Mamie's 2021 Madness, page 9

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Mamie's 2021 Madness, page 9

1Crazymamie
Oct 18, 2021, 10:26 am


Late Night Thriller - Cat Reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Lucia Hefferna

Keeping this topper because I love it so much.

2Crazymamie
Editado: Nov 2, 2021, 5:40 pm



......

...

November Reads:
100. Winter Flowers by Angélique Villeneuve, translated by Adriana Hunter, Kindle, historical fiction/WWI/France - 5 stars - recommended by Charlotte
101. Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie, trade paperback, crime fiction/mystery, (Hercule Poirot, book 35, Ariadne Oliver, book 7) - reread

October Reads:
90. Cassandra Speaks by Elizabeth Lesser, Audiobook narrated by Xe Sands, feminism - 3 stars
91. The House with a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs, Audiobook narrated by George Guidall, acquired in 2018, children's literature/magic
92. Optic Nerve by Maria Gainza, translated by Thomas Bunstead, Kindle, acquired in 2021, autofiction/art history/linked vignettes - 4 stars
93. Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie, trade paperback, crime fiction/mystery (Hercule Poirot, book 17, Colonel Race, book 3) - reread
94. Velocity Weapon by Megan E. O'Keefe, Kindle, acquired in 2021, space opera (The Protectorate, book 1) - recommended by Jim - 4.5 stars
95. Interview With a Vampire by Anne Rice, audiobook narrated by Simon Vance, horror/vampires (The Vampire Chronicles, book 1) - 4.5 stars
96. Orwell's Nose: A Pathological Biography by John Sutherland, Kindle, acquired in 2016, literary criticism/biography - 4 stars - Charlotte told me about this one
97. Case Histories by Kate Atkinson, Audiobook narrated by Susan Jameson, crime fiction/detective (Jackson Brodie, book 1) - reread - 4.5 stars
98. The Coldest Case by Martin Walker, library hardback, crime fiction/police procedural (Bruno Courrèges, book 14) - 4 stars
99. Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin, audiobook narrated by Mia Farrow, horror - 4 stars

3Crazymamie
Editado: Oct 18, 2021, 10:31 am

January:
1. River of Darkness by Rennie Airth, trade paperback acquired in 2014, crime fiction (John Madden, book 1) - 4 stars
2. The Yellow Wallpaper: a graphic novel by Charlotte Perkins Gilmore, illustrated by Sara Barkat, paperback acquired in 2020, horror - 4.5 stars
3. The Tortoise and the Hare by Elizabeth Jenkins, trade paperback acquired in 2014, literary fiction (Virago) - 4 stars
4. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos, Kindle, acquired in 2020, humor - 3.25 stars
5. The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman, Sam Keith (Illustrator), Mike Dringenberg (Illustrator) - paperback acquired in 2013, GN, horror - 4.5 stars
6. Battle Ground by Jim Butcher, audiobook narrated by James Marsters, acquired in 2020, urban fantasy (Dresden Files, Book 17) - 4 stars
7. Medieval People by Eileen Powers, Kindle, acquired in 2020, non-fiction/social history/Middle Ages - 4.25 stars
8. Bloody January by Alan Parks, Kindle, acquired in 2020, crime fiction (Harry McCoy, book 1) - 2.5 stars
9. Paper Girls Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan (Author), Cliff Chiang (Artist), Matthew Wilson (Artist), Kindle, borrowed, GN, time travel - 3.5 stars
10. The Weirdies by Michael Buckley, borrowed audiobook narrated by Kate Winslet, juvenile fiction/humor - 5 stars
11. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Kindle, acquired in 2020, gothic horror - 3.5 stars
12. Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls, Kindle, acquired in 2021, novella/grief - 4 stars
13. Babette's Feast by Isak Dinesen, Kindle, acquired in 2020, short story/food - 4.5 stars
14. Mary's Monster: Love, Madness, and How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein by Lita Judge, Hardback, acquired in 2021, graphic biography in verse/books about books - 5 stars

February Reads:
15. Paper Girls: Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan (writer), Cliff Chiang (artist), Matt Wilson (colors), Jared K. Fletcher (letters), paperback, acquired in 2021, GN/time travel - 4 stars
16. Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer, audiobook narrated by Katherine Kellgren, acquired in 2021, YA/historical mystery (Enola Holmes, book 1) - 4 stars
17. Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto, translated by Megan Backus, Kindle, acquired in 2020, novellas/grief - 2 stars
18. Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk, translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones, Kindle, acquired in 2020, Polish fiction/animal rights - 4 stars
19. Summerwater by Sarah Moss, Kindle, acquired in 2021, contemporary fiction/linked vignettes - 4.5 stars

