Mark's Reading Place: Chapter Six

-Belem Tower, Lisbon Portugal



-Algarve, Portugal

^^Destination Portugal/Spain: April-May 2026



“We need the tonic of wildness... At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature.”

~ Henry David Thoreau

"I go to NATURE to be SOOTHED and HEALED, and to have my SENSES put in order."

--John Burroughs

Audiobook:


Graphic/Comic:



January:

1- Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden 4.3 stars
2- The Uncool: A Memoir by Cameron Crowe 4.5 stars (audio)
3- Patchwork: A Graphic Bio of Jane Austen by Kate Evans 4.2 stars GN
4- When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén 4.5 stars
5- Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens 4.3 stars (print/audio)
6- This Place Kills Me: A Graphic Novel by Mariko Tamaki 4 stars GN
7- The Souvenir Museum: Stories by Elizabeth McCracken 4.4 stars
8- When the Light of the World Was Subdued: Anthology of Native Nations Poetry by LeAnne Howe 4.3 stars P
9- The Sojourn by Andrew Krivak 4 stars
10- Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder by Salman Rushdie 4.5 stars (audio)
11- There's No Point in Dying by Francisco Maciel 3.7 stars

February:

12- The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir by Bill Bryson 4.5 stars (audio)
13- The Wayfinder by Adam Johnson 4.7 stars
14- This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman 4.2 stars E
15- In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje 4 stars
16- Hunt for the Skinwalker by Zac Thompson 3.6 stars GN
17- Crooks: A Crime Thriller Saga by Lou Berney 4 stars (audio)
18- Buckeye: A Novel by Patrick Ryan 3.7 stars E

March:

19- The Zorg: A Tale of Greed and Murder by Siddharth Kara 4.3 stars (audio)
20- Vigil by George Saunders 3.7 stars
21- The Feather Detective by Chris Sweeney 4 stars
22- On the Beach by Nevil Shute 4.4 stars
23- Henry Himself by Stewart O'Nan 3.6 stars (audio)
24- A Far-flung Life by M.L. Stedman 4.5 stars
25- Lucas Wars by Laurent Hopman 4.3 stars GN
26- Heart the Lover by Lily King 4.2 stars
27- A Fortunate Life by A.B. Facey 4.6 stars (audio)
28- The Glorians by Terry Tempest Williams 4.4 stars E
29- Brawler: Stories by Lauren Groff 4.2 stars

April:

30- Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang 4.5 stars (audio)
31- Work Like Any Other by Virginia Reeves 4 stars
32- World Without End: Illustrated Guide to the Climate Crisis by Christophe Blain 4.4 stars GN
33- We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker 4.2 stars
34- Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities by Rebecca Solnit 3.8 stars (audio)
35- An Unfinished Season by Ward Just 4 stars
36- You Can Never Die: A Graphic Memoir by Harry Bliss 4.3 stars GN
37- Go as a River by Shelley Read 3.8 stars (audio)
38- The Feather Wars by James H. McCommons 4.5 stars E
39- Are You Listening? by Tillie Walden 3.3 stars GN
40- The Impossible Thing by Belinda Bauer 4.3 stars (audio)
41- John of John by Douglas Stuart 4.6 stars E
42- Belonging: A German Reckons with History and Home by Nora Krug 4.7 stars

May:

43- Sunset Park by Paul Auster 4 stars
44- A Registry of My Passage Upon the Earth by Daniel Mason 4.8 stars E
45- Glyph by Ali Smith 3.2 stars E

P: Poetry
GN: Graphic Novel
E: E-reader
RR: Reread

^ I have really enjoyed doing our shared reads in 2025 and I would like this to continue through 2026 and beyond. Primarily, I would like to read books off shelf, but I could be swayed by an irresistible title. I also would like to do a few rereads. Here are some titles already planned. Let me know if you have any ideas.

2026

We Begin at the End by Chis Whitaker Judy, Stasia Katie, Meg, Benita, Deb, Kristel April
The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman Judy, Benita, Bill? Joanne? June
The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos Benita, Jeff, Bill July
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry Kristel, Irene, Ella, Stasia, Benita August?
Winter's Tales by Isak Dinesen Benita, Kristel, Marianne Dec

Any suggestions?

"Inspired by true events surrounding the destruction of the town of Iola in the 1960s, Go as a River is a story of deeply held love in the face of hardship and loss, but also of finding courage, resilience, friendship, and, finally, home—where least expected. This stunning debut explores what it means to lead your life as if it were a river—gathering and flowing, finding a way forward even when a river is dammed."

Audible had a wishlist sale recently and I had Go As a River on there- thanks to Joanne so I snagged a much discounted copy. I dipped into it yesterday but didn't get far. It sure feels like my kind of book.

Let Birds

Eight deer on the slope
in the summer morning mist.
The night sky blue.
Me like a mare let out to pasture.
The Tao does not console me.
I was given the Way
in the milk of childhood.
Breathing its waking and sleeping.
But now there is no amazing smell
of sperm on my thighs,
no spreading it on my stomach
to show pleasure.
I will never give up longing.
I will let my hair stay long.
The rain proclaims these trees,
the trees tell of the sun.
Let birds, let birds.
Let leaf  be passion.
Let jaw, let teeth, let tongue be
between us. Let joy.
Let entering. Let rage and calm join.
Let quail come.
Let winter impress you. Let spring.
Allow the lost ocean to wake in you.
Let the mare in the field
in the summer morning mist
make you whinny. Make you come
to the fence and whinny. Let birds.

-By Linda Gregg

(Welcome in Portuguese)

>5 msf59: I very much enjoyed that one when I read it - also thanks to Joanne's recommendation - so I hope you like it too, Mark!

Happy new thread! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Happy New Thread!

Happy new thread, Mark!

>1 msf59: Amazing. I feel I’ve always craved such a view. You will see such amazing things!

New-thread orisons!

Hi Mark. I am very interested in Go As a River, it's on my library list so I just need to nudge it along. I started We Begin At the End on the ferry ride back home and at first I was having difficulty figuring ou who was who. I kept at it and gradually the story emerged and now at 30% of the book, I am totally hooked. I think this is going to be another winner for me from this author. My sister's house overlooks a park that has a pickle ball court and I did watch a few matches over the long weekend. She has paddles so we sent the grandchildren over when the court was empty, a great way for them use up some of their energy!

Happy new thread Mark. Jackson is sure a cutiepie in the photo in >2 msf59:!

Happy new thread, Mark--some lovely shots of Portugal--it should be a wonderful trip.

Happy new thread, Mark. When do you leave for paradise?

>8 alcottacre: Thank you, Stasia. Happy Saturday. I am not far into Go As a River but I am enjoying it.

>9 mahsdad: >10 quondame: >11 richardderus: Thanks, Jeff, Susan & Richard.

>12 DeltaQueen50: Happy Saturday, Judy. Good to see you. Welcome back. Glad to know you are interested in Go As a River. I am enjoying it, in the early going. I am also glad you hung in there with WBATE and are enjoying it. It has been a hit with most of us.

Glad to hear you were able to watch some pickleballers and the grandkids were able to mess around a little. Start them young. What are their ages?

>13 mdoris: Thanks, Mary. Jack continues to be as adorable as ever. ❤️

>14 kac522: Thanks, Kathy. Happy Saturday. We are looking forward to our trip. It will be Sue's first time visiting Europe. Boo to our Cubbies! They have not been playing well at all.

>15 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. We leave for Lisbon on the 30th of April. We are getting excited.

>17 msf59: These young pickleballer are 6, 8 and 12. All very different but they usually get along quite well.

Happy new one, Mark. Hani was in Portugal a few months ago and loved every minute of it.

Happy new thread, Mark!

>1 msf59: Gorgeous pictures of Portugal. Enjoy your trip!

>2 msf59: Starting him off right, I see.

>5 msf59: My RL book club will be reading Go As a River later this year. I'll be interested to see what you have to say about it.

>18 msf59: I don't know why the Cubs have been doing so poorly. I guess the freezing weather in Chicago and Cleveland the first week didn't help. The only game I've gotten to see so far was yesterday's against Pittsburgh. Very frustrating. They got the bases loaded a couple of times and couldn't score. I hope they turn it around soon.

Happy New Thread!

Happy New Thread, Mark. Enjoy Portugal! Great picture of Jackson.

>19 DeltaQueen50: What fun ages, Judy. I am sure you adore your time with them.

>20 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. Glad to hear that Hani enjoyed Portugal. Everyone I have talked to that have visited Portugal, have loved it.

>21 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene. Happy Sunday. Yep, we are looking forward to our trip. I am enjoying Go As a River, in the early going. Boo to our Cubbies- they are playing badly and the weather has nothing to do with it. They left 16 batters on base yesterday. Sighs...

>22 SilverWolf28: Thanks, Silver. Good to see you.

>23 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah and Happy Sunday.

33- We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker 4.2 stars

The setting is a small California coastal town and the two main characters are Duchess, a thirteen-year-old self-proclaimed outlaw and Walker “Walk”, the town’s police chief. In Walk’s childhood, he was good friends with Star, Duchess’ mother, along with his best friend Vincent who ended up going to prison for murder, while still a teenager. Walk felt responsible. Thirty years later- Vincent is released from prison and returns to their small town. This sparks a string of events that turns the town upside down with Duchess and Walk stuck right in the middle. The less said here- the better. There are enough suspense and unexpected twists to populate several novels. The writing is solid and the characters are very well-drawn. They will linger with the reader far after the finish. Impressive debut.

*We did a shared read of this one and it seems like it was a hit with most of us.

**I was surprised to learn that the author is British. He does a very admirable job writing about California and Montana.

