Mark's Reading Place: Chapter Eight

^Hartwick Pines State Park, MI



-Birding MI...in search of the Kirtland Warbler.



-Scarlet Tanager



“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:



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 stars E
46- A Violent Masterpiece by Jordan Harper 4.5 stars E
47- The Violence: My Family's Colombian War by Adriana E. Ramírez 5 stars (audio)
48- Letters From Eden- Julie Zickefoose 4 stars

June:

49- Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy by Mary Roach 4.2 stars (audio)
50- The Lazarus Project by Aleksandar Hemon 4 stars
51- Night Watch: Poems by Kevin Young 4.6 stars E
52- The Director: A Novel by Daniel Kehlmann 4.8 stars
53- The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman 4 stars
54- Swing Low: A Life by Miriam Toews 4.3 stars
55- London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe 4.2 strs (audio)
56- The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout 4.3 stars
57- Visitations: Poems by Julia Alvarez 4.6 stars P
58- Villain: A Novel by Natalie Zina Walschots 4.3 stars
59- The Memory of Animals by Claire Fuller 3.7 stars (audio)

July:

60- Whistler by Ann Patchett 4.4 stars
61- No Ordinary Bird by Artis Henderson 4.2 stars (audio)
62- Land: A Novel by Maggie O'Farrell 4.6 stars

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

The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman Judy, Benita, Bill, Joanne, Jeff 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?

Flyway

The wind has come up

and now there is a cloud behind the mountain.

How many times did she tell me the story

of my birth? The story ended when she’d say,

and that was the happiest day of my life, and

I’d feel a little sad because I’d had no child

and would never have a day like hers. Sometimes,

I can see the river bottom and its glitter

of stones. Then a fish leaps in sunlight rippling

the surface. Sometimes, I listen to the birds,

our seers, the pileated always laughing. I’ve read

the dead in dreams are never dead,

and yes, it is their aliveness that is reassuring,

their going on even as they leave us here. Just now

the shadow of wings, and a far-off child’s voice

shouting Hey, Mom.

-Maxine Scates From Poem-A-Day

-Indian Peafowl (Spain)



-Egyptian Geese (Spain)

Happy new thread, Mark. Great topper pics (all of them)

>7 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. Good to see you.

Happy new thread, Mark!

Love the picture of the pines up top, Mark.

Happy new thread, buddy.

Happy new one, Mark!

Happy New Thread!

happy new thread Mark. Thanks for sharing the pictures. Hope your weekend is going well.

Nice photos, Mark! Happy new thread

Happy New 🧵, Mark. Great toppers, especially those of Jackson.

I didn't give up on the recorded version of Light Between Oceans because it was the only recorded book I had going at the time. I did have a hardcopy of the book so when there was something I didn't understand I could check it to make sure I knew what was going on. I did read the last 100 pages of the book because the recorded version was getting too frustrating. I thought the ending of the book was important and I didn't want to miss out on things because I couldn't hear them. Reading it from the hardcopy solved that problem.

This is a book that would be a great book club book because there are so many things that could be discussed in it. All of them would have people on both sides and that makes for a great discussion.

Happy new thread, Mark!

Happy new thread!

As always, I am enjoying the pics of nature and family.

Thanks, Susan, Paul, Katie and Silver.

>13 Kristelh: Thanks, Kristel. It has been a good weekend. I played PB yesterday and we get to visit with Jack today.

>14 Copperskye: >15 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Joanne & Deborah.

>16 benitastrnad: Thanks for the explanation, Benita. That makes sense. Glad you had the print version nearby. I am also glad you were able to finish it rather quickly and seemed to enjoy it. I have about 75 pages left and I am hoping to wrap it up today. Yep, I am curious about how it ends.

>17 Familyhistorian: >18 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Meg & Anita- two of my favorite Canadians. 😊

52- The Director: A Novel by Daniel Kehlmann 4.8 stars

In the 1920s and 30s, G.W. Pabst was considered one of the greatest film-directors, not only in Germany but also in the world. While directing a film in France, in the late 30s, the Nazis took control. Pabst, sensing the danger of this regime fled to Hollywood. He was very unhappy there and felt overwhelming unwelcome. He decides to go to Austria, his home country and tend to his ailing mother, with his wife and young son. Once the German government finds out, they decide to use this European film icon for their immense propaganda machine. Pabst may be working again but is he also selling his soul?
This is historical fiction at its finest. The propulsive writing is fantastic and it helped that I am a film buff as the author goes deep into the film-making process and the reader gets to meet cinematic legends like Greta Garbo, Clara Bow and Fritz Lang, to name just a few. I plan on revisiting Pabst’s 1929 classic Pandora’s Box soon. This will be a top read of the year for me.

*Thanks to Kristel & Richard for the nudge.

I spent Yesterday with my Granddaughters. We went to the MOA and shopped. It was a fun day. They are such good girls (17 and 20 soon to be 21).

I also watched Pandora's Box but I could only find a silent movie with subtitles. Is there a updated version? Wonderful photography in the film.

‘Morning, Mark. Happy Sunday and happy new thread to you.

From your last thread, I do not know why I wished you a happy Sunday yesterday. Sometimes I miss my mind.

>1 msf59: Excellent photos.

>2 msf59: Cute photos.

>6 msf59: Gorgeous photos.

I have a female Cardinal on my tray feeder, otherwise the birds are away doing other bird things.

>5 msf59: Lovely poem, Mark. Thanks.

>23 karenmarie: Happy Sunday, Karen. Glad we got our days straight. LOL. Glad you like all the photos. Have things picked up at your feeders? Mine have.

>24 ffortsa: Glad you like the poem, Judy. It makes it worth sharing.

Happy new thread, Mark!

>21 msf59: Between your review and Richard's, I'm going to have to pick up The Director. I'm not as intense a film buff as I was when high school/college age, but I am still interested in it. This one does sound good.

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Mark!

>26 atozgrl: Thanks Irene! Happy Monday. I am glad I landed a BB with The Director. I don't think you need to be a film buff to appreciate it but it does enhance it. Have a good week.

>27 foggidawn: >28 drneutron: Thanks Foggi & Jim.

"Reverberating with emotional power, authenticity, and insight , Swing Low is Miriam Toews's daring and deeply affecting memoir of her father’s struggle with manic depression in a small Mennonite community in rural Canada."

I really enjoyed Toews 2 novels All My Puny Sorrows & Women Talking and have wanted to read more of her work. It turned out I had her memoir Swing Low: A Life on shelf and it fit this month's AlphaKit: T. I will start it today. Does anyone have a favorite Toews?

Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight is one of my favorite memoirs. Fuller has written several, along with a few novels. Well, they did a movie adaptation of it and it is very good. Lexi Venter, the young actor that portrays Fuller as a girl absolutely steals the film. It is streaming on Netflix. It is also available on DVD.

>31 msf59: I enjoyed that memoir as well. I've added the movie to my queue. Thanks for the tip.

‘Morning, Mark!

>25 msf59: My feeders are quiet, just had a Carolina Chickadee on the suet feeder.

>21 msf59: I already have The Director in the BlackHole or I would be adding it again! Glad to see that you enjoyed it so much, Mark.

>31 msf59: Count me in as one of those who enjoyed Fuller's book too.

Happy new thread! Have a marvelous Monday, Mark!

>32 labfs39: You are welcome, Lisa. Have you read any of her other memoirs?

>33 karenmarie: Happy Monday, Karen. I just tossed out some old produce so I am sure something will stop by and munch on it.

>34 alcottacre: Happy Monday, Stasia. I think you will love The Director, once you get to it. Have you read any of Fuller's other books?

>30 msf59: Hi Mark, I am a very big fan of Miriam Toews and read any of her books I can get my mitts on. I guess the only one that didn't impress was The Flying Troutmans. it just didn't work for me but I have read the very moving Swing Low and more recently A Truce that is not Peace (2025). While subject is difficult, her writing is so amazing.

>36 mdoris: Thanks for chiming in on Toews, Mary. I was hoping someone would. Swing Low has been wonderful. What a fantastic tribute to her father. I will have to check out A Truce that is not Peace.

Hi Mark. Now I need to read Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight. I know I had it on my radar a few years ago but never got to reading it.

I finished The Painter this afternoon and I quite enjoyed it. I made some brief comments on my thread right after your visit but suffice it to sat that I'll read more by Heller. I liked The Dog Stars, as well.

Hi Mark - at a friend's mention of "Rage, Rage..."

I looked it up online and found the adventure of Dylan Thomas reading it!

Hi Mark, I just came across this and thought you might be interested. It is newly published but maybe you know about it already.

The Book of Birds: A Field Guide to Wonder and Loss (Hardback)
Robert Macfarlane, Jackie Morris

>30 msf59: I'm not much of a Toews fan but I thought Women Talking was excellent.

Hi Mark!! Happy new one! From your last thread, I heard Patrick Radden Keefe speak at Literary Arts recently and it was fascinating. I have a copy of London Falling -- hope to get to it soon!

>38 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen. Yes, get to Dogs Tonight. You will not be disappointed and her other memoirs are pretty darn good too. Glad you enjoyed The Painter. I wish he would return to a more experimental path. He seems to be stuck in those rugged adventure stories.

>39 m.belljackson: "Rage, rage against the dying of the light...". Yep, hearing Dylan recite this would be a treat.

>40 mdoris: You had me at Mcfarlane, Mary. LOL. But I had not heard of this title and it does sound like a Must Read for birders and nature lovers, plus it has a great cover...

>41 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I loved that one too. I am loving her memoir Swing Low so you might want to give this one a try too.

>42 Berly: Hey, Kimmers. I remember you attending Keefe's author talk and I was extremely jealous. You are in for a treat with London Falling. You have read his others right?

'Morning, Mark. Happy Tuesday to you.

