richardderus's ninth 2026 thread

Stunning Korean crown!

𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗞𝗢, Untitled, 1967
oil on canvas, 80 × 69 in. (203.2 × 175.3 cm) from The Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Art Collection, New York

I've switched up the image of a Rothko here because I found another that evokes my sense of peaceful hope, optimism, and faith in humanity. I wish all of those things to every living one of us. No matter who; no matter where; no matter what.

My Tumblr re-addiction gave me an excellent description of my 6*-of-five scale in words:
1* Terrible
2* Bad
3* Decent
4* Good
5* Great
6* Phenomenal

THIS THREAD'S REVIEWS
150 (P8) Mad Eden: A Novel in post #11.
151 (P9) Pure men in post #47.
152 (P10) Rears & Vices in post #69.
153 Contrapposto : a novel in post #76.
154 The traveler : one man's quest for humanity from the South Seas to Revolutionary Paris in post #77.
155 (P11) The invention of nature : the adventures of Alexander von Humboldt, the lost hero of science in post #78.

All my threads in the 75ers linked somewhere here

2026 threads
Reviews 001 to 010 back here.
Reviews 011 to 022 back here.
Reviews 023 to 055 back here.
Reviews 056 through 071 back here.
Reviews 072 through 092 back here.
Reviews 093 through 106 back there.
Reviews 107 to 126 back there.
Reviews 127 to 149 are back there.

Previous years
My Last Thread of 2009 Is Here:
Reviews are back-linked there.
My Last Thread of 2010 Is Here:
Reviews are back-linked there.
My Last Thread of 2011 Is Here:
Reviews are back-linked there.
My Last Thread of 2012 Is Here:
Reviews are back-linked there.
My Last Thread of 2013 Is Here:
Reviews are back-linked there.
My Last Thread of 2014 Is Here:
Reviews are back-linked there.
My Last Thread of 2015 Is Here:
Reviews are back-linked there.
My Last Thread of 2016 Is Here:
Reviews are back-linked there.
My Last Thread of 2017 Is Here:
Reviews are back-linked there.
My Last Thread of 2018 Is Here:
Reviews are back-linked there.
My Last Thread of 2019 Is Here:
Reviews are back-linked there.
My Last Thread of 2020 Is Here:
Reviews are back-linked there.
My Last Thread of 2021 Is Here:
Reviews are back-linked there.
My Last Thread of 2022 Is Here:
Reviews are back-linked there.
My Last Thread of 2023 Is Here:
Reviews are back-linked there.
My Last Thread of 2024 Is Here:
Reviews are back-linked there.
My Last Thread of 2025 Is Here:
Reviews are back-linked there.

All previous Burgoine reviews linked here.

THIS THREAD:
#035

All previous Pearl Rule reviews linked here.

THIS THREAD:
#009

Seriously...not a great venue for normies here.
My 2025 in review.

2026 GOALS
I won't be focusing attention on the number of books I've read, or any of the rest of the numbers game, because it feels like bragging. I have none of the pressures on me that normal people have. I've got my datastick of notes from reads as much as thirteen years old, never written into reviews for any number of reasons. I have a huge hoard of rage at the kakistocracy fueling a desire to do something, a disability that doesn't allow that something to be kinetic, and so I write.

It's what I can do, so it's what I will keep doing until ICEstapo starts coming for domestic enemies of the kakistocracy. Emptying that data stick of the backlog of more-or-less coherent notes taken might last me the year, if I get even close to 2025's levels of success in writing away my emotional pain. My reviewing schedule for 2026 will begin on the second...there will be hashtag events during the year that I'll announce the weekend before they begin...I still won't post reviews on Tuesdays (traditional book-release day in the US) until publishing slows down the new-books firehose in December as #Booksgiving hots up. The most exciting books of 2025's reading were translations so I'm definitely continuing my focus on reading translated literature in 2026.

