karenmarie reading and occasional nonsense in 2026 - Part III

Welcome to my third thread of 2026. I’m up for nonsense and reading to help dull the pain of where our country is this April of 2026.

Eight ways to describe me and books: bibliolater, bibliomaniac, bibliophile, lectiophiliac, bookworm, Book Dragon, biblioflâneuse, and librocubicularist.


Book Worm, Book Dragon, Book Angel

If you cut me open, you will find volume after volume, page after page, the contents of every one I have ever read, somehow transmuted and transformed into me. Alice in Wonderland. the Magic Faraway Tree. The Hound of the Baskervilles. The Book of Job. Bleak House. Wuthering Heights. The Complete Poems of W H Auden. The Tale of Mr Tod. Howard''s End. What a strange person I must be. But if the books I have read have helped to form me, then probably nobody else who ever lived has read exactly the same books, all the same books and only the same books as me. So just as my genes and the soul within me make me uniquely me, so I am the unique sum of the books I have read. I am my literary DNA.

Howard's End on the Landing by Susan Hill

The Good: Family, friends, kitties, books, and soccer in constantly-rotating order. Smut, of course, and book sort team and sales/Friends of the Library. Oh, and the HBOMax series Heated Rivalry, which I’ve now watched 2 times.

The Bad: The chaos of illiterate people, illiterate people in power, the world allowing the threat of fascism again, and most religions and their pursuit of a world with only their religion in it.

The Shadenfreude: *blinks*

From the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Doomsday Clock. This information was published on January 29, 2025 when the clock was set to 89 seconds before midnight, apocalypse. 89 seconds was the shortest time to apocalypse since the clock was created in 1945. It’s now set to 85 seconds to midnight. Rather than try to quote parts or even the whole thing, I’m going to provide the link for those with the stomach to read it: Doomsday Clock 2026

The ugly: Everything political in the US at the national level and quite a bit at the local level in almost every state. ICE.

I read and am a charter member of the Redbud and Beyond Book Club, started in 1997. This is the schedule for our 2025-2026 Book Club Year.
Jul – Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro **abandoned at 56%**
Aug – The Awakening by Kate Chopin – read in my 20s, remembered the ending, and just no.
Sep – Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie – read the intro and first chapter and no again
Oct – The Future by Naomi Alderman – loved it. Gave it 4.5 stars.
Nov – The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon – abandoned.
Dec – Yellowface by RF Kuang – appreciated the writing, loved how the MC was portrayed, although I disliked her.
Jan – How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith – loved his method of 7 different places, lots of good info 4.5*
Feb – Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope - OMG. Word vomit. I bailed after 10 pages.
Mar – The Women by Kristin Hannah Sigh. WWII. Abandoned after 5 pages. Yes, 5.
Apr – How to Read a Book by Monica Wood – my book, meeting on Sunday the 12th.
Apr - no meeting
May – How to Read a Book by Monica Wood - my book.
Jun - book selection for 2026-2027

I have been married to Bill for 34 years, 35 years on the 27th. I am mother to Jenna, who turned 32 last August and is married to Hwan, who turned 30 last June. Bio daughter and bonus daughter have moved to Washington State. I’m happy for them. I’m unhappy that they are 3 time zones away from me.

Me in 1955. The neighborhood was new, the concrete sidewalks were new.



There are a printer and a hand towel under the gingers.



My goal is still conservative, 250 books, but more than last year’s goal of 200. I still really, really enjoy reading MM romance – aka smut – and will continue until it no longer interests me. It’s getting more challenging to find books as I’ve refined my targeted trope(s), but I’ve become a great detective. I’ve read 109 books and abandoned 134, total pages read 29452.





News avoidance is still about 85-90% of the time.

And, finally, I always, always need to remember to express gratitude for what I have - family, friends, intangibles and tangibles - every single day.

Currently Reading:
World War I: The Great War by Professor Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius 4/15/26 The Teaching Company 18 hours 2006
Federalist edited by Jacob E. Cooke 5/28/22 656 pages hardcover 1961

read

001. 3.50* An Omega for Christmas by Sam Abbot 12/31/25 1/1/26 87 pages 2017 ebook KU Matthew and Grey Alpha and Omega Stories 5
002. 3.80* Ruined by the Bodyguard by Jenny Pineapple 1/1/26 1/1/26 167 pages 2025 ebook KU Grayson and Wyatt
003. 4.20* Unhinged by Onley James 12/30/25 1/1/26 306 pages Kindle Adam and Noah Necessary Evils 1 2021 *reread* mine
004. 3.40* Pascal and the Forger by Avril Ashton 1/2/26 1/3/26 274 pages Kindle Mathieu and Win 2023
005. 4.00* Psycho by Onley James 1/1/26 2/3/36 283 pages Kindle August and Lucas Necessary Evils 1 2021 *reread* mine
006. 2.80* Anonymous Alpha by MM Farmer 1/3/26 1/4/26 233 pages Kindle Evan and Sable Bangers & Mash 7 2023
007. 3.20* The Wrong Omega by MM Farmer 1/4/26 1/5/26 232 pages Kindle Ty and Winslow Bangers & Mash 2 2022
008. 4.00* Top Secret by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy 1/5/26 1/7/26 272 pages Kindle LobsterShorts and Sinner 2023
009. 4.00* Ruthless Titan by EV Olsen 1/7/26 1/8/26 406 pages Kindle Ryan and Connor North Shore Titans Hockey 6 2025
010. 3.70* Masked Marionette by EV Olsen 1/9/26 1/9/26 88 pages Kindle Jasper and Adrian 2024
011. 2.50* Apple Pie by West Greene 1/9/26 1/9/26 27 pages Kindle Noah and Lincoln Slice of Forever 1 2022
**abandoned Alpha Unleashed: Two Werewolves for Sebastian by DJ Heart ** 283 pages
**abandoned Christmas Heat by MM Farmer ** 148 pages
012. 4.60* How the Word Is Passed by Clint Smith 12/30/25 1/11/26 hardcover 293 pages and Kindle 2021
013. 4.30* Saddle to Sunup by Emmy Sanders 1/10/26 1/11/26 315 pages Kindle Oakley and Lawson The Darling Brothers 3 2025
**abandoned Alpha's Claim by Oliver Kingsley ** 121 pages
**abandoned The Holiday Exchange by Christina Lee ** 52 pages
**abandoned Salad on the Side by Karenna Colcroft ** 88 pages
014. 4.80* Finance Bros by August Jones 1/12/26 1/13/26 448 pages Kindle Ryan and Malcolm Bay Area Bros 1 2025
015. 4.85* The Liar's Reckoning by August Jones 1/13/26 1/15/26 605 pages Kindle Unlimited Silas and Graham Doormen of the Upper East Side 4 2025
016. 3.80* Money Shot by Eden Finley and Saxon James 1/15/26 1/15/26 314 pages Kindle Unlimited Finn and Curtis 2025
017. 4.10* Game Changer by Rachel Reid 1/16/26 1/16/25 378 pages Kindle mine Scott and Kip Game Changers 1 2018
018. 4.90* Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid 1/16/26 1/17/26 342 pages Kindle mine Shane and Ilya Game Changers 2 2019
019. 4.00* Tough Guy by Rachel Reid 1/17/26 1/18/26 288 pages Kindle mine Ryan and Fabian Game Changers 3 2020
020. 4.40* Heartbreak Hockey by S Legend 1/18/26 1/19/26 438 pages Kindle Unlimited Jack and Mercy Heartbreak Hockey 1 2023
021. 4.00* Common Goal by Rachel Reid 1/19/26 1/20/26 320 pages Kindle mine Kyle and Eric Game Changers 4 2024
022. 4.20* Ice Dance Hockey by S Legend 1/21/26 1/23/26 463 pages Kindle Unlimited Rhett and Logan Heartbreak Hockey 2 2024
**abandoned A Cowboy Holiday by Lane Hayes ** 87 pages Sickeningly sweet.
**abandoned The Curse Before Christmas by Eli Easton ** 97 pages Ugh. Krampus doll
023. 4.00* Breakneck Hockey by S Legend 1/23/26 1/25/26 427 pages Kindle Unlimited Casey and Sutter Heartbreak Hockey 3 2024
024. 3.70* Hidden Scars by Andi Jaxon 1/26/26 1/26/26 456 pages Kindle Unlimited Preston and Jeremy Darby U Hockey Boys 1 2022
025. 3.60* Textual Confusion by Fifer Rose 1/27/26 1/27/26 Kindle Unlimited Asher and Marcus 2024 **reread**
**abandoned Iced Out by CE Ricci ** 142 pages
026. 4.70* Bean by Nora Phoenix and EM Lindsey 1/27/26 1/27/26 322 pages Kindle Unlimited Bean and Jarek Honorably Discharged 2 2024
**abandoned Omega for Rent by Liam Kingsley ** 108 pages
027. 3.20* The Quirky Vet by Casey Cox 1/27/26 1/28/26 214 pages Kindle Unlimited Muir and Fitz Vet Shop Boys Down Under 2 2024
**abandoned Iced Out by CE Ricci ** 142 pages
**Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope ** 10 pages
028. 4.90* Heart by Jesse H Reign 1/29/26 1/30/26 344 pages Kindle Connor and Lennon 2026
**abandoned His Pretty Omega by Raven Matthews ** 189 pages Emotions too strong too early. A bit twee.
**abandoned The Billionaire Bear's Feisty Fox by Asher Wylde ** 132 pages
**abandoned Hawk by Jacki James ** 51 pages
**abandoned Too Hot to Handle by JD Light ** 27 pages
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029. 4.20* EWB (Enemies with Benefits) by NR Walker 1/31/26 2/1/26 353 pages Kindle Unlimited Marshall and Valentine reread 2023
030. 4.40* Switched by NR Walker 2/1/26 2/2/26 277 pages Kindle Unlimited Israel and Sam 2016
**abandoned Puck Hard by Brooklyn Cate** 117 pages
031. 4.30* Darling by Scarlett Drake 2/2/26 2/3/26 366 pages Kindle Unlimited Christian and Asher Famous Young Things 3 2025
032. 3.90* Pretty Mess by Lily Morton 2/3/26 2/4/26 418 pages Kindle Unlimited Wes and Cormac 2025
033. 2.50* Omega's Forever Home by Lacey Daize 2/4/26 2/5/26 108 pages Kindle Unlimited Kent and Beau Harris Cove Billionaires 1 2021
034. 3.80* Omega's Flaw by Sasha Silsbury 2/5/26 2/6/26 234 pages Kindle Unlimited Jamie and Carter Prime Match 5 2026
035. 4.30* Role Model by Rachel Reid 2/5/26 2/7/26 341 pages Kindle mine Troy and Harris Game Changers 5 2021
036. 2.40* Hunted and Claimed by Morgan Vale 2/8/26 2/10/26 475 pages mine Damien and Rowan 2026
**abandoned Breathe by Sophia Soames ** 202 pages Unpredictable behaviors in a way I didn't like. Stupid, actually. Luke and Ryan
037. 3.00* Rothko: The Color Field Paintings by Janet Bishop 2/10/26 2/10/26 68 pages Kindle Unlimited 2017
038. 4.80* Hamartia by Scarlett Drake 2/9/26 2/12/26 396 pages Kindle Unlimited Raphael and Jaehyun Famous Young Things 1 2023
039. 3.00* Claimed by the Quarterback by Margot Hart 12/12/26 12/12/26 65 pages Kindle Unlimited Eli and Rowan (Ro) Hale University Omegas 1 2025
**abandoned Pah! by Cora Rose and EM Lindsey ** 62 pages Dex and Rome, who's actions aren't those of even a remotely sane person
**abandoned A Present for Parker by Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga ** 90 pages No spark, nothing beyond the predictable
**abandoned The Punk by Kelly Fox ** 19 pages
040. 3.20* Accidentally Mated by Phoenix Cross 2/12/26 2/13/26 123 pages Kindle Unlimited Greyson and Miles ROAR Dating Agency 1 2025 too many reverents
**abandoned A New Year's Pandemonium by Jennifer Carter** 57 pages
**abandoned More than KPOP by Dante Blackwood** 75 pages
041. 4.00* The Mechanic and the Surgeon by Steve Milton 2/14/26 2/14/26 115 pages Kindle mine **reread** Joshua and Ritter Collins Avenue Confidential 1 2015
042. 2.00* The Billionaire Alpha's Surprise Omega by Bonnar King 2/15/26 2/15/26 206 pages Kindle Unlimited Jamie and Nicholas 2026 the word detail? too many reverents weird timeline re Jamie being 12 weeks pregnant to waddling, several scenes appear twice in different words
043. 3.30* The Christmas Switch by Briar Prescott 2/15/26 2/16/26 236 pages Kindle Unlimited Gabriel and Josh 2024
044. 2.80* Kissing the Grump by Baylin Crow 2/16/26 2/16/26 47 pages Kindle Unlimited Elliot and Forrest 47 2024
045. 4.20* A Suitable Consort by R Cooper 2/16/26 2/17/26 147 pages Kindle mine Mattin, Arden, and Mill The Suitable 'Verse 1 2021
046. 4.60* Fishy Riot by Lindsey Black 2/18/26 18/26 223 pages Kindle Unlimited Taylor and Sietta 2017 4.6
047. 2.30* My Ex's New Boyfriend is a Murderer by Gaia Tate 2/19/26 2/20/26 128 pages Kindle Unlimited Miles and Kieran Miles & Kieran 1 2023
048. 2.90* Bedroom Lessons by Milana Spencer 2/21/26 2/21/26 240 pages Kindle Unlimited Hayden and Nick Love Letters 2 2025
049. 2.60* One Wild Heat by Kelex 2/21/26 2/21/26 219 pages Kindle Unlimited Bellamy and Quinn Alphas of the Western Provinces 1 2019
**abandoned Enemies with Benefits by Romeo Alexander ** 171 pages
**abandoned The Best Man's Secret by Ana Ashley ** 41 pages
050. 4.95* The Long Game by Rachel Reid 2/7/26 2/22/26 437 pages Kindle Mine Shane and Ilya Game Changers 6 2022
051. 3.00* The Alpha Wolf Rancher's Runaway Omega by Ashler Wylde 2/23/26 2/23/26 220 pages Kindle Unlimited Wesley and Zack 2025
052. 2.20* Bitter Sweetheart by Jenny Pineapple 2/23/26 2/23/26 78 pages Kindle Unlimited Caspian and Nate My Last Valentine 4 2025
053. 3.90* His Snowbound Omega by Chani Lynn Feener 2/24/26 2/24/26 190 pages Kindle Unlimited Thorn and Baal Beguiled Omegas 2 2025
054. 4.95* The American Civil War by Professor Gary W Gallagher narrated by Professor Gary W Gallagher 11/20/25 2/25/26 The Teaching Company 2000 24 hours CDs mine
**abandoned Feinted Love by Elle Keaton ** 28 pages
**abandoned Daddy From Flames by Ashe Moon ** 108 pages
**abandoned Mated to the Wrong Alpha by EJ Waugh ** 25 pages
**abandoned Love and Moonlight by Killian Ford ** 45 pages
055. 3.60* His Marked Omega by Chani Lynn Feener 2/25/26 2/26/26 319 pages Kindle Unlimited Fenrir and Oberon Beguiled Omegas 4 2026 trans alpha -> omega
056. 4.70* Quiet by Zile Elliven 2/26/26 2/27/26 316 pages Kindle Unlimited Isa and Briar Enchanted University 2 2021
057. 2.50* The Lion's Sunshine by Caitlin Ricci 2/27/26 2/27/26 189 pages Kindle Unlimited Toby and Knox Golden Pride 1 2026
058. 4.00* Bedside Manner by CG Macington 2/27/26 2/28/26 206 pages Kindle Unlimited Jax and Max The St. Judes Medical Series 1 2026
059. 4.00* Conflict of Interest by CG Macington 2/28/26 2/28/26 195 pages Kindle Unlimited Preston and Lucas The St. Judes Medical Series 2 2026
060. 3.20* Client Privilege: When Protection Becomes Forbidden Passion by CG Macington 2/28/26 2/28/26 311 pages Kindle Unlimited Alex and Damian 2025
061. 4.30* Broken Obsession by Chani Lynn Feener 3/1/26 3/1/26 341 pages Kindle Unlimited Eden and Ares Vicious Vices 1 2025
062. 4.40* X Marks the Spot by Willow Dixon 3/3/26 3/4/26 417 pages Kindle Unlimited Xave and Damon Silvercrest U 4 2026
063. 3.80* His Prize by MM Farmer 3/4/26 3/6/26 77 pages Kindle Unlimited Darby and Kieran Omegas After Dark: Omega Auction 1 2025
064. 4.70* Moderating Love by Jax Calder 3/6/26 3/6/26 89 pages Kindle Unlimited Travis and Devin Queer Ways to Fall in Love 1 2026
**Feinted Love by Elle Keaton ** 71 pages
**The Shots You Take ** by Rachel Reid ** 200 pages
065. 4.20* Chance Match by Wendy Rathbone 3/6/26 3/6/26 147 pages Kindle Unlimited Jace and Storm Perfect Match Agency 2 2023
066. 4.10* Owning Jett by Lucy Lennox 3/6/26 3/7/26 337 pages Kindle Unlimited Jett and Locke Made Marian Legacy 3 2026
067. 4.30* HEA: Happily Ever After by Lucy Lennox and Molly Maddox 3/7/26 3/8/26 272 pages Kindle Unlimited Hugh and Locke After Oscar 5 2024
068. 4.00* Good Stepbrother Bad Stepbrother by Jenny Pineapple 68 pages Kindle Unlimited Lucian and Austin The Red Corner 1 2026
069. 3.20* One Winter Night by Jenny Pineapple 3/8/26 3/8/26 54 pages Kindle Unlimited Dominic and Julian Dominic & Julian 1 2024
070. 2.50* Dark Desire by Jenny Pineapple 3/8/26 3/8/26 53 pages Kindle Unlimited Jack and Tristan My Last Valentine 3 2024
071. 4.40* Mr. Important by Lucy Lennox and 3/8/26 3/9/26 390 pages Kindle Unlimited Reagan and Thatcher Honeybridge 2 2024
**abandoned Only the Small Bones by CP Harris ** 113 pages
**abandoned the Misfits of Copper County by Lucy Lennox and May Archer ** 171 pages
072. 4.10* Villain by Chani Lynn Feener 3/10/26 3/11/26 310 pages Kindle Unlimited Nix, Yejun, West, and Lake Demons of Foxglove Grove 1 2024
073. 4.00* Martyr by Chani Lynn Feener 3/11/26 3/11/26 298 pages Kindle Unlimited Nix, Yejun, West, and Lake Demons of Foxglove Grove 2 2024
074. 4.10* Saint by Chani Lynn Feener 3/11/26 3/12/26 266 pages Kindle Unlimited Nix, Yejun, West, and Lake Demons of Foxglove Grove 3 2024
075. 4.00* Sinner by Chani Lynn Feener 3/12/26 3/13/26 285 pages Kindle Unlimited Nix, Yejun, West, and Lake Demons of Foxglove Grove 4 2024
076. 4.00* Claimed by Design by EA Adams 3/14/26 3/14/26 109 pages Kindle Unlimited Curt and Leonid The Chase 2 2026
077. 2.50* Knot Club by Ansley Ellis 3/14/26 3/15/26 56 pages Kindle Unlimited Wren and Sully Knot Club 1 2026
078. 3.30* My Rival Mate by Lexie Slater 3/15/26 3/15/26 99 pages Kindle Unlimited Sam and Devan Westbridge Mates 3 2025
079. 4.75* Echo by Chani Lynn Feener 3/15/26 3/16/26 437 pages Kindle Unlimited Rabbit and Baikal Devils of Vitality 1 2023
080. 3.00* A Bestiary by Toulouse-Lautrec, introduction by Philip Hofer 3/17/26 3/17/26 47 pages
081. 3.40* His Dark Paradox by Avery Tu and Kota Quinn 3/17/26 3/19/26 260 pages Kindle Unlimited Nuri and Silver 2022
082. 2.80* Bone to Pick by May Archer 3/19/26 3/20/26 129 pages Kindle Unlimited Theo and Porter Sunday Brothers 5 2023
083. 4.70* Devil May Lie by Chani Lynn Feener 3/20/26 3/20/26 450 pages Kindle Unlimited Madden and Berga Devils of Vitality 6 2024
084. 4.40* You Will Never Know by Chani Lynn Feener 3/20/26 3/21/26 278 pages Kindle Unlimited Hunter and Odin A Whisper in the Dark 1 2022
085. 4.40* Don't Breathe a Word by Chani Lynn Feener 3/22/26 3/23/26 179 pages Kindle Unlimited Hunter and Odin A Whisper in the Dark 2 2023
086. 4.40* Don't Let Me Go by Chani Lynn Feener 3/23/26 3/24/26 250 pages Kindle Unlimited Hunter and Odin A Whisper in the Dark 3 2023
087. 4.00* Going Up by Amy Lane 3/24/26 3/24/26 74 pages Mine Zach and Sean 2013
088. 3.70* Dominant Blood by MJ Kim 3/24/26 3/24/26 258 pages Kindle Unlimited Yujeong and Suha 2026
089. 4.90* Stormy by Wren Wilds 3/24/26 3/26/26 522 pages Kindle Unlimited Tex and Stormy 2026
090. 4.20* Double Dared by Raquel Riley 3/26/26 3/27/26 504 pages Kindle Unlimited Tru and Dare 2026
091. 4.60* It Started With a Text by Jax Calder 3/27/26 3/27/26 125 pages Kindle Unlimited Anthony and Nick Queer Ways to Fall in Love 2 2026
092. 4.00* Claimed by Fate by EA Adams 3/27/26 3/28/26 115 pages Kindle Unlimited Remy and Darryl The Chase Book 1 2026
093. 3.10* Claimed by Fear by EA Adams 3/28/26 3/29/26 114 pages Kindle Unlimited Dalvin Min-Ho The Chase Book 3 2026
094. 4.20* Omega's Flush by Sasha Silsbury 3/29/26 3/29/26 193 pages Kindle Unlimited Theo and Dom Prime Match 6 2026
095. 3.40* The Omega's Song by EA Adams 3/29/26 3/30/26 115 pages Kindle Unlimited Colm and Rafael The Valenti Family 4 2026
096. 4.20* Claimed by Blood by EA Adams 3/30/26 3/30/26 120 pages Kindle Unlimited Dae-hyun and Deveon The Chase Book 5 2026
097. 4.40* Feral Vow by Ash Wilder 3/30/26 3/30/26 91 pages Kindle Unlimited David and Evander Feral Hearts 1 2025
098. 4.10* Alpha's Demand by Ash Wilder 3/30/26 3/30/26 87 pages Kindle Unlimited Brody and Emmett Feral Hearts 2 2025
**abandoned Cinders by Harper B Cole, Trisha Linde, Colbie Dunbar ** 91 pages
099. 4.20* Howl of Possession by Ash Wilder 3/30/26 3/31/26 92 pages Kindle Unlimited Callen and Dre Feral Hearts 3 2026
100. 4.30* Snowed in With the Alpha by Ash Wilder 3/31/26 3/31/26 90 pages Kindle Unlimited Rax and Ray Feral Hearts 4 2026
**abandoned In His Defense by River Frost ** 228 pages

...
101. 4.40* Swipe My Alpha by Lexie Slater 3/31/26 4/1/26 93 pages Kindle Unlimited Jude and Rhys 2026
102. 2.00* My Alpha's Secret by Rosa Swann 4/1/26 4/1/26 62 pages mine Wilder and Sterling Second Chance Mates 2017
103. 4.50* Emberbound by Ash Wilder 4/1/26 4/1/26 131 pages Kindle Unlimited Neil and Tylor Feral Hearts 5 2026
104. 3.50* Gone Wild by Jesse H Reign 4/1/26 4/1/26 305 pages Kindle Unlimited Lucien and Branson Wild Hearts 1 2026
105. 4.70* Romeo Falling by Jesse H Reign 4/1/26 4/2/26 342 pages Kindle Unlimited Jude and Romeo 2024
**abandoned Claimed by Wrath by EA Adams** 77 pages
106. 4.50* Saint Laurent's Sins by Lola Malone 4/2/26 4/4/26 376 pages mine Louis and Noah 2025
107. 4.00* The Arab Billionaire's Reluctant Husband by Dominick Cummings 4/4/26 4/4/26 142 pages Kindle Unlimited Evan and Khalid Forbidden Bonds 25 2026
108. 3.30* My Marriage Contract With My Straight Boss by Dominick Cummings 4/4/26 4/5/26 138 pages Kindle Unlimited Henry and Javier With heart...MM Romance to Make You Swoon 11 2026
109. 3.40* Seduced by the Straight Sheikh by Dominick Cummings 4/5/26 4/5/26 36 pages Kindle Unlimited TJ and Omar Forbidden Bonds 18 2025
110. 3.50* Getting Owned by the Alpha Business Executive by Dominick Cummings 4/6/26 4/6/26 56 pages Kindle Unlimited Seung-woo and Evan Forbidden Bonds 17 2025
111. 2.90* Wrong Text Right Guy by Alessia Imogen 4/6/26 4/26/26 41 pages Kindle Unlimited Trevor and Lorenzo Wrong and Right 1 2022
112. 3.70* Suddenly His Alpha by Kelex 4/6/26 4/6/26 76 pages Kindle Unlimited Tulla and Beckett related to Omega Quadrant 2019
113. 3.20* Pack Law and Sin by Roman Blacke 4/6/26 4/7/26 247 pages Kindle Unlimited Dmitri and Elian 2026
**abandoned Beneath the Indigo Sky by Rayne Hawthorne ** 258 pages
**abandoned Wicked Stepbrother by Delilah Drew ** 183 pages
**abandoned Shameless by Lola Malone ** 71 pages
**abandoned Perfect Prey by Vasha Crow ** 129 pages
114. 4.30* Blinding Light by Lola Malone 4/7/26 4/9/26 373 pages Kindle Unlimited Cyprian and Moargan Claimed by Kings 1 2025
115. 4.80* The American Civil War by Professor Gary W Gallagher The Teaching Company 2000 18 hours mine
116. 4.20* Burning Ice by Lola Malone 4/7/26 4/11/26 373 pages Kindle Unlimited Kylix and Mirel Claimed by Kings 2 2025
117. 4.70* His Surrogate Omega by Kelex 4/11/26 4/11/26 445 pages Kindle Unlimited Gray and Rohan Omega Quadrant 1 2018
118. 4.10* The Early Middle Ages by Professsor Philip Daileader narrated by Professor Philip Daileader 2/26/26 4/12/26 The Teaching Company 2004 12 hours CDs mine
119. 4.30* Fake It 'Til You Make It by Louisa Masters 4/12/26 4/12/26 39 pages Mine Michael and James 2018
120. 4.40* I've Got This by Louisa Masters 4/12/26 4/12/26 184 pages Kindle Unlimited Derek and Trav Joy Universe 1 2020
121. 3.30* Silent Howl by Ash Wilder 4/12/26 4/13/26 218 pages Kindle Unlimited Kyle and Darren Wolves in Winter 3 2025
122. 4.10* Collared by Lola Malone 4/13/26 4/13/26 116 pages Kindle Unlimited Thurel & Maël The Wicked Chase 1 2024 * reread
123. 4.10* Trapped by Lola Malone 4/13/26 4/14/26 125 pages Kindle Unlimited Arsene and Robin The Wicked Chase 2 2024 reread
124. 4.10* Hunted by Lola Malone 4/14/26 4/14/26 124 pages Kindle Unlimited Alexandre and Olivier The Wicked Chase 3 2024 reread
125. 4.10* Marked by Lola Malone 4/14/23 4/15/23 128 pages Kindle Unlimited Romain and Edouard The Wicked Chase 4 2024 reread
126. 4.30* Vile Heart by Lola Malone 4/14/26 4/15/26 Kindle Unlimited Camren and Davian Vicious Valentine 1 2025
127. 4.40* Distant Heart by Chani Lynn Feener 4/15/26 4/16/26 Kindle Unlimited Illya and Rex Vicious Valentine 2 2025
128. 4.30* Carnal Heart by Emmy LaRoux 4/16/26 4/16/26 84 pages Kindle Unlimited Zaiah and Devin Vicious Valentine 3 2025
129. 4.40* The Button Man by Davidson King 4/15/26 4/16/26 258 pages Kindle Unlimited Kelly and Duke Button Man 1 2022
** abandoned Shameless by Lola Malone ** 77 pages
** abandoned Wicked Stepbrothers by Delilah Drew ** 166 pages
**abandoned Beneath the Indigo Sky by Rayne Hawthorne ** 150 pages Jace and Jace amnesia last 10 years
130. 4.20* Long Winter by Rachel Ember 4/17/26 4/18/26 284 pages mine Robbie and Lance Wild Ones 1 2021
131. 3.80* Feral by Alessandra Hazard 4/18/26 4/18/26 247 pages Kindle Unlimited Jules and Devlin The Wrong Alpha book 2 2021
132. 4.50* The Incredible Ordinary by Briar Prescott 4/18/26 4/19/26 381 pages Kindle Unlimited Milàn and Jordan 2026
133. 4.20* Forbidden by Alessandra Hazard 4/19/26 4/19/26 210 pages Kindle Unlimited Lucien and Askel Wrong Alpha 5 2024 210 pages
134. 4.60* The Hazard and the Hitman by Cambria Hebert 4/20/26 4/10/26 386 pages Kindle Unlimited Kieran and Haz The Protectors 1 2026
135. 4.50* Prince by Cambria Hebert 4/20/26 4/21/26 522 pages Fletcher and Ethan Kindle Unlimited Misfits 2 2021
136. 3.20* Expert by Alessandra Hazard 4/21/26 4/21/26 213 pages Kindle Unlimited Eric and Hugh Wrong Alpha 4 2022
137. 4.80* Undone by Alessandra Hazard 4/21/26 4/21/26 228 pages Kindle Unlimited Michael and Anthony Wrong Alpha 6 2026
**abandoned Red by Cambria Hebert ** 182 pages
138. 3.80* Accidental Omega by MJ Kim 4/22/26 4/23/26 174 pages Kindle Unlimited Eojin and Jaeheon 2026
139. 4.10* His Wicked Alpha by Ansley Ellis 4/23/26 4/23/26 203 pages Kindle Unlimited Miles and Ray Messy Ever After 3 2026
140. 4.60* Knot Club: Revival by Ansley Ellis 4/23/26 4/23/26 52 pages Kindle Unlimited Perry and Beckham Knot Club 2 2026
141. 4.70* Scent of Ruin by Lucian Grey 4/23/26 4/23/26 374 pages Kindle Unlimited Caius and Emory 2026
**abandoned Blood and Bond by Julia Todd ** 112 pages
**abandoned Illicit by Alessandra Hazard ** 80 pages
**abandoned Remember My Name by Wren Wilds ** 261 pages Sooo angsty, so depressing. There will be an HEA...
142. 4.40* His Ruthless Acquisition by Blake Ashford 4/25/26 4/25/26 227 pages Kindle Unlimited Callum and Eli 2026
143. 4.90* Galaxies and Oceans by NR Walker 4/25/26 4/26/26 301 pages Kindle Unlimited Aubrey and Patrick 2019 reread
144. 3.90* Becoming Bennet by Cora Rose and Nicole Dykes 4/26/27 4/26/26 237 pages Kindle Unlimited Bennet and Jasper Behind the Camera 2 2023
145. 4.40* Maybe Tomorrow by Sophie O'Dare 4/26/26 4/27/26 136 pages Kindle Unlimited Harold and Peter Marked by His Alpha 2 2024
146. 3.80* Tasting Silver by Cody Ryder and Victoria Light 4/27/26 4/27/26 140 pages Kindle Unlimited Alan and James SoCal Boys 4 2020
147. 3.20 *My Math Professor by Maya Collins 4/27/26 4/27/26 601 pages Kindle Unlimited Con and Theo Forbidden Lectures 2 2026
148. 3.50* Got Me Hoping by Casey Cox 4/27/26 4/28/26 231 pages Kindle Unlimited Haze and Noah Vet Shop Boys 1 2021
149. 3.50* Kingmaker by Marian Black 4/28/26 4/29/26 315 pages Kindle Unlimited Sandro and Emilio The Inferno 1 2025
150. 3.10* The Debt by Marian Black 4/30/26 4/30/26 193 pages Kindle Unlimited Luca and Dante 2025
151. 3.10* Vital Signs by Marian Black 4/30/26 4/30/26 183 pages Kindle Unlimited Ethan and Marco 2025
**abandoned Bloodline Omega by DS Mark ** 301 pages
152. 4.90* How to Read a Book by Monica Wood performed by Eileen Stevens 4/6/26 5/3/26 10.25 hours mine
153. 4.60* Slow Heat by Leta Blake 5/2/26 5/3/26 388 pages Mine, a reread. Vale and Jason Heat of Love 1, 2017
154. 4.10* Hammer & Gavel by CT Whistle 5/3/26 5/5/26 442 pages Kindle Unlimited Oliver and Lucas The Omegaverse Case Files 1 2024
155. 4.20* The Scent of Sin by Halle Dawson 5/5/26 5/5/26 340 pages mine Max, Atlas, Bane, and Zero Blood & Omega 1 2026
156. 4.30* The Bond of Blood by Halle Dawson 5/5/26 5/5/26 368 pages Kindle Unlimited Max, Atlas, Bane, and Zero Blood & Omega 2 2026
157. 3.70* Scentless Secret by Em Prague 5/5/26 5/6/26 268 pages Kindle Unlimited Malachi and Joshua The Gilded Nest 1 2026
158. 3.40* White Out by Roman Valk 5/6/26 5/7/26 366 pages Kindle Unlimited Elias and Konrad 2026
159. 3.60* The Terms of It by Marilyn Blake 5/7/26 5/7/26 31 pages Kindle Unlimited Thomas and Eli 2026
160. 2.50* The Omega Contract by Wolf Specter 5/7/26 5/8/26 138 pages Kindle Unlimited Harris and Cameron 2015
161. 4.40* Avalanche by Jillian D. Wray 5/8/26 5/9/26 300 pages Kindle Unlimited Hanlon and Stone Ricochet Ridge 3 2026
162. 3.90* Sweat & Honey by Ivo Slade 5/9/26 5/9/26 120 pages Kindle Unlimited Jude and Pace 2026
163. 4.00* Blood and Heat by Bea Bellafonte 5/9/26 5/10/26 129 pages Luca and Enzo 2026
164. 4.00* A Gift for the Devil by Holly Myers 5/10/26 5/11/26 222 pages Kindle Unlimited Lucian and Elias Gods of Montcove 6 2026
165. 4.30* Den of Paradise by Eryn Hawk 5/11/26 5/12/26 539 pages Kindle Unlimited Dylan and Caine 2026
166. 4.30* Wicked Games by Willow Dixon 5/12/26 5/14/26 372 pages Kindle Unlimited Killian and Felix Silvercrest U 1 2025 **reread**
167. 4.30* Hide and Seek by Willow Dixon 5/12/26 5/14/26 381 pages Kindle Unlimited Jax and Myles Silvercrest U 2 2025 **reread**
168. 3.80* Comforting the Grump by Nora Phoenix 5/15/26 5/15/26 289 pages Kindle Unlimited Ennio and Marnen Forestville Silver Foxes 1 2025
**abandoned Vile Saint by Vesper Vane ** 252 pages
**abandoned Bound to Two Bears by Kelex ** 113 pages
**abandoned Master of Pain by Holly Myers ** 143 pages
**abandoned Baby for My Omega by Dex Bass ** 89 pages
**abandoned Bitter Amber by Rowan Valk ** 167 pages
169. 4.00* Unbonded for You by Amy Bellows 5/15/26 5/16/26 170 pages Kindle Unlimited Sebastian and Thomas Nerds Who Knot 5 2023
170. 2.90* The Omega's Hesitant Hero by Kelex 5/16/26 5/16/26 100 pages Kindle Unlimited McCoy and Jackson Bishop's Bay Omegaverse 1 2021
171. 4.40* The Heat Professor by Amy Bellows 5/16/26 5/17/26 184 pages Kindle Unlimited Tatum and Damien Nerds Who Knot 4 2019
172. 4.10* Match My Alpha by Lexie Slater 5/17/26 5/17/26 151 pages Kindle Unlimited Milo and Callum KnotMe 2 2026
173. 4.40* I Could Write a Book by Andie Elliott 5/17/26 5/17/26 296 pages Kindle Unlimited George and Owen 2025
174. 3.00* Carrying the Alpha's Heir by Jerry L O'Neill 5/17/26 5/17/26 140 pages Kindle Unlimited Noah and Ezra Gay Guys Romance 6 2026
175. 4.20* The Forgery Mate by Sophie O'Date 5/17/26 5/18/26 329 pages Kindle Unlimited Ren and Ezra Taken by His Alpha 6 2025
**abandoned Muse by N. Slater ** 160 pages
176. 4.00* The Lodger by Tom North 5/20/26 5/20/26 59 pages Kindle Unlimited Tom and Nick 2026
177. 4.30* Knot Club: Obsession by Ansley Ellis 5/20/26 5/20/26 52 pages Kindle Unlimited Kieran and Everett Knot Club 3 2026
178. 4.30* Omega's Fold by Sasha Silsbury 5/20/26 5/20/26 194 pages Kindle Unlimited Wyatt and Julian Prime Match 7 2026
179. 4.00* The Boss by Tom North 5/20/26 5/21/26 50 pages Kindle Unlimited Eliot and Marcus 2026
180. 4.85* The Revenge Mishap by Jax Calder 5/21/26 5/21/26 402 pages Kindle Unlimited Leo and Archie The Revenge Club 2 2026
181. 3.90* The Arrangement by River Thorne 5/21/26 5/22/26 355 pages Kindle Unlimited Sebastian and Finn The Arrangement and the Heir 1 2026
** abandoned equivalent Mated to the Alpha Judge by Mason Blake ** 19 pages
182. 4.10* Claimed by Choice by River Thorne 5/22/26 5/22/26 213 pages Kindle Unlimited Jonah and Eli Knot My Alpha 4 2026
183. 3.40* The Lion's Haven by Caitlin Ricci 5/23/26 5/23/26 284 pages Kindle Unlimited Devlin and Silas Golden Pride 5 2026
**abandoned Empire of Tides by Emily Moka ** 37 pages
184. 4.10* A Christmas Less Lonely by Scarlet Blackwell 5/24/26 5/24/26 233 pages Kindle Unlimited Alex and Lucas 2024 *reread*
185. 3.30* Cinderella in the Sheets by Reece Pine 5/23/26 5/24/26 131 pages mine Presley and Louis 2018 *reread*
186. 1.50* First Class Protection by Sage Foxley 5/24/26 5/24/26 77 pages Kindle Unlimited Felix and Thomas Billionaire Bosses 3 2026
187. 3.60* Grabbed by Suzi Hawke and Crista Crown 5/24/26 5/25/26 157 pages Kindle Unlimited Preston and Noah Team A.L.P.H.A. 1 2019 *reread*
188. 3.40* Taking Two by Sophie O'Dare and Lyn Forester 5/25/26 5/25/26 142 pages Kindle Unlimited Gael and Heath Marked by His Alpha 7 2024
189. 3.80* His Secret Omega by Chani Lynn Feener 5/26/26 5/27/26 342 pages Kindle Unlimited Sky and Kian Beguiled Omegas 1 2025
190. 3.10* Violent Devotion by L Norell 5/27/26 5/28/26 355 pages Kindle Unlimited Kelly and Alexei Empire of Sins 1 2026

