Berly Turns the Page #6

I love Thanksgiving! : )

So many choices!! What should I read?

Reading Now
@ Christmas Party (K 402 pages) by Georgette Heyer
@ The Guilty (🎧 3.5 hours) by James Patterson
@ The House in the Cerulean Sea (B 398 pages) by TJ Klune
@ How to Give Up Plastic (B 212 pages) by Will McCallum

Next
@ Doc (B 411 pages) by Mary Doria Russel
@ Hench (K 445 pages) by Natalie Zina Walschot

Read in November ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
2021 Total // pages / ?? hours
70. @ How Much of These Hills is Gold? (B 272 pages) by C Pam Zhang 3.0
69. @ Hard Time (🎧 14 hours) by Jodi Taylor 3.5
68. @ Doing Time (🎧 12.5 hours) by Jodi Taylor 4.0
❤️. @ Fledgling (B 310 pages) by Octavia Butler 4.5
66. @ Tales of Terror and Madness (B 429 pages) by Edgar Allan Poe 4.5

Read in October ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
2021 Total // pages / ?? hours
65. L Troubled Blood (K 945 pages) by Robert Galbraith 3.5
64. @ The Midnight Library (B 288 pages) by Matt Haig with Ellen 3.75
63. ✔ The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro 4.0
62. @ Found (🎧 7 hrs) by Harlan Coben 3.75
61. @ Seconds Away (🎧 7.5 hrs) by Harlan Coben 3.75
❤️ @ Shelter (🎧 7.25 hrs) by Harlan Coben 4.0
59. @ F is for Fugitive (K 420 pages)by Sue Grafton 3.0
58. @ Broken Horses (K 318 pages) by Brandi Carlile 3.5

Ratings
❤️ Favorite(s) of the month
Loved it! 5.0
Really Good 4.0
Good 3.0
Hmmmm 2.0
Don't Bother 1.0

Source
IR = Indiespensable Readers
LT = LibraryThing Early Reviewer
✔ = Off the shelf (not acquired this year)
L = Library
↩ = Reread
@ = Acquired this year
✗ = DNF

Media
B = Printed Book
🎧 = Audio
K = Kindle
= Graphic Novel

Read in September ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
2021 Total // pages / ?? hours
57. @ Elon Musk (K 399 pages) by Ashlee Vance 3.0
56. The Butterfly Lampshade (B 284 pages) by Aimee Bender 4.0
55. Moranthology (🎧8.5 hours) by Catlin Moran read by Helen Monks 3.75
❤️ @ Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy (B 258 pages) with Ellen 5.0
53. @ The President's Daughter (B pages) by Pres. Bill Clinton and James Patterson 3.75
52. @ The Pact (🎧 17 hours) by Jodi Piccoult read by George Guidall 3.5
❤️ @ Becoming Nicole: The inspiring story of transgender actor-activist Nicole Maines and her extraordinary family (B 297 pages) by Amy Ellis Nutt 4.5

Read in August ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
2021 Total // pages / ?? hours
50. ✔ Beautiful World, Where Are You (B 15 pages, sample) by Sally Rooney
49. ✔ The Book of Delights (B 140/274 pages) by Ross Gay ✗
48. @ A Good Day for Chardonnay (🎧 12 hours) by Darynda Jones, read by Lorelei King 4.0
❤️ @ A Bad Day for Sunshine (🎧 12 hours) by Darynda Jones, read by Lorelei King 4.5
❤️ @ Outland (🎧10.5 hours) by Dennis E Taylor 4.5
45. @ When We Believed in Mermaids (K 348 page) by Barbara O'Neal 4.0
44. @ The Lost Apothecary (B 300 pages) by Sarah Penner 4.0

Read in July ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
2021 Total // pages / ?? hours
43. @ Gold Diggers (B 344 pages) by Sanjena Sathian 3.0
42. @ I Have Always Been Me (K 250 pages) by Precious Brady-Davis 3.5
41. @ The Magic of Found Objects (K 362 pages) by Maddie Dawson 2.75
40. @ One Two Three by Laurie Frankel 3.5
❤️ ✔ Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent (B 395 pages) by Isabel Wilkerson 4.5
38. @ Hadley and Grace (K 344 pages) 3.75 by Suzanne Redfearn
37. ✔ Black Coral (K 317 pages) by Andrew Mayne 3.75
36. @ I Thought You Said This Would Work (K 301 pages) by Ann Wertz Garvin 4.0
35. ✔ In Bad Company (K 485 pages) by Viveca Sten 3.5

Read in June ?? pages / ?? 🎧 hours
2021 Total // pages / ?? hours
34. L Sweep with Me (146 pages) by Ilona Andrews 3.5
33. L Sweep of the Blade (322 pages) by Ilona Andrews 3.5
32. L One Fell Sweep (K 340 pages) by Ilona Andrews 3.5
31. L Sweep in Peace (K 315 pages) by Ilona Andrews 3.75
30. ✔ Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews 3.5
29. @ In the Puma Years: A Memoir (K 298 pages) by Laura Coleman 3.75
28. @ The Immune Mystery: A Doctor's Impassioned Quest to Solve the Puzzle of Autoimmune Disease by Anita Kass 4.0
❤️ ✔ Voyagers (B 414 pages) by Robert Silverberg ARC 4.5

Read in May 763 pages / 4 🎧 hours
2021 Total // 5,733 pages / 55 hours
26. @ Billie Eilish (🎧 2.0 hours) by Billie Eilish 3.5
❤️ @ Klara and the Sun (B 303 pages) by Kazuo Ishiguro, RL Bookclub 4.5
24. @ I'm Not Dying With You Tonight (2 of 🎧 5.5 hours) by Kimberly Jones - ✗
23. @ Special Circumstances (K 460 pages) by Sheldon Siegel with my Dad 3.0

Read in April 0 pages / 23 🎧 hours
2021 Total // 4,970 pages / 51 hours
❤️ @ Later (🎧 6.5 hours) by Stephen King 4.5
22. @ Beginner's Mind (🎧 1.5 hours) by Yo-Yo Ma 4.0
21. @ Between Two Kingdoms (🎧 13 hours) by Suleika Jaouad 4.0
20. @ Sleeping Dogs Lie (🎧 2 hours) by Samantha Downing 3.75

Read in March 1,495 pages / 3 🎧 hours
2021 Total // 4,970 pages / 28 hours
19. ✔ In the Name of Truth (K 459 pagers) by Viveca Sten 3.5
❤️ @ Anxious People (K 349 pages) by Fredrik Backman, RL Bookclub 4.5
17. ✔ The Sandman (🎧 3 of 8.5 hours) by Neil Gaiman ✗
16. @ IR Leave the World Behind (B 256 pages) by Rumaan Alam 4.0
15. @ In the Woods (B 431 pages) by Tana French 4.0

Read in February 1,802 pages / 25 🎧 hours
2021 Total // 3,475 pages / 50 hours
❤️ @ Untamed: The Wildest Woman in America and the Fight for Cumberland Island (B 310 pages) by Will Harlan 5.0
14. @ The Book of Delights (B 141/274 pages) by Ross Gay ✗
13. @ The Cipher (K 325 pages) by Isabella Maldonado 3.75
12. ✔ IR Did You Ever Have a Family (B 295 pages) by Bill Clegg IR #55 with Paul 4.0
11. ✔ In the Shadow of Power (K 393 pages) Book #7 by Viveca Sten 3.5
10. ✔ In Search of Black History (🎧 5.5 hours) by Bonnie Greer 3.75
9. @ Dead Heat (B 338 pages) by Patricia Briggs 3.5

Read in January 1,673 pages / 25 🎧 hours
8. @ Keep Sharp (🎧 8 hrs) by Sanjay Gupta 4.0
7. @ The Viscount Who Loved Me (K 344 pages) by Julia Quinn 3.75
6. ✔ Squeeze Me (B 336 pages) by Carl Hiaasen 4.0
5. @ Banker (K 323 pages) by Dick Francis 3.5
4. ✔ Heaven's River (🎧 17 hrs) Bobiverse #4 by Dennis Taylor 3.75
❤️ @ Themes and Variations (K 17 pages) Essay by David Sedaris 4.0
2. ↩ Jazz (K 244 pages) by Toni Morrison 3.0
❤️ ✔ Girl Waits With Gun (B 409 pages) by Amy Stewart 4.25

Catalogued shelves -- I am determined to finish this in 2021 and I am off to a good start.