My poor birds - the feeders are empty.

Morning, Karen. Just waiting for this little drizzle to move on. Is Trevor coming by to tend to those neglected feeders?

53- The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman 4 stars

After fighting on the Western Front for four brutal years, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia. In need of solitude, he takes on the duties of a lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, in the southwest corner of the country. It is a perfect fit for him. On one of his rare shore leaves he meets a vivacious young woman named Isabel. They fall in love and to Tom’s surprise Isabel wants to marry and live with him on this sparse isolated island. They are very happy but Isabel, who desperately wants children, suffers through several miscarriages. One day, a boat washes up on the beach. It contains a dead man and a squalling baby. The decisions they make on that fateful day, will change their lives forever. This is a solid debut- a novel about people struggling with conflicting moralities and the author keeps the reader guessing right to the last page. She also does a wonderful job, describing the coastal landscapes.

*A few of us did a shared read of this one. I also highly recommend her latest novel A Far-Flung Life, which I even enjoyed more.

From BIRDER ON BERRY LANE -

"Perhaps the reason birding is so pleasurable to so many

is that it awakens us to the tranquil beauty of nature and connects us to the land."

If you haven't already read this one, you are in for a fun time, starting with maps...

a surprise that I am the only LT who reviewed it: "Three Acres, Twelve Months, Thousands of Birds" - !

>49 m.belljackson: I had not heard of Birder on Berry Lane: Three Acres, Twelve Months, Thousands of Birds, so thanks for that. There are a few more reviews of it over on Good Reads- mostly favorable. I also love that rose-breasted grosbeak cover. Still waiting to see one at my feeder, for this season. ❤️

^Njideka Akunyili Crosby's official portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama, recently unveiled at the newly opened Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. A stunning work. I can't wait to visit.

I had my first rose-breasted grosbeaks this weekend.

>52 labfs39: Hooray for the FOY rose-breasted grosbeak. You are keeping hope alive for me. 😊

>44 msf59: Looks lovely, Marc. Beautiful cover.

>51 msf59: A beautiful portret, it invites you to look again.

>49 m.belljackson: I'm just over 50% on Oceans, I think its going be solidly a 4 star for me too.

>48 msf59: I'm glad you enjoyedThe Light Between Oceans, Mark. I think I liked it more than A Far-Flung Life, but it has been a long time between the two reads for me.

Saw birds today on my walk, but a crow caught my eye as it nabbed a mouse in it's mouth and flew off. Ugh. I guess mice are worse than crows.

>54 EllaTim: Hi, Ella. Good to see you. I agree with you on the book cover and on the Obama portrait.

>55 mahsdad: Thanks for the "Oceans" update, Jeff. You are in for a bit of a roller-coaster the last 75-100 pages. Glad you are enjoying it.

>56 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deborah. I am glad we enjoyed both Stedman books. I just hope we don't have to wait another decade for another. Crows are scavengers and will eat just about anything. At least there are plenty of mice around. 😊

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Wednesday to you.

>47 msf59: If I can get Trevor out here on Saturday, they’ll get filled. I also want him to help me reconfigure the electronics in the Sunroom – Bill got me a new UPS recently. If I can’t get Trevor out here, I’ll try to fill a bird feeder here and there.

>48 msf59: I loved The Light Between Oceans – I gave it 4.5 *. I’ve pulled your kind gift of A Far-Flung Life off my shelves and want to start it soon.

>51 msf59: I’m glad the Barack and Michelle Obama Center is in Chicago for you to visit. I’ve only been to one Presidential Library/Center – Harry Truman’s in 2010.

‘Nary a bird. I did clean and refill the bird bath yesterday, though.

>48 msf59: I have read The Light Between Oceans, but not A Far-Flung Life so I need to add that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the input, Mark!

I hope you have a great time on your upcoming camping trip!

>58 karenmarie: Happy Wednesday, Karen. Come on, Trevor! Save the day! I am guessing Bill doesn't mess with that stuff? I am hoping you can bookhorn in A Far-Flung Life, in-between smut reads. 😊

Yep, looking forward to visiting the Obama Presidential Center.

>59 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia. Looking forward to round two of camping. I am sure you will be impressed with A Far-Flung Life, once you get to it. 🤞🤞

-Steve Breen

>51 msf59:
I wanted to go see this while in Chicago, but it just isn't in the time table for the trip. I hear it is a stunning piece of architecture. I do plan on going to the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and see it. It will be opening July 4th this year. I hope to be able to make a trip there this fall. This library is also an architectural stunner. I also want to do a Texas presidential library trip at some point. LBJ, GWBush 1, and GWBush 2 are all in Texas. I can't wait to add them to my presidential library hit list.

hello Mark. It's been cool and rain just about every day. Thunderstorms. I've enjoyed seeing a doe and her fawn, a pheasant, a Mallard and his mate, and nesting bluebirds in the yard this past week. I'm not getting much PB this week. Enjoy your camping trip.

>62 benitastrnad: Sadly, I have never visited a presidential library. Does the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield count? I have been there. I have always wanted to visit Truman's also. Where is T.R.'s? NY?

>63 Kristelh: Sweet Thursday, Kristel. Very windy and rainy here yesterday but it cleared up in the afternoon and it looked decent today. We are heading to IA around noon. I LOVE hearing about the wildlife roaming through your yard. We get squirrels. 😊

^Female authors have really been kicking butt and I am quite pleased that a few favorites of mine- Patchett, Strout, Kingsolver, Geraldine Brooks, Lily King, Erdrich, just to name a few, keep delivering quality work on a consistent basis. Hey, get it together on the manly front, will ya? Patchett has been on a great roll and I can't wait to dig into Whistler, which is already garnering hot reviews. Strout has been as prolific as ever too and I will get to The Things We Never Say first, since it is a library loan. I will start it today.

>65 msf59: Well, Joe gave manly Walter Moseley's latest book a Great Review!

>65 msf59: I loved both of these books for different reasons. I can't wait to hear your thoughts.

I see you read Swing Low. I haven't read it, but really appreciated her recent memoir focused on her sister's death, although she addresses her father's as well. I remember being floored by All My Puny Sorrows.

Have you picked up The Book of Birds yet? I can't imagine any other book beating it for my NF book of the year. I am savoring it by listening to Macfarlane read two birds a morning to me (+ bird song!), as I page along in the printed copy to appreciate Morris's illustrations.

Hope your summer is going well! Work is busy, now that I am handling the retail. My mom moved down to Milwaukee last fall and we just found out she got into the senior living home she was on a waiting list for, so she will be moving there in July. My brother will be moving to Tosa in August! He retired from his teaching job in PA after 30 years. So it will be nice to have all the family in WI, and most within two miles of me.

'Morning, Mark, and sweet Thursday to you.

Safe travels and enjoy your time in IA with Sue and the gang.

I can hear a hawk and see a male Cardinal and a Blue Jay.

>65 msf59: Hi Mark, you are in for a BIG treat!

Wishing you a lot of fun camping, Mark! I hope you see lots of birds and get to spend quality time with your friends.

>61 msf59: That brought a laugh, so true! I mean who starts a war without a plan? >51 msf59: Love the portrait, such a contrast!

The Things We Never Say is indeed a good read,Mark. Enjoy.

^I hope all the LT Dads are having a great day. We got home a day early from the camping trip due to all the rain today. I will be checking back in soon...

Welcome back Mark, and Happy Father's Day.

>66 m.belljackson: Thanks for pointing out Joe's love of Moseley. He is certainly a male author who consistently delivers.

>67 alphaorder: Hi, Nancy. Great to see another WI pal. Thanks for chiming in on Toews. I will have to look into the other memoir she mentioned. I really liked Swing Low and I agree with you on All My Puny Sorrow. I was not familiar with The Book of Birds but I appreciate you bringing it to my attention. Sounds great.

Great news about your Mom moving closer to you, along with your brother. That is wonderful.

>68 karenmarie: Happy Sunday, Karen. We are back and we had a fine time with our friends. Lots of social activity and I got some birding in as well.

>69 mdoris: Hi, Mary. I am deep into The Things We Never Say and as expected, I am enjoying it very much. Strout does not disappoint.

>70 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene. It was a fun camping weekend.

>71 Familyhistorian: "I mean who starts a war without a plan?" Many of us, are asking the same question? Of course, many of us are asking many questions about this appalling administration. I hope you had a lovely weekend, Meg.

>72 vancouverdeb: Happy Sunday, Deborah. I am well into The Things We Never Say and enjoying it very much. Strout does not disappoint. She is one of my favorites.

>74 Kristelh: Thank you, Kristel. It was a fine time. Sadly, I haven't seen my kids today to celebrate but I hope we can catch up.

Welcome back Mark and Happy Father's Day.

Welcome home, Mark! I wasn't expecting to hear from you today. Sorry about the rain. Happy Father's Day!

>78 vancouverdeb: >79 atozgrl: Thanks, Deborah & Irene. It was a good camping trip and a quiet Father's Day. I missed the kids.

"In the face of a pandemic, an unprepared world scrambles to escape the mysterious disease’s devastating symptoms: sensory damage, memory loss, death. Neffy, a disgraced and desperately indebted twenty-seven-year-old marine biologist, registers for an experimental vaccine trial in London―perhaps humanity’s last hope for a cure...The Memory of Animals is an ambitious, deeply imagined work of survival and suspense, grief and hope..."

Claire Fuller has been on my radar for years but I never got around to her. The Memory of Animals came up on Audible and it sounded promising, so I snagged a copy and started the audio yesterday. Her books seem to get mixed reviews but they all sound interesting. Any Fuller fans out there?

^For those of us that did a shared read of The Light Between Oceans, I wanted to let you know that the 2016 film adaptation is very good and very faithful to the book. The two leads are perfectly cast, as well as Rachel Weiss who is always dependable.

