Shelley Opens a New Book to... Chapter Four
This is a continuation of the topic Shelley Opens a New Book to... Chapter Three.
This topic was continued by Shelley Opens a New Book to... the Final Chapter .
Talk 75 Books Challenge for 2025
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1jessibud2
A little *bookwear*...
Many MANY moons since I was this slim but I do own this shirt. I'm just not the model here, ;-)
*Someday* has come and gone but the rest of this is true!
Many MANY moons since I was this slim but I do own this shirt. I'm just not the model here, ;-)
*Someday* has come and gone but the rest of this is true!
3jessibud2
My brave boy. Owen meets Indie. Cautiously. First pic is the whole vertical left side. On the right you can see him come downstairs slowly. Then, Indie passes the smell test. Yes, you may visit. I was so proud of him!
And my 2 boys, just because.
And my 2 boys, just because.
4jessibud2
Believe it or not, I have been reading though not a lot of books. I have been trying to skim and read my way through piles of magazines I have with the express purpose of giving them away or recycling them, to clear space. Takes time!
A few books were from my own shelves and a few were from the library or borrowed from friends.
Apple of my Eye - Helene Hanff -
In 1978, Helene Hanff (of 84 Charing Cross Road fame) is asked to write the text for a book of photos of New York City, the place she has lived her entire adult life. She is eager, ecstatic, to do so and once she starts, she is shocked to realize how little of her city she has seen. In typical Hanff style - enthusiastic, hilarious - *Apple of My Eye* is born. The Twin Towers were still relatively new, old standards are visited and new landmarks discovered. My favourite parts were about Central Park, and Ellis Island. Photos are black and white, which somehow fits.
A fun book to read. And I have only ever been there myself, once.
Another Day in the Frontal Lobe - Katrina Firlik -
An incisive (no pun intended) and sometimes humourous look at the life of a neurosurgeon during her 7 years of training. Dr. Katrina Firlik was one of the first women to be admitted to the mostly male-dominated world of brain surgeons. Written for the lay person, but with candor, wit, precision and detail and the sometimes black humour that helps get through the day (and night). I could have done without one particular case that she described in gritty (and gory) detail but otherwise, this was a great read.
One small example of Dr. Firlik's philosophical side, quite important, in my opinion. She had just described how she was once too tired and too busy to change her white coat in the hospital after finishing her day, when a drop of a patient's blood stained the sleeve:
"If every patient left a stain, a resident's life could very well become an unbearable mess. A stain every once in awhile, though, can probably keep us human. That realization must have been one reason I kept a journal during my training. I knew I would otherwise forget along the way, partly because there was too much to remember and partly because I might want to forget."
If You Love This Game - Andre Dawson
I remember Andre Dawson as my favourite player in the early days of my Montreal Expos baseball team. I was in high school when the Expos began and those were exciting years. After I left the city, I didn't follow the team as much as in those first years so didn't really know his back story. I always liked his demeanor, quiet, serious, positive, good work ethic. I think more players today could learn a thing or two from his example. He came from a humble background, raised by his mother and grandmother and uncles, and he played an incredible number of years through pain from an injury in his youth. Not like today's obscenely overpaid and coddled *stars*. In this book, Dawson chronicles those days of self-discipline and hard work to keep himself as healthy as possible, the struggles in the league during the years of collusion, scandals of other players with gambling and drug use. All the while, he tried to keep his focus on his game, and just be a friend and mentor to his teammates. He made mistakes of his own over the course of the years but he was honest and took responsibility and I found that refreshing, as so many don't. It made me sad that he left Montreal on unpleasant terms but I was happy that he went on to other teams and did well. He retired at the age of 42, which is quite remarkable in professional sports. And in the end, although he played for 4 teams, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame as an Expo.
I do love memoirs, and I always try to read at least a couple of baseball books each summer. This was a good one.
I also just learned that there will be a new documentary on Netflix later this month, called (I think) Who Killed the Montreal Expos. I don't have netflix but I alerted my brother and he will be watching and reporting back to me.
Paul Newman - The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man
Paul Newman - such a complicated man. This book is billed as a memoir but since he died in 2008, this isn't a typical memoir. The book was composed from a compilation of conversations he had over many years with his close friend, the screenwriter Stewart Stern and other friends and family members. Somehow, it works. Newman is candid, honest, and bares his soul, warts and all.
One passage that made me not know whether to laugh out loud, or cry, was this. He was beginning to be engaged politically and had strong opinions on the Vietnam War:
"Johnson's position, his very effective position, was that he would contain our involvement in Southeast Asia, while his GOP opponent, Arizona's conservative Senator Barry Goldwater, would escalate the US role. I gladly - and very unfortunately in retrospect - gave my speech supporting his stated plans.
Years later, when the Pentagon Papers came out, it was clear that the decision to escalate the war had already been made by the White House..."
"I'd always believed that on some minor issues there was chicanery in government, but I'd never really imagined a president of the United States actively getting up and lying to the people...."
Oh, Paul....!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bird Talk - Becca Rowland
A quick read by Canadian writer/illustrator, Becca Rowland. Funny and cute.
I am currently reading a NF book called The Watchmaker's Daughter by Larry Loftis. I am barely into it but already, I am learning things I did not know about WWII. And it is creeping me out to recognize that the SA (a sort of underling of the SS, also known as *Brownshirts*, used by Hitler as a paramilitary gang deployed for street terror) and their harrassment techniques, are eerily echoing those of ICE, in the United States. Does nobody else see the similarities, and the direction this is heading? Anyhow, this book is the story of a Dutch woman and her family who saved over 800 Jewish people's lives by hiding them. (I may not be accurate with that number; I will have to go check).
A few books were from my own shelves and a few were from the library or borrowed from friends.
Apple of my Eye - Helene Hanff -
In 1978, Helene Hanff (of 84 Charing Cross Road fame) is asked to write the text for a book of photos of New York City, the place she has lived her entire adult life. She is eager, ecstatic, to do so and once she starts, she is shocked to realize how little of her city she has seen. In typical Hanff style - enthusiastic, hilarious - *Apple of My Eye* is born. The Twin Towers were still relatively new, old standards are visited and new landmarks discovered. My favourite parts were about Central Park, and Ellis Island. Photos are black and white, which somehow fits.
A fun book to read. And I have only ever been there myself, once.
Another Day in the Frontal Lobe - Katrina Firlik -
An incisive (no pun intended) and sometimes humourous look at the life of a neurosurgeon during her 7 years of training. Dr. Katrina Firlik was one of the first women to be admitted to the mostly male-dominated world of brain surgeons. Written for the lay person, but with candor, wit, precision and detail and the sometimes black humour that helps get through the day (and night). I could have done without one particular case that she described in gritty (and gory) detail but otherwise, this was a great read.
One small example of Dr. Firlik's philosophical side, quite important, in my opinion. She had just described how she was once too tired and too busy to change her white coat in the hospital after finishing her day, when a drop of a patient's blood stained the sleeve:
"If every patient left a stain, a resident's life could very well become an unbearable mess. A stain every once in awhile, though, can probably keep us human. That realization must have been one reason I kept a journal during my training. I knew I would otherwise forget along the way, partly because there was too much to remember and partly because I might want to forget."
If You Love This Game - Andre Dawson
I remember Andre Dawson as my favourite player in the early days of my Montreal Expos baseball team. I was in high school when the Expos began and those were exciting years. After I left the city, I didn't follow the team as much as in those first years so didn't really know his back story. I always liked his demeanor, quiet, serious, positive, good work ethic. I think more players today could learn a thing or two from his example. He came from a humble background, raised by his mother and grandmother and uncles, and he played an incredible number of years through pain from an injury in his youth. Not like today's obscenely overpaid and coddled *stars*. In this book, Dawson chronicles those days of self-discipline and hard work to keep himself as healthy as possible, the struggles in the league during the years of collusion, scandals of other players with gambling and drug use. All the while, he tried to keep his focus on his game, and just be a friend and mentor to his teammates. He made mistakes of his own over the course of the years but he was honest and took responsibility and I found that refreshing, as so many don't. It made me sad that he left Montreal on unpleasant terms but I was happy that he went on to other teams and did well. He retired at the age of 42, which is quite remarkable in professional sports. And in the end, although he played for 4 teams, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame as an Expo.
I do love memoirs, and I always try to read at least a couple of baseball books each summer. This was a good one.
I also just learned that there will be a new documentary on Netflix later this month, called (I think) Who Killed the Montreal Expos. I don't have netflix but I alerted my brother and he will be watching and reporting back to me.
Paul Newman - The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man
Paul Newman - such a complicated man. This book is billed as a memoir but since he died in 2008, this isn't a typical memoir. The book was composed from a compilation of conversations he had over many years with his close friend, the screenwriter Stewart Stern and other friends and family members. Somehow, it works. Newman is candid, honest, and bares his soul, warts and all.
One passage that made me not know whether to laugh out loud, or cry, was this. He was beginning to be engaged politically and had strong opinions on the Vietnam War:
"Johnson's position, his very effective position, was that he would contain our involvement in Southeast Asia, while his GOP opponent, Arizona's conservative Senator Barry Goldwater, would escalate the US role. I gladly - and very unfortunately in retrospect - gave my speech supporting his stated plans.
Years later, when the Pentagon Papers came out, it was clear that the decision to escalate the war had already been made by the White House..."
"I'd always believed that on some minor issues there was chicanery in government, but I'd never really imagined a president of the United States actively getting up and lying to the people...."
Oh, Paul....!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bird Talk - Becca Rowland
A quick read by Canadian writer/illustrator, Becca Rowland. Funny and cute.
I am currently reading a NF book called The Watchmaker's Daughter by Larry Loftis. I am barely into it but already, I am learning things I did not know about WWII. And it is creeping me out to recognize that the SA (a sort of underling of the SS, also known as *Brownshirts*, used by Hitler as a paramilitary gang deployed for street terror) and their harrassment techniques, are eerily echoing those of ICE, in the United States. Does nobody else see the similarities, and the direction this is heading? Anyhow, this book is the story of a Dutch woman and her family who saved over 800 Jewish people's lives by hiding them. (I may not be accurate with that number; I will have to go check).
5jessibud2
I will save this one for my current puzzle, a picture of one of the magnificent works by the late Filipina textile artist, Pacita Abad, whose works I shared here awhile ago. It's 1000 pieces and pretty intricate (ie, hard!) and I am not yet finished but I'll add it when I get there.
6jessibud2
And a last word for my magnificent Toronto Blue Jays who are exceeding all expectations this year and just wiped out the NY Yankees this past weekend in glorious fashion. Next game is in NY tomorrow night and we expect the worst from that crowd, especially since, according to the news tonight (lol) their egos are bruised. It's a best of 5 series so in theory, we still have 3 chances to win one more game. I (and they) would prefer to just get it done tomorrow. Go Jays!
See all that blue? That's 42,000 plus filling every seat in the stadium yesterday (and the day before). Roof open, of course because it's actually been July weather here all week (that'll change tomorrow but it was ideal for baseball in October!)
See all that blue? That's 42,000 plus filling every seat in the stadium yesterday (and the day before). Roof open, of course because it's actually been July weather here all week (that'll change tomorrow but it was ideal for baseball in October!)
7weird_O
Is this seat taken? I haven't been here in ages. So please. Hmmm. I think it accommodates me quite well.
8jessibud2
>6 jessibud2: - Hey! Welcome, Bill! I don't offer crowns or tiaras, as Richard does, but have some peanuts and cracker jacks!
9laytonwoman3rd
Checking in...are there peanuts left? And maybe a nice icy Coke?
10PaulCranswick
Happy new thread, Shelley.
I love your toppers and - just for you - will root for Toronto in the upcoming match(es).
I love your toppers and - just for you - will root for Toronto in the upcoming match(es).
11weird_O
>8 jessibud2: Oooooo! Crackerjacks!! Can I have the toy? And some plain seltzer, please?
12vancouverdeb
Happy New Thread, Shelley! I love the reading shirts, and pix of your boys.
13kac522
Happy new thread, Shelley. Cubs lost, so I don't have much hope. I'm all in for your Blue Jays.
>1 jessibud2: Yep, I'm that old lady with a houseful of books. I need that shirt.
>4 jessibud2: That's a Helene Hanff that was not on my radar...I've read 3 other books by her so far.
>4 jessibud2: I haven't read that Dawson book, but I have an autographed copy of Hawk, plus a notebook full of Dawson baseball cards around here somewhere. He was my favorite Cub back in the day. Indeed, he's a class act, along with Ryne Sandberg.
>4 jessibud2: I get Newman's Own products whenever they're available. Another class act.
>6 jessibud2: All I ever wanted at the ball park was a Frosty Malt. Kind of a frozen chocolate malt shake in a cup, with a little wooden scoop.
>1 jessibud2: Yep, I'm that old lady with a houseful of books. I need that shirt.
>4 jessibud2: That's a Helene Hanff that was not on my radar...I've read 3 other books by her so far.
