Shelley (jessibud2) Will Read Anywhere, chapter 3

I am Shelley, a retired special education teacher, living in Toronto, Canada with my 2 newest challenges, um, rescue cats, Theo the Bully Boy and Owen, who is slowing coming out of his shell.

I read fiction (especially historical fiction), a lot of non-fiction (bio/memoir, science, history, nature, and whatever else strikes my fancy). I have enjoyed several GNs (both of the fiction and non-fiction variety) and I also love illustrated children's books. Maybe I was a frustrated artist in a previous life. I try to follow the NF challenge each year but I am very much a mood reader so it doesn't always work out as planned for me.

A long stressful year continues and as my province enters stage 3 of reopening (as of yesterday), I continue to follow cautiously. Very cautiously, skeptic that I am. But I am fully vaccinated and so are the people in my life who matter most, so there is that. But I won't be ditching my masks any time soon... ;-)

Reading continues in fits and starts and though I may not reach 75 this year, who knows, maybe I will.

Current tally: 65 (trackers haven't worked for me this year so this is where I will keep score)

Currently reading:

Indian in the Cabinet
10 Minutes, 38 Seconds in this Strange World

one more

New phone/computer issues this morning. Still haven't managed to download photos from phone to computer. Will deal with them later and add another pic when (if) I succeed.

Otherwise, open for business....

>2 jessibud2: I like the benches Shelley. Hope you get your tech sorted soon.

Hi Shelley, and happy new thread!

From your previous thread, I'm glad that your visit went so well and that the kitties did well at home and boarded.

Boo hiss to the newest technological problems.

Happy new thread Shelley. Love those book benches in >2 jessibud2:!

Happy new thread, Shelley. It was good to see that your visit to Montreal went well.

Happy Sunday, Shelley. Happy New thread. How are Bully Boy and Owen doing? Do you have your feeders still set up and if so, any activity?

Happy new thread, Shelley!

>2 jessibud2: What lovely benches! I would like to put those in my garden :-)

New-thread orisons, Shelley!

Happy new thread, Shelley.

>2 jessibud2: Like the look of the benches although I'm not so sure that they would be comfortable.

>2 jessibud2: They don't leave those out in the rain, do they? I don't want any of my books to get wet.

Hi Shelley. Stopping by to say hi.

Happy new one!

Hi Caroline, Karen, Mary, Meg, Mark, Anita, Richard, Paul, Bill, Linda and Jim.

I agree, those benches are cool to look at, decoratively speaking, but I'd probably slide right off if I tried to sit on them! And my feet probably wouldn't reach the ground!

RL again. I am heading back to Montreal on Sunday for a shorter time, taking my mother to an appointment on Tuesday (possible biopsy but maybe not; the specialist will decide when we are there), then home again on Wed. And yes, Theo will return to the vet's. He is mellowing but not enough yet to leave him here with Owen when I am gone overnight. The attacks are far fewer but in the week I've been home, there have been a couple. Owen is definitely a calmer boy, though, and that is lovely. He lets me brush him a lot and even stroke his belly. Still can't pick him up yet, though...

Mark, to answer your question, no, my feeder is not out. I am really hoping that I can put it out in the fall, and especially in the winter. But the pigeons somehow seem to know the minute I try to put it out and they return. And it's not just me who finds them annoying. Our city has just this week tabled a bylaw that would ban feeding pigeons (yes, some people do that, deliberately!) in every corner of the city, because they (the pigeons, but I guess, also the people, hehe) are such nuisances, and filthy too. I wish they would try to cull them, if only by taking the eggs or something. Sort of like what was once done to try to keep the goose population down. Mind you, I am not so sure it worked for the geese...

After a library book lull, I now have 3 at home and another on the way. Feast or famine....

Hi Shelley my dear, Happy new thread dear friend.

Hey there Shelley...are you home yet? Did all go well with mother-appointmenting?

Hoping all the news is good....

>17 johnsimpson: - Hi, John. Hope things are settling down for you these days. I know there have been some rough patches on the home front. Hugs...

>18 richardderus: - Hi, Richard. Thanks for remembering and asking. I got home late this afternoon and am truly exhausted. The appointment went as well as could be expected. A minimal of waiting around, which was the best part. The doctor did take some skin samples for a biopsy and we should have an answer of sorts, in a week to 10 days, he said. I also hired someone privately to help my mother with her evening bedtime preparation (long story, don't ask). Mainly to ensure that she gets herself ready for bed safely and with minimal risk of falling by trying to do everything by herself, instead of waiting for the staff to arrive to help her. She is a stubborn one, my mum, and when she wants to go to bed, she waits on no one. I had some words with the managers of her place (via email, on a phone call and the other day, in person) because one of them was digging in her heels about not being flexible in the schedule re helping her at bedtime (I asked if they could come 15 to 20 minutes earlier than they have been arriving and she said no). So I hired someone privately and she started tonight. So far, my mum is pleased, she likes her (the woman came to meet us both yesterday) so hopefully, this arrangement will work out. I was sorely disappointed (and angry though I did keep my cool and maintained a - more or less - calm demeanor when talking to the managers). Up to this point in time, I have had nothing but praise for the care my mum receives at her place but this, to me, seemed unnecessarily mean and inflexible. I honestly don't want to have to move my mum anywhere else unless and until there is no alternative. She loves it there, it's home to her now and it is familiar. Moving her is the last thing I want and if the manager can't be flexible, I will find my own solutions. But damn, it pisses me off.

Meantime, my boys were great. Owen seems to love having his *me time* when I go away. The cat sitter, Jacqueline, loves him and he must love her too because he is calm and playful and happy when I get home. And Hurricane Theo spent his time entertaining the entire vet clinic staff. They all came to say good bye to him when I picked him up. He is apparently a big chatterbox.... ;-) At least no worries there...

I took 3 books with me, all of which I was in the middle of. I finished one yesterday, and will finish the second tonight or tomorrow, if I fall asleep, but I have around 40 pages left, maybe less. I did pick up another today from the library and though that is not due back for 3 weeks, I may start it right away as it's one I really am eager to dive into:
The Three Mothers, about the mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr, Malcolm X, and James Baldwin.

In other news, I learned today that Ken Burns' next documentary, about Muhammed Ali, will air on PBS in mid-September:

https://www.wbgo.org/show/wbgo-journal/2021-07-27/legendary-documentarian-ken-bu...

And with that, I bid you good night. I will try to catch up on the threads tomorrow.

Happy new thread :)

>19 jessibud2: Glad that things went sort of smoothly with all the appointments.

Ken Burns' next documentary sounds fantastic. Can't wait!

>19 jessibud2: Lots of good here Shelley, but bah to the inflexibility. That said, I guess such facilities are stretched in these times, and carers lives are tough. I hope the intervention you made works for everyone going forward.

Ouch, Three Mothers just found its way into my shopping cart!

>19 jessibud2: What >21 Caroline_McElwee: said, with added profanity and some malediction.

Hi Shelley. I've added Ethel Rosenberg to the tbr pile.

>19 jessibud2: Glad most went good, Shelley, and so good you kept calm about the inflexibility.
So Owen and Theo had it both they way they like it :-)

>20 figsfromthistle: - Hi, Anita. Good to see you back! Hope things are going well with you.

>21 Caroline_McElwee: - Thanks, Caroline. So far, so good, with the new help. There are 2 managers of the place my mother lives. One is, and has always been, compassionate and open and easy to talk to. The other one, is and always has been (to me, anyhow), aloof, dismissive, and in my opinion, has a real issue with power and control. She never calls me by name name, and rarely makes eye contact. She is a tall woman (maybe 6 feet tall) and always wear heels. I interpret this as needing to tower over everyone else, to intimidate and she does, indeed. I am 5 feet nothing and while I don't cower, I also am not easily bullied. I have always held my tongue and was brought up to always be respectful. But this was the last straw. Anna, the one I like, is on vacation this last week which is why I had no option but to deal with Rosemarie. Anyhow, we move forward and my fingers remain crossed.

>22 richardderus: - Yep, thanks, Richard. Good thing she couldn't hear my inner voice. It contained much of what you said!

>23 Whisper1: - I just started that one last night, Linda. From the cover blurb: "...Here is the resonant story of what happens when a government motivated by fear tramples the rights of its citizens". I had read about the Rosenbergs many many years ago and have been fascinated by their story ever since. She was put to death, along with her husband, orphaning her 2 young children, for a crime she did not commit. Much new evidence has emerged in the almost 70 years since their execution and this is a book I have looked forward to reading. It's also the one of the 3 library books I have at home that is due back soonest so I will read it now.

>24 FAMeulstee: - Hi, Anita. Thanks. And yes, both my boys seem to do well when I am away, I have discovered! lol!

Hi Shelley. On your prior thread you noted of your cat sitter, Jacqueline, that "she sent me daily reports and photos." I love that!!! It will help when you are away to know how things are going back home with the feline family members!

Happy new thread!! Sorry about all the issues with your mom. It certainly can get challenging. Hope you find a way to enjoy your feeder sans pigeons. They can really get annoying. Enjoy your books!

Shelley, I am sorry that your mom is dealing with some challenging health issues. I send all good wishes to you and your family.

I'm sure you must have explained before Shelley, but where does 'jessibud' come from?

>29 Caroline_McElwee: - Lol! A million years ago, when I first joined the world of *internet*, I needed a screenname for the first site I joined (a book site, of course, bookcrossing). I wanted something that would keep my real name protected, so being a cat person and being perhaps not as creative as I could have been, I chose the first thing that popped into my head: I combined the names of the 2 cats I had at the time, Jessie and Buddy. They lived to 17 and 18 years, respectively, but I have always kept that name for my online screenname and I even created an email address for non-personal email using that name (of course, it has now become my main email addy).

That said, I suspect I may not be alone in this train of thought. ;-)

Since my sweet J & B, I have also had the late great Mia (of my LT avatar fame) and Lexi, and now, of course, Hurricane Theo and the slowly mellowing Owen. But no name changes in the plans... :-)

>26 EBT1002: - Ellen, the agency that I use has it very well organized. I use a lockbox to store the key (the kind real estate agents use when showing houses for sale) so I don't have to give a key to anyone. They also have the reporting policy whereby the sitter sends a voice message after each visit, in my case, twice a day. It appears in my email inbox as a message and if I want to actually listen to it, I need to download the app. In order to do that, though, either through google or youtube, I have to agree to give them access to my photo files. Maybe this is the way the world of apps or the world in general operates. I never claimed to be part of that world, however, and I refuse to give such permission to the likes of google or youtube. I suspect they could probably access anything they want, if they really wanted to, anyhow but I don't plan to make it easier for them.

So, the hilarious part of this whole deal is that there is obviously some sort of transcription program because what Jacqueline actually says in her message is transcribed into text which I read in the email. And it's ridiculous and crazy. Here are 2 samples. When she says "oh and" you know it's really *Owen*. The rest is just nuts.

" Hi, it's Jacqueline reporting for oh and it's July 27th, the time is 445-2515. We think is good here. So he's looking happy and healthy, he's playful and social and he did good amount of grooming to me. Please? Look is looking pretty relaxed and content hope you're doing well. I'll be back tomorrow morning, thanks bye."

" Hi, it's Jacqueline reporting for oh and it's July 26th the time and that time at 820 everything's good here. He's doing well. It's left the bottom wigley when he was playing with his toys chance toys very sweet and it's we played for a while and then you know, he's just laying down in the kitchen area you had active late session. So he'll probably have a nice little dab. Right now. It's looking pretty relaxed hope you're doing well me back tonight thanks bye."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I know this has to be transcription because when she sends me regular private messages through the agency's website, she is perfectly articulate and makes no grammar mistakes. LOL

>27 Berly: - Hi Kim. Nice to see you here. I may try putting the feeder back out in the fall. The squirrels are making me crazy right now with their pine cone messes. They sit on the branches and denude the pine cones, dropping the cores and tons of individual pieces of them all over my lawn. I think of it as the squirrel equivalent of guys at ball games spitting sunflower seeds. Gross, and a pain to clean up. Raking just doesn't catch them all, and then, the next day, there is more. (and pardon me if that sounded sexist but I have yet to know a single female who spits sunflower seeds. Sue me)

All that to say, I don't need the pigeons now, too, ;-)

>30 jessibud2: Aha. Thanks for the cat tales Shelley. I've long been curious about your monica.

