Maggie1944, aka Karen, 2017 page 2

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Maggie1944, aka Karen, 2017 page 2

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1maggie1944
Abr 29, 2017, 11:32 am

New thread for May 2017 and on

Reading 3-4 books simultaneously right now. Not sure this is a good idea, but it is what it is... as they say these days.

2maggie1944
Editado: Abr 30, 2017, 7:47 am

I have not done well this year in keeping on going track of what I've read, so I'm going to spend a little time this morning to do so.

Books read in 2017

1. Humans of New York - a lovely account of a young photographer becoming increasingly interested in photographing the average citizens of New York city. I enjoyed both the photographs and the accounts of conversations had.

2. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

3. Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard

4. The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin

5. Snow White: A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan

6. Local by Brian Wood

7. Maman, What Are We Called Now?

3EBT1002
Abr 29, 2017, 8:33 pm

Happy Saturday, Karen!
How's little Gretchen doing?

4maggie1944
Abr 29, 2017, 9:57 pm

Gretchen is feeling more at home; and, the schnauzer personality is coming to the fore. I dropped the leash so she could plat with another Silver Glen dog, but she just started off trucking down the path, towards Bel-Red Road. Yikes. Luckily just as she got to the DANGER ZONE some young men were walking by and picked up her leash and brought it to me, just a few feet. Lucky us!

She also in no way was going to let me trim some hairs off her feet. I think the groomer is going to have some challenges. But she's a good dog, in every other way. Snoring on the sofa right now.

5maggie1944
Abr 30, 2017, 8:07 am

Well, I spent a few minutes today reading through my first 2017 thread so I could list the books I've finished reading. And of course, I found all the messages about living through the last days of Ms. Greta Garbo, companion extraordinary! Oh, boy, do I miss that dog. She lives on in my heart and memories. I was so fortunate to have found a healthy, happy puppy 12 years ago.

Gretchen is still adjusting. I'm still adjusting. There are times when I just love having her in my lap, or on my bed, and then there are other times when she's so different from Greta that I ache. Time will gives us both the gift of her knowing and trusting me, and my loving her.

I'm happy to be reading Will's Red Coat. Tom Ryan, who wrote Following Atticus has a remarkable approach to his dogs and this is the account of Will, his third dog, who was nearly completely blind, was completely deaf, and was old. Tom adopted him against advice to the contrary and provided for Will a couple of wonderful years. I feel the need for some good role modeling and I think this author is just the guy to give that to me. He is very respectful of his dogs, and gives them lots of room to be themselves within boundaries of safety.

This morning as I was going out the slider door into the dark, pre-dawn, with Gretchen, she balked. I don't know why she doesn't like going out that door which we use every day but I just sat down, outside the door, with her leash extended to her, and within a few seconds she'd walked out on her own choice. We walked up the path using the flashlight to see, and she peed, and we went back inside. Much better than my pulling her, or going out the other door, down the elevator, etc. etc. at 4 AM. Thank you, Tom, for reminding me it is not good to force her to do things she's not feeling like doing.

6karenmarie
Abr 30, 2017, 8:16 am

Hi Karen!

I hope the adjusting continues to go positively for you and Gretchen.

I will be reading A Gentleman in Moscow in September for our October RL book club meeting. So far everybody seems to like it, so I'm really looking forward to reading it.

Happy Sunday to you!

7benitastrnad
Editado: Abr 30, 2017, 1:34 pm

How did you like Ancillary Justice. I really liked that series, but found the first book hard to get into. I think it was because of the style in which it was written. Other than the ambiguous sex of Breq I didn't see what the hubbub was about. Did you?

8maggie1944
Abr 30, 2017, 2:02 pm

Thanks, Karen Marie, yes it is positive mostly. I realized yesterday's kerfuffle over trying to trim a bit off her foot really was trying to cut off a dew claw which had not been removed when she was a puppy. I figured that out because there was an identical "piece" on the other foot, too. I'm going to ask the vet if there is a way to take care of those now. Or if it really even matters. Some people just do not do what they should do for their puppies. Dang!

I am so sorry now that she had to yelp to get me to quit, for goodness sakes. Reading Will's Red Coat reminds me of what I believe about relating to dogs. Thank goodness the book was released just now.

Benita, I did not like Ancillary Justice - it was just too much work!

9FAMeulstee
Abr 30, 2017, 2:57 pm

Are you talking about a declaw on Gretchens front or back paws?
Over here it was usual to have them removed from backpaws, but since a few years that is forbidden like cropping tails and ears already was.

10maggie1944
Abr 30, 2017, 6:45 pm

back paws. I'll talk with the vet. It may be that they are harmless, but they are flapping off the back of her foot, easily picking up mud etc. on our walks.

Curious.

"declaw" eh? I'll go google it, too.

11maggie1944
Abr 30, 2017, 6:50 pm

ah, well .... some clarification is called for:

There are "dew claws" and then there is "de-clawing". The latter is done by some on their cats. I read that it is not done on dogs because they scream bloody murder. I would never, ever de-claw any animal because it removes one of their most basic methods of self-defense.

Now, "dewclaws" - The dewclaws are not dead appendages. They can be used to lightly grip bones and other items that dogs hold with the paws. In some dogs these claws may not appear to be connected to the leg at all except by a flap of skin; in such dogs the claws do not have a use for gripping as the claw can easily fold or turn.
Dewclaw - Wikipedia

I think they are quite often removed from puppies because they have only limited functionality, if any. Our pets do not have to go out and kill their dinners, and chew on the bones, etc.

Again: talking to the vet seems like the thing to do.

12alcottacre
Abr 30, 2017, 9:05 pm

Happy Sunday, Karen!

13maggie1944
Abr 30, 2017, 11:13 pm

Thank you, Stasia! It has been a good day. I'm just about ready to go climb up into the bed, and read for a while.

14FAMeulstee
Editado: mayo 1, 2017, 6:52 am

>11 maggie1944: Thanks for the clarification, Karen.
Yes, I think talking with the vet would be good.

15lunacat
mayo 1, 2017, 7:04 am

Removing dewclaws here is definitely not normally done nowadays, except if they are causing problems. It's the same as tail docking - it has to be proven that it will be beneficial to the animal because they are going to be working dogs rather than pets.

I hope you can get the situation resolved so that Gretchen is happy and not in any pain.

16PaulCranswick
mayo 1, 2017, 7:34 am

Happy new thread, Jenny

17maggie1944
mayo 1, 2017, 8:18 am

Jenny, thanks for the information. I'm sure the vet will help me decide if anything needs to be done at this point. Gretchen is an adult dog, on the cusp of being an "old" dog, I think. She's generally pretty happy but there are definitely some boundaries I need to learn, one of which relates to these little bits of her that hang off her legs.

She's snoring on the sofa right now, and that makes me happy! I'm continuing to enjoy reading Tom Ryan's journey through giving Will, a very old, handicapped pup, a lovely comfortable and secure home for the last years of his life. The book is Will's Red Coat and I do recommend it to dog lovers.

18streamsong
mayo 1, 2017, 1:30 pm

I'm sure you'll miss Greta for a long time. There are several of mine that still have a hold on my heart.

Will's Red Coat sounds interesting. Ginny is really starting to show her age and becoming a *very old dog*. She still rolls and laughs and bounces when I first let her outside, but she is done with all that within about five minutes. I'm hoping she has a good summer.

19maggie1944
mayo 2, 2017, 9:59 am

Books read in 2017

1. Humans of New York - a lovely account of a young photographer becoming increasingly interested in photographing the average citizens of New York city. I enjoyed both the photographs and the accounts of conversations had.

2. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

3. Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard

4. The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin

5. Snow White: A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan

6. Local by Brian Wood

7. Maman, What Are We Called Now?

8. Will's Red Coat by Tom Ryan

A very sweet book about Tom and his sidekick Atticus (hero of an earlier book: Following Atticus) as they "adopt" Will, a very sick abandoned miniature schnauzer. Will came to Tom and Atticus nearly blind, and totally deaf as well as barely able to walk for himself due to arthritis and who knows what else. Tom nurses Will as if he were a millionaire able to hire the best and most selfless of servants. The little dog recovers a good life, and Tom finds a new spiritual understanding of how being a servant in life is the best of discoveries. I recommend the book to those who love dogs, and who understand the spiritual side of all life, human, animal and plants.

20jnwelch
mayo 2, 2017, 1:31 pm

Happy New Thread, Karen!

Sorry Ancillary Justice was too much work. I liked the whole trilogy, but hers is a very unusual concept and storyline.

21maggie1944
mayo 2, 2017, 8:12 pm

Joe, I seem to be a great deal less willing to work hard for what I'm reading. I like the books which just make it easy for me, I guess. Lazy? Maybe, or maybe just busy with so many other things, these days. New dog is settling in, but boy! does she like to go for walks! And the garden is blooming so we have to stop and talk to all the folks out for a walk. Fun.

We are expecting a few good weather days this week. Hooray!

22Morphidae
mayo 4, 2017, 6:56 pm

We haven't had the dewclaws removed off the two puppies we've had. We're just very careful to keep the claw trimmed so it doesn't catch on anything.

It lightens my heart that you and Gretchen are getting along so well, despite your ongoing grief for your beloved Greta.

*hugs*

23maggie1944
mayo 5, 2017, 5:59 am

Morphs! How nice to see your words. We had a big thunderstorm just now and it woke me up . Gretchen is mildly curious but not all panicked. I am impressed.

Thanks for stopping by. 😎

24karenmarie
mayo 5, 2017, 8:58 am

Hi Karen!

We got one Doberman with tail docked and dew claws already removed, and one with nothing done. This was in the early 1980s. I'd never do that to an animal again. Wouldn't get a Doberman's ears clipped either, although boyfriend insisted at the time with Jet. Never again.

Husband and I currently have two cats. I have never believed in declawing a cat, even if it's an indoor cat.

Don't you just love it when a dog or cat snores? Our kitties both do that occasionally and it always brings a smile to our faces.

25Berly
mayo 5, 2017, 12:09 pm

Happy new thread! Just following along...no leash needed!! : )

26lunacat
mayo 5, 2017, 2:23 pm

Hurrah for pet snores. I often hear the cats snoring, and weirdly the boys snore a lot more than the girls, much like their human counterparts (at least in our house!). One of the boys can be on top of the wardrobe and I can still hear him clearly.

It's less cute when he's on my pillow and wakes me up................