>4 jessibud2: I haven't read that Dawson book, but I have an autographed copy of Hawk, plus a notebook full of Dawson baseball cards around here somewhere. He was my favorite Cub back in the day. Indeed, he's a class act, along with Ryne Sandberg.
>4 jessibud2: I get Newman's Own products whenever they're available. Another class act.
>6 jessibud2: All I ever wanted at the ball park was a Frosty Malt. Kind of a frozen chocolate malt shake in a cup, with a little wooden scoop.
14jessibud2
>9 laytonwoman3rd: - Coming right up! Icy Coke is the only soft drink I drink, too!
>10 PaulCranswick: - Thanks, Paul. Appreciate the support!
>11 weird_O: - The toy is yours, my friend!
>12 vancouverdeb: - Hi, Deb, thanks!
>13 kac522: - It ain't over till it's over, Kathy, as Yogi used to say. Hang in there. And that frosty malt sounds yummy!
>10 PaulCranswick: - Thanks, Paul. Appreciate the support!
>11 weird_O: - The toy is yours, my friend!
>12 vancouverdeb: - Hi, Deb, thanks!
>13 kac522: - It ain't over till it's over, Kathy, as Yogi used to say. Hang in there. And that frosty malt sounds yummy!
15msf59
Happy New Thread, Shelley. Go Jays!! I know they will do better than my lowly Cubbies. Sighs...
17Caroline_McElwee
Loved the toppers >1 jessibud2: >2 jessibud2:, but mygosh, missed the arrival of a new fury friend >3 jessibud2:. And always nice to see the boys Shelley.
I had read that Hanff years ago.
I had read that Hanff years ago.
18jessibud2
Indie belongs to my friend, Caro. She was in town, visiting her sister so she came over for a few hours. She also has a cat at home so he is used to cats, unlike my boys who are not used to dogs. He's also a very well behaved dog. It went well.
19EllaTim
Happy new thread, Shelley!
>18 jessibud2: I also wondered if you had suddenly acquired a new house mate, but no. Nice that the visit went so well.
>18 jessibud2: I also wondered if you had suddenly acquired a new house mate, but no. Nice that the visit went so well.
20Caroline_McElwee
>18 jessibud2: Glad they did ok. Thought I'd missed something.
21figsfromthistle
>6 jessibud2: I quite excited to see how far the Jays will go. Not bad for a team that most experts wrote off
Happy new one!
Happy new one!
22jessibud2
>15 msf59:, >16 BLBera:, >17 Caroline_McElwee:, >19 EllaTim:, >21 figsfromthistle:- Thanks, Mark, Beth, Caroline, Ella, Anita.
>19 EllaTim:, >20 Caroline_McElwee: - I realize now how easily that could have been misunderstood. I should have clarified right at the start. I love dogs but a responsible dog mum would have no trouble committing to walking a dog daily, 2 or 3 times daily, even. I grew up with a dog and that was one of the (many) requirements my mum had us commit to before she'd agree. Lol. But I am lazy and a weather wimp and I don't enjoy being outside in bad weather, in below freezing, or rainy, snowy, icy conditions. So, I chose the route of relatively lower-maintenance cats. Well, until my current boys, who have managed to put that myth to rest. Still, I get my dog fix by visiting friends, most of whom have dogs, or having them visit me!
>21 figsfromthistle: - Absolutely right, Anita! This year's team is such a cohesive one and they are all contributing. I just hope it goes well tonight and that it doesn't have to go all 5 games.
>19 EllaTim:, >20 Caroline_McElwee: - I realize now how easily that could have been misunderstood. I should have clarified right at the start. I love dogs but a responsible dog mum would have no trouble committing to walking a dog daily, 2 or 3 times daily, even. I grew up with a dog and that was one of the (many) requirements my mum had us commit to before she'd agree. Lol. But I am lazy and a weather wimp and I don't enjoy being outside in bad weather, in below freezing, or rainy, snowy, icy conditions. So, I chose the route of relatively lower-maintenance cats. Well, until my current boys, who have managed to put that myth to rest. Still, I get my dog fix by visiting friends, most of whom have dogs, or having them visit me!
>21 figsfromthistle: - Absolutely right, Anita! This year's team is such a cohesive one and they are all contributing. I just hope it goes well tonight and that it doesn't have to go all 5 games.
23richardderus
New thread orisons, Shelley!
24jessibud2
Thanks, Richard.
Oh my. My Blue Jays are up 6-1, in only the 3rd inning. Yankee Stadium sounds awfully quiet at the moment... :-)
Oh my. My Blue Jays are up 6-1, in only the 3rd inning. Yankee Stadium sounds awfully quiet at the moment... :-)
25alcottacre
>1 jessibud2: I love the shirts! I buy t-shirts like those from Out of Print online :)
>6 jessibud2: Go, Blue Jays! I hate the Yankees, lol.
>24 jessibud2: Too bad that they did not hold onto that lead. Hopefully they will clinch today though!
Happy new thread, Shelley!
>6 jessibud2: Go, Blue Jays! I hate the Yankees, lol.
>24 jessibud2: Too bad that they did not hold onto that lead. Hopefully they will clinch today though!
Happy new thread, Shelley!
26jessibud2
>25 alcottacre: - Hi, Stasia. I was horrified that they let it slip away. And tonight is apparently what they are calling a *bullpen* game. It makes zero sense to me. Our bullpen stinks. In a game that is a must-win, stakes so high, why would they do that??? I wish someone could explain it to me. It can't be that they are giving their aces a rest. They will have all freaking winter to rest. To me, the only explanation is that they have given up and don't really want to win. Which is, in my humble opinion, rather insulting to the rest of the players who have played their butts off day after day all year to get to this point. Is a *bullpen* game a rule I don't know about? One doesn't master or get good at anything without a lot of practice. The bullpen pitchers pitch may an inning or 2 (maybe 3) once or twice a week. That doesn't make them good enough to face anyone, let alone the Yankees, in a situation like this. Very frustrating and disappointing.
End of rant.
End of rant.
27Familyhistorian
Happy new thread, Shelley. Fingers crossed for the Blue Jays!
28jessibud2
Hi Meg. I am not as hopeful as I was yesterday, early in the game. But I always tell people to never say never so I guess I should take my own advice.
Wordle 1,572 3/6meaty, fancy, annoy
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29msf59
Go Cubbies, Shelley. Unlike your Jays, it is very doubtful they can go the distance against the Brewers but lets see what they can do tomorrow night. Looks like a tight one tonight with the Jays/Yankees.
30jessibud2
This is the definition of nail-biting. The cats have gone upstairs because I am making them nervous. We need 6 more outs. A few insurance runs wouldn't hurt but we just need to silence those Yanks for 2 more innings.
32jessibud2
It was a nail-biter to the last out. I knew Hoffman would give up a run (he always seems to) but thank goodness it was only one.
Cats were safely on my bed, far away from my yelling (and swearing)! We can breathe now, at least till Sunday. Don't know yet who we will play but who cares? It won't be the Yankees, lol!
Cats were safely on my bed, far away from my yelling (and swearing)! We can breathe now, at least till Sunday. Don't know yet who we will play but who cares? It won't be the Yankees, lol!
33kac522
>32 jessibud2: Hurray for your Blue Jays! I guess that bullpen strategy paid off. They get some well-deserved rest for their starters and now a break for the rest of the team.
Cubs just squeaked by tonight and have a tough road ahead. Anything is better than thinking about Trump's thugs roaming our streets these days.
Cubs just squeaked by tonight and have a tough road ahead. Anything is better than thinking about Trump's thugs roaming our streets these days.
34kac522
And if the Jays play the Tigers, it will almost be a "subway" series! Heck sometimes it can be a couple of hours after a South side Sox game for us to get to our North side home.
35vancouverdeb
Yes, as dog owner in a townhouse, it's so true that one must walk a dog 3 times a day. Muffin will not use our small backyard as a bathroom,plus she is an energetic young dog - not yet two, so walks and dog parks are needed every day - no dog parks on rainy days though. I have Dave to trade off with, so that makes it easier.
36Storeetllr
Hi, Shelley! Happy new thread! Great pics upthread. Love the critters and that Snider cartoon.
44msf59
Well, now I can root for the Blue Jays! I would really like to see the Brewers and Jays in the World Series. Got to beat those pesky Dodgers first.
45jessibud2
>42 Familyhistorian:, >43 EllaTim:- I also really liked this though the friend who shared it with me said that she read that the quote has never actually been verified. Frankly, I don't care. It sounds very John Lennon-ish.
>44 msf59:- Sorry about your Cubs, Mark. The roller coaster begins again for us tonight. We are hoping that the Mariners will be very tired. It took them 15 innings to finish off their last game while the Jays will be staring fresh off 4 days rest. Fingers crossed!
>44 msf59:- Sorry about your Cubs, Mark. The roller coaster begins again for us tonight. We are hoping that the Mariners will be very tired. It took them 15 innings to finish off their last game while the Jays will be staring fresh off 4 days rest. Fingers crossed!
46jessibud2
Wordle 1,576 5/6 meaty, choir, pound, sound, wound Lots of guessy-guessy and I could easily have run out before hitting the right one. Whew!
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47kac522
>46 jessibud2: Yep, I DID run out today and bombed; would have been my next choice.
I'm joining you and Mark on the Blue Jays rooting squad. I'm not much of a fan of other sports, so I'm done until next year's Spring opener.
I'm joining you and Mark on the Blue Jays rooting squad. I'm not much of a fan of other sports, so I'm done until next year's Spring opener.
48jessibud2
>47 kac522: - There were just far too many words that fit that pattern today, Kathy. I just got lucky (doesn't always happen).
Tomorrow is Canadian Thanksgiving and my friend and I are having our dinner together. We had to decide between today's 8 o'clock game or tomorrow's 5 o'clock game so we chose tomorrow's. It may be the first Thanksgiving *tv* dinner on record, lol And though I would normally prefer to dress a little nicer and more seasonal, both of us will be wearing our Jays jerseys. Of course we will! :-)
Tomorrow is Canadian Thanksgiving and my friend and I are having our dinner together. We had to decide between today's 8 o'clock game or tomorrow's 5 o'clock game so we chose tomorrow's. It may be the first Thanksgiving *tv* dinner on record, lol And though I would normally prefer to dress a little nicer and more seasonal, both of us will be wearing our Jays jerseys. Of course we will! :-)
49kac522
>48 jessibud2: Happy Thanksgiving & Enjoy! What are your traditional Canadian Thanksgiving foods?
50vancouverdeb
Happy Thanksgiving, Shelley!
51Familyhistorian
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Shelley!
52jessibud2
>49 kac522: - Hi, Kathy, thanks. I think our Thanksgiving foods are the same as yours: turkey and fixings. My friend is making the dinner tonight so I am not sure yet what she has planned. I am bringing dessert: apple crumble pie and vanilla ice cream. Probably not very creative but yummy anyhow. We will be hoping for a better baseball outcome tonight. Still early days and we really need a home field win!
>50 vancouverdeb:, >51 Familyhistorian: - Thanks, Deb and Meg. So happy Sam is home, Meg!! Thankful, indeed.
>50 vancouverdeb:, >51 Familyhistorian: - Thanks, Deb and Meg. So happy Sam is home, Meg!! Thankful, indeed.
54jessibud2
Call me a pessimist, but in my gut, I think my Jays are done. After performing brilliantly against the despised Yankees to advance to this next level, their last 2 games, at home no less, were awful. The media always hypes Vladimir Guerrero Jr. but in my humble opinion, he is nothing but a guy who is full of himself and obscenely overpaid. No one on earth is worth what he makes. And while he was aces against the Yankees, what has he done these last 2 games? Nada. There ought to be consequences for not doing his job. Very discouraging, and disappointing. Oh well. We've seen this play before.
In better news:
Wordle 1,578 3/6 meaty, worms, forum
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55msf59
Happy Wednesday, Shelley. I have to agree with you about the Jays. Looked pretty defeated the past 2 games. The Cubs lost their first 2 games and won the next 2, so it may not be over. 🤞🤞
The HOT Brewers have really been man-handled by the Dodgers too. The playoffs are brutal.
The HOT Brewers have really been man-handled by the Dodgers too. The playoffs are brutal.
56figsfromthistle
>54 jessibud2: Yes I think you are right about the Jays. It was fun and exciting while it lasted though. They would really new a miracle to continue…..and without home advantage. *sigh*
Hope you had a fabulous thanksgiving!
Hope you had a fabulous thanksgiving!
57jessibud2
>55 msf59:, >56 figsfromthistle: - Well, the Jays have been comeback kings this past season so who knows. It would certainly take a miracle to pull it off but anything could happen. Glad I didn't spend hundreds (if not more) to try to get tickets. I will never understand the mentality of those who do. I could find a million other (better) things to do with that kind of money.
Well, sheesh:
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58Whisper1
I'm stopping by to say hello. I've been absent a lot this summer and I hope the fall will be a better time of reading.
All good wishes!!!
All good wishes!!!
59vancouverdeb
>46 jessibud2: I struck out on that wordle, Shelley! Bum luck . I'm glad you managed it.
