Roni Recovers and Reads in 2021: 6th Edition

Sunset in the Flint Hills, photo posted on the Friends of the Flint Hills Facebook group

Hi, I'm Roni. I live in Salina, Kansas, with three cats. I am mostly but not completely moved in after three months here, and things are starting to settle down. I am finally starting to sleep well for the first time in a year. Both the anniversary of my husband’s sudden death and my Thingaversary are coming up this next weekend, on consecutive days.

I am primarily a genre reader, science fiction and fantasy, with a smattering of all the other categories! I visit you if you visit me, although my frequency of visits is down at the moment with everything else that is going on.

Books Read in 2021

January
1. The Glass Magician by Caroline Stevermer
2. When the King Comes Home by Caroline Stevermer
3. Magic Be With You by Jamie Brindle
4. Owl Be Home for Christmas by Diane Duane
5. A College of Magics by Caroline Stevermer
6. A Scholar of Magics by Caroline Stevermer
7. Hollowpox by Jessica Townsend
8. How the Multiverse Got Its Revenge by K. Eason
9. The Apple Stone by Nicholas Stuart Gray
10. The Tears of the Salamander by Peter Dickinson

February
11. Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
12. The Time of Green Magic by Hilary McKay
13. The Dark Archive by Genevieve Cogman
14. Trader's Leap by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
15. The Debatable Land by Graham Robb
16. The Deep End by Julie Mulhern

March
17. Calculated Risks by Seanan McGuire
18. A Pale Light in the Black by K. B. Wagers
19. Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater
20. Take a Look at the Five and Ten by Connie Willis
21. The Barnabus Project by the Fan Brothers

April
22. No One Noticed the Cat by Anne McCaffrey
23. The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates
24. Empire by Paul Strathern
25. All Systems Red by Martha Wells
26. Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
27. Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
28. Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
29. Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells
30. Network Effect by Martha Wells
31. Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold

May
32. The Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujold
33. The Silent Strength of Stones
34. Spirits That Walk in Shadow
35.The Big Over Easy
36. The Assassins of Thasalon
37. Love the House You’re In Rien, Paige
38. Angel of the Overpass McGuire, Seanan
39. Decluttering at the Speed of Life White, Dana
40. Snowdrift and other Stories Heyer, Georgette
41. The Sword of Happenstance Brust, Steven

June
42. Unlocking Harry Potter Granger, John
43. The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry Waggoner, C. M.
44. Chaos on Catnet Kritzer, Naomi
45. Cast in Conflict Sagara, Michelle

July
46. Eye Spy Lackey, Mercedes
47. Spy, Spy Again Lackey, Mercedes
48. Witness for the Dead Addison, Katherine

August
49. The Edge of Winter Neels, Betty
50. Adair of Starlight Peaks Summers, Essie
51. To Bring You Joy Summers, Essie
52. The Star Beast Heinlein, Robert

September
53. Ink & Sigil Hearne, Kevin
54. Paradise for Two Neels, Betty

October
55. The Last Graduate Novik, Naomi
56. Scales and Sensibility Burgis, Stephanie
57. Mad & Bad Real Heroines of the Regency Kock, Bea
58. The Hands of the Emperor Goddard, Victoria
59. Burning Water Lackey, Mercedes

Books Acquired in 2021--to be completed

Okay, I finally just copied and pasted from my spreadsheet for books read since May. There is still a chance I may reach 75 this year after all, but you can see there have been some very scant months. I haven't been posting my reads on my thread since then, but I do want to highlight a couple of recent reads.



Book #55 The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik

I enjoyed this sequel to A Deadly Education as much as I enjoyed the first. I love El's voice and the unexpected direction her talents take in this book.



Book #58 The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard

This is a long book all about relationships, none of which are sexual, and political philosophy, totally character-driven with some neat world-building, and I loved every minute. It's like a kinder, gentler exploration of how politics intersects with everyday life than The Dispossessed with much better drawn characters, hopeful and optimistic and don't we all need that right now. Highly recommended although I realize it won't be some of you's style at all.

I went to the second play of my season ticket at the Salina Community Theater today, The Half-Life of Marie Curie and found it powerful, informative, and moving. I see it is an audiobook and would recommend it as well.

Is it safe to come in yet? LOVE your topper! Just gorgeous. Happy new thread. And I'm not much ahead of you with number of reads, but we can do it!! LOL

Also admiring your topper, Roni.

Happy new thread. x

HAppy new one!

Hi, Kimmers. So good to see you here. I will go catch up on your thread immediately.

Hi Roni - good to see you so settled in your new home. I've been lurking here most of the time.
I can't wait to get my hands on the latest Novik, it's on its way to me but with our current strict lockdown mail is not guaranteed.

Happy New Thread! Your topper is beautiful!!

>1 ronincats: Ooooooo. Ooooo! So pretty.

*smooch*

>4 ronincats: The hands of the emperor sounds interesting. Have you read her Greenwing and Dart series? My library doesn't have any of her books, so I may have to select one to try out. BTW, your link goes to Robert Graves Claudius the God instead of Goddard's book.

Hey, Paul and Anita! Your messages didn't show up when I was replying to Kim. But I see them now.

I hope you get the book soon, Kerry.

Thank you, Silver and Richard.

Hi, Ardene. I haven't but I plan to, based on this one. Drat, I corrected that once but it didn't stick. I'll try it again. Thanks for letting me know.

From your prior thread, the "I'm that book you've been meaning to read" has inspired me. I may actually do that for a thing I have this month where I'm kind of expected to dress up (I generally do NOT do costumes!!!!).

It was good to see the photo of the cats on your prior thread, too. Will they always be confined to the (generously sized) basement or just until you're more fully settled in?

Hello hello! Glad you're settling in okay. I hope you made it through the weekend okay.

I really enjoyed The Dispossessed, so The Hands of the Emperor sounds very interesting.

Happy new thread!

>4 ronincats: Even if my nose is a bit disjointed by something being put above The Dispossessed that still feels like a BB to me. But I think The Dispossessed wasn't so much character driven as a speculation on the life cycle of revolution and the inescapable inevitability of politics in human interaction.

Lovely new thread, Roni! I'm having a hard time believing that you've been in Salina three months already. Wow!
I look forward to your reading an commenting.

Glad you're feeling settled and sleeping well. Hugs to you especially for the coming weekend.

Happy new thread Roni!

>1 ronincats: That's a beautiful sunset. I'm glad you're settling in to your 'new' digs.

Happy new thread, Roni.
Lovely picture at the top, and I am glad to read you are finally getting some decent sleep.

>1 ronincats: Wonderful! - Happy new thread, Roni.
I'm glad you moved to a beautiful area and feel comfortable there.
And that you are sleeping well!
All the best for you.

Happy new thread, Roni!

Happy new one, Roni!

Happy new thread!

>4 ronincats: I am so looking forward to reading The Last Graduate when I have the time (early next year, I would imagine). Does it complete the story, or are there more volumes to anticipate?

Roni, I decided that if you had a new thread then I needed one too.

Happy new thread, Roni. My thoughts will be with you as the anniversary of your husband's death arrives. Your life has changed a lot in the last bit.

Happy new thread, Roni!

Happy new thread, Roni! The Victoria Goddard book is in the BlackHole thanks to Peggy, but my local library does not have a copy. I have found a couple of her books in the Greenwig and Dart series and have them on the way to me.

Happy new thread, Roni. I thought I had posted that already but I guess I only *thought* it. Love that gorgeous topper photo!

Happy New Thread, Roni! I've been MIA the past few weeks, but I hope to be more present the rest of the year. With a new baby in the house, though, no guarantees.

Glad you're settling in and, I'm assuming, enjoying your new digs and your new life - at least it sounds that way. You've been through so much this past year. Big anniversary dates coming up next weekend. I'll be thinking of you.

