Anita (FAMeulstee) goes on wherever the books take her in 2024 (2)

Welcome to my second thread in 2024!

I am Anita Meulstee (almost 61), married with Frank (62) since 1984. We live in Lelystad, the Netherlands. We both love modern art, books and walking.

We went a few days to Friesland last month. We visited the nearby city Sneek and saw the famous Waterpoort (Water gate). Onyone who ever played cards with Dutch playing cards knows the Waterpoort, as it is one of the eight Dutch buildings that are pictured on the aces. So I included an upside down picture of the ace of spades, between the two pictures of the Waterpoort.
  

We also went to Pieterburen in Groningen, and walked the 'prologue' of the Pieterpad, a 10 km walk around from Pieterburen to the Waddensea and back. This isn't a part of the official trail, so we didn't bother when we started to walk the Pieterpad. The start of the Pieterpad is now very clearly marked:


On our way to Pieterburen we briefly stopped at the harbor of Lauwersoog where we spotted this lovely boat.
And a picture of a cormorant, drying his wings on a lamppost
 

I have been hanging around in this group a few months after finding LibraryThing in March 2008.
I read (almost) everything, from childrens and YA books to more serious literature, mysteries, historical fiction, fantasy, and I try not to forget to throw some non-fiction into the mix.

total books read in 2024: 26
2 own / 24 library

total pages read in 2024: 8,438

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currently reading:
e-book: Ideen : vierde bundel - Mutatuli, 469 pages

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books read in February 2024: 10 books, 3,060 pages, 0 own / 10 library)
book 17: North woods (North Woods) by Daniel Mason, 395 pages, TIOLI #2 (msg 145)
book 18: Een dramatische liefde (Correspondence: Ingeborg Bachmann and Paul Celan) by Ingeborg Bachmann, 335 pages, TIOLI #3 (msg 146)
book 19: Spitsroeden (For kicks) by Dick Francis, 246 pages, TIOLI #1 (msg 147)
book 20: De geschiedenis van de liefde (The History of Love) by Nicole Krauss, 289 pages, TIOLI #10 (msg 148)
book 21: De verloren zoon (Brother Cadfael's Penance) by Ellis Peters, 251 pages, TIOLI #2 (msg 219)
book 22: Een soort Engeland by Robert Anker, 280 pages, TIOLI #14 (msg 220)
book 23: Carambole (Hour of the Wolf) by Håkan Nesser, 344 pages, TIOLI #5 (msg 221)
book 24: Voetsporen (Footsteps) by Pramoedya Ananta Toer, 493 pages, TIOLI #1 (msg 222)
book 25: De leesclub by Renate Dorrestein, 157 pages, TIOLI #14 (msg 245)
book 26: Ik ben de sterkste by Christian Frascella, 270 pages, TIOLI #10 (msg 246)

February 2024 reading plans

TIOLI February 2024
#1 Read a book whose title begins with the same letter as your screen name
- Spitsroeden (For kicks) - Dick Francis, 246 pages (e-library)
- Voetsporen (Footsteps) - Pramoedya Ananta Toer, 493 pages (library)
#2: Read a book whose average rating on LT is 4.0 or above
- North woods (North Woods) - Daniel Mason, 395 pages (e-library)
- De verloren zoon (Brother Cadfael's Penance) - Ellis Peters, 251 pages (library)
#3: Read a love story
- Een dramatische liefde (Correspondence: Ingeborg Bachmann and Paul Celan) - Ingeborg Bachmann, 335 pages (library)
#4: Read a book that has something to do with hair
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#5: Rolling Challenge - Match First Letter of Book Title with the phrase "Hearts and Flowers"
- Carambole (Hour of the Wolf) - Håkan Nesser, 344 pages (library)
#6: Read a book where changing one letter makes a new title.
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#7: Read a book with the name of a city in the title or author's name
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#8: Read a book published in a Year of the Dragon (1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024)
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#9: Read a book whose title conveys menace
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#10: Read a book whose author has the same number of letters in both their first and surnames
- De geschiedenis van de liefde (The History of Love) - Nicole Krauss, 289 pages (e-library)
- Ik ben de sterkste - Christian Frascella, 270 pages (DJP, library)
#11 Read a book for the Zodiac challenge (Aquarius - author or character born Jan 20 to Feb 18)
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#12: Read a book about the Soviet Union's former "sphere of influence", or by an author from that region, or about Vladimir Putin's regime
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#13: Read a book set predominantly in a European capital city
- 1968 - Jan Guillou, 349 pages (library 21/3)
#14: Read a book with two or three words in the title
- De leesclub - Renate Dorrestein, 157 pages (e-library)
- Een soort Engeland - Robert Anker, 280 pages (e-library)
#15: Read a book with a single author who was born and died in the 20th Century
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Reserved for March 2024 reading plans

Reading plans in 2024
Reading books from the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die lists
Read some big tomes (1000+ pages)
Read books by Nobel Prize for Literature winners

I join the TIOLI (Take It Or Leave It) challenges each month.

Trying to read an author from every country in the world

Afghanistan: Khaled Hosseini
Albania: Ismail Kadare
Algeria: Kamel Daoud
Angola: José Eduardo Agualusa
Argentina: Alberto Manguel
Armenia: Nairi Zaryan
Aruba: Denis Henriquez
Australia: John Marsden
Austria: Marlen Haushofer
Azerbaijan: Kurban Said
Belarus: Svetlana Alexievich
Belgium: Els Beerten
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Saša Stanišic
Brazil: Malba Tahan
Bulgaria: Elias Canetti
Cameroon: Ferdinand Oyono
Canada: Naomi Klein
Chile: Isabel Allende
China: Cao Xueqin
Colombia: Gabriel García Márquez
Croatia: Slobodan Šnajder
Curaçao: Frank Martinus Arion
Czechia: Pavel Kohout
Danmark: Tove Ditlevsen
Dominican Republic: Junot Díaz
Egypt: Nagieb Mahfoez
Finland: Väinö Linna
France: Annie Ernaux
Georgia: Nino Haratischwili
Germany: Uwe Johnson
Ghana: Yaa Gyasi
Greece: Yanis Varoufakis
Hungary: Miklós Bánffy
Iceland: Hallgrimur Helgason
India: Vikram Seth
Indonesia: Pramoedya Ananta Toer
Iran: Hushang Moradi Kermani
Iraq: Rodaan Al Galidi
Ireland: Paul Murray
Israel: David Grossman
Italy: Elena Ferrante
Japan: Junpei Gomikawa
Lebanon: Hoda Barakat
Lithuania: Romain Gary
Malaysia: Tan Twan Eng
Mexico: Mariano Azuela
Morocco: Fayza Oum'Hamed
Netherlands: Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer
New Zealand: Margaret Mahy
Nigeria: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Norway: Marta Breen
Palestine: Sayed Kashua
Peru: Mario Vargas Llosa
Poland: Olga Tokarczuk
Portugal: António Lobo Antunes
Romania: Herta Müller
Russia: Konstantin Paustovski
Senegal: Mohamed Mbougar Sarr
Slovakia: Sándor Márai
South Africa: Trevor Noah
South Korea: An Na
Spain: Almudena Grandes
Suriname: Anton de Kom
Sweden: Henning Mankell
Switzerland: Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz
Syria: Khālid Khalīfah
Tanzania: Abdulrazak Gurnah
Tibet: Tenzin Gyatso
Trinidad and Tobago: V.S. Naipaul
Turkey: Orhan Pamuk
Ukraine: Isaac Babel
Venezuela: Miguel Bonnefoy
United Kingdom: Robert Macfarlane
United States: John Steinbeck
Vietnam: Viet Thanh Nguyen


visited 74 countries (32.8%)

Tickers

Totals since 2008:

My reading in previous years
2008: 130 books -   35,152 pages   (96.0 ppd)
2009:   78 books -   21,470 pages   (58.8 ppd)
2010: 121 books -   38,209 pages (104.7 ppd)
2011:   84 books -   30,256 pages   (82.9 ppd)
2012:   53 books -   18,779 pages   (51.3 ppd)
2013:   13 books -     3,692 pages   (10.1 ppd)
2014:   17 books -     3,700 pages   (10.1 ppd)
2015:   29 books -   10,080 pages   (27.6 ppd)
2016: 253 books -   72,391 pages (197.8 ppd)
2017: 453 books - 110,222 pages (302.0 ppd)
2018: 534 books - 111,906 pages (306.6 ppd)
2019: 413 books - 110,873 pages (303.8 ppd)
2020: 226 books -   79,216 pages (216.4 ppd)
2021: 288 books -   94,339 pages (258.5 ppd)
2022: 323 books - 102,275 pages (280.2 ppd)
2023: 278 books -   92,617 pages (253.8 ppd)

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Previous threads in 2024
book 1 - 16: thread 1

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Monthly statistics
January: 16 books / 5,378 pages

Lists on my WikiThing

The best books I have read, by year first published
My Five star reads
The best 50 books I have read (fiction)
The books by Nobel prize winners I have read
The Booker prize winners I have read
The Pulitzer prize winners (fiction) I have read
The winners of some Dutch literary prizes
Countries I have visited while reading around the world

Series I read, a list to keep track

Alan Banks by Peter Robinson (re-read 4/20)
1 Stille blik; 2 Nachtlicht; 3 Tegenstroom; 4 Zondeval; 5 Schijnbeeld; 6 Woensdagkind; 7 Zwanenzang; 8 Innocent Graves (not translated); 9 Dead Right (not translated); 10 Verdronken verleden; 11 Kil als het graf; 12 Nasleep; 13 Onvoltooide zomer; 14 Vuurspel; 15 Drijfzand; 16 Hartzeer; 17 Duivelsgebroed; 18 Overmacht; 19 Uitschot; 20 Dwaalspoor; 21 Dankbare dood; 22 Slachthuisblues