>26 msf59: Sunday orisons, Birddude. I'm still not tempted by the book, but you do a good job of explaining why people like it.

Stay well and enjoy your pickleball.

>27 richardderus: Morning, Richard. Thanks, in regard to my mini-review. I think the shared read was a success. No PB for me today- resting up but I will be back at it tomorrow and hopefully outdoors too, if the wind and rain hold off.

Where Is My Friend?

The shadow I cast when I stand
in the sun has disappeared
beneath the trees, shadows
of crows over the roof
of the post office, or the field
of clover they fly above, throats
open, stitching the world
together with a fine thread,
doing the work of belonging.
Nothing is too trivial to love
enough to walk toward it,
your footsteps leaving
badges on the earth, even
the nettles that chafe
your ankles worthy of love,
sparks of pain, like your
shadow, that prove
you’re alive.

-Dorianne Laux

‘Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday and happy new thread.

>1 msf59: Gorgeous pictures of Portugal.

I had 2 male and 1 female goldfinch earlier, a male Cardinal and a female Cowbird right now.

Happy new thread, Mark! Hope the weather's cleared up! M tried flying through Chicago on his way home from DC, and got trapped by "weather."

Happy new thread, Mark! And what gorgeous images of Portugal! I once considered moving there as a friend lived there awhile and loved it. I know you will have a fantastic time there. How long will you be gone?

Happy new thread Mark. Portugal is fast approaching. Hope your week is great. We are having blue skies (finally) and temps of 79 degrees.

Time to rename The Turkey Vulture!

Thunder Bird is my proposal...

>30 karenmarie: Happy Sunday, Karen. Hooray for Portugal and that pair of goldfinches.

>31 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel. Breezy here but beautiful. We hit 80F. Did M make it home okay?

>32 Storeetllr: Thanks, Mary. We are looking forward to our trip to Portugal, with an add-on to Madrid. Sue's first trip to Europe. We will be there just over 15 days. Yah!!

>33 Kristelh: Thanks, Kristel. Hooray for Portugal and a balmy week ahead. We also hit 80F today.

>34 m.belljackson: Go Thunder Bird! Not sure I have seen one but I am sure it is gorgeous.

>36 msf59: Daughter says that people drive to The Dells just to view the Thunder Birds!

I will find the link.

80 F there today! Wow, that is hot , Mark. I think our weather is nice and it's a little cloudy and 11 or 12 which is about 55 F. I'm not sure. Nice review of We Begin at the End.

Happy new one, Mark!

>37 m.belljackson: >38 m.belljackson: Thanks for the TV link, Marianne. I like the nickname "peace eagle". I had not heard that before. You don't see them from time to time near the house? I would really like to get back to camping at Devil’s Lake State Park. I loved that park.

>39 vancouverdeb: Thanks in regard to the review, Deborah. We will also be around 80F for the next 2 days. Warmer temps all week. I will be mowing the lawn soon. 😊

>40 drneutron: Thanks, Jim. Good to see you.

Each morning before dawn

Each morning before dawn, a woodpecker and a scold of jays fight over the feeder, screaming and screeching like demons. Over the course of the day, other birds call out: the spotted towhee, the robin and finch, and the siskin with its pitiful, one-note squeal. At dusk, the mourning dove’s breathy melody echoes through the canyon. It’s enough to break your heart, this tune I can imagine being played on a flute carved from bone.

-Gary Young



-(NMP) or I should say not my tray feeder although I have one just like it.

>42 msf59:. Is a group of jays called a scold. So appropriate. But I don’t get groups of jays here. They seem like guys that don’t flock together. I am so happy that the bird sounds are returning. I think I saw a tree swallow yesterday. Have the martin’s arrived in your area?

My mother called bluejays "bullies in blue feathers." Accurate, no?

Splendid, if pickleball-less, Monday!

>43 Kristelh: You may totally enjoy the video on >38 m.belljackson:!

>43 Kristelh: I did not remember that a group of blue jays were called a "scold". I think that is a perfect term for these noisy birdies. I have seen a number of them together on some of my walks but have only seen 2 or 3 at the most hanging around my feeders. They LOVE peanuts in the shell.

>44 richardderus: There are definitely different nicknames for blue jays- bullies, police birds, blue chatterers and they all fit. I like police bird the best because they always screech when crows and owls are around.

Mark, Erik (oberon) just came back from a family trip to Portugal and posted some great photos on his thread. You might want to have a peek. Not sure that you follow him so I thought I'd mention it:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/377328#n9176400

>45 m.belljackson: Thanks, great music with the Vultures. I have seen them on lakes in the Ely area where I used to fish and they nested. Also you'll see them in large gatherings in Florida. They seem to go where I go.

>46 msf59:. Those are all good names for Jays. I have a few around my feeders but usually not more than one. I also stay away from peanuts in my feeders because my granddaughter is allergic to peanuts. The bad weather missed us. It cooled off with a north wind. PB was fun. We had quite a people there today.

>47 jessibud2: Thank you very much for this Shelly. I am pals with Erik but we don't follow each other much. Looking forward to hearing what he says about Portugal. We are getting excited.

>49 Kristelh: Morning, Kristel. Understandable about the peanuts and your granddaughter. Jackson Day, so no PB.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you. I've got a female Cardinal, male and female Goldfinch, several sparrows, and two Mourning Dove. The Hummingbird feeders went out yesterday thanks to Trevor, but so far I haven't seen any visitors.

I recently found the bookbag patches I bought while in Portugal.

>51 karenmarie: Love the Rooster patch - is there a story for it?

Our neighbor's rooster used to visit us every day with his little harem and an invigorating wake-up call!

Merry Tuesday, Mark! It's quite warm here...83°...so my springer has sprung into summer mode. At least the a/c is working fine!

Hoping all's well with y'all there in Chicagoland.

Happy new thread!

>51 karenmarie: Good afternoon, Karen. Hooray for tending to the feeders and getting the hummingbird feeders set up. I love the book bag patches. Very cool. We are going to Algarve- not sure if will be near the other locations presented on the patches.

>52 m.belljackson: Looks like we are both enjoying some warm April weather and plenty of sunshine too. Windows and doors open but no need for A/C yet...

>53 richardderus: Thanks, Foggi. Good to see you.

Be safe tonight, Mark. Supposed to be a doozy of a storm.

>57 lindapanzo: Happy April, Linda. I have the channel 5 News on and they are talking about the approaching storms. I will probably be in bed for most of it. I am sure Sue will wake me up if it gets serious.

You be safe too!

-Harry Bliss

^Hanging with Jackson works well too!

**Just a few pages left in You Can Never Die: A Graphic Memoir.

>59 msf59: - I wish it were that easy. But it works!

Happy new thread, Mark! I finally finished We Begin at the End. Looks like you are revving up for vacation mode again. Portugal sounds like a wonderful place to visit.

>60 jessibud2: I agree, Shelley. I loved You Can Never Die: A Graphic Memoir. Much darker than I expected, especially for such a light-hearted artist.

>61 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. Happy Wednesday. I hope you enjoyed WBATE. It seems like most of us did. We are getting pumped about Portugal. 😎

-Harry Bliss

Mark, Erik posted one more Portugal photo for you. And it turns out: it's your topper! :-)

>63 msf59: ROFL

They're both things I deeply relate to! Merry Wednesday, Mark.

>64 jessibud2: I saw that too, Shelley but didn't have a chance to comment. LOL.

>65 richardderus: I do not read in bed, Richard but I can so relate to that cartoon. The dog one works too but in reverse. That is Sue all the way. LOL.

"The Feather Wars is an epic work of American history, an incredible story about how disparate characters—from progressive politicians, free-thinking society belles, nature writers and artists, bird-loving U.S. presidents, gunmakers and business titans, to brave game wardens—came together during a decades-long crusade to save hundreds of species of birds in America."

I have had an e-galley of The Feather Wars for a couple of months. I thought I was going to read it for my birding book club and it turned out they were reading The Feather Detective instead. Yep, I am a sharp one. Well, I really enjoyed The Feather Detective and I hope I feel the same way about this one. I start it today and Stasia will be reading along with me.

Hi Mark, I love Harry Bliss! I have asked the library to purchase his new book. Thanks! And have a very wonderful trip to Portugal!

Hi Mark, Happy New Thread mate.

>67 msf59: Starting it tonight! I am looking forward to the read, Mark.

I hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday!

>1 msf59: If you go to Belem Mark, make sure you get some Pastel de Nata here:

https://pasteisdebelem.pt/menu/?lang=en

So good!

>68 mdoris: Happy Wednesday, Mary. I am sure you will love the Harry Bliss graphic memoir. We are getting very excited about our Portugal trip.

>69 johnsimpson: Thanks, John. Good to see you.

>70 alcottacre: Happy Wednesday, Stasia. Not far into The Feather Wars but it has been very good. Enjoy.

>71 SandDune: Hi, Rhian. We will be visiting Belem and I am sure we will try the local pastries. 😊

^Starting my research...😎

35- An Unfinished Season by Ward Just 4 stars

It is the 1950s. The Korean War has ended, but McCarthy witch-hunts are continuing, along with roiling labor issues. Wilson Ravan is nineteen years old and experiencing his last summer, in Chicago, before heading off to college. He spends his days toiling at a working-class newsroom and spends his evenings cruising jazz bars and attending debutante parties. I was not sure what to expect with this novel, since I had not read this author but it wasn’t another smart-alecky version of Catcher in the Rye but a steady examination of a teenager on the brink of adulthood. The author also does a fine job describing an evolving city, shaking off a dying era and preparing for the next one. I found this an impressive read and can see why it was short-listed for the Pulitzer.

>74 msf59: I don't think I've ever read anything by Ward Just, though you do make a good case for starting a discovery voyage.

