bohemima's bibliography, book 3

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bohemima's bibliography, book 3

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1Matke
Modifié : Oct 9, 2011, 6:39 pm

Reserved for owner, who stupidly called this "book 3", even though the previous thread was "part 3". D'oh! Typical of my day today. Sigh.

2mckait
Modifié : Oct 9, 2011, 6:46 pm

hello!



It doesn't matter what it is called, it just matters that we find you here!

3Smiler69
Oct 9, 2011, 7:22 pm

Hi Gail, I'm still following, regardless of numbers and titles. Hugs to you my friend. xx

4PaulCranswick
Oct 9, 2011, 9:30 pm

Same as Ilana, Gail got you starred.

5richardderus
Oct 9, 2011, 10:46 pm

Found. Starred. You cannot escape us, your loyal followers. *evil Muttley laugh*

6PaulCranswick
Oct 10, 2011, 12:42 am

Richard the Muttley laugh brings back happy childhood memories - I was one of the few always wanted Dick Dastardly to win occasionally, for the Coyote to get to sample the road runner once in a while and for Tom to whip Jerry at least 50% of the time! Not sure what that says about my personality but thanks for the memory!

7richardderus
Oct 10, 2011, 2:24 am

>6 PaulCranswick: Good memories! I rooted for them too, so since we both did, obviously *we* are normal and those not like us aren't.

8mckait
Oct 10, 2011, 7:40 am

rd normal....? well.. ok, but... I liked mighty mouse :)

9drneutron
Oct 10, 2011, 8:40 am

"Here I come to save the day!"

10mckait
Oct 10, 2011, 8:41 am

:) right!! lol

I was not a fan of cartoons.. but Mighty Mouse and Bullwinkle .. yes.

11Matke
Oct 10, 2011, 9:45 am

Rocky and Bullwinkle was my favorite cartoon show of all time. Also liked Daffy Duck--always pulling for that weird one to succeed--and the marvelous Bugs Bunny send-ups of Hollywood culture (surely an oxymoron), movies, opera, and classical music in general.

Oddly enough, I've watched some old Bugs and Daffy on the iPod (dear daughter knows my tastes so well), and it's amazing how very simple each cel or drawing was. Very basic. One didn't notice that on the bigger screens, I don't think.

12PaulCranswick
Oct 10, 2011, 9:59 am

Favourite cartoon would have to be Top Cat {"his close friends get to call him TC"}

There was also a BBC cartoon of the 1970's set aboard a ship called Captain Pugwash. Somehow the creator managed to get characters called Master Bates and Seaman Staines past the censor - quite terrible really if you think that this was just before Jackanory which was something of a TV version of todays Audio Books (I remember the Hobbit being told in this way every tea time). Dont think kids would sit and watch these days - shame really.

13Matke
Oct 10, 2011, 11:01 am

Oddly, in Dickens' Oliver Twist there's a character, Charley Bates, who is often referred to as Master Bates. And in David Copperfield, there's of course Mr. Dick. Presumable the second character was named before the common usage of the word.

14DeltaQueen50
Oct 10, 2011, 2:01 pm

Hi Gail, dropped by to add my star. I was a hugh fan of Mighty Mouse, I remember being unconsolable if I had to miss his weekly show.

15Matke
Modifié : Oct 10, 2011, 8:13 pm

Dear Daughter loved Mighty Mouse (perhaps that's where her nickname of "mouse" came from, not sure) far more than I did, but I have to admit to watching any number of cartoons with relish on Saturday mornings, altermately laughing with and spatting with the brother next up in age, always pinching one another, saying, "Shhhhhhh. Don't wake Mum!!!!"

Later we graduated to mostly laughing hysterically, alternating with real admiration of the ancient special effects, at old horror movies on Saturday afternoons. Stiil the spats, but not so many.

ETA: Dad was of course working; we had no money and he worked extremely hard to make ends meet and put by a bit of a nest egg.

16mckait
Oct 11, 2011, 10:00 am

My dad was gone.. my mom worked til noon on saturday..
I had to get up and clean and get the laundry done before she got home..
I remember more about Saturday AM TV before 1963 than after..

Remember Skye King! I LOVED that show, and used to pretend I was Penny...

17Donna828
Oct 11, 2011, 10:19 am

I wasn't a big cartoon fan as a kid but Kath pushed my 'like' button with Sky King. I too wanted to be Penny!

Oh, nice new thread here, Gail. Great memories...

18Matke
Oct 11, 2011, 8:00 pm

Oh, I'm all about childhood stuff...up till about age 12.

Sky King! Yes! Here's a doozie for ya: I think he was on radio before T.V., as DH was also a huge Sky King fan.

My favorite was Zorro...also loved Robin Hood (Robin Hood, Robin Hood, riding through the glen...). I was a pretty big tv watcher as a very young person, and also a huge reader, which meant dark, dark circles under my eyes. We were often forced urged to go outside, and I always had a book or two with me. Walked into many a tree while reading...

19tymfos
Modifié : Oct 12, 2011, 8:03 am

Hi, Gail! I have you starred.

I liked Underdog and Scooby Doo at various points in my childhood.

20mckait
Oct 12, 2011, 9:05 am

Oh! I forgot about Robin Hood :) and remember watching Zorro with my dad.. it must have been a long time ago!

21Matke
Modifié : Oct 12, 2011, 9:23 am

Hi , Terri!. My daughter liked both of those shows. I sort of liked them, but not as much as the old Warner Brothers cartoons.

Kath!: Sadly, yes, my childhood was long, long ago.

Book #82: As I Lay Dying
I often think about reading Faulkner, usually with trepidation. Then I pick up one of his books, plunge into the hot swirling water that is his prose, and just keep trying to find the current. Eventually all becomes (more or less) clear, and I'm committed to finishing the book. I love his ability to use different voices, and by the beautiful language describing the countryside and weather.

This book tells a story about a woman's death and the incredibly inept attempts of her family to get her corpse to her chosen burial place. Faulkner uses 15 characters' voices to present differing perspectives of both the burial journey and the woman's life. This isn't as complicated as if seems; after awhile, the reader gets used to the different styles and views. In the end, although the book is both horrifying and funny, it's a terribly sad commentary on the futility of human existence. I think. 4.25 *'s

Book #83: Travels with Charley
is a completely engaging book by Steinbeck. I've not been a Steinbeck fan, but this book may just change my mind, or at least encourage me to explore more of his work. Told in an intimate, chatty, casual tone, this story of Steinbeck's road trip across America with his dog Charlie is a wonderful book: straightforward, funny, and acerbic, it contains some wonderful prose and thoughtful considerations of life in America in the early 1960's. I'd recommend this to everyone. 4.5 *'s

22Matke
Oct 12, 2011, 9:32 am

Favorite books this year, so far, in the order I read them:

Inkheart
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat
Cloud Atlas
Mrs. Ames
The Headhunter's Daughter
The Natural
The Complete Maus
Rush Home Road
Old Filth
A Trick of the Light
Outwitting History
Travels with Charley

Of couse, quite often my favorite book is the last book I read, because I haven't had time to think it through, but I believe the Steinbeck will be on the list at year's end. Not sure that Inkheart will be there, though.

23richardderus
Oct 12, 2011, 11:01 am

Steinbeck most likely will make the cut because the storytelling chops are there. I suspect that inky book won't be for the same reason: Storytelling chops, in this case "indifference of" instead of "power of."

24Matke
Modifié : Oct 12, 2011, 3:47 pm

Rdear! I have a feeling you're right about both books. I was amazed at how much I enjoyed Steinbeck's book. I've read Grapes of Wrath, but couldn't get into East of Eden. I'll be looking at more of his work next year, when I plan on (and the gods all had a hearty laugh) doing some Nobel-Prize- Winner reads.

I loved Inkheart, but it was the idea of the book...that one could enter a book...who among us hasn't wanted, sometimes longed, to do that?...which drew me in and led me on.

ETA: Currently working on Shosha, Ovid's Metamorphoses, The Age of Innocence, Stalky and company, and And Then There Were None. Whew! Better get myself back to reading, then.

25richardderus
Oct 12, 2011, 4:34 pm

Quite the murderer's row of reading there, La Gail. *whew* is le mot juste.

26Smiler69
Oct 12, 2011, 7:13 pm

Gail, loved your comments on As I Lay Dying. If you put them on the main page, I'll definitely thumb you.