Ari Thór Arason (Dark Iceland) by Ragnar Jónasson 4/4
1 Sneeuwblind; 2 Inktzwart; 3 Poolnacht; 4 Ademloos

Bernie Gunther by Philip Kerr 8/14
1 Een Berlijnse kwestie; 2 Het handwerk van de beul; 3 Een Duits requiem; 4 De een van de ander; 5 Een stille vlam; 6 Als de doden niet herrijzen; 7 Grijs verleden; 8 Praag fataal; 9 De man zonder adem; 10 De vrouw van Zagreb; 11 De schaduw van de stilte; 12 Pruisisch blauw; 13 Vergeven en vergeten; 14 Metropolis

Broeder Cadfael by Ellis Peters 20/20
1 Het heilige vuur; 2 Het laatste lijk; 3 Het gemene gewas; 4 De kwade knecht; 5 De eenzame bruid; 6 De kille maagd; 7 Het vege lijf; 8 De duivelse droom; 9 De gouden speld; 10 Een wisse dood; 11 Een hard gelag; 12 De ware aard; 13 Een witte roos; 14 Het stille woud; 15 De laatste eer; 16 Het rechte pad; 17 Een zijden haar; 18 Een lieve lust; 19 De heilige dief; 20 De verloren zoon

De Cock by A.C. Baantjer 59/70

Cormoran Strike by Robert Galbraith 6/6
1 Koekoeksjong; 2 Zijderups; 3 Het slechte pad; 4 Witte dood; 5 Kwaad bloed; 6 Inktzwart hart; 7 Stromend graf

George Smiley by John Le Carré 6/9
1 Telefoon voor de dode; 2 Voetsporen in de sneeuw; 3 Spion aan de muur; 4 Spion verspeeld; 5 Edelman, bedelman, schutter, spion; 6 Spion van nobel bloed; 7 Smiley's prooi; 8 De laatste spion; 9 Een erfenis van spionnen

De grote eeuw by Jan Guillou 6/10
1 Bruggenbouwers; 2 Dandy uit het noorden; 3 Tussen rood en zwart; 4 De kop in het zand; 5 Blauwe Ster; 6 Echte Amerikaanse jeans; 7 1968; 8 Zij die dromen doden slapen nooit; 9 De tweede hoofdzonde; 10 Het einde van het verhaal

Guido Brunetti by Donna Leon 30/31
1 Dood van een maestro; 2 Dood in den vreemde; 3 De dood draagt rode schoenen; 4 Salto mortale; 5 Acqua alta; 6 Een stille dood; 7 Nobiltà; 8 Fatalità; 9 Vriendendienst; 10 Onrustig tij; 11 Bedrieglijke zaken; 12 De stille elite; 13 Verborgen bewijs; 14 Vertrouwelijke zaken; 15 Duister glas; 16 Kinderspel; 17 Droommeisje; 18 Gezichtsverlies; 19 Een kwestie van vertrouwen; 20 Dodelijke conclusies; 21 Beestachtige zaken; 22 Het onbekende kind; 23 Tussen de regels; 24 Ik aanbid je; 25 Eeuwige jeugd; 26 Wat niet verdwijnt; 27 Vergiffenis; 28 De troonopvolger; 29 Duister water; 30 Vluchtig verlangen; 31 Liefdadigheid; 32 So Shall You Reap (not translated)

Isabelle Bonnet by Pierre Martin 5/6
1 Madame le Commissaire en de verdwenen Engelsman; 2 Madame le Commissaire en de uitgestelde wraak; 3 Madame le Commissaire en de dood van de politiechef; 4 Madame le Commissaire en het mysterieuze schilderij; 5 Madame le Commissaire en de dode non; 6 Madame le Commissaire en de dode minnaar; 7 Madame le Commissaire und die Frau ohne Gedächtnis (not translated); 8 Madame le Commissaire und die panische Diva (not translated); 9 Madame le Commissaire und die Villa der Frauen (not translated); 10 Madame le Commissaire und die Mauer des Schweigens (not translated)

John Rebus by Ian Rankin 11/20
1 Kat & muis; 2 Blindeman; 3 Hand & Tand; 4 Ontmaskering; 5 Zwartboek; 6 Vuurwerk; 7 Laat maar bloeden; 8 Gerechtigheid; 9 Door het lint; 10 Dode zielen; 11 In het duister; 12 Valstrik; 13 Lazarus; 14 Een kwestie van bloed; 15 De rechtelozen; 16 Gedenk de doden; 17 Laatste ronde; 18 Cold case; 19 Saints of the Shadow Bible (not translated); 20 Even Dogs in the Wild (not translated); 21 Rather Be the Devil (not translated); 22 Een web van leugens; 23 Een lied voor duistere tijden

Konráð by Arnaldur Indridason 4/5
1 Smeltend ijs; 2 Boven water; 3 Smeulend vuur; 4 Vallende stenen; 5 Razende storm

Konrad Sejer by Karin Fossum 6/14
1 Eva's oog; 2 Kijk niet achterom; 3 Wie de wolf vreest; 4 De duivel draagt het licht; 5 De Indiase bruid; 6 Zwarte seconden; 7 De moord op Harriet Krohn; 8 Een andere voorkeur; 9 Kwade wil; 10 De waarschuwer; 11 Veenbrand; 12 De fluisteraar; 13 De verduistering; 14 Zwanenzang

Martin Servaz by Bernard Minier 5/7
1 Een kille rilling; 2 Huivering; 3 Verduistering; 4 Schemering; 5 Weerzin; 6 Afdaling; 7 Afrekening

Oliver von Bodenstein & Pia Kirchhoff by Nele Neuhaus 10/10
1 Een onbeminde vrouw; 2 Moordvrienden; 3 Diepe wonden; 4 Sneeuwwitje moet sterven; 5 Wie wind zaait; 6 Boze wolf; 7 De levenden en de doden; 8 Het woud; 9 Moederdag; 10 Eeuwige vriendschap

De Rougons-Macquarts (The Rougon-Macquarts) by Émile Zola 4/20
1 Het fortuin der Rougons; 2 De buit; 3 De buik van Parijs; 4 De verovering van Plassans; 5 De misstap van pastoor Mouret; 6 Zijne excellentie Eugène Rougon; 7 De nekslag; 8 Liefde; 9 Nana; 10 In troebel water; 11 In het paradijs voor de vrouw; 12 Levensvreugde; 13 De mijn; 14 Het werk; 15 Het land; 16 De droom; 17 Het beest in de mens; 18 Het geld; 19 De ondergang; 20 Dokter Pascal

Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle 4/8
1 Een studie in rood; 2 De vallei der verschrikking; 3 De hond van de Baskervilles; 4 Het teken van de vier; 5 Het laatste probleem; 6 Het avontuur van de duivelsklauw; 7 Zijn laatste buiging; 8 De onbekende avonturen van Sherlock Holmes

De tandeloze tijd by A.F.Th. van der Heijden 1/11
0 De slag om de Blauwbrug; 1 Vallende ouders; 2 De gevarendriehoek; 2.1 Weerborstels; 3.1 Het hof van barmhartigheid; 3.2 Onder het plaveisel het moeras; 3.4 Doodverf; 4 Advocaat van de hanen; 5 De helleveeg; 6 Kwaadschiks; 8 Stemvorken

Van Veeteren by Håkan Nesser 7/11
1 Het grofmazige net; 2 Het vierde offer; 3 De terugkeer; 4 De vrouw met de moedervlek; 5 De commissaris en het zwijgen; 6 De zaak van Münster; 7 Carambole; 8 De dode op het strand; 9 De zwaluw, de kat, de roos en de dood; 10 Van Veeteren en de zaak-G; 11 De vereniging van linkshandigen

Books acquired in 2024: 6

February (6)
De zwarte heer Bazetub - Albert Vigoleis Thelen (e-book)
Notities van een theoreticus - Shi Tiesheng
Alkibiades - Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer
Persoonsgegevens - Elfriede Jelinek
Pieterpad : Deel 1: Pieterburen-Vorden - Kees Volkers*
Pieterpad : Deel 2: Vorden-Maastricht - Kees Volkers*

* A new edition was published while we were walking

Welcome!

Happy New Thread, Anita! Lovely picture of the cormorant. Glad you enjoyed your walking holiday.

>13 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deborah, I love cormorants. They often fly over here in large groups, so for me they are connected to the place where we live.
It was only a short break with one day walking, and one day visiting Sneek. Our next wakling holiday will be in March.

Happy new thread, Anita!
Thank you for the beautiful pictures, they whet my appetite for a holiday...
All the best for your reading plans in February and your health.

Happy new thread!

>15 SirThomas: Thank you, Thomas!
I am sure this appetite will be fullfilled somewhere this year ;-)
And thanks again, we will see how this month turns out in these aspects.

>16 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita!

Happy New Thread, Anita. I hope you enjoy The History of Love. I liked it when I read it.

>1 FAMeulstee: Glad you had a good break, and also that your father is home Anita. Not getting a cause for the feinting fit is unsettling, but I guess feinting could be caused by a number of things and the best they can do is discount the worst.

>18 Kristelh: Thank you, Kristel. We often like the same books, so I expect I will enjoy it too.

>19 Caroline_McElwee: Thank you, Caroline, tomorrow we will visit my father again.
They checked my father all over, and indeed ruled out the most likely, and worst possible causes.
I think it might have been his bloodpressure going far down again. But no cause for that either.

I meant also to say I associate cormorants with Holland as I've seen them several times when I have visited. Not so common here.

Hello! How are you on this fine Friday?

>21 Caroline_McElwee: Cormorants were rather rare in my youth, Caroline, since 1980 their population has grown a lot.

>22 Owltherian: Welcome on my thread, Owl, I am doing alright today.
Reading a bit less than usual, but I hope it will pick up again soon.