read

adds - 361 in 2025

1. Kindle - Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb, an American Slave, Written by Himself
2. Audible - A Coin for the Ferryman by Megan Edwards, narrated by Mark Ashby
3. FoCCL - Wilmington's Lie by David Zucchino
4. FoCCL - The Worst Case Scenario: Expert Advise for Extreme Situations by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht
5. FoCCL - Animal Farm: The Rest of the Story by Forrest C. Greenslade, PHD
6. FoCCL - O Caledonia by Elspeth Barker
7. FoCCL - Haggadah for the Liberated Lamb by Roberta Kalechofsky
8. FoCCL - Captain's Dinner by Adam Cohen
9. FoCCL - The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly
10. Kindle - Apple Pie by West Greene
11. Kindle - Game Changer by Rachel Reid
12. Kindle - Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
13. Kindle - Tough Guy by Rachel Reid
14. Kindle - Common Goal by Rachel Reid
15. FoCCL - Arcane Carolinas: Folklore, Urban Legends, and Tales of Modern Weird from the Carolinas Volume 1 by Charlie Mewshaw
16. Audible - Up the Down Staircase by Bell Kaufman narrated by Barbara Rosenblat
17. Audible - The First Salute: A View of the American Revolution by Barbara Tuchman, narrated by Wanda McFaddon
18. Audible - The Island at the Edge of the World: The Forgotten History of Easter Island by Mike Pitts
19. Kindle - Role Model by Rachel Reid
20. Kindle - The Long Game by Rachel Reid
21. FoCCL - Islam by Karen Armstrong
22. FoCCL - Only Yesterday by Frederick Lewis Allen
23. - 26. Peggy - First Four in the Clara Vine series by Jane Thynne
27. Kindle - Hunted and Claimed by Morgan Vale
28. Kindle - A Suitable Consort by R Cooper
29. FoCCL - California 2.0 by Thom Bryant
30. FoCCL - Once in Golconda: A True Drama of Wall Street 1920-1938 by John Brooks
31. FoCCL - The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
32. Kindle - Don Juan by George Gordon, Lord Byron
33. Audible - The American Civil War by Professor Gary W Gallagher
34. FoCCL - Ancient Christianities: The First Five Hundred Years by Paula Fredriksen
35. FoCCL - 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About the South by John Shelton Reed an Dale Volberg Reed
36. Kindle - The Room I Paid for by Crea Reitan
37. FoCCL - Myrtle Beach Cookin' by United Methodist Women United Methodist Church Myrtle Beach SC
38. FoCCL - Inglis Fletcher of Bandon Plantation by Richard Walser
39. FoCCL - Looking for Alaska by John Green
40. FoCCL - Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers
41. Audible - Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters
42. FoCCL - The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman
43. FoCCL - Miracles and Wonder by Elaine Pagels
44. FoCCL - Agatha Christie by Laura Thompson
45. FoCCL - Sacred Games by Vikram Chandra
46. FoCCL - The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church by The Protestant Episcopal Church
47. FoCCL - Coyote Cafe by Mark Miller
48. FoCCL - The Catch by Mick Herron
49. FoCCL - Chinese Poetry Translations From the Chinese By Arthur Waley Hardcover Illustrated Chinese Poems. by Arthur Waley
50. FoCCL - World War I, the "Great War" by Professor Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius
51. FoCCL - The Jews in the Twentieth Century: An Illustrated History by Martin Gilbert
52. FoCCL - So Much for That by Lionel Shriver
53. FoCCL - Hiroshima by John Hersey
54. FoCCL - Code Breaking: A History and Exploration by Rudolph Kippenhahn
55. FoCCL - Lincoln's Smile and Other Enigmas by Alan Trachtenberg
56. FoCCL - Suspect Identities: A History of Fingerprinting and Criminal Identification by Simon A Cole
57. FoCCL - Gertrude Bell: Queen of the Desert, Shaper of Nations by Georgina Howell
58. FoCCL - Library: An Unquiet History by Matthew Battles
59. FoCCL - The Carolina Table: North Carolina Writers on Food by Randall Kenan
60. FoCCL - Native Carolinians: The Indians of North Carolina by Theda Perdue
61. FoCCL - An Arab Philosophy of History: Selections from the Prolegomena of Ibn Khaldun of Tunis (1332 - 1406) by Charles Issawi
62. FoCCL - A History of the Borgias by Frederick Baron Corvo
63. FoCCL - American Heritage History Of The 1920s & 1930s by American Heritage
64. FoCCL - Eyewitness: 150 Years of Photojournalism by Richard Lacayo and George Russell
65. FoCCL - Stanley Spencer by Elizabeth Rothenstein
66. Kindle - Saint Laurent's Sins by Lola Malone
67. Mark - A Far-Flung Life by ML Stedman
68. Kindle - How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
69. Audible - How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
70. FoCCL - The Lost Bible by JR Porter
71. Amazon - The Carmina Burana: Songs from Benediktbeuern translated by Tariq Marshall
72. Kindle - The Scent of Sin by Halle Dawson
73. Kindle - Baby for My Omega by Dex Bass
74. Kindle - Bound to Two Bears by Kelex

culls - 193 in 2025

1. If You Exist by Lillian Moats
2. The Jumblies by Edward Lear Drawings by Edward Gorey
3. Chasing Shakespeares by Sarah Smith
4. Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews
5. Dear Committee Members by Julia Schumacker
6. Wet Pussies: Hilarious Snaps of Damp Cats by Charlie Ellis
7. Big Cocks: Hilarious Snaps of Prominent Poultry by Charlie Ellis
8. Calico by Lee Goldberg
9. Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
10. Healthy Aging by Andrew Weil, MD
11. Eve In Hollywood by Amor Towles
12. The Women by Kristin Hannah
13. The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley
14. Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
15. The Ancestor's Tale by Richard Dawkins
16. Girl Reading by Katie Ward
17. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell - not in catalog but on shelves
18. In the Company of the Courtesan by Sarah Dunant

YTD Statistics through March

100 books read
97.5 ebooks, 1 audio books, 1.5 paper books
24276 pages in completed books
24 hours in completed audio books
34 books abandoned, 3474 pages abandoned, 0 hours abandoned

27750 total pages read

Avg pages read per day, incl books abandoned: YTD = 308
Avg pages read per book, only those completed: YTD = 278

Book(s) of the Month: Stormy by Wren Wilds - can't make touchstone work

Books by Month
Jan - 27.5 ebooks, .5 paper books
Feb - 31 e-books, 1 audio books
Mar 40 e-books

Author
Male 14%
Female 63%
Undeclared * 22%
Non-Binary 1%
* - can't find info anywhere

Living 99%
Dead 1%

US Born 28%
Foreign Born 27%
Undeclared * 45%
* - can't find info anywhere

Medium
Audio Book 1%
e-Book 97%
Paper Book 2%

Source
My Library 16%
Library 0%
Kindle Unlimited 84%
Borrowed 0%

Misc
Galley Proof 0%
Re-read 5%
Series 76%

Fiction 98%
NonFiction 2%

Author Birth Country
Australia 5%
Canada 13%
France 1%
Grenada 1%
New Zealand 2%
Undeclared * 44%
UK 3%
US 31%
* - can't find info anywhere

Original Decade Published
1950s 1%
2000s 1%
2010s 9%
2020s 89%

Genre
Contemporary Fiction 0%
Crime Fiction 0%
Historical Fiction 1%
History 0%
Humor 0%
Informational Nonfiction 3%
Memoir 0%
MM/MMM/MMMM Romance 96%

Average Rating Expanded to include .1 stars.
.1-.5: Anathema 0
.6-1: Don't Bother 0
1.1-1.5: Very Bad 0
1.6-2: Bad 1
2.1-2.5: Average 8
2.6-3: Good 9
3.1-3.5: Very Good 12
3.6-4: Excellent 26
4.1-4.99: Stunning 44
5 - Masterpiece 0

Average Rating 3.81
Books acquired YTD (361 acquired in 2025) 65
Books culled YTD (193 in 2025) 14

6232 cataloged on 12/31/25

March Lightning Round

Any in bold are NOT MM romances, few and far between as they are.

Quite a few of the smut books have warnings about triggers or scenarios that I don’t mention here. Caveat emptor re triggers if you want to dip your toes in.

4.30* Broken Obsession by Chani Lynn Feener 3/1/26 3/1/26 341 pages Kindle Unlimited

Here’s the blurb

Eden Baldur is after revenge.

But first, he'll have to find the people responsible for the deaths of his family, and that's proving difficult. Someone who once dreamed of singing, Eden has resigned himself to the next best thing: voice acting for the popular mobile game, Vanity. When his character ends up attracting the attention of a powerful and persuasive member of society, Eden is given a choice. Trade himself for the vengeance he's so painfully desired, or give up on ever avenging his family.

Ares Major is seeking peace.

The survivor of unsanctioned NDE experimentation, Ares has perfected the art of living in the moment. The problem? Half the time, he can't tell if the "moment" is real, or if reality is a mere construct. He's found an anchor in the popular action otome RPG game, Vanity, and spends more time living in his head than in the real world. As the last living member of his line, his inheritance ensures he'll never have to work a day in his life, but he attends Sacrum Cor University and majors in the arts to keep himself busy. When the game stops being enough to ground him, his hunt for the voice actor of his favorite character begins.

What starts as a means for escapism quickly morphs into something more, and it isn't long before Ares changes the game. Eden is nothing like what Ares expected, but he has an obvious weakness, one Ares isn't above exploiting.

Because he's playing to win.

And the prize is Eden, in his bed, and in his life. Permanently.

It could have been shorter, and there are some elements, dubcon and stalking, that most people will not like. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.40* X Marks the Spot by Willow Dixon 3/3/26 3/4/26 417 pages Kindle Unlimited

Damon is a university student who is also, secretly, a very successful rave DJ. Xave goes to the rave (smile), and after the rave he is kidnapped simply because he’s there near Damon. They escape and find out that they go to the same university. They’re attracted to each other, try to solve the problem of who’s after Damon, and get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

3.80* His Prize by MM Farmer 3/4/26 3/6/26 77 pages Kindle Unlimited

Darby is an air traffic controller who makes a mistake that almost gets people killed. It devastates him, and he signs up for a beta test program that matches omegas with alphas. He’s matched with Kieran, a much younger alpha, and they are perfect for one another. Steamy and sweet. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.70* Moderating Love by Jax Calder 3/6/26 3/6/26 89 pages Kindle Unlimited

This novella had me smiling pretty much every page. Devin is one of the moderators of blog where queer folk write about how they meet. He’s sunny and optimistic and envious of the people who fall in love. His handle is Sunshine Guy. Travis, TruthGuardian, also moderates the blog but writes the cynical responses to Devin’s posts. They’ve never met in real life. One day Travis is approached in a coffee shop by a man who wants him to have a date with his brother. Devin and Travis hit it off, and as the days go on Devin realizes that Travis is TruthGuardian. Enemies to lovers, caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Feinted Love by Elle Keaton ** 71 pages

Arnie and Tobias hooked up and several years later Tobias accidentally dumps coffee on Arnie in a coffee shop. Tobias remembers Arnie, Arnie remembers Tobias, and after some miscommunications and hurt feelings, we see where this goes. But, I didn’t care enough to continue.

**abandoned The Shots You Take ** by Rachel Reid ** 200 pages

Oh how I wanted to like this standalone romance by the author of the Game Changer series. When it’s not Shane and Ilya or other characters in their timeline I found myself getting impatient and seeing how derivative this one is. The Game Changer series came out in 2018-2022, with the 7th book due out in 2027. This book was published in 2025, clearly an attempt to capitalize on the success of the series. It fell flat for me.

4.20* Chance Match by Wendy Rathbone 3/6/26 3/6/26 147 pages Kindle Unlimited

Jace, an omega, signs up for The Perfect Match Agency in order to find a good alpha who will take care of him. He’s matched with a high-power CEO, but when he goes to the office, his and the Assistant Storm’s chemistry are off the charts. It’s predictable and fun and very much omegaverse, although without mpreg. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.10* Owning Jett by Lucy Lennox 3/6/26 3/7/26 337 pages Kindle Unlimited

Jett is a government operative, whose newest assignment is to infiltrate a suspicious billionaire house party. He meets Locke, who owns the villa and is the game master of a game called Paxis. It can be a harmless game out in the world, but this version of Paxis lets white hat world leaders communicate without words – just actions on game boards – what situations are happening or developing and what should be done by who in order to neutralize and/or shut down. In this case, arms movements can be disrupted by container shippers blocking a waterway for long enough that on-the-ground operators can move in. Jett’s pretending to be Locke’s assistant, not unrealistic when we realize Jett has the skills to pull it off. Behind the scenes, in the bedroom, Jett and Locke get involved. It’s a great combination of thriller and romance. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.30* HEA: Happily Ever After by Lucy Lennox and Molly Maddox 3/7/26 3/8/26 272 pages Kindle Unlimited

Oscar, a wealthy, insecure, and unhappily single friend to the multitudes, jokes that the men who dump him always find their true loves with the next man they met. He’s been best man twelve times and has it down pat. He’s got an emotional support hedgehog named Frank (the author reminds us that hedgehogs should not be kept as pets). Hugh is a photographer, in this case the backup photographer. They decide to fake date. Hugh falls faster than Oscar, and Oscar has to come around to the idea of giving his heart again. Sweet and funny and sexy. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.00* Good Stepbrother Bad Stepbrother by Jenny Pineapple 68 pages Kindle Unlimited

Lucien is a doctor, stepbrother to Austin, who he hasn’t seen in two or more years. He cut Austin off in order for his relationship with his fiancée to continue, but is miserable. Austin is a cage fighter who was devastated when Lucian ghosted him. One night Austin comes to Lucian with a gunshot graze and Lucian patches him up. Lucian has broken up with his girlfriend, and sparks fly between the stepbrothers. There’s a way forward for them, and a way forward for Austin, who’s coming to the end of his fighting career. I do love books by Jenny Pineapple. They’re short, rich, succinct, filled with detail and emotions. Caveat emptor re sex.

3.20* One Winter Night by Jenny Pineapple 3/8/26 3/8/26 54 pages Kindle Unlimited

Julian is a corporate lawyer and Dominic is his ex’s brother. They get stranded together in Dominic’s cabin during a white-out blizzard and sparks happen and etc. It’s okay, but nothing to write home to mother about. Caveat emptor re sex.

2.50* Dark Desire by Jenny Pineapple 3/8/26 3/8/26 53 pages Kindle Unlimited

Tristan comes to a Valentine’s Day party, looking for his best friend Jack. Jack’s ghosted him, and Tristan does not now that Jack has been in love with him forever. Situations happen as they do in these dark romances with masked house parties, and they come together and get their surprise HEA. Cavet emptor re sex.

4.40* Mr. Important by Lucy Lennox and 3/8/26 3/9/26 390 pages Kindle Unlimited

Reagan attends a masked charity gala, and hooks up with a silver fox, Thatcher. Thatcher’s masked, too, and they’re both horrified when it turns out that they know one another. Reagan is one of Thatcher’s father’s sons and Thatcher is Reagan’s boss’s boss. There’s a crisis at the division, and Reagan and Thatcher go on a road trip to repair the damage done. Reagan’s boss Layla is a conniving and controlling woman who wants Thatcher for herself. Oh, and Thatcher’s nominally straight. It’s ll rather sweet and sexy. Thatcher finally sees how he and Reagan are being manipulated. Out of jealousy, Reagan is sent away on a poor excuse of a business trip after being exposed to flu and gets deathly ill. Thatcher comes to the rescue and they get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Only the Small Bones by CP Harris ** 113 pages

Non-verbal human trafficking victim Ryan is taken in by the owner of Freedom Fighters, an organization that helps victims. He doesn’t usually take victims into his own home. William will eventually learn Ryan’s story, Ryan will eventually come out to William, yet I was strangely reluctant to finish it. Very emotional.

**abandoned the Misfits of Copper County by Lucy Lennox and May Archer ** 171 pages

Journalist Delaney near his sister/husband/niece. He buys an old house and hires Brewer to do the contracting. Brewer makes recommendations that he turns down, buying things that just don’t work well in an old home and etc. There’s sparkage but neither wants to act upon it until There is a series of mishaps and Brewer’s house burns to the ground. Delaney takes him in, and during a snow storm they get intimate. Brewer shuts it down completely, and that’s where I shut down completely. Caveat emptor re sex.

A four-part series by Chani Lynn Feener. The only MMMM romance I’ve not abandoned. This is the second time I’ve read it. The first time was April of last year for the first 3 books, then August for the last book when it was published.

4.10* Villain by Chani Lynn Feener 3/10/26 3/11/26 310 pages Kindle Unlimited
4.00* Martyr by Chani Lynn Feener 3/11/26 3/11/26 298 pages Kindle Unlimited
4.10* Saint by Chani Lynn Feener 3/11/26 3/12/26 266 pages Kindle Unlimited
3.00* Sinner by Chani Lynn Feener 3/12/26 3/13/26 285 pages Kindle Unlimited

4.00* Villain by Chani Lynn Feener 4/21/25 4/22/25 Kindle Unlimited
4.00* Martyr by Chani Lynn Feener 4/22/25 4/23/25 Kindle Unlimited
4.00* Saint by Chani Lynn Feener 4/22/25 4/23/25 Kindle Unlimited
Nix switches universities to find out how and why his beloved cousin Branwen killed herself. He does this by unwittingly gaining the notice of one of the Demons of Foxglove Grove on a school app Nix has hacked into. There’s immediate attraction, and Lake pursues Nix. Lake is one of three Demons, a role for seniors that the three of them and only the three of them currently hold. All three, Lake, West, and Yejun, are personally and dynastically powerful. They are all attracted to Nix, who gets deeper and deeper into his attraction to Lake and then West and Yejun. He also gets deeper and deeper into his understanding of Branwen’s life on campus and her involvement with very dangerous people. I like how Feener makes the relationship flow naturally.

4.00* Sinner by Chani Lynn Feener 10/3/25 10/3/25 285 pages Kindle Unlimited
Fourth and final book in the Demons of Foxglove Grove series has Nix, Lake, West, and Yejun still dealing with threats, Lake’s planned crowning, and Nix and Yejun’s needing to bond yet both feeling fragile from events of a previous book where Yejun abused Nix. I really wanted to like this because the first three were lots of action and we were still learning about them. It was intriguing to see how the author would resolve the tensions and issues to make this MMMM romance work. In this book, we get a rehash of what happened in the first three books, the discovery of who’s behind the attacks on Nix and who also wants the downfall of Lake. Nix and Yejun reconcile, and all four get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.00* Claimed by Design by EA Adams 3/14/26 3/14/26 109 pages Kindle Unlimited

Second in the series The Chase. The Chase is an opportunity for omegas to earn a huge payout by allowing themselves to be chased, captured, and claimed by alphas. Each omega who signs up for The Chase is at the end of his rope one way or another, each alpha is looking for the omega he let get away.

Leonid is a professor who let his student Curt get away six years ago. He can’t get Curt out of his mind. They get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

2.50* Knot Club by Ansley Ellis 3/14/26 3/15/26 56 pages Kindle Unlimited Wren and Sully

Omega Wren is at the end of his rope and goes to The Knot Club (I’m not kidding), in order to get help through his heat. Masks are required. He does not know that the alpha who takes care of him is his best friend’s brother Sully, who he’s always had a crush on. Sully knows who he is, though. Caveat emptor re sex.

3.30* My Rival Mate by Lexie Slater 3/15/26 3/15/26 99 pages Kindle Unlimited

Sam and Devan are competing for a prestigious internship. They are assigned to work together on a thesis project. Sparks fly, there’s instalust and a highly satisfactory ending that gives them a win-win internship-wise and personally. Caveat emptor re sex.

079. 4.75* Echo by Chani Lynn Feener 3/15/26 3/16/26 437 pages Kindle Unlimited Third re-read and I keep upping my rating. 4.0, 4.5, and now 4.75. I read it last March and last June. Here’s what I wrote in March:

First in the Devils of Vitality fantasy MM romance. The author states in the preface to this, as well as subsequent books, that the protagonists are not nice or good people. It’s a made-up world in a made-up universe. Rabbit Trace is a musical prodigy, son of a worlds-famous performer. She pushes him, abuses him, torments, him, and controls him, but he doesn’t fight her. One day Baikal, heir apparent to Vitality’s mafia, sees Rabbit perform and becomes obsessed by him. He’s playing a long game and doesn’t immediately approach Rabbit. Eventually he does, though, and although his methods are morally gray, draws Rabbit to his side. They become sexually and romantically involved. In the meantime, Rabbit’s mother tries to control him one too many times, which doesn’t go well for her. The most fascinating thing about this book is that the instrument Rabbit plays, a bieska, interacts with his emotions and skills so that colors are released as he plays. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? A performer and his/her instrument providing music and color. Baikal is an alpha predator, wants Rabbit. My kryptonite – alpha male, alpha predator. Not an accident that Kal calls Rabbit his sweet bunny. Baikal protects and cares for Rabbit, and they get a very steamy and happy HEA. Caveat emptor re sex. Quite a few typos, and a fair amount of repetition of personality traits.

This time I paid more attention to how Rabbit was controlled by his mother and people she had watching him. And how well Rabbit and Baikal’s personalities meshed.

3.00* A Bestiary by Toulouse-Lautrec, introduction by Philip Hofer 3/17/26 3/17/26 47 pages

A small and ultimately disappointing bestiary. I don’t like the drawings and there’s nothing else to be said.

3.40* His Dark Paradox by Avery Tu and Kota Quinn 3/17/26 3/19/26 260 pages Kindle Unlimited

Nuri was ‘gifted’ to Silver and has always worked for him and been in love with him. Nuri realizes Silver will never care for him so offers his resignation. Silver refuses to accept it, realizes that ne wants and needs Nuri in his life. Caveat emptor re sex.

2.80* Bone to Pick by May Archer 3/19/26 3/20/26 129 pages Kindle Unlimited

Porter was failed by his professor, Theo Hancock. He shows up drunk one night with a bone to pick… they get snowed in at Theo’s cabin, and things go from there. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.70* Devil May Lie by Chani Lynn Feener 3/20/26 3/20/26 450 pages Kindle Unlimited

Madden is part of the Imperial Prince's retinue and illegally races down at the docks at night. Berga is training to be the Physican to the Brumal Mafia (yes, I know). He is not squeamish and doesn't mind inflicting pain if needed for the Brumal. One night of debauchery gets them involved in each other's lives, and the lust be becomes caring and romance. Even if it is their own special and twisted type of romance. Feener writes complex and morally gray characters, and Madden and Berga should never become involved with each other but they do. Caveat emptor violence and sex.

A Whisper in the Dark Trilogy, by Chani Lynn Feener. Goes back and forth in time, starting with Hunter being captured after ten years on the run, broke, at the end of his rope and being returned to Odin. We learn about Hunter and his family, Odin and his family, court politics, and a rather important secret about Hunter that once found out changes their dynamic. When Hunter was forced to choose between Odin and his sister, he chose his sister, and barely escaped to the other side of the planet with his life. Odin is not forgiving, and keeps Hunter trapped in his personal apartments. This is the story of their feelings towards each other, politics, danger, and romance. This is a great trilogy. Several layers of plot and so many twists you end up dizzy. They get a hard-won HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.40* You Will Never Know 3/20/26 3/21/26 278 pages Kindle Unlimited

4.40* Don't Breathe a Word 3/22/26 3/23/26 179 pages Kindle Unlimited

4.40* Don't Let Me Go by Chani Lynn Feener 3/23/26 3/24/26 250 pages Kindle Unlimited

4.00* Going Up by Amy Lane 3/24/26 3/24/26 74 pages Mine

Zach is trapped in a sterile life of too much work, always on the outside looking in. One day he runs into Sean in their apartment’s elevator. He is drawn to Sean's happiness and joy in life. Zach starts timing when he leaves for work in order to run into Sean. Sean talks nonstop about Zach to his roommates. Each is smitten, they start reaching out to one another, and sparks fly. They get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

3.70* Dominant Blood by MJ Kim 3/24/26 3/24/26 258 pages Kindle Unlimited

An edited version of the blurb:Ha Yujeong is a dominant alpha with a problem: he was born to top, but cursed with a desperate need to bottom. Street fights satisfy his craving for pain, but finding a partner powerful enough to truly dominate him has been impossible. Enter Yoon Suha. Ruthless, terrifying, and leader of the Phantom Syndicate, he is the apex predator Yujeong has been hunting for. Infiltrating a crime boss’s suite is suicidal, but Yujeong thrives on chaos. He wants the brutality, the overwhelming pheromones. Yet when his reckless provocation results in an accidental bond, the game changes from a one-night stand to a volatile battle for submission. Suha doesn’t take insults lightly, and he intends to teach the bratty fighter a permanent lesson in ownership. It’s no longer just about desire—it’s about control. And Suha has every intention of keeping his new pet on a very short leash.My kryptonite – alpha and omega in a tension-filled romantic/power dance. Not for the faint of heart. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.90* Stormy by Wren Wilds 3/24/26 3/26/26 522 pages Kindle Unlimited

Best book of the month. Powerful story of a young man fleeing an abusive situation, outside in the leadup to a Category 5 hurricane in the Florida Panhandle. Tex is driving back to his bar to hurricane-proof it as much as possible and passes the young man under an awning, with a motorcycle, looking desolate and lost. He persuades the young man, who he calls Stormy because of his gorgeous stormy blue eyes, to take shelter with him. Tex realizes Stormy will bolt if he does anything wrong, is at all challenging or dominant, and slowly gains Stormy’s trust. This is all during the Cat 5 Hurricane, which threatens their lives and causes damage, but doesn’t destroy the bar or hurt them. As they start rebuilding, Tex realizes that the man after Stormy is going to come for him, and enlists the aid of his friends, especially his policeman best friend, to protect Stormy and remove the threat permanently. No killing, but serious justice. Tex and Stormy fall in love. Caveat emptor re sex. Fantastic descriptions of hurricane conditions, found family, and a sweet and strong HEA.

4.20* Double Dared by Raquel Riley 3/26/26 3/27/26 504 pages Kindle Unlimited

Best friends Truen and Darien cross a line at a party one night when spin the bottle lands on them. They go into a closet and kiss. Tru is gay, Dare is ... not gay ... Over time, their friendship has ups and downs and secrets come out. The emotions are well written, the plot meanders a bit but mostly stays ... well... true. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.60* It Started With a Text by Jax Calder 3/27/26 3/27/26 125 pages Kindle Unlimited

Such a clever premise. Rock star Anthony Devine was talked into giving a tour of his home and it was posted on his official Instagram. Think Architectural Digest. Nick, self-described as his biggest fan, is offended at the display of opulence and pretence and compares it to his 5th-floor walkup. He decides to do a spoof video of Anthony’s video and posts it. It goes viral, which makes Anthny Devine’s official Instagram account go viral, with 6 million views. Anthony is made aware of the 6 million views and the cause of the views, Nick’s spoof video. He is attracted to Nick – dark curly hair, large chocolate-brown eyes, and “the cutest dimples I’ve ever seen.” Anthony is feeling out of sorts over Nick’s video. He posts to Nick’s account - NickKnackPaddyWhack.

AntD (Anthony’s private Instagram account)
Hey, just wanted to say I
really enjoyed the tour of
your apartment. The part
where you mocked me
relentlessly was good, but
I have to say your fig tree
Was the real highlight.

This starts regular and frequent texting. They get to know one another, and like one another, but Nick doesn’t believe that it’s really Anthony Devine. They finally decide to meet up after one of Anthony’s concerts that Nick has tickets to. There’s a very sweet scene during the concert, then Nick finally meets Anthony after. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.00* Claimed by Fate by EA Adams 3/27/26 3/28/26 115 pages Kindle Unlimited

First in the series The Chase. The Chase is an opportunity for omegas to earn a huge payout by allowing themselves to be chased, captured, and claimed by alphas. Each omega who signs up for The Chase is at the end of his rope one way or another, each alpha is looking for the omega he let get away.

Remy, the omega, was at a conference with Darryl. Things were going well, they were going to get together, but Darryl was drunk, saw two alphas laughing with Remy, said hateful and destructive words that ruined Remy’s reputation. Remy fled and has been living hand-to-mouth ever since. Darryl joins The Chase to find Remy and apologize, but, of course, things get heated. They get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

3.10* Claimed by Fear by EA Adams 3/28/26 3/29/26 114 pages Kindle Unlimited

Third in the series The Chase. The Chase is an opportunity for omegas to earn a huge payout by allowing themselves to be chased, captured, and claimed by alphas. Each omega who signs up for The Chase is at the end of his rope one way or another, each alpha is looking for the omega he let get away.

Dalvin is escaping Vernon, the abusive alpha who ‘owns’ him and their son. One of the most vivid scenes in this book is where Dalvin cuts his floor-length hair as a symbol of rebellion and way to disguise himself. He joins The Chase to find another alpha to claim him and break the bond with Vernon. Min-Ho joins The Chase after he finally tracks down Dalvin after twelve years of looking for him. They weren’t allowed to be together because Dalvin was sold by his family. Dalvin is willing for any alpha to claim him, but once Min-Ho scents him, protects him, and then claims him, they get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.20* Omega's Flush by Sasha Silsbury 3/29/26 3/29/26 193 pages Kindle Unlimited

Theo and Dom were prime matches years go, but Theo fled. He’s back in a casino owned by Dom, counting cards, not expecting to be ID’d. He’s caught and Dom claims him. Theo also has skills that help him uncover the cheating ring that is bleeding his casino dry. Improbable? Yes. Fun? Yes. Enemies to lovers, and caveat emptor re sex.

3.40* The Omega's Song by EA Adams 3/29/26 3/30/26 115 pages Kindle Unlimited

Colm is offered as a forced bonding with Raf, part of the Valenti crime family. During the ceremony, bullets fly. The bond is only partial, but Raf protects his bond-mate. Lots of bullets and hiding and kidnapping. Highly satisfactory. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.20* Claimed by Blood by EA Adams 3/30/26 3/30/26 120 pages Kindle Unlimited

Fifth in the series The Chase. The Chase is an opportunity for omegas to earn a huge payout by allowing themselves to be chased, captured, and claimed by alphas. Each omega who signs up for The Chase is at the end of his rope one way or another, each alpha is looking for the omega he let get away.

Deveon is the omega, Dae-hyun is the alpha. Here’s are parts of the blurb:

A dark MM omegaverse romance featuring forced proximity, survival heat, hidden pasts, military-trained hunters, contract coercion, blizzard-bound tension, and an alpha who will tear down the entire game to protect what’s his. HEA guaranteed.

Caveat emptor re sex.

Four of the five books in the Feral Hearts Series by Ash Wilder. Novellas, all the same basic plot – Apex alpha and omega in the frozen north of the territory, dangerous and life-threatening conditions. Fated mates. Instant attraction, omega in need of protection or care. Author Wilder paints a vivid picture of dangerous conditions, strong backstories, and how each alpha was just waiting for his omega. They get their HEAs and, of course, caveat emptor re sex.

4.40* Feral Vow by Ash Wilder 3/30/26 3/30/26 91 pages Kindle Unlimited David is an exiled alpha. Evander is an omega diplomat. There are politics and instalust held in check until they can’t be held in check any longer.

4.10* Alpha's Demand by Ash Wilder 3/30/26 3/30/26 87 pages Kindle Unlimited Brody is Chief of Trauma Medicine, Emmett is an EMT who disobeys orders because he feels like he can save someone. He can’t. He and Brody are trapped in white-out conditions. Emmett is injured and Brody’s alpha instincts kick in.

4.20* Howl of Possession by Ash Wilder 3/30/26 3/31/26 92 pages Kindle Unlimited Ranger Callen tracks a blood trail and comes across a wolf in a trap. It turns out to not be a wolf, of course, and Dre shifts back to human in order to start healing after being released from the trap.

4.30* Snowed in With the Alpha by Ash Wilder 3/31/26 3/31/26 90 pages Kindle Unlimited Omega paramedic Ray’s rig overturns in a whiteout storm. He expects death, but Dax rips the door off and rescues Ray. He takes him to his cabin, where biology overcomes civilization.

**abandoned Cinders by Harper Cole, Trisha Linda, Colbie Dunbar ** 91 pages

Cinderella with omegaverse and sex… Tiago is Cinderella and Hemingway is the Prince. Twee, and not clever enough for me to want to continue.

**abandoned In His Defense by River Frost ** 228 pages

Defense Attorney Cassian and Kai sharp tongued major crimes detective work together to stop a crime family. It has no life to it, no more than stereotypes.

419 books read


1 Masterpiece
41 Stunning
189 Excellent
112 Very Good
40 Good
23 Average
10 Bad
3 Very Bad
0 Don't Bother
0 Anathema


Best Fiction
James by Percival Everett Review
Dinosaurs by Lydia Millett Review
The Future by Naomi Alderman Review
Tilt by Emma Pattee Review
The Hallmarked Man by Robert Galbraith Review

Best MM/MMM/MMMM Romance
Omegaverse - Matehub: Legend by Marie Reynard - February Lightning Round
Romance - To Catch A Firefly by Emmy Sanders - June Lightning Round
Stepbrothers - Chokehold by Leigh Rivers and Harleigh Beck - September Lightning Round
Hockey - Last Guy on Earth by Sarina Bowen - October Lightning Round
Western - Red Dirt Heart by NR Walker - December Lightning Round

Best Nonfiction
Back With the Tide: Memoirs of Ellen Douglas Bellamy Review
Honor, the Duel, and Indiscretion: The Life of Elizabeth "Betsey" Pollock Devereaux Jones (1818-1879) by W. Davenport Robertson - March Lightning Round
Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green Review

Top five overall for the LT Top Five Books of 2025 List
Dinosaurs by Lydia Millett Review
Tilt by Emma Pattee Review
The Hallmarked Man by Robert Galbraith Review
To Catch A Firefly by Emmy Sanders June Lightning Round
Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green Review

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Wordle 1,751 3/6* trope, golem, envoy

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Yesterday I rested my back, read. Watched Arsenal lose to Southampton 1-2, eliminating them from the FA Cup. Two games in a row, two eliminations from competitions. Sigh. Started watching Heated Rivalry again. Bill and I watched 2 episodes of Better Call Saul.