>1 ronincats: Beautiful! Is that lake near you?

>15 EBT1002: I think that would be a great idea, Ellen!
>16 justchris: Hi, Chris. It's the weekend coming up, so yet to experience, but I think it will be okay.
>17 quondame: Oh, it was definitely not character-driven, Susan, and veered into the didactic at times, and was a much more direct exploration of socio-political implications. I liked the more oblique approach in the Goddard book quite a bit.
Thanks, Peggy, Reba and Nina. It's hard to believe myself. And the settling in has gone very smoothly.
Good to see some of the European contingent here, Anita and Thomas! And yes, the sleeping is very important.
Thank you, Katie (have to catch up on your thread--flood restoration and last day of work?) and Jim.
>25 foggidawn: Well, probably there will be another one, foggi. While some have characterized the ending as a cliff-hanger, I could see her just leaving it there.
Richard, you hog, yours is number FOURTEEN!!!! You NEED another thread like...words fail me.
Hi, Beth, Steve and Stasia. Thanks for dropping by.
The Flint Hills are beautiful, Shelley and Mary. Not sure which one is in the photo but there are lots within a 100 mile radius to choose from. I am definitely enjoying the new house and the interaction with family and friends a lot.

It's been so long since I created anything that I almost forgot to photograph it before taking it over for my sister tomorrow!

Happy new thread, Roni! Glad to see you enjoyed The Last Graduate. I've been enjoying the series quite a lot and I'm looking forward to seeing how it all wraps up.

>33 ronincats: oh that's fabulous!

>32 ronincats: As a minor fairness niggle, in 1974 character driven f&sf was fairly sparse on the shelf and The Dispossessed did have characters with some internals corresponding to their agency.

>33 ronincats: I love it! My daughter made me a mask that has owls on it :)

>33 ronincats: So cute!! I just found my Halloween mask, so I'll be wearing that today.

Hi Roni, and happy new thread!

In a way it's staggering that it's only been a year since your husband's sudden death. You've gone through so much since then. I'm glad things are settling down for you. How are the kitties doing?

>33 ronincats: Very cute. You're so talented. I don't think I say it often enough, but I'm always impressed with your sewing.

>33 ronincats: C**s. Why'd it haveta be c**s. (said in best Indiana Jones voice)

>32 ronincats: Not to quibble, but it's fifteen not a mere, lowly fourteen.

*smooch*

>33 ronincats: Love the mask! It did make me think something like "still making masks a year and a half later...never expected that when we started down this path". Will this ever end?!

>40 RebaRelishesReading:
I'm with you on the "who would have thought ..." that we would still be making and wearing masks a year-and-a-half after this all started? I am getting ready to make a couple more masks in the style I like to teach in simply because I am bored with the ones I have and want to wear something new. Sort of like getting new clothes. I feel like I need to freshen up my wardrobe.

Happy new one, Roni. What a gorgeous topper, soooo comforting. I'm glad to hear that you sleep much better. Thinking of you xx and sending lots of positive vibes.

>33 ronincats: Nice! mrsdrneutron just made me a new batch. Fishing and sailing fabric this time. 😀

>4 ronincats: ouch. You got me with that one...

Okay, anyone following up on my recommendation of The Hands of the Emperor should read this article, by the person who's been recommending it on Tor.com comments on various articles for the last few months, i.e., the one who put it on my radar.
https://www.tor.com/2021/10/20/you-should-really-be-reading-victoria-goddards-ni...

>34 bell7: Thanks, Mary.
>35 quondame: No argument from me on that, Susan.
>36 alcottacre:, >37 Berly: Our new fashion statements, eh, Stasia and Kim?
>38 karenmarie: It seems forever and just yesterday, Karen.
>39 richardderus: It's always CATS here, Richard dear.
>40 RebaRelishesReading:, >41 benitastrnad: Yeah, didn't think I'd still be making them for sure.
>42 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara.
>43 drneutron: That sounds like just the thing for you, Jim.
>44 fuzzi: See >45 ronincats:, fuzzi.

>45 ronincats: Well dang, book bullet (if belated) on that one. It'll take awhile to get to me, and hopefully I won't be inundated with reads with the 899 page doorstopper shows up from the library. If I love it, apparently I'm going to have to really dig for the rest of the series. There's only 2 available in my system.

>47 bell7: Stasia and Peggy found a free copy of Stargazy Pie in this free bundle of books on Amazon:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V791ZBT/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title

>48 ronincats: Well, I certainly won't say no to free e-books. Thanks for the link, Roni!

>48 ronincats: Thanks.

>48 ronincats: Darn it, women. I've taken a direct hit and succumbed to my wounds.

>45 ronincats: I saw that article yesterday so I’ve added it to my WL.

>45 ronincats: Thank you, Roni. I've favorited that post every way I can think of. I LOVE *Hands/Emperor* even if I don't get a lot of reading time and am trying to be conscientious about finishing the universe that is the Lewis bio of Edith Wharton. Whew.

Machine-gun - I've been looking for Goddard for a while now (since I first saw Hands mentioned, recently) and this got me to actually recommend several of her books to libraries and pick some up on Amazon. And in the search, I discovered two other books I knew I wanted that I didn't know existed (yet) - Paladin's Hope and The Witness for the Dead and put holds on them too...one post, lots of books!

>48 ronincats: Cool! Thanks.

Dropping by to wish you a lovely weekend, Roni.

>48 ronincats: *SIGH*

You can book-bullet me without even bothering to show up!

Thanks to all who have dropped in (and taken book bullets): Mary, Susan, Nina, Rhian, Peggy, Benn, Mary, Paul and Richard.

Today is a happier anniversary than yesterday's, my 14 year Thingaversary. And yes, I have celebrated. First, I treated myself to most of the Kindle books on my wishlist on Amazon.

When Sorrows Come by Seanan McGuire
Paladin's Strength by T. Kingfisher
Paladin's Hope by T. Kingfisher
The Phoenix Feather: Fledglings by Sherwood Smith
Knot of Shadows by Lois McMaster Bujold

And then stopped by the Friends of the Library book sale and picked up these:


And finally I treated myself to a physical book that I'd been tracking for years that finally had dropped from $85 to $20, Deans of Women and the Feminist Movement: Emily Taylor's Activism (Historical Studies in Education). She was Dean when I was an undergraduate and we worked out of her office during the student demonstrations and school shut-downs in the spring of 1969.

Congratulations on your 14th Thingaversary! Nice haul of books :)

>59 ronincats: Woo hoo! Great celebratory haul! Happy Thingaversary, Roni, and I'll just say briefly that the life you're leading is one I take great heart and happiness from knowing is giving you such happiness.

Congrats on your 14th Thingaversary, Roni! Nice book haul! You sure do things up right!

{{hugs}}

Roni, I have to say I’ve watched in utter amazement at all you’ve done this year. You just seem to go from strength to strength. I’m glad you have a happier anniversary following a sad one.

>59 ronincats: Some interesting books there. (No - don’t look, don’t look!) I could be adding wrong, but I think you’re one short on your Thingaversary haul ;0)

>59 ronincats: Congrats on your 14th Thingaversary. I really enjoyed Daylight.

>59 ronincats: Happy Thingaversary! Excellent book haul

Happy Thingaversary! Mine is coming up soon.

Thanks, everyone. Off to Kansas City for a few days to spend time with my college roomie, be back Thursday.

>64 avatiakh: Picked it up because you had introduced me to her.

Now that's how to celebrate a Thinga!!!!

Enjoy your time with your roomie!

Just my luck, I finally get here and you've gone off visiting for a few days! Have a nice time. Roni, and congrats on your 14 years on LibraryThing!