Happy New thread!
I love your pictures of where you've been!

Happy new one, Anita. I enjoyed looking over your list of series.

Happy new one, Anita. Thanks so much for the gorgeous photos 🤩

Happy new thread Anita!

I felt so connected to that cormorant drying himself on the breezy top of the lamppost...I expect most men relate to that airing-out posture, it is one we all seem to use.

*smooch* for a better-than-you-think February.

Happy new one, Anita!

>24 hredwards: Thank you, Harold, our next trip will be in March :-)

>25 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba. I almost forgot to put the updated list of series here. So I added the two I read in January, and all is right again :-)

>26 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara, Sneek is a lovely old city in Friesland.

>27 quondame: Thank you, Susan!

>28 richardderus: You made me laugh, Richard dear, I think I do get what you say :-)
*smooches* right back to you, that would be great.

>29 drneutron: Thank you, Jim!

Thanks for sharing such lovely photos! You live in a spectacular country!!!

Happy new thread!!! Love the pics up top and the story behind the Ace card.

Happy new thread, Anita!

>33 Whisper1: Thank you, Linda, you are very welcome! There are just older buildings over here ;-)

>34 Berly: Thank you, Kim!
I might show the other aces some day.

>35 curioussquared: Thank you, Natalie!

Happy new thread, Anita! We get cormorants at our local, small lake in the winter time. We often see them like that, with their wings spread to dry.

Great stats as always to accompany your new thread.

Happy new one, Anita!

>37 atozgrl: Thank you, Irene!
How nice you can see cormorants in winter near you. It is typical for them to stand like that, make them easy to recognise.

>38 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul. I always like to make my stats, even in a not so good reading month like January was.
Happy Saturday!

>17 FAMeulstee: Of course ;-)
Our main holiday is already booked, 2 weeks to the North Sea at the beginning of March, wind, weather, hiking, eating.
All the best for your special day today, I hope you have a wonderful time.

>40 SirThomas: Glad I was right, Thomas ;-)
Your March holiday plan sounds good, it is always nice to be near the sea.

Thank you, time flies, can't believe I am 61 now! :-)
We will visit my father again today, replacing our visit from two weeks back.

Three books ordered for my birthday. De zwarte heer Bazetub by Albert Vigoleis Thelen is an e-book, so I got it right away.
The other two, Notities van een theoreticus by Shi Tiesheng and Alkibiades by Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer will be delivered next week.

Happy new thread, Anita. And nice pictures.
I’ve been to Lauwersoog lots of times. Always on the way to Schier. You make me think of going there again.

Is it your birthday today? Or was it earlier, and I missed it? Anyway, congratulations. And have a good visit with your father.

>43 EllaTim: Thank you, Ella. It is indeed my birthday today, thanks.

I have never been on Schiermonnikoog. I have been once to Ameland, for a dog training weekend I won by solving a puzzle in a dog magazine. And often to Texel, as on of the puppies of our first litter went there, and we stayed in contact.

>44 FAMeulstee: Ah
Happy birthday to you!

Happy Birthday, Anita!

Happy new thread, Anita, and happy birthday!

Love the toppers.

Happy Birthday, Anita. Happy New Thread. Enjoy your visit with your father.

Happiest of birthdays, Anita!! I hope you have a wonderful day!

Happy birthday, Anita. May all your dreams come true. 🎉🥂🎂💖😘

Happy Birthday Anita. I hope you are doing something nice, and have cake.

Happy, happy birthday!

Here in Minnesota, when I was growing up (fifty-some years ago), there was a kids’ TV show, “Casey Jones.” They had a birthday song, and I’d like to share it with you:

“Happy, happy birthday,
To every girl and boy.
Hope this very special day
Brings you lots of joy!
Hope the birthday presents
You get from Mom and Dad
Will make this very special day
The best you’ve ever had!”

Karen O

Happy new thread and happy birthday!

Happy new thread, Anita.

Happy birthday too!

Have a happy personal new year, Anita!

Happy Birthday, Anita!

Have a very wonderful and happy birthday Anita.

So nice to come home and find al these lovely messages!

My father was doing a bit better, well a lot better than two weeks ago at the ER. It seems his memory is slowly fading. He was talkative, mostly about the part of his career in the 1960s and 1970s. We had a lovely diner together.

>45 EllaTim: Thank you, Ella!

>46 Kristelh: Thank you, Kristel!

>47 jessibud2: Thank you, Shelley!

>48 msf59: Thank you, Mark, we had a good time. Although he is visible getting older.

>49 scaifea: Thank you, Amber!
It was a little tiring, because I was a bit nervous after our visit two weeks ago, when it turned out my father was at the ER when we arrived at his appartment.

>50 Ameise1: Thank you so much, Barabara! 🥂🎂

>51 Caroline_McElwee: Thank you, Caroline!
My father managed to get someone to drive him to the ultimate patisserie of The Hague 'Maison Kelder' to get us the hazelnut cream cake we always have. It was delicious.


>52 klobrien2: Thank you so much, Karen, that is a lovely birthday song!
You all here, and my father still around, make it a great day!

>53 banjo123: Thank you, Rhonda!

>54 ArlieS: Thank you, Arlie!

>55 richardderus: Thank you, Richard dear, it started well!

>56 quondame: Thank you, Susan!

>57 mdoris: Thank you, Mary, it was!

My birthday is over, we just entered February 4th here, and it is time to go to bed!

It looks like you had a good birthday, That cake sounds absolutely awesome. Sorry to hear that dad’s memory is not as good but did he remember your birthday and buy the cake for the birthday? Wishing you a great year.

Happy Birthday, Anita! How lovely that your dad was able to get you such a beautiful cake. That sounds delicious and I'm glad you had a great day. Glad your dad is feeling better too.

>64 Kristelh: Thank you, Kristel.
Of course my father did remember my birthday, he did buy the cake :-)
It is that things that happened a few weeks ago are sometimes gone. And memories further away seem more vivid than those of a few years ago. Not very uncommon at his age, but I noticed.

>65 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deborah, time flies again a year added to my age!
The cake was delicilous, as always. I was very glad to see him in a better state back at home.

How are you today, Anita?

Glad you had a lovely day, and the cake looks extremely delicious!

Oh boy, that cake looks amazing!

Happy belated Birthday, Anita!

>10 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita. Coincidentally, I spent several hours yesterday making lists of series for my book journal. I have seven ongoing series and noted six more that I am considering. Your list is most impressive. I have read all of Sherlock Holmes, but I completely forgot about Karin Fossum. Thanks so much for the reminder/nudge. I’ve only read 3 in the Inspector Konrad Sejer series but did enjoy them because of my Norwegian background. It is on my list now.

Happy Belated Birthday. Your father was awesome to get your favorite cake. It looks and sounds delicious. I am drooling!

>61 FAMeulstee: Hazelnut crème sounds delicious! The cake looks like a lovely choice just for looks, and then to get good tasting cake as well...! Go Daddy!

Happy somewhat new thread, Anita! And happy birthday! I'm glad I snuck in just in time to wish you the latter.

>61 FAMeulstee: The cake sounds and looks delicious!

That cake looks beautiful and sounds delicious!! How nice of your Dad to go to the trouble of getting it and how nice you got to celebrate with him!! Happy Birthday!

I missed your birthday yesterday. Belated happy birthday wishes! I'm glad you had such a nice visit with your father, and that he is doing better.

>67 Owltherian: Allright, Owl, reading still a bit slower that usual.

>68 SirThomas: Thank you, Thomas, it was delicious.

>69 scaifea: It is, Amber!
I have never tasted any better hazelnut cake, so I am always glad to have some on my birthday.

>70 DianaNL: Thank you, Diana!

>71 Donna828: Glad to know my lists were helpful, Donna. I started them because I sometime forget about some of them.
Thank you, this cake is very popular in and around The Hague, where my father lives. I was very happy he managed to get it.

>72 richardderus: Thank you, Richard, it even tastes better than it looks! :-)
I didn't expect it this time, as my father gave up his car last year.

>73 EBT1002: Thank you twice, Ellen! Glad you had time to visit my thread, while on vacation.
Yes, it is delicious :-)

>74 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba. My father is not at an age I am grateful for every celebration we can have with him. Although it has always been a tradition to get this hazelnut creme cake at birthdays, I didn't expect it this time. So it was very nice he found a way to get it anyway.

>75 atozgrl: Thank you, Irene.
We were very glad to see my dad back home, after finding him in the ER two weeks ago. He still feels a bit insecure, as there wasn't found any cause, so he feels it could happen again.

Yesterday I finally finished my first book in February, North Woods.
Reading is very slow, I have trouble with concentrating for more than 10 or 15 minutes. And I am slow in general, walking, housekeeping, everything goes very slow. I think the thyroid meds are lowered to much, as panic and anxiety are also worsening. A month to go before the next blood test, I hope I don't fall back into the phobia's...

I'm sorry to hear that and I hope it doesn't get any worse for you.
Is it possible to prioritise the blood test with these symptoms or would this confuse other things?
Thinking of you...

>80 SirThomas: Thank you, Thomas.
With my latest batch of thyroid medicines I got a paper that mentioned that biotin (vitamin B7) can mess up the thyroid blood test results, make them look you get too much. And that I should inform the lab if I take any. Then I found out that in one of the supplements I take there is biotin, so all of last years results can be messed up. I just don't know how to inform the lab, but we will mention it when Frank makes the appointment for next month later this week. We scedule appointments 4 weeks in advance, because of my scare for needles, they need some extra time sceduled for me. So it would be a hassle to do the test sooner.

>79 FAMeulstee: - Anita, can you ask to have the bloodwork done sooner, given that you are experiencing such negative things now? Surely, the doctor wouldn't want you to suffer if a blood test could confirm what you suspect and the dosage could be easily adjusted. Explain this to them and see if he would agree. It doesn't make sense to wait if you don't have to.