Travels with Charley has been on my radar for quite some time. I'm considering doing the audiobook this month as read by Gary Sinise, but then, I'm not sure I want to have anyone's voice other than Steinbeck's in my head so might wait and read the print version eventually soon.

I loved The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat when I read it many years ago.

The Complete Maus has been sitting on the edge of my coffee table for months now to encourage me to pick it up, so I guess it's just a matter of time now.

Hope this finds you well dear friend. (((Hugs))) to you :-)

27scaifea
Oct 13, 2011, 8:09 am

I read As I Lay Dying in college and it's the only Faulkner I've tried. Not sure why I haven't gotten back to him, because I did really that one; I remember my amazing English prof. reading some of it aloud to us in an attempt to convey the frustrated but passionate tone (which he did amazingly well) and I can still hear him reading it. Fairly dark stuff, though. That's likely why I haven't returned to FaulknerLand. Oh, and what translation of Ovid are you reading?

28mckait
Oct 13, 2011, 9:03 am

Just stopping in to wish you a good day :)
Anything besides reading on the agenda?

I have to figure out my next read.. it will probably be something for vine, I just
finished and reviewed my latest LLTER :)

All sorts of possibilities .. but now, I need more coffee and some toast..
(and jam!)

29Donna828
Oct 13, 2011, 10:55 am

Gail, I loved your comments about the Faulkner.

>21 Matke:: ...plunge into the hot swirling water that is his prose, and just keep trying to find the current. Eventually all becomes (more or less) clear...

I do so want to plunge into those swirling waters of his again. There is a Faulkner group here on LT but it isn't very active. Also, I've heard talk on Mark's and Ilana's threads about a year of Steinbeck next year. I too loved Travels With Charley. In fact, I've liked everything I've read by Steinbeck... and I'm glad that I have more of his works to read.

Have a great day!

30Matke
Oct 13, 2011, 7:30 pm

Well, Richard , the reading is not quite as scarifying as it first appears. The Kipling is kind of dull so far, Shosha is much easier than I thought it would be, the Wharton is a (maybe) third read for me, and the other is just a mystery. Which leaves Ovid, a rather heavy-duty read.

Ilana, I lvoe Sinise and his ability to sink himself completely into whathever character he's portraying. I saw his version of Harry Truman and his version of George Wallace; both were absolutely spot-on. He'd be a great choice for audio books. And speaking of audio books, I got something called Poetry on Record: 98 Poets Read Their Work, which has recordings of everyone from Tennyson (who knew he had made a recording?) and Whitman down to Kevin Prufer and Eliza Griswold. Couldn't resist the abiltiy to hear how the authors meant their works to be read. Your discussion of Steinbeck pushed me to read this long-time shelf sitter for the Nobel Challenge.

Amber! Hi! How's Charlie, that charmer? And how are you doing in your new digs? The Ovid translation is by Horace Gregory, who is now deceased. I'm not far enough into it to know if it's good or not. One reason I like Faulkner is that although his work defines Southern Gothic, it's still funny and intriguing.

Kath, back at ya! We had very cool weather and rain today. Not much doing except a bit of housework; just a completely lazy day.

Donna, thanks for the compliment (and Ilana, thank you as well). I find Faulkner to be one of the few highly-praised-by-critics authors whose work I actually enjoy.

So.

Life Level: Anxious

Reading Level: Pleased and Involved

31Smiler69
Oct 13, 2011, 7:51 pm

#29 Donna, I'm the one who has started making all sorts of noise about possibly having a Steinbeckathon in 2012, but somehow am not quite up to organizing it. Just deciding which works should be read and in what order has me completely stumped, especially since there is such a wide disparity between his bigger tomes and short ones. If someone else would like to run with the idea, I'm more than happy to pass on the mantle. As it is, I'm finding it stressful enough trying to come up with categories for 12/12!

#30 Gail, so... what is it? Are you against posting your comments on the work pages? I want to thumb you and I can't! What's up with that?

Glad to hear that things are going well as far as reading at least. As for the rest, well, hopefully it'll sort itself out. One can always hope. xx

32richardderus
Oct 14, 2011, 12:06 am

*smooch* and {{hug}} for anxious

33scaifea
Oct 14, 2011, 7:52 am

I've never read the Gregory translation, but if you find that you're not enjoying Ovid, I strongly recommend switching over to the Stanley Lombardo translation. Ovid is a hoot and a half, and if you're not having a great time reading him, then the translation is bad (and there are a lot of bad translations out there).

34mckait
Oct 14, 2011, 11:51 am

:-/ I feel like some days start at a dead run.. whew!

Soon I can sit down and have lunch and relax for a bit and hopefully pick up a book..

Lovely, cool and rainy day here..

some random TV doctors on the view.. I just heard 9 seconds of them and muted the tv..
they make me crazy..

random thought I wanted to share ....

see ya later :)

35LizzieD
Oct 14, 2011, 7:07 pm

Wait. You started a new thread and it took 34 posts for me to find it? That's not right.
I'll add a cheer for The Natural and Ovid too.
As for childhood entertainment, I was 11 before we got our first TV, so my young memories are of the radio and Sky King was right up there. DH and I have enjoyed CD's from OTRCAT (Old Time Radio Catalog) for a year or two now.

36Porua
Oct 15, 2011, 5:03 am

Found you again! :-)

37mckait
Oct 15, 2011, 8:30 am

I remember listening to the radio on sundays at my grandmother's house. We sat on the sun porch
winter and summer :) played the radio and read the comics. That is how I learned to read, I think..
I don't actually remember learning to read, just doing it. I read long before first grade though.. I have often suspected that I was born with a book in my hand :)

Hope you slept well last night.. and that you have a calm and restful weekend !

38richardderus
Oct 15, 2011, 9:54 am

Hi Gail! *smooch*

>35 LizzieD: Miss LizzieD, since you already know about OTRCAT, perhaps you also already know about a cool anthology I recently discovered: It's That Time Again!, a collection of new scripts for the old radio shows. There are four or five of them so far. I love the idea, and the few I've read so far are fun.

39DeltaQueen50
Oct 15, 2011, 5:07 pm

I am another one who is from the tail end of the radio days. I remember my sister and I snuggling up to the stand-up radio we had in order to listen to "The Lone Ranger".

40Matke
Oct 20, 2011, 12:56 pm

Life Level: Urg

Reading Level: Amused and bemused

Just finishing up Sosha by Singer. It's a strange yet easy-to-read book. Of course it's a huge help if the reader is familiar, at least somewhat, with the Jewish culture in Poland in the early part of this century. Otherwise this probably would seem like a visit to another planet...which in some ways I guess it was.

We have ups and downs here, literally. Yesterday DH took quite a tumble...it was one of those hideous moments when time seems to stop and one watches, horrified yet helpless to stop whatever it is...he mis-stepped off a curb, and despite a valiant effort to remain upright, his momentum carried him forward just out of my reach and he landed directly on his face, putting his (false) upper teeth through his lip. In some wonderous manner, neither his teeth nor his glasses nor even his skull was cracked, but it's terribly jarring, physically and emotionally, to fall that way. We were at the bank and the folks there were most kind. Got him home, cleaned up, bandaged, pain-pilled, and into bed. He's much better today, but the lip is a mess. It scared him terribly, I think, and I must admit it didn't make me feel too good either.

Anyway, I've been doing some other reading as well, but not enough energy to write it up now. More later.

41richardderus
Oct 20, 2011, 1:38 pm

Oh no! What a horrible moment!

*hugs* to dear Gail and the DH. So so sorry this happened!

42mckait
Oct 20, 2011, 4:40 pm

How utterly terrible for both of you :(
I hope he heals soon. I am sure it damaged his confidence as
well as his poor lip. I am also very glad that his dentures did not suffer..
that would just drag it out and make it so much worse in so many ways..

Oh ((((((((gail)))))))))

I have not been attentive lately and I apologize for that. Things here are
still pretty distracting. I can finally let my breath out when cory puts in his
first day. Still have the hurdle of where will he stay the first week or so ..
always something. I am not making excuses , just explaining my absence best I can.

I hope that you can relax and let your own breath out a little tonight and in the coming days..

one last hug for the road.... remember to take care of you, too.

43ChelleBearss
Oct 20, 2011, 5:16 pm

Sorry to hear about you DH's fall! That sounds painful. Hopefully he is resting and pain free today

44Matke
Oct 20, 2011, 6:58 pm

Thanks to you all, Rdear, Kath and Chelle!