27drneutron
mayo 5, 2017, 2:58 pm

A Morphy sighting!

28maggie1944
mayo 5, 2017, 5:01 pm

I agree being awaken by snores is no fun!

29maggie1944
mayo 6, 2017, 1:47 pm

Books read in 2017

1. Humans of New York - a lovely account of a young photographer becoming increasingly interested in photographing the average citizens of New York city. I enjoyed both the photographs and the accounts of conversations had.

2. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

3. Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard

4. The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin

5. Snow White: A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan

6. Local by Brian Wood

7. Maman, What Are We Called Now?

8. Will's Red Coat by Tom Ryan

9. His Bloody Project by Roderick Macrae. I read this book as the next book for my little F2F book group, meeting next on May 16. I mention the date because this is the first time in a long time that I was able to finish the chosen book well before the meeting.

The author received the honor of having the novel on the Man Booker Prize, 2016, finalist list. It was a very interesting, and unusual novel, but not at all hard to read. It is described as a "historical thriller" but I was impressed by its historical nature much more than its being a thriller. It is definitely a mystery, and the tension to arrive at the conclusion was well built in the final chapters; however, I think the majority of the book was spent in describing the condition of rural Scotland in the mid-1800s. And I, lover of history, and descendant of a Scottish immigrant to the USA, enjoyed this aspect of the book very much. The physical descriptions of a typical Scots highlander were compared, by me, to the physical characteristics of my father, my brother and myself. Silly me!

I also was interested in the accounts of the early development of criminal psychiatry and the dead end ideas of hereditary criminality and of moral insanity.

All, in all, a good read. Kept me in my chair despite it being a lovely Saturday morning, with sunshine, when I should have been out walking the dog.

30banjo123
mayo 6, 2017, 2:12 pm

I am glad that Gretchen is settling in!

31benitastrnad
mayo 6, 2017, 7:16 pm

#29
I have looked at His Bloody Project several times in the tore and put it back. Maybe I should reconsider?

32EBT1002
mayo 7, 2017, 1:27 am

I'm glad you enjoyed His Bloody Project, Karen. I thought it was quite good.

I'm also enjoying your tales of Gretchen, getting used to her and her getting used to you! The declawing vs dew-claws thing was instructive. I have always been adamantly opposed to declawing cats although I did it to one cat once when I was moving to Oshkosh WI and desperately looking for an apartment and not finding one that would let me have cats. I finally found one and at first I simply lied and said that my cats were declawed (one was, by a prior human, but the one I'd had since he was a kitten was not). But they said they would come over and check on that since I didn't have vet documentation (my point was that who keeps such things). Anyway, I felt terrible but also felt I had no choice (this was in 1991 and you can tell it still affects me to remember it!) so I had Dorian declawed. They never did come feel his paws. Grrr.

I am about to dig into The Chessmen which is the third in Peter May's trilogy set in the Hebrides Islands. Have you read any of these? I think you would enjoy them.

Hugs to Gretchen and to you.
Have a great Sunday.

Storm season starting soon..... (basketball, not weather)

33PaulCranswick
mayo 7, 2017, 1:47 am

>29 maggie1944: I am another who thought His Bloody Project was a good read, Karen. The author used to work in Waterstone's bookstores in the UK and I remember being in the York store on the day that the shortlist was confirmed and seeing the happiness of the staff there.

Have a great weekend.

34maggie1944
mayo 7, 2017, 10:02 am

I feel as if I've been amiss by not responding to each of you. >Karen, I agree that all this alteration of a pet's body to satisfy human standards of beauty, or something, is just wrong. Just the same as I feel people who do tummy tucks, face lifts, etc. are chasing a fantasy which will never be caught. But the poor pets, they are not chasing anything other than balls, and rodents, and squirrels, or feather toys; why slice and dice them? Gretchen's ears are a very unnatural small, pointy little things. I think she looks so silly when compared to Greta, who's ears were left natural. Sigh.

>25 Berly:, Kimberly, so glad to have you following along. I feel as if I'm a weak member of the 75ers - only barely reaching a two books per month record. Duh. But it is true that I've completely changed my life style and being very social I'm often just out and about chatting and enjoying my community. Even walking Gretchen frequently means 1-2 stops to chat with another person out and about.

>26 lunacat:, Jenny, I'm adjusting to the snoring and I find it interesting that her snores multiply when she is excited or nervous. When just walking about she is very quiet, thank goodness. She continues to be a very sweet dog, happy to be in my lap, or to use fully 1/2 of my bed. Why is it dogs feel they need to be stretched out from one side towards the other, rather than stretching the long way from pillow to foot?

>27 drneutron:, Jim, I like having a Dr Newt sighting, too!!

>30 banjo123: Rhonda, the more comfortable she becomes the more she holds her head up high, and demonstrates her preferences when we walk. She'd prefer to chase birds over squirrels which I think is interesting. Next weekend we will drive to my friend, Robin's place. Robin and her husband have labs, and I think it will be interesting to see how little itty bitty Gretchen gets along with big labs who are the premier bird chasers of the world!

>31 benitastrnad: Benita, I do recommend His Bloody Project but caution that it is not a "thriller" in the sense that you cannot put the book down because you just must know what is coming next. Sometimes I felt I was continuing to read primarily because I have a connection to Scotland and I was interested in the descriptions of life in the Highlands.

>32 EBT1002: Ellen, I'm looking forward to the book group's discussion His Bloody Project. Oh, books.... more books. I read an article in the NY Times yesterday about books to read on the Kentucky Derby Day - and promptly purchased The Sport of Kings which reads like a Gone With The Wind for horse country in Kentucky. History! Now, don't ask me why I bought another book when I just sold a bunch of TBR books. I'm an addict, I'm sure.

I was fiddling with my Storm tickets yesterday. I've cut back on games because I really don't want to do all the driving involved in going up to Lake Stevens to get Logan, and back to drop him off. I think we will attend 7 games. But I am looking forward to it.

I hope you have a great Sunday, too, might be pleasant, weather wise. Springtime!

35karenmarie
mayo 7, 2017, 10:11 am

Hi Karen! I hope you're having a great weekend.

>29 maggie1944: I smiled when I read that you had actually finished the book before the meeting. I tend to abandon books I don't like for my RL book club but am inordinately proud when I have finished the book and can discuss it more than "I liked it" or "I didn't like it."

I'm glad to hear the positive things going on with Gretchen, up to and including bed hogging! What a sweetie.

36benitastrnad
Editado: mayo 8, 2017, 4:23 pm

Finals are over and all of the coffee places in town have been very quiet this weekend. It was my birthday and I planned on spending it quietly reading Court of Wings and Ruin. Alas, when I got home from work on Friday evening I found a notice from the city that my "lawn" was in violation of the code. It needed to be mowed. Funny but I had e-mailed the kid that mows my lawn on Thursday to come this weekend if it wasn't raining. I spent four hours working on the Big Green Monster instead of making my blueberry streusel coffee cake to celebrate my birthday.

I hate that lawn. It is the only part of the house I hate.

37maggie1944
mayo 7, 2017, 6:30 pm

Hi, Karen. >35 karenmarie:. Yup, weekend is going well. I'm working on getting out of the storage unit I rented while moving into my retirement community. Ha! 1.5 years is enough. Most of it I do not need and so Niece #1 and I split a bunch of stuff, she'll sort through stuff and if she wants it, it is her's; and the rest will go to charity. I'll sort through the other stuff and save some of it, and the rest also goes to charity. Now I have 15 remaining boxes which need to be moved out of that unit and into another. I'll get to it soon, and earn myself a bonus of $90 a month (not spent on storage). Yeah! Progress!!

Benita, I hated and loved the many yards/lawns I've had. Best was my big lawn on Vashon Island and I bought a riding lawn mower!!! That was fun, as well as work.

38Whisper1
mayo 7, 2017, 6:49 pm

Hello Dear Karen. I'm so very glad that you found another new dog/friend. Like you, my heart was hurting badly when we suddenly lost our long-time friend Simon our 14 year old Sheltie. Though the pain I felt was indeed emotional, but the lost felt physical as well.

Simon transitioned mid January. By mid April, we found a reputable Sheltie breeder and welcomed Lilly into our home. It simply felt like an affirmation of Simon and our heartfelt loss that also blessed us by knowing because we loved him, it was right to try to open our hearts again.

Wishing you all the best! Much love to you.

39Matke
mayo 7, 2017, 10:00 pm

Just dropping by, Karen. I'm very glad that you and Gretchen are settling in together. Pets have a wonderful way of inching into one's heart and filling it up with love.

We're in complete agreement on surgical alterations of both humans and animals when based on appearance (or so-called "convenience"). Leave well enough alone is my motto.

I hope you have good weather and a pleasant busy week aheaad.

40jnwelch
mayo 8, 2017, 8:31 am

Good morning, Karen.

I'm glad to hear and see that Gretchen is becoming a good pal. I'm another one who liked His Bloody Project a lot. What an intriguing use of different perspectives. His mother's death started a creepy set of dominoes falling, didn't it. If she had lived, it all would have been much different, seems to me..

41maggie1944
mayo 8, 2017, 9:04 am

>38 Whisper1: Hi, Linda, yup! You are right the loss of such a beloved companion is an experience of total feelings. Your brain, your spirit, your body are all involved. Yesterday, I was watching President Obama receive the Kennedy "Portraits in Courage" award and my overwhelming feeling was one of letting go of so much -

>39 Matke:, Gail, thanks for dropping by. We are getting used to each other and one of my most appreciated moments comes each morning after Gretchen has had her first walk, and her breakfast of good quantity, and then she comes to me and asks to climb up into my lap as I drink my coffee. She then falls back to sleep, very comfortable and trusting. Nice! Except when I want to read the newspaper, or poke about on the lap top. On your other note: I think we have three or four really nice days infant of us. Spring is so unpredictable.... so we shall wait and see.

>40 jnwelch:, Joe! His Bloody Project also provided such a graphic and believable description of the life of the "average" person in the early 1800s in Scotland. No wonder many of those folks took the risk of crossing the Atlantic to an unknown, and yet rumored land of opportunity.

42benitastrnad
mayo 10, 2017, 12:24 pm

Did you happen to watch the PBS Frontline report on low-income housing? It was very good reporting. It made me scared and angry at the same time. Things are really getting screwed up in this country and race has so much to do with it.

43maggie1944
mayo 10, 2017, 4:22 pm

Nope, I missed it. Sad to say I am addicted to MSNBC, and occasionally CNN. When I need a break I watch HGTV or Animal Planet.