>81 msf59: I have a copy of Fuller's books in the BlackHole, but I have yet to read anything by her. The Memory of Animals is one of the books there as Beth (BLBera) recommended it. I will be curious to see what you think of it too.

I hope you have a marvelous Monday!

>83 alcottacre: Happy Monday, Stasia. I am not too far into The Memory of Animals but I am liking it so far. Glad to hear Beth liked it.

'Morning, Mark! I hope you have a good day getting caught up after being gone.

No food = no birds. I really want to fill at least 2 feeders today.

The Great Munden Shindig and Extravaganza was a wonderful success. It was perfect weather, a good crowd, and a great small-town parade. The 600 kolaches we made on Friday sold out in 2 hours. (not what I wanted to see - I wanted them to sell out about 2 PM so that lots of people could enjoy them, but...) The parade featured families on floats, antique tractors and cars, and riding in restored manure spreaders! The tractor parade featured everything from the most ancient of beasts, (it awoke from it long slumber to cough, sputter, and gurgle for a few minutes, and then returned to sleep) and the most modern of behemoths that quietly rolled down the street without disturbing even the birds or the announcer.

>86 benitastrnad: A parade with a Kracken!

>81 msf59: I have just read one book by Claire Fuller, Unsettled Ground, which I gave 4 stars to, Mark.

>85 karenmarie: Happy Monday, Karen. "No food = no birds." Did you get to those 2 feeders filled? I tended to all of mine and Sue gave the hummingbird feeder a good scrubbing.

>86 benitastrnad: Hooray for The Great Munden Shindig & all those kolaches. Sounds like a fun event. Thanks for all those juicy details.

>88 vancouverdeb: Thanks for chiming in on Fuller, Deborah. I will keep Unsettled Ground in mind.

"Natalie Zina Walschots’s electrifying, sharp, violent, and hilarious sequel to the highly acclaimed novel, Hench, in which the Auditor must confront the near-impossible in order to right the many wrongs in the superhuman industry…or cause more of them. She’s not picky."

Several of us were thrilled with Hench back in 2021. I do not read much urban fantasy or superhero stories these days but I really enjoyed that one. I gave it 4 1/2 stars. Well, thanks to Richard for reviewing and raving about the long-awaited sequel Villain: A Novel, which came out last month. I dipped into today and I like her clever, smart writing.

>82 msf59: Hello Mark, I am definitely late to the party as I have just signed up for Prime and watched Hamnet. WOW! I appreciate your movie recommendations and will go looking for this one! The Light Between Oceans

>91 msf59: I just added Villain to my reads today too, Mark. I really loved Hench when I read it and was waiting to see what would follow. Nice to see that it is finally here.

>93 mdoris: Hi, Mary. Glad you added Prime and were able to see Hamnet. It is a great adaptation. Did you read "Oceans"?

>94 Familyhistorian: I remember a number of us enjoying Hench when it came out. Only 40 pages in but I think you will also like the sequel.

54- Swing Low: A Life by Miriam Toews 4.3 stars

“There are no windows within the dark house of depression through which to see others, only mirrors.”

The author pulls off a daring thing here- she approaches this family memoir, by writing in the first person, from her beloved father’s point of view. Even more of a challenge is the fact that her father is in the hospital, battling manic depression, while he reflects on his troubled life. Somehow it works beautifully and Toews captures the spirit of this man with love and grace. A one-of-a-kind book.

>96 msf59: This is making me think: is it possible to write a memoir from someone else's pov? Or does it then become fiction?

>97 labfs39: Great point, Lisa and I don't have an answer. It is a tough one to classify. I am not sure Toews considered it a memoir either.

55- London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe 4.2 stars

Keefe once again delivers a riveting true story, in his strong narrative nonfiction style. This one focuses on the Brettler family, middle-class Londoners, with two sons. One fateful early morning in 2019, their youngest son Zac jumps from an apartment balcony to his death in the river Thames. The news was a terrible blow to the family but it even became darker and more tangled as the Brettler’s discovered that their nineteen-year-old son was living a double life- posing as a Russian oligarch's son. He was also deeply mixed up with some shady businessmen and a couple of crafty gangsters. How this all happened and how this led to his death, is how this story deftly unfolds.

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you.

>89 msf59: I filled 4 feeders – sunflower seed, wild bird seed, suet, and hummingbird. I didn’t fill the tray feeder or the feeders on the porch. But, first time I’ve filled feeders since March.

>92 msf59: Good point.

I’ve got a male Cardinal on the wild bird seed feeder.

Morning, Karen. Hooray for filling the feeders. Great Bird Mom! And hooray for birdsong! I also had a lovely male cardinal drop by.

>91 msf59:, >95 msf59: Oh yay! I'm hoping you'll get the same sense of schadenfreude as from Hench from this read, too. I like her wicked slyness. (Both "her"s in this case, Anna and Nat.)

>95 msf59: Yes Mark I did read "Oceans" when it was first published. A book that I really loved about Australia and one I recenlty recommended to a friend who is traveling to Perth for a squash tournament soon is by Robyn Davidson Tracks. it is an old book now but such a good one! The writing as well as her adventure really amazed me for one so young!

>102 richardderus: I am certainly enjoying it, RD, although it is also a slow burn, at least in the early going. SuperCollider just met his demise. I always get a kick out of rooting for the bad guys.

>103 mdoris: Glad to hear that you have read "Oceans". Now you can enjoy a faithful adaptation. "Tracks" also sounds like a fun read. I love reading books set in AU/NZ.

>95 msf59: I'm 30 pages into Villain so far, Mark and it is slow to get started but I'm hoping for good things.

Sorry that Ann Patchett is a hit and miss writer for me, Mark! I saw your " nooooooo" on Mary's thread. I have a hold on Whistlerso we'll see.

>106 Familyhistorian: I am so glad you are joining me on Villain. It is definitely a slow-burn. I am a 100 pages in and enjoying it.

>107 vancouverdeb: LOL. Yep, I was teasing you. You have only read 2 books of hers, so there is hope yet. I know it is tough to read a book and not like it and then continue to read the same author but I hope the Patchett Fan-Club can keep encouraging you. Glad you got a hold on Whistler.

56- The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout 4.3 stars

On the surface, Artie Dam seems to lead a happy, content life. He has a lovely, supportive wife, a fine son, enjoys sailing, loves his teaching job and adores his high school students but underneath he is really struggling. He feels isolated and afraid. Then things begin to turn- he nearly drowns, while sailing and then discovers an earth-shattering family secret and these two events have Artie reevaluating his life. Strout, once again, delivers a heartfelt story about common people navigating through the joys and trials of everyday life, with her usual insight and compassion. I think we can add Artie to Strout’s cast of memorable characters, joining Olive Kitteridge, Bob Burgess and Lucy Barton.

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Wednesday to you.

>105 msf59: I love it. The moustache is a good touch.

I’ve had a Carolina Chickadee, a hummingbird, a male Cardinal, Starlings, and 3 squirrels visiting. One of the squirrels hung off the squirrel-proof feeder for a bit but then gave up. Made me happy.

>110 karenmarie: Happy Wednesday, Karen. He is still hideous, even with the moustache, right? Hooray for the feeder report.

>91 msf59: I checked my local library already and it does not yet have a copy of Villain. Hopefully soon!

>96 msf59: >99 msf59: >109 msf59: Already in the BlackHole or I would add them again. Glad to see you enjoyed them, Mark!

Hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday!

You may remember that I homeschool my two nieces, what I don't know if I shared it that the six-year-old has started a bird life list. :-)

>112 alcottacre: Sweet Thursday, Stasia. Hoping your library gets a copy of Villain soon. Do you put in a request, that they should acquire it? We can do that our library but we also can get everything. Glad to hear those books are in the BlackHole already. 😊

>113 labfs39: That is wonderful, Lisa. It sure made me smile. She can add a lot just watching your feeders and it helps her with identification.

I knew Julia Alvarez through her novels, In the Time of the Butterflies & Afterlife but I did not know that she started out as a poet and had continued to write poetry. Her recent collection Visitations: Poems captures her early poems and some later ones. It is beautifully done. The pieces are on the longer side but I wanted to share excerpts from 3 of these lovely poems to give you an idea of the beauty and the scope:

“Outside, my new America was waking up
to nightmare: freedom fighters
marching; storefronts, some with candy
stores like this one. Burning; girls like me
in bombed-out churches; dreams deferred,
exploding; dreams I didn’t know
still needed fighting for; all I knew
is hunger, as I learned the names
that promised sweeter dreams beyond
these candied substitutes. Juicy Fruits,
Life Savers, Bit-’O-Honey, Good & Plenty.”

“We watch it soar till the cold
catches under our coats
and your warm hand signals mine,
time to head back indoors;
our breaths release ghostly birds
vanishing in white flight.
The air clears. In the nearby woods,
a woodpecker drums for its mate.
I hear it hold back
for the pleasure of having you say,
spring is on its way.”

“O, Poetry,
impoverished, embargoed, imperiled,
we sighted your muse disguised in our midst
one cloudy afternoon in Matanzas
as the rains held off and the chandeliers lit up
--rainbows!--
In the long-darkened chambers of the heart.”

'Morning, Mark! Sweet Thursday.

Enjoy your Jack time and I hope your knee continues to improve.

I've got one male Cardinal visiting.

>116 karenmarie: Good Morning, Karen and thanks. I am sure anxious to play again. I just had a red-bellied woodpecker stop by to taste the suet.

Morning Mark. Hope your knee is getting better. The birds are busy feeding their young. Yesterday I saw the oriole bathing in the puddle left by the recent storm. I am off to play pickleball this morning. I've got a crock pot roast that I will take to my daughter's later today. I may end the day by meeting with one of my bookclubs to discuss The Frozen River. I am enjoying Lila but it had been too long since I read the backstory so I am slowly remembering.