60jessibud2
>59 vancouverdeb: - I came very close to bombing today, Deb. Pure luck that I didn't. The streak lives.
Wordle 1,580 6/6 meaty, party, laity, hasty, batty, catty
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Wordle 1,580 6/6
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61jessibud2
>58 Whisper1: - Hi Linda. So good to see you. I am, as usual, in the middle of a few books, some of the kids' ones I got bb's from you! :-)
62jessibud2
Well, my Blue Jays woke up yesterday and whomped the Mariners 13-4! They live to play another day, and I'm hoping for a repeat tonight.
Hard not to be nervous, though!
Hard not to be nervous, though!
63richardderus
>62 jessibud2: 13 - 4! I'm very very impressed. May they keep it going.
64jessibud2
Thanks, Richard. First pitch in around 2 hours from now!
So, I may have mentioned that I am a member of postcrossing, a global postcard exchange site. I absolutely love it. It appeals to me on so many levels: handwriting postcards, sometimes even making my own postcards, and of course, getting real snail mail! Also, stamps from all over the world are amazing. I also get to send and receive from countries I rarely hear about, such as Malawi, Vanuatu, Reunion Island, etc.
Anyhow, sometimes the postcrossing site has a book review feature. Today's offerings are all new to me but all appeal! She is going to review The Correspondent next time, she said. Maybe my turn will have come up in the library queue by then.
Here is the post:
It’s been a little while, and I’ve been accumulating books I want to talk about here at a high rate, so here are some mini-reviews of interesting books about mail/postal services/etc!
The Postal Paths, by Alan Cleaver
This book is part walking memoir, part history of the daily rounds of posties, with lots of descriptions of the usually idyllic countryside—unsurprisingly, Cleaver chooses rural posties to follow, rather than those in the cities! It isn’t all green fields and hedgerows: he also follows the route through a Welsh mining community, and is shocked by the scars on the landscape.
It’s all a little tilted toward an idealised view of what the work was like, highlighting dedicated posties who loved their work and felt a calling to it, or even felt healed by it. I’m sure there were some who tired of the work, or to whom it was just a job to be got over with, but it’s mild, pleasant reading, and an excellent resource for people interested in tracing the rounds of posties past.
Book cover of “Written in History: Letters that Changed the World” by Simon Sebag Montefiore, featuring a geometric design in blue, gold, and white with textured patterns and bold typography.
Written in History by Simon Sebag Montefiore
Here Montefiore has collected a bunch of significant letters, some only significant because of their sender or recipient, rather than subject. The letters are gathered between themes (like love, war, etc), and each one has an introduction contextualising it—sometimes the introduction is longer than the letter itself!
Many of the letters are significant for global political history, while some are more about gaining a personal glimpse of big names. I was a little sad to see the famous complaint letter about Ea-Nasir missed out, and Ankhesanamun’s letter to the Hittite ruler, and… a few other key letters of history that I find significant. Like any such collection, it’s curated according to the interests of the editor.
Book cover of “A Letter from the Lonesome Shore” by Sylvie Cathrall, depicting an underwater scene filled with colorful coral, sea creatures, and a glowing light filtering through the water.
A Letter from the Lonesome Shore, by Sylvie Cathrall
You might remember my enthusiasm about the first book in this series! The sequel is now out, concluding the duology, and I’d be remiss not to tell you all how much I enjoyed this as well. It wraps up the story and solves most of the mysteries of the first book, and quite honestly, I was not expecting it to take quite the turns it did.
The only thing I’d say is that the mystery maybe built up a little too much. Ultimately, the payoff felt a little bit flat. Still, I gave this a rare 5/5 stars on my blog, so rest assured, the criticism is minimal. Everything I loved about the first book is still here, and be reassured: it’s still epistolary all the way through, despite everything! Cathrall manages that really cleverly.
Book cover of “Please Write: Finding Joy and Meaning in the Soulful Art of Handwritten Letters” by Lynne M. Kolze, featuring an old-fashioned envelope pinned to a blue wall above a light blue mailbox surrounded by red flowers.
Please Write, by Lynne M. Kolze
I was actually sent this book to review, and read a proof copy, but it’s taken me forever to get chance to look over the finished version. It’s a lovely warm book, championing handwritten letters and slower, mindful communication. It makes me think a lot about my own experiences writing weekly to my grandmother right up until her death earlier this year, and also the letters I sent to my parents while at university. I’m fairly sure I wrote to my mother more often than I texted her, in my first year or two at university, and Kolze makes a beautiful case for the enduring power of that kind of connection.
This one’ll probably make you glad for all the letters you’ve sent and received, and inspire you to send some more.
Book cover of “A Brief Atlas of the Lighthouses at the End of the World” by José Luis González Macías, showing an illustrated lighthouse on a rocky sea with turquoise tones and a red-and-white striped border on the left.
A Brief Atlas of the Lighthouses at the End of the World, by González Macías
Just a brief mention for this one, since it’s not really about mail at all, but rather something I read because of our famous first postcard, PT-1. It’s a fun light history that includes weird facts and ghost stories about a collection of far-flung lighthouses all over the world, and I enjoyed it very much.
(The PT-1 she refers to is the very first postcard send by the creator of postcrossing to his girlfriend, to test out the system and the site. It was a card showing a lighthouse near their home in Portugal, if I remember correctly and a lovely story they shared with us.)
My Mt. TBR just got a bit fatter after this post today!
So, I may have mentioned that I am a member of postcrossing, a global postcard exchange site. I absolutely love it. It appeals to me on so many levels: handwriting postcards, sometimes even making my own postcards, and of course, getting real snail mail! Also, stamps from all over the world are amazing. I also get to send and receive from countries I rarely hear about, such as Malawi, Vanuatu, Reunion Island, etc.
Anyhow, sometimes the postcrossing site has a book review feature. Today's offerings are all new to me but all appeal! She is going to review The Correspondent next time, she said. Maybe my turn will have come up in the library queue by then.
Here is the post:
It’s been a little while, and I’ve been accumulating books I want to talk about here at a high rate, so here are some mini-reviews of interesting books about mail/postal services/etc!
The Postal Paths, by Alan Cleaver
This book is part walking memoir, part history of the daily rounds of posties, with lots of descriptions of the usually idyllic countryside—unsurprisingly, Cleaver chooses rural posties to follow, rather than those in the cities! It isn’t all green fields and hedgerows: he also follows the route through a Welsh mining community, and is shocked by the scars on the landscape.
It’s all a little tilted toward an idealised view of what the work was like, highlighting dedicated posties who loved their work and felt a calling to it, or even felt healed by it. I’m sure there were some who tired of the work, or to whom it was just a job to be got over with, but it’s mild, pleasant reading, and an excellent resource for people interested in tracing the rounds of posties past.
Book cover of “Written in History: Letters that Changed the World” by Simon Sebag Montefiore, featuring a geometric design in blue, gold, and white with textured patterns and bold typography.
Written in History by Simon Sebag Montefiore
Here Montefiore has collected a bunch of significant letters, some only significant because of their sender or recipient, rather than subject. The letters are gathered between themes (like love, war, etc), and each one has an introduction contextualising it—sometimes the introduction is longer than the letter itself!
Many of the letters are significant for global political history, while some are more about gaining a personal glimpse of big names. I was a little sad to see the famous complaint letter about Ea-Nasir missed out, and Ankhesanamun’s letter to the Hittite ruler, and… a few other key letters of history that I find significant. Like any such collection, it’s curated according to the interests of the editor.
Book cover of “A Letter from the Lonesome Shore” by Sylvie Cathrall, depicting an underwater scene filled with colorful coral, sea creatures, and a glowing light filtering through the water.
A Letter from the Lonesome Shore, by Sylvie Cathrall
You might remember my enthusiasm about the first book in this series! The sequel is now out, concluding the duology, and I’d be remiss not to tell you all how much I enjoyed this as well. It wraps up the story and solves most of the mysteries of the first book, and quite honestly, I was not expecting it to take quite the turns it did.
The only thing I’d say is that the mystery maybe built up a little too much. Ultimately, the payoff felt a little bit flat. Still, I gave this a rare 5/5 stars on my blog, so rest assured, the criticism is minimal. Everything I loved about the first book is still here, and be reassured: it’s still epistolary all the way through, despite everything! Cathrall manages that really cleverly.
Book cover of “Please Write: Finding Joy and Meaning in the Soulful Art of Handwritten Letters” by Lynne M. Kolze, featuring an old-fashioned envelope pinned to a blue wall above a light blue mailbox surrounded by red flowers.
Please Write, by Lynne M. Kolze
I was actually sent this book to review, and read a proof copy, but it’s taken me forever to get chance to look over the finished version. It’s a lovely warm book, championing handwritten letters and slower, mindful communication. It makes me think a lot about my own experiences writing weekly to my grandmother right up until her death earlier this year, and also the letters I sent to my parents while at university. I’m fairly sure I wrote to my mother more often than I texted her, in my first year or two at university, and Kolze makes a beautiful case for the enduring power of that kind of connection.
This one’ll probably make you glad for all the letters you’ve sent and received, and inspire you to send some more.
Book cover of “A Brief Atlas of the Lighthouses at the End of the World” by José Luis González Macías, showing an illustrated lighthouse on a rocky sea with turquoise tones and a red-and-white striped border on the left.
A Brief Atlas of the Lighthouses at the End of the World, by González Macías
Just a brief mention for this one, since it’s not really about mail at all, but rather something I read because of our famous first postcard, PT-1. It’s a fun light history that includes weird facts and ghost stories about a collection of far-flung lighthouses all over the world, and I enjoyed it very much.
(The PT-1 she refers to is the very first postcard send by the creator of postcrossing to his girlfriend, to test out the system and the site. It was a card showing a lighthouse near their home in Portugal, if I remember correctly and a lovely story they shared with us.)
My Mt. TBR just got a bit fatter after this post today!
65msf59
Go Jays!! Nice comeback for the birds. Much better than the Brewers, who are down 0-3.
Happy Friday, Shelley. Hooray for The Correspondent. I loved that one.
Happy Friday, Shelley. Hooray for The Correspondent. I loved that one.
66jessibud2
>65 msf59: - Thanks, Mark. The Jays have been comeback kids all season. It was an exciting game last night. The most hilarious moment is when our pitcher, 41-year old future Hall of Famer, Max Scherzer, yelled at John Schneider, our manager, not to take him out of the game. Schneider does that a bit too often when it's not necessary, in my opinion. We had the lead, Scherzer was pitching well and he just blasted Schneider saying that NO, he wasn't coming out! It's all over the internet today and was quite funny to watch.
67EllaTim
>64 jessibud2: Hi Shelley! That postcrossing idea sounds really nice. Receiving real postcards is not the same as mailing. I don’t know a lot of people who still write letters, only a really elderly neighbor of ours. But she has really stuck to the old ways, she doesn’t even have a TV or radio.
And now they say young people are afraid to pick up the phone? Everything done by chat. Isn’t that strange?
Have a nice weekend.
And now they say young people are afraid to pick up the phone? Everything done by chat. Isn’t that strange?
Have a nice weekend.
68SqueakyChu
>67 EllaTim: And now they say young people are afraid to pick up the phone? Everything done by chat.
I do that, and I am 78 years old! I have an excuse, though. I am hard of hearing, and I can read better than I can hear. :D I am so thankful for this technology (although I usually bash new electronics because it all seems so complicated to me). Today, in fact, I'm at wit's end because I can't figure out how to navigate through Windows 11 (an update installed on a new computer by my older son yesterday). Ugh!
I do that, and I am 78 years old! I have an excuse, though. I am hard of hearing, and I can read better than I can hear. :D I am so thankful for this technology (although I usually bash new electronics because it all seems so complicated to me). Today, in fact, I'm at wit's end because I can't figure out how to navigate through Windows 11 (an update installed on a new computer by my older son yesterday). Ugh!
69jessibud2
>67 EllaTim: - Hi Ella. I have been a member of postcrossing for around 15 years and I love it. I hope it never intersects with AI. If it does, I'm out of it. But so far, everyone I have interacted with there loves it for this very reason: the personal touch of handwriting, real stamps, meaningful mail in your mailbox!
>68 SqueakyChu: - Madeline, my computer guy did the windows 11 update the other day. It took forever (overnight!) but it worked. If it hadn't, I may have had to get a new laptop, in order to stay on top of updates and viruses. So, so far so good.
>68 SqueakyChu: - Madeline, my computer guy did the windows 11 update the other day. It took forever (overnight!) but it worked. If it hadn't, I may have had to get a new laptop, in order to stay on top of updates and viruses. So, so far so good.
70jessibud2
Just finished this puzzle, *LA Liberty* by the wonderful late textile artist I profiled and shared here last December, Pacita Abad. I bought it at the gift shop in the Art Gallery back then but was a bit too intimidated to try it until recently. Just finished it the other day. Yes, it was hard but such a great reminder of her work. (1000 pieces)
I am currently working on a puzzle that is a collage of Van Gogh works.
I am currently working on a puzzle that is a collage of Van Gogh works.