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My plans include resting my back, reading, lollygagging, and writing the email to remind book club members that our next meeting is at my house to discuss How to Read A Book on the 12th. I'll also start thinking about beverages and some snacks.

Welcome!

Happy new thread, Karen!

Merry Bunny day! Happy new thread! *smooch*

Happy New Thread, (((((Karen)))))!!!!!! I hope your back is bothering you less and less. Take care of yourself!

>1 karenmarie: Happy new thread, Karen. I read your intro up-top (which I must admit I don't always do, or at least don't always do thoroughly) and found myself nodding, smiling and fist-pumping!

Happy reading!!

Happy new thread, Karen!

>10 karenmarie: Sorry about Arsenal. I hope your back is doing better.

>1 karenmarie: I noticed you didn't have anything for Schadenfreude. For me, it was Duke losing to UConn in the Elite Eight.

Morning, Karen. Happy New Thread. Bummer about Arsenal. We had a good time with Matt & Hannah yesterday. I will be playing PB this AM. My own lollygagging later on.

>12 quondame: Hi Susan and thank you.

>13 richardderus: Thank you, RD, twice. Ah yes, Bunny Day. Easter is one of the Chocolate Holidays. 😊

>14 LizzieD: Hi Peggy, and thank you. Right now my back is not … terrible …

>15 RebaRelishesReading: Hi Reba, and thank you. I’m glad that you liked my first message. It’s evolved over the years and I’ve now got a good structure for each new thread.

>16 atozgrl: Hi Irene, and thank you. Ah yes, Arsenal are currently having what I hope is a minor meltdown. They’re out of two tournaments of three, but are still top of the table in the Premier League, 11 points above Man City. Man City’s played 1 less match, but tied their most recent match, only getting one point instead of 3. 🤞🤞🤞

Ah yes, Schadenfreude. Duke losing to UConn was a stunner. I watched the last 7 seconds or so several times. Duke really blew it. I have never been a basketball fan, but was basketball adjacent because Bill was such a serious Tarheels fan. I must admit that I enjoy NOT hearing about how Carolina screwed up… Bill’s rule was always pull for Carolina, if Carolina wasn’t playing pull for any other ACC team, even Duke.

>17 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Thanks re my new thread. Arsenal has played like crap their last two matches. They’ve played their backup goalkeeper, Kepa, instead of Raya. Kepa’s been in most, if not all, of their non-Premier League Tournament matches. He’s good, as a rule, but I can’t help but think that had Raya started, things might have been different.

I’m glad you had a good time with Matt and Hannah. Yay for PB, and your own lollygagging. Isn’t it a great word?

There are no birds on my feeders. I’m guessing that there’s quite a bit of natural food out there right now.

Wordle 1,752 3/6* trope, adorn, sworn

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Yesterday was a rather painful one. Most of the time was resting in the Library or hanging out here in the Sunroom.

All the usual things.

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I got in touch with my chiropractor's office. They are seriously irritating because their message did not say they were closed for Easter. It also turns out that The Best Chiropractor In The World abruptly left the practice over the weekend. Fortunately, I was able to get a 3 p.m. appointment with another doctor in the practice, a man named Dr. Walker. We'll also place a grocery order and time it so I can pick up from 3-4.

Otherwise, reading, email to book club, and etc.

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edited to add: Male Cardinal, Male Goldfinch, A Sparrow.

Such nice outdoors you have. Birdies and lots of green leaves. We aren't all that far behind.

I'm a victim of enshittification. I discovered a slow but steady leak forming puddles in the basement. Seemed to be from the kitchen sink complex. Plumber came out, did a lot of diagnosing, tightened up fittings, and left me substantially poorer. And still the leak persisted. A different guy came the next day and located the headwaters of the leak—the joint between the faucet and the feed line. And the good news: the feed line is integral to the faucet. To fix the leak, gotta replace the entire faucet assembly. The faucet, incidentally, was installed new in 2016. Akkkk!

But I have stacks of good books to read. Yeah, there is that.

Good morning, Karen! I hope the new-to-you chiropractor is at the top of his game and that it's a good one.

Speaking of games, I am in total agreement with Bill about how to treat March Madness or any other roundball tournament. I could never quite get ABC* fans. Hope Arsenal gets their act together!!!!

*Anybody But Carolina*

>18 karenmarie: Bill’s rule was always pull for Carolina, if Carolina wasn’t playing pull for any other ACC team, even Duke. !!!!!!!!!!! Is he out of his mind? The two teams in the world that I hate are Duke and the Dodgers. I wish to never see either one in any playoff ever again.

I hope you are right about Arsenal, and that they get their act together soon.

I also hope that Dr. Walker was good and helped your back.

*grin* Irene, you would have loved my former student and friend Patrick, whose rendition of "Hark! the Sound" always ended with a finger gesture and an appropriate "XXXX DOOK*. His friends and family lined up on the front steps of the First Presbyterian Church after his funeral service and sang and gestured with gusto.

Karen, I join Irene in hoping you're now resting easier in the back department.

Happy new thread, Karen. I hope the chiropractor fixed your back issues. Not sure what is going on with >9 karenmarie:, I only see 4 out of 7 photos.

Morning, Karen. I love your feeder station. That is awesome. I also like the green behind it. We are very slowly starting to show some green in different places and our pear tree has started to blossom. We need a longer stretch of warmer temps. Today will be back in the low 40s.

I have the kids and then I hang out with Jack until school. I had a male red-winged blackbird visit yesterday.

>19 weird_O: Hi Bill, and thank you. Birdies, green leaves, and pollen.

I’m so sorry about the enshittification of your kitchen plumbing. Two plumbers and now you need a whole new faucet assembly. Ugh.

Stacks of good books to read, health to maintain, spring to watch coming in. Not half bad.

>20 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. New chiropractor news below. ABC and ABD aren’t loyal to central NC or even to the ACC. Thanks re Arsenal. They play Sporting CP, a top team in Portual’s top-flight league at 3 p.m. today in the Champions League. It’s a 2-game aggregate, not single game elimination like the last two competitions were.

>21 atozgrl: We’re going to have to ATD, on not pulling for Duke if Carolina’s not in the mix.

I’m from LA, and loved the Dodgers when I was growing up there. My mom loved them, and my sister is rabid for them.

Jenna’s not interested in sports so cheering for the Mariners doesn’t make sense. If it came down to it, my preference is for the Cubs, then the Dodgers.

Back’s coming along, see below.

>22 LizzieD: Well heck. I didn’t even know about Hark! The Sound. I’ve only ever heard the Carolina fight sone – “I’m a Tarheel Born”, although being an outsider I find ‘and when I die, I’ll be a Tarheel dead’, rather macabre.

>23 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg, and thank you re my thread and my back. I just looked at >9 karenmarie:, the things that make me happy, and I can see all of them.

>24 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Thanks re my feeder station. We had it in the ‘back’ yard, which faces the road, but I moved it when I realized I wanted more bird feeding options visible from the Sunroom. The trees are definitely leafing in! It’s going to be coolish here, again, too, but not as low as the 40s.

Yay for Jack time. I love Red-Winged Blackbirds, saw lots of them when I was camping with my family in the 60s.

I’ve got a female and a male Cardinal, a Downy, a Carolina Chickadee, and a sparrow of some sort. *smile*

Wordle 1,753 4/6* trope, anime, dunce, dense

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My back was somewhat better yesterday morning. I saw Dr. Walker at 3. He was very thorough, and did a whole bunch of different things than my favorite chiropractor. Things hurt when I left yesterday, but I felt quite a bit better in the evening.

Grocery pickup, prescription pickup. Better Call Saul, reading, doomscrolling, and staying up 'til 4. Not from pain, just strangely wired. I woke up around 8.

...
I am not going to book sort/after sale meeting/Virlie's. I woke up realizing that getting in and out of the Library and sitting on torture chairs for the duration of the meeting did not make sense. Gotta sacrifice Virlie's too. I also realize that I need to temporarily sleep in the Retreat on the sofa or in the Library on the sofa. The bed is too soft right now. Sigh.

Patience is a virtue although I'm seriously peeved about missing out on this morning's activities.

So for today I need to do some serious reading of How to Read A Book, my RL book club choice, to be discussed this coming Sunday here at our house. I need to start April's Lightning Round and get my spreadsheets caught up today, too.

Depending on when the tylenol/tramadol kick in, I might fill and put hummingbird feeders out. If not, Trevor will be here tomorrow and he can help then.

>25 karenmarie: No book-fondling or Virlie's! I'm so sorry you're in that level of existential pain.

I hope things normalize after Dr. Walker's ministrations. I'm annoyed by my absence of wifi but hope it's merely a glitch as they repair whatever the hell is wrong with my phone line. Thank all those useless gods for the hotspot!

Hi Karen my dear, Happy New Thread dear friend. Hope all is well with you and the family, such a shock with Southampton beating your beloved Arsenal in the FA Cup but i think the league is the priority.

Sending love and hugs to you and Bill, Jenna and Hwan and Wash and Zoe from both of us dear friend.

Hope you're feeling better, (((((Karen)))))!!!!!

This isn't very good, by which I mean that it's the Clef Hangers singing ALL of the Alma Mater, but you can't see them. YouTube used to have better. If I were you, I'd listen to the first verse and then skip to about a minute before the end (I thought I'd remember, but I don't). What you usually hear is 1st verse and the fast ending. HARK THE SOUND

(If you want the fight song, you need to find Aye Zigga Zimba!)

>25 karenmarie: I'm glad your back is doing better. I think you were wise not to go to Book Sort, etc., even though I know you miss it.

Re Duke, you and Bill are in agreement with my DH. However, I feel loyalty to my school, and I don't see any need to have loyalty to every local team (especially since Duke is the enemy). Duke has been hogging the ACC Tournament championship long enough. Go away!

I am glad and surprised to see that you prefer the Cubs to the Dodgers. It's hard to give up a childhood favorite, or at least not prefer them above all others. And I actually liked the Dodgers when I was a kid. But the current team has an unfair advantage over every other team in baseball with their TV deal, and Ohtani just made things worse with his sweetheart contract. It's time for the Dodgers to be promoted out of MLB into their own higher league. Then we might see some more equal competition for everyone else who is left. {grumble, grumble} Apologies for the rant.

>23 Familyhistorian: I do see all the pictures in >9 karenmarie:.

Slightly late but happy new thread, Karen.

I hope my somewhat belated post is balm to your back!

By the way I am in a positive mood as my beloved Leeds United came through in the cup to reach the Semi-Finals. Nice to see Arsenal win in Portugal too last night.

Morning, Karen. As expected, I had a good time hanging with Jack for a couple of hours. I did have a bad allergy day. I was wondering when they would kick in. I have battled seasonal allergies for decades. Never fun. Thankfully it mostly hits me in just the spring.

Earlier I had a couple of robins and a rabbit in the yard.

>26 richardderus: ‘Morning, RDear! I didn’t fondle books, sad to say. I guess I could fondle some of the 5,585 paper books I have here at the house. I didn’t get to go to the after-sale meeting, and, most important, I didn’t get to go to Virlie’s. All by choice, but I just couldn’t see it.

Well, things are a tad worse since seeing Dr. Walker, but that sometimes occurs after I see a chiropractor. I think I’m back to less than Sunday’s but more than early Monday’s pain level. Grrr.

I’m so sorry your WIFI/landline were/are giving you fits and hope that they’re corrected by now. In hindsight, I might have kept our original CenturyLink landline, but we were paying $50/month for it, and switching to Spectrum landline, same number (which took an act of God and Congress to migrate!) only costs us $10. However, when we lose power and are on the generator, we do not have WIFI and do not have a landline. So yes, thank all the gods and goddesses for hotspot. You’re in civilization, we’re rural but have line-of-sight to a cell tower. Even through the leaves.

>27 johnsimpson: Hi John! Thank you. We’re doing pretty well, all things considered. Southampton surprised Arsenal. They played better, weren’t cocky, and there was no energy in the Arsenal 11. And Arsenal lost to ManCity in the Carabao Cup! Within two weeks, two cups lost.

However, they beat Sporting yesterday in the first leg of the Champions League on a 91st minute score by Havertz. Love and hugs to you and Karen, too.

>28 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. Well, going to the book sale and sitting on horrible plastic chairs for 2 days has given me a major setback, no lie. I'm going to have to seriously evaluate whether I can volunteer at the next book sale in September. However, today’s better than yesterday and I only just took pain meds.

I honestly don’t ever remember hearing Hark the Sound. The fight song I know by heart.

>29 atozgrl: Hi Irene, and thanks. I hope to be able to go to book sort/Virlie's next Tuesday.

I went to Pepperdine's Los Angeles Campus, 1971-1975. However, I never went to a single sporting event the entire time I was there. I did go to almost every single high school football game ('69-71 - 3 year high school) and remember the alma mater and most of the cheers.

Duke’s irritating because there’s sooooo much money. However, Coach K’s gone. Roy Williams is gone, Dean Smith’s gone. *shrug*

I understand your rant. I’ve given thought to the idea of having MLB, the NBL, and the NHL have to earn their right to play in the top flight league every year like is done in the European soccer leagues. In the Premier League, the top 17 teams of 20 stay, the 3 bottom teams get relegated back to the Championship League and 3 teams are promoted to the Premier League. It would never happen, but I really like the idea. It's funny that the only way a team can get into the majors here is through expansion. Such a different philosophy.

>30 PaulCranswick: and >31 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul, and thank you. My back can take all the help it can get. I always love seeing you here, and I hope that Leeds stays in the Premier League next year. Congrats on them reaching the Semi-Finals, and I’m so glad Arsenal might be out of their slump by beating Sporting last night 1-0. It’s aggregate, and being up 1-0 is huge, of course.

>32 msf59: 'Morning, Mark! Happy Wednesday to you. I am glad that you have such a good rapport with your grandson. One of my grandfathers died in 1929 and the other died in 1955 but I was too young to remember him. One grandmother lives in Iowa, and the other grandmother lived with us until she died when I was 10. You, Sue, and Jack are so lucky to make memories together. Sorry about the allergies. It's pollen season here, too. I mostly stay indoors, but do take Claratin-wannabe every day, year round. I've got two sparrows and one big, fat Mourning Dove.

Wordle 1,754 3/6*trope, fetal, inlet

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I stayed home and felt a tad sorry for myself. I did a bit of this and that with a whole lot of reading thrown in. We watched Better Call Saul. I read and doomscrolled.

...
Trevor's coming over and bringing his 7-year old son Braxton since he's on child minding duty today. I'm going to ask Trevor if we can assign Braxton a task or two and pay him a bit of cash.

After Trevor leaves, I need to go have blood drawn for the second set of labs after starting a new medication. I don't have to do it today, and perhaps tomorrow would be better. We'll see.

Reading, lightning round, spreadsheets and etc.

Hi Karen. I see it's after noon, so I oughter get breakfast. Did make and consume my day's cuppa. So I'm raring to go. Sorta. :-)

>33 karenmarie: How did having Braxton around during the day's activity go?

But, Karen..... "I'm a Tarheel born" IS part of the Alma Mater. Fight songs are Aye Zigga Zimba or V for Victory. Really.

I wish your back were better, and I'm sure you'll nurse it so that it is. I'd think that if you have to give up sale day, you can easily do that but keep book sort and Virlie's with the gang. I'm glad that Trevor and Braxton are there. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!!!!!
Meanwhile, we are 3 Sisters!

>33 karenmarie: I am much in sympathy with your back issues and hope that the lasting results of your latest manipulation will have you feeling fine. I'm trying to get up the energy to explain to the medical powers that my back is quiet weak but that I cannot spend any time at all prone without causing a 2-3 day set of spasms from my coccyx to my rib cage.

Happy new thread! Hope the back is better soon.

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. I hope the back is feeling better today. Once I tend to the "kids" this morning, I am going to do some solo birding- if I don't get rained out. I had a flicker in the side yard yesterday. Always glad to see them.

I'm experiencing spring overload of happiness as my apartment floods with morning sun, my teensy little window-opening in all that expanse of window breathes in chilly delightful air, and noise is not inane babble foisted on me without my desire or my consent.

May your Thursday be as rapturous as mine. *smooch*

>34 weird_O: Hi Bill! I’ve had my first cuppa. Breakfast soon. Rare! Go!

>35 richardderus: Hey, RD. Braxton is a sweet boy. He’s also polite, works hard, and wasn’t shy when I asked him about school, and his kitties, and etc. I found an old Mattel Hot Wheels car I gave it to him. He politely thanked me. Everything he did for us was quick time, cheerful, and obedient. He was thrilled to find a last winter’s black walnut where some squirrel had abandoned it, and his eyes lit up when I gave him $10. He can come back with his dad any time. *smooch*

>36 LizzieD: Secret’s out, Peggy – I didn’t listen to the whole thing. Sigh. However, I just did, and even though I didn’t go to Carolina, and haven’t watched a basketball game or football game in forever, I still got chills when they sang the Fight Song. *red cheeks from embarrassment*

I wish my back were better, too. Even with Trevor and Braxton here yesterday, I did more than I should have. I don't seem to ever learn and need to learn that doing nothing means doing nothing!

Three Sisters means a lot to me – Irene included.

>37 quondame: Oh Susan. Different chiropractor, different adjustments, and my back feels worse right now. However, that may include yesterday’s efforts that I should have NOT made.

Lumbar vertebrae, right? I deeply empathize. I seem to recall that you either have an adjustable bed or lots and lots of pillows or both. Right now, the only prone that works for me is the sofa in the Library. I woke up after 9 hours of sleep in the bed (yay for 9 hours) and could hardly move (boo hiss bed). The Library sofa has the right firmness and I took the back cushions off a long time ago so I have enough room. Plus, cushions off gives me firmness for my back if I’m on my side. I’m going to be heading that way as soon as I finish here on LT. However, since it's near the living room, even though I close the door, I can still hear the TV.

I do hope you can get some relief.

>38 drneutron: Hi Jim, and thank you.

>39 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and sweet Thursday to you, too. Back’s not too much better, although I’ve got drugs circulating and being up helps. I’m glad you get to do some solo birding unless the weather gods decide to nix it. Oooh, flicker. Haven’t seen one here in a while. I've got a Downy, a male Goldfinch, half a dozen or more sparrows, and a Mourning Dove on the feeders or on the ground right now.

>40 richardderus: Rapturous with happiness, RD – you deserve it for putting up with so much crap for 8 years in Long Beach.

Mine probably won’t be rapturous, as I need to be prone in the Library on the exactly-as-firm-as-my-back needs sofa. *smooch*

Wordle 1,755 4/6* trope, hymen, liken, laden

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We got so many things done yesterday. The last phase of stuff came out of the Hot Water Heater Storage Area behind the Guest Bedroom Closet. I mean everything, including two stand lamps, a brass fire screen, and all the Franciscan Ware. Braxton asked what a fire screen was. *smile* Trevor shop vacuumed the area. I transferred 5 small banker's boxes of Jenna's and my papers to 4 UHaul 'small' boxes. Trevor lined them with black trash bags first, then sealed them. I labeled them, and he put them back in the corner.

My wok made it out - Trevor knew I thought it was in there somewhere, and I apparently marked a box with it and other kitchen items. Lots of other boxes, too. Not today, not this week, but soon, I will go back up there and start poking around.

Trevor took out all the trash, and Braxton brought out small boxes. He also took the banker's boxes downstairs and put them in the garage. He's a quick learner, and knew how to get through the rabbit warren of halls. Many people who've been here many times still get confused.

They broke down boxes and put them in Bill's SUV. They filled bird feeders. Trevor repositioned the shephard's crook feeder pole for me. They put out 2 ADT yard signs. Trevor carried out an old heavy speaker from Jenna's dormer. Finally, they cleaned, tightened, and WD40'd the old TV tray that Bill's been using to move heavy or bulky things. It squeaked something fierce.

...
I amaze myself - I got 9 hours of sleep. Of course, I woke up in a lot of pain and it took some creative maneuvering to get downstairs. This absolutely sucks.

Visiting a few threads, foraging for breakfast and taking it to the Library. I will be prone there for most of the day.

I'm going to start planning for Sunday's book club here, too.

WOW! I'm thrilled that you got the 9 hours of sleep but SO, So, so sorry about the back. It is hard when you're up and moving and things aren't awful to remember that you may have to pay for the effort later. I'm glad that you, Trevor, and Braxton got a lot done, thrilled that Braxton is such a fine child, but I wish you didn't have the bad back now. May the meds and the sofa help a lot.
Book club with you Sunday. PLEASE order some refreshments! Sunday isn't that far away, and I'd as soon you not tempt fate and back pain.

I love the Clef Hangers - and the Loreleis too. They both came after my year and a half there. 2 Fight Songs and Alma Mater from the Clef Hangers.

My first word - lucky chance - gave me Wordle in 2!!!! Congrats on 4 for you when you didn't have much to begin with!

Hi, my dear.

You're right - I need to be smart about this. I have started a FL shopping cart with
white & red wine
unsweetened iced tea
FL deli chocolate chip cookies
FL deli oatmeal raisin cookies
mild cheddar to go with hint of salt Wheat Thins and Hint of Salt Triscuits here at the house
tortilla chips for salsa I have here at the house
roasted unsalted cashews to go along with raw pecans I already have here at the house
napkins, paper plates

I've got 'real' plates for cookies and crackers/cheese, bowl for tortilla chips, bowl for salsa, spoon for salsa, fork for cheese.
I've got an ice bucket and ice, pitcher for water - water from refrigerator, water glasses, wine glasses.

Nothing fancy, but sustenance.

...
There will be 7 or 8 of us.

I'll keep refining as I get closer to Sunday. I'm going to ask Tamsie to come over early if she can, to help set up.

Catching up and just read about Braxton -- he sounds sweet and you're great for rewarding his attitude! Love it

Oh, sorry to hear about the forced switch in chiropractors, and about your current back pain. Chronic pain sucks. Maybe read a book?

GOOD for you! I hope that Tamsie can come early even if you don't need her. We'll get on the call time when I have more brain. (I went to the grocery store this afternoon for almost the sole purpose of getting Sister Shubert's cinnamon rolls, the only thing on my short mental list that I came home without. I did get a call from Bobbie while I was in the store, so I'm going to say that that distracted me.)

Morning, Karen. I am so sorry you are still dealing with this dreaded back pain. Ugh. Glad the pain meds are helping a bit. My solo birding was not exceptional by it was nice being out and I saw and heard a few meadowlarks. Off to play PB and we have friends coming over later for pizza, games and refreshments.

More rain here but clearing out later. Lots of "new" green out there. Love it.

>44 RebaRelishesReading: Hi Reba. He’s such a sweet boy. He could come every time if it worked out that way, although I think they’re off for spring break this week.

>45 ffortsa: I’m getting lots of reading in, Judy. Also some planning for Sunday’s book club.

>46 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. Call time works better for me after this week/weekend is over, so the ball’s in your court. Bobbie’s call definitely counts for distraction. Did you actually bring home other things NOT on the Sister Schubert’s Cinnamon Rolls list?

>47 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and thank you. I have a chiropractor's appointment Monday but might move it today if they've got time. I just tried calling. They're on another line and I don't want to leave a message so I'll call again a bit. I’m glad you got to go out yesterday.

I’ve got a Downy, a Mourning Dove, a Carolina Chickadee, and a few sparrows right now.

Yay for the green of spring.

Wordle 1,756 4/6* trope, cobra, carol, carom. Not on original word list.

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I did a whole bunch of nothing in addition to reading. I slept downstairs on the sleeper sofa and that helped. The TV on in the other room most of the night didn't. You'd think I'd be used to it by now.

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Reading, another day of a whole bunch of nothing. I'll do the teensiest bit of book club meeting prep.

I'm trying to get an appointment with the chiropractor for today.

Epic fail on the chiropractor. They are closed on Fridays now but their message does not say that, and the office I used to go has no openings today.

So I called my massage therapist. She and Michelle don't have any openings, but a new woman, Jessica, does. I'll see her for half an hour at 12:15.

You should be under Jessica's soothing hands as I write this. Hope you get relief.

>48 karenmarie: I very much hope your half-hour goes well, and Jessica proves to be a healer.

*smooch*

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/383511

>41 karenmarie: My back issues date back to a car crash at 26 that cracked open my pelvic bone and smashed the connective tissues around and above my tailbone. Now muscle weakness and receding discs no doubt contribute. It amounts to significant discouraging discomfort rather than sharp or intense pain. Though there have been incidents where I just can’t walk another step. Usually my left leg goes all won’t.

Letting myself rest on my stomach - even if partly on my side, is always regretted these days, so I’m very grateful for my adjustable bed and fleet of pillows (4, really I don’t know where that 5th one came from and will send it on its way soon. Very soon) and one is for my head, so doesn’t really count.

>48 karenmarie: I do hope the massage helps!

>49 weird_O: Hi Bill. They were soothing and gave me some temporary relief.

>50 richardderus: Hiya, RDear. When I got there I asked if she could extend it to an hour, and she did so. *smooch*

>51 SilverWolf28: Thank you, Silver!

>52 quondame: Ah, your car crash when you were 26 is similar to my car crash when I was 21. Nothing in my lower back, but I had a severe whiplash.

Cracked pelvic bones and etc. are terrible. I guess I’m lucky that I can lie on my side or back reasonably comfortably when my back is flaring. Stomach works when it’s not.

I remembered your adjustable bed and multiple pillows correctly.

The massage helped.

Wordle 1,757 3/6* trope, prime, prude

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Yesterday afternoon didn't go any better than before the massage, frankly, although during the massage was wonderful.

The only thing that gave me relief was when Bill suggested I take an Aleve. I'm not supposed to take NSAIDs, but the relief was dramatic.

I decided to cancel book club. I was willing to forgo discussion of my book, but Judy suggested we discuss How to Read a Book in May and pick next book club year's books, so we'll do that.

...
I took pain meds, including Aleve, and they have just started kicking in.

It's halftime of the Arsenal Bournmouth match, 1-1.

Trevor's coming over ten thirty-ish to put out my hummingbird feeders.

I'll visit threads later today.

Morning, Karen. Happy Saturday. How did the therapist session go? Any relief? 🙏

I plan on playing some PB this AM and then I will spend a lazy afternoon with the books.

>53 karenmarie: Oh no, Horrible! I'm so sorry you're in such a bad way. I very much hope you'll feel yourself again soon. *smooch*

I'm glad that the massage was at least some relief, (((((Karen))))), and I'm very glad that you canceled book club. I'll bet many of the other members are too. This is a busy time for everybody, I think. Giving people time to finish the Wood(s?) is probably welcome too.

I surely hope today has been better for you. Meanwhile, we are again 3 Sisters!

We WILL find a good time to talk!!!!!

>54 msf59: Hi Mark! The massage therapist was wonderful, but I told her to be very gentle. She stretched out muscles and etc.

Yay for PB, yay for books.

>55 richardderus: Thanks, RDear. It really sucks, although I seem a bit better today. I'm at the end of the pain meds cycle, so will head upstairs in a bit and take more. I went upstairs for a while this afternoon and it felt comfortable and the bed was easier to get in and out of than the sofa.

Arsenal lost, 1-2. Poor showing.

>56 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. I honestly could lie on a massage table for hours, fall asleep, and listen to peaceful music. We'll discuss my book on May 3rd.

Today's been better, actually. Trevor wasn't able to come over, and will come over on Monday.

Sorry i didn't visit threads today - I just didn't have it in me.

Nothing planned for tomorrow except to continue to rest my back.

>41 karenmarie: Three Sisters means a lot to me – Irene included.
What a nice thing to say! Thank you!
I had Wordle in 2 on both Wednesday and Thursday, but paid for it with alphabet soup (Wordle in 5) on Friday.

I hate that your back is still giving you so much trouble. I hope the rest and pain meds help it get better, and chiropractor Monday too. I'm glad you cancelled book club and that the ladies agreed to talk about the book next month. That sounds like the best plan, given the situation.

Continue to rest and take care of that back!

ETA: I meant to also say, re >41 karenmarie:, would a white noise machine help to drown out TV noise? I'm sorry it goes on so late at night. (I've got headphones so my DH can go to sleep early if I'm still up.)

Morning, Karen. Happy Sunday. Some serious warm weather is moving in but this will still include more storms too. Pushing 80F today and for the next few days. Everything is getting nice and green.

Laundry and a Costco run. Not much else planned for the day. I hope the back is doing better.

>58 atozgrl: Hi Irene! You're welcome. Three Sisters always. Yay for your Wordle in 2 days. Alphabet soup is always frustrating, glad you only too, 5 to get the word. I'm thinking Richard used 'alphabet soup' first? Maybe not.

Oh, me, too, re my back. The 'report' is below. I am so glad I cancelled. Being the last book of the book club year made it easy. We've occasionally switched months - two women will work it out between themselves then present it to the group. I did not have the mental wherewithal to think about it and am glad Judy mentioned it.

When Jenna was little and we lived in the other house, I made him use headphones when she was napping or sleeping. The grousing was barely tolerable. Frankly, I can't imagine asking him to use headphones now. ☹

>59 msf59: 'Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday to you, too. I just looked at weather.gov for your town. Lots of t-storms and highs in the 70s and even one day of 81. I'd at least like the t-storms - we've got sunny skies and highs of 83, 84, 88, 92, and 92F through Thursday. Blech. Goldfinch jackpot - two males and a female. Other than that, only a sparrow or two.

Wordle 1,758 4/6* trope, fecal, abled, alley

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Pain management and reading were yesterday's goals. I mostly met them both. I decided to sleep upstairs and got 8 1/4 hours sleep. Getting into and out of bed are tricky, but once I'm up and moving, the pain's minimal.

I woke up having taken no pain meds since midnight and wasn't in pain just lying in bed. Progress!

...
Pain management and reading are today's goals again. I'm thinking about coordinating with Trevor to pick up a grocery store order for when he comes out tomorrow. Just a thought... I haven't thought out the details yet.

I also need to work on the April Lightning round and possibly write an actual book report on The Early Middle Ages, which I finished listening to when I got the massage on Friday.

I'm glad your pain is manageable, Karen!

So sorry to hear your back pain is occupying so much of your life. Pain is the pits.

I listened to The Early Middle Ages earlier this year, and I'd love to know your opinion of it. I think I would have benefited by a map in hand.

Morning, Karen. Currently 64F and cloudy. Unfortunately, the outdoor courts are still damp so it will be back indoors. Darn it! Looks like you will be enjoying a balmy week.

I hope the back pain keeps abating. 🙏

PB this AM and then a quick stop at the bank to order some Euros for our trip. 😊

>61 The_Hibernator: Hi Rachel, and thank you. It's manageable. Still not fun, but not agonizing like it has been most of the time since the book sale.

>62 ffortsa: Hello Judy. Managing my life around pain and timing of pain meds sucks. Yes, pain is the pits.

I have the 12-CD set and the Course Guidebook, courtesy of the Friends of the Library. Cost me $12. The guidebook is 116 pages and includes a biography of the professor, the course scope, details about each lecture - scope and chapter outline, suggested readings, and questions to consider. There are six maps and a timeline for the time period. Maps included:

1. Roman Empire at its Height and Diocletian's Division
2. Cities and Topography
3. Origins of the Various Tribes
4. Charlemagne's Empire at its Height
5. Arab World in 750
6. Viking Trade and Raid Routes

>63 msf59: 'Morning, Mark! Sorry that the courts are damp. Our week is way too hot for this time of year. It's already 70.2F and will get to 83F.

Thanks re my back pain, and yay for ordering Euros!

Wordle 1,759 2/6* trope, elfin. The Wordle Gods are kind today.

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I got the spreadsheets back under control, have added all the books needing Lightning Round entries into the Word document. I napped and read and watched Better Call Saul. I got about 5 hours of sleep.

...
Trevor's coming over in about 25 minutes or so to put out the hummingbird feeders, refresh other bird feeders, and bring in the bird bath heater and cord and clean and refill the bird bath.

More spreadsheet and Lightning Round work, reading, and keeping on top of pain meds.

>64 karenmarie: Morning, Horrible! I'm fresh off writing my (rather poor) review of an interesting memoir/self-help/medievalist tome, so your great course sounds really interesting indeed.

Other than that it's business as usual for me today. I've got three reviews to polish and schedule, all pushed back from Friday/the weekend because there was unpleasantness in my foot department so I had no energy left for writing.

*smooch*

Look at that Wordle!!!! 3 for me today with help..... CONGRATULATIONS to you!!!!!!

(If that early medieval Great Course ever comes in again, please grab it for me for the usual $15! Thanks!!!}

I wish you were not still dealing with pain. I hope you may get it resolved soonest. Hooray for Travis so that you aren't forced to do that reaching and bending to feed the birds.

Also sorry that Richard has had a bad weekend for feet. I'd guess that moving hasn't been that easy for them.

Meanwhile, DH works on our taxes, and I try to stay out of the way unless needed.

I'd say the word gods were VERY kind to you today. It took me 5 and I was pretty pleased to get it in that!!

Hope your back is fully recovered soon.

Morning, Karen. Raining out there again but very mild. Yesterday was beautiful. I will tend to the kids and then head out to Brees for my Jackson Day. I am hoping your back feels much better.

>65 richardderus: Hiya, RDear! I was fascinated by The Early Middle Ages. I have The High Middle Ages and The Late Middle Ages, also taught by Professor Philip Daileader. However, I’ve switched gears and started listening to World War I: The Great War by Professor Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius.

I’m sorry about the Unpleasantness in Your Foot Department. I hope you were able to get all three reviews done. *smooch*

>66 LizzieD: ‘Morning, Peggy! Yes indeedy, Wordle in 2. Today’s effort is 4, but still good. I’ll definitely look for it for you. Interestingly, it and its 2 brothers listed above do not have any Library or private Library marks on them, so don’t know where they came from. The WWI course I just started was donated by the Library at Galloway Ridge – assisted living for Very Well Off People. Yes, they have their own Library.

Trevor continues to be a Treasure. More below.

Ugh to taxes, good for your DH to take one for the team.

>67 RebaRelishesReading: Wordle is always fun, Reba. 1-6, even skunks, make for a pleasant few minutes in the morning. I don’t know whether you know that I keep a spreadsheet of the original 2,309 words. The second tab is all words used. Some are from the list, some are NOT from the list, and some have been used before. Thank you re my back.

>68 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you. Sorry about the rain, but it sounds like the kids and Jackson will make for a full day. Thanks re my back. I've got one male and one female Goldfinch, a male Cardinal, and 2 Mourning Dove.

Wordle 1,760 4/6* trope, salve, liege, cycle

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Trevor refreshed all the bird feeders, filled and placed 2 hummingbird feeders, and cleaned/filled the bird bath. I had him bring in the bird bath heater and extension cord. I read, napped, and went to see the chiropractor. I told him that his treatment last week gave me more pain. He apologized, said that based on everything I was saying and what my body was saying that the intensity of the adjustments made sense. I told him this time to just stretch. We discussed ice, my SI joints, and I was on the roller table with ice on my SI joints for 15 minutes.

However, although not as debilitating as last week, yesterday's adjustments still are causing more pain than I went in with. Not a lot, but still. On the way out of the office, for one of the first times EVER, I didn't schedule another appointment.

After the chiropractor, I stopped in at the Library for 3 reasons: to pick up The Feather Detective: Mystery, Mayhem, and the Magnificent Life of Roxie Laybourne. I also stopped in the book sort room. So many donations! I didn't have the wherewithal to go through boxes or bags, but I found two books in the Religion & Philosophy cubbie:

The Lost Bible: Forgotten Scriptures Revealed by JR Porter
Scary Nuns: Sisters at Work and at Play - can't find an author, but it's published by Harper Collins Entertainment

I rested, napped, and etc. We just started the last season of Better Call Saul. I got about 5 hours of sleep.

...
My cleaning ladies will be here about 11.

Bill reports that Zoe chased a squirrel up my Dad's Tulip Tree and onto the roof.

Reading, spreadsheets, Lightning Round, and etc.

It's on the way up to 84° today...quite a change from Long Beach! I have to go to the Social Security office tomorrow so I'm babying my ouchie foot. I've just put up a rare Tuesday review of Joe's daughter-in-law's debut book:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/383219#9176792
It was a really involving read, though I'm appalled that her ancestor participated in the burning of church records to hide from political enemies.

BURNING. RECORDS.