1/5 -- I am now in the M's.
1/25 -- In the N's.
3/19 -- In the P's.
3/22 -- In the R's
3/25 -- In the S's.
4/19 -- More S's.



Books Freed = 0
Powell's isn't open for drop-offs....although I do have a bag waiting to go and I just found out I can enter them by ISBN and see if they are willing to take them. Another project!!! : )

RL Book Club #1
✅ February - News of the World by Paulette Jiles
✅ April - Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
✅ June - Caste by Isabel Wilkerson
✅ August - The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
October - The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead

RL Book Club #2
✅ February - Caste by Isabel Wilkerson
✅ June - Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
✅ September - Becoming Nicole: The inspiring story of transgender actor-activist Nicole Maines and her extraordinary family by Amy Ellis Nutt
✅ October - Broken Horses by Brandi Carlile
✅ November - How Much of These Hills is Gold by C Pam Zhang

January 2022 ???
February - The Sentence by Louise Erdrich

Literary Arts 2021-2022
October 2021 -- Daniel James Brown Facing the Mountain
January 27, 2022 -- Cathy Park Hong Minor Feelings
February 17, 2022 -- Britt Bennet The Vanishing Half
April 21, 2022 -- Richard Powers The Overstory (have it) & Bewilderment (free copy from LA later in the year)
May 12, 2022 -- Edwidge Danticat Everything Inside

Powell's Indiespensable Readers Challenge

Hubby signed me up for this (Thank you!!). Over the years I have received over 90 installments (some with two books), and I haven't read all the books yet. Not even close! In an effort to catch up -- I want to read 8 this year. The complete list (such as it is) can be found here:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/301060#

Done
1. Did You Ever Have A Family by Bill Clegg
2. Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam
3. Gold Diggers by Sanjena Sathian
4. Everyone Knows Your Mother is a Witch by Rivka Galchen--reading
5.
6.
7.
8.

I can't resist buying books!!

I seem to manage to read around 50% of my newbies, except in 2019 where I (ahem) added a few more books to my collection than normal. But then in 2020 I killed it and read almost 75% of my newbies!!

2017 47/85
2018 45/88
2019 45/128
2020 75/103

Let's see how I do this year...

2021 46/92 Read

✅ Keep Sharp by Sanja Gupta MD
2. Paradise by Toni Morrison
✅ Themes and Variations: An Essay by David Sedaris *
✅ Hadley and Grace by Suzanne Redfearn *
5. Cold Earth by Sarah Moss (Thank you TwinB!) *
6. The Liar's Dictionary by Eley Williams
✅ The Book of Delights by Ross Gay - DNF
8. Effie by Suzanne Fagence Cooper (Thank you Whisper1!) *
9. Infinite by Brian Freeman *
✅ Voyagers by Robert Silverberg * ARC
✅ The Cipher by Isabella Maldonado
12. How to Avoid a Climate Disaster by Bill Gates
✅ Untamed: The Wildest Woman in America and the Fight for Cumberland Island by Will Harlan
14. In the Woods by Tana French
✅ In Bad Company by Viveca Sten
✅ The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
✅ Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
✅ Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
19. The Light Through the Leaves by Glendy Vanderah *
20. My Year Abroad by Chang-Rae Lee * IR # 90 (Thank you Hubby!)
21. Hummingbird Salamander by Jeff VanderMeer
✅ Beginner's Mind by Yo-Yo Ma *
✅ Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad *
✅ Sleeping Dogs Lie by Samantha Downing *
✅ Billie Eilish by Billie Eilish 3.5
✅ I'm Not Dying With You Tonight by Kimberly Jones
✅ Special Circumstances by Sheldon Siegel with my Dad 3.0
✅ Later by Stephen King
✅ Beginner's Mind by Yo-Yo Ma *
✅ Gold Diggers by Sanjena Sathian * IR #91
31. The Murmer of Bees by Sofia Segovia
✅ The Immune Mystery by Anita Kass *
✅ Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
✅ The Puma Years:A Memoir by Laura Coleman
✅ The Pact by Jodi Piccoult *
36. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier *
✅ Shelter by Harlan Coben *
✅ Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters *
39. A Burning by Megha Majumdar * Thank you Mark!
40. The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich * Mark again!
41. Everyone Knows Your Mother is a Witch by Rivka Galchen * IR #92
42. Love Like That by Emma Duffy-Comparone * IR #92
✅ Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney * IR #92
44. Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
✅ The Magic of Found Objects by Maddie Daws *
✅ I Have Always Been Me by Precious Brady-Davis *
47. Mr Rochester's Ghost by Lindsay Marcott
✅ When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O'Neil *
✅ Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance
✅ A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones
✅ A Good Day for Chardonnay by Darynda Jones
✅ Outland by Dennis E. Taylor
53. These Toxic Things: A Thriller by Hall Rachel Howzell *
54. Perfect Little World: A Novel by Kevin Wilson
55. What Strange Paradise: A novel by Omar El Akkad * IR #93
56. The Thirty Names of Night: A Novel by Zeyn Joukhadar
57. On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous: A Novel by Ocean Vuong
58. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
59. In Our Time by Hemingway
✅ The Butterfly Lampshade: A Novel by Aimee Bender
61. Doc: A Novel by Mary Doria Russell
✅ Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy with Ellen
✅ The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig with Ellen
64. Second Place: A Novel by Rachel Cusk with Ellen
✅ The President's Daughter by Pres. Bill Clinton and James Patterson
✅ Becoming Nicole: The inspiring story of transgender actor-activist Nicole Maines and her extraordinary family by Amy Ellis Nutt
67. The Barefoot Summer by Carolyn Brown
68. Thermodynamics: Four Laws That Move the Universe by Jeffrey Grossman *
69. How to Give Up Plastic by Will McCallum
70. Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
71. Still Lives: A Novel by Maria Hummel
✅ Daughter of the Morning Star by Craig Johnson *
72. Tales of Terror and Madness by Edgar Allen Poe
73. No Time To Spare by Ursala K. Le Guin
✅ Doing Time by Jodi Taylor *
75. The Plot Against America by Philip Roth
76. Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami
77. Flight Risk by Joy Castro
78. Under Color of Law by Aaron Philip Clark
✅ F is for Fugitive by Sue Grafton
80. These Toxic Things by Rachel Howzell Hall
81. Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots
82. The Barefoot Summer by Carolyn Brown
83. Mr. Rochester's Ghost by Lindsay Marcott
84. A Carnival of Snackery by David Sedaris
✅ Seconds Away by Harlan Coben
✅ Found by Harlan Coben
✅ Detransition Baby by Torrey Peters
88. Hard Time by Jodi Taylor
89. Fledgling by Octavia Butler
90. Pattern Master by Octavia Butler
91. Poet Warrior by Joy Harjo
92. The Woman Who Fell From the Sky by Joy Harjo
93. The Sentence by Louise Erdrich

* Free or gift

Favorites from 2020
Fiction
Miss Suzy by Miriam Young (Childhood Favorite)
The Night Before Christmas by Jan Brett (Christmas Tradition)
The Institute by Stephen King
There, There by Tommy Orange
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch
The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter

Non-Fiction
I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O'Farrell
How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi
Vesper Flights by Helen Macdonald
Still Life with Oysters and Lemon by Mark Doty
Liquid: The Delightful and Dangerous Substances That Flow Through Our Lives by Mark Miodownik

I am going to try and keep track of series I am currently enjoying here:

Series/Author/Next Book
Bobiverse / Dennis E. Taylor / #5 not yet published
Quantum Earth / Dennis E. Taylor / #2 not yet published
Bridgerton / Julia Quinn / #3 An Offer From A Gentleman
The Chronicles of St Mary's / Jodi Taylor / #6 What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
The Time Police / Jodi Taylor #3 due out in 2022
Cormoran Strike Series / Robert Galbraith / #6 Not yet published
Kinsey Millhone Mystery Series / Sue Grafton / Read ABCDEFQX / Next G is for
Kopp Series / Amy Stewart / #2 Lady Cop Makes Trouble
Sandham Murders / Viveca Sten / #10 Buried in Secret / release date Jan 2022
Sweep Series / Ilona Andrews / #6 not yet published
Sunshine Vicram / Darynda Jones / #3 A Hard Day for a Hangover Dec 2022
Mickey Bolitar / Harlen Coben / #4 not yet published

Come on in -- if you dare!!

14

It's moi. I'm here. Still not walking too far, but here!

Happy new one!

Happy new thread, Kim!
It's good, you have your laptop back.