71jessibud2
Tonight is do or die for my Blue Jays. If we can pull off a win, we force a 7th game. If not, well, there's always next year, as the saying goes.
72laytonwoman3rd
>70 jessibud2: That is beautiful, Shelley. I remember checking out the artist when you mentioned her last year. I love textile art. The puzzle must have been quite challenging.
73jessibud2
>72 laytonwoman3rd: - It was, Linda, but worthwhile.
74kac522
>70 jessibud2: Lovely puzzle, Shelley. Go Blue Jays!
76jessibud2
>74 kac522: - Thanks, Kathy. It's nerve-wracking, to be honest.
>75 banjo123: - It may kill us, Rhonda. Or me, anyhow, lol
>75 banjo123: - It may kill us, Rhonda. Or me, anyhow, lol
77SqueakyChu
>69 jessibud2: Well, I got the Windows 11 without the organization I had before. I now have to reorganize ALL of my files. I'm not complaining, though, as I appreciate that my older son spends some of his his time helping us with updates and new computer hardware and software. I'll figure it all out eventually.
>70 jessibud2: Great puzzle, Shelley!
>70 jessibud2: Great puzzle, Shelley!
78EllaTim
>77 SqueakyChu: Thanks for the warning! Reorganizing all one’s files doesn’t sound great.
I bought a new laptop last year, windows 11. But found myself guessing at a lot of things. I really miss some kind of manual.
I bought a new laptop last year, windows 11. But found myself guessing at a lot of things. I really miss some kind of manual.
79weird_O
My iPhone displays 49 icons for "stuff" it does. Three screensful. I could cull about two-thirds of them and not miss them. I'd find the blame thing quite a bit easier to use. In that vein, my favorite cartoon from The New Yorker (from a decade or two in the past) depicts a young customer in a cellphone store, telling the sales operative, "I want one that doesn't do too much."
Computer operating systems sprout from the same roots. I had a Toshiba laptop running Windows 9, which I used with a stripped down Photoshop, a splendid Epson scanner, and a student's version of AutoCAD. The CD player and-or the hard drive failed, and when a tech repaired that, he also upgraded it to Windows 10. OMG!! None of those key programs would work any more. The available/affordable programs just don't quite cut it.
Sorry. Sorry sorry about my whining. All corollaries of enshittification.
Computer operating systems sprout from the same roots. I had a Toshiba laptop running Windows 9, which I used with a stripped down Photoshop, a splendid Epson scanner, and a student's version of AutoCAD. The CD player and-or the hard drive failed, and when a tech repaired that, he also upgraded it to Windows 10. OMG!! None of those key programs would work any more. The available/affordable programs just don't quite cut it.
Sorry. Sorry sorry about my whining. All corollaries of enshittification.
80banjo123
Well, it's looking like we will get the game 7. I figure which ever team wins will get whomped by the Dodgers.
Since this is the furthest that the Mariner's have ever gotten in the post-season, we Mariner's fans will probably manage either way---we are used to losing.
Since this is the furthest that the Mariner's have ever gotten in the post-season, we Mariner's fans will probably manage either way---we are used to losing.
81jessibud2
>80 banjo123:- I am hoping you are right about game 7. I do remember the insane excitement of 92 and 93, when the Jays went back to back as World Series winners, most of the guys on this current team weren't even born then so it's as good as a first time.
83SqueakyChu
>78 EllaTim: I'm taking this time to delete a lot of old documents. There are so many things I don't need. Fortunately I still have some folders of related documents. I'm not sure how to go about assorting my gazillion pictures, though. I could ask my son lots of questions about Windows 11, but I don't think he really enjoys having to do this for us so I keep my questions to a minimum (although he did say to contact him if things are not working). I just don't find Windows 11 intuitive. I think it imagines its users to be more computer savvy than I am!
>79 weird_O: "I want one that doesn't do too much."
That's just how I feel!
I just bought a 2020 Subaru Forester to replace a 2003 Nissan Altima that I have been driving for the past twenty years. I would guess that about 90% of the buttons and electronics on this car remain a mystery to me. Of course it comes with a manual...which is 495 pages long! *sigh* I guess I was just not meant for this computer age.
Sorry sorry about my whining
Keep whining! I'll whine with you!
>79 weird_O: "I want one that doesn't do too much."
That's just how I feel!
I just bought a 2020 Subaru Forester to replace a 2003 Nissan Altima that I have been driving for the past twenty years. I would guess that about 90% of the buttons and electronics on this car remain a mystery to me. Of course it comes with a manual...which is 495 pages long! *sigh* I guess I was just not meant for this computer age.
Sorry sorry about my whining
Keep whining! I'll whine with you!
85jessibud2
>77 SqueakyChu:, >79 weird_O: - You have both already said more than I understand. I have a terrific computer guy and although he will come over to my house when necessary, he accesses my computer remotely to do things like upgrade. Saves us both time and me, money. Anyhow, I just trust him to do what needs to be done and explain things at the level I can (mostly) understand. I have not tried to organize anything. I guess I am something of a luddite. As long as I can do what I do, and play my games, I don't worry about the rest of it. Until, I guess, I need to. (then I phone him!)
Bill, I love that word: enshittification. lol
Bill, I love that word: enshittification. lol
86jessibud2
Well, my Jays pulled it off, and live another day! Tonight is win or go home (never mind that we ARE home). It's going to be bedlam downtown. But I will be watching for free, from my couch and will get to see all the replays and hear all the commentary. Nervous and on the edge of my seat. I expect I will be alone as the boys have little patience for my excitement, lol.
Go Jays!
Go Jays!
87kac522
Congrats on the Blue Jays, Shelley. I hope they beat the enshittification out of the Dodgers....
Were you watching on Fox? Did you see the commercial with Ronald Reagan talking about tariffs, which apparently was paid for by the Province of Ontario?? I thought it was GREAT. Maybe it didn't play in Canada, but I'm so glad it played over here. I hope it made a few people THINK for a change.
My husband went to 2 smaller No Kings rallies on Saturday in Chicago; the downtown one had at least 100,000, maybe more.
Two of my brothers and their wives, who live in remote suburbs, were also at rallies in their areas. For them what really made it important was that they were with like-minded people in places where they feel pretty isolated. I think that's encouraging and I hope it was a good experience for most people. I had surgery last week, so I couldn't go, but maybe next time....
Were you watching on Fox? Did you see the commercial with Ronald Reagan talking about tariffs, which apparently was paid for by the Province of Ontario?? I thought it was GREAT. Maybe it didn't play in Canada, but I'm so glad it played over here. I hope it made a few people THINK for a change.
My husband went to 2 smaller No Kings rallies on Saturday in Chicago; the downtown one had at least 100,000, maybe more.
Two of my brothers and their wives, who live in remote suburbs, were also at rallies in their areas. For them what really made it important was that they were with like-minded people in places where they feel pretty isolated. I think that's encouraging and I hope it was a good experience for most people. I had surgery last week, so I couldn't go, but maybe next time....
88msf59
^Congrats to your Jays! They pulled off a near impossible feat- winning four games in a row, in the playoffs. Wow.
Good luck with the Dodgers. That is also going to be tough.
89jessibud2
>87 kac522: - Thanks, Kathy! It felt like they were asleep for most of the game. It wasn't that the pitching was bad, but the fact that we had no offence. Until that 7th inning. Then, they did what they have done so many times this year: a comeback. I heard that the Jays had more come from behind wins than any other team in baseball this past year. But as our MVP said, 4 more games to go, to finish the job.
I hope you are recovering from your surgery and feeling better.
>88 msf59: - Thanks, Mark. It was insane. And you should hear the radio this morning!! I am listening now, and they are going to talk to Joe Carter in about half an hour. Joe hit the walk-off home run in the last World Series win, 32 years ago.
As for Shohei Otani and his Dodgers, well, yeah, it is sure going to be a challenge. But...never say never.
I hope you are recovering from your surgery and feeling better.
>88 msf59: - Thanks, Mark. It was insane. And you should hear the radio this morning!! I am listening now, and they are going to talk to Joe Carter in about half an hour. Joe hit the walk-off home run in the last World Series win, 32 years ago.
As for Shohei Otani and his Dodgers, well, yeah, it is sure going to be a challenge. But...never say never.
90Familyhistorian
It will be interesting to see how the series pans out, Shelley.
91jessibud2
>90 Familyhistorian: - It sure will, Meg. Still, having made it this far is already a major accomplishment and the city is going nuts.
92jessibud2
Grant Snider does it again. The poem is by Shoshana Flax, with Snider doing the illustrations:
http://www.incidentalcomics.com/2025/06/real-talk.html
http://www.incidentalcomics.com/2025/06/real-talk.html
94Caroline_McElwee
>70 jessibud2: Great puzzle Shelley.
95jessibud2
>94 Caroline_McElwee: - Thanks, Caro. It was hard but it is lovely.
96jessibud2
To say my city is pre-occupied, would be an understatement. Pumped, buzzing, are a few other words that come to mind. Tonight is game 1 of the World Series, first time in 32 years for my team.
Even Google is in on the hype:
Maybe the underdog but don't count my team out. That would be a mistake.
Go Jays!
Even Google is in on the hype:
Maybe the underdog but don't count my team out. That would be a mistake.
Go Jays!
97msf59
Happy Friday, Shelley. I think most of your LT pals will be rootin' for those Jays. Lets win game 1!!
98jessibud2
Hi, Mark. Thanks. I heard a clip from a diehard New Yorker the other day. Our morning radio guy played it and I was laughing my head off. I have no idea where it is from or how to find a link but imagine this: A guy with a very thick NY accent (Brooklyn? I don't know my accents well enough to know) starts by addressing us as Tim Horton-drinking, poutine-eating, maple syrup something or other Canadians, congratulating us on wiping out the hated Dodgers (apparently NYers hate the Dodgers as much as we hate the Yankees; who knew). He said we did good. "Now, I'm not saying I'll ever be rooting for you. But (in almost a whisper), I'm rooting for you."
LOL
LOL
100jessibud2
And now, for something completely different: the Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards:
https://www.comedywildlifephoto.com/gallery/finalists/2025_finalists.php
https://www.comedywildlifephoto.com/gallery/finalists/2025_finalists.php
101Storeetllr
>70 jessibud2: Fabulous image! Congrats on finishing it!
>100 jessibud2: Hilarious! Some of those images made me lol. Some of those images made me think of myself. :)
>100 jessibud2: Hilarious! Some of those images made me lol. Some of those images made me think of myself. :)
102kac522
>98 jessibud2: I'm not sure, but I think a lot of New Yorkers never forgave the Dodgers for leaving Brooklyn.
We'll be watching! Go Jays!
We'll be watching! Go Jays!
103jessibud2
>101 Storeetllr: - Thanks, Mary. And yeah, some of those photos are hilarious!
>102 kac522: - Thanks, Kathy. This city is going insane. There were people lined up since 6 o'clock this morning. Our radio guy said, it's one thing to arrive early to a party but 14 hours early? Anyhow, radio and tv have been broadcasting from outside the stadium all day. It will be a miracle if everyone can get inside safely.
I probably won't eat much supper. I'm saving room for my popcorn...
>102 kac522: - Thanks, Kathy. This city is going insane. There were people lined up since 6 o'clock this morning. Our radio guy said, it's one thing to arrive early to a party but 14 hours early? Anyhow, radio and tv have been broadcasting from outside the stadium all day. It will be a miracle if everyone can get inside safely.
I probably won't eat much supper. I'm saving room for my popcorn...
104SqueakyChu
Wow! Congrats on the Blue Jays first win of the series!
105EllaTim
>100 jessibud2: Lovely series!
106figsfromthistle
>96 jessibud2: a phenomenal game last night!
108jessibud2
Thanks, all. Well, we got off to a bit of a slow start but, not unsurprisingly, we came from behind and had a 9-run 6th inning, busting it wide open. If this city was pumped leading up to the game (and that's putting it mildly), it is positively crazed right now. I sure hope we can do it again tonight because I think we need to carry a 2-game lead heading to LA. Ohtani isn't pitching here in Toronto but he will be when we get there.
Three more games to go...
Three more games to go...
109Familyhistorian
Looks like you'll be glued to the game on TV on Monday, Shelley. Best of luck to the Blue Jays on the road.
110jessibud2
>109 Familyhistorian: - Hi Meg. Well, I did not last the night. I went to bed around 11:30, as it was about to go to extra innings. It turned out the game didn't finish till 3 am!! A full 2 games worth. Sad outcome. We NEED to win tonight but it will be more difficult than maybe any other game because of Ohtani. EEK
112kac522
>110 jessibud2: I watched until the 11th inning, then decided to read for awhile, but my husband hung in there for the whole game. I just happened to come out to check on the game before going to sleep, just in time to see the final home run. Damn. Hope the players got some sleep. It will be a tough game tonight for both teams, I think.
113jessibud2
>112 kac522: - Such a disappointment, Kathy. I only lasted till around 11 pm. It was the equivalent of a double header, 18 innings. Insane.