The horror, the horror. I'm sorry the chiropractic visit didn't go well. A new practice needs to be sought? *smooch*

I am so, so sorry about the chiropractor's leaving you worse-off again. BOO!

I think I need a nap right now - such a silly thing! I wanted to say one more thing, but it has fled my head. (It wasn't that if either or both of those other 2 medieval courses come up, I'm eager for them.)

OH! We have a pileated woodpecker pair in the neighborhood. We've seen and heard them for the past 2 days of walking. They are, of course, up and down the river. Thought you and Mark would want to know.

>69 karenmarie: Well, that result at the chiropractor doesn't sound good. Do you know where the one you used to see went? I hope your back has gotten better today.

>71 LizzieD: I'm interested too! My DH and I are fans of woodpeckers, and pileateds are uncommon enough to be very much of interest.

Morning, Karen. Hooray for picking up The Feather Detective. I really enjoyed that one. Boo to the chiropractic visit. Bummer. Glad you got the hummingbird feeders out. I may not get mine out until we get back from our trip. More storms moving through...April showers.

>71 LizzieD: Hooray for seeing the pileated woodpecker. I am not sure if I have seen one this year yet.

Wordle 1,761 5/6* trope, hedge, began, begin, begun

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I spent the morning at the ER. They sent me home and are arranging a colonoscopy to see if I have a bleed in my GI tract. In the meantime, no Eliquis.

I'm pretty wiped out, and will reply to my visitors tomorrow.

>74 karenmarie: Oh my goodness Karen, I pop by for the first time in ages and find you're crocked in the ER - I hope they figure out what's happening and can treat appropriately and quickly.

Checking in on you, Karen. I hope they get your situation resolved quickly. Spending time in the ER is no fun!

I hope you are getting the rest that you need. . .

>74 karenmarie: That doesn’t sound good. Hope you are feeling better soon.

>74 karenmarie: Eeep! Oh dear. I hope you pull together and are feeling much more the thing soon. Very soon. Lots of rest in the mean time. Time is sometimes mean.

>74 karenmarie: Oh dear! So sorry to hear that. Hope they find it and fix it quickly. Meanwhile take care.

Adding my hope to your collection, (((((Karen))))). I know you're taking care of yourself, and I hope that tonight and tomorrow are MUCH BETTER!

>74 karenmarie: Oh no Karen, I'm sorry to see this. You must be miserable. I do hope they can sort you out quickly.

>74 karenmarie: So sorry to hear this, Karen. Keep us updated. 🙏🙏

>75 Jackie_K: >76 alcottacre: >77 SandDune: >78 quondame: >79 RebaRelishesReading: >80 LizzieD: >81 lauralkeet: >82 msf59: Thank you all. You're all very dear to me.

Wordle 1,762 5/6* trope, stalk, ditch, cacti, cubit. It's not fair that on a day that I'm not 100% they pick a word not on the original list of 2,309 words.

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It hasn't been much fun, and still isn't fun. There is progress, of sorts...

I'm going to send my GP a message on UNC's mychart.

I'm going to apologize in advance for not visiting threads today, eat a bit of breakfast, then head back upstairs.

>83 karenmarie: That's a nasty one, Horrible. I'm glad there's progress. Eliquis is a troublesome savior, I hope it's purely a dosage-adjustment kind of restart. *smooch*

Among other things, we're 5 Sisters today! Here's hoping Irene did better.

As per a conversation, here's a bit of truth and fun....

Kind Of An Ode To Duty
=======================

O Duty,
Why hast thou not the visage of a sweetie or a cutie?
Why glitter thy spectacles so ominously?
Why art thou clad so abominously?
Why are thou so different from Venus
And why do thou and I have so few interests mutually
in common between us?
Why art thou fifty per cent martyr
And fifty-one per cent Tartar?

Why is it thy unfortunate wont
To try to attract people by calling on them either to
leave undone the deeds they like, or to do the deeds
they don’t?
Why art thou so like an April post-mortem
Of something that died in the ortumn?

Above all, why dost thou continue to hound me?
Why art thou always albatrossly hanging around me?
Thou so ubiquitous,
And I so iniquitous,
I seem to be the one person in the world thou art
perpetually preaching at who or to who;
Whatever looks like fun, there art thou standing
between me and it, calling “you-hoo”.

O Duty, Duty!
How noble a man should I be hadst thou the visage of
a sweetie or a cutie!
But as it is thou art so much forbiddinger than a
Wodehouse hero’s forbiddingest aunt
That in the words of the poet, When Duty whispers low
“Thou must,” this erstwhile youth replies, “I just can’t”.

~ Ogden Nash

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/383730

Oh, no, I am so sorry to hear this! I hope that you are feeling better by now and that progress continues. And that you will get a solution to whatever is going on. Do rest and take care of yourself!

>85 LizzieD: Wordle in 4 for me today, Peggy, so I did a little bit better. I am not complaining.

Morning, Karen. I hope things are going better for you today. Please keep us updated. Still enjoying a nice warm stretch here but things cool off for the weekend.

Friday *smooch*

>84 richardderus: Hiya, RD! I had a pretty slow start this morning. My GP says I can be off Eliquis for up to 10 days. *smooch*

>85 LizzieD: Yay for 3 sisters, Peggy. Irene – how’ve you been doing lately?

Kind of an Ode to Duty. Oh my, yes. love Ogden Nash but didn’t know this one. I’ve probably got it in one of 6 books of his poetry on my shelves, but just don’t have the wherewithal to try to find it. Duty from true empathy is to be lauded, duty from puritanical ‘shoulds’ is to be abhorred. Thank you for sharing!!

>86 SilverWolf28: Hi Silver and thank you!

>87 atozgrl: Hi Irene, and thank you. The three Wordle Sisters!

>88 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you. A single sparrow is visiting. Health update below.

>89 richardderus: Friday *smooch* back at'cha, RDear!

Wordle 1,763 4/6* trope, elide, levee, belle

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Yesterday had its ups and downs but I made progress on both the GI and back fronts. I am so impatient, though.

...
I decided to stop taking Tramadol even though it's good for pain. I do not want to aggravate the GI symptoms. So this morning was not as easy as yesterday morning. However, I'm downstairs and drinking coffee and eating brekkie. I'll finish up here, apologize again for not visiting threads, and go lie down in the Library.

I'm reading a real tear jerker about 2 boys in foster care who are abused. Remember My Name by Wren Wilds. Touchstone doesn't work. The abuse is discovered and they are separately placed when Ivan is 12 and Jay is 14, both vowing to find the other.

>90 karenmarie: Oh my heck, that one does sound very tear-jerker-esque. I hope it serves your emotional need, though perhaps some time with a therapist might be more effective...?

*smooch* again

Returning visits is the last thing to occupy your mind, dear (((((Karen))))). We're here to give you support not to impose a DUTY! I know. You like to visit threads. You will when you feel like it. I hope that's soon for what it will say about your general well-being! Meanwhile, they tell me that patience is a virtue............ It's not included in the 7 deadly ones, and I'd better leave now before I quote my memory of that song from *Camelot*.

Congrats on your Wordle 4. I wish I had thought of your #2.

>90 karenmarie: I'm glad to hear that you seem to be doing better today, although the pain is still an issue. Don't worry about visiting threads, just rest and take care of yourself. That's the most important thing.

How have I been doing lately? If you're asking about Wordle, it's been mostly 3's and 4's for me recently, with a couple of 5's thrown in. It was Wordle in 3 today. Otherwise, I'm doing pretty well in general, though I really do need to start walking again. The heat is discouraging though. And my second thread here on LT has been rather quiet; I'm not getting as many visitors to this one. (Don't take this as a request for you to come visit; you need to take care of yourself, rest, and get well. It's just an observation.)

Hi Karen my dear, i am so sorry to hear of your latest health travails, we are a right pair between us as i was in A&E on Tuesday night for a simple Catheter change and came out after five hours feeling as though i had been butchered. i was tender on Wednesday and so we both had a sloth day and i felt better by Thursday. I hope that they get to the bottom of things dear friend, sending special Yorkshire love and hugs my dear.

Morning, Karen. Happy Saturday. Please give us an update and let us know how you are doing. A cold front moved in last night, dropping our weekend temps to the low 50s. I am heading out with my birding buddy soon. Nothing at the feeders. They don't like the storms either.

>91 richardderus: Hiya, RDear. At the risk of sounding arrogant, I’ve seen enough therapists in my lifetime to suspect that seeing another one wouldn’t help with anything. *smooch*

>92 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. I’m not a patient person by nature, but when moving isn’t as comfortable as being horizontal, then I’ll be patient and horizontal at least through Monday. I’ll miss the FoCCL Board Meeting.

>93 atozgrl: Hi Irene! Like I wrote to Peggy, I’m not a patient person by nature, so just resting is hard. Wordle is so much fun, isn’t it? It’s my daily dose of logic, to go along with my YouTube Daily Dose of Cats.

>93 atozgrl: Hi John. I’m so, so sorry that you were 5 hours in A&E and came out feeling like you’d been butchered. Sloth days are oh, so necessary, sometimes. Sending love and hugs to you and your lovely Karen. Kitty skritches for the boy, of course.

>95 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark. Happy Saturday to you.

Yes, sir! The GI issues are gone. Possibly TMI:I’m not quite regular yet. The colonoscopy scheduler hasn’t called. I’ve been off Eliquis for 4 full days. My pain is mostly just on my left side now, L3-5, like before the book sale, like at the tail end of the 3 months after cortisone shots. 3-4 on the Richter scale mostly depending on when I've taken Tylenol and whether I'm vertical or horizontal.

Enjoy your time birding. This morning I’ve just got one Tufted Titmouse visiting.

Wordle 1,764 4/6* trope, tango, toast, toady. Another word not on the original 2,309 word list.

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Patience, thy name is Karen! I lazed, lollygagged, read, napped. I got a bee up my bonnet and figured out how to make some notes on each MM romance read immediately after reading it by sending my email a voice text from my cell phone. I should have thought of this a long time ago.

I got about 6 hours of sleep, possibly 7. I fell asleep with my glasses on the nightstand but the light on. Woke up to the gingers keeping me company. 🐱🐱

I also think I broke Bill - I decided I wanted black olive and mushroom pizza. First time I've asked for Pizza here at the house since 11/21. He obliged, because he wanted pizza, too. It was glorious. I have some left over for today.

...
And another day of reading, lollygagging, lazing, and napping. Eating pizza, too. 🤗

OH ----------- Eating Pizza!!!! You make me want a good one, as opposed to a Baron whatever from the grocery store, but it will have to wait until next month. My April worst evil was this week's CookOut cheddar burger (but they apparently scraped the last of their grilled onions off the grill onto my burger, and there weren't many of them; happens) and red hot onion rings. At least I didn't get a shake! Enjoy your last bit!!!

I'm happy to see that you're somewhat better in both departments. I'm looking for 100% for you. You slept better than I did last night. I think I took an extra-strength Tylenol rather than an extended release, and my back and knee had my right leg painful all night long. Boo. Also hiss. (More Broadway allusions - "When you're 81 going on 82...") I also expect to nap, alas, into nap time!

We hadn't had a pizza at home that wasn't from the grocery freezer for years. But I recently got one take-out from a national chain and we really enjoyed it. So...Thursday was a busy day and I ordered a ham and pineapple pizza from same chain and we REALLY enjoyed it -- glad I got a medium because we still have half in the fridge -- dinner tonight maybe :)

>96 karenmarie: *mmmm* I lurve your topping choices. I'll eat most any pizza, though.

I've erected a new thread, so's ya know.

>96 karenmarie: I am very glad to hear that you seem to be doing better today, and with a pretty good night's sleep. The pizza sounds good, although I would swap the olives for green peppers or onions. I've been thinking maybe we should get pizza here one day soon.

I did something that strained my lower back this morning. Not sure what it was, but I'm sitting here on the heating pad at the moment. My issue is muscular, and I hope for a quick recovery. Wishing you a speedy recovery also!

Pizza!! I'm about to phone Don Corleone, an Italian restaurant in Pleasant Corners, for a pizza that'll last me through the weekend. I just decided. Nobody else to have to compromise on the toppings. It's ALL mine. Heh heh heh.

>97 LizzieD: ‘Morning, Peggy! I knew it was Cook Out!!! I’m envious. I adored Cook Out when I worked in Sanford.

I enjoyed Pizza for breakfast and dinner yesterday. 😊

I’m so sorry you got less sleep than you needed Friday night. I didn’t realize Boo and hiss were anything other than something my friend Marie started saying in the late 70s. Possibly later, but I definitely heard it from and adopted it from Marie.

Yay for naps. Always yay for naps.

>98 RebaRelishesReading: Hi Reba. Real pizza is such a treat, isn’t it? We have a great local pizza house and have been happily enjoying their pizza since Jenna was little.

>99 richardderus: Hiya, RDear. One of my favorite pizzas ever was when I was on a business trip in Milan. I checked in after the hotel’s restaurant closed, so they offered to have a margherita pizza delivered to the hotel for me. *smooch*

>100 atozgrl: Hi Irene. Thank you. I think you and your husband should get pizza, too! Oh no, I’m sorry about your back. I hope you’re better soon, and thanks re my back.

>101 weird_O: Hi Bill! Yay for pizza, right? Just you does mean no compromise. Bill and don’t compromise either, because he got me a medium all for myself and he got a large meat lover’s all for himself. He was going to get a medium, but apparently Friday is large for the price of a medium. Enjoy!!

Wordle 1,765 4/6* trope, aunty, slant, stand

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...
Lots of reading. A teensy bit of lollygagging. I opened a box that Trevor had brought out a while back and discovered my early 1970s wok including lid and ring. Found 2 Tennent's dimpled beer mugs that Bill got in Scotland while in the Navy. He was very happy to see them.

...
Arsenal play Man City at 11:30. Reading, lollygagging, napping. I'm trying to get by on Tylenol, but think I'll need to take Tramadol perhaps twice a day. Sigh.

I gifted myself The Carmina Burana: Songs from Benedikteuern translated by Tariq Marshall and it arrived late last week.

>102 karenmarie: Happy soothing Sunday, sweetiedarling. I hope your lads do you proud today. It's sticky out there today, so I've got the a/c running to help it feel less oppressive. I'll be doing the usual reading a bit, writing a lot, trying to pretend felonious yam is in fact an awful nightmare not the president...y'know, the usual.

*smooch*

>102 karenmarie: Boo, hiss (but never boo or hiss to you!) I’ve no clue to its provenance, but it couldn’t have always been there, though it seems so to me.

Pizza can be so glorious and so seldom is. For decades Anna’s provided a perfectly cooked crusts with tangy sauce and well proportioned flavorful toppings - and the best garbanzo topped salad, blue cheese xtra. But alas, though the menu had been passed on from Mario’s there was no inheritor. My deli now has refrigerated, ready to heat approximations, which I still hope that I’ll find the proper time & temp for, since the flavors are good.

Oh, The Carmina Burana! I got a couple of songs into that, and it’s been sitting or falling off my end-of-bed cedar chest for over a year!

Oh, Karen! I am a long-time lover of both Carl Orff's choral settings of some of the Carmina Burana and of his Catulli Carmina too. Hasten thee to YouTube to see whether you will listen to them if you don't know them already. You'll want one with a real counter-tenor; let me see what I can find.....

Yeah....This will do: UCDavis and Deutch Gramaphone recording.

Oh! The COOL!!!! Take the Tramadol when you need it!!!! Feel better!!!! Congrats on Wordle! Hope Arsenal won!!!!!!!!!

>102 karenmarie: I was on the heating pad most of yesterday afternoon, and fortunately my back is much better today. I still feel it a little in certain positions, but otherwise I'm OK now. I just hope that your back gets better and that your need for the painkillers goes down. Do continue to take it easy.

I hope Arsenal did well today.

Morning, Karen. Sounds like you are feeling a bit better. May that continue. All good here. I went on a solo walk yesterday. Nice to be out back-to-back days, despite the returning chill. We begin a nice warm-up tomorrow. Off to play PB soon. I just spotted a white-breasted nuthatch and a robin at the feeders. I had a red-breasted on my walk yesterday. They will be heading north soon.

>103 richardderus: Hi RDear. Alas, the lads lost 1-2. They really gave it their all. Yay for your AC, reading, and either avoiding news or trying to pretend it’s not an idiot-in-chief president. *smooch*

>104 quondame: Hi Susan. Your pizza place went out of business. Did you ever know Scarpellino’s? It might have been too far south for you, but it was such good pizza! Rectangular, so good cold the next morning. My boyfriend and I and other friends would get pizza from there in the early 70s.



So many of my books have been started and abandoned.

>105 LizzieD: Thank you, Peggy! I’ve never listened to the whole thing and have saved it for later. I did listen to the first 5 minutes. Full orchestra, full choir, full boys choir. Marvelous.

Separate but related, have you ever heard Maayan Light perform? He’s a soprano born in Israel. His voice is stunning. I’D never heard a male soprano before hearing him perform.

>106 atozgrl: Hi Irene. I’m sorry for the heating pad all day, but I’m glad your back is better. Alas, my back is a work in progress.

>107 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! I am feeling better, thank you, but certainly not to where I was before the book sale. Yay for your solo walk. Yay PB, and the birdies. I’ve got sparrows and Cardinals visiting.

Wordle 1,766 3/6* trope, shale, weave

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Arsenal lost, 1-2. Sadness. Reading, lollygagging, napping. I got about 5 hours of sleep.

...
Reading, lollygagging, and possibly some Lightning Round updates. Right now, with two extra-strength tylenol, my back is about 3.5-4 on the pain scale. After here, I'm going to lie down in the Library.

>108 karenmarie: Three-to-four is deffo baby it 'til it's better territory. I hope you get to do that and that it results in Arsenal winning over Newcastle (whoever they are) this Saturday. *smooch*

>108 karenmarie: I've never encountered Scarpellino's. Yes, it was too far south, and until the 90s we had a number of good pizza sources, or at least ones whose faults we were accustomed to. But my mother had probably modeled her pizza on Mario's, so it was the fresh tomato, whole milk mozzarella with fresh veggies and pepperoni on a medium think bendy yeast bread crust that defined pizza for me, and that's what Anna's (Mario's successor - Anna was the 2nd or 3rd Mario's wife when that restaurant opened, but after the divorce it went to two Armenian brothers until they retired and the building became a bar) delivered.

'Afternoon, RDear! 3-4 is definitely manageable. Really irritating, which means that I'm not lost in a complete fog of pain.

Look at you, knowing that Arsenal play Newcastle Saturday at 12:30. Newcastle are 14th out of the field of 20 Premier League teams this season, with 5 games more to play. Arsenal are holding on by the skin of their teeth against Man City, who they lost to yesterday.

On the 29th Arsenal play Atlético Madrid in Madrid, first leg of the semifinals. *smooch*

Well, (((((Karen))))), I'm sorry about Arsenal but glad that your pain level is down. My knee was at the same place today after a pretty good night. Normally, it eases when I am not horizontal. Today though, I gave up and took a couple of Advil, that kept it 3-4. I'll take another couple tonight. Brownie used to tell me to take Advil 3x3x3 to knock out the back pain, but that was some time ago. I'm not sure what he'd say now, so I'm not asking.

I just listened to Maayan Licht (according to YouTube). What a surprise! He is a true soprano and not a countertenor although the range is the same. I'm glad that you like Orff.

>110 quondame: Susan, your family pizza sounds a lot like the ones my DH and I made in the early years of our marriage. I'm too lazy to do it these days. Hmmmmmmmm.

Morning, Karen. Hooray for reading and lollygagging! I will tend to the kids this AM and then head out to hang with Jack, until he goes to school. I had a couple of cowbirds and a couple of red-wings at the feeders, along with a white-breasted nuthatch, which have not been showing up much lately. Woodpeckers are hard to come by too- the sparrows gobble up the suet first. Little buggers.

>110 quondame: Hi Susan. You’ve mentioned your mother’s cooking and baking over the years and it all sounds so yummy. That pizza makes my mouth water. My experience growing up was Mom’s Midwest cooking, good or bad as you will, but the only things she ever baked from scratch were cookies and, when I was 11, a German Chocolate Cake. There were box mixes then, but not German Chocolate Cake. It’s one of the few times I remember buttermilk being in the house. I’m not baking so much these days, but when Jenna was little, I made scratch buttermilk pancakes and waffles and buttermilk biscuits. And, of course, even these days, I make scratch German Chocolate cake, which uses buttermilk.

>112 LizzieD: Hi Peggy, and thank you.

I am so envious of anybody who can take NSAIDs. I bet that Brownie’s been monitoring your bloodwork religiously over the years, and if he saw anomalies, he would follow up with you. At that point ibuprophen use might come up. I wouldn’t rock the boat, either. Bloodwork will tell.

I’ve been told not to take NSAIDs ever since my heart attack because of the potential for internal bleeding. Taking Meloxicam after my surgeries was cardiologist sanctioned, but aspirin and ibuprophen have been strictly off limits. I was in so much pain on the 10th, that when Bill suggested an Aleve late in the day, I took one. And then took them for 3 days, 2x a day until things went south and I ended up in the ER on the 15th. I’m now going to be scheduled for an EGD endoscopy, joy, with the phone consult and scheduling on the 30th, although, if I was still having a GI tract bleed, they’d schedule it sooner. *shrug* I think it was a one-off because I took NSAIDs.

I’m so happy that you’ve listened to Maayan Licht. I just sent Jenna two links – one a performance and one a rehearsal short. In one interview he was asked about how he became a sopranista (his word, the interviewer said sopranito), he joked that because he was from Israel and Jewish, when they circumcised him, they accidentally took off his testicles. Not true. He is so flirtatious AND serious about his music.

Pizza made with your DH might be fun…

>113 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Happy Tuesday. Kids, Jack, nice day. Good bird report. For some reason the sparrows here like the wild bird seed and black oil sunflower seed and mostly leave the two suet feeders alone. This morning’s bird report is a Downy, a Craolina Chickadee, and two Mourning Dove – one scratching on the ground, and one placidly resting in the empty bird bath.

Wordle 1,767 3/6* trope, pansy, clump

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Read, updated my Books Read message on my thread and on my 2026 Books Read spreadsheet. Sitting in the
Sunroom is not as much fun right now as being horizontal, so I spent quite a bit of yesterday horizontal on the sofa in the Library. Zoe took over too much of the sofa, of course and was cranky when I had to move her occasionally.

...
Another day in Restville. No plans on doing anything except to NOT do anything. Reading, possibly working on the April Lightning Round. I did bring down the 2 dimpled-glass Tennent's half pint mugs that were given to Bill at some bar or another for being a frequent visitor while in Scotland during his Navy years, 1976-1982. I found them in The Wok Box two weeks ago. This morning I wrapped them up safely, brought them downstairs and washed them, gave them to him to admire and reminisce over, then put them into the small glass hutch that he goes by every day at least 6-8 times. He was happy.

So weird. Food isn't appealing right now at all. I usually live to eat, so I am simply eating to live. Grrrr. I want to get back to living to eat.

I want you to go back to living to eat too, Karen, so that you can read and putter and book sort and cook and do whatever pleases you. I'm having a day in Restville too. The Ibuprofen is giving some relief this morning, but last night was restless because I wake up to 5 or 6 level pain, which I did even though I took the 2 Advils at the right time. Doggone backs anyway!

I baked a chicken breast last night, and today I'll cook a bit of brown rice and concoct some sort of creamed chicken stuff to go on it. What an adventure!

Rest well, Karen, and heal.

Hi Peggy!

Eating to live is so bizarre. I just made scrambled eggs in a flour tortilla because the last time I ate was 7 p.m. last night. I wasn't hungry, just knew I needed to eat to avoid oh, you know, passing out... 🙄

Chicken and brown rice sounds yummy. I've got both here at the house, and could make a white sauce. I've even got a jar of chicken gravy, leftover from Bill's birthday dinner request on 2-20. It's something Bill would eat, too, but even just making brunch just now alerted my back that I need to get horizontal very soon. I don't dare take the chicken out of the freezer in case I can't get to it before it goes bad. Even defrosting in the refrigerator has been problematic lately.

Thank you, dearest friend.

Afternoon, Horrible, from the bright and sunny Bronx. Rain moves in before too terribly long, but whatevs...I'll take my joy where I find it. Some mild annoyances continue to tarnish my mood but I strive to overcome them. *smooch*

>114 karenmarie: Buttermilk was a staple in our fridge - at least until my teens because my mother drank it. Also cooked with it, but that was secondary. I wish I could buy the powder because it's hard to find and only sold in quarts as far as I've found, but I like the flavor it adds.

I'm so sorry about your appetite issue. It will improve, but these are the fun parts at all.

>114 karenmarie: can I ask, does 'scratch' before various recipe names mean 'made from scratch'?
I am intrigued by baking that isn't from scratch...I've always thought that that is what baking is. Or did you mean you made the buttermilk?

Buttermilk is like a secret magic ingredient to me; it makes all baking better :)

Morning, Karen. Looks like a glorious day ahead. I will be leading a walk today. It looks like there will be about 12 of us. Hope we can score some interesting birds. I have a reputation to uphold, after all. I hope you get some improvement today.

Checking in on you and hoping that your GI issues are resolved soon!

>117 richardderus: Hiya, RDear, from central NC! I’m sorry about the mild annoyances. Minor is better than major! *smooch*

>118 quondame: Ah, Bill’s mama drank buttermilk, too. She just called it milk, and what we call milk she called sweet milk. I bought buttermilk powder in the early days of the pandemic, 2 lbs. It’s still available on Amazon, only costs $14.99. It keeps well in the freezer.

Thanks re my appetite. Once again, nothing sounds good. I think I’ll have a PB&J sandwich in about half an hour. Whole grain bread, peanuts & salt peanut butter, Simply Fruit seeded raspberry jam.

>119 LovingLit: Hi Megan! Yes, made from scratch. Baked from scratch to me means not using a boxed mix. Things I make from scratch are lasagna and pastitso, baked chicken with vegetables, and marinated chicken thighs. Oh, and at Thanksgiving, I make sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, and 4 kinds of pie. And etc.

I’ve never made buttermilk.

>120 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Yay for a glorious day in Chicagoland. It’s pretty glorious out here, too, 60.3F right now. Folks are lucky that you’re leading bird walks. Thanks re my back.

>121 alcottacre: Hi Stasia. Thanks re the GI stuff. I honestly think it’s because I used Aleve. I had never had any GI issues when I used Ibuprophen.

Wordle 1,768 2/6* trope, snore

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I finally got my 2026 books read spreadsheet updated and my smut spreadsheet updated. I need to continue working on my Lightning Round.

...
Another day in Restville. Reading, napping, lollygagging. I just ordered cards and some candy for Bill for our 35th anniversary, which is next Monday.

I also sent Jenna an email with photos of our dear Kitty William. He showed up during the terrible ice storm of December 2002 with a cloth collar, hungry and scared. We tried to find his human parents but were unsuccessful, so he became ours. the vet said he was 2 or 3 at that time, so when he died in 2019, he was 19 or 20. He was Jenna's boy.

OOh, Kitty William and Jenna! Kitty William being safe!!! Thanks for giving us a look too. Our Tully and Hilfy Bit are about to turn 17, and they are very old cats - especially Tully. He used to be Tully Tubby to my DH, but now he's skin and bones. He's still a happy boy most of the time. HBK is in a good place right now. Unfortunately, they aren't as clean as they used to be, but I guess I'm not either.

Everybody drank buttermilk in our family but me. I think I might like it now, but I can't drink sweet milk now either, so I won't try. You NEED buttermilk to make decent biscuits. I did like my concoction and have some leftovers. I was very conservative, but I used some of my chicken & butter drippings, a little chicken stock, not enough mushrooms, a mixture of ½and½ cooked down with the chicken and not enough lemon at the end to make a tasty dish on the brown rice. Today I may add more lemon and maybe a bit of rosemary. Anyway, I'm sorry that food isn't appealing. Your palate is bound to come back to you.
I've settled on Advil 2x3x3 for my back/knee/leg, and it feels pretty decent right now on day 2.

Take care of yourself!

Nice kitty photos. I'm glad he found a good home after his storm experience.

Kitty William lucked out, he did.

I'm freshly returned from the supermarket by the subway station with my laundry detergent. I sprang for the dye- and perfume-free stuff. *ouch*

I'll bring you any interesting tidbits about s2 I get caught by. *smooch*

>122 karenmarie: I'm sorry about your GI issues, Karen, as well as no appetite and your back. I hope all will improve quickly. My DH can't take NSAIDs any more either, so I feel your pain. Hurray for Zoe keeping you company!

Thanks for sharing your pictures of Jenna and Kitty William. Very sweet!

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. We had a good time on the walk yesterday. Two young mothers and their boys joined us too, which was really special. The kids were armed with binoculars, cameras and field guides. Adorable. I wish it could have been birdier but we managed to see 25 species.

I am tending to the kids and then I have an oil change appt for my truck which interrupts my PB plans but I want to get it taking care of before our trip.

This is the most Ilya-in-The Long Game thing I've read in ages:

“There is no virtue in advertising one’s sadness. But there is no wisdom in denying it either. And there is the beautiful possibility that great love can grow out of sadness if it is well-tended.”
― Allen Levi, Theo of Golden

>122 karenmarie: Love the pictures! Especially the one of William poking out of the cabinet, lol.

Glad to hear that you are having another day in Restville!

Hello karenmarie - followed instructions and clicked on "Star This Topic" -

no result until someone wrote to you!

>123 LizzieD: Rescuing kitties is so satisfying isn’t it? I know you took your cousin’s kitty in after she passed, making 7, a clowder if ever there was one!

That’s a riot about mentioning kitty cleanliness. Our kitties are 8 and 7 so don’t (yet) have any cleanliness problems.

You mentioned personal cleanliness: when I worked, I took a shower a day except on the weekends. Weekends were a chance for my body to rebel/reset. After I retired, I admit to taking longer and longer between showers. Saves water, right?

I never drank buttermilk, but still adore sweet milk, although I know I’m an oddball because I like non-fat milk. In fact, can’t stand even 1.5% milk, much less whole milk. I rarely have a glass anymore, however, usually having it with cereal.

I got my buttermilk biscuit recipe from dear friend Michelle, a coworker at Marelli. Hers were cheese biscuits, but the first time I made them without cheese, I realize I’d found my buttermilk biscuits recipe. I just added the recipe for homemade self-rising flour to the recipe, and have decided that I can make a batch. They’ll be ~250 mg sodium per biscuit. Not horrible. We'll see if they rise enough.

Your concoction sounds more than reasonable. All the yummy ingredients for sure.

Last night’s Healthy Express Asian Salad worked well enough, and a small bag of Skinny Pop with my evening meds. I haven’t eaten yet this morning.

Being able to take Advil is a blessing.

>124 RebaRelishesReading: Hi Reba, and thank you.

My North Carolina kitties:,

1. Imsai – a friend brought her down from San Francisco to SoCal with the rest of the littler to find good homes for. She came to NC when I moved here in 1991.
2. Merlin and Magic – a friend’s cat had kittens when Jenna was about 2, so we took two of them for her when she asked why Imsai didn’t love her. Imsai was a one-person kitty.
3. Coco Chanel – from a pet store in the town I worked in.
4. Kitty William – found us.
5. Inara Starbuck, the county shelter.
6. Zoe Rose and Washburne Ryder, the same county shelter.

>125 richardderus: ‘Morning, Rdear. Bill’s always said that if got reincarnated he’d want to come back as a Hengeveld Kitty because we spoil them rotten. I’m glad your laundry detergent adventure was successful, if expensive. I use Amway’s SA-8 powder, which says it has fragrance and ‘colorant’, but once I wash clothes and dry them without dryer sheets, I can’t smell anything on the laundry. I do not like the way my laundry feels if dryer sheets are used.

Thanks re S2! *smooch*

>126 atozgrl: Hello Irene, and thank you. The GI tract issues seem to have gone away, thank goodness. I’m almost 100% sure they were caused by my stupid use of Aleve for 3.5 days. I’m not supposed to use NSAIDs. Lesson learned.

Thanks re Kitty William. And, Zoe was all over me this morning before I got out of bed. She bumped my Kindle, jumped on my stomach, perched on my hip, and did a lot of trilling. And, then once she came downstairs, she ate the food Bill had put out and promptly threw it up. The rule in our house is that whoever finds the kitty offerings, whether bodily or critter, has to clean them up. Grrrr. And now she's meowing plaintively and nipping my calves. Needy girl.

>127 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and sweet Thursday to you, too. Yay for the walk, and I’m so glad you found 25 species. I consider it impressive, even if you don’t. I love the image of two kidlets with their binoculars, cameras, and field guides.

Sorry about you having to sacrifice PB today. I have no birds at the feeders right now.

>128 richardderus: Ah yes, Ilya's love for Shane. My two favorite scenes in Heated Rivalry, hands down, are Ilya confessing his love for Shane in Russian in the tunnel in Moscow and the scene where Shane has the idea of the hockey school/summer camp for kids, donating the money to mental health organizations, especially suicide prevention. Ilya looks down at him and says "She would have loved you. Like I love you." I finished watching the series for the 8th time last night. I'm a tad leery about S2, frankly, and even more leery of book 8 in the series. I understand the impetus for both, but I read lots of MM romance series, and have to pick and choose AND usually abandon them.

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I worked on the spreadsheets again, updated my book and pages counts in message 1. Read, dozed, lollygagged. Bill and I watched 3 more episodes of Better Call Saul.

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Reading, laundry, lollygagging. I really need to fold about 3 loads worth. I might make baked b/s chicken thighs w potatoes/carrots. We'll watch the last 3 of the series tonight. He's probably going to want to re-watch Breaking Bad. I don't think I want to watch it, but we'll see.

>131 karenmarie: I only add one other scene to those two as a peak moment: the stairwell kiss. Your second selection never ceases to make me grin because it's so clearly a giant middle finger to Sveta as a possible green-card wife. "Oh HELL no" is written all over it!

I have watched Tierney's other shows so I'm less leery than I am quietly hopeful he and his team will not stumble under the pressure of massive, unexpected success. Look at the boys' manner of dealing with it! They're case studies in good people doing right when they coulda turned selfish and awful. Hudson's positively amazing as he pushes the short films he's done in their creators' credit not his.

I can't have powdered detergents, I'm told, so I have to choose whose corporate water bill I'll subsidize despite my irritation with the wastefulness of it. I dislike and do not use any "fabric softeners" because they make my stuff feel weird; I probably don't notice it if it's used on stuff I'm not familiar with already. I'm grateful they do my laundry for me, so I just file the annoyance under "prices I'm willing to pay."

*smooch*

Good afternoon, Karen, and congrats on your Wordle in 3! 4 for me today.

Nothing going on here except cat feeding and a shortened walk. This is my last day of Advil, and I'm hopeful that the pain and inflammation will be gone too when the ibuprofen leaves my system.

Calamity for my extended family in Winston-Salem. My grandmother was a Leinbach. Apparently, all the Leinbachs, Limbachs, and other variants in the US can be traced to one family that emigrated to Philadelphia and settled in Oley. (Oley is but 20 miles from me.) More than a few Leinbachs shuffled away from Oley and up the Shenandoah Valley and beyond, to Winston-Salem. A fellow in South Carolina has a list of Leinbach descendants and organizes a family reunion. The 2026 reunion is supposed to be in Leinbach Park in Winston-Salem. I just read that that very park was the scene of a multiple shooting (two dead, three or more wounded). That's a bummer.

>131 karenmarie: I am very glad to hear that the GI issues have gone away. It's a shame you can't use NSAIDs.

You sound like me with the showering. I too showered daily when I was working, but I'm doing it less often now that I've retired. Especially in the winter, if I don't have exercise class, I usually don't feel the need to shower every day. I will shower if I'm going out, but it's less often than I used to.

Your changed shower schedules reassured me greatly. I too used to shower every day when I worked. Lately, definitely not. But Jim says I don't smell bad, and who am I to argue?

While working, showers are necessary to wash it all off! There is so much less it since I retired!

Chiming in on the shower question! I used to think my hair needed washing every day and perhaps it did, but not anymore. So I shower every other day to wash my hair, and that seems enough unless I do something really sweaty.

Whaddya know, Horrible, Hudson Williams is a Joan Didion fanboy and writing a novel:
https://www.cbc.ca/books/heated-rivalry-hudson-williams-writing-a-novel-9.707229...

Oh. I still shower every day. I wash my hair twice a week. That's it. I like to go to bed clean!

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/383891

Morning, Karen. Happy Friday. I am heading to the chiropractor soon. My last adjustment before the trip. I have been dutifully doing stretches on my foam roller for nearly 2 months now and this has really helped with my shoulders, neck and back. If the rain holds out, I will play PB outdoors after that.