>62 msf59: It took me a long time to read WBATE because I was wary of where the story was going. Don't think I would describe it as "enjoyable", but different strokes...
>67 msf59: I saw that Stasia was going to read The Feather Wars and having just read The Feather Detective the "wars" book appealed to me. My library hold is now in transit so it should be in my hands soon.

>75 richardderus: I think it a worthy read, in case you ever stumble upon it. It's pacing may not appeal to modern audiences.

>76 Familyhistorian: Glad to hear you finished WBATE. I hope you thought it was worth your time, even if it wasn't "enjoyable". LOL. I am really "enjoying" The Feather Wars but it is difficult to read about the massive slaughter of birds from the later 1800s to the early 1900s. I guess as a race- we are just natural born killers.

Sweet Thursday, Meg.

^I was just trying to read more chapter...

>78 msf59: - But you haven't fed me. Or walked me. Priorities, man!

I've got Feather Wars on my Amazon wishlist and I don't remember how I heard about the book. I'm guessing it must have been highlighted in one of Amazon's emails. Our local history museum had an exhibit a few years ago about how people hunted birds for their feathers (for fashion) and the work done by some women to stop the killing and save the birds. It was a really interesting exhibit.

>77 msf59: I guess as a race- we are just natural born killers. I think our whole species come by it naturally.

>79 jessibud2: You nailed it, Shelley. This was just before her dinnertime and she had not been walked yet. 😊

>80 atozgrl: I think you will enjoy The Feather Wars once you get to it. It is still horrifying how many birds were slaughtered during those decades.

>81 Familyhistorian: Exactly, Meg. 😟

“I came here to be a poet …”

I like how Stevie Nicks speaks like a Martian sometimes.

“I came here for a reason,” she said in a 1983 interview.
As if simply relaying the directive from her mothership.

“I didn’t come here to be a mother …” Bet that sounded
pretty alien then. Coming from a young pretty woman.

Like a Trojan horse. Feminism disguised in a frilly dress.

It makes me think about my birth mother. Like Stevie,
she didn’t come here to be a mother. Unlike my mother,
who couldn’t get pregnant but wouldn’t let that stop her
from becoming what she came here to be. My mother,

as passionate about adoption as she was about choice.

I like how that confuses some—those who like to point
out that abortion might’ve prevented her from adopting.
I suppose those dimwits came here to be … well, dimwits.

Still, bet they can’t help but hum along when they hear
Stevie Nicks songs. Failing to realize that all those songs
are her children. That she gave birth to them for us.

“Because,” she said. “I want to enhance this planet.”

-Michael Montlack

Friday orisons, Birddude! I know you enjoyed your grandson time yesterday...do anything special?

Mark - out on Portage Road this morning to sing with my Red-winged Blackbird - followed me home!

>84 richardderus: Happy Friday, Richard. Sadly, there was a change of plans yesterday. Jack's very young Aunt Grace picked him up from school and kept him with them. Hopefully we can see them over the weekend.

>85 m.belljackson: Glad to hear you are making friends, Marianne. I have had both male and female visit my feeders.

-Clay Bennett

^Funny, when Dems are in charge and gas prices go up- they go out of their minds but when they are in office...nothing but crickets or lame-ass excuses. I haven't checked the pumps in a couple of days but it did hit $4.59 here. $%@!!

>87 msf59: The double standard and fake outrage makes me nuts.

>78 msf59: Pay attention to me!!

>73 msf59: Have a great trip, Mark!

>63 msf59: Good ones!

>87 msf59: Major grawlix-use fodder!! $4.59!!

>89 richardderus:. $4.59??? I pine for the days of $4.59

When I last got gas on 4/3 it was $6.19

>87 msf59: I looked up to see what the equivalent U.K. price would be in US$. Apparently it equates to $8.10 at the moment. Very pleased we bought an electric car last year.

>4 msf59: I just want you to know, Mark, that I've clawed my ARC copy of The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love out of hiding. I can't say exactly where that Stedman book is, but I'll find it by the end of May. Can't say what my state-of-mind will be in another month, but I will have books in hand and ready to read.

It's been an erratic year so far, as I've not gotten through 20 books. Thank god (or whoever) for a few brainless novelty books that I could shove under the pile to lift the talley. Have a pleasant weekend.

>88 Copperskye: Happy Friday, Joanne. Boo to that disgusting double-standard. Hooray for Portual and poor neglected Juno.

>89 richardderus: Is there really enough "grawlix" to express this crap, RD?

>90 mahsdad: $6.19? OMG!! I hope you have a super fuel-efficiency vehicle my friend! That is ridiculous.

>91 SandDune: Whew, Rhian. Glad you have an electric vehicle. Are you happy with it, other than the gas saving?

>92 weird_O: Howdy, Bill. Happy Friday. Great to see you. Sorry to hear about your erratic reading year. I hope you can turn that around. I have added you to The Mambo Kings shared list, along with the Stedman.

Online BROME Bird Brain talks about new findings for Birder's Brains!

>95 m.belljackson: "According to a paper published in the March 25 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, birding might reshape the brain and could help protect it from some of the effects of aging."

^I should live to a ripe old age. Thanks for sharing. 😊

-R.J. Matson

>97 msf59: The line items are gettin' more real every day....

Hi Mark. I hope you are having a great weekend. I am just waiting for my daughter to come and pick me up. We are doing lunch and some shopping today. I have been reading up a storm trying to get to all the books I planned to read in April. I loved Ridgeline by Michael Punke and What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad, hopefull I have more good surprises in the pile!

>97 msf59: >98 richardderus: It's ceased being funny.

Hi, Mark! Happy Saturday!

>94 msf59: Yes we’re very happy with the car. It’s a Skoda Elroq - we’ve had Skoda cars for a very long time so it seems pretty familiar. It does about 280 miles per charge, which we’re finding pretty accurate. So about 4 hours driving on the motorway or longer on smaller roads. Then on average it takes about 25 minutes to charge up again, but by that time we’re ready for a break anyway. But we rarely need to charge the car anywhere other than at home, in fact since last week when we went to North Wales we hadn’t charged it up anywhere else since about September. And the charging network is pretty good these days, as well.

>100 Storeetllr: LOOONG since.

>97 msf59: I did Dave and my taxes a couple of days ago, Mark. Such a headache.

Happy Sunday, Mark! My neighbors are taking a Tauk tour to Portugal in May. I'm looking forward to both of your remarks.
The pictures you posted >1 msf59: look mighty nice!

>98 richardderus: From now on, nothing should ever surprise us again.

>99 DeltaQueen50: Happy Sunday, Judy. Thanks for checking in with an update. Hooray for reading up a storm.

>100 Storeetllr: You got that right, Mary. Happy Sunday. I hope you are having a good weekend.

>101 SandDune: Great to hear that you are happy with your Skoda. I know that European gas prices are very high. Electric cars still haven't really caught on here. We were thinking of going with a hybrid when we brought our new car last summer but it was a few thousand more so we went with the traditional one. It does get very good gas mileage. 😊

>103 vancouverdeb: Happy Sunday, Deborah. Boo to filing taxes. When are your taxes due? Ours are generally due April 15th.

>104 Carmenere: Happy Sunday, Lynda. We are looking forward to the trip. Portugal has been on our bucket list for a few years now.

>105 msf59: Is it good or bad...happy or sad...that I do not feel shocked by the venality and scumbaggery of the soi-disant "elite" any more? Watergate rocked me on my heels. Today I would chuckle cynically and take out a hit on the bastard.

>105 msf59: "And does my Friend think that there are no hopes of peace?

Must we still endure the Desolations of War with all the direful consequences attending it -

I fear we must and that America is less and less worthy of the blessings of peace."

To John Adams in France, from Abigail, on February 13th, 1779...

'Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday.

Gas prices were $3.99 here last Monday. Haven't been in to town since.

I've had both Downy and Red-Bellied Woodpeckers here today, along with a Tufted Titmouse and Cardinals, both sexes. Sparrows and Mourning Dove, too.

>108 richardderus: Hey, I am glad we have our books to take comfort in. Jack and the birdies help me too.

>109 m.belljackson: We need another John Adams or 2 or 3 or....

>110 karenmarie: Happy Sunday, Karen. Great to see you. Your gas prices there are a bit better than ours. We are at about $4.30 but of course that can change any moment. Hooray for the feeder report.

Morning, just barely. I hope the day brings you joy. I don't know if you saw this yesterday in The Guardian:

...so I brought it here to show you what *really* happens to writers.

>74 msf59: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the review and recommendation, Mark.

I hope you have a marvelous Monday!

>112 richardderus: I LOVE the Gauld! That is awesome. Happy Monday, Richard. I played some serious PB this morning and some serious reading in this PM. All good here.

>113 alcottacre: Glad I landed a BB, Stasia. I also hope you are enjoying a fine Monday.

>87 msf59: At the time you posted that our gas prices were about $8.03 a US gallon but the Federal government has since stopped one tax until September so now it's only $7.54 per US gallon (or $199.99 per litre). We are often told that we have the highest gas prices in North America.

>115 Familyhistorian: I'm hoping that's a typo and you mean $1.99 CAD per litre??

>116 kac522: I had a cute tachycardia when I saw that as well! The math on $1.99 per liter checks out, though.

Morning, Birddude! Beautiful, sunny, cool...I'm lovin' my last rain-free day.

>166 jessibud2: I sure hope so, Kathy. Whoa! LOL. Hey- Go Cubbies! They are on a nice roll.

>167 benitastrnad: Good morning, Richard. Glad to hear your weather is lovely. We begin a bit of a warm-up today and back in the 70s tomorrow.

>118 msf59: Yep, good to see the Cubs getting their bats back.

