier by McCarry, Charles
76. Tularosa by McGarrity, Michael
77. The President's Shadow by Meltzer, Brad
78. Ice Hunt by Rollins, James
79. Bury the Lead by Rosenfelt, David
80. First Degree by Rosenfelt, David
81. Open and Shut by Rosenfelt, David
82. Angle of Repose by Stegner, Wallace
83. Last Breath by Stewart, Mariah
84. The Hellfire Club by Straub, Peter
85. An Autobiography by Trollope, Anthony
86. He Knew He Was Right by Trollope, Anthony
87. Rachel Ray by Trollope, Anthony
88. Why Frau Frohmann Raised Her Prices and Other Stories by Trollope, Anthony
89. Kristin Lavransdatter I: The Bridal Wreath by Undset, Sigrid
90. Kristin Lavransdatter II: The Mistress of Husaby by Undset, Sigrid
91. Kristin Lavransdatter III: The Cross by Undset, Sigrid
92. The Ringer by Wallace, Edgar
93. Back Home by Mauldin, Bill

While looking for a book on shelf L46 to read for the tribute to Julia, I found Proust and Trollope and decided that I'm going to deaccession almost everything I have by each author. None of them are of the quality I want, and if I decide to read these authors, I'll acquire paper copies or Kindle versions that are easier to read.

Trollope
94. Barchester Towers & the Last Warden
95. The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope
96. The Vicar of Bullhampton
97. The American Senator
98. The Claverings

Proust
99. The Captive
100. Cities of the Plain
101. Within a Budding Grove
102. The Sweet Cheat Gone
103. The Past Recaptured
104. The Guermantes Way

...
105. The book of Unusual Knowledge by Publications International, LTD.
106. The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig
107. Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris
108. More Letters from Pemberley by Jane Dawkins
109. Five Victorian Ghost Novels edited by E.F. Bleiler
110. The Preacher by Camilla Lackberg
111. What's Bred in the Bone by Robertson Davies
112. Counterparts by Gonzalo Lira
113. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
114. These Three Remain by Pamela Aidan
115. The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant
116. Parting the Curtains Interviews by Dannye Romine Powell
117. Into Africa by Martin Dugard
118. Luka and the Fire of Life by Salman Rushdie
119. Back to Blood by Tom Wolfe
120. The Source by James Michener - copy bought, then decided to give to Irene. I have 2 or three others on my shelves

while looking for two by Alice Hoffman to deccession, I found these I don't want any more:

121. The Moor by Laurie R. King
122. Victorians at Home by Susan Lasdun
123. Here on Earth by Alice Hoffman
124. Thomas Jefferson: A Biography in His Own Words
125. Mr. Jefferson's Lost Cause by Roger G. Kennedy
126. The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman

and back to our regular programming, although with heightened awareness of what I want to not keep on my shelves
127. Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen - audio book
128. Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
129. Norwegian Night by Derek B. Miller
130. Fields for President by W.C. Fields
131. The Longevity Plan by Dr. John D. Day and Jane Ann Day
132. The Love-Girl and the Innocent: Victory Celebrations: Prisoners by Alexander Solzhenitsyn
133. Midnight Rising by Tony Horwitz - yellowed trade paperback - would read better condition copy
134. The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh - will never read
135. The Janissary Tree by Jason Goodwin - will never read
136. Julie & Julia by Julie Powell - will never read although I loved the movie
137. Are You Somebody by Nuala O'Faolain - will never read, don't know why i bought it
138. Blood, Tears, and Folly by Len Deighton - WWII history that I will never read
139. The Darkest Hour by Tony Scumacher - WWII fiction, not my cuppa
140. The Domino Men by Jonathan Barnes
141. Personal History by Katharine Graham
142. Everyman by Philip Roth
143. The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint by Brady Udall
144. No More Words : A Journal of My Mother, Anne Morrow Lindbergh by Reeve Lindbergh
145. A Room With A View and Howards End by E.M. Forster - mass market paperback, yellowed

2024 Inventory
146. S01 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse by JJ Smith
147. S02 The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy
148. S02 The Time of Terror by Seth Hunter
149. S02 The American Spectator's Enemies List by P.J. O'Rourke
150. S02 The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
151. S02 Confessions of an Actor: An Autobiography by Laurence Olivier
152. S03 Musical Stages: An Autobiography by Richard Rodgers
153. S03 The Cunning Man by Robertson Davies
154. S03 Colony Girl by Thomas Rayfiel
155. S04 It's Always the Husband by Michele Campbell
156. S04 Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA by Ellen Meister
157. S04 The God of the Hive by Laurie R. King
158. S04 The Darcy Connection by Elizabeth Aston
159. S04 Mr. Darcy's Daughters by Elizabeth Aston
160. S04 The Second Mrs. Darcy by Elizabeth Aston
161. S04 The Exploits & Adventures of Miss Alethea Darcy by Elizabeth Aston
162. S04 The True Darcy Spirit by Elizabeth Aston
163. S04 The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen by Syrie James

Not Inventory, read, culled
164. The Geographer's Library by Jon Fasman

2024 Inventory
165. S17 Nice Guys Finish Last by Leo Durocher
166. S17 The Lyre of Orpheus
167. S24 The Marx Sisters by Barry Maitland - duplicate
00 Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow - given to Stasia last year (?)
168. S26 No Angel by Penny Vincenzi

Just because
169. L80 The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller
170. L86 Killer View by Ridley Pearson

171. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
172. The Racketeer by John Grisham
173. Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham
174. Angel Rogue by Mary Jo Putney

175. L24 Third Degree by Greg Iles
176. L33 Writing And Fighting the Civil War: Soldier Correspondence to the New York Sunday Mercury by William B. Styple - giving to friend Karen
177. The Commoner by John Burnham Schwartz
178. The Water's Edge by Karin Fossum
179. The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin by Gordon S. Wood - audio book
180. The Upside of Irrationality by Dan Ariely

YTD Statistics through June

210 books read
2 of them on my shelves before 1/1/24 and not rereads
57 books abandoned, 6827 pages abandoned, 1 audiobook, .45 hours abandoned

27 audiobook hours

Avg pages read per day, YTD = 331
Avg pages read per book, YTD = 286

Book of the Month: Fen by Barbara Elsborg

Books by Month
January - 46 e-books, 1 audio book, 1 Graphic Novel, and 9 books abandoned for 1711 pages
February - 37 e-books and 8 books abandoned for 1058 pages
March - 38 e-books, 1 audio book, and 7 books abandoned for 899 pages
April - 31 e-books, 1 hard cover, and 11 books abandoned for 1338 pages
May - 21 e-books, and 13 books abandoned for 1153 pages
June - 33 e-books, and 9 books abandoned for 1188 pages

Author
Male 9%
Female 78%
Undeclared * 9%
Non-Binary 4%
* - can't find any info anywhere

Living 100%
Dead 0%

US Born 46%
Foreign Born 19%
Undeclared * 35%
* - can't find any info anywhere

Platform
Hardcover 1%
Trade Pback 0%
Mass Market 0%
Audiobook 1%
e-Book 98%

Source
My Library 6%
Library 0%
Kindle Unlimited 94%
Borrowed 0%

Misc
ARC/ER 0%
Re-read 0%
Series 75%

Fiction 99%
NonFiction 1%

Author Birth Country
Australia 7%
Canada 7%
England 1%
Ireland 1%
New Zealand 1%
Norway 1%
UK 2%
Undeclared * 35%
US 45%
* - can't find any info anywhere

Original Decade Published

2000-2009 1%
2010-2019 32%
2020-2029 67%

Genre
Contemporary Fiction 97%
Crime Fiction 1%
Graphic Novel 1%
Informational Nonfiction 0%
Memoir 1%

Acquisition/Source Date
Kindle Unlimited 197
2024 11
culled after reading 2

Average Rating
1.5 - Very Bad 0
2.0 - Bad 1
2.5 - Average 10
3.0 - Good 28
3.5 - Very Good 29
4.0 - Excellent 96
4.5 - Outstanding 45
5 - Masterpiece 1

Average Rating 3.83
Books acquired YTD 130
Books culled YTD 176

June Lightning Round

Those in bold are NOT MM romances, few and far between as they are. It also occurs to me that quite a few of the smut books have warnings about triggers that I don’t mention here. Caveat emptor re triggers if you want to dip your toes in.

Too Hostile by Nicole Dykes 5/31/24 6/2/24 Kindle

I occasionally find a book with a very young main character that doesn’t squick me out. Fletcher is 18 and infatuated with his 26-year-old Professor of Economics, Ronan. Ronan hates everything about Fletcher, from his swagger, to his arrogance, to his rich boy vibe. However, the attraction is mutual, so sparkage, and game on. Ronan is terrified of losing his position at the university, Fletcher splits hairs and says that since it’s summer, Fletcher is not a student. They agree to a summer fling. As the novel progresses, we find out that they have more in common than they think they do. Both came from foster care after terrible family lives. Fletcher was lucky and got adopted by a wonderful couple, Ronan had to claw his way out of the system and can’t see beyond the comfort of his job and his house. I loved how two men who came from similar situations but had different outcomes find common ground and eventually get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

Greyson Fox by TL Travis 6/2/24 6/2/24 Kindle

Greyson Fox loses his parents at a young age, goes to their graves to visit. Daniel goes to the grave of his lover, and Greyson and Daniel talk and start spending time together. They become lovers and partners until Daniel dies and Greyson is alone and a hookups only guy. He goes to Daniel’s grave to visit. Samuel goes to visit his parents’s grave. Samuel comes to work at the club as a dancer, there’s sparkage and a stalker and a HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

The New Neighbor by Rye Cox 6/2/24 6/3/24 Kindle

Zack moves in to Caleb’s apartment complex and Caleb takes over a plate of cookies. Caleb works in accounting in order to help support his mother and brother, Zack works for a hospitality company helping businesses be successful. They eventually fall into a friends situation and feelings emerge, and then they are friends with benefits. This book is sweet and I liked how each was strong when the other one needed it. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned The Obsession by Christie Gordon**

This one was too disturbing, with a gay man, Tristan, rejected by his Mormon mother in his last year of university. He has a crush on Collin, a grad student, who’s taking an undergrad course that Tristan is in. Colin ends up becoming Tristan’s roommate, Tristan has a very bizarre nervous tic, there’s sparkage, and lots of discussion about the Mormon Church rejecting gays… just didn’t want to finish it. Colin is also very close to noncon with Tristan, not over the line, but too close. Caveat emptor re sex.

The Law of Attraction by Jay Northcote 6/3/24 6/4/24 Kindle

Alex is a closeted gay man, out cruising, and picks up Ed, celebrating his new job with friends, and takes him home. Alec is beyond rude to Ed in the morning. Not a happy surprise for either one of them when it turns out that Ed is the new temp on Alec’s legal team. Alec is terrified of being outed although that’s not something Ed would do, but they can’t stay away from each other and have a bit of office sex. A business trip to Edinburgh turns into sexy times but Ed will not go back into the closet for Alec. Alec finally realizes what he wants, and comes out to his family. It does not go well, but he calls Ed and goes to Ed’s family’s house where Ed’s visiting. They decide to be boyfriends, and when they go back to work Monday Alec comes out. HEA and caveat emptor re sex. I really like books about alpha males, and Alec is definitely an alpha male.

Like a Lover by Jay Northcote 6/4/24 6/4/24 Kindle

Josh is an escort to pay for his college education. He’s stood up for an appointment, and he goes up to Rupert, who initially thinks it’s a straight hookup but pays when Josh explains. He keeps paying, they keep hooking up. Feelings on both sides, with a lot to overcome. A very sweet HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

A Betting Man by Sandrine Gasq-Dion 6/4/24 6/4/24 Kindle

Improbable tale of a bet between Kent and his business partner that Kent will get the next person who walks through the door to fall in love with him and admit it within 6 months. Imagine their surprise when a bike messenger comes through the door – all 6’ of him. Kent’s straight… Improbable coincidences and situations, fun but nothing to write home to mother about. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned The Cocky Neighbor by Rye Cox**

Eric’s manager of a hotel, just bought out by a local high-power chain. Liam comes to whip them into shape under the new banner. Sparkage, whining, ‘we shouldn’t but we’re going to anyway’… and way too many pages spent describing a 4-team Pictionary game. Caveat emptor re sex.

Just a Bit Heartless by Alessandra Hazard 6/5/24 6/6/24 Kindle

Jordan is PA to a man who left his Mafia family back in Italy and forged his own way. He has a boyfriend who looks startlingly like Jordan. They are invited to a family wedding which the boss feels obligated to attend, but he hires Jordan to pretend to be his boyfriend to protect his real boyfriend. Jordan agrees for a variety of reasons. Things go swell until Jordan oversleeps and has to go to the wedding with the head of the family and sociopath Damiano. They are kidnapped, eventually returned. Jordan has PTSD and misses the safety that Damiano gave him while they were captive. The bonding while in captivity was well written and believable. Damiano feels things for Jordan but resists until months later. It still takes a while for the HEA, but I really enjoyed this rather unbelievable tale. Caveat emptor re sex.

Himbo by Emmy Sanders 6/6/24 6/7/24 Kindle

Regardless of the title, this is a very sweet story of Cas, part of a rich family trying to fit in the family business but unhappy. On the side he works in adult entertainment but his family doesn’t know. He goes into a Starbucks-like shop with a friend from the biz and is taken with Jason, who works part time there while getting his RN. Cas invites him on a date, which Jason things will be an utter failure because he’s demisexual and once he explains this to dates, they leave. Cas doesn’t, and over several dates Jason realizes that he’s attracted to Cas. Sparkage turns into sexy times and a relationship. There’s a health issue for Jason, and Cas has to tell his family he doesn’t want to work in the family business. However, his family sounds wonderful, accepting that he needs to do what he needs to do – in this case becoming a PT. Caveat emptor sex.

Right-Hand Man by T.S. Ankney 6/7/24 6/7/24 Kindle

Unmemorable enough that I didn’t realize I’d read it last July. Here’s what I wrote last July:

Wildly improbably story of Eli’s first day of work and Dante, the owner of the business coming in and liking Eli’s work when his immediate boss doesn’t. Sparkage on both sides, romance, and sex. Dante makes him his assistant, then there’s the HEA. Caveat emptor re the sex, although the romance and Dante’s caring for Eli was very sweet.

Here’s what I just wrote:
Highly improbable and weirdly irritating story of Eli’s first day on the job at an intimate apparel store and meeting the new boss, who immediately hires him to become his personal assistant and more… Caveat emptor re sex.

I've Been Careless With a Delicate Thing by Marina Vivancos 6/7/24 6/7/24 Kindle

Silas goes to a gay bar to get picked up for his first time with a guy and leaves with Oscar and goes to Oscar’s apartment. The serious sparkage at the bar turns into sexy times. Oscar is a bear of a man and Silas isn’t, and both make assumptions. After the assumptions are met, Silas asks Oscar if he’d prefer to be on the receiving end, and Oscar says yes. After that we get an extended hookup lasting months, with Silas becoming more dominant and Oscar becoming more submissive. They start just hanging out, too, and Silas realizes he’s in love with Oscar. After a misunderstanding we get our HEA. Caveat emptor re sex and mild Dom/sub and BDSM.

Truth By His Hand by Casey Cameron 6/7/24 6/9/24 Kindle

River has toyed with the idea of exploring submission and goes to Speed Kink Night. I know, right? It’s a real thing though. Anyway, back to fiction. River is attracted to a man but thinks Ellison is too small to dominate him and meets up with Brandon instead. He and Brandon don’t hit it off in the way River needs, and River goes to a party with some friends, freaks out and goes into in the Chill Room. Ellison is there, reading. River is mesmerized, and they agree to a play date. I won’t go into their particular kinks, nor how long it takes for them to each to overcome their reservations and hangups and build a solid Dom/sub relationship and fall in love, too. It was outstanding. Caveat emptor re sex and moderate BDSM.

Submission by Jodi Payne and Chris Owen 6/9/24 6/10/24 Kindle

Tobias goes to his favorite club to celebrate is 41st birthday, looking for an evening with a willing sub. Brantford, the owner, tells him he has the perfect man for him, Noah, and they spend the evening together. Things go well. They have another ‘date’ at the club, then take it private, creating a 1-year contract for a Dom/Sub, with BDSM. Tobias is a large animal vet, inheriting money and the family home. Noah is a beat cop. His department knows he’s gay, but not the rest of his kink. Noah has been hurt/damaged by several men, and Tobias knows that he has a huge responsibility to help Noah become his perfect sub. I really liked this one, told from Tobias’s viewpoint. There are some misunderstandings, some mistakes on both sides, yet at the end they get their kinky HEA. Caveat emptor re sex and moderate BDSM. The characters were well-drawn and the plot moved forward well.

These Monstrous Deeds by TJ Hamel 6/10/24 6/11/24 Kindle

Travis has been an undercover government agent for 8 years as Nathan Rourke, working to bring down an international sex slave trafficking ring. He is powerful and owns several territories. His life is constantly in danger. His second in command, Benny, is also part of the operation, everybody else in ignorance. His ‘handler’ is a friend of his back in the States, Maison. Maison makes a mistake by getting in touch with his younger brother Carter, and Carter is snatched off the streets in order to draw Maison out. Carter’s kept in atrocious conditions with other sex slaves, but left alone within the scope of total fear, sleep, food, and water deprivation, to be sold to the highest bidder. Nathan buys him and keeps him in the dark, per his orders. Carter thinks his life is forfeit. Nathan protects him as much as he can without giving away the game. There are some terrible situations, pressure to draw out a very high up member of the ring by wining/dining/giving slaves to one of his underlings. Carter goes back and forth being broken and finding his inner strength to endure. Nathan cannot let on that Carter’s safe. Feelings develop on both sides, and by the end of this first in the Monstrous Deeds Trilogy, Nathan’s makes a decision, leading to the second book. Powerful, disturbing, sad. Caveat emptor re torture, violence, non-consensual sex, and without knowing what the sex slave environment is, pretty believable, unfortunately.

A Dangerous Game by TJ Hamel 6/11/24 6/12/24 Kindle

Nathan decides to tell Carter that he and Benny are undercover agents working with Carter’s brother Maison to bring down an international sex slave trafficking ring. Carter flips out, loves and hates Nathan. He becomes part of the culmination of the plan, luring Maison out of the woodwork. Nathan has a grand party to celebrate Maison’s capture. All the good guys and sex slaves get out alive, all the bad guys do not. The book ends with Carter and Nathan at the safe house, Carter begging Nathan to be sir and slave for what might be the last time. Nathan has three distinct personas – Travis recruited to be Nathan, Nathan the powerful sex trafficking ring owner, and sir to Carter’s slave. I found it fascinating how the author was able to speak in the various personas, making them believable, and also making the slip ups, deliberate, also believable. Caveat emptor re torture, violence, non-consensual sex, and consensual sex.

One Last Time by TJ Hamel 6/12/24 6/13/24 Kindle

The operation is over, most of the bad guys killed or captured across the entire Americas network and even some of the European ones. Survivors and the team – Nathan, Jake, Maison, and Ace, Carter, Casey, are at the safehouse together. Nathan is having a hard time becoming Travis again and Carter is figuring out how to get some kind of normal life. They can’t give up on each other, and each time they either sleep together or have sex together, they say it’s the last time. It isn’t however. I found the emotional toll on Nathan/Sir/Travis to be well-written and believable. He feels evil and dirty yet knows intellectually that what he did saved hundreds and/or thousands of lives. Carter and his friend Casey (who was in the dungeons with Carter before they were sold) move to an apartment about 45 minutes away so Carter can try to get back to a normal life, but he and Travis miss each other so badly that although Travis said he’d let Carter go to find out how to be free, he can’t seem to stay away. Carter tries to study and work and start dating, but it doesn’t work with a vengeance, because he gets triggered when a date unknowlingly calls him sweetheart, which was always Nathan’s word for Carter. Travis/Nathan and Jake and Maison ride to the rescue because Carter put Nathan/Travis down as his emergency info. I loved this third installment of the series, and have started the Monstrous Survivors series, book 1 being about Jake and Casey. Caveat emptor re torture, violence, non-consensual sex, and consensual sex, and BDSM, including Travis’s special kink, shibari.

Drown in You by TJ Hamel and Taylor McNiff 6/13/24 6/14/24 Kindle

There was a spoiler about the potential type of relationship between Nate and Casey in One Last Time, which I knew I wouldn’t particularly like; however, I really wanted to see how they did after the events of the Monstrous Deeds series. It was as squicky as I thought it would be Daddy and boy, but I still really liked the story and their dynamic and the evolution of what they had was well done. I also loved an event near the end, no spoilers here. Caveat emptor re memories of torture, violence as part of the current plot, sex, and Nate’s kink.

**abandoned Domination by Jodi Payne and Chris Owen**

As much as I liked the first book in this series, Submission, I didn’t like this one, only because it was really more of the same except with more angst. Caveat emptor re BDSM and sex.

**abandoned Cold Hard Cash by KL Hiers**

Jimmy owes money to the mob, money spent trying to get his dad out of jail for a crime he didn’t commit. The debt is sold, and Cold, new boss, offers to let Jimmy pay off the debt with personal services rendered. It was okay for a bit, then got ridiculous. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned An Unlocked Heart by KC Wells**

Leo is a Dom without a sub, his lover and sub having died 2 years previously. Alex is not out of the closet, not sure what, if any, kinks he has. Leo is intrigued with Alex, they start dating, trouble in Paradise, etc. I didn’t care enough to continue. Caveat emptor re sex and mild BDSM.

Heat by TL Travis 6/15/24 6/15/24 Kindle

This one was sweet and slow burn and I loved it. The author got the speech and dialect realistic enough for a small Southern town. My favorite – ‘ one skeeter short of a blood transfusion.’ There are delights like that all through the book. Daughtry is a blacksmith who makes metal art on the side. He’s never been with anyone, thinks he’s straight, but isn’t sure. He decided to put up a sign at the PO looking for a “web guru” to help him with a website. Campbell is the town’s misfit. He has a well-deserved reputation for being clumsy and having bullied basically stays in his house, earning a living via the internet. He’s self-taught but good. He sees the sign, takes it down, and goes to Daughtry. They are 5 years apart so haven’t met before. The website gets discussed. Daughtry cleans out the old office. Campbell brings his laptop over. Daughtry gets wifi. Campbell is in lust with Daughtry but doesn’t bring it up. Daughtry is intrigued with Campbell, and explores his personal feelings about straight, gay, bi. He comes to the conclusion he’s gay, and as this sweet relationship progresses personally and with the now-successful online business, we get a well-deserved HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

Craving the Chase by Syn Blackrose 6/15/24 6/15/24 Kindle

What do you get when a psychopath finds the man he wants to own and protect and keep forever? Noah is a psychologist, Chase is leveraged into attending sessions with him. Chase is immediately and irrevocably intent on having and keeping Noah forever. Frankly, in some ways it was very creepy, especially watching Noah fall under his spell and becoming dependent on him emotionally. His practice suffers, Chase will do absolutely anything to keep Noah safe AND to punish those who he perceives to be hurting Noah. I liked it because it was edgy and I didn’t like Chase at all, didn’t like Noah as he changed dramatically. However, they were happy in the end in their own consensual way. Caveat emptor re sex.

You've Got Male by DJ Jamison 6/16/24 6/17/24 Kindle

Austin owns an indie used vinyl/CDs store. Chase (yes, two Chases in a row) is getting ready to open up a new/used vinyl/CD/book/etc. store across the street. Austin is stressed. Unbenownst to each other, they had been texting anonymously about their issues and problems. Austin doesn’t even know if Wash927 is a man or woman. They eventually figure out that their online connection is their in-person stressful connection, but all’s well that ends well. Caveat emptor re sex.,

Where There's a Wil, There's a Way by PT Ambler 6/17/24 6/17/24 Kindle

Wil is a newly-minted butler, turned down 27 times, but gets a last-minute interview with Rhys’s PA and gets hired on a 30-day trial. Immediate sparkage but Austin doesn’t want to cross the boss-butler line. He butles well, Rhys, a film maker, wants to cross the line for fun and games. Austin can’t stay when he realizes this, runs away after resigning. Rhys and his niece/nephew track Austin down to where his parents are butler/housekeeper for a huge estate and we get our HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Heart Trouble by DJ Jamison**

College professor Gage is hurt while riding a motorcycle as an example of Gonzo journalism for his journalism class. Nurse Ben thinks he rides motorcycles and is an adrenaline junky. They meet up again at a straight bar while there with friends, go home together. Gage is looking to settle down, Ben just wants hookups. I don’t want to go through the angst. Caveat emptor re sex.

Splintered by SJD Peterson 6/18/24 6/19/24 Kindle

Pretty unsatisfying mystery wherein Noah is a graduate student in Criminal Psychology and Hutch is an FBI agent in town to work what seems to be a serial killer on the hunt for effeminate gay men. Noah has a personal interest in finding the serial killer. Lots of banter, lots of coincidences. Sparkage. The identity of the serial killer is somewhat of a shock, mostly just deus ex machina. Caveat emptor re sex.

Under the Alpenglow by TH Compton 6/19/24 6/19/24 Kindle

Elijah promised his friend to come to Alaska to consider working in her clinic but he only comes to visit and pacify her. Elijah is a basket case who’s afraid to fly and meets Nyx on the plane. For some reason they hit it off, for some reason they connect, for some reason it works out for them, but honestly, I just didn’t get it. Caveat emptor re sex.

The Truth In My Lies by LA Witt 6/19/24 6/20/24 Kindle

Seth was ghosted by his boyfriend Andrew, 5 months later Andrew returns as Brandon, who had been in witsec because as a cop he had helped bring down a white supremacist group. He wants to tell Seth the truth and see if there’s anything there. Seth is conflicted, angry, doesn’t know what he wants. He does want to try to work through things with Brandon, though, so they go to his father’s cabin 5 hours away in the Cascades. However, Andrew/Brandon has been outed and now Seth’s roommate has been killed to lure him to be killed. Seth and Brandon manage to hold off the white supremacists who’ve put trackers in their gear, kill several and make it to a distant cabin where they get in touch with Brandon’s witsec handler. They make it of course, and get their HEA. I liked the thriller parts of the plot as much or more than the romantic bits. The plot did grind audibly, but all in it kept my interest. Caveat emptor re sex.

Stealing His Heart by Marina Lander 6/20/24 6/20/24 Kindle

Weird short story – Antonio is hired to protect artwork, Eric takes it and starts leaving Antonio ‘love letters’, taunting him at new heists. They eventually run away together and start stealing things together.

Just a Taste by Briar Prescott 6/20/24 6/22/24 Kindle

I rarely like romances about college students, less when one or both play sports. However, this book about Lake, a pre-med major and his step-brother Ryker, a mathematics major and potential NFL hockey pick, really captured me from the moment I started it. Lake has been abandoned by the people who were supposed to take care of him from the age of 12 – his mother, his supposed father. Ryker always tried to look after Lake when Lake would come to visit his father when his father was married to Ryker’s mother. Fast forward to college, and Ryker finds out that Lake’s losing his needs-based scholarships because they’re unfairly counting his mother’s newest husband’s income. Ryker has a trust fund, cares about Lake in a hazy sort of way, but proposes marriage so that he can get trust fund monies released. He tells Lake it will benefit him first but let him loan Lake tuition money, and Lake is desperate. They marry. The “You may kiss your husband” part of the ceremony has Ryker giving Lake a peck on the lips, then Lake makes it real. Fast forward 6 months. Ryker cannot forget the kiss, but rarely sees Lake. There’s eventual sparkage, casual sex because Lake’s so skittish. Ryker is nominally straight, but it seems that he is gay for Lake or demisexual for Lake. Regardless, they start a relationship. Events conspire for and against them, and we eventually get a HEA. This author has emotional writing chops. Is there repetition in how each feels? Yes, but nuanced differently each time. Did I metaphorically roll my eyes at certain situations? Yes. But I was cheering them on, trying to figure out how they could make it work for them and their career choices. Caveat emptor re sex.