Rdear, it's nice to see you here. I follow your thread(s), even if lurking for reasons of self-pity.

Kath, no explanations ever needed. I'm just glad to see you when I see you. I've been off LT for a couple-three days or so myself. No energy, no interest, no nothin'. Except books of one sort or another.

Chelle, welcome here. Delighted to see you delurk, even if only for a second.

DH is summat better today; he shaved most of his face and commented that he looks like he's trying to grow a Hitler/Chaplain moustache. Still sore, but doing well.

45PaulCranswick
Oct 20, 2011, 9:10 pm

Gail sorry to hear about DH's issues with gravity yesterday. I expect that injuries of that sort shake us up somewhat but I'm sure you are on top of things - no stitches required I hope.

46DeltaQueen50
Oct 20, 2011, 11:05 pm

Oh Gail, so sorry to hear about your husband's fall but it's good to hear that he seem to be recovering well. Take care of yourself.

47Smiler69
Oct 21, 2011, 12:09 am

Oh you poor thing(s)! That does sound like it must have been very scary. Sending you my love. And hugs too of course.

48mckait
Oct 21, 2011, 7:59 am

Good Morning!
I think you should get take out for dinner today..
just as a treat to yourself. I have to say that I absolutely understand and often feel the same
when it comes to being sick to death of cooking. Not to mention that I have Cory home, and he is picky...
and it has to be something that will either transform into something else or be good enough that leftovers
are tolerable so that Dan has decent food for his lunch. Oh and Cory prefers chicken and turkey and
Dan does not. AND I went to the store today and forgot to buy a cabbage. Sigh. I will probably go back out so I can make haluski in the next day or two.. That is another problem. It is like I have some sort of box in my head with about ten food ideas and nothing else can get in. Anyway.. haluski will be a change..

so... nothing much else to say except to wish you a very happy day today :)
It can happen, and I hope that it does. Maybe you can manage a little alone time somehow?
I wish we were neighbors!

49LizzieD
Oct 21, 2011, 11:31 pm

Dear Gail, I wish we all were neighbors! What a good thought!! Then I, for one, could walk over to Kathleen's house and smell the haluski and find out just exactly what it is.
I'm very sorry about your DH's fall and quite relieved that it's no worse. My cousin's husband, who is about the same age as yours I think, fainted while walking his dogs a couple of months ago. He also fell on his face but did a lot of damage - had his jaw wired for about 6 weeks. He's recovering and doing well now, but it was hairy there for a long time. They still aren't sure what caused the faint. I tell you, it takes courage to get old - even as old as we are.
I'm delighted that reading is still good for you. Take care of yourself. We love you and value you!

50mckait
Oct 22, 2011, 8:06 am

lol Lizzie. haluski is different things to different people. to me, it is cabbage and onion
fried up in butter, mixed with cooked cubed pptatoes and many egg dumplings. oh, and more butter, salt and garlic. no caps. laplocked by angus, one handed typing. :P

51souloftherose
Oct 23, 2011, 9:36 am

#40 Oh Gail, just reading about DH's fall made me wince. I'm sure that must have been very scary for both of you. Thinking of you both.

52mckait
Oct 24, 2011, 8:12 am

Just stopped by to say hello :)
Hope that the last few days were peaceful and uneventful and that the next few are
nothing but good!

53tymfos
Oct 26, 2011, 8:06 am

So sorry to hear about your husband's fall! I hope things have been calmer since.

54mckait
Oct 26, 2011, 9:05 am

I hope the absence is due to soft days and not bad ones...
sending hugs !

55richardderus
Oct 26, 2011, 11:22 am

Hi Gail!

56Smiler69
Oct 26, 2011, 1:16 pm

Hi darling, thinking of you today and hoping everything is ok with you and DH. Sending you warm hugs.

57GCPLreader
Oct 26, 2011, 7:52 pm

Hi Gail, sorry to have been out of touch -problems with cable internet. I've begun the Ovid and there are parts I do like, but I wish this edition offered more-- I sure could use some index of the gods and goddesses. Some are called by more than one name, and of course, I'm more familiar with the Greek names than the Roman anyway. And the poor women! Really shocking to see how the gods lusted after those attractive mortals and then punished them. (at least Io becomes a beautiful cow!) Have you started? :o)

58mckait
Oct 29, 2011, 8:02 am

just popping in to wish you an easy and pleasant weekend.. with maybe a sprinkling of
peace of mind...

hugs

59mckait
Oct 30, 2011, 8:10 pm

Here you are! Hope you are warm and cozy !

60Porua
Nov 2, 2011, 12:03 am

Hey there! Just popping by to say hope you're doing well. :-)

61Matke
Modifié : Nov 2, 2011, 4:53 pm

Well, somehow I managed to fall right over the edge of the cliff of equanimity, making a small internal mess. Hope that's over with for a while.

Hi to Paul! I finished up the very strange and surreal Shosha by I. B. Singer for the Nobel chanllenge, but forgot to add it over on that thread. Definitely odd. Still, it wasn't hard to read, but I'm not sure how much background information one needs on the time (immediately before the full onset of WW II), and the place--Jewish sections of Poland. It's a compelling but very odd book.

Judy, it's getting more and more difficult to carve out time for myself. One help is jigsaw puzzles; even though he's now only comfortable with 500-piece ones, they absorb his attention thoroughly.

Dear Ilana! I've been faithfully following your thread (and about three others), but just didn't have enough energy to post much, if at all. I'm really concentrating on feeling better now.

Kath, you Sweet Thing! I love reading your thread...hope that the furkids are well and day 3 of Cory's adventure goes smoothly.

Terri, we have been a bit calmer, yes, but things are ever-so-slowly sliding down a long sad slope.

Rdear! Hope the NaNoWriMo is proceeding apace for you. I'd love to read the finished book...it sounds so interesting!

Jenny, Hi! Yes, I've started the Ovid, in a sort of casual way. I'm finding it much more interesting than I had anticipated. Greek and Roman myths have always interested me, but there are stories here that are, shall we say, a bit unexpected. Really, I'm having fun with it.

Porua: Hi! I've read two Christie's mysteries recently, and thought of you as I did. They are truly the comfort reads for me!

More later!

I'm still reading!

62sandykaypax
Nov 2, 2011, 5:22 pm

Hi Gail! Spending time today catching up with everyone's threads...hope your DH is healed after his fall. I know EXACTLY what you mean about seeing it happen in slow motion.

Waaaay back in the thread, Looney Tunes were mentioned--I am a HUGE FAN! Strangely, when I was a kid, I preferred Scooby Doo and Hanna Barbera cartoons. In my 20's, I worked at a video store and the owner there was the one who got me to appreciate the Warner Bros. cartoons. I had many VHS tapes, then several years ago collected the collector's edition DVDs and now they are coming out remastered on Blu-Ray, so I will be putting that on my Christmas list. Bugs is my fave, but I have a fondness for the 1930's musical shorts.

I think about you and wonder how you are doing quite a bit. Hang in there.

Sandy K

63Matke
Nov 2, 2011, 5:57 pm

Sandy, Warner Bros. will do it for me every time...so sly, amusing kids and adults at the same time. I love Bugs, too, particularly "What's Opera, Doc?", but Daffy, especially "Duck Dodgers in the Twenty-Fourth and a Half Century" and the one where his wife wants a divorce.

Lately for fun I've been watching "Doc Martin", the series from the BBC that's been shown on PBS. Also looking forward to viewing "Young Frankenstein" again. I love Gene Wilder.

Reading right now, Briar Rose, Jane Yolen's use of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale to explore the Holocaust. Good reading, with a couple of lines here and then that stop one's breath for a moment. Also reading Ovid all about those crazy gods. It's quite a book. Still struggling with trying to read The 36-Hour Day, which hits so close to home that I often just slam the book shut and walk away.

64DeltaQueen50
Nov 2, 2011, 10:25 pm

Oh, I was part of a group read of Briar Rose last year, we all really thought the book was well done. It's one of those books that you can't really say you liked due to the subject matter.

I have read that doing jigsaw puzzles is an excellent way to exercise the brain, so, it's good for him and gives you a little break.