You're back! Happy new thread Kim!

>14 richardderus: Hello Handsome!! I am sorry I didn't get to see you whilst in NY, but I totally understand. My feet are still killing me! We walked 8 miles one day, 11 the next and 9 on another!! LOL

Here's a cup of coffee for you, for being first and all that.

Happy new one, TwinK! You are doing great at reading books you buy! I have been seduced by library books during the past couple of months.

A trip to New York and not Minnesota??? ☹️

>15 drneutron: I'm back!! Man, am I behind here. On my thread, on tracking my reads, on other people's threads....Yikes! Oh well, I'll do my best to catch up. I missed you guys!

>16 SirThomas: It's WONDERFUL to have my laptop back. I didn't realize just how much I used it! LOL. Thanks for popping in. : )

>17 humouress: Thank you! It's been a while and I have definitely missed being here. Hopefully life has calmed down a bit. I just got back from a trip to NY. It was a little scary using public transportation and eating in restaurants, but NY does a great job or checking vax cards and requiring masks on transit. SO much fun! Photos to follow...

>19 BLBera: Twin!! I wish I could have done both, believe me. I was in NY with my daughters to look at wedding dresses!! My oldest found her perfect dress and it was a wild, fun, crazy trip. Her friend lives in NY so we didn't do many of the touristy things. Instead we visited local attractions like this amazing food truck site called Smorgasbord ( I think), where I just had to get the macaroni and cheese donut (I mean have you ever heard of such a thing?!) Yum!

Sweet Thursday, Kim! Happy New Thread! I hope those books are treating you well.

Happy new thread, Kim! Glad to hear your trip was an excellent event.

Happy new thread, Kim! I'm so bummed I missed seeing you while you were here - you'll have to come back for more mac-and-cheese donuts and to see me ;-)

(The flowers are from Hubby!)

>23 msf59: Hiya Mark! The problem is that the books are entirely too nice and I can't say No! I was at NY's The Strand with Judy and Jim and I picked up a few books....

No Time To Spare by Ursala K. Le Guin
A Burning by Megha Majumdar
The Plot Against America by Philip Roth
Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami

>26 Berly: - Oooh, A Burning was my first 5-star read this year! Good pick.

>24 MickyFine: Hi Mickey! I had an excellent time. The weather was perfect. Actually hit 79 one day and I wore shorts--in October!! It made the rooftop bars at night very comfortable. It was me and a bunch of 20 year olds, so I was just trying not to slow them down. LOL.

>25 katiekrug: Katie--I was so bummed to miss out on seeing you, but you just have so much going on, I totally understand. I will have to hop over to your thread and see you how made out. And, yes, whenever I make it back to NY, we will have a get-together!

>27 katiekrug: Yay!! That is a strong endorsement. Glad I picked it up. : )

Happy new thread!

>22 Berly: I haven't heard of that, but locally we had a macaroni and cheese grilled cheese which was the richest food I'd ever eaten. Three bites felt like a full mean.

Happy new thread! Glad you got your laptop back.

>22 Berly: Those do look yummy. And wedding dresses! How fun. And no allergic reactions?

Minnesota next year. :)

>30 quondame: Thank you! That sounds good, too. The macaroni and cheese donut was also very filling.

>31 SuziQoregon: Thanks--me too!! ; )

>32 BLBera: I chose very safe menu items, but still, no allergic reaction--hurray!!

And definitely MN next year. Or you and my Dad will kill me! LOL

And, yes, wedding dress shopping at Kleinfeld's of Say Yes to the Dress!!

A little bar hopping....!



Youngest daughter, me, oldest daughter and her two friends.

Happy new one, Kimmers!

You only picked up four books on a visit to the Strand. Heaven knows what would befall me if I fell into that august establishment or Powells for that matter.

Love the photos of Kimmers and the Big Apple. xx

HAppy new one!

>35 Berly: Looks like you are all having a blast :)

>37 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul! Knowing I had to carry my acquisitions on the subway and then the airplane definitely helped me cut back. It's so much easier to throw a big book haul into the car and head home! LOL

And I didn't even do a good job of buying as I discovered that I repeated an earlier gift from Mark, A Burning!! The good news is it attracted me again so I should enjoy it when I get to it!! Now who can I give my extra copy to and suck them in to reading it with me....hmmmmmm.

>38 figsfromthistle: Hi there! The trip was truly so much fun. We also went to a comedy club one night. They had 5 comedians perform in the show and they were all excellent. My cheeks hurt from laughing!

Happy new thread, Kim!!

Hi Stasia!! So nice to see you around here again! Now I just have to find your thread....

New York, New York! Wow. And so it looks like a mac 'n' cheese donut is basically deep fried mac 'n' cheese? (I think I just drooled on myself.) No envy for the wedding dress shopping (or all that walking!), but I'm glad it was fun for you all, and that your daughter found The One. And also ... glad you're back in business with the laptop. Funny how much we depend on our technology.

Nice to have the mystery of the disappearing Kim solved! Glad you are back!

>32 BLBera: It's a date! It does look like you had a great time. And your daughter found a dress? Do we get a picture?

I love the photos of your NY trip with your lovely daughters. I assume you shopped at Kleinfeld's rather than being filmed? I'm glad your daughter found The One. I'd love to see a photo, too - or do we have to wait until after the groom has seen his bride in her dress?

And book shopping, too. Echoing the relief that you didn't run into any allergies.

Happy newish thread and kudos on your successful trip to NYC, Kim. It may have been whirlwind but at least you got to fit in a visit to The Strand. Isn't that place great, so hard not to bring a ton of books home but suitcases can only hold so much.

Happy new thread, Kim!

General all-purpose *smooch*

Sorry you couldn't make the meet-up Kim :( We missed you and hope you're feeling better.

Hi Kim my dear, so lovely to see you back now that you have possession of your laptop again, i see that the scores are tied at the moment, 62 apiece.

The trip to NY for your daughters wedding dress looks great, i am glad you all had a good time and i bet the dress is gorgeous. I remember when we took Amy wedding dress shopping for the first time, we went to Northallerton to a dress warehouse, i left them to it and didn't expect a purchase until i got a call to say she was all done and dusted and was the price OK, i said yes and 14 months later i saw it for the first time 20 minutes before the ceremony started when i went to collect her and walk her down the aisle, i burst into tears and Amy chastised me but i just said that i told her this would happen, Dad's and Daughter's on the wedding morning, of course Dad's cry, lol.

I hope all is well with you all, we are both fine and Elliott is growing everytime we see him. Sending love and hugs to you all from both of us dear friend.

Happy Sunday, Kim. It looks like you had a great time at NY.

>43 laytonwoman3rd: Here, have a napkin. And, yeah, the walking was a lot! So glad we found the dress. My daughter is going to a wedding show today to look for accessories, like the veil. : )

I would have been lost in NY without technology! I used my phone to map how to get places. It was great. It would give me choices of walking, bus, or subway and then tell me how far in each of the modes. Loved it!

>44 thornton37814: I'm back!! : ) Makes me very happy.

>45 BLBera: No, I can't post a picture of the one she chose. I can post something else though...



My oldest, "I said Yes to the dress!"

>46 humouress: No, we did not get filmed. My daughter was definitely not interested in that! And I am glad, too, because I can barely tell a mermaid from a princess silhouette. I could only comment on the fit and whether I thought it made her look pretty, which is really all the counts anyway. Ha! There was one other one we all loved, but it had long sleeves and the consultant asked if she liked to dance (she does) and then told her it would limit her, so she said no and we moved on.

>47 Familyhistorian: So glad to finally get to see the Strand!! It was very fun and it was probably a good thing I had to limit my purchases so that I could carry them on the plane. ; )

>48 FAMeulstee: Hello and welcome!!

>49 richardderus: Smooches always welcome. : ) Happy Sunday!

>50 RebaRelishesReading: So, the reason I couldn't make it Friday was I spent the day in the ER. Like I need another health issue!! Finally got diagnosed with pericarditis, which is fluid around the heart. It was pretty painful, but I got meds and it is improving. No idea why I got it and I just hope it is one and done. I really missed seeing you guys. I am still wiped.

>51 johnsimpson: Dads are supposed to get teary when they see their daughter in their wedding gown!! : ) I am sure my hubby will shed a happy tear or two as well. So glad you have Elliot in your life now! What a joy.

>52 Ameise1: I had so much fun in NY. Great company, wedding shopping is a fun reason, and there is so much to do there! Plus I LOVE the architecture. Here are some more pics.