Friday orisons, sweetiedarling. It's a gorgeous, sunny spring day. My toothache's a little better despite the promised anti-imflammatory never arriving. I'll take improvements no matter how they arrive!

*smooch*

>132 richardderus: ‘Morning, RDear! Ah yes, the stairwell scene. When he’s talking with Rose during the famous "I kinda prefer being the hole rather than the peg" scene, thinking about how it feels being with Ilya, he remembers the first shower scene, the stairwell kiss, and him launching himself at Ilya at a hotel rendezvous.

Well. Liquid detergents vs OS and institutional kosher food. A necessary sacrifice indeed. Sometimes Bill washes dish towels. He uses dryer sheets and I can always tell the difference and don’t like it. *smooch*

>133 LizzieD: Cat feeding and a shortened walk are not bad things at all, dearest. Fingers crossed for no more pain/inflammation.

>134 weird_O: Hiya, Bill. I truly am not following the news these days except sporadically, and completely missed the Winston-Salem shooting. So tragic. So stupid.

>135 atozgrl: Thanks re the GI issues, Irene. The secret comes out, doesn’t it? Daily bathing is a fairly recent thing historically:

Evolution of Daily Showering
Early Practices
• Ancient Civilizations: Bathing practices have existed for thousands of years, with cultures like the ancient Indians, Greeks, and Romans incorporating regular bathing into their routines. However, these were often communal and not daily personal showers.
• Medieval Period: During the Middle Ages, public bathhouses were common, but the frequency of personal bathing varied. Many people did not have access to private bathing facilities.
Shift to Daily Showering
• Early 20th Century: The practice of daily showering became more common with the introduction of indoor plumbing. This innovation made it easier for people to bathe regularly in the comfort of their homes.
• Advertising Influence: The promotion of personal hygiene through advertising in the early 1900s encouraged the idea of daily bathing. Campaigns highlighted the benefits of cleanliness, leading to a cultural shift towards more frequent bathing.
Current Trends
• Modern Habits: Today, daily showering is a standard practice in many households, particularly in Western cultures, where convenience and hygiene are prioritized.
Overall, while bathing has been a part of human culture for millennia, the transition to daily showering is a relatively recent development, primarily influenced by advancements in plumbing and hygiene awareness.
Search Assist on duckduckgo

My husband’s mother, one of my two mothers-in-law, had a phrase for cleaning up but not taking a shower or bath: PTA. pits, tits, assGood for you for cutting back!

>136 ffortsa: Hi Judy. Well, as long as Jim says you don’t smell bad, you’re good to go, right?

>136 ffortsa: You’re absolutely correct, Susan!

>137 quondame: H Laura. I’ve become a user of dry shampoo. As long as my hair doesn’t hang down greasily, a la Severus Snape, I’m okay. Nobody really notices anyway…

>139 richardderus: Great article, RD! Google doc boy, reader. In addition to being the staggeringly gorgeous Shane Hollander, the boy's got brains.

>140 LizzieD: Our clean SE NC friend! Even when I showered every day, it was in the morning so I’d be fresh for work. I guess I didn’t need to be fresh for bed. 😆

>141 SilverWolf28: Hi Silver, and thank you.

>142 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Happy Friday. Yay for a chiropractor visit. I really need to get back to stretches, but constant acute pain really takes away the motivation. I think I’m coming out of it, though. I have 3 sparrows. There’s quite a bit of natural food right now, so it’s not surprising.

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I was SOOOOO productive. Not. I did finally get through to my local pharmacy. I called the local number and got rerouted to a customer service center. I specifically asked if I was talking with a pharmacist at my local pharmacy and he said I was. I went through the whole rigamarole about the partial refill. He got quiet, then said he was transferring me to my local pharmacy. I just wish he hadn't lied to me.

I read, napped, found new MM romances to read, started the grocery store list online, and etc. Bill and I watched 2 episodes of Better Call Saul, and will watch the last one of the series tonight.

Got about 5.5 hours of sleep.

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I finished the grocery store list this a.m. and scheduled pickup for today between 2-3 p.m. and have Trevor picking it up.

Reading, possibly folding laundry, and etc.

>144 karenmarie: Isn't it interesting how actors surprise us in how they do—and don't—resemble their characters? Hearing Hudson Williams speak in interviews demonstrated the depth of his character performance to me. Shane and Ilya both sound different from their actors in really significant ways.

Friday orisons, Horrible.

"There’s quite a bit of natural food right now, so it’s not surprising." Good point. It may help to explain the lack of activity. Hummingbirds have been spotted in our area (Yah!) but once again I won't put up my feeder until I get back from our trip.

Morning, Karen. Happy Saturday. We are visiting our camping friends at a state park for the day. This would have been our first camping trip of the year but with our trip coming up decided not to join them. This will have to wait until the first week in June.

>145 richardderus: Hi RDear. The thing I find interesting about Williams is that in interviews and cute stuff with Connor, he is seriously vulgar. Storrey is a puppy dog in real life even as he tells Shane he wants to fuck him and rails him as often as he can as Ilya. *smooch*

>146 msf59: 'Morning, Mark! Happy Saturday to you. I've got a lone male Cardinal visiting.

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Read, puttered, deascessioned 3 books. Added The Lost Bible by JR Porter. Trevor picked up the groceries, put stuff in the outside freezer, put all the drinks on the workbench in the garage, brought in the fresh and canned stuff. He filled the bird feeders and the bird bath. He also took out about 6 months worth of recyclable glass and some trash, both taken to the dump.

Bill and I finished Better Call Saul. It was phenomenally anticlimactic and confusing to us because we'd forgotten so much of Saul/Jimmy from Breaking Bad. Oh well. I slept for 6 hours.

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Arsenal play Newcastle at 12:30. I want to work on the Lightning Round and shred some documents in addition to being horizontal, reading, and napping.

**Arsenal beat Newcastle 1-0. 'Twere a nail biter. **

Morning, Karen. Happy Sunday. Hooray for 6 hours of sleep. I hope you got the same last night. We did not visit our camping friends yesterday. We decided to take Juno to one of local preserves. Not much happening here today. Some chores, a Costco run- for bird seed and dog food. Too early to start packing...

Enjoy your day.

BTW- I loved Better Call Saul. It wasn't quite as strong as Breaking Bad but it came very close.

>148 msf59: 'Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday to you. I got about the same last night, so I'm not complaining. Change of plans sounds like a pleasant outing for the three of you.

I used to love going to Costco. Covid stopped that. 30 miles away, deathly afraid of Covid, so that even when they opened back up, I sourced all the critical stuff elsewhere, mostly from Amazon. The closest Costco is 30 miles away, so when I felt comfortable going back I had no real need to.

I just had what I think was a female Rose-Breasted Grosbeak on the tray feeder. Otherwise, a Carolina Chickadee, Cardinals and sparrows.

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As I mentioned above, Arsenal beat Newcastle. They're at the top of the table. Winning the title depends on who blinks first - Man City or Arsenal - it's that close.

I made boneless/skinless chicken thighs and Yukon potatoes. They were yummy. It's a new recipe, and I'm only going to do a few things differently. *smile*

We tried the first episode of a series it turns out we've watched. I didn't really like it the first time, so voted NO. We watched The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. Bill really liked it. He picked it based on the fact that he knows how much I love Benedict Cumberbatch. However, I do not like things that I can't make sense of. That's why most fantasy and science fiction doesn't work for me. I dozed a bit, I admit.

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Today would have been Bill's dad and stepmom's 51st wedding anniversary.

Not much going on around here. I want to do all the puttering things, read, be horizontal most of the day. We'll have leftovers for dinner, try to figure out what to watch this evening. Bill spends a lot of time searching our streaming services for options that he thinks I'll like, most of which I veto. However, I might be willing to watch The Seven Dials. It's not Hercule Poirot, it's not Miss Marple, it's not Tuppence and Tommy. I won't watch any version of the first two because I already had my idea of what they looked like and who they were from the books and the last one because I really don't like Tuppence and Tommy. Superintendent Battle, however, works.

A teensy bit of prep for tomorrow - it will be our 35th Wedding Anniversary. Traditional gift coral, modern gift jade. I did get him a card with coral on the front...

I'm happy to see that you assign yourself puttering rather than lollygagging. That's progress!!! I'm about to take 45 minutes or so to read or nap. I wish you and Bill a very happy 35th Anniversary!!!! Your marriage is now a full-blown adult!

3 Sisters! YAY!!! Continue to take care of yourself!!!!!!!!

Morning, Karen. Hooray for seeing the rose-breasted grosbeak. I have not seen one yet this year. Matt came over yesterday and we hung out, out front over a couple of beers. He doesn't stay long but I always enjoy his visits. Sue went out to hang with Jackson, since she won't see him before we leave. A bit cooler today with rain moving in later. I will play PB indoors. Enjoy your Monday.

>149 karenmarie: I hope Martin Freeman does a good job of substituting for Cumberbatch in Seven Dials, Horrible dear. It's not like her main series too terribly much.

It surprises me you don't like Tommy & Tuppence. Is there something that offends you or is it more down to the stories that feature them not being to your taste?

Putter well, now that you are past the lollygagging stage. *smooch*

>150 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. Thanks re our anniversary. I hope you enjoyed your reading/napping yesterday. And Three Sisters are the best.

>151 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! It might be rather late in the migration season, but it was definitely a female Rose-Breasted Grosbeak. I’m glad Matt came over for a visit. Enjoy PB today.

So far today I’ve seen male Cardinals, a White-Breasted Nuthatch, a male House Finch.

>152 richardderus: ‘Morning, RD! I’m not sure Freeman is the right person for Superintendent Battle – I envision Battle as a much larger more … square and burly. However the interplay between him and Mia McKenna-Bruce, the actress who plays Bundle Brent, is very well done.

Tommy & Tuppence were in 4 novels and one book of short stories. I’ve read all 4 novels, but have never read the book of short stories. There was never anything there that made me want to re-read the books, and short stories are never my go to format. *shrug* and *smooch*

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I wrote cards I got for Bill. I started thinking about the timing for tonight's dinner. I made a significant dent in my April Lightning Round. I was horizontal for quite a bit of the day reading and napping, too. We watched the first two episodes of The Seven Dials Mystery. Helena Bonham Carter is absolutely perfect as Lady Caterham - appearing scatty and in her own world. She loves Bundle deeply, mourns her husband and son deeply. Last episode is tonight. I just wasn't for it last night.

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Today is our 35th wedding anniversary. Cards and candy were given, reminisces about our wedding day and 35 years, too.


Dad, Mom, me, Bill

I'll make dinner and bake a Marie Callender Razzleberry Pie.

>153 karenmarie: Many more happy returns, HorriBill!

Enjoy your Razzleberry yum-yum, dear lady. It's well earned. *smooch*

Happy Anniversary, Karen and Bill! The Razzleberry Pie sounds great.

I gave up going to Costco during COVID too, and let my membership lapse. I just couldn't face the crowds there. And I haven't reinstated since.

>153 karenmarie: Late in the migration season? We've had rose-breasted grosbeaks in our feeders several years in the spring, but it was always in May, so I don't think of this as late for them. I haven't seen any so far this year, but I've also been more lax than usual keeping the feeders filled. I put out fresh seed this afternoon.

>153 karenmarie: Congratulations on your anniversary! The gown is lovely - by which I mean that it rather resembled mine in the bodice line and neckline treatment - although my costumer and I decided to entirely forgo sleeves and there seem to be small cap sleeves under your bertha. The slightly over intense wedding day smile reminds me of the feeling of smiling so hard and frantically I got cheek cramps.

>152 richardderus: I like Agatha Christie in general but I think Tommy and Tuppence are just silly. I've tried them a couple of times (film versions) but will pass in future

NOW! Happy Anniversary again!!!! I love that you post that wedding picture - 4 happy people! Enjoy the supper and Christie!!!!!

I will be watching more *Gosford Park*. I'm enjoying it, but I'll have to watch it at least another couple of times before I begin to pick up dialogue beyond the general idea. What a HUGE cast!

>157 RebaRelishesReading: I have only seen a couple of versions. I can't really call them memorable, as I can call up no details of story, reason I watched, or who played the roles. So there's that....

Morning, Karen. Happy Anniversary. Love the wedding photo. After work, I will scoop up Juno and take her out to Brees. They will watch her until we get back. I will then take Jack to school. I played PB yesterday and will play again tomorrow. Last time, before the trip. Started laying out all the clothes I will be bringing. We will be gone for more than 2 weeks.

>154 richardderus: Oooh, a ship name!!! I love it. Thanks, RD, and *smooch*

>155 atozgrl: Hi Irene, and thank you. I am eating breakfast pie with my coffee as I type this. It’s good the second day, too.

Great minds re Costco.

I got the migration thing wrong – I just found 2 pics of a male on my feeders May 2nd and 3rd, year not specified. Thanks for the info. I’m not doing well enough back-wise to put seed out, but Trevor filled my feeders last Friday.

>156 quondame: Hi Susan, and thank you. I’ve always thought of the collar on my wedding gown as a portrait neckline, but that’s wrong – I just did an in-depth analysis of necklines and mine is off-the-shoulder, aka bertha. Live and learn, right? Yes, there were/are small cap sleeves. My gown was preserved and sealed, and it’s upstairs in the guest bedroom closet. I bought it in the Valley. It was hideously expensive and full length, when I had originally wanted a wispy midi. As soon as I tried it on, though, I knew it was the one.

I don’t remember forcing a smile at all, but it’s been 35 years, so there’s that. Here’s a picture from 2 years and 4 months later, though, with Jenna, pretty much the same smile, completely joyous.



>157 RebaRelishesReading: Hi Reba. I honestly don’t even remember when I read them, but reading them only once in perhaps 50+ years has to mean something, right?

>158 LizzieD: Hello Peggy. I’m glad you like that photo. Supper and Christie report below. Oooh. Gosford Park. I’ve never even heard of it, but it’s on Prime Video for $3.99+tax. Bill’s looking at the trailer right now. Even if he doesn’t want to watch it, I will…

>159 richardderus: T&T are not memorable to me either, RDear, although I’ve only read the books.

>160 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you, too. Thank you. Juno at Bree’s, so your trip is getting close. How exciting. White-Breasted Nuthatch, Cardinals, and Sparrows. When Bill and I were eating dinner in the Dining Room, something we rarely do any more, I was sitting such that I could see out the two windows that showed bird activity. There was quite a bit of it.

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Bill watched soccer, and I planned the timing for dinner. We had London Broil and arborio rice. Right now I can't be arsed to make vegetables when they'll just be for me.

At our wedding reception, everybody knew that Bill hated broccoli with a passion. A mischievous friend, Marv, made Bill wear a broccoli boutonnierre go to with the broccoli boutonnieres he handed out to several friends. Bill's Mama put a piece behind her ear.

We finished watching The Seven Dials Mystery. I just read a plot summary of the book, and the movie was vastly entertaining, but vastly different from the book, as is frequently the case.

Reading and doomscrolling. I did quite a bit yesterday, and ended up taking a Tramadol around 11:30.

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I anticipate meeting up with book sort team members for a meal at Virlie's. Rhoda will call me when they are on their way. Depending on how I feel, I might get a Covid booster. I'll definitely pick up a prescription and get cash for my cleaning ladies, who won't be here 'til one today. Later is better.

>161 karenmarie: Later is indeed better when one only has so many spoons to use to get through a whole day. I get a lot of "breakthrough" pain on patch-change day and today was no exception.

Another Picture To Love, (((((Karen)))) with ((((Jenna))))!!!! Thanks for adding it. I think that it should go up annually on her birthday.

Enjoy your day. Enjoy Gosford Park. I'm glad I found that Charles Dance is in it, which pushed me to buy a good used DVD. (When I've watched it twice, I will have paid for watching it twice on Prime. After that, it's free, and I'll need the next time, as I say, to pick up more dialogue.)
I always sort of liked Tuppence and Tommy - not enough to jump to their defense until now, but I will reread them, given time, eyes, and mind.
Speaking of my DVD favorites, I have a copy of Murphy's Romance coming in tomorrow, and then I think I'm through buying for awhile.

Congrats for Wordle in 4!

>161 karenmarie: Oh by no means a forced smile, no, no, just in my case for sure - a face that was stressed a bit by being moved to smile for hours on end.

I did post a way too long "my wedding"discourse but have moved that to my own thread.

I was so envious of Mike that Becky would sleep on him like that. She didn't enjoy me as a mattress. You both look lovely!

Happy anniversary!! Lovely photos (and indeed a beautiful dress!). Hope you have a lovely day :)

Happy anniversary!! Lovely photos (and indeed a beautiful dress!). Hope you have a lovely day :)

What beautiful photos! I melted at baby Jenna, I used to love it when A fell asleep on me - it's nice to know they feel safe to do that. Hope you're keeping well.

>153 karenmarie: >161 karenmarie: Stopping by to say hello before you start a new thread! The pictures are lovely. Happy anniversary! Bob and I will celebrate 34 bliss filled years in July.

Morning, Karen. Hooray for adorable baby Jenna. I enjoyed my short time with adorable Jackson yesterday, which is pretty shocking, right? Off to play indoor PB soon. Another damp, cool start to the day. This will be my last time playing for awhile. I will miss it.

I had a white-throated sparrow under the feeders yesterday. It did not stick around long. First time I have seen one back there in a couple of years.

>162 richardderus: ‘Morning, RDear! Breakthrough pain sucks. I’m so sorry for that for you. *smooch*

>163 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! I’m glad you like the pic. I might put it up, or I might put this one up:



Bill’s Mama was visiting in 1998 and the three of us were upstairs having a grand old time. They decided that I needed accessories. The headband is a silk tie, the ‘necklace’ is a soft animal consisting of two snakes, one with a wedding veil, and one with a top hat – The Wedding Snakes. I don’t remember what the gold pin is, but it was definitely Bill’s Mama’s.

Bill has discovered that Gosford Park will become free on Prime Video in 2 days, so we’ll wait and save $2.99 + tax. I mostly know Charles Dance from Game of Thrones. In the meantime, Bill discovered that we haven’t seen the most recent season of Hope Street, so we watched an episode of that last night.

DVD splurge! I’m happy you’re getting good library. Thanks re my Wordle in 4.

>164 quondame: Thanks for “my wedding”. I love the photo of you and your husband. Thanks re Jenna using me as a mattress. She was always, and will always, be a mommy’s girl. When she was very little, though, she would sleep on her dad and cuddle with him on the porch swing or in the hammock. One of my Mother’s Day cards from her last year: To mom, Happy Mother’s Day! It is a small card but full of all the love I have for you. Thank you for being so amazing. I love you. Jenna The small card is taped into my desk calendar and will get moved to next year’s too.

>165 RebaRelishesReading: Hi Reba, and thank you. Our day was senior-citizenish. Both hobbled around, did nothing more than cards and a meal.

>167 Jackie_K: Hi Jackie! They’re so warm and cuddly when they fall asleep on us, aren’t they? I’m slowly coming along.

>168 witchyrichy: Hi Karen! Thanks re the pics, and congrats on your upcoming 34th anniversary with Bob.

>169 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Wednesday to you. I can’t imagine you having a fun time with Jackson. I am shocked. Enjoy PB for the last time before Portugal. Yay for the White-Throated Sparrow. I’ve had a variety of sparrows, but don’t recognize them by sight except for Fox Sparrows. I’m too lazy to look up other ones. I’ve had a male Cardinal, a White-Breasted Nuthatch, and a squirrel under the feeders, where he belonged.

Wordle 1,775 3/6* trope, harsh, rural

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It was wonderful to see the book sort team yesterday. Including me, there were 9 of the 13 of us there. Lots of chatter. We got there in time for breakfast, so I had over medium eggs and hash browns. The staff brought me un-sweet tea with lemon without my having to ask. I love being known there.

After that, I went up the road to get a blood draw. My cardiologist is monitoring my kidneys after putting me on Losartan. The results were even better than the first time - all within normal limits, nothing out of range.

Stopped at the bank on the way to get cash for my cleaning ladies. They were here when I got home, so I now have a clean house. I took a longish nap, had supper, Hope Street, talked with Karen, read, and slept for about 5 hours.

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Nothing to do outside the house. Reading and lollygagging, possibly folding clean laundry. I might work on my April Lightning Round. Arsenal play Atlético Madrid in the first leg of the semifinal round of the Champions League in Madrid.

>170 karenmarie: I really enjoy your trips down memory lane, Horrible...it's good for us All to take a moment to re-experience good times, and pleasant to share them with others.

I've had an annoying time of it the past few days but I am replete with self-righteous Smugness that not one bit of it is of my own doing, or lack of doing, whatever I can.

I'm tickled that you got out for such a happy time with the sort team at Virlie's! I'd be embarrassed for them if they didn't know how to treat you!!

Double Hooray for the good results from the blood draw!!

A clean house --- *sigh* --- not that I'm a housekeeper, but I believe that our 107 year-old house seeps dust from the baseboards as soon as my DH vacuums to make room for more.

I'm happy to be home today and likely discovering whodunit in A Scandalous Deception. Fun and Games!!!

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. Hooray for reading and lollygagging! I will tend to the kids this AM, come home and cut the front lawn (I did the back and side yesterday) and then finish packing. Our taxi picks us up at 1:15.

Obviously, I will not be around much but I will try to check in on my thread from time to time. See ya when I get back.

So...our county supervisors decided not to fully fund the library for next year! In a close vote, they turned down the requested increase, which is based on a contracted formula. Public hearings are coming up: any suggestions for the perfect argument to make those who voted no see the error of their ways? Preferably without calling them ugly names ;-)

>171 richardderus: ‘Morning, RD, and I’m glad memory lane is enjoyable. Sorry the last few days have been annoying, but self-righteous Smugness is always pleasurable. *smooch*

>172 LizzieD: The book sort team is wonderful, comprised of interesting, intelligent, and committed folks. All results within the ‘normal’ green range. Yup.

I used to love to clean my house, mostly when I was single. After last boyfriend, before moving here.

Glad you were able to just be home yesterday, enjoying a good book.

>173 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! Sweet Thursday to you. Wow! Major busyness then on the way. Safe travels, fun times, and good luck birding.

>174 witchyrichy: Oh wow, Karen, I am so sorry that the library won’t be fully funded next year. Do you have an active Friends of the Library that can help with funding? Obviously not infrastructure or payroll or even the bulk of collections, but perhaps the fill-in-things that we do here?

I hope the public comes unglued. I am heading off in a bit to see my GP, but will see what I can come up with after.

Not ugly names are ignorant and shortsighted.

Wordle 1,776 4/6* trope, crony, croak, crock

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Read, lollygagged. We watched Arsenal tie with Atlético Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals. I was too whupped to stay downstairs after, so took a PB&J upstairs and didn't come down 'til 8 this morning. Dozed, doomscrolled, and got a reasonable night's sleep.

I called my GP to set up an appointment re my back pain. He's retiring in September, before my annual exam, so seeing him for specific things is the only way I'll get to see him. I thought it would be weeks, perhaps a month or two. Imagine my surprise when Donna told me that he could see me at 10:40 today.

I have a phone consult this afternoon with a doctor re a EGD - upper GI tract endoscopy as a result of my hospitalization on April 15th. Joy. Rapture.

I'll try to visit threads later today.

>175 karenmarie: It won't be fun but knowing the results of the EGD will chart a clear course for what to do to make you feel long-term better.

Stay well, sweetiedarling, you're not expendable. *smooch*

>175 karenmarie: Sending lots of healing energy to you as you meet with your doctors!

The county funding goes towards staffing for the most part so we'll have to close one branch for a day and lose a part-time staff for the other one. And we were operating on a shoe string as it was. We are rallying the troops. I suspect if they cancelled preschool story time for the local private school, we could get some real traction.

>177 witchyrichy: I'm sad to see communities cutting library funds - short-sighted to say the very, very least!

I'm relieved, on the other hand, to see you getting attention, Karen. I wish attention didn't have to include an EGD, but if that's what it takes, that's what it takes.

Meanwhile, Congrats on your Green Sea Wordle today. I was skunked again through my own carelessness, or maybe not.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!!! YOU'RE PRECIOUS!

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/384064

>176 richardderus: ‘Morning, RDear! Funny story about the EGD… I’m trying so hard to stay well. Of course neither of us is expendable, Mudge. *smooch*

>177 witchyrichy: Thank you, Karen! Live and learn… I see that Waverly is in a small rural county, so it’s not surprising that funding is tight. Children, children, children… Ever since I joined the Board of our Friends of the Chatham Community Library in 2016 and seen and eventually managed the budget, the primary beneficiary of our fundraising efforts has been children/teens. Our current treasurer is a peculiar bird and doesn’t share budget info very often, and never sends email copies. I can’t find the hardcopy of the most recent budget, but we typically spend $70-75K, which includes Library funding and Friends funding. The 2023 Library portion of the budget was $60K. Childrens and Teens budgeting was $18K, Childrens Facilities budgeting was $2500. So, approximately 30% of the monies we budgeted was for children. That is a typical year. These monies are mostly to pay entertainers for summer programs and snacks for summer reading programs and the teen book club.

If the Friends cut funding for Children, the howls could probably be heard in Waverly…

>179 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! I must say that our county has never cut funding to our Libraries. We have 3 public libraries in our county – Pittsboro, Siler City, Goldston.

I am so sorry about The Skunk. As you can see, I got it in 3.

You make me feel precious…

>180 SilverWolf28: Hi Silver, and thank you!

Wordle 1,777 3/6* trope, maple, plume

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What an exciting day. *eye roll* I met with my GP. He spent 1/2 hour with me as we discussed my back, recent hospitalization, pain management and next steps after pain management isn't strong enough without true opioids, which aren't optional because of drowsiness and addiction. I don't count Tramadol because my body doesn't process it as an opioid and I've gone on and off it in recent years without withdrawal.

He mentioned 2 procedures - spinal cord stimulator and nerve ablation. He said to speak with the back doctor who gives me the L3-5 cortisone injections every 3 months. Long-term use of cortisone shots can lead to potential side effects such as cartilage damage, joint infection, nerve damage, and thinning of nearby bone. Additionally, repeated injections may increase the risk of tendon weakening or rupture and other systemic effects like elevated blood sugar levels. Mayo Clinic I've gotten 5 sets, and my next set is scheduled for June 19th. I thought it was May and figured that I could hold out 'til then, but I got that wrong and I'm wondering how well I'll do for the next 7 weeks. I'm sure I can always make an appointment with my back doctor to discuss these next steps before then. Given my pain levels and need for something after they won't let me get cortisone shots any more, either of them sounds wonderful.

While talking about my April 15th hospitalization, I mentioned that I had a phone consult with the surgeon about the endoscopy the hospital recommended. My GP thought it unnecessary. When the PA called for preliminary info for the surgeon's phone consult, I told her what my GP said. She was able to immediately look my visit online - and that was only 2 hours later, so my GP had already put the visit summary and notes into the online charting system. She saw his recommendation. She told me to call back for scheduling if necessary. So, no endoscopy needed. One less Medical Thing.

I'm now going to take 4 doses of Tramadol per day. He gave me 30-day prescription, with refills, which is better than the 10-day with no refills he had been giving me previously. He actually looked surprised about that. He sent the prescription to the pharmacy and it's ready for me to pick up. Have I mentioned how much I love My GP?

While at the doctor's office, book club member Stephanie came out after an appointment while I was checking in. We chatted, and the upshot was that she's going to come over 30 minutes early to help set up. There will only be 5 or 6 of us, so rather than try to dislodge Bill from the Living Room, we'll have the meeting in the Dining Room. Bill agreed to mute the TV during our meeting, since the Living Room and Dining Room are both part of the open plan bits of our downstairs. Score one for No TV!

So after all that I read, dozed, started an online shopping list for Sunday's book club meeting, watched Hope Street with Bill, chatted with Karen, and got a reasonable night's sleep.

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I plan on finalizing and placing the grocery order, picking it and the prescription up, reading, puttering for book club on Sunday, and lollygagging.

Oh, and my sister and I will probably chat today.

>181 karenmarie: Isn't Hope Street a great idea? I'm glad it lives up to the concept...or seems to, since you are still watching.

Sending smooches, sweetiedarling.

I'm personally thrilled that you don't have to have the endoscopy. That's a good one to lose. I'm also happy that you won't have to be on the phone so often for the Tramadol. It seems to me that you have proved yourself more than responsible with it, and I hope it works for you for a good, long time.

Congrats on your Wordle 3!

Happy book club prep - still minimal, I trust, especially since you won't have many members - and April Lightning Round! ((((((Karen))))))

HORRIBLE! HORRIBLE!! HORRIBLE!!! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!

The New Yorker told me this morning's email that there is to be a Heated Rivalry unauthorized musical! Look:

What’s the only thing that could make “Heated Rivalry” gayer? That’s right: turning it into a musical. Doing the honors is Dylan MarcAurele, a composer, writer, and parodist extraordinaire, whose previous projects include spoofs of the “Real Housewives” franchise and of the 2022 horror movie “M3gan.” His latest undertaking is “Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody,” which begins previews on May 12, for an eight-week run at the Club, near Hudson Yards.

As anyone on social media probably knows by now, “Heated Rivalry” is a sex-forward TV show about closeted hockey players. Its first season, based on the “Game Changers” series by Rachel Reid, was released last November and was promoted with steamy clips that quickly blanketed Instagram and TikTok. The show focusses on two young N.H.L. stars playing for different teams: Shane Hollander, an aw-shucks Canadian, and Ilya Rozanov, a standoffish Russian. They gradually progress from furtive hotel-room hookups, when their game schedules intersect, to emotional intimacy and self-acceptance.

The series has attracted attention for, among other things, the size of Ilya’s ass, which, in MarcAurele’s adaptation, is its own character. Filling out the role of Ilya is Jay Armstrong Johnson; Jimin Moon plays Shane; Ryann Redmond plays a wine-mom narrator who lives for their clandestine love. (Women constitute a sizable chunk of the series’ fans; a childhood friend who is now a mother of two persuaded me to keep watching the TV show when I’d given up, after Episode 3.) Audiences can expect such penetrating songs as “This Fuck Was Different” and “A Heavy Load,” plus, as in the TV show, a character whose only line is “Girl!” The production is directed by Alan Kliffer, whose qualifications include twenty years’ experience writing and directing comedy, and a lifetime of being Canadian.

>182 richardderus: ‘Morning, RDear! We are still enjoying Hope Street, but the characters are wearing a bit thin on me. 5 episodes of season 5 left. *smooch*

>183 LizzieD: Ah yes, Peggy, definitely a good one to lose. Yay for Tramadol – I picked the prescription up yesterday and since it’s still early in the year, I paid $4 for it. He gave me 5 refills, too.

Thanks re 3 – I barely squeaked by today with the 6.

I made a list for book club this morning while still in bed – food and drink on counter. Not on the Breakfast Room table, not on console table in Foyer. I made a list of things to put out and on what plate or in what dish, how to set up the dining room. Today I should make a bit of albacore salad – just albacore and mayonnaise. Everything else can be done tomorrow. And with Steph coming early, it makes it just more easy on me.

>184 richardderus: What do you think of the casting of Jay and Jimin? I'm still way too close to having watched the series (like, last week) to even entertain the idea of anybody else playing Shane and Ilya, but I guess by the time I can either see clips of it or even the musical itself, I might be more accepting.

"This Fuck Was Different" and "A Heavy Load" are extremely entertaining song titles.

*smooch*

Wordle 1,778 6/6* trope, crash, wryly, druid, frisk, bring Whew indeed.

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Mostly Restville, although I finalized and placed the grocery pick up order. While in town, I also picked up my prescription and, given some timing issues, a 50-lb bag of black oil sunflower seeds and a 40-lb bag of wild bird seed. No, I didn't bring them to the SUV, the cashier did. They're still in the back seat of the SUV.

I did bring the groceries in. Nothing at all heavy. I told Bill he could order what he wanted excepting for soda. He only got 2 frozen meals.

Rested on the couch in the Library, listened to and took notes about How to Read A Book, read my current MM romance. My sister called and we chatted for an hour and a half. Watched Gosford Park based on what Peggy said and our looking at the trailer. However, both of us thought "meh". It was okay and there were interesting plot twists.

I read, doomscrolled, and got a fairly good night's sleep.

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Arsenal play Fulham at 12:30. Fulham is 10th of 20 teams. Theoretically we should beat them, however, there have been a few stumbles in recent games. 🤞

I want to make the albacore salad, get the water pitcher and ice bucket out. I want set up the dining room with place mats, coasters, forks, and spoons. S&P, too, since I have two women who pretty much salt everything. I might start making space on the kitchen counter.

And, of course, reading, being horizontal to help my back and continuing to work on April Stats and the Lightning Round this morning.

I just saw a Blue Grosbeak at my feeders. It's breeding season, so they're visiting.

>181 karenmarie: Thanks for the advice. I will dive deeper into the budget to see how the cuts will directly effect children. We are doing a poster/email campaign and trying to get a few preschoolers and their parents from the also underfunded school division to show up at the public hearing. The whole county is rural with a barely functioning government and a Board of Supervisors that suffers from the Dunning-Kruger effect in terms of their ability to actually govern. Thanks for listening.

I'm sorry that *Gosford Park* wasn't better than a "meh" for either of you. I'm a sucker for the house and the clothes. With all of those big names, it should have been better. I liked it more than you did though, and I'm not at all sorry that I have it to watch again. Last night and tonight for me - A Room with a View. It's my only Merchant Ivory, and I do love it. I wish I liked Howard's End better, but I'm not interested enough in it to even be curious about the M-I treatment. Eventually I'll see how they treat H. James, maybe.

I'm glad you pulled your Wordle out.

It was great this morning to walk out on the porch and hear light rain rather than soundless drizzle or mist. I managed to sleep well last night, but I'm not back to normal yet either. Take care of yourself!!!!!!!!

>185 karenmarie: I thought Ryan Phillippe's rent-boy persona was interesting, if nothing else. The film was something I watched twenty-five years ago so it's hardly fresh in my mind. Its sex-plots hit different then, with Bob Balaban being a friend of Ivor Novello's and All that implies, and Phillippe being very much on the Balaban casting couch if not outright whoring himself out before #MeToo sucked the air out of that entertainment balloon.

Sunday orisons, sweetiedarling.

>186 witchyrichy: Hi Karen! What about flyers that can be posted but, more important, handed out? Good luck.

>187 LizzieD: Hello, Peggy. We enjoyed the house and costumes and hairstyles. Plus, of course, the downstairs frenzy to make the upstairs seem calm and worry free. I loved A Room With a View. I’ve never seen Howards End. I’ve seen A Passage to India, but never read the book, which is languishing on my shelves.

Yay for rain.

>188 richardderus: ‘Morning, RDear, and happy Sunday to you! So many films I’ve never seen, so many that I’m sure I’d like if I buckled down and simply watched them. *smooch*

Wordle 1,779 5/6* trope, plank, pushy, pudgy, puffy

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I set the Dining Room table for 6, washed and filled an orange Fiesta Ware water pitcher I inherited from Bill's Mama. It's in the fridge. I brought 6 water glasses down from a top shelf (I know, I know). I've decided to have the food on the kitchen counter and the drinks on the end of the island.

We watched Arsenal trounce Fulham. They looked like the Arsenal from earlier in the season. I always say score early and score often, and they heeded my advice. *smile*

Even though it was at 4 a.m., I finished How to Read a Book. It's absolutely wonderful. I should get a bit of biographical info together.

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I need to clear the kitchen counter and the end of the island, get wine glasses out, make the albacore salad, prepare the apple slices so they don't brown (soak in 1/2 t salt per cup of water for 5 minutes, rinse, dry). I need to break the grapes into clusters, rinse, and put in a bowl, put the cookies on a plate, and get plates out.

Steph comes at 3. She'll be able to help with all of this. Book club is 3:30-5:30.

Glad to see Arsenal back to their old mojo, and I'm glad that you could help them!!!

Enjoy your club. I hope the *How to* fans are in evidence and vocal, in fact that everybody loved it. Bev is about to start it, but 2 others in The Group have read and adored it too (not Bobbie; I'm not sure that novels are not beneath her).

(I know, I know) And yet we do these things anyway. Get Steph to put them back up for you after the meeting or save them for Trevor, please.

We're 5 Sisters today. I don't know that I've ever had 2 guesses with no letters at all!

'Morning, Peggy!

Thanks re Arsenal. It's an ego boost to young, tall, strapping men heed my advice. *smile*

Wordle 1,780 4/6* trope, diver, filer, riser

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Unfortunately there were only 5 of the 10 of us, but we were unanimous in our love for the book. I'm pretty sure we'd have gotten 10 of 10.