>115 Familyhistorian:, >116 kac522: - It most likely IS a typo, Kathy. I paid $1.99 a litre 2 weeks ago and just went out this morning to fill up again at $1.79 per litre even though I am barely at half full, because the govt removed some tax on gas for the moment and there are rumours that it could go up again even this week. Figured I might as well.

'Morning, Mark!

I've got a White Breasted Nuthatch, female Cardinal, and various and sundry sparrows. I had a Downy and a Carolina Chickadee earlier, as well as a Mourning Dove on the ground and another in the dry bird bath.

>121 karenmarie: Hi - how to add a person's name which was never starred?
Thank you.

>119 kac522: Hi, Kathy. Lets go for 7 tonight. 🤞🤞

>120 jessibud2: We figured it was a typo by Meg but thanks for confirming it. Our prices have come down a bit but we know that can change in a moment...

>121 karenmarie: Happy Tuesday, Karen. Hooray for the busy feeders. I haven't checked mine much since I got home.

"Wild beasts and birds are by right not the property merely of the people today, but the property of the unborn generations, whose belongings we have no right to squander."

"...Here in the U.S. we turn our rivers and streams into sewers and dumping grounds, we pollute the air, we destroy our forests and exterminate fishes, birds and mammals - not to speak of vulgarizing charming landscapes with hideous advertisements. But at best it looks as if our people were awakening."

-Theodore Roosevelt

^Was this dude ahead of his time or what? The first quote was mentioned in The Feather Wars and was written in 1915.

>125 msf59: One of the reasons that Teddy is one of my favorite presidents - and has been for much of my life. He was not perfect, by any means, but a lot better than some of our recent presidents, certainly.

>126 alcottacre:, >125 msf59: I'd take TR back in place of felonious yam and be thrilled with the bargain!

Happy Tuesday Mark. We’ve had some nice weather but I have not done much walking. Been getting my shingles replaced. Nice tomorrow so maybe I can get some bird walking time in. I have played PB on Monday and Tuesday.

>126 alcottacre: I agree with you completely on T.R., Stasia. Yes, he had flaws but the best president we ever had in regard to conservation.

>127 richardderus: I wonder what T.R. would have made of felonious yam? He probably would have bitch-slapped the hell out of him. 😊

>128 Kristelh: Happy Wednesday, Kristel. I hope you get out on a bird walk today. I will be leading a walk this morning. It looks like the weather will be beautiful. I may play PB later if anyone is on the outdoor courts. 🤞

^It was Jackson Day yesterday. I caught him here, just before we left for school. Looks raring to go, doesn't he? ❤️

>130 msf59: He does indeed look raring to go!

Have a wonderful Wednesday, Mark!

>131 alcottacre: Happy Wednesday, Stasia. I always enjoy hanging out with Jack. You have a wonderful day too.

"A historical crime thriller about egg trafficking and obsession, spanning a century and two timelines...a sweeping tale of obsession, greed, ambition, and a crime that has remained unsolved for a hundred years."

I am not sure how The Impossible Thing landed on my audio TBR. Certainly, the description was enough to hook me. Regardless, I made it my next audiobook and started it yesterday. It could end up being quite a treat.

*Mystery solved- it looks like Benita warbled about this one last summer. LT buddies are the best. 😊

Yes, I decided I was going for a bird walk today. I've played PB two days in a row and decided today I will get some chores done around the house and get out for a walk. It is another warm day here in Minnesota but the wind is back.Yesterday was perfect.

I recently read Run by Ann Patchett. I liked it. Have you read it? I will get it reviewed later today. Have a great day, Mark

'Morning, Mark! Happy Wednesday to you.

>130 msf59: As always, a cute pic of Jackson.

No birds right now - must be between breakfast and lunch.

>129 msf59: I think TR would've made felonious yam an example by horsewhipping him. That'd be a lovely sight to see, no? TR was a racist and an imperialist but he was also appalled by corruption. Oaths were oaths to him, breaking one was beyond the pale and so was the oathbreaker.

>133 msf59: It sounds great! I hope it is.

>134 Kristelh: Happy Wednesday, Kristel. How was your bird walk? See anything special? My bird walk today was pretty quiet overall but we did manage to see 25 species. Highlights were: a gorgeous broad-winged hawk, a towhee and a thrasher. A couple of us got a brief look at a catbird, which was a FOY.

I have not read Run but I have it on shelf. Looks like I should get to it, right?

>135 karenmarie: Happy Wednesday, Karen. Hooray for a smiling Jackson. Not much happening at my feeders today either. Why is my biggest visitor the house sparrow? Sighs...

>136 richardderus: >137 richardderus: A.I. scares me, but I wouldn't mind seeing a computer-generated video of T.R. horsewhipping Trump. Not far into The Impossible Thing but I am enjoying it.

"John of John is a poignant novel set in the Isle of Harris, exploring themes of love, religion, and the impact of living a secret life. The story follows John-Calum Macleod as he returns home, confronting the expectations of his father and the weight of family ties."

In 2020, Douglas Stuart burst on to the scene with a fiery debut Shuggie Bain, which ended up winning the Booker Prize. It was also my favorite novel of that year. He followed that up with Young Mungo in 2022. It was also very well-received and garnered 4 stars from me. Well, his latest, John of John will be published in early May. I received an e-galley so I am reading it now, so I can get it done and reviewed by my trip. I dug into it today and it is shaping up to be another gem.

Anyone else here, enjoy Stuart's first 2 novels?

>136 richardderus: TR was a racist and an imperialist but he was also appalled by corruption. Like I said, not perfect by any means, but a good deal better than the current occupant of the WH :)

>140 msf59: I thought Shuggie Bain was terrific. I have not yet read Young Mungo so I need to get to that one. Glad to see he has another one coming out yet! Thanks for the heads up, Mark.

>140 msf59: You got a DRC. And I did not.

But this is FINE completely FINE it's not like you sacrificed a hundred puppies to some suppurating scabious evil demon the secure the DRC that's rightfully mine of my very, very favorite author's latest work. Of course you didn't because Nyarlathotep would've told me so when I was sacrificing those kittens.

So of course it's All FINE AND DANDY, copacetic! And of course there's not a giant vat of virgins' blood bubbling away on my stove as I seek the skin of a MAGAt troll to dip in it as I brew up my revenge, perish forbid! Would never happen!

It says here.

Hello Mark, I thought his two books were remarkable (i am a now a big fan!)! i have his new one on hold at the library but it has not come in yet. I look forward to your thoughts on the book!

Psst someone tell >142 richardderus: that those things aren't sacrifices for him! Now coffee beans or Rothko paintings, the demons of the deep would feel those.

>138 msf59: My walk wasn’t very long because my knee was not enjoying it. I had a couple of chipping sparrows in my yard that were hanging around quite a bit. I saw a song bird singing near the slough. Some bird of prey flew over me but I was unable to identify it. Otherwise it was grackles, red-wings, chickadees. I did not hear or spot any warblers. The other day I had an eastern phoebe on the deck rail. The yellow jacket bees are out in force so the flycatchers should be here. I was looking for nest building. I have had the tree swallows checking out my houses and another bird popping into the house that the wren usually likes. I did not spot any nests.

I’ve read Shuggie Bain which I thought was very good.

For some reason I thought you were in Portugal on a holiday with Sue, Mark. We are getting together with the M and M's and their parents on Friday for dinner, so I am looking forward to that.

>141 alcottacre: You can't put T.R. and the orange gasbag in same ballpark and that might be an understatement.

Glad to hear from another Shuggie Bain fan. You should get to Young Mungo.

Sweet Thursday, Stasia.

>142 richardderus: I love the tirade, RD. Nyarlathotep? LOL. Honestly, I am surprised you missed the NetGalley offering. I think I got mine via Shelf Awareness. It is definitely off to a fine start.

>143 mdoris: Hi, Mary. Good to see you. Glad you are also a fan of Stuart. John of John won't be released until May 5th. It is good that you are on the hold list already.

>144 quondame: Definitely not the kittens, Susan. 😊

>145 Kristelh: Sweet Thursday, Kristel. Thanks for the walking/bird report. Sorry about the knee issue. We rarely get backyard chipping sparrows. They are everywhere in WI & MI. Careful with those yellow jackets.

Glad to hear you are a fan of Shuggie Bain. Get the new one on the hold list.

>146 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deborah. We leave next Thursday- the 30th. Have a great time with the M & Ms tomorrow.

-Harry Bliss

Good morning Mark. I find that it’s easier to spot the birds without all the leaves but they really popped yesterday. I need to find some yellow jacket spray as they are so nasty here. I will play PB today. For some reason I can play PB but walking is hard. How long will you be gone on your Portugal trip. What birds are you hoping. To see. Will you be doing the “walk”?

>150 msf59: Makes "The End" sound like the loveliest sentence in English, that does.

Thursday well, Birddude.

>149 msf59: >145 Kristelh: A few years ago, I stepped in a Yellow jacket nest, got bit once and pursued as I ran into house -
had to call pest Control to dig out the nest...

>153 m.belljackson:. They are very evil things and do not deserve to be called bees.

Good afternoon, Mark, and sweet Thursday to you.

I had a Downy earlier and have a male Cardinal now. I hope Trevor can come over tomorrow and fill my feeders. They’re not empty, but getting there.

>151 Kristelh: Our trees are filling in fast too. Boo to the yellow jackets. They are aggressive and give a painful sting. We leave on the 30th and return on the 16th. So a nice stretch. I will report back on the birds. I did not play today. My oil change took too long. Drat!!

>152 richardderus: Absolutely, RD.