I wondered why it is allowed that a pitcher can pitch and hit in the same game, as will happen tonight. My friend's husband explained that there is apparently something called the Ohtani Rule.
https://www.bing.com/search?q=ohtani+rule+explained&form=ANNTH1&refig=69...
It seems so unfair, to me. It's no longer a level playing field for all other players. It's not as if ANY other player is likely to ever pitch and hit in the same game. It feels a lot like a *fix* to me. Cynic that I am, I immediately wondered how much the Dodgers paid MLB to instate this *rule*. Why can't he just be a superstar without dropping a lead ball on the scale? I fear our game tonight is already lost. Not to be a poor sport, but it feels unfair.
I am actually happy that he chose not to sign with the Jays last year. He would have totally overshadowed all our young guys who have done so well this year and earned the glory they are enjoying now, Yesavage, Clement, Barger. And yeah, even the inflated ego of Guerrero. They can have him. I just hope we never have to play the Dodgers again after this series is over.
End of rant. ;-p
I wondered why it is allowed that a pitcher can pitch and hit in the same game, as will happen tonight. My friend's husband explained that there is apparently something called the Ohtani Rule.
https://www.bing.com/search?q=ohtani+rule+explained&form=ANNTH1&refig=69...
It seems so unfair, to me. It's no longer a level playing field for all other players. It's not as if ANY other player is likely to ever pitch and hit in the same game. It feels a lot like a *fix* to me. Cynic that I am, I immediately wondered how much the Dodgers paid MLB to instate this *rule*. Why can't he just be a superstar without dropping a lead ball on the scale? I fear our game tonight is already lost. Not to be a poor sport, but it feels unfair.
I am actually happy that he chose not to sign with the Jays last year. He would have totally overshadowed all our young guys who have done so well this year and earned the glory they are enjoying now, Yesavage, Clement, Barger. And yeah, even the inflated ego of Guerrero. They can have him. I just hope we never have to play the Dodgers again after this series is over.
End of rant. ;-p
114kac522
>113 jessibud2: Sheesh...way too complicated rule! According to this Wikipedia article, the "Ohtani" rule started when he was with the LA Angels, so I guess, as much as I'd like to, we can't blame the Dodgers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Designated_hitter
115msf59
I did not see any of the game, Shelley but it sounds like it was quite an epic game. I give the Jays a lot of credit for just hanging in there. Lets hope they can get it done tonight. Go Jays!!
116jessibud2
I'm almost afraid to watch tonight, Mark. I'll start but if things go south, I'm heading to bed.
117richardderus
I'm rootin' for your Jays, Shelley!
118jessibud2
>117 richardderus:- Thanks, Richard. So far, so good. It's the 3rd inning now, 1-0 for the Dodgers. Shouldn't be too much to overcome but we shall see. Crazy-making.
119vancouverdeb
>70 jessibud2: That is a gorgeous puzzle, Shelley. It looks very challenging!
120msf59
Wow! Your Jays are a tough, scrappy team. I love it. They are stunning the Dodgers. Keep it up.
121jessibud2
>119 vancouverdeb: - It was, Deb, but worth the effort. I am now working on a collage of Van Gogh paintings.
>120 msf59: - That they are, Mark! It was a much better game last night. Shane Bieber struck out Ohtani TWICE. That's an accomplishment that can practically go on his CV! So, now it's down to a 3-game showdown. We need to win tonight so we can carry the momentum home to Toronto for game 6. I hope there won't be a need for game 7 but if so, we will be at home.
>120 msf59: - That they are, Mark! It was a much better game last night. Shane Bieber struck out Ohtani TWICE. That's an accomplishment that can practically go on his CV! So, now it's down to a 3-game showdown. We need to win tonight so we can carry the momentum home to Toronto for game 6. I hope there won't be a need for game 7 but if so, we will be at home.
123jessibud2
Omg. The Toronto Blue Jays are amazing. One more win to be World Series Champs, for the first time in 32 years. I shouldn't be saying this, so as not to jinx it but they are heading home to a city and country of fans who are already going berserk. Next game: Friday.
124SqueakyChu
>123 jessibud2: Fantastic! I hope the Blue Jays grab that win. It will be so exciting for you (and your city)!
Meanwhile, here at home in the DC area, my favorite team (and home team), DC United (Major League Soccer), won the Wooden Spoon Award. That's for being the worst team in the entire league of 30 teams. This is actually the third time they've won that award. *sigh*
Meanwhile, here at home in the DC area, my favorite team (and home team), DC United (Major League Soccer), won the Wooden Spoon Award. That's for being the worst team in the entire league of 30 teams. This is actually the third time they've won that award. *sigh*
125kac522
>123 jessibud2: Great pitching by the Young Phenom!
127jessibud2
My brother sent me this pic this morning. I don't know where it's from so I can't credit the source but I told him that although it's very early in his career, if Yesavage keeps up at this pace, he, too, will be a future Hall of Famer!
128jessibud2
I finished Dear Miss Lake, the 4th and final installment in the Emmy Lake Chronicles. I really enjoyed this whole series. Pearce says, in the author's notes at the end of the book, that this is definitely the last one in this series. But I want to know what happens to these characters after the war!! I guess that's a sign of a good read, that the reader becomes invested in the characters. Oh well. I wonder what this author will come up with next.
129laytonwoman3rd
Go Blue Jays!
Thanks for introducing the Wartime Chronicles, Shelley. I'm going to try that series soon, I think.
Thanks for introducing the Wartime Chronicles, Shelley. I'm going to try that series soon, I think.
130jessibud2
>129 laytonwoman3rd: - Thanks, Linda. Do read them in order, though as the characters grow and develop throughout the series: Dear Mrs. Bird, Yours Cheerfully, Mrs. Porter Calling, and lastly, Dear Miss Lake. Well-written, funny, poignant and more.
131laytonwoman3rd
>130 jessibud2: I have a library hold to pick up this afternoon, and the website says there should be 2 copies of Dear Mrs. Bird on the shelf, so I'll grab one if that's true!
132richardderus
>128 jessibud2: She's not done with writing, so we'll All know soon enough. (I suspect they'll All be back one day, just not soon. Too much meat on the bones to waste.)
GO JAYS!!
GO JAYS!!
133jessibud2
>131 laytonwoman3rd: - I look forward to your impressions, Linda.
>132 richardderus: - I sure hope you are right, Richard. She's got the chops. And yes, Go Jays indeed! A little over 24 hours from now.......
>132 richardderus: - I sure hope you are right, Richard. She's got the chops. And yes, Go Jays indeed! A little over 24 hours from now.......
135jessibud2
Right now I'm at the vet with Owen. But I will be watching tonight. I will eventually skip Jeopardy so I can watch the pregame show. Nervous doesn't begin to cover it...
This city is bonkers today.
This city is bonkers today.
136SqueakyChu
>135 jessibud2: Yikes ! I’m nervous even though I am not going to be watching today’s game! Go, Blue Jays!!
137jessibud2
Well, it wasn't the finale we had hoped for but we still have tonight. We squandered some chances but ran out of time. Not sure I can stand to watch tonight but of course, I will be.
139msf59
Aw, bummer. We were listening to the end of the game. We thought the Jays could pull it off in the 9th. They were in position to...darn double play. Hoping they do it tonight. Go Jays!
140kac522
>138 jessibud2: Great wordling!
>137 jessibud2: Shelley, explain to me why in last night's game the ball that was hit off the wall was a ground-rule double. At Wrigley the ball can get lost/stuck in the ivy on the outfield wall, so that's always a ground-rule double. But I didn't understand why the ball last night was no longer in play.
>137 jessibud2: Shelley, explain to me why in last night's game the ball that was hit off the wall was a ground-rule double. At Wrigley the ball can get lost/stuck in the ivy on the outfield wall, so that's always a ground-rule double. But I didn't understand why the ball last night was no longer in play.
141jessibud2
>140 kac522: - Apparently, it was deemed a dead ball because it got stuck between the bottom of the wall and the padding or something. I just googled:
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/toronto-blue-jays/news/how-dead-ball-killed-...
The Jays had a few chances last night and they just couldn't capitalize. They have had more come-from-behind wins this past season than any other team in the MLB so even though it was getting dire, I think we all expected them to rally.
What I really don't understand is why Ohtani is allowed to pitch and hit in the same game. Not fair. That used to be allowed in the National League but I believe they have since adopted the Designated Hitter which means pitchers don't hit. Except Ohtani. Not a level playing field at all, in my humble opinion though clearly, no one asks me. My brother told me to google the Ohtani Rule. Still, it's not as if ANY other player is going to do what he does so why does he get to be an exception?
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/toronto-blue-jays/news/how-dead-ball-killed-...
The Jays had a few chances last night and they just couldn't capitalize. They have had more come-from-behind wins this past season than any other team in the MLB so even though it was getting dire, I think we all expected them to rally.
What I really don't understand is why Ohtani is allowed to pitch and hit in the same game. Not fair. That used to be allowed in the National League but I believe they have since adopted the Designated Hitter which means pitchers don't hit. Except Ohtani. Not a level playing field at all, in my humble opinion though clearly, no one asks me. My brother told me to google the Ohtani Rule. Still, it's not as if ANY other player is going to do what he does so why does he get to be an exception?
142kac522
>141 jessibud2: OK, thanks for the clarification, Shelley. I get it now.
One thing they did say last night on the broadcast was that Ohtani can only pitch & bat if he is the starting pitcher. If he starts out as the DH and then later he comes in as a reliever, he continues to bat. BUT if he is taken out as a pitcher and a new reliever comes in, Ohtani gives up his batting spot, too. It is a weird rule, for sure, although I can remember a couple of Cubs' pitchers that were decent batters, although that was before the whole DH thing anyway. And yes, NL rules have a DH now. You know, more hitting in the game, supposedly to make it more exciting.
One thing they did say last night on the broadcast was that Ohtani can only pitch & bat if he is the starting pitcher. If he starts out as the DH and then later he comes in as a reliever, he continues to bat. BUT if he is taken out as a pitcher and a new reliever comes in, Ohtani gives up his batting spot, too. It is a weird rule, for sure, although I can remember a couple of Cubs' pitchers that were decent batters, although that was before the whole DH thing anyway. And yes, NL rules have a DH now. You know, more hitting in the game, supposedly to make it more exciting.
143jessibud2
Well, it's over. So close and such a heart-breaking finish. At least it didn't go another 18 innings. I just hope they don't trade away half the team and break up the incredible cohesiveness of these guys. They did that after the '92 win and still managed to win '93 but this team is truly unlike any other Jays team I have witnessed. They could sure shore up the bullpen with better arms but the core 9, 10 players, they better not do anything but give them big contracts. They have earned them!
Such a heartbreak.
And they really need to do something about bending the rules for Ohtani. Twice our manager had to come out and ask the umps why they were allowing him to have extra time on the mound to get ready. No one else gets such preferential treatment. No one.
I have a post-game headache this morning.
Such a heartbreak.
And they really need to do something about bending the rules for Ohtani. Twice our manager had to come out and ask the umps why they were allowing him to have extra time on the mound to get ready. No one else gets such preferential treatment. No one.
I have a post-game headache this morning.
144richardderus
>143 jessibud2: I do too. The (rightfully Brooklyn) Dodgers winning irritates me 2/3 as much as the (insert lengthy grawlix here) Yank-mes would, but it's still upsetting.
Excellent baseball played by the Jays!
Excellent baseball played by the Jays!
145jessibud2
>144 richardderus:- Thanks, Richard. The Jays did squander some key opportunities but that hasn't necessarily stopped them before. Oh well, no point in wallowing. Well, maybe a little bit.
146richardderus
>145 jessibud2: A little bit is healthy, I contend.
147kac522
That was such a heart-breaker, Shelley. They had it, and then.....I'm in a bummer mood today.
148SqueakyChu
Sorry the Blue Jays didn’t take it all, but you (and your team) had a fun and exciting baseball season. Keep it up next year!
149jessibud2
>147 kac522: - Yeah, me too. I feel most badly for the players who truly gave it their all.
>148 SqueakyChu: - Thanks, Madeleine. I always feel a little lost after the baseball season ends but this time, there's real sadness, too.
>148 SqueakyChu: - Thanks, Madeleine. I always feel a little lost after the baseball season ends but this time, there's real sadness, too.
150figsfromthistle
>143 jessibud2: it was a heartbreaker for sure but the team did great and we should be proud of the fact that they were such strong contenders!
151jessibud2
>150 figsfromthistle: - They sure were, Anita. Not to sound biased but I truly feel they were better than the Dodgers and but for a few flukes, it would have (should have) been our win. Still, they took the loss graciously, which isn't a surprise. I saw this yesterday and loved it. They did us proud:
153m.belljackson
Many years ago, Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams took American's minds off Germany,
as The Blue Jays and The Dodgers have now done for the USA.
as The Blue Jays and The Dodgers have now done for the USA.
154banjo123
Sorry about the Blue Jays, Shelley.