65PaulCranswick
Nov 2, 2011, 10:48 pm

Gail / Judy - Used to like doing jigsaw puzzles with my three terrors until very recently. They actually are therapeutic until you realise you have a dozen pieces to fit and only ten pieces available to fit them with - then it has the opposite effect! 500 pieces was probably our limit too.

66LizzieD
Nov 2, 2011, 11:11 pm

Gail, I hadn't checked you lately, but I'm glad to hear that jigsaw puzzles are helpful. My mom and I always have one going. Well, we have an old one out right now, and to say that it's going is entirely too optimistic.
Even when I'm not here, I don't forget you.

67Smiler69
Nov 3, 2011, 12:22 am

Gail, it's good to hear from you. And I'm honoured that you've managed to make time for my thread. I was going to participate in NaNoWriMo again this year, but then realized 1) I had no story idea and 2) I didn't want to overload myself, as I'm barely making time for all the things I want to do as it is, and 3) If and when I want to write a book, I'll work it into my regular schedule somehow and finally, 4) there'll be another NaNoWriMo next year, and oh yes, 5) I can always jump in and do one day of 16 thousand odd words a few days from now (not likely).

Am only visiting a few threads as I have to get to bed shortly, but wanted to stop by and say hi. So hi!

Oh, and wanted to say that there was a time not so very long ago that I couldn't handle any sort of activity other than doing puzzles myself... that was the extent of my creativity for a while. I'd still do them now, but then I wouldn't have time for LT...

68mckait
Nov 3, 2011, 9:06 am

Hi Gail.. I hope the feeling better is "proceeding apace" :)
I am so sorry about the slope :( it is a sad and hard thing, I am sure..

Nothing whatsoever happening here. I am not reading.. just
puttering? I have plenty to read, but have not gotten to it, somehow :)
I keep saying "maybe today" lol

Jigsaw puzzles. I am completely unable to do them... I have some weird spacial
thing.. which is one of the reasons that I get lost ( so I have been told ) so they
rather terrify me :P Even kids puzzles can do me in at times.. lol ..I am glad that
you enjoy them though. My Amy and Tom do them and enjoy it..

Well. I will quit babbling and wander off for now.. hope today is a GOOD day for you !

69souloftherose
Nov 5, 2011, 6:13 pm

#63 I have Briar Rose on my tentative pile for November too - I think I put it there hoping it was a light YA read though...

Sorry to hear about the fall off the cliff of equanimity - hope things are better atm.

70tymfos
Nov 7, 2011, 4:51 pm

Just wanted to say hello, Gail, and to send best wishes.

71mckait
Nov 8, 2011, 8:54 am

Sorry to have been off moping, instead of visiting..
Still.. I though of you and hope that things are okay.. and maybe even good most of the time?

I still send my virtual hugs you know.. even when I am not around..

72Smiler69
Nov 8, 2011, 1:02 pm

Thinking of you Gail, thought I'd at least just say hello. xx

73DeltaQueen50
Nov 8, 2011, 10:45 pm

Yes, a warm hello to you Gail, and a hug or two as well!

74souloftherose
Nov 9, 2011, 2:50 am

Just wanted to say hello Gail. Hope you and yours are ok.

75mckait
Nov 9, 2011, 8:26 am

So... I have been wondering.. you do so much for your DH..Are you trying to take time for
you every day... I hope?

hugs

76Matke
Nov 11, 2011, 3:22 pm

Life Level: Challenging

Reading Level: Pleasant to very good

Many thanks to Judy, Paul, Peggy, Ilana, Kath, Heather, and Terri, for your kind wishes and concern while I've been having my little s***storm around here...or actually far away from here. I'm better and I'm back, at least until we take our cruise.

What I've been doing, other than reading, is mindlessly playing solitaire or freecell. Just game after game. How silly, but a bit therapeutic too. Another thing I did was plant an inordinate amount of pansies, which are loving this cold weather and being all bright and perky as our trees color and then fade. The dahlias are gone by, I'm afraid, as we've had a couple of heavy frosts. Pansies, as you may or may not know, require quite a bit of care if they're to successfully bloom for a few months, needing to be deadheaded, fed, and watered at regular intervals. It gets me outside...a help right there, being in the fresh air...and gives me something else to think about.

One good thing I've started doing is a RL bookclub. We meet monthly to discuss different books...the most recent was The Paris Wife. Of course it's not like LT, not precisely in depth, but still a good chance to meet with some congenial women who are bright, sassy, about my age...we had a great time for about 3 hours just shooting the breeze, one topic tangentially leading to another. It was great! A real plus for me.

DH has recovered from his tumble, but the memory is steadily slipping; we have many conversations in which he forgets a word or term, and sometimes can't supply me with enough of a clue that I can give him the missing thing. There are a few other things as well. But at his last dr. visit, his score on the memory test was actually a point higher than in February, so at least he's holding his own.

I've read lots of books; I'll have to get into that in another (or several) post(s). One I enjoyed for its humor and lack of need for concentration, is I Never Metaphor I Didn't Like. I love word play and pithy little sayings; this book is full of them. A good anthology for those who love wordplay.

77LizzieD
Nov 11, 2011, 4:29 pm

Thanks for the update, Gail. The pansies and the bookclub sound like winners! It's good to hear that your husband is holding his own. That must have been a boost to both of you. I love wordplay and I love collections of them. I treasure my Almanac of Words at Play and its sequel, for instance.

78DeltaQueen50
Nov 11, 2011, 9:16 pm

I think joining a RL book club is a wonderful idea. Gets you out of the house and lets you share books and life with others. And good for you getting out in the garden, I tend to leave the garden in October and not make another appearance until April.

79mckait
Nov 11, 2011, 9:25 pm

Solitaire ? I have never learned it...
my version is a facebook game... and you are so right.. therapeutic ...

hugs

80mckait
Nov 12, 2011, 8:29 am

Hey... not too much time doing work in the garden..
it has surprising after effects.. like OUCH when you try to move the next day :P
At least it does for me..

81mckait
Nov 13, 2011, 10:04 am

me again!!

I want to visit friends and then settle in to read.. so.. Hello my friend!
Are you getting any reading done?

hugs

82Matke
Nov 13, 2011, 9:25 pm

Peggy, I've added Almanac of Words at Play to my WL. Looks like something I'd love.

Judy, fall is very busy gardening time where I live. January is the generally the slowest month, with things starting up a bit in February. And of course July and August means gardening in the very early morning or very late evening, just before dark. The sun will just fry one otherwise.

Kath! Gardening often makes me aware of muscles whose existence was previously unknown to me.

And well, yes, indeed, I have been reading and reading and reading. More on completed stuff tomorrow.

Right now I'm immersed in two three books:

The Talented Miss Highsmith, an intriguing and well-written bio. cum literary assessment of the late great author;

The Salon.com Readers' Guide to Contemporary Authors which is kind of what it says, but selected in highly personal ways, and pretty good, really--good enouhg that I may get my own copy;

and The Dark Is Rising, a re-read because I like this book at this time of year, and I thought I might actually read the whole series this time. Or not.

DH is driving me mad as he's decided this would be a good time to organize our 3,000+ photos, which would be fine with me except that organizational skills are one of the failing areas, and thus I'm involved, like it or not, and if he can't make himself clear (problematical sometimes), he becomes irritated to the nth degree, crabby and hard to deal with. And naturally my other functions don't decrease, so time is taken away from free time (code for READING. Thus I am somewhat out of sorts, especially since I lugged myself over to the library and scoffed up quite a few (a dozen, maybe?) books that have been on the staggering TBR/WL for some time now.

Never mind. The weather is great, cool and dry; I do have lots to read; and I'm losing weight--no credit to myself, just lost most of my considerable, not to say gargantuan, appetite.

Nice to be back.

83LizzieD
Nov 13, 2011, 10:18 pm

It's always good to see you here, Gail. I'm sending patience vibes out, but you'd have to be St. Gail the Impermeable not to be out of sorts about that sort of sorting.
I think your gargantuan appetite headed my way, and I already had a huge one of my own. Oh well. I'll swim an extra lap or two tomorrow. yok. yok.

84Donna828
Nov 13, 2011, 10:39 pm

Hi Gail, I think you may have something with your pansy therapy. All those little faces smiling at you! I partake in game therapy at times. My current one is called Word Ace Casino...a combo of Scrabble and Texas Hold'em!

Reading sounds like more fun than organizing pictures. I keep saying I'm going to organize my pics on the laptop into Photobucket folders before I lose them when the computer blows up from overuse!