Since the entirety of 2026 is looking politically unstable, I'm making a point to review books that treat that instability as a chance to reflect on how we got here, so we can get out...and stay out. I'm not a bit sure anyone will enjoy it. It is urgent not to lose sight of the reality that our right to read and think and behave like, about, and what we think is best is very much under attack. 6870 times in the 2024-2025 school year alone. Guess whose identities were targeted most often. "Books by authors of color, by LGBTQ+ authors, by women. Books about racism, sexuality, gender, history. PEN America pushes back against censorship and the intolerance and exclusion that undergird it." I recommend joining PEN America to support a key player in the fight to oppose and reverse the school bans.

☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂

1Q26 in review is here.
2Q26 due 30 June 2026.

GBBO and other special hashtaggie projects will be linked here.

2026 #ShortStoryMonth didn't happen in 2026.
☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂
2026 #PrideMonth already has seven reviews (links here) and further reviews will be agglomerated and enumerated here. I have no specific numerical goal for written reviews.
150 (P8) Mad Eden: A Novel in post #11.
151 (P9) Pure men in post #47.
152 (P10) Rears & Vices in post #69.
155 (P11) The invention of nature : the adventures of Alexander von Humboldt, the lost hero of science in post #78.

#PrideMonth wrap-up
☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂
#WITMonth explainer is here.
#WITMonth wrap-up
***
☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂☀☁☂
GBBO THOUGHTS
Season 16 back-links here.

See >6 richardderus: for 2025 achievements & 2026 goals, and quarterly wrap-ups. Special hashtag events in >7 richardderus: .
Monthly wrap-up posts to be linked below. 2025's wrap-ups are back-linked here.

January 2026 here.
February 2026 here.
March 2026 here.
April 2026 here.
May 2026 here.

All my six-stars-of-five reads since I first said I wanted to give a book six stars of five for being a perfect read in 1994. I've started the list with 2013 to coincide with the launch of my blog. All the links take you to the reviews I posted for those titles on the blog.

My Tumblr re-addiction gave me an excellent description of my 6*-of-five scale in words:
1* Terrible
2* Bad
3* Decent
4* Good
5* Great
6* Phenomenal

1994. MONTANA 1948...the original; the perfect read!

1. THE SONG OF ACHILLES


2. MATTERHORN


3. EUROPE IN AUTUMN


4. MARGARET THE FIRST


5. MISSIONARY


6. CIRCE


7. BLACK LIGHT


8. YOU EXIST TOO MUCH


9. COVE


10. KIBOGO


11. THE WORDS THAT REMAIN


12. GLORIOUS EXPLOITS


13. THE REMEMBERED SOLDIER

Okay. The floor is yours.

150 (P8) Mad Eden: A Novel by Morgan Thomas

I'm first again?????? How did that happen?

I didn't realize I wasn't going back to your old thread, but I will right now to find out about the tooth.

I've done that. I echo Kim. WTF?!?!! Please tell me that your residence is not in jeopardy.
Meanwhile, I like the looks of *ME*.... I also wish you a Happier New Thread than you have at this moment.

>12 LizzieD: Welcome, Peggy me lurve. I do not feel this is a residence-threatening idiot bureaucratic snafu. Irwina has dealt with this before with my friend Margie.

What it does mean is that trip to the dentist is out until something happens. I got my sister to send me a couple hundred bucks'-worth of yogurt and cottage cheese so I won't subsist solely on Ensure. Ammy will deliver when they deliver and I'll use my bin in the community freezer to keep the stuff that won't fit in my small fridge.

>11 richardderus: is a good tale, but borrow it from the library.

Happy new one, Richard!

Hope you get your health coverage sorted soon! Wouldn't it be nice if things worked like they should?

Happy New Thread, Richard . I am sorry you are not seeing a dentist sooner. That is just wrong. Tooth pain is some of the worst pain .

Happy new thread! So sorry you're dealing with tooth stuff.

>14 RebaRelishesReading: Me too, Reba. This constant grinding pain STINKS.

>15 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deborah. I've done my pain-wallowing so now am rejoining Life and doing my best not to whine anymore.

>16 drneutron: Thank you, Doc, I'd so rather that no one anywhere ever had to go through this kind of yuck, but such is life.

Happy new thread, Richard! Well, semi-happy at this point I suppose. Fingers crossed the powers that be get their wire uncrossed and you get that tooth taken care of asap.