>28 Whisper1: - Thank you, Linda. It is an ongoing issue that we simply must do our best to deal with. Both my brother and I live far away and don't get to visit as often as we used to, pre-covid. I just have to stay on top of things.

I hope you are having better days, yourself. I am happy that you have the supports that you do, to help you.

Hi Shelley. I have been rarely thorough about visiting threads, especially reluctant about leaving messages, when I do get there. When I can't think what to say, or comment about that seems timely, I don't post anything. So this is also a 'nothing' comment at least re books and reading!

I thought the solution about hiring a private worker to help your Mom in the evening was a reasonable approach but the amount paid for your Mom's care is likely very expensive, so I can appreciate that you must have been seething over this issue. Canadian care homes that fulfill their patient's needs are more or less non-existent, aren't they?

>30 jessibud2: BookCrossing was your first website?! Cool! So glad I found you there. :)

Happy new thread! Sorry about all the stress with your mother---elder care is tricky, isn't it? Glad your cats did OK when you were gone.

>35 SandyAMcPherson: - Hi sandy. Thank goodness my mum has savings. She always taught us to save for a *rainy day* or our *old age*. Well, for her, that time is now and thanks to wise investments, she has the money for this time we are going through. Good thing because I doubt my brother and I could afford all of this for her. Anyhow, whatever it takes, we will do, as long as her money lasts. It should.

>36 SqueakyChu: - Yup! :-) And thanks to you, I am HERE!

>37 banjo123: - Hi, Rhonda. Yes, it's new territory for me. She would be appalled if she were more aware; her biggest fear was always dementia. She always asked me to shot her if she ever got to this. I used to reply that guns are illegal here.

As for the cats, well, my Hurricane Theo is not himself these days. It started Monday, He seemed lethargic and threw up a couple of times, something he has rarely done since he has been with me. I brought him to the vet yesterday because he wasn't eating, either. The vet gave me some stuff for hairballs (that malt flavoured stuff in a tube that he did like enough to lick right off my fingers). But although she also gave me a can of food to help stimulate his appetite and calm his tummy, he sniffed it and walked away. When he wouldn't eat his kibble, something he generally prefers over the wet food, I knew something was up. I brought a stool sample for analysis to the vet this morning and he still hasn't eaten at all today. Mostly sleeping and threw up twice. I have been very lucky with healthy pets all these years. I am not used to sick cats, especially not at such a young age. Theo is not even 2 years old yet. The only times any of my cats have been sick have been all related to old age. Sigh....

Owen, on the other hand, is frisky, friendly and warming up more and more. He still won't let me pick him up but he is beginning to allow me to play with his paws and give him belly rubs. Who knows, may a mani-pedi isn't far off. I can dream....

Hi, Shelley. I was just wondering if you wanted your wooden nickel back. You left it at the turnstile at my thread. You know, Karen left a $20 gold piece. Jus' sayin'...

>39 weird_O: - She's just jealous I got there first! ha! ;-) But sure, I'll have it back. I'll save it for your next thread, lol!

>38 jessibud2: Poor Theo. I hope they find what it is fast. It’s not fun when animals are sick.

I'm sorry to hear about your trouble with you Mom's care home. I realize schedules are important, but you simply cannot impose strict timing on people who have lost their sense of time. I hope your private assistance continues to solve the problem.

And THEO....don't be sick, little buddy! I do hope the cause is determined quickly and the cure is a simple thing.

>38 jessibud2: Sorry to read about Theo being sich, Shelley. I hope he returns to being the hurricane soon!

>41 EllaTim:, >42 laytonwoman3rd:, >43 FAMeulstee: - Thanks, Ella, Linda, Anita. I think Theo has turned a corner. He stayed downstairs overnight instead of sleeping on my bed but there were no signs of puke anywhere when I went looking (as opposed to yesterday, when he threw up several times) and he actually ate his breakfast (I did give him a bit less; I can always give him more later if he asks). And he is definitely more perky this morning than he was yesterday and he talking to me again so I think he is going to be fine. Whew!

And Canada just won Gold at the Olympics in women's soccer! I never follow soccer but I had to watch and it was a nail-biter. I don't really understand the rules but in the end, who cares. This is one happy country right now!

Hi Shelley.

>19 jessibud2: It seems ridiculous that they couldn’t have switched the schedule around. Unless your mum was the last one on the bedtime schedule it should have been easy. Ridiculous petty power plays.

>44 jessibud2: Kitty on the upside and Canadian Gold. Yay.

It does sound as though all the trends are trending the way that will maximize your happiness, Shelley. May it continue!

The finalists in the Bird Watching Daily.com photo contest. I think I do love the first one best, though each one of them is amazing in one way or another!

https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/photography/featured-galleries/2021-birdwatchi...

>45 karenmarie: - Yep, power play, for sure. Thanks, re the rest!
>46 richardderus: - Thanks, Richard.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vet called and no parasites, thank goodness. So, just have to try to find food for sensitive tummies. That is my mission tomorrow... he is definitely more Theo than he was yesterday! :-)

>47 jessibud2: Stunning photo.

>48 jessibud2: Glad Theo has improved Shelley.

>49 Caroline_McElwee: - Did you see my reply to you, Caroline, up in >30 jessibud2:? ;-)

>50 jessibud2: Yes, made me smile Shelley. Thanks for the inside story.

How is Theo doing? Hope he is back to his old (young) self.

>47 jessibud2: That’s a fun link, Shelley. Loved the first one, such an unexpected contrast. And number three, the tern with its small chick.

Glad Theo is doing better!

Hi Shelley my dear, i am starting to get back around the threads again, and hope all is well with you, sending love and hugs from both of us dear friend.

>52 mdoris: - Theo is back to being Hurricane Theo, thanks, Mary. It was probably nothing more than an upset tummy but I am just so not used to any sickness in such young pets, it alarmed me. I count myself (and Theo!) lucky in that. How is your pooch these days?

>53 EllaTim: - Thanks, Ella. Those photos are terrific, aren't they?

>54 johnsimpson: - Hi John. Good to see you out and about again. Hope life is settling back to normal again in your neck of the woods.

Funny article about rewilding your yard. Of course, one would need a lot more yard than I, personally, have. But I like the author's humour:

https://orionmagazine.org/2021/07/my-five-summer-yard-hacks/

And while I most certainly do have squirrels and raccoons, I have never seen an armadillo up my way (though I did once manage to snap a few pics of an opossum in my front yard. A face only a mother could love!)

Glad Theo is back to his rambunctious self. Good news. Pooch, that is her majesty Loki has just turned 2 and a neighbour posited that that's when they grow a brain. We are patiently waiting.......

>56 jessibud2: Fun article Shelley. None of these critters in my garden, but I like her approach to problem visitors.
My garden problems are: slugs, rabbits, weeds, and more weeds. I wish I had some armadillos! Anything that will eat slugs, please.

>58 EllaTim: - I'm with you on the slugs and the weeds, Ella! And I wish I had the space to divert the squirrels!

And I also just saw an ad today from my local big box bookstore for the sequel to Dear Mrs. Bird by AJ Pearce, called Yours Cheerfully. I immediately thought, how long will I have to wait for the paperback edition, when I noticed it IS in paperback! I may just have to saunter over tomorrow.....

Last night I watched a really fascinating film (through my Hot Docs theatre, streaming online), about the wonderful Dutch artist M. C Escher, in his own voice as gathered from his letters, journals, notes, lectures, etc, and narrated, as his voice, by the wonderful Stephen Fry. It included actual family photos and old film footage, interviews with 2 of his 3 sons (with English subtitles for them), and short clips with, of all people, Graham Nash (of Crosby, Stills and Nash), who was/is a great admirer of his. And of course, the film featured much of his artwork and the background of many of the pieces. Interesting to me was that he never considered himself an artist, rather, a mathematician. This film was exceptionally well crafted and made excellent use of animation to bring to life not only his art but also his words. Hard to describe this but it was terrific and worked so well. The film is called M. C. Escher: Journey to Infinity. Here is a clip, I hope it works here; scroll down for the blurb, or once to the right for the trailer:

https://boxoffice.hotdocs.ca/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=141328~fff311b7-cd...;

Another little thing I noticed (because I do!), is that he was left-handed!

I have loved his work ever since I bought a book by him, called The Graphic Work of MC Escher when I was a teenager, which still sits on my shelf today.

Oh, I have to see that- I have a Hot Docs membership.

>62 torontoc: - It was really good, Cyrel. I also purchased tickets to 2 other films, Los Hermanos and Ronnies, as well as I just signed up for 2 new Curious Minds lectures series, Rebel Women and The Great Singers. When it rains, it pours. I could go weeks or even months without seeing anything, then, all the good stuff appears at once! Also, next week, there is a free-for-members author's talk, with Salman Rushdie. It's on Tuesday evening.

Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy by Anne Sebba.

Many years ago, I read a book called The Implosion Conspiracy by Louis Nizer, and that was the first time I became aware of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, and the events that rocked the country at that time (they were convicted of spying and passing secrets to the Russians). It was published in 1972 and I probably read it not long after that. I don't actually remember a lot of details of the book itself except that I found it a shocking story and it stayed in my mind. I also peripherally knew that the Rosenbergs' 2 young sons, who were only 6 and 10 years old at the time of their parents' executions in 1953, had been adopted by a loving family and grew up to be intelligent, upstanding citizens.

Fast forward to now and this new book, by Anne Sebba, caught my attention. She has done her homework and this is a very well-researched accounting not only of the facts we all know from the sensational story that gripped the world, but she also reveals a lot of what went on behind the scenes. She was able to access documents that had been sealed for years, and also, remarkably, she was able to interview a few of the people from that time who were actually still alive at the time of her writing. What she reveals is just how much paranoia there was at that time, just after the Cold War, and how much that paranoia contributed to what amounts to an egregious and disgraceful miscarriage of justice.

The *evidence* against Ethel herself was flimsy, at best, and untrue and fabricated, at worst. Her own brother and sister-in-law, both under suspicion and investigation themselves, lied in their testimonies and in the end, they got away with lighter sentences while Ethel and her husband were executed. They showed no remorse. Although not religious at all, the fact that Ethel was Jewish was a factor, as many American Jews at that time were often thought to be left-leaning Socialists (or Communists) and this was dangerous for them. In fact, the judge, and most of the lawyers on both sides, were Jewish and may have been exceptionally harsh because they wanted to be seen as being loyal to the country and as such, felt justified in being particularly hard on the Rosenbergs. One of the lawyers for the prosecution was Roy Cohn, an especially sleazy and unethical man. He was quite young at the time and after this trial, he went on to become the chief counsel for Senator Joseph McCarthy some years later in the famous Army vs McCarthy trials. That should say it all.

I also found it telling (though not at all surprising) that author Sebba quotes Donald Trump asking, "Where is my Roy Cohn?", at some point (Cohn did have legal dealings with Trump in Trump's early real estate days). The echoes of the paranoia and untruths today under trump's administration, were not lost on me.

There were some repetitions in the book but overall, this was a grim, terrifying and fascinating read.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am currently reading The Three Mothers about the mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr, James Baldwin and Malcolm X. Not quite half way through but this author also has done a lot of research. So far, so good...

>64 jessibud2: Your previous mention of The Three Mothers led to it landing on my mat. Should get to it in a couple of weeks Shelley. Will look forward to your thoughts.

Happy Friday, Shelley. Great review of Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy. I will add that one to the list. The Escher doc sounds really interesting too. Do you know if any of these are streaming anywhere?

>65 Caroline_McElwee: - So far, Caroline, it reads partly like a scholarly paper but not in a bad way. The author's approach is to begin with the backgrounds of the families and family stories behind the three women, comparing and contrasting their histories and drawing parallels. I do like that format and so far, for me, it is working nicely. The three were born just a few years apart, but in very different places, and under very different circumstances but one thing they all had in common was that they were all born to families who loved them fiercely and supported them, something that wasn't always a given for Black families, or Black women, at the turn of the last century, anywhere. So far, I am liking the book. I will report back later.