Yay for the new book club. Be sure and keep us informed of your reading choices.

85tymfos
Nov 14, 2011, 6:06 am

Hi, Gail! The photo-sorting thing sounds frustrating indeed. (I keep trying to sort my own and give up with a headache.)

Hang in there! Wishing you lots of patience and peace.

86mckait
Nov 14, 2011, 10:09 am

ugh... so hard to be patient and join in doing something that you are in no mood to do. .
And not even get paid :P sorry..

Rereads can be so relaxing and calming and enjoyable..
I do a lot less rereading than I used to .. and I miss it. For instance..
I used to read Mists of Avalon every year.. and Once and Future King..
and some others. I want to reread Tipping the Velvet and finally I am rereading
Hummingbird's Daughter. . .

87sandykaypax
Nov 15, 2011, 4:51 pm

Hi there Gail! I hear you on the solitaire and freecell. I spend way too much time playing Cafe World on facebook. It's a stress reliever, though. I play mah-johngg on the computer, too. I just need to mindlessly sit here and click on things sometimes.

The photo organizing sounds like a big project, but think how good you will feel when it is done. My sister and I are regretting that we didn't get that done before my mom got to her current state. Still, things were somewhat labelled. When I was young, my maternal grandmother died and we inherited all of her old photos. She had attempted to label them at some point when she was elderly (she didn't suffer from dementia, though) and she couldn't remember every name. Sometimes there would just be a question mark. Because of that, I always labelled all of my photos. Now that I'm in my 40's I am so glad that I did that! I have a good memory, but there are some pics from high school with kids whose names have escaped me. Turn over the photo and there are the names!

Sandy K

88souloftherose
Nov 15, 2011, 5:40 pm

Thanks for the update Gail. I've been known to play a lot of mindless computer games myself when I've felt the need. I'm glad to hear you've got a gardening project (I am a great admirer of people who can grow things) and a real life book club to go to. I'm hoping to join one in the New Year - slightly scary but will hopefully get me out and about a bit more.

#82 I love The Dark is Rising series. The Dark is Rising itself is my favourite but the others are also good. I think I'm probably due a reread...

Sending hugs for the photo organising project and failing memory struggles. Re the photo organising - could you agree a fixed time limit in advance and then have a break to cool off and read your book?

89scaifea
Nov 16, 2011, 7:27 am

I'm just finishing up The Dark Is Rising series for the first time (as part of my quest to work through all the Newbery winners), and it's wonderful. I'm nearly finished with the last book, and it's all I can do to put it down and pack like I should be doing (we're in the middle of moving into our new house)!

90mckait
Nov 16, 2011, 7:59 am

Just checking in! Hope you have had some reading time and that the picture enthusiasm fades
a bit so you can have some respite. :)
hugs

91Porua
Nov 17, 2011, 2:54 am

Dropping by to say hello! Hope you are doing well. :-)

92tymfos
Nov 18, 2011, 4:06 pm

Gail, this is just a drive-by hello!

*waves*

93mckait
Modifié : Nov 18, 2011, 4:45 pm

Just popping in to make sure all is well!

hugs

eta

it is right? mostly?

94richardderus
Nov 18, 2011, 10:32 pm

*smooch*

95Matke
Nov 19, 2011, 7:44 pm

Thanks to all for stopping by, sympathizing, and those who love The Dark is Rising. I remembered being completely taken up by it the first time I read it, and its appeal didn't fade or alter this time. What a book! I've moved on to Greenwitch, the next in the series.

I just finished Reading the Decades, a book about which I have mixed feelings. Interesting, though.

On the picture front, we've got that sort of controlled as the first mad enthusiasm has slackened slightly; also, dh has decided to do most of it himself, without constant imput from me, after the first organizing push. Something this has taught me: I'm not responsible for other people's hobbies, jobs, whatever. I can well remember my mother (a whole story in and of herself) going behind me, sometimes openly and sometimes not, redoing things that weren't precisely to her satisfaction--things like making my bed. It's just not my job to chase after folks making sure their output/outcome matches what I want. Who cares? It's their stuff, after all, not mine. Very hard to curb this impulse to be in control of help others with their tasks.

I'm not here as much because of the big pile of inertia caused by...well, never mind. It's just hard to get moving, in any direction.

A good thing: I got our boarding passes and stuff all organized for the cruise.

I'm looking forward to checking threads tomorrow and Monday, and maybe I will actually get to posting some book stuff here.

96DeltaQueen50
Nov 19, 2011, 8:06 pm

Move at your own speed Gail, we'll be here when you are ready for us.

I have to watch myself in regards to stepping in and "adjusting" things others have done as well. I keep telling myself it's not their problem, it's mine - I have to learn to walk away and let others get on with it in their own way.

97Smiler69
Nov 19, 2011, 11:53 pm

I was always really bad at letting people be with their inadequacies. It's a major problem of mine which totally stems from great insecurity. It's why I became a designer and art director, so I could have the illusion of controlling the outcome, but in real life it's a recipe for disaster, and of course I drove all of my bf's completely bonkers. The fact that I started almost every relationship wanting to redo their wardrobe was probably a bad sign right there. Unfortunately for me, the only men I found were good dressers happened to be gay. Why is it that straight men usually have such poor taste and are so lacking in culture? Rhetorical question. It's a moot point as of a few years ago, as now I'm totally happy being on my own and whenever I see the kinds of comments people make about all the compromises they have to make for their partners, I think I've really got it good. Though of course I do know I'm entirely missing the point. But may as well be contented with my lot in life. The alternative is untenable.

Nice to see you in these part dear Gail. Take your time catching up with people. I'm here pretty well every single day and can't seem to do it, even though I've only got a limited amount of threads I follow regularly (only about 100 of them, as opposed to the entire group!)

98scaifea
Nov 21, 2011, 7:20 am

I have that same problem of wanting to control, er, help the people around me. It's particularly strong right now, as we've just moved into a new house, and I want everything put away just so. I have to keep chanting quietly to myself, "it's not just my house, it's Tomm's and Charlie's too,...". I just know I'm going to have a hard time when Charlie gets a bit older and doesn't keep his room picked up; I'll want to get in there and organize it!

99mckait
Nov 21, 2011, 7:28 am

Just a morning visit to say that I hope that this gears up to be a lovely, and easy week for you, my friend!

hugs

100richardderus
Nov 21, 2011, 8:34 am

another *smooch*

101GCPLreader
Nov 21, 2011, 10:34 pm

Hi Gail. I've hit a dry patch in the Ovid after loving books III and IV. I'd have to say my favorite stories so far are Narcissus--"Enchanted by the charms which were his own. Himself the worshipped and the worshipper, he sought himself and was pursued, wooed, fired by his own heat of love." !!
and the Romeo and Juliet-like Pyramus and Thisbe--"There was a fissure in the wall between their homes, a small, thin crevice that no one had seen. What eyes are sharper than the eyes of love? The lovers found the slit and made it the hidden mouthpiece of their voices where love's subtle words in sweetest whispers came and charmed the ear." !
I'm thinking of skimming a bit and moving on to the heroic tales of Hercules and, my favorite, Achilles. What have been your favorite stories so far? :o)

102Matke
Nov 21, 2011, 11:11 pm

Glad to know, Judy, Ilana, and Amber, that I'm not the only one trying to "help" others do things the "right" way. How boring I must seem sometimes! (eek! Maybe more than sometimes!)

Kath! Richard! Hi to you both and thanks for the hugs/smooches/good will. Lord knows I need all the help I can get.

Jenny! Hey! I'm still poking through Ovid, too. By far my favorite so far is Pyramus and Thisbe--so romantic--but I also loved the very early story of Daphhe. Just the thought of being turned into a tree resonated with me somehow. I have to say, though, that in whatever way it's told, my favorite of all myths is Proserpina, so I love that in Ovid, too. Not too crazy about Achilles myself, but probably will read it. A good thing about this book is that you can pick it up, put it down, pick it back up, etc., without losing a dynamic sort of plot thread.