Oh, The Strand...the sole survivor of the ancient Fourth Avenue bookselling paradise. Such a lovely old dame she is!

*smooch*

It was 79 degrees in NY--hence the shorts...in October!! This was right outside our hotel.

Us on the ferry. My two daughters, a friend, me, and two more freinds. It was windy!!!

>58 Berly: OMG I'm glad you're getting effective treatment. I hope you're feeling energetic quickly now that it's been handled.

>58 Berly: Sorry you got more health trouble, Kim.
Do I remember right that you also had low thyroid? It could be related, at least with me it was.

Hi Kim. I don't think I said happy new thread and it's probably past time for that.

>58 Berly: - Yikes! I hope things are settling down and that this was in deed a one-and-done!

Looks like your trip to NYC was fun! Congrats to all around. So, did you stay at the Library Hotel...??

>60 Berly: Excellent photo!

Sorry about the health issues. Glad the medication is helping though!

>64 Berly: Is it just me or are ferry rides always windy ?

Have a great week!

>58 Berly: Judy said it was a "health issue" but I didn't know the details. That sounds really scary!! I'm very glad to hear you're improving.

We did miss you but maybe we can plan a meet-up even if there are no visitors -- soon I hope.

>61 richardderus: *smooch* I didn't know there used to be more book buildings there. Glad at least one is left!

>65 quondame: Me too! And thank you. Less is more in this case and I want less health stuff! : )

>66 FAMeulstee: Graves disease and had to have the thyroid removed so now on meds. How are the two conditions related? Will have to look into that.

>67 jessibud2: No, we did not stay in the Library Hotel, although that sounds like fun! We stayed at the Sheraton in Times Square. One of my daughters friends works for a hotel company and she was able to get us a sweet discount. Yay! It was a great location, only a block away from the subway and right near Times Square which is always fun to see, especially at night. Love the lights!

>68 figsfromthistle: Thank you! I like taking photos and I love taking "texture" shots. Hence >62 Berly:.

Yes, ferries are always windy!! LOL

>69 RebaRelishesReading: I am improving. Taking it easy right now and I have a check-in with my doc scheduled later this week.

I'd love an Oregon meet-up, too. Whenever!

Hi Kim! New York looks super-fun. We missed you at the meet-up---hope you are feeling better soon.

Your trip sounds super fun; I'll see the dress eventually, right? When is the wedding? Is there a date?

Take care. Pericarditis is serious.

>70 Berly: When my thyroid problem was discovered (Hashimoto, low thyroid), I had gained a lot of weight in the years before. This was fluid building up everywhere in my muscles, including my heart. It went away when my dose of Thyrax was high enough.

>73 banjo123: Thanks! I am working on feeling better. At least I can bend over now without shooting pain! Phew. Hope to see my fellow Pacific NWers soon. : )

>74 BLBera: Sorry, Twin, You'll have to wait until after the wedding next September.

Thanks for the well wishes. I know it is. : P

>75 FAMeulstee: That's the problem. I think my dose is in the right range...I'll try to get more bloodwork to double check. Thanks for sharing.

Love the NY photos and sorry to hear about the pericarditis. How about some just normal life with books for a bit?

How did I miss that you were going to NYC??? In any case, I'm glad you went, glad you had fun! I still want so badly to go to the Strand in person. I also want to go see a play on Broadway, too. (Can you say Hamilton???)

I'm enjoying The Midnight Library. You're probably done by now. I've about 50 pages to go.

>77 ronincats: I am so down for "normal life with books"!!

>78 EBT1002: Had a blast in NY. Have to go back again to see Hamilton! I thoroughly enjoyed The Midnight LIbrary and will get around to a review one of these days. LOL. That's two good ones in a row from our Powell's visit! Once There Were Wolves was another winner.
Yay us!!

>77 ronincats: >79 Berly: Normal life with books - and dogs. Or I guess pet. Yeah, a guinea pig squeaking under the ear would do if I weren't violently allergic.

Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear about your health issues. Get well soon and take care.

The pictures are great.
The pericarditis is a downer in a wonderful time.
I hope you get well soon.

The New York pictures are wonderful, thank you for sharing them.
The Strand is on my list. Maybe one day. Hopefully with unlimited baggage allowance, also, on the plane home.

And hope you are feeling better, too, of course.

Gosh Kim! I'm sorry to hear you were down but happy to hear you're feeling better. Get well soon!

Nice photos; thanks for sharing them.
>56 Berly: Well, I missed that one when we lived in NYC. But I raided the library; one branch was a block away from where we were living and the main branch at Bryant Park was on the same block, but around the corner, from my husband's office.

>63 Berly: The 'Hope' sculpture looks like a variation on the 'Love' one. I like that idea.

Sounds like you had a wonderful NY trip with the girls, Kim. Love the photos. I have never been there. I hope you are feeling better, my friend.

Wow, looks like you had a great trip!

Your New York trip sounds like it was tremendously fun. The Strand is incredible. I especially liked the top floor where there were some old book cases. When I was there way back when, I found a book of the Pre Raphaelite women that I searched for and could not find. It was especially great to find it at a reasonable price. I love the photos of you and your daughters, and you and New York. It is only an hour and 1/2 away from where I live.

When granddaughter Kayla (now 18) was little, we took the bus into the city and then the sub way up to the Natural History Museum. She loved the dinosaurs, and the floor where there was a huge whale over the bottom floor. She took so many photos that the battery in her camera gave out.

I am so glad you had a wonderful time with many memories.

I hope you are feeling better and that your week is a good one. I want to travel! Maybe next year.

The good news about pericarditis is it's readily treatable. The bad news is OWWWWWWWW

But, well, how scary is ow to thee or me? Heh.

*smooch* for your Mmmday to be peaceful and (heart-)pain-free.

>80 quondame: Nope. A normal life for me is without pets. Allergies. : ( Although I have been successful at using NAET (an acupuncture treatment) to reduce my allergies to the point that I can spend 4 or 5 hours around them and not get hives or sniffles, so big improvement!

>81 Ameise1: Thank you. Just another one to add to my long list of health stuff! LOL.

>82 SirThomas: Glad you enjoyed my NY pics! It was so much fun. And at least the pericarditis happened after I got back home. If it had happened in NY, that would have been awful. So, see, there is a bright side! Thanks for the well wishes. : )

>83 charl08: I do hope you get to the Strand someday! And maybe the best thing would be to just box up the books and send them home by snail mail. Then you could get a lot more of them!! ; )

>84 humouress: Thanks! I am still pretty wiped but I made it into work today for 6 hours. Between NY and then being out with the ER, I am a tad behind. Oops! LOL.

That's exactly why I took a photo in front of the Hope sign!! Plus we can all really use some of that right now.

>85 msf59: Mark, I hope you get the chance to visit NY sometime soon!! Funny story...I didn't make it to Judy's cousin's exhibit (because of the ER visit) but I managed to meet up with them for dinner on Sunday. Judy's cousin is from OR and she asked me where I live. I gave her a general answer and then she said said, but where?, so I said off L road, but its a small cut-de-sac and no one has ever heard of it. And then she said, "Do you know an Allen?" Turns out that's my neighbor and they are best buds!! He is a political cartoonist and former art teacher and they have been on some boards and art projects together. Small world!



Starting front left--Richard, Bonnie (Judy's Cousin), Jim (Magician'sNephew), Judy (ffortsa), Judy's Sister, Kim(berly) & Hubby

>86 drneutron: Indeed!! : )

>87 Whisper1: Jim and Judy found a book they were looking for, too. And I love the Natural History Museum! Didn't make it there this time. Love the story about wearing out the camera. I have pictures of that whale. LOL

When I make it back to NY again, maybe you will be up for travel next time and we can meet up!!

Hope your latest procedure is going well...

>88 BLBera: It was definitely fun to have some new surroundings! Man, this COVID thing sucks. It feels like forever since I went anywhere fun and different. So needed it!

>89 richardderus: "OW" is not scary or new, to you or to me, but I am finding pain a bit wearing at this point. I have my normal baseline aches and pains from the ulcerative colitis and other things, and then you throw in the dislocated hip (which is still not 100%) and add on the pericarditis....UGH!! I just want to whine. On the other hand, maybe I just want wine. ; )

>94 Berly: You've earned the privilege. Ain't no shame in that game.

There's a "oh FFS really?!?" point, isn't there.