>46 ronincats: Well, as fashionable as I ever get.

Congratulations on the Thingaversary, Roni! Looks like you got a great haul for it.

>59 ronincats: Looks like a great Thingaversary haul!

Joyous Thingaversary!

Happy Thingaversary!!

Happy Thingaversary! Catching up after a busy couple of work weeks and weekends. You still have time to work in 75–I’m sure you can do it!

Happy Thingaversary, and what a nice haul to celebrate with!

{{{{{Roni}}}}}

>4 ronincats: I think I said on my thread that The Hands of the Emperor has gone to the top of my list thanks to yours and Peggy's recommendations.

You may have already seen this but tor.com did an article on Victoria Goddard's books just this month which seemed like a very serendipitous coincidence to me:

https://www.tor.com/2021/10/20/you-should-really-be-reading-victoria-goddards-ni... (Ha! Just saw your post in >45 ronincats:)

>33 ronincats: Oh, I love that fabric.

>59 ronincats: Happy thingaversery and hope the books, especially the Kingfisher's bring joy. I just finished Knot of Shadows yesterday and it was wonderful (as ever).

Happy Thingaversary!

Count me among those who have succumbed to Victoria Goddard's fiction. I bought a Kindle copy of The hands of the emperor. and look foward to reading more. (But my library owns NOTHING by her.)

>76 souloftherose: I like the way Bujold developed a plot from the an almost throwaway bit at the beginning of The Curse of Chalion.

>59 ronincats: Congratulations on your book accumulations! Thinking of you, and continue to send all good wishes your way my dear, sweet friend!

Thank you, Peggy, Judy, Stasia, Lori, Susan, Silver, Cassie, Mary, {{{{Heather}}}}, Ardene and Linda, for visiting and saying hi. I'm back from KC--rained all day yesterday and today THERE, but only yesterday here (1.6"). However the winds are intense--40 mph right now with gusts up to nearly 60. This house seems to be pretty draft-free, fortunately, and warmed up right away when I got home and turned the thermostat up again.



Book #60 Knot of Shadows by Lois McMaster Bujold

I read this the same day I downloaded it, before I even posted it in >59 ronincats:. The latest in the Penric and Desdemona books, Bujold's usual quality, just too short!



Book #61 Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher

I had to reread this before reading the two new ones I treated myself to for my Thingaversary, as I could remember not a thing about it. I recognized everything I encountered as I did the reread, and enjoyed it just as much as the first time. Now I'm ready (and have already started) to read the next one, Paladin's Strength.

>80 ronincats: I hope your storm doesn't get too fierce. We had buckets of rain here several days ago.

I was just thinking today that I should get back to Bujold soon - but a Miles book. It has been quite a while for me.

>81 RBeffa: I heard, and I think this system was part of the one that soaked you then. It's supposed to move on east overnight and out of Kansas. The eastern third of Kansas got a lot more rain than we did here. Yesterday it was all blowing straight from the south (leading edge of the system) and today all straight from the north (back edge).

You should definitely get back to a Miles book, Ron. Go to it!!

>80 ronincats: #61 I'm so pleased she won the Hugo! She really brings the joy to her writing, doesn't she.

The Nor'easter that flattened poor Lucy in Wellfleet left me with damp toes. That was about it.

>82 ronincats: That was the weirdest thing about the storm - it kept coming from different directions. I pulled out a few Bujold omnibus editions and I'll start one soon hopefully.

>80 ronincats: I still need to get to Kingfisher's books! Thanks for the reminder.

Glad you are back home safely!

Welcome home! Glad you had a good trip and now have a cozy warm house. We've been having cozy weather here for a couple of weeks now along with beautiful red/gold/yellow leaves. Isn't fall wonderful?

Welcome home, Roni.

Welcome home. How nice to discover that your house keeps out the wind and warms up quickly. Makes me feel quite cosy (in spite of the fact that I need a house that holds the coolth* in).

* if 'coolth' doesn't already exist, it should, so I'm inventing it.

Glad to hear you're back home safely and snug.

Happy Saturday, Roni!

>88 humouress: Love it, Nina - inventor of words!

>83 richardderus: Yes, she does bring a zest to her writing, Richard.
Ron, Stasia, Reba, Judy, Nina, and Heather, thanks for visiting and the welcome back home.
>90 alcottacre: Nina does have a way with words, doesn't she, Stasia.

Spent my Saturday planting half the bulbs and cutting back half the peonies. It was a gorgeous day, sunny and 70. Today is still sunny but cooler--I'm waiting to afternoon to finish up.

Reconciled my spreadsheet and Goodreads and I am actually at 65 books, although I don't have it corrected and up to date at the top of my thread yet. That means there is a very good chance I will reach 75 books this year and, although that is half of my usual reading total for a year, given all that has happened this year I will count it a big plus. Still working on Paladin's Strength.

My sister reported that north of you they "had a nice rain on Thursday." they got 3 1/2 inches. Down here in Alabama it was cold and rainy starting Thursday night. Today is sunny, cold, and windy. There temperature went from low 80's high 70's to 50's and 60's today so it seems like it is really cold. It will make for few children out tonight.

I drove up to Gadsden, Al yesterday for my second sock making class and had a great time. The downtown Gadsden merchants had Trick or Treating for the children from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and so we got to see about 200 children in costumes. It was fun and the class was good. I am learning how to knit socks from the toe up. The method she is teaching is a new one, but since I have never knitted socks it is all new to me. We did a cast on that replaces the Kitchener Stitch and yesterday I learned how to do German Short Rows to turn the heel. I will finish that up tonight while I am watching PBS. Next week I will learn how to customize the shank to fit, so I am looking forward to that.

I am also going to be experimenting in the kitchen today. I am trying a new method for using butternut squash to make a sauce that becomes a pasta sauce. It sounds delicious and I am sure that the members of my wine club will have a delightful pasta dish to go along with the wine we have on Tuesday night.

Belated congratulations on your 14th Thingaversary, Roni!

>91 ronincats: Glad I saw that, Roni as I am presently updating the reading stats!

Sounds like you are doing lots of interesting things, Benita. It was chilly but windless tonight, so good for the trick-or-treaters.
Thanks, Thomas.\
>94 PaulCranswick: Oooooh, stats!!!

>96 PaulCranswick: Coming very soon, Roni.

You should be proud to be this close to 75 with all you’ve done this year. You can make it!

We had over 3 inches of rain in 2 days from that system. Basically we got our entire allotted rainfall for October from that one system. Now it’s dry but cold. House is cozy though, especially with a small black and white radiator sleeping on top of me each night. Cats make excellent space heaters.

Paul, you can add two more.



Book #66 A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny 280 pp.

Read this properly, one diary entry per day, for a lovely October reread!



Book #67 Paladin's Strength by T. Kingfisher. 445 pp.

These are so much fun. These are what Vernon writes as fluffy romance. I would start the third (and final?) one right away, but the new Garth Nix book is due to download in an hour and I think I'll read it first.

I don't think it's the final one - at least, there's a whole bunch more people in the paladin group. She could write about all of them...and I'd read them! Here's hoping.

Roni, the Joplin meet up thread is up: https://www.librarything.com/topic/336420

I hope we see you there.

>99 jjmcgaffey: But if Paladin's Hope features Galen, as I assume it does, only the three of them have come into focus as characters we follow and care about. The others are pretty faceless so far. But one can hope.
>100 alcottacre: I'm going to try to make it, Stasia.

Okay, so I haven't been posting. But I HAVE been running my mother around two days a week, continuing with my house organization, and even READING.