>66 msf59: - Mark, I just checked the Hot Docs site and unfortunately, the film is only screening within Canada, through their site. But I bet you could find it on Netflix or some such other place or service available in the States if you look because it's a fairly new film. Worth the effort to search it out. Same with the other 2 films I mentioned.

I just watched another terrific documentary, called Los Hermanos (the brothers). A film about love. A film about music, talent, and the power of all of it to overcome political constraints. In spite of Nixon, Reagan, Bush, Clinton and trump, these 2 extraordinarily talented brothers, separated at a young age, manage to find a way to play, perform and even record together. They come from a musical family and their gift is their life. The music in this film is delightful and I would love to see them perform live! Both were classically trained but the Latino music of Cuba, as well as jazz influences, come through in their music. Ilmar plays violin, and Aldo plays piano and composes, as well. One's wife is a conductor and the other's wife is a cellist. Their parents were also both musicians. If you close your eyes, you can almost imagine little musical notes in their blood if they bleed!

Here is the blurb from the Hot Docs site; unfortunately, no trailer is available. But if you google them I am sure you will find something to listen to. Aldo Lopez- Gavilan and Ilmar Gavilan. (And both are pretty easy on the eyes, too. Just sayin'... ;-))

"Cuban-born brothers and virtuoso musicians Ilmar and Aldo have spent decades apart, living at the opposite sides of the political chasm that separates Cuba and the United States. But despite the distance and different existences, the brothers have always had an instinctual connection. When brief windows of open relations between the two countries allow the siblings to reunite, they embark on a joyous tour across their native and adopted homelands, where they revel in each others’ company and create beautiful classical, jazz, and Latin music. Featuring an electrifying score composed by the two brothers with master violinist Joshua Bell and the Harlem Quartet, this heartfelt film shows how the bonds of family—and the power of music—can transcend political divide."

Good to see that Theo is back to eating again, Shelley, and that you found a solution that would work for your mom even if the care home wouldn't cooperate.

The book about Ethel Rosenberg looks like a good one and is now on hold at my library. I have to wait for a few other readers to go through it first but I might have a few books to keep me busy around here while I wait. The Escher film is tempting me.

>69 Familyhistorian: - Meg, you could stream it from Hot Docs, even without being a member. The ticket cost is slightly higher for non-members but still probably cheaper than in a theatre. Follow the link in my post if you want to check it out. I thought it was very well done and worthwhile.

Because I have been reading a lot of heavy non fiction lately and because I had to purchase the new AJ Pearce sequel to Dear Mrs. Bird the minute I saw it the other day, I decided to start Yours Cheerfully last night. So far, it promises to be every bit as fun as the first!

And, in case that doesn't give me a happy break from grim real life, I am heading out to pick up a book from the library that I have been waiting for for quite some time. It's a children's book, written by Bette Midler, called The Tale of the Mandarin Duck: A Modern Fable. Here is the blurb from the library's website:

"Inspired by the real-life rainbow-colored Mandarin Duck who appeared in New York’s Central Park in 2018, this modern fable by Bette Midler celebrates the connections people make with each other and the world around them. How do you get people to appreciate what is right in front of them? In The Tale of the Mandarin Duck, it takes a mysterious, beautiful duck and a clear-eyed kid to point out the obvious! Bette Midler’s distinctive voice joins striking photos of the real duck by Michiko Kakutani and charming black-and-white drawings by Joana Avillez. This book will have readers of all ages coming back to visit the fantastical interpretation of New York City and its odd ducks—both feathered and human."--www.amazon.ca.

Sounds delightful and much needed these days! Away I go!

Edited to add that this book by Bette Midler, with photos by Michiko Kakutani and illustrations by Joana Avillez is lovely. I wasn't sure what to expect, really, but I love that it pokes fun of the human obsession with staring at the screens in our hands instead of looking at what is actually right around and in front of us. Gently, kindly, but no mistaking. So very Bette! And both the photos and the illustrations are terrific. Recommended, whatever your age is!

>71 jessibud2: I'm on the library's wait list for that one.

>64 jessibud2: A tragedy and a farce all in one! The Public Burning was an excellent fictional treatment of it, should that ever float past you.

Happy weekend's reads!

>72 richardderus: - I never heard of that one, Richard but I clicked on the title to have a peek at some of the reviews. Wow! And eek! I will make a note of it and perhaps, I will get to it one day. Not now, though. I also feel I want to go back and find a copy of Doctorow's The Book of Daniel because Sebba mentions that one more than once in her book, as well. I have read other titles of Doctorow's but not that one and even if I had, I would likely get more out of it now than if I had read it when I was younger and knew nothing about the Rosenbergs.

I would like to think that lawyers and especially judges today would never get away with what those slimebugs got away with in 1953, but sadly, the real world has probably not improved, ethically, since then....

Glad Theo is feeling better. And I enjoyed hearing about the evolution of your LT name -- I always wondered about that. Can't believe the twosome lived to 17 and 18! Happy reading and happy Sunday.

I am very admiring of Escher's art. I've got a fat coffee-tablesque volume of his work, which I've paged through but never read. I also got a copy of the book you mentioned just a couple of months ago. Would like to see the doc, but limited distribution is vexing.

I have a copy of The Public Burning that I got when the book was first published, and I did read it, though I remember only that Nixon was in it. Well, that and the sensationalist buzz surrounding it. Shucks. Now I have to scour the stacks and give it a better-informed look.

>74 Berly: - And the two after Buddy and Jessie lived to 18 and almost 21!! Hi Kim!

>75 weird_O: - Hi Bill. I don't have netflix or anything but because it's a fairly new film, I would think that it might not be too hard to track down. It will be worth your effort. It was a good film.

I generally don't like loud heavy metal rock. If it doesn't have a hummable melody, it's not likely I will be a fan. Just an old folkie (or fuddy duddy) at heart. That said, I do like the band Queen. Of course I do.

Today, on the CBC radio program called Q, the guest host, Ali Hassan (who is a terrific interviewer), spoke at length to Brian May, Queen's former guitarist. Such a good listen, interspersed with plenty of music, too. In case anyone is in the mood (Karen? ;-), it's about half an hour long, here ya go. Click the arrow in the circle to listen to it:

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/monday-aug-16-2021-brian-may-tracee-ellis-ross-and-mo...

>77 jessibud2: I’ve met Brian May - besides being a guitarist, he’s a planetary scientist who studies dust in space. He’s on the science team for New Horizons. Really nice guy!

>78 drneutron: Nice to have met him properly Jim, my only claim to fame is he once held the door for me, at a play his now wife was in.

>78 drneutron: - Very cool! But, in your line of work, they are ALL cool, those folks you meet;-)

>79 Caroline_McElwee: - Caroline, that cracked me up. I remember once, my own *claim to fame* (not!), I was once in an elevator in a Tel Aviv hotel, with 2 pro tennis players who were playing a match in town. I did not know who they were till I saw their faces later on a poster in the hotel lobby! (Vitas Garulaitis and Bjorn Borg, I think). They must have thought I was nuts not to be going gaga over them, lol.

>79 Caroline_McElwee: Cool!

Hi Shelley!

>77 jessibud2: Thank you for sharing this. Absolutely yes, Karen was in the mood.

>78 drneutron: That is fantastic, Jim!

I quite like this quote:

"I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves". ~Anna Quindlen, "Enough Bookshelves," New York Times, 7 August 1991

:-)

Hi, Shelley. I also wondered about "jessibud" - good to know the beloved cat origins.

The Ethel Rosenberg sounds interesting. What a tragedy. I didn't know Trump wished he had his own crooked Roy Cohn. Of course he did.

Sorry to hear you're having to deal with eldercare challenges. Mine are both gone now, but I remember that time well. It felt weird to have the two who raised us and made so many decisions for us growing up unable to take care of themselves. My dad said to me, "you get to be the parent now'. At the time, I uncharitably thought, I have two kids, I don't need more. But you do what you got to do, and I think they both had pretty good ends of life.

>83 jessibud2: A thing at which I, most fortunately, succeeded.

Happy Humpday!

The Three Mothers by Anna Malaika Tubbs.

It's interesting, I have books by or about Martin Luther King, Jr, Malcolm X and James Baldwin on my shelves, as I speak. The ones I have read most of are the Baldwin. Yet, I never much thought about their mothers. And their influences on their sons, the influences that shaped the men they became. Which is precisely the point of this book (though, in all honesty, to say they shaped a nation might be a bit of a stretch).

Author Anna Malaika Tubbs herself became a Black mother of a Black son while writing this book, and this book evolved out of her PhD thesis. At times, it reads a bit like an academic paper, mainly when she talks about the history and the social environment in the United States over the last few hundred years, but that context, in my opinion, was necessary for readers who are not familiar with the racist history because it informs everything and every part of the lives of America's Black citizens. I am familiar with it and still, some of it was new to me. At times, she is a bit repetitive, and at times (not a lot), she brings herself into the narrative. But mostly, this is a very readable exploration into the lives of the three mothers, pulled together from not a lot of information out there. Her premise is that mothers, and Black mothers particularly, have often been invisible, and erased from history. I think she did an admirable job in bringing the stories of these three mothers to light.

The three mothers were born within a few years of each at the turn of the last century. They were born in very different places, and into very different circumstances. They lived very different lives, as well. But one thing they shared was that they were all born into families that loved and cherished them and instilled in them a desire to be strong and educated. They all faced discrimination of varying degrees throughout their lives. How they accomplished these goals and overcame their challenges, and managed to pass these values on to their children is told in the stories Tubbs reveals. Sadly, they also all buried their sons.

I knew a bit of the stories but certainly not a lot. I had no idea, for example, that Alberta King, Martin Luther's mother, was assassinated in her church as she sat playing the organ, just six years after her son was murdered. One would think, given how famous her son (and her church, the Ebenezer Baptist Church) were, that I might have heard about this before, but I hadn't. Of course, as I often do during or after reading NF books, I did a fair bit of googling, to fill in some details.

I am now looking at my shelves and deciding which books of the three men I will read next. I have several volumes of Baldwin's fiction and non-fiction, a couple of bios of Malcolm X, and a book by MLK's wife, Coretta Scott King. A wealth of choice, really....

>84 jnwelch: - Hi, Joe. Yeah, that trump would somehow come up in that narrative didn't surprise me. It was somewhat creepy that history seems to repeat itself, that humans seem to learn nothing from the bad mistakes of the past. We are doomed, aren't we...

Thanks for the commiserating re my mum. We move forward as best we can. She is still verbal and (slowly) mobile, and thankfully, still knows us. But she is not really all that aware that she has dementia, and I take that as a blessing. It was always her worst nightmare, to end up that way. Sometimes, she does to me what your dad did to you. If I am making a decision or something, she will smile and say to me, "Yes mom". Her sense of humour is still intact, thankfully, and because her personality has always been upbeat and easy-going, that is also still the essence of who she is. Thank goodness. I'm not sure how I'd manage, from such a geographic distance, if she were cranky and mean to those caring for her. She isn't, and they love her, and for that I am more than grateful.

>85 richardderus: - Me too, Richard, me too! ;-)

>86 jessibud2: Glad it was a hit Shelley. I'll probably get to it next month.

Can this be for real? I mean, why not just go with trump's bleach solution. After all, trump endorses it.

https://montrealgazette.com/news/world/as-covid-19-surges-in-mississippi-some-pe...

I swear, the mentality of Fox TV and its followers is, or should be, a real concern. Their broadcast airwaves seem to be eating away at viewers' brain cells...

>89 jessibud2: It is unbelievable, Shelley. Better poison yourself than get the only thing that works, a vaccine.
Gives a lot of candidates for this years Darwin Awards...

Hi Shelley!

>87 jessibud2: If I am making a decision or something, she will smile and say to me, "Yes mom". Her sense of humour is still intact, thankfully, and because her personality has always been upbeat and easy-going, that is also still the essence of who she is. Thank goodness. The silver lining.

>89 jessibud2: Oh yes, horse dewormer. It boggles the mind.

>90 FAMeulstee: Oh, I’d forgotten about the Darwin Awards!

>90 FAMeulstee: - Me, too, I had forgotten about the Darwin Awards. So true, Anita. Maybe they should rename them the Donald Awards. ;-p

>91 karenmarie: - Hi Karen. Silver lining indeed. May it last.....