>20 Familyhistorian: That's the way I'm hoping it shakes out, Meg, but what will be will be.

>13 richardderus: THAT is a relief at least. The 2 main men in my life were/are strong proponents of "Prepare for the worst and hope for the best," so my mind immediately goes to worst-case scenario. I suspect it's my nature too. Sometimes I envy the happy-clappers, but mostly I consider our approach to be realistic.... especially these days.

I'm glad that the soft stuff is on the way. Ensure is no fun. Now I'll leave the second pebble and hope that you can take pain meds that give you some relief. *smooch*

Salutations on your new thread, RD. I really hope that you are able to get the teeth sorted soon.

Happy new thread, and may *all* the bureaucrats be cursed with developing consciences, which they presumably entirely lack.

Happy New Thread! I really hope you can see the dentist very soon!

>22 LizzieD: I've always thought the happy-clappers were ambulatory roadkill. We'll All end up dead I just hope not to leave by being squished under the tank-tracks of the big orange vehicle blaring its horn and firing its guns to show where it is heading.

Ensure's fine but not as a steady diet. New pain patch tomorrow!

>23 PaulCranswick: I'd like that, too, PC so thanks!

>24 ArlieS: That...is genius. What an inventive, diabolically cruel, condign curse. ::salute::

>25 SilverWolf28: Me too, Silver! Me blinkin' too. TYVM

Hi Ricardo!! Happy new thread and curses to the idiots handling your case. Hurray for the new pain patch tomorrow and for more than just the Ensure diet (been there, done that). Big smooches my friend.

Happy new thread, Richard. I can't believe you are having to go through this. Or, well, maybe I can. The healthcare system seems to be so screwed up in this country. I truly hope it can be straightened out ASAP and you'll be able to see the dentist very soon.

>30 Berly: Heya, Berly-boo. I think I'm in a weird crease, because last month everything was fine, but end of May/beginning of June starts the state's new quarter so...? Some kind of file upload/download/glitch and now I don't exist...?

Ensure's a lot better option than hunger but it gets old fast. Now I've got it, cottage cheese, and yogurt as well as some instant grits, so things're lookin' up for eating pleasure until the root (!) cause can get dealt with.

>31 atozgrl: Hi Irene! Oh, I find it easy to believe. Whatever it takes to fix it I'll do, but it won't be fast so I needed a solution to the immediate issue before anything else.

I hope the goddesses are tuned in and respond to your petition positively soon.

Sweet Thursday, Richard. Happy New Thread. Sorry to hear about your current health issues. What is going on?

I'm finally catching up, Richard, and so sorry to hear about the toothache and the nightmare that is the bureaucracy of healthcare. I hope it gets sorted out soon, but UGH in the meantime.

‘Morning, RDear! Happy new thread. Ugh to having to apply in The Bronx.

>1 richardderus: I’m happy to see anything Korean.

>11 richardderus: polysyllabifactive neologization You broke me. I haven’t had enough coffee yet.

*smooch*

>34 msf59: Bureaucracy. Or gawd/the AI is trying to punish me for not believing in either of them as forces for Good, Right, and Justice. It will All get sorted eventually and I'll be miserable until it does.

I thought that Karen would be coveting that crown to duplicate for Hwan and Jenna. Very Handsome!!!!!

I hope that the new pain patch has been patched and is doing it's job heroically. Hooray also for loving Sister and Ammy that you now have some food choices. Arlie's post 24 reminds me of the meme that can also be a curse for all of that ilk from Dr. King: May they be judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin.

*smooch*

>35 bell7: Thanks, Mary, it's not my favoritest thing ever. It is not going to go away so I do the best I can to get things arranged for my best comfort right this minute, and just stay informed about how I can assist the folks working with the bureaucracy to help me get what I need. xo

>36 karenmarie: Broke your brain, did I? Sorry about that. I chose that one hoping you'd notice it's in Hwan's honor. Plus it's so stunningly lovely, no?