On the organization front, I have gotten out all my KU paraphernalia for basketball season (we won big against Michigan State in the Champions' Classic last night) AND gotten it hung up, distributed and put where it will live for the season, which means the spare bedroom is again in good shape. I rearranged the laundry room slightly to be more convenient and moved all the extra empty bins out. Currently working on the craft room, where I have everything sorted into piles: the sewing notions pile, the fabric pile, the jewelry wire/beading supplies and tools, the pottery brushes and glazes, tissue paper and wrapping supplies, the yarn cabinet, embroidery kits and hoops, purse-making supplies, craft show items, and patterns, patterns, patterns. Spent a good deal of time clearing out the drawer of my library table, which contained two of those plastic organizers for desk supplies. So a lot of old pens and paper clips tossed, and progress in small increments is happening.

Last Thursday I got my booster shot, ran Mom around the next morning but felt a bit achy and so spent the afternoon skimming through two library books I'd bogged down on, as they were coming due. I think Raybearer has the potential to be a really great book for a lot of people--very good world-building and interesting characters, but I wasn't as into the YA angst, revenge issues, and complexity at this time, so I had read the first 70 pages, skimmed through the book and read the last 30 to close it out of the 368 pages. The Ickabog had the opposite problem--too simplistic and you knew exactly where this was going all the time. I read the first 130 pages, skimmed through, and finished the last 50 of the 290 pages. I count the pages read but not the books as completed.

Saturday I had help blowing the water out of my irrigation pipes in preparation for winter (first hard freeze forecast for Friday am) and severed the Virginia creeper climbing my north wall at the base, went to my great-nephew's high school musical, and then spent Sunday raking leaves from the front verge and carting 9 wagon-loads back to the garden plot for mulch and nutrition. Lovely 70 degree days, both of them.

And today I finished up the new October Daye series, When Sorrows Come, which came out in September but I only bought on my Kindle for my Thingaversary and, despite any faults, I still love Toby and her snark and this was a great addition to the series (#15).

So, what's been going on in YOUR lives? Hopefully will be able to start getting around the threads a bit more, and even commenting...

>101 ronincats: You do busy well. The thought of a fabric pile or a sewing pile seems strange - I think I could pretty much cover the floor of a 10'x12' room knee deep in fabric, but then I'm probably under estimating.

>102 quondame: You have to remember how much downsizing I did for the move, including several bins of fabric (I currently only have 3 bins plus fabric bought since I got here which is not much bulk-wise, and the 12 bins of yarn and other embroidery crafts. Here is the current yarn stash.


Otherwise, I could easily have filled the 10x12 room. SO little in comparison...

>103 ronincats: Oh yes, the moving thing. It does pay to divest impedimentia before embarking. That looks to be a decent seed stock. I never got that much of a yarn stash, though my weaving fiber stash is weighty for only weaving bands.

>101 ronincats: I am so happy that it looks like you will make the Joplin meet up, Roni, especially with so much going on in your life.

>101 ronincats: Phew! *waves weakly*

Are Virginia creepers not good, then?

I am glad you are doing well Roni!

>106 humouress: they're invasive here in the south. Good news is they are easily ripped up/out.

Hey there! Happy you're so busy...being isolated and bored is a bigger problem than mere whirling, swirling swivets. Those can be stopped when necessary.

*smooch*

Sorry Raybearer wasn't a better book for you. I enjoyed it overall, enough that I hope to read the sequel at some point.

>106 humouress:, >108 fuzzi: My war on Virginia creeper has been put on hold while I battle it out with the poison ivy and Jimsonweed right now. It is at least no longer on the house or she-shed. Every time I visit Derek, however, I pull a few more off his siding. If you aren’t careful about controlling it, it can work it’s way under siding and wreak havoc with it.

>108 fuzzi: >111 CassieBash: Ah; not good then.

*Waving*

Impressive stash there! >103 ronincats:

Good to hear you're doing well, Roni! Your yarn stash is so well organized! Mine is just a huge basket on the floor of the guest room closet. I gave away all of my fabric when we moved -- haven't missed it yet.

Enjoy fall :)

Hi Roni. As always you surprise me with how busy you keep yourself. I feel like an absolute slug next to you!

>103 ronincats: that's still a lot of yarn. Lol

Roni, it's Wednesday and not a peep since *last* Wednesday...you can't possibly be that mean and cruel, to ignore us for a whole week! ::chinwobble::

Oh, it can't possibly be a whole week since I posted...well, what do you know? Sorry, friends. It's been a bit busy around here. Mom had her hammertoe amputated on Friday so I took her to that appointment and then stayed with her the rest of the day. Saturday I supervised yard work, Sunday continued organizing the craft room by sorting all my findings into a hardware cabinet I picked up Saturday, Monday FINALLY got all my papers in the office sorted and files made and filed. Monday morning was a trip to Sam's Club, then over to Abilene to take my mother to an appointment. Today finally got all the sewing notions sorted and put in their permanent home, which really cleared the floor. All I have left is to sort the beading/wirework tools and loose beads, then when all else is done, to refold my fabric and store it more efficiently in its bins in the closet.
Tomorrow I go to Wichita to visit a grade school friend and pick up the dolls I took down 2 months ago to be refurbished, and Friday is my birthday, I take Mom back to the doctor who did the surgery for a check-up, and then my sister is cooking dinner for us (with brownies!) to celebrate.

Slowly but surely the house is getting there. I also finished Paladin's Hope to complete the trilogy. Probably the weakest of the three in terms of story, for me.



Book #68 When Sorrows Come by Seanan McGuire (384 pp.)

This one is so much fun amidst all the usual mayhem.



Book #69 Paladin's Hope by Seanan McGuire (305 pp.)

Weakest of the three "romances" in terms of story plot.

Wow, I can imagine you didn't post for a week!! You've done a LOT. I was planning to wait until tomorrow to wish you a happy birthday but since you mentioned it...Hope you have a very happy birthday!!

So you're not going to be around on your ACTUAL birthday, at least not much, so:

*smooch*

Oh, Richard, now I know you REALLY love me, because you put one of "them" in my birthday cake picture. And the cake looks pretty yummy too. Thank you!

And thank you, Reba, for your good wishes. I am NOT forgetting how you reached out last year to take me to lunch for it and made sure I was not going to be by myself on my birthday.

>121 ronincats: ...AND it's *gaaak* chocolate cake. *shudder* A little encapsulation of all the things not on my own list of life's happy-making treats. (I do empathize with...that...'s expression, though!)

Early happy birthday wishes to you, Roni!

Enjoy your cat and cake, Roni! Happy b-day!

Happy birthday Roni!

Happy happy birthday, Roni!! Whew what a week you've had. Hope your mom is recovering well.

Happy last few minutes of your birthday! I hope the year ahead fulfills all your hopes for it!

Happy birthday Roni!

Happy Birthday! Enjoy the cake ;)

Happy Birthday, Roni!

Hi Roni, is it your birthday today? Did you treat yourself to a new book? All the best wishes.
Back tracking to >80 ronincats:, I have been hoping the Penric novels subsequent to the previous Omnibus (Penric's Travels) would appear as an omnibus follow up. Our library and bookstores are not carrying (yet anyway) any of the individual novels ~
The Orphans of Raspay (2019-07)
The Physicians of Vilnoc (2020-05)
The Assassins of Thasalon (2021-05-10)
Knot of Shadows (2021-10-21)

Does anyone know if there's a composite volume out there somewhere?
I have really enjoyed the World of Five Gods series so far.

Happy Birthday, Roni! You've been very busy and productive. It sounds like things are going well. Enjoy your day!

Happy birthday, Roni!

Happy birthday!

I think I missed your birthday so I hope it was a good one!

Our cat Foo has celebrated 9 birthdays like this. I hope you get to eat your cake too. Happy Birthday Roni!

>121 ronincats: Wish we could have had lunch together today!! Hope you have a delightful day full of fun and family!