>153 m.belljackson: >154 Kristelh: When I used to walk the route, the yellow jackets were always my nemesis, especially late summer. They will build a nest anywhere- in a crack in someone's front stairs or front porch, or on someone's lawn. One year after being stung in the ankle, I could not get my work shoe on the next day and had to call in.

>155 karenmarie: Sweet Thursday, Karen. I had some cardinals visiting earlier, otherwise- sparrows, sparrows, sparrows...

>141 alcottacre: It was interesting to me when I recently read Jesus and John Wayne that the author talked about how TR was a hero to the far right. He was their cowboy president. I always think about his conservationist leanings, and how he was anti-monopoly, which are reasons why I have always liked him. If people on both right and left can like TR, why can't we come together more nowadays?

>154 Kristelh: Before your posts here, I had never heard yellow jackets called bees. In fact, I wondered about that. Is that maybe a regional thing? My first husband got stung twice by some we had in our front yard, and after the second sting we found out he was allergic. So I have a healthy respect for them.

>158 atozgrl:. I think they are hornets and wasps but the word bee is kind of generic term. If you Google it, it states; Bees include over 20,000 species of winged, pollen-eating insects within the clade Anthophila, ranging from familiar honey bees and bumblebees to thousands of solitary types like mason and carpenter bees.

"Yes, yellowjackets are considered incidental or secondary pollinators, though they are much less efficient than bees. While they primarily hunt insects to feed their larvae, they visit flowers to consume nectar for energy, transferring pollen in the process.And they control pests in gardens."

"Yellow jackets are not true bees; they are predatory social wasps known for their black-and-yellow markings and aggressive behavior...Yellow jackets are social insects that live in colonies, which can number up to 5,000 individuals. They are predators and scavengers, feeding on insects like caterpillars and flies, as well as human food at picnics and outdoor gatherings. They exhibit rapid, side-to-side flight patterns before landing and can become aggressive if their nest is disturbed."

>158 atozgrl: Sweet Thursday, Irene. " If people on both right and left can like TR, why can't we come together more nowadays?" Great question, my friend.

I hope the yellow jacket info up above helps out. They can be brutal while having a picnic in late summer. They adore sweet drinks.

>159 Kristelh: Thanks for supplying that info, Kristel. I think most bee stings come from these little assassins.

Go Cubbies! My Cubs started the season very slowly and spent some time in last place. In the last 2 weeks they turned up the heat and have won 9 games in a row. Their longest winning streak since 2016, the year they won the World Series, winning 11 straight. They are heading out west to face the Dodgers and Padres, so it is going to be a tough road trip.

>162 msf59: - I wish I could say the same for my Jays but sadly, they are really struggling. Quite a number of our main players are injured and I'm sure that has something to do with it. But it's hard to watch.

Go Cubs!

>160 msf59: Truly the A**holes of the insect world! Twice in the last 10 years I’ve gotten stung on the arch of my foot while walking barefoot in the grass in our backyard. (I don’t do that anymore!) Both times I could barely walk for days. It’s hard keeping them away from the hummingbird feeders, too.

>130 msf59: Happy boy!

>150 msf59: And cats, too? I’ve had a couple horses I wouldn’t mind seeing again, too!

>163 jessibud2: Sweet Thursday, Shelley. The Cubs were able to turn it around, so hopefully the Jays can do it too. It is early days and lets hope those injured players come back soon.

>164 Copperskye: Sweet Thursday, Joanne. "Truly the A**holes of the insect world! " Amen to that. I am certain that most of the bee stings I have received over the years were from yellow jackets. And yes, they are terrible at the hummingbird feeders. Have you put yours up yet? I have not and will wait until we return from our trip.

I am sure all our favorite critters will be waiting for us. LOL.

>165 msf59:, >166 jessibud2: - I think I have them, too! I was sitting outside reading last summer and saw them going into holes in the brick wall outside (where the 2 walls meet at a corner). I freaked out a bit and stuck a piece of gum into the hole behind him as he went in, until I realized that there were several and the holes went up way higher than I could reach. I bought a wasp trap that I think caught a few but ick ! I might have to call pest control to seal the holes or something. So far, I haven't been stung but I'd like to keep it that way!

>129 msf59:
TR would have run against him. That is what he did when he got unhappy with Taft and the way he was running the country.

>133 msf59:
It was a very humoress look at the problem of feathers and eggs. I stumbled across it, because it is on the reading list for the Knit-Paper-Scissors Yarn Shop in Lincoln, Ne. The owner of the store loves to read as much as she likes to knit, so she started a book club. It has about 15 people who come to the monthly meetings. This book was on their list and my local library had the book, so I nabbed it and once started couldn't put it down. Since it was a bird book, I thought you might enjoy it. I read it, so I hope that the narration on the audio version did justice to the book.

I had a scold of Blue Jays outside the dining room window this morning. 5 blue feathered friends and not a female in sight that I could see.

>161 msf59: Yes, I have experience with yellow jackets going after soda. When I was a junior in high school, our family made a trip out west. We visited New Mexico, where my dad was during WWII. We had a picnic lunch outside at one place, and the yellow jackets went after our drinks.

And I've still never heard of yellow jackets being referred to as bees before the posts on your thread today. Personally, I always thought of them as being in the wasp family, which the information you quote seems to support. But nobody I know ever referred to them as bees.

I have more problems with ants at my hummingbird feeder than yellow jackets. I guess I've been lucky that we haven't had any at my current house. knock on wood

>162 msf59: Go Cubs! I was afraid they wouldn't win today since the Phillies kept coming back, but they pulled it out at the end again.

>166 jessibud2: Please get that patched up, Shelley. You do not want those yellow jackets nesting there. They are aggressive and their sting is painful.

>167 benitastrnad: >168 benitastrnad: >169 benitastrnad: Happy Friday, Benita. In regard to TR and the gasbag- a genuine tough guy and a mock one. TR would mop the floor with him.

I am having a good time with The Impossible Thing. Her writing is actually very good. I like your origin story, in getting to read it. Hooray for the blue jays!

>170 atozgrl: Happy Friday, Irene. I think yellow jackets just get lumped in with bees. I have made that mistake too. Bees are definitely gentler than the angry wasp family. I have an ant problem at my hummingbird feeder too. Keeping water in the top feeder helps.

Go Cubbies! I also did not think they would pull it off yesterday. The Phillies have some big hitters but their pitching is BAD! They will have their work cut out for them on the West Coast starting tonight.

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you.

>157 msf59: Yes, I also have sparrows, sparrows,sparrows. One male Cardinal right now. Trevor will be over later today to replenish the bird feeders, among other things.

>158 atozgrl: I got stung by Yellow Jackets 25 years ago. It was painful and scary. Thank goodness for Benadryl.

>162 msf59: Congrats on your Cubbies winning.

Wasps in general are the Devil's own. Vicious, with really painful stings.

I hope you're getting more excited by the Portugal trip approaching!

>171 msf59:
Belinda Bauer wrote another book with the character of Patrick Fort in it. It is titled Rubbernecker and after reading Impossible Thing I dug through my boxes of books and found my copy. It got moved to the "plan to read bookshelf", but I haven't read it yet. I loved the way Baur wrote Patrick's character and wanted to know more about it. Impossible Thing was long listed for the Booker Prize and I thought it should have been short-listed as well. In no way was it the usual crime novel. It deserves more readers. I also think that Bauer needs more attention.

>173 karenmarie: Happy Friday, Karen. Boo to the sparrows and yellow jackets. Glad you have avoided getting stung by them for 25 years. Whew! And hooray for my surging Cubbies!

>174 richardderus: Happy Friday, Richard. Boo to the Devil's own but hooray for our fast-approaching trip. Slowly checking off the preparations list. We both got our haircuts- so that gets checked off.

>175 benitastrnad: I saw that The Impossible Thing was book 2. Interesting. I also like Patrick's character. I did not realize it was long-listed for the Booker. That is an honor in itself. I am certainly enjoying it. Listening to it on audio, so getting through it slowly.

-John Darkow

>177 msf59: Funny how it never does.

>178 richardderus: Especially under his administration. Has the average person benefited anything since he stepped in or should I say slithered in? 🤢

>179 msf59: If so I'm not aware of it.

38- The Feather Wars by James H. McCommons 4.5 stars

“From the time the country was founded, Americans assumed that the land’s natural resources were infinite—they hunted and trapped, plowed and drained and clear-cut their way across the continent. It wasn’t until the end of the 19th century, with the rapid demise of the Passenger Pigeon and the carnage of the American Bison on the Plains, that some Americans realized action needed to be taken.”

The human race sure likes killing things and this isn’t a recent development. This dates back to prehistoric times when we wiped out the woolly mammoth and other edible creatures. This superbly researched book details the massive slaughter of birds. Mainly covering the late 1800s through 1920, when the Migratory Treaty Bird Act was finally established (1918). Of course, this didn’t stop the killing, only slowed it down a but it was landmark legislation. Birds were killed for sustenance, (I can at least understand that), for entertainment, pest control and to adorn women’s hats. I am talking billions of birds, not a few thousand here and there. The other focus of this book is the crusaders who fought to protect these birds and they were legion. Women may have worn these fancy hats but they also were on the front lines protecting our feathered friends. I liken this to an avian civil rights movement. Once again, the research done here, is incredible and the author also knows how to keep the narrative moving along. Highly recommended.

-Eurasian Hoopoe



-European Bee-Eater (I hope they also eat yellow jackets)



-Rose-Ringed Parakeet

Well, it turns out that Portugal has some mighty fine birds. These 3 target birds are seen regularly so fingers crossed. Keep in mind this is not a birding tour so I will have to do this all on my own. We will be visiting a variety of places so this should give me plenty of opportunities, plus I will have free time here and there. I am sure Sue and our friend Karen won't mind visiting a park or two. Our friends saw hoopoe while in Africa. I am glad to see that they are also found in Portugal.