>92 Berly: Lots of happy smiles! *smooch*

>94 Berly: You said it, TwinK. It sucks!

Thanks for sharing all of the pictures, Kim. The Strand is an incredible place! When we were there several years ago, Linda bought me a Strand bag and I still cherish it to this day.

I am sorry to hear about the health issues and hope that they get straightened out for you soon!

Love the architecture shots!

>92 Berly: LOVE the Meet Up photo, Kim! I also love Bonnie's Oregon connection. A small world, right?

>92 Berly: ooo, a meet-up how nice. Love those 'small world' moments Kim.

Latest Literary Arts Lecture...



Daniel James Brown's newest book is Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II. He has also written The Indifferent Stars Above, Under a Flaming Sky, which was a finalist for the B&N Discover Great New Writers Award, and The Boys in the Boat (which I loved!), a  New York Times bestselling book that was awarded the ALA’s Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction.

>95 richardderus: >96 BLBera: Definitely @%$! this!

>97 alcottacre: Do not lose that bag!! I have one from Powell's and it's one of my faves. : )

>98 mahsdad: Thanks! I have many more.... LOL Every time I turned around I wanted to take a shot. The weather was great, the angles were awesome... : )

>99 msf59: Amazingly small world!! LOL. It was a fun meetup and we got Indian food which was absolutely delicious. I got the Tikka Masala. Yum.

>100 Caroline_McElwee: "Small world moments" just really remind me that we are truly all connected.

>101 Berly: Was that a good evening? I liked The Boys in the Boat just fine but it never really took flight for me. Something must've been "off" about me at that point because I should've adored it, such a great story.

Maybe re-visiting the first few chapters will tell the tale.

>101 Berly: - Oh, I want to read more of his work. I have only read The Boys in the Boat and I really loved it.

>92 Berly: What a great photo. I've met Jim and Judy twice during meet ups. I am quite fond of both.

I grieve that you are struggling with another health issue. I send lots of healiing love!

>104 richardderus: Definitely give The Boys in the Boat another try--it's a good one! I didn't attend the lecture in person (Because that was the night I was starting to not feel well) but I listened to it the other day. I wouldn't say it was the best interview, but still interesting.

>105 jessibud2: I suggested Facing the Mountain for my family's next book read, but my Dad and daughter are in charge of selection, so we'll see! Otherwise I'll read it on my own.

>106 Whisper1: Jim and Judy are definitely lots of fun and I can't believe I got to see them twice in a week and on two different coasts! : )

Thanks for the healing love. xoxo

So, here are my current reads. Some variety here for sure!

Reading Now
@ Doing Time (🎧 12.5 hours) by Jodi Taylor
@ Doc (B 411 pages) by Mary Doria Russel
@ Tales of Terror and Madness (B 429 pages) by Edgar Allan Poe
@ How to Give Up Plastic (B 212 pages) by Will McCallum
@ Thermodynamics: Four Laws That Move The Universe (🎧 12.5 hours) Great Courses

@ means acquired this year and that seems to be the trend!

Yay for meet-ups! And for being a small world. I hadn't realised you saw Jim and Judy twice in a week on different coasts.

I'm sorry for your health woes and hope you'll be un-woe-éd as soon as possible.

Happy Friday, Kim. Is this your first go-around with Doc? Either way, it is a wonderful read. Sad to hear, that MDR will not be writing any more novels. Damn!

Happy Kinda New Thread, Kim! Looks like a great NY trip, and I'm glad you got to experience the Strand. Probably the closest thing to Powell's we've been to. I can't wait to hear what you think of Hard-Boiled Wonderland. Many Murakami fans identify it as their favorite.

>108 Berly: Good readin' bein' done, Berly-boo! I'm adding some more good-heath mojo to your account since I fully expect to be dead from this awful reaction to the vaccine quite soon. Gland pain...hand pain...knees from a too-small corpse so they won't hold me up...ugh

So you get the balance in my good-results account!

I'm so sorry to hear about your health woes, Kim. I missed seeing you at the meet-up. If there's another one, hopefully we can both be there. I love your New York pictures. Be well!

>109 humouress: I'll take "un-woe-éd" as soon as possible please!!

>110 msf59: First go-round with Doc. What do you mean she's not writing any more?

>111 jnwelch: Can't wait to get to Murakami--I am such a fan! NY was so much fun and I loved The Strand, of course.

>112 richardderus: Oh no! A bad reaction to the booster. Dang. Well, at least we know your body is building immunity. Yay! Hope you are well soon. Smooch.

>113 Oregonreader: I will do my best to make out next get-together, whenever it is! I missed you guys. Happy weekend!

>94 Berly: "wine" and "whine" are one letter different but a world away from each other!

Have a lovely weekend, Kimmers.

Hi Kim! A very belated happy new thread.

Yay for the trip to NY, Yes to the Dress, and books.

>58 Berly: Boo hiss to the pericarditis. I do hope the meds have made it go away.

>94 Berly: Very nice, and thanks for identifying everybody.

>115 Berly: I got a message from an anti-vaxxer about how I was doing my body lasting harm blah blah and she's had COVID blah blah recovered after a week in the hospital...
...
...all I sent back was, "I didn't ever need to go to the hospital because I got the vaccine."

Do I remember correctly, Kim, that you attended college in Northampton, Mass?

Sheesh, pericarditis. You really have to stop all these owies. Glad the meds helped. And so glad you could join us for dinner.

It was great to see you on both coasts, and amazing that you and Bonnie had such a connection. I hope Walt liked talking (or was it listening?) to Richard about politics and such. Richard can go on a bit!

>116 PaulCranswick: And, sometimes, the wine can make the whine go away! LOL

>117 karenmarie: Hi Karen! The meds are helping with the pericarditis, but I am still super tired, which is why I haven't made it here this week yet. Also way too much family stuff going on, even if it is all fun stuff. ; )

>118 richardderus: You tell 'em, Ricardo!!

>119 weird_O: I went to Amherst College, which is in Amherst, which is right next to Northampton. Why? : )

>120 ffortsa: Meds are helping, but I am wiped. So glad I could get it together enough to make dinner and see you! Bonnie was lot of fun. I haven't made it to see her exhibit, mostly because I am still under the weather. How long is it here?

And Walt had a great time with Richard. He loves to talk politics.

So, despite not having any energy this last week, I have been tutoring a friend on nunchucks on Zoom each morning (She is testing for third degree in November); held pumpkin carving night for family; attended a FR for Children's Cancer that my daughter hosted; went to girls-only brunch and got our nails done before my niece's wedding -- which is today!!

She is having a small ceremony up on the mountain with only immediate family, so I wrote a poem for them to read to each other. Oh, and got them matching raincoats to wear! LOL

Did I mention the meds are making me tired, too? And that we have a private water collection that then is pumped uphill to the public sewer line and that yesterday the alarm went off so we had to stop using water? It seems to be okay today. Fingers crossed. I need a nap!! : )

When I Think of Love
A Toast To Each Other
( For my Niece (A) and her Fiancée (B) to read to each other on their wedding day)

A Love. I see it everywhere.
B In the glint of your eyes.
A The hint of your smile.
B The warmth of your hand.
A Your voice.

B I treasure waking by your side.
A The scent of you.
B Moonlight dancing on your face.
A Your kiss.

B You push me and hold me.
A I can dream with you.
B I am safe with you.
A I am ALL of me, with you.

B Yesterday, today and tomorrow I am yours.
A Forever has never been this wonderful.

B I do,
A I do,
Together I do!

(written by me!!)

Also, I am trying to fit in one more Halloween read. I just started Fledgling by Octavia Butler, it is about Vampires who can exist in the sunlight, and it is also a parable about race and identity with some cool science thrown in.

Oh, and I forgot, we visited the Japanese Gardens! Amazing fall foliage.

...the Gardens...the wedding...the sheer volume of things you do despite being so so tired! *awe*

Today I am in bed eating candy and reading. : )

>126 Berly: Wow.

>122 Berly: I asked because my granddaughter Gracie has an interest in Smith College. She's keen on field hockey, and she's had contact with coaches at several schools, including Smith. She and her parents visited there several weeks ago, she worked out for the coach with several other candidates, then with current team members. I'm confident she has the right stuff academically. Only a junior, so she has plenty of time to consider her options.

>124 Berly:, >126 Berly: - Beautiful and beautiful!! And you sure deserve to stay in bed and eat candy!! I'd say it's your well-earned reward but a better reward would be to just get better!

>126 Berly: What great photos, Ms. Poet! What a nice auntie you are.