{{hugs}}

I just read >81 FAMeulstee:. I would think that if they knew what's going on now, perhaps they could still figure something out to help you and not make you have to wait so long.

>79 FAMeulstee: Oh, yuck, Anita! How unfortunate. I agree with the others here, having to wait four weeks till the next bloodtest seems too long. Hope you can find a solution.

How art thou today Anita?

Hazelnut cake sounds lovely!

Happy Belated Birthday!!

I'm sorry to hear that the change with the thyroid medicine is causing such trouble. I hope you'll be able to find a solution and not have to suffer with it for a whole month.

Thinking of you Anita and hope you get the meds sorted very soon.

Hi Anita, so sorry to hear about the thyroid medication. Glad you had a nice dinner with your dad and thank you for sharing the picture of your cake - it looks wonderful.

I do have an appointment with a GP later today, as panic & anxiety went on in the last 24 hours.
Even diazepam didn't take it away, only reduced a little.
Poor Frank is still awake after his night working and has stay up to go with me.
More later after my appointment with GP.

just dropping in to catch up. Happy belated birthday. The hazelnut cream cake sounds heavenly.

>79 FAMeulstee: Sorry to hear that you are still having problems with the thyroid medication and that it is causing significant symptoms of panic and anxiety. Good luck with the GP.

It's good that you got a doctor's appointment quickly, Anita. I hope he can help you as quickly as possible.

The GP agreed on upping the dose right away, no blood test right now, slowly upping it from the 0,1125 mg now to 0,1375 mg a day. This can't be done at once, so will take some time. My regular dose used to be around 0,15 mg a day, so we will see in May if I need to get there again.

I will quit the b-vitamins supplement (contains the biotine), and we will wait with drawing blood until May, when I should be at 0,1375 mg a day for at least 4 weeks. Without the biotine the outcome of the test should be more reliable.
Strangely this was never a problem before, at I have been taking this supplement for about 15 years. Somehow the way of testing must have changed in recent years.

So I hope I will be heading into the right direction again. The anxiety won't be away right away, previous times it took about 3 months.

Hi, Anita. Sorry to hear that you are dealing with these health issues. Wishing for the best outcome. I hope you enjoyed North Woods. I thought it was such a nice surprise.

I'm sorry Anita, i hope your health and day gets better.

>94 msf59: Thank you, Mark, it should be way better in a few months.
Yes, I did enjoy North Woods, 4* read. Due to my health issues it took a bit longer than usual to finish it.

>84 Owltherian: >95 Owltherian: Thank you, Owl, it will be better in time.

>82 jessibud2: Thank you, Shelley. I am just back from the GP (it was an other again), as I had a nearly sleepless night suffering from anxiety.
No bloodwork now, upping the dose immediately, bloodwork postponed to May, when I should be closer to my regular dose.

>83 EllaTim: Thank you, Ella, went to a GP and found a workable solution.

>85 SandDune: Thank you, Rhian, I can assure you it was delicious!

>86 hredwards: Thank you, Harold!

>87 atozgrl: Thank you, Irene. It will take some time, as it usually does if it gets this far. But at least I know it will get better eventually.

>88 mdoris: Thank you, Mary, it is sorted for now, without bloodwork. We will see how it all turns out in three months.

>89 charl08: Thank you, Charlotte, the thyroid meds keep being a hassle. Who could now that an innocent vitamin could mess up the test results. It wasn't like this before, as I have been taking this supplement longer than the thyroid medication. I think it has something to do with new (and cheaper?) equipment for thyroid tests.

>91 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita, the hazelnut cream cake is the best I have ever tasted.
It went well at the GP, took some time but I am content how she handle it.

>92 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara, I will take a bit more thyroid medication tomorrow morning. It will take some time, but now I am confident we will get again where it should be.

>100 FAMeulstee: Your welcome.

I am sorry to hear that your health continues to give you issues, Anita, and hope the doctors can get things figured out for you soon!

Belated happy birthday and happy new thread! Glad you and your doctor seem to be getting things straightened out.

That's quite good news, I hope with you that your health improves soon, Anita!

Happy new thread, Anita, and happy birthday! I'm glad that your dad is feeling better. How wonderful that he got you your favourite cake.

I hope you can get your thyroid levels sorted out. Maybe they changed the composition of the vitamin supplements? I have to do a blood test soon, too *shudder*. My GP's office is usually freezing and he always has trouble finding my veins.

I’m glad you and your doctor found a solution Anita! Hope you get back to normal soon enough.

Dear (((((Anita)))))). I'm glad that you're taking measures to get yourself re-regulated and back on your even keel. I wish you well in getting to a really good place. I'm also glad that, if I couldn't be in time, I can at least be in week to wish you a belated happy birthday and a wish for a fine personal year!
I know you'll be happy to learn that I heard from Nathalie, deern, on fb last night. She is still in the world, and I'm thrilled to know it's so. I hope that she may return to LT; she certainly spoke warmly of her people here. I'm glad to be the bearer of good news!

>90 FAMeulstee: So sorry to hear you're suffering, Anita. I hope the revised medication levels help.

Anita, I am happy that you were able to get in to the GP and didn’t have to wait and do hope you feel better soon.

>61 FAMeulstee: Yum, that does look good Anita.

>93 FAMeulstee: Sorry to hear mor meds meddling is needed. Fingers crossed it works well.

I do hope that knowing the anxious period has a limit will make it less intense and easier to deal with.

Hi Anita. I very sorry to read that your thyroid medications are proving so difficult to balance. I've struggled in the past with panic attacks, and anxiety, so you have my greatest sympathy.

Hello, Anita, I'm glad you were able to get in so quickly to see your doctor and that he was able to give you a plan. I hate to hear that it takes so long for the changes to take effect, but at least you know what to expect. I hope the improvements come sooner than later.

>104 alcottacre: Thank you, Stasia. I mostly figured out myself, and was able to convince the doctor.

>105 foggidawn: Thank you Foggi, and thanks. I am very relieved, and hope the bloodwork will show in three months.

>106 SirThomas: Indeed it is, Thomas. I did sleep better last night, so that is a first step.

>107 humouress: Thank you, Nina, and thanks. I was happy to see my father back at home, and was pleasnatly surprise he managed to get the cake.

I am sure the vitamin supplements didn't change, and I took them even before my thyroid problems were found. In 2018 our local hospital went bankrupt, and parts were taken over by an other hospital. The first year the lab went on as before, and somewhere between the end of 2019 and 2022 the lab was transferred to the other hospital. I think then the way (the machine used) for thyroid testing was changed. During this time my thyroid levels weren't tested at all, because it wasn't allowed to go in together, and I can't have blood drawn without Frank on my side.
I have more luck than you, as the blood drawing itself always goes smoothly, my veins are easily found. Accidently seeing the needle gives me a panic attack.

I found this article about biotin and different ways to test very helpful: https://www.thyroid.org/patient-thyroid-information/ct-for-patients/january-2022...

>108 EllaTim: Thank you, Ella, I hope so too. Previous times it took about 3 months, we will see.

>109 LizzieD: Thank you so much, Peggy!!! So good to know you did hear from Nathalie :-D
I do hope she will return, but knowing she is still around made my day. Great news indeed!
Thanks for the birthday wishes, and your lovely words about my health problems. (((hugs)))

>110 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba, today started better than yesterday. I will have to wait and see how it goes.

>111 Kristelh: Thank you, Kristel, I am very glad it worked out this way.

>112 Caroline_McElwee: It even tastes better than it looks, Caroline :-)
I started to doubt my own feelings after the testing results early November and again with the next results in January, as I felt I should take more, not less. It was that the pharmacist added a sheet to my last batch of thyroid medicines with a warning about biotin, that I realised that could be the problem.
It is worrysome that the first related research was in 2016, and this warning reaches me in 2024!

>113 quondame: Thank you, Susan. In a way it is a comfort to know it the problems will go away in time, on the other hand I feel angry as it could have been prevented if information had been spread faster (see above). Or when the manufacturer had withdrawn this new way of testing, right after this problem was found.

>114 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deborah, somehow the marges for thyroid levels are more tight for me, than for the majority of thyroid patients. I know you struggled with those as well, and hope they will stay away for you. Panic attacks and anxiety are hard, and I wish no one would ever have to suffer from them.

>115 atozgrl: Thank you, Irene, we explained to the GP what the probable problem was. Then we discussed some possible options, and finally came to this. My first upped dose this morning does't seem to give any side effects. Going up to fast can give problems, similair to the problems of taking to much, so it is a slow process.

Coming in late, but also happy to hear that the thyroid problem seems to have a solution, despite the frustrations. Hoping that things will continue to improve.

>122 swynn: Thank you, Steve, it has been at times a bumpy road ever since my thyroid problem was found back in 2011. I try to be grateful for the times it all went well, and hope to return to a more stable state in a few months.

Happy new thread!

From your previous thread, I was about to congratulate you on reading so many books in January and then I read the next post that said it was your worst month in years! LOL. I had a chuckle at that.

>124 ChelleBearss: Thank you, Chelle!
I understand completely, I know I usually read a lot. Your comment gave me a chuckle too!

These are my January numbers since 2017:
2017: 33
2018: 32
2019: 38
2020: 26
2021: 18
2022: 33
2023: 23
2024: 16

>125 FAMeulstee: The contrast between your normal and your current numbers is stark! I hope you get back to your usual self soon. *smooch*

>126 richardderus: Thank you, Richard dear, that is my hope too. At the moment I still feel unstable.
I haven't read any pages at all today (did read some threads), I hope to get to a few pages later today.
*smooch*

>123 FAMeulstee: Well, it might give the rest of us time to catch up with the number of books you read :0)

>125 FAMeulstee: ... or maybe not.