Book # 84: Death and the Dancing Footman
is an exceptionally well-written mystery. The plotline is precisely the same plotline that Agatha Christie used at least twice, but one doesn't pick up on that very readily. At least I didn't. An enjoyable escape from the humdrum of everyday life, and a must for all Golden Age Mystery fans. 4.0*s

Book 85: And Then There Were None
which is one of Christie's unique mystery plots. Well told and atmospheric. 3.75*s

Book #86: The Paris Wife
is one of my favorite reads this year. Author McLain makes the entire setting seem immediate: the reader is there. It's been heavily reviewed and read around here, so I'll just say that if you're interested in the Hemingway/Fitzgerald set, or in Paris and Europe between the wars, you must read this book. 4.5*s

103Smiler69
Nov 21, 2011, 11:18 pm

I almost picked up Death and the Dancing Footman at the Audible sale recently. I'm surprised you didn't rate And Then There Were None higher though, it's one of her most popular novels. Read The Paris Wife earlier this year and enjoyed it quite a bit, and also added a great many non-fiction works from the bibliography to my wishlist. Sorry didn't get back to you yet. I'm waiting for inspiration to strike me so I'll say the right thing. I'm worried about being too morose lately and that's hardly what you need!

Big Hugs. xx

104souloftherose
Nov 22, 2011, 3:55 am

#102 Some good mystery reading Gail. One day I am going to get round to rereading my Agatha Christie's and starting Ngaio Marsh.

105scaifea
Nov 22, 2011, 7:50 am

Re: Ovid: I think my favorite story is Procne and Philomela, even though (or because?) it's so grime and gruesome.

106mckait
Nov 22, 2011, 8:00 am

I finally have a Christie or two on NOOK, just have to find time to read them..

Rain here.. lots of it and more to come. It isn't really very cold, but the damp seeps in :(
Nothing too exciting to report.. just the usual.. lots to do to take up my time..
and can't find a job.. so?

I really need to get away from the laptop and get busy... so why am I still here??

107sandykaypax
Nov 22, 2011, 3:33 pm

Hey Gail! Hope you are having a good day today.

My mother didn't exactly follow me around, but she was notorious for standing over my shoulder and "correcting" me. To this day, I credit her for my hatred of doing the dishes. It was one of my chores, and she could never let me just do them, she always had a correction or instruction or criticism. I just HATED her watching me as I did them. When I first got married, I started doing the same thing to my husband! He patiently pointed out to me that I was doing the EXACT same thing that my mother did to me. Aaargh! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. LOL!

I think I will put The Paris Wife on my Christmas list. I am a big Fitzgerald fan, and find that era fascinating.

Sandy K

108tymfos
Nov 22, 2011, 4:35 pm

Hi, Gail! This is starting to sound like a convention of perfectionist/helper personality types. And I fit right in, as I'm much too prone to jump in and "fix" and/or "help" everything and everyone around me. Maybe someday I'll learn to lighten up a little in that regard, but it's a struggle.

Best wishes to you!

109Smiler69
Nov 22, 2011, 5:03 pm

Hi Gail, was thinking of you and thought I'd drop by to say hi and send you a big hug. xox

110Whisper1
Nov 22, 2011, 11:05 pm

Gail

I'm spending a chunk of time each day trying to catch up on threads I've long neglected. Oh, my, how very sad that your husband took such a dramatic tumble.

I've said it before, but it bears repeating, you are loved and I admire your courage and your commitment to your husband.

111PaulCranswick
Nov 23, 2011, 12:26 am

Gail I also like the look of The Paris Wife . Just stopped by to say hi and hope everything is going along swimmingly with you these days.

112Donna828
Nov 23, 2011, 9:30 am

Hi Gail, thanks for the reminder about The Paris Wife. I've had it on my wishlist ever since I read A Moveable Feast and watched the wonderful Midnight in Paris movie. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it as a mood brightener.

Happy Thanksgiving!

113tjblue
Nov 23, 2011, 11:53 am

Happy Thanksgiving Gail!!!

114DeltaQueen50
Nov 23, 2011, 12:39 pm

Came by to add my Thanksgiving wishes to everyone else's. Have a great holiday, Gail.

115tymfos
Nov 23, 2011, 8:21 pm

Best wishes for a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving, Gail!

116mckait
Nov 23, 2011, 8:35 pm

Just popping in to say hello. . . and I hope you have a nice calm day tomorrow..
I will be thinking of you..
hugs

117sandykaypax
Nov 24, 2011, 12:04 am

Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving, Gail!

Sandy K

118mckait
Nov 24, 2011, 9:45 am

Happy Thanksgiving my friend!

xo

119LizzieD
Nov 24, 2011, 10:15 am

Happy, happy Thanksgiving, Gail!
I have to add my favorites from Metamorphoses - Pyramus and Thisbe, naturally and Erysichthon (Amber's gristle and a shape-shifter!) . And I love the Lampreys and N. Marsh in general, but the Lampreys especially.
In the control department, I'd really like to be in charge, but I'm much too lazy to take over.

120mckait
Nov 27, 2011, 7:09 am

Missing you around here ! Nothing exciting to post.. just wanted to stop in and say hello!

121Porua
Nov 29, 2011, 2:45 am

Hello! Hope you're keeping well!

Hmm...Death and the Dancing Footman by Ngaio Marsh sounds like Christie's Cards on the Table. I'd like to read it.

122Matke
Modifié : Nov 29, 2011, 10:31 pm

Thank you all for the good wishes. We ourselves had a quiet but pleasant day. I don't like Thanksgiving any more, since it was always the BIG family holiday and it was always held at my house...21 years...now some of the folks are gone beyond recall, the kids are all over, it's not the same and it makes me sad.
Well, obviously I've shamefully neglected my thread...sigh.

Let's see: over the holiday week one section of the family completely imploded (one is thankful for distance sometimes).

The excessively importuning neighbors, whom one feels sorry for and helps and then becomes a sort of slave as they watch (I'm not kidding) as our vehicles go in and out and call when I've been in the house for five minutes looking for yet one more favor, finally succeeded in selling their property, but of course needed much, much help with odd things---finally I had to say, "Gee, no, I'm sorry, I can't do that for you," which was greeted with "Well what are you doing?" I wanted to say, "None of your ding-dang business, you old fusspot!" but managed to restrain myself to just a disjointed mumble. Man! that will be over soon, although I'm thinking of getting them a "Best Wishes in Your New Home" card, but I can't find one that says "And please lose my phone number."

You won't believe this, but we played bridge today (well, naturally you'll believe that part) and one couple actually tried to cheat. Three times in four hands. The first attempt succeeded because I was stunned into silence by the audacity of it. Managed to put the kibosh on the next two attempts, though. I was really surprised. I mean, come on, it's a game, we're all adults, you're having a bad day, who cares?

Also I've been reading. Almost finished with the last book in The Dark Is Rising series. Now I know why my daughter loved it so much. Also read several books on books, reading Travels with My Aunt by Graham Greene--hysterical. I'd no idea he could be that funny.

It's freezing cold here (literally), dull and gray today but supposed to be sunny and cold tomorrow.

Other than that, not much happening. Again, thanks to all who visit here.

Oh, and I read the truly grim story of Procne, Amber. Whew! I liked it though. I'm still reading that book, too.

ETA: Death and the Dancing Footman is excellent. When you read it, you'll know which book and which short story of Christie's have the same plot.

123scaifea
Nov 30, 2011, 8:14 am

So sorry to hear about you having to deal with imposing neighbors and cheating (!) card players. That's unbelievable! On the other hand, I'm so happy that you're enjoying The Dark Is Rising - they're so good! And Yay for Procne! Well, sort of. You know what I mean.

124mckait
Nov 30, 2011, 9:19 am

Ye Gods!

I completely understand the feeling of holidays not being the same.. and I agree.
And as for the cheating? ye gods! Why, is what comes to mind.. why? LOL~ people!

125Matke
Nov 30, 2011, 4:52 pm

Well, I'm finding the Ovid much more interesting and entertaining (okay, a few draggy spots), and thought-provoking than I ever would have imagined. I'm pretty familiar with the overall Greco/Roman mythology and so figured this would be a better-written rehash, but there are things in Ovid that I'd never heard of, or had put out of my mind immediately as being too, well, too something. Now, however, it's sort of fascinating that even our creepy modern age (perhaps I watch too many Law and Order programs) has nothing fresh to add to the quite horrid imaginations of the Classical Age. I mean, the amount of non-consensual sex is astounding, proving yet again that there's nothing new under the sun. And the torture and whatnot is pretty sad, but intriguing in how the punishment is designed to fit the "offense"--like accidentally catching a glimpse of some modest goddessy-type maiden and then being turned into a stag to be pursued and torn apart by one's own, surprisingly large, pack of hunting hounds. One thing that bothered me was the story of Erychsichthon, as Ceres was my favorite among the immortals...imagine being disappointed by the behavior of a completely non-real character. But I was, disappointed I mean. And talk about gruesome...whew! But thanks for pointing me that way, Peggy, as it made me think. And last night as I was reading along I realized that I didn't want to put out the light and go to sleep. Must be a pretty good version, after all.