Hiya, Mark. Oh my Jackson is getting so big! I’m glad you two spends so many enjoyable hours together.

I wish I could read as quickly as you. I buy or borrow books and they languish till I finish other books I’m trying to finish. Ugh

Hi Mark! I was sad to visit Chicago and not see you. Next time! At least we did see Joe and crew.

>109 msf59: I wish I could put my finger on why I don't connect with Strout. It seems obvious that I *should* but I never get past mid- on her stories. I'm annoyed for myself, glad for you, that this one worked for you.

>118 Kristelh: Hi, Kristel. The leg is still a bit sore (tomorrow will be a week since I injured it) but I plan on trying to play tomorrow. Hooray for the bathing oriole and the crock pot roast. I better the latter will be delicious. I think The Frozen River will make a good book club discussion.

>119 Carmenere: Sweet Thursday, Lynda. I got to hang with Jack for a few hours today. Never a dull moment with that kid. I need to keep up a steady pace with the books- there is never a shortage.

>120 banjo123: Sweet Thursday, Rhonda. Our timing just didn't work out this time, for your visit. We were busy camping in IA. Glad you got to visit with Joe & Co.

>121 richardderus: I remember you not being a fan of Strout. You don't seem to connect with Patchett or Kingsolver either. I wonder why that is? Hey, plenty of other authors to enjoy, right? I hope you are having a great day.

>109 msf59: I'm glad you enjoyed The Things We Never Say, Mark. I thought it was her best book yet, though I have only read about 3 of her books . The best with your knee tomorrow.

Good morning, Mark. I finished that group read novel, The Light Between Oceans. Just like 20 minutes ago. Up all night (I blame that 4 p.m. coffee I had for not getting a service call from the sandman). I'd give it a  It took me time to get into the story (wasn't really drawn in by it). With an eye on the calendar, I invested the hours to wrap it up.

>124 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah. Have you read Olive Kitteridge? That one is my favorite and deserving of the Pulitzer, IMHO.

>125 weird_O: Howdy, Bill. Thanks for the update. Glad you found "Oceans" to be very good. Nice to have you along on the shared read. Are you joining us on The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love next month?

>123 msf59: I also don't like Haruf...maybe it's the genre of "quiet family books" is just not for me...?

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday, Mark!

>127 richardderus: Who knows, RD. Different strokes, I guess. As long as we are content with our book choices, that is all that matters. Have a good day, sir.

>128 Storeetllr: Happy Friday, Mary. Good to see you.

Big series against the Brewers, right Mark? Hope the Cubs can carry some of that momentum against the Mets into the weekend.

>126 msf59: I have not read Olive Kitteridge but I own it, Mark. I'll have to try to dig it up. I have read My Name is Lucy Barton, Oh William, and Tell Me Everything as well The Things We Never Say.

Have a wonderful weekend, Mark!

>130 kac522: Happy Saturday, Kathy. Yes, it is a big series against the Brewers. Too bad they lost last night. Lets hope they can take one tonight and get that momentum back. Go Cubbies!

>131 vancouverdeb: It looks like you have read and enjoyed a few of Stout's novels. Of course, I highly recommend Olive and the sequel Olive, Again. So many books, right?

>132 alcottacre: Happy Saturday, Stasia. It is off to a good start. Thanks.

Have a good weekend, Mark. Hope that injury is soon gone. We are in for a very hot spell soon but June was lovely weather. I've read 4 of Strout's books. I like her characters.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Saturday to you.

I have Cardinals and squirrels - fortunately they are on the ground and can't get to the feeders. Yesterday I had a male Indigo Bunting visit off and on over the afternoon.

I hope your PB adventure and Jack time went well.

>134 Kristelh: Happy Saturday, Kristel. I had a great time playing today. All good match-ups. Still a bit sore but it was worth it. Glad to hear from another Strout fan.

>135 karenmarie: Happy Saturday, Karen. Always good times with both Jack and playing PB. Hooray for the indigo bunting. The house finch sure like the grape jelly but I still have not seen an oriole back there. 😒

>51 msf59: I look forward to visiting the Obama Center. Have you gone yet?

I love Alvarez's poetry and recently picked up Visitations: poems when I visited Birchbark Books.

>137 BLBera: Happy Sunday, Beth. Always good to see you. I have not been to the Obama Center yet. It just recently opened. We definitely plan to. Thanks for chiming in on Alvarez and her poetry. I am sure you will love Visitations.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday to you.

All's quiet here so far, lazy day planned. Nobody on the feeders.

>140 karenmarie: Happy Sunday, Karen. After an active morning, I have been lazy too. Not much happening at my feeders either.

>141 mdoris: I agree, Mary.

>139 msf59: I love it!

And the Cubs actually won two games in Milwaukee. I am surprised.

>143 atozgrl: Great series win, Irene! The team really needed that. Lets see if they can continue that at home tonight.

Happy Monday!

"Whistler is a story about two adults looking back over the choices they made, and the choices that were made for them. It’s a story about bravery, memory, the often small yet consequential moments that define our lives, and the endless stream of loss that in time comes for us all."

A new novel by Ann Patchett is always a reason to cheer. She has been remarkably consistent over the years. Whistler will be the 10th novel I have read by her. I still need to get to several of her earliest books. I started it yesterday and her clear, easy prose lulls you right in.

"I started talking about books, a brilliant conversational swerve on my part..."

"The various stacks beside our bed at times exceeding the height of our nightstand."

^This is why we love her.

>139 msf59: Yuh huh.

"I'm offended" is simply not a reason for others to have no access to ideas. Challenge the ideas/behaviors/systems that cause you offense but remember how offensive others will find that...and accept their emotions are as valid as your own.

I've read 6 Ann Patchett, so you're way ahead of me. This is one that might end up on my shelf.

>139 msf59: Here's a book that I enjoy that will offend most anyone: Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris...

Short and Powerful.

'Morning, Mark!

Not much going on here. A few Cardinals, Finches, a Blue Jay, a Mourning Dove. and a male Indigo Bunting.

>146 richardderus: Excellent point, RD. If that could only sink into their thick skulls but that is wishful thinking.

>147 Kristelh: Well, you still have some fine Patchett titles to get to. Have you read any of her nonfiction? If not, they are all excellent.

>148 m.belljackson: Thanks, Marianne. That looks like it should a Must Read!

>149 karenmarie: Happy Monday, Karen. Hooray for the bunting. Zilch happening at my feeders.

I've read one nonfiction book Truth and Beauty: A Friendship.

I was lucky to pick up Whistler from the " Lucky Day Reads" at my library today, Mark, so I think that will be my next read. Fingers crossed that it's my cuppa. Do you have " Lucky Day Reads" at your library ? Here is it means you can't put a hold on the book, and it is only available for 21 days.

>151 Kristelh: I loved that one, as well. I so admire an author that can both juggle fiction with NF, with equal flair.

>152 vancouverdeb: That is awesome, Deborah. Yes, we have a Lucky Day Shelf at our library too and that is how I scored the Strout novel. I now check those shelves every time I visit. I would like to snag the new O'Farrell that way. I am really enjoying Whistler and I would think you would like it too. She has such an easy style.

'Morning, Mark. Happy Tuesday to you.

I have a Tufted Titmouse, a Carolina Chickadee, a male Red-Bellied Woodpecker on one of the suet feeders, Cardinals galore, and a male hummingbird just came up to the glass in front of me looking for food.

>154 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Thanks for the colorful bird report. Hooray for the hungry hummer. Not seeing much here early, other than a couple of juvenile robins, bopping around in the yard.

58- Villain: A Novel by Natalie Zina Walschots 4.3 stars

In this long-awaited sequel to Hench, Anna is back and is now known as the Auditor. She has become very valuable in the Supervillain organization, which make it their mission to battle and thwart the superheroes of the world. If you read the first book, you will find out why this is a worthy cause- that superheroes can cause plenty of damage and chaos, while fighting evil. I read very few books like this but this is not just a nonstop action romp, but more of a deep, psychological study, as Anna navigates her way through a maze of dangerous opponents. Obviously, this novel is not for everyone but I think the author’s writing is excellent and she is a master of suspense-building. This one also hits the finish line, with plenty of room for book three. Highly recommended.

'Morning, Mark. Happy Tuesday to you. Wow. Hot in Chicagoland... 94F and 106F heat index. Stay cool and safe.

>157 karenmarie: I got 2 Karenmarie visits this morning? Sweet. And thank you. ❤️

>156 msf59: It really was a fun read for me as well. I hope Anna/Auditor comes back! I feel invested in her emotional reality.

Tuesday orisons, fellow heat-dome dweller!

>145 msf59: Already in the BlackHole! It is Patchett, how could it not be?

>156 msf59: My local library really needs to get that one so that I can read it!

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday, Mark!

>159 richardderus: Glad we both got to enjoy this one, RD. I hope we can convert a couple of other LT buddies. I also hope she doesn't take as long on book 3. 🤞🤞

>160 alcottacre: Happy Tuesday, Stasia. It is Tuesday, right? You are in for a treat with both Whistler and Villain.

"The Pulitzer Prize-winning modern classic of two Cuban musician brothers during the mambo-filled nights of 1950s New York, from literary trailblazer Oscar Hijuelos"

A Reminder: A few of us are doing a shared read The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love in July. I plan on starting it somewhere between 7/10-7/15. Anyone else want to join on us on this Pulitzer winner- please join us.

Hello July! Be nice to us. We had a perfect June and that goes for my month of reading too. I eked out eleven books and I have to say my favorite was The Director. No stinkers in the bunch and other stand-outs, were The Things We Never Say, Villain: A Novel, London Falling and Swing Low. I also read two excellent poetry collections- Night Watch: Poems and Visitations: Poems. Lets keep it up in July.