I had pureed fresh blueberries folded into vanilla Greek-style yogurt for my lunch and it was soooooooooo gooooooood. Blessings upon my dear sister for arranging my grocery delivery through Ammy Fresh. I get attacks of vertigo from whatever's causing this tooth pain so I don't want to go traipsing around in the close-to-90° day. It's a kinda sucky time. *smooch*

>38 LizzieD: I approve of that message's repurposing, Peggy! I'm slowly getting around to the threads as this patch works its magic. I'm feeling vertigo fairly often so I'm not going to be a reliable visitor, but it's not for lack of interest, y'all!

*smooch*

>37 richardderus: Well good luck with that battle, RD. It looks like a tough one. Frodo against Sauron.

>42 msf59: ...only Sauron's got a brain worm....

I hear that Ensure is hard to take, Richard, that's why so many bottles of it are taking up space in my fridge (not for me, I'm glad to say). How come things take longer to straighten out when the person been affected is in Pain? Hang in there!

Oh there you are Richard! I've finally unearthed your neglected thread in your dusty little corner that no one visits *rolls eyes* I've not missed anything then, have I?

Oh - a new thread? Happy new one, RD.

>44 Familyhistorian: Morning, Meg! I can't say Ensure has ever given me the slightest trouble in digestion or in any discomforting sense. It's just dull, uninteresting, when one has more than one or two in a given day. Honestly I'm so pleased they exist as an alternative to chewing that I feel churlish whinging about how dull they are!

151 (P9) Pure men by Mohamed Mbougar Sarr (tr. Lara Vergnaud)

'Morning, RDear. Happy Friday to you. I hope the pain is under control, and I am so sorry about the vertigo.

Every time I buy yogurt it ends up getting tossed. The only whole milk yogurt offerings at my local grocery store are 30 or 32 ounce tubs. Yogurt and pureed blueberries sounds yummy.

>47 richardderus: Appreciated, pass.

*smooch*

>45 humouress: *startle*

...why, um...hi there! It's good to see someoneyou here, uh, Nina! ::rapid dusting and trash-tidying::

No, no, not much is new, I'm ticking over like a 1932 Duesenberg. Slower than before and a lot of new parts needed but they're harder and harder to source...the fuel costs are immense...but the ancient bodywork ain't rustin' out yet.

>48 karenmarie: Morning, sweetiedarling. Pain's showing signs of abating! I accidentally chewed a blueberry skin and didn't half-choke from trying to scream with my mouth full! That was not true yesterday. It would be lovely if that trend continued. I like yogurt so I do not ever toss it out, but I do have to budget for it. I also keep the containers because they're *excellent* planters for my radishes. Nine years ago I was forbidden by management to keep growing my radishes on the windowsill in room 4. Here, one of the first things Boris said when showing me my apartment was "look at this window! great place for your plants!"

I knew I was home, and home is worth fighting to keep...so I soldier on through the minefield of complexity to get my home safe and established. I have enormous respect for Irwina the social worker who makes the confusing path smooth for us. I do what I can to make my case as simple as possible for her.

>47 richardderus: would not work for you for some body-horror reasons so I confirm your judgment as sound based on knowledge you should not try to acquire. *smooch*

Morning, Richard. "Pain's showing signs of abating!" Hooray for that! We are gearing up for our first camping trip. I will pick up the camper after playing PB and then bring it back here and clean and load it. We leave tomorrow afternoon.

I am starting The Director today. I know you loved it and that is good enough for me.

Abating pain. That's very good news, my WBL!!! May that trend continue until cause is gone and you are symptom free! Bless Irwina, and may she get through the flooded maze for you in short order.

I have yogurt for breakfast on Thursdays: plain Greek with blueberries, cherries while they last then strawberries then maybe raspberries, raisins, sunflower seeds, granola, and maple syrup. Do I like yogurt? You decide.

*smooch*

>52 LizzieD: Plain Greek usually gets my amendment with Bonne Maman preserves, or with pureed cucumbers or similar savory yummies. Vanilla added yogurt is where I add fresh fruits.

Irwina is The Best™, and I hope all y'all with religious convictions pray for her to stay in love with her job here so I never have to navigate the awfulness by myself (he begged both shamelessly and selfishly).