My Best Friend's Secret by Romeo Alexander 6/22/24 6/22/24 Kindle

Adam returns to his hometown with his tail between his legs, with no business and in the process of getting a divorce from his wife Bri. After 3 days of hiding in his childhood bedroom drinking, his almost-but-not-completely-ghosted best friend Bennett comes to roust him out, giving him construction work and spreading the word so that Adam can build a business in his hometown if he wants. Bennett is gay, Adam, once again (see previous book) is nominally straight but gay for Bennett or demisexual for Bennett. They start with casual sex and it starts to get serious. Then there’s a serious monkey-wrench in the story. I liked how it was resolved, how eventually honesty and open communications gave Adam and Bennett what they wanted and needed. Cavet emptor re sex.

Attraction by Carly Marie 6/22/24 6/23/24 Kindle

There are quite a few series about gay men out there. Books have found families of them, all with stories that intertwine and complement each other. This is another of those, with couples whose stories are in previous or future books. I don’t want to read any of them, but did like this story of Dexter, out and proud, and James, who thinks he’s straight but there was that one guy in high school… Anyway, James moves in next door to Dexter and after Dexter pesters him with visits and casseroles and attempts at friendship. He’s attracted, much to his surprise. The plot moves along with starts and stops and eccentric friends, misunderstandings, and lost bio family found. The sex was steamy, and Dexter’s love of lace and satin really appealed to James. Caveat emptor re the steamy sex.

Stalked But Not Afraid by Nicole Dykes 6/23/24 6/24/25 Kindle

Brooks is a social media influencer, with a travel blog and a sex blog. He starts getting harassed online and flees to his friend Ben, staying in the apartment over Ben and his boyfriend Colby’s gym. Ben’s brother Roman is a police officer, who tries to get the case for sexual harassment and online stalking started, but his partner won’t cooperate and his sargeant doesn’t take it seriously either. Roman works off the clock. Brooks is very antagonistic to Roman and doesn’t want Roman to help him because he makes assumptions, but after he realizes Roman’s background, agrees to the help. As they try to entice the stalker out, they become sexually involved and taunt the stalker with online posts, keeping Roman anonymous. The stalker ups the ante, Roman takes Brooks to his house to keep him safe. Things progress between them, the stalker is caught – this can’t be a spoiler, because in a book like this he HAS to get caught – and Roman and Brooks get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex and stalker behavior.

The Bouncer by Heath Grayson 6/24/24 6/25/24 Kindle

Blake’s moved to NYC and is a bartender at the bar Kane is a bouncer at. Blake knows Kane’s straight but is smitten anyway. Kane is intrigued with Blake and things go from there. I liked Kane’s family dynamic – divorced from his wife/mother of his 2 children, she now married to a woman. It takes Blake and Kane a long time to come to the point of a relationship, and I liked the journey. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Nathan by Carly Marie**

Eliot, an in-the-closet lawyer, is hired by a firm in central Tennessee. The lawyers in the firm are all part of a family that owns a BDSM club including grandma. Eliot immediately tells one family member, Austin. Then Eliot’s boss, Dom Nathan, and Eliot start getting frisky. Way too weird even for me, although it’s not the BDSM that gets me, but the facile plot. I know where it’s going to go, but don’t care to spend the time to get there. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Hit or Miss, to Kill or Kiss by Romeo Alexander**

I usually like assassin books, but this one just seems too predictable, plus I don’t like the man one’s hired to kill and the other hired to protect.

**abandoned Free Fall by Kathryn Nolan**

Luke, despite being everything his father didn’t like, is left the family company over his brother, who expected to inherit. Luke’s threatened, Elijah is hired, Luke doesn’t take it seriously, friction, blah blah blah. Couldn’t be bothered to continue.

Mr. Right Now by Ilsa Olsen 6/26/24 6/27/24 Kindle

Sullivan needs a fake boyfriend, and his brother’s roommate, who he apparently has never met before *eye roll* is also named Drew like his ex. Sullivan is a billionaire, of course, and offers Drew money. Drew needs it to keep his business afloat after water damage and agrees. Drew is straight, but of course is remembering his attraction to guys in high school, so he and Sullivan start a physical relationship. Sparkage, romance, HEA. Honestly, Drew becomes so submissive that it hurt my teeth, but oh well. Caveat emptor re sex.

The Redemption of Roman by T. Ashleigh 6/27/24 6/28/24 Kindle

Mafia underboss Roman is attracted to and woos Alex, just getting his college degree. He talks Alex into moving in with him quickly, without Alex knowing how violent he is. He starts taking over Alex’s life and talks Alex into marrying him. Alex’s brain has died, apparently, because he sees no warning signs at all. Roman starts abusing him, Alex shuts down, and Roman continues the abuse. Then Alex escapes with his best friend Lacey. It takes secret help, but they stay hidden for 9 months until a corrupt cop helps Roman find them. Alex and Lacey are returned, but Alex is kidnapped by another Mafia boss. Roman trades himself for Alex. There’s a HEA, and caveat emptor re sex. Wildly improbable, and I honestly don’t know why I read the whole thing, much less gave it 3.5 immediately after I read it.

Under Your Skin by Lee McCormick 6/28/24 6/29/24 Kindle

This is the first sentence of my review of Craving the Chase, above: What do you get when a psychopath finds the man he wants to own and protect and keep forever? Levi works in his adoptive father’s funeral home. Over the years he’s identified murder victims by the artwork left behind and has had it inked onto his body. One day Jonah, the serial killer who leaves artwork behind, comes to the funeral home because he accidentally left something behind and sees Levi. Levi is his, and he is hired to protect Levi by Levi’s adoptive father. Sounds rather ridiculous, but I’m a sucker for well-written story of psychopaths and the men who love them. Sometimes they’re able to love back in their own way, other times not. Jonah protects Levi and they start a relationship. There’s danger and murder attempts, and a HEA. Not a normal HEA, and not a HEA for anybody who isn’t able to think in shades of gray. Caveat emptor re sex.

Fen by Barbara Elsborg 6/29/24 6/30/24 Kindle

Fen is 24, has Becker Muscular Dystrophy, and walks with one cane. He works as an antiques restorer/repairer. Fen knows he’s living on borrowed time yet is in love with life, learning, and being the best human being he can be. Ripley is a very successful barrister. Ripley is broken, because his lover Alexandro had died two years previously and Ripley couldn’t get over his guilt in his death. They meet when Fen has bought a box at an auction. Ripley has found out that his mother sold it, almost runs Fen down, finds out that it’s Fen who bought the box, meets him and is smitten. They have a drink, then a date, then Ripley makes him an offer that he can’t refuse. In the meantime, Fen’s coworker sets him up as a thief and Fen is fired. Fen has just moved in with Ripley for the offer he can’t refuse - a 6-month contract to be lover and fake boyfriend although Fen plans on returning the money to Ripley. They both catch feelings. I can hardly explain how great Fen and Ripley are. I laughed out loud, had tears in my eyes, and the HEA made it completely worthwhile. Caveat emptor re sex.

393 books read

1 Masterpiece
51 Stunning
181 Excellent
48 Very Good
30 Good
9 Average
4 Bad

Best Fiction
Show Me Wonders by Riley Hart Review
The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith Review
Honeytrap by Aster Glenn Ray Review
The Boy in the Field by Margot Livesey Review
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Review
*runner up The Last Remains by Elly Griffiths Review

Best (only) Nonfiction
1066: The Year That Changed Everything by Professsor Jennifer Paxton Review
Lost Christianities by Bart D. Ehrman Review
Introduction to Judaism by Professor (Rabbi) Shai Cherry Review

Top five overall for the LT Top Five Books of 2023 List
Show Me Wonders by Riley Hart Review
The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith Review
Honeytrap by Aster Glenn Ray Review
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Review
Introduction to Judaism by Professor (Rabbi) Shai Cherry Review

…...

And, new in 2024, courtesy of @Jackie_K, my husband, and Richard:

Wordle 1,119 4/6* trope, blind, ficus, jiffy

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PT, Library, fill SUV tank, Taco Bell, chiropractor. Even using the cane yesterday, my feet and knees are protesting. Not dangerously so, just painfully so. I made low-sodium Teriyaki Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs and Basmati Rice, enough for leftovers tonight.

...
Today I'm driving to Jenna's, where she'll drive us to get hair cuts, eat lunch, and return to her house. After that, if I have enough energy, I'll go the .5 miles to Fleet Feet as a walk-in or, if they're too busy, set an appointment for some time next week to get new shoes.

It's raining with distant thunder. Can't see lightning.

Welcome!

Happy Friday, Karen. Happy New Thread. Good luck with the rain and all that driving that you will do today. Enjoy your lunch with Jenna.

Playing PB early. Jack will be coming by later and will spend the night. I saw him briefly yesterday too. We played Batman and Joker. You know who I was. 😃

Happy New Thread!

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/361941

Friday orisons, and a happy new thread thrown on the pyre, too! *smooch*

Happy new one!

I hear thunder!!!! I see dampness on the pavement!!!!! We may get some rain!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Haircuts and lunch to you and Jenna!

Wordle in 5 for me today, and I was glad for it.

HAPPY NEW THREAD! I look forward to reading more.

Happy New One!

Have fun with Jenna!

I have not been to a shoe store that requires appointments. Is that common outside of Montana?

Please keep the lightning and thunder but we could use a little rain.

in reference to your politically provoked anxiety: I'm reading a book titled End Times: Elites, Counter-Elites, and the Path of Political Disintegration by Peter Turchin. It's a fairly scholarly book, but not hard to read, and quite upsetting as it maps out what societies that fail look like before they tumble. I'm about a third of the way through. It seems very objective and based on statistical models, quite scary. I just got to his analysis of why Stalin held onto power for so long. I could make bleak comparisons. Project 2025 sounds like terrible trouble. Let's hope we can avoid it.

Happy new thread, Karen!

Happy new thread Karen!

What an impressive compilation of reading activity!

Happy new thread, Karen. You did much better than I did with Wordle today, I got skunked!

Happy new thread, Karen!

I hope you had a good day and a good lunch. And also safe travels. But did you go to Winston-Salem? If so, maybe you missed most of the rain. It rained almost all day here, and a lot of it was slow, so maybe it soaked in and did some good. It wasn't the best day to be out driving around here though.

Happy new thread, dear Karen.

Happy Saturday, Karen. We sure are enjoying our time with Jack. He sure keeps us hopping. The only thing on the slate for today, is a Costco run and a few chores. Books in the PM. I hope yesterday went well for you.

Happy new thread! Have you considered creating a webpage for other "smut" connoisseurs who might benefit from your sleuthing? I haven't done much with the genre although I always reserved finals week in college for Harlequin Romances.

Thank you Mark, Silver, RDear, Anita, Peggy, Janet, Jim, Susan, Meg, Irene, Paul, Karen.

>11 msf59: Happy Saturday, Mark! Yesterday went well, got some rain but not too much. You’re really becoming the PB junkie, aren’t you? Enjoy your time with Jack. Cool, Joker – were you authentic?



>13 SilverWolf28: Thanks, Silver!

>14 richardderus: *smooch*

>16 LizzieD: I hope you got some rain yesterday. I’ve been having a mostly good run with Wordle lately.

>17 streamsong: I don’t know about how common outside of Montana, Janet, but this is a chain. Looks they have stores in 27 states, but not Montana, alas. Layton or Ogden UT would be your closest. I hope you get rain soon.

>18 ffortsa: Hi Judy. Onto the wish list it goes – looks like he was predicting where we are now back in 2010.

>20 quondame: Hi Susan. I’m still obsessively reading MM smut. Keeping track of it via spreadsheet and Lightning Round document takes a bit of time, too, of course.

>21 Familyhistorian: Sorry about getting skunked, Meg.

>22 atozgrl: Hi Irene. We had a good day, see below, and we did go to Winston-Salem. We missed most of the rain, thank goodness. Bill said we got lots of rain here. I can see a lot of water in the bird bath.

>24 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Saturday to you. Jack seems like a very active little boy, interested in many things. Hope the Costco run goes well. We stopped Costco during Covid, sourced everything we got there other places (mostly Amazon), and haven’t gone back. If we lived closer, I’d have the membership just for the fabulous gas prices. Enjoy your books in the PM.

>25 witchyrichy: Hi Karen! Hmmm. I currently have 877 entries in my spreadsheet, along with 2 more I need to enter from the last couple of days of reading. *smile* Each entry has title, author, rating, type (MM, MF, MMM, MMF), number of pages, names or protagonists, series?, If yes, series name and which entry this is, then description of trope. I need to clean up the tropes and consolidate again. I don't keep the abandoned books on that spreadsheet, but do keep them on LT and in my books read spreadsheets so could probably combine the two so also identify the ones I consider stinkers.

Wordle 1,120 3/6* trope, elect, enact. I was glad I tried elect, because I worried about the double E.

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Got to Jenna's about 11:25, got to Winston-Salem 10 minutes late, but oh well. Our haircuts went as planned, which was with fantastic results. We had lunch at the Village Tavern, where we each got the only thing we've ever gotten - a blackened salmon sandwich with sweet potato fries for Jenna and a Thai Chicken Salad with extra Lime-Cilantro dressing for me. Sweet tea for J, unsweet tea for me. Got back to Jenna's about 5:20, got home just before 6. My right foot was killing me even though I didn't do that much walking - I think it was also all the time in the SUV. I iced it, took pain meds. Dozed, and etc. I slept for 9.5 hours, waking up at 5:30 to take pain meds, then slept 'til 9:30.

Getting out of bed always helps - I put BioFreeze on everything that hurt, and how have coffee as a reward. Brekkie soon.

Reading, preliminary prep for Book Club tomorrow. I'll place an online order today for beverages - red wine and a few ingredients needed for Zucchini cookies. We have one member who has Alpha Gal Syndrome, which means she cannot eat anything mammalian.

Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), also known as alpha-gal allergy or mammalian meat allergy (MMA), is a type of acquired meat allergy characterized by a delayed onset of symptoms (3–8 hours) after ingesting mammalian meat. The condition results from past exposure to certain tick bites. It was first reported in 2002. Symptoms of the allergy vary greatly between individuals and include rash, hives, nausea or vomiting, difficulty breathing, drop in blood pressure, dizziness or faintness, diarrhea, severe stomach pain, and possible anaphylaxis.

Alpha-gal allergy is a reaction to the carbohydrate galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose ("alpha-gal"), whereby the body is overloaded with immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies on exposure to the carbohydrate. Anti-gal is a human natural antibody that interacts specifically with the mammalian carbohydrate structure gal alpha 1-3Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc-R (the alpha-galactosyl epitope). The alpha-gal molecule is found in all mammals except catarrhines (apes and Old World monkeys), the taxonomic branch that includes humans.

I'd never heard of it before Judy got it ~10 years ago. So no butter, cheese and other dairy, mammal meat, things with gelatin, etc.

I always make sure I have something Judy can eat. The Belted Goat cookies both have butter in them.

>26 karenmarie: Oh my heck! That sounds like a really inconvenient, annoying issue to have. Could Judy have olive-oil cake? I don't know how much work the zucchini cookies are but the ilove-oil cake is super simple. Of course, you might not have oatmilk on hand...

Anyway sending happy book-club wishes. *smooch*

Alpha-Gal would be a great name for a comic book super hero

>28 magicians_nephew: I would have read that!

Alpha-Gal sounds lousy - goodbye to so many things I love. Ticks are horrible creatures. Mama and my DH both had a tick-borne fever that may or may not have been Rocky Mountain Spotted. In the '80s if a tick bite were suspected, they treated for it immediately without testing because it took the test so long to come back. Our place on the coast is wild with critters galore. I never had a tick bite, but I came home once with 97 red bug bites. I know because I had ample time to count them the two days I was stuck in the tub with epsom salt and benadryl (in me) trying hard not to go crazy.

I'm glad you're not having to clean for your book club. I'll be eager to see what your group chooses to read.

Rest yourself and enjoy your day!

>27 richardderus: Hiya, RDear. It's sort of between nothing-to-worry-about and serious symptoms that are life-threatening for Judy. At one point she was able to eat small amounts of cheese again, but that window closed again a while back.

Most book club folks don't try to get food Judy can eat, but I always have. I think it's a friendly gesture, unlike when another woman in book club went gluten-free just because and didn't like it when there weren't options for her.

>228 msf59: I think so too, Jim. It's also called MMA - mammalian meat allergy.

>29 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. Ticks are awful. I learned the hard way to always wear long sleeves and long pants tucked into shoes/boots and wear a hat while walking through the woods. We always did tick patrol on Jenna when she came in from the woods, too. Ugh to red bug bites. 97 red bug bites and two days in the bathtub. I learned about them too, out here, but folks around here mostly call them chiggers. I've had them quite a few times, but since I don't walk through the woods much these days, am red-bug-free.

I'm still trying to decide what my book will be - possibly The House of Being by Natasha Trethewey. I rarely choose a book I've already read and am loathe to start now, so will try to find something I haven't yet read that might be as good or better than the Trethewey book.

In fact, I probably need to do a bit of thinking right now before things heat up metaphorically with Book Club prep. ... Thinking done. North Woods by Daniel Mason, which I started and put down, and Devil is Fine by John Vercher. I've had nonfiction before, and loved the Trethewey book, but these two novels make me feel good. I also just got Dinosaurs by Lydia Millet today in the mail, and am including it as one of my potential books, too.

>26 karenmarie: I'm glad to hear you had such a good day yesterday, and a good night's sleep. But sorry that your foot was bothering you so much. I hope it's better today.

Good for you for fixing something that Judy can eat. Have fun at the book club meeting tomorrow! I hope the group picks a lot of good ones to read.

>31 atozgrl: Hi Irene. Thanks - it was wonderful having alone time with Jenna for hours. My foot did get flamed on Friday. Ice seems to be the best to make the pain go away. I use a frozen corn bag. My sister makes bags, leaving a 2" opening, which I fill with deer corn and then sew shut. You can heat them or freeze them and they last a very long time. One thing I learned the hard way: always immediately microwave a corn bag 2 or 3 times for 3 or 4 minutes each time to make sure there are no bugs. *shrug*



Wordle 1,121 4/6* trope, felon, covey, video

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Last minute run to the grocery store to pick up a very small online order - a bottle of red wine, some 'safe' cookies, and red grapes (for my breakfasts). I just didn't have it in me to make the olive oil cake or zucchini cookies. I got Lotus Biscoff Cookies. No animal products at all.

Bill and I watched an episode of MI5. Anthony Head was in this one - he played Giles on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, which we love. We immediately recognized him, of course, having watched Buffy multiple times.

I made up a Lasagna Kit for Jenna - the pyrex lasagna pan, the recipe, measuring cups (Hwan is a minimalist and usually need or have any), and a baggie with 1 tsp. dried basil and 1 tsp. dried oregano (so they don't have to buy any). It's my sister's recipe. Doesn't require cooking the noodles first. I'll get the pan and measuring cups back when Jenna & Hwan come over to celebrate Jenna's August birthday.

...
Jenna & Hwan are coming over about 12:30 to help me get ready for company. They're also stopping at The Belted Goat on the way to pick up the order of cookies I placed last Wednesday - chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin. They are the absolute best. Cookies, wine, water, various canned sodas, unsweet tea, Berry Propel. Maybe some lightly salted almonds and cashews.

Book Club is from 2-4 p.m., after which I'll immediately get into jammies and watch the final of the Euro Championship between England and Spain, frozen corn bag and glass of red wine in hand. I would really like it if England won, but as long as it's a good match, I'm good.

Have a wonderful time today, Horrible! *smooch*

Happy Sunday, Karen. I had a lazy morning and we are attending a pool party later on. I don't swim but I like hanging with friends and having a couple of brews.

Have a wonderful time at Book Club!

Happy new🧵and Happy Sunday! Looks like a busy one for you. Enjoy!

>32 karenmarie: What a considerate assist with a main dish!

>32 karenmarie: Oh, deer corn, eh? Thanks for that explanation. I had been envisioning regular frozen corn. Very useful bags from your sister. And good to know about microwaving them after filling them the first time. ;-)

Your plans for the book club meeting sound great. I hope it went well! And that the game after was good.

Wishing you a great week!

Happy New Thread! I hope book club went well and you are icing or heating as pain demands with pain management meds just in case.

>32 karenmarie: Laughing at the bug zapping advice for the corn bags. Yuk!!

Hope you continue to feel better and glad the smutty romance books are keeping you happy. Hang in there!!

>33 richardderus: Hiya, RD! Thank you. *smooch*

>34 msf59: Hi Mark, and happy next day to you. You, a lazy morning? Nice to hear, and friends and beer are always a good thing for you. Thanks re book club.

>35 Storeetllr: Hi Mary and thank you. Busy and highly anticipated and very satisfying.

>36 quondame: HI Susan. Saved me an hour on Sunday morning, picking up the cookies.

>37 atozgrl: Yup. Deer corn. Works perfectly. You can buy rice bags, but IMO they don’t work as well since they don’t retain heat or cold as long. Thanks re the plans for the day. Another busy week, alas. Chiropractor and PT are twice a week at this point.

>38 elorin: Hi Robyn, and thank you. Ice was the order of the day.

>39 Berly: Well, Kim, otherwise the little f***ers eat their way out of the bags, ruining them. I wasted ten corn bags one time. Had them in the guest bedroom in a good box, went for one about 2-3 months after making them, and OMG. Just…. No.

I continue to feel better with the exception of the anterior tibialis tendonitis in my right foot, a result of doing calf lifts and other exercises that have me lifting up on my toes. It is temporary, and the important thing is to get the mobility of my knee hardwired into my body. That will take another 4 months of daily exercises, but it’s there now and I need to keep it. The tendonitis will go away, but if I don’t get the mobility now, I may never get it. Ah, yes, my smutty romances. Still very happy with my reading.

Wordle 1,122 3/6* Some mornings I think I'm channeling the Wordle word picker. trope, shock, swoon

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Jenna and Hwan picked up the cookies and got here right around 12:30. Jenna has a cold so did a bit less and Hwan stepped up. Nothing excessively demanding, but vacuuming the living room rug, getting glasses down and brought into the kitchen, setting up the ice bucket and bringing out drinks, arranging cookies on platters and getting the food onto the coffee table in the living room, etc.

As I've mentioned before, Hwan is a minimalist. Jenna said the other day that she wanted her Aunt Laura's Lasagna recipe. It predates 'oven ready' lasagna noodles, so you just put uncooked lasagna noodles in with various and sundry. I printed the recipe out, got out the pyrex baking dish, a box grater, the herbs she'd need in a baggie, and an unopened wedge of Parmesan cheese since I don't use it these days. Their own Lasagna kit, although I do need the dish and grater back. It's my favorite grater.

Book club was a huge success. Everybody got here by 2:15 and stayed 'til 4:15. Beverages were drunk and food consumed. These are the books mentioned and discussed. Two stars mean I have it on my shelves unread, three stars means I have read it.

Honorable Mentions
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley **
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai *** not owned
American Gods by Neil Gaiman ***
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman **
The Hidden Palace by Helene Wecker **
The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
North Woods by Daniel Mason **
Devil is Fine by John Vercher **
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith
Hell of a Book by Jason Mott
Overstory by Richard Powers - urgh. So glad this one wasn't chosen, although it was discussed with rapturous voices.
Playground by Richard Powers
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jessamyn West

Chosen
End of the Affair by Graham Greene **
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Knife by Salman Rushdie
The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell **
Dinosaurs by Lydia Millet **
The Good Lord Bird by James McBride
Foster by Claire Keegan
Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain **
James by Percival Everett

Ice, Euro Championship final England v Spain, which England lost 1-2. However, it was a great match, well played on both sides. Ice, reading. Ice, supper. Ice. You get the picture, right?

...
Friends of the Library Board Meeting at 10. Chiropractor at 12:45. PT at 3. Still a bit of clean up from Book Club, but not much. Leftover cookies, yay. I'm powering through a fun MM romance/crime series called PsyCops by Jordan Castillo Price. I'm on book 5 of 13.

Morning, Karen. Glad Book Club was such a hit. I love your "Chosen" books but your "Honorable Mentions" are excellent too. My kind of club.

Trail Watch this AM. Books & Juno PM. Life is good.

'Morning, Mark!

I am very happy with the books chosen. I may not end up reading all of them, but by gosh none of them immediately turn me off!

Have a great day. TW, books and Juno. You've definitely got it good.

I'm glad that the book club was successfully met and done with. Your chosen list looks good. I've read three of them and am the tiniest bit surprised that your particular club hadn't read Hamnet long ago. Lovely book!
And why, I wonder, do you take against Overstory? I find R. Powers always worth the time I spend with him, and this was one of the good ones. Thank you for alerting me to *Playground*, due out in late September. I'll even watch for when you read James and Knife so that I can maybe join you. They're both on my list!

I need to go out this afternoon too, and I dread it. Hope PT is reasonable for you and that you get home and get cool quickly after that.

I'd say Wordle in 3 is excellent today!

Hi Horrible, glad for you the Youngers helped out so much. Have a great board meeting.

The list is a really good one. Remarkably Bright Creatures was a sentimental favorite of mine, so I hope it hits y'all right. The Mitford Affair is one by Marie Benedict I've looked forward to so I'll wait to procure it until I hear your thoughts...unless it goes on sale, of course. The Good Lord Bird is a James McBride I was ammbivalently positive about so, again, eager to hear what y'all think.

*smooch*

>43 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. Yes, you know me. Successfully met for giving to the group and done with to get past something relatively large hanging over me. Our book club got disrupted during Covid times. 2020 we had chosen books but didn't meet after March, 2021 didn’t even meet to choose books, 2022 chose books and I went to 3 of the meetings, 2023 chose books and I went to 2 meetings. I vow to do better this year.

Hmmm. Overstory. You’d think it would appeal, right? But I am not overly fond of books that take place in multiple time periods anymore unless they are Fantasy or SF. However, I just took advantage of Prime Day and bought 4 book club books and, sigh, a paperback copy of Overstory. Several were ‘on sale’, and all got me 7% Amazon credit.

It was nasty yesterday for sure. I did the house-car-errand-car-house thing and didn’t suffer overly.

>44 richardderus: Yes, RDear, it’s nice having the Youngers close. I anticipate close ‘til Hwan gets her PhD in Physics late next year, at which time she might find a teaching position at a University somewhere in the US not NC. Still US, though – that’s definitely where she wants to live permanently.

An octopus will make it a fav with you, for sure. These books will be read from now – next May, one per month, so it may take a while for my opinion. *smooch*

Wordle 1,123 3/6* trope, honey, decoy

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The Board meeting went well. I abstained from two votes because I haven't gone to a meeting in 6+ months, and the budget ticked me off mightily but after mentioning that it was $25K larger than the previous year and nobody else worrying about it, I decided to not worry about it either. Nice to see everybody, too.

...
Back to the Library, first time sorting since January. I won't do hardly any sorting at all, just visit and, per Steph, have a chair or stool brought in to sit, out of the way. Then, based on what I saw in the sort room yesterday, probably brekkie rather than lunch. Home, preventive icing. Reading, a bit of puttering.

Morning, Karen. Big storms rolled through last night with tornadoes spotted and our local sirens going off. Fortunately, I have not heard of any major damage in the area. Whew. This is our new norm, I guess.

PB this AM. Sue is tending to Jackson.

Belated happy new thread, Karen.

You are really getting back into your normal life. Good for you!!!!! I, on the other hand, find that I enjoy my relative solitude far too much to want to pick up a number of things I did BC.

Your picking up some books on Prime day is going to send me over too. I'm afraid that what I want isn't going to be a deal. I hope you enjoy *OverStory*.... I had to read a bit to get into it, but it's one I'll not forget.

I had to go out this afternoon and will have to go again tomorrow, but then maybe I'll be through this current round of estate business. That leaves The House. Oh dear. Oh dear.

>45 karenmarie: I have been looking to fill in some series and hoped that Prime day would make that more affordable. So far there have been no hits though.

Morning, Karen. Happy Wednesday. I am leading a bird walk at the Arboretum today. It should be a beautiful AM. Much more comfortable today. The humidity has moved out. I have an mammal fest in the yard- a bunny, a squirrel and a chipmunk, all foraging under the feeders.