>128 humouress: It might, Nina, for some of you. Others probably have less of a chance ;-)

Back to the books, read not yet reviewed:
#17: North woods (North Woods) by Daniel Mason
#18: Een dramatische liefde (Correspondence: Ingeborg Bachmann and Paul Celan) by Ingeborg Bachmann and Paul Celan
#19: Spitsroeden (For kicks) by Dick Francis

I'm glad you have gottten more books read, Anita. I hope you will be feeling 100 % fairly soon. Sorry you are still feeling unstable.

>129 FAMeulstee: Januaries for me (from memory) tend to be either really good or really bad. I think this year was pretty good with 10 books - compared to a bad month for you with 16 books.

>131 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deborah, although I started the second book early January and only had a few pages to go. I will see how it goes, at least I do read some :-)
It will take time, as it always does. At least the tide has turned.

>132 humouress: I am glad your January was a good reading month, Nina!
I think my February wil be get close to your January, I am almost half way my fourth book now ;-)

>133 FAMeulstee: I have had a fairly disastrous start to my reading year, Anita. Work is just weighing me down. I have gotten the next three days off due to the Lunar New Year and I want to simply read, read, read.

>134 PaulCranswick: Happy Lunar New Year, Paul!
Sorry to read your workload is so much, and keeps you from reading.

I do have time and opportunity to read. Still in the last days, since my panic attack, I am down to less than 50 pages a day.
Januari was bad, and if my reading doesn't pick up soon, Februari will be worse.

>133 FAMeulstee: I don't know Anita - you'll have to work hard to beat me :0)

>136 humouress: Working on it, Nina, as hard as I can! :-D

Happy Saturday, Anita. I hope you are feeling better and getting back into those books.

Hi Anita, sending huge good wishes as well. I do like the report that the tide has turned!

*smooch* on Saturday

>138 msf59: Thank you, Mark, happy Saturday.
Reading is very slow, and I forget what I have read within hours :-(
I am afraid that is the fear that comes true this time...

>139 mdoris: Thank you, Mary, good wishes are very much appriciated.
The tide has turned, but it looks like my reading ability is (temporary) severely reduced.

Anita so hoping your reading picks up in speed and retention. That must be so frustrating for you as such a very accomplished reader.

>142 mdoris: Thank you so much, Mary.
It is a bit frustrating, but I can't change it, so better accept it like it is.

If I remember well it usualy took about three months until the side effects of a meltdown due to thyroid hormone shortage waned.
Sooner would be nice, but I don't want to get my hopes up high.
And it is not like the nearly three years I could barely read, because of taking Paxil...

Time to write some reviews, before I have forgotten all about these books.

book 17: North woods by Daniel Mason
library, e-book, translated, original title North Woods, 395 pages
TIOLI Challenge #2: Read a book whose average rating on LT is 4.0 or above

I really liked the idea of the book, following the inhabitants of a place in Massachusetts.
I only roughly know some about the history of the USA, and probably should know more to appriciate this story. I tried to roam the internet and found some interesting things about the characters, one being a character in an other book. But these interuptions didn't add to enjoying the book, it only made me feel incompetent. I disliked most of the inhabitants.

I did like the parts with the beautiful descriptions of the surrounding nature at different times.

English and Dutch title are the same, Dutch translation would be 'Noordelijke bossen'

book 18: Een dramatische liefde by Ingeborg Bachmann and Paul Celan
library, non-fiction, letters, translated from German, English translation Correspondence: Ingeborg Bachmann and Paul Celan, 395 pages
TIOLI Challenge #3: Read a love story

The poets Ingeborg Bachmann and Paul Celan met in 1948. She was the daughter of an Austian Nazi head, he had lost his parents in the Holocaust. She felt guilt over her fathers actions, he suffered from survivors guilt. Their relation didn't last long, they both found an other person to live with, but they stayed in contact and wrote letters to eachother. This book contains their correspondence, and some letters from their partners.

I started this book because I saw the movie Anselm last year, as Anselm Kiefer is much inspired by the poems of Paul Celan. His impressive poem Totesfuga is recited in the movie.

Dutch title translated 'A dramatic love'

book 19: Spitsroeden by Dick Francis
library, e-book, translated, original title For kicks, 246 pages
TIOLI Challenge #1 Read a book whose title begins with the same letter as your screen name

An Australian horse man is hired to go undercover to find out about possible unlawful methods to make horses win.
The plot is good, although the mistreatment of some horses did make my stomach turn.

I started this book because there is a thread in the 2024 ROOT Challenge group to read books from the TBR of Julia (rosalita) in her honor. I remember our shared Dick Francis reads a few years back, so took this one.

Dutch title translated '(run the) Gauntlet'

book 20: De geschiedenis van de liefde by Nicole Krauss
1001 books, library, e-book, translated, original title The History of Love, 289 pages
TIOLI Challenge #10: Read a book whose author has the same number of letters in both their first and surnames

This book had the misfortune to be read while I fell apart. It was hard work to finish it and I am sure I missed a lot. I got lost a few times, and had to go back to make sense to the sentences I was reading.
Nevertheless I think it was a very good story, and I might read it again some day, when I am in a more coherent state.

English and Dutch title are the same

>148 FAMeulstee:, Anita, I do hope you’re getting better daily. The History of Love was a book I really liked.

>149 Kristelh: Thank you, Kristel, it does get better, as the panic and anxiety are gone. Although I am still unbalanced, and barely reading.
I hope to return to The History of Love one day, and appriciate it more than I did now. The story was complex, and my mental state made it hard to follow along.

Happy Wednesday, Anita. Sorry that North Woods wasn't a bigger hit for you. I did LOVE The History of Love.
I hope you are feeling better.

Hi Anita my dear, a belated Happy New Thread my dear friend.

>150 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita! Thanks for all those reviews.
Glad that at least panic and anxiety are gone. So important for your wellbeing.

'I'm barely reading' she says as she posts 4 books in the time I haven't finished one.

Seriously, though, I'm glad you're feeling better. It's good that you know how your system reacts now, so you have better control of things this time.

Oh, and the Valentine's Hunt is on:
https://www.librarything.com/hunt/29

Thinking of you Anita. As Nina says, glad to hear re the anxiety. Hope things continue to improve.

I hope you are feeling up to the Valentine's hunt, Anita. I know how you enjoy them, and you are so good at them! I hope to get to it later tonight, or maybe tomorrow. Today I was a bit busy, out for a walk, at the library etc and reading.

>154 humouress: I was looking for that earlier today - I've been expecting it for the last week....

>151 msf59: Happy Thursday, Mark. I am glad to have read North Woods, so I know what everone is talking about :-)
Yes, slowly improving, but still a long way to go.

>152 johnsimpson: Thank you, John.
I hope all is well with you and your family.

>153 EllaTim: You are very welcome, Ella.
It was a rather long lasting panic attack, and it will take a while before the thyroid hormones are back at an aceptable level.

>154 humouress: Well, all is relative, Nina. Last year in February I read 30 books... No way I get anywhere near now.
I was completely surprised about the thyroid test results last year, as my body was telling me otherwise, but I believed the test results and doubted the signs... With this as a result. It also doesn't help to have an other GP each time, so no one really knows my medical history. They do browse through the available information, but surely miss a lot, and just go on the (false) numbers.

Thank you, I saw the banner when I went here this morning :-)

>155 charl08: Thank you, Charlotte. I am glad the anxiety is gone. Still rather unstable in both body and mind. Almost tripping over my own feet a few times a day, and feelings going up and down. With increasing the Thyrax this should pass. The trouble is that increasing the dose has to go with small steps, so it takes some months.

>156 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deborah, I will go and look at the new hunt. It made me happy to see the banner this morning!

>157 quondame: I think it is a bit later than in other years, Susan. But now it is here, and we can enjoy our hunt for the answers :-)

>159 FAMeulstee: Well, you don't expect the test to be wrong, usually.

Thinking of you Anita and hoping every day things get better for you!

>161 humouress: Indeed, Nina, and the test should not be wrong. I even didn't know my blood went to an other lab.

>162 mdoris: Thank you, Mary, not feeling well today.
I might have been overdoing a bit. Feeling slightly more energetic I did some household chores that had been neglected for some months. Taking it easy for a few days now.

>163 FAMeulstee: Sorry you're under the weather today, Anita. I hope taking it easy will restore you.

>164 RebaRelishesReading: I hope so too, Reba. Getting the meds up is the only way, sadly only possible in small steps.

Ended up with an anxiety/panic attack again this afternoon, and needed a small dose of diazepam to keep myself from falling apart. The worst was over when Frank went to his work, so I hope he doesn't worry too much during his working night. Think I'll go to bed early, as I am exhausted.

>165 FAMeulstee: Anita that is so worrisome and I am sorry that you are having a panic attack. Hope that tomorrow will be better and hoping you can have a peaceful sleep.

I'm glad you had the diazepam on hand for the panic attack. Mine started when I was 19 , I think it was , and like you , I have had so many over the years that I couldn't count them. I keep lorazepam on hand all the time. Knock on wood, I have not had a full blown panic attack in many years. They are so frightening . I hope that one will be the last for a long period of time, Anita, if not forever. Take care.

Sorry to see that you have been having issues with your thyroid numbers again, Anita. Hope the anxiety goes away soon and you get back to your usual reading numbers.

>166 mdoris: Thank you, Mary, I slept almost 9 hours. That is way more than my usual 6 or 7. Probably becaue of the diazepam I took. Woke up slightly better, still nowhere near where I should be. Patience will be the word for the months to come.

>167 vancouverdeb: We started around the same age, Deborah. It took years before I finally got a doctor giving me a diazepam prescription. The anti-depressants I got through the years were supposed to help, but they never did. Having the diazepam ready is already easing the mind. I also got oxazepam once, but that didn't do anything, at least not that I noticed.