July Reads:

No Ordinary Bird by Artis Henderson (audio)
Everything was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves (E-galley)
The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos (shared read)

'Morning, Mark! Happy Wednesday to you.

Ugh to the heat. Stay cool and safe and have a wonderful time with Jack.

Brainrot yesterday, but two visits are better than none, right?

I've got one Finch on a feeder. Otherwise, it's between breakfast 1 and 2 for them.

Happy July, indeed, Mark. Enjoy your Jackson day. June was a good month. I loved the temperatures which were mostly very nice and the rains were also mostly good.

I read the Mambo Kings earlier this year so will look forward to your comments.

>163 msf59: Mambo Kings a good tie in to Paul's feature on Cuba this month.

Hump Day orisons, Birddude. As hot as it is, maybe you'll start seeing some road runners among the saguaros that're springing up all on their own.

Hey Mark. I hear your Cubs are having a game today! 😀

>164 msf59: A perfect June? Really! I kept seeing so many storm reports from Illinois. I guess the really bad weather missed you. It sounded like Illinois got an unusually large number of tornadoes in June. My home town had one go right through. I haven't been able to determine exactly what path it went through the town, but it sure sounds like it must have gone through the neighborhoods where I grew up.

I saw the last few innings of the Cubs game today. They sure had a blowout. I hope the game you're going to is also a good one.

Stay cool in this heat!

>165 karenmarie: Happy Wednesday, Karen. Boo to brainrot! Hooray for Jackson time. I always enjoy hanging with my little buddy. It went well.

>166 Kristelh: Hi, Kristel. It was a fun Jackson Day. We didn't do much but hang out. I also thought June temps were pretty comfortable. Yep, we did have a few storms and lots of rain but it didn't bother us much. Looking forward to the Mambo Kings.

>167 m.belljackson: I will have to ask Paul, if he has read Mambo Kings. Have you?

>168 richardderus: Happy Wednesday, Richard. So far- no roadrunners but they would make a perfect Illinois Lifer. Hey, there would be nothing wrong with seeing a saguaro again either. 😎

>169 jessibud2: It was the Home Run Derby at Wrigley today, Shelley. I think our Cubs hit out eight long balls. Wow!

>170 atozgrl: You are absolutely right, Irene. June was particularly stormy and I think Illinois topped the country in tornado touchdowns for that month. All that said, the storms really never hit us hard and I was mostly referring to the comfortable temps throughout the month.

Go Cubbies! A big game at Wrigley today. 23-3!! Wow!!

-Rick McKee

>172 msf59: Yep, that was one AMAZING Cubs game! I hope they saved enough for your game on Friday!

So far, so good with Whistler Mark.

>174 kac522: That one was hard to believe, Kathy and we will take every moment of it but like you said- I hope they have enough in the tank for Friday's game against the cards. Happy 4th, my friend.

>175 vancouverdeb: I am not surprised at all, Deborah. I plan on finishing it today.

"No Ordinary Bird is a compelling memoir and investigative narrative in which Artis Henderson explores the mysterious life and death of her father, Lamar Chester. At age five, Henderson survived a plane crash that killed her father, an event initially labeled an accident. As she grew older, she began questioning the circumstances surrounding the crash and her father’s secretive past, ultimately uncovering a story of drug smuggling, geopolitical intrigue, and family legacy..."

I am sure you can guess what caught my interest when I saw the title of No Ordinary Bird. Alas, it isn't about birds but it is a true crime memoir, which also fits into my wheelhouse. I just started the audiobook and it has been very good. The author does a nice job narrating her story.

>173 msf59: No one ever wants to believe the truly evil will gain control of Power.

They always do. They always will. This is why robust checks and balances are ALWAYS a good idea.

'Morning, Mark! Sweet Thursday to you. Stay safe and cool, enjoy indoor PB.

>177 msf59: You got me. I just used one of my precious Audible credits for this book.

Earlier this morning I had a Downy, a Red-Bellied, Cardinals, and a juvenile or female Indigo Bunting. Ah, the Downy's back on the suet feeder, and a Mourning Dove is grazing under the wild bird seed feeder.

When will the Democrats hand out guns needed to protect us all from the latest ICE...?

>178 richardderus: "robust checks and balances"? Would the current administration know anything about that? Highly doubtful, RD.

>179 karenmarie: Sweet Thursday, Karen. We had a good time playing indoors this morning. I still can't believe some folks chose to play outdoors. It was 85F at 8am and very steamy. Nice to hear that you have some activity at your feeders. Doves and house finch for me...

>180 m.belljackson: I probably wouldn't accept any if they did but not a shabby idea. ICE has been turning up the heat again. Immigration control is the only thing this administration is concerned about. Screw everything else.

>181 msf59: I'll take yours, Mark! - we live in a rural area surrounded by lovely cornfields
(renter has never heard of Crop rotation)

and multitudinous trump supporters.

I'm skipping the Token Creek 4th of July Parade (free candy)
for the first time ever = too many creepy neighbors.

Only good thing is that my NO KINGS sign still has not been destroyed.

>182 m.belljackson: Boo to those "multitudinous trump supporters & creepy neighbors"! You are dealing with an infestation. Thankfully you have the pastoral setting to take comfort in. I am also skipping any celebrations or firework displays- just not my thing anymore, plus I will hang out here and keep Juno calm. She is a basket case with all this damn noise.

Sweet Thursday, everyone! These are three of the books that I will be reading this month. Land had a very long waiting list at the library but it miraculously popped up on the Lucky Day shelf during my visit today and I snagged it immediately. Everything Was Beautiful is an advanced copy that I received and it sounds very good. It will be published next week. The Mambo Kings is a group read pick that a few of us will be reading.

After finishing up the delightful Whistler, I jumped right into Land. I think she has become one of our best storytellers, IMHO.

>163 msf59: Mambo Kings - I have it queued up on my Kindle. I'll start it next when I finish Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha. Probably Monday or Tuesday.

>185 mahsdad: I am so glad you will join us on The Mambo Kings. I just started Land so I that will push my intended starting time to a week or ten days later. My copy isn't going anywhere.

BTW- I remember enjoying Paddy Clarke but it has been many years since I read it.

-Joe Heller

>181 msf59: I'm thinking "robust" in this case means "backed by trips to the guillotine" or "Long, Long terms in max-security prisons in ad-seg." I myownself think the guillotine is due for a pop-culture revival.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you.

A Carolina Chickadee and a female Cardinal. That's it.

>189 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. You are an early bird this morning. Nothing happening at my sodden feeders.

It's too damned hot to be anything but an early bird! I scheduled my grocery order to be delivered at 5.30, when it was at its coolest, so that's the only interaction I'll have with the heat...it was 84° then...until I MUST do something next week. I forget what. It's calendared. (I hope.)

>191 richardderus: Sounds like a good plan, RD. Like a lunatic, I was out there playing PB with the other loonies early this morning. I had fun but eventually the heat wore me down. Going to the Cubs game this afternoon in the city. Hopefully it will be a bit more comfortable down there but storms are on the way too. Sighs...

>192 msf59: Storms? That could be the best thing for you! I hope their thundering accompanies high atmosphere winds to break the dome.

Have fun at the game, Mark! Try to stay cool. It's a furnace out there. (Here too.)

>192 msf59: Hope the storms hold off to get the game in, Mark. Did you get a lot of rain last night? We did, with lots of lightning & thunder, but it didn't seem to cool off much. Pretty much like a sauna out there now, even here closer to the lake. The ballpark usually has a good breeze, though, especially in the Upper Deck.

ETA at 1:30pm--oops, spoke to soon--here it comes--stay dry!

Well, Mark, I am not sure about Whistler . Initially I liked it but then it began to be to " sweet" - I told my sister about it and told her I am going to get a toothache from reading it. She doesn't like Ann Patchett. At least all four of my siblings like to read, unlike my two sons! Gasp!

Hi Mark! I read Mambo Kings years ago, and loved it. But I don't think I am up for a re-read.

I did read one of your recommendations, The Feather Wars. It was really good!!!

Whew Mark, the less said about Friday's game, the better 😧 Did you stay to the end?

>193 richardderus: Good Morning, RD. Yes, it was a stormy day yesterday and it is cooling things off just a bit. Still 85F today, with more storms moving through later. I plan on a low-key day with Juno. She will need extra comfort with the damn fireworks going off.

>194 Storeetllr: Thanks, Mary. Happy Saturday. We stayed dry at the game but sorry to say we saw a slaughter. Tough to watch. Left early. 17-1.

>195 kac522: >198 kac522: Happy 4th, Kathy. We hit a wicked storm driving down there, around 1-130, some underpasses were starting to flood but it was stopped raining by the time we parked. Our seats are off the 3rd base side so we would be covered throughout. Too bad we had to watch such an awful game. We left in the 7th and since they managed to squeeze out one lousy run, it was the right move. Hope they rebound today.

>196 vancouverdeb: Happy Saturday, Deborah. Sorry, you are finding Whistler too "sweet". It definitely worked for me. There is nothing wrong with a strongly heartfelt novel now and then. Why does your sister hate Patchett? That one baffles me.

>197 banjo123: Happy 4th, Rhonda. Thanks for your thoughts on The Mambo Kings. I have seen very little activity on that one over the years. It was a past Pulitzer winner- that is what caught my eye. I am glad you enjoyed The Feather Wars. It was a good one, despite the slaughter.

60- Whistler by Ann Patchett 4.4 stars

While visiting a NYC museum with her husband, Daphne Fuller unexpectedly bumps into her stepfather, Eddie. She has not seen him in more than forty years. This reunion drives the rest of the story, as these two connect, revisiting the past and renewing a long-lost relationship. This might seem a little thin for a novel but in the hands of a masterful author, like Patchett, she draws the reader in, as we watch these characters wrestle with memory, consequences and loss, along with enduring love. I think Eddie is one of her finest creations.