In bed with candy, sounds like paradise. I hope you are well.

>129 quondame: : ) The slightly rainy weather made it even more beautiful.

>130 weird_O: I loved going to college there partly because there are 5 colleges in very small space and it was fun to take classes at the other institutes and obviously all those students are a big audience so there are a lot of fun shows that come to perform. The towns are awesome and I just love the East coast in general. How fun that Smith is one of her options!!! And field hockey? Definitely East coast. Wish her good luck deciding!

>131 jessibud2: >132 BLBera: Thank you! Skittles and M&Ms are the current favorites. : )

>102 Berly: Not losing the bag. It just went back and forth to Longview with me when I visited my mother.

>135 alcottacre: ; )

>124 Berly: That is just lovely, Kim, and how nice they had something so personal to share at their wedding. I hope the rain held up long enough for them not to need the rain coats during the ceremony. May sunshine and rainbows fill their marriage.

>124 Berly: A lovely poem for a special day Kim.

>126 Berly: So beautiful. I think I could sit there for hours.

>126 Berly: Oh wow! Absolutely breathtaking. Japanese gardens have a magical quality to them.

>126 Berly: Lovely place.

Sweet Thursday, Kim. MDR made an announcement earlier this year, that she was retiring from writing. Since, she is a favorite of mine, I am bummed. Have a great time with Doc.

>126 Berly: I enjoyed visiting those when I was in Portland. Nice to see the fall foliage beginning.

Hi Kim my dear, Happy Thursday dear friend.

What >140 msf59: said...I totally understand her reasons, and she did not have to offer any at all, but I really feel a lack in the spacetime continuum that I won't see a new MDR book.

Sending huggings and smoochings your way.

Happy weekend, Kim!

>124 Berly: What a beautiful poem, Kim. And I love that they said it together.

You reminded me that I've been intending to take my youngest Granddaughter to the Japanese Garden. I'd better get it scheduled while the weather and colors are still nice.

Hi, Kim. So much going on in your life, the good and the not-so. How incredibly special to have a poem written by a family member to read at one's wedding. The Japanese garden really appeals to me...I could benefit from spending an hour or two in one regularly.

Hi Kim!

>123 Berly: This post is exhausting to even read. All good busy, for sure.

>124 Berly: Beautiful. How lucky they are to have such a wonderful poem to read to each other.

>128 Berly: Yay for you resting and candy-ing up.

>134 Berly: My husband has Skittles on Subscribe & Save with Amazon Prime. I’m usually a good girl and don’t go into either the candy dish on the coffee table OR the big bag in the Pantry, but occasionally, just gotta have some.

>122 Berly: Bonnie's exhibit is on until the end of January, I think, so you have time to visit. If you want to do some mending on it, give her a call and she'll be glad to arrange a little time.

I'm sorry we didn't have time for the Japanese Garden this trip, so thanks for the pix.

Hi Kim! hope it's a fun wedding, sounds so nice and relaxed. And I love the poem.

>92 Berly: so glad the in-person meetups are happening again :)

And what great place to wedding-dress shop! NYC! *ah the memories* (not of wedding-dress shopping...of the city)

>124 Berly: Very sweet.

>126 Berly: Very pretty.

>128 Berly: Somehow, I think you're gaming the trick-or-treating ;0)

>151 humouress: I really like this time of year as all the shops have fun size packs of chocolate.

I love the Japanese garden pictures. How beautiful.>126 Berly:

Happy Sunday, Kim!

Happy Halloween, TwinK!

We didn't really do trick or treating in Yorkshire when I was a boy but the upcoming Bonfire Night/Guy Fawkes night and the evening that precedes it Mischievous Night were great fun when I was younger.

It is a difficult one to explain really - Guido Fawkes was part of the Gunpowder Plot in the early years of James I reign (1605 to be precise) attempting to blow up the Houses of Parliament with King James inside it. He was apprehended in the attempt and an effigy of his has been burned atop bonfires on 5 November ever since. We used to celebrate with cinder toffee and baked potatoes and the night sky was ablaze with fireworks.

I understand that this year in many places Bonfires have been cancelled because of global warming! I hope that the Chinese and Russians polluting to their hearts content and not going to Glasgow understand the sacrifices being made!!!

>63 Berly: Love it! What memories you have from that trip!

I love your wedding poem. There better be plenty of kleenex for weepy eyes.

We went to the Japanese Garden when we were in your part of the world and had a great time. Nice photos of it.

I keep having the impulse to buy Hamilton tickets and then build a short NYC trip around it. Haven't mustered up the courage yet. P wants to see Tina so we have talked about doing those two. It just feels overwhelming.

You may know we went to the Portland Japanese Garden when we were in Portland a couple months ago. I bought a "Serenity" wall calendar for my office.

Have a wonderful week, Kim!

>137 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you for the wonderful wishes for my nieces! In fact, they had wonderful weather on their wedding day and they really appreciated my poem. I am looking with them for a frame to put it in so they can keep it always. : )

>138 Caroline_McElwee: I was glad I could be a part of their ceremony in a way that worked for them.

>138 Caroline_McElwee: >139 figsfromthistle: And I am currently looking through my photos (the Japanese Garden being some of them) to find one to make a puzzle out of for my Mom for a Christmas present!

>140 msf59: I am sad to hear that she is retiring from writing. : (

Two and a half weeks later....Happy Monday!!

>141 thornton37814: The Japanese Gardens are always lovely to visit! And the fall colors were absolutely wonderful.

>142 johnsimpson: Hello, my friend, John! Happy Monday. : )

>143 richardderus: Hugs and smooches, Ricardo.

>144 alcottacre: Better late then never, Happy Week Ahead!! LOL

>145 Oregonreader: I am glad you enjoyed the poem. My nieces did too!

And just two weeks later, most of our fall color is gone. And I have lots of leaves to clean up, but I need to wait for dryer weather!

>146 laytonwoman3rd: Thank you for those kind words! There are so many beautiful places near me, but I really need to make an effort to spend more time in them. I like your idea of an hour or two regularly.

>147 karenmarie: Ooh! Skittles on Subscribe and Save sounds like it would be dangerous for me. LOL. Luckily I can usually restrain myself from buying it in the store. Love all your comments and appreciate that you took the time to read all the posts--you're the best!

>148 ffortsa: I had so much fun spending time with you and Jim and meeting Bonnie! I texted my neighbor, Alan, and he was really tickled that we had met up.

>149 banjo123: I think weddings should be whatever feels right to the couple. There seem to be so many more options these days. My daughter is planning for her wedding next September and she has her own unique ideas. : )

>150 LovingLit: The NY trip was so much fun and I was so glad she actually found her dress! What fun memories for all of us and especially the bride!

>151 humouress: Who me? Gaming the trick-or-treating? ; )

>152 charl08: I know! I love the bags of small candy bars! And next year I need to wait before I buy the bag, so I don't eat so many. LOL

>153 alcottacre: and >158 alcottacre: Happy Monday!! (You get major points for checking in on me and keeping my thread alive!!) xoxo

>154 BLBera: Boo! I loved the picture of Cleopatra! Thanks for sending. And it was great to catch up with you and Ellen. We should make it a habit.

>155 PaulCranswick: Bonfire Night/Guy Fawkes night and the evening that precedes it Mischievous Night, both sound like lots of fun. I am sorry the bonfires are dimming in order to limit contribution to global warming. Come one Russia and China!!

>156 jnwelch: Hello there! Glad you also enjoyed my poem and the photos. SO nice to see you here.

>157 EBT1002: I would love to go back to NY and see both of those! It just didn't feel comfortable being in a crowded theatre when I was there. Someday. I hope we both get to go soon.

The Serenity wall calendar sounds perfect!

To One And All
Phew! I am caught up responding to all of you wonderful people who posted here (thank you!!) and now I will come visit your threads and see what you have been up to! : )

So I am recovered from my pericarditis. And my hip, although not 100% yet, was good enough for my 3rd pretest in TKD on Saturday, working towards 4th degree black belt, aka Master. It was the first time in a year and a half that I tested in person instead of over Zoom -- so much more fun!! Prepping for the test was also a major reason for my ghosting LT--so many forms to remember. 22 Poomse/Forms and 30 Nunchucks. We still didn't do sparring, but that was okay with me--I am not in shape for that yet!

I am happy for you!
Great pictures, thank you, Kim.

Great pictures - remind me not to mess with you!

>165 Berly: And yes, it would be a good habit!