I hope you're having a good Sunday so far, Shelley. Everything okay?

Dragging myself back to my own thread. It seems it's been awhile!

It's been a very sluggish week, for me. The heat and humidity are really getting to me. The migraines seem more frequent and I also had an IBS attack, first in maybe 10 years, that really caught me off-guard. I had forgotten how awful they can be. But it passed and I am fine now. The heat (mid 30sC, with a humidex factor making it feel closer to high30s/low 40sC) almost daily, is just making me want to do nothing but sleep. Thank goodness for the A/C or I'd surely not survive this. Mother Nature's revenge for humans' abuse of her gifts and resources. I truly do believe it's beyond too late to turn it around, pessimist that I am. I just hope the planet doesn't explode while I am still around for the experience....

I finished Yours, Cheerfully, the delightful sequel to Dear Mrs. Bird. Emmy Lake, the protagonist, is a feminist and a multi-tasker extraordinaire, long before those words were part of our vocabulary. Author AJ Pearce has such a talent for capturing the sound and flavour of the era and the heart of WWII London. Writing letters (by hand!), blackout, rationing, all those things that are not part of the life I live, felt so real. I look forward already to the next installment....

Started but have not yet finished Our Malady, another short volume from Timothy Snider (who wrote On Tyranny. It's such a small book and I have already underlined a ton of passages....

And, while cruising my shelves for my next fiction, a book from 2013 by Maggie O'Farrell just seemed to scream out to me. It's called Instructions for a Heatwave. Seemed logical to select this title, this week, don't you think?! I will start it later today.

I was also very sad to learn that Ed Asner has died. I saw what may have been his final film, earlier this year, at the Toronto Jewish Film Festival. It was called Tiger Within, about a Holocaust survivor and a young homeless teen, and the friendship they develop. Heart-wrenching but so very Asner.

https://tigerwithin.info/

Hope everyone is keeping well. And cool!

I’m sorry for the heat and the migraines, Shelley! You must be sick and tired of it all. I hadn’t realised you were still dealing with it. I find heat taxing as well.

Yes, it’s hard to not be pessimistic, and in fact, it probably is better than the rose-tinted glasses some people seem to wear! I heard about Greta Thunberg, that she was very depressed at first, hearing about climate change and its effects. But after this period of depression she said “why am i being depressed, while there is so much we can do about it?” That seems the right kind of optimism to me, not easy to achieve, and especially not when you are feeling tired and down.
There was a documentary about her on TV, but unfortunately I missed it.

Wishing you better times. (Here it’s constantly cool, the slugs are having a fest in my garden)

>94 jessibud2: I still write a few letters by hand Shelley. In my teans and twenties I had several penpals too.

Sorry about the health bumps and heat.

On reading the 1948 Classic ROAD TO SURVIVAL,
one learns that Covid is unfortunately taking care of one of the major components of Climate Control.

Maybe watching Kim Stanley Robinson's TED talk can help that sense of impending doom?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzWRHi-Bmuk

Hi Shelley.

>94 jessibud2: I’m sorry about the migraines and IBS attack. I hope you’re doing better. The heat sounds terrible, glad you’ve got A/C.

>94 jessibud2: It's all under the heading of what my grandmother used to call "Summer complaint". Anything that ails you is made worse by the heat. Joining the chorus wishing you relief from all of it, and soon.

Normally I am a person who Knows My Own Mind. Startling, I realize, for you to hear this...as I've always been such a soft-spoken crowd-goer-alonger.

Stop laughing.

Anyway. I need help. The wisdom of the crowd is sought to help be decide between two equally strong contenders for Read of the Month. I am simply incapable to unparalyzing myself from the FOMO I get thinking about this problem.

Please vote on the poll or you will be directly responsible for my re-admission to the Goofy Garage this birthmonth.

>95 EllaTim: - The oppressive heat and humidity have broken, Ella, thank goodness. In fact, our weather right now is about perfect, sunny, cloudy, breezy, open windows (no air conditioning) and I even wore a sweater when I went out yesterday morning! my kind of weather. It should last another week or so and I'll take it! Rain Sunday but we truly need it.

>96 Caroline_McElwee: - I have always been a letter writer, Caroline, and still write postcards.

>97 m.belljackson: - I don't know that one, Marianne, and am not sure I am up to reading yet another depressing book about what humans have not done...

>98 richardderus: - Well, it's an interesting perspective and a lovely fairy tale with a happy ending. But sadly, I am not an optimist when it comes to the human race. Fortunately, I won't be around to see us not even make it to 2070. His ideas are good ones, for sure, but look around, who is leading us and what are they doing? Not likely...

>99 karenmarie:, >100 laytonwoman3rd: - Thanks Karen and Linda. As mentioned, the heat has broken and that is the biggest relief. But covid numbers are once again on the rise and here in my country, protesters have taken to the streets across the country to voice their protests against health care workers, of all people. I am not proud to say this but I wish those anti-vaxxer protesters could be denied care if they get sick with covid. Or at least triaged to remain at the back of the line. Permanently.

Here is an article from today's Montreal Gazette paper:

https://montrealgazette.com/news/doctors-frustrated-with-selfishness-of-unvaccin...

I am heading to Montreal again next week to see my mum as I worry that as autumn arrives, and the weather cools, and as covid numbers continue to climb, the managers of her facility may not allow me to stay with her again and I would like to get at least one more visit in before that happens. Just anticipating and trying to stay ahead of the game.

Anyhow, other little things adding to the stress count but I will leave it at this.

>100 laytonwoman3rd: - voted.

Note the ginger cat. His name is probably Theo.... ;-)

I'm not sure how I'd manage, from such a geographic distance, if she were cranky and mean to those caring for her. She isn't, and they love her, and for that I am more than grateful.. It was the same for me with my dad, and luckily, like your mom, he was gracious and his caregivers loved him. That made everything a lot easier.

I also loved Yours, Cheerfully, after Dear Mrs. Bird. There are serious notes, especially involving WWII, but they both are so welcomely upbeat! I’m ready for more Emma whenever the author is.

>31 jessibud2: That transcription is hilarious!

Hi Shelley. I'm making some LT rounds today. It's a bit awkward as Carson has claimed my lap so my laptop is balanced on the arm of my chair. This requires one-handed typing which slows things down a bit.

>103 jessibud2: So cute.

>102 jessibud2: ..."protesters have taken to the streets across the country to voice their protests against health care workers, of all people."
Our world has lost all semblance of sanity. We are reading about professional women tennis players, especially Americans, who get death threats, rape threats, and general verbal abuse on social media platforms after they lose a match. It's all so incomprehensible. We have a safe tool with which to end the pandemic, but nooooo.....
AAARRGGHH!!!!

Dear Mrs. Bird is one I've been eying of late.

I had penpals starting around age 8 through my teens. I still send hand-written notes to my Tennessee aunt now and then, and I send postcards a lot, but hand-written letters feel like an element of modern life that has mostly been lost.

About your mum, "Her sense of humour is still intact, thankfully, and because her personality has always been upbeat and easy-going, that is also still the essence of who she is." I'm so glad. I know it's terribly difficult in any case but that her true self is still present and accessible is such a gift. Hang in there!

>104 jnwelch: - Thanks, Joe.

>106 jessibud2: - Hi Ellen. Dear Mrs. Bird and the sequel, Yours Cheerfully are both good reads. This new author has a real knack for creating the time and place, and her humour does not detract from the seriousness that sometimes surfaces, as is to be expected, given the setting. They are delightful reads.

And yes, our world has definitely lost its sense of sanity, if it ever had any. It's hard to stay optimistic so I am just trying to focus on things that please me, to keep me sane. Reading, gardening, the cats, among other things. I will vote, of course, on Sept 20, when our country goes to the polls but there isn't much optimism there, either, and a pretty shallow pool to choose from, in my opinion, but this time, I think that I will just vote with my gut instead of *strategic* voting, as I have had to do in the past. I don't think it will make much difference but it's better than doing nothing.

I am off tomorrow to Montreal to visit my mum. I wanted to get at least one more visit in before they tell me I can't stay with her, as I expect might happen at some point if the covid numbers continue to trend upwards, as they are now, pretty much everywhere. Of course, if that happens, I will stay at a hotel if I have to, but I'd really rather not as it's a real shlep getting to and from her place from the hotel. But I will do whatever needs to be done.

I am taking 4 books with me. With any luck, I will come home with more, if I can go for a walk one day to the bookstore near my mum's place. :-)

Back on Tuesday. I don't have internet at my mum's place and can't access LT on my phone because it's just way too small a screen for me to deal with. Stay safe, everyone.

Hope you have a great visit with your mum. : )

Have a good visit Shelley.

Sweet Thursday, Shelley. Have a good trip to see your Mom. Do you still have your feeders down?

Have a wonderful visit with your mom :)

Echoing what everyone else says - have a good and safe trip and a wonderful time visiting your mum. Plus reading and bookstores, of course...

Thanks, everyone. I am leaving shortly to drop Theo off at the vet's. They love him there and he seems to consider it a vacation. :-) I put the carrier near the front door about an hour ago and he's been sitting on top of it, waiting in anticipation. Silly boy!

Yes, Mark, the feeder has been down all summer. I think I will put it up again when I get home next week and hope for the best. I have really missed the birds.

Hi Shelley. I have posted a cartoon that you'll really appreciate about now. I won't post it here, as it seems like hijacking a book thread with politics. But it is so pointedly true!

I lurk here now and then to keep up with what's happening in your life. Best wishes for your visit to see your mother. I also agree that focusing on the small sane things (especially reading and gardening) is a good approach.

All the best for you (and Theo!) on your visits.

Hope all goes well in Montreal Shelley!

Safe travels!

Happy travels and a safe trip home, Shelley.

Safe travels, Shelley! I really do need to get Dear Mrs. Bird out of my reading stacks!

I did something that messed up my mum's tv so I had to call Bell Canada. Thankfully, they were able to send a technician this morning. He fixed whatever it was that I did and I finally bit the bullet and requested that they reinstall the internet to her service package so I am thrilled to be back on my own laptop again!

>113 SandyAMcPherson: - Sandy, that is great. Please feel free to post here. I never consider it hijacking when it's something interesting!

Thanks for the good wishes, Kathy, Mary, Rhonda and Richard. Things are going nicely so far. We had a visit from some cousins today and tomorrow, my cousin who picked me up from the train will come pick me up again and take me to her oldest daughter's house and the 3 of us will go for a walk. Stephanie is pregnant with her first and due on my birthday so fingers crossed that she sticks to the plan. It will be fun if that happens. (she is the one who, 2 years ago, at her wedding, put a book on every guest's table, to take home. She is a librarian). Then, her mum, Mindy, will drop me off at my favourite little bookstore and I will walk back to my mum's later. She'd join me if she didn't have the dog with her. ;)

The weather here has been perfect. Cool, sunny, breezy, my ideal weather. I have a sweater but haven't really needed it yet.

I have been watching some of the 9/11 coverage. Can't do too much but I will watch 2 back to back specials on CNN tonight. I am so grateful trump isn't still in power and hasn't (I assume) been invited to speak because you know he'd be as inappropriate as ever and make it about him.

My mum enjoys the tennis and though I don't officially follow it (and never understood the scoring), it has been fun to watch these 2 young phenomenal girls. The Brit is also technically Canadian, having been born in Toronto. She will likely win, as I type, but Leylah Fernandez is a joy to watch.

The brand new season of Jeopardy begins this Monday and I'm curious about how they will handle it. The supposed new host, who has since been dumped, had already taped the first week of new episodes. I wonder if they will air or if they will just allow those contestants another chance later and have someone else host.

I am also reading a lovely book, a very slim volume I may finish tonight or tomorrow, by Helene Hanff (of 84 Charing Cross Road fame), called Letter from New York. The *letters* were originally scripts for a BBC radio show she did for 6 years, pulled together for this book, published in 1992. Every time I read her, I am reminded why she is such a delight.

>119 jessibud2: Yay for having internet. Have a wonderful visit with your Mum, Shelley. Enjoy the walk with cousins and put in a word for her to deliver on her due date!