>46 msf59: Hi Mark. Sorry I didn’t get back yesterday. That’s so scary when there are tornadoes spotted. We don’t have sirens here in the boonies, but I’d definitely take precautions if we did. We do have a weather station that reports watches and warnings, along with our cell phones. That’s as good as it gets. Hotter summers, more dangerous weather all around, yes. Yay for PB.

>47 ArlieS: Hi Arlie, and thank you. I haven’t forgotten our PM thread, just have had too much going on.

>48 LizzieD: Yes, mostly normal life for sure. New Normal is Bill’s continuing loss of mobility and ability to do things around here.

Your relative solitude is well-deserved, and if Covid changed when, where, and how you socialized and you’re not inclined to return to some things, good for you. Peggy time!

I was happily surprised at how many of the book club books I was able to get, and Overstory was because you liked it so very much.

I know – after a while going out can be resented. It’s good that you’re powering through the next round of estate business.

>49 quondame: I’m sorry you haven’t gotten any Prime Day hits, Susan. Maybe today will be better. Good luck.

>50 msf59: Hi Mark, and happy Wednesday to you. Wow, leading a bird walk at the Arboretum. Bird-dude, as RD would say. Congratulations and I hope it goes well. Yay for under the feeder mammal activity.

I filled the sunflower seed, wild bird seed, and suet feeders and put out a fresh hummingbird feeder. Finches and Cardinals are the only visitors so far, although I've been hearing Mourning Dove recently. The baby Finches are still being fed.

Wordle 1,124 4/6* trope, stave, white, quite

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I went and managed to get in 1.25 hours of book sorting before giving up the ghost. My foot complained and I didn't even go to Virlie's with them. I might have gone had not some folks brought boxes and boxes and boxes of history books when I thought we were finishing. They've been bringing boxes and boxes the last several book sort meetings, apparently, which will be great for the book sale. We occasionally have special collections.

I'm not sure I can start up book sorting regularly since my foot complained so much yesterday and resting and ice are the order of the day. Sigh. I just made an appointment with a foot specialist at Raleigh Orthopaedics (where my surgeon is) for tomorrow. They are so good at scheduling in a timely manner - I had also called UNC specialty clinics in the building my GP is in, and the first available appointment was August 19th with the doctor I'd seen before for other orthopaedic things. I'll cancel that appointment soon. Sheesh.

Reading, icing, MI5, dosing Senior Kitty. Napping, icing... all my usual things.

...
Chiropractor appt today at 1:30. I might need to place a small grocery order and time pickup for after. We'll see. Other than that, reading, icing, and etc. Brekkie up next...


Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

Good morning, Karen! It sounds like you have a busy day planned. I hope your new doc figures out speedy relief for your foot. When I was working, I used to suffer from plantar fasciitis - spasming of the plantar tendon in the bottom of my foot from sitting on stools at lab benches with my toes pointed downward. I had various stretching exercises to do as well as rolling the bottom of my foot along an item such as a can.

I really like the list of books your club picked. I also may read along when you read James and Knife. I was disappointed when I suggested Hamnet to my bc a few years back. It was voted as a selection, but only a few people attended the meeting and none of them liked it - but none of them were familiar with Hamlet, either. There are many 'flavors' of readers out there in the Universe.

Oh, Pooh and Piglet! It is the same thing. *warm smile*

Wishing you some real help with the foot and that stretched, replete feeling after the chiropractor finishes with you! (I don't know about it, but I know how I have felt after a massage.) While I'm wishing, I wish that we may both get our outings done and be back in the cool with a book in good order. (((((Karen)))))

>51 karenmarie: I know it hurts if you skipped Virlie's. Ice well. I'm hoping you enjoy the stunningly fast appointment, as in, it produces results as soon as possible.

*smooch*

Sorry to see you're dealing with foot pain, Karen.

I see you're watching MI5. We watched the first 3 seasons and took a break which appears to have become permanent.

Have you seen Line of Duty? Highly recommended, since you're enjoying MI5.

>51 karenmarie: Alas, Amazon is just not catering to my rather focused wish list. Though I did see some good prices on K.J. Charles

Another work table has been added to our living room. A year ago a member of our SCA Barony died, and the team cleaning out her condo called in Mike to go through the comic collection. 30 boxes of well loved comics have taken up residency while he works through them, and he's not in any hurry.

I hope your foot pain heals soon. OUch, that has to hurt!

We had a wicked storm this evening with thunder, lightening and power outage. I hope it brings the temps down tomorrow. I have some errands to do and I've been putting them off because of the God awful high temps.

>52 streamsong: Janet, A long time ago, I had surgery for plantar fasciitis wherein the tendon was snipped. It worked, and the terrible pain never returned.

I hope your quick appointment comes up with some fast solutions for your foot, Karen.

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. Sorry to hear about the foot issues. I hope that can be resolved. We had a great time on my bird walk yesterday. A few details over on my thread. Finally opened the house up last night, to enjoy the cooler weather. Playing PB this AM.

I'm here before we walk this morning because I'm ahead of my DH for once. I'll be eager to hear what the doc had to say and do about your foot. I applaud your proactive looking out for yourself!

I think I have finally, finally done all I can about the estate (except the house) and may now sit back and wait for other people to do their jobs. I also hope beyond hope that I can sit and read some this afternoon. I've picked up Lullaby Road again. I don't know who besides me would like it, but I like it a lot. The main character is a Jewish/Indian orphan, grown up to drive his big rig through the Utah deep desert to deliver to its isolated residents everything from water to major appliances. This book starts with a blizzard and a child that a Mexican worker has left for Ben to take care of.
I guess I should have written that on my own thread.....

Enjoy your day! I hope you can stay home.

>52 streamsong: Hi Janet. Yesterday was ONLY the chiropractor. I also had recyclables in the car that I could take to the recycling center.

I’m sorry you had plantar fasciitis, I know how painful it is. I had it twice when I was still working. Nasty.

Glad you like our book club selections, and I’ve made a note on my copy of the schedule that you might join in on those books. Sorry your book club didn’t like Hamnet.

>53 LizzieD: Hi Peggy, and I’ve always love that quote and illustration of Pooh and Piglet. Seemed appropriate.

If I could visit the chiropractor weekly and not pay $60 a visit – and that’s with a special thing they call a passport, pay $720 and get 12 passport visits – I absolutely would. Ditto the massage therapist, but I pay her $120+tip for 90 minutes. I hope you got back into the cool with a book quickly, with good results on your outing.

>54 richardderus: I love going to Virlie’s with the group, you’re absolutely right, RD. Much icing occurred. I’m looking forward to the appt today for two reasons – I cannot connect Audible to my 2012 SUV’s Sync – too old a version and it’s hardware and not upgradable, according to the official Ford service department we go to. Sigh. So I got an audiobook from the Library, Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle. I have the trade paperback, bought 12 years ago, so can look at the photos. The book is fascinating.

When I watched the first episode of the first season of Downton Abbey and watched the credits, I was happily shocked to see that they were using Highclere Castle – which, of course, is the home of the Earls of Carnarvon. The 5th Earl sponsored Howard Carter, who found Tutankhamuns tomb, and the rest, as they say, is history.

*smooch*

>55 lauralkeet: Hello Laura, and thank you for the sympathy. MI5 suits us right now. We watched two episodes last night. Ooooh, thanks for the recommendation for Line of Duty. Looks like something we’d love.

>56 quondame: Hi Susan. Darned ol’ Amazon. How dare they not focus on your wish list? Richard recommended the …3rd?... in the Will Darling series. I always start at the beginning of a series these days, so literally last night just started the first, Slippery Creatures. We’ll see.

30 boxes of comics. Oh my goodness. I can’t even imagine. I’m sure he’s in hog heaven.

>57 Whisper1: Hi Linda, and thank you. It’s definitely not fun, although it’s calm right now.

I hope your temps are low today. Ours will ‘only’ be 90F/101F heat index.

I’ve never heard of surgery for plantar fasciitis. Glad it worked.

>58 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg. My surgeon is part of Raleigh Orthopaedics, and I have confidence in the overall practice based on what I experienced with him. We’ll see, of course. The appt. is with a PA in the foot clinic. 🤞

>59 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and sweet Thursday to you, too. Thanks re my foot. It’s always something. Glad the bird walk went well yesterday. Glad you had cool temps overnight, and have fun at PB today.

Finches, a male hummingbird, a male Downy Woodpecker. Yesterday I saw three babies being fed by Mama Finch, so was thrilled. I thought there were only two.

>60 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! Yes you are an early bird today. Thank you.

Honestly, if I had a brain I’d be dangerous. I just checked out Lullaby Road, see that is the second of two books in the series, found the first, and went to add it to my wish list – only to find that I put it there, with you as the culprit, in 2021.

Maybe the universe is telling me something?

You can always write anything you want to on my thread, of course.

Besides the PA in the foot clinic, I have nowhere else to be but home. Not a bad thing, what with books, ice, food, AC, and etc.

Wordle 1,125 4/6* trope, defer, ready, nerdy

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Well, once again I overdid it a bit - chiropractor, recyclables to the dump, and a very small actually-go-inside grocery store run. I had TWO things on the list, and ended up spending $60. Home, ice, read, nap, MI5.

...
Today is the appointment with the foot clinic's PA. It's an hour away, so I'll leave at noon to check in 15 minutes early for the 1:20 p.m. appointment.

We were on generator power when I got up this morning. I heard and felt a vibration in the kitchen, checked the generator through the window in Bill's Home Office, and sure enough, it was on. Commercial power came back on within the hour. I love our generator.

>61 karenmarie: Your generator is proof that we live in a much, much better world now than 20 years ago. I'm guilty of doomscrolling and succumbing to the Outrage Machine's temptations so this sort of thing isn't allowed to slide past me any more. I insist on finding hopeful things to arrest my "inevitable"-ish slides into hopeless helplessness. It helps that I start each day taking meds that keep me from having worse gout, more strokes, a heart attack, etc etc. Talk about a better world!

*smooch*

Hiya, RDear!

We had a generator in 2004, but we had to go to the shed to start it and cut over the circuit breakers by hand, reversing the steps when we got commercial power back. That was all well and good when we were more mobile, but now... Bill absolutely wouldn't be able to do it and I can't do it until I'm another 2-3 months down the road with my right knee replacement. So, yay for our generator.

I doomscroll - did so last night for an hour. However, I only watched two Stephen Colbert things and mostly watched B. Dylan Hollis recipes and FailArmy.

I've started the FIRST Will Darling mystery - Slippery Creatures. Loving it so far. It's my favorite historical period and if we have MM romance, all the better.

My morning meds are for heart stuff, cholesterol, allergies, nerve pain, and mental well being. Plus tylenol and tramadol depending on when I took them in the night. Night stuff is for heart stuff, nerve pain, and tylenol and tramadol.

I'm all for meds and pain control.

Yay for pharmaceuticals!!

OK OK, Karen and Richard. I am using my Kindle credit to put Slippery Creatures on my Kindle now. Thanks!

Thinking about getting back in action. My weather report is predicting temps in the 80s for a string of days. Yard work is a prime action for those days. Also making and installing bookcase trim. Oh yeah, and laundry. Naps folded in here and there.

Keep on keeping on.

>43 LizzieD: >45 karenmarie: I remember enjoying Overstory as part of a string of reads focusing on forests and trees.

Hope you had a good visit to the doctor.

I am trying hard *not* to doom scroll: reading, crocheting, and prepping for my handmade book club meeting on Saturday. We are going to make embossed book covers out of paper bags. I am watching the video tutorial right now.

>61 karenmarie: Karen, let me know how you like Line of Duty. We were completely hooked on it, all the way to the end.

>61 karenmarie: K.J. Charles is a diversion off my main reading ways, so although I expect to check out more of the books, not just yet.

Alas, Mike is merely a stop on the comic's journey to provide funds for the deceased's beneficiary. Which I think is our SCA Barony, so that makes it a minor imposition.

Plantar fasciitis is most literally a pain. I've found an amendment to my stretch routine that seems to be helping. The original stretches were wonderful, but I don't mind the improvement I've found at all.

>64 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! I hope you like it – so far I’m intrigued with the mystery and the sparkage between Will and Kim.

>65 weird_O: Hiya Bill. Glad your temps are allowing you to do yard work. It’s going to cool down for us some here, too. Bookcases and laundry, naps, and reading all sound like worthy endeavors.

>66 witchyrichy: I’ll be happy to eat humble pie if The Overstory is as good as everybody here on LT says it is, Karen.

Glad you’ve got some good things to do instead of doom scroll. I just looked up doom scrolling, and given that I’m avoiding news like the plague, I count as a doom scroller by the second definition.

Doomscrolling or doomsurfing is the act of spending an excessive amount of time reading large quantities of news, particularly negative news, on the internet and social media. Doomscrolling can also be defined as the excessive consumption of short-form videos or social media content for an excessive period of time without stopping. Wikipedia

67. We’re hot and heavy into MI5 and just watched an episode where the team thought the UK was under VX gas attack and had to try to keep on keeping on. Depressing, actually, but very well done, IMO.

>68 quondame: KJ Charles is prolific, and most of them are historic romances/mysteries. So far only the Will Darling series intrigues me, although a standalone Unfit to Print may make it into my catalog at $2.99 on Kindle.

I figured that Mike was appraising the comics for the estate.

I’ve had plantar fasciitis twice in both feet, and now apparently have it in my right heel. Sigh. What amendment to your stretch routine are you using, Susan?

…
X-rays, poking and prodding, diagnosis of plantar fasciitis AND arthritis in my ankle with bone spurs. They gave me an ankle brace, agree that I should get new shoes, gave me exercises for the plantar fasciitis, and are setting me up for an appointment to get a steroid shot in my ankle. I’m not sure I want to do that, so will give this whole thing thought tomorrow. I’m tired tonight, we’ve had a series of strong storms go just north of us, some of them coming through.

…
Reading, doom scrolling social media NOT the news, sleep eventually.

>69 karenmarie: First thing every morning I can, which is most, while still in bed but finished with the flat on my back exercises I've been given, I pull my ankle to my opposite knee and pull the foot back. Whatever the position, this is the basic stretch that got me back walking again without cortisone shots. What I have changed is that I start out with a much, much gentler pull back, trying never to even get near pull, much less pain. Usually it takes almost no time before I can pull as hard as I can with no pain and only the tiniest bit of pull.
My thinking on doing the stretch in bed before putting foot to floor, was that first step was the worst most awful stabbing pain followed by feeling like I was walking on a wound. So stretching before the first step prevented that, and drastically reduced the pain. But not entirely. So, after about 10 years the belated idea comes to me to avoid inflicting any pain/damage in the stretches, and so far that seems to help.

I'm another who loved Line of Duty! I hope you enjoy it. I'm sure you will.

>1 karenmarie: OK, that dress is amazing! I love it.

I really haven't caught up on your thread, sorry to say. But I will be backward in coming forward and read over the highlights now :)

>70 quondame: Thank you, Susan. Of course I came to the Sunroom before reading about this stretch, so will try it tomorrow morning. I have more pain in my ankle than outside heel of my foot, so will be very gentle with the pulling.

>71 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah, for more line of Duty love.

>72 LovingLit: Hello, Megan. My grandmother was a fantastic seamstress. Here's something else she made for my mother, who is second from the left.



Wordle 1,126 4/6* trope, renal, recur, refer

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Same old same old after I got home from the foot PA. Reading, napping, dinner, MI5. I got about 6 hours of sleep total, so not too bad.

...
PT at 11. And that's all. Bill's going to take trash to the dump then get us take out lunch - I'll probably have a grilled chicken salad.

Morning, Karen. Happy Friday. Good luck at PT. Hooray for the reliable generator. Playing PB this AM. Not seeing much different at the feeders but the sparrows are pounding through the birdseed. Whew!

Hi Mark, and happy Friday to you, too. Thanks re PT, and we love our generator. You're really serious about PB, good for you.

I need to get another 40 pounds of wild bird seed, don't need sunflower seed yet.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/362118

Horrible! *smooch*

>73 karenmarie: What a lovely line of young ladies! They look about to break into the 42nd Street dance number.

>69 karenmarie: Plantar fasciitis is really no fun, so I feel your pain. I had it one year, and it really hurt to walk. I finally got a diagnosis and arch supports, and it eventually cleared up. In the middle of my dealing with this, we had a vacation trip to Virginia Beach. I couldn't enjoy it much because I couldn't walk without a lot of pain. We spent one day at some museum, in Norfolk I think, and it was miserable trying to walk around there.

I didn't realize there was a different kind of plantar fasciitis that was centered more in the heel. I truly hope the brace, shoes, and exercises give you relief, and soon!

>73 karenmarie: Your grandmother really could sew! Impressive work. I'm curious as to what event they were attending. I assume they were dancing for an audience. Your mother is very pretty.

Wishing you a pain-free weekend.

We are getting more rain now!!! In fact, the scanned just called help for a motorist stranded in the water in the post office parking lot.

Planter fascitis is a horror. That's when I started wearing those foot sleeves that helped for a long time. So did the stretching exercises.

I see you in your mother although I'm not sure that I see you in a chorus line. Hmmm. Lots of things we don't know about each other!

Sleep well!

I think you are the spitting image of your mom, and she is very pretty, just like you, Karen.

>76 SilverWolf28: Hi Silver, and thank you.

>77 richardderus: RDear! *smooch*

>78 quondame: Susan, I wish I knew what and where. Mom was in high school. you bring up a fond memory of a tap dance recital when I was 10 - one of our two numbers was wearing fishnet stockings and a lavender leotard and something on our heads - can't remember - and singing Give My Regards to Broadway.

>79 atozgrl: I'm sorry you experienced Plantar Fasciitis too, Irene. And the time was awful of course, with a vacation at the beach, of all things. Thanks re my getting better.

Most likely a a Tap and Ballet recital - Mom and Aunt Joyce both took both. Here's Aunt Joyce as the Sugar Plum Fairy. She looks about 11, so ~1946.



Thanks re my mom.

>80 LizzieD: I'm sorry you had Plantar Fasciitis, too, Wordle Sister. I had foot sleeves, and custom inserts, and exercises, too. I have my mother's heart-shaped face, less apparent than when I was younger, the nose from her mother's side of the family, and blue eyes from her AND my dad. Red curly hair from my dad. No chorus line for me, and my sister and I had to stop tap and ballet when I was 10 and Laura was 6 because of money. Broke our hearts.

I slept well, although not long. I got a total of about 4.5 hours. Thank goodness for naps!

And yay for rain. We got a fair amount, and there were flood warnings in the county for a while. They never affect us since we're on the side of a hill. The creek floods occasionally, but it's never threatened the house in the 26 years we've been here.

Wordle 1,127 3/6* trope, slant, shaft

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PT, two episodes of MI5, reading, napping. Storms, and we lost power for 4 hours. Our generator runs like a champ. We've now had 23 hours of outages since ... February? Duke/Progress Energy power's getting pretty unreliable. Apparently this time it was a tree down on their lines or equipment. 1800 customers were without power for a while.

...
I might make chili for dinner, might go to the Library to pick up my hoodie and see what appeals in the book donations to Friends. I'm now shameless - as long as I keep track of what I take to pay for in the fall and it's not something that could be up-priced, it's mine. *smile*

Morning, Karen. Happy Saturday. Sean, my SIL, wanted to pick up PB again, (he played in school and also loves tennis) so we will get together this AM, to practice and hopefully play a few games. Waking up to 60F. Low 80s during the day. I have no complaints with that weather.

>82 karenmarie: Shameless book-hussy! Like your Limbs of Satan, those books are lucky to end up in such a safe, protective environment.

*smooch*

>56 quondame:

www.Collectorz.com Has a pretty good (and free) comic book cataloging solution.

I have some of mine cataloged and too too many more not yet in the book. But one of these days.

The CBDB gves you color images and artist info and tons of other fun stuff for collectors.

>82 karenmarie: Yay for elevation during flood seasons! We're perched happily on a rather solid, for the area, crest of a significant if not impressive, rise.

>82 karenmarie: Very nice picture of your aunt! What a shame that you and your sister had to give up dance lessons.

We got some rain here yesterday, but none of the heavy stuff. As a newer subdivision, the power lines are underground, so we rarely lose power. The most likely thing to go out is the cable TV, and that's not always weather related. It sure looks like you picked a great time to get the new generator installed. It's come to your rescue a lot this year.

I hope you had some fun with the books if you made it over to the library today.

>83 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday. I hope you and Sean had fun at PB. Nice temps for you. We had some rain yesterday, today’s supposed to be 89F, chance of rain and t-storms. Typical July weather.

>84 richardderus: I am a shameless book-hussy! Thank you RD, for even mentioning the Ls O S, and sweet, beautiful, good-smelling books of course. I did grab 5 books, but don’t know if I can, in all honesty, keep them. See below. *smooch*

>85 magicians_nephew: Hi Jim! Ah yes, the infamous “one of these days.” I have several of those, too.

>86 quondame: I’m glad you don’t have to worry about flooding either, Susan.

>87 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene. I have quite a few pictures of my aunt when she was young, possibly even more than of my mother, her sister.

Mom and Dad were feckless with money. Lots of reasons, has never made sense to me. I always saved half of my allowance, saved babysitting money, saved money from my first job, saved money when I got jobs at Pepperdine. Saved money … well. You get the idea.

Our power lines are underground, too. However, there are always trees in the woods hitting the power lines, animals getting zapped by power lines an the lines going down, and equipment failures. It’s possible that we lost power when I was a kid in SoCal, but the only time I remember losing power was after the 1971 earthquake. That affected the telephone lines, too, and we were suddenly and unintentionally on a party line. People came in and out of our calls, and we went in and out of other peoples’ calls.

I did have fun with the books. My foot paid for it a bit, but immediate icing really helped.

Wordle 1,128 2/6* trope, speck. After eliminating speak as having already been used and remembering that there is no R, I'm happy that it liked speck.

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I went to the Library late in the morning. Used the cane because why not, and there were lots of donations. Nothing was calling out to me until I saw some leather-bound books in boxes on one of the rolling racks.

They are "Privately printed for members of The Classics of Medicine Library, a Division of Gryphon Editions, Ltd." and look like my Easton Press books, with "gold stamping on cover/spine, gilded page edges, hubbed spine and satin book ribbon".

Oh my.

I picked out five because they're heavy and only five would fit in my book bag... I brought them home knowing that I'd research them and discover if they needed to be up-priced or were just going on the racks. Sigh. I should have realized the answer right away, at least for some of them. I'll need to find out what our book appraiser wants to do with them. If she up-prices them or treats them as a special set, then i need to take them back. Otherwise, they're mine for $4/each. And if they're $4/each, then I want all of them, and I saw at least 6 boxes.

Religio Medici by Sir Thomas Browne, Kt. M.D. - got this one because it's so teensy and Medici. bookfinder.com has a copy listed for $105.
The Digestive Glands by J.P. Pavlov - got this one because of the author. $15 on eBay.
An Account of the Foxglove by William Withering - got this one because foxglove, digitalis, Agatha Christie mysteries. $25-$312 on eBay.
The Evolution of Modern Medicine by Sir William Osler - got this one because it was originally published the year my dad was born, 1921. $25-$312 on eBay.
The Genuine Works of Hippocrates - I love the word Genuine used here. $50-108 on eBay.

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Today is major puttering without walking a lot, reading, and etc.

Hi Karen, thank you so much for posting on my ROOT and for the well wishes. I am rarely found there myself. Will send you a PM shortly. Have now starred your thread.
I wish you a lovely Sunday.

Hello Barbara, and I'm happy to see you here. I'll be visiting you periodically - unfortunately, I've been remiss on most LT friend threads this year for a variety of reasons but am trying to do better.

I wish you a lovely Sunday, too, my dear.

Wordle in TWO!!!! You are the woman!!!!!!!!

Those book choices are - interesting - but not compelling to me, but of course, I haven't seen them in the binding. I thought I had a copy of Religio Medici, but I haven't catalogued it. I may care enough to check the shelves....

Enjoy your day! Treat yourself well!!!!

>88 karenmarie: What interesting books you've found. 6 boxes of them? How many per box?

>88 karenmarie: Good heavens, what a trove! SIX BOXES! I am gobsmacked, Horrible, you lucked into this one. I hope your discovery does great things for the library!

Have a delight of a Sunday. I'm sittin' in the coolth of the a/c because it's so icky-sticky out there.

>88 karenmarie: Animals and power lines. That reminds me of a time many, many years ago, when we lived in a trailer in Chapel Hill. The power went out for no apparent reason; turned out that some squirrel had caused the outage. I don't believe the squirrel survived.

That's quite a haul of books. They don't sound like ones I'm likely to read, so I wouldn't pick them up, even with the great value, since I don't have anywhere to put them. And Osler--when I was in Library School, one of the professors there was studying Osler, and my work-study job was helping her with that. Interesting to see his name again.

Hello hello! Catching up on your thread. I hope your treatments for the plantar fascitis are effective. I have had an encounter with that myself, never a pleasant experience. My doc at the time recommended Crocs - that was when I learned that they make more than just the gardening shoes. I still have the shoes I bought then.

Good Morning

I'm catching up on your thread. I love the photos of your beautiful cats! And, the yellow dress made for your mother for a special event, is simply lovely, lovely!

What a talented seamstress your grandmother was!

I may have mentioned I had surgery for plantar fascitis -- a long time ago. The tendons were snippped and the pain never returned. However, I still remember how very painful that condition is. I vividly remember we visited my daughter when she and her husband lived in Boston. I was in such pain I could not walk and I felt so very sad as I loved walking in Boston and nearby towns. The area is so very filled with history!!

I hope you are well soon!

>91 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. None of the books are compelling to me as far as possibly reading them goes, unless it’s end times, no electricity, and I’ve read pretty much everything else on my shelves. But my goodness! They are gorgeous. Let me know if you decide to play detective and find your copy of Religio Medici.

>92 quondame: Hi Susan. I’d never heard of any of these books and only looked at them because of the binding. Per box? Probably 5-8, depending on size. They’re all over the place size-wise. Of course this means I have to go in tomorrow to talk with Eliza about them, explain what I’ve done and see if she’s going to want to up-price them.

>93 richardderus: Hiya, RD. The Friends have definitely lucked into them. I’ve only lucked into them if Eliza doesn’t want to up-price them AND they’re willing to sell them to me rather than hold the set for the sale. Of course, I’ll be a customer at 9 a.m. at the sale, and can grab ‘em then if they’re $4/each.

Yay for AC. I’m enjoying it, too. *smooch*

>94 atozgrl: Poor squirrel. Wait. Not poor squirrel. They are one of the banes of my existence. However, looking at is animal vs. electrocution, I guess poor squirrel. A friend of mine told me that a pair of Great Horned Owls were ah... going at it... on electrical lines long ago in a galaxy far away and got electrocuted right in front of his eyes.

I have room and I love looking at gorgeously bound books. They make me very happy. There are several by Osler and a two-volume biography of him in that haul, as I recall. Interesting that you are only a couple of degrees removed from him, as it were.

>95 elorin: Hello Robyn! I’m sorry you’ve had PF. Crocs? I can’t imagine, and I didn’t even know they made more than gardening shoes. I just looked at their website, and by gum. More than just gardening shoes. They’re … not my style… see! I have filters!

>96 Whisper1: Hi Linda. Thanks re my kitties and mom’s dress. I’m sorry about your PF and that it got bad enough for surgery. My goodness. Thank you for wishing me well.

Wordle 1,129 3/6* trope, bleat, cadet.

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I didn't have an onion, so no chili last night. I made hamburgers and french fries instead. Good protein and I was able to use enough ketchup to make me happy but not enough to take me over 2,000 mg of sodium yesterday - ketchup is death by salt. We watched two episodes of MI5 and had major storms roll through late in the evening. Lightning and thunder almost over the house, lots of rain, and power flickers but we didn't lose power.

...
Chiropractor and PT today, with a stop at the bank to get cash for my cleaning ladies for tomorrow. Small amounts of puttering. Reading.