Steph arrived exactly at 3 to help set up for the 3:30 meeting. I had bowls and plates out and she put the food I had ready on or in them. Triscuits, albacore salad, cookies, grapes, sliced apples. She brought rum cake, Jacque brought piemento cheese w/jalapenos, Stacy's Simply Naked Pita Chips (which I've never had and now absolutely adore), and a variety of olives. Olives are one of my kryptonites, and I had 4. She left them with me, and I had 4 more for with dinner. My blood pressure didn't suffer - I just took it, and it's 115/78. So, more for today! Blanche brought a huge bowl of fresh blueberries.

Everybody helped clean up, putting food away, putting dirty dishes on the counter - Steph offered to wash them, but I let Bill clean up and put them in the dishwasher. 😏

There's a bit more to do today, but nothing onerous.

We discussed the fairly obvious things. Tamsie, who couldn't come, had sent an email with an observation about the theme of cages - prison for Violet, literal cages for the parrots, and cages of the marriages of Frank and Harriet.

I listened to the audio book. I decided to keep a note on my cell phone about observations by chapter, which, by the end was huge. I'll use it to help write a full review of the book. It worked nicely - opened the note, started the audio book, switched to the note, and added things as they got my attention. I even wrote my own epitaph. Has anybody who's read the book written their own epitaph?

Bill and I watched 2 of the last 3 episodes of Hope Street. I read, doom scrolled. Got a decent night's sleep.

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Restville today. Reading, continuing to work on my April Lightning Round. I've got my YTD stats ready, but want to post them at the same time.

Puttering a bit to get things back under control, although I'm feeling the effort of the last two days and am in more pain than I'd like.

>191 karenmarie: It's pretty standard, from what I've observed about today, for at least 10% of those who RSVP not to show up, and about 50% of those who are asked to RSVP. I wonder what happened to us all that such appalling manners became ordinary.

*sigh*

It's another lovely spring day in my sunwashed apartment. I loved the book I've just reviewed. I'm thoroughly enjoying the one I'm reading. Life feels good, although the christian in me is cringing in expectation of that wench god's next hammer to my knees.

*smooch*

I would LOVE to attend your book club, especially to hit rewind and insert myself in this last meeting. It sounds wonderful! And no, I haven't written my epitaph. I'm in "Whom cares?" mode on that one.
Hooray for Steph and Trevor and friends who help clean up!!!!!!!

Enjoy your rest day. I'll look forward to your review and your lightning round too.
Wordle in 3 for me, but I had the right starter word for once. Congrats on your intuitive 4!

Hi Karen! Your book club sounds nice and conscientious!

>189 karenmarie: We have flyers posted around the community, posts on the community FB page and a handout with a suggested email. I was going to spring for lawn signs as they are popular here but I heard that the supervisor who wasn't at the meeting is planning to push to restore the full funding for next year. He doesn't like the contract but recognizes that it IS a contract. So we may get there after all.

>192 richardderus: Hiya, RD! We’re actually a pretty proper group of women. All 5 who did not show up responded by email that they wouldn’t.

Well, weren’t you bubbly yesterday. Mostly. I hope the day progressed nicely. *smooch*

>193 LizzieD: And I would love for you to come to our book club. It’s humbling that I do need help with things these days, but I’m grateful for the people who do help.

Yay for your Wordle in 3. Another 4 for me today.

>194 The_Hibernator: Hi Rachel. We’ve been meeting since 1997. There are only 3 of the 12 original members – Teresa, Sarah, and me. We’re down to 10 members and aren’t in the market to add any. We’re pretty comfortable right now.

>195 witchyrichy: I do hope you get full funding next year. Our Libraries are on the County schedule, July 1 – June 30 for the fiscal year. How far in advance of budget approval do they start working on it? I hope the supervisor who wasn’t at the meeting has it well planned.

Wordle 1,781 4/6* trope, fight, butch, latch

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Restville. A teensy bit of puttering. Much lollygagging, reading, and working on my April Lightning Round. i have 20 more books to write about. I'm getting there! Bill and I watched the last episode of the last season available of Hope Street, and it ends on several cliffhangers. We started watching something else but I honestly can't remember because I was still pretty whupped.

Reading and doom scrolling. Unfortunately, I only got about 2 hours of sleep, so foresee a nap in my future today.

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I won't go to book sort, but may go to Virlie's depending on how tired I am when Rhoda calls. Honestly, I should have just turned the light off at 1:45 after I took the final Tramadol of the night.

Other than that, reading, puttering, lollygagging. I do need to make a couple of calls, but nothing that can't wait 'til tomorrow if need be.

>195 witchyrichy: You are asking reasonable questions of an incredibly dysfunctional local government. The county admin who made the budget was fired last month and his assistant left in solidarity. He supposedly made the flat line budget but has denied it. The county website is a joke and once this is over, I plan to report them to the state Freedom of Information Act oversight board. The law of unintended consequences: go after my library and I will go after you.

>196 karenmarie: I hope you got to go to Virlie's instead of needing to jolly your back along.

*smooch*

>197 witchyrichy: Hi Karen. I wonder if the assistant left in solidarity or left before she/he was also fired. I wouldn't want you for an enemy.

>198 richardderus: 'Morning, RD! I ended up not going. Not enough sleep. I blame it completely on The Scent of Sin by Halle Dawson. Touchstone isn't working.

Wordle 1,782 4/6*trope, cagey, shied, liken

⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
⬜⬜⬜🟩⬜
⬜⬜🟨🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

...
Speaking of The Scent of Sin, I stayed up most of Monday night reading it. It was compelling. I only got 2 hours of sleep and was numb with tiredness. I didn't go to Virlie's. Made me sad, but oh! I was so tired. Self-inflicted but sad.

I chatted with Jenna for a bit. She was out and about running errands.

Yesterday I dozed, read, and watch Arsenal beat Atlético Madrid in the second leg of the semi-finals of the Champions league. They won the match 1-0 and won aggregate 2-1. First time they'll be going to the final in 20 years. Reading, doom scrolled, and we watched the first episode of Psych. Not half bad. I actually got 6.5 hours of sleep.

...
Reading, continuing to work on my April Lightning Round 🙄. Lollygagging. Bill will definitely be watching, and I might watch the PSG v. Bayern Munchen at 3 today.

The HVAC guys are coming out today for the A/C maintenance.

Well, HOORAY for better sleep last night for both of us!!! Now if Stasia and and Roni and Richard and, and, and did better too, maybe we're onto something. I wish you a happy day with no HVAC troubles and fun and games in the pages of your books!

Good afternoon, my dear! I'm glad you got a better night's sleep, too. We ALL need many hours of good, uninterrupted sleep a night.

My day's been reasonable so far. I got up relatively early and have been reading and working on my April Lightning Round, which is finalized to the point where I can test it out in a message without posting it until things are tweaked. When it's finalized, I'll save it back to the word document and post YTD stats and it sometime later tonight or tomorrow.

In the meantime, the HVAC guys got here forever ago. They're still here. I want them to leave. Bill likes talking with service people. Most of them enjoy nattering and wasting time extending their visit.

PSG plays Bayern Munchen for the other slot in the Champions League Final at 3. Leave HVAC guys!!!

>199 karenmarie: The Scent of Sin was 99¢ today so I splurged.

It's all your fault, Eville Woman.

I am going to call you and sob in your ear when it breaks my heart.

Never say that I, Eville Woman, gave YOU a BB. Makes me very proud!

I hope you love it.

*smooch*

YTD Statistics through April

150 books read
146.5 ebooks, 2 audio books, 1.5 paper books
34972 pages in completed books
36.5 hours in completed audio books
44 books abandoned, 5128 pages abandoned, 0 hours abandoned

40100 total pages read

Avg pages read per day, incl books abandoned: YTD = 446
Avg pages read per book, only those completed: YTD = 267

Book(s) of the Month: Undone by Alessandra Hazard
Galaxies and Oceans by NR Walker

Books by Month
Jan - 27.5 ebooks, .5 paper books
Feb - 31 e-books, 1 audio books
Mar - 40 e-books
Apr - 49 e-books, 1 audio book

Author
Male 15%
Female 65%
Undeclared * 20%
Non-Binary 0%
* - can't find info anywhere

Living 99%
Dead 1%

US Born 24%
Foreign Born 20%
Undeclared * 56%
* - can't find info anywhere

Medium
Audio Book 1%
e-Book 98%
Paper Book 1%

Source
My Library 13%
Library 0%
Kindle Unlimited 87%
Borrowed 0%

Misc
Galley Proof 0%
Re-read 9%
Series 76%

Fiction 98%
NonFiction 2%

Author Birth Country
Australia 6%
Canada 9%
England 1%
France 1%
Grenada 1%
Netherlands 1%
New Zealand 1%
UK 52%
Undeclared* 2%
US 26%
* - can't find info anywhere

Original Decade Published
1950s 1%
2000s 1%
2010s 9%
2020s 89%

Genre
Contemporary Fiction 0%
Crime Fiction 0%
Historical Fiction 1%
History 0%
Humor 0%
Informational Nonfiction 3%
Memoir 0%
MM/MMM/MMMM Romance 96%

Average Rating Expanded to include .1 stars.
.1-.5: Anathema 0
.6-1: Don't Bother 0
1.1-1.5: Very Bad 0
1.6-2: Bad 2
2.1-2.5: Average 8
2.6-3: Good 11
3.1-3.5: Very Good 23
3.6-4: Excellent 33
4.1-4.99: Stunning 73
5 - Masterpiece 0

Average Rating 3.88
Books acquired YTD (361 acquired in 2025) 71
Books culled YTD (193 in 2025) 18

6232 cataloged on 12/31/25

April Lightning Round

Any in bold are NOT MM romances, few and far between as they are.

Quite a few of the smut books have warnings about triggers or scenarios that I don’t mention here. Caveat emptor re triggers if you want to dip your toes in.

4.40* Swipe My Alpha by Lexie Slater 3/31/26 4/1/26 93 pages Kindle Unlimited

Jude, an omega, and Rhys, an alpha, meet up on a hookup app and have a wonderful, one-time-only, night. They are shocked to find that Rhys is Jude’s TA. Things get a little bit messy for a while as they flirt with impropriety. Rhys arranges things so Jude is assigned another TA and they get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

2.00* My Alpha's Secret by Rosa Swann 4/1/26 4/1/26 62 pages mine

Wilder was in a romantic relationship with Logan, another alpha. Logan left Wilder and bonded with an omega, Sterling, and had a child with him. Wilder finds out that Logan is killed in an accident and goes to the funeral. He simply wants that dreaded word, closure. He sees, however, that Sterling is being abandoned by Logan’s family and friends, so stays to help take care of him and Sterling’s child. Eventually they start caring for one another, Wilder falls in love with him and his child, and Sterling falls in love with Wilder. A very sweet yet sexy book. No sex, HFN. I don’t exactly remember why I gave it 2*. I hope that I wasn’t so shallow that I needed sex in the book for it to be star-worthy.

4.50* Emberbound by Ash Wilder 4/1/26 4/1/26 131 pages Kindle Unlimited

Neil is a packless omega by choice, a weather ranger hiding out in an unforgiving environment. Tylor Robinson is massive, bleeding, and running from a death sentence. He’s a rogue Alpha with a bounty on his head and a bullet in his side. He should be dead. Instead, he’s trapped in a ten-by-ten cabin with a Ranger who smells like fear and secrets. Tylor goes into rut, Neil goes into heat. Neil protects Tylor from Enforcers, accepts Tylor’s collar. Caveat emptor very steamy sex.

3.50* Gone Wild by Jesse H Reign 4/1/26 4/1/26 305 pages Kindle Unlimited

Omega Lucien and alpha Branson are stuck in Branson’s cabin during a blizzard. Branson is Lucien’s ex’s brother. There’s attraction and sexual tension. Lucien goes into heat and we know how that goes… Branson takes care of him sexually. When they’re able to get out, we know the relationship will continue. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.70* Romeo Falling by Jesse H Reign 4/1/26 4/2/26 342 pages Kindle Unlimited

Jude and Romeo were best friends, ride or die. A kiss broke the bond. Jude came back to town, Romeo had married a woman. Messy situation, hurt feelings all around, well written emotions and emotional scenes. Romeo, of course, doesn’t love his wife as much as he loves Jude and when it all falls out they end up with each other. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Claimed by Wrath by EA Adams** 77 pages

The trope is an omega hunt, where desperate omegas are given rewards to allow themselves to be hunted. Dusty is the omega, Ahaan is the alpha. Ahaan discovers that another alpha is hunting Dusty, which makes this a tad more interesting, but not enough for me to not abandon it.

4.50* Saint Laurent's Sins by Lola Malone 4/2/26 4/4/26 376 pages mine

A standalone version of Crown of Thorns, which I read in July of 2025. Almost identical, I didn’t realize it when I purchased this book. It sounded familiar, but I was in a pain-induced haze, and didn’t try to figure it out. I gave both books 4.5, so at least I’m consistent. Here’s what I wrote about Crown of Thorns:

Third in The Initiation Series, has Noah returning to Saint Laurent, the home town he fled when he was 16. He’s now a professor. Before he takes on his duties, he goes to a gay nightclub and while just wanting to get a private view of an erotic dancer, gets Louis Devereaux instead. Louis has hijacked the viewing, dances for Noah, and they have a sexual encounter. Once school starts, Louis blackmails Noah into a sexual relationship with him so that he won’t tell the college that he’s having a relationship with a student. This is one of those high tension, morally gray protagonist series. Noah keeps having sex with Louis, Louis keeps pushing Noah. We already know Louis’ backstory from the first two books, but Noah’s backstory comes out piece by piece. In addition, Louis introduces Noah to the secret society at the college and Noah flees. He is repulsed and writes a document that he keeps hidden. He’s trying to understand his grandfather’s role at the college. Both Noah and Louis are set up by Z, a member of the society, whose grudge goes back well before Noah and Louis. He almost destroys both of them. They get their HEA, though, hard won as it is. Caveat emptor re violence and sex.

I stand by what I wrote then.

4.00* The Arab Billionaire's Reluctant Husband by Dominick Cummings 4/4/26 4/4/26 142 pages Kindle Unlimited

Evan is offered a way to cancel his brother’s debt by being married to Khalid for one year. Khalid doesn’t want games, casual affairs, or men chasing his wealth. What he wants is loyalty… and a partner willing to belong only to him. Kahlid is domineering and controlling, which Evan seems to want and need. Lots of dominance and submission. The relationship evolves, holds, and they do not dissolve the marriage. Caveat emptor re sex and D/s.

3.30* My Marriage Contract with My Straight Boss by Dominick Cummings 4/4/26 4/5/26 138 pages Kindle Unlimited

The deal is simple—Henry gets financial security, and Javier Morales secures the inheritance he needs to save his company. No romance. No complications. No feelings. But the lines blur, Javier is attracted to Henry, and slow burn turns incendiary (sorry for this – some of the hyperbole is becoming part of me). The marriage stands, they get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

3.40* Seduced by the Straight Sheikh by Dominick Cummings 4/5/26 4/5/26 36 pages Kindle Unlimited

TJ is assigned as temporary PA to a visiting Sheikh and makes one mistake. After that, he works tirelessly to prove himself. They meet in the company’s gym one night, Omar takes him upstairs and they have sex. He tells TJ that he’s married to a woman, has children with her, and not to expect more. However, Omar goes home and comes back divorced, wanting TJ and getting him. Vivid and extremely well written for a mere 36 pages. Caveat emptor re sex.

3.50* Getting Owned by the Alpha Business Executive by Dominick Cummings 4/6/26 4/6/26 56 pages Kindle Unlimited

Evan’s new boss, Korean VP Seung-woo is demanding and dominant. He’s also very straight. However, he wants Evan, demands monogamy, and wants to marry Evan. Improbable? Yes. Romantic? Yes. Sexy? Yes. Evan has been looking all his life for someone to dominate and own him. Caveat emptor re sex and D/s.

2.90* Wrong Text Right Guy by Alessia Imogen 4/6/26 4/26/26 41 pages Kindle Unlimited

Stupider than the 2.90* I gave it. Trevor, at work, thinks he sends an intimate photo of himself to a hook up, but accidentally sends it to his mafia boss, Lorenzo. Lorenzo simply texts back a ?. Sweet, sexy, HEA, caveat emptor re sex.

3.70* Suddenly His Alpha by Kelex 4/6/26 4/6/26 76 pages Kindle Unlimited

Tulla is forced to attend yet another Omega Ball, as always with the intention of remaining unmated. He runs into Beckett, an Alpha who was as interested as he was at a previous ball. Beckett was drunk and made some rude comments overheard by Tulla, who fled. At this ball Beckett is remorseful and when they are together, they are immediately attracted to one another and realize they are probably fated mates. Caveat emptor re sex.

3.20* Pack Law and Sin by Roman Blacke 4/6/26 4/7/26 247 pages Kindle Unlimited

Mob boss Dmitri is at a warehouse where a deal goes wrong. Elian is an omega runner on scent blockers, but as Dmitri grabs him, his wolf recognizes an omega and he takes him back to his home. They realize they’re fated mates and Elian helps Dmitri retain control of his territory. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Beneath the Indigo Sky by Rayne Hawthorne ** 258 pages

Namid does not remember anything of his life before the last 10 years but has been cared for in the town although kept at a distance by most. Jayce feels like half of his soul is missing. I got impatient and although I could intellectually realize where it would go could not get emotionally involved enough to continue reading.

**abandoned Wicked Stepbrother by Delilah Drew ** 183 pages

Straight bully turned lover, too sweet and too sudden. I just didn’t buy it. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Shameless by Lola Malone ** 71 pages

Poor writing, and the word chuckle overused. I usually like Lola Malone, and it surprised me how actively I disliked this one. Mafia rivals, forced proximity. I honestly can’t remember, but 71 pages is probably not enough to have to say caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Perfect Prey by Vasha Crow ** 129 pages

Four killers obsessed with Kit. He doesn’t understand it, I don’t understand it. He stumbles into a crime scene, they become obsessed. Probably sex by 129 pages, but I honestly don’t remember at this point.

4.30* Blinding Light by Lola Malone 4/7/26 4/9/26 373 pages Kindle Unlimited

A reread. I gave it 4.5 stars last year. Here’s what I wrote then:

Fostered as a child, Cyprian feels compelled to leave his planet in search of his parents. He has information about who they might be, and his planet of choice is Helion. On the space ship taking him to Helion, under an assumed name, Moargan, an Imperial Prince, sees Cyprian and is immediately attracted to him and feels a strong bond. Cyprian moves into an apartment he's arranged for ahead of time, but Moargan arrogantly steps in, buys the apartment building, and takes Cyprian to his home, to live there. Cyprian attends art college, but is troubled by dreams and feels a growing bond with Moargan. Turns out they’re fated mates. Cyprian has a hard time accepting this, but after a serial killer is found and brought to justice and Cyprian understands who his parents were, he and Moargan get their HEA. There’s magic and special powers, and all sorts of fun fantasy. Helion is believable within the scope of fantasy, as are Moargan and Cyprian’s powers. My only real quibble is how to pronounce Moargan – Mor’gan or Mo’Ar’Gan. I chose Morgan, but had to look at it every single time. Caveat emptor re sex and violence.

I stand by it.

4.20* Burning Ice by Lola Malone 4/7/26 4/11/26 373 pages Kindle Unlimited

Here’s the blurb:

Mirel Fandi is a ghost.
Forgotten by the Empire, he survives among the graves, half-frozen and half-awake, until a single act of mercy exposes the power in his blood. The frost obeys him. The fire hunts him. When an Imperial prince catches him instead of killing him, Mirel learns that survival may be the cruelest mercy of all.

Kylix Zephyranth is flame contained.
Imperial prince, forged for obedience and violence, he knows how to command fear. But the silent prisoner who refuses to speak does something no enemy ever has. He stills Kylix’s fire, draws him in, and turns control into hunger.

Two forces that should destroy each other.
A bond older than the Empire itself.
Ice that burns. Fire that freezes. Love that kills to protect.
* This book is set in Chani Lynn Feener's universe with permission from the author.

I’m fascinated that Feener has given other authors permission to write about her universe. It definitely works, and this book fits beautifully with her style and the universe she’s built. The plot is convoluted with many betrayals and twists. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.70* His Surrogate Omega by Kelex 4/11/26 4/11/26 445 pages Kindle Unlimited

Gray lives in the Omega Quadrant. All he ever wanted was to be mated and have a family, but he’s in his 30s now and it’s just not going to happen. His alpha brother and partner die, and his omega nephews must live with him. His small income and some monies from his brother’s estate will last for a while, but not forever, so he signs up to be a surrogate. Another omega, Jamie, comes to see Gray, and proposes that Gray mate with Jamie’s Alpha, Rohan, because Jamie is a cancer survivor but does not feel sexually attracted to Rohan any more. Gray meets with Rohan, and against Rohan’s desires, Jamie persuades him to be with Gray at his next heat. This happens and there is a pregnancy. Gray and his nephews move in with Rohan and Jamie. Gray feels guilt, Rohan feels guilt, and Jamie knows that he’s providing for Rohan’s future happiness. He also loves Gray as a brother. This one was quite moving. The emotions were beautifully written, the plot mostly predictable but there a few unexpected twists. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.10* The Early Middle Ages by Professsor Philip Daileader narrated by Professor Philip Daileader 2/26/26 4/12/26 The Teaching Company 2004 12 hours CDs mine

I was going to write a full review of this book, but alas. April got away from me. I found it fascinating. However, I was expecting a more generalized view of the period, 300 -1000 AD. What I got was mostly military and religious history. It was thorough, brilliantly present and thought out, and ended up being exactly right. The cultural influences and situations were subtly presented but there.

4.30* Fake It 'Til You Make It by Louisa Masters 4/12/26 4/12/26 39 pages Mine

Tech billionaire geek Mike has had a crush on his best friend’s brother James from the first time they met. James does not realize this until they meet at a conference. Sparks fly, they realize they’re made for each other, sex is had. Caveat emptor re this sex. A well-done short story.

4.40* I've Got This by Louisa Masters 4/12/26 4/12/26 184 pages Kindle Unlimited

Derek is the manager for one of the big parks within a huge entertainment corporation. Think Disney. He’s happy. He’s productive, he’s a loner. He manages people, budgets, and crises. Discreet one night stands work for him. Trav is an actor who has a negative reaction to Derek when they first meet. Derek has hardly ever experienced this before, and becomes intrigued. He gets Trav to explain his negative reaction, and they become attracted to one another and start spending discreet time together. They start a serious relationship. There’s a murder in the park which threatens everything, so crisis in addition to love. A new opportunity presents itself at the park which is perfect for Trav. This solves the potential breakup since Trav is an actor and is usually on Broadway. It’s a very sweet HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

3.30* Silent Howl by Ash Wilder 4/12/26 4/13/26 218 pages Kindle Unlimited

Kyle is deaf and uses hearing aids. He’s part of a wolf pack and part of the rescue unit run by the pack leader Darren. The relationship has started before the book starts, with Kyle wearing a collar and being dominated sexually by Darren. It’s consensual. There’s a blizzard condition, and Kyle nearly dies. The relationship comes out, but things are reorganized so that they can both keep working in the unit yet still have their relationship. There are a lot of powerful emotions written very well, although I honestly had a bit of a time figuring out their relationship early on in the book. Caveat emptor re D/s and sex.

The Wicked Chase, 4 Novellas by Lola Malone that take place at the Saint-Laurent Boarding College and Alpha Fraternarii of previous books. This is a series reread. The novellas follow the same plot as the books in The Initiation Series. A rich member of the Alpha Fraternarii brotherhood is obsessed with someone not from his class or wealth. The brotherhood holds chases, where potential brothers agree to let themselves be hunted, captured, and, as these books puts it, let themselves be “… subjected to physical violence – with no lasting injuries – as well as being drugged, tied up or even used for a brother’s sexual pleasure. You agreed to this.” which eliminates accusations of non-con. Convenient, but these novellas are so much fun, in a very dark way. The four members of the brotherhood wear gold, silver, bronze, and copper masks. It turns out that each has chosen his obsession and has paid dearly for the right to win the chase. Only one potential brother can ‘win’, not knowing it’s rigged. When the potential brother is captured and spends time alone in the woods with his captor, he’s either acquiesced or enthusiastically agreed to being bound romantically and legally to the brother who caught him. The new brother is initiated and then taken to his lover’s rooms. All’s well that ends well. Caveat emptor re violence and sex. All four potential brothers’ backstories are given with enough detail to explain their motivations in agreeing to participate, all four brothers’ backstories are given with enough detail to explain their obsessions.

4.10* Collared 4/13/26 4/13/26 116 pages Kindle Unlimited

This is Thurel and Maël’s story. Suffice to say that as with all four, Thurel has agreed to be hunted and when Maël catches him, he collars him with a leather and diamonds collar. He takes him back to the initiation collared.

4.10* Trapped 4/13/26 4/14/26 125 pages Kindle Unlimited

This is Robin and Arsène’s story. Suffice to say that as with all four, Robin has agreed to be hunted and when Arsène catches him from horseback with a bola, Arsène’s brothers help take him back to the initiation bound in the leathers of the bola.

4.10* Hunted 4/14/26 4/14/26 124 pages Kindle Unlimited

This is Olivier and Alexandre’s story. Suffice to say that as with all four, Olivier has agreed to be hunted and when Alexandre catches him after he agrees to be drugged and becomes disoriented enough to fall into a huge metal spider web after Alexandre’s bodyguards have helped herd him there, he takes him back to the initiation. Alexandre offers him another drug, letting him choose between two. Alexandre takes the other. This one got pretty bizarre, what with spiders and all.

4.10* Marked by Lola Malone 4/14/26 4/15/26 128 pages Kindle Unlimited

The last of the series is a bit more complicated in that Edouard is the scion of a drug/crime overlord, not one of the rich elite of the world. Romain is a poor village boy and Edouard’s father ‘buys’ him in exchange for Romain’s mother’s drug debt. Edouard and Romain have a dominant/submissive and romantic relationship until Edouard’s father sends Romain away, not telling Edouard where he is. Both suffer. There’s quite a bit of backstory on both, including implied murder by Edouard for Romain being humiliated in church. Edouard’s father eventually tells him where Romain is. Edouard plays a long game, only getting Romain invited to be a brother in Alpha Fraternarii. The chase, a different initiation, and Edouard and Romain end up in a private part of the college and they get their admittedly unusual HEA. Caveat emptor sex for all four novellas, in the forest, in the castle, in some of their backstories.

Three novella series, Vicious Valentine. This is a reread.

4.30* Vile Heart by Lola Malone 4/14/26 4/15/26 Kindle Unlimited

First of the series. Camren participates in a college tradition of chasing someone down, figuratively speaking, and having their way with them before dawn. Camren knows his best friend Davian, who fled from him two years previously, will be there and he entices him and they get the HEA they want. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.40* Distant Heart by Chani Lynn Feener 4/15/26 4/16/26 Kindle Unlimited

Illya participates in a college tradition of chasing someone down, figuratively speaking, and having their way with them before dawn. Rexton has shown up, and there’s a nice plot twist at the end. In the meantime, Illya chases Rexton down, takes him to his upstairs apartment and they go from there. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.30* Carnal Heart by Emmy LaRoux 4/16/26 4/16/26 84 pages Kindle Unlimited

Devyn, a Black Hart, is being forced by his father to pursue one man while he’s fascinated and obsessed with another. Zaiah had stayed at the school but changed departments 2 years previously, and Devyn is stunned to see him at the Cor Night, the night of debauchery and exploration of Black Hart vices. The man Devyn’s supposed to pursue turns out to be the man Zaiah changed departments for. He was controlled and abused by this man, and once Devyn figures this out, he ‘rescues’ Zaiah and they get a HEA. Cavet emptor re sex.

4.40* The Button Man by Davidson King 4/15/26 4/16/26 258 pages Kindle Unlimited

Duke is known as the Button Man, a third-generation assassin. One day his best friend lies dying in his arms and tells Duke that he has a baby daughter. She must be protected from the men who ambushed them. Duke does this. He and his father take her away, hide her, and raise her. Duke still takes assassin jobs, almost always from his handler. Unusually, he takes a job and he realizes, during the attempt, that the target is his handler, Kelly. He takes Kelly back to the family compound where they try to unravel what is really going on. Kelly works tech, Duke works his resources, as does his father. There is romance. There is the sweet daughter, there is a HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

** abandoned Shameless by Lola Malone ** 77 pages

Surprisingly from this author, poor writing. The word chuckle may or may not be part of the reason I abandoned it.

** abandoned Wicked Stepbrothers by Delilah Drew ** 166 pages

I can’t even remember why I abandoned it. Two sweet too fast. I am realizing that I need some kind of tension between the protagonists. In this case, more than the fact that they are stepbrothers.

4.20* Long Winter by Rachel Ember 4/17/26 4/18/26 284 pages mine

Robbie, one of three siblings, stays on the family ranch in order to keep to the terms of his grandfather’s will and prevent the ranch from going to his uncle. It is a hardship. He’s sacrificed college, among other things. He loves the ranch, but still. Lance is a next door neighbor. Abused as a child by his father after his mother dies, he latches onto Robbie’s family and they take him in. When he's 16, he flees from his father, tells Robbie he loves him. Robbie can’t reciprocate, so Lance flees to Chicago and his aunt. Six years later, he’s a successful photographer and model. He breaks up with his boyfriend in Chicago, taking the car gifted to him by the boyfriend. He returns to town, but he gets arrested for car theft. He calls Robbie’s brother Danny, who calls Robbie, who makes bail for him and takes him home. By the end of two days, they are in a sexual and emotional relationship. The story is well written, if a bit repetitive. The ranch, land, how the ranch is run, the dangers, and animals are all vividly portrayed. Nial comes to town to fetch Lance back, is not successful. Robbie and Lance get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

3.80* Feral by Alessandra Hazard 4/18/26 4/18/26 247 pages Kindle Unlimited

Jules is one of 4 omega sons of the house, not the most attractive, but the most curious. He’s warned away from the basement and so finds a way in. He discovers a Zeus alpha chained and being experimented on. He and his brother Liam rescue him, but only after the alpha mates with Jules while in his most feral form. He takes him to the forest, and the mating bond is broken. Devlin is rescued and resumes his position as a Prince of the Kingdom and starts wooing the most gorgeous omega of the year – Liam. However, Jules and Devlin are attracted to one another and eventually figure out that Jules rescued Devlin. It’s sweet and sexy.

4.50* The Incredible Ordinary by Briar Prescott 4/18/26 4/19/26 381 pages Kindle Unlimited

The dialog is funny and sad and caring. The love that Milàn and Jordan find is beautifully portrayed. They meet because their kids had a fight at school. It’s instant attraction and eventual caring and love. Life is made meaningful for both of them by the incredible and ordinary and domestic nature of their relationship, although caveat emptor re sex.

4.20* Forbidden by Alessandra Hazard 4/19/26 4/19/26 210 pages Kindle Unlimited

Lucien is abandoned by his pack after he’s gang raped as a 14-year old. Aksel’s father Gerard takes him into their household and marries him to keep him safe and provided for. It’s platonic. Aksel is a Zeus Alpha, an alpha alpha, if you will. Lucien is 10 years older than Aksel, but Aksel bonds with Lucien. Lucien deliberately rejects Aksel to keep him safe and protect his reputation. Aksel serves in the military and then comes home. At this point Aksel wants Lucien, Lucien wants Aksel, but societal taboos prevent Lucien from acting on it. They eventually get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.60* The Hazard and the Hitman by Cambria Hebert 4/20/26 4/10/26 386 pages Kindle Unlimited

Haz was in foster care, has a few documents from when he ages out. He works 4 jobs and has a shabby apartment and a shabby car. He has an accident and ends up in the hospital. He’s broke, won’t be able to pay the bills. He loves his Neon Fish job but none of the others. He panics and tries to find a ‘boyfriend’ on a dating app. He’s rudely rejected, but Kieran, the guy who rejects him comes to the hospital and pretends to be his boyfriend. Kieran is an assassin but tells Haz he’s a real estate agent. He is very protective of Haz and it is instant lust and actually love between them. Kieran pays his hospital bills and takes Haz home to feed him soup and take care of his injuries. Kieran is fascinated with Haz’s heterochromia and Haz only being 5’5”. Kieran has a hard time keeping Haz alive because it turns out the mob is after him. There’s a very specific reason for this. Kieran keeps Haz alive, removes the threat, and they get their very odd HEA. Caveat emptor re steamy sex.

4.50* Prince by Cambria Hebert 4/20/26 4/21/26 522 pages Kindle Unlimited

Fletcher has a found family of 3 men he shares an apartment with and his friend Ivory who is a successful fashion designer. Fletcher plays violin, busking in the subway and etc. Ivory used to date another upper East Side millionaire named Ethan. Ethan and Fletcher meet and it’s a meeting of spirits and souls. Ethan wants to take care of Fletcher. Fletcher keeps things hidden, including his mother, who is abusive and hateful towards him. Separately, Ethan has dear friends whose son was kidnapped 22 years earlier and no trace was ever found. Every year they celebrate his life with fireworks a private party where the husband plays a violin solo he composed for his son, never publicly performed. Eventually there’s a party where Fletcher is persuaded to perform his violin. At the end, he plays a piece that he’s known from childhood but never performed before. Ethan’s friends are stunned to discover that Fletcher is their long-lost son. The supposed mother gets her comeuppance, Ethan and Fletcher get their HEA. This author writes complex, funny, emotional books with vivid characters. Caveat emptor re sex.

3.20* Expert by Alessandra Hazard 4/21/26 4/21/26 213 pages Kindle Unlimited

Eric goes to a doctor on another planet to help with his reproductive problems. Hugh, the doctor, suggests an unorthodox process in trials and Eric agrees. Eric imprints on Hugh and Hugh is more than attracted to Eric. Misunderstandings, rejection, and ultimately a HEA for both of them, with a strong caveat emptor re sex.

4.80* Undone by Alessandra Hazard 4/21/26 4/21/26 228 pages Kindle Unlimited

Here’s the blurb:

Alphas don't submit. They can't. It's a fundamental fact of life.

But when Anthony Blake's rut turns deadly, Michael Terlaine has an impossible choice: Do the unthinkable and submit, or watch his best friend die.

The act should have been degrading. Instead, it awakens a part of Michael that shouldn't exist. Desire. Craving. Obsession.

Anthony remembers nothing, but he knows Michael is different—a bewildering, intoxicating mix of subservience and aggression. One touch could ignite a fire they can't control... and reveal the secret that would ruin them both.

Michael doesn’t tell Anthony what he does to save his life. He’s ashamed, but discovers that his body is changing from alpha to omega. Anthony is attracted to Michael when he thinks he shouldn’t, Michael wants Anthony but is an alpha, right? After they start an affair and recognize what’s happening, they make a choice and get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Red by Cambria Hebert ** 182 pages

Red, nominally a criminal, is the last one left of the found family living in the apartment we first see in Prince. The brother of one of his former roommates, Daeshim, is a cop and comes to live there. Wildly improbable in a way that makes me grit my teeth, and weird sexual tension that is rather poorly written. Caveat emptor re sex.

3.80* Accidental Omega by MJ Kim 4/22/26 4/23/26 174 pages Kindle Unlimited

Eojin, a beta, works at a high-end hotel/luxury villas complex that caters to alphas in rut. Malicious employees lock him in with Jaeheon, who is in a feral rut. Jaeheon claims and bonds him. Eojin leaves the next morning, leaves the job. Jaeheon searches for him but never finds him. Several months later, It turns out that Eojin is a suppressed omega, became pregnant during Jaeheon’s rut and has a different job, trying to hide his pregnancy. Jaeheon is there on business. He unintentionally knocks Eojin down, recognizes him and realizes he’s pregnant. He carries him off and sets him up in his penthouse. He accepts the bond, accepts the pregnancy, and is completely happy taking care of Eojin and loving him. Eojin hates this, hates that his life isn’t just his anymore and is ‘owned’ by his alpha. He finally comes to accept and love Jaeheon and his new life. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.10* His Wicked Alpha by Ansley Ellis 4/23/26 4/23/26 203 pages Kindle Unlimited

Miles is a barren omega and decides that since he cannot have a family, he will become the best lawyer possible. He’s on the fast track to a partnership. Ray is his assistant they’re at a conference. Miles goes into an unexpected heat. They stay several days and form a pre-bond. Sex occurs. They return to the law firm. Miles gets his partnership but it’s meaningless without Ray. They change their lives and are together. I had tears in my eyes by the end. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.60* Knot Club: Revival by Ansley Ellis 4/23/26 4/23/26 52 pages Kindle Unlimited

Perry, masked, goes into a sex club, where he plans on meeting up with an alpha he’s been with before to alleviate his mild heat. He has just gotten a drink with the unnamed and masked alpha when he catches the scent of an alpha that drives him crazy. An alpha in a black mask scents Perry and comes towards him, their sexual compatibility off the charts. On one of the stages, they have sex twice and end up in a private room together. They’re supposed to remain anonymous and leave their masks on, but they don’t. They exchange names, Perry writes his number on Beckham’s arm, and that’s the end. They are bonded compatibility mates and that’s the end of the story. However, this is one of those books where we can see that in the future they meet up, start a real relationship, and end up with their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.70* Scent of Ruin by Lucian Grey 4/23/26 4/23/26 374 pages Kindle Unlimited

This a strange mix of Emory and Caius. This is a strange mix of profound understanding and love caught within the cogs of a gray government situation. Emory is caught tampering with the electrical grid and arrested. Caius has been manipulated into being the Enforcer on the case. He takes Emory to his personal quarters, where their attraction triggers an official 30-day period they must spend together. Things could go wrong but they didn’t. There’s a fine balance between the attraction and what Emory’s done. Caius starts figuring out that what Emory has done is totally justified and it exposes a secret despicable government project. Emory is positive they will come out right because of his emotional empathy with people, Caius because of his power and eventual discovery that Emory’s justified. Several kisses, resting on the bed together. No real sex, and it adds strength to the story that I wasn’t expecting.