I'm happy to report the tooth pain is down to more manageable levels, though the swelling is still very sensitive it's not the screaming acute stabby-stabby blaring warning klaxon pain.

I'll take it!

Extra big smooches for you, RDear, as it sounds like it's been A Week. Hopefully you get in to a dentist soon!

Also, thanks for your review of Puck on your last thread. I had it on The List but I think I'll give it a pass given your thoughts.

‘Morning, RD! Happy Saturday to you.

>50 richardderus: I’m glad the pain is abating. I used to save the plastic Lindy’s Frozen Ice containers, giving some of them to the elementary school for projects and using some to germinate tomatoes and cukes. I germinated them in the master bathroom because there’s quite a bit of privacy glass, so lots of sun. I currently save plastic forks and spoons from take out to put out canned food for the beasts a.m. and p.m. I still wash and reuse them, it's just that I don't go through spoons and small forks that need to go through the dishwasher.

The book’s blurb ‘searching, heart-wrenching’ are also not on my dance card right now, although occasionally a smut offering draws a tear or two.

>53 richardderus: Long life and continued social work fervor for Irwina.

*smooch*

>55 MickyFine: Hey there, Micky, good to see you and thanks.

I'm not sure if I'm glad or sad that you're passing on I>Puck. Part of me says "yay, too few eyeblinks and too much good stuff" and part says "...and who are YOU to think it's good to deprive someone of a primary experience?!"

Then I remember that's the *point* of writing and reading reviews, to whittle down the ever-renewing forest of bamboo that is book-writing into manageable bits.

>56 karenmarie: Morning, Horrible, happy Saturday. I'm of the idea that every tiny, insignificant action to reduce/reuse things saves us from the capitalist travesty that is "recycle" (ie, landfill via the long route) so is really helpful. Even if you reuse plastic forks once you've lowered your usage, and saved some energy by not using hot water to rinse and clean your cutlery.

If you can read The Long Game without sobbing, you're weird. (In the bad way...I already know you're weird in the good way.)

Irwina FTW fer sher. Her attitude of being of service is admirable. *smooch*

Irwina sounds a irreplaceable as my current eye doc - both loving what they do and realizing what a service they are providing where it's needed.

I'm very glad to hear that the tooth pain is relenting, and I hope the swelling is quick to follow. I am HAPPY to be past that huge fantasy and enjoying looking here and there. I can now see how intrigued I really am with The Beheading Game. Right now, I'm pretty intrigued. *smooch* for your Saturday!

>59 LizzieD: "Relenting" is a good word to use. It will come back, because nothing's fixed the underlying issue (whatever it proves to be). The swelling, now...it's not as bad but it's fluctuating weirdly independent of the pain's intensity. ??? I hope you like The Beheading Game, and celebrate with you the end of the thousand-page reign of terror. *smooch*

Hurray to the tooth pain relenting, and I very much hope that it doesn't return any time soon. Hurray also for Irwina. Long may she serve!

>61 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene! I hope all keeps trending in this direction, too. Good-Sunday wishes.

152 (P10) Rears & Vices by E.M. Caro

Glad the tooth is behaving a little better. My pain was better today too -- maybe it's a positive trend? : )

I'm glad to read that the tooth pain is relenting, and I sure hope that you can get it sorted out properly a the dentist,Richard.

>64 Berly: We can only hope the miseries of pain are retreating for now. I'm glad yours is moving back fast. I'm delighted with even the smallest of victories! I know you're familiar with thar mindset. *smooch*

>65 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah! It's an endless process, staying even with bureaucracy's foolishness. I so often fail at it....

‘Morning, RDear! Happy Sunday to you. I hope the pain is still under control.

>63 richardderus: I don’t particularly like historical MM or MMM romances, but appreciate the review and the links you provided.

*smooch*

So, it's safe to say >63 richardderus:'s author liked my review. I've been auto-approved for their entire line of DRCs on Netgalley. Next up is By Any Means by E.M. Caro.

>68 karenmarie: Not likely to please you anyway, Horrible. I liked it but didn't love it.