I plan on moving back upstairs tomorrow - my cleaning lady knows I want her to bring all the bed linens up to make up that bed for me. I've been using stairs at PT, have actually gone upstairs twice since surgery, and feel like it's the right time.

Happy new-week's reads, Horrible!

Thanks, RD! I was literally just getting ready to find your thread, and I shall go there now.

Thanks re my week's reads. I'm going to try to be more disciplined and read my book club book and one or more of The Federalist essays. However, I may have a serious smut relapse...

*smooch*

Hi Karen - I hope the PF resolves soon!

Lovely find of the books - There are online book auction houses that might be interested in auctioning the whole set if your Book Meister decides to sell them that way.

>99 karenmarie: Read your love into the world, Horrible. *smooch*

Apropos nothing, I report that Son the Elder texted me from Nice, France to report that he and his family had supper on the beach. That cur!

>100 streamsong: Hi Janet, and thank you. I don't know if Eliza has ever used an auction house or not. We used to have a dealer in rare books in New York sell things for us. We'd get roughly 60%. Before my time, I know that we had books that were sold for many thousands.

>101 richardderus: Good way to put it, RD. *smooch*

>102 weird_O: Hiya, Bill. Nice that Son the Elder is in Nice. Now, now. Envy does not become us. However, supper on the beach may be an exception.

Wordle 1,130 4/6* trope, croup, proof, prong

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Chiropractor, stop at Dunkin' Donuts for a donut and unsweet tea 😎, consumed in the parking lot reading on my Kindle until it was time to get to PT. Max is really pleased with my progress and I'm going to go one time a week starting next week for ... a couple of weeks, I guess. I used the seated elliptical bike for 4 minutes going slow, and I can feel it a bit in my knee today, but not pain as much as "Hello, here I am."

Book sort to take back the 5 books I really want on my shelves, to be a good Friend of the Library. We'll see what Eliza, our appraiser, says. We'll also see how many of them we have. Ice when I get home, I imagine.

My cleaning ladies come today, and Esmerelda will be getting the bed linens upstairs so I can start sleeping upstairs again, having used stairs at PT for the last 3 weeks. 2 sets of 10 at 8" yesterday with no problems, and at home I'll still mostly go left-right to the same stair going up and right-left to the same stair coming down for a while. Probably cane, too, just to be on the safe side. It will be nice to NOT hear the TV when I'm in bed.

>103 karenmarie: Yay for a great PT result! You've really reaped the rewards of being a compliant patient. Rewarding yourself seems quite logical. Enjoy going back to your own bed at last!

*smooch*

>103 karenmarie: Happy your PT is going well and especially that you can manage the stairs. We live on two floors and I am glad to have the stairs for a bit of extra exercise each day.

>88 karenmarie: Mom and Dad were feckless with money.
How fascinating that you went on to be good with money...it feels like these things are random sometimes, as I am good with money while my sister is useless...meanwhile, our mother is frugal and our dad is a spender.

I am quite behind so I will start from here....

Hope your PT is going well. Glad you are able to go up and down stairs (hopefully with no pain).

Happy mid week :)

>104 richardderus: Thanks, RD. So far so good, and there are some days when I have a light bulb go off over my head and say “I’m not hurting right now” or “My foot is pain free right now”. Going upstairs to my bed was very satisfying although it’s firmer than the sleeper sofa mattress, even with foam padding. I’ll get used to it again in a quick hurry. *smooch*

>105 witchyrichy: Hi Karen, and thank you. Yay for that extra exercise.

>106 LovingLit: Hello Megan. Interesting how someone’s handling of money can be rooted in childhood experiences (mine), or the luck of the draw (possibly with you).

>107 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita, and thank you. I manage the stairs slowly, but went up and down twice and up again once yesterday without any bad repercussions. I tried one-foot-one-step, but that was painful, so I went back to foot-foot-stair. *shrug* I’ll get there eventually.

Happy mid-week to you, too.

Wordle 1,131 2/6* trope, forte

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Let's see. Ah. Book sort. I got there in time for John to carry in two bags for me - one was personal donations and the other was the *sob* I explained to Reece what was going on with The Classics of Medicine Library books published by Gryphon, and he put all of them in special boxes on top of one rack for Eliza our appraiser to look at when she returns. I also told him that it was one of the harder things I've done recently to bring those books BACK. I managed to sort books for almost the entire time, with only one 10 minute break to take my meds and rest. Five of us headed over to Virlie's, where we were in time for lunch, so I got a Chicken Salad Plate. Two scoops of chicken salad - usually just with mayonnaise, which is how I like it and how it was yesterday. Sometimes they put pickle relish in it, which i also like, but ... salt. Captain's Wafer crackers and unsweet tea and lots of good conversation.

Got home in time to go upstairs to where Esmerelda was making the bed for me and showed her which blankets I wanted where... Even in the dead of summer I have microfleece sheets, a microfleece blanket, a ratty old silk comforter, and a thin bedspread. Nighttime temp set to 75F and reset to 78F during the day.

House cleaned, relaxed, watched MI5 and enjoyed being upstairs for the first time since May 1st. We had serious thunderstorms and rain again last night, which help with the drought.

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Chiropractor and PT today. I'll stop off at the grocery store for a few critical things. Olympic soccer starts today. Apparently the US plays France first - not a good omen - don't know if that's today or not. I'll probably watch whatever's on at 3 with Bill.

All of that sounds VERY GOOD except for the medical books, which may turn out to be very, very good for you too. I hope so!
I talked to Bobbie yesterday, and they are fine..... still in the throes of necessary repairs and upgrades. I'm sure they'll be off somewhere again soon. She asked about your surgery and was pleased to hear that you're doing so well.

You are still the woman with your word and Wordle in 2!!!! You make me think I should go back to my first word, but I'm stubborn. When I last looked at the list, I saw that either word averaged out to the same number of tries for me. (I'm not sure that's what I mean to say, but never mind.) Oh well.

>108 karenmarie: 75° AND layers of cover?! I don't even put a sheet over me until it gets below 60°! I'm shvitzing at the mere notion of suchlike!

Thunderboomers without the anxiety of outages in the offing = heaven. Hoping for your sake the Gryphon editions come home with you one day soon. *smooch*

>108 karenmarie: Hi Karen! I'm pleased to hear that you are managing the stairs, even if not quite as well as you would like, and that you are back in your own bed. Good to know that you are doing so well with PT. And I'm also glad that you were able to go to lunch with the book sorting gang again. That must have been nice.

I'll be interested to find out what the result is on the Classics of Medicine books. It does sound likely that the library would want to take advantage of their value. Your Friends group really does get some good donations!

>108 karenmarie: >111 atozgrl: Oh the story of the pretty books is very interesting. I do hope you get books you want for the sake of their looks. Lovely things are lovely to have around.

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. Well, I am officially medicare age. How did this happen? Whew!

We had a dandy time in Cleveland. Lots of good beer and socializing. Me and one of my friends even played pickleball when we were there, to work off some of those suds. I am playing PB today. Hard to believe we leave for our next camping trip in exactly one week.

Thanks for keeping my thread warm and toasty.

I have missed the entirety of this thread so I am not even trying to catch up, Karen. I hope all is well with you and yours!

Good morning, Karen. I'm speaking while we're not walking although I should be doing other things....... They will be there when I show up. We're having a little rain. If we're not going to be able to walk, I need to get on with everything else.
(It's clear that I could never write stream of consciousness.)

I wish you a good day and a better Wordle result than 4. Ah! DH came though and said that he thinks we can go, so I will!

Horrible me lurve, I'm off to the dermatologist's office for a follow-up visit. I expect all will be well since nothing hurts or oozes or sticks out.

So far, anyway.

*smooch*

>109 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! It went so well, and my foot never had shooting pains or any real pain, for that matter. Yay for Bobbie and her husband, glad you shared my surgery news.

Today again, with a Wordle two. You stick to your guns and you will start getting rewarded.

>110 richardderus: Hiya, RD. Yup. 75° and layers. 60°? Yikes. Winter comforter then and more than one heated corn bag. We loved the rain and definitely needed. Eliza apparently won’t be back ‘til at least next week, so I must be patient. *smooch*

>111 atozgrl: It’s all good, Irene. Stairs without the cane although not striding as I would wish. That will come eventually, so for now it’s left up, right up to the same stair for 16 stairs and a landing and right down, left down for 16 stairs and a landing. PT’s good but of course my knee is telling me about it this morning. Back upstairs so no TV at night, and Virlie’s! All good things.

I’m pretty sure Eliza will want to up price them individually and/or sell them as a set. She’d be foolish not to, frankly, although she didn’t up price the 42 Easton leather bound books I got in November of 2022. Our best donations come from Fearrington retirees, but they don’t make up all the 18K books we put out on sale every 6 months. We’re very lucky for being such a small Library in a sparsely-populated county.

>112 quondame: I have 76 Easton Press Books on my shelves, lovely leather-bound hubbed-spine editions with satin ribbons, perhaps 50 of them from donations to Friends that I’ve acquired. I do love looking at them.

>113 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, Sweet Thursday to you, too. Welcome back. Medicare Mark! Congrats? Condolences? Happy Birthday, regardless. Yay for Cleveland. Wow, PB and another trip. Busy Mark. You’re welcome re your thread, going over there as soon as I get caught up here.

>114 alcottacre: Hi Stasia, thanks for stopping by. We’re all doing pretty well, all things considered.

>115 LizzieD: ‘Morning, Peggy. Sorry about the rain interrupting your walk, but I know you need it. Things to do will always be there, so live large and LT for a while.

Four is my average, but I got Wordle in two again today. The word I guessed is because of a book I’m reading… separate interests merging is sometimes scary.

I hope the rest of your day is more fun than drudgery.

>116 richardderus: Hi RD, and I hope the visit to the dermatologist goes well. 🤞

Wordle 1,132 2/6* trope, porch. I saw that prior had already been used, was thinking about the book I'm listening to - Lady Almina - and remembered that the son of the current earl is always nicknamed Porchy, so there you go. Twisted meanderings of a mind with only one sip of coffee.

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Chiropractor, PT, small grocery store run. The US lost spectacularly to France, 0-3, but it's group stage so we hope they can get through to the knockout rounds. More MI5 in the evening.

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Nothing outside the house today. I was going to go to Fleet Feet for new shoes, but I got up so late that I'm just going to NOT do that today. I plan on making chili, finally, as I got the last two ingredients I needed yesterday. Reading, and etc., otherwise.

I loved your Wordle spoiler, Karen. What a great way to get it in 2!
And I'm so glad your mobility continues to improve. Is it my imagination or have you recovered more quickly this time than with your first surgery?

I hope your foot issue is improving.

>118 lauralkeet: Hi Laura! I amazed myself, and was pleased. I am on the last CD of the book, and am thinking of bringing it in today to finish up on my old laptop, which has a CD player. I changed my starting word a while back, and have had better results. adieu to trope.

Thanks re mobility. Oh yes, this one has gone much, much better. I had a Bakers Cyst in my left calf, which complicated my recovery because of pain and more swelling than this go round.

The only complication of this surgery is that while doing some PT exercises to strengthen my calf muscles, I got posterior (not anterior as previously reported) tibialis tendonitis. It caused debilitating shooting pains on the inside of my ankle and other generalized pain. I mentioned the tendonitis up-thread, which has been terrible, but all of a sudden is almost gone. I attribute it to ice, drugs, staying off my feet more than usual, seeing the podiatrist who confirmed some other problems with my feet that made me realize that it was TRULY the tendonitis, and a chiropractic adjustment to my foot that paid off within a week or so.

As it turns out, and as I think it over, I have had fallen arches/flat feet most of my life. Never, ever could wear arch supports - they hurt like the devil, and high-arched shoes were always painful. The flat feet and bone spurs related to flat feet and pain I've had on the top of my feet for decades are all related to flat feet. I'm sure flat feet also caused pain recently, but it's really the tendonitis, which seems to be mostly gone. I'll still be careful, of course, although I spent 1 3/4 hours on my feet at book sort on Tuesday and then went to lunch and had no pain at all after I got home or indeed, ever since.

I keep joking that I'm glad I only have two knees.

>119 Ameise1: Hi Barbara - yes! Serious improvement over the last week, as reported above. Thank you for enquiring.

>120 karenmarie: Isn't it amazing how much difference it makes for your feet to work properly? The entire contact-with-earth thing makes us feel so much better if it's optimal.

Hiya, RDear! Yes, absolutely. I've got the tiniest amount of stretch when I lift my toes up, but that's all. So, of course, I say to myself "Don't do that!"

I need to get off LT. I had a very late start this morning - waking up to the alarm at 9:50, and haven't eaten yet. Time for late brekkie.

*smooch*

Here I am again and very happy to hear that the pain is rapidly departing! I don't think I'll ever stride again, but I hope that our daily almost-2 miles keeps me out of tottering territory. Some days every joint is just stiff (quoting Grandmama at 99,"Umph. I'm as stiff as an old woman."), and I walk a lot like Mr. Biden.

As to Wordle, I'm amused by your hint. It sounds like mine: My dear life-long friend has had cats that she can't let into the house because of her dog. They live on the porch and are called "Porcher" and "Porchette."

Enjoy the rest of your day! I'm off to feed cats!

Happy New Thread, Karen! I think missed me on your previous thread . You look gorgeous just like your mom. You are the spitting image of her.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/362248

Morning, Karen. Happy Friday. I had a perfectly quiet birthday. Sue went up to the boat with Bree and Jackson. I stayed with Juno. Another quiet one in store today...after PB of course. 😎

>123 LizzieD: I love your visits, Peggy. The pain is occasionally there in my foot as a minor note. I can feel it now, for some reason, although first thing it’s usually not as bad. I’m wearing a compression sleeve that I’ve had forever, and may ice my foot at various times today.

I admire you and your DH getting out and walking almost 2 miles every day, even if it is NOT striding. I love your Grandmama’s comment, too. However we each got from Porchy cats or an Earl’s son’s nickname to porch, it’s all good.

>124 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah, and thank you. I just looked at my last thread, and unless I haven’t had enough coffee, you wrote three times and I acknowledged your messages three times…? Thank you re my mom.

Here’s something I just did – Mom and me. She was 18 and I was 36. We even both have odd things going on with our front two teeth in addition to our noses and general face shapes. Mom’s hair was straight brown, though, and I got my red hair from my dad.



>125 SilverWolf28: Hi Silver, and thank you.

>126 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you. Yay for a quiet birthday and yay for PB and books and Juno.

Wordle 1,133 5/6* trope, claim, shady, quash, awash

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Yesterday was reading, finding new books to read, adding 2 books to my catalog, puttering, and making chili. MI5, too. Lots of rain for a while in the afternoon.

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I have my annual eye exam today, then later in the afternoon an appointment at Fleet Feet. Jenna's been under the weather and doesn't know if she will be up to meeting me for lunch before Fleet Feet. She's got a lingering sore throat, but it's definitely not Covid.

We also have the generator folks coming out today because there has to be one circuit that didn't make it onto the electrical panel supported by the generator because the HVAC doesn't kick in when the generator goes on. I seem to think it did for a while, but now it doesn't... oh well. Bill's handling all that.

>127 karenmarie: The generator issue should be The Priority of course, but thank goodness you're sharing the duties...not like you could comfortably get up and go out to look at something troublesome.

You and Mamá definitely hail from the same branch of a deep family tree.

Eye-exam whammys!

Love the pictures of you and your mom!!!! No question whose daughter you are! You anticipate my next thread topper. I have a picture of my daddy at 23 and myself at 24. I knew I looked like him, but we could be the same person.

Glad Bill can take care of the generator people and problem.

Safe trip to you and good eyes! Good feet! Good lunch!

>127 karenmarie: fabulous mother-daughter photos, Karen! When I was in my 20s I saw a photo of my paternal grandmother as a young woman and I was astonished at the resemblance. The present-day me doesn't look at all like her; my mom's genetics are more apparent now. I find this kind of stuff fascinating.

Morning, Karen. Happy Saturday. I love the mother/daughter pics. Beautiful. I am meeting my birding buddies this AM. I have been neglecting the birdies. The sparrows have been ravishing my feeders, but I did just see a chickadee and a cardinal.

>128 richardderus: Hiya, RDear! Bill’s less and less mobile, but armchair calls/dealing with HVAC and generator people are all his responsibility. Also the security system and dealing with the landscape guys.


This pic was from ~1960, since Laura looks to be about 3. Upper left, clockwise – Mom, my maternal Grandma Holets, me, Great-Grandma Chadima holding my sister Laura, my brother Doug with a huge grease spot on his shirt for some reason. The maternal genes are very strong. Pic taken in the Century Farm in Iowa.

Eye-exam whammys worked, see below. *smooch*

>129 LizzieD: Thanks, Peggy. Yup, I am my mother’s daughter. I can’t wait to see you at 23 and your daddy at 24. Good eyes, feet, and alas, no lunch. Deets below.

>130 lauralkeet: Thanks re the photos, Laura. It is fascinating, isn’t it? My aunt mailed a box of family photos to me recently, but last news was that they were stuck in CA. I’m still angling for hundreds of photos from my Uncle Doug, but he’s been busy with my Aunt Judy’s health problems. She’s Uncle Doug’s third wife – divorce, death, and now dear Aunt Judy, the cutest and sweetest little button in the world. My Uncle Doug dotes on her.


November 4, 2019

I guess I never thought about physical characteristics changing over time – I’ve always looked like my mother’s side of the family, but with my dad’s hair color, hands, feet. My sister has my mother’s coloring and hands/feet, but doesn’t really look a lot like me at all anymore, although looking at this shot from ~1988, we looked a lot alike then. You should make a comparison photo and put it on your thread and let me know. (PC/not Apple me cuts and pastes into Word, Snips and saves as a JPEG, and then uploads to LT).

>131 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Happy Saturday to you, too. Thanks re the pics. Yay for a BBA – birding budy adventure. Alas, we’re in the same boat re feeders. I did see two Carolina Chickadees on the wild bird seed feeder yesterday, along with an Indigo Bunting. Male Cardinal on that feeder now, and somebody hiding in the Crepe Myrtle foliage. Ah, a male hummingbird is visiting, too!

Wordle 1,134 4/6* trope, shale, knife, juice

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Yesterday was 2/3 successful. My eye appointment went well. No problems, the stye is almost completely gone, and although my vision has deteriorated a little bit, not enough for new lenses. I could get distance glasses, but that means swapping out two pairs of glasses and now I just take off my close-up glasses and see well enough to drive, watch TV, look at the bird feeders, etc.

The appointment at Fleet Feet went really well. A cute UNC Chapel Hill dental student named Ian, who is very knowledgeable about feet and shoes, spent an hour with me. First were questions, then standing on a sensor, then walking back and forth across another sensor. By the time we were sitting down again, he had visuals of my feet. Size 9, normal width, low arches, narrow heels, etc. He brought out 3 pairs of shoes. The first two were ugly - I do not like white on the sides and they made my feet look like boats - but I tried them on and walked around in them in case they were perfect. Both pushed against my right arch. The last pair - ah, heaven - solid black leather, didn't make my feet look like boats and didn't push on my arches. He then put in some more structured insoles and I walked around in those. Bought the shoes - Brooks Addiction Walker 2, 9.5, medium, the insoles, and some OoFos slides for inside. If the insoles don't work I have 60 days to return them even though he cut them to fit and I'd go back to the softer Brooks insoles.

Sadness because Jenna's got a sore throat and wasn't up to meeting me for lunch. 😞

She took the DVD of Quidam, our favorite Cirque du Soleil show - back to Hwan's with her when they came over to help set up for Book Club, watched it, Hwan saw how much Jenna loves Cirque du Soleil, and bought tickets to their new show, Corteo, for August 8th. They're so good for each other.

Additional sadness, because our bold huntress - brave Diana, Zoe Rose, captured a baby bunny and I could see her with it out on the back porch. I didn't run, but quickly walked over to the french doors, went outside to see if she'd drop it, but she ran off and I couldn't follow. Locked the kitty door and didn't open it until I saw her out there a couple of hours later, without the poor baby bunny.

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Nothing on the schedule today except perhaps soccer if the US men are playing or played and were recorded by Bill. Perhaps ordering groceries online, but honestly, I love the idea of NOT going out today. Reading, spreadsheets, and etc., otherwise.

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by The Countess of Carnarvon 7/15/24 7/26/24





From Amazon.com:

Lady Fiona Carnarvon became the chatelaine of Highclere Castle - the setting of the hit series Downton Abbey - eight years ago. In that time she's become fascinated by the rich history of Highclere, and by the extraordinary people who lived there over the centuries.

One person particularly captured Fiona's imagination - Lady Almina, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon.

Almina was the illegitimate daughter of banking tycoon Alfred de Rothschild. She was his only daughter and he doted on her. She married George, the Earl of Carnarvon, at 19 with an enormous dowry.

At first, life at Highclere was a dizzying mix of sumptuous banquets for 500 and even the occasional royal visitor. Almina oversaw 80 members of staff - many of whom came from families who had worked at Highclere for generations.

But when the First World War broke out, life at Highclere changed forever.

History intervened and Almina and the staff of Highclere were thrown into one of the most turbulent times of the last century. Almina was forced to draw on her deepest reserves of courage in order to ensure her family, the staff and the castle survived.

This is the remarkable story of a lost time. But Highclere remains and in this book, Fiona weaves Almina's journey into the heritage and history of one of England's most exquisite Victorian castles.

Why I wanted to read it: I have the trade paperback, was looking at audiobooks at the Library the other day, saw it, and decided to listen to it instead.

I first heard of Lord Carnarvon and Highclere when I read Tutankhamun: The Untold Story by Thomas Hoving in November of 2012. It’s the story of Lord Carnarvon’s fascination with Egypt, his funding of Howard Carter’s digs, and their confidence that there was at least one more intact royal tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Their 15+ year collaboration yielded fruit in 1922, of course.

This, though, is the story of Almina Wombwell (14 April 1876 – 28 May 1969), natural daughter of Alfred de Rothschild and Marie "Mina" Wombwell, the French wife of Captain Frederick Charles Wombwell. Almina’s name derives from her parents’ names – Al-“Mina”. She lived a life of luxury. At the age of 19, she married George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon, ten years her senior. The marriage brought money to the coffers of Lord Carnarvon and a marriage of love and commitment to both of them. They had 2 children, the 6th Earl, and Lady Evelyn Leonora Almina Herbert. Lady Almina outlived Carnarvon by 46 years, and outlived her second husband by 31 years.

She was a rich and cosseted child and young woman, used to spending money, hosting lavish parties, and taking care of her family and the servants on the estate. However, during WWI she did what was shown in Downton Abbey. She opened Highclere up to wounded officers to recover in a healthy environment of soft sheets and pillows in comfortable rooms with healthy food and emotional support and caring. She found her life’s work in nursing. She hired all the nurses and doctors and provided state-of-the-art medical equipment at Highclere and in London, all from her personal funds and by gong to her ‘godfather’ Alfred many times, asking for £10000 at a time, millions in today’s money. He always supplied it.

She nursed Carnarvon through two major and several minor illnesses.

She went to Egypt each winter with him for 15 or more years. Ironically, the year Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered, she could not go with her husband and daughter as she was in Paris having major dental work being done. However, later in the year as Carnarvon become sick from a mosquito bite he knicked with his razor, she traveled by air, nursing him through the blood poisoning and pneumonia that killed him.

She was strong-willed and disciplined, and when there were stressful things in her life, she simply kept busy.

I found this biography fascinating and inspiring. It was written with love and sound research – Lady Almina’s presence is everywhere at Highclere – and full of fascinating facts about the family, Highclere, and the Edwardian age.

Six word review: Cosseted beauty, gave unstintingly of herself.

>132 karenmarie: Thanks for sharing the family pictures, Karen. It's so interesting to see them. You definitely take after your mother.

I'm glad to hear all your appointments went so well, but sorry Jenna couldn't meet you for lunch. I've been wearing mostly Brooks shoes since my plantar fasciitis. The podiatrist recommended them. My DH has flat feet and has always had foot problems. He also has very long, narrow feet and they're hard to fit. I wonder if we should try to find a Fleet Feet.

>133 karenmarie: Nice review! I've got that one on my shelf. It looks like I ought to go ahead and pull it to read.

>133 karenmarie: She sounds like an interesting person indeed.

Lovely Sunday-to-come, Horrible.

>133 karenmarie: That sounds like a fantastic read.

Morning, Karen. Happy Sunday. Thanks for sharing more family photos. We had a very nice bird walk yesterday. We saw 36 species. It helped that we walked along the river, so we saw a kingfisher, osprey and ducks. I also rescued (or at least I hope I did) a very young male red-wing blackbird, that got tangled in some very sticky weeds. It probably damaged it's wings, while it was stuck there. I gently pulled it loose and it dropped to the ground. I saw it scurry off but not sure it will survive. 🤞

Rain moving in, so I may play indoor PB.

>137 msf59: Thirty-six! That sounds like a very good day of birdpeeping to me. Kingfishers are so lovely and graceful, aren't they?

Rain? Oh hell...that usually means we'll get rain in three or four days tops. *sigh*

Well, you enjoy the pickleball game wherever it occurs.

>134 atozgrl: Hi Irene, and you’re welcome. I love family photos. That one of my mother is a snip of just her face from a studio portrait. My father always carried a wallet-sized one in his wallet. Yup, I inherited many Chadima genes.

I’m in good company with Brooks then. There are two Fleet Feet near you. Certainly can’t hurt to try. Best to make an appointment. Mine took just about 60 minutes.



Thanks re my review. It’s a fascinating read, and since you already have it on your shelves…

>135 richardderus: Hiya, RD! She was a petite dynamo, perfect in her role and marriage. Thanks re my Sunday – as you can see I’m getting a late start. Went to bed around 1 or so, woke up from 4-5, then was asleep til the alarm went off at 9:50. Today’s starting off well. *smooch*

>136 elorin: Hi Robyn. I hope you can get your hands on a copy.

>137 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday to you, too. You’re welcome re the photos. Glad the walk was good, and 36 species is fantastic. I hope the baby Red-Wing Blackbird survives, too. We do the best we can, right? Enjoy your day, enjoy the PB.

I’ve got a male Cardinal and some finches visiting right now.

>138 richardderus: I love Kingfishers, RD, and we have a pond we see on the way into town that we’ve always called Kingfisher Pond. There are no Kingfishers there now, but we’ve seen Bald Eagles in the tree at the edge of the pond waiting for a tasty meal.

Wordle 1,135 4/6* trope, flown, shock, smock

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I did a whole bunch of nothing yesterday - exactly what I wanted to do. Watched the US men soundly beat the New Zealand men 4-1, watched an episode of MI5, turned down the opportunity to watch a friendly match between Arsenal and Man U because I'd had Enough TV.

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Can't believe I slept so late, and am just now getting around to LT. Half a cup of coffee consumed and I'm still a trifle foggy. I don't have anything I have to do besides a few cat things - fresh water, clean the boxes, and give Inara two medicines later today. Reading, deciding which of the 3 books I've got started I'm probably going to abandon... nothing's really grabbing me right now. I need to start The End of the Affair for August's book club discussion. I'm not quite sure what it says about me that although I have a lovely old hardcover edition I found it on Kindle Unlimited and have downloaded it.

I started The Upside of Irrationality: The Unexpected Benefits of Defying Logic at Work and at Home on audio book Friday in the SUV. So far, it's interesting and entertaining. First up is the discussion of the psychology of bonuses - which levels of bonuses do employees work the hardest for. I particularly love how the experiments were designed to try to yield valid results.

>138 richardderus: Thanks, Richard. I had a good Sunday.

Morning, Karen. I had a good time playing PB, with a different group of people and it was outdoors too. Then I met friends at a nearby brewery. It turned into a long afternoon and I never read a lick.

Rain moving in at the moment, so no Trail Watch or PB. Book time, baby! Oh, yeah Jackson is coming over for a couple of hours too. Yah!