-Greater Flamingo (It looks like I may also get my very first flamingo) 🤞🤞

'Morning, Mark! Happy Saturday. I hope you enjoy visiting with your friends in the park today.

>182 msf59: Gorgeous birds!

I've got a White-Breasted Nuthatch coming for black oil sunflower seeds, a Carolina Chickadee on the tray feeder, and a male Red-Bellied Woodpecker calling from the Crepe Myrtle.

>181 msf59: You got me with this one, Mark. Just my cuppa!

>182 msf59:, >183 msf59: While I've never done any birding-specific travel, I've enjoyed seeing other species when I'm outside my home region and especially in another country. I'm sure you'll add to your life list on your trip.

I will be looking forward to your bird (and other) reports when you return. Have a great trip.

Ok, Mark, you got me and I just put a hold on The Feather Wars It looks like it should be available for me soon.

Have fun in Portugal! We loved it, and you can probably get everyone to the beach and see some birds.

>182 msf59: These are all lovely, but that parakeet is a stunner! I hope you get to see some of them.

I definitely want to read The Feather Wars. I'm currently reading Silent Spring, which I had not read before now. I decided it was time to remedy that lack. It's horrifying to read about how many birds were killed in the rush to attack insects with ever more poisonous insecticides. And apparently with little to no good planning, research, or forethought. First we're shooting birds for our enjoyment, then we're massacring them as fallout from attempts to kill other creatures we don't like. Now they're dying en masse during migrations by striking buildings that we have unintentionally set up as traps for them. We don't ever seem to learn.

Wasps are most unpleasant , Mark. I once had the awful experience of going to grab some toilet paper off the roll and got stung! I didn't really know what had happened at first, and ran down the stairs to Dave . When I was 6 or so, I had the bad luck to have a bug fly into my ear when I was outside playing. The neighbour was about to spray Raid in my ear, when my dad came running to drive me to the doctor. My dad told me to put my ear facing to the light , as bugs crawl to the light. As we got into the doctor's office ( it ended up being a dentist ) because the doctors offices were closed, the bug crawled out and the dentist said - oh - an earwig! Was that a scary experience for me. It made a lot of noise and of course felt very scary . I worried for several months that it might have layed eggs in my ear, but no. The neighbour was worried it was a wasp or a bee, thus the Raid, but my dad was glad to get me away from Raid in the ear.

>189 vancouverdeb: That’s a nightmare story, Deborah. The kind of thing I worried about when going to bed at night. So earwigs really do crawl into ears? Yea, RAID in the ear, not a good idea.

>184 karenmarie: Happy Sunday, Karen. We ended up not going to that state park to visit our camping friends. We decided to take Juno on a nice walk here and then we went out for lunch. Nice feeder report.

>185 lauralkeet: Happy Sunday, Laura. Great to see you. Glad I landed a solid BB with The Feather Wars. In regard to birding while traveling- I did pretty good in Australia/NZ. It just makes birding a bit more difficult, doing it on your own in unfamiliar places. I am studying up.

>186 Kristelh: Thanks, Kristel. You know I will be reporting back. 😎

>187 banjo123: Happy Sunday, Rhonda. Good to see you. Glad I got you with The Feather Wars. It's a good one. We are getting pumped about our upcoming trip. We can compare notes when we get back. On the tour we cover the country pretty well.

>188 atozgrl: Happy Sunday, Irene. Glad you like the parakeet. I agree it is gorgeous. There is also a blue-crowned parakeet found there. I think you will find The Feather Wars fascinating, despite the slaughter. I do not think I have read Silent Spring. Bad Mark?

>181 msf59: "I liken this to an avian civil rights movement."

Brilliant! Excellent review, Birddude!

>183 msf59: I really hope you get All of these new-to-you sightings, Mark. Hoopoes are the kind of bird that makes one think, "is that real or am I hallucinating?" Their call sounds like an owl with hiccups:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWCIWj4FBVg
The first flamingo will be memorable, like the first spoonbill. Such dramatic, unlikely-looking creatures.

Have fun with the remaining waiting time!

>189 vancouverdeb: Wow! That is definitely 2 very unpleasant experiences. So, a wasp was in your house? I cannot believe that the neighbor wanted to spray Raid in your ear. WTH? Glad it didn't happen and I am glad it was just an earwig, which are harmless. Still pretty scary for a kid. I think that is a wives' tale about earwigs laying eggs in people's ears. LOL.

>190 Kristelh: I thought earwigs crawling into ear canals was a wives' tale too. LOL.

>193 richardderus: >194 richardderus: Thank you in regard to the review. I am glad I landed a couple of BBs with it.

I like that hoopoe sound. It does sound owl-like. I hope I can hear one, along with seeing one. I know you like your spoonbills. Who doesn't love those roseates? Those early hunters loved shooting them. LOL. They have Eurasian spoonbills in Portugal. Also on the target list.

Happy Sunday, Richard.

37- Go as a River by Shelley Read 3.8 stars

After her older brothers leave home, Victoria Nash is left running the family’s peach farm, outside of Iola, a small town in southern Colorado. She is seventeen. One day, while in town she meets a dark-skinned young man. A drifter, passing through. They immediately connect and this turns out to be an encounter that will fatefully alter both of their lives. The background here, is that Iola, a real town was destroyed, with two other towns, in the construction of the Blue Mesa Reservoir. This is a solid debut as it follows Victoria through the decades, dealing with heartache and loss along with her exceptional courage and resilience.

**Footnote- In 2018, due to severe drought conditions, Blue Mesa Reservoir had lost much of its water and the remains of these ghost towns, were visible in certain areas. I think it has recovered since then.

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday to you.

Earwigs. Ugh. Just, ugh. We had them in the house in the spring of 2024 searching for water. I found them everywhere, just not in ears or other body parts.

I have had a Carolina Chickadee, sparrows, Cardinals, a female Downy, and a female Rose-Breasted Grosbeak on the feeders this morning.

>189 vancouverdeb: Your neighbor wanted to spray Raid in your ear? Yikes! After reading Silent Spring, just the thought of that gives me the heebie-jeebies.

>192 msf59: I don't think bad Mark, but it might be worthwhile reading. Even after more than 60 years, so much of the information in the book is sadly still relevant.

>197 msf59: The historic drought in Texas revealed some of those drowned towns. Future archaeologists will be fascinated by them! Time Team 3100 will have a field day!

Monday orisons, Portugal-bound Birddude.

>198 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. It looks like I never got back here yesterday. We also used to get many more earwigs and we were forced to put out pest control powder around the foundation. They are completely harmless but no one enjoys having them crawl around everywhere in the house. Nice feeder report.

>199 atozgrl: I am glad I don't live next to Deborah's neighbor. LOL. I will have to get to Silent Spring. No excuse for Marky.

>200 richardderus: Well it looks like this has happened in other states as well. I can only imagine this getting worse all the time. Go Time Team 3100!

Thanks, Richard and Happy Monday.

^ We will visit Porto on Day 8. Looks beautiful. I am not much of a wine drinker but I better get used to drinking it along with a lot of port.



^While visiting Porto we will also make a stop at Gimaraes. It also looks stunning.

I did a wine pairing in January of Porto (10 year old Tawny Porto). I was my first Port. The book was Joseph Andrews. Porto should be paired with sweets, sugared nuts, chocolates, etc. Enjoy some when in Porto.

>202 msf59: My recommendation is to try a port tasting. Big differences between the different types. Also, as someone who hauled a lot of wine back, give the wine a shot. Lots of good refreshing lighter wines, like the green wine.

'Morning, Mark! I hope you enjoy PB today.

Only one bird on the feeders right now - a Carolina Chickadee eating suet. I've been hearing a Pileated Woodpecker's drum more frequently in the last several weeks. Makes me happy.

>165 msf59: I saw my first hummer of the season in a nearby open space on April 11. My feeders were up about a week before that but I still haven’t seen any in the yard although I did hear a male broadtail come rushing through about a week ago.

Have a wonderful trip!!

>150 msf59: I'm not crying. You're crying. (I hope "dogs" includes birds.)

>203 Kristelh: "Porto should be paired with sweets, sugared nuts, chocolates, etc..." Sounds good to us. Thanks for chiming in your port experience. How was Joeseph Andrews? I have not read that one.

>204 Oberon: Thanks, Erik. I will definitely try a few different kinds of port. Maybe one will really land for me. Did you try any of the beer in Portugal? Inquiring minds...

>205 karenmarie: Good afternoon, Karen. I had a good time playing. Thanks. It is raining at the moment- nothing much happening at the feeders.

>206 Copperskye: Thanks, Joanne. Hooray for your first hummer. I didn't realize you had broadtails. Nice. Did you see my mini-review of Go As a River?

>207 Storeetllr: We will definitely include birds. 😊

Happy Monday, Mary.

>208 msf59: I did. I had Super Bock. I enjoyed it but not what I would call super memorable.

>208 msf59:
Why drink beer when you can have a Vinho Verde?

>202 msf59: What a marvelous bridge that is (in the upper image)! Very site specific, of course.

Have a marvelous trip, Dude. I understand from Son the Elder that Lisbon has a swell airport. He hasn't seen Portugal, only its airport. Long delays between connecting flights to some other country.

>210 Oberon: I have already lowered my expectations on the Portugal beer front, Erik. As long as I have something decent to try from time to time.

>211 benitastrnad: You know I am a beer guy, Benita but the Vinho Verde sounds like something I might enjoy.

>211 benitastrnad: Howdy, Bill and thanks. Glad you like the lovely Porto bridge up there. Looking forward to seeing it. We will be landing at the Lisbon airport Friday morning. 😎

-Clay Bennett

>214 msf59: "When fascism comes to America,

it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."