44Berly
mayo 12, 2017, 12:06 am

Karen--I am glad your new home is working out so well for you. Nothing wrong with being social, and you know that reading is supposed to be fun, not a have-to, so read when and what you want. Glad Gretchen is happy, too. Sorry she doesn't know how to sleep up/down in the bed instead of L/R!l LOL Good luck with finishing the purge. We have a rental that we need to go through too. Sigh. You are my hero!! Tell me that you have succeeded and maybe it will spur me on. ; )

45maggie1944
mayo 12, 2017, 11:24 am

>44 Berly:, Kimberly, you are funny. We all must remember the cliché: It is not the destination, it is the journey!

Yes, being social is OK, even fun. It goes right along with my personality; and I seek balance. I was thinking this morning that I need to declare one day a week when I just do stuff other than Silver Glen stuff. Find my "church" be it nature, or books, or window shopping!

Purge is also a journey. I discover something every once in a while and it makes for progress, slow but steady. I did read a book sometime ago which was a huge help.

I'm going to go look in my inventory and post it here, again.

46maggie1944
mayo 12, 2017, 11:30 am

Ah! The book is Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things by Randy O. Frost.

I read it now because I feared I was a hoarder, or because I had a hoarder in my family. I read it because I thought it would help me understand my procrastination and emotional reactions when people criticized my "mess". It did help. And it helped my niece who was trying to find a way to help her mother get rid of some of the "clutter" in her "Antiques and Collectible" shop. It helped my niece, too.

For me it boils down to fear of making the wrong decisions. Example, I had two framed photographs of Greta. My foster daughter recently said she wished she had one. I looked around and I'm afraid I sent one to the Goodwill in one of my purges. I have a couple of additional places to look, and worst case I can always print another copy of the photograph. But you see, I'm mad that I might have decided to get rid of it.

Good luck with your purges.

47Berly
mayo 12, 2017, 11:56 am

>465 >46 maggie1944: Thanks, Maggie. I love those words of wisdom; I do appreciate the journey, but I am more of a checklist person! And I am not the hoarder. Well, no one in my family really is, but I am surrounded by people who like lots of piles. LOL. But they mostly know what's what and where it is, so it is just a different way of organizing than my put-it-away method. The locker actually houses mostly business files going way back, with a few sentimental family furniture pieces that don't go in our current home and we have so attic or basement, so...storage!! But we haven't even been there in over a year or two, so it is probably time to go through it.

I hope you find the photo.

48PaulCranswick
mayo 13, 2017, 4:13 am

I got missed in >33 PaulCranswick: above, Karen. Not to worry (sniffles).

Have a lovely weekend.

49maggie1944
mayo 13, 2017, 11:15 am

Oh, Paul, I do try. I come by everyday, but don't always stop to respond. I am so sorry to miss you, and am grateful you still drop in occasionally to see my paltry reading record!

I'm off this morning to drive to a friend's house, 1.5 hours worth of driving, to introduce her and her labradors to my darling Gretchen. Gretchen has discovered her "bark" and is beginning to protect her home, (my apartment), from "strangers". I'm glad to see her continuing to make the transition.

I'm trying to read for a bit every morning when it is quiet, but I'm barely cracking the newspaper and the magazines, mostly reading about our abysmal political "situation".

Sigh.

50benitastrnad
mayo 14, 2017, 12:50 pm

#49
Reading about our abysmal political situation is a full time job!

I was dismayed when I read in my Sunday paper about all the precautions taken by politicians (and outright cancelations) regarding the town hall meetings. It seems that many of the republican legislators believe that the ruckus at town hall meetings is being caused by outsiders, so they are requiring that people sign up ahead of time and bring proof that they are registered and living in the legislators district. Somehow I don't think that is democracy.

51EBT1002
mayo 16, 2017, 4:18 pm

>41 maggie1944: "No wonder many of those folks took the risk of crossing the Atlantic to an unknown, and yet rumored land of opportunity."
Indeed. And here we are acting like immigrants are a problem.

Purges are an interesting emotional terrain. I was 22 years old when my mom died and, honestly, my family was a mess. None of us had the capacity to deal with things at that point. My memory is that we paid some guy $100 to just come and take all the furniture and clothing away. Maybe it was a bit more than that. But it was also just 1982. In any case, he got away with a beautiful cherry bedroom set including a cedar-lined chest. Later I wished I had some of those things.

On the other hand, when P's parents moved from one of their retirement homes into a smaller apartment, we spent days going through boxes and boxes and boxes of (imo) junk. We both swore that our survivors won't have to do that with us and we've gotten ruthless during some of our purges.

Last week P was looking for some financial documents and suggested that they might have fallen victim to one of our purges. Not good.

Crazy weather we've been having, eh?

How is Gretchen doing?

52maggie1944
mayo 16, 2017, 6:16 pm

Ah, yes, purges. I think I gave the Goodwill my second portrait of Greta Garbo because I had no place for a second, framed, picture of her head. Now! I hear from my foster daughter that she wishes she had one. Duh.

Oh, well, I still have the digital copy and I can made another print.

Gretchen is doing OK. We went to visit my friend's labradors and she and one big tall lab chased each other around the yard for about a half hour. Great fun!

We just walked from Silver Glen to Starbucks and back this afternoon. Sunshine!!

53maggie1944
mayo 22, 2017, 7:40 pm

I finished reading His Bloody Project on May 6, or close to then, and I'm looking forward to talking about it tomorrow.

Tonight I'm going to the local Democratic Party organization to hear of their endorsements for the up coming political season! Taking 3 retirees with me! I'm a party boss, I am (smile).

54drneutron
mayo 23, 2017, 9:00 am

>53 maggie1944: Got a little Tammany Hall going there... :)

55maggie1944
mayo 23, 2017, 9:55 am

The main benefit of being my kind of "boss" is the privilege of being asked for contributions, over and over and over again.

56drneutron
mayo 23, 2017, 11:42 am

:D

57PaulCranswick
mayo 24, 2017, 7:13 pm

>53 maggie1944: Good luck with the political leadership, Karen! Heaven knows the world needs some.

58benitastrnad
mayo 24, 2017, 8:10 pm

You remind me of my sister. She lives in Montana and since the November election she has become very politically active. She is attending marches, rallies, and in the special election they are having tomorrow she has even volunteered her time. She told me that we have to "do something" when I questioned her about her new found activism.

I know that, in your case, it is not new found, but more like renewed activism.

59maggie1944
mayo 25, 2017, 8:00 am

Yes, I have to own the fact that when I see something which needs doing in the "political" parts of life, I usually move forward. It takes a conscious effort to hang back and stay out of it, which I've done from time to time after having experienced burn out. I'm still not super good at having balance in my life, but I'm better than I used to be. Once when I was up to my ears in a local campaign I ate fast food all the time, and gained an unreasonable amount of weight. Been spending quite a bit of effort these days in losing the weight I've gain through the years by eating impulsively.

One lovely side effect of age is having learned a few important lessons in this life. There's always more to learn. Like how to allow personal criticisms roll off my back like a duck does let water roll away!

60witchyrichy
mayo 28, 2017, 9:51 am

Stopping by to say hello and happy Sunday! I agree about the benefits of age and not caring so much what others' think is definitely one of them.

61Whisper1
mayo 28, 2017, 4:30 pm

I'm stopping by to say hello. Happy Sunday to you.

62maggie1944
mayo 29, 2017, 1:17 pm

>60 witchyrichy:, Hi, Karen. Thanks for stopping by to say hello! I'm enjoying a relatively relaxed Memorial Day Monday, too. My car decided to give me some warning lights which results in my not wanting to drive 50 miles to spend time with the nieces, and the kids. I'm going on a school field trip on Wednesday so that will be "spending time with one of the littler relatives". Yeah! Trip to Black Island on a boat and hanging out at the display of native art, and touristy stuff. Then next Saturday it is another basketball game with the other of the littler relatives. They are the fun ones, after all!

>61 Whisper1:, Hi, Linda! Nice to see you stopping by. Hope your weekend was swell.

63benitastrnad
mayo 30, 2017, 12:15 pm

Memorial Day was a working day for me. I did spend Sunday afternoon at the swimming pool and got most of a Jim Chee/Joe Leaphorn novel Wailing Wind read. It was my relaxing day. Tonight I have to start some bread dough for a lunch I am going to on Thursday.

64maggie1944
mayo 30, 2017, 12:48 pm

Benita, it doesn't get much better than reading by the side of a pool. Unfortunately, our pool is indoors and is not very conducive to anything other than swimming, or relaxing in the hot tub. I'm not complaining, though.

65Berly
Jun 1, 2017, 1:46 am

Popping in to say Hi!!

66maggie1944
Jun 1, 2017, 3:36 pm

Hi back to you.

I'm trying to read Think Small: the surprisingly simple way to reach big goals and am hoping to find a solution to my "doing too much" habit.

67EBT1002
Jun 3, 2017, 11:54 pm

Hi Karen. I'm watching too much softball these days. The Huskies are in the College World Series and they have made it to the semifinals. Unfortunately, tomorrow we have to go to Olympia to a "celebration" of P's dad's life (I think it's weird to do this while he is still alive but I guess it makes some sense not to save the celebration of life for after you're no longer around to enjoy it!). He turned 95 years old last month and is the energizer bunny. Anyway, it means we'll miss the first game, at least. UW has to beat Florida twice if they are to advance to the finals. The tournament is a double-elimination and the Huskies lost to Oklahoma the other day. So their back is against the wall.

In reading, I'm making my way through The Lauras, an ER edition I got. Mark and Katie are also reading it. For me, it is not as excellent as Sara Taylor's debut novel, The Shore was.

My summer is up in the air with P's surgery postponed indefinitely. We're just trying to get her iron levels up enough.

I will be in Portland at a conference June 19-21 so I will miss the June edition of our little book group. It's amazing how hard it is to get just four people together once a month!

68maggie1944
Jun 4, 2017, 8:53 am

Hi, Ellen, nice to see you stop by here.

I went to the Storm's game last night against the #1 Team. Oh, my! They were the losers in a game which was never close. That team is a wonder! Storm's statistics were not shabby, they played hard and stayed with the game throughout, so I'm not a bit critical. Afterwards, Logan took a Storm Flag I bought for him to the Autograph place and picked up a couple of autographs, which gave me the opportunity to give the young women a piece of my mind. "Do not be discouraged, you played well, and we will win next time." I also walked up the stairs with Tak and tried to encourage her learning of English. She said she understood a good deal, but was not so good with the speaking. Practice, practice, practice, said I.