>139 karenmarie: I'm not quite sure what it says about me...maybe you're moving into the twenty-first century...? The Kindle is very convenient. I don't love Beezy-boy, but this is a theme between me and tech scum. Sad that so very many of them behave in such a way that the moniker is the best descriptor of the entire class.

My ~meh~ spell is, thank goodness, over. Nothing's outstanding or superb, but everything's doing more than simply keeping me off the streets fomenting rebellion.

>141 msf59: 'Morning, Mark! Oh, no! No reading. Enjoy the books, enjoy the grandson. I've got a Carolina Chickadee and a Tufted Titmouse visiting, along with a hummingbird hovering near the feeder tryhing to decide what to do. Ah, it's a female and she's sipping out of various ports.

>142 richardderus: Hiya, RDear. It could be the 21st century, could be my current and still raging need to read MM romance, which I either use Kindle Unlimited for and buy a few here and there (free or otherwise). Tech scum - I haven't had enough coffee to want to consider my love-hate relationship with the giant tech firms and the people who created them. But I am mostly in favor of them, otherwise I wouldn't be sitting here on LT (excluding Tim LT from the tech-scum moniker), reading on my Kindle, or using my smart phone.

Yay for being out of your Spell. I hope today's the start of a good run of better than simply keeping you off the streets fomenting rebellion.

*smooch*

Wordle 1,136 4/6* trope, reply, viper, super

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I had fits of busyness yesterday - did the cat things and filled all the bird feeders yesterday. Read, watched the first half of the US women's soccer team play Germany. They were up, don't know how it ended. Wanted to read, of course... and then we watched two episodes of MI5.

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Chiropractor at 11:30, and a box of photos from my aunt arrives sometime today. I am so excited! Reading and puttering, otherwise.

Good morning Karen! I hope you enoy that box of photos when it comes in.

It's still early enough to wish you a good morning and hope that the rest of the day is good too. Our river is satisfyingly full, and it looks like rain on its way. Such a relief!

To quote my SiL, "Do some of your best, girl."

>144 elorin: Thank you, Robyn! The box of family photos makes me soooo happy! Aunt Joyce assures me that she labeled the backs of each and that they're mine to keep. I'll scan them and send my sister a flash drive of them.

>145 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! Thank you re my morning. It went well, and I had a good chiropractor session. My chiropractor showed me Libby, which, in my ignorance I had heard of but didn't know about. I'm signed up and can also get Libby books on my Kindle, which also means my cell phone... happiness. Yay for your river, and it's been raining up here all morning.

Some of my best! Reading, updating spreadsheets, and now for a bit of lunch and reading and/or napping.

I hope you're having a good day, too.

I love your family pictures!

Now that you know Libby, have you checked out Hoopla? Same idea but no waiting.

>147 witchyrichy: Hi Karen. Thank you re the pictures. I just got the Hoopla app for my cell phone, so between it and Libby I should be good to go. Thank you!

Wordle 1,137 2/6* Once again, I seem to be channeling the Wordle word picker. trope, feral. I love the word feral, because Zoe was semi-feral when we got her and is now so NOT semi-feral. However, it seems to be used for everything wild and unpredictable now.

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Chiropractor, home. Rain all day. Read, updated spreadsheets/lightning round, set up a couple of lunch dates with friends. The box of photos didn't come. This has happened a couple of times before - the USPS tracking will say out for delivery then 'take it back' and it goes somewhere else in NC. So far it's been Aptos -> San Jose -> Atlanta -> ALASKA -> Greensboro -> Pittsboro -> High Point.

Mark - heard anything from your PO buddies about how things are going in general? I'm really referring to the jerk Postmaster General from my adopted state.

The generator people came out and found the last HVAC connection that needed to be switched to the panel that the generator uses when we lose commercial power. By the time I came home, they'd come and gone, so Bill was point man. Of course, he's always point man with power and generator stuff.

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Book sort. I woke up before the 6:40 alarm, so that was nice. I have time to putter, read, and eat brekkie before I go. I created a grocery list and scheduled it for 12-1 p.m. pickup. Even if book sort/Virlie's ends early, I can hang around there 'til pick up time reading and drinking unsweet tea.

Read, putter, etc. Maybe take my Lithops on a field trip - Jenna and I were texting last night and I sent her a new photo of the Lithops. I mentioned that they probably needed more direct sunlight, and she suggested I take them for a hammock field trip - me reading and them basking in the outdoors. I hope we get some sunlight today. It's a typical summer forecast - chance of rain and t-storms. High of 89F.

Morning, Karen. I have not heard much about the PO. Of course, I always hope the best for my fellow carriers. I am sure glad I got out when I did. I can't believe it has been nearly 4 years.

I had a good time with Jack yesterday. Heat and humidity moving in today. I plan on playing PB and then running out to get the camper.

Getting a few more visitors at the feeders- nuthatch, chickadees and downys. Sue saw a flicker the other day too. Curiously, still no hummers.

ETA- I just heard your governor just dropped out of the VP race. He looked like a promising pick. Do you know the reason why?

>148 karenmarie: Hot day, fun times, and plenty of good book-reading baked in. Happy for you, dear lady.

I hope Virlie's is a repast to be remembered today.

*smooch*

>148 karenmarie: Congrats on the Wordle in 2! You really must be channeling the Wordle word picker to have gotten that one.

I'm glad that the HVAC is taken care of and that you had a good start to the day. Have fun at book sort and Virlie's!

>149 msf59: Mark, all Governor Cooper has said is that it wasn't the right time for him or the state of NC. Speculation is that he wants to run for Senator in two years. Of course, we don't know anything for sure.

>151 atozgrl: I think his decision is the correct one. Seems to me we need him more where he is, in a position to stop the coup plotters from mangling the election results.

>152 richardderus: Good point! I hadn't thought of that one.

>149 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Wow, four years. Good for you. I love my carriers. The photos/memorabilia from my aunt arrived safe and sound yesterday. Yay for Jack, sorry about the heat and humidity arriving. Looks like you’ve got an ‘elevated thunderstorm risk’, too. I haven’t seen a nuthatch in a while, actually had a Red-Bellied Woodpecker and some Chickadees yesterday when the Lithops and I were out on the front porch. It’s already time to replenish 3 of the 4 feeders.

Cooper dropping out of the race is a loss for the country. He’s a great governor, always fighting for the people over the corporations – i.e., a good man vs. the psychos. This is from the NYT of 7/29:

Mr. Cooper harbored concerns that Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, a conservative Republican who is on the ballot this year to replace him, would mount a legal effort to usurp his executive authority while he was out of state, the two people said. Mr. Cooper did not believe Mr. Robinson would be successful but thought any such challenge would serve as a chaotic distraction had he been added to the ticket.

A spokesman for the Harris campaign declined to comment.

Mr. Cooper has known Ms. Harris dating to their overlapping days as state attorneys general and also campaigned recently with her. He has twice won governor’s races in North Carolina, a battleground state, even as Donald J. Trump carried the state at the presidential level. Mr. Cooper is prohibited from seeking a third term.

Mr. Cooper, 67, is older than Ms. Harris, 59, but still a decade younger than Mr. Trump. He is considered to be North Carolina Democrats’ top contender to challenge Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican who next faces re-election in 2026.

Ms. Harris is seeking to select a running mate on a highly compressed timeline, aiming to make her choice by Aug. 7 — a little more than two weeks after she entered the race to replace President Biden on the Democratic ticket.

Besides Mr. Cooper, those known to be under serious consideration include Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona and the transportation secretary, Pete Buttigieg.

In order to win, IMO, we need to pick a white man to offset Harris being a woman and a POC. Cynical of me. I think Mark Kelly’s perfect. I also think Cooper still has his eye on the White House, just wants to jump from the Senate there if he can beat Tillis. As a rule, I actively dislike Tillis, but there was a time recently, within the last year?, when I read that he reached out across the aisle.

>150 richardderus: It was a good day, RD! Thank you. I’m a creature of habit at Virlie’s. We got there before they were serving lunch. I was too hot to want hot tea, so had an unsweet tea with lemon and an egg biscuit. *smooch*

>151 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene. Today wasn’t quite as good Wordle-wise, as you can see below, but recently I’m doing fairly well. We’re very happy with the folks who installed and have now helped fine-tune and finalize the generator issues. It’s taken a while, but we have two panels, and the issues were pretty complex. Thermo Direct out of Raleigh is great. Electrical and generators and I don’t even know what-all else they do.

>152 richardderus: Yup, RD. Robinson, the psycho Lt. Governor, is a danger to us and our country. Talk about far right...

>153 atozgrl: Two reasons for Cooper.

Wordle 1,138 3/6* trope, piece, penne

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Book sort was great. I moved around better and wasn't quite as whupped as I was the previous Tuesday. Breakfast at Virlie's, then Marilyn and I spent an extra half hour just talking about any and everything. I've only done this with her one time before, but we always have a wonderful time. After that I took recyclables to the dump and picked up the grocery store order that I'd placed online. Pull up to one of their To Go lanes, call into the store, and the groceries are brought out and loaded into my SUV for me. Very nice. After that we watched the US men play Guinea in the Olympics and win 3-0. As the NYTimes' Jeff Reuter said in an article yesterday, "For the first time in 24 years, the United States is in the knockout rounds of Olympic men's soccer. The last time the U.S. men were in the tournament was 2008 and the last time they advanced was at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, losing to Chile in the bronze medal match." They played well, kept their cool, and were a joy to watch.

After that I took the Lithops out for a field trip - that's what Jenna called it after I told her I was going to take them to the front porch for some direct sunlight. We had fun bantering about it. Here's one of the pics I took. I've deliberately left the image large so you can see how gorgeous our land is. The pastures need to be bush hogged soon and trees cut off the fence line, but honestly, this is our little corner of Paradise.

...
Chiropractor at 11:30, PT at 2. I'll probably stop at Taco Bell after the Chiro, then go to Walgreen's to actually go inside to pick up 2 prescriptions for Bill and get some OTC items. I love my BCBS plan - I get $120 per quarter for OTC. I have to spend the current $120 by the end of September and have 6 things on my list.

After that home, reading, and etc.

>154 karenmarie: definitely a gorgeous place you have. What a joy it must be to sit out on a nice day and just look at the scenery.

Checking in on you after too long an absence, Karen. I hope both the chiropractor visit and PT go well for you today.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Gorgeous, Karen!!!

We are in complete agreement about Cooper, Robinson (who is likely certifiable), and Tillis - not surprising.

Enjoy the rest of your day. I"m off to read - can hardly believe that's true!

>154 karenmarie: Happy homesteader Horrible! *smooch*

>154 karenmarie: Gorgeous is right! Wonderful view.

I did finally hear about Cooper's reasons for dropping out. For those of you reading this who don't know, in NC the Governor and Lt. Governor run separately, and we've had Democrat governors with Republican Lt. Governors a few times. The current Lt. Governor, who is running for Governor, is crazy.

I can tolerate Tillis. He originally did not seem to be a Trumpist, though he changed his tune when he ran for Senate and wanted the support of Trump voters. He did work in a bipartisan way on some issue last year that I've forgotten. I really wish that Cooper could run against Budd because he needs to go, but he's still got four more years.

I agree with you that the ticket needs a white man for balance. I thought they might go with Shapiro, since they need to win Pennsylvania. Mark Kelly could be good, but I sure hate to take a Democrat out of the Senate. They also need to keep control there to guard against the far right insanity.

>127 karenmarie: My mistake, Karen. It was on this thread that you missed me, way up at #81 . It hardly matters. I don't know who I look more like, or even look like in my family. I have my dad's curly hair, a slight cross of my front teeth from my mom, but my mom likes to exclaim- " you certainly got your curly hair from your dad " or my paternal grandmother. I did do my DNA earlier this year, so I can confirm that they are indeed my parents, though I never doubted that.

hi Karen! Beautiful picture!! Wow. Hope the foot continues to mend and you get your knee reprogrammed and ready for a full life.

I am not happy that we need an older white man to balance out Harris' ticket but I think that's how it's gonna have to go. Whatever it takes to win against Rump and Vance.

>159 atozgrl: Shapiro's got the same issue as Cooper...we need him to ride herd on the MAGAts in his state. Kelly leaving the Senate?! Perish forbid! Minnesota governor Tim Walz makes the most sense, puts the fewest Electoral Votes at risk, and is a fine man indeed.

Happy August, Horrible me lurve. *smooch*

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. I LOVE your porch view. Wow! I wish I could look out at that everyday. Thanks for your comments on Governor Cooper. I was not that familiar with him but I completely understand how tough it would be to lose a good leader, especially when a conservative is breathing down your neck.

Well, the camper is in the drive- all hooked up and mostly packed. It is supposed to rain this AM, so I wanted to have most of it done. We will be gone until Sunday afternoon. We are also taking Juno on this trip, so she is a happy girl.

Hard to imagine a state with Governor and Lt Governor being of different parties - how does anything get done?

Of course the US Constitution stared out with a similar goofiness with the top two finishers - regardless of "party" - becoming Pres and VP.

After John Adams had to put up with Jefferson as his backstabbing VP they changed te rules pretty quickly.

>155 ffortsa: Hi Judy and thank you. Yes, sitting on one of two porches or even just looking out the Sunroom windows, where I sit most times, is always a joy.

>156 alcottacre: Hi Stasia. I had a good Wednesday for sure. I hope you did, too.

>157 LizzieD: Hi Peggy, and thank you. I wasn’t even aware Cooper was a potential VP candidate, that’s how deliberately I’ve avoided news recently. Robinson has definitely drunk the Koolaid. I’m so glad you had so much of yesterday to read.

>158 richardderus: Hiya, RD, and HHH for sure. *smooch*

>159 atozgrl: Thank you, Irene. I agree with everything you’ve written. I love the idea of Kelly, but risking his seat AND the fact that he’s also from the west mean they need someone from the Midwest, East Coast, or South.

>160 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah. I’m sorry – thank you for your kind words in >81 vancouverdeb: above. Glad the DNA confirmed that your parents are your parents. I look like both of my parents, actually, so never doubted who my parents were.

>161 Berly: Hi Kim, and thank you. My foot is coming along, as are both my knees – the one I just had surgery and the other one that’s had to cope with helping me go through PT. I’m really expecting things to kick in re my knees in 3-6 months. It takes upwards of a year to fully recover, so am not (too) impatient.

Within the scope of not doing evil things like the Gang of Psychos seems to be doing these days, I think all’s fair in love and elections.

>162 richardderus: Thanks, RD! I need to check Tim Walz out. Happy August to you, too, RD! I’ve been working on my YTD stats and July Lightning Round, will post in a while. *smooch*

>163 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and thank you. And, you’re welcome re Cooper.

I’m glad the camper’s almost ready to go. Yay for Juno getting to go, too.

>164 magicians_nephew: Hi Jim! Good things are difficult to get done in this state. Unfortunately the Gang of Psychos currently has a super majority and can override vetoes by the Governor to the ridiculous legislation they frequently pass.

I'm more against Jefferson than for, any more, based on what he did to Adams AND what he did to Hamilton. Oh, and let's not forget Sally Hemings, his slave and half sister to his wife.

Wordle 1,139 5/6* trope,fluid, canal, clash, chalk

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Chiropractor, Taco Bell, Walgreens, 40 lbs of wild bird seed and 50 lbs of black oil sunflower seed - still in the back of my SUV. PT then home. Reading, dozing, chatting with Jenna for a while. MI5, reading, and etc.

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I am not leaving the house except in an emergency today. Bill's going to have lunch with a friend of his, and I hope it doesn't get cancelled so I can have some time alone in the house.

Got up at 5, have done a load of laundry which is currently in the dryer. Read some, and etc. I might take a teensy nap before Bill leaves.

Will make air fryer chicken thighs for dinner tonight with baked potatoes.

Hope your day is going as planned, Karen, and that you're enjoying being Home Alone!

I have to go out because I don't think I can make meatloaf without bell pepper. I also need to get Mama's account with Spectrum squared away. Good grief! I guess I'll go now before it gets any hotter. It certainly doesn't need to be any hotter!

How funny that we both tried that underused vowel in our second Wordle try!

Hi Peggy!

So far so good - Bill's out having lunch with his friend, the house is blessedly quiet. I dragged in Amazon Subscribe & Save boxes, read, napped.

I'm debating making homemade peppermint patties. I have all the stuff...

I hope you acquired bell pepper and squared away your mama's Spectrum account.

YTD Statistics through July

241 books read
2 of them on my shelves before 1/1/24 and not rereads
72 books abandoned, 8530 pages abandoned, 1 audiobook, .45 hours abandoned

46.5 audiobook hours

Avg pages read per day, YTD = 321
Avg pages read per book, YTD = 284

Book of the Month: Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by Countess of Carnarvon

Books by Month
January - 46 e-books, 1 audio book, 1 Graphic Novel, and 9 books abandoned for 1711 pages
February - 37 e-books and 8 books abandoned for 1058 pages
March - 38 e-books, 1 audio book, and 7 books abandoned for 899 pages
April - 31 e-books, 1 hard cover, and 11 books abandoned for 1338 pages
May - 21 e-books, and 13 books abandoned for 1153 pages
June - 33 e-books, and 9 books abandoned for 1188 pages
July - 29 e-books, 2 audiobooks, and 15 books abandoned for 1703 pages

Author
Male 9%
Female 77%
Undeclared * 10%
Non-Binary 4%
* - can't find any info anywhere

Living 100%
Dead 0%

US Born 46%
Foreign Born 21%
Undeclared * 33%
* - can't find any info anywhere

Platform
Hardcover 1%
Trade Pback 0%
Mass Market 0%
Audiobook 2%
e-Book 98%

Source
My Library 7%
Library 1%
Kindle Unlimited 92%
Borrowed 0%

Misc
ARC/ER 0%
Re-read 0%
Series 76%

Fiction 99%
NonFiction 1%

Author Birth Country
Australia 8%
Canada 6%
England 1%
Ireland 1%
New Zealand 2%
Norway 1%
UK 3%
Undeclared * 32%
US 46%
* - can't find any info anywhere

Original Decade Published

2000-2009 3%
2010-2019 30%
2020-2029 67%

Genre
Biography 1%
Contemporary Fiction 96%
Crime Fiction 1%
Graphic Novel 1%
Memoir 1%

Acquisition/Source Date
Kindle Unlimited 225
Library 1
2014 1
2019 1
2024 11
culled after reading 2

Average Rating
1.5 - Very Bad 1%
2.0 - Bad 1%
2.5 - Average 4%
3.0 - Good 12%
3.5 - Very Good 15%
4.0 - Excellent 45%
4.5 - Outstanding 21%
5 - Masterpiece 1%

Average Rating 3.83
Books acquired YTD 154
Books culled YTD 178

July Lightning Round

Any in bold are NOT MM romances, few and far between as they are. It also occurs to me that quite a few of the smut books have warnings about triggers that I don’t mention here. Caveat emptor re triggers if you want to dip your toes in.

Work: Strictly Professional by Jesse H Reign 7/1/24 7/2/24 Kindle

Alpha male Derek has everybody at his company terrorized and goes through PAs without batting an eyelash. Wyn has taken temp work after a long-term executive-level PA stint and the manager of HR brings him to Derek after nobody else will even go to the 22nd floor. Derek’s called Satan and Dark Lord… you get the picture. Wyn is immediately attracted to Derek, but stays away because Derek’s married and his son/fiancé are getting married soon. Derek has Wyn witness his divorce papers. We find out that Derek is attracted to Wyn, too. He gives Wyn the unobtainable task of taking over wedding planning for his son/fiancé but Wyn pulls it off. Derek tells his ex-wife that Wyn is his plus 1, they share a room in Hawaii… you get the picture. HEA, caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Let Me Show You by Becca Seymour**

Veterinarian moves back to his grandfather’s ramshackle house, hires relatively-new-to-town carpenter/etc. to refurbish it. Sparkage, caveat emptor re sex. Just didn’t care, though.

Twisted Rivalry by Devon McCormack 7/2/24 7/3/24 Kindle

Simon and Ryan are identical twins, bound by horrific events of 4 years ago. Simon has inherited, keeps Ryan bound to the estate through guilt. Simon hires Jonas, who is a ringer for a man both brothers were attracted to, to punish Ryan and set him up for revenge. The plot was a bit over the top, but the writing was good, the characters vivid, and I kept wanting to read to find out the next mystery solved. There’s a dramatic denouement and we get our HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned First Comes Marriage by Shira Anthony**

Sappy, unfocused, tries to be cute, tries to be steamy. Doesn’t work for me.

Ignite by Abigail Glenn 7/3/24 7/4/24 Kindle

Another alpha male, Cain, owns Sinro Enterprises. Ezra, escaped from an abuser years earlier and living on the streets as a thief, with a best friend Jakey, is forced by Gabriel, a seriously bad man, to steal back a drive from Sinro or Jakey dies. Ezra sneaks in but isn’t successful and runs into Cain. Cain keeps him locked up in a corner office for a while, moves him to his apartment in the Sinro building, and between them, there’s sparkage. Both have lots of baggage from the past, both want and need each other. They solve the puzzle of the 24-character encrypted key on the drive and discover a much larger child-trafficking ring than anticipated. Cain finds Ezra among the children on that drive and vows to get the leader for more reasons than one. In the meantime, Ezra is fighting his demons, training, falling in love with Cain. Cain is running his business, looking for the leader of the ring and falling in love with Ezra. I love the phrase “What do you need, beautiful boy?” Serious sexy times, serious violence and killing of the bad guys, references to Ezra’s life in a basement and escape. I love the HEA. Cavet emptor re sex and violence. Oh, and Rev, Cain’s psychopath second in command, is memorable and stunning. I hope there’s a second book, with his story.

**abandoned Fool's Spring by Roe Horvat**

Naïve American Eric moves to Sweden and doesn’t know how to cope with snow, a ramshackle house, or living in a very small town. Björn has lived there all his life and is attracted to Eric. He helps Eric with basic things – firewood, home repairs, and eventually tells him he’s attracted to him. I wasn’t intrigued enough to continue.

Salt by Fearne Hill 7/4/24 7/4/24 Kindle

Oh my, this was a wonderful. Charles is a burned out venture capitalist from London, dangerously close to a mental breakdown, renting a house on a small island off the French coast. Florian has lived there all his life, harvests salt for a living. They are immediately attracted to each other and the sparks fly. There are strong feelings, just about to get avowed, when Charles’ partner comes to the island with a huge deal just concluded and Charles returns to London, promising to keep their relationship going. He sinks into mental illness, stops texting/calling until one day he is out of his mind and calls Florian. HEA. The presentation of Charles’ mental illness, his downward spiral is beautifully and vividly written, completely believable. The description of the harvesting of salt, the slow lifestyle of the island, and Florian’s relationship to his grandfather are full of emotion and love. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Forsaken by Sloane Kennedy**

Book 4 of a series I liked. This, however, even after months away from the series, was more of the same. Alpha male, which I like, vulnerable young man who needs protecting, which I like, dancing around each other until caveat emptor re sex, which I like. I didn’t like the platitudes, predictable growth of alpha male’s emotions.

Notorious by Leslie McAdam 7/5/24 7/7/24 Kindle

Another wonderful book, although the premise here is drunken marriage in Las Vegas between aspiring politician Kurt and porn star “Velvet the Cowboy” Johnny. They wake up with rings on and a legal marriage certificate in hand, both immediately thinking about annulment. Kurt finds bottles of pills and Johnny’s gun, and Johnny tells him he was intending on killing himself but got married instead. Kurt goes into caregiver mode, they return to LA and Johnny agrees to not kill himself until the next morning. The next morning they see a therapist, who puts Johnny in inpatient care for 5 days, under suicide watch. Kurt gets him when he’s released, takes him home, and begins the process of getting Johnny to promise to stay alive one more day. It’s heartbreaking and poignant. Johnny has his reasons, but Kurt finds different solutions. Johnny has up and down days. Kurt has up and down days dealing with the fallout of him marrying a porn star while trying to win a primary. They find happiness in each other and a way forward with their lives and careers. Cavet emptor re sex and mild kink.

Marked by the Omega by Ashe Moon 7/7/24 7/7/24 258 pages Kindle

Okay, this is an embarrassment, but in the spirit of full disclosure I wanted to try an Alpha-Omega Mpreg novel and this one seemed reasonable. Well, it wasn’t, but wasn’t too long so I finished it. Mason is an omega who, with his sister, robs Christophe’s family’s house during a party, taking things from a supposedly secure room. Sister escapes, Mason is injured in fleeing, both change into their wolf forms and etc. Fated mate, love, sappiness, and pretty ridiculous, when all’s said, at least for me. Caveat emptor re sex and oh, men being able to get pregnant and bear children.

**abandoned Brushed with Love by Fearne Hill**

Clem inherited his grandfather’s ramshackle house and needs it painted. Eggy, *eye roll*, is a painter working for a small local company, and there’s sparkage and eventual sexy times. Eggy, however, plans on moving to Australia with his best friend to open a surf shop, and Clem is a successful writer currently in a writer’s block. Don’t care which one decides it’s okay to relocate, stopped caring about their story.

Dangerously Happy by Varian Krylov 7/7/24 7/7/24 Kindle

At only 213 pages, it felt, in the best way possible, like 400 pages. Densely written, told completely from Adrian’s point of view. Adrian works in an office, having taken a BA in business instead of a music degree because of pressure from his father. He is, however, in a band that meets to practice at Dario’s warehouse/house/loft and perform on the weekends. Dario is a successfully published writer, gay. Adrian is nominally straight, just left by his girlfriend. Dario is very interested in Adrian and makes a move, which Adrian goes with. Dario doesn’t take it too far, just enough to entice Adrian to more, but not in a love’em and leave’em way. They start a relationship, Adrian not sure of himself, not sure if he’s bi or just into Dario, not willing to announce it to the world. Lots of steamy sex, lots of kink and some BDSM. Lots of backstory on Dario, figuring out their relationship. Miscommunications, subsidiary plot lines regarding roofies. Honestly, it really worked for me. Caveat emptor re MM, MMF, and MMM sex.

Bad Things by Varian Krylov 7/8/24 7/9/24 Kindle

Carson is a bartender and Xavi is a bouncer at a club, except that he’s really trying to find the men responsible for sex trafficking. Carson’s blackmailed into spying on Xavi but Xavi figures it out and keeps him in his basement for 3 days. Carson’s got a lot of baggage and so does Xavi. This book is not for the faint-hearted. Once again, lots of steamy sex, lots of kink and some BDSM. Subsidiary plots of how both birth families rejected their sons. Caveat emptor re MM, MMM sex.

P.S. I Loathe You by Isla Olsen 7/9/24 7/10/24 Kindle

Light and fluffy compared with the last two books, this has Wes’s sister Emma engaged to Devon, and the wedding’s in 2 weeks. Devon and Wes despise each other. Emma breaks it off. Devon’s stunned but realizes the truth that they aren’t suited. Em had written to an advice columnist, Devon reads it and knows it’s about them, sends a vitriolic reply. Wes answers the reply because it’s his best friend Tash who’s the advice columnist. Wes and Devon, still not knowing that they are writing to each other, enjoy the texts and sexts. Devon finally figures it out, ghosts Wes, who also figures it out and the sparks fly from there. There was great dialog, lots of snark, and a whole lot of sex and love. Caveat emptor re the sex.

The Good Boy by Lisa Henry and JA Rock 7/10/24 7/11/24 Kindle

Lane is the son left behind when his high-rolling and criminal parents leave him behind to face the wrath of the government and investors in a Ponzi scheme gone bad. Lane is working in a coffee shop, living in a ratty apartment. He’s shy and unassuming. Derek lost money to his parents and when he finds out who he is he tells him off. However, later, Lane is at the end of his rope and Derek helps him. Sparkage, but Lane’s been abused and Derek is careful to not trigger him. Derek’s a dom, though, and gives Lane structure and eventually they have a romantic relationship. Derek’s found family becomes Lane’s, too, and when things get really bad, they rally and there’s a resolution to Lane’s problems. This one had just enough of a mystery for me to want to find out how things got resolved in addition to the sparkage and romance. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned By His Rules by JA Rock**

A sub is physically, emotionally, and mentally abused by a dom and is rescued by a different kind of dom – one who wants a domestic discipline relationship, which I’ve never heard of before. Live and learn. At the point they start discussing it, I sort of lost interest, to tell you the truth. Caveat emptor re sex.