I'm happy to report the fangs aren't more painful today. Lunch had, as my soft-chew food option, quiche! I really like quiche so ate a second helping. I've got some carrot-coins I brought to my apartment that I can nuke later to make softer as they were perfectly cooked for my normal chewing prowess but a bit crisper than I can do now.

Of course it's nerve-wracking not to *know* why it started or left, so there is no sense of more than mild, temporary relief. I want it fixed!!

My Goodreads buddy Sarah-Hope and I traded top-five lists of #PrideMonth reads from 2025/6. I liked to look of the lists and posted them to my blog:
https://expendablemudge.blogspot.com/2026/06/happy-pride-month-2026.html

I'm glad that today is better than yesterday, Richard! At this point "not worse" would count as a win. I want you to KNOW and have it FIXED too!!!!!

*smooch*

>72 LizzieD: Thanks, Peggy me lurve. I hope it's soon, am prepared for it not to be, and annoyed it took place at all. Well...onward and, I hope, good resultsward. *smooch*

Good to see that life has gotten more tolerable eating-wise, Richard. It would be good to see a longer lasting solution though.

>74 Familyhistorian: ...and how I hope it stays that way for a while, Meg, until the desired longer-lasting solution arrives.

153 Contrapposto : a novel by Dave Eggers

154 The traveler : one man's quest for humanity from the South Seas to Revolutionary Paris by Andrea Wulf

155 (P11) The invention of nature : the adventures of Alexander von Humboldt, the lost hero of science by Andrea Wulf

'Morning, RDear! Happy Monday to you.

So many reviews! so much successful dodging!

*smooch*

Hi, Richard! I do believe that your >78 richardderus: was a Kindle deal not very long ago, and I scooped it up. Then as now, I don't know when I'll get to it, but your review certainly pushes it higher on the slopes of Mt. Bookpile.
I like the looks of >76 richardderus: and >77 richardderus: too, so you got me in today's fusillade.

Thank you also for the tip (again?) to look at etymonline.com. I shall!

*smooch*

>79 karenmarie: Monday orisons, Horrible! I was a bizzy widdle boi, warn't eye? Not one single surprise in your bob-and-weave's success.

It might get tougher soon....

*smooch*

>80 LizzieD: *eville chortle*

I was hoping to read that an appointment has been made at the dentist for you, Richard. * smooch*

>6 richardderus: Books banned totalling6870 times in the 2024-2025 school year alone.
Whaaaaat?
That is crazy. I only recall there being news about one book here freaking people out, because of a teen gay couple DOinG tHinGs. I bought it as soon as I could to see what the fuss was about and hopefully also supported the author lol (it was Into the River by Ted Dawe). Haven't read it yet.

Now that I looked it up,it seems it was "Banned in 2015; subsequently unrestricted in the same year" and that most banned publications are hate-mongering/promoting killing or death/ or p3do type stuff.

I like to think of the ones that conservative school-boards want banning are ones to look out for (as in to read!).

>83 vancouverdeb: The insurance issue is ongoing, so nothing will happen until that's resolved. I hope it comes soon!

>84 LovingLit: I love Stephen King because he, on his popular social-media account, tells his legions of young fans to do exactly that! Go find out what makes these nutjobs so crazy so you can decide for yourself.

No wonder his and Tabitha's sons are the men they are. That's good parenting.

‘Morning, RDear! Happy Tuesday to you.

>81 richardderus: However, I revisited >78 richardderus: and paid $1.99+tax for the Kindle edition.

*smooch*

>87 karenmarie: For $1.99 it's a bleedin' steal! I think you'll enjoy the read when/if you get to it. The man was fascinating.

Tuesday orisons, Horrible.

>77 richardderus: I just recommended that to my rl bookclub yesterday :). We didn't actually decide what will be on the list for the coming year (we meet Sept-June) but I planned to read it no matter what -- and now with that 5 star recommendation from you I will do it sooner rather than later!

Hope your insurance issues get resolved soon!!

>89 RebaRelishesReading: Oh cool, Reba! I hope the group agrees. It's got huge amounts of discussion fodder. I hope you'll love the read whenever you get to it.

Thanks, I'm hoping it works out soon.