It is enlivening to be around these fine young women!

Yes, it is tough to get four people together. I think successful groups are large enough so that they can stick with one certain day, and then show up in sufficient numbers that a few absences are not a huge problem. I did not like being stuck at Crossroads with not one person showing up last month.

I'm reading Born a Crime by Trevor North which might be a good book for the group. It is a quick, easy, and amusing read while letting us learn more about South Africa's very complicated history.

Also, our Silver Glen book group is reading The Geography of Genius which looks to be fascinating. Also could be a good next book for the group.

Let's just bite the bullet and cancel the meeting for June, and maybe July. It is hard to meet in the summer. I'll go over the book group's thread and suggest it.

69streamsong
Jun 4, 2017, 9:02 am

It's good to hear that you are happy and busy, even if a bit too busy.

I'll be interested to hear what you think about Think Small.

I may have bit off more than I can chew this summer, too. :-)

70maggie1944
Jun 4, 2017, 11:48 am

So, far I like think small, but my problem seems to be in making a list of the small steps which I'll need to take to finish a project. I always am good at starting and then lose steam.

Sigh

71benitastrnad
Jun 4, 2017, 12:05 pm

My think small project for yesterday turned into a big problem. It also turned out to be a bigger than I thought project.

I decided that I had been walking around a stack of books piled on the floor of my living room long enough. I went to U-Haul to get book boxes only to find out that they were out. I used a small box instead and it was to big. The box was almost so heavy I couldn't get it from the living room to the bedroom. I spent all afternoon on 1 darn box of books.

I did get some brioche dough made and will bake it this afternoon. While it is baking I can sit down and pay bills.

72jnwelch
Jun 4, 2017, 8:14 pm

Hi, Karen.

Good for you for being patient with the Storm. We've taken a step back in Chicago, losing Elena Della Donne (darn it), but they're playing hard.

I want to read that Trevor Noah book. I may do it in audio on a car trip, we'll see.

73maggie1944
Jun 4, 2017, 10:40 pm

oh, Joe, I bet that Trevor Noah book would be perfect on audio. He has such a good comic voice!

Let me know how it goes?

74jnwelch
Jun 9, 2017, 10:35 pm

>73 maggie1944: Will do, Karen. We'll be listening to Born a Crime on a car trip next month. Looking forward to it!

75Berly
Jun 11, 2017, 12:38 am

Born A Crime on audio is one of my new all-time favorites. It is very amusing, but also deeply touching and I learned so much more about the nuances of racism during this time in Africa. My book club loved it and it was great for discussion. Highly recommended!!

76maggie1944
Jun 11, 2017, 8:22 am

Thanks, Kimberly, for stopping by and sharing your experience with Born a Crime. I'm enjoying listening to it, and thinking about how I'll present it at our Book Club. The Silver Glen way is to have the presenter give a real "presentation" with background information, perhaps some history, some information a reader would not necessarily find when just reading the book. Could be interesting to do some research on Trevor Noah, and his very improbably rise to a star of the TV humor show.

77PaulCranswick
Jun 11, 2017, 7:40 pm

Stopping by to wish you well Karen. xx

78maggie1944
Jun 11, 2017, 10:47 pm

Paul, thank you so much. It is truly delightful to have a friend in far flung places!

79EBT1002
Jun 12, 2017, 12:21 am

Hi Karen.

We have tickets to the Storm game when the San Antonio Stars are in town. We'll be rooting for the Storm, of course, but also want to see Kelsey Plum. I think the Stars have yet to win a game this season, tough for that young woman who got used to winning in Purple. But it's kind of what Stewie experienced in her first year in the WNBA. It's a jump and it takes some adjusting.

80maggie1944
Jun 12, 2017, 8:39 am

Hi, Ellen. Yes, Stewie did experience that in her first games with the Storm, and she also had to adjust to a more physical game.

The Storm is looking pretty good this year. Makes me want to buy a full season's tickets for next year. We shall see.

81maggie1944
Jun 12, 2017, 8:58 am

June 14, 2007 is when I joined Library Thing! Ten years! That is an eternity in "on line life".

82streamsong
Jun 12, 2017, 10:06 am

Happy Thingaversary!

Ten years is a remarkable amount of time for an online community. I hadn't thought of it in quite that way - thanks for pointing it out!

I'm thinking of a Seattle or Oregon trip later this year. I'll be having cataract surgeries in the next month which should improve my eyesight enough to drive. I need to plan a reward vacation for me! I've been wanting to explore the area for quite a while now.

83maggie1944
Jun 12, 2017, 10:49 am

Janet, that would be wonderful!

84witchyrichy
Jun 13, 2017, 8:12 pm

Happy Thingaversary! I joined in 2005 but didn't get involved in the forums until the past five years or so. Connecting with other readers has really made a difference!

85Berly
Jun 18, 2017, 1:26 pm

86maggie1944
Jun 18, 2017, 4:03 pm

Thanks Karen, and Kimberly, I feel badly that I'm a bit inactive these days but I stil, out of habit, check in every day, and look to see if anyone has stopped by.

I do think 10 years is remarkable, and LT continues to be my favorite place on the web.

87EBT1002
Jun 18, 2017, 4:07 pm

Happy 10th Thingaversary!

I've decided to wear my Stewart t-shirt to the game today. I had been thinking about wearing the Huskies' Final Four shirt from the year before last, but I want to be loyal to the Storm. I will cheer for Kelsey to have a good game and for the Storm to win. :-)

88EBT1002
Jun 18, 2017, 4:07 pm

"LT continues to be my favorite place on the web."
Yep, me too, even though my presence can be erratic.

89benitastrnad
Jun 18, 2017, 8:08 pm

For me it is the only place on the Internet I visit - other than sites for work. This one, though connected to my job, and that's how I discovered it, is pure fun and pleasure.

I am looking forward to the meet-up next Saturday. So far have 12 who will be there including Tim and Abby.

90jnwelch
Jun 21, 2017, 6:22 pm

Happy 10th Thingaversary, Karen!

This is my favorite place on the web, too.

I hope things are going well for you.

91karenmarie
Jun 25, 2017, 9:11 am

Hi Karen and happy Sunday!

>81 maggie1944: Congratulations on ten years on LT! I'll be celebrating my tenth in October, and it's my go-to-place on the Internet. I just can't imagine life without LibraryThing - great friends, great discussions, great cataloging features.

92maggie1944
Jun 25, 2017, 12:41 pm

Hi, back to you, Karen! And I do also hope you have a very nice Sunday. We predicted to have maybe 90 degrees of warm today which is "hot" for our part of the country, and yet so much more cool than so many other places. Yikes.

I so agree with you about LT being the go-to-place! Even when I'm having a slump in reading, I'm here to keep up my thread so that when I've got something good, I can tell it here!

93witchyrichy
Jul 1, 2017, 8:11 pm

Happy Saturday! I'm getting ready to start my second thread for the year...something I have never done before! I've been determined to get more involved in the group this year and seem to be successful so far.

94benitastrnad
Jul 2, 2017, 10:45 am

Greetings on this Sunday morning after ALA. I am happy to be in a routine again, and truthfully, am starting to think about retirement on my own terms this time. I am looking forward to a day off on Tuesday and some blueberry picking. I am thinking a nice lemon blueberry coffee cake would be good.

95jjmcgaffey
Jul 2, 2017, 11:38 pm

Do you have a good recipe for lemon blueberry cake? I used to have a good recipe - for blackberry, actually - and I've lost it.

96benitastrnad
Jul 3, 2017, 10:23 am

#95
The recipe I am going to try is a new one. It is from America's Test Kitchen. I will try to remember to bring it to work and type it out for you - if it turns out well.

97maggie1944
Jul 3, 2017, 12:37 pm

>93 witchyrichy:, Karen, It probably is ebb and flow. Sometimes reading is easy, sometimes not so much. I actually think I need to go get my eyes checked again. Sheesh!

>94 benitastrnad: You go girl!

>95 jjmcgaffey: Jennifer, another option is Allrecipes.com

>96 benitastrnad: I hope it turns out well.

98jjmcgaffey
Editado: Jul 5, 2017, 7:50 pm

>97 maggie1944: Oh, I have a dozen recipes that I've looked up on various sources. None of them sound exactly like the one I lost, or a particularly good substitute, so I keep asking people for their favorites. I live alone, and even if I give my parents half of what I make, testing all the possibilities would leave us not wanting ever to eat a lemon berry cake again! I'm hoping to find one that works well, and start testing with that.

99EBT1002
Jul 11, 2017, 11:38 am

Karen, my friend. I do miss you.

I have had some change in schedule for next Tuesday, the 18th. I think I can meet at Crossroads after all. It will depend a bit on how my foot does over the next few days (I broke or badly bruised my toe). I will let you know! Even though we don't have a book to discuss, per se, I would love to see you and we can talk about the future of our little book group. :-)

100maggie1944
Jul 11, 2017, 1:28 pm

Ellen, that would be great. We can talk about the book Bill has suggested, and other "issues". Feel free to send me a text message when it becomes clear whether you can come over, or not. I will send you a PM with my phone # in case you do not have it.

101EBT1002
Jul 11, 2017, 1:45 pm

>100 maggie1944: sounds good!

102maggie1944
Jul 18, 2017, 9:54 am

I saw a moving account by Sherman Alexis on Facebook where he described the emotional impact of his having written this memoir, and his decision to cut his book tour short due to his being very emotionally raw and vulnerable. I am so very impressed by this man who through his writing has one foot in the 21st Century, reaching out to people of all backgrounds to share his human experience, and one foot in his heritage and family history. A great deal of courage is demonstrated.

I find reading You Don't Have to Say You Love Me along side of Trevor Noah's Born A Crime to be very moving. I'm delighted to see both these courageous men using humor to illuminate the very unfunny reality of racial divides in the 21st Century.

103karenmarie
Jul 19, 2017, 7:52 am

Hi Karen!

I'm listening to Born a Crime and it is as you say, funny and moving.

104witchyrichy
Jul 21, 2017, 5:40 pm

>102 maggie1944: Interesting that you link Sherman Alexie and Trevor Noah. My dad is reading Noah's book and said how good it was and I mentioned Alexie's book as a good follow up. Guess I better get both of them on my TBR list! I'm trying hard to borrow from the library these days so I'll add them to the wish list.