Among the Living by Jordan Castillo Price 7/11/24 7/12/24 Kindle

First of a 13-part series about Victor, a level 5 medium cop, who serves on the PsyCop forces. He’s always teamed with a NP – non-psych or stiff as they’re called – and his current NP has just retired. He meets another cop, not on the PsyCop force and there’s sparkage. In the meantime, there are a series of murders. Victor can see ghosts, and murdered ones will tell him who murdered them IF he can find where they were murdered and/or their bodies. He’s teamed with a new NP, but it turns out that she’s lied and is psychic – her gift is what she calls ‘sí-no’ – where any question presented with a yes or no answer she answers with the absolute truth. It’s quite helpful in finding where bodies are of, eventually, where Victor’s been taken. Jacob, his romantic interest, and he are working together, too, to solve a series of murders, and other PsyCops and NPs round out a very good first novel. The world is believable and interesting. And, romance and crime. My jam. Caveat emptor re sex.

Criss Cross by Jordan Castillo Price 7/12/24 7/13/24 Kindle

Second in the Psycops series has another series of murders, Victor being targeted for financial gain, Jacob witnessing the execution of a murderer he helped put behind bars, and unintended consequences of Victor being drugged. We learn more about Victor’s gifts, his and Jacob’s attraction to one another, and the interesting world of PsyCops. Caveat emptor re sex and ghosts.

Body and Soul by Jordan Castillo Price 7/13/24 7/13/24 Kindle

Vic meets Jacob’s parents. Jacob is trying to find them a place to live together that isn’t infested with either cockroaches or ghosts, and Victor gets a new partner. There’s a serial killer, and one of the victims is high profile so Victor and new partner Bob Zigler – Zig – are on it. These books are creating a very interesting world, vivid without being preachy, sexy alpha male stuff with Jacob, and the real beginnings of learning Victor’s backstory. Caveat emptor re sex.

Secrets by Jordan Castillo Price 7/13/24 7/14/24 Kindle

Vic and Jacob have found the perfect place to live, courtesy of a ghost. Vic is stunned to realize he has no online presence – it’s as if he doesn’t exist. He solves cases all the time yet they never get published, the psy training center he attended doesn’t exist online either. He learns that he’s being followed and that there’s an entire network of things in place to keep him offline. Caveat emptor re sex.

Camp Hell by Jordan Castillo Price 7/14/24 7/15/24 Kindle

Quite a few people know about where Vic was trained. It’s officially called Heliotrope Station, in Vic’s mind Camp Hell. He starts tracking people down and almost gets more than he bargained for. More of the secondary characters are fleshed out – Jacob’s ex Crash, and Vic’s new partner Zig. Oh yes, there are murders and cases to solve, too. Caveat emptor re sex.

GhosTV by Jordan Castillo Price 7/15/24 7/18/24 Kindle

Sixth in the PsyCops series has Vic and Jacob trying to find a missing PsyCop at a school for PsyCops. Victor acquires some talents he didn’t know he had and Jacob acquires talents HE didn’t know he had. I found quite a bit of this one tedious, frankly, and hope the next one’s better. I’ll give the series a pause for a while, though. Caveat emptor re sex.

Slippery Creatures by KJ Charles 7/18/24 7/19/24 248 pages Kindle

This is only the second historical MM romance I’ve read, after Honeytrap by Aster Glenn Gray. This one takes place after the Great War in London. Will was demobbed and barely surviving when his friend Maisie persuades him to write to his only living relative, an uncle who owns a bookshop. He helps Will and Will helps him until his death some months later. Will inherits the shop and estate, although the estate is tied up in probate as the book begins. Will gets entangled with Kim, aka Lord Arthur Secretan, in something he doesn’t quite understand – bad guys and good guys and service to the country, but which side is Kim on? Kim and Will are attracted to each other in a time when male homosexuality is punishable by death in England. Kim’s engaged to Phoebe, another Bright Young Thing, but they’re friends rather than lovers, and this persuades Kim to make a play for Will. Will’s initially shocked that Kim would betray Phoebe, but Phoebe explains their relationship. In the meantime, Will is beset by two separate sets of people wanting some papers Will never knew about and can’t find. His shop is attacked, he’s attacked. The mystery is well done. The papers have been cleverly hidden but Will eventually finds them and finds an even better hiding place for them. Will is kidnapped, the good guys and bad guys are eventually identified and Kim mostly comes out as a good guy, but disappears at the end of the novel. Will’s feelings have been engaged and he’s … not exactly broken-hearted, but heart sore. Caveat emptor re sex.

The Sugared Game by KJ Charles 7/19/24 7/20/24 Kindle

Kim’s been gone for 2 months but returns when there’s trouble afoot. More bad guys, more steamy times, more sex. Honestly, it’s been 5 days since I read this one and I honestly don’t remember too many of the details. Bad me, should write mini-reviews in a more timely manner. It was good enough to finish, good enough to start the next one. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Sapphire Sunset by C Travis Rice**

Connor is heir apparent to his grandfather’s swanky hotel in Orange County California, currently run by his uncle, a serious homophobe. He and Logan, a security guard working to pay his father’s hospital/treatment bills, kiss and have sparkage but Logan shuts it down because he doesn’t want to get fired. Connor leaves for 5 years, gets dragged back when his grandfather dies, and there’s a huge scandal, and etc. I honestly didn’t care after lots of stupid actions and trite, predictable dialogue.

Subtle Blood by KJ Charles 7/20/24 7/21/24 Kindle

The same bad guys from book 1 are back, having never been completely irradicated. Kim’s brother is accused of murder, holding the murder weapon in his hands, but says he’s not guilty. Kim wants to prove him innocent only because if he’s found guilty and hanged then Kim will become the next lord and at his father’s mercy again. Will will do anything to help Kim, and they make a great team. Mystery solved, bad guys routed, steamy times and sex. Caveat emptor re sex. The only thing that got me was, and always will be, that in most historical MM romances, secrecy must be maintained and lives never allowed to be lived publicly.

Married to His Marshal by Shiloh Swift 7/21/24 7/22/24 Kindle

Nicky goes to the feds and tells all on his criminal boyfriend and Benoit is tasked with keeping him safe until and through the trial. Benoit takes him down to Louisiana, where he’s from, and they hide out in plain sight as a married couple. There’s immediate sparkage and a growing romantic relationship. Unfortunately, a woman in town posts a pic of them and Nicky’s boyfriend comes to town to collect him. I found this one very sweet and rowdy at the same time, with their relationship strong from the get go. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Ancient History by AJ Truman**

Amos teaches at the high school he graduated from. He has mostly gotten over his broken heart from Hutch’s abandoning him on prom night when they were going to come out. Now, Hutch is back at the high school, unable to be in MLS soccer any more, coaching soccer. The anguish and hate and guilt all of a sudden seem to go away by page 77, and honestly. It just didn’t ring true at all.

Rehearsal with my Groom-to-be-Boss by MM Angeles 7/23/24 7/23/24 Kindle

Ugh. Don’t read anything by this author. Non-con by a CEO to his PA, bonus and raise after the fact, PA preens and say he’ll do anything for his boss. Thank goodness it was only 26 pages.

Filthy Sweet by R Cayden 7/23/24 7/24/24 Kindle

Owen’s been in love with his brother’s BF Fox forever. They live in the same town now, and Fox, a music executive, has a scandal brewing. He needs to work on his reputation, and he and Owen do the fake boyfriend thing. Of course, it becomes real, and it’s quite sweet. Owen knows what he wants, and it’s Fox, and as Fox figures out that he deserves Owen and they can make things work, all they have to do is tell Owen’s overprotective brother, who doesn’t see what’s before him. Caveat emptor re sex.

Second Chance at First Love by NR Walker 7/24/24 7/24/24 Kindle

I loved The Storm Boys Trilogy, read in October of last year. This is a prequel, in which two characters from the first book, Paul and Derek, own a luxury camping tour business in Australia. However, they’d broken up five years before, both brokenhearted, both never even dating again. Each gets on with his life, and finally Derek is a client in Paul’s business to see if Paul’s happy and if seeing him can help Derek move on. They realize that the things that were wrong in their relationship are fixable, there’s sparkage and sweetness. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned New Tricks by Jodi Payne**

Kit is adrift emotionally, wanting a relationship. Elijah is a dom in need of a sub. They meet and hit it off and agree to give the lifestyle a chance together. I actually liked it before the BDSM and D/sbut only because the negotiations became tedious. Caveat emptor re sex and mild BDSM.

**abandoned Guarding His Heart by R Cayden**

The plot has more holes than Swiss cheese. Declan has lost money gambling that he doesn’t have after leaving his father’s criminal business. The man he loses to says he can go babysit a kid, well, actually a 24-year old computer genius, who needs a security guard for 6-12 months. Declan goes, is immediately accepted by the kid and his father. Some bad guys attack but Declan drives them off, kid is scared and asks to sleep with Declan. *eye roll* Nope. Caveat emptor re sex.

Cryptic by Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga 7/24/24 7/25/24 Kindle

This book’s premise was much better than the execution. Derek’s a newly-minted Homicide Detective, Matt is a profiler who profiled a serial killer years earlier. People are being murdered in the same way, and Matt gets in touch with Derek, offering to help from his home in New Mexico. It takes a while for Derek to catch on that Matt can truly help, and he talks Matt in coming to New York, out of his comfort zone, to help in person. There’s sparkage, clues, red herrings, violence, an interesting plot twists and puzzles. However, it never quite jelled for me beyond their interest in each other and eventual HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

Mine to Hold by Sullyn Shaw 7/27/24 7/27/24 Kindle

Full disclosure, I almost decided not to include this novella because it’s almost embarrassing. Brohm’s selected by Draven, with Brohm’s father’s permission, to become Draven’s husband. Hello noncon. Draven is a mafia boss and Brohm’s father works for him. Brohm is kept at Draven’s mansion until they’re wed. What I actually liked about this was that after the initial shock at the kidnapping, Brohm accepts his fate, is attracted to Draven, and acquiesces. Draven, in his turn, proves that it will be a marriage of equals, and we go from there. HEA and caveat emptor re sex. I particularly liked Brohm’s revenge on his father.

The Amazing Alpha Tau Boyfriend Project by Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey 7/27/24 7/28/24 Kindle

I rarely like college romances because I think they’ll end after 3 years of 5 years or whatever, but in this case, the author wrote about their relationship like it could be the real deal. Archer gets hit upon at a wedding by Eli, who thinks he’s gay. Archer’s hammered and thinks Eli’s given him his number so Archer can get reimbursement for dry cleaning. Three weeks later Archer realizes that he was hitting on him, texts that he’s straight. They start texting, and Eli asks Archer if he knows a math tutor. Archer becomes his tutor and decides to find Eli a boyfriend if Eli passes an exam. Eli does, and after a date with a supposedly hot guy Eli says he’s an awful kisser. Discussions ensue, and Archer and Eli kiss so Archer can get graded on his kissing. Sparkage. Two more dates and Archer is beside himself thinking about Eli being with anybody but himself. He examines his feelings and realizes that he’s not so straight. HEA. Caveat emptor re sex. This is part of a series, but I’ll stop with the first.

**abandoned Boss of Attraction by Kimberly Knight**

Crush on the straight, widowed boss. The dread word ‘chuckled’, and nope. Other books have chuckles and chuckled, but this one didn’t offset its use.

**abandoned Blue Harbor Billionaire by Declan Rhodes**

Billionaire gets a journal out of his dead uncle’s safety box per the instructions in his will. Afterwards he accidentally runs into and falls down with a baseball coach during a parade. Sparkage, and just nope.

**abandoned Dominated: His Rough Protector by Jamie Harlock**

Zee flies planes for drug runners. Carlos is on board with him when they go down in the Colombian jungle, and they have to wait in a safehouse until the boss can send men to rescue them. Nope. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned The Time-Out by Vinni George**

Parental intervention has a workaholic billionaire son on a plane, no laptop, no phone, to an island in Belize, all expenses paid. At the airport and again on the plane he runs into the same guy, who’s happy-go-lucky, willing to end up wherever fate takes him. Billionaire invites him to stay at his villa. There’s sparkage but nothing’s happened yet, and the getting-there and end isn’t worth the eyeblinks, as Richard puts it.

**abandoned Filthy and the Beast by R Cayden**

Sigh. Damian needs a place to stay and more income than he has. Enzo, the Beast of the title, is a former fighter, living in a mansion by himself, unhappy that he’s been sidelined. He gets injured and his trainer forces Damian on him to help him with meds and getting around since he’s wrecked his back. Damian’s bouncy and bubbly and they start being attracted to each other. There are cute dogs, too. If it was cute cats, maybe.

Wobble by Becca Seymour 7/28/24 7/29/24 Kindle

Sweet short story has Cory getting dangerous jellyfish stings. One of the EMTs is Eric, and after Cory gets to the hospital and is okay although babbling because of the pain meds, Eric comes to visit. There’s sparkage even though Cory’s out of it. Eric asks him on a date when he’s doing better, they go out on the date, and it’s implied that they’ll get a HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

The Harder We Fall by Rebecca Raine 7/29/24 7/29/24 Kindle

This is the story of Tristan, living a half-life of penance and guilt for ‘killing his sister’ – an accident where they both fell down stairs when he was 16 and she was 13. Claire died. His parents didn’t handle it well and he doesn’t feel that they can or do love him anymore. And just after her death, his mother even told him that.

It’s also the story of Sam, almost agoraphobic, painfully shy and living a different kind of half-life afraid of the outside world because of the way his agoraphobic mother raised him. They meet when the wife of a co-worker of Tristan’s tells him about Sam’s sleep app. Tristan has terrible nightmares and insomnia and is completely sleep deprived. Sam’s app, with Sam’s voice leading meditations, finally lets Tristan sleep. The wife sets them up to meet – one hour for them to discuss business and the sleep app. Things go from there in all good ways. I can’t tell you how much these two damaged souls spoke to me, along with some gorgeous writing:

It’s been there from the start, like the magnetism of opposites. The restrained desperation of my melancholy drawn to the intense aliveness of his anxiety.

.

He backs me up against the wall, his hips fitting themselves to mine even as his eyes spit fire and fury. “I never asked for your love.”
“You didn’t have to.” I wrap my fingers around his wrists, my body restless against his. This show of aggression should be a turn on for me but, apparently, it really is. I lick my lips and Tristan swears under his breath, his jaw clenching. “My heart is mine to give and I decide who to give it to.” The rush of blood through my veins is deafening and I’m lightheaded beneath the force of his glare. “I choose you, Tristan. I love you.”

There are matters of trust and healing in Tristan’s family, and a beautiful HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

Skeletons in the Closet by Nicky James 7/29/24 7/31/24 Kindle

Tal and Diem had a hookup 6 months previous to the start of this novel, where they meet up again. Diem is a PI, Tal works for the police in the records department. Diem has so many personal demons that Tal wonders if he can ever get through to him but tries repeatedly during the course of the novel. Diem is hired by a grieving widow to find the names of a dead man’s lovers. The case keeps escalating and eventually Tal is in danger. I appreciated the author’s slowly letting us see how Diem’s been damaged by his family. Tal is sunshine and brightness that Diem craves but doesn’t think he deserves. There’s a second book coming out in September. Caveat emptor re sex. Not even a HFN, but I have high hopes.

>148 karenmarie: I use Hoopla for audio books as I don't like their book interface and they don't let you download to the Kindle.

>154 karenmarie: What a lovely view!

>161 Berly: You echo my thoughts but I get the sentiment.

Here's my question: if I were going to dip my toe into the smut pond, what might be a good start? I am pretty open minded and flexible.

>154 karenmarie: Looks relaxing! A nice place to read.

Happy weekend!

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/362397

>170 witchyrichy: Hi Karen. I’m still working on the best way to listen to audio books since I’m unable to use Bluetooth to make my cell phone and SYNC on my SUV. I’ve bought a DOSS speaker that I need to get working so I can use Audible, Hoopla, and Libby. Thanks re our view. I know you have a wonderful set up on your farm in VA, too.

Ah, smut. I’m at the US v Morocco men’s Olympic soccer match then am going out to have coffee and a cookie with a friend at 1 p.m., then an errand or two, BUT I will take it under advisement and get back to you. Fun thing to think about, just can’t make the time right now.

>171 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita. Yes. I love it out there when the weather’s good. Today’s supposed to be 96F with 109F heat index, so … NO. Thanks, I hope your weekend’s going well, too.

>172 SilverWolf28: Hi Silver, and thank you.

Wordle 1,140 4/6* trope, sauce, knave, flake

⬜⬜⬜⬜🟩
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🟨⬜🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

...
Yesterday was bliss, with a combination of reading, puttering, spreadsheets and posting stats/lightning round, and etc. Bill did go to lunch with his friend, so I had some time ALONE IN THE HOUSE.

...
US Men are playing Morocco in the Olympics and are down 0-1 at the half. It just started again, so I'll head back. Meeting Tamsie, might go to the Library after to get a head-start on the books Eliza and I are evaluating tomorrow. And, then again, may not. *smile*

I'll post again later today.

Sigh. US men down 0-3. I've stopped watching.

>169 karenmarie: *sigh*

*trudges grimly off to Ammy*

Dreadful to be this biblioholicky.

*smooch*

>173 karenmarie: Yesterday was bliss, with a combination of reading, puttering, spreadsheets and posting stats/lightning round, and etc. Bill did go to lunch with his friend, so I had some time ALONE IN THE HOUSE

Yay for bliss! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, Karen!

>174 richardderus: We're definitely a danger to one another, aren't we, RD? *smooch*

>175 alcottacre: Hi Stasia. Today has been a different kind of bliss so far. I hope your weekend is going well, too.

I decided to go to the Library early before meeting up with Tamsie. I wanted to take pics of the gorgeous leather-bound medical library books. Turns out there are 82 of them. Pics taken, will try to get a spreadsheet ready for tomorrow.

While there, I ... ah... just happened to look through donations and found two 'free' books because they're going to the Thrift Shop for quality/highlighting issues:

Wesley and the Quadrilateral for friend Karen
A Treasury of Great Mysteries

two board books for my PT for his one-year old:

Bugs published by Andrews McMeel Publishing
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson, 60th anniversary edition

hardcovers with dust jackets:

Running the Amazon
The Fault in Our Stars

trade paperbacks:
JFK from Parkland to Bethesda
Gaudy Night
The Inheritance: Poisoned Fruit of JFK's Assassination
French Quarter Fiction: The Newest Stories of America's Oldest Bohemia
Tar Heels: Five Points in the Record of North Carolina

mass market paperback of Slaughterhouse Five
audio book of What Really Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton, narrated by same

And, from McIntyre's, where I paid retail, trade paperback of Motherless Brooklyn.

Grocery store that I don't usually go to for red seedless grapes and a half gallon of unsweet tea, then home again.

My new shoes didn't hurt my feet. Amazing and a definite point in favor of Fleet Feet for fitting me properly.

Now it's time to read and nap.

Hooray for shoes that fit!!!! I'm not sure that I've ever had a pair, and that's the truth.

Enjoy the rest of your evening. I may be off and away for the rest of mine. (((((Karen)))))

'Morning, Peggy!

There's a Fleet Feet in Fayetteville. I recommend them without reservation.

Hugs back.

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Napped and read, dinner, MI5 and reading.

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Today's Jenna's 31st birthday. Here's a pic of her at her First Birthday Party.



And, winter 2022 in Asheville, NC.



.

I'll be working on the spreadsheet of books so Eliza and I start appraising them. We probably won't finish since there are 82 of them.

Other than that, all the usual plus putting up clean laundry. I'm meeting Eliza at the Library at 2.

>178 karenmarie: Happy debut celebration to Mlle Jenna! EIGHTY TWO of those hardcover medical books will, I'm really, really sure, take significant time and research to price appropriately. It's the kind of work I can see you really enjoying: what a spreadsheet that'll produce. I just put away my clean laundry too, so I share your smug sense of accomplishment, even though I didn't do it beforehand.

Have a great time with Eliza today, smoochling.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR JENNA! HAPPY JENNA's BIRTHDAY, DEAR KAREN!!!

Have fun all around today!

Thank you for the tip about the Fayetteville store. It's well over 10 years since I went to F'lle to shop. How can that be???

>179 richardderus: Hi RD! I like that - debut celebration. Thank you on her behalf. Book appraisal below. I loved working with Eliza yesterday. Alas, I have another load that's washed, dried, and sitting on a counter. *smooch*

>180 LizzieD: Thank you, Peggy! Yesterday pretty good, all things considered.

I think you and your DH should take a field trip to FFoF - Fleet Feet of Fayetteville - one of these days, especially if your shoes aren't working perfectly for you. I was up and down and moving around for about an hour of the three hours, walking in and out of the Library and between the Computer Lab and the Book Sort room, and my feet feel great today.

Wordle 1,142 6/6* Yikes. Alphabet soup and a last, lucky guess of lower instead of mower. trope, corer, sober, hover, rower, lower

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Book fondling and appraising. Eliza told me what she does, where she looks online, how she determines which price to use 25% of. Then she writes the title and author, and any pertinent info on a strip of paper which she binds across the front of the book with a strip of paper taped behind it - never taping the book, obviously, just the paper. She then writes the dollar amount we're asking on a blue dot, which also goes on the paper.

I just looked up my edition of Bagombo Snuff Box: Uncollected Short Fiction signed by Kurt Vonnegut, Easton Press, and on Amazon it's selling for $175 and via bookfinder $206. So we'd sell it for $45 (rounding up) or $52 (rounding up) depending on which source. She also uses the lowest price of the condition she considers it - VG, EF, etc. Unless they're still sealed in plastic, they're never New, and rarely Like New, unlike some Amazon third party sellers I actively dislike.

MI5 and reading rounded out the evening.

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Nothing on tap today. I wish the Library was open so I could go there for an hour or so and work on the books. Reading, and etc., getting the bird feeders back under control again. I bought 40 lbs of wild bird seed and 50 lbs of black oil sunflower seed, and each needs to go into its metal trash can in the garage. I'm going to have to pull out the hand truck and move my SUV out of the way temporarily, rather than drag the bags around it.

I finished a book late last night, update spreadsheets, and find a new book to read, although I should really spend time with The End of the Affair for next Sunday's book club meeting first.

Sunday orisons, Horrible! *smooch*

Hiya, RDear! Back at'cha!

I'm feeling righteous - bird feeders taken care of, spreadsheets and lightning round updated, and etc.

*smooch*

Wordle 1,143 4/6* trope, glade, scene, ensue

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I have a chiropractor appointment at 10:45, otherwise all the usual things.

>178 karenmarie: Oh happy birthday to Jenna! Hope you all had fun!

Happy week ahead reading!

Morning, Karen. Happy Birthday to Jenna. We brought the camper back home to empty it and clean some dishware, so I will be taking it back to storage. Otherwise, I will have a chill day. Sue is tending to Jackson. I need to tend to those feeders.

I did get some birding in on the trip, nothing very unusual but I did see a few snowy egrets, mixed in with the great egrets, along the river. Snowys rarely make it to northern Illinois.

Morning, smoochling. Have a happy one, and revel in the fact you don't have to make or eat pickle cheesecake. I went on a Dylan binge...ha! he is a riot!

Good morning, Karen! I hope you're back from the chiropractor and feeling practically wonderful!

I look forward to seeing whether you got to see Jenna on her b'day. I hope so.

I'm off to do this and that a bit later and to prepare hatches to be battened for the storm. Enjoy your day!

Oh dear, the storm. If Lizzie is battening down hatches, does that mean you are too?

>176 karenmarie: just happened to look I completely understand that. I cannot resist looking at books, lol. Congratulations on finding some buried treasure!

>178 karenmarie: Belated Happy Birthday to Jenna!

Hope you have a marvelous Monday!

Morning, Karen. Sue brought Jack back here yesterday afternoon, so I got to play with him a couple of times. He ended up spending the night. I am off to play PB but I am sure I will see him when I get back. Only low 70s today. Yah!!

>185 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita. Thank you. We’re celebrating her birthday this coming weekend – she and her girlfriend spent her birthday doing fun birthday girlfriend things. Thanks re my reading.

>186 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy next day, Tuesday, to you. Thanks re Jenna. Sounds like a nice putter-y sort of day. I hope you were able to get toy our feeders. I’ve got the morning crowd here – a male Cardinal, lots of finches, possibly a sparrow or two.

Funny you mentioning Egrets, because I saw a Great Egret in the Kingfisher Pond on Saturday. I’ve always thought what I was looking at were Snowy Egrets, but looking them up just now see that the range for Snowy Egrets doesn’t include where I live but for Great Egrets it does.

>187 richardderus: So glad you had a Dylan binge, RD! I watched a few again last night, too, and cracked up as I always do. Thank goodness I haven’t been forced to eat Pickle Cheesecake!

>188 LizzieD: I always feel good after the chiropractor. Sometimes it lasts longer than others, and this morning I’m feeling pretty chipper. We will see Jenna and Hwan on Saturday if what will become TS or TD Debby doesn’t mess things up here. The 5 a.m. NHC update has it going directly over us as one or the other. Looks like I need to make sure the few things outside that can move around in wind are battened down.

>189 streamsong: Hi Janet. Yes, more than what I last looked at last night, it see3ms to be heading directly over central NC and has slowed down significantly again. Slowing down and dumping rain means too much rain and too much flooding. We’ll be safe here at the house, and I’m pretty sure Peggy will be safe, but the river in the town she lives in will almost definitely flood, hurting people who live close to it. Some people haven’t even rebuilt after the last major flood.

>190 alcottacre: Hi Stasia. I can’t help looking through books if they’re there, of course, and we get some wonderful donations. Buried treasure for sure. Thanks re Jenna. Yesterday was good. I hope your day was good too, with CFS gone for a long time.

Wordle 1,144 4/6* trope, slick, filmy, anvil

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Yesterday's chiropractor visit was good. I also got to use the Intersegmental Traction table, a.k.a. the roller table, too. The first time I went on it I dubbed it the Orgasmatron, from Woody Allen's film Sleepers. Unfortunately, nobody at the chiropractor's office has ever gotten the reference. Other than that, reading, icing my ankle which was a bit swollen but didn't hurt, reading, puttering.

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I'll be leaving in 50 minutes or so to go to book sort and then Virlie's. My cleaning ladies are coming today, somewhere around noon. So clean house later and all the usual things - reading and puttering, watching MI5. Looks like the US women play Germany in soccer today. The men flamed out last week, but I'll be able to watch the women when I get home. If Bill doesn't have it on, it will be recorded on Peacock so we can watch it later.

Happy Booking and Breakfasting, Karen! Enjoy!!! Enjoy the rest of the day too!

I will just note since you've already visited my thread, that I Wordled in 3 again today. Saying is probably jinxing the possibility of another one for weeks and weeks. It's been fun.

We aren't walking, so I'm going back to bed for a nap. I probably can do that with no trouble.

>192 karenmarie: Fondle hearty, Horrible, and enjoy Virlie's! I hope someone has offloaded some more delectables for you to scarf up.

First time in AGES I'll be blogging a review on a Tuesday...Helen Phillips wrote Hum about a woman who does something very ill-advised to support her family and it spectacularly blows up...all in a near future I think is actually now.

Have fun book sorting!

>193 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. I enjoyed booking and, as it turns out, lunching, yesterday.

Congrats on your 3 in Wordle. As you can see, it took me 5. That was with a lot of spreadsheet help, alas. I hope you enjoyed your nap.

>194 richardderus: I fondled, RD! Virlie's was fun, too. I brought home 3 books.

>195 The_Hibernator: Hi Rachel, and thank you.

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We had so many donations that 10 of us spent 2 hours working through them. Eliza appraised books in the computer lab, but not any of the leather-bound Classics of Medicine Library.

I brought home three books.