Happy Birthday, Roni!

Following along with the theme,

Happy Birthday!

Thank you, everyone, for the birthday wishes. I feel really valued. It's been a long and busy day. Picked my mom up at 9:30 this morning, brought her back to Salina for her checkup (no infection, wound is healing, stitches will come out next week), and then back to Abilene after stopping by Popeye's to pick up lunch. Spent the afternoon with her, making myself useful, and then we went over to my sister's, who had beef stroganoff and noodles and coleslaw for dinner and brownies for dessert, as well as my nephew and his kids over, and then I opened presents (no books, but that's okay) and we visited for awhile. Then everyone was tired and we all went home, and here I am, wanting to tell you what a great day it was and how you have been a big part of it!! Thank you.

Happy belated birthday from me too, Roni! Glad to hear that it was a great day for you!

Happy belated birthday Roni! That cake looks yummy, and I'm glad to hear there was actual chocolate in your celebration meal.

Even more belated birthday wishes. Brownies sounds like perfect birthday "cake" to me.

Belated Happiness wishes to you for your birthday, Roni! I have finally caught up with you - I have really struggled to keep up with the threads this year including my own. Sounds like you are settling in nicely, and I am amazed at how much you have traversed in the last year. The bitter and the sweet, and I am so happy that you found your house and are making it your own. We think of you every time we use our beautiful mugs that you made for us - I love even just looking at them, but they are so wonderful to use. The handle is perfect and the color makes me smile every time.

Hoping that your weekend is full of fabulous, just like you.

Well, it took me SEVERAL days to recuperate from so much family togetherness, but here I am. Thanks so much for the birthday wishes from Reba, Richard, Mary, Cassie, Nina, Kim, Susan, Thomas, Anita, Anita, Sandy, Karen, Shelley, Jim, Laura, Ron (loved the photo), Katie, Mary, Silver, Stasia, Ardene, Charlotte, and Mamie. I am so humbled that so many of you are still checking in on me when I've been so absent from the threads this year!

I didn't get any books for my Birthday, but I did get a couple of book-themed gifts (the t-shirt and the mug). This photo is taken inside my new mobile photo studio that was my mom's gift to me, on the new place mats my nephew's family gave me along with the Yaktrax..

I also finished book #70, which I was hoping would be a light entertaining fantasy mystery, but which was pedestrian at best and hit every single trope for romance with a stultifying frequency.

A Spell for Trouble by Esme Addison (327 pp.)

>147 ronincats: Oh boo. Not satisfactory at all.

>146 ronincats: What a perfect tee shirt! I love it. They're all thoughtful and well-chosen gifts, thank the goddesses. Nothing to be regifted there!

*smooch*

>146 ronincats: Hurray for birthday gifts, and if not books at least some are book-related! I like the mobile photo studio--my daughter would LOVE it!

Is that the new style beater for a Kitchen Aide mixer that I see? or did somebody put something else in that box?

Hi Roni, and very happy belated birthday to you. I am another one who is struggling these days to keep up here at LT. Sounds like you are living a very busy life these days - but then you seem to thrive on being busy!

>146 ronincats: I may just have to steal that T-shirt!

>147 ronincats: That is too bad as I recently picked up a copy of that one. I hope your next read is better for you, Roni!

Love the shirt Roni! Glad to hear you had a good birthday.

>148 richardderus: *SMOOCH*
>149 Berly: I love it too, Kim. It will be great for taking photos of my crafts.
>150 benitastrnad: More of a specialty beater, Benita. Supposed to be a pastry beater, working like a pastry cutter for dough.
>151 DeltaQueen50: Thank you, Judy. Yes, my family seems to keep me very busy.
>153 charl08: It was a little better, Stasia. (see below)
>154 ronincats: Thank you so much, Charlotte!



Book #71 Kingscastle: A classic Regency romance in the tradition of Georgette Heyer by Sophia Holloway (276 pp.)

You can see why I picked up this ebook for my Kindle. Always looking for good regency authors. The book started out with promise. The historical detail was quite good--the author is a British historian, so that is good. The side characters and the situations were all there. But the sparkling dialogue and humor that characterize Heyer were not there, and the plot devolved into timeworn romance tropes imho. So, a decent Regency, but not a great Regency.

>154 ronincats: Skipping that Regency.

Happy Thanksgiving, Roni!

A Thanksgiving to Friends (Lighting the Way)

In difficult times
a friend is there to light the way
to lighten the load,
to show the path,
to smooth the road

At the darkest hour
a friend, with a word of truth
points to light
and the encroaching dawn
is in the plainest sight.

Roni, to a friend in books and more this Thanksgiving

>154 ronincats: #71 Oh dear. Well. It's always frustrating when what should've been a fun read turns into a ~meh~ one.

Thursday orisons, Roni.

>154 ronincats: Oh, that's so disappointing. I love a good Regency a la Heyer; otherwise, I'm currently not much for romances.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Roni, I am so very grateful for you, my LT friend.

I wish you (and yours) happiness and health on this day of Thanksgiving. And cookies. : )

Happy Thanksgiving, Roni

Happy Thanksgiving! This is Posey's dream.

Hooray for a new Bujold!

>146 ronincats: The Kitchen Aid mixer accessory looks like a nice gift, but I think I'd be sad to not receive a single book or a gift card/certificate to a bookstore where I could choose my own. Cute shirt!

Thank you, Stasia, Paul, Richard, Mary, Kim, Shelley, Lucy and Lori. I hosted dinner today for my mom, sister and her husband and his mom, and it made for a lovely but very busy and ultimately tiring day. I'm going to settle in, hopefully with a good book, very soon now for an early night, as I was up early in order to get the turkey in the oven in good time. And KU won its game today, so all is good.

I am very thankful for all of my LibraryThing friends--you have been my support system through thick and thin and I love you. I'm sorry I didn't get around to your threads to tell you that today. I have a great deal to be thankful for.

I am glad you had a good Thanksgiving day, Roni, and hope you get some much needed rest!

Glad to hear you had a good Thanksgiving, Roni, and hoping today is a restful one for you.

Roni, so glad your Thanksgiving was full of happy. Ours was most excellent, but I am still tired today, so hoping to take it easy. Your birthday gifting looks full of fabulous, but I am sorry that you did not get any books. I have no idea what Yaktrax or mobile photo studio are, so I will have to investigate. Hoping that today can be full of the lazy for you, my friend.

Yay for a good day in good company! Have a restful rest of today. *smooch*

Sounds like a lovely, if exhausting, Thanksgiving. We were guests which is much easier :) Hope you're having a relaxing day today (and go Hawks!!)

Thanks, Stasia, Mary, Mamie, Richard and Reba. Despite everyone's wishes for me to have a restful day, I opted for a fun one instead and got all my Christmas stuff up from the basement and decorated. Everything is done but the tree, and this morning I laid out all my ornaments on the dining room table preparatory to that.

I finished a book, The Naughty List, a freebie on Amazon Kindle Unlimited, and although it's not the best written book in the world, it kept me amused and awake until I finished it Thanksgiving night instead of nodding off over it as I had expected to several hours earlier.

Description from Amazon:
This is not a typical Yuletide tale.

Murder, mystical artifacts, an invisible demon with anger management issues, and an overbearing cupid—not what Rosalie Thatcher wished for on her Christmas list.

The holidays had always been a magical time for Rosalie, but not this year. Her new manager at Penrose’s Department Store is determined to make this season the most profitable in the store’s history, even if it sucks the life out of every employee. Introducing arbitrary rules and stealing the affections of the cute temp Santa were bad enough, but forcing Rosalie into the stupid elf hat was the worst. The worst, that is, until she meets a real E.L.F. (Elemental Life Form) named David and gets lassoed into a desperate hunt for the stolen Naughty and Nice List. Now all Rosalie and David must do is dodge a murderous invisible demon and recover the missing artifact before hellhounds track them down. The couple race against time for without the magical guidance of the Naughty and Nice List, the world will tumble toward eternal chaos.