I don't know exactly what I think about the Ohtani rule, but in general think that the Designated Hitter Rule is bad for baseball; which leads me to be an Ohtani fan, and OK with him having special rules. Honestly, he's not really a better hitter than any other DH's the Dodgers would have, so the Ohtani rule probably doesn't impact the outcome.
I don't know exactly what I think about the Ohtani rule, but in general think that the Designated Hitter Rule is bad for baseball; which leads me to be an Ohtani fan, and OK with him having special rules. Honestly, he's not really a better hitter than any other DH's the Dodgers would have, so the Ohtani rule probably doesn't impact the outcome.
155Familyhistorian
Too bad about the final outcome, Shelley. It had a lot of people glued to their screens, many hoping for a better outcome, I’m sure.
156jessibud2
>153 m.belljackson: - Well, my Jays sure took my mind off the news.
>154 banjo123: - Thanks, Rhonda. Being in the American League, I only know the DH position. I always thought not having it was unfair to pitchers. It is highly unlikely that there will ever be another Ohtani, a pitcher who is also a talented hitter. I think having a rule just for him is unfair, however you look at it. I am just surprised that there isn't more people speaking out. But, no one asked me so there you have it, ;-).
>155 Familyhistorian: - I just heard on the news tonight, Meg, that the stats came out today and there were almost 23 million tuning in at some point during the series. That's a LOT of people!
>154 banjo123: - Thanks, Rhonda. Being in the American League, I only know the DH position. I always thought not having it was unfair to pitchers. It is highly unlikely that there will ever be another Ohtani, a pitcher who is also a talented hitter. I think having a rule just for him is unfair, however you look at it. I am just surprised that there isn't more people speaking out. But, no one asked me so there you have it, ;-).
>155 Familyhistorian: - I just heard on the news tonight, Meg, that the stats came out today and there were almost 23 million tuning in at some point during the series. That's a LOT of people!
157banjo123
It is funny to have a rule for one player. I like having the pitchers hit, I just think it makes things more interesting.
158weird_O
I happened on a local angle in the World Series, for me. Facebook had several postings highlighting that a rookie Blue Jay's pitcher, Trey Yesavage, had a record-setting (and winning) performance in the 5th game. He struck out 12 batters but allowed no walks. The previous record was 11 strike-outs, set in 1949 by Don Newcombe, playing for...wait for it...the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Yesavage is from Pottstown, Pa, only about 35 miles south of here. You may recall Pottstown being the setting for James McBride's prize-winning novel The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. Best photo of him I saw on FB featured he and his wife suited up in Eagles merch.
Yesavage is from Pottstown, Pa, only about 35 miles south of here. You may recall Pottstown being the setting for James McBride's prize-winning novel The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. Best photo of him I saw on FB featured he and his wife suited up in Eagles merch.
159jessibud2
>158 weird_O: - Thanks for this great post and perspective, Bill. Yeah, Trey is quite the phenom around here. His entire season has been such a whirlwind, going from single A ball to AA to AAA to the majors to the World series in just a few months. Unbelieveable. But for a 22-year-old, he is very poised, very confident (without the cockiness that often goes with that), and mature beyond his years. He also gives me the sense that he is intelligent. In every interview I have heard with him, he speaks clearly, without a single *like* to be heard anywhere. I am a bit of a stickler about that and it is so refreshing to hear someone who can speak fluently without *like*ing after every third word, lol
Were you referring to Trey's wife? He isn't married as far as I know but he does have a girlfriend so that's probably who he is with in those pictures you saw. I am not on fb so I haven't seen anything that isn't posted publicly.
I sure hope the Jays give him a huge (and long!) contract. He has an amazing future ahead of him. It's all been very exciting.
Were you referring to Trey's wife? He isn't married as far as I know but he does have a girlfriend so that's probably who he is with in those pictures you saw. I am not on fb so I haven't seen anything that isn't posted publicly.
I sure hope the Jays give him a huge (and long!) contract. He has an amazing future ahead of him. It's all been very exciting.
160jessibud2
Wordle 1,600 5/6 meaty, fount, orbit, robot, short . One misstep on my 4th guess but I still didn't bomb so that's ok.
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161jessibud2
Just started reading How to Be a Good Creature by Sy Montgomery. Has anyone read this one? I have read and enjoyed other titles by her but this is a memoir and I think it should be a good one.
162alcottacre
>161 jessibud2: *waving hands excitedly* I have read it! I hope you enjoy it, Shelley. The Soul of an Octopus remains my favorite of hers, but I though How to Be a Good Creature was pretty good as well.
163laytonwoman3rd
>161 jessibud2:, >162 alcottacre: Me too!! I haven't read The Soul of an Octopus, but she writes a bit about that octopus in the memoir. If you want more octopus awe, there's a PBS documentary called My Octopus Teacher, which we loved. I recently finished Montgomery's Of Time and Turtles--- tough but amazing.
164jessibud2
>162 alcottacre:, >163 laytonwoman3rd: - Thanks, Stasia and Linda. I have read Birdology and The Good Good Pig and loved them so I am hopeful that this one will be as enjoyable.
165jessibud2
I did buy a couple of books yesterday though, with 3 library books sitting here, I am not sure when I will get to them. One is Letters to Camondo (I loved his The Hare With the Amber Eyes), and How Sondheim Can Change Your Life. I haven't seen all of Sondheim's works but enough of them to know I love his genius. This one looks interesting.
And because I am a total baseball nerd, I bought myself a present I wouldn't normally spend this much money on, but I truly couldn't resist. Hardcover coffee table type book: 72 Stories: From the Baseball Collection of Geddy Lee. Yes, that Geddy Lee, from the band Rush. I am actually not a fan of Rush at all, don't like the loud music, but he has collected baseballs for most of his life and the book is gorgeous (he also did some narration for the World Series games, as the games began; fun!). The left side page shows the autographed baseballs, and the right side page tells the stories behind each one, often along with other photos. Some real amazing stories here. I recognize most of the baseball personalities he mentions but there are also other surprising ones (the Beatles, for example!). I had to chuckle as he thanked his kids, in the acknowledgments, for not complaining too much as he spent their inheritance on some of these baseballs! A beautiful keeper of a book. (and Kathy, there is a photo of Geddy and *The Hawk*!)
And because I am a total baseball nerd, I bought myself a present I wouldn't normally spend this much money on, but I truly couldn't resist. Hardcover coffee table type book: 72 Stories: From the Baseball Collection of Geddy Lee. Yes, that Geddy Lee, from the band Rush. I am actually not a fan of Rush at all, don't like the loud music, but he has collected baseballs for most of his life and the book is gorgeous (he also did some narration for the World Series games, as the games began; fun!). The left side page shows the autographed baseballs, and the right side page tells the stories behind each one, often along with other photos. Some real amazing stories here. I recognize most of the baseball personalities he mentions but there are also other surprising ones (the Beatles, for example!). I had to chuckle as he thanked his kids, in the acknowledgments, for not complaining too much as he spent their inheritance on some of these baseballs! A beautiful keeper of a book. (and Kathy, there is a photo of Geddy and *The Hawk*!)
166kac522
>165 jessibud2: I have no idea who Geddy Lee is, but anything with Andre is a great pic!
167jessibud2
Well, Kathy, if you aren't into loud hard rock (as I am not!), you wouldn't be expected to know Geddy Lee. I only know him because he is a Toronto boy. I don't like that kind of music that he and his band, Rush, are very famous for. But his love of baseball is legend and I love this book.
I posted this clip on the LT baseball books thread last month. I think this was a very classy thing he did: https://www.nlbm.com/storied/chapter5-geddy-lee/
I posted this clip on the LT baseball books thread last month. I think this was a very classy thing he did: https://www.nlbm.com/storied/chapter5-geddy-lee/
168kac522
>167 jessibud2: Yes, that was the right thing to do.
169EllaTim
>161 jessibud2: I haven’t read the book, but I looked it up just now. It sounds great, and I also want to get to The Soul of an Octopus. So two BB’s at the same time.
170jessibud2
>169 EllaTim: - I am enjoying it so far, Ella.
Yikes, almost ended the streak! But didn't.
Wordle 1,605 6/6. meaty, tardy, tacky, tally, taffy, tabby. I apologize to my boys, who are both tabbies. I should have thought of this sooner.
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171jessibud2
Actually, I just heard on the news that we got around 10cm, first time this early since 1969. Pretty, but hopefully it will melt as the temps rise over the rest of the week. It is actually still coming down as I type. I don't get my snow tires on until Thursday.
From the window looking at the front of the house:
And from my bedroom window looking out to the back of the house:
From the window looking at the front of the house:
And from my bedroom window looking out to the back of the house:
172kac522
>170 jessibud2: I bombed on that one today, but I thought you'd get it!
>171 jessibud2: Same here--still snowing big flakes and I'm supposed to be at a doctor's appt in a couple of hours. At least it's not far. Not looking forward to cleaning off the car.
>171 jessibud2: Same here--still snowing big flakes and I'm supposed to be at a doctor's appt in a couple of hours. At least it's not far. Not looking forward to cleaning off the car.
174jessibud2
>173 torontoc:- I made the appointment last week,Cyrel. It was the 1st opening they had. And that was before the snow!
175laytonwoman3rd
>171 jessibud2: We haven't had any snow here yet, but our trees are bare...yours still have leaves!
176jessibud2
>175 laytonwoman3rd: - Yes, we have had a good fall for the colours this year, Linda, and I was still taking photos the other day. Good thing I didn't wait any longer. It does look interesting to see snow on top of coloured leaves. I had around 4 or 5 potted plants that still were looking good with flowers so I hadn't got rid of them yet. But today is another story and since tomorrow is yard waste collection day, I guess I will cut off the frozen and soggy foliage and add them to the bag.
177laytonwoman3rd
>176 jessibud2: I was going to clean up my last few drooping potted plants--some of them were still looking good last week--today, but it's so cold and raw out there, I just couldn't face it. I remember one year we had snow while the leaves were still on the trees and I still had flowers blooming. I got some lovely photos of all that.
178jessibud2
I just came in from chopping of the dregs off the hanging pots. I did get some good pics but needed to do it since yard waste pickup is tomorrow and I wanted to make sure I got them out.
I offered to help my neighbour across the street get her bin out of the garage. I offered to back her car out to reach it. And then -- eek! -- I accidentally ripped the side mirror on the driver side, right off. She was remarkably calm about it but I felt awful! I told her I will take her car tomorrow to the nearest repair garage and have it fixed. More likely, replaced. Her car is quite a bit wider than mine and I honestly don't know how it even fits in her garage but it does. I guess we all get used to the size of our own cars. But geez, I have never done that before. I feel horrible. At least hers is an old car and somewhat beat up, not a new one, but still. :-(
I offered to help my neighbour across the street get her bin out of the garage. I offered to back her car out to reach it. And then -- eek! -- I accidentally ripped the side mirror on the driver side, right off. She was remarkably calm about it but I felt awful! I told her I will take her car tomorrow to the nearest repair garage and have it fixed. More likely, replaced. Her car is quite a bit wider than mine and I honestly don't know how it even fits in her garage but it does. I guess we all get used to the size of our own cars. But geez, I have never done that before. I feel horrible. At least hers is an old car and somewhat beat up, not a new one, but still. :-(
179m.belljackson
>178 jessibud2: I did the same thing with my mirror on a postal mailbox - still not replaced - it was just too expensive!
180kac522
>178 jessibud2: Oh, man, Shelley, so sorry....no good deed goes unpunished!😧
181jessibud2
No kidding. And I did it to my previous car and yes, it was expensive. On my car, I only cracked the casing. The mirror still functioned, to adjust, so I used gorilla glue to reattach the broken piece. Ugly, yes, but I wasn't willing to spend the money. But for my neighbour's car, I'm afraid I may not have a choice. I did quite a number on it. Sheesh.
184SqueakyChu
>178 jessibud2: I did that to my own car years ago in a parking garage. I got too close to the ticket machine and down went my mirror. I was babysitting for my young grandson at that time. We went to a drugstore and got a huge roll of masking tape. He helped me tape the mirror in place before we went out for lunch. I think Jose must have repaired or replaced the whole thing after we got home. It made me feel so stupid!
185BLBera
>171 jessibud2: The snow looks so pretty, but I know we will be so sick of it in a couple of months!
186figsfromthistle
Did you get more snow? I woke up to 15cm and more is on the way until noon. Looks like Christmas!
187richardderus
Happy snowy loveliness, Shelley, and May your out-of-pocket be less than expected.
189jessibud2
I just started reading a book called The Healing Season of Pottery, in translation from Korean. The blurb sounded interesting but so far (barely 3 chapters in), it is not grabbing me at all. It just feels slightly *off*. I am not sure if it's the translation (the translator has a very Anglo name) or just the way Korean culture is expressed in literature. There is also more than a sprinkling of Korean words with no translation and no glossary at the back which I am so far managing to ignore. Some are easy enough to guess at from context but not all. I am simply not familiar enough with Korean culture and while I do love (and have read) stories from many many cultures other than my own, this one is leaving me feeling flat and uninterested. I have a feeling it will be DNF'd shortly.
I hate when that happens.