The Echo Maker by Richard Powers
Eight Detectives by Alex Pavesi

From the discard pile going to the thrift shop:
Universal Self-Pronouncing Dictionary Based upon the Foundation laid by Noah Webster edited by W.J. Pelo, 1943. It's so cute! It's 4" x 5" x 1". I decided it needed a good home.

What is so cool about it is that in addition to being a 542-page dictionary, it has the following:
Prefixes and Suffixes
Mythological and Classical Names
Business Terms
Roman Numerals
Weights, Measures, and Money
Chemical Elements (only 95 then!)
Value of Foreign Coins
Electrical Units
Rules for Punctuation
Correct English
Forms of Address
Hebrew Calendar
Abbreviations
Foreign Words and Phrases
The Zodiac

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Might be nasty today, but Debby seems to be dallying along the SC coast according to the most recent NHC info. Looks like the worst will be tomorrow, but we're back down to 6-8" of rain.

I've got a chiropractor appointment at 10:30 and a PT appointment at 1. I might stop off in the Library, might get Taco Bell. I really might take a nap because I got about 3 hours of sleep last night, darn it.

Morning, Karen. Happy Wednesday. We cross-posted up there again yesterday. I had a great time playing PB and got to spend some quality time with Jack. More PB today and then I am meeting my birding buddies for lunch. Good luck with the rain today.

My feeders were really hopping yesterday- blue jays, chickadees, a flicker, chickadees, downys and I think a pair of grackles, along with the usual finches and sparrows.

Doggone it. sorry I missed you up there, Mark! 'Morning and happy Wednesday to you.

>191 msf59: Glad Jack came, saw, conquered, and spent the night. You and Sue must have lots and lots of Jack stuff. Yay for PB and etc.

>197 msf59: Yay for more PB and birding. I'm always envious of your flicker sightings - I rarely see them here. I've got Cardinals visiting.

>196 karenmarie: I hope it stays nasty and doesn't become catastrophic, Horrible. I'm a weentsy tidge jealous of your Pelo discovery. Sounds like something easy to dismiss but fun to have to me.

*smooch*

Boo for lack of sleep! Whew for eventually getting Wordle, 5 Sister! YAY for The Echo Maker! Powers won the NBA for that one, and I loved it. As always, you'll learn a lot about two different things: sand cranes and memory disorders. This is another Powers where getting there is more satisfying than the ending. It wasn't as unsatisfying as the end of Plowing the Dark though. I hope you get to it soon.

I haven't looked at weather predictions for us today, but it's not raining here right now, and that's a bonus. It's just moving so slowly that it's scary.

Be safe!

Wow. 3 hours! How are you awake?

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. Our weather continues to be gorgeous. Has the rain moved out of your area? Was it bad?

>199 richardderus: ‘Morning, RDear! Yesterday was just a smattering of rain during the day. Nighttime was a different matter, and today will be, too.

Sad news about the Pelo. I found a small rectangle of paper on my desk yesterday that had the word ‘necessary’ and a definition. As I looked through the Pelo, I found at least 3 words that were cut out but left in the dictionary, and several words that were cut or torn out that aren’t IN the dictionary. I’m debating whether to keep it or not. Clearly there is at least one interesting story here BUT… *smooch*

>200 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! Happy DebbyDay. I hope things are okay ‘down south’, although I know your river will flood if it hasn’t already. Still in SC, so yes, very scary. We’re safe, hope you and your DH remain so, too.

>201 The_Hibernator: Hi Rachel. I’ve messed up two days in a row by taking a nap from about 4-6 p.m. I got a bit more sleep last night, perhaps 5 hours total. With TS Debby coming through NC today, I’ll be staying in. Another perfect opportunity for a nap, as it should just be a rain event with wind gusts up to perhaps 45 mph.

>202 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Sweet Thursday to you, too. I’m glad you’ve got gorgeous weather. Ours is a bit iffy, of course, but not horrible. Today’s actually supposed to be the worst day as Debby got capricious and stalled off the SC coast for 2 days. She's now in SC, wreaking havoc.

Wordle 1,146 5/6* trope, fluid, snuck, shuck, saucy - not enough coffee and made a stupid guess on 4th word.

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I went to the chiropractor yesterday. She was happy at how easily my lower back/SI joint adjusted. She also worked on my right thumb, popping it and using her activator. She also gave me an exercise to do for it, with a rubber band if I can find one. Then I went to the Library and looked through the donations received since Tuesday and found the fifth in the New Hercule Poirot Mysteries by Sophie Hannah. I had the first two, read the first, and have now just bought nos. 3 and 4 on Amazon. Oh well, it's only money, right?

After that I went to PT, where I did slides, leg lifts, both sides, leg bends, getting to 122°. Mini-squats, hamstring curls, riding a seated elliptical for 5 minutes, 8" stairs x 2.

We got the tiniest bit of rain yesterday, but last night there was a lot more. We had power flickers and lost power for a while, with the generator kicking in. I woke up to commercial power, which went out about 20 minutes ago.

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Home today, no reason to go out and deal with rain and potential flooding on the roads into town. Generator's on, Bill's still asleep, the kitties and I are hunkered down. Books, puttering, possibly cooking chicken for dinner, possibly a nap.

>203 karenmarie: Hi Horrible! I'm glad you can get away with not going out while it's unpleasant. I'm in the same situation today.

That's a shame about the defacing of the Pelo, but honestly once something's cut apart, the rest needs recycling. Its original function is gone, so use the rest reasonably.

*smooch*

Good morning, Karen. We seem to be in about the same situation with regard to Debby. I'm hugely grateful! We haven't lost power and could actually walk right now except that we won't....

Sorry about your sweet little Pelo. People!

Enjoy your day.

Stay safe out there! We have been getting bands of rain but our worst is yet to come. Good day for a good book.

>196 karenmarie: I completely understand about needing a nap when you do not get enough sleep, Karen! Sleep away! I got barely over 2 hours last night myself.

Hope that you continue to dodge the worst of the weather.

Morning, Karen. Happy Friday. How was the weather yesterday? Lots of rain? More PB for me today. I enjoyed my time with Jack this week. We have an early birthday party for him tomorrow, which he will share with his cousin.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/362545

>204 richardderus: I like being able to stay in when it’s easy to not go out., RD. I am taking the Pelo to the Thrift Shop, sad to say. *smooch*

>205 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! We dodged a serious bullet, but many in NC were not so lucky. Lots of rain yesterday afternoon, and I saw quite a few birds sheltering on our porch during the heaviest bands of rain. Made me happy. We apparently lost power from 4 – 7:15 a.m., but I slept through it and the generator would have kicked in anyway.

>206 witchyrichy: Hi Karen, and I saw how nasty it was in Virginia looking at the radar. I hope you stayed save – I’ll come over to visit in a few. It was a good day for a good book.

>207 alcottacre: We dodged it for sure, Stasia. I didn’t nap yesterday at all, and got a good night’s sleep last night. You seem to be all sleep or no sleep. I hope you were able to nap.

>208 msf59: Hi Mark, and happy Friday to you. We had quite a few heavy bands of rain, but nothing worse, fortunately. Yay for PB, and glad you’ve had a good time with Jack. Wow. His birthday already.

>209 SilverWolf28: Hi Silver and thank you.

Wordle 1,147 3/6* trope, boule, ounce - lucky guess.

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Rain bands, and that's all. No serious wind, no power outages, no thunder/lightning, no tornadoes. Like I wrote above, we were much luckier than many in NC. Read, lazed around.

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I need to make a grocery store run today in anticipation of Jenna and Hwan coming over to celebrate Jenna's birthday tomorrow. Other than that all the usual, plus replenishing the bird feeders and seeing if the suet feeder is just on the ground, or broken on the ground.

>210 karenmarie: You seem to be all sleep or no sleep. The story of my life, lol.

It is raining here (which we had not been expecting) and has been for several hours now. I am glad that you dodged the majority of the destruction from the storm!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

>210 karenmarie: Have a lovely time tomorrow, all y'all. Celebrating the happiness of a birthday is a great gift.

The donation of Pelo makes sense. Hoping for one not mutilated to come your way one day.

*smooch*

Good morning, Karen! Just checking in with thanks for you and us! We got in our walk this morning, and I have pictures of the river on my thread. It will come up some more, but it's not going to be as bad as Matthew was.

Enjoy your day!

Hi Karen, I was just watching the weather and glad to hear the storm missed you!

> 213 'Morning, my dear! I literally just finished posting to your thread.

Yes, we dodged the Debby bullet. Yay for your walk, and I just saw the pics of your river.

Today's a lot of busy in anticipation of Jenna and Hwan visiting tomorrow. Not frenetic, but definitely more busy than usual.

I hope you enjoy your day, too.

>170 witchyrichy: Hi Karen! Instead of doing some of the things I should be doing, I had fun going through my Smut spreadsheet, looking at the 4.5 reads (no 5* smut reads, alas). I limited it to MM, excluding MMF and MMM. Here are several, across various subgenres. All are standalones except for the first. The others may be part of a series, but most MM series are a series of almost standalone books about a group of friends and these are standalone in the sense that they are HEA, not HFN.

Assassins Are People Too by S.C. Wynne, first of a quick and easy-read series
Reindeer Games by N.R. Walker
Endless Stretch of Blue by Riley Hart
RPF - When Fiction Gets A Little Too Real by M. Grano and C. Azzo
The Heir's Disgrace by August Jones
Fen by Barbara Elsborg

There are more, but these are ones I've read this year.

>211 alcottacre: Hi Stasia. I’m glad you got some rain. Your county is mostly abnormally dry. Ours was, isn’t now. Looks like hot nastiness for you, too, later on the week, at 99° and 100°. Thanks re my weekend, I hope yours is wonderful, too.

>212 richardderus: Thanks, RDear! I was a bit anxious yesterday as I realized how many things I needed to do, but I got some of them done yesterday and today will be much easier. I’m happy at the idea of seeing them.

>214 Copperskye: Hi Joanne! You snuck in when I was responding to Peggy’s post. We got much needed rain, had one large branch down that didn’t do any damage. Our landscape guys are coming to mow and etc., and will get rid of it and any other large debris I haven’t seen yet.

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Grocery shopping and reading. I sauteed some mushrooms in butter for tomorrow - will only have to heat them up and not do more on the stove top than cook London Broil and lightly steam some cauliflower. Part of the cauliflower head is cut up and in a baggie ready to go.

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I need to do any one of a dozen things today, but can pace myself. I'll also get in some reading and even possibly napping since I'm up so darned early.

Morning, Karen. Happy Saturday. I am glad that you dodged most of the Debby storms. Whew! Taking a break from PB and making a Costco run. Jack's party is this afternoon. His birthday isn't until the 22nd but today works best for the family.

Our hummers are finally back. Yah! I also spotted the flicker again.

>217 karenmarie: Happy Saturday, Horrible! Enjoy being the GOOD kind of busy today! *smooch*

I hope that Birthday-Celebrating Jenna and Hwan are there already, and that you are all having a fine time. I know that when you eat, you will be eating well. ENJOY!!!!!!!

Sunday orisons, Horrible! I'm looking forward to hearing about the fun of the visit later today.

>218 msf59: ‘Morning the next day Mark, and happy Sunday to you. I hope Jack’s party was fun – I’ll be over in a minute to visit. Glad you’ve got hummers. They’re always a joy.

>219 richardderus: Details below, RD, but I got all the stuff done that had to be done and none of it was onerous. *smooch*

>220 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! They came, saw, conquered my heart, and then left with leftovers.

>221 richardderus: Happy Sunday to you, RD!

Wordle 1,149 3/6* trope, gnome, scone

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Yesterday could have hardly gone better. I still had a few things to do to prep. Honestly, having my cleaning ladies and having the timing such that they came last Tuesday was perfect. (They come every other week.) Didn't need to vacuum or dust or QC the bathroom. I made pie crust and cook's reward and baked the pie. While it was cooling I baked the cook's reward, which in this case is the leftover pie crust rolled out with butter and cinnamon sugar, baked 'til perfectly brown. When the pie was cool I put it in the refrigerator in the garage.

I gave the dining room table a polish and then set it, got dinner plates and dessert plates out, got dessert forks out, rested a bit, took a small bag of trash to the garage, and then they arrived. We weren't eating when you envisioned it, Peggy, but I thought of you as we were sitting down. I would have loved to have set the table for 5... Anyway, they got here about 2:10. Jenna drove Hwan's car David. Yes, he's named. We've only ever named one vehicle, a Ford something or another when Jenna was about 10. His name was Raptor, Jenna being in a dinosaur phase then.

We chatted 'til about 4:30. Conversation flowed smoothly, we laughed a lot. I brought out the pics my aunt recently sent and just showed a few of them. Jenna and Hwan performed a daring toad rescue for me because when I took that small bag of trash to the garage earlier, I saw a toad behind the trash can in the corner of the garage. They found a mason jar and piece of cardboard in the garage, Jenna coaxed him into it, they came back through the living room to show us, then took him out to the pasture. Live free, cute toad!

Jenna and Hwan helped with dinner - London Broil, medium rare, a baked potato for Bill and cauliflower and sauteed mushrooms for the three of us. I normally make melted butter/garlic powder infused toast if it's 3 of us, but I couldn't use the toaster oven because it would have required two or more batches. This recipe is fantastic, it came out perfect, and is now my new go-to Garlic Toast recipe, probably even if it's just Bill and me.

Best Garlic Toast
Author: Sonja Overhiser

• Prep Time: 5 minutes - a lie - cutting, arranging bread, mincing garlic, measuring, and etc. 15 minutes?
• Cook Time: 5 minutes - ovens vary so not a lie - my wall oven 7 minutes and 1 minute on broil, but it didn't darken the toast, just made it perfectly crunchy on the outside.

• Yield: 12 toasts

Here’s the very best garlic toast you’ll find! Ultra garlicky, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside: and it takes only 10 minutes to make. - see above re the lie, but totally worth it.

Ingredients - double
• 12 small round slices of a large baguette or Italian bread (homemade or store bought)*
• 2 cloves garlic (2 teaspoons finely minced)
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt Morton Lite Salt
• Garlic powder, for sprinkling
• Finely chopped Italian parsley, for the garnish (optional)

Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Thinly slice the bread - we made the slices 1/2"
3. Mince the garlic. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic with the olive oil, dried oregano, and salt. Use a brush to brush the mixture on both sides of each slice of bread and place them onto a baking sheet. Try to pick up some of the minced garlic with the brush, as it tends to sink to the bottom. (If the oil runs out, depending on your size of bread, just add a splash more to the bowl with the garlic.) We doubled the EVOO/garlic mixture.
4. Add a pinch of garlic powder to the top of each toast.
5. Bake for 5 minutes until the crust is crisp but the inside is still soft. If desired, sprinkle with finely chopped Italian parsley. Enjoy immediately.

Author's Notes
*Our bread slices were about 4″ by 3″. It’s not a precise method, so you can use any size of bread. If you use larger slices of bread, you may need to add a splash more oil. Or just make up a 1.5 or 2 times batch of the garlic and olive oil mixture when using more bread than specified.
Find it online: https://www.acouplecooks.com/garlic-toast/

Relaxed in the living room, had pumpkin pie with freshly whipped cream, they were gone by about 7 or so.

Jenna and Hwan are absolutely adorable together - they're like one being when they're on the couch, but not in a too-personal way, just a cute octopus-sort of way. We learned more about Hwan, shared more about our family. Didn't discuss politics or religion, but Hwan definitely isn't One of The Great Unwashed GOP, and I don't think she's religious. It didn't come up. Bill's an atheist, Jenna's an atheist, and I'm a Liberal Theist.

I'm not even exhausted today.

Reading, puttering, washing the last few pans that Bill usually leaves for me. He got the kitchen 85% in order, so I'm not complaining.

Sounds like a wonderful dinner. And I'll steal the garlic bread recipe, thanks!

>222 karenmarie: *drool*

Lovely meal indeed, and such a great way to share family time!

>154 karenmarie: What a great photo! I hope your foot is on the mend.
>178 karenmarie: Another set of great photos. Jenna at various ages.

Heavens, I've been so busy watching the Olympics it looks like I haven't stopped to comment here for a while. Happy belated birthday to Jenna! Nice pictures of her. It sounds like you had a wonderful day yesterday. And the garlic bread recipe looks yummy! I'll have to give that one a try.

>223 ffortsa: Hi Judy. Steal away. Let me know how it works out for you.

>224 richardderus: Hiya, RD. I love when an experiment recipe works out. London Broil, cauliflower, and Pumpkin Pie are part of the repertoire. We had so much fun.

>225 Whisper1: Hi Linda, and thank you. My foot is on the mend, perhaps 93%. Right now my arch is tight. When J&H were here, we were talking about photos. We have many hundred, perhaps even several thousand. All need to be digitized. Bill, in his continuing ability to buy things for me that entail work that I don’t want to do, said I should get a photo scanner. I said I’d prefer to just bite the bullet and pay for someone to scan them. Or, I’d buy a scanner if he did the scanning, and it got dropped.

>226 atozgrl: Hello Irene. Lots of folks have been watching lots of Olympics, that’s for sure. I’ve watched US mens soccer until they flamed out, and watched half of one US match and the US – Brasil gold medal match replay yesterday. Just in case anybody doesn’t know the result and wants to watch a replay… It was highly satisfying in that the US won given that it’s been a while. Their new coach, who’s only coached them for ten matches, came through with cohesiveness, esprit de corps, and a strategy. I loved seeing Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird there.

Thanks re Jenna. As I said to Judy above, let me know how the recipe works out for you.

Wordle 1,150 4/6* trope, mushy, slain, skiff

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R&R, soccer, leftover London Broil, the last of the garlic toast (toasted in the toaster oven for 3.5 minutes - setting 4 of 7 on my toaster oven is 3.5 minutes, so it was just guesswork that worked out perfectly.) The last of the Pumpkin pie for dessert - we sent most of it home with J&H. Upstairs early, but I slept 4-5 hours, woke up at 5, and got up at 6.

...
Chiropractor appointment this morning, a stop off at the pharmacy to use OTC money since I got a replacement card, perhaps Taco Bell, perhaps stopping off at the Library to look amongst the donations and/or appraise few of the Classics of Medicine Library.

I think I'll have half a London Broil sandwich and some grapes for breakfast. I'm already on my second cup of coffee, fed the kitties and opened the kitty door.

Morning, Karen. You were not up yet when I stopped by yesterday. I intended to circle back and visit but never returned to LT. Sean, my SIL, joined me playing pickleball yesterday. I have Trail Watch duties today. I haven't been able to do that in several weeks. Our weather continues to be gorgeous. Love those cool nights.

My feeders have been crazy busy and getting the most hummer activity of the year. Good luck with the errands today.

'Morning, Mark! The great thing about retirement for me, 8 1/2 years into it, is that with rare exceptions I do not get up to an alarm. Now that I'm back at book sort I set an alarm for 7 a.m. so that I can have coffee, come here to LT, and still have time to get there without rushing at 9 a.m.

Yay for pickleball and TW. You're lucky with the cool nights. It will get down to 68° tonight, but it will be humid.

>227 karenmarie: The sammy sounds delightful! Enjoy the rest of your Monday at least as much as that.

*smooch*

I'm glad you had a great time with Jenna and Hwan and that your dinner was a success! Yum!

That's very similar to the garlic bread recipe I learned in high school (4H) , but mine didn't have either the dried oregano or the fresh parsley. I'll give this a try!

Unasked (maybe unwanted) arch comment. When I had my problems, I was advised to use a standard size can under my foot while sitting and roll it back and forth with my foot to gently stretch the arch. The XDH actually cut a similarly sized piece from a rail and decorated it up a bit. I still have it. :)

>230 richardderus: It was loverly, RD. I might do the same this a.m., too. *smooch*

>231 streamsong: Thanks, Janet, it was all good. Karen was in 4H as a youngster, and in addition to being a crack reporter, avid reader and collector of books, and kitty lover, is a skilled homemaker, believe it or not.

Unasked for, but definitely wanted, your comment re the can. It reminded me that I have a beautiful carved wooden foot roller identical to this one except for the company logo on the end. I inherited it from Bill's mama. I need to start using it.



Wordle 1,151 5/6* trope, fleck, begin, sinew, neigh

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Chiropractor, pharmacy, home. My new OTC credit card worked, so got $42 worth of stuff for 'free'.

...
Book sort team, book sale planning meeting, perhaps lunch plan either with the team or Rita.

I'm sure I'll be ready to just relax and read after all that.

Morning, Karen. I rarely set my alarm and when I do, I usually get up before it goes off. LOL. I play PB early this AM. I then have a Kids Kab meeting. School starts on Friday. Why on Friday? Who the heck knows? I will be back to work next week. They know about the Glacier trip in September.

Jack stayed the night. It makes it easier for Sue. He definitely has become Grandma's boy.

I hope it all went swimmingly, Horrible, and you're now ensconced in your most comfy chair snoring reading snoring reading lather rinse repeat.

*smooch*

>154 karenmarie: I was stopped in my scrolling tracks by the image of your place :) Summer looks to be in full swing, and those deck chairs are so inviting.
I was also struck by your mother's cool glasses even farther up!

Just stopping by to say hi.

>233 msf59: 'Morning, Mark. Happy Wednesday to you. I would imagine that having to get up so early when you worked at the PO is still ingrained into you, and/or you're a morning person.

Ah, Kidz Kab. Jenna's schools always started on a Thursday or a Friday. I seem to recall we started school the Tuesday after Labor Day. I would imagine Jack'll go back and forth between being a Grandma's boy and being a Grandpa's boy.

>234 richardderus: It went well, RD. Once home I read and made the executive decision to NOT make chicken. *smooch*

>235 LovingLit: Hi Megan. Summer's been here with a vengeance since early June, although after Hurricane Debby, which was 'only' a Tropical Storm when it visited us last week, it's been significantly cooler, only in the mid 80*deg;s. I might hang out in the hammock this afternoon since today's high will be 86°.

I to scroll back up to >132 karenmarie: to find the pic of my mom. I just looked at her glasses again, and they were cool.

Wordle 1,152 2/6* trope, shore

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We only sorted books 'til 10, leaving many boxes and bags for later on this week for anybody who wants to come in to sort or next Tuesday, our regular sorting time.

I truly hate sorting childrens' books, but sorted a huge box of them. Then, fortunately for me, there was no more room in the age 0-5 or grades 1-6 boxes, so didn't feel guilty stopping and going to adult books. I did tell folks twice about needing the boxes changed out.

The book sale meeting went well and only lasted 'til about 11:15, but there were still racks to put back into the book sort room, so no Virlie's. I came home instead, and remembered that Bill was out at lunch with his friend Ronnie so had 2 hours to myself in the house. I thoroughly enjoyed them. Read, putter, and I didn't nap. Dinner was winging it. Two episodes of MI5, and darned if they didn't kill off another of my favorite characters.

...
Chiropractor at 9:30, PT at noon. I might stay in town, go get a new suet feeder if they have one with a tail prop, then it will be time for an early lunch before PT. I need to add six books to my catalog - 3 from Amazon and 3 from the stacks of what are officially Jenna's books upstairs but which, frankly, she'll never read or miss.

I've always said she's a reader, but sadly, it's not really the case except fan fic on her mobile anymore. She's busy with her new class so there's reading there, but otherwise she's very busy being in love with her girlfriend and playing on her PS5.

I also have a serious bit of homework updating a spreadsheet of Friends of the Library pavers, marking up a map that I need to give to the Library, and work on Bill's and my budget. I'd rather read, which shouldn't surprise anybody.

Morning, Karen. Happy Wednesday. I am definitely a "morning" person. I also rarely stay up past 10, when I am home, so I get my 7-8 hours sleep in. I had a little Jackson time in yesterday. Playing PB today. Books in the PM.

Good luck with that homework.

Delurking to say hi and send you a midweek high five!

I’ve got one of those foot rollers and have been using it to try and stretch the extra super tight muscles of my thigh. It wasn’t working, so I finally got out the big guns—a piecrust roller. THAT worked!

>236 karenmarie: Reading often takes a detour in the 20s-50s. And love is rather distracting, producing bigger spikes of those chemicals that are also available from a suitably written page.

I've been a faithful lurker, but I don't think I've spoken in a day or two. NOT GOOD!

I hope you're enjoying a fine evening, (((((Karen))))).

I seem to have missed or forgotten what course Jenna is taking now....... She is a busy young woman. So are you! Neither of those adjectives applies to me.

Sweet Thursday, Karen.
I also belong to the category of morning people. It sounds like you are very busy with therapy etc. I hope you're feeling better every day.

>237 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Sweet Thursday to you. Glad you got some Jackson time the day before yesterday, hope the PB and books were satisfying.

>238 Storeetllr: Hi Mary! Yes to a high five! A piecrust roller sounds perfect, plus the handles much more sense for rolling those thigh muscles.

>239 quondame: Hi Susan. You’re definitely right about love being distracting for Jenna. In addition to being in love, she is living with her girlfriend. She hasn’t lived with anybody but us since a dorm room at Pfeiffer in 2011/2012. She was telling me last night that since she craves alone time like I do, she’s happy that girlfriend is teaching a new physics course at UNC Chapel Hill starting on Monday and will be away most mornings so Jenna can do her studying, alone-ing it, and some house chores by herself.

Even when I’ve been madly in love – four times including Bill – I’ve still read a lot.

>240 LizzieD: Hi delurker! (((((Peggy)))))

Jenna’s taking Pharmacy Tech III at the local community college – Central Carolina – in Siler City, Mon & Wed 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. The course runs ‘til mid-January and if she successfully passes, she can take the exam and certified through the NC Boad of Pharmacy.

My dear, you are not required to be busy. You are allowed to read, spend time with your husband, enjoy your kitties, practice your faith, and just relax after many harrowing and rewarding years caring for your dear mother.

>241 Ameise1: Hi Barbara, and sweet Thursday to you, too. By necessity I was a morning person until I retired, now I schedule appointments late and rarely have to get up to an alarm. I am occasionally up early, but today didn’t roll out ‘til about 9. I am busy with various therapies – chiropractic and PT, although PT will go away in 2-3 weeks and chiropractic will go back to once a month after this acute treatment phase, paid for except for a $20 copay, is done. I also see a massage therapist once a month, but that is sheer indulgence. I am scheduled for a 90-minute massage next Thursday.

Wordle 1,153 2/6* trope, acorn. Today's a lucky day again.

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Chiropractor, home, back out to PT. After PT I went to the local farm and garden store to see if they had a suet feeder with tail prop but they didn't. I bought suet at a ridiculous price simply because she was so nice and I buy my bird seed there. Lowe's Home Improvement doesn't have any suet feeders with tail prop according to their website for my location, so I just bought one from Amazon, due Saturday. Sigh.

...
Inara goes back to the vet today at 2 p.m. for a weight check. She doesn't seem to have gained weight although I gave her the hyperthyroid ear ointment faithfully for 30 days and fed her Royal Canin recovery. She got bored with it by the time I was on the last can, so didn't get any more from the vet since it's ~$4 per can.

Other than that, I need to continue with homework and read and putter. I may or may not cook tonight.

Good morning, Karen. TWO TWOs in a row!!!! I bow to the Wordle Witch!!!!!

I hope that you get some good news from Inara today.
My plan is to get to both Aldi and Wal-Mart today. If I manage that, that's my time consumed. *sigh*

Sweet Thursday, Karen. I did swing by early this morning but you had not surfaced. Due to rain, I played PB indoors. I enjoyed the books in the PM.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/362683

>243 LizzieD: 'Morning the next day, Peggy! Heh - Wordle Witch. I got it in three today, which would normally make me very happy, but it's a bit of a letdown after two twos.

Our closest Aldi is 26.4 miles (Chapel Hill), next closest is Apex (27.4 miles). I've never been in one. I just looked at the website, and would probably want Jenna to go with me. Haven't been in a Wal-Mart in about 6 months. I hope your Aldi-Wallyworld errands went well.

Covid caused me to source everything down to Food Lion, Walgreens, and Amazon. And I mean everything. What I couldn't get with those three places we did without. Oh, and I was eventually able to get vaccines at the little pharmacy in town.

>244 msf59: 'Morning the next day, Mark! You're getting in a lot of PB, and with the rain got to play with books. Good for you.