Here I am too. I misinterpreted your note on Karen's thread to say that the insurance had come through, but I see that it's not so. BOTHERATION!!!!!! I'm glad for "no worse." I swear. What a world.

My DH, working on our currently stranded 1998 Honda, spent part of his morning listening to the neighbor's brother going on about how the left is burning junkyards all over the country so that nobody can get parts for old cars, and everybody will be forced to buy electric cars. Busy, busy, busy tiny minds! This has apparently been out there for some time.

Peace and pain control along with your *smooch*

>91 LizzieD: That's just...amazing. Like burning junkyards wouldn't make the news...and that's only my first problem with that idea. Thank you, sweetness, for the *smooch*

>91 LizzieD: & >92 richardderus: You want to protect the environment so you set off fires everywhere in places they may be difficult to control. Go figure.

There has apparently been a marginal increase in fires at such places but this is put down to the discarded lithium batteries rather than intentional fire setting.

>93 PaulCranswick: Sainted Occam of the Razor! You mean there might be a *reason* for an anomalous blip in fires if there's new materials being dicarded? Well, blow me down and call me shorty! Go know from this.

156 (P12) Precious Friends: Murder in Sag Harbor (Angelo Perrotta Mysteries) by Frank Spinelli

‘Morning, RDear! Happy Wednesday to you.

>91 LizzieD: and >92 richardderus: I hadn’t heard the MAGA weirdness of the left burning junkyards so folks can’t get parts for cars so they have to buy electric cars. Your neighbor’s brother has definitely drunk the Kool-Aid. My first thought was that burning junkyards would prevent people from getting parts for electric cars, too.

>95 richardderus: Kevlar vest intact.

*smooch*

>96 karenmarie: Yes, the smutlessness of >95 richardderus: assured me it would find no home on your Kindle.

>91 LizzieD:, >96 karenmarie: A similar thing occurred in the Aughties when I lived in Austin. New construction and renovation of all plumbing *required* the use of low-flow faucets and toilet innards. A huge boom in people buying the unrestricted old ones from homeowners followed for ~5yrs. It was illegal but was really hard to prove. People do not like being told to make changes, so it's easy to get a silly rumor going...there are real cases that make silly ones plausible for the, um, inattentive shall we say.

Good early afternoon, Richard! >95 richardderus: and its predecessors go on my "Keep an Eye Out" list. Fun and games for us, but sorry, JB.

Do I KNOW that MSNOW and Bloomberg and HCR are feeding me the truth of the way things are? No. BUT not one of them has ever asked me to believe a wide-spread, easily decimated conspiracy theory.

(Karen, neighbor's brother likely got a good share of his Kool-Aid at the neighbor's house.)

>98 LizzieD: I had a long chat with one of the sweet folk on staff, discovering she really believes there's no way it's even physically possible for anything to leave the Earth. Satellites aren't in space, there cannot be a Moon landing, it was done on sound stages with alien technology (how'd it get here, I wanted to ask, when Lawrence the cute security guard asked for me...the {flat} Earth is infinite it seems).

A functioning adult with a kind, helpful personality BELIEVES.THIS.GUFF.

I am. Well, I'm just. I can't with this.

Sweet Thursday, Richard. I will have to swing by later and check out some of your posts. I am heading out the door soon to go play and then I am hanging with Jackson later on. Never a dull moment here, my friend...I hope you are doing well.

‘Morning, RDear! Happy Thursday to you.

>97 richardderus: I prefer my smut crime-less. I differentiate between crime and mystery here – the smut mysteries are typically why someone left or came back, secret billionaires, etc.

>99 richardderus: The gullibility and stupidity of people constantly amaze me. It shouldn’t.

*smooch*

>100 msf59: Thursday orisons, Birddude. I'm happy not to be worse! Enjoy the pleasantly busy summer day.

>101 karenmarie: Crime and mystery are indeed separate things in the literary genre...crime/mysteries are procedurals or thrillers in my book. Espionage/secrets being discovered are basically grail stories.

Isn't it amazing how we can know People Are Dumb but still be stunned at how dumb people are. I wonder what else I'm blind to.