>202 msf59: There is so much love for this book going around I'm almost tempted to get if from the library. I kinda feel like I've absorbed it just from the acclaim I'm hearing from All quarters.

I hope you and Juno aren't spooked by anything louder than a steady rain.

‘Morning, Mark! Happy Fourth of July to you.

>199 msf59: My sister’s dogs freak out with all the fireworks in the neighborhood she lives in – it’s a rather rowdy neighborhood and in addition to regular fireworks there is the occasional illegal M80.

>202 msf59: Hmmm. Patchett doesn’t, as a rule, do anything for me, but I’ve added this one to my Amazon wish list.

I then went to my Library – 0 of 4 paper copies available, 0 of 7 OverDrive copies available with a 6 month wait.
It’s rather bizarre that even though I’m intimately involved with the Library via the Friends, I rarely think to check the ‘stacks’ first.

I’ve got a few Finches, a male Cardinal, and a male hummingbird, who had a nice long drink of the sugar water.

>201 msf59: Mark, my
sister doesn’t hate Ann Patchett, if you re read what I wrote, she said she doesn’t like Ann Patchett, by which she means her books , not her personally . She loves Elizabeth Strout, though, as in her books . I sort of feel they write about similar things , yet it comes across differently to me , and my sister too . I don’t mind heartfelt books at all , it just has to be well done .

>203 richardderus: Hey, RD. I know Patchett isn't your cuppa but what the heck- give it a spin. Storms passing through again but nothing bad...yet and then the fireworks will begin. Sighs...

>204 karenmarie: Happy 4th, Karen. It seems like our last 3 dogs did not like fireworks or thunderstorms. Bailey, our beloved chocolate lab was the worst. She was a wreck and would literally lay there and shudder. I am glad you at least put Patchett on your TBR, despite your misgivings. Hey, you never know, right?

>205 vancouverdeb: Happy Saturday, Deborah. Sorry, I should not have said hate. Wrong choice of word. Interesting that she likes Strout but not her. Hey, to each his/her own, right? Thankfully, there are scores of other authors out there to enjoy. Have a great weekend.

Our 3 dogs may enjoy the chance fireworks give them to bark in solidarity with the other neighborhood canines, but neither they, nor any of our other pets have been upset but the explosions.

Hi Mark, good luck with Juno and the fireworks tonight! The local professional shows here have mostly been cancelled this year and our neighborhood was very quiet last night. We’ll see about tonight. We’re a bit of a tinderbox so hopefully people will be smart. I’ve been very lucky that none of my dogs were bothered much by fireworks or thunderstorms until they were old dogs and even then, not too badly.

Glad to see you, unsurprisingly, loved Whistler!

Have you watched Sugar (on Apple)?

I just ran across this..

Hi, Mark! Hope you're having a good 4th of July.

I do hope Juno weathered the 4th. Happy Independence Day to you, Mark.

Happy 4th, Mark. I gather from what you said on Richard's thread that you dislike the fireworks not just for the dogs but for yourself as well. When I was growing up, one of my favorite things to do was go to the fireworks show. However, I don't ever remember anyone setting off fireworks at their house. We all went to the city's show.

It's too hot to even think about going to one of our local displays this year. I just enjoyed watching the show on TV.

Happy 4 th of July , Mark!

>207 quondame: Hi, Susan. Good to see you. You are truly blessed not having dogs that aren't bothered by fireworks or thunder. It is a hassle. My daughter's 2 dogs have no problem with it either.

>208 Copperskye: >209 Copperskye: Happy Sunday, Joanne. I hope you had a nice 4th. Did they cancel the fireworks shows because of the dry weather? Glad your dogs haven't been disturbed by loud noises. We have been cursed. LOL. I have not seen Sugar but have been curious about it. Good?

I also saw that cartoon on FB. Spot on.

We've departed the heat dome! It's ordinary hot not brutally hot. What a relief.

Sunday orisons, and schmoozle good-girl Juno's ears from me.

>210 tymfos: Thank you, Terri. Good to see you. I hope you had a nice holiday too.

>211 Kristelh: Thanks, Kristel. We survived last night but I had to comfort our big fierce rottweiler. Unfortunately, our neighbors just to the west of us had a pretty big fireworks display. Ugh. I hope you had a good holiday too.

>212 atozgrl: Thanks, Irene. I hope you had a nice 4th too. Like everyone, I grew up with fireworks and enjoyed them enough over the years. I have just grown less fond of them over the years. Just toooooooo much. Plus it is terrible for pets and wildlife.

>213 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deborah. Happy Sunday!

>215 richardderus: Morning, Richard. Yep, we are cooling off too and it will be glorious. I haven't walked Juno in nearly a week, so that is on the agenda for later this AM. Matt is coming by later to hang with the old man too. I miss him. Enjoy your day.

I, Too

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow,
I’ll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody’ll dare
Say to me,
“Eat in the kitchen,”
Then.

Besides,
They’ll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed—

I, too, am America.

-Langston Hughes

'Morning, Mark. Happy Sunday to you. I hope Matt is able to come over today.

Sorry about Juno and the fireworks.

I usually hear fireworks and gunfire, but nothing last night. Strange.

We've got soccer today, and I've got reading and spreadsheets/Lightning Round.

Morning, Karen. Yep, I am looking forward to seeing Matt. I miss him. I also extended the invite to Sean but he is still deciding. Hooray for no fireworks and gunfire on your end. LOL. Enjoy your soccer day.

>173 msf59: Love this.

I hope you are having a great 4th weekend.

>218 msf59: Love this poem! Short and so powerful.

Karen O

>214 msf59: I may have been slightly mistaken. Although one dog barked and otherwise seemed to quite enjoy herself, my little girl demanded I let her under the covers and cuddled against me, her neck over my forearm, something that hasn’t happened in the year and a half we’ve had her.

>221 BLBera: Happy Sunday, Beth. I am flying solo this holiday weekend and it has been fine. Thanks.

>222 klobrien2: It certainly is, Karen. Good to see you.

>223 quondame: You sound like a good Dog Mom, Susan. Juno will never be allowed in our bed. LOL.

>224 msf59: Size matters!

>214 msf59: Yes, a lot were cancelled because of our dry conditions and also out of respect for the three firefighters who died. Some folks had a fireworks party up at the park a couple blocks from me. We could see them from our backyard and they left the evidence piled up by a trash can (4-5 large empty fireworks crates). They’re all illegal here but no one seems to care.

Sugar is pretty good. Colin Farrell plays a private investigator in current day LA. He has an affinity for old movies and it’s very noirish. And there’s an interesting twist.

>224 msf59: Mean dog dad! lol, Juno has to try harder.

>225 quondame: You got that right! 😊

>226 Copperskye: "They’re all illegal here but no one seems to care." Same here. I love noir films so I might check out Sugar. I like Farrell too. Yep, we are mean dog Mom & Dads. We are okay with it. LOL.

-Clay Jones

>227 msf59: Some might say it’s mean that Finley still (very happily) sleeps in his crate along side the bed. He’d hop right up if he could but I don’t want the cat displaced!

‘Morning, Mark. Enjoy PB and the cooler temps.

>228 msf59: My birthday present from Jenna and Hwan has bounced back and forth between our post office and the Greensboro hub several times. Who knows when it will get here. It’s already a week late from when it was expected.

One finch is visiting. Otherwise, I guess it’s after the two morning feedings.

>228 msf59: Such a scumbag maneuver. It tracks with their vile agenda.

Monday orisons, Birddude, from the soggy Bronx.

>229 Copperskye: Go Finley. Good boy! So the cat is in the bed? LOL.

>230 karenmarie: Happy Monday. Karen. It has been a good day. Thanks. Sorry about the postal issue. Trump's fault? I would say so. Starlings visiting me today.

>231 richardderus: It never ends, right, RD? He even has to put his vile hand in the World Cup. WTH?

-Harry Bliss

^I wish I had this view nearby...

>232 msf59: I don't know about the mail, Mark, but the call to Infantino to rescind Balogun's red card has set most neutrals against the USA team when they had been doing so well. There were even rumblings in UEFA (Europe's soccer federation about withdrawing from FIFA and some were encouraging Belgium to refuse to play if Balogun is allowed to participate.

Such a shame because the red car was harsh but political interference in such matters is simply a disgrace. We had a player fairly harshly sent off against Mexico yesterday and I am sure that the English FA will appeal for it to be suspended now that a precedent has been set.

I picked up Villain again and should read it through to the end now. Hope your 4th of July was a good one.

>234 PaulCranswick: "but political interference in such matters is simply a disgrace." Well, you pretty much sums up our current president. This is what he feeds on. Well, Belgium won so they can move on but the stench of it will linger. I do not watch my soccer, even the World Cup, but I did watch some of this game and the US did not look good.

>235 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I hope it works smoothly for you. I really liked the novel.

"Blue Lights is a Northern Irish police procedural drama following rookie officers navigating the dangers and pressures of frontline policing in Belfast."

^I haven't raved about a TV series in a while, although I have watched some good ones, but I wanted to give Blue Lights a special shout-out. Season 3 was recently released here, (we are watching the DVD from the library, although it is on BritBox). This is such a strong show, with an excellent cast. I didn't realize how unsettled and volatile, Belfast continues to be and this is the 2020s. Just 6 riveting episodes.

>247 msf59: We really enjoyed Blue Lights as well. Something that I hadn’t realised before seeing the series is that Police in Northern Ireland are routinely armed, whereas of course they are not in the rest of the U.K.