>169 ronincats: Ha! That got onto my Kindle at some point. So did Satan Claus is Coming to Town. Silliness.

>169 ronincats: Happy decorating. You have such a beautiful new house I know you're going to have a lot of fun decorating it.

Roni, Craig got that same decorating bee in his bonnet, and we are all decked out after a whirlwind tour through all of our Christmas decor. I am still blinking with the speed of it all.

Wow, you are so organised. I thought I was doing well ordering a couple of gifts online! As Reba says, must be fun decorating a new place too.

>170 richardderus: *smooch*
>171 RebaRelishesReading: That's the thing--I really wanted to see how my Christmas stuff "fit" in the new house!
>173 charl08: Fast is good, Mamie. Now you can enjoy.
>174 ronincats: It's funny how moving cuts down on the options, Charlotte, so that I CAN be more organized. As I think I've said, first time in YEARS that I've had all my Christmas stuff out at once--and of course, I did shed stuff (tree holder, wreath, wrapping paper and bows and assorted gift stash) but not too much because I knew I'd have more room here.

Front room:


And back in the sun room/office:


Not everything, of course, but a goodly amount.

Love the pictures, Roni! Thanks for sharing them.

I am leaving for Joplin in the morning. I am sorry you cannot join us this year, but I am hopeful for next year :)

>174 ronincats: It looks wonderful! I'm very impressed.

Wow, that is a Christmas display. Lots of them. Before my husband and daughter insisted on a tree I was fine with a fresh green garland or two.

Thank you for the beautiful pictures, you can really feel at home here.
All the best Roni!

I can see how much fun you've had arranging everything!

What a beautiful house against which to display all those lovely Christmas decorations! That bench! Those windows! The sunroom/office! I'm in love.

>174 ronincats: Wow! It looks good. I can understand the excitement of wanting to see how your decorations fit into your new house/ decorating your new house for the first time.

You constantly amaze me with how organised you are, Roni. In the meantime, in our house, the boys took the tree and decorations downstairs from the attic today and the plan is to put it up on Wednesday (being the 1st of December).

I've decided that, rather than me spending time carefully wrapping our gifts in flimsy Christmas wrapping paper (because guess who gets asked to do everyone's?) which just gets ripped off regardless on the day and fills at least one large rubbish bag, I would put together fabric gift bags to reuse every year (not make from scratch, since I don't have a machine, but I bought some plain ones and am sewing on decorations). Let's see if my idea works out.

Lovely Christmas decor!

That house looks like it was made for Christmas. Your decorations are lovely and look perfect in the setting.

>181 humouress: - That sounds like a great idea!

Roni, you are ready for the holiday - looks great!

Belated Happy Birthday and Thanksgiving Roni! Loving the look of the Christmas decs in the new house too! Sounds like you are being kept very busy by family and friends, which is great to hear.

>174 ronincats: Loving how the decorations are melding nicely with the house. Very nicely done!

WOW!!!!! What a happy house!

Love all the pictures!! You have some really fun decorations. : ) I just brought up the Christmas Village houses and they go up tomorrow as well as some random ones around the house. Hopefully the tree this weekend! Enjoy.

Nice and festive in your house now; loving the pics!

Wow, everything looks great, Roni, and very Christmas-y. We have hauled all the boxes up to the apartment but are taking our time getting it all out and on display. I can see through your windows that there's no snow yet, but I would guess that you can expect a white Christmas?

Our library has a nice bay window where we put the Christmas tree each year. We brought it down yesterday. We asked the student worker on duty at the front desk if she enjoyed decorating Christmas trees. She did, so we tasked her with that. It was the highlight of her day. She was so excited. We decided all the packages needed to be re-wrapped before we put them under the tree. The sun faded the paper. I brought all my Christmas paper from home and another staff member picked up 3 new rolls of paper at Dollar Tree. I picked up bows, both regular and some different looking ones, but our Dollar General did not have curling ribbon. I was disappointed, but we'll survive. Our first student worker of the day is so excited to be wrapping while on duty. So far this is working out really well for all of us library faculty and staff!

Just lurking, I looked at your pix again, so wowed by the house and your decorations!

Like Lucy, been lurking. Admired your energy for house decorating. Everything looks so glam. Will you have a lot of family to gather and celebrate in your new place?

Hello, Roni! You have been busy. Nicely done with the decorating.

>174 ronincats: I love the caroling cats!! Thanks for sharing the photos - your house looks very festive and inviting.

*smoochiesmoochsmooch*

>195 richardderus:

::wipes moisture off iPad screen::

I love all your photos of the Christmas decor! The tree and dining room table look especially lovely.

Surely it cannot have been over a week (and three days) since I last posted here!! I love having all my visitors: Stasia, Richard, Susan, Thomas, Lucy, Mary, Nina, foggi (CONGRATS on the engagement!!), Reba, Ardene, Hannah, Anita, Peggy, Kim, Cassie, Judy, Lori, Lucy and Richard again, and another Mary. Thank you so much. I love, love, love my house and it has been so delightful to decorate this year in this beautiful setting. Family continues to keep me quite busy several days a week, and then I seem to find much to do to fill my time on the other days. Still not much reading happening but now due to being busy with other things. Only 3 more books to go to hit 75--I have to get busy.

>198 ronincats: I'm so glad you love your new house! I love my house, too, but we've been here for about 15 years so it doesn't occur to me as often. But it's lived in and well loved; unfortunately you can tell, from the mess :0o

>198 ronincats: & >199 humouress: I must admit that I am really happy too in my Kuala Lumpur condo. Especially the plentiful shelving space the layout affords.

>198 ronincats: See, Roni, your enthusiasm is infectious.

Hi Roni!

I love your Christmas decorations - thanks for posting the pictures.

Good luck getting to 75.

>198 ronincats: Being busy is a real education in time management...what do I keep, what do I toss? It's all going to reach a new equilibrium soon.

Meantime, enjoy your new Yule stuff!

>198 ronincats: You can hit 75, Roni. I have no doubt!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Last night I was browsing the science fiction and fantasy books at our Friends of the Library and happened upon a lovely copy of the Sector General omnibus Alien Emergencies. I immediately thought of you. Of course it came home with me. I don't think I have read any of three novels it contains and I look forward to having a go at it next year.

>204 RBeffa: You thought of her as an 'alien' or as an 'emergency'? ;0)

>59 ronincats: Congratulations for celebrating your 14 year anniversary on LT. And, I am amazed at the amount of books you read this year, considering all you accomplished -- selling your house and emptying it for move back to Kansas, buying a lovely house in Kansas that was such a great fit for you, losing your husband and moving on with courage and strength...There are more accomplishments, but those listed meant a lot of work and emotional shuffling.

I continue to admire you greatly.

>205 humouress: LOL

More house pictures--I keep adding stuff.

Thank you for visiting, Nina, Paul, Karen, Richard, Stasia, Ron, and Linda. It's a mutual admiration society, Linda. I knew exactly what you meant, Ron--pay no attention to Nina's provocations!

I did finish one book.



Book #72 Petty Treasons by Victoria Goddard (110 pp.)

This is a short prequel to The Hands of the Emperor and won't make any sense if you haven't read that first.

>208 ronincats: Two trees of notable size! How do manage the cats with all the decorations?

>208 ronincats: Gorgeous pictures, Roni!

It's all so beautiful and cozy! Love it!!

>208 ronincats: Quite beautiful.