I'm glad to hear you are recovering. Take care.

>168 Berly: You would be a Master or a Mistress, Kimmers?!

Well done!

Lovely to see you back posting. xx

Hi, Kim. Good to see you back. I am glad to hear you have recovered. I think Master Kimmers sure has a sweet sound to it.

>168 Berly: Glad to read you recovered, Kim.
Nice pictures, it took a while to find you on the first two :-)

>168 Berly: Congratulations! And best of luck.

I'll admire you from a safe distance.

Memo to self: Don't get into a hand to hand combat situation with Kim)

>168 Berly: You go with that Master energy! (Which is, tbh, utterly exhausting to contemplate.)

It good to hear your health issues have ebbed enough for you to be out and about and working on TKD.

Glad to hear you are well, and thrilled that you are back at TKD.

We haven't forgotten admitting to playing bridge. We haven't played much together (maybe we shouldn't!) but we do occasionally consult on each other's online sessions. I need a lot of practice of play of the hand before I can keep track of the cards to a useful extent. I hope we find time to relearn the game together so that we don't kill each other over it! We will let you know when we feel brave enough to meet you and Walt online.

>168 Berly: Cool! Glad you are able to get back to what you love doing!

Congratulations - great to hear that you are now 'Master'! (Does your family have to use this title too?! :-)

Congrats on doing so well in TKD, Kim! Is it harder to do with a mask on?

Congratulations on reaching a new TKD level! You're a most amazing woman imho. Love the photos

>169 SirThomas: Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the photos. ; )

>170 BLBera: Hi Twin! Yes, you definitely want me on your side! LOL

>171 PaulCranswick: Master, regardless of gender. ; ) And I hope I can be more regular here. I have missed everyone!

I have also started practicing my French on Duolingo, so that's another time crunch every day. Oups!! (That's French for oops.)

>172 msf59: Usually they use your last name after Master (which I still have 5 tests and two and a half years to earn), but I would love to be Master Kim. It would totally confuse everyone because that is my Grand Master's name and a very common last name in Korea! LOL

>173 FAMeulstee: Thanks! You just have to look amongst the old farts, because most of the class is under 17. ; )

>174 humouress: Thank you! I'm on your side, so you don't have to keep your distance. I promise!

>175 magicians_nephew: I regularly practice my self-defense on my Hubby, because if I can pull it off on him (6'3" and over 200 lbs), then I will be able to defend against most people. Maybe....!

>176 richardderus: Getting to Master is exhausting! Thinking or doing! It takes 3 years to make it through the color belts to 1st degree Black Belt. Then 2 years for 2nd, 3 for 3rd and I am working on 4th degree. So 1 1/2 years down and 2 1/2 to go!

Hi Kim. As always, I love your spirit! You suffer from various health issues, yet you keep right on going.

You are a very important person to me. Much Love!

>177 quondame: I am very stubborn and refuse (to the best of my ability) to let health stuff get in the way. I have my down days, but when I can I make the most of feeling good. : )

>178 ffortsa: Ooh! Keep practicing so we can give Bridge a go. That would be so much fun.

>179 figsfromthistle: I do love TKD--it keeps me fit both physically and mentally and it is such a fun group of people, many of whom are now my friends.

>180 charl08: No, I am on my way to Master, but I still have 4 pretests and then the big one, so two and a half years to go. Pre-tests are every 6 months. And then I will make my kids call me Master!! LOL

>181 Familyhistorian: It is horrible to do TKD with the mask on. I am sure it's the same for any hard exercise. When I get winded and am sucking air, the mask just gets plastered onto my face and it also makes me so much hotter. Oh well. At least I get to practice back in the dojang--it's so much more fun in person!

Glad to hear that you are recovered from the periocarditis, Kim! Thanks for posting the pictures. Love seeing them.

>182 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you! It's one of the things I love about TKD, the chance to keep learning new forms and then progress to new levels. I am kinda goal oriented. LOL

>186 Whisper1: I try my best. Takes one to know one. : ) Big hugs to you my friend.

>189 alcottacre: Hi Stasia! I love seeing pictures on other people's threads, so I like to return the favor. ; )

>191 Berly: I do not know how to post pictures on my thread, so you will not ever see any there, lol. If I did post pictures, they would likely be of my kittens.

>188 Berly: You definitely have to make the kids call you Master! 😂

Good luck getting your kids to call you Master, TwinK. And don't even think about making me do it. :)

Glad you are feeling better. Talk to you soon.

All the virtual author talks from 5 nights are available here for FREE!! Check it out. : )

https://www.pdxbookfest.org/2021-video-library/?utm_source=Literary+Arts&utm...

>192 alcottacre: If you want to learn how to post pics on your thread I can help, and if you don't then that's fine too. ; )

>193 drneutron: I am thinking that might be a tough one to make happen, but I'm gonna try! For at least a week. LOL

>194 BLBera: It's OK. You can still keep calling me TwinK.

How Much of These Hills Is Gold? by C Pam Zhang

From Amazon--
A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF THE YEAR
A WASHINGTON POST NOTABLE BOOK OF THE YEAR
ONE OF BARACK OBAMA'S FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR
ONE OF NPR'S BEST BOOKS OF 2020
LONGLISTED FOR THE 2020 BOOKER PRIZE
FINALIST FOR THE 2020 CENTER FOR FICTION FIRST NOVEL PRIZE
WINNER OF THE ROSENTHAL FAMILY FOUNDATION AWARD, FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND LETTERS
A NATIONAL BOOK FOUNDATION "5 UNDER 35" HONOREE
NATIONAL BESTSELLER
“Belongs on a shelf all of its own.” —NPR
“Outstanding.” —The Washington Post
“Revolutionary . . . A visionary addition to American literature.” —Star Tribune

An electric debut novel set against the twilight of the American gold rush, two siblings are on the run in an unforgiving landscape—trying not just to survive but to find a home.

Ba dies in the night; Ma is already gone. Newly orphaned children of immigrants, Lucy and Sam are suddenly alone in a land that refutes their existence. Fleeing the threats of their western mining town, they set off to bury their father in the only way that will set them free from their past. Along the way, they encounter giant buffalo bones, tiger paw prints, and the specters of a ravaged landscape as well as family secrets, sibling rivalry, and glimpses of a different kind of future.

Both epic and intimate, blending Chinese symbolism and reimagined history with fiercely original language and storytelling, How Much of These Hills Is Gold is a haunting adventure story, an unforgettable sibling story, and the announcement of a stunning new voice in literature. On a broad level, it explores race in an expanding country and the question of where immigrants are allowed to belong. But page by page, it’s about the memories that bind and divide families, and the yearning for home.

From my perpective--I read this for my November RL bookclub. Great discussion book! There are lots of topics to ponder: racial discrimination, honor, family, love, and gender identification to name a few. But I probably wouldn't have finished it without the push from knowing there would be a discussion.

The writing is very staccato. For those of us who read it in print, it was hard going at first. Sometimes the sentences are two words, and sometimes half a page with lots of commas. However, those who read it on audio, loved it. The first section is hard going, depressing. The second lightens up a bit. The third is a surprise and the fourth wraps things up. Sort of. It is interesting to see the story unfold from several points of view. A dark book.

So take all the accolades and my thoughts and decide for yourself!! LOL

So Friday is going to be spent cooking and getting ready for Thanksgiving, which we are holding this weekend. Still doing everything out in the garage with heaters and open doors because my daughter and her fiancée are then meeting up with his dad on Thursday, and he is going through Chemo, so we have to be extra cautious about not sharing germs. I bought some fun tablecloths (at 50% discount!) to help brighten things up a bit. At least we get to be together. : )

I am making stuffing, yam soufflé, mashed potatoes, cauliflower mash, and pumpkin bread. These can all be reheated. Steaks and veggies day of.

>198 Berly: It's a good thing to have holiday flexibility in the family. Last year we did joint day out doors, but so far this year we have vaccinations and our core group doesn't have or connect to any immunocompromised individuals, but then it's pretty tiny, so I think we'll do the Christmas dinner indoors.

>197 Berly: This was a hit with my book group Kim.

>197 Berly: Great comments. Maybe I'll look for the audiobook...

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy and stay well. Don't work too hard.

>195 Berly: thanks for the link. Were you able to attend any in person?

Hi Kim!

As good as I was about reading the posts the last time I posted, this time I'm drawing a line in the sand and just moving ahead. I had a heart attack on November 10th, was in the hospital through the 14th, and am just now getting up some energy. Cardio rehab after Thanksgiving, probably, and so far, so good.