Trying to gear up for this almost three-week trip including the cruise that's coming up. A hard thing is that I have to do all the Christmas shopping, such as it is, before the 8th. Never mind, it'll be good for me to organize myself. Also need to review or at least mention several books here. Perhaps tomorrow I'll have time.

Still cold, mostly gray today but the sun came out about 2:00. Meatloaf, green beans southern style, beets and beet greens, some sort of potato for dinner. I need to make some enchiladas but must have a ripe avocado...I never make Mexican food without a serving of guacamole for each of us. Maybe that will be tomorrow as well.

126Smiler69
Nov 30, 2011, 5:19 pm

#122 I've had my eye on Travels With My Aunt ever since I read the synopsis for it sometime this year, and it's now firmly on my wishlist which is tagged as having been recommended by you.

Goodbye and good riddance to those neighbours, whew! And congrats for finally finding the courage to just say no. As if you didn't have enough on your plate already, some people really have some nerve!

Sounds like you've got quite a bit of running around ahead in the next week. How about online shopping for those gifts?

Really hoping you can relax on that trip. A cruise might be just the thing for you.

127sandykaypax
Nov 30, 2011, 9:52 pm

Hi Gail! I'm sorry that Thanksgiving was sad for you. I hope that you have fun on your cruise! A cure for the dreary weather.

I love fresh guacamole, too! Make me some, lol! There is a restaurant (I think it's a chain) near us called Paladar Latin Kitchen that makes DELICIOUS fresh guacamole. Hubby doesn't like guac, so I just get an order all for myself when we go, yum!

Sandy K

128mckait
Déc 1, 2011, 8:04 am

mmmm guacamole.... I think I will have to make some soon..
they always have good avocados at Costco....

Are you getting excited about your cruise?

129Matke
Déc 1, 2011, 10:28 pm

I got the enchilada idea from you, Kath! We haven't had them in quite a while, and I'm pining for some. Looks like Saturday for them.

Sandy, thanks for the kind thoughts. Re guacamole: I'd never eaten any sort of Mexican food, not even tacos or nachos, before I met DH, who loves it and introduced me to it immediately. Unfortunately I could sit down with two nice avocados (I prefer the small kind; those big beautiful Florida ones don't have as much taste) and eat myself right into a cardiac problem. They are so good!

Kath, getting a bit excited about the cruise, especially today when I was having a little pity party in the kitchen...mumble, cook, clean, laundry, wash dishes, mumble, grumble, sob...then I realized that pretty soon none of those things will concern me, and I'll be waited on hand and foot, and on the ocean as well! Who could ask for more? A plus is that we already paid for it, so no looming bills to take the shine off...

130Whisper1
Déc 2, 2011, 12:22 am

Gail

Your post #122 reminds me of previous noisy neighbors. Truly, I'm glad I sold my house and now live where people respect privacy.

My previous neighbors were sad, but after awhile their rudeness got to be too much. I now laugh because one of their complaints was that I mowed my lawn too much. The people who bought the house do not mow the lawn at all and when I last drove past it looked like a spooky little cottage with overgrow grass and perrenials overtaking the house.

I think of you and send love. I hope the cruise brings much needed relief from stress.

131mckait
Modifié : Déc 3, 2011, 6:26 am

Gail...I am so glad that you have the cruise to look forward to! I hope
that you make the most of it :) You are making me crave guacamole... drat it :)
I am off to the store to pick up some chicken for Dunkers and for us and some sour cream for baked
potatoes..

Linda..This used to be a really great neighborhood.. quiet and respectful. Gradually..
over the last ten years or so.. people who have moved in have been
increasingly troublesome and rude. The guy next door and his GF well.. they recently covered their entire front and side yard with rocks. They never greet you unless you jump in front of them and force them too..
and they have two German Shepherds that are beautiful and noisy. The GF is profoundly deaf, but Mike
is not... so surely he knows that there are times when those dogs bark for HOURS on end. Especially
if there is ANYone outdoors. sigh.

132Porua
Déc 2, 2011, 10:31 pm

Hope you enjoy your cruise! :-)

133Whisper1
Déc 2, 2011, 11:52 pm

So sorry to hear of your troublesome rude neighbors Kath...

A dog that barks for hours is simply not to be tolerated.

134mckait
Déc 3, 2011, 6:30 am

Thanks Linda.. The problem is that it sets Dunkers off.. but he doesn't keep it up.. he listens when
I tell him to stop ( as long as no one is outside the door ) I am less concerned with the noise than with the agitation of the poor dogs :-/ I can distract myself well enough or ignore them.. Some other neighbors do not feel the same though :P

Hi Gail :) so are you making your Mexican food today ?

135drneutron
Déc 3, 2011, 1:39 pm

Hope you have a great cruise! We thoroughly enjoyed ours last Christmas. :)

136DeltaQueen50
Déc 3, 2011, 6:32 pm

Hi Gail, just checking in. Did someone mention Mexican food - mmmnnn. This is a great time of year for some hot and spicy food. It's also a great time to be going on a cruise!

137mckait
Déc 4, 2011, 8:51 am

I know.. >136 DeltaQueen50:... isn't it? I am going to make tamales from a recipe Brit gave me
in my thread. This chill calls out for some spicy and hot food!

138souloftherose
Déc 6, 2011, 2:30 pm

Just checking in Gail and hoping that I am in time to send you best wishes for the cruise :-)

Shocked and appalled by the annoying neighbours and cheating card players. I've never really had any neighbour problems but I can imagine how bad they can be once you get them.

Really glad you enjoyed The Dark is Rising series. If you get time I would love to know what books you're taking on your cruise...

139phebj
Déc 6, 2011, 6:22 pm

I also hope I'm not too late to wish you Bon Voyage! Have a great time.

140Matke
Déc 6, 2011, 7:14 pm

Thanks to all for the good wishes...hoping everyone has a very happy holiday of whatever sort.

The computer has been giving me fits...good timing, eh? But fixed now, I think.

I'm completely cheating by taking my Nook with me. Plan to read some specific items, but may scrap all plans and just read mysteries.

I'm really going to miss being here, especially with all the excitement of new threads, goals, challenges, etc. that go on in December. You guys try to behave without me, but don't let it interfere with having fun.

141mckait
Déc 6, 2011, 9:05 pm

nook is not cheating.. is is being wise;'have fun and be safe

142tymfos
Déc 8, 2011, 12:55 am

Safe travels, Gail!

143Smiler69
Déc 8, 2011, 1:27 pm

I got here too late to wish you a wonderful trip before you go Gail, but all the same, I do wish you all the best and hope you enjoy yourself and come back to us relaxed and in good spirits.

144sandykaypax
Déc 8, 2011, 5:46 pm

Gail, did you leave for the cruise? Bon voyage! ENJOY!

Sandy K

145Donna828
Déc 9, 2011, 10:02 am

Gail, I hope you are relaxing and being waited on! Sounds like heaven to me.

I don't think the Nook is cheating at all, but I'm very interested to know how one can cheat in Bridge! Not that I would actually try it... heh heh. Every once in awhile I go on a bridge learning jag that quickly turns me back whimpering to my tried and true Canasta group. I like to think about books -- not cards. Lol.

146Matke
Déc 11, 2011, 10:04 am

Thank you to Terri, Ilana, Sandy, and Donna. We're here in Naples FL and leave tomorrow on the cruise.

Reading The House of Mirth right now; about half-way through. Very well-written, but a series of unlikable characters here. For those of you who have read the book, imagine being on the receiving end of some of her comments! Ow!

Donna, bridge would never be my preferred game. Too much like actual work.

147mckait
Déc 11, 2011, 10:22 am

Have a wonderful time, my friend ~ you will be missed!

148phebj
Déc 11, 2011, 11:37 am

Nice to see you checking in from hopefully sunny Florida, Gail. Have a great time on the cruise!