Thanks, Meg. I hope so!

Glad to hear you are having a good time Shelley, with plenty more treats in store. And internet access too. It's good yo be able to keep up your connectivity too.

Sounds like a good visit!

Quick update. I went to one of my 2 favourite little indie bookstores yesterday, Bibliophile, and came home with 4 books. As soon as my mother goes down for lunch, I am heading out for my walk which will take me to the other one, which wasn't open yesterday. I haven't been out yet today but it looks gorgeous so I can't wait. I will try to limit myself today because, after all, books are heavy in the suitcase. At least the suitcase has wheels... I will list the stash later.

I think I am nuts. But it's my indulgence, my treat to myself, for all the stress. Or so the justification goes. The gal working at yesterday's bookstore and I talked for a long time about books. So much more fun than in a big box store! Both these indie stores are very tiny but cozy and their owners are so knowledgeable.

I finished the Helene Hanff book and and haven't decided yet what to start next. That task awaits me later on....

YAY for the bookishness and connectivity of this trip! Glad it's been so smooth, so far.

>119 jessibud2: "The brand new season of Jeopardy begins this Monday and I'm curious about how they will handle it." Edwards only taped five shows, and they will air. I looked it up, because I noticed the promos for the new season do not feature him, only the returning champion. I don't see how they could have a "do over", especially if someone had defeated the champ.

>126 laytonwoman3rd: You are probably right about that, Linda. What a stupid mess. He never should have taped any of them, never should have been in that position in the first place. So, what happens next week? Who will be the host then? I haven't heard anything, have you? I wish they'd just give it to LeVar already.

>127 jessibud2: Mayim Bialik is going to host temporarily, while they continue to debate who gets the permanent spot. I liked her a lot when she guested before. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see any of LeVar Burton's shows, as Jeopardy was pre-empted in our market by Olympics coverage.

I liked him. He is good (if a tad enthusiastic) but I think he'd be great for the spot, and he has the chops, intellectually. I also think Mayim Bialik is good and wondered why the hosting position had to be split at all, frankly. Alex never shared it with anyone and if she is competent to do the tournaments, she is competent to do it all, in my opinion.

But no one is asking me.... ;-)

>124 jessibud2: Yay for new books! and visiting favorite stores! This week there are 2--count 'em--2!--big library sales within driving distance for me. They are annual sales that didn't happen last year.

But I've made a commitment that from now on, for every book I bring into my house, I will purge an older book from my shelves. Mostly these will be books I've bought (and not read), but no longer hold the same interest for me when I bought them, and that are way, way down on my priority list of books to read.

Hope your remaining days with your mother continue to be good.

>122 Caroline_McElwee:, >123 torontoc:, >125 richardderus:, >130 kac522: - Didn't intend to ignore anyone up there, sorry.

I am home, my boys are home and we are all happy. My Theo must be on his best Mr. Personality behaviour when he is at the vet's. They LOVE him there! lol. I have never seen a staff so enthusiastic about a boarder. I was told he is welcome back ANY TIME! He talks all the time and they love it. Anyhow, we are a happy little family again and I, for one, will sleep well, back in my own bed.

I have always sort of marched to my own drum, and so it goes with books. I don't necessarily go for the *lists* or the newest out. I must browse the shelves and tend to be attracted to what is unfamiliar to me. I read the blurbs and whatever the current mood is, that's how my decisions are made. Once I figure out how to get the pictures out of my damn cellphone and onto the computer (tomorrow! I will call and have them walk me through it tomorrow!), I will post a pic. But here is what came home with me from this trip:

Exile Music
Before the Fall
Fifty Words for Rain
House of Glass
The Good Father

Hmm. There is a 6th one but I don't see it. I wonder if I left it at my mother's by mistake. Oh well. A surprise for the next visit.

I also finished 2 books while there and will try to get some reviews up soon. Meantime, I have to go watch my Toronto Blue Jays tonight. They are on a tear. Just a few short weeks ago, they were in 4th place (out of 5) and it seemed inevitable that they were not going to make the post season. And then they busted out. Big Time. They swept the Yankees in 4 games, which helped as the Yanks were ahead of us. Then, over the weekend, they lost the first of 4 games to the bottom place Baltimore Orioles. What happened next was INSANE. In the next 3 games, they scored - ready for this? - 44 runs! This is baseball, folks! I am a big baseball fan but even this was off the charts. They won the final game by a score of 22-7, and had won 11-10, and 11- something in the 2 previous games. 44 runs is probably more than they scored in the entire previous month! Anyhow, we are now nearing the top of our division and I am glued to the tv.

I am happy they are playing at home this week as our stadium has a retractable roof. We are under a tornado watch tonight, apparently. But it won't be rained out.

Glad the trip is going well and you are able to peruse some bookstores!

>131 jessibud2: Yes the Jays certainly have had record breaking games!!!! Incredible. GO Jays Go! :)

>131 jessibud2: Glad you’re back home with your boys and enjoying some great baseball! It’s a good thing I watch soccer now and not the Baltimore Orioles any more. Haha! I grew up
listening to Orioles baseball on the radio with my dad. He much preferred listening to the radio play-by-play than watching it on tv. There are now so many channels (and controls) for our tv that I can seldom tune in to what I want without help. I liked when there were only three channels when I was little. That was so easy! :D

>131 jessibud2: Good news all the way around! Except, of course, that hiding sixth book. I hope it's just wormed its way inside some laundry.

Happy weekend's reads!

I hope baseball is keeping you happy, Shelley. I haven't been watching the games but I was following your posts about Jeopardy.

Good to know what will happen on Monday's show hostwise as I won't see that one. I'll be working a very long day at the polls. Just hope nothing happens to the champion that night.

>132 figsfromthistle: - The Jays are doing so well, Anita. They lost yesterday but won again today. Only 2 more weeks of regular season. I can't imagine them not making the post season but in baseball, anything can happen. And a lot still rests on the teams we are in contention with, doing poorly as we do well.

>133 SqueakyChu: - Hi Madeline. Once upon a time, your Orioles were HOT! Cal Ripken, for example... I can remember washing the car on Sundays with my dad with the ball game on the radio, too. That was before the Montreal Expos. Once they came onto the scene, we always watched on tv (when we weren't in the stands, in person!

>134 richardderus: - Hi Richard. I think I remember putting it into a box with another huge tome of a book I had picked up from a Little Free Library which was actually on the way to the bookstore! That book was Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin and was in excellent condition. I couldn't resist but it weighs a ton so I left it at my mum's for next time.

>135 Familyhistorian: - Here is an article I found yesterday, I think:

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/entertainment/news/mayim-bialik-and-ken-jennings-will-....

Looks like Mayim Bialik will host for awhile then Ken Jennings and I am happy about both of them. Apparently, LeVar Burton changed his mind and decided that he didn't want it after all, which I find a bit odd, but whatever.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/entertainment/tv/other/levar-burton-admits-he-doesn-t-...

Good luck Monday, Meg. I don't envy you the long day. However, I am so sick of all the nasty tv and radio ads, and the stupid robo calls, I truly can't wait for it to be over already. It was so stupid and unnecessary to call an election at all, but only 2 more days to go and then we can move on.

Well, after a rather frustrating conversation with tech support yesterday, and not finding a solution, I told him I had to go and would try again another day. I will call on Monday. I also think I may go back to carrying my camera around with me. Older photos on my phone just seem to go poof and disappear and if I can't get them out of the phone and onto my computer, I am not going to use the damn phone's camera any more. Maybe I will get lucky and get a tech support person with more knowledge than yesterday's guy.

Currently reading The Words I never Wrote, which is a novel set in 2 time periods, present day and the 1930s, England and Berlin. So far, it's pretty interesting. basically, 2 sisters from England, one is a journalist in Paris, the other, an artist who marries a German and moves to Berlin, only to learn he is a Nazi. The present-day part finds a young woman who purchases an old typewriter (after her computer is hacked and she is fed up with the technology). Inside the typewriter case is an unfinished manuscript, written by Cordelia, the journalist from back in 1936.

I also finished Letter From New York by Helene Hanff. It is basically a collection/compilation of her 5-minute scripts that she did for the BBC Radio for 6 or so years, about her everyday life in New York City. I loved how she also mentioned how her book 84 Charing Cross Road changed her life. Hanff really knows how to tell a story! she is a hoot!

Baa re photo issues. I email my photos from my phone Shelley, though when I get my new phone, hopefully tomorrow, I aim to set it up to send automatically to icloud. She says with fingers crossed.

>138 Caroline_McElwee: - I am so clueless, technically, Caroline. I can send a photo to someone in email directly from my phone but if I want to insert a pic here on LT, for example, I have to upload it from my computer. I don't know how to do that from my phone. And the *cloud* is a foreign language to me. I know of it but have no idea how to use it. And also, it appears tht if I leave the photos I take on my phone, the older ones disappear. This drives me nuts. I would like the option of deciding for myself what to keep and what to ditch. At least if they are on my computer, I can keep what I want. All my earliest pics of Owen and Theo, for example, (on this phone, that is), are gone now. I am not a happy camper about this. Good luck with your new phone.

I am now afraid that my computer will crash and we'll lose all the photos there. I need to transfer them to some kind of storage, but it's confusing.

And there are SO many pet pictures, I need to delete a bunch of them but it's hard.

Done and dusted: I voted. Only had to wait about half hour, start to finish but I had my book so it didn't bother me. Everything was civilized as far as distancing, masking, etc. Circles on the ground, 2 metres apart, etc. This whole election, only 2 years into Trudeau's mandate, in the middle of a pandemic was not only unnecessary, but stupid, and - no surprise here - every single ad, which we were constantly bombarded with, was nasty and negative. I swear, I would vote for the first candidate who doesn't slam his (or her) opponents, no matter which party. Of course, that would never happen so I feel safe saying that and in truth, there are some parties I'd never vote for, no matter what. But still, it is disgraceful and very discouraging to hear the way these so-called *leaders* talk about and to one another. I'd never let my 7-year old students get away with such disrespectful behaviour and discourse in my classroom. To see this is adults who want to *lead* is disgusting. And the pool was very shallow, in my opinion, when it comes to choosing today. Whatever... I'm done.

We voted by mail-in ballot.

I posted a rant today on our lame electoral system (https://www.librarything.com/topic/334910#7608028).
There was a very informative article in the National Post. I partly disagreed with it but you may enjoy the link.

>140 banjo123: - I never made the call today. Too many other things going on but I will make it tomorrow. And yes, a LOT of pet (and in my case, garden) photos and I don't want to lose any more!

>142 SandyAMcPherson: - Thanks, Sandy. That was a very well-written article. I am forwarding it to a friend in the States who once lived in Ottawa. I almost always vote in the advanced voting polls but this time, the dates coincided exactly to the dates I was in Montreal, visiting my mum. And I had a problem with the other option, voting at an Elections Canada office. After checking their website after locating the office nearest my house, I found something that I believe has to be illegal, or, at best, not kosher. The instructions there went through the regular, bring a piece of photo ID, etc, etc. But at the end, they said that you will fold your ballot, and place it inside an unmarked envelope, which will then be placed inside another envelope that you have to sign. That raised my hackles a bit. Sigh? I phoned to ask why and what happens to the envelope with my signature after they place the unmarked inner envelope into the ballot box? The person did not know. So I called my local counsellor and asked. She didn't know. All I know is that once they check your photo ID and see that you are who you say you are, and cross you off their list, your vote is supposed to be anonymous and I am the person who deposits my ballot into the ballot box. No signature required anywhere. It just sounded very odd to me. I also did something I have never done before. I sent a link to that page of instructions to a local consumer advocate for Global tv. Sadly, but not surprisingly, he never got back to me.

Here is the link. It just seems very wrong, to me.

https://www.elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=spr&dir=voting&document=v...

I decided I was not voting at the Elections Canada office. So I went and voted this morning. It was a perfect weather day for it, though, I have to say. Not cold, not hot, bright sun and no rain. I saw on the news that some places downtown had very long lineups. So, overall, I got lucky. I always have a book with me so it was fine.

>143 jessibud2: I looked at your link and yes, it was a strange process. That was the way we did our mail-in vote in fact. I confess I never thought about the security of those outer envelopes...