105Berly
Jul 25, 2017, 11:07 pm

I have been warbling about Born a Crime and now I've been karmically hit here! Going to have to get Sherman Alexis' book--I love his writing. : )

106maggie1944
Jul 26, 2017, 8:47 am

I will be very interested in your observations. Please come back and tell me how you liked reading both of them.

107karenmarie
Jul 28, 2017, 7:09 am

I just finished listening to Born a Crime yesterday and am so glad I listened to it! It is fantastic.

108maggie1944
Jul 28, 2017, 8:13 am

I am pleased you enjoyed it, as did I!

109benitastrnad
Jul 28, 2017, 11:14 am

I don't watch late night TV and so had no clue who this guy was! Can you imagine that? I started seeing him pop up on the CBS morning show when they show those clips of the late night talk show monologues that are getting lots of hits on YouTube. That still doesn't help me much to know who he is. But then I barely know who the guy is who does the CBS late night show. (I can't even think of his name right now.) I think I quite watching late night TV around the time Arsenio Hall quit.

110maggie1944
Jul 28, 2017, 12:48 pm

Benita, you have put your finger on one of the ways in which this country is being sliced and diced into little pieces that do not know the same things, and cannot be unified very easily. We all listen and watch whatever we listen to and watch, but there is no common experiences.

Were you around to watch the TV hour after hour when John F. Kennedy was shot? Or when we put a "man on the moon"? Or when the Berlin wall fell?

For a few bright shining moments the US of A was one country, all the citizens were united in awe, and sorrow, or celebration? Well, of course, not ALL. But a huge proportion. Today, regardless of the news, we do not experience that. Will we ever again?

Sad.

111EBT1002
Jul 28, 2017, 3:55 pm

Hi Karen.

>110 maggie1944: Just so. Sigh.

I hope you're doing well and enjoying this weather. Can it last forever? (Well, of course not but it feels like it will -- it has just gone on and on and on...)

112maggie1944
Jul 28, 2017, 5:49 pm

It has been very pleasant, and I love the long days, and short nights. This is a great time of year. And some years we have nice sunny days well into October. Usually, it is all over by Halloween, then the darkness, and the chill and rains return. So enjoy August, September and October! Live it up!

113benitastrnad
Jul 30, 2017, 12:19 pm

I got a 2017 Subaru Outback yesterday and feel like I signed away my life for the next five years. I don't like the idea of owing that much money, but I like the car. I think it will be perfect for retirement in Kansas. In the meantime "the Beast" is sitting under my carport were it will gather cobwebs until August 12 when I will drive it to Kansas. On that trip I will learn how to actually drive the car and what kind of bells and whistles it has. In the meantime, I have lots of reading to do with the Manuel. I wasn't able to find the USB ports on the drive home, but I finally did figure out the cruise control.

They would not take my car in trade so I am thinking of donating it to the NPR station back home. In the meantime I will keep it to drive back and forth to work. I don't want to park my "new" car in the parking deck.

114maggie1944
Jul 31, 2017, 6:57 am

I love my Subaru. It is invariably reliable. But I confess one of the reasons it is such a good car is because my niece works for the dealership and so they 1. sell me good cars, and 2. take good care of me. All I have to do is remember to take it in when the little sticker on the windshield says it is the mileage for service, and then 3. have the money to pay for the service, insurance, license, etc. I drive so much less than I used to drive, and so, it is easy to take care of it.

115karenmarie
Jul 31, 2017, 7:09 am

Hi Karen!

I don't watch TV news or late night shows, but did start watching Colbert on youtube, and then it got smart and started showing me Seth Meyers, Keith Olberman, The View, Lawrence O'Donnell, and Trevor Noah clips which I started watching. Also Morning Joe, which I also catch after the fact on youtube. I was watching Bill Maher, but got a bit upset at one of his monologues so stopped, whether permanently or temporarily, I don't know.

I can't talk about politics with my sister at all, nor several of my friends. It's a very sad state of affairs that we're so polarized.

116maggie1944
Jul 31, 2017, 10:15 am

Karen, congratulations on the recent retirement. It did take me a while to really settle in to being 100% in charge of my own time. Now my only "compulsions" are the one's I choose.

Today I spent several hours in the early, early morning reading stuff on the computer, listening half-eared to early morning liberal TV (MSNBC and CNN), doing a jig saw puzzle on my Kindle, and planned my day. At 8 am I walk over to our center building and act as the time keeper for a 45 minute meditation which is attended by 5 others, or fewer. Then I"ll drop in the Manager's office and sign some documents, and then come home. By then the dog will want her first real walk of the day and we'll wander round our 5 acres of path, trees, and landscaping. Very pleasant, might run into our "yard man" and chat. He loves dogs and I cannot walk past him without letting him fuss over Gretchen.

Then at about 10 AM I'll start the real day, 5 hours +/- after I woke.

I will look at a long list of things to do and pick and choose what to do - make the bed, clean the kitchen, plan the menu for the day, maybe go grocery shopping, etc.

Should be a gorgeous day, and I may have to take the dog to the dog park, too.

Such is retirement for me.

117benitastrnad
Jul 31, 2017, 11:09 am

#114
I hope to love my Subaru too! If I can get past the sticker shock.

118karenmarie
Ago 1, 2017, 7:16 am

Hi Karen!

Ah, retirement! I find that it always takes me several hours to actually do more than drink coffee, play around here on LT, get in some morning reading, and then decide what to do. I love it. And sometimes I get up early and sometimes I just sleep in. I only wake to an alarm 2 days a month - and that's to make sure I'm up for my cleaning ladies. Not a bad reason to have to get up to an alarm, for sure!

My time isn't 100% my own - got a husband to interact with - but the weekdays are gloriously my own, alone here in the house, since he still works.

119maggie1944
Ago 1, 2017, 7:26 am

Karen, that is a wonderful description of retirement. I'm up now at 4 AM, with my coffee, and my computer open. It is still dark and still. I did hear the newspaper guy walking down the hall, but nothing else, except my fan. I think I'll open the slider door and I'll be able to hear the birds when they start.

My cleaning lady is coming today at about 8:30 AM and so I do have to do a few things. I like to get the dirty dishes all put in the dishwasher, and most of the random piles of paper corralled at my desk. I think today I'll chain myself to my desk and work on paper piles, sorting, tossing, and generally trying to free myself from my self imposed paper trap.

I have a meeting this afternoon, and one early evening, both are pleasant and worth doing so I don't call them work. I'm a weirdo who likes meetings. I like people.

I also will try to get some reading done today as I have only two weeks until the book group meets and I would like to finish re-reading the book we chose. Oddly, we chose a book suggested by a "newer" member and then discovered that a couple of us had read it back when this member was not coming, and neither was another. So 50% of us are re-reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Fun.

Weather has turned "hot" for our part of the world so it is a good day to be quiet, and if I get too miserable I can go swimming.

Sounds like a good day, eh?

120Berly
Ago 1, 2017, 12:05 pm

There is not a chance I would ever be up at 4 am. EVER!! I am a night owl. LOL I usually see midnight but I still wake up on my own between 6 and 8. A leisurely morning with no must-do appointments sounds lovely.

121karenmarie
Ago 2, 2017, 7:33 am

>119 maggie1944: Perfect day, Karen, especially the early morning quiet time with coffee, computer and/or book.

I adored The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society when I read it in 2009.

122PaulCranswick
Ago 5, 2017, 11:21 pm

>118 karenmarie: & >119 maggie1944: You know, I never thought that retirement was for me but you ladies sure do make it seem tempting!

Have a lovely weekend, Karen.

123maggie1944
Ago 6, 2017, 5:34 am

Hi, Paul. It (retirement) does take a bit of "adjusting". It is very seductive to have all your time totally within your hands; however, commitments of one type or another creep in if you are at all social. If you are content to be a hermit, reading, eating, sleeping, and walking by yourself, well then: no problems. But I'm just not built that way, I'm tempted to join this group and that, go out with these folks for breakfast, do this with others for "drinks in the afternoon". It is a funny life and I cannot shake my sense of "I have to do this or that".

Ah, well. I finished reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society this morning very early. I'd gone to bed yesterday for a "nap" and could not shake myself back into action, so I slept through the afternoon, and into the night, and then of course was wide away shortly after midnight, slept on and off a bit more, and then picked up the book (Kindle). Well, it is a sweet book full of some neglected history of the channel islands off the coast of Great Britain during the Nazi invasions. Full of delightful, quirky characters, and I did grow to love Guernsey and the people the author depicted. A good book, well worthy of taking a bit of time to read. Not heavy in the slightest, oddly enough.

124karenmarie
Ago 6, 2017, 10:14 am

Hi Karen!

The most important advice I received about retirement was to not commit to anything for 6 months. Then, I was asked to join the board of our Friends of the Library at just about 6 months into retirement, and a year later, this July, became Treasurer. It will not be too onerous, just enough to get me outside myself.

I didn't have any problem adjusting! I said at the time my goal was to get bored - whether it took 6 months or 6 years or whatever. Not anywhere close to being bored yet.

Naps are quite wonderful and not stressful when one doesn't have to worry about getting enough sleep at night to go to work the next day.

125jnwelch
Ago 6, 2017, 12:15 pm

Hi, Karen.

I totally agree with karenmarie about retirement. No problems adjusting, just loving it. I also want the chance to get bored - what a wonderful thing - but it hasn't happened yet. And sleeping whenever without worrying about getting enough for work is a blessing. For years I had to get up very early to commute downtown for a long work day - not missing it!

126benitastrnad
Ago 6, 2017, 2:40 pm

I am looking forward to retirement. I was asked by our institutions retirement counselor what I planned on doing when I retired. I replied - nothing - for six months. Then I will figure out what I want to do. In my case it will be going back to work because I can't get social security for another 4 years. But I want some time to myself for getting some books read.

127EBT1002
Ago 6, 2017, 8:25 pm

>126 benitastrnad: That suggests that you are retiring "early," Benita. Good for you!

Karen, I'm looking forward to seeing you next week. I have requested The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society as an eBook from the library; I'm first in the queue so I'm confident that I will get it.

Hang in there, my friend. This heat will make anyone sleepy. I have been exhausted for the past week and I am sure it's a combination of the heat and the poor air quality.

128benitastrnad
Ago 6, 2017, 8:41 pm

#127
Not early. I have my 25 years in, but to early for Social Securiity. Besides, I have a new Outback to pay for!