Sinclair Lewis

>215 m.belljackson: Did Sinclair have to give them instructions!

>215 m.belljackson: Lewis certainly nailed it!

>216 quondame: Good point, Susan, although they would have eventually figured it out.

‘Morning, Mark! Happy Tuesday to you.

>214 msf59: So true.

>215 m.belljackson: Prescient man.

I’ve got Cardinals and a White-Breasted Nuthatch chowing down right now.

>218 karenmarie: Happy Tuesday, Karen. Absolutely nothing happening at my feeders. Sighs...

Vinho verde is one of the few types of white wines I like.

Have a great trip!

>220 katiekrug: Ola, Katie and Obrigada! Good to know about the Vinho verde. So red wine is your choice of vino? Yep, we are excited about this trip.

Looks like it will be a wonderful trip, Mark. I was walking today and saw several great blue herons, perhaps my favourite bird, as well as tree swallows, red winged blackbirds and I am sure more. I am busy just walking .

>222 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah. We leave tomorrow afternoon. Coming up fast. Nice bird report. Do you also see great egrets? All white?

At the moment, John Boyne has to be the hardest working writer. Didn't he just release The Elements last year? And that was a Big Boy! Well, I was just granted a DRC of The Weight of Angels which comes out in October. Thanks Net Galley. This novel is a reimagining of Oscar Wilde's life. Mark your calendars.

>224 msf59: Mark, I very much like the writings of John Boyne. I will mark my calendar, and anxiously await his next masterpiece.!
>2 msf59: Of course, I love the images of your incredible grandson. He looks coy in this photo!

My grand daughter will be hospitalized today to induce labor of her 9.5 lbs baby boy. I will be a Great Grand Mother...Yikes, am I really that old???

I was present for Kayla's delivery 25 years ago! I was fortunate to have an incredibly interesting, fascinating Great Grandmother when I was a young child. She was quite an inspiration. She taught herself to read, with some help from a few friends. I remember walking up the wide wooden steps to her house as I listened to her voice read the Dick and Jane books. I have steep steps to follow! She taught me the meaning of family. I loved her very much. She had the old-fashioned name of Lena.

A trip to Portugal! Wow, I imagine you are so very glad that you are retired with time to follow dreams and visit places you read about.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Wednesday to you. Enjoy your last day of PB before your trip.

I've got 3 Cardinals on the feeders and one Mourning Dove pecking around on the ground.

>224 msf59: I got one, too, and as a not-fan of Boyne's I'm not sure I'll hurry to read it.

Of the current NetGalley offerings, though, one we might both enjoy is David Heska Wanbli Weiden's latest Virgil Wounded Horse story, Wisdom Corner: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/800757

I hope they'll approve me!

Hey Mark! I've never read Boyne. What do you suggest I begin with?

BON VOYAGE to y'all as you set out for Portugal tomorrow!!!!!!! I wish you a completely idyllic adventure and look forward to your return as I meet you on thread after thread.

Have a lovely trip Mark. You will be missed here at LT. I am looking forward to any bird sightings you might squeeze in and reports on food and drink, country side and any natural history. That's quite the assignment I've given you. I expect A+ work.

Have fun - Mark > what books are you taking?

I'm reading WALDEN and THE LAND REMEMBERS and listening to Tennyson read on POETRY SPEAKS.

Have a great trip! You'll be seeing some lovely birds, I'm sure.

Karen O

Safe travels, Mark and enjoy Portugal!

>224 msf59: That looks interesting, Mark. I'll plan to read it. According to what I looked up, we do have all white egrets in my area, but they are rare,so I am not sure if I have seen one or not. Enjoy you trip, Mark.

>225 Whisper1: Happy Wednesday, Linda. Good to see you. Hooray for Great Grandmother! How exciting. Wishing the best for Kayla and that baby boy. Keep me updated.

Glad you are a Boyne fan. He has been remarkably consistent. Thanks in regard to our trip. We are getting excited.

>226 karenmarie: Happy Wednesday, Karen. I had a great time playing PB. Wore myself out. No cardinals yet today.

>227 richardderus: Hey, RD. What don't you connect with Boyne? I would think he would be a good fit for you. Inquiring minds...Thanks for the heads-up on Wisdom Corner. I will try to swing by NetGalley.

>228 Carmenere: Hi, Lynda. I have everything I have read from Boyne but my favorites are The Heart's Invisible Furies &
A Ladder to the Sky. His last one The Elements was excellent too.

>229 LizzieD: Happy Wednesday, Lizzie and thank you. I am not sure I will be giving any updates while on the trip but I certainly will when I return.

>230 Kristelh: Happy Wednesday, Kristel and thank you. Not sure how much updating I will be sharing over here, while I am away but I will fill in everyone when I get back. I'm sure looking forward to adding to my Life List. Do you keep one?

>231 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. Looks like you enjoying some fine rereads. I will be reading Sunset Park by Paul Auster. I will also be bringing along my Kindle, with A Registry of My Passage Upon the Earth: Stories by Daniel Mason in that queue, along with the new one by Ali Smith.

>232 klobrien2: >233 jessibud2: Thanks, Karen & Shelley. Hoping for some new birds and they have some lovely ones.

>234 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah. Have you read Boyne? If not, I highly recommend him. I also hope you get to see a great egret. They are pure white so you can't mistake them for anything else.

"Set during the American financial recession in 2008, the college dropout Miles Heller, who has been running from his past for seven years, is forced to leave his new girlfriend in Florida and return home to New York City. There he unites with his old friend Bing who lives with two women in an abandoned home in the Sunset Park neighborhood in Brooklyn...Through several situations of coincidence and self-discovery, it is a story about how to reconnect with a world once left behind, and how to rejoin the human race after self-inflicted exile."

Paul Auster doesn't seem to get much LT love. I remember a bit more in my early LT years. I have only read The New York Trilogy and I did not like it. Well, I have had Sunset Park on shelf for 15 years and thanks to May's AlphaKit: A I decided to finally give it a shot. Based on the first 30 pages or so, I am really enjoying it. Anyone have any thoughts on Auster?

I certainly like this early quote:

"...the only luxury he allows himself is buying books, paperback books, mostly novels, American novels, British novels, foreign novels in translation, but in the end books are not luxuries so much as necessities, and reading is an addiction he has no wish to be cured of."

-Sunset Park

41- John of John by Douglas Stuart 4.6 stars

John-Calum Macleod is in his early 20s. He tried art school and enjoyed bumming around in the big city until he went broke and decided to return home. Home was his family croft on an island in The Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. His father John is a sheep farmer, tweed maker and church deacon, struggling to make ends meet in this rugged, unforgiving landscape. Cal’s maternal grandmother Ella owns the home and also runs the household. Ella is my favorite character in the novel. Tough, foul-mouthed and level-headed. Cal and his religious father have a contentious relationship, making Cal’s return difficult. There is plenty of family drama in this novel, along with wrecked friendships but it is mostly about crushing loneliness, as men deal with differing desires in an old-fashioned world. This certainly seems to be a theme that the author likes to return to and he does it in an exceptional way. Stuart delivers another excellent novel. That makes three in a row.

*Thanks to NetGalley for the DRC. This will be published on May 5th.

>238 msf59: My favorite books by Auster are The Brooklyn Follies and Oracle Night, oh and Auggie Wren’s Christmas Story. I’ve tried to read The New York Trilogy several (many!) times but never could get into it. It sounds like something I should love. So I guess I’m glad you didn’t like it (if that makes any sense). I recommend you give The Brooklyn Follies a try sometime. I haven’t read his more recent stuff.

I also have Sunset Park on a shelf somewhere (unread) and I hope you like it!

Happy travels!

Wishing you all a wonderful trip to Portugal, safe travels with no glitches, and lots of fun and good food! Enjoy yourselves for all of us. I look forward to pictures when you get back. Take care!

Happy travels, Mark! Should be an excellent trip.

>241 Copperskye: Thanks, Joanne. I think we talked about Auster in the early days and I have been trying to read The Brooklyn Follies since. LOL. I will have to get to it. Sunset Park is off to a good start.

>242 atozgrl: >243 kac522: Thank you, Irene & Kathy. Great win yesterday by our Cubbies, against a very good team.

Goodbye April. A Big Hello to May! Warmer temps and migratory wonders! My kind of month. That said- April was an awesome month of reading. This one will be tough to beat for the remaining months of the year. I knocked out thirteen glorious titles kicking off the month with the fantastic NF title Separation of Church and Hate, which I highly recommend to all my faithful visitors. I enjoyed our shared read of We Begin at the End. I loved Harry Bliss’ graphic memoir, along with two other stellar NF titles - The Feather Wars and Belonging: A German Reckons with History and Home. I just finished the latter, along with the most excellent John of John and The Impossible Thing. Grand slam time.

With our upcoming trip- reading will be spotty for the next couple of weeks but I will get in what I can.

May Reads:

Sunset Park by Paul Auster
A Registry of My Passage Upon the Earth: Stories by Daniel Mason
Glyph by Ali Smith (her new one)

>236 msf59: Thanks for the Boyne suggestions, I will put them on my to read list. In the meantime, I’ve discovered I own the boy in the striped pyjamas so I’ll dip into that one first.

Happy and safe travels!

>236 msf59: I have never resonated with his storytelling. Then he began publicly supporting that Potter female, so any impetus I ever felt to be sympathetic to his plight so humiliatingly fictionalized in Less evaporated.

>240 msf59: GLAD I tell you I am GLAD this read by one of my favorite authors (whose publisher turned my DRC request down) was such a success for you.

No, really.