March Reads:
20. The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen, paperback (with deckled edge pages!), acquired in 2016, travel writing/Nepal/Tibet/Buddhism/grief - 4 stars
21. A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourne, Kindle, acquired in 2021, historical mystery (Veronica Speedwell, book 1) - 4 stars - recommended by Chelle
22. Paper Girls: Volume 3 by Brian K Vaughan (writer), Cliff Chiang (artist), Matt Wilson (colors), paperback, acquired in 2021, GN/time travel - 3 stars
23. I Will Have Vengeance by Maurizio de Giovanni, translated by Anne Milano Appel, police procedural/Naples/1930s - 4 stars (Commisario Riccardi, book 1)
24. Death in August by Marco Vichi, translated by Stephen Sartarelli, Kindle, acquired in 2018, police procedural/Florence (Inspector Bordelli, book 1) - 3 stars
25. Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon, Kindle, acquired in 2019, police procedural/Venice (Commissario Brunetti, book 1) - 3 stars
26. Up at the Villa by W. Somerset Maugham, Kindle, acquired in 2021, literary fiction/Florence/ just pre-WWII - 3 stars
27. West by Carys Davies, Kindle, acquired in 2020, historical fiction/western/novella - 4.5 stars - Katie's Dirty Dozen
28. Thérèse Raquin by Émile Zola, translated by ?, audiobook narrated by Kate Winslet, acquired in 2021, literary fiction/classic - 3 stars

4Crazymamie
Editado: Oct 18, 2021, 10:33 am

April Reads:
29. Miss Treadway and the Field of Stars by Miranda Emmerson, Kindle, acquired in 2021, mystery/amateur sleuth - 4 stars (Anna Treadway, book 1) - recommended by Charlotte
30. Injury Time by Beryl Bainbridge, Kindle, acquired in 2021, literary fiction/infidelity/dark comedy - 3.5 stars
31. Passing by Nella Larson, hardback, acquired in 2021, literary fiction/race/1920s - 4 stars
32. Destroyer by Victor LaValle (writer), Micaela Dawn (cover art), Smith Dietrich (artist), Joana Lafuente (colorist), Kindle Fire, borrowed, GN/sci fi/Frankenstein retelling - 4.5 stars - recommended by Roberta
33. Descender Vol. 1: Tin Stars by Jeff Lemire (author), Dustin Nguyen (artist), Kindle Fire, borrowed, GN/space opera/AI - 5 stars - recommended by Joe
34. The Summer Book by Tove Jansson, translated by Thomas Teal, Kindle, acquired in 2020, literary fiction/linked vignettes - 4.5 stars - recommended by Helen
35. Descender Vol. 2 by Jeff Lemire (author), Dustin Nguyen (artist), Kindle Fire, borrowed, GN/space opera/AI - 4.5 stars - recommended by Joe
36. The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene, Kindle, acquired in 2019, literary fiction/Catholicism/religious persecution - 4 stars
37. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Sparks, Kindle, acquired in 2021, literary fiction/coming of age/1930a - 3.5 stars

May Reads:
38. Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi, hardback, library book, literary fiction/mother-daughter relationships/dementia - 3 stars
39. Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller, Kindle, acquired in 2021, literary fiction/relationships/infidelity/grief - 4.5 stars
40. Let Me Tell You What I Mean by Joan Didion, Hardback, library book, non-fiction/essays
41. All Systems Red by Martha Wells, Kindle, acquired in 2018, sci fi/AI/space opera - reread
42. Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor, Hardback, library book, sci fi/death - 4 stars
43. Tom Jones by Henry Fielding, hardback and audio narrated by Kenneth Danzinger, acquired in 2021, literary fiction/classics/humor
44. Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller, Kindle, acquired in 2021, literary fiction/gothic/psychological thriller - 3.75 stars
45. Body in the Castle Well by Martin Walker, trade paperback, acquired in 2020, police procedural/France (Bruno Courrèges, book 12) - 4 stars
46. The Shooting at Chateau Rock by Martin Walker, trade paperback, acquired in 2021, police procedural/France (Bruno Courrèges, book 13) - 3.5 stars
47. The Sandman, Vol. 2: The Doll's House by Neil Gaiman, Mike Dringenberg (Illustrator), Malcolm Jones Iii (Illustrator), paperback acquired in 2013, GN/horror - 3.5 stars
48. Britten and Brulightly by Hannah Berry, Kindle Fire, acquired in 2021, GN/noir/private detective - 4.5 stars - recommended by Jennifer (mstrust)
49. The Man with the Golden Typewriter edited by Fergus Fleming, narrated by Julian Rhind-Tutt, audiobook, acquired on 2018, non-fiction/letters/Ian Fleming/James Bond - 5 stars
50. Restless by William Boyd, audiobook narrated by Rosamund Pike, acquired in 2015, thriller/espionage/WWII - 4 stars - recommended by Bonnie and Donna
51. Descender Vol. 3: Singularities by Jeff Lemire, Dustin Nguyen (Artist), Kindle Fire, acquired in 2021, GN/space opera/AI - 4 stars