>208 ronincats: Oh wow, you've really settled in. It looks like you've lived there for years, everything in its place.

>209 ronincats: Hey!

Love the decorations! It looks so cozy!

>208 ronincats: NOW it's your home! All the Yuletide bling is out!

*smooch*

Your home looks nicely decorated!

Well, an exciting afternoon. High winds--gust of 89 mph recorded at Salina airport around 4:30 this afternoon--about the same time the power went out. It just came on about 20 minutes ago. I-70 from the Colorado border to Salina was closed due to all the semis blown over. A big branch down out in the back yard, and the back fence blown down.


This is the really weird radar of the 20 minutes of thunderstorm that swept through at 3, and then the winds peaked around 4:30. Still high until 9 but the worst seems to be over and, as I said, the power here is back on now. All that big stuff west of us went up into Nebraska.

ETA that line is directly over Salina in that shot.

Not to mention I was awakened by a 4.0 earthquake at 4 in the morning.

ETA did I mention it was 75 degrees here--shirt-sleeve weather if not for the wind?

And officially a 98 mph wind gust here in Salina today.

>220 ronincats: Wow, and I thought the winds were bad here today (40 mph)! I am glad to hear that you are safe and your electricity is back on.

>218 ronincats: >219 ronincats: >220 ronincats: Yikes. Hope you're OK Roni, that sounds like a dramatic combination.

Roni, first let me say that your house is shaping up so nicely. It looks lovely decorated for the holidays.

But wow, what a storm you had. Our part of Virginia is much more windy than where we lived in Pennsylvania. Even though we've had the most precarious trees taken down, I get anxious every time the wind starts up. But we've never had anything like what you experienced. I hope you're doing okay and haven't had any further damage.

All is calm this morning. Once it warms up a bit, I will go out back and see if I can prop the fence back up.

>224 ronincats: Sooo ... you like to read?

>224 ronincats: YES!

Holy Moly! You are in Kansas anymore.

I'm glad you're past that bout of bad weather.

>224 ronincats: Flawless logic.

>224 ronincats: I see absolutely no problem with this flowchart.

Happy Thursday, Roni!

>218 ronincats: ff ...yowza! That is double-plus ungood! I'm very happy for you that the power's on again. *smooch*

OMG Roni!! Hope that's over now. Some wild weather going on out there for sure. Stay safe!!

All your decorating is wonderful. I especially love your Christmas cats china (you've probably heard me comment on them other Christmas's.

Wow on your storm! I'm glad that you are OK and that your only casualty was the back fence. Wow - 75 degrees. That's not normal for a Kansas Christmas, either. Of course, neither is an earthquake.

>208 ronincats: I love it. My house is too cluttery (three adult males live here!) for me to do much decorating. And we have a kitten this year, so everything is staying in the boxes except one small stuffed Christmas tree...

ETA: wow, what a storm you've experienced, glad you're okay!

>224 ronincats: Perfect! Though I have to say, I'm in more need of bookshelves than books at this moment in time.

Ooof to the earthquake and hot weather you've been experiencing. What is seasonal for Kansas right about now? (I say this having had a high of 60 yesterday, which is very not seasonal but not unheard of in New England in December.)

Glad the storm is over. Wow!!

And >224 ronincats: does not just apply to Christmas. I think it would be perfect for birthdays, or any other *occasion*. It's quite brilliant!

Roni, that was some storm. Hoping all is well and that you were able to prop the fence back up. Your home is full of gorgeous! It looks so inviting - you have done an excellent job with it.

Hi Roni, your house looks ready for Christmas and I bet you are as well. We are not making too many plans for visiting this year but will spend some time with family. I am sending you lots of wishes for an excellent Christmas!

I am back in Kansas for Christmas. I rolled in late on Friday night. I delayed my departure from Alabama for one day so that I could get my second shingles shot. I drove through rain both days I was on the road. I got here just in time for the cold weather and missed the winds. My cousin, who taught school out at Russell, knows several of the families that were hit very hard by the prairie fires out there between Russell and Natoma. My mother said that she could smell the smoke clear up here on the Nebraska border. This was confirmed by several people in church yesterday. They said the smoke from the fires was fairly thick up here.

I am baking a gingerbread cake today and Mom says it smells good. I think that is wonderful! She can smell! I think that means that she might be getting past her Long Haul COVID. My sister from Montana arrives on Wednesday, and my niece from Pittsburgh, Kansas arrives on Thursday so we will have a houseful. That means I need to get cookin'.

I finished reading White Hot Hate by Dick Lehr today. This is the book about the Home Militia group out in Garden City, KS that were planning on bombing an apartment complex where Somali immigrants were living. It made me really wonder about my fellow Kansans. The book is actually a book built on a series of newspaper articles that Lehr wrote, but it is certainly enlightening about the way some people think about immigrants. Especially, Muslim immigrants.

Book #73 Trade Secret by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (356 pp.)

Thought I could reread this sequel after only a single reading without reading Balance of Trade but there were a whole lot of plot lines I'd forgotten!

Book #74 Night Train to Rigel by Timothy Zahn (327 pp.)

This one's been on my tbr shelf forever, but I finally pulled it down and read it. Fun action SF, but the question is, do I move on to the 4 sequels?

...one more...one more...

Dear Roni, I have enjoyed getting caught up with your last two threads. You've celebrated some significant milestones - some good and some painful. So grateful you're here sharing with us. Your home looks great - so cheery and festive. I hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Glad to see you enjoyed The Last Graduate - I just gave it to Marina for her birthday!

>238 ronincats: Let me know what you decide on Night Train to Rigel's sequels. I also have it on my shelf to read and will want to know if I should follow through with the remainder, lol.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, Roni!

::waiting to see #75::

>242 fuzzi: Yeah, me too. I can't seem to settle on one.
>239 richardderus: Having trouble deciding which shall be the one, Richard.
>240 AMQS: Anne! So great to see you here. I am so far behind on the threads. I am mostly going to give up and just try to start anew in 2022.
>241 alcottacre: I'll keep you posted, Stasia, although since it took me years to get to the first, I wouldn't hold my breath.

Whew! Christmas cards are out, packages are wrapped, both my own and those from my mother, date cakes and buckeyes are made, and I'm at the point where tomorrow is pretty clear (although I plan to bake an apple cake) and I will try to commit to a book for #75 before the family festivities start on Christmas Eve.

Come visit 2022! https://www.librarything.com/topic/337711

Or in other words: Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

Roni. I love the images of your decorations in your lovely home. You have a special way of making a house a home.

I send all good wishes for a very special holiday.

Merry Christmas, Roni! I hope you have the very best holiday the circumstances allow and that the new year brings with it only good things.

Hi Roni!

And my evening activity this week...

May all your surprises be good ones this Holiday season.

Hope you're having a lovely, family-filled Christmas in your beautiful new home this year!!

Thank you, everyone. Reba, I am. In a couple of hours I head over to Abilene to pick up Mom and spend the evening at my sister's with her and my nephew's family. We open gifts tonight. I have two big bins of gifts that I wrapped Wednesday ready to go out to the car. I will stay overnight and go to the nephew's for brunch in the morning, then head back this way later in the day. Looking forward to it all, and I will see you all tomorrow evening!

>252 ronincats: Sounds like a lovely day!

Have a wonderful holiday season, Roni!

>252 ronincats: Enjoy your time with your family, Roni.

Book #75 Remnant Population by Elizabeth Moon (339 pp.)

And here it is, at long last, just in time for Christmas. I decided to return to an old favorite, one I had not reread for a long time, one with a POV character the same gender and age as myself now, and if you have not read this book, you should go out and do it right now, like immediately!

>256 ronincats: YAAAY!!