The protagonist is also 30 years old. It's been many lifetimes since I've been part of that demographic. Maybe that is also playing into it.
I hate when that happens.
The protagonist is also 30 years old. It's been many lifetimes since I've been part of that demographic. Maybe that is also playing into it.
190banjo123
>189 jessibud2: I bet this is just not that good! But I am with you, I sometimes get tired of books about people in their 20's and 30's.
191vancouverdeb
>178 jessibud2: Sorry to read about that. My son William backed out of a parking space back when he was a new driver and ripped of the driver side mirror of my car. Luckily it was an old car. I think Dave sort of fixed it, but I had to reach out the open window to adjust the mirror. A few months ago I was leaving Muffin's doggie day care, and somehow I backed into a dumpster. Just some cosmetic damage to the back bumper, but I was not too pleased and neither was Dave. sigh.
192jessibud2
>190 banjo123: - Yep, it will be going back to the library today, Rhonda. C'est la vie. There is always another book waiting in the wings, though, so, no worries.
>191 vancouverdeb: - Well, the repair was done yesterday, Deb. $$$.
>191 vancouverdeb: - Well, the repair was done yesterday, Deb. $$$.
193jessibud2
I feel this should have been easier than it ended up being. But at least the streak lives!
Wordle 1,610 5/6 meaty, quirk, sound, flung, clung
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194Caroline_McElwee
>189 jessibud2: Maybe it is to do with the translation Shelley. The title would have drawn me, but I'll wait for your final thoughts if you finish it.
195jessibud2
>194 Caroline_McElwee: - I DNF'd it, Caroline. You know, so many books, so little time, less as time goes on...
Wordle 1,612 3/6 meaty, champ, clamp
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196Familyhistorian
Sorry to hear about the incident with the neighbour’s mirror. I did a number on my passenger side mirror once.
There was a train so traffic was stopped and I got into the left turn lane only the vehicle ahead of me in that lane wasn’t moving and the light was green. Because no traffic was oncoming I decided to pass him in the oncoming lanes. Didn’t realize he had those long delivery truck mirrors and bam!
There was a train so traffic was stopped and I got into the left turn lane only the vehicle ahead of me in that lane wasn’t moving and the light was green. Because no traffic was oncoming I decided to pass him in the oncoming lanes. Didn’t realize he had those long delivery truck mirrors and bam!
197vancouverdeb
Too bad about the $$$, but at least it is behind you. I find I am getting more careful in parking lots, especially those small spaces in underground or above ground parkkades. The spaces are just so small and the concrete pillars a threat.
198richardderus
>189 jessibud2: The cover has a c-a-t perched on a stool ever so coyly...a terrible sign in East Asian fiction, I've discovered, portending poor writing.
Better Korean reads ahead!
Better Korean reads ahead!
199jessibud2
>196 Familyhistorian:, >197 vancouverdeb: - The deed is done, repairs finished and I am moving on. Neighbour offered to split the cost with me but I told her, no, I caused the damage all by myself and I will foot the bill. ;-p
>198 richardderus: - Ha! Not sure how quickly I will attempt another, Richard but never say never.
>198 richardderus: - Ha! Not sure how quickly I will attempt another, Richard but never say never.
200jessibud2
So, I am a huge fan of Calvin & Hobbes. Always have been. Did you know that yesterday was the 40th anniversary of the first strip? I own many (all?) C&H books and subscribe to the daily cartoons. Love him (most of the time, lol)
https://www.gocomics.com/extras/first-calvin-and-hobbes-comic-strip?utm_campaign...
https://www.gocomics.com/extras/first-calvin-and-hobbes-comic-strip?utm_campaign...
201laytonwoman3rd
>200 jessibud2: There are a lot of Calvin and Hobbes anthologies here and at @lycomayflower's house too. I was so bummed when Waterson stopped writing those strips! Along with Pogo and his gang, my very favorite cartoon characters.
202jessibud2
>201 laytonwoman3rd: - I subscribe to GoComics and the 3 I read daily are C&H, For Better or For Worse and Pickles. All so different but I love them all.
meaty, place, brave, grave
203laytonwoman3rd
> 202 All favorites here too. I occasionally call my husband Earl! (Earl was my great-grandfather's name, and although I never met him, he was a bit of a legend. So there is some ambiguity involved.)
204jessibud2
>203 laytonwoman3rd: - lol!
>202 jessibud2: - Hmm, not sure what happened there. I thought I copied the wordle puzzle but clearly I didn't. I went back now and don't see the option to copy it now. Whatever...
>202 jessibud2: - Hmm, not sure what happened there. I thought I copied the wordle puzzle but clearly I didn't. I went back now and don't see the option to copy it now. Whatever...
206jessibud2
I know it's on, Kathy but my last few days have been clouded with migraine and I haven't been able to stay awake that late. I do have PBS passport (though in all honesty, I haven't used it yet) so I should be able to catch it there. If not, I'll wait and make a request from my library for it when it comes out for general circulation. That is how I have watched many of the previous Burns docs.
207kac522
>206 jessibud2: Sorry about the migraines, Shelley--I know I wouldn't be able to watch if my head hurt. It has been an interesting doc, showing lots of different perspectives. There are bits on how the war affected Native Americans (something we were never taught in school back in the day), with Native American commentators and scholars. There are some re-enactment scenes (something that Burns usually doesn't do), but you never see actual faces or hear dialogue. Also, amazingly, so far there have been no interruptions for fund-raising.
208jessibud2
I really like Burns' style of documentary-making. The first of his that I ever saw was The Civil War. Then, several others. I set myself a long-term goal some years ago to watch all of his work, once I realized my library could get them for me. But there are a few they don't seem to have access to and about a handful I haven't seen yet.
Yeah, the migraines are no fun at all. This has been a particularly bad few days. The neurologist I saw last month took me off the long-time med I was on (it worked but she said there are safer ones), started me on a preventive and prescribed a new med to stop one in progress. For the most part, it seems to be working except this week. It hurts to move my neck and even my eyes, at times. I have had a few naps today, ;-)
Yeah, the migraines are no fun at all. This has been a particularly bad few days. The neurologist I saw last month took me off the long-time med I was on (it worked but she said there are safer ones), started me on a preventive and prescribed a new med to stop one in progress. For the most part, it seems to be working except this week. It hurts to move my neck and even my eyes, at times. I have had a few naps today, ;-)
209laytonwoman3rd
>207 kac522: "Also, amazingly, so far there have been no interruptions for fund-raising." We were afraid of that as well. I am sure it will eventually be used for fund-raising, but happily they seem to be giving us a first-run pass on that!
210jessibud2
I did manage to finish a book the other day, The Billionaire Murders. This was a book I had wanted to read for some time and just got to it now. Barry Sherman was one of the wealthiest men in Canada (he started Apotex, the pharmaceutical company that made generic drugs for consumers) and his wife was a huge fundraiser for many charities. I remember very well when the news broke of their double murder, in Dec of 2017. It was quite shocking but from the get-go, the police seemed to botch things right from the beginning, and initially called it a murder-suicide. It wasn't; it was a targeted double murder. The author of this book, Kevin Donovan, is a well-known and respected investigative journalist and I think he did a very good job of laying out the facts of what is and was known, and what wasn't. This was a very complicated case and while there was a lot of repetition, I think it may have been necessary to clarify and reinforce what was known, and not. He wrote this book a mere 2 years after the murders and at the time of his writing, no one had ever been arrested. I believe that one of the reasons it seemed to fall off the radar was that at that very time, there was another very high profile serial murderer here in the city who had been arrested and that just knocked the Sherman case out of the headlines.
I don't usually read true crime or even mysteries in general. Not my thing. And although I did not know this couple personally (I am not in that league!), it was a local story and therefore very interesting. It was heart-breaking that no one was ever caught and arrested. Even more so that now, 8 (yes, 8!) years later, there is still no resolution, no arrests, nothing. One of the daughters of the Shermans was on the radio last week, giving something of an update of her attempts to continue her mother's legacy of philanthropy. That's when I realized it had been 8 years and that's when I picked up the book.
I don't usually read true crime or even mysteries in general. Not my thing. And although I did not know this couple personally (I am not in that league!), it was a local story and therefore very interesting. It was heart-breaking that no one was ever caught and arrested. Even more so that now, 8 (yes, 8!) years later, there is still no resolution, no arrests, nothing. One of the daughters of the Shermans was on the radio last week, giving something of an update of her attempts to continue her mother's legacy of philanthropy. That's when I realized it had been 8 years and that's when I picked up the book.
211jessibud2
About to start The Bletchley Girls. Heard it was good. Has anyone here read this?
212kac522
>208 jessibud2: The first Ken Burns I watched was also The Civil War. I've tried to watch most of them, but not all. I skipped the Viet Nam war, and maybe a couple of others.
Whew, those migraines sound brutal. I've decided getting older means getting used to pain a lot of the time. Oftentimes minor, but sometimes major.
>211 jessibud2: Haven't read any books about Bletchley, but I did watch the BBC series "The Bletchley Circle" some years ago (OK--just looked it up--2012). It was 2 seasons (total 7 episodes), very good and tense, and starred Anna Maxwell-Martin and Hattie Morahan.
Will be interested to find out what you think of the book.
Whew, those migraines sound brutal. I've decided getting older means getting used to pain a lot of the time. Oftentimes minor, but sometimes major.
>211 jessibud2: Haven't read any books about Bletchley, but I did watch the BBC series "The Bletchley Circle" some years ago (OK--just looked it up--2012). It was 2 seasons (total 7 episodes), very good and tense, and starred Anna Maxwell-Martin and Hattie Morahan.
Will be interested to find out what you think of the book.
213jessibud2
Eek. Quote by Voltaire, of all people, from today's AWAD (A Word of the Day):
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
To learn who rules over you, simply find out whom you are not allowed to criticize. -Voltaire, philosopher (21 Nov 1694-1778)
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
To learn who rules over you, simply find out whom you are not allowed to criticize. -Voltaire, philosopher (21 Nov 1694-1778)
215richardderus
>213 jessibud2: Perzackly. It's a revolting exercise, showing the nauseating servility of the human race.
Happier weekend ahead, Shelley, no migraines and less injustice.
Happier weekend ahead, Shelley, no migraines and less injustice.
216jessibud2
Thanks, Richard. Today was a much better day, almost as if yesterday hadn't happened. Weird but I'll take it.
217jessibud2
Question: as someone who has never read a Lousie Penny book (not my usual genre), is it necessary to read them in order, given that (I think) there is a recurring main character in them? I ask because, although I have never read her, I have heard her speak a few times and am intrigued. Very proud that she cancelled her book tour in the USA for her newest book, because of trump, but beyond that, she was one of the main guests on today's CBC radio program, The Current. Host Matt Galloway went to the Haskell Library, the one that straddles the border between Quebec and Vermont and broadcast his entire show from there (taped live yesterday and aired today).
It's long but such a good listen, fun, and just really good. She is the first guest on if all you have time for is a bit. But now, I kind of want to read her books, thus my question.
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/louise-penny-trump-51st-state-9.6987667 (scroll down a bit to listen to the actual show; the very first link - the one that says listen to this article - is just a robot voice. The actual show has opening music)
It's long but such a good listen, fun, and just really good. She is the first guest on if all you have time for is a bit. But now, I kind of want to read her books, thus my question.
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/louise-penny-trump-51st-state-9.6987667 (scroll down a bit to listen to the actual show; the very first link - the one that says listen to this article - is just a robot voice. The actual show has opening music)
219laytonwoman3rd
>217 jessibud2: I've only read three (I think--could be four) of the Louise Penny books, and I'm not really a fan. But I'd say it is best to read them in order. One of my objections to the series was that Gamache, the main character, has some sort of back story that was referred to, but not explained in those early books. It irritated me, as if I was meant to know something no one had told me. I understand it does get filled in in later books, but I wasn't interested enough to keep going. YMMV, of course. Penny has a lot of fans. And I've like her when I heard her speak as well.
220kac522
>217 jessibud2:, >219 laytonwoman3rd: I read the first one and thought it was OK, but I'm not a big mystery/police procedural fan so I didn't feel compelled to go on. However, the Canadian setting may mean a lot more to you than it did to me, so I think it may be worth a read for you. My understanding is that the characters & their relationships evolve & change over the series, so probably best to start with the first book.
221jessibud2
Thanks, Linda and Kathy. A friend told me she has one Penny book. If it's the first, I'll borrow it. If not, maybe I'll get it from the library but I have a few coming to me this week from the library so it may not be soon.
Apparently Louise Penny's cafe that she owns is in Knowlton, Que. My mum, my aunt and I did a day trip there one time, many years ago and it is a very pretty little town (village?). I do like recognizing places when they are mentioned in books I am reading.
Apparently Louise Penny's cafe that she owns is in Knowlton, Que. My mum, my aunt and I did a day trip there one time, many years ago and it is a very pretty little town (village?). I do like recognizing places when they are mentioned in books I am reading.
222jessibud2
Ok, I just googled Louise Penny's books in order. Hoo, she writes a lot! But ok, wimp that I am, I think I will just take a pass. I do not like this genre and the titles alone (many of them) are putting me off.