Happy Friday and happy weekend.

>198 Berly: A terrific plan! And it sounds scrummy.

>197 Berly: I hated that book. Misery porn.

*smooch*

Happy early Thanksgiving to you and yours! Hope it warms up a bit for you by then!

Hello Master, glad all has gone well for you with the TKD and that you are back to full health. I am back after a short sojourn and real life getting in the way of things LT but glad to be posting again. During this time away from LT the reading has gone pretty well but still chasing the 75.

Apart from illness and TKD training, i hope life is treating you and the family well my dear, we are both fine and gearing up for the Christmas rush. Sending love and hugs to you and all the family from both of us dear friend.

>199 quondame: I would love to be indoors, maybe for Christmas...

>200 Caroline_McElwee: It was an excellent book to discuss and it covers many important topics. I am just personally in need of more uplifting reading material.

>201 BLBera: I got all my decorating and cooking (except the mashed potatoes) done today, so tomorrow Hubby and I are going to go on a hike; the weather is supposed to be nice.

>202 ffortsa: No, unfortunately, that was the same day I had my TKD test, so I missed out on the in-person day of Literary Arts Book Festival. Next year! I still want to listen to some of the virtual author talks--they are available for free...>195 Berly:

>203 karenmarie: OMG!! What?! I am so glad you are still here! Running off to your thread to get the full story. Thank you for letting me know. Sending you big hugs.

>204 richardderus: I still have to pick up some pies and make the mashed potatoes, and cook the steak day of, but I am in good shape for Sunday.

"Misery porn." Exactly!! On and on and on. I did not enjoy it very much. The discussion was great, but...

>205 RebaRelishesReading: It's not too cold here, but it has been really rainy. Hope we don't get much on Sunday, so my Hubby doesn't have to run out to any of our stormwater sites to change filters or anything. Fingers crossed!

>206 johnsimpson: So nice to hear from you, John. You've been occupied by RL as well? I hope to make the rounds this weekend and catch up on what everyone has been up to. You're on the list! LOL

And I am not ready for the Christmas rush....sigh. Good luck!

>196 Berly: Thanks for the offer, Kim, but I will just forget how to do it within 5 minutes of you teaching me!

Happy weekend!

And that would be a strong pass. LOL. No worries, pictures or no I still love visit your thread. Happy weekend to you too!

>212 Berly: Well, I am glad to not be in the "Kim Doesn't Love My Thread Any More" club :)

>197 Berly: I have that book checked out from our public library at the moment. I'm a little worried now that I won't like it. I can always Pearl Rule it if I need to do so.

>213 alcottacre: : )

>214 thornton37814: Some people really love it! Give it a chance. And if you want to talk about it, I'm available, since I did finish it. Or you can tell me I'm right. ; )

The 75er Secret Santa Swap is on again! ($25 limit) Join up here:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/336572

All caught up with you, Kim, and as usual it makes me tired just thinking about how busy your life is! I don't know how you do it. SO many health up and downs, and I am amazed by your spirit and your attitude. Glad that you have recovered from your pericarditis, and that your hip is on the mend. And your TKD progress!!! Congrats.

For some reason, I could not see any of the photos up thread, but your trip to NYC sounds fun and full of the right kind of chaos. Glad that your oldest was able to find her dress. Daniel and Kaitlyn just celebrated their first wedding anniversary on October 2nd, and it brought back memories of how very special their wedding was - so small and intimate and totally reflective of them. I love the poem you wrote for your nieces - what a lovely memory for all of you.

Hoping that your Thanksgiving feast is full of fabulous this weekend.

Hello Crazy!! Man, you get points--you really read the thread!! It is so nice to see you here. It's so nice to BE here!! I am hoping this is a new trend because LT and 2021 didn't mix that well and I missed everyone here.

I attribute my positive attitude regarding health conditions to my parents. My mom always got me bagels after my allergy shots so I looked forward to them. When my asthma kicked in running track laps with my dad, he always said go a little farther, make it round the bend, finish the straightaway. And sure, go on that sleepover even though they have dogs. I'll pick you up if you have problems (which was usually around 2 in the morning). They never cut me slack but said do the most that you can when you can. And I am eternally grateful.

I think the nice thing about weddings now is the they are so individual and I like that. I know none of my kids' weddings will be the same and I look forward to celebrating with each of them in their unique way. Glad you have such nice memories of your son's.

Happy Thanksgiving week!

I love those memories, Kim! My Dad had a similar saying that I always tell my own kids - Do what you can when you can. Meaning, if you have the chance to be kind, to be generous, to be there, then do it. Don't wait for the perfect moment or for the grand gesture - it's the little moments that mean the most in life and should not be wasted.

I agree about weddings now. If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't. I mean, I would still get married but skip the actual wedding. Although I do have a lovely memory of my Dad walking me down the aisle, and he leaned into me just before we started and said, "It's not too late, kid. Say the word and, we can go the other way." Made me laugh but I also knew that he absolutely meant it.

>219 Crazymamie: Another great message! I love that. Those little moments really do add up, too. And I can see why you miss your dad so much.

So I guess that means you aren't going to celebrate your anniversary by saying your vows again? ; ) If I had to choose I would still do the wedding ceremony again. I had a blast and it was one of the most romantic, fun nights I ever had. And I loved having everyone there to celebrate with us. Well, each to his/her own!! : )

Stopping by to return the favor of your visit, skimming a bit. I'm really not around much these days, maybe the new year will be less hectic?

>220 Berly: I do miss my Dad to the moon and back again even though I know he is still with me in my heart and in the eyes of Birdy, the build of Daniel, the tender heart of Rae, the gentleness of Abby...

My wedding was very stressful, and my two of my BILs had a falling out that changed everything. I would marry Craig over and over again, but no, I don't feel a need to revisit saying the vows. Or a ceremony. BUT, Daniel's wedding gave me back the joy a wedding can bring - what they had sounds like what you had, and that is very happy making.

Happy Sunday, Kim. I hope you are having a good weekend and in fine health. How are those current reads treating you?

>221 ursula: You haven't been around much and I miss you! I hope 2022 is a little easier to deal with and we get to enjoy your presence more. Hugs.

>222 Crazymamie: So sweet. How you still see your Dad all around you.

And that would be why you don't want a wedding repeat! Yikes. Glad that you and Craig are so happy together and that Daniel's wedding brought them and you joy. : ) I hope they find the kind of loving relationship you share with your hubby.

>223 msf59: Happy Sunday , Mark! Among other reads, I am currently about 60 pages into The House the Cerulean Sea. It is off to a strange but enjoyable start and I can't wait to see where it goes.

Happy Sunday, Mamie!

I’m impressed with your working toward a 4th degree black belt in TKD. We just had lunch with a 5th degree BB in kung fu (I’m not sure how that compares) and she was telling us about the challenging process to get there. She’s been doing it (and teaching it) for a long time, too.

I hope life is treating you and Walt well.

Happy Sunday, Kim!

Very busy in these parts. Admirable, it is. Yes.

>217 Crazymamie: I didn't get to see the pictures either, but then again, my computer is giving me issues.

But- I am amazed at the activity in your life too, Kim! Busy-ness is rife ;)

>225 jnwelch: Hi Joe! Have no idea how TKD and Kungfu compare in terms of earning degrees, but good on your friend for 5th belt!!

Life has been good lately. We had our first Thanksgiving yesterday to make sure and include my oldest daughter (who is out of town this year and missed last year because she didn't feel comfortable with Covid). Take two will be on Thursday. We did steak for the first one and Turkey will be the entree for the second go round. : )

Hope you and yours are also well and that lots of good food is in your future!!

>226 alcottacre: Happy Monday, Stasia!!

>227 quondame: Busy? Yes. Admirable? Only sometimes!! LOL

>228 LovingLit: Well, today I wasn't busy. Here's the story....

We took an amazing hike on Sunday (more on that when I start my new thread 'cuz the pictures are beautiful!) and on the way back, we though we'd stop for dinner. And right next to the restaurant, was a pop-up COVID vaccination site. They were taking drive ups and the lady said,"We close in 5 minutes, are you in or out?" Hubby and I looked at each other and thought, it must be fate, why not?

And, of course, yesterday I held Thanksgiving #1 at my house. By the end of the day I was achy all over and had a fever.

Today I did nothing!! LOL. Hopefully I will be back to normal tomorrow.