June Reads:
52. Sandman Vol. 3: Dream Country buy Neil Gaiman, Kelley Jones (illustrator/artist), borrowed, GN/horror/mythology - 3 stars
53. The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire by Molly Harper, Kindle, acquired in 2016, paranormal mystery/romance (Half Moon Hollow, book 3) - 3 stars
54. Mediterranean Mood Food by Paula See, hardback, library book, cookbook
55. The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths, hardback, acquired in 2018, police procedural (Harbinder Kaur, book 1) - reread
56. The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths, Kindle, acquired in 2021, police procedural (Harbinder Kaur, book 2) - 4 stars

5Crazymamie
Editado: Oct 18, 2021, 10:38 am

July Reads:
57. The Night Hawks by Elly Griffiths, Kindle, acquired in 2021, police procedural/forensic anthropology (Ruth Galloway, book 13) - 3.5 stars
58. The Empire of the Sun by J. G. Ballard, Kindle, acquired in 2021, historical fiction/WWII - 4 stars
59. Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller, hardback, library book, literary fiction/poverty/grief
60. Descender Vol. 4 Orbital Mechanics by Jeff Lemire, Dustin Nguyen (Artist), Kindle Fire, acquired in 2021, GN/space opera/AI - 4 stars
61. Up in Honey's Room by Elmore Leonard, Kindle, acquired in 2021, crime fiction/WWII/humor - 3 stars
62. Dead Man in a Ditch by Luke Arnold, 2021 acquired audiobook narrated by Luke Arnold, fantasy/private detective/noir - 3.5 stars

August Reads:
63. Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri, library hardback, translation, literary fiction/linked vignettes/solitude - 4 stars
64. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, audiobook narrated by Simon Vance, acquired in 2020, classic/shipwreck/survival - 3.5 stars
65. Ankomst by Gøhril Gabrielsen, translated by Deborah Dawkin, Kindle, acquired in 2021, psychological thriller/novella - 3 stars, recommended by Helen
66. The Rum Diary by Hunter S. Thompson, Kindle, acquired in 2021, biographical novel/journalism/Puerto Rico - 3 stars
67. A Wizard's Guide To Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher, Kindle, acquired in 2021, Children's literature/fantasy/wizards - 4 stars - recommended by Richard
68. Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant, Kindle, acquired in 2021, novella/horror/mermaids - 4 stars
69. Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino, translated by ?, Kindle, acquired in 2021, linked vignettes/Marco Polo/Kublai Khan - 2.5 stars
70. Dear Reader: The Comfort and Joy of Books by Cathy Rentzenbrink, Kindle, acquired in 2021, memoir/books about books - 4 stars - recommended by Helen
71. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell, Audiobook narrated by Juliet Stevenson, classic/literary fiction/industrialism - 5 stars
72. Remake by Connie Willis, Audiobook narrated by Christopher Kipiniak, acquired in 2021, sf/Hollywood/futuristic - 4.5 stars
73. Essential Welty by Eudora Welty, Audiobook narrated by Eudora Welty, acquired in 2017, short stories/Southern fiction - 4.5 stars
74. The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith, Kindle, acquired in 2013, crime fiction/classic - 4 stars
75. A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark, library hardback, fantasy/steampunk/1912 Cairo - 4 stars
76. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, Audiobook narrated by Fenella Woolgar, acquired in 2013, historical fiction/alternate lives - 4.5 stars
77. Descender Vol. 5: Rise Of The Robots by Jeff Lemire, Dustin Nguyen (Artist), Kindle Fire, acquired in 2021, GN/space opera/AI - 4 stars
78. Descender Vol. 6: The Machine War by Jeff Lemire, Dustin Nguyen (Artist), Kindle Fire, acquired in 2021, GN/space opera/AI - 5 stars