129maggie1944
Ago 7, 2017, 7:22 am

I retired "earlier than Social Security" too. I worked part time at several jobs, and am thinking about working this Christmas season again. I like a little extra money and god knows neither Social Security nor my "teachers retirement" pay nice yearly increases. They both seem to think inflation is not a "thing".

I am also paying off a car. Not a new one, but a good one. I totally wrecked my retirement Subaru and had to buy a replacement. My niece works for the dealership and was able to find my exact same model, and year, for sale in their used car lot. It is a good car, and even with 135,000 miles on it there are no significant problems.

Yea! Subaru!

130EBT1002
Ago 9, 2017, 8:44 pm

Love my subaru. :-)

131maggie1944
Ago 9, 2017, 10:23 pm

(-:

132Berly
Ago 9, 2017, 10:28 pm

Love/hate all of you. Not even close to retiring. LOL

133maggie1944
Ago 9, 2017, 10:31 pm

Ah, Kimberly, I'd like to send you a hug. Yes, being retired is nice, but there are some not so nice elements, too. Just like life. Aging bodies which surprise you from time to time with new ailments or new limitations. Losing friends to the grim reaper. You know... stuff.

So, enjoy your today for what it is, tomorrow will come soon enough.

134benitastrnad
Editado: Ago 16, 2017, 6:00 pm

I managed to drive my Outback all the way to Kansas without wrecking it. My breakfast reading for the last two days has been the owner's manual. I think I finally figured out the cruise control and the radio for the CD player. I still can't make it reverse a few seconds and if I really want to hear something I have to reverse to the beginning of the track, but I am sure with a little more reading I will figure that out as well.

For this reason I kept the vacation traveling selections light. I listened to Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard and have started the second in that series theGlass Sword. Both are good traveling books as they are interesting and keep me exited to listen but don't demand too much from me. I would say this series is a cut above many of the dystopian YA stuff I have been reading in the last couple of month.

135maggie1944
Sep 3, 2017, 9:01 am

I finished reading John Lewis's trilogy about the civil rights movement from his perspective of being a member and leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. I spent a couple of years on the University of Washington campus raising money and awareness for SNCC and was very passionate about that work. A best friend went to the Mississippi Freedom Summer to help try to register voters in face of violent and unlovable white prejudiced society. The 1960s were very dramatic even before the anti-war movement began.

I'll not write about what my response to John Lewis's books is until after our little book group meets on September 19.

I do think the format of graphic nonfiction is very effective.

136streamsong
Sep 3, 2017, 11:04 am

I loved that trilogy, Karen. I wish it could be a part of classrooms throughout the US.

137maggie1944
Sep 3, 2017, 1:38 pm

I join you in that wish.

138EBT1002
Sep 9, 2017, 12:19 am

I read March: Book One this afternoon and loved it. I agree with you and Janet that this work should be required reading in classrooms across the US!

I should be able to read the other two before 9/19. I'm interspersing between some library books and, of course, taking care of P.

139maggie1944
Sep 15, 2017, 5:20 pm

Here's the last time I listed books read:

Books read in 2017

1. Humans of New York - a lovely account of a young photographer becoming increasingly interested in photographing the average citizens of New York city. I enjoyed both the photographs and the accounts of conversations had.

2. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

3. Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard

4. The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin

5. Snow White: A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan

6. Local by Brian Wood

7. Maman, What Are We Called Now?

8. Will's Red Coat by Tom Ryan

9. His Bloody Project by Roderick Macrae. I read this book as the next book for my little F2F book group, meeting next on May 16. I mention the date because this is the first time in a long time that I was able to finish the chosen book well before the meeting.

10. March: Trilogy Slipcase Set by John Lewis

Brilliant. A iconic account of John Lewis' part in the 1960s- 1970s Civil Rights movement, including all the nasty stuff. Murders, beatings, police dogs put on protestors, fire hoses and all the bravery and boldness of the new generation of Americans in the south who would not put up with segregation of lunch counters, public bus lines, and public bathrooms and who would not stand down in their insistence that all American citizens have the right to vote.

The books were accurate to the era I lived through; and they were lovely with illustrations which did not candy coat the violence of those days.

140maggie1944
Sep 19, 2017, 10:49 am

Here's what I'm trying to read now:

Al Franken: Giant of the Senate was both informative and funny. I read it fairly quickly because it was not ponderous, and not preachy. I have finished reading this book, and I do recommend it.

What Happened by Hillary Clinton - I have just started it and I cannot say that, so far, it offers anything new to me. But of course I'm addicted to MSNBC on the TV so I have heard lots about what happened. I came to the book believing that in many ways the Clintons have both created their own difficulties and have been the victim of those all too happy to take advantage of everytime they made poor decisions.

Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire - again, I've just started this book. I bought it due to a review declaring it was the most important book about what is going on. It is an interesting romp through the history of the United States of America, from the beginnings. I'm not sure it is "most important" but does provide an interesting glimpse into the tendency of the citizens of this brave new world, of this young experiment in government by the people, for the people, and of the people; the tendency of these citizens to picture reality through the lens of fantasy, not reality.

Unbelievable by Katy Tur. Yet again, I've only started this book, but I have watched Katy Tur cover, for NBC/MSNBC, Donald Trump from the beginning of his campaign. She is intelligent and gutsy. She tolerated being verbally abused by Trump from his "pulpit" and by his followers who caused the Secret Service to protect her occasional retreat from the field. I look forward to read her interpretation of what his character and behavior told her.

Lastly, I'm also reading Reclaiming Epicurus about this Greek philosopher who recommended "moderation in all things".

141karenmarie
Sep 21, 2017, 2:42 pm

Yowza, Karen, all heavy hitters! Good for you.

142maggie1944
Sep 21, 2017, 3:15 pm

I do want to know how our culture and nation are changing. I think some of the information in these books will help, a bit.

143bluesalamanders
Sep 24, 2017, 9:40 am

That sounds like a terrifying set of books to be reading all at once! But I hope it helps you understand what's going on. I certainly don't...

144maggie1944
Sep 25, 2017, 7:29 am

I think Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire provides the best overview. It really shows the deep roots of "false news". Thinking "America is exceptional" is really the beginning of denial of reality.

145maggie1944
Sep 25, 2017, 7:29 pm

Looking forward to hearing what the book group, started with LT members, will think of MARCH! Meets tomorrow.

146maggie1944
Sep 27, 2017, 6:27 pm

Well, having learned that I should read 3 books at a time to fully enjoy each of them, I went on a buying spree:

1. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
2. Little Charlie's Big Adventure in France by Kyle Campbell Miller
and
3. Clos de Paris: Tales of Restoring a Normandy Farmhouse by Kyle Campbell Miller

The last two are written by a friend of a friend, who moved to France and also restored an old farmhouse. What an adventure. When I visited her in 2008 it was only inhabitable in two large down stairs rooms, three bedrooms, and two bathrooms. Charming. Full of potential. It is for sale... if any one wants to buy a restored farm house in France, let me know.

147jnwelch
Sep 29, 2017, 8:28 am

Hi, Karen.

I'd love to buy a restored farm house in France - if the Powerball lottery comes through, I'll be in touch. :-)

I've been curious about Sapiens - I saw it's in the Top Ten for LT, but I don't know much about it.

148maggie1944
Editado: Dic 16, 2017, 12:03 pm

Books read in 2017

1. Humans of New York - a lovely account of a young photographer becoming increasingly interested in photographing the average citizens of New York city. I enjoyed both the photographs and the accounts of conversations had.

2. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

3. Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard

4. The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin

5. Snow White: A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan

6. Local by Brian Wood

7. Maman, What Are We Called Now?

8. Will's Red Coat by Tom Ryan

9. His Bloody Project by Roderick Macrae.

10-12. March: Trilogy Slipcase Set by John Lewis

13. On Power audio tape by Robert Caro

I love Robert Caro's work, from his book about Robert Moses and his influence on New York; to all of the volume of biography of Lyndon Baines Johnson. His research is thorough and impeccable. His writing style makes for easy reading. And his reading of this brief reflection of his life of writing was delightful.

14. Daddy Long Legs by Nadine Brun-Cosme. I think the book group intended I read a different "Daddy Long Legs" but this one inspired me to order a copy of the book in French which I will try to translate. My french is very rusty but I enjoy playing like I actually know the language. I have a French Canadian friend her at my retirement community and she can help me with my translation.

149maggie1944
Oct 6, 2017, 8:01 am

Reading The Sons of Profits and am laughing myself to sleep every night. A lively history of early Seattle. You had to be made of stern stuff to settle in the cold and wettest corning of the country.

150richardderus
Oct 6, 2017, 4:11 pm

>1 maggie1944: Hi Karen44, guess who came back for Thanksgiving dinner? :-)

151maggie1944
Oct 6, 2017, 4:49 pm

Hi, Richard! How the hell are you??? Still living the good life on the beach?

I found a very fine retirement community for myself. We have 124 apartments in three multistory buildings, sitting on 5 acres of lovely forested landscape. It is a cooperative so its more or less full of liberals, even some socialists, maybe even a commie or two (I don't know for sure). I have a small one bedroom apartment with a full kitchen and full bathroom, with a tub! One door opens into a hallway, the other door opens onto a very small deck, with steps out to the walking path. I can therefore have a companion animals so I have my third Miniature Schnauzer... Gretchen is a "rescue" from California, she hates the rain, is funny and perky for a 9 year old dog. She makes me laugh and I love her bunches. I still miss my wonderful Greta Garbo, she moved on after having been diagnosed with lots of cancer all through her little body. Boo Hiss Boo! Just about killed me to let her go, but I could not stand watching her suffer and decline. She was still pretty perky when I said good bye.

I'm reading a funny book about the early days in Seattle (see #152 above) and I like laughing.

I hope you stop back and tell me more about you!

152richardderus
Oct 6, 2017, 5:00 pm

>154 jjmcgaffey: Ha, yes, still a beach rat, and still glad to be one. It's a nice way to live.

Gretchen sounds adoggable. I am constrained from having a dog, more's the pity, but in the end it's liberating for me to be able to move to my own schedule. The Sons of Profits sounds like a good read indeed!

My blog absorbed me completely until April when I collapsed for three months. 45's venality and vileness plus the possibility of those horrific cuts to the programs I've already paid for proved to be too much. I've posted 101 reviews of the 160 I had planned, so I'm going to fall short by at least 20 reviews. *sigh* I hate not having robust mental health.