In a previous Federal election (2011) one was able to go to the elections Canada office for your riding (not province, I think) and do a very early vote by simply selecting the party you wanted. You might not know which candidate was going to be nominated but that didn't affect your vote. I was out of the country when this election was called (so couldn't vote at all) and my husband had to delay joining me for other reasons, so he voted that way. I was sad not to vote that year because I *really* super wanted Jack Layton to win the election.

>144 SandyAMcPherson: - Oh my goodness. How many times have I said how much I miss Jack Layton?! I said it again just today! In fact, he may be the only politician that never put down anyone else, no matter who it was. That was the reason that, at his funeral, nobody, from any stripe, NOBODY, had a bad word to say about that man. He was special and one of a kind.

Well, I had hoped that our NDP party and the Greens would have gained some ground but I guess the best that can be said, is that we haven't woken up to a Conservative government. Practically NOTHING has changed, making it even more obvious how much of a waste of time and money this stupid election was. I just hope that Trudeau has learned a lesson and grows up a bit.

Moving on...

A year or so ago, I read Margaret Renkl's book, Late Migrations thanks to warbling from someone here (Mark?). I hear she has a new one out now and I just read a review of it and can't wait to get my hands on it. Here is that review:

https://brevity.wordpress.com/2021/09/20/graceland-at-last/

She is also a guest essayist in the NYT and her essay today was just wonderful and quite hopeful:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/20/opinion/city-tree-nature.html?campaign_id=39&...

We have almost the same government and party standings. It was such an unnecessary election. I think that the message was- we don't want to change parties, get to work together and manage this pandemic.

>147 torontoc: - Exactly. I think this is his last chance. He had better start doing the things he promises or he won't be around after the next election, for sure.

>146 jessibud2: I'm glad at least it hasn't (hopefully) got politically worse Shelley. I own I don't know much about Canadian politics, but expected Trudeau to be more popular than I am gathering he is.

****

I think Mark's warbling led tome reading that too Shelley. I shall look forward to the new one.

>149 Caroline_McElwee:- I checked at the bookstore today and it is only expected to come in on Sept 24, which is only a few days away but even my local library isn't showing it yet.

As far as politics goes, I think Trudeau was quite popular in his first victory, in 2015. That feels a long time ago, somehow. Anyhow, what will be, will be. I just hope he doesn't take this *victory* for granted.

Shelley, does Trudeau now get to serve four years, or does he get to only serve two years until Canada has another general election?

I would hate for this to happen in the US with a president I like. I would be petrified if we had to have a general election at this time in the US! I would have liked to have done this with our previous president, though! The expense of this is distressing, though. So much good coud otherwise have been done with this money.

Feel free to talk books and not elections! :D

>148 jessibud2: *heavy sigh* one always wants to think the best of pretty people, I suppose, but job performance is job performance not a beauty contest.

>151 SqueakyChu: I can answer- Trudeau theoretically can serve for about 4 years but... the opposition could vote against the government and force an election. However- they don't want to do that as the electorate in this election gave the politicians a clear message- work together and don't call another election!

As very little changed in the election, it seems like it was a foolish exercise. But I think that Trudeau looked what his fellow politician, John Horgan, did in BC. Horgan also had a minority government and called an early election last year and ended up with a majority. How his government was handling the pandemic worked in his favour.

Interesting links about Jeopardy, Shelley.

>153 torontoc: So do you consider this a good thing that Trudeau did by ensuring himself an additional two years (theoretically)? How many terms can a prime minister in Canada serve? I was so thankful that Lapid/Bennett were able to form a coalition government in Israel and get rid of Netanyahu where he had already served too long!

>155 SqueakyChu: - Madeline, I am not really sure (embarrassingly) but I don't believe there is a limit to a Prime Minister's term in office the way there is in the US for presidents. I think terms are generally 4 years but I think if a PM chooses to run and gets elected by the people, he can keep going. I probably once knew this when we studied it in elementary school but honestly, I ought to be better educated about this now. Especially now, as an adult living in the world we live in!

>156 jessibud2: I am glad there are term limits for US presidents. I now wish there were term limits for US Supreme Court justices...as we see true fairness and justice disappearing in my country.

Trudeau can go on as long as he has the support of his party- most people I know were annoyed or disgusted that an election was called during the pandemic.

I finally got the photos off my new cell phone and onto the laptop so it's time for a Theo and Owen update.

My two previous cats, the late great Mia and Lexi, were also unrelated cats adopted from a shelter. It took exactly ONE WEEK of circling and a bit of hissing before they settled down and began to groom one another. I had no idea this was unusual or how lucky I was. Until Owen and Theo entered my life. Next Sunday, a week from tomorrow, October 3, it will be exactly one YEAR since I brought them home. I swear, I never thought this day would come but imagine my surprise - and delight, and relief - when I walked into my room the other day and saw THIS! The only thing that ran through my head was Etta James, singing AT LAST!!







Which, of course, doesn't mean all is smooth-sailing. I still hear Owen screeching from time to time as Theo attacks but it's much more infrequent now. And Theo is still too destructive and rambunctious to not board him when I travel to Montreal. But I consider this a major hurdle crossed now and the next one looks to be on the horizon: Owen has, for the last 3 days, been coming up to me and putting a paw on my lap, as if he is testing the waters to see if the lap is safe. I have been the model of restraint but he needs to do this on his own terms and I am confident it will happen.

Miracles....

Here is the book haul from my last visit to Montreal. I actually bought 6. One I know I left there by mistake but I wonder where the other one is, that didn't make it into this photo. Oh well. The complete list is up in >131 jessibud2:. I see now that I missed putting The Good Father into the photo.



and the covers:

>159 jessibud2: Shelley, Theo and Owen are beauties, really gorgeous and that is great news that they are tolerating each other and may we say even a bit friendly. And it looks like you might have an affectionate one too quite soon. Patience is a virtue (but difficult!).

Great photos!

Such sweet pictures of your kitties!

>160 jessibud2: Oh, such lovely, lovely things they are! All rectangular and hypoallergenic and and stuffed full of good stories!

I'm so pleased for you, Shelley. And how delightful will it be when your wandering darling comes home from Montreal.

>161 mdoris: - Thanks, Mary. Actually, Theo has been affectionate enough for both of them, from day one. The minute I sit down, he is on me, lap, shoulders, wherever he can park himself. I love it, to be honest, and keep telling him it's for that alone that he is still here. It almost makes up for all his naughtiness! But as Owen gets calmer, he is also becoming more tolerant of affection and I am allowing him to set the pace. It seems to be working. I doubt he will ever be a real lap cat but the goal I am really working toward is for him to allow me to pick him up and hold him, with the possible bonus of allowing me to one day trim his nails, which are like little razer blades. Thank goodness he uses the scratching posts!

How is your poochie boy?

>162 torontoc:, >163 SqueakyChu: - Thanks, Madeline and Cyrel!

>164 richardderus: - LOL! Somehow, I didn't think you were referring to the pics in >159 jessibud2:. Thanks, Richard.

I also saw today in the online editon of the Montreal Gazette newspaper, that my favourite political cartoonist, Aislin (Terry Mosher) has a new book out, a collection of the best covid cartoons from around the world. I don't believe he has ever published a book that wasn't just his own cartoons (except for the one tribute to another Canadian political cartoonist). But he wanted to do this to raise money for a local hospital and he said when he sought permission from the many international cartoonists he wanted to highlight, not one of them refused. I will be contacting my little indie bookstore in Mtl to see if they can get it and hold it for me until my next visit. Here is the article:

https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/aislin-the-anthologist-for-terry...

He is really a brilliant observer of human nature and my all-time favourite political cartoonist.

Happy Sunday, Shelley. Love the kitty pics & book haul photos. I had been planning to read Before the Fall when it came out and then it eventually fell off my radar. Maybe, you will put it back on there.

>159 jessibud2: I love, love, love these photos of Theo and Owen. Great way for them to celebrate their 1 year anniversary with you, I hope they don't wait a year for the next grooming session Shelley.

I was listening to an Etta James album, with 'At Last' on, on my journey to my sisters on Friday, how funny is that.

Affectionate pictures of Owen and Theo, who would have thought that day would come. Maybe their away time from each other helped.

The Aislin book looks interesting.

>166 msf59: - Hi, Mark. Not sure when I will get to it though it sure looks intriguing from the blurb.

>167 Caroline_McElwee: - Thanks, Caroline. I sure hope not, too!! I haven't caught them at it again since then but who knows what I don't see... And yes, that is quite a funny coincidence, re the Etta James!

>168 Familyhistorian: - I do think that Owen's *me* time has helped. He just seems calmer, if that makes sense. And I have no doubt the Aislin book will be good. I have several of his other books, including one I bought at the McCord museum a few years ago that had an exhibit of 50 years of his work. It's called From Trudeau to Trudeau and was so good.

I found an Aislin cartoon I had saved from 2003, when SARS hit Toronto hard. This is the iconic CN Tower in downtown Toronto. It is eerily timely these days, isn't it:

Hi Shelley. Delurking to say your cat photos are lovely.
>169 jessibud2: an image that is, indeed, eerily timely.
I'm not reading at any great speed either. I'll probably pass the '75' reads sometime this next month, but it has been a less focused reading year for me.

I finished Jody Wilson-Raybould's book recently. Lordy she put up with a lot of terrible behaviour from the PMO's office. I had to skim many sections very quickly because it was so upsetting to read. I'm glad to have made it through the book, but I fear it won't have enough impact to change the way we elect and retain our government.

>170 SandyAMcPherson: - Hi Sandy. Thanks, re the boys.

I have Indian in the Cabinet and also Jesse Wente's Unreconciled on their way to me as we speak, from the library. I don't know if you are familiar with Wente but he is from here in Toronto and has been an arts and culture guy on CBC radio, among other places, for years. I have always found him articulate and clear-minded. Here is an excellent interview with him from the other day, about his new book:

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-63-the-current/clip/15867777-if-think-im-...

I met Wilson-Raybould 2 summers ago when she spoke at a book festival here. I bought her first book then, though I admit I haven't read it yet. She is also very articulate. I am with you regarding government. I wish she had been running. I would vote for her in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, I think she is too honest and *moral* to be a successful politician. What a terrible thing to say, isn't it?

>171 jessibud2: "too honest and *moral* to be a successful politician. What a terrible thing to say, isn't it?"

It is a true thing, though. And I agree. I'd have loved to see her as our prime minister but too much difficulty with that 'first past the post' system.

>159 jessibud2: They look very sweet together, Shelley. Buddies just within a year :-)

>172 SandyAMcPherson: - Yes, and wasn't *fixing* that one of the things Trudeau promised in his first election? Sigh...

>173 FAMeulstee: - Thanks, Anita. I had hoped it wouldn't take that long but I will take it whenever it comes!

Eek. I am just past the half way point in both the 2 books I am currently reading and have 2 library books sitting on my table that I just picked up with 3 more the way to me. I am determined to finish at least one of the current ones before diving into the library haul. When it rains, it pours.... I wish I was a faster reader but I am not.

>174 jessibud2: Re "Library Cascades" ~ it's so unrelaxing, isn't it (when the loans clump together in requested books)?

I love that e-books can be suspended when the patron discovers that they are able to borrow the book but are up to their neck in other loans.

I've suggested in our public library system for the physical books to allow us to reschedule the pick up date and keep our place in line. We can do that *only* if we suspend the request before it is "shipped". But the libraries in SK don't show where we are in the queue for physical books (only e-books).

>159 jessibud2: Awww, how cute. Glad to see them getting along so well.

>171 jessibud2: Did you end up attending Word on the street?

>175 SandyAMcPherson: - Our library system does show where we are in the queue, for example, when I look at the site online to see my holds, one book will say I am #76 of 231 (76 copies). On another one I am #52 of 74 (8 copies).