Moving right along..... ;-p
Moving right along..... ;-p
223laytonwoman3rd
>222 jessibud2: Well, I DO like the genre, and I'm a bit peeved that the Three Pines series doesn't work for me, 'cause I thought it should. But if you really don't care for crime/mystery/police procedural fiction, then you're wise to take a pass on these.
224jessibud2
>223 laytonwoman3rd: - Well, Linda, win some, lose some, as they say. The older I get, the less time *left* there is, my philosophy has been to just move on. There is ALWAYS a next book waiting, right?
Our local Botanical Garden (where I am a member) has its annual holiday craft sale this weekend and next. This year, they have something new, for members only. A book exchange! Yes, of course I perked up at that. I think they limit you to bring one, take one. So, I did that yesterday. And again today, lol. Yesterday, I brought home Terry Fallis's Poles Apart. I have enjoyed Fallis's writing in the past so this looks fun. Today's exchange was Pale Shadows by Quebec writer Dominique Fortier. Oddly, I have not heard of her but the book looks intriguing.
Our local Botanical Garden (where I am a member) has its annual holiday craft sale this weekend and next. This year, they have something new, for members only. A book exchange! Yes, of course I perked up at that. I think they limit you to bring one, take one. So, I did that yesterday. And again today, lol. Yesterday, I brought home Terry Fallis's Poles Apart. I have enjoyed Fallis's writing in the past so this looks fun. Today's exchange was Pale Shadows by Quebec writer Dominique Fortier. Oddly, I have not heard of her but the book looks intriguing.
225laytonwoman3rd
>224 jessibud2: "There is ALWAYS a next book waiting" Absolutely. I just DNF'd one from a favorite author.
226jessibud2
In my youth (you remember that time, when we *knew* we'd live forever and have all the time in the world, AND when I was salivating over chunkster books), the very concept of *DNF* was non-existent for me. However...older, wiser, so many books, so little time, yada, yada. Heh...
Wordle 1,618 4/6 meaty, porky, briny, bunny
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229richardderus
>222 jessibud2: I gave up at book seven. Didn't like the direction it was taking.
I hope your Tuesday's a good one!
I hope your Tuesday's a good one!
230jessibud2
So, it's warm outside at this moment in time, and not a whisper of air moving. That is said to change this afternoon when the winds will whip up to 80 mph and the temps drop. Our city proper won't get the amounts of snow predicted for outlying areas but hey, it's the end of November and these last few weeks have been a gift. I may take in the bird feeder as I don't want it to blow off the hook and break. Right now, it is busy; I hope they are stocking up! The regulars are here now: red-breasted nuthatches, juncos, yesterday I actually saw chickadees (they've been absent for a few years so I was very excited) as well as 2 house finches and a chipping sparrow. I really missed these guys in the summer, when I didn't hang the feeder.
Wordle 1,621 4/6 meaty, piece, lover, hovel
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Wordle 1,621 4/6
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231jessibud2
Also starting Bernie Sanders' book Fight Oligarchy, a small format book (in the style of the Timothy Synder one On Tyranny). Of course, he is preaching to the converted, so to speak but still important to recognize and learn about what's going on in front of us.
Still reading The Bletchley Girls.
Still reading The Bletchley Girls.
232kac522
>230 jessibud2: The winds have arrived here. One tree out front has lost most of its leaves in the last 24 hours. We're not supposed to get snow until the weekend, though.
233Storeetllr
>230 jessibud2: Took me four today too. Yesterday was two, but the day before I just made it. Wordle is nothing if not unpredictable for me.
I'm not a Penny fan. I tried to read her first Gamache, but I just didn't care for it and DNFd it. I know a lot of folks like the series, and I love good police procedurals, but it just wasn't for me.
A book exchange at the Botanical Gardens holiday sale is a great idea! Such fun!
Hope you're having a lovely Wednesday!
I'm not a Penny fan. I tried to read her first Gamache, but I just didn't care for it and DNFd it. I know a lot of folks like the series, and I love good police procedurals, but it just wasn't for me.
A book exchange at the Botanical Gardens holiday sale is a great idea! Such fun!
Hope you're having a lovely Wednesday!
234msf59
>230 jessibud2: The winds arrived here during the night and they are fierce. Much colder too.
Loved the feeder report. Hooray for the nuthatches and returning chickadees.
Loved the feeder report. Hooray for the nuthatches and returning chickadees.
235jessibud2
Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends and all who celebrate. I know it's a bigger holiday in the USA than it is here in Canada. Enjoy, eat well, try not to over-indulge! ;-)
236vancouverdeb
Gosh, 80 mph winds. That is very high! I hope you stayed inside and kept your power, Shelley.
237jessibud2
I took in my bird feeder this morning because of the winds. But I emptied the birdbath of water and put seeds in that, just to give them some food availability. So far, only a cardinal has noticed and been enjoying it. But it is windy and cold now and though the snow hasn't started here yet, it's coming. A friend who lives outside the city sent me pics of the snow at her place so far.
This is funny. I had all the letters in my second turn but it took awhile to get them in the right order, lol!
Wordle 1,622 4/6 meaty, mitre, timer, remit
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This is funny. I had all the letters in my second turn but it took awhile to get them in the right order, lol!
Wordle 1,622 4/6
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238laytonwoman3rd
>237 jessibud2: That is a very interesting Wordle! I've had all five letters and been bewildered about the word for a while, but it never turned out quite that pretty.
239Berly
>235 jessibud2: Thank you! Guests are arriving for dinner. I only have one more thing to make. Phew!
>237 jessibud2: And I am sure your birds appreciate you very much. : )
>237 jessibud2: And I am sure your birds appreciate you very much. : )
240jessibud2
So, as I mentioned in >237 jessibud2:, I did a little improvising today for my birds because the baffle over my regular hanging feeder is wonky and the winds were so strong that I knew the feeder and baffle would likely blow off and possibly break. (I think the screws the hold the baffle are stripped of their threads. Need to get that fixed/replaced but not today). So I emptied the birdbath of water and put seeds in there. The first to notice and dig in was Mr. Cardinal:
Juncos usually scavenge on the ground but they do come to my hanging feeder too so I was pleased to see one finally on the makeshift feeder today. He came later in the day so the light was not great. Also, both pics are taken through my kitchen window (which has a screen as well) so not as sharp as they'd be if I were outside. See his little pink beak? They are so cute!
I took the whole bowl and put it into the garage for the night and will put it back out in the morning.
Juncos usually scavenge on the ground but they do come to my hanging feeder too so I was pleased to see one finally on the makeshift feeder today. He came later in the day so the light was not great. Also, both pics are taken through my kitchen window (which has a screen as well) so not as sharp as they'd be if I were outside. See his little pink beak? They are so cute!
I took the whole bowl and put it into the garage for the night and will put it back out in the morning.
241Familyhistorian
I hope everything survives the wind storm, Shelley. Loved the Calvin & Hobbes link up thread.
242jessibud2
Thanks, Meg.
Well, this came down to the wire!
Wordle 1,623 6/6 meaty, quirk, ovoid, choir, comic, colic
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Well, this came down to the wire!
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243alcottacre
>240 jessibud2: Love the bird pics, Shelley. We are not seeing any right now at our feeder.
Have a super Saturday!
Have a super Saturday!
244jessibud2
>243 alcottacre: - Well, that didn't last long. Can we spell *OINK*?
Anyhow, the wind has died down, thankfully, so I put up my regular feeder today and all is back to normal.
Anyhow, the wind has died down, thankfully, so I put up my regular feeder today and all is back to normal.
245SqueakyChu
>244 jessibud2: I love black squirrels! We have one that I named Fleacey. Our first black squirrel was Fleabane, but this one is smaller and not as afraid of us.
246jessibud2
I never saw a black squirrel until I moved to Toronto. In Montreal, there are only (as far as I know) gray squirrels. Big fat ones. These black ones are apparently the same species, just different colour. Also big and fat. No wonder. They eat everything. Everything!
247SqueakyChu
>246 jessibud2: Fleacey is actually kind of small for a squirrel. She is only the second black squirrel we’ve ever had in our yard. Years ago, I used to see them in some other neighborhoods. Once I saw a white squirrel in Gaithersburg, Maryland. I’m guessing it was an albino squirrel.
248jessibud2
There are some albino squirrels in Toronto, in one particular park, though I've never seen them myself. I did have a blond one on my lawn once (if you look at my gallery of photos, I posted a pic of it way down, near the beginning).
I am not on Facebook but a friend of mine is and she sent me this poster someone there posted. I learned about bookshop.org here on LT. I think this poster is great:
I am not on Facebook but a friend of mine is and she sent me this poster someone there posted. I learned about bookshop.org here on LT. I think this poster is great:
249jessibud2
Should I bother starting a new thread at this late date? This one is already pretty full. Maybe I will. Maybe not. Hmmm
250jessibud2
New book question. I bought a new book today, something I rarely do.
#1 - it's hardcover, something I have tried not to bring into the house any more because of space.
#2 - it's a new one, published this year. I generally don't buy brand new books because of the expense and if I feel I have to read it, I'll request it from the library.
#3 - I have not heard anything at all about this book from anyone or anywhere. I just read the cover blurb and decided.
And there you have it. I received a gift card, plus I had points to redeem plus I get 10% off everything I buy at Chapters/Indigo because I have a plum card (their loyalty card). So, let me tell you how tickled and thrilled I was that this rather expensive book not only didn't cost me anything but I still somehow have $2 left on the gift card, lol.
So, here's the book: Mona's Eyes. Translated from the French. It sounds so intriguing. A child is losing her eyesight and her grandfather takes her to see the world's best art pieces once a week for a year. They talk about them, they discuss technique, etc. The author is an art historian so I can only imagine that this would feel quite authentic. A lovely bonus is that the dust jacket, when you remove it from the book, opens up into a poster of all 52 art pieces they visit.
Has anyone read it or heard of it? I am positively itching to dive right in tonight but I also picked up a book today from the library that I had been on the waiting list for for months, The Correspondent and I think I need to get to that one first.
I did look at a few LT reviews of Mona's Eyes. Most were positive; there is always going to be one negative but in truth, I am rarely influenced by what others say. If a story appeals to me, I will read it. My taste is often out of whack with *most people* so there it is. But I'd be curious if anyone here, who I feel I know, as opposed to reviewers I don't know, has read it.
#1 - it's hardcover, something I have tried not to bring into the house any more because of space.
#2 - it's a new one, published this year. I generally don't buy brand new books because of the expense and if I feel I have to read it, I'll request it from the library.
#3 - I have not heard anything at all about this book from anyone or anywhere. I just read the cover blurb and decided.
And there you have it. I received a gift card, plus I had points to redeem plus I get 10% off everything I buy at Chapters/Indigo because I have a plum card (their loyalty card). So, let me tell you how tickled and thrilled I was that this rather expensive book not only didn't cost me anything but I still somehow have $2 left on the gift card, lol.
So, here's the book: Mona's Eyes. Translated from the French. It sounds so intriguing. A child is losing her eyesight and her grandfather takes her to see the world's best art pieces once a week for a year. They talk about them, they discuss technique, etc. The author is an art historian so I can only imagine that this would feel quite authentic. A lovely bonus is that the dust jacket, when you remove it from the book, opens up into a poster of all 52 art pieces they visit.
Has anyone read it or heard of it? I am positively itching to dive right in tonight but I also picked up a book today from the library that I had been on the waiting list for for months, The Correspondent and I think I need to get to that one first.
I did look at a few LT reviews of Mona's Eyes. Most were positive; there is always going to be one negative but in truth, I am rarely influenced by what others say. If a story appeals to me, I will read it. My taste is often out of whack with *most people* so there it is. But I'd be curious if anyone here, who I feel I know, as opposed to reviewers I don't know, has read it.
251EBT1002
>248 jessibud2: I've ordered a few books from bookshop.org and it was reliable and worked well for me when I didn't have a local indie bookshop. I'm so glad to be in a town with a small indie shop; so fun to browse the shelves and look for the titles I want. I'm certainly trying to avoid Amazon.
252jessibud2
I haven't used bookshop.org, not sure it applies to Canada. But we do have a few indie stores here and I do try to use them when I can.
254alcottacre
>244 jessibud2: Not surprised by the squirrel finding the food, lol.
Count me in as someone who has used bookshop.org and never had any issues with them!
Have a marvelous Monday, Shelley!
Count me in as someone who has used bookshop.org and never had any issues with them!
Have a marvelous Monday, Shelley!
255richardderus
Mona's Eyes sounds very moving, Shelley. That's a really, really, REALLY fat squirrel!
256BLBera
>248 jessibud2: That is great, Shelley. I do try to avoid ordering from Amazon.
257Storeetllr
>250 jessibud2: What a fun story! I saw something recently about Mona's Eyes and thought it sounded interesting. And I love the cover. Can't wait to hear your thoughts once you've read it!
This topic was continued by Shelley Opens a New Book to... the Final Chapter .