>238 SandDune: Hi, Rhian. Great to see you. Glad you are also a fan of Blue Lights. We are halfway through S3. Yes, the police there are heavily armed and they even carry assault weapons. None of this is surprising, since they are often targeted. Looks the Troubles never ended there.

I am not even trying to catch up, Mark. I just wanted to drop by and thank you for helping to keep my thread warm in my absence.

>239 msf59: We’ve been to Belfast and Derry recently and it’s a period I remember well. There is no way I would have gone to the places we visited thirty years ago. We were talking about it to Jacob as he visited Belfast last week for work and we had both happened to walk past the most bombed hotel in the city centre. It had been bombed twenty-eight times during the Troubles. Nothing like that now.

>237 msf59: I love love love Blue Lights! The S1 finale was emotionally devastating and has stayed with me through the following two seasons. Between Blue Lights and Say Nothing, I've learned lot, too.

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you.

>232 msf59: Trump has been and will continue to try to privatize the Post Office. Can’t find the usps.gov website anymore, must go to usps.com. If that isn’t a statement of intent, I don’t know what is.

And what Trump and FIFA did to suspend Balogun's red card for a year is corrupt and beyond disgraceful.

I've got sparrows and finches and a male Cowbird in the tray feeder. There's a squirrel on the ground, which is where he belongs.

Hi Mark! Hopefully you've been getting out a lot this season! We have gone out twice now. We have 3 more camping trips left. Unfortunately IL won't hike, so it's mainly flashlight tag, playground, and beach. But the playground is poorly designed - it hangs on to heat, so it's miserable even on a good day, lol. IL got a floatie this time, and some buckets, so he had an extra fun time at the beach.

Hi Mark - I'm re-reading "SPRING" in The Land Remembers for a refreshing turn from news.

Love to see all the positive reaction to Blue Lights. It's in our queue, for when we run out of something else. So much excellent British and Australian TV, particularly.

>240 alcottacre: You are welcome, Stasia. Good to see you. I hope you got that internet issue sorted out. 🤞🤞

>241 SandDune: Thanks for that, Rhian. We are thinking of doing a United Kingdom trip next spring, which would include Ireland of course. The last time I visited was in the early 80s and never left Dublin.

>242 lauralkeet: Glad to hear from another Blue Lights fan. Such a good series and the third season keeps up that trend.

>243 karenmarie: Happy Tuesday, Karen. It is not only Trump- the GOP has wanted to dismantle the USPS for decades. Bush Jr probably did the most damage. What is most disgusting is that the Postmaster is in cahoots with this traitorous bunch. Hopefully the PO can hang on. They have ridden out many storms over the years.

>244 The_Hibernator: Hi, Rachel. Good to see you. We have had 2 camping trips and we are trying to put together one for August. It looks like it will be a spare camping year. Sorry you are not able to hike but it sounds like you make the best of it. Enjoy.

>245 m.belljackson: You always return to one of your favorite books for comfort and distraction. Fine idea, Marianne.

>246 laytonwoman3rd: Glad you added Blue Lights to the watchlist. You are correct, BBC does such a good job with crime/mystery shows. It puts American network TV to shame.

>247 msf59: We stayed in Enniskillen, Derry and Belfast on our last trip and all were very interesting. The scenery around Enniskillen was lovely and Derry and Belfast were so interesting historically. Before that we’d only been to the South (mainly the West) and the scenery is lovely. But there’d be a huge difference between Ireland now and in the 80’s.

>237 msf59: Thanks for the hot tip on Blue Lights I will watch it next! i am just polishing off LIttle Dorrit on BritBox and loving it. It is like watching excellent theatre. Lucky you to be planning a trip that includes Ireland. We love our Irish writers! We had a wonderful trip there a number of years ago when a daughter was studying in Dublin. We had lots of wonderful experiences exploring the pennisulas! Driving on the other side of the narrow roads is a bit crazy though.

>247 msf59: I am a West of Ireland nut, Mark. Love it with a passion and my antecedents being from Donegal helps. I do hope that I will be in the UK when you manage to get over.

Another on the Blue Lights train.I enjoy it.

>250 SandDune: Thanks for the Rhian. I will keep that all in mind when we start to plan. I would love to see it all but not sure how the tour itinerary will work out.

>251 mdoris: Hi, Mary. Glad I got you with Blue Lights. It's a good one. Good to know about the Little Dorrit adaptation. I would just like to read the book first. It is one Dickens I have not read.

>252 PaulCranswick: Good to know, Paul. I hope to get to west Ireland.

>253 vancouverdeb: Hooray for another Blue Lights fan. Did you watch the third season yet?

'Morning, Mark, and happy Wednesday to you.

I've got empty feeders and boycotting birds. *smile*

Hi, Mark. Just wanted to tell you that for the past couple of weeks, for some reason, I have 2 (possibly 3 but I do see 2 together) chipping sparrows at my feeder on a regular daily basis. I have seen them around before but never as regulars. So sweet. Tiny, like the goldfinches and their song is lighter than the goldfinches. They hop around in a springing fashion which makes me laugh.

>255 karenmarie: Happy Wednesday, Karen. I hope you had a good day. I enjoyed my Jackson time.

>256 jessibud2: Hi, Shelley. Glad you have a few chipping sparrows visiting. They are adorable. They don't seem to like our urban areas but other parts of the state, they seem to be everywhere. I almost always see them when we are camping.

^Jackson Day at the Children's Museum. He had a blast. Bree relieved me after 3 hours and then they spent another hour before heading home. Grandpa was pooped and came home and finished Land. 😊

Looks like a good day was had with Jackson. You're a good grandpa! I need to finally read an O'Farrell novel one of these days. Which one should I start with? Today I spotted a hairy woodpecker during my short walk. Also others; Cardinals, nuthatch, etc. Lots of young birds hanging out. My two fawns were in the backyard this morning.

>258 msf59: That sounds like the kind of day you might not remember the date it happened but you'll never forget it even so. Except Land. You'll forget that in a month, I'll bet money.

>258 msf59: Jackson looks like he's found his place!

I am in the midst of watching the third season of Blue Lights, Mark. I have watched 3 episodes so far, as they drop a new episode on NetFlix - or Brit Box each week, I forget which. I am eagerly awaiting the next episode.

>258 msf59: You are such a fun and great grandpa, Mark. Jackson looks like he is having a great time!

>259 Kristelh: Sweet Thursday, Kristel. It was a fun afternoon with Jack. I have now read 4 books by O'Farrell and would have to say Hamnet is my favorite so I would say start there. Thanks for the wildlife report. I always enjoy those.

>260 richardderus: You may be onto something there, RD, although Land should end up a being a best book of the year for me. I sure hope Jack remembers some of this. 😊

>261 quondame: He has been asking to go back here for awhile now but since Bree moved further west, it isn't easy to get there. He sure got his time in.

>262 vancouverdeb: It looks like we are at the exact same place in S3 of Blue Lights. You must be watching it on BritBox. I don't have that one but I know it isn't on Netflix. Thanks! We had a good time at the children's museum.

"In this exquisitely moving novel, Travis, who embodies Death in a modern context, navigates his existence in a small, grey town. He is tasked with offering comfort to those in their final moments, embodying a stoic yet gentle demeanor. Despite his role, Travis struggles with loneliness and detachment until he meets Dalia, a midwife, and her vibrant eight-year-old daughter, Layla."

Funny, I landed both an e-galley and a physical ARC of Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt. Someone really must have wanted me to read this one. It certainly sounds interesting. It was just released this week and I will start it today. Next up will be The Mambo Kings.

>258 msf59: I cannot believe how big he is getting! I am so glad that you got to spend some time with him even though he wore you out.

>263 msf59:. Thanks Mark. I put a hold on Hamnet. It is at three of my libraries and all 3 have long wait list. I am surprised as Hamnet has been around since 2020.

>265 msf59: I'll get my review up later on today.

‘Morning, Mark. Sweet Thursday to you.

>258 msf59: Cute pics.

Since I have a ‘free’ day, I’ll probably replenish bird feeders.

I pulled my copy of Mambo Kings off the shelf last night and have it on the bedside table. I won't be starting to read it until early next week, but I suspect I will catch up on it really fast.

Back in Kansas after that trip to Chicago. The highlight was going out to the Bohemian National Cemetery and finding our great-grandparents graves. (We did see the Cubs wall, but that didn't compare to the big draw of Franticek Hubka and Josefa Hubka. Don't you just love those immigrant names?) The lowlight of the trip was the ripoff provided by Uber. It cost us $70.00 to get an Uber out to the Bohemian National Cemetery and only $30.00 to get an Uber ride back to the Palmer House. Then it happened again. We attended a library event at the convention center and the Uber ride back from there was $49.00. I had done the same ride in a Flash Cab from the convention center to the hotel the night before for $10.50. The Uber guy kept trying to tell us it was because it was weekend rates. The concierge at the hotel told us that Uber has been a real pain and to take a cab instead.

Gotta love the El. Drove to Midway and parked for $15.00 a day. Took the El into the Adams and Wabash stop and it was $2.50. Went back that way too.

Love me some Post Office. Mailed 2 boxes of books back to Munden on Tuesday morning before I left and got both of them on Friday, July3. My friend from Birmingham mailed a box on Monday and it was waiting for her on Wednesday when she got home from work. My sister's boxes went all the way to Montana and she got them on Monday, July 6. If it hadn't been for the holiday she would have had them on Saturday. Who says they can't deliver the mail?

I agree with you. George W. Bush and the Repulsican's put the Post Office on the road to destruction in 2004. It has been part of their Destroy American Plan for 50 years.

Just hopping on to confirm that I have started reading Mambo, just about 40 pages in.

Its a little "spicy", its been a while since I've read something with "Rated R - some scenes might not be appropriate for children" content. LOL.