>245 SilverWolf28: Hi and thanks, Silver!

Wordle 1,154 3/6* trope, drake, brace.

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Inara's weight check went well, procedural-wise. In and out in 15 minutes. Unfortunately, she's lost a bit more weight even with the Royal Canin Recovery AND the methimazole TG ear ointment for hyperthyroidism. I learned that the ear ointment is forever. There were no refills, so Dr. Cindy called them in to the compounding pharmacy in Texas. I just called them and have ordered the refill, due in 2-3 business days. Ugh. Gloves, burrito-ing the cat, cleaning out whichever ear I'm putting it in, alternating left/right, .1 ml. She is not appreciative.



I made a low-sodium teriyaki marinade (not as low-sodium as I would like, but I didn't eat lunch and was roughly within my 2000 mg of sodium per day.), marinated b/s chicken thighs cut into 1" pieces, cooked it and served it with basmati rice.

MI5 and etc.

...
I need to do a 2-item grocery store run - the vet office recommended getting Inara wet kitten food since she got bored with the RC Recovery. I might stop at the Library just to check out donations... I'm shameless. Other than that, homework, reading, and etc.

Checking in on you since it has been a few days, Karen. Have a great time checking out the library donations!

I can't tell you how much I love that haircut, but I assure you that it's a LOT!!!!! Inara doesn't look totally displeased, btw.

Yesterday's errands pretty much wore me out, but we had walked, so that was good. Pursuing the listed items around Walmart (which I now see is the correct spelling) was another thousand or so steps in my day. I can use them.

If I had your access to the donations, I'd be gleeful and dismiss an mention of the shame. You dig right in!!!!!

Off to feed our 7. (Lulu threw up her supper in an unusual place last night, and I stepped in it. Oh yag. She's a bit hairball-y, we think.)

Morning, Karen. Happy Saturday. Nice pic of you and Inara. We have a Trail Watch meeting later this AM, so me and my TW buddy are going to walk the trails beforehand. Hope to see some birds too. My feeders continue to be very busy. I just wish the sparrows would take a damn break.

ETA- We would sure like to see North Carolina turn BLUE, wouldn't we? 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

>248 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! I thought I had a pic of her burrito-ed with a much more surly look on her face but I didn’t. She still fights me, but with her front paws contained I only have to worry about her phenomally strong jaw and sharp teeth. Little weasel, and thank you re my haircut. I just looked in the mirror – haven’t combed, brushed, or finger combed it, and it actually looks good enough for a photograph.

Wow, 1000 steps in Walmart alone. I’m impressed.

I dug, and didn’t mention the finds here, but will now.

The Origins of Intellect: Piaget’s Theory by John L. Phillips, Jr – I remember studying Piaget in college
Virginia Landmarks of Black History edited by Calder Loth – turns out I already have a copy, will just check quality and keep the better of the two. Right now the copy in the Library is behind the Very Heavy Sleeper Sofa, so will wait ‘til I make L36 accessible again.
Once Upon a War: Women in War by Dixie Swanson – there were 4 copies in the cubbies, so I took one. So far mine’s the only one in LT. I checked the LoC holdings, and it’s not there. Nor is Dixie Swanson. A few other books checked, some of them not there. I wonder how far behind the LoC is entering books into their holdings or ?

Sorry about Lulu throwing up her supper AND your stepping in it. I’ve done that too, and yag is good. So is blech. You could have said Lulu yakked and yag…

>249 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Saturday to you, too. Thanks re the pic. Enjoy your pre-TW and TW activities. Sorry about the sparrows – for me it’s the finches.

We sure would like NC to turn BLUE. 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

Wordle 1,155 4/6* trope, short, stork, storm

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I went to the local pet store and got 4 cans of wet kitten food with either gravy or au jus for Inara. I also got some of those squeeze tubes. She did eat some of it yesterday, but didn't go crazy over it. Bill feeds her treats during the day whenever she asks, so it's hard to know if she's really hungry when I see her.

Reading, leftover teriyaki chicken and rice for dinner, one episode of MI5. I had watched the first match of the new Premier League season, Fulham v Man U. I'm glad Man U won because it's John's team. Nothing against Fulham...

Arsenal play the Wolves in 12 minutes, so off I go. I'll come back later to visit threads.

TURN NC BLUE!!!!!!!

Yak and Yag would have been good, but I didn't think of it..... I have a message you should see at the end of my third thread and have now set up housekeeping on #4. Feel free to come look at my young daddy and young me.

YAY for teriyaki chicken and rice and Irnara who is eating maybe a bit more! Those ounces are precious. I hope that Arsenal is playing as well as they can!

Hi Peggy!

I'll go to your thread after this, because I'm anxious to see your young daddy and young you in addition to the message at the end of your thread previous thread.

Inara finished the canned tuna last night, and licked all the juice off the new, expensive, kitten food au jus I bought for her. Sigh.

Arsenal won 2-0, which is fantastic. Raya got his clean sheet (one goalkeeper can get the Golden Glove award at the end of the the Premier League season for the most matches where he isn't score against. Raya got it last season and this was the perfect start.)

I just spent a bit of time updating my 2024 books read and smut spreadsheets, along with my August Lightning Round. No rest for the wicked...

Rest of the day is puttering, avoiding my homework, reading, napping, and working on the bird feeders. I hve gotten the sugar water for the hummingbird feeder started, and need to get it out there and some other feeders replenished.

I still sound like Darth Vader trying to butch it up, but I'm finally feeling okay! Yay...so long as y'all's sweetiepie of a gawd decides it's okay to leave me be. No guarantees, of course.

*smooch*

Morning, Karen. Happy Sunday. Trail Watch went well (when doesn't it?). Our meeting was hosted by the Forest Preserve police, instructing us how to deal with different public encounters we may run into out there patrolling the trails. Interesting stuff.

TURN NC BLUE!!!!!!!

>253 richardderus: Hi Richard! I'm glad you're finally feeling okay. That whatever-it-was-crud really got you down. Fingers and toes crossed that you continue to feel okay, regardless of whatever higher powers have going on. *smooch*

>254 msf59: 'Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday to you, too. I guess the only thing that would prevent TW from going well is that if it's cancelled. The FPP information has to be fascinating and helpful for sure.

TURN NC BLUE!!!!!!!

Wordle 1,156 4/6* trope, fluid, balmy, lanky

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I watched Arsenal, I read, I made Reese's Bread based on a YouTube short by Dylan Hollis. It came out okay, will probably taste better this morning. So far Bill likes it better than I do.

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Nothing more on the schedule but to call Louise in a while, read, putter, continue to put off the homework I set myself last week. Sigh.

Well, good for Arsenal and NC BLUE!!!!!!!!!

Hope you find that Louise is settling in well. Enjoy your Sunday afternoon.

>255 karenmarie: I watched the Reese's bread one...can't say I'm tempted...but maybe toast it in the oven for a few? Otherwise it strikes me as gloopyweird not-cake.

Louise settling in to her end-of-life accommodation with her daughter okay?

I've got a modest amount of energy! I was actually hungry for lunch! (It was terrible...stuffed shells made with Elmer's and a melted red crayon...but I was hungry!!)

Sunday orisons, Horrible!

Happy new week, Karen. :-D

Morning, Karen. Well, school has started so I am back on the job. Fortunately, they are still letting me call my own shots, as far as days I want to work, which is ideal and probably the only way I would do this. This week and next I will work Mon-Wed and then I will be off on the Big Trip. I am also doing Trail Watch today. It looks to be a beautiful week.

>256 LizzieD: Hello, Peggy. During the week I frequently have to leave mid- to late-morning, and so conversations get rushed. I hope your Sunday was a good one.

>257 richardderus: Hiya, RDear. Well, I won’t make it again – it’s really only good for a day or two without getting dry and icky. It’s a waste of Reese’s Cups, frankly.

See below re Louise.

Yay for energy! Blech to lunch.

>258 Ameise1: Hi Barbara, and thank you! I wish the same for you.

>259 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Back to work, glad you can ‘call the shots’. Enjoy Trail Watch.

Wordle 1,157 4/6* trope, alert, reset, meter. I shouldn't have tried reset - T wasn't the last letter.

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Large amounts of hanging out in the Library with Inara and my Kindle.

Louise and I chatted for about 50 minutes, which is way more than usual. She seemed much happier when we spoke yesterday than previous times. She frequently complains about this or that, but didn’t, come to think of it. She has a golf cart so isn’t reliant on her daughter for errands within the community, but still needs her to take her to doctor appointments and etc. She’s toying with the idea of getting a small SUV, but I forgot to ask about that yesterday. She reads a lot, has meals with Cathy or Cathy brings in takeout, and sits at her dining room table and watches birds and nature. After all the angst of deciding and moving, it’s working out well for her. I asked about the alligator that had taken up residence in the pond near her until TS Debby scared him/her back to the canal, expressing my dislike at the idea of living with alligators. She was so cute - got defensive and said she didn't mind them. Of course, she doesn't have dogs that need walking any more. Her daughter has two medium-sized dogs that she walks at least twice a day, but Cathy doesn't go near ponds with them.

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I've got a Friends Board Meeting at 10, the chiropractor at noon. After that I need to stop at the bank to get cash for my cleaning ladies, who come tomorrow, and pick up two prescriptions. I'll be glad to go out, glad to come home.

>260 karenmarie: Lovely for you to know Louise has adjusted so well to life "down there" among the killers and storms and gators. "Down" really is le mot juste for Flahduh, innit.

That was a close call for my health, apparently passed entirely now. So relieved. *smooch*

I hope that you're having chiropractic bliss even as I type - or at least will have post-chiropractic bliss when you get out.

I devoutly hope not to go anywhere today and to get some reading done. Once again, I like the three I'm trying to read before month's end. That's always gratifying!!!

Morning, Karen. My first day back to school went swimmingly. I have a new batch of kids. I am sharing duties with the owner now. They are quieter and less boisterous than last season's kids. Win, Win. I am bringing my PB gear along with me and go straight to PB afterwards. The courts are only 5 minutes from the school. Another Win, Win.

On the feeder front- the flicker and immature male grackle have become regulars. The grackle likes the suet too.

>261 richardderus: Hiya, RD. Louise has been in FL since early May. She's doing better down there than I thought she would do. Killers, the Gang of Psychos, storms, and gators. Couldn't pay me to live there. I'm glad you're past whatever it was you had. *smooch*

>262 LizzieD: Hello Peggy. I was in Chiropractic Bliss when you posted, then I used the roller table and was in heaven. Back massage with soft roll under my knees, pillow under my head, and a blanket - they heat them in winter - for about 10 minutes, I think.

I hope you were able to stay in the house and read. Three before month end. Your three before month end will be quite a bit more meaningful than my three in the next 2 days...

>263 msf59: 'Morning, Mark! Happy Tuesday to you. I'm glad to hear about your new batch of kids and sharing duties with the owner. Enjoy them and PB today. I have an Indigo Bunting and a finch on my sunflower seed feeder. Glad to hear about your flicker and grackle.

Wordle 1,158 4/6* trope, camel, plead, delay

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Chiropractor, bank, prescriptions. Got all the errands done. Watched a live Premier League match between Leicester City and Tottenham. It ended up a draw, 1-1, which was huge for Leicester. I was glad to see Steve Cooper back as manager of LC.

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Book sort at 9 a.m., can't go to brekkie/lunch because I have an 11 a.m. PT appointment. Cleaning ladies some time today.

Inara wants lap time and I will come back to LT later today. She's getting so frail...

Checking in on you, Karen. I hope PT goes well today. Tell Inara to hang in there!

I hope you have a terrific Tuesday!

>264 karenmarie: Really glad you're thriving and as pain-free as your efforts can make you. Revel in the clean house!

Inara's frailty is saddening.

Your day sounds busy again, but I'm happy that you'll have lap time with Inara. I can't remember whether you read and commented on Laura's Kate's article (a link on her thread) about male cat ladies. It's really a love letter to the cats who love us and whom we love.

Enjoy your day!

Morning, Karen. Happy Wednesday. Last "work" day with the kids and then more PB. Currently only 56F, so it will be a cool start to the day. Great weather for sleeping too. I watched some of the Convention last night but missed the Obama's.

'Morning, all!

I didn't realize my dentist appointment was at 11:30, got up late. I'll be back after a filling and a full set of x-rays, getting some food for Inara at the grocery store, and returning a pair of slides to Fleet Feet that just don't cut it.

Hope your filling and x-rays are all there was to the dentist appointment. I think I've said that my dentist is a friend whom I look forward to seeing. His name is C. Porter Osborne. His father, also CPO, was in dental school at the same time as Ferroll Sams, and they were friends. This is all in aid of mentioning AGAIN Run With the Horsemen, one of my all-time favorite books, which I can't persuade people to read. (The boy's name is Porter Osborne.) This is the first of a trilogy, largely autobiographical, that takes Porter from childhood to high school graduation, then through college, and finally in and out of med school to enlist and serve as a medic in Europe in WWII. This is how my parents grew up in the South, in NC rather than Porter's Georgia. It is funny and sad and an immersive experience. Everybody should read it!!!! (My cousin's wife, who is a reader, finally read it this spring, loved it, and actually called me to tell me so.)

Isn't this weather amazing!?!?!?! (((((Karen)))))

>265 alcottacre: Hi Stasia, and thank you. Tuesday went well, see below.

>266 richardderus: RDear, I keep being surprised when I’m not in pain, like right now. My right knee is a bit stiff, but I really am not feeling any pain. Amazing?

Thank you re Inara. She’s 17 years and 2 months, so roughly 84 in human years according to what Bill looked up last night. When I came home just now she was sitting in Bill’s lap and had just woken up from a nap.

>267 LizzieD: Honestly, Peggy, my days are too busy, but things are slowing down with PT and chiropractor only once a week. Dentist visit over, massage tomorrow. Friday nothing, although I need to schedule lunches with Jan and Rita.

>268 msf59: ‘Afternoon, Mark! I’m glad you’ve settled in with a more settled (😊) bunch of kids, good for your PB. It was 58F here last night, and only 74F now, going to a high of 78F. Tonight will be 54F. I haven’t watched any of the convention, might see what’s on YouTube.

>270 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! No surprises, although he’ll look at the x-rays today and call if he sees anything. I told him that as much as I like him, I’d rather not see or hear from him before my 6-month cleaning/checkup next January. Love this weather. (((((Peggy)))))

Wordle 1,159 3/6* trope, milky, mulch

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I didn't go to book sort/Virlie's yesterday for two reasons - Inara was very needy so we hung out on the sofa in the Library 'til I had to get ready for my earlier-than-usual PT appointment at 11. Home, cleaning ladies, relative quiet, dinner and MI5.

So far today I had a composite filling put in to replace the old filling that fell out in June. It's in the back of my right front tooth. I remember not having anesthetic when it was originally done, and did it that way again - just drilling sounds. So now, full x-rays (18 of them!), mouth stuff, and $576 later, I'm hopefully done with the dentist 'til January.

Stopped off at the grocery store and bought more of an experiment that I bought yesterday - Blue Buffalo Tasteful Tuna Puree, 3 oz pouch. I put some down, she scarfed it up and ended up putting all of it down. So I bought 4 Tuna and 2 Chicken today. Bill's got more coming from Amazon on Friday. I also stopped at Fleet Feet and returned the slides, getting $77 plus change credited back.

I feel good, both having done all my errands AND as I wrote above, being pain-free at this exact moment in time.

Jenna's coming over later today before her Pharm Tech class to see Inara because I warned her that things might go downhill fast, and for now I'm going to record an audio book completed and then read more of Remarkably Bright Creatures and my MM romance, Partnership by Valerie Vaughn.

All the healing love for Inara.

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. Sorry to hear about Inara's decline. The pains of pet ownership.

Playing PB this AM and then having the truck serviced, getting it ready for the Big Trip. It is Jack's birthday, so we will be going over there tonight, to hug and kiss him.

Sounds like we are both enjoying some gorgeous weather. Starts warming back up on Saturday.

-Harry Bliss

"Tasteful tuna puree" sounds like something BDylan would have some choice sounds for....

Good morning with love to everybody in your house and Jenna and Hwan too! (((((Karen)))))

>272 elorin: Hi Robyn, and thank you.

>273 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Sweet Thursday to you. Thanks re Inara. We’ve buried 4 kitties here at this house – Magic, Merlin, Coco Chanel, and Kitty William.

Your day sounds fine. Have fun at PB, no surprises with the truck, and happy times with Jack, Bree, and Sean.

It will be 88° on Sunday and in the early 90s Mon – Wed. Still not any scorchers, although we’re just getting into the worst of the hurricane season.

>274 msf59: I love it! They do demand inconvenient attention.

>275 richardderus: ‘Morning, Rdear! I love the names they come up with for cat food. Dog food too, presumably, although I don’t ever look on that side of the aisle. *smooch*

>276 LizzieD: Good morning with love to you, too. Thank you. (((((Peggy)))))

Wordle 1,160 2/6* trope, brute. Have I mentioned how much I love my new starting word? *smile*

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Jenna got here about 4. Inara was on Bill's lap when Jenna got here and eventually got up and sorta staggered over to Jenna. She settled down on a pillow on Jenna's lap after Bill took this pic. She wanted down after a while but just stood there on the rug, so I picked her up and she stayed with until I had to get up when Jenna was leaving - needed a last hug. Another pic from Bill.

.

After Jenna left, I cleaned out the bird bath and put nice, fresh, well water in it.

MI5, then upstairs to read, doom scroll, and sleep.
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Slept pretty well, got up really late. I have a 90-minute massage at 1 p.m. today and can hardly wait. Reading and puttering and etc. before and after.

>277 karenmarie: Sweet kitty. Bill’s photos look like paintings, almost Norman Rockwellian! Did he use a filter? Anyway, I love them.

>277 karenmarie: I know it's hard to get your goodbyes said. So glad Jenna got a chance as well.

>277 karenmarie: Lovely cozy pics.

The stove corner looks enviable. Flat hearths are mostly what I've seen, but this makes a great case for corner placement.

>277 karenmarie: Such sweet pictures! Inara is surrounded with love, the best thing for all of us.

Morning, Karen. Bittersweet pics of Inara. Glad you are spending time with her. We had a good time with Jack & Co last night. He was a delight, as usual. I can't believe we have one week before the Big Trip. Wowza.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/362808

>278 Storeetllr: Hi Mary. Bill says no filters, but he may have a setting on his Pixel 7 camera that he set differently than the default. He thanks you.

>279 richardderus: Hello, RDear. We’re glad, too, because last night was strange… I’ll tell about it below. *smooch*

>280 quondame: We’ve built corner hearths for wood stoves in the two houses we built together, Susan. They’ve worked out beautifully for us. They don’t split up the room, and in both cases were the only option if we wanted a wood stove for the house plans we used. Our stove has been converted to propane, but we started with a wood stove until Bill got tired of arranging for firewood and schlepping it to the back porch, where one of us would schlep some inside. I wonder if we have any fatwood around somewhere? We kept it in a very nice bucket…

When Bill was developing properties on Topsail, he built a 4-unit townhome that had corner fireplaces.

>281 LizzieD: We do love our senior kitty, Peggy. Bill always takes good photos, although I rarely like looking at photos of myself in recent years. *shrug* But I was wearing my favorite jeans, new shoes, and a Jones New York short-sleeve dress shirt that I particularly love so decided to show Inara fast asleep on me.

>282 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you. Yes, bittersweet. We realize she’s at the end of her life, but she’s still doing all the kitty things – eat, drink, groom, poop, and pee. She hasn’t gone outside in 3 days, but that’s not unusual.

Yay for being with Jack on his birthday. Yay for the Big Trip.

>283 SilverWolf28: Hi Silver, and thank you.

Wordle 1,161 4/6* trope, vegan, jewel, leech

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My massage was heavenly, and I came straight home after. Read, pulled salmon out of the freezer for tonight, then dinner, MI5, reading, and doom scrolling.

At 12:39 a.m. Bill texted that he thought Inara had left us, so I scrambled downstairs, but it was, fortunately/unfortunately a false alarm. She had gone to get some water and use the box, came back towards him, and just keeled over onto her side. He brought up to her pillow on his lap, and after a bit she 'woke up'. I told him to call me if there were any more issues in the night as I was going to sleep pretty soon. No calls in the night.

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Inara was on the loveseat cushion when I came downstairs this morning. I was making coffee and feeding the gingers when she came into the Kitchen, a sure sign she wanted me to feed her. I gave her some Tuna Tastefuls, and she ate all of it. Here's a pic of Inara and Zoe eating breakfast.



Nothing on the schedule today. Reading, puttering, and etc.

I'm delighted that you've found something that Inara enjoys eating. Peace to all of you!

We still haven't walked. DH needs to run some errands, and I'm very happy to stay here and indulge myself in a bit of LT and more reading.

>284 karenmarie: OMG

What a terrible/wonderful night! Sleep must've been elusive.

Happier, calmer weekend *smooch*

Sweet Inara. You guys are doing the best possible job keeping her comfortable. It's just so hard ...

Morning, Karen. Happy Saturday. Enjoy your time with Inara. I am picking up the travel trailer today. I know it will sit in the driveway until we go, but Sue wants it here to fine-tune and begin to pack. I had to buy new tires for the truck yesterday, which hit the wallet hard but was necessary, especially for the trip. Feeders continue to be busy.

>285 LizzieD: 'Morning, Peggy! We are, too. Bill reported that she ate almost 1/3 of a pouch of Chicken Tastefuls last night and perked right up. This is the calm before the storm, however, because she's not walking well. Yay for LT and reading.

>286 richardderus: I know, RD, OMG. Really scary, but we wouldn't have been surprised. We're taking every day as it comes. She wasn't in her usual haunts this morning, but I found her on the tile floor in the utility room. She raised her head when I came up to her - she feels the vibrations, what with being deaf. As long as she's not in pain, collapsed (Coco and Merlin),walking around in circles after a kitty stroke (Magic), or just stop moving completely (Kitty William) and all thus taken to the vet to go to kitty heaven, we'll continue to enjoy her sweet little self. *smooch*

>287 lauralkeet: Hi Laura. It is absolutely the hardest pet thing to do, help them in their last days.

Wordle 1,162 3/6* trope, eight, filet

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Glorious nothing. I spent almost 3 hours on the sofa in the Library with Inara. We snuggled, she hung out on a book case shelf and came back, then both napped. We had lemon OVOO salmon last night, with air fryer french fries. I indulged in ketchup, which has lots of sodium, but stayed within my 2000 mg sodium limit.

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Arsenal play Aston Villa at 12:30 today. Other than that, reading and puttering.

Good Saturday to you, Karen! Putter, read, and love Inara!

>289 karenmarie: Enjoy the lovely, lightly structured day. *smooch*

Weekend high five to you and smooches to Inara.

Morning, Karen. Happy Sunday. I think we cross-posted again yesterday. Not much planned for the day but the camper is in the driveway. The heat has came back too. Ugh!

>290 LizzieD: (((((Peggy))))) Yes, Ma'am! I did all those things.

>291 richardderus: Hiya, RDear. It was pleasant to NOT have to go out or otherwise DO anything in particular. *smooch*

>292 Storeetllr: Hi Mary. Thank you for both.

>293 msf59: 'Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday to you. Glad you picked up the camper. Boo, hiss to the heat.

288>Sorry I missed you up there. I hope your Saturday was a good one. I'm really sorry about the tires, but they are always necessary. Mine are pretty expensive, and I had to get two early in the year. Glad your feeders are busy. I just saw a male Cardinal eating from the nyjer seed feeder's tray - quite unusual, at least for me. Finches and a Carolina Chickadee otherwise.

Wordle 1,163 4/6* trope, flute, white, skate

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Arsenal beat Aston Villa at Villa Park 2-0. Read, puttered, loved on Inara, watched two episodes of MI5.

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Even more of nothing I have to do today, although I might go out and pick up three prescriptions. Then again, I might wait 'til tomorrow since I have to be out anyway.

>294 karenmarie: Sunday orisons, sweetiedarling. Spend it splendidly.

Doing nothing sounds good. I went to church and we walked. Nothing else going on. Our niece and her husband are going to spend the night at Mama's house next Sunday, so I will have to work over there to make it habitable. Good thing!

Wordle in 4 for me too. I had 3 letters from the beginning, and I still took 4!

Just saw this snap and immediately thought: "Karenmarie!" She must have a zipper on each knee. A fish is just one possibility. I've got zippers on both sides of my right ankle. I'm (semi) inspired.

     

Morning, Karen. Pushing triple digits today, so no PB for me. I will tend to the "kids" today but mostly hang indoors. Enjoy your day.

>297 weird_O: Cool tat!

>297 weird_O: I love that, Bill!

So, Horrible, what kind of fish would please you to wear on your kneezippers? Something excitingly Devonian? I myownself think that, if I ever get another tattoo, it'll be of the Tully Monster, or Hallucinogenia.

>295 richardderus: Hiya, RDear! Thank you. *smooch*

>296 LizzieD: Congrats on your four, Wordle Sister! Walking and church sound like a perfect Peggy day, along with a helping of doing nothing. I hope getting your mama’s house ‘habitable’ isn’t onerous.

>297 weird_O: Oh wow, Bill. That’s wonderful. I’d seriously consider doing something like that, although it might need to be something besides a fish because I don’t have the fish ribs – staple scars. I’ll have to post pics of my war wounds soon. Today’s not the day.

>298 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark. Indoors and the kids sounds like a good day for dangerously hot weather. Thanks re my day.

>299 richardderus: I know, RDear! See my response to Bill above – I need to give it some thought. And, I don’t recall hearing about tattoos. How many, and, if you’d like to share with the class, what are they?

Wordle 1,164 4/6* trope, baste, stave, stake

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Yesterday was holding Inara, reading, puttering.

We were expecting it, but Inara Starbuck Hengeveld passed away early this morning around 1 a.m. Bill found her. She’d been restless most of the day, wanting to be held and then not. She drank a bit of water here and there but wouldn’t eat. She was 17 years, 2 months, 11 days old.

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I have to leave for a chiropractor's appointment in 10 minutes... I need to create a new thread but won't get that done until this afternoon.

>300 karenmarie: I got them in the 1980s, so any discussion might've slid out of memory from being so long ago. "©1960" and a Virgo glyph on my left hip, where no one would unintentionally see them.

>300 karenmarie: - So sorry, Karen, about Inara. It is never easy, no matter how any times we go through this. It's the cost of loving them. {{hugs}}

Love to all of you, Karen.

I'm so sorry to read about Inara, Karen. She had a good long life, well loved and cared for. But that doesn't make it any easier. Hugs to you, Bill, & Jenna.

>301 richardderus: Thanks for sharing, RD! Good idea about only sharing them intentionally.

>302 jessibud2: Thank you, Shelley. It is never easy, and hugs are greatly appreciated.

>303 LizzieD: Thank you, Peggy.

>304 lauralkeet: Thank you, Laura.
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I’m back from the chiropractor and errands. I told my chiropractor I was going to the pharmacy to pick up some prescriptions and might even go in and get some candy, what with being stressed and all today. She told me to get dark chocolate so I’d get a good dose of magnesium. Doctor’s orders… I got Hershey’s special dark mildly sweet with almonds. It’s not See’s, but it was available and I had some on the way home. I prefer dark chocolate, so it wasn't a hardship. *smile*

Off to create my new thread!

So sorry about Inara. Seventeen years is a long time to have been part of your life. I know you will miss her, but I also know that she knew and appreciated your love.

Thank you, Janet.

I so sorry about Inara leaving you. The hole her loss leaves will never quite vanish, though I wish you comfort from the many years she spent making it. She could not have had a better life.

My condolences on the loss of Inara. May happy memories surround you.

>308 quondame: Thank you, Susan. Each kitty in my life has left a hole, offset, of course, by the joy they brought to us. Bill jokes that in his next life he wants to come back as a Hengeveld kitty - we spoil them so much.

>309 elorin: Thank you, Robyn. We do have happy memories, and last night when friend Karen and I chatted, she asked me how Inara came into our lives. I'll have to mention it on my new thread.