I think you'd get a kick out of my friend Jackiesue's blog: Yellowdog Granny. An old-time Texas Democrat! Funny, trenchant memes.

Be well, stay safe, and go slay them damned dragons, comme d'habitude.

153EBT1002
Oct 9, 2017, 12:30 am

>152 richardderus: Oh good. I'm looking forward to it.

154jjmcgaffey
Oct 9, 2017, 6:53 pm

>152 richardderus: Huh. I have that, but haven't gotten around to reading it - I was expecting interesting, but not funny. Maybe I'll dig that one out next - I'm currently reading Gods, Graves, and Scholars which is fascinating but only occasionally (and usually unintentionally) funny.

155maggie1944
Editado: Oct 15, 2017, 7:52 am

Well, the experiment of reading 2 or 3 books simultaneously continues. I picked up the shortest one and finished it early this Sunday morning. It is very quiet and peaceful at 4 AM on a Sunday, I tell you!

Kyle Miller is a magazine writer, and a life long traveler. She and her husband purchased Clos de Paris as a second home, and embarked on restoring it, including such joys as supervising someone who chipped out all the old, multicolored, grout from their outside wall in order to replace it with a uniform colored sand based grout which would breathe with the weather, coming and going.

I read the book because Kyle is friends with my friend Annie who has spent the last few years doing much the same with a lovely farmhouse in Normandy. I visited Annie in 2008 on what I called my one and only trip to France. I had a wonderful time, and so reading this book gave me the opportunity to revisit my memories. Annie helped Kyle and so I was treated to mentions of her's and her husband's names throughout.

I enjoyed the book primarily because of all these personal connections and also enjoyed the whole restoration story, albeit completely foreign to my life.

Clos de Paris: Tales of Restoring a Normandy Farmhouse by Kyle Campbell Miller

You can look see at www.closdeparis.com It is a one page with lovely photographs of the house. Go look, see, and join me in jealousy.

156maggie1944
Oct 15, 2017, 7:47 am

Books read in 2017

1. Humans of New York - a lovely account of a young photographer becoming increasingly interested in photographing the average citizens of New York city. I enjoyed both the photographs and the accounts of conversations had.

2. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

3. Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard

4. The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin

5. Snow White: A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan

6. Local by Brian Wood

7. Maman, What Are We Called Now?

8. Will's Red Coat by Tom Ryan

9. His Bloody Project by Roderick Macrae.

10. March: Trilogy Slipcase Set by John Lewis

11. On Power audio tape by Robert Caro

12. Clos de Paris: Tales of Restoring a Normandy Farmhouse by Kyle Campbell Miller

See my "review" above. If you are interested, you can obtain the book at our friend's bookstore: amazon.

157Berly
Oct 24, 2017, 6:33 pm

Karen--Glad you are enjoying the retirement community so much and that you have wonderful Gretchen to keep you company. Life sounds good. : )

158maggie1944
Oct 24, 2017, 6:37 pm

Hi, Kimberly, Thanks for stopping by.

I don't post very often and so I don't have many visitors. Also my book comments have been rare this year.

But you are right I'm enjoying, most of the time, my new home and my many "brothers and sisters".

Right now, Miss Gretchen is sitting in front of my slider door, with the screen pulled closed, and enjoying the view of our walking path and the small bank of vegetation on the other side. The squirrels provide her much entertainment. Occasionally, we see a bunny, too.

159Berly
Oct 24, 2017, 6:39 pm



: )

160maggie1944
Oct 24, 2017, 8:05 pm

:-) love them!

161witchyrichy
Oct 28, 2017, 9:18 am

>154 jjmcgaffey: Stopping by to say hello and wish you well at what seems like a lovely spot on Earth!

162maggie1944
Oct 28, 2017, 12:03 pm

Karen, thanks for stopping by to say hello! As I don't post as much as I once did I am bereft of visitors. Always appreciate see you show up.

Silver Glen is a lovely spot. Even right now it is beautiful with many trees turning colors. They planted quite a few which were known for gorgeous fall color. The weather is a bit cool, but I can still walk the dog with just a sweater on me. Love it! Brilliant blue skies where there are no clouds.

163Berly
Nov 1, 2017, 12:04 am



Trick or Treat!

164EBT1002
Nov 3, 2017, 7:29 pm

Hi Karen. I hope you are enjoying the first days of November. I'm in NC where it went up to 73F today. P said it was snowing like crazy (but not sticking) back home. Wild.

I hope you are doing well. I am spending time with my sister and part of the conversation is always about where they will next live as they close in on the need for more support around them. Sister is 74, her spouse is 81. Both doing well but time marches on....

165benitastrnad
Nov 4, 2017, 9:53 pm

I keep thinking about the next place I will be living as well. I am ready to fully retire, but still need an income. I do think I need to get out of the South.

166maggie1944
Nov 7, 2017, 8:08 am

I had a lovely weekend in Fairbanks, Alaska. I joints other members of The Mountaineers' Photography committee to fly up north to see, and hopefully photograph, northern lights. Trip went well, but clouds obscured the northern lights phenomena. No photography but much exploration of a different locale, always good for enjoying and appreciating home.

While gone I received Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit by Chris Matthews and Papa à Grand Pas by Nadine Brun-Cosme. The latter a book to help me practice my child-like French language skills.

Benita, I'll be following your consideration of where to go for retirement. I do encourage looking for a climate which allows for good long walks year around, even if you do have to put on a coat.

167EBT1002
Nov 7, 2017, 2:41 pm

So sorry you didn't get to see the Northern Lights, Karen. But it sounds like a worthwhile trip anyway.

168benitastrnad
Nov 7, 2017, 7:00 pm

I would be so disappointed to not see the Northern Lights, but as you say, a trip to Fairbanks would be amazing in itself. I am glad you had a good time.

169maggie1944
Nov 7, 2017, 9:02 pm

I may find some time and money in the future to try again. It is a awesome experience which does not require a lot of physical skill and endurance. Yay!

170Berly
Nov 9, 2017, 12:56 am

Bummer about no Northern Lights, but a getaway is still a getaway! Welcome back.

171PaulCranswick
Nov 23, 2017, 12:40 pm

This is a time of year when I as a non-American ponder over what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for this group and its ability to keep me sane during topsy-turvy times.

I am thankful that you are part of this group.

I am thankful for this opportunity to say thank you.

172maggie1944
Nov 23, 2017, 9:56 pm

Paul, you are a prince. I'm also thankful for this group, and for the fact that I can disappear for a while, and come back to be known, and welcomed.

Thank you for stopping by to say hi!

173EBT1002
Nov 24, 2017, 5:21 pm

Hi Karen. I just put Daddy Long Legs on hold at the library. There is no queue so I should have it soon.

I followed your lead and started a 10-day, 10-things-for-which-I'm-thankful thing on my thread. It's a good reminder, when it's easy to feel blue, overwhelmed, or cynical about things, that we still have much for which to be grateful.

Looking forward to seeing you in December ~~ and wanting to set up a 1:1 time for us, as well. :-)

174maggie1944
Editado: Nov 25, 2017, 7:26 am

well, Ellen, I confess, I did not get my first gratitude list item done and so I've decided I will follow your lead, and do them here, so that being in public gives me some accountability chips.

I am so very grateful for having found Silver Glen. It is affordable and very nice. Very pleasant people, and lovely setting, and comfortable.

175Familyhistorian
Nov 27, 2017, 6:23 pm

It's good to see that you are enjoying Silver Glen so much, Karen. That was a good move that you made. Too bad you didn't get to see the Northern Lights but it sounds like you had a good trip. Yay, for reading multiple books at a time. It makes for a more interesting reading life, doesn't it?

176maggie1944
Editado: Dic 16, 2017, 12:00 pm

OK, here's another Attitude of Gratitude: I am very grateful for my little "new" miniature schnauzer. She is so cute, and loving. Very different from my earlier two, but still the same Schnauzer attitude.

Life has suddenly gotten quite a bit more interesting. Our on-site manager resigned and the partner from our management company and I are trying to find ways to cover the job until we can find a temporary manager while the management company does a good search for a permanent manager. It is an interesting and challenging job. Too much for one person so we need someone who likes sharing the work with volunteers.

I did finish a book recently.

Books read in 2017

1. Humans of New York - a lovely account of a young photographer becoming increasingly interested in photographing the average citizens of New York city. I enjoyed both the photographs and the accounts of conversations had.

2. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

3. Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard

4. The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin

5. Snow White: A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan

6. Local by Brian Wood

7. Maman, What Are We Called Now?

8. Will's Red Coat by Tom Ryan

9. His Bloody Project by Roderick Macrae.

10-12. March: Trilogy Slipcase Set by John Lewis

13. On Power audio tape by Robert Caro

14. Clos de Paris: Tales of Restoring a Normandy Farmhouse by Kyle Campbell Miller

15. Daddy-Long-Legs: My Kindle's version of Daddy-Long-Legs was very easy to read and the book was one which made me smile. Based on some very old fashioned ideas of life and success, but nonetheless entertaining. I liked it that the "heroine" was a writer.

177Familyhistorian
Nov 28, 2017, 3:19 am

I have the Slipcase set of March as well, Karen, but I am going to count that as three books - just saying.

178witchyrichy
Dic 16, 2017, 10:36 am

>180 maggie1944: I also counted it as three...

Stopping by to say hello and wishing you a lovely winter season.

179maggie1944
Dic 16, 2017, 12:04 pm

I dropped in to see these lovely people making such a smart recommendations that I count March as three books. Yup! Did that.

180maggie1944
Dic 18, 2017, 4:59 pm

I am house sitting for my niece, watching over her dog, bird, and one fish. Also, watching their three cars. I started up the big truck who (I mean "which") paid attention to how small I am compared to its normal driver. I had very little to do in order to be able to see out in all directions. It did all the seat adjustments. I practice driving it down the block and back. Amazing.

I am opening the door for the dogs, and when it is raining neither wants to go outside. Luckily, it stopped raining.

Naps, too. Reading the last of Sapiens, also need to look at Born A Crime soon as I have a book discussion to lead.

181EBT1002
Dic 21, 2017, 11:59 am

I kind of want a little dog.....

182maggie1944
Dic 21, 2017, 12:33 pm

Warning: if you are not a stay at home mom, or a stay at home retired person, or a stay at home, work at home, person - dogs can be a very challenging companion. They do not thrive when left alone for long periods of time. They are pack animals and you will be their pack.