>266 alcottacre: Sweet Thursday, Stasia. It is hard to believe that Jack is only 4. So, we are just getting started. 😊

>267 Kristelh: Glad you put a hold on Hamnet. It sounds like it is still immensely popular and I can understand why. It probably also got a boost from a fine film adaptation as well.

>268 richardderus: Not far in, but I am liking it.

>269 karenmarie: Sweet Thursday, Karen. I've been having a good day. Did you get to those feeders?

>270 benitastrnad: Thank you so much for the update, Benita. I meant to PM you a couple of times, to ask about your Chicago visit and never got around to it. You'll have to share some of your book highlights. I am sure you landed a few gems. I had not even heard of the Bohemian National Cemetery. Bummer about Uber but hooray for public transit. Hooray for the post office. They still deliver! Glad you have The Mambo Kings all lined up. I won't start it until early next week.

>271 mahsdad: I am so glad you started The Mambo Kings, Jeff. I won't be able to get to it until early next week. Looking forward to reading it with you.

>273 msf59: Yeah, but you read a might faster than me. You'll catch up in no time. LOL.

>274 mahsdad: Great! Then we will be reading together for awhile at least. 😊

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you.

>273 msf59: I brought one of the squirrel-proof feeders in, dismantled it, washed all the parts, and let it air dry overnight. I’ll fill it and put it back out this afternoon or tomorrow. I’ll then bring in one of the other squirrel-proof feeders, do the same, and do the 3rd one, possibly on Sunday. They have needed attention for quite a while.

Morning, Karen. I was over at your place earlier but we may have cross-posted...once again. Sounds like you were a good Bird Mom. I should do the same. I am not as good at keeping that main feeder clean. Bad Mark.

>276 karenmarie: >275 msf59:

What brand of squirrel-proof feeders do you recommend?
I want to find one for my daughter's birthday.

Happy Friday, Mark! Hope your weather's not too brutal and you are able to enjoy some time outdoors.

>258 msf59: Jackson looks like he had a great time at the kids' museum! This is such a wonderful age! Glad you were able to grab some R&R after. It's astonishing how exhausting it is to hang with a 4-year old for just a few hours. Fun, but exhausting. His birthday must be just around the corner, right? Because Rowan's 5th is coming up toward the end of September, and Jack is a little older than him.

>273 msf59:
I had to laugh while at the P.O. in Chicago. We went to the downtown one, I think it is in the plaza across the street from the Federal Court House. It has the Calder sculpture "Flamingo" in it. Tuesday morning, after the conference, my sister and I took 5 boxes of books down there. We were not the only librarians mailing books from that P.O. There was 1 lonely clerk working in the front, and there was a line. When I got to the front, I commented on it. She had lots to say about the situation. She said that normally they only needed one person, but she wasn't sure where all the boxes of books were coming from. I explained about the conference and told her I was a part-time P.O. employee and understood the short staffing problem. But, I said, at least you have a nice view out of all these windows. She then, laughed, and said that the Calder sculpture was beautiful and so nice to see every morning.

Later that morning (about 9:30), I took one last box of books there, and no line, and 2 people working in the front. I breezed through. It turned out that the boxes did as well.

I haven't had time to get the two boxes of mine unpacked, so am not sure what will be considered gems at this point. I had a great time at the Sunday night reception hosted by the Friends of the Library organizations. Paula Poundstone was the guest comedian and she was very funny. John Scalzi was also there with his new book Monsters of Ohio. I got a copy of that but was hoping that they would have When the Moon Hits Your Eye. They didn't. Oh well! Did not see any of the LT Gods there, but supposedly Tim was around at the Clairavate/Proquest booth.

I should have a couple of good nonfiction works from the publisher W. W. Norton. I will have more details later.

>278 m.belljackson: This is similar to the feeder I have. This one is called the Audubon Absolute Squirrel-Resistant Feeder.

>279 Storeetllr: Happy Friday, Mary. It has been warm here and it will get even warmer here next week. I am not a big fan of heat and humidity, but it is July after all. Yep, fun times with Jackson. Sue has him at the moment and will bring him back here for a sleepover. He will run her ragged. LOL. I will assist when I can. You are correct- he turns 5 on August 22nd. ❤️

>280 benitastrnad: Glad you had a good experience with the downtown post office and got to enjoy the Calder sculpture. Looking forward to hearing more about the books you received. No LT Gods at ALA, eh? Bummer.

>278 m.belljackson:, >281 msf59: - This is the feeder I have. I love it, it really works. I do also have a baffle over it as well, which helps. And I use sunflower hearts so there is very little mess. What does drop is hoovered up by the squirrels who are otherwise unsuccessful at the feeder itself. AND, a big plus for this feeder is that it has a lifetime guarantee. I recently wrote them that the wire cord seemed to be unravelling and they sent me a complete replacement, insert and 4 perches (one perch had bent so they just sent a set of 4)

https://www.urbannaturestore.ca/collections/tube-feeders/products/brome-squirrel...

>281 msf59: I'm going to have to break down and get a squirrel-proof feeder. We were fine for years with our setup--the baffle kept them from climbing up. Unfortunately, the last few years we started seeing them getting to the feeder. One of our trees in the back of the yard had finally gotten big enough that they could jump from some branches. We had been keeping the branches pruned back, which worked for a while, but now some of the higher branches have actually grown out almost over the feeder pole, and the squirrels got to be real pests this spring. They were apparently making a big jump down onto my tray feeder. Since I took that feeder down, I haven't seen them back on the feeders, but now I don't have a good place to put out the bigger, unshelled seed.

I bought a second house-shaped feeder back in the spring so that it would be easier for me to do the cleaning. I could rotate them and put one up while the other was down for cleaning. But the squirrels managed to chew the new one on both sides, while the old one that was up for years was never damaged by the squirrels. Really annoying.

The one you show looks good, Mark, but I would have to get a smaller version of it.

>270 benitastrnad: Our TV station just had a story today about wildly different prices for the same rides, from both Uber and Lyft. It seems to be a real problem. Here's the link to the story: https://www.wral.com/consumer/5onyourside/consumer-reports-how-ai-chooses-ride-s...

>258 msf59: What Jack is wearing in the first photo looks familiar. It looks close to the space suit that my friend picked up for her grandson when we were visiting the US (when we still did that). He looks like he's enjoying himself and his granddad probably was too.

>284 jessibud2: Glad to hear you also have one of those squirrel proof feeders, Shelley and it works for you. I still use a baffle because they somehow get on top of the feeder and mess around with it. Mine is not totally squirrel proof but it can be a deterrent.

>285 atozgrl: Thanks for your feeder report, Irene. Squirrels are relentless and acrobatic. They can also jump from my shed to the shepard's pole where my main feeder hangs. It is a good 4-plus foot jump. I may eventually have to move the entire pole. Good luck picking one out a feeder.

>287 Familyhistorian: These are NASA jumpsuits for kids. Not sure if they are supplied by NASA or knock-offs. Jack loves being in costume. He also wore the fireman's jacket when he was fighting fires. 😊

‘Morning, Mark! Happy Saturday.

I’ve remedied my posting deficiencies… *smile*

I will be a better bird mom today because Trevor’s coming over and replenishing them and the birdbath are on my list.

>278 m.belljackson: We have Brome Squirrel-Buster feeders. They seem to be significantly more expensive than when I bought them, but they absolutely work.

I am having problems with squirrels literally jumping from the ground up onto the tray feeder. Forget the baffle…

>289 karenmarie: >288 msf59:
The Brome Classic is highly recommended yet so expensive!

Let me know if you see a sale...

>289 karenmarie: Happy Saturday, Karen. Hooray for a good Bird Mom and overcoming "posting deficiencies". Boo to those relentless squirrels.

>290 m.belljackson: Do you order things from Amazon or no?

HI Mark, There is a Canadian company that makes dress up costumes for kids but I know it is very popular in the U.S. too. There are lots of princess and fairy dresses but there are lots of other ones for boys. I gave our grand daughter turning 5 a Wonder Woman costume for her birthday last November. The company is called greatpretenders.ca. There are some great ones.... dinosaurs and dragons with capes, wings and masks and costumes for pirates, wizards, knights and super heroes. All pretty fun!

I enjoyed/ appreciated John of John very much, Mark.

>291 msf59: Mark - Amazon yes, despite the political leaning, but Brome still the same price.

>288 msf59: Hmm, I'm not sure if it was a Nasa Jumpsuit that my friend pick up. Kids really get into dressing in costume. I guess the majority of us grow out of being un-selfconscious about that when we grow up - too bad.

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday to you. Looks like you've got high temps again.

>290 m.belljackson: Not cheap, of course, Marianne, but I’ve never seen a squirrel eating out of one. I bought my first one in 2017, second one in 2019, then Louise gave me hers when she moved, so I’ve got 3.

I put out fresh hummingbird food yesterday, took the washed/dried Squirrel-Buster feeder and filled it with Sunflower seeds. Filled the two-sided suet feeder gifted to me by Peggy. I’ve got another Squirrel-Proof feeder taken apart and soaking, will clean it today and refill with seed tomorrow. I’ve got Cardinals visiting right now.

>292 mdoris: Thanks, Mary for chiming in on the children's costumes. Jack has a small wardrobe of them. He may be slowly growing out of them though.

>293 vancouverdeb: Glad you also enjoyed John of John. He has become a favorite author of mine.

>294 m.belljackson: Good to know, Marianne. I am not sure Brome is the only squirrel proof feeder to get.

>295 Familyhistorian: I was wondering the same thing, Meg. I am sure Jack will grow out of it soon, as he discovers other interests.

>296 labfs39: I love it, Lisa. Adorable.

>297 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Glad your feeder is a squirrel buster. Mine isn't as effective. Glad you got to all those feeders yesterday. Fine job, Bird Mom.