...so, in The Bad News, you didn't like it, aw, so *whew* I don't need to go get one. Kthxbye

Congratulations on reaching 75!!

Roni, congrats on reaching 75!! Wishing for you safe travels and a holiday full of fabulous.

>256 ronincats: Congratulations on reaching 75, Roni!

Congratulations on 75!

Happy Holidays Roni!

Have a lovely holiday, Roni.

Congratulations on reaching 75 books - well done especially after not reading much either side of your move.

"Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain."
Zig Ziglar

With you and the group life is like a dance class - thank you.
I wish you and yours all the best in theese days and Merry Christmas!

And congratulations on reaching 75 books, Roni!

Merry Christmas, Roni, and congrats on reaching 75!

Congrats on hitting the goal!

>256 ronincats: What a great choice for your 75th book!

May you have a joyous yule and peaceful Christmas.

>256 ronincats: Oh, what a good one to read for number 75! Congratulations, Roni!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Roni.
I am playing thread catch up on break - nice holiday decorations and congrats on 75!

Congrats on reaching the 75 books read goal!

A little late to the party, but I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, lovely Roni!

Congrats on the big 75!!



These were our family ornaments this year and, despite COVID, a merry time was had by all. I hope the same is true for your holiday and here's to next year!!

I'm late to the game for holiday wishes but I will say an early Happy New Year, Roni, and many more in your wonderful new home.

Congrats on 75 and a belated merry Christmas!

Hi Roni, Thanks for dropping by. As always I enjoy your thread, house photos and book reviews. Best wishes for a happy, bookish year to come.

My mom and sister are headed to Salina this afternoon. they will be shopping at Menard's and Loew's for a floor lamp. I opted to stay at home and I am reading and catching up on the threads. I will also clean up the kitchen and clean out the refrigerator. I had a very nice Christmas and enjoyed the family a bunch. It has been busy but fun.

It's as well you stayed home, Benita. I woke up at 2:15 because my throat was so sore and I am now well in the way of an upper respiratory virus and thoroughly miserable. My nephew has the same thing--he got a rapid covid test today and it was negative. I got the longer term one here and will have to wait for the results. Yuccchhhhh.

>279 ronincats: Sorry to hear you are not feeling well, Roni! Take care of yourself!!

>279 ronincats: I'm so sorry to hear you're ill. It's such a drag at any time and winter seems to make the bite sharper. I hope you recover quickly and thoroughly.

HATE head colds!!!!!

>282 ronincats: Love this, Roni! I am so sorry you are not feeling well. Crossing my fingers for negative Covid test and sending you healing mojo. Hope you are feeling better very soon.

>282 ronincats: Love the meme; hate that you aren't feeling well.

Sending you healing vibes. Hope the test results come soon & prove to be negative and it's just a bad cold. (Been there; am there now; hate it too.)

>282 ronincats: I'm so sorry you're head-colding. I hope the constant influx of hot honeyed tea is enabling you to breathe a bit.

"The Anti-Freeze" is a reason I don't read many thrillers or mysteries any more. It irks me more and more because it feels so lazy!

>282 ronincats: HATE head colds!!!!!

Yes indeed! Hope you have some treatments that will make your symptoms more bearable while you heal.

Hi Roni, sorry to read that you are suffering with a head cold. They are totally YUCK! Hope you are feeling well enough to celebrate the New Year, and let's hope for a peaceful and healthy 2022.

Hope you feel better ASAP!

Congratulations on 75 books Roni! I hope you're feeling better soon. Fingers crossed for a negative covid result.

I would like to wish you and your family the very best of the season and good health and happiness for 2022.

NOT Covid or flu, fortunately. Just a miserable head cold that, based on past history, will stick around 10 days if I don't push it. Nights are the worst; I was awake from 1 to 6 last night, with a few hours of unrestful sleep squeezed in before and after. And I was going to break with precedent this year and get my 2022 thread set up and everyone starred this week instead of waiting for the new year!! Oh well, I'll be by eventually. Thanks to all my visitors for your well wishes--may it be so.

Roni, I'm so sorry you are still not feeling well. Hoping it subsides sooner than you expect. Take care of you in the meantime, my friend.

>290 ronincats: Excellent on the not-COVID front, but still crummy news.

Feel better soon. *smooch*

My sister has been sick for two days. This morning I took her to the doctor. She was afraid that she had COVID, but this afternoon all the tests have come back and she does NOT have COVID. She has pneumonia. The doctor wanted to put her in the hospital but she refused. She told the doctor that the local hospital was full of COVID patients and she thought she would be safer at home. She and her husband live across the street from my mother so we are able to monitor and help out for the next couple of days as needed. She was miserable last night, but she is hoping that the antibiotics provide some relief rapidly. She is a bit upset as she has been vaccinated for COVID with the booster, flu, and shingles this fall, but she forgot about getting a pneumonia shot. The doctor told her to come back in March and get the pneumonia shot. That is also one shot I have not had this fall as well. Guess I need to remedy that when I get back to Alabama. In the meantime I have been doing lots of reading.

I read Hench and it did start out slow, but it was a fun read. If you can find it, I, along with Richard, recommend it.

>293 benitastrnad: Oh, your poor sister! I had pneumonia when I was a teenager and it completely knocked me out - not something I want to relive in a hurry. I’ve made sure everyone close to me who is old enough has had their pneumonia shot - I’d get it in a heartbeat if I was eligible.

Hi Roni! Congratulations on reaching 75 books!
I hope you feel better soon. Treat yourself to something nice and warm, if possible.

I won’t be on LT tomorrow, so I’m already wishing you a very good, merry healthy NEW YEAR!

>290 ronincats: get better, don't worry about 2022 threads. They'll keep.

Feel better! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hi Roni!

Congrats on #75.

>279 ronincats: Sorry you got a very bad head cold, >290 ronincats: so very glad it’s not Covid.

Happy New Year.

Well, I got 8 hours sleep last night instead of the 3 of the night before, and the time-release decongestant my friend went out and got for me kept me breathing during the night and my head has cleared out for most of the day, so I am actually feeling human at the moment! Thank you for your well-wishes, friends, and I very much appreciate your visits. Maybe I will get my new thread set up tomorrow (and maybe not) but I have been reading and have, like, 7 books to add to this year's totals before I end here. Currently rereading Theo's strand of the Liaden books, Fledgling, Saltation, Ghost Ship, and now on to Dragon Ship.

Temps are dropping into the teens tonight, and a possible 4 to 6 inches of snow here by morning. My New Year's plans include a pot of navy beans with smoked ham hock and cornbread and watching the Harry Potter 20th Reunion special on HBO Max when I get up in the morning (as opposed to watching it live at 2 a.m. CST).

Happy New Year, everyone!!

>299 ronincats: Yay for feeling human. Not as good as dog, but it will do.

Theo does seem to be forging her own path, even if some of it is forged for her. Still I don't quite feel her draw for the other characters.

Glad you're feeling better! Enjoy your Theo rereads, get a good night's sleep, have a lovely day tomorrow with the Harry Potter special and the navy beans, ham hock and cornbread.

Happy New Year!

Forget your stresses and strains
As the old year wanes;
All that now remains
Is to bring you good cheer
With wine, liquor or beer
And wish you a special new year.

Happy New Year, Roni.

I'm glad you're feeling better Roni.

I'm just starting on rounds in the 2022 group. I'll drop by when you have your new thread up.

Glad you are feeling better Roni - I wish you a very good new year with books and friends!

Good to hear you're feeling better!

High of 75F here today, temperature expected to drop to 35F by tonight, brrr.

Glad to hear you're feeling better. It's 5° here in Des Moines as I'm waiting on a delayed flight, in the 60s and raining when I get back to Atlanta.

Glad you're feeling better and looking forward to the new thread when you're up to it.