>176 figsfromthistle: - Thanks, Anita. It was at Word on the Street 2 years ago that I met Wilson-Raybould but last year and this year, because of covid, obviously, it was virtual. In fact, it was this past weekend and I totally forgot about it. Somehow, for me anyhow, it loses a lot if I can't physically walk around, browse books, and just *be there*. I do enough sitting in front of the screen as it is. WOTS had been something I looked forward to every year, for years. We'd make a day of it. I'd been going for as long as it's been here, maybe 25 or 30 years. When it first started, it was on Queen St W (do you know Toronto at all?) They'd close a long stretch of it off to vehicle traffic for the day and booths were set up along all the little side streets as well as the long stretch of Queen. After a few years, it got too big so they moved the venue to Queen's Park, the gorgeous grounds of the provincial govt buildings. In my opinion, that was the best place, lots of trees, and places to sit in the shade if you wanted. But several years ago, it moved down to Harbourfront. Pretty, in its own way, with the waterfront and all, but you are walking on hard concrete all day, and no shade at all. Anyhow, hopefully, next year maybe we will be back to *normal*. I miss it.

Hi Shelley!

>159 jessibud2: Joy! I’m glad to hear that Owen and Theo have mostly reached détente. Those pictures are perfect. And Owen putting a paw on your lap is fantastic news.

>178 karenmarie: - Hi, Karen. Thanks, re the boys. They are coming along, slowly (very slowly) but surely. I shouldn't complain, though I could probably write a book on the escapades of Theo. But I just keep reminding myself that he isn't even 2 years old yet. If I live through his *youth*, we will be fine..... ;-)

>159 jessibud2: Very good news, and lovely cat pictures. I am glad for you.

>177 jessibud2: A book festival outside, on the streets. Sounds great. And yes, being there is not the same as watching on screen at all.

>177 jessibud2: I miss WOTS events, too.
Saskatchewan is home to a lot of writers that are well-known in Canada and beyond. One can usually wander over and listen to conversations or even casually chat. One of my favourite memories was Guy Vanderhaeghe giving the Harper-Collins presenters some very pointed commentary during a public talk. It was great! That is something you aren't going to catch in a virtual presentation.

>180 EllaTim: - Thanks, Ella. Also, hopefully, maybe by next year, things will return to some semblance of normal. The Word on the Street event is always the last Sunday in September and I can't recall it ever being rained out, in all the years I've been going.

>181 SandyAMcPherson: - I have a routine, Sandy. I always buy the Saturday paper, because they have the entire map of the venue as well as the schedule of speakers, and then I plot my Sunday accordingly. Who I want to see speak, where in the venue they will be and when, and in between, I walk and browse (and yes, buy). I do miss it, too. The last time I went (2019), I listened to Steve Paiken (host of a very good program on tv here in Ontario) sit and chat with Jody Wilson-Raybould. After, I lined up and purchased her book and she signed it. I am not one for *autographs* usually, but I also just felt compelled to tell her how much I admired her integrity and wished she were running federally. She is a very gracious lady. I actually have a few pics of the event but my computer pics are a mess at the moment so I am not sure I could find it easily to post here. If I do, I will edit it in.

Happy Moon's-day, Shelley.

That is all.

Hello. I am in Montreal again. Got here Tuesday evening and will be heading home tomorrow. We had an appointment yesterday at the hospital with the radiation oncologist for my mum. She will have a scan next week, then radiation the following week, and a second radiation the week after that. At that point, the radiology doctor will determine if she will need a third but she said that if so, that would probably be it. Thank goodness. All in all, I was pleased with the appointment, the doctor is a lovely young woman, I'd guess in her 30s, tops, very kind, very patient. My mum's memory is even worse than it was before and she must have asked me a dozen times what the appointment was for. She even asked the doctor, "What treatment?" about 10 minutes after the doctor had explained in great detail what the treatment would entail. Anyhow, they know she has dementia and that are cool with it. Each treatment session will last about 20 minutes in all, and I even spoke to my mother's husband and he will take her each time so I don't have to keep running back and forth. All good.

The weather here has been incredible. I walked yesterday and today. First destination - are you surprised? - was to my favourite indie bookstore. I had phoned them last week and asked them to hold a book for me and they did. So I went to pick it up. It's called Aislin's Favourite Covid Cartoons from Around the World (no touchstone yet). Aislin is the pen name of one of Canada's best political cartoonists, Terry Mosher. The book so far is only available in Montreal. He has been in semi-retirement for a few years now but he wanted to do something to fund-raise to support his local hospital which has, like all hospitals, been rather overwhelmed these last 2 years. He thought to pull together his favourite covid cartoons of his own and publish it as a book but then he realized that there are tons of cartoonists the world over and they are all dealing with covid the same way we are. He requested permission from a bunch of them to publish some of their cartoons in exchange for giving them free reign to his. Not one said no. And so, here is a book of over 300 pages of great cartooning with a bit of commentary and explanation and contextualization from Mosher. I tried to mark my own favourites from the book and wrote down the page numbers of 37 I especially liked! Once I get home and back on my regular computer, I will share a few here.

Oh, and yes, a few more books might have found their way into my bag as well..... ;-)

>184 jessibud2: Good to read the appointment in hospital with your mother went well, Shelley. And what a nice doctor she had.
Glad you found time to buy some books :-)

It's always comforting to know the doctor understands the patient's whole situation (not just the part they are treating), and to have confidence in their skill. It's so hard to watch your parent being bewildered by what's happening to them. Holding your and your mother close in my thoughts, Shelley.

>184 jessibud2: What good news all the way around! Your mother's in the proper hands. And your hands can hold books for awhile!

Thanks, Anita, Linda and Richard. I did some shopping today to top up her supplies and will soon pack it in and call it a day. Apparently, seniors of my mother's age are cold all the time and the heat is already on in her building! It hit me as soon as I walked in on Tuesday and I have had the balcony door open and the fan on since I got here. I have to remember to shut the door and put the fan away before I leave in the morning!

I will be happy to be back in my cool house and my own bed and see my boys again. Though it was a good and productive visit, I am exhausted.

Books to be listed when I get back.

Take care of yourself Shelley. Sounds like lots of demands on you at the moment!

Glad that your mother has a good doctor!

Glad the appointment went well. Nice to hear that her doctor is patient as well.

Happy Thanksgiving!

>188 jessibud2: ...the...heat...on...

Safe home!

Thanks, Mary, Cyrel, Anita. Yeah, Richard, the heat is on! Not at my house, that's for damn sure! I have long since stopped running the a/c but no need. I just open the windows. In fairness, it's been much warmer than normal for this time of year, but no complaints there. The leaves are turning and this is by far my favourite season. Even the sprinkling of rain today could not dampen my enjoyment of it!

I hope to post some reviews tomorrow. I just feel a bit overwhelmed with things I have to do regarding my mother's care, paperwork, keeping on top of appointments, etc. I slept almost 8 hours straight last night! Unusual for me. But I was tired and I was in my own bed, where I could stretch my legs. I am only 5 feet tall but my mother's couch just barely fits me (it's not a pull-out bed). I guess there's a limit to the quality of sleep I get there...;-)

And your Welcome Home Partners warmed up beside you...?

I came across this and who could resist?! It looks very cool. I have not ordered anything but if I were to, it would be a very difficult choice!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gegallas/the-call-of-cthulhu-chocolate-bar

Fun stuff (and yummy!)

HI Shelley, hoping you are having a fabulous and Happy Thanksgiving weekend!

>195 jessibud2: *snerk* So classic! I love Kickstarter.
***
Happy Thanksgiving!

>194 m.belljackson: - Mostly, Marianne!

>196 mdoris: - And to you too, Mary. Our weather is very summer-like lately. 22C today and sunny! No complaints! How often does that happen in October?!

>197 richardderus: - Thanks, Richard. Call me blasphemous, but I don't like pumpkin anything. But it's a gorgeous-looking pie!

As for the kickstarter, I LOVE the concept and was even willing to spend $20 to buy 2 chocolate bars. But when I saw that the shipping cost to Canada was $22, I drew the line. I am NOT willing to spend $42 for 2 chocolate bars, even for a good cause. That's just idiotic. How can something so light in weight, and flat, cost that much to send? A book costs less! Highway robbery, any way you slice it.

Well, I hesitate to call this a *lightening round* as it considerably longer than I intended, but here are the last 4 books I have read. Now to hit the 4 library books on my kitchen table, due soon!

All My Loving - Beth Kaplan
Subtitled *Coming of Age with Paul McCartney in Paris*. This author gave a talk at a local community centre just before covid hit and she was hilarious and entertaining and delightful. I bought the book on the spot (and she autographed it for me; I am not an autograph seeker but felt it rude to say no thanks, lol). Anyhow, this book was quite a romp. Kaplan was born in 1950 and her parents spent a year in Paris when she was 15, 1965, at the height of the Beatles rise to the top of the music world. Her mum was British, her dad, American but they lived mostly in Canada (Halifax) while she was growing up. They (the parents) were a tad dysfunctional and weird, but nothing bad happened. This story was told mostly from Beth's journals of the day and there were photos and drawings and overall, it was a fun read.

Mary's Monster - Mary Shelley.
Such an interesting look at the background life of Mary Shelley. I had no idea of any of it, certainly not of her husband's life and mental illness. Yikes. I thought the format of graphic design and poetry was a very good way to tell this story and the author notes at the end were also really helpful and insightful.

Aislin's Favourite Covid Cartoons from Around the World - There is no touchstone for this yet but here is a link (I hope it works) to a short interview with Mosher, and it shows a number of the cartoons in the book. Oddly, the links title talks about a postage stamp coming out soon featuring one of his cartoons but the interview is about his book, not the stamp. Whatever.:
https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/canada-post-honours-aislin-with-a-st...

Terry Mosher, aka Aislin, is one of Canada's best political and editorial cartoonists. His aim here was to publish a book of his best covid cartoons to raise money for a local hospital but he decided to ask a number of international cartoonists if he could use theirs, as well, in exchange for permission to use his. Every last one agreed. Some are poignant, some hilarious, all spot-on. Humour may be the best medicine in dark times, but I wish it didn't have to take a pandemic for this to happen. I will try to edit in some pics of some cartoons as soon as I download them.

Our Malady - Timothy Snyder

A critical but very important look at the American health care system and, by comparison, how health care is done in other countries. He writes not just as a journalist/writer, but as one who nearly died recently as the health care system in his home country failed him over and over and over. It's a short book but really well done. I was marking passages almost every page!

Snyder draws direct lines between healthcare (or lack thereof), freedom, childcare, democracy, journalism, among other things. For every statement he makes that had me thinking, where did that come from, he cites direct resources in his notes at the end, which are very interesting. His sources include Dr. Atul Gawande, The New York Times, The Guardian, The New Yorker, Harvard Business Review, Washington Post, Science, The Atlantic, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, WEB Du Bois, Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, National Archives, to name just a few.
Snyder has written many books (only one of which I have read prior to this one, On Tyranny) so he knows how to do his homework. And I believe him.

I have marked far too many passages to quote them all, but his prose is lovely and while he spares no one in his criticism (including trump), he also is very clear about the heroes and the villains. He offers examples of how health care in other countries, Austria, for example, where he lived for a few years, can get it right.

Apologies for the number of quotes but this is only a small sampling and it is hard to choose!

- (as he was in hospital in the States, just before covid hit, being neglected and overlooked by doctors, nurses and just about everyone): "The rage was pure me, my wish to be a sound, not an echo, to compose not decompose. It was not against anything, except the entire universe and its laws of unlife. For a night or two I could shine in my own light."

- (About the shocking statistics in the States as compared to other countries, when talking about health care): "Our system of commercial medicine, dominated by private insurance, regional groups of private hospitals, and other powerful interests, looks more and more like a numbers racket. We would like to think we have health care that incidentally involves some wealth transfer; what we actually have is wealth transfer that incidentally involves some health care. ..."

- "America is supposed to be about freedom., but illness and fear render us less free. To be free is to become ourselves, to move through the world following our values and desires. Each of us has a right to pursue happiness and to leave a trace. Freedom is impossible when we are too ill to conceive of happiness and too weak to pursue it. It is unattainable when we lack the knowledge we need to make meaningful choices, especially about health."

- "If health care is a privilege rather than a right, it demoralizes those who get it and kills those who do not."

- "How children are treated when they are very young profoundly affects how they will live the rest of their lives. That is perhaps the most important thing that scientists have to teach us about health and freedom today. In the nineteenth century, scientists explained how diseases spread, introducing a kind of factuality useful for longer, freer lives. In the late twentieth century,, another group of scientists came to understand the importance of early childhood for the rest of life. It takes courage for adults to grasp this, because it means that caring about freedom means caring about children. But if we do, we can begin a renewal of a land of the free."