September Reads:
79. Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warren, Kindle, acquired in 2021, literary fiction/feminism - 3 stars
80. Memento Mori by Muriel Spark, Audiobook narrated by Nadia May, borrowed from Audible Plus Catalog, literary fiction/old age - 4 stars
81. The Window Seat: Notes from a Life in Motion by Aminatta Forna, library hardback, non-fiction/essays - 4.5 stars
82. A Room with a View by E. M. Forster, Audiobook narrated by Rebecca Hall, borrowed from Audible Plus Catalog, literary fiction - 5 stars
83. All the President's Men by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, Trade Paperback acquired in 2021, non-fiction/politics/Watergate/Washington Post - 4 stars, buddy read with Susan and Birdy
84. Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare, Kindle, acquired in 2021, historical romance (Spindle Cove, book 4) - 4.5 stars, Katie's Dirty Dozen
85. Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare, Kindle, acquired in 2021, historical romance (Spindle Cove, book 5) (Castles Ever After, book 4) - 4 stars
86. Hickory, Dickory, Dock by Agatha Christie, trade paperback, acquired in 2012, crime fiction/mystery (Hercule Poirot, book 29) - 3.5 stars, read this with Birdy
87. My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones, library hardback, horror - 5 stars - recommended by Richard
88. Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal, Kindle, acquired in 2021, immigration/assimilation/feminism - 3.5 stars, Katie's Dirty Dozen
89. Mrs. McGinty's Dead by Agatha Christie, trade paperback acquired forever ago, crime fiction/mystery (Hercule Poirot, book 27, Ariadne Oliver, book 3) - reread

6Crazymamie
Editado: Oct 18, 2021, 10:43 am



The List: (this is a list LT book bullets from this year)

1. A Cosmology of Monsters by Shaun Hamill - Shannon (sturlington)
2. Indian Summer: The Secret History of the End of an Empire by Alex von Tunzelmann - Susan
3. Cove by Cynan Jones - Richard - "...this is the book I wish The Old Man and the Sea had been, but was not."
4. The Riddle of the Third Mile by Colin Dexter - Jennifer (6th in the series)
5. A Lear of the Steppes by Ivan Turgenev - Paul
6. Summerwater by Sarah Moss - Caroline - "Moss communicates the dark undertow of the ordinary through a group of characters confined by weather to their cabins in a Scottish forest." (acquired 1/11/21) read Feb. 2021
7. The Women of the Copper Country by Mary Doria Russell - Ellen gave this the full 5 stars
8. Sidewalks by Valeria Luiselli - Charlotte
9. The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon - Judy (ffortsa)
10. The War Widow by Tara Moss - Meg
11. Blood and Oil by Bradley Hope and Justin Scheck - Susan
12. Childhood by Tove Ditlevsen - Käthe
13. A Coffin for Dimitrios by Eric Ambler - Luanne (clue)
14. Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls - Karen, and Richard liked this one, too (acquired 1/11/21) read Jan. 2021
14. The Bells of Old Tokyo by Anna Sherman - Charlotte - travel writing
15. Homeland Elegies by Ayad Akhtar - Mark
16. Britten and Brulightly by Hannah Berry - Jennifer read May 2021
17. Those Who Knew by Idra Novey - Beth
18. The Steam Pig by James McClure - Kerry - crime fiction series set in apartheid-era South Africa
19. Libriomancer by Jim C. Hines - Richard
20. Harriet by Elizabeth Jenkins - Rhian
21. Unfinished Business: notes of a chronic rereader by Vivian Gornick - Charlotte
22. The Historians: Poems by Eavan Boland - Charlotte again
23. A Yellow Raft in Blue Water by Michael Dorris - Linda (laytonwoman3rd)
24. Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut - Julia
25. The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones - because Ellen because Richard

7Crazymamie
Editado: Oct 20, 2021, 10:02 am



The List, continued:

26. A World Beneath the Sands by Toby Wilkinson - Erik
27. Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu - Charlotte "...really clever (and funny) way of making a powerful point about stereotypes..."
28. Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell - Leslie (leslie.98)
29. Milkman by Anna Burns - Richard
30. The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw - Chelle (YA)
31. The Tender Bar by J. R. Moehringer - Mark - memoir
32. Velocity Weapon by Megan E. O'Keefe - Jim (acquired 1/26/21) read 10/2021
33. Mystery, Inc. by Joyce Carol Oates - Jennifer
34. The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton - Jennifer (jpaul22)
35. The Man Who Walked Through Walls by Marcel Aymé - Pam
36. Telephone by Percival Everett - Kay
37. Monogamy by Sue Miller - Kay again
38. Destroyer by Victor LaValle - Roberta read April 2021
39. A Little London Scandal by Miranda Emmerson - Charlotte (this is the second in the series)
40. Written in Bone by Sue Black - Susan
41. The Idea of Perfection by Kate Grenville - Laura on Katie's thread!
42. A Natural History of Hell by Jeffrey Ford - Richard
43. Shooting Midnight Cowboy by Glenn Frankel - Mark
44. Pandora's Jar by Natalie Haynes - Helen
45. Dear Reader by Cathy Rentzenbrink - Helen again read 8/2021
46. Sicily by John Julius Norwich - Helen is on a roll!
47. The Library of the Unwritten by A. J. Hackwith - because Richard said so
48. Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So - Richard again
49. Know My Name by Chantel Miller - Susan
50. The Good Lord Bird - Mark said so

8Crazymamie
Editado: Nov 2, 2021, 9:50 am



The List continues:

51. The Eternal Audience of One by Rémy Ngamije - Richard
52. Lust and Forbidden Fruit Tomato Rhapsody: A Fable of Love by Adam Schell - Judy
53. The Changeling by Victor LaValle - Richard again
54. The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey - VictoriaPL
55. Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente - Richard says this is a similar theme to Remake
56. Madness is Better than Defeat by Ned Beauman - Richard again
57. Boxer, Beetle by Ned Beauman - Richard is on a roll
58. Medusa's Web by Tim Powers - Susan (quondame)
59. Experimental Film by Lewis Jacobs - Susan (quondame) again
60. Hot Money by Dick Francis - Karen
61. Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams - Beth
62. Magpie Lane by Lucy Atkins - Beth again
63. Twenty-Five to Life by R.W.W. Greene - Richard
64. Adrift by Rob Boffard
65. My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones - Richard - read 9/2021
66. Ariadne by Jennifer Saint - Beth
67. Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell - Roberta
68. The Gadfly by Ethel Voynich - Richard on Karen's thread
69. Heating & Cooling: 52 micro memoirs by Beth Ann Fennelly - Charlotte
70. A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell - Reba
71. Monkeewrench by P. J. Tracy - VictoriaPL
72. NEVER SILENT: ACT UP and My Life in Activism by Peter Staley - Richard
73. Dialogues with Rising Tides by Kelli Russell Agodon - Mark - poetry collection
74. Winter Flowers by Angélique Villeneuve - Charlotte - translation - read 11/2021
75. Death at Whitewater Church by Andrea Carter - Richard

9Crazymamie
Editado: Nov 2, 2021, 9:49 am



The List continues:

76. The Dancing Face by Mike Phillips - Helen
77. The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji, translated by Ho-Ling Wong - rabbit princess
78. Beasts of No Nation by Uzodinma Iweala - Richard

10Crazymamie
Editado: Nov 3, 2021, 8:39 am



Katie’s Dirty Dozen - That’s right, folks, KAK’s reserved spot is back for a seventh year, let’s see what she hits me with this time.

1. Siracusa by Delia Ephron
2. Blessings by Anna Quindlen
3. When They Call You a Terrorist by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and Asha Bandele
4. Island of the Lost by Joan Druett
5. The Plot by Jean Hand Korelitz
6. Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa
7. You Deserve Nothing by Alexander Maksik
8. A Burning by Megha Majumdar
9. I'm Not Scared by Niccolo Ammaniti
10. Falling by T.J. Newman
11. Lizzie & Dante by Mary Bly (Eloisa James)
12. Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare read 9/2021 4.5 stars
13. The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett M. Graff
14. Bookmarked: Reading My Way from Hollywood to Brooklyn by Wendy W. Fairey (daughter of Sheila Graham) - go with the print version
15. The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman - linked short stories
16. What is Left the Daughter by Howard Norman
17. All The Young Men by Ruth Coker Burks
18. Matrix by Lauren Groff - she gave this the full five stars

This should do it - next one's yours!