>168 Familyhistorian: Thank you, Meg. Upping the thyroid meds is always a long and bumpy road.
It is so annoying it went wrong again, all based on messed up bloodtests :-(

>169 FAMeulstee: Well done, Anita. I cannot remember the last time I slept for nine hours.

Have a restful weekend, dear lady.

>170 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul, I woke up at 6 this morning. So it was probaly a one time occurrance.
In my younger years I could sleep much longer, 8 to 10 hours straight each night.

Happy Sunday, I hope you feel better by now.

Hello Anita, how are you?

>172 Owltherian: I woke up a bit early, Lily, and I am having my first cup of coffee.
Are you up late?

>173 FAMeulstee: Its about 1:33am EST for me right now, although i am up reading a few books so I'm making myself busy.

>174 Owltherian: It is six hours later here. Enjoy your books and I hope you get some sleep.

>175 FAMeulstee: I hope so as well.

Sending comfort and hugs your way, Anita.

>177 scaifea: Thank you, Amber, much needed and appriciated.

Read, not yet reviewed:
#21: De verloren zoon (Brother Cadfael's Penance) by Ellis Peters
#22: Een soort Engeland by Robert Anker, 280 pages

Reading now:
Carambole (Hour of the Wolf) by Håkan Nesser
De leesclub by Renate Dorrestein

The pics of your travels are intriguing and beautiful! You have alerted me to The History of Love, which I will contemplate further.

>180 Tess_W: Thank you, Tess, at the end of March we will have our next walking holiday in the south of our country.
I hope you get to The History of Love.

Personal update:
Much to my relief my reading is slowly picking up. Not anywhere near the numbers I used to read, but not as bad as earlier this month.

--
Read, not yet reviewed:
#21: De verloren zoon (Brother Cadfael's Penance) by Ellis Peters
#22: Een soort Engeland by Robert Anker, 280 pages
#23: Carambole (Hour of the Wolf) by Håkan Nesser

Reading now:
De leesclub by Renate Dorrestein
Voetsporen (Footsteps) by Pramoedya Ananta Toer

>182 FAMeulstee: Your slow climb back to normal levels of both books and life-living is very heartening, Anita, even from afar. *smooch*

>183 richardderus: Thank you, Richard dear.
The only annoying part is that the anxiety doesn't stop at all, it goes way up when Frank goes to his work. He had a meeting at work yesterday afternoon, and I had a very bad few hours. Even the diazepam did not help enough, like it usually does.

Sending good wishes for your continued recovery Anita. I am thinking of you. I will look forward to your walking pictures.
I was going to walk along the coast last Saturday but ended up running errands instead. It won't be this weekend either as taking my dad out for a meal. I have been enjoying getting back out in the garden though: the roses seem convinced it is much later in the year. I am just hoping we don't have a late frost!

ETA I just read your message re the diazepam. That sounds very frustrating.

>185 charl08: Thank you, Charlotte, I hope to be in good enough shape next month. The good part is we only have to walk 38 km in 6 days to finish the Pieterpad. The bad part is it that there are a lot of hills, and we are not used to that.

I hope you find some time to walk along the coast. I always love to look over the sea, it has a calming effect.
The plants in the garden thinks it is March, so I started to cut back the roses, and other tasks earlier than usual. The weeds also think it is spring ;-)

Thanks, it is a bit like the first panic attack earlier this month, when diazepam only eased a bit. That happenend when Frank was at work, so it looks like these two are now connected in my brain. It should go away when I am back at the right dose of Thyrax, but that will take months.

Hi Anita. Checking in to see how you are doing. Sorry this is taking so long to resolve. As for the hills, don't forget, it's not a race. If the hills slow you down, that's fine. Just enjoy the walk and take as long as you both need. Do you have anything else, another location goal, on the horizon once the Pieterpad is completed?

>187 jessibud2: And make sure Frank doesn't run away ;0)

It's good to know that your thyroid is coming back under control, Anita. I'm sorry about the anxiety attacks though.

I know, I am late to the party here, but (>1 FAMeulstee:) do all Dutch playing cards have the same imaging on them? Also the kinds, queens, jacks? I love drawings of buildings, and those ones (plus their real life versions) are amazing.

I hope you are feeling better!

I have some cool Dutch Playing cards, Anita! My sister gave me a deck for Christmas. Just the back of the cards have the canal houses. I also got a pack of Queen Elizabeth cards, but those are hard to play with as they feature and image of the Queen on each card and it's hard to pay attention to the number and what suit the card is.

>187 jessibud2: Thank you, Shelley, it is a bit maddening as it has happened before. But with all those different GPs we have to explain each time again. And we didn't expect the test to be unreliable...
I did make a doable plan for our last parts of the Pieterpad, one day 7,2 km all other days around 6 km, that should be doable in 4 hours on a very bad day and with a lot of hills.
We first asked Guido, our faithful companion and designated driver, if he wanted to continue. The answer was positive, so we let him choose. We will start walking the Drenthepad (Dutch wikipedia) in November.

>188 humouress: There are more thyroid patiens with similair problems when they don't take enough thyroid meds, Nina. From previous experiences I expect it will last for about three months. Frankly it is hell to go through. I am really lucky my mood is still good, this combined with depression would be unbearable.

>189 LovingLit: Hi Megan, only the aces have buildings on them. I don't know how to explain the others, so here two more images of Dutch playing cards:
 
Sadly I am not better yet, it will take some months before the threshold of thyroid hormones is passed :-(

>190 vancouverdeb: That is fun, Deborah. There are so many different kinds of playing cards!
I never realised Dutch cards were different, until I starts seaching abit, because of >1 FAMeulstee:

I almost forgot to mention that Frank called his manager today, and told her how bad it got with me. Now he got care leave, and doesn't have to work this weekend. Here most companies have extra leave days to care. For parents when a child is ill, or in this case to take care of a family member.

Yesterday I moved myself to the dining table, instead of my usal place at the couch. After Frank's meeting at Tuesday, I thought the couch, or the place of the couch in the living room, could be triggering my anxiety, as the panic/anxiety attack happened there two weeks ago. And it felt that my anxiety was building up, when I was sitting there.
It worked fine, but my back didn't like it to sit there all day (yes, I do stand up and walk a bit around at least once an hour. I do the same when I sit elsewhere).

So today we rearranged the living room, moving my couch to an other corner. It looks like it is working, the anxiety is winding slightly down now.

I'm so glad you seem to have found something that will allow you to sit comfortably while reducing your anxiety. I hope it continues to help. Ik wens je beterschap.

Anita that is very interesting how things get paired by associations so it is critical to break the pairing. Very good thinking!

Fingers crossed for you that things get better faster. I'm sorry you have to go through this.

Glad you have something and someone to help you and that you are feeling a little better.
Even small steps add up to a distance, but I hope the steps get longer soon...
All the best to you and Frank.

>194 RebaRelishesReading: Dank je, Reba, we both are very relieved. It was a bit odd this morning, with my sleepy head I went to the place where the couch used to be. And then turn back to the right place ;-)

>195 mdoris: Looking back I think all my phobia's and anxieties started this way, Mary.
We were very glad to have found a way to break the circle!

>196 humouress: Thank you, Nina, parts will get better faster. The fatigue and gained weight will disappear sooner.
But all previous times it took 3 months before my phobias/anxieties went away.

>197 SirThomas: Thank you, Thomas, it is a bumpy road. At least I am not getting worse anymore.
And I know it will be over when the meds are back at the right level, it just takes time to get there...

Too late to wish you a new thread! But I certainly sending lots of healing energies your way. It is good to hear that you are taking a little control by, as you say, breaking the circle of anxiety. I practice meditation as a way to at least recognize and tame a little my swirling thoughts.

North Woods is on my list as it has gotten good reviews. Not sure I know enough about Massachusetts!

>200 witchyrichy: Thank you, Karen, I can use all the healing energy I can get.
Thankfully I have no problems with swirling thoughts, my anxiety comes from a lack of thyroid hormones. I get meds for it, but the doctors lowerd the dose way too much in the last months.

You probably know enough about US history to enjoy North Woods :-)

It’s good to see you are on the way back, Anita! But I wish I could help you with that anxiety. Glad you found ways to break that circle a bit.

Hi, Anita. I'm glad to see that your reading is picking up, but sorry to hear that the anxiety is still a problem and probably won't be completely resolved for a few months. Hang in there! I am glad you found a way to help with the anxiety by rearranging the furniture. It's wonderful that companies in the Netherlands have leave days for care and that Frank can stay home with you some. {{{Hugs}}}

>202 EllaTim: Thank you, Ella, the reading goes up and down.
The anxiety is similair to the phobia's I had before. Only this time it is related to a place in my livingroom, instead of somewhere else like the agoraphobia.

>203 atozgrl: Thank you, Irene, it will continue until my thyroid levels are back where they should be.
I am very glad Frank doesn't have to work tonight!

Unfortunately we found out yesterday that all my previous records at the GP seem to be missing. So now it looks like I am misdiagnosed with depression and anxiety instead of hypothyroidism and anxiety, sadly a common mistake. Well that didn't lower my anxiety levels... This way it could take a lot longer before everything is sorted out :'(

Anita that is terrible. How could these records go missing? They must get the diagnosis properly stated and corrected.

Yikes! Sorry about the medical problems, and I hope they are resolved soon. It is great you know yourself so well, and have Frank for support.

>205 mdoris: Thank you, Mary. I don't know either. We changed practice in 2018, when our GP went to a new practice. She assured us all records were transferred. Sadly she got a burn out at the end of 2019 and did not return. At our last appointment we agreed that I would try to keep my thyroid meds at a good level by myself, and test in a year or so.

But then COVID came, and it wasn't allowed to go to the practice together, so my first contact with the new GPs was a little over a year ago. Then I was tested (looking back wrongly tested) in January last year, the test result looked like I way overdosed (hyperthyroidism), and the meds were lowered. Next test the same and early this year again. With the anxiety as a result.