- "Reporters are the heroes of our time; and like all heroes at all times they are too few. What we always need in a democracy, and what we needed desperately in early 2020, was not invisible big data but visible small facts: local news, reported by local people for local people, for the betterment of all. One reason that the novel coronavirus spread silently across America is that our country lacked the early warning system that we once took for granted: reporters who could have noticed new illnesses in their communities. Reporting, like medical testing, is a way to produce facts. The reporter aims to be objective, getting close to an event while keeping emotions at a distance. A local newspaper conveys a sense of a shared world; the knowledge gained is credible. Like medical testing, reporting can tell us the things we need to hear....Journalists saved American lives in early 2020 by forcing an unwilling president to confront, if fitfully and belatedly, the reality of the coronavirus. ..."

And on it goes. Just read the book. It's well under 200 pages and just packed with important insights. Thank goodness he didn't die.

>199 jessibud2: I bought Our Malady recently Shelley, and plan to read it soon.

>199 jessibud2: Thank goodness he didn't die.

Indeed. I just put a library hold on Our Malady, Shelley--thanks so much!

And Happy Thanksgiving!

>199 jessibud2: You should talk to Timothy about your cut...maybe the $42 for two chocolate bars (!!) wouldn't seem so awful!

I'm positively *glowing* with delight. My recent spate of review-writing has paid off...today's blog audience is 5 times yesterday's! That was a surprise but a pleasant one for once.

>200 Caroline_McElwee:, >201 kac522: - Thanks, Caroline and Kathy. Snyder did come close to dying in his three (or more? I lost track) visits to and stays in the hospital in 2019/2020. I'll be interested in your thoughts on the book.

>202 richardderus: - Lol! Really! And congrats on your great review days! As always, well deserved. It's great that what you always do so well is getting more and more notice and accolades. Good begets good!

>199 jessibud2: Thanks for that review of Our Malady Shelley. Great quotes. I will be looking for the book.

>195 jessibud2: Had a look at that Call-of-Chtulhu chocolate. Nori seaweed and ginger. It sounds interesting, but what would it taste like? For the moment i prefer my orange flavoured Lindt bars. And much cheaper also.

>204 EllaTim: - Lindt is one of my favourites, too, Ella. And yes, much more affordable. :-)

Hi Shelley!

I hope your mother's treatments are coming along well. You've been very busy, for sure.

>199 jessibud2: Excellent lightning round. I'm going to pass on Our Malady, only because I just cannot stand to read anything that I know will depress and/or anger me right now. I'm well aware of the faults of the American health care system and simply don't have the energy for the emotions I know the book would evoke.

>206 karenmarie: - Wise decision, Karen. It most certainly would provoke anger and more anger. But he has done his homework and lived to tell the tale and it is an important perspective. Enough to read the review.

I have edited in a link to a tv interview with my Montreal cartoonist (>199 jessibud2:) and the bonus is that it shows a number of the cartoons from the book, taking a bit of pressure off me to try to select and upload some. I will still try but I'm in no hurry... yeah, a reprieve for the technically challenged, ;-)

She Came to Slay, the Life and Times of Harriet Tubman. Although I think the book was written for a young audience, it was still very informative. Not being American, I did not know nearly as much about Tubman's life as I thought I did. I like how the book was laid out, too. A really detailed (as much as was possible to know) family tree going back to her parents', as well as photos, illustrations, and reproductions of various documents. I like how the author was clear about what she was able to ascertain as fact and what she was not. That Tubman lived into her 90s, and managed to accomplish all she did, is nothing short of remarkable. Her escape from slavery and her Underground Railroad successes, her stint in the army as a nurse and a spy (for which she had to fight for decades to be financially compensated), her work for civil rights and suffrage, her founding of a care home for aged and impoverished Black seniors. The author even told of Tubman being scammed in a money-for-gold scheme! Heartbreaking. And... all these accomplishments, while remaining illiterate throughout her life.

The very last page showed a new twenty dollar bill with Tubman on it, that Barack Obama apparently signed off on. It was supposed to be issued this year (or last), I think, but apparently there are now no plans for that to happen until 2028. Why would that be?! As with so much else political, it makes no sense.

Nice that your mum's doctor was so good with your mum, Shelley. That definitely helps.

>169 jessibud2: I remember the SARs epidemic in Toronto and I should because I visited TO for the first time in its aftermath. They were offering sweet deals to get their economy going again. I was visiting my Dad in Ottawa at the time and my brother talked us into meeting him and his wife in Toronto to take advantage of dinner and a play, The Lion King, at special rates. The hotel was cut price and right next to the baseball field and the flight from Ottawa to Toronto cost $27!

Hi, Meg. Well, she had her CT scan today and the first radiation treatment will be next week. So far, so good.

Yes, SARS was quite something at the time. Small beans, compared to covid, in retrospect, but it sure didn't feel that way at the time. Sounds like you and your family got a great deal out of the economy restart! A taxi to the airport today would cost more than $27!

I have just started reading Jody Wilson-Raybould's Indian in the Cabinet this evening and I think it's going to be a very interesting read.

>209 jessibud2: You might want to look for the film " Harriet"- it was at the film festival a few years ago and it really good!

>212 torontoc: - Thanks, Cyrel. I did not know that! I will have to see if (and how) I can find it online. Despite all the re-openings, I am not ready to go back into a theatre yet, myself.

Sweet Thursday, Shelley. I love the lightning round up there. Yes, Mary's Monster was absolute treat. The Snyder sounds like an important read too. Great quotes.

Oops, I missed Thursday altogether, Mark! It was a busy one for me. And today won't be much better.... I am truly over my head in paperwork as I prepare the annual report for the *curatorship* (what Quebec calls power of attorney duties) for my mother's affairs. I am happy that the government has all these checks and balances and takes it seriously, but for me, it's a full-time job and though I don't have to have it in to them until mid-November, I feel I have already left it too late. I just hate this kind of stuff; would much rather just be doing the actual caring, and leave the paperwork to someone else. But that just is a pipedream right now.

Back to the grind...

Hope your Friday is a good one.

Well, I think it's time to put away the summer clothes. Today really feels like fall and since it's mid-October and this is basically the first time it has, I am ok with that.

Please enjoy Grant Snider's lovely Autumn Abecedarian:

>216 jessibud2: I just put my summer clothes away too, Shelley. So glad autumn has arrived, love the Abecediarian (although I missed the ABC connection at first).

>217 FAMeulstee: - I went to get my flu shot this morning, Anita, and I actually wore a scarf. Not a wool one, just a cotton one, but it is quite windy today and I felt I needed something for my neck. Actually, this is my favourite time of year. I really love autumn and though I may complain about the cold in the months ahead, I will never complain as much as I do about the heat of summer, lol!

Weird, I posted yesterday about the abecedarian and it didn't post. I have never heard of them before and they are fun and clever!

>217 FAMeulstee:, >219 mdoris: - I have a soft spot for alphabet books. In fact, I have quite a collection of them, not all for kids, either. I actually had even more than I have on my shelves now but I left some of them for the school library when I retired as they were alphabet books of various cultures, such as African Cultures and cultures from India. We had a lot of students from those backgrounds and I am sure they don't see a lot of themselves in children's literature so I was happy to leave those behind for them. Although, that said, CanLit is doing a great job of producing a ton of more inclusive and culturally diverse books in recent years.

I loved teaching little ones, because it gave me the freedom to use these books a lot. So much literacy can be had from such books and I have always been drawn to picture books because wonderful illustrations can broaden into art, even math concepts. If you are interested, I don't mind listing the alphabet books I have. Maybe your libraries might have some of them. A particularly lovely one I just pulled off the shelf now, that I hadn't looked at in a long time, seems very appropriate these days. It's called The Blue & Green Ark - An Alphabet for the Planet Earth.

I made a list of 23 alphabet books on my shelf. Here is one both of you, Anita and Mary, would love: Arf! Beg! Catch! Dogs From A to Z. This one has photos, not illustrations and they are priceless.

You can see why I was so delighted to find the Grant Snider cartoon the other day.

Yes, I can see! i also collected alphabet books when our kids were little and used them occasionally in my Speech/Path school role but nothing in the realm of 23 books that you have on your shelf. It sure would be fun to have a peek! The dog one sounds like great fun!

The kickstarter chocolate seems very pricey, and not sure I could eat chocolate with seaweed in it, at any rate!

>221 mdoris: - Here you go, Mary.

For adults:

Aspects of Art - A Painter's Alphabet
Museum ABC - Metropolitan Museum of Art

Specifically Canadian:

ABCs of Canada - no touchstone but it's by Per-Henrik Gurth, not the one that shows up here. His vibrant illustrations are quite well-known
A Big City ABC
A Canadian Abecedarian - Eh? to Zed - not sure why there is no touchstone
A is for Algonquin
I is for Inuksuk
M is for Maple

Others, in no particular order:

Antler, Bear, canoe - A Northwoods Alphabet
A Paddling of Ducks - Animals in Groups A-Z
Alphabet From Z to A with Much Confusion on the Way (I love this author)
From Acorn to Zoo
Gone Wild - An Endangered Animals Alphabet
The Disappearing Alphabet
Tomorrow's Alphabet
A Pioneer Alphabet
Albert's Alphabet
ABCedar - An Alphabet of Trees
The Living Rain Forest
An Audacious Alphabet (the author/illustrator is a bookcrossing friend of mine!)
Spring - An Acrostic Alphabet
Autumn - An Acrostic Alphabet
The Blue & Green Ark - An Alphabet for Planet Earth

ok, time to feed the critters before they have me for supper!

>222 banjo123: -Hi Rhonda. I am adventurous, at least when it comes to chocolate...;-) But not at that price!

I liked ruby chocolate okay. I don't get white chocolate's appeal frankly, but there's a lot to choose from in today's chocolate world.

>223 jessibud2: Thanks Shelley, I don't know any of them.
This one is a beauty, do you know it?

You've been busy!! Glad things are going well with your mom and sorry you got stuck with all the paperwork. Happy bleated Thanksgiving and I'm wishing you happy reading!! And maybe some chocolate...

>225 richardderus: - Ruby chocolate only came on my radar in the last year or so. Yum. I prefer milk chocolate over dark, myself, but if it's good quality, I have not been known to turn it down.

>226 mdoris: - I have not seen that one, Mary. But it looks fun!

>227 Berly: - Hi, Kim. I won't say no to chocolate... ;-)

I know I need to start a new thread. Maybe tomorrow, when I am looking for a distraction from the work I need to be doing, re the paperwork.... ;-)

My apple crisp is in the oven, as I speak. That was my distraction for this evening....

All caught up here (whew!) after far too long away. Glad Theo bounced back, that your two boys are tolerating each other, that visits to your mom are going well.

>215 jessibud2: Regarding the power of attorney details, I remember what seemed to be the never ending visits to the estate attorney. Because we lived together 20 years, but I was stubborn in my not wanting to be married, in the state of Pennsylvania, if you inherit anything, when you are not married, you have to pay 15% of every bit you inherited. That included the house, the TD Ameritrade stocks, savings accounts, his car, and an estimate of anything in the house that became mine. Basically it was a nightmare. The lawyer was very good at helping me work through it all.

>230 ronincats: - Hi Roni - Good to see you back making the rounds. Owen is *almost* ready to jump on my lap but not quite. You'd thin that after watching Theo do it forever, he'd know what to do but he is just so tentative. I keep reassuring him that the lap isn't going anywhere so whenever he is ready....

>231 Whisper1: - Linda, the paperwork is endless. I have to account for everything that has been spent and then some. Honestly, if I had realized how tedious this was, I really would have begun earlier. It's not like I didn't know I had to do it. But this is NOT my comfort zone. And I am nothing if not expert at procrastination.....

Not even trying to catch up, Shelley, but thought I would drop by to say "Hello."

Always welcome, Stasia. Hope you are doing well. I hope to start a new thread tonight if I can get myself organized.

>234 jessibud2: I am doing fine. I will look out for the new thread - and hope I can keep up with it!