**abandoned Blood and Bond by Julia Todd ** 112 pages

Mafia son Luca, an omega, has been targeted and his father assigns Dante, an alpha, to protect him. They are attracted, have sex, and Luca becomes pregnant. Ho hum. This has been done better. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Illicit by Alessandra Hazard ** 80 pages

Anthony goes away when Liam is 5, returns years later with all the correct documents but Liam just doesn’t believe this man is Anthony. I really didn’t care enough to continue.

4.40* His Ruthless Acquisition by Blake Ashford 4/25/26 4/25/26 227 pages Kindle Unlimited

So many of the situations and phrases and emotions are the same as The Scent of Ruin, that if I did not know it wasn’t the same author, I’d assume it. Methodology, the repetitive use of the phrase performative vs. real behaviors. Implied sex.

**abandoned Remember My Name by Wren Wilds ** 261 pages

Two boys in an abusive foster care system, the elder protecting the younger. They’re violently and viciously separated, each vowing to finding the other. Years pass, and the one who ends up in a good situation finds the other barely surviving and mentally broken. It’s really well written, but sooo angsty, so depressing. There will be an HEA of course, but just couldn’t deal with it right now.

4.90* Galaxies and Oceans by NR Walker 4/25/26 4/26/26 301 pages Kindle Unlimited

I first read this book in November of 2023. NR Walker is an Australian writer whose books are wonderful, and when I was at loose ends, I decided to re-read this one. It didn’t disappoint, and my 4.5 rating then became 4.9 now. Here’s what I wrote then:

This novel is pure heartbreak and romance, written in an straightforward and vivid way. Ethan escapes his abusive relationship by literally walking away from a raging forest fire, leaving his ID behind so he’d be presumed dead. When asked for his name at a motel, he gives his name as his grandfather’s, Aubrey, and becomes Aubrey Hobbs. Six months later he turns up on Kangaroo Island, hiding, terrified, poverty stricken, living in an old van rented to him in exchange for doing repairs and painting. He meets Patrick, still devastated after the death of his lover Scott. Slowly Patrick befriends Aubrey, teaching him to trust him, both falling in love slowly and surely. It’s a small world but the outside world eventually intrudes, and only when the truth comes out can Aubrey and Patrick realize their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

3.90* Becoming Bennet by Cora Rose and Nicole Dykes 4/26/27 4/26/26 237 pages Kindle Unlimited

Bennet and Jasper are gay camboys, who’ve performed together once. Jasper does not like Bennet, Bennet likes Jasper too much, perhaps. When Bennet’s mother has a stroke, the only person available to go with him to Kansas is Jasper, pretty much against his will, but a good person at heart who can see that Bennet is suffering. While there, they stay together in a single-wide trailer on the farm. There are funny conversations about cows and roosters and pigs. Jasper becomes impressed with how tight the town is, especially over Bennet’s mother. They have fabulous sex together and develop feelings. They get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

4.40* Maybe Tomorrow by Sophie O'Dare 4/26/26 4/27/26 136 pages Kindle Unlimited

Harold is very young omega, forced by his father into attracting a rich and powerful alpha in order to help his father shore up his business. When several of these attempts fail, Harold refuses the most recent one, then his father pimps him out to an old alpha. He e escapes and remembers getting a card from Peter at a previous event. Peter works in an omega rescue center and takes Harold to his apartment to keep him from having to return home. It’s platonic until it isn’t. Harold starts working at the center. It is very sweet. Caveat emptor re sex.

3.80* Tasting Silver by Cody Ryder and Victoria Light 4/27/26 4/27/26 140 pages Kindle Unlimited

Alan tries to open his room but the card key doesn’t work. He’s trying to open James’ room by mistake. James is in NYC to participate in a movie con for a movie he made 20 years previously. He’s there to earn money to support his wife in the lifestyle she expects. Their marriage is really over, but James hasn’t wanted to rock the boat; he’s straight but experimented a bit in college. Alan has quit his job and put all his belongings in storage, comes to NYC to start his life of travel adventures. They see each other casually at the hotel, then when a photo shoot with James is cancelled, he invites Alan to a party hosted by some friends he hasn’t seen in a long time. They end up in Alan’s room, where Alan, who’s gay, has a sexual experience with James, who likes it and likes Alan a lot. Alan goes to London reluctantly, James asks his agent for the name of a divorce lawyer, and asks her to sign him up for the movie con in London. There’s a lot packed into 140 pages, including sex and future happiness.

3.20 *My Math Professor by Maya Collins 4/27/26 4/27/26 601 pages Kindle Unlimited

Not much more to say besides the blurb:

He’s my professor.
He’s twice my age.
And he’s the one equation I can’t solve.
Dr. Connor “Con” Steele is a tenured Mathematics professor at Hawthorne University — ex-Marine, brutally disciplined, emotionally guarded, and dangerously controlled.
I’m Theo Lang — scholarship student, accelerated Master’s candidate, and barely surviving his impossible Differential Equations seminar.
When I fail a proof at the board, he offers “private remediation” to save my scholarship.
What starts at his kitchen table — textbooks open, his voice low, his hand guiding mine — turns into something neither of us can afford.
Because he doesn’t just demand precision.
He demands surrender.
Late-night tutoring sessions blur into forbidden tension.
Campus whispers grow louder.
A jealous TA starts asking questions.
And when someone installs a hidden camera in his home office, our secret isn’t just risky — it’s explosive.
He tries to end it.
I refuse to walk away.
Now he has to decide:
Protect his career…
Or publicly claim the man he can’t let go.

Caveat emptor re sex.

3.50* Got Me Hoping by Casey Cox 4/27/26 4/28/26 231 pages Kindle Unlimited

Should have probably been a novella. It was okay. Predictable, with shallowly written emotions. Good to while away a few hours with. Caveat emptor re sex.

3.50* Kingmaker by Marian Black 4/28/26 4/29/26 315 pages Kindle Unlimited

Emilio works for a prominent law firm and he’s assigned the case of a mobster, Sandro charged with manipulation and protection and control. Emilio works on is defence, and they start seeing each other, which is a huge breach of lawyer/client privilege. Sandro manipulates, entices, controls, and seduces him. Emilio knows this was intentional, but they both end up with feelings. Emilio is forced to leave the law firm, but Sandro recommends him to a small law firm that takes his case, with Emilio helping in the background. Emilio becomes morally compromised but doesn’t care. Sandro is cleared of the charges, but there are RICO charges coming up. Caveat emptor re sex, with some of the scenes repetitive and therefore boring after a while.

3.10* The Debt by Marian Black 4/30/26 4/30/26 193 pages Kindle Unlimited

Luca’s father dies, the will transfers his father’s debt to Dante. Dante offers to let him work for 10 years as a prostitute in one of his clubs or have a one-year personal contract with him. Luca takes the one year, is moved into his penthouse. He works on his PhD in art forgery. It turns out that Dante first saw him two years previously at an art exhibition and became obsessed with him. He manipulated his father and events to force Luca to be with him. Luca resists until he doesn’t. Luca’s abducted, Dante is shot. All sorts of excitement, and they get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

3.10* Vital Signs by Marian Black 4/30/26 4/30/26 Kindle Unlimited

Last bit of the Amazon blurb: A standalone MM mafia romance featuring second-chance love, morally complex characters, high-stakes danger, and a hard-won HEA. Content warnings for violence, trauma, and mature themes.. Ethan is a trauma room surgeon. Marco, a former lover, is brought in dying of gunshot wounds. Ethan saves his life. Marco had abandoned Ethan in college and Ethan never knew why. As Marco recovers, he and Ethan reconnect. There are surprising decisions taken by them both. They get their HEA. Caveat emptor re sex.

**abandoned Bloodline Omega by DS Mark ** 301 pages

My abandoning this at 301 pages and not remembering any detail about it says that either I was too involved with other books or this one was predictable and not memorable.

Wordle 1,783 3/6* trope, shale, budge. I am definitely channeling the Wordle gods today.

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I finalized the lightning round and, as you can see, have posted it. Stats, too.

I read, lollygagged, was startled when Jenna called because I wasn't expecting a call. We chatted for about 25 minutes. I was stressed until the HVAC guys left. Everything is fine HVAC-wise. We watched Bayern play PSG for the other slot in the Champions League final against Arsenal. PSG won. They're formidable.

We watched another episode of Psych. I got 5 1/2 hours sleep.

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No obligations. Reading, starting my June Lightning Round, writing a review of How to Write a Book.

How to Read a Book: A Heartfelt Novel of Redemption and Unlikely Friendships in a Small Town Bookstore by Monica Wood performed by Eileen Stevens
4/6/26 - 5/3/26


4.90 *

From Amazon:

"The perfect pick to really light a fire under my book club, and yours....A reminder that goodness, and books, can still win in this world." —New York Times Book Review

"A beautiful, big-hearted treasure of a novel." —Lily King

National Bestseller * From the award-winning author of The One-in-a-Million Boy comes a heartfelt, character-driven, and uplifting novel about a chance encounter at a bookstore, exploring redemption, unlikely friendships, and the life-changing power of sharing stories.

Our Reasons meet us in the morning and whisper to us at night. Mine is an innocent, unsuspecting, eternally sixty-one-year-old woman named Lorraine Daigle…

In this emotional book club fiction, Violet Powell, a twenty-two-year-old from Abbott Falls, Maine, is being released from prison after serving twenty-two months for a drunk-driving crash that killed a local kindergarten teacher.

Harriet Larson, a retired English teacher who runs the prison book club, is facing the unsettling prospect of an empty nest.

Frank Daigle, a retired machinist, hasn’t yet come to grips with the complications of his marriage to the woman Violet killed.

When the three encounter each other one morning in a bookstore in Portland—Violet to buy the novel she was reading in the prison book club before her release, Harriet to choose the next title for the women who remain, and Frank to dispatch his duties as the store handyman—their lives begin to intersect in transformative ways.
How to Read a Book is an unsparingly honest and profoundly hopeful story about forgiveness, letting go of guilt, seizing second chances, and the power of books to change our lives. With the heart, wit, grace, and depth of understanding that has characterized her work, Monica Wood illuminates the decisions that define a life and the kindnesses that make life worth living.

Why I wanted to read it: I chose this book for my real-life book club. Somebody here on LT mentioned it, I read the Amazon blurb, and loved the idea of it.

It irritates me that it's described as book club fiction, as if Monica Wood decided that even though some of the action is in and about the prison book club, the book itself was written in order to facilitate meaningful and robust book club discussions.

However, mentioning book club, one woman in our book club had read the book except for the last chapter – she hadn’t had time before she came to the book club meeting here at my house. The last chapter proved that Violet was redeemable and happy in her life and Judy did not have that perspective before the meeting.

Almost every page had something worth noting. Every chapter helped me learn more about all three – Violet, Frank, and Harriet. By the end, I was not quite in tears, but almost. The last chapter is powerful.

Random notes and quotes from the book:

Some of the questions that Harriet asks during a book club meeting:

If you were God, would you alter the facts for these characters?
Do books change depending on where and when we read them?
Why do people tell stories?

The youngster had a cuddly laugh. If hamsters could laugh, they’d sound this way.

Frank on his wife: He married a headlong woman from a yappy clan of scrappers. She was a ropy little jackrabbit, on her way to a divorce lawyer.

Violet on her mother dying and her sister Vickie abandoning her: My family disappeared me.

One of the more charming things about this book is how Dr. Petrov, and then Violet, call the parrots bird colleagues.

Frank makes bookends for both Harriet and Violet. Harriet demurs, saying she shouldn’t take them. Violet doesn’t – she says “I want the shimmering cat bookends.” She’s starting to assert herself.

From a random page in a book of quotes: Forgive everyone.

Harriet thinks Maya Angelou a tad pious.

Almost a throwaway line - Spending time with old people and having a foot in 3 centuries. For me, that means my paternal grandmother born in 1882, me born in 1953, and me living in 2026.

This book captivated me from the first page. Each chapter is from Violet’s, Frank’s, or Harriet’s perspective. Even though she was convicted of killing Frank’s wife and served 3 years, Violet is one of the most innocent people imaginable. Her unique perspective on the parrots, and on growing into herself are so well done.

I did not think of the mechanics of the book. The book just flowed along, requiring no more than I continue to be interested in the characters. Not once did I feel jolted by something out of character for any of these three people.

One of the more charming aspects of Violet quitting the lab is that she smuggles Ollie out. Frank is enchanted, Harriet thinks she shouldn’t. Harriet is much more conservative than either Frank or Violet. She has quite a few ‘should’s in her life, quite a few ‘should’s that she tries to apply to Violet.

Violet’s epitaph:

My name was Violet Powell
I took a life. I lived and died.
Meanwhile, I was loved.

Six word review: Luminous, free-flowing, emotional tale of redemption.

>207 karenmarie: Monica Wood's storytelling is excellent. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

I've been weirded out All day. Why, I can't tell you because I ain't know. Our food committee meets on Tuesday, so I'll trot along to learn about budgeting and suchlike. I'm replete with two Jamaican beef patties in my belly from lunch.

They are not, as you might gather, kosher. That is really all I require. xo

Thanks for your review of *How To...*, Karen. I loved it too! I bought Remarkably Bright Creatures as a Kindle deal earlier this week and find myself read it. I mention it because so many among us loved it. I'm not sure whether the love is going to be as great as *HT*, but I can see that it has many of the elements that keep me reading fiction!

After my teeth cleaning, I went to our 2 groceries and walked more than I have in a week. I'm fine!!!!! If leg remains this good, I can walk our walk tomorrow. YAY!

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/384205

>208 richardderus: Hiya, RD! I’m sorry you were weirded out yesterday. I hope the feeling is gone today. I’m glad to see that you’re going to trot along to the food committee meeting next Tuesday. *smooch*

>209 LizzieD: You’re very welcome, Peggy. Any book whose first chapter is told from the viewpoint of a Giant Pacific Octopus is magic – I hope you love it as much as I did. The movie dropped on Netflix today.

I’m glad you got your errands and some good walking in. 🤞 that you can walk with your DH this morning.

>210 SilverWolf28: Hi Silver, and thank you!

Wordle 1,784 4/6* trope, randy, augur, umbra

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I updated my spreadsheets and started May's Lightning Round. I read. I wrote the review for How to Read a Book.

I chatted with Jenna, napped, watched two episodes of Psych with Bill, read, doom scrolled, and got about 5 1/2 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

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I'm meeting friend Tamsie for coffee and a cookie at The Belted Goat at noon. Reading, lollygagging, and perhaps even a teensy bit of puttering otherwise. I’m going to try to persuade Bill to watch Remarkably Bright Creatures with me. If not, then I’ll watch it upstairs.

>207 karenmarie: Glad to see you enjoyed that one. I did as well.

>211 karenmarie: Hey, 5 1/2 hours of sleep is not bad! Congratulations on that!

I hope you have a great time with your friend Tamsie today. Have a fantastic Friday, Karen!

>211 karenmarie: Enjoy Tamsie's visit, Horrible. *smooch*

I'm happy to think about you and Tamsie enjoying each other with good coffee and cookies right now! I'm about to write a couple of checks to put in the mail with books for a PBS member I've been in touch with before. Her first name is Greta like my much-loved aunt. Grandmother named her for a Swedish friend, and I had never met another Greta (not Gretta but Greeta) until this woman who was named for her Norwegian grandmother.
That's the most interesting part in my day so far until I get home and can read some!

We're 4 Sisters. Hee hee hee hee hee.

>213 richardderus: ‘Morning, RDear, and thank you. The Tamsie Report below. *smooch*

>214 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. LibraryThing came up, of course, when I was with Tamsie, and I’m pretty sure I mentioned you, but I cannot remember what aspect of books it was about. Positive, for sure.

Bill payment isn’t so much fun but sending books to a PBS friend is. I love mailing books to people. I hope you read some yesterday. 4 sisters yesterday, but I’m 3 sisters today.

Wordle 1,785 3/6* trope, butch, satin

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Our mowing service came and we've gotten enough rain recently that the grass is looking lush.

I had fun meeting up with Tamsie. I got a small medium roast coffee, but have decided that I'll just get water from now on. It was closer to dark roast than how I like my medium roast, and it almost tasted oily. I bought Tamsie a cookie and I got a chocolate chip scone. So yummy.

We got the obligatory Medical Stuff out of the way - my back report, her back and two broken toes report (she fell when she forgot that there was a 6" step down at a friend's house), her new high blood pressure issues, and etc. Sheesh.

Then we got to the fun stuff - books. She wasn't able to come to the meeting to discuss How to Read a Book, but she loved it and we reiterated our love for it. We talked a bit about what our book choices would be for next month's meeting when we select 10 books for the upcoming book club year. It's far enough in the future that I might change my mind, but I'm leaning towards Devil Is Fine by John Vercher. I bought it in 2024. I also just listened to the Audible sample and really liked what I heard. Tamsie hasn't decided yet.

We went next door to McIntyre's Books - one of two local indies. My back gave out about 15 minutes in, and I couldn't really focus. However I did get to see Book Club Sarah AND Friends of the Library Sarah, who gave me a huge hug as we chatted. I do love hugs.

Home again, horizontal, nap, dinner, Psych. Reading, doom scrolling, chatting with Karen. Jenna and I did a bit of texting. She was out with Hwan at a star party (looking at stars, not ogling stars). Jenna was an entertained observer, at one point Hwan was in charge of what Jenna called 'the nuggets' as the other professor went off to get a telescope part.

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Reading, possibly updating spreadsheets and May Lightning Round. Starting this month, I’ve started keeping a list of words or quirks in each MM romance that irritate me. I’m calling it The Snark List.

1. lave
2. chuckle
3. waggle or wiggle eyebrows suggestively
4. wink
5. use of the words reverent or reverence
6. times that end with 7 minutes. 3:47 a.m., 12:17 p.m., etc. The author is trying to make it seem more believable with a very specific time. For some reason, they think that 7 works.
7. comparison of something a rich man wears or owns or his penthouse or mansion with a number of months or years rent or income of a poor man, usually the other romantic interest.
8. any number ending in a 7, not time. Same reasoning for time 7, above.

Bill wants to watch Remarkably Bright Creatures with me, possibly tonight. It's 1 hour and 51 minutes, definitely doable in one sitting.

Sounds like a fine day for you and for Jenna and Hwan. I LOVE 'the nuggets' - they're the best part for casually interested listeners!

I plan to be home all day. I slept pretty well and late, so maybe I can read after feeding without drifting off! Off to find out about Devil is fine.

ETA: Ha! Touchstones got you again. I was intrigued by the "cover" -especially in a book you're recommending- and then looked at what it was...... I'll be interested to see what you think about the book itself, (((((Karen)))))

>215 karenmarie: Goodness gracious me, that's some Snark List. Remarkably Bright Creatures is in my future as well...Sally Field is a huge draw to me.

"Lave" isn't one I myownself have noticed, but given its meaning I think its overuse would give me heebiejeebies.

I hadn't really thought of a Snark List beyond my objections to where and how often women cross their arms and sniff in *Wheel of Time*. If I started one though, I'd have these two long-time dislikes at the top:
1. pad across the floor - (Where else is somebody going to walk inside? Why not just "walk" or "went"?)
2. munch - especially something soft

Thank you. I needed to say that.

>215 karenmarie: >218 LizzieD:

How about the Pulitzer for any Modern Novel that does not mention or include:

1. a clapboard house
2. "arguably"
3. first light
4. animal cruelty
5. "on the cheap"
6. withering or dying or dead plants
7. "in their (or his/her) skin"
8. "scribbling"

???

Dropping by to say hi. I'm slowly working my way back around the threads after having to head out of town unexpectedly last weekend for my husband's aunt's funeral. 17 hours on the train both ways put a strain on both of our backs, so we've been trying to recover this week. I'm sorry to hear you are still having to deal with your own back trouble.

>207 karenmarie: I'm glad you liked How to Read a Book. You liked it more than I did, though I did like it. I think everyone in my RL book club did too. I hadn't thought about the title, but just about everyone in my group said they thought the title was terrible. Did anyone in your book club mention that?

Ah, Remarkably Bright Creatures. Sally Field seems to have been everywhere the last week promoting the movie. I would like to watch it, but was disappointed when I found out it's on Netflix. We don't have access. Of course, I really should read the book first anyway. After seeing all the love for it here on LT, I picked up a copy during an Amazon sale last year. I just haven't found time to squeeze it in yet.

Wishing you a good night's sleep tonight, and that your back will be better ASAP.

>216 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! Yesterday was fine. Jenna has always called children nuggets or potato babies, and it always amuses me. I hope yesterday was filled with reading and feeding and NOT drifting off.

Touchstone fixed – thank you. (((((Peggy)))))

>217 richardderus: Hi RD! I’ve completed 1,523 MM, MMF, MMM, or MMMM books since you got me started with Love, Hate, and Clickbait. So, it’s all your fault. I’ll add to the list as needed. *smooch*

>218 LizzieD: My pleasure. Pad and munch would definitely make the non-smut Snark list for me. I also actively like ‘arms akimbo’.

>219 m.belljackson: Hi Marianne. Excellent choices, too. Offhand, I think one of my favorite authors, Lionel Shriver, would qualify for the Pulitzer.

>220 atozgrl: Hi Irene, and thanks for stopping by! I had seen that your DH’s aunt wasn’t doing well, but haven’t been to your thread since the end of April. I’m sorry for her passing.

We did not mention the title at book club, but when I told the group that was my book for this year I had to quickly tell them that it was fiction and not nonfiction. I wonder if she chose the title or her publisher chose it?

My book club read Remarkably Bright Creatures in 2024. I was thrilled that the first chapter is told from the viewpoint of a Giant Pacific Octopus named Marcellus, and just got better and better. Sorry you don’t have Netflix. We have way too many subscriptions, alas.

Thanks re my back. Right now it’s tolerable. I took pain meds at 8 this mornin

Wordle 1,786 2/6* trope, parka. I have a new rule - use the first word I find that hasn't already been used. I usually avoid words with two of the same letter, but this time I made the conscious decision to follow the rule. *happy dance*

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I was horizontal for much of the day, although I finally folded or hung 4 loads of laundry and made a simple dinner of hamburger patties and air fryer french fries. Reading and doom scrolling rounded out my day.

...
Bill got me 2 cards for Mother's Day - one from him and one from the kitties. He ordered something on Monday which should have arrived Wednesday, but hasn't made it yet. Probably out for delivery today, but no guarantees.

Arsenal play West Ham at 11:30. Fingers crossed - the title race is soooo tight.

Other than that reading, being horizontal, and perhaps napping.

Good afternoon, Karen! I guess you're still advising Arsenal at the moment. Hope they pay attention and win.

I have fellow feeling for all the words and phrases mentioned so far although I haven't run into clapboard houses that I recall. My mental recoil is currently in full gear as I hear more and more speakers use "if you will." I won't. I don't care how much I agree with what they said. The only thing that strikes me as more pretentious is "as it were," and I fear its imminent arrival.

Amazon delivery! You know that I get most books through the Marketplace, and sellers are using Global Mail more and more often. I hate them. For months now they mark a book as "Out for Delivery" when it gets to Fayetteville, 40+ miles up the road. The first time somebody returned the book to the seller, and I had to reorder it. This last item was in Charleston, SC, when it was marked "OforD". It's a real first world problem, but I do go slightly crazy when I see that Global is handling my order.

There. More than anybody needs to know. Enjoy that horizontal afternoon; I hope to be that way soon too.

>221 karenmarie: Kitty scritches for your Mothers' Day! *smooch*

*CHOO*

>222 LizzieD: 'Afternoon, Peggy! The game finished a few minutes ago. Arsenal won, 1-0. However, West Ham scored a goal in the 98th minute - 8th minute of a 6 minute overtime. It was disallowed because one of their players held down our goalkeeper's arm so he couldn't catch the ball. The ball was on the ground and got kicked in.

Arsenal 1, West Ham 0.

Major stress game. Arsenal looked like crap for most of it. So did West Ham, but they had a bit more energy. Whew. Just, whew.

I've never heard of Global Mail. I might be getting things through GM, but I don't usually pay attention to the tracking. All it does is make me crazy.

I shall be horizontal after I finish up here.

>223 richardderus: Thank you, RD! They mean quite a bit since you don't like you-know-whats. *smooch*

Wordle 1,787 5/6* trope, fleck, legal, welsh, newly

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Jenna called. I texted with my sister. Chatted with Karen.

After relaxing on the sofa in the Library, I had dinner while Bill and I watched Remarkably Bright Creatures. I didn't consider the book twee, but this was twee-adjacent. It was good, though, and I did have a tear in my eye a couple of times. I got 5 1/2 hours of sleep.

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I've already made 5 phone calls this morning - I talked with my chiropractor. She's with a practice in Raleigh now, 41 miles away, but I called that practice and have an appointment with her tomorrow at 1:30. I called her old practice here in Pittsboro. I had 6 visits left on the prepaid passport and since they write checks once a month on the 15th, they'll write and mail me a check then. It's about $300, so well worth it. Wash is scheduled for his annual visit with the vet on the 27th. AND, I finally got back to my dentist after cancelling in January because of the snow and have an appointment on the 20th.

Adulting for the day is done. Whew.

Spreadsheets, Lightning Round, and possibly starting to get a grocery order set up online. Reading, of course.

Very adult indeed, Karen! I'm looking forward to a monthly phone call with friend Elaine today and to study club's last meeting until fall on Thursday. Then I think I'm free until maybe the 28th when a couple of The Group of Fine Friends may be here. I hope I can read!

I'm not finding *RBCs* twee either, but I'm not giving it full attention. I'm sorry that the movie is not remarkable. I am watching my newly arrived DVD of A Passage to India, which I ordered after you mentioned it. I do love Dame Peggy A! (Get it?) Happy Day to you!

>225 karenmarie: Ah, good to see you have an appointment with the chiropractor who was actually good for your back, Karen. I hope that results in getting back to your regular activities.

>226 LizzieD: ‘Morning, Peggy! I hope you enjoy your call with Elaine and get some good reading in.

Yes, I do get Dame Peggy A! I had to look it up, though. *smile*

>227 Familyhistorian: Hello Meg, and thank you. Other times I’ve been down with serious pain have been productive – baby and knees. Cluster headaches in my early 20s but they went away within 2 years or so. I’m really looking forward to seeing MY chiropractor.

Wordle 1,788 5/6* trope, afoul, wooly, blond, clock. Clock previously used on 11-26-21.

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Restville. Read, chatted with Jenna, and found out that Trevor got a job as a maintenance supervisor, 30 hours a week, starting yeserday. I'll give it a week or so and see when we can arrange for him to come out. He said that if he got the job he could still come after work or on the weekends. Sigh

Bill and I watched more Psych. We definitely need to find something else. Bill says it gets high ratings, but I just don't get it.

...
I hope Rhoda calls because I think I'm up for Virlie's. Not book sort, just Virlie's, but it's a step in the right direction. I need to be at the chiropractor's by 1:15 for my 1:30 appointment. I can stay in town at Virlie's and leave from there if it works out.

My cleaning ladies are coming today, too.

Virlie's is a step in the direction I hope you can take today! By now you're about ready to get some relief from YOUR chiropractor. I'm glad for you!

Check out a Kindle Daily Deal I just got from BookBub's features: The Meaning of the Bible: What the Jewish Scriptures and Christian Old Testament Can Teach Us. I don't know the Knight man, but Amy-Jill Levine is a much-respected Jewish, feminist theologian. I'm looking forward to dipping in and out of it.

5 Sisters, (((((Karen))))) Somehow that makes it better!

Hi Peggy! Alas, I wasn't feeling in a Virlie's mood. But I got to see MY chiropractor. I got a hug from her and from the other chiropractor in the practice - Dr. B. The practice is Living Well Balanced – Holistic and Integrative Healthcare. It was calming, and Dr. Nygren took care of me as she always does. My back feels quite a bit better. She also put some Doterra Deep Blue Rub on my lower back. It felt heavenly, and I'm still feeling it a bit 2 hours later. You can find it on Amazon - it's really expensive and I should really use up the Tiger Balm and CBD ointment first.

I have a paperback copy of Amy-Jill Levine's The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus on my shelves - got it last November. I just got The Meaning of the Bible: What the Jewish Scriptures and Christian Old Testament Can Teach Us on my Kindle with Kindle Unlimited. Thanks!

I came home to a clean house and am going upstairs for a couple of hours.

>228 karenmarie: I'm glad for Trevor and sad for you, Horrible. I'm sure he'll keep up his paying homeowner-helping because he probably has a need to get extra income for at least a while. I hope it's a permanent side-hustle!

*smooch*

Dylan vs SPAM again:
https://youtube.com/shorts/ppXgkQAhsFk?si=sm6fUSSPK6ZkivyV

>231 richardderus: Hi RD! His job is 30 hours per week, so he'll have time to help us. I want to be his permanent side-hustle! *smooch*

>232 richardderus: Gotta love Dylan. I particularly like needing a larger bowl and saying "It looks like cat sh...".

Wordle 1,789 3/6* trope, widow, dowdy

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See above re the chiropractor visit, >230 karenmarie:. I read and dozed after I got home. Bill and I watched two more episodes of Psych. We need something else. Suggestions? No medical stuff, please. I slept for about 5.5 hours.

While reading last night, Wash started making biscuits on my stomach. Unfortunately for me, he was facing away from me so I got a great view of kitty butt. I took a picture, of course, and sent it to Bill and Jenna.

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This morning, while reading before coming downstairs, Zoe was visiting and Wash decided, once again, to make biscuits on my stomach. I got a photo of kitty butt and The Witness. I immediately sent it to Jenna, Bill, and friend Karen. She called and we chatted for a few minutes.

I'm downstairs drinking coffee and finalizing the grocery order. It's set to be picked up between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Now it's time to figure out some breakfast.

Don't know who'll pick up the grocery order. I've also got two prescriptions to pick up. Other than that, resting, reading, napping, updating spreadsheets and May Lightning Round.

Let's see, (((((Karen)))))! I'm sorry that you missed Virlie's, but it wasn't your last chance. I'm delighted that YOUR chiropractor made your back feel so much better, and I hope it lasts! Also, I'm glad that Trevor has a more stable income and that he's not giving you up. I'm sure you'll work out something to your mutual advantage.

Thank you, I think, for not including me in the Washbutt pics. *grin* I have plenty of local opportunities. Otoh, it's getting to be time for a phone call, don't you think?

Congrats on your Wordle in 3. Your 2nd guess was a real winner! 4 for me is a lot better than 5s. Since she's been reusing words, I'm not as careful as I used to be about thinking about a new word at the 3rd try. I can't tell that it's really hurting me, but I guess it might be. I knew my 3 had been used before - although really, it was more like a 2 since my 1st word had no letters.
Sorry for rattling on!

Enjoy your day.

(((((Peggy)))))

My back isn't quite as calm as it was after visiting Dr. Nygren, but I'm surprised at how good it does feel.

I was able to clean and refill the bird bath. While doing that, a male hummingbird came looking for food. The feeders hadn't been changed out since Trevor was last here. I think the hummingbirds have been reluctant to eat from the feeders since they are out in the open with no protection. I'm not putting any back on the front porch because the sugar water gets sloshed out and molds on the railings/porch so I needed a solution that works here at the bird feeder pole. I took the tray feeder down from underneath the rain guard/umbrella and put a freshly filled hummingbird feeder up there instead. We'll see if they like it.

Thanks re my 3. 2nd guess hadn't been used yet. Congrats on your 5.

Rattle away, and I'd love to chat soon.

Really glad your chiro worked. So tired I'm taking myself into freamland for an hour or so to keep from getting worked up about how tired I am this not being able to get to sleep.

Perverse, ain't it.

ETA I forgot to tell you Wordle's coming to your TV set next year because the Times is going deeper into TV production.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/384299

>236 richardderus: Ah, RD, I'm sorry you're so tired. I hope the nap yesterday afternoon helped. Not being able to get to sleep usually makes me panic. Ah. Thanks for the Wordle info. I'll pass. That shouldn't surprise you. *smooch*

>237 SilverWolf28: Thank you, Silver.

Wordle 1,790 4/6* trope, derby, raven, waver

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I chatted with Jenna. They are both having allergic reactions to the pollens - Hwan more than Jenna. New area. It reminds me that when I moved to NC I was decimated by pine pollen.

In addition to birdbath and hummingbird feeder, I helped bring in $300 of groceries. I'm feeling it a bit today. Bill and I watched Psych. I got about 5.5 hours of sleep.

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I was going to pick up 2 prescriptions and get my Covid booster but am going to baby my back today instead. I may or may not fill one of the suet feeders. Reading, Lightning Round. Commercial power abruptly cut off about 15 minutes ago, but our handy dandy generator start up in about 20 seconds.

>238 karenmarie: I'm rested, so feeling fine. I hope I'll keep up the trend of getting satisfying sleep.

Ghastly world events won't stop, so best to adjust my expectations and lower the rest deficit as best I can, right? *smooch*

I'm glad you can take it easy today, Karen. At today's grocery prices I'll bet you didn't have to move in but a couple of heavy bags apiece.
Sorry that your daughters are plagued by pollen.
Congrats on your Wordle in 4....... I'll tell you like Karen O told me, you've switched your #3 and #4.
About the Covid booster ----- Is this last fall's? Are you getting it for a second time? I'll be interested to see what Brownie says in a couple of weeks.

>230 karenmarie: >233 karenmarie: Hurray for the chiropractor and hurray for Trevor still having time to help you!

I haven't gotten my hummingbird feeder out yet, although I pulled it out of storage a couple of weeks ago. I need to put it out--my DH saw a hummingbird out our kitchen window this evening.

>238 karenmarie: >240 LizzieD: I had a message in MyChart recently prompting me to get my COVID booster. I was puzzled because I got mine in September, and that date was showing in my records. Are they expecting us to get the booster every 6 months?

>240 LizzieD:, >241 atozgrl: sticking my nose into this to say the pharmacist where we've received our COVID shots recently mentioned to me that as seniors we can now get them twice a year. Not long after I saw that in writing somewhere, but can't recall where.

>239 richardderus: ‘Morning, RDear! I’m glad you’re rested. Let’s hope the satisfying sleep trend continues.

The criminal who is our President’s visit to China apparently didn’t go well for him. Schadenfreude makes me happy, worry for our country stresses me. Apparently Xi brought up the Thucydides Trap. It’s been done recently with China-US relations. I can only imagine what Xi thought of Trump. *smooch*

>240 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! Bill got all the soda and BodyArmor on the work bench in the garage or in the house and most of the pantry stuff in the pantry. I got all the frozen and fresh things where they needed to go. The haul filled the rear of my SUV, but part of that is that they packed things weirdly and used many bags. This is not a bad thing, considering that when I actually grocery shop in the store, I ask them to pack bags lightly.

I think Jenna was going to get them an antihistamine. Personally, I take Claritin-wannabe every single day of the year, and any allergy symptoms I get are very mild.

Yesterday’s Wordle solution fixed – it’s funny that two Karens switched the same words. Thank you.

>241 atozgrl: Hello Irene. Yes, re the chiropractor, and Trevor is still our treasure.

By moving one hummingbird feeder to under the umbrella, both Bill and I have now seen male hummingbirds. I’ll bring the second one in and just store it for now.

See what I wrote above re the Covid booster.

>242 lauralkeet: Hi Laura. Looks like seniors should get it twice a year.

MyChart and my GP tell me to get the Covid booster. I think at this point seniors getting it twice a year, regardless of whether it’s a new formulation or not, makes sense. It’s still out there, there are occasional flare ups geographically, and I do not want to get it again.