I know you know that, but I'm just saying. I did try to have dogs when I was working and it was not a happy experience.

I'm picking up Bad Land and the first few pages remind me of why I loved this book so much when I first read it. It is going to be a great re-read.

Hope you are doing much better in the health department.

183richardderus
Dic 21, 2017, 2:48 pm



Happy Yule Book Flood!

184maggie1944
Dic 21, 2017, 6:52 pm

ha! Thanks Richard mon amie! I hope you are well. Seems like your new home is treating you well. No dog, though? I am with two right this minute while I house sit. They keep me from sitting on the couch and surf my favorite sites on the web, while half listening to MSNBC.

I went out to day and did my very last buying for Christmas I think. My extended family has grown and so my list is longer. I spent remarkably less on each person, though.

Let's see: Niece #1, her husband, and her 3 kids; Niece #2, her new husband and her new daughter; former Sister-in-Law with her second husband (not my brother). So counting me we have 11. Just about the right number as far as I can say.

Happy holidays to you, dear friend.

185richardderus
Dic 21, 2017, 7:12 pm

Happy happy, Karen44, and many more. Let's hope in a happier 2018!

186maggie1944
Dic 21, 2017, 8:28 pm

yes, I like happier. Happier and happier. I've decided nothing can keep me from my happy.

187EBT1002
Dic 23, 2017, 5:01 pm

>185 richardderus: Yes, I know all that to be true. It's why we don't actually have a little dog (yet). Maybe when P retires.... I would never get a little (or big) dog with our current work schedules. It would be too cruel to leave the critter alone for that many hours most days of the week.



Merry Christmas to you, my friend!

188maggie1944
Dic 24, 2017, 5:30 am

Thank you, Ellen. I enjoyed my stay at Niece's house and all I worried about was letting the dogs in and out the back door, and even went outside with them to throw the ball for a quick round of catch. I'm home now and will spend today being Santa, wrapping some gifts, putting a small number of Christmas cards in some special friends' mail boxes (outside their apt. door), and maybe going to the grocery store early and try to beat the crowd.

Tomorrow it will be back to the niece's house and lucky for me Schelie's dog tolerates my dog and we can be there together, unlike her previous dog who hated small dogs, and poor Greta Garbo had to spend Christmas in the car.

I enjoy the kids, I enjoy the family, and we are a wee bit bigger this year with the younger niece's new husband and step-child.

I hope your holidays are full of love and joy, also.

189karenmarie
Dic 24, 2017, 8:41 am

Hi Karen!

So glad you can take Gretchen with you to your niece's!



Stopping by to wish you and yours all good things this holiday season.

190maggie1944
Dic 24, 2017, 10:23 am

Thanks😎

191SandDune
Dic 24, 2017, 2:37 pm



(Or in other words, Happy Christmas, to you and yours!)

192ronincats
Dic 24, 2017, 3:02 pm

It is that time of year again, between Solstice and Christmas, just after Hanukkah, when our thoughts turn to wishing each other well in whatever language or image is meaningful to the recipient. So, whether I wish you Happy Solstice or Merry Christmas, know that what I really wish you, and for you, is this:

193PaulCranswick
Dic 25, 2017, 3:45 am



Wishing you all good things this holiday season and beyond.

194PaulCranswick
Dic 25, 2017, 3:47 am

>175 Familyhistorian: Karen the other lady in the group who used to call me "Prince" - "Peacock Prince" to be exact passed this year.

Since I read a lot of poetry as did she I have been thinking quite a bit about Ellie these last couple of days and it rather emphasised your point about the wholeheartedness of this group that we can care for and be touched by friends and like minded people without, in many cases, ever meeting them.

You are a dear, dear lady. xx

195kidzdoc
Dic 25, 2017, 4:57 am



Have a very Merry Christmas, Karen! Thanks to your team for knocking the Cowboys out of the playoffs yesterday.

196maggie1944
Dic 25, 2017, 11:07 am

>194 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Rhian, for your lovely authentic greeting! I have a soft spot in my heart for the " British Isles" as all of my ancestors of recent memory received their genes from those places. So, all the better to see a greeting in a "native" language.

197maggie1944
Editado: Dic 25, 2017, 11:09 am

>195 kidzdoc: Roni, thanks for stopping by. And likewise I hope for you that you have all that you wish to have today, and all the days of your future!

198maggie1944
Dic 25, 2017, 11:10 am

>196 maggie1944: and >197 maggie1944: Thanks, Paul, you are a sweet heart and I appreciate your presence here. Happy New Year full of really good books for all of us!

199maggie1944
Dic 25, 2017, 11:13 am

>198 maggie1944: Darryl, happy holidays to you. I believe I read you are able to spend the holidays with your family as am I. It does give me joy to hang out with the relatives regardless of how many differences of opinion we have. Kind of like Library Thing, we choose to not have arguments about things over which we have little influence.

You are welcome. We do like our Seahawks even when they seem to occasionally turn into an amateur team. Yesterdays game was "interesting".

Wishing you well, my friend.

200banjo123
Dic 25, 2017, 3:29 pm



wishing a holiday and new year of peace for you and yours!

201maggie1944
Dic 26, 2017, 8:48 am

>203 Familyhistorian: Rhonda, thank you for your good wishes.

Yesterday, we had a lovely Christmas at my older niece's house with the younger niece's new husband and new step-daughter. All was peaceful and lovely. The older generation ably represented by my sister-in-law, her second husband, me. Next generation was the two couples and in both cases both the women and the men were fun and happy people. No quarrels arising from any of these two generations. The third generation, those up and coming, were the four kids. Also all were happy and contented, most of the time. There was a wee bit of the usual younger rebellion against the food. I call it usual because this has been an on going problem in the older niece's family sadly because her husband insists he will not eat anything "healthy" because it is not in alignment with his very conservative political point of view. So he has processed meats such as hot dogs, commercially prepared pizza, Jimmy Dean sausage, and white bread, potato chips, etc. His wonderful wife eats a healthy vegetables and fruits diet with lots of natural proteins. Our dinner was pork loin, mashed potatoes, green salad, turkey dressing. I brought the green salad and the younger niece made the mashed potatoes. Ice cream cake for dessert.

I woke up this morning with my usual stuffy nose because I caved in and ate some fruit tarts from a neighbor, and a cookie, and the cake part of the ice cream cake. Just enough wheat flour to trigger my "allergy" or better label is "sensitivity".

OK, that was all TMI, but I needed to get it off my mind. Happy day after Christmas you all. And now we can look forward to the "fresh start" the New Year always brings us whether we resist, or not.

Happy New Year with lots of good books!

202Berly
Dic 26, 2017, 2:54 pm

Happy Boxing Day!!

203Familyhistorian
Dic 26, 2017, 4:26 pm

>204 witchyrichy: That sounds like a wonderful family Christmas, Karen. Even if you had to do a bit of stifling with the conservative POV in the room. Here's hoping that the new year brings a "healthy" fresh start

204witchyrichy
Dic 27, 2017, 11:33 am

Stopping by to wish you a restful holiday season and all the wonders of a new year!

205maggie1944
Dic 27, 2017, 12:16 pm

>206 Familyhistorian:, Hi Meg. Thanks for stopping by. Yup, we are a family with a multitude of potentially explosive POVs. Me, I'm the flaming liberal, younger niece and husband are the Conservative Fundamentalistic church members, and older niece's husband is the right-wing-nut. You can see we all tread pretty carefully during holiday dinners. We did right good on Christmas.

Happy Book Reading New Year to you, and yours.

>207 Morphidae:, Hi Karen. Nice reminder on the tree there. I do like the magic of the season and it is much needed in the dark of winter around here. Right about now we have these unbelievably short days: 8 hours of day, 16 hours of darkness of various hues.

Well, carry on with all the good reading!

206Familyhistorian
Dic 27, 2017, 2:15 pm

>208 jnwelch: Sounds like all it would take is a spark, Karen. Good thing you were all on your best behaviour!

207Morphidae
Dic 28, 2017, 11:54 am

Okay, I'm still trying to figure out what eating healthy has to do with political point of view?

208jnwelch
Dic 28, 2017, 5:10 pm



Happy Holidays, Karen!

I'm glad you had a lovely Christmas get-together, even with the food strain.

209karenmarie
Dic 31, 2017, 3:53 pm

Hi Karen!



Peace, Health, and Happiness in 2018

210maggie1944
Ene 1, 2018, 9:52 am

Karen Marie, your wishes are most welcome and sent back to you multiplied!

211benitastrnad
Ene 2, 2018, 2:25 pm

I am on my way back to work and glad to read that you had a great Christmas. Mine was quiet and I read and knitted. Now back to the rat race for one more year. At least.

212maggie1944
Ene 3, 2018, 9:12 am

Benita, I very much appreciated your holiday letter. Thanks for keeping me on your list.

213benitastrnad
Nov 2, 2018, 11:07 pm

I saw you have made a few posts so thought I would hop over here and say Happy Hawaii. Have a good trip. ALA will be in Seattle. January 25-27, 2019. I plan on being there. My sister is coming over from Bozeman and we will spend some time with my cousins out in Everett as well.

214benitastrnad
Ene 16, 2019, 6:26 pm

I will be in Seattle for the ALA conference on January 26 - 28. LT is giving away free passes to the exhibit hall again. Here is the url to get that free pass. Please sign up for one. I would love to see you and hope to meet with Tim and Loreanne on Saturday night. The passes will be good for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning. The exhibit hall closes at 2:00 p.m. on Monday.

Hi Benita,

Thanks for reaching out and offering to set up a meetup! I'm happy to report that we do, indeed, have free, exhibit hall-only badges for ALA Midwinter.

Please direct anyone who'd like a badge here: https://www.compusystems.com/servlet/ar?evt_uid=313&oi=MuXZMs%2BGlqrHoIiGjo9....

That should automatically fill in the exhibitor invitation code. I just tested it out myself and was able to register successfully without any trouble.

If there's anything else I can do to help, please let me know. Definitely keep me posted as details get hammered out, so I can publicize the meetup in the State of the Thing this month!

Thanks again,
Loranne

Loranne Nasir
Member Support & Social Media Librarian, LibraryThing
LibraryThing | Facebook | Twitter

215benitastrnad
Ene 23, 2019, 7:36 pm

If you can manage it, come on down and join us. It would be fun to see you.