149LizzieD
Déc 23, 2011, 5:18 pm



Merry Christmas, Gail! Hope everything is really good with cruising!

150DeltaQueen50
Déc 23, 2011, 8:10 pm

Just dropping by to wish you all the best for the holiday season, Gail.

151tymfos
Déc 23, 2011, 11:29 pm


glitter-graphics.com

Wishing you a happy and peaceful holiday, Gail!

152PaulCranswick
Déc 23, 2011, 11:39 pm

Gail, hope you have a wonderful holiday - a very happy christmas and I trust that 2012 and beyond bring you everything your heart desires for you and yours.

153souloftherose
Déc 24, 2011, 8:16 am

Merry Christmas Gail. Hope you are having/have had a fantastic time on your cruise.

154richardderus
Déc 24, 2011, 2:10 pm



mistletoe smooches!

155phebj
Déc 24, 2011, 2:22 pm

Have a wonderful holiday, Gail!

156ChelleBearss
Déc 24, 2011, 2:41 pm

Merry Christmas Gail!!

157Smiler69
Déc 24, 2011, 4:17 pm



Wishing you all the very best my dear Gail! xoxo

158MickyFine
Déc 25, 2011, 11:06 am

Merry Christmas, Gail!

159mckait
Déc 25, 2011, 12:44 pm

Are you home yet?

I hope all is well in your world

Hugs

160Matke
Déc 25, 2011, 3:25 pm

Not at home, yet, but thanks to all for the wonderful good wishes....back here on Wednesday...just possibly on Thursday.

161Whisper1
Déc 25, 2011, 4:37 pm

Merry Christmas to you!

162Smiler69
Déc 26, 2011, 1:48 am

Hurry back, we miss you!!!

163mckait
Déc 28, 2011, 9:57 am

Hope this has been a wonderful time for you!
The 2012 group is up, but I am avoiding it until this year is over...
I will be looking for you when I get there though~

164Matke
Modifié : Déc 29, 2011, 1:37 pm

Okay, here I am. Working on resetting the laptop so that dh doesn't feel neglected while I have computer time in the den/office on the big machine. He just likes to have me in sight range; that's not new, either; he was an extremely lonely small boy, and never got over it.

Many thanks to Chelle, Kath, Donna, Ilana, Richard, Linda, Pat, Terri, Peggy, Judy, Paul, Heather, and last but certainly not least, Micky for kind thoughts and wishes.

The cruise was great: lots and lots of good food; beautiful scenery; the ocean; no cleaning, laundry, cooking...Nice.
But.
We probably will not take another cruise, as it's nervous-making to be away from u.s. dr.'s for that long a time. We only had two bad moments on the cruise, which was really great, considering all factors, but still...I'm just a small scared person, despite my carefully cultivated nonchalance.

Will work on books and finishing up this year's reads today. The e-Reader proved to be a great thing on the trip; so light and easy to carry. A couple of great reads at the very end of the year. Then I'm trying to sort out some very modest goals for 2012, in reading and writing...and yoga.

My, there's a lot to look at here at LT for 2012. Gotta work hard at not overcommitting and thus defeating myself. Some things never change.

edited for typos

165Donna828
Déc 29, 2011, 2:40 pm

Hi Gail, glad you had a good cruise with no major mishaps. You are so right about not overcommitting here on LT. Oops, too late for me. ;-)

Happy New Year to you and your dear hubby!

166Matke
Déc 29, 2011, 3:53 pm

So...have caught up on perhaps four threads so far...only a thousand to go...more or less.

Good thing...laptop doing its thing properly.

In an odd holiday twist, one troublesome relative (I know there are other kinds...) gave dh's name as a credit ref. Said relative owes all family members literally thousands of dollars from previous bail-outs. We finally figured out that dh's name was used because we would be out of the country and out of touch for 2-3 weeks---but we called the company and said, well, if you don't want to see your money ever again, by all means extend the loan...

Still working on reviews, etc. for LT and self.

167LizzieD
Déc 29, 2011, 6:33 pm

Welcome back, Gail. Glad to see you here and ready to jump into 2012. I do believe that I am too!

168Matke
Déc 29, 2011, 7:55 pm

Hello to Donna and Peggy!

So glad to be back here at LT. I didn't realize how very much I've missed it in the month of December. Well, I sort of did, actually.

Let's see...I'm kind of regretting that I now have so many, many books. Okay, that's inaccurate. I don't regret any of the books, not one bit. But, I think I may have reached critical mass here in my house--Paul, are you reading this?--and am considering, just considering mind you, following Ilana's lead and getting into audio books more. Maybe, maybe not.

Think I'll do a review now.

169Smiler69
Déc 30, 2011, 6:01 pm

Gail, have I told you how nice it is to have you back again?

Sounds like the cruise did you good. Maybe with time you'll see it from a different perspective, i.e. proportion of vacation that was amazingly fun and relaxing vs. proportion of unfortunate incidents. Or... you could take ME along for you next cruise. I've never been on one and it sounds like fun!

I know what you mean about reaching critical mass as far as physical books goes. With my latest mad shopping spree, I'm pretty well there. I really see piling books on the floor as a last resort, considering I have three furry ones and am not fond of housecleaning. Audioboks are great to save space, as are eBooks of course. I read my very first one on my iPhone this month (King Lear from Project Gutenberg) and thought it was great. And best of all... no need to buy another piece of electronic equipment! :-)

I wish you a very happy and safe and healthy New Year, crammed with good moments, and look forward to continuing following you over on the 2012 group. I'll be migrating sometime within the next 24 hours probably.

170mckait
Déc 31, 2011, 10:10 am

One last visit for 2011....
I am so pleased to have found you here...

hugs

I will find you in 2012 asap

171Matke
Modifié : Déc 31, 2011, 10:35 am

Haven't done this in a while, so cross your fingers:

New thread is right here.

ETA: yay! only two tries to get it right!

172Smiler69
Déc 31, 2011, 5:53 pm



One last visit here from me too Gail. I wish you a very Happy New Year and see you in 2012!

173sandykaypax
Déc 31, 2011, 6:05 pm

Happy New Year, Gail! It's been wonderful getting to know you here.

See you in the 2012 group!

Sandy K

174Matke
Modifié : Déc 31, 2011, 8:25 pm

Ilana and Sandy, how nice of you to visit me one more time. Can't wait to see you both in the 2012 threads.

If I don't get this down, I'll completely forget it/them:

Book #87
The Moving Finger
an old, familiar, and very comforting mystery with just a touch of Miss Marple;

Book #88
Shosha
an almost surreal story about Jews in Poland; very good book, highly recommended;

Book #89
Briar Rose
I loved this re-telling of the "Sleeping Beauty" fairy tale--tragic but oh-so-moving; recommended for those who don't mind really downer stories;

Book #90
Stalky and Co.
Just an average boys' story
;
Book #91
James and the Giant Peach
audio condensation read by the author. Dahl's voice and expression add tremendously to the enjoyment of this fantasy. Highly recommended;

Book #92
A Moveable Feast
Read this as a follow-up to The Paris Wife; good but Hemingway's not-so-sublte contempt for others can be hard to take;

175Matke
Déc 31, 2011, 10:13 pm

Book # 's 93, 94, 95, 96, 97
Over Sea, Under Stone, The Dark Is Rising, Greenwitch, The Gray King, and Silver on the Tree
These five books constitute the Dark Is Rising series by Susan Cooper, an unusually well-done fantasy. The Dark Is Rising is particularly good.

Book #98
Strange Relation
An almost unbearably accurate account of the effects of dementia on a marriage. Fascinating connections between poetry, mythology, and the disease. Well done but quite painful.

176gennyt
Jan 2, 2012, 5:28 pm

I'm still visiting 2011 threads, as I got behind in December. Just wanted to say I'm glad you enjoyed the Dark is Rising books - I loved those as a child, and especially The Dark is Rising itself (a good read over Christmas too).

Have a happy New Year over in the 2012 group!

177mckait
Jan 11, 2012, 4:37 pm

Hello my friend! I wanted to make sure to stop by today.. I have been in and out all day long...
Dan is home and that is distracting... :P

I am averting my eyes from Book # 's 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, as the look way too alluring..

hugs

178mckait
Jan 13, 2012, 7:52 am

Here you are! Hope all is well with you today..
and dang it.. I have to avert my eyes again...
that post is way too close :P

hugs