The strange thing is that I was dosed too high once, in 2017, when my regular meds were temporarely unavailable. Many patients had the same, as the available other thyroid meds had a larger dose, and no one knew. So patients were put on the same dose, and many had problems, some ended up in hospital. Later there came a warning about it. And this IS in my records...

Frank made an appointment for Monday afternoon, he will take a letter with him that I allow him to act in my place, as I am really not up to going there now. I hope he can talk some sense in them, or make them dig deeper for the missing records.

>206 banjo123: Thank you, Rhonda, I am not very optimistic about it right now.
This is the third time this has happened since my thyroid problem was found in 2011 and solved in 2012. Luckely I still have all lab results since 2015, and could track the exact dates of the previous incidents through my threads here on LT.

>207 FAMeulstee: Oh no, Anita, I'm so sorry! It's hard to imagine that all your records have gone missing. I hope they can be found. Sending you more {{{hugs}}}

>204 FAMeulstee: That is terrible Anita! Aren't the records computerised? Singapore, in the last few years I think, have started a scheme where all the government hospitals share your medical records and if you go to a private doctor you can request for them to share your records with the government system.

Is there any way you can keep your own copies? It's your personal information anyway.

>209 atozgrl: Thank you, Irene, based on those records, the GP probably got a very weird and improper impression of me and my problems.

>210 humouress: Thanks, Nina, the records are computerised. Thinking it over it might have gone wrong with converting. Each GP practice has its own system, and records must be converted into the next system. So they might be there, but not (easy) accessible.
I do have paper copies from all my blood tests since 2015, including the thyroid numbers when it went wrong.

>207 FAMeulstee: Thinking about you and records and medication, Anita. Modern life is so at the mercy of the digital world now isn't it?

>212 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul, the digital world has changed a lot, and created some problems.
On the other hand, back in the days the paper records could also disappear, or get lost.

Anita fingers crossed for Frank's success at the GP office. It just has to get sorted out!

>204 FAMeulstee: I'm so sorry to hear that Anita! What a mess of lost records, changed doctors, etc.!! I hope you find a good, new doctor who will keep the records straight, stay in practice and help you get on the right track. Sending warm, healing thoughts in the mean while.

>214 mdoris: Thank you, Mary. I hope Frank gets them moving a bit into the right direction.
I try to keep my expectations low, so I won't be disappointed.

>215 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba, it is a big mess. Since we moved to Lelystad in 2005, I have seen more than 10 different doctors (and a few specialists at the hospital). In the early years I had one doctor who stayed for seven years, he found my thyroid problem. After that all of them only stayed for one or two years, and at the present practice, after my regular doctor left, it has been an other one each time :-(

So sorry to hear about the frustrations with health care. I hope you have a provider you trust and can communicate with.

>217 Kristelh: Thank you, Kristel.
No such provider at the moment. Hoping Frank can work out something this afternoon with, again, an other GP of this practice.

book 21: De verloren zoon by Ellis Peters
library, translated, original title Brother Cadfael's Penance, 251 pages
TIOLI Challenge #2: Read a book whose average rating on LT is 4.0 or above

Brother Cadfael 20
1145 The war between Empress Maud and King Stephen is still going on.
When Cadfael finds out that his son Olivier de Bretagne has been captured, but no one knows where he is, he asks premission to go with Hugh Beringar to a conference of the bishop, where yet again will be tried to negotiate for peace. There a man is murdered, and of course Cadfael wants to find out. But the quest to find his son is more important.

Sadly this was the last Cadfael book, I will miss him.

Dutch title translated: The lost son

book 22: Een soort Engeland by Robert Anker
library, e-book, Dutch, no translations, 280 pages
TIOLI Challenge #14: Read a book with two or three words in the title

Winner of the Libris Litrerature Prize in 2002
The start of this book was of putting, we find actor David Oosterbaan in his bathroom, masturbating under the shower.
Through his successful carreer he has given up his own personality, and lived through/became the characters he played. In the end this turns against him. He is also an incurable womanizer, but going after his latest co-star doesn't work out, and he is accused of stalking.
Meanwhile finds his daughter, who he hasn't seen since his divorce, she is a drug addict, and he is sure he can save her. He finds out you can't be a father after so many years of absence, relations have to grow.

The quality of the books published that year must have been bad, when this book won one of the important Dutch literature prizes...
Be glad, no translations ;-)

Title translated: A kind of England

book 23: Carambole by Håkan Nesser
library, translated from Swedish, English translation Hour of the Wolf, 344 pages
TIOLI Challenge #5: Rolling Challenge - Match First Letter of Book Title with the phrase "Hearts and Flowers"

Inspector Van Veeteren book 7
Inspector Van Veeteren has left the police, and now co-owns a antiquarian bookshop.
One night a boy is killed by a car, but the police does not get far. Next a man is killed near a restaurant, this turns out to be the son of Van Veeteren, so the whole department is eager to find the killer. It is going to be a long road to find the murderer.

The book starts with a chapter where the unnamed killer is the main character, so you know in advance who did it. I really like these kind of mysteries, the rest of the book perspective changes between the involved police officers, Van Veeteren, and the killer.

Dutch title translated: Carambole is a term coming from carom billiards.

book 24: Voetsporen by Pramoedya Ananta Toer
library, translated from Indonesian, English translation Footsteps, 493 pages
TIOLI Challenge #1 Read a book whose title begins with the same letter as your screen name

The Buru Quartet book 3
Our protagonist Minke makes it to medical school in the early 20th century. Eventually his political and journalistic activities lead to the end of his medical education. He now becomes a full time journalist and starts the first paper for the local population. This is not appriciated by the Dutch colonial government.

English and Dutch title are the same

Hi Anita! A new medical provider every year, how awful.
I hope the situation with the records can be sorted out. Good for you that you have copies of the results of your blood tests.

>222 FAMeulstee: A near five star read. Very nice!

All the best for Franks appointment and your health, Anita!
If you have had a condition for a long time, doctors should recognise that the patient can also give a good assessment of their condition...

>221 FAMeulstee: I wonder if carom billiards is related to carrom which my husband tells me he used to play as a boy?

Dear Anita, I am so sorry to read that your health is so bad. How annoying it is that doctors work with false data. This is unimaginable for me. I'm glad to hear that Frank has been given time to look after you. It's so important that someone takes the burden off you.
I am thinking of you both very much and hope that you can be helped properly.

>219 FAMeulstee: Praying for your health issues Anita!

I have not read the Brother Caedfael books but My brother loaned me the DVDs of the television series which I very much enjoyed.

>223 EllaTim: Indeed, Ella, it is awful. These days the younger medical providers all work part time, so it is not always possible to get the same one each time. And Lelystad isn't the dream of any doctor, so if they find an other job in a nicer (for them) place, they leave.

I really recommend The Buru Quartet, each one got 4.5 stars. I hope to read the last book soon.

>224 SirThomas: Thank you, Thomas, it went well enough, more in a next msg. At least Frank found a doctor who would listen this time. I should not have ignored the signs of my body, and doctors should take it serously, but alas...

>225 humouress: Looked it up, Nina, but no, this is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carom_billiards

>226 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara, I am angry that the lab didn't give any warning, and it was also unimaginable to me. That is how it went way to far, I believed the false results, and so did my GP. Luckely our pharmacist did give a warning, else I might have been dead by now, because of critical low thyroid hormones...
Frank had a good talk with again an other doctor at the practice, more in my next msg.

>227 hredwards: Thank you, Harold!
I watched the BBC adaptions of Brother Cadfael long ago, with Derek Jacobi. The books are as enjoyable.

First the good news: Frank had a very long and good talk with the next GP at the practice. She took her time, and really listened.
The bad news is that all records are missing, including my original Hashimoto diagnosis from 2011.

She didn't feel competent to make any decision right now, and they agreed to send me to an endicrinologist to get a proper diagnosis again. In the city nearby, Almere, is a good hospital, where they have a special section for thyroid patients. I don't know yet how long the waiting time is, as Frank wanted to talk this through with me first, and when we wanted to call the practice that we had decided, it was just closed. We will call first thing tomorrow.

I'm glad there is a path forward for you now, but this sounds like it has been a nasty sort of health care nightmare and there are some wearying tasks ahead where there should not have been.

>231 quondame: Thank you so much, Susan, for finding the perfect words fot it.
You made me cry in a good way, thanks!

>231 quondame:, >232 FAMeulstee: She described it really well.
It doesn't really help you at the moment, but can't you get the reports and results yourself? With us, the doctors have to do that if the patient wants them.
As my wife has a rare disease, we keep all the relevant documents at home. This allows her to quickly explain her blood values that deviate from the norm to new doctors, for example.
All the best on your road to recovery, Anita.

I'm so glad Frank had good talk with your GP and that you will get an appointment with an endocrinologist, Anita. I saw one years ago, after being put on thyroid medication and eventually having heart palpitations. That doesn't help with panic and anxiety , and the endocrinologist found that I had some autoimmune issue that showed my Free T4 to be too low , but in fact it was too high with the addition on the thyroid medication. My TSH levels were correct though, but my doctor had measured both and went with the Free T4 measurement . So I gradually went off it, and the palpitations stopped. Sorry you are having such a long journey with this.

I hope your waiting time to see an endocrinologist is short , Anita.

>233 SirThomas: Thank you, Thomas.
Yes, we will get and keep copies of all reports from now on. But I never imagined that would be necessary. At least we did keep paper copies from all bloodwork since 2015.
I hope we can get some clear report from the endicronologist for future reference, as GPs change so fast over here.
At least I feel now there is a road to go, thanks.