(it says here)

>238 msf59: Rated Auster's Brooklyn Follies 2 stars.

>246 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda. I also loved The Boy in the Striped Pajamas too, so good choice there too.

>247 richardderus: >248 richardderus: Makes sense, RD. I do not remember the Potter remarks. Doesn't Greer have a new one coming out soon.

Looking forward to your thoughts on John of John, once you get to it.

>249 m.belljackson: I am not surprised, Marianne. Auster seems divisive.

>237 msf59: Yes, I do keep a life list but only just started last year. Today the birds were pretty active. Lots of lovely sounds. The white-throated sparrow and the chipping sparrow and a cardinal and chickadee throwing in some too.

Hope you have a fantastic trip, Mark!

I wish you and Sue safe travels and a wonderful trip.

Boa viagem, Mark and Sue! Approvite Portugal!

Enjoy your travels, Mark!

Stopping by to keep your thread warm, Mark , though it seems others are doing a great job of that.

Happy May and happy trip!

Bom Dia, amigos. Greetings from Evora. We are leaving shortly for Tomar. The trip has been great. The country is beautiful. The coastal areas in Algarve were stunning. Of course the food has been wonderful and they have decent beer too. So far, I have seen 18 Lifers. Not so easy while on a tour. I will try to check in again, later on. Thanks for keeping my thread warm. Adeus!

>258 msf59: Glad you’re having a good trip! Here’s to more lifers, great meals and awesome sights, and a book store or two.

>258 msf59: Glad to hear that your trip is so good, Mark, and with so many lifers!

Good to hear from you, Mark. Glad the trip is going well. Looking forward to your lifers.

Hello Mark. Enjoy your time away! It sounds wonderful. And aren't you the lucky one to get your mitts early on a new John Boyne book.

>258 msf59: Enjoy the trip, y'all!

I hope you are enjoying your trip, Mark. I was very happy to see you enjoying Belinda Bauer as she is one of my favorite authors. Her debut novel, Blacklands still lingers in my mind and I have enjoyed everything else that I have read by her. I am looking forward to The Light Between the Oceans that, if I remember correctly, is a joint read in June.

Hi Mark. I am sure you are having a great time and can't wait for the pics.

I know you won't be able to do anything about this till you're home but I wanted to leave this here so I won't forget to tell you. Last Sunday (May3), 60 Minutes did a piece on birding in Colombia with some incredible, rarely seen birds. You might want to check it out on their website.

Bom Dia to you, too, Mark!

I’m glad the trip has been great, and am especially happy that so far you’ve got 18 Lifers.

Wow! Congrats on getting 18 Lifers! Especially while on a tour. So glad you're enjoying your Portugal adventure!

I hope you are having a wonderful trip, Mark. Sorry about the typo on the gas prices.

Bom Dia, amigos. Our last full day in Portugal. Slowly making our way south from Porto to Lisbon. We will have views of the Atlantic coast, along the way. We will spend our final night in Lisbon. We will catch a flight to Madrid at noon tomorrow.

We loved the northern regions, especially the mountains and the Doura Valley. We visited Ciombra, Guimaraes and of course Porto. The food and drink have been great.
I am up to 22 Lifers but it has dramatically slowed down in the past few days. I still can't complain. The next report will come from Spain.

I am currently reading A Registry of My Passage Upon the Earth by Daniel Mason. It has been an excellent story collection. Mason has very quickly become a favorite author of mine. ❤️

>269 msf59: Your Mason enthusiasm has me really looking forward to reading Country People for July. I'm delighted you're up to 22 Lifers on your card! It's a great perk of traveling, birding...nothing like a guaranteed source of fascination that can keep you engaged even in "down" time.

Had pasteis is de nata yet?

>271 Kristelh:. Greetings Mark. I really enjoyed Mason's North Woods. I will keep an I out for this one. The birds are getting much more active here in Minnesota. I've seen the Yellow-rumped Warbler many times. Brown thrasher, ruby-crowned kinglet, white throated sparrow. The Orioles are back. I am watching for the Martins. They had troubles last year with the rains so I am hoping they make it back.

Enjoy your last day and safe travels home!

Hi Mark. Sounds like you are having an awesome trip!

Once you get settled, check out this piece about 3 teenagers participating in the World Series of Birding:

https://www.npr.org/2026/05/12/nx-s1-5801539/world-series-of-birding-new-jersey

'Morning, Mark! Sweet Thursday to you. I hope you and Sue are doing well.

No bird report - our generator's on and scaring them away. However, Bill did report seeing a hummingbird this morning.

Welcome Home, Mark!

Tiny bird hauling sticks into Bird House just outside kitchen window...
(Windows protected by decals.)

...also Happy Red Wings, Cardinals, many Warblers, and Mourning Doves...
bet they are happy to see you back!

I hope the journey was safe, and the homecoming happy!

welcome back, Mark.

Stopped by to say hello and catch up after my trip, to only find that you are in Portugal. I hope you saw some amazing birds. Can't wait to see photos. Cheers!

'Morning, Mark!

Trevor filled all my bird feeders yesterday. I've got a male Hummingbird, a finch or two, a male Blue Grosbeak. I had a Downy earlier, too.

Your time away sounds like it was wonderful, Mark. I hope you are back and enjoying being home.

Whew! We are home. Yesterday was a brutal travel day. We were up over 23 hours, (neither of us can sleep on the plane, other than a light doze). We left for the Madrid airport at 830 am and got home at 11pm, with a 7-hour time change. We are feeling a little travel worn and will lay low today, other than doing loads of laundry.
I will return with more travel details and photos, (we had a lovely time in Madrid). Sorry for not answering individually but I really appreciate your visits and kind words. ❤️

^This is a shot of our entire Portugal tour group. I am trying to remember which castle this was. LOL.

'Morning, Mark!

I'm glad you're home and sorry that you had such a brutal travel day. I look forward to details and photos when you have a chance to breathe.

>282 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. I was just planning to stop by your thread. I just finished breakfast and feeling a bit better.

"A Violent Masterpiece hurtles through present-day Los Angeles, where a livestreamer chasing chaos, a street lawyer with a dangerous client, and a fixer searching for her missing friend follow trails of corruption, violence, and power that converge into one devastating conspiracy."

As soon as I heard about A Violent Masterpiece, I knew it would land firmly in my wheelhouse. It was just published at the end of April and I was able to snag a DRC from Netgalley. On our long travel day yesterday, I was able to dive in and it grabbed me immediately. Fans of the great crime writer, Richard Price will love this. Has anyone here read Harper before?

I was able to finish 3 books on this trip and start a fourth which I am very happy with but it also shows that we did a lot of rambling about. Reviews forthcoming...

>281 msf59: Glad to hear that you are all home safely and I certainly hope you get some sleep in at some point! Looking forward to the pictures!

Welcome home, Mark!

Welcome home, Mark and Sue! So glad your trip was as fantastic as you'd hoped. I saw some of your pics over on FB, but I look forward to seeing them again - and maybe more? - here.

Welcome home, Mark. Which tour group were you with?

>285 alcottacre: Happy Sunday, Stasia and thanks. It was a good trip. I will slowly be sharing a few photos.

>286 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie. It was a good trip.

>287 Storeetllr: Thanks, Mary. I am still feeling a bit ragged but I will slowly share some of my photos.

>288 labfs39: Thanks, Lisa. We went with Insight Tours. Our first time with them and we really enjoyed it.

^ I am not going to go crazy with sharing photos from our trip but I will try to do a few highlights. This is Belem Tower in Lisbon. I prefer my photo over my topper up there. We spent the first 2 days in Lisbon and the final day and a half. We flew out of Lisbon on our way to Madrid.

BTW- The weather was cool, like here in the Midwest. It usually started out in the 50s and slowly crept up to the mid-60s later in the day. Not bad at all when the sun decided to shine and it was quite breezy most of the time.

Looks like lots of happy trip vibes! Welcome back!

^After leaving Lisbon we headed south/southwest to the Algarve region, which is along the Atlantic coast. It was absolutely beautiful there. The photos barely due it justice. We spent one night in Lagos before slowly making our way back north.





^This gorgeous boardwalk paralleled a beach area, which was a 15 minute walk from our hotel. We were there for the sunset.

Welcome back Mark, it looks like an amazing trip.

You had a great trip Marc. Looking forward to your pictures. Now the Algarve should be on my bucket-list.
Sorry for the long day travelling home!

Welcome back Mark. Wonderful pictures. Glad you are back. Of course you were missed.

>293 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. It was a fine one to scratch off our bucket-list.

>294 EllaTim: Happy Sunday, Ella. All of Portugal is worth visiting. Each part has it's own charms.

>295 Kristelh: Thanks, Kristel. Being lazy today but I hope to be back playing tomorrow.

Welcome back, traveler! Looks like that was a great trip. Well, now it’s back to work - oh no, it isn’t! Isn’t that sweet?

My recent reads have been full of light, so I have nothing to recommend to you, oh sultan of darkness. You already read The Correpondent and Theo of Golden, right? If not, both are excellent.

Welcome home, Mark! Whew, that sure sounds like a rough travel day. I hope you've been getting plenty of rest today.

The pictures are gorgeous. It looks like you really had a wonderful trip!

Love the pictures, Mark! Thank you for sharing them!

>297 jnwelch: Happy Monday Joe and thanks. It was a great trip. One for the books. I have read and loved The Correspondent but not Theo of Golden. It is firmly on the list. Speaking of the Sultan of Darkness, I am thoroughly enjoying A Violent Masterpiece which really fits the bill.

>298 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene. Great trip. Glad to be back. Go Cubbies. Lost a tough series against the Sox.

>299 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia. I will be sharing a few more.

See you folks on the other side!!