Wordle 1,791 3/6* trope, creek, creed

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Groceries in. I baked 8 bone in/skin on chicken thighs in a large roasting pan with potatoes, carrots, and celery last night. It's basically Beau Monde Chicken without the Beau Monde, which is death by sodium. I did use a bit of S&P and basil. I roasted just the chicken for an hour, added the vegetables, poured in about 3/4 cup of white wine and put more S&P and basil. Covered it, baked it for another 45 minutes. We loved it and have leftovers for tonight.

We watched the 4 episodes of The Other Bennet Sister that are available, and are now going to have to watch the rest of them weekly as they come out. I found it very well done. It was the parallel story of Mary from the beginning of Pride and Prejudice, and it continues after Mr. Bennet's death.

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Trevor reached out yesterday and asked if we needed him today. I said Yes! Yes! He started working the maintenance supervisor job Monday and I didn't want to bother him 'til next week, but he wants money AND to help us, I think. He'll be here around 10.

Other than that, reading, spreadsheets, May Lightning Round.

>243 karenmarie: Hummingbird feeder changes incoming! Yay for Trevor being available.

I'm pretty much caught up on sleep, getting up at an ordinary-for-me 6.30. I'm facing next week's requirements without pleasure but with stoicism. Staying busy with reading June's and July's books while cleaning up April's and May's reviews. 1 June and all the May books go into the general pot to be got to as and when. Pride Month is gonna be *packed*!

*smooch*

>244 richardderus: 'Morning, RDear. I might have missed next week's travails. Keeping busy with reading AND reviews AND your wonderful new apartment AND enjoying no kosher and no OS... not half bad. *smooch*

Wordle 1,792 4/6* trope, odder, roger, mover

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Trevor got here about 10 yesterday morning and fixed two door latches, moved 3 large framed pictures upstairs and hung one on a new and sturdier picture hanger in my bedroom. He took piles of linens from the Master Bedroom up to the Guest Bedroom to be sorted out later. We discussed a "Double Handle Floor to Ceiling Grab Bar, Tension Mounted Transfer Pole for Seniors" so that I can start using the jacuzzi because my chiropractor said I should be taking hot baths with epsom salts. He loaded Bill's SUV with trash and recyclables. He brought the bags of bird seed from my SUV and filled the metal trash cans before filling all my bird feeders and replenishing the bird bath.

And, since he knows more about this area than 95% of the people living in this county, he told me about the best fresh fish market nearby. It's in Carrboro, so 35 minutes away.

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No plans. Restville. Spreadsheets and my May Lightning Round. I have 3 finished books and 5 abandoned books to write about. I should fold and put up some laundry.

I'm in the hospital for testing. Not sure how soon I can be back here, but feel okay just need some TIA related tests.

Oh, RD! I'm sorry. I'm glad you're feeling okay, but being in the hospital is never fun.

*smooch*

Wordle 1,793 4/6* trope, ficus, mangy, bylaw

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I read, updated spreadsheets and my May Lightning Round. I did a teensy bit of puttering, but nothing onerous. We watched more of The Gilded Age.

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While looking out at the feeders on my porch, I see that Someone, most likely a Squirrel, completely pulled the feeder, S-hook, eye screw, and squirrel-proof suet feeder out. I'll have to wait 'til Trevor comes over again, most likely this coming Saturday. Grrrr.

Reading, spreadsheets, Lightning Round, possibly a bit of laundry, possibly trying to decide on a new UPS. Our UPSs are both 4+ years old, and it recently became apparent that the batteries were dying on both. It's more economical to buy new ones - replacing just the batteries is more than half the cost of new ones.

Morning, Karen. Happy Sunday. Thanks for keeping my thread warm. Everyone NEEDs a Trevor around. You are blessed, especially if he is affordable. I hope all is going fine there.

All my feeders look pretty forlorn. As soon as I start this next load of laundry, I will get out there and tend to things, which will include finally hanging the hummingbird feeder. 🤞

Good afternoon, Karen! I am so mid-last-century that I had to google UPS. Needless to say, we don't have one.
I'm married to everybody's favorite Trevor except that he did carpentry, laid brick fences, and did electrical work for the most part. I don't think he painted for anybody but us, but he also did minor roof repairs. Now he joins me in being overwhelmed by cats and sleep. Age!

We continue to be 4 sisters! You were smarter than I was after finding that the normally final letter, wasn't.

>248 karenmarie: I hope you are enjoying The Gilded Age. That's one of my favorite shows in recent years.

Sorry about the squirrel. They certainly do cause trouble.

>249 msf59: Welcome back, Mark! You’re welcome re your thread. And yes, everybody needs a Trevor. He’s affordable – he was at our house for 3.5 hours on Friday and charged us $100. Admittedly, there was perhaps half an hour of chatting, but otherwise he was busy. The thing about Trevor is that he does everything as though it's his house, not as just a handyman doing the bare minimum.

We’re okay. My back is still giving me fits, but it’s noticeably better this morning than yesterday morning, so there’s that. I go to the chiropractor again tomorrow.

I hope you were able to get to your feeders yesterday. I’ve got a male Blue Grosbeak, a male House Finch, a Downy, and I swear I had a Black-Throated Sparrow but I couldn’t have because of range. I can’t see what else he would be. Sigh. I need your eagle eyes here.

>250 LizzieD: ‘Morning, Peggy! My Trevor can do pretty much anything except electrical panel-related work. Having your own personal Trevor, even if slowed down by sleep and overwhelmed by cats, must take a lot of stress away.

We have 5 UPSs here at the house. In fact, I could probably bring one of the ones in the Retreat down if I could do it safely - it's very heavy. The one here in the Sunroom is working, but if we get a power failure AND the generator isn’t working, which happened for an hour last week, the battery doesn't last.

>251 atozgrl: Hello Irene. We’re really liking The Gilded Age. Looks like S3 starts on June 22nd.

I live in the country, so we do have critters – squirrels, raccoons, possums. Foxes and coyotes, but not near the house. I just don’t like how much damage squirrels cause.

Yay for 4 sisters. I got today’s in 3.

Wordle 1,794 3/6* trope, notch, loath

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Restville. Reading, napping, bringing the in-pieces suet feeder, knocked down by a squirrel or even raccoon. It's not broken. Whatever jumped on it gave it enough force to bring it, the S hook, and the eye hook down.
Two more episodes of The Gilded Age.

...
I have 3 errands to run. Arsenal play their penultimate Premier League game at 3 today against Burnley. Around all that I'll read and possibly update spreadsheets and May's Lightning Round. We'll watch The Gilded Age.

Bill was under the impression that I didn't want to watch Bridgerton anymore, but it's just Season 3, Penelope and Collin's romance, that I refuse to watch. Benedict and Sophie's romance, S4, is available, so we can watch that next.

Glad that the back is better and that you're not planning anything that will weaken it again today.

Go, Arsenal!!!

Congrats on your Wordle 3! Very rare 2 showed up for me.

Good Afternoon, Karen. Just got back from playing PB and food shopping. Our fridge was empty and Sue went out to help with Jackson. I did get to my feeders but not a whole lot happening out there.

You got a blue grosbeak at your feeder? That is awesome. Is this the first time, that you have seen it there? It is a favorite of mine.

I'm finally going home and deeply glad to be doing so. No huge problems to monitor just one adjustment to my meds.*whew*

>253 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! I did run errands, but none that required me to get out of the SUV. Go Arsenal, indeed. See below.

Congrats on your two.

>254 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you. Sounds like you are back in your groove, especially with PB. I’ve seen Blue Grosbeaks here quite a few times.

>255 richardderus: Yay for going home, RD! I hope you’re settled in again and rarin’ to go! No huge problems AND only one meds adjustment. Sometimes that’s the best we can ask for. *smooch*

Wordle 1,795 3/6* trope, ditch, dusty

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I returned a book to the Library and picked up groceries. I need to pick up 2 prescriptions this morning, hopefully go to Virlie's with the book sort team, then schlep to Raleigh to see my chiropractor.

Arsenal beat Burnley 1-0 on a gorgeous corner, Saka to Havertz. A bit of controversy later on when Havertz tackled a Burnley player high but only got a yellow card.

If Man City loses or draws today, then Arsenal win the title. If Man City wins, then it goes 'til Sunday to determine the winner. Fingers crossed for Man City to lose to Bournmouth.

We watched an episode of The Gilded Age. I was whupped, so went upstairs early.

...
I hope to get a call when the team leaves for Virlie's so I can join them. After that, swing by to pick up the prescriptions, then go to my chiropractor.

>256 karenmarie: I am very happy to bring good news home with me, and to be in the ecstasy-inducing privacy of my home. I haven't dipped my toe into The Gilded Age...you seem to be enjoying it...is this something you'd recommend? I'm on the fence. Julian Fellowes is involved in high production-value shows, but I often feel he, or the episode writers for All I know, tend to wander around being Pretty rather than telling me a story I want to invest in. Any input welcome. *smooch*

Morning, Karen. Happy Wednesday. I had a good time hanging with Jack yesterday. Today is his last day of school. Bree has 2 hummingbird feeders set up at her place and I saw my FOY local hummers. Nothing here yet.

I am leading a bird walk this AM. Migration is in full gear. It was 80F here yesterday but only mid-50s here right now and may inch to 60F. Wish me luck.

>257 richardderus: Hiya, RD. Yay for ecstasy-inducing privacy. I certainly recommend watching an episode or two if you're not specifically paying for the privilege - it's on HBOMax. Apparently it's also on Disney+/Hulu/Max Bundle, Prime video to rent or buy.

It's lush, lavish, and probably as authentic re clothing and venues as you'd expect from Julian Fellowes. There are real people from the era - Clara Barton, Mrs. Astor, Ward McAllister. The Russells are a fictional 'new money' family. Wife is determined to break into the 400. Husband is a railroads and other industries. They have bought and renovated a huge mansion on 5th Avenue across the street from a 400 widow, Agnes Van Rhijn. Conflict - inside the Russell household and with Mrs. Russell trying to barge her way into high society. Snitty conflicts between the Russells and the van Rhijns, the butlers of the two households. Downstairs betrayals and romances and etc.

In other words, Downton Abbey 30 years earlier and in the US. There's a gay couple, with one man trying to marry a rich heiress but keep his lover, a black woman going home to Brooklyn but diverted when helping a young white woman and staying in that household. Hmm. Gorgeous carriages, horses, clothing. Predictable, mostly, but we've just finished season 1 and will start season 2 tonight. Is that enough input? *smooch*

>258 msf59: 'Morning, Mark, and happy Wednesday to you. Yay for your time with Jack. I'm glad you've gotten to see FOY hummingbirds at Bree's house. Good luck and have a good time on the bird walk.

I've got two different species of sparrow, a male Cardinal, and a Downy - mostly hidden on the other side of one of the suet feeders so I can't tell if she/he is male or female. A House Finch is being aggressive on a sunflower seed feeder but a male Cardinal just chased him away. Birds are fun to watch, aren't they?

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Read, puttered, worked on spreadsheets and May Lightning Round. I went to my chiropractor and it was going fine until she adjusted my middle back and there was a sharp pain. I'm pretty sure she bruised a rib - it doesn't feel cracked, but she said that my rib cage moved more than she wanted it to and I should see when my last bone density study was. (You had a normal bone density test in 2018 at age 65. Current recommendation is to not repeat if normal at the initial screen. ) She said to alternate ice and heat, but multiple websites say ice for the first 2-3 days then heat.

I can't win. I'm scheduled with her next Thursday, but I'm seriously reconsidering.

It's not completely debilitating, just if I move at certain angles.

I got home in time to watch the second half of the Bournmouth Man City game. Here's what I wrote yesterday: If Man City loses or draws today, then Arsenal win the title. If Man City wins, then it goes 'til Sunday to determine the winner. Fingers crossed for Man City to lose to Bournmouth.

They drew, 1-1, so Arsenal are the Premier League Champions for the first time in 22 years. Much joy here and anywhere there's an Arsenal fan. The 38th and final game of the season is on Sunday, and all 20 teams play. Arsenal play Crystal Palace. Even if they lose and Man City wins, they're still Champions.

...
I have a dental checkup today at noon. Would I rather not go out with a bruised rib? Yes. Is it a make up appointment for canceling after a snow storm in January? Yes. I might stop for Taco Bell on the way home.

Otherwise, reading, spreadsheets, Lightning Round. I need to sort/keep/shred way too much paperwork. More of The Gilded Age tonight.

>259 karenmarie: hmmmmm

I might give The Gilded Age a whirl for an episode or two...thanks! Sorry about your rib experience. owwwwww

*smooch*

Oh, Karen. It seems as though nothing is easy, but that's not really true. I'm awfully sorry about the rib, but not as sorry as you (or the chiropractor, so I suspect).

Take care of yourself. Don't jump around for Arsenal! Hope the dental checkup was fine and brief.

Congrats on Wordle in 3. I maintained my streak >>>>>>>>>>>> at 19! with a 6.

Enjoy your day. No *Gilded Age* for me; I'm continuing *Pallisers* which I loved 40+ years ago and enjoy now too.

>252 karenmarie: Season 3 of The Gilded Age should be available for you. I've watched the first 3 seasons. As I understand it, they're currently filming the fourth season. I have enjoyed it very much, but I don't suppose that's any help to RD in deciding whether to watch or not.

>259 karenmarie: I'm sorry about the chiropractor. I hope you're feeling better by now. And I hope the dental appointment went well.

Congratulations to Arsenal! Enjoy the championship. It is pure joy when your team can do that. I celebrate with you.

>259 karenmarie: Sorry to hear about the bruised rib, Karen, and hope it heals quickly! They are no fun. I know from personal experience. Take care of yourself!

We just had a shredding party at my house. Three trash bags full and a sense of accomplishment that it is finally done, lol.

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. Kids and then PB this AM. Still cool. Will play indoors. Sighs...

My bird walk update is on my thread. It was a good one. I had my first hummer at the feeder yesterday. Blue jays and robins have been hanging around and so has a red-bellied woodpecker. Still waiting on something different.

>260 richardderus: Hiya, RDear. You’ll have to let me know if you like it or not. And, thanks re my rib. Grrrr. *smooch*

>261 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. Thanks re my rib. She called to check up on me Tuesday night. I think it hurts more now than it did then.

Bill and I did a seated Happy Dance for Arsenal. No damage to aging bodies was experienced. The checkup was thorough. It always lasts an hour – the hygienist scrapes, comments, polishes, and rinses. Then my dentist comes in for 5 minutes to look at my mouth, too. Oh, and this time I got bitewings and an x-ray on one tooth they’re keeping track of.

I’m not actually happy with a Wordle 6, but I’m always grateful that I didn’t get skunked. I’m glad you’re enjoying The Pallisers. Two seasons, right? Or were there spinoffs?

>262 atozgrl: Hi Irene. It’s available – we’ve just started season 2. If RD watches it, all he’s out is an hour if he doesn’t like it. Bill and I have started series, looked at one another, and gone “Nope.”

Thanks re the chiropractor and dentist.

Arsenal play their last game against Crystal Palace, at Crystal Palace, on Sunday, where they’ll be awarded the Championship. Too bad it’s not at home, but THEY WON. I’m having fun looking at YouTube videos of how fans around the world have been celebrating, after watching the team go crazy after Man City and Bournmouth tied, giving them the Championship. Thanks.

>263 alcottacre: Hi Stasia. Thanks re my rib – I’m trying to take care of myself. In fact, I’m heading off to the kitchen to get breakfast and bring an ice pack back to the Sunroom. Shredding party, eh? Congratulations. I’m trying to gear up to going through papers for shredding. The papers are here, the shredder is here, trash bags are here.

>264 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and sweet Thursday to you, too. Back to the routine, eh? At least there’s indoor PB for you today.

Yay for the hummingbird and etc.

I’ve got a male Cardinal, a male Blue Grosbeak, and way too many finches.

Wordle 1,797 3/6* trope, afire, agree. Previously used on 8-28-21.

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The dental appointment went well. No problems, just $419 and an appointment for early December. Reading, The Gilded Age, spending a fair amount of time finding new MM romances.

I chatted with Jenna for a bit but had to leave for my appointment.

I've got a really good book going right now - The Revenge Mishap by Jax Calder. I was upstairs cackling like a loon this morning before remembering that I needed coffee.

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Nothing planned outside the house. I might make dinner. If so, it will be ribeye steaks. Possibly baked russets. I might fill one birdfeeder on the porch. I might do a teensy bit in the Guest Bedroom. Reading, spreadsheets, Lightning Round.

I'm getting antsy, wanting to DO things, but I realize I have to keep it small.

>265 karenmarie: I am so empathetic with your desire to DO things, to *accomplish* something that you've identified as needing to be done. I have the same itch. My across-the-street neighbor has Bluetooth-enabled devices and bad wifi, which I know because when it goes out or hiccups their device connects to my casting screens function. I got irked at first and kicked 'em off every time it happened, but then saw they were watching leftist YouTube news outlets like Brian Taylor Cohen and Rachel Maddow so now I just let 'em be. I get a little grumpy when they listen to Spotify, but everyone deserves some fun and the lag time it introduces into my experience is negligible.

Gotta do what I can to keep the people I agree with in the loop.

My goddesses what a world. The Gross Old Pedophiles "Party" have blocked the bloody ballroom's funding...but not the slush fund for the J6 traitors.

Anyway.

Here's the Memorial Day readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/384526

Morning, Karen. Happy Friday. I am going to brave the early chill and play outdoors this AM. Some sun will help but it is heavily overcast at the moment. Still not much happening at the feeders.

Hooray for the continuing blue grosbeak. So jealous...

>266 richardderus: ‘Morning, RDear! The most I’ve gotten done in the last few days is keeping the you-know-what boxes clean, making coffee, eating, and trying to not aggravate my bruised rib. I’m glad you’re helping out your leftist neighbor. I gather you would have kept cutting them off, most likely with glee, had you seen them watching weird rightist stuff? *smile*

I think I read that the ‘ballroom’ will now have a state-of-the-art hospital and expanded security features. What a world, what a world… I hope the Democrats are soliciting funds to remove all the gaudy white and gold crap when they inevitably get back into office and put up something tasteful. Anyway. *smooch*

>267 SilverWolf28: Hi Silver, and thank you.

>268 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark! I hope outdoor PB goes well. Sorry about your quiet feeders. Mine are mostly quiet because they’re empty, but I do have two Female Cardinals, a Downy, and two Mourning Dove.

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I learned the hard way that the Library sofa isn't good right now because it's too low to get up from without aggravating my rib, so I rested upstairs, trying to figure out positions to make my rib happy. Read a lot, continued to revel in Arsenal's winning the Premier League Title. They play their last game Sunday - nothing they or Man City do will change the win.

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I have a 1:30 p.m. appointment for a 6-month check up in Siler City. It will be interesting to see how that goes. I'm going to chat with my Aunt Joyce this afternoon, read, lollygag, and maybe work on spreadsheets and/or Lightning Round. The Gilded Age tonight.

Trevor might come over tomorrow, so we're going to start an online grocery order today so that he can pick it up on his way over.

Oh that rib! I completely empathize with the adjusting positions to accommodate a painful or just aching body part. May you heal SOON!!!!!!!!

I hope your day goes well as we look forward to the weekend. (Congrats, 3 Sister!)

>269 karenmarie: Read about Arsenal's wonderful victory, and am happy for all y'all. I tried an episode of The Gilded Age and there were no naked men so I lost interest. Rewatched House of Guinness instead...Anthony Boyle's got a nice butt.

Good-news wishes for your check-up! *smooch*

Morning, Karen. Great time playing PB yesterday, despite a bit of a breeze. My cousin and I are going to the Cubs game this afternoon. They have been playing awful. Hope that changes today.

The feeders were bustling yesterday- red-wing blackbirds, starlings, nuthatch, robins, a blue jay, plus the regulars. Just no hummers...

>270 LizzieD: ‘Morning, Peggy, and thank you. Unfortunately, going to the doctor's appointment set me back a bit with my rib. I really didn't want to cancel it.

>271 richardderus: Hiya, RDear. Yes, I’ve been basking in Arsenal’s victory all week. Tomorrow we’ll watch the final game of the season, when they play Crystal Palace. Even if they lose and Man City wins, Arsenal win the title. I would imagine that we’ll watch the stuff after the game, which we rarely do. I looked at House of Guiness, and I’ll probably suggest it to Bill.

>272 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Saturday to you. Glad PB went well. Oooh, a Cubs game. I hope your being there gives them the luck to turn things around.

Excellent bird report. I’ve got a male Blue Grosbeak, two Carolina Chickadees. A Red-Bellied Woodpecker was eating suet a bit ago, and there are THREE squirrels under the feeders.

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The doctor's appointment was a 6-month checkup. No problems found, and I've graduated to yearly checkups. I was in more pain from my rib than I was expecting after the doctor's appointment, so cancelled on my cht with my Aunt Joyce. Reading, and watching The Gilded Age.

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Trevor and his 10-year old son Braxton are going to be here very soon. We've got several things for them to do. I'm going to pick up the grocery order I placed yesterday between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. and also pick up a prescription for me and an OTC order for Bill.

The Gilded Age. Reading. Nursing my rib along.

Trevor and Braxton will still be here when I get back.

Hooray for ANNUAL checkups and Congratulations, Karen! I'm sorry that the rib didn't take kindly to the outing and hope that just going for pick-up and pharma won't trigger more pain.

We are 4 Sisters in Wordle today. Good enough.

Enjoy your day!!!

Hello, my dear Peggy! Thanks re the checkup.

Trevor and his 10-year old son Braxton were here. Bird feeders and bird bath filled, light bulb replaced in a ceiling fixture, dead mice removed from mouse traps and mouse traps re-baited and set. Bill asked if they could run the errands in town and they did. Groceries and prescription picked up, groceries put up.

My rib is marginally better. Not stunningly, but marginally.

Yay for 4 Sisters today.

Time to go upstairs and get horizontal. 😊

Wordle 1,800 4/6* trope, hedge, sieve, niece. Speaking of niece, today is my niece's 47th birthday.

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Afternoon reading and dozing, The Gilded Age, evening reading and doom scrolling. I impressed Bill when I knew that 'decompression' was what we now call the bends.

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Arsenal play Crystal Palace today at 11. They're champions regardless of the results, but the last game of the 2025-2026 Premier League Season will be fun to watch.

Other than that, all the usual things.

Morning, Karen. Happy Sunday. I take it that you recommend The Gilded Age? I was on the fence with that one, although I am big fan of Carrie Coon.

I enjoyed my early birding yesterday morning and had a nice time at the game, despite another ugly loss. I had plans to play PB this AM and it decided to rain so that probably won't happen. Today begins a big warm-up though.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday to you.

I do recommend it. There are enough plot twists and character development that we're still happy to watch it. Plus, 1880s NYC, wonderful costumes, and real events to research after the fact, like the Brooklyn Bridge, the Tuskegee Institute, post-Civil War race relations, and etc.

Sorry about the Cubs game. Sorry you probably won't play PB today.

However, books and birds are good, right?

I've got a White-Breasted Nuthatch, male and female Cardinals, and a male House Finch. Earlier I had a Carolina Chickadee and a Downy Woodpecker.

Evening, swwtiedarling. I've scrambled around today getting new choices for tomorrow's review because I ended up hating Bromantasy. *sigh* I'm lucky that I work well under pressure! *smooch*

>277 msf59: >278 karenmarie: I recommend The Gilded Age too. I have really enjoyed it. Of course, it depends if you like period drama and things with an Upstairs, Downstairs/Downton Abbey vibe. As Karen says, the history that they weave into the stories is interesting, and I like that part.

I hope your rib is feeling better, Karen. And I also hope Arsenal won, even if it doesn't change any results.

Domestic season over and I must chime in with my congratulations to Arsenal on lifting the title again after 22 years. Very much deserved and built on defensive solidity and a great team spirit. I shall be rooting for them in the European Champions League final against PSG - very much chalk to Arsenal's cheese.

My own team had a very satisfactory term too and I do think that fine margins could have seen us much higher.

Celebratory hugs to you Karen. xx

Morning, Karen. Happy Memorial Day. Thanks for the info on the Gilded Age. I may check it out. I ended up playing PB a couple of hours yesterday. A few people showed up indoors. Today will be sunny and beautiful, so PB will be playing outdoors. It looks like fine weather all week. Sue has been a bit under the weather so we have been laying low this weekend.

>279 richardderus: Hiya, RDear. I just looked at Bromantasy and even though it’s queer fantasy, I wouldn’t have read it anyway because it’s a cozy. I read queer fantasy all the time – Omegaverse and Shifter. In fact, I was at a standstill last night and remembered Grabbed by Suzi Hawke and Crista Crown – first of the Team A.L.P.H.A. series. I’m re-reading it.

“Two heroes. One brain cell.” Ugh. I hope you found something worthy to review for today. *smooch*

>280 atozgrl: Hi Irene. We loved Downton Abbey. I was never into Upstairs, Downstairs. Too dated for me. And, after the first Downton movie, I because supremely bored with the idea of the series and haven’t watched any more of it. Thanks re my rib and Arsenal. Updates below.

>281 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul, and thank you. I’m so happy for Arteta and the team. I’m especially thrilled that Arteta started Max Dowman yesterday. He’s definitely a phenom. Defense, yes, especially with Saliba and Gabriel. Offense with Trossard, Martinelli, Gyökeres, Jesus, and etc. Midfield Eze, Rice, and Ødegaard. Everybody else, too, of course, but most especially to Raya, stunning 3-years-in-a-row Golden Glove.

I really hope PSG falters and Arsenal stays where they are right now or even steps it up a bit. We'll definitely be watching this coming Saturday.

And, of course, Leeds. Congrats for their respectable re-entry to the Premier League. I still love watching Brenden Aaronson play. I’m not sure how much of the World Cup I’ll watch this summer, though I would like to follow the US and England. The even more-over-the-top politics than usual surrounding the event, with our Idiot in Chief involved, put a bad taste in my mouth. It’s not fair to players, coaches, and coaching staff.

>282 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Memorial Day to you, too. Yay for PB, and I’m sorry Sue’s under the weather.

Feeders report: Carolina Chickadees, a Tufted Titmouse, a Mourning Dove, and a male Cardinal.

Wordle 1,801 3/6* trope, stalk, visit

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Restville. Reading, updating spreadsheets and needing to but not updating the May Lightning Round. We watched Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 2-0 at Crystal Palace, then watched the awarding of the championship. Other than that, we watched two episodes of The Gilded Age. Chatted for a bit with Karen, doom scrolled.

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Lots of nothing on the schedule today, although I'd like to get my laundry and the desk here in the Sunroom under control. Reading, spreadsheets, perhaps May Lightning Round, too.

My rib is marginally better again today, and I hope that by doing nothing today it will be just that much better tomorrow.

>283 karenmarie: Laze around! Do fuck-all and do it loudly and often, get that rib back in fighting shape!

I had a lovely Memorial Day *grumble* lunch of cheeseburger, potato salad, and berries on cake. The potato salad was in a light dressing of mayo, onion, and dill, so it was wonderful. *contented belch*

I'm really enjoying A Bird's IQ which I think you and Birddude might oughta check out. *smooch*

>283 karenmarie: I enjoyed Upstairs, Downstairs very much, closer to the original release. So many costumers I admired were constantly discussing Downton Abbey, I gave it a try and didn't get through the first episode. My enjoyment of costume drama seems to have gone down the drain of my disinterest in soap opera plots. That I could barely make out any of the dialog might have been a factor.

>283 karenmarie: My family watched Upstairs, Downstairs religiously when it was originally on. I honestly don't know how well it would hold up to a rewatch today.

I'm glad Arsenal won and that you got to watch them get the championship. What fun!

I hope you are resting and that your rib is improving. Is your back doing better?

Morning, Karen. This could be my last day working with the kids for the season or at least that is what my boss told me. School ends at the end of the week. I am doing Trail Watch afterwards. I am going to try to get out to see Jackson sometime this week. 🤞🤞

>284 richardderus: ‘Morning, RDear. I lazed around, I did fuck-all. I was mostly quiet about it though.

I should really turn in my Czech card – fresh dill is one of the frequently used herbs in my maternal side’s cooking and I can’t bear it. Dill pickles, however, are wonderful. My low-sodium diet only lets me indulge rarely. Ugh to onion in potato salad.

I dread assisted living because I’m such a picky eater.

Thanks for the recce – I’ve added it to my wish list. *smooch*

>285 quondame: Hi Susan. I’m remembering that the first episode of DA started off with the sinking of the Titanic and the Earl’s heir being on board.

I love the costumes and soap opera aspect of The Gilded Age, but I’m quite upset at what Mrs. Russell has done to force the engagement and eventual marriage of her daughter Gladys to the Duke. It’s a thinly veiled telling of Consuelo Vanderbilt’s coerced marriage to the Duke of Marlborough. For some reason I’ve always been able to understand URP – Upper Received Pronunciation. Middle class and lower class pronunciations are hit and miss with me.

>286 atozgrl: Hello Irene. I’m a newbie to soccer and Arsenal. It took me a while to choose Arsenal. Jenna was/is a fan of Arsenal Women. When I was choosing a men’s team to follow in 2022, I dithered around, joking that I’d choose based on kit colors, but it quickly became Arsenal.

I’m resting and my rib is improving. I can mostly take a deep breath without it being painful, but certain movements are less than pleasant. My back is doing well, actually, thanks. My L3-L5 on the left side have their moments, though. I’m a mess…

>287 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you. Yay for the kid-less summer. Yay for TW an always yay for seeing Jackson.

I’ve got Cardinals and a Carolina Chickadee. Squirrels, too, on the ground under the feeders.

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Well, as reported above to RD, I lazed around, I did fuck-all. Reading, spreadsheets, napping, and The Gilded Age featured prominently on my wildly busy day.

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I'm hoping to get a call from Rhoda when the book sort team leaves for Virlie's. I plan on meeting them, then getting cash for my cleaning ladies on the way home.

I'm also hoping to get a call from friend Karen and daughter today. Karen because she'll be able to get her cell phone, which she left at the Library on Friday, and Jenna because she'll be out and about running errands while her sweet and wicked smart wife is at school.

>288 karenmarie: May I please have your lifetime's allocation of dill? It, and tarragon (my reserve grand champion culinary), taste heavenly to me. I've been busy doing dumb-but-necessary stuff, discovering that Morton Williams grocery store did not have my coveted, craved carrot cake today. I'll try again Thursday when their bakery delivery arrives.

I finished A Bird's IQ and will 4.5* review it tomorrow. I liked it so much more than I expected to, and I expected to like it. How often do you hear me finish a book and review it right away? It's so very seldom. And here we are.

*smooch*

>288 karenmarie: I don't think understanding URP is my issue. The hearing loss between viewing UD and trying DA is pretty certainly it. Modern diction contributes in other dramas. Considering how many dramas include death on the Titanic - UD did - it's no wonder it sunk!

You're welcome to mine, Richard.

Morning, Karen. Trail Watch went well. We ended up seeing 24 species. The other guys on patrol seem to get a kick out of it and one of them started bringing binos too.

Off to play PB soon, trying to beat the heat. It may inch up close to 90F today.

>289 richardderus: Absolutely, RDear! You get all my allocation of fresh dill. I reserve the right to occasionally have dill pickle chips. Yay for tarragon, although I admit that my favorite is basil. Glad you were able to get necessary stuff done, sorry about the carrot cake.

It is truly a shock that you will review A Bird’s IQ today. *smooch*

>290 quondame: Ah, sorry about the hearing loss – I forgot about it. I didn’t realize that the sinking of the Titanic was in Upstairs Downstairs.

>291 RebaRelishesReading: Ah, Reba. Not a fan of dill, either?

>292 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Wednesday to you. 24 species. Impressive. I’m glad the other guys love it, too. Yay PB, stay cool.

I’ve got one Tufted Titmouse visiting.

Wordle 1,803 4/6* trope, ditch, stunk, stuff

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I got the call and met the book sort team at Virlie's. There were 8 of us, and we had a fine time. I stopped at the bank to get cash for my cleaning ladies. Restville, chatted with both Jenna and Karen. We watched The Gilded Age, I read, doom scrolled, slept.

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I had a vet appointment scheduled for Wash but cancelled it yesterday. There's no way I could get him there and back. They are always happy to take the kitties in, get them into and out of the examination room, and bring them out, but I wasn't going to aggravate my rib.

I may do a bit of non-heavy-lifting puttering in here today. Reading and etc.

Good decision in re Wash. Every day you heal without trouble is ...... good. Seems like there should be a maxim there.

I reread, and I certainly rewatch favorites, hence the DVD collection. Every time I watch a British production I pick up a bit more of the dialogue. Hearing loss is part of my problem, and I generally have lost the aids by the time I sit down for a half hour or so.

I'm really glad you got to Virlie's with The Group and glad for your phone time with Jenna and Karen. *remember me*

Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. Nice not having to deal with the "kids" for a few months. I will be traveling to Oak Park to play PB with my good friend. He has been a good sport and has drove here many times, since he retired a few months ago.

It is our anniversary- 37 years so we will go out for dinner tonight to celebrate. Planning on seeing jack tomorrow. I have had several starlings visit the feeders and birdbath the past couple of days, along with a grackle and a red-bellied. Still no orioles or grosbeaks.

>294 LizzieD: 'Morning, Peggy! I like that - healing without trouble. A new maxim to live by.

Rewatching things is comforting and predictable, both good things. Bill and I have re-watched many things, however I'm not currently in the mood to watch anything except perhaps Pride and Prejudice, the 1995 version. There are also quite a few series we started that I didn't want to watch any more. Poor Bill. I'm capricious.

We probably have 300 DVDs/BluRay DVDs. Bill doesn't want to watch them anymore. I'm going to have Trevor get them all upstairs into the Retreat one of these days. They are currently in 5 rooms.

>295 msf59: Happy 37th Wedding Aniversary, Mark! I hope you and Sue enjoy your dinner out. Have fun with PB and anticipating time with Jack tomorrow. Thanks for the bird report. I've got a male Cardinal, a White-Breasted Nuthatch, a Blue Jay, and a male House Finch.

Wordle 1,804 5/6* trope, botch, gusto, idiot, divot. Divot is not one of the original 2,309 words.

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I got the laundry under control. I read, napped, watched The Gilded Age, doom scrolled, chatted with Jenna, chatted with Karen.

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Restville. Again. Reading, lollygagging, chatting with Peggy this afternoon, and etc.

>296 karenmarie: *smoochiesmoochsmooch*

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/384644

I loved our CHAT!!!!!!!

Morning, Karen. Happy Friday. Pleasantly cool and sunny at the moment. Lovely day for early PB. Jackson time a little later on. Do you put out grape jelly? I do- hoping to attract orioles. I have not seen one here yet but housefinch also enjoy the jelly and I saw a robin lapping some up yesterday. Never saw that before.

>297 richardderus: *smoochiesmoochsmooch* back at’cha, RD!

>298 SilverWolf28: Hi Silver, and thank you. I hope you’re doing well.

>299 LizzieD: Me, too, Peggy, as always. Books and book acquisition/storage, genealogy, family stories, education, and etc…..

>300 msf59: ‘Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you. I’m glad you have good weather for outdoor PB. Yay for Jackson time. I do not put out grape jelly – I’d have to get a jelly feeder. And, if I’m going to do that, I might as well get one that lets you put out half an orange, right?

The landscape guy is here being noisy with the mower, so the birds have temporarily fled.

Wordle 1,805 4/6* trope, blind, clank, clang

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Welp, as Jenna would say, well as I would say. I went through a basket of mail and etc. that had spilled onto the floor in the Sunroom, not thinking that it would be too much. My rib disagreed, and although it's not terribly painful, it's a tad painful. Drat. However, I found this old cartoon from 4-12-1982. I cut it out when it was in the LA Times and have always loved it. It keeps getting lost and found. This time I scanned it.



Chatted with Karen. Jenna finally got her Kia Forte registered in WA. It took two forms that I had to fill out, get scanned, one notarized, and sent to the licensing dept of Kent County, WA. It's only taken 9 months.

We watched the last episode of the last available season of The Gilded Age. We've loved the season and can't wait for the next one. In the meantime we also watched the next two available episodes of The Other Bennet Sister. I also just discovered that The Other Bennet Sister is on Kindle Unlimited and have downloaded it.

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Restville w/o bending. Reading, spreadsheets, Lightning round. I've misplaced the tube of DoTerra Deep Blue, the best thing I've found as a topical ointment for my back and rib. As Bill would say, "It's where you left it.", which is absolutely true, darn it.

Bill and I have to figure out something else to watch tonight.

*** I'm setting up my next thread, so give me a few and visit me there. ***