>234 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deborah.
Your experiences sound awful. I had one episode with too much thyroid back in 2017, because of changing the thyroid medication to an other brand, and I hope I will never have to live through that again. Upping the dosage to fast can give similair problems, so it is important to go up with tiny steps.
I am waiting for Frank to wake up, as he does all communication with the docters office. He needs way more sleep than I do, so the first hours in the moring are always for me alone. He has a meeting with his manager this afternoon, and we hope he can get one more weekend off with care leave.

What a nightmare experience, Anita. I am so sorry you are going through this. My initial diagnosis (around 2011 or so) was also Hashimoto's and during the first year after the diagnosis, I had a few dosage adjustments until things stabilized. I still have my levels checked yearly but so far, I have been very fortunate to not have any other symptoms other than occasional extreme fatigue.

The problem with doctors is another real *social disease*, unto itself, isn't it? I know that here, as in so many others places, even having a family doctor can be a real problem. So many people are without, and end up using walk-in clinics or worse, emergency rooms at hospitals when they need medical care. For hospitals, that just creates another problem as they just can't handle the capacity for cases that aren't truly emergencies. I had a family doctor for years, then I had an issue with her when she sent me for a sleep study (I won't go into THAT!), and I decided to look for another doctor. She was getting close to retirement age anyhow so the time was right. I basically walked into a medical building near my home and looked at the list of doctors on the main board in the lobby. I noted a few names of female (my preference) family doctors, walked into the first office and asked if they were taking new patients. I was given an appointment with one, we chatted and that was it. She is young, I am guessing early to mid-30s, so not going to retire any time soon, and it worked out very well. I am very aware and very appreciative of how lucky I was at that time. If I were to do that today, I know I would have a different outcome. As you say, so many doctors just don't seem to want the commitment of a long-term, full time practice (she is currently on maternity leave, lol, but that's another story!).

And as others have said, I do believe that patients are entitled to have access (and copies) of their files if they want. You may have to pay for them (I did when I transferred my files from my previous doctor to the new one) but maybe that's not the same everywhere. Going forward, though, maybe you can ask to be given copies of every test, result and such, just so you yourself can keep track and not have to rely on incompetent people. I can only imagine how frustrating that is for you!

{{hugs}}

Dropping in to say hello. I am sorry to hear about your health and anxiety. Glad that Frank is able to be home with you and help. IT is a frustrating experience and I hope that it eases up soon.

>236 jessibud2: Indeed, Shelley, it has been a nightmare.
You and I were both first diagnosed in the same year, glad it went easier for you through the years.

The shortage of doctors is a problem. Over here there are not many without doctor at all, and as far as I know there are only a few walk-in clinics in the big cities. On the other hand even for an emergency you have to consult your doctors office first to get a referral. The only way to get into hospital without consulting a GP is when 112 (the emergency number, I think that is 911 for you?) is called and the ambulance takes you directly to hospital.

I am glad you were in time to get to an other doctor so easily. I hope she can stay your doctor in the years to come.
I liked what I heard from Frank about the last doctor he saw, so we probably try to be signed over to her later this year. But first I would like to see her myself.

From now on I will ask copies of everything, to keep for myself and future referral at home. We didn't have to pay, and I am still not sure how these files went missing.
A few of my earlier medical issues are still in the records, but without any additional information, as they came from other sources than my doctors office. Like my broken arm in 2015; my psychiatric diagnosis was handed over when my psychiatrist was forced to stop treating me, as only short term treatments fell under the new health insurances; and the one time hyperthyroid episode because of changing to an other brand.

>237 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita, it is no fun at the moment. And it is frustrating that I can't read like I usually do. Even stupid games on the computer, like Freecell, go way worse than usual because of lack of concentration.

Several years ago the woman who had been our family doctor for nearly 30 years retired and the following year our dentist retired. We were just comfortably resettled when we decided to move 1500 or so miles away and had to start all over again. I have now found a new doctor I like. She's a very young woman so I hope she will be in practice here for as many years as I need her :) I hope you can find someone you like and who will be around for you for a long time.

Dear Anita, it is still inconceivable to me that patient data can disappear. It is certainly a good idea to keep copies of it personally. Here in Switzerland it is always possible to get a second opinion from another doctor. Have you thought about that?
I wish you lots of strength and patience to get through this. I am thinking of you very much. Hugs xx

>239 RebaRelishesReading: I am glad you found a good doctor, Reba. It isn't always easy to find find a doctor you like.

>240 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara, the same for me. I could not believe it at first.
Over here a second opinion is also possible, but for now I wait if the edicrinologist is willing to see me and when.

But I did finish a book today! :-)
#25: De leesclub by Renate Dorrestein

>241 FAMeulstee:, Congratulations Anita on finishing a book. I do hope things come together for you soon.

Sounds like things are starting to look up for you on the medical front Anita. I hope the upswing continues.

>242 Kristelh: Thank you, Kristel, I even finished my other book today!
When all is sorted out, it still will take a few months to get back where I should be. We will se how it all works out eventually. I try to make the best of it now, accepting my low energy level, and hoping the sorting out doesn't take to much time.

>243 humouress: Thank you, Nina, no response from the endicrinologist yet.

book 25: De leesclub by Renate Dorrestein
library, e-book, Dutch, no English translation, 157 pages
TIOLI Challenge #14: Read a book with two or three words in the title

Seven older ladies of a reading club travel to Scotland to meet their favorite writer Gideon de Wit.
In the first sentece we find out that Gideon has died, and then the ladies tell in court how it all came to be.

Title translated: The reading club

book 26: Ik ben de sterkste by Christian Frascella
library, YA, translated from Italian, no English translation, 270 pages
TIOLI Challenge #10: Read a book whose author has the same number of letters in both their first and surnames

Winner of the Dioraphte Jongerenliteratuur Prijs (Best book for Young Adults) in 2011
A 17 year old boy is send of from school because of a fight. He lost, but rumor has it that his opponent came of even worse. He starts working at a factory and falls in love with a very bright girl.
He lives with his very religious sister and alcoholic father.

A bit much testosteron in his internal thoughts, probably not uncommon in male puberty ;-)

Title translated: I am the strongest

Hi Anita! How art thou today?

>247 Owltherian: Thank you, Lily, still not very well because of the thyroid trouble.
Ten books read in a month might look much to you, but it is my worst reading month since May 2016.
And how are you doing?

>248 FAMeulstee: Im doing well, about to do some History review Jeperody, and i hope your thyroid problem gets fixed soon!

>249 Owltherian: Good luck with your history, Lily.
Sadly it won't be fixed soon, I will have to see some other doctors first. And then a few months to get my meds at the level they should be. I will be as good as new by then :-)

February 2024 in numbers
  (Totals for the year between brackets)

10 books read, 3,060 pages, 105.5 pages a day
  (26 books read, 8,438 pages, 140.6 pages a day)

--
books:

• own books: 0 (2)
• from the library: 10 (24)

• male author: 6 (16)
• female author: 4 (10)

• originally written in Dutch: 2 (9)
• translated into Dutch: 8 (17)

• original language of translated books:
    • English: 4 (7)
    • German: 1 (4)
    • Hebrew 0 (1)
    • Icelandic: 0 (1)
    • Indonesian: 1 (1)
    • Italian: 1 (1)
    • Swedish 1 (2)

• fiction: 9 (23)
• non-fiction: 1 (3)

• paper books: 5 (9)
• e-books: 5 (17)

• mystery/police procedural: 3 (5)
• childrens/YA: 1 (4)
• 1001 books: 1 (3)
    Total 1001 books since 2008: 327

--
pages:

0 - 100 pages: 0 (0)
101 - 200 pages: 1 (2)
201 - 300 pages: 5 (10)
301 - 400 pages: 3 (10)
401 - 500 pages: 1 (3)
501 - 999 pages: 0 (1)
1000+ pages: 0 (0)

• longest book 493 pages (533 pages)
• shortest book 157 pages (157 pages)
• average book 306 pages (325 pages)

--
date first published:

20th century
1950s: 0 (1)
1960s: 1 (1)
1970s: 0 (1)
1980s: 1 (1)
1990s: 2 (3)

21st century
2000s: 4 (5)
2010s: 1 (7)
2020s: 1 (7)

--
ratings:

0 (0)
1 (3)
3 (8)
3 (8)
2 (3)
1 (2)
0 (2)

--
best book in February


Voetsporen (Footsteps) by Pramoedya Ananta Toer

I am sorry to hear that your thyroid continues to be problematic, Anita, and do hope your health care providers can get it sorted for you soon.

((Hugs))

>250 FAMeulstee: That seems like quite a long time and i sadly lost the jeporady

>252 alcottacre: Thank you, Stasia, sorted out soon would be nice. I try to keep my hope low, avoiding disappointment.

>253 Owltherian: Thank you, Lily, sorry you lost.
One advantage of getting older is that time seems to go by faster. So a very long time for you would be just a bit long for me ;-)

>245 FAMeulstee: Dang. That absolutely looks like one I would read in English.

>255 ReneeMarie: Sorry, Renee, besides in Dutch, it looks like it is only available in Italian.
That is probably no help either, so try to find a translator and a publisher? ;-)

>256 FAMeulstee: Maybe so. I've found out the publisher is Singel Uitgeverijen, & that a Hester Velmans translated one of Renate Dorrestein's other works. But I also found out the author died in 2018. So perhaps unlikely.

Io non parlo italiano.

>257 ReneeMarie: Maybe try one of her other books that are available for you?

I don't speak Italian either ;-)

>258 FAMeulstee: I'm only seeing one possible title, but it does look interesting.

No book clubs or writers in it, though. :^{

Sorry to hear about your health problems, the lost records and issues with practitioners. Doesn't help on the anxiety front either. I hope you get some answers soon. Glad Frank was able to get some carer time off to support you Anita.

>260 Caroline_McElwee: Thank you, Caroline, it is a lot to deal with. I hope to hear from the endicrinologist soon.
More on my next thread.