11katiekrug
Oct 18, 2021, 10:51 am

Happy new one, Mamie!

12Whisper1
Oct 18, 2021, 11:04 am

Mamie, It must have taken a lot of time to list all the books you've read thus far this year, and there are some great ones in there!

13Crazymamie
Oct 18, 2021, 11:04 am

>10 Crazymamie: Katie, you are first! Let's celebrate your last M-day:

14Crazymamie
Oct 18, 2021, 11:06 am

>12 Whisper1: Hello, Linda! Lovely to see you! I just list the books as I finish them, so the list builds itself. You are right that I have some great ones in there this year.

15katiekrug
Oct 18, 2021, 11:08 am

>13 Crazymamie: - I never say no to a cocktail when offered - even if it's only 11:00am... ;-)

16weird_O
Oct 18, 2021, 11:12 am

Hallooo, Mamie.

That multi-part list of book bullets you've been hit with is scary. Aren't you glad that at least your Weird_O pal is shooting blanks?

By the way, you DO know that a dozen is only 12, right? Unless it's a baker's dozen (13). But 17?

17PaulCranswick
Oct 18, 2021, 11:26 am

Happy new one, Mamie. Love to all at the Pecan Paradisio.

18Crazymamie
Oct 18, 2021, 11:35 am

>15 katiekrug: I feel like that is a good rule of thumb, Katie.

>16 weird_O: Hallooo, Oh Weird One!

I wouldn't say you are shooting blanks, after all, you are the one who convinced me to try Connie Willis. It's just that the book I chose was Remake instead off the one you read.

Yes, I do know that about the traditional concept of a dozen, but this is Katie's Dirty Dozen, and so of course, the pedestrian rules do not apply. Katie is a rebel, after all.

>17 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul! The Pecan Paradisio sends all of our love back to you. I need to come catch up with you, but you have been in our thoughts and in our hearts.

19alcottacre
Oct 18, 2021, 12:01 pm

Happy new thread, Mamie!

20richardderus
Oct 18, 2021, 1:31 pm

>9 Crazymamie: Ooooooo!!! What is Left the Daughter!! Oh my heck, Mamie, drop everything and go get this to read with your breakfast tacos! Katie book-bulleted me with it, and at the 2/3 mark I'm here to tell you it's one rewarding read.

I understand the book has deckled-edge pages....

Oh, and happy new thread!

21Helenliz
Oct 18, 2021, 1:41 pm

Happy new thread, Mamie!

22drneutron
Oct 18, 2021, 2:17 pm

Happy new one!

23RebaRelishesReading
Oct 18, 2021, 2:17 pm

Happy new one, Mamie. I like that you're keeping your BB list here. Good idea!

24BLBera
Oct 18, 2021, 2:26 pm

Happy new one, Mamie.

25katiekrug
Oct 18, 2021, 2:46 pm

>20 richardderus: - Oh, this makes me happy!

Hi Mamie.

26ronincats
Oct 18, 2021, 8:29 pm

Happy Mo---, oh wait, Happy New Thread, Mamie! Hope all is well at the Pecan Paradisio.

27bell7
Oct 18, 2021, 9:48 pm

Happy new thread, Mamie!

28quondame
Oct 18, 2021, 10:44 pm

Happy new thread!

29Berly
Oct 19, 2021, 12:15 am

CAN NOT KEEP UP! But I am here to try! Happy new thread, Crazy. : )

30scaifea
Oct 19, 2021, 7:29 am

Happy new thread, Mamie!!

31msf59
Editado: Oct 19, 2021, 12:49 pm

Morning, Mamie! Happy New Thread! Is this your first go around with Case Histories? I thought that one was an excellent kick-off to the Brodie series.

32Crazymamie
Oct 19, 2021, 9:05 am

>19 alcottacre: Thank you, Stasia!

>20 richardderus: Well, I can't drop everything because there is too much, and I really do need to finish some of it, but I will put that one in next just because you said so. *smooch* And don't toy with me - does it have deckled edge pages or not, and it so which edition?!

Thank you most kindly for the happy wishes.

>21 Helenliz: Thanks, Helen!

33Crazymamie
Oct 19, 2021, 9:06 am

>22 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!

>23 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba! Keeping it here is the only way I an actually keep track of it. Heh.

>24 BLBera: Thanks, Beth!

34Crazymamie
Oct 19, 2021, 9:12 am

>25 katiekrug: Hello, Katie! Look how happy you've made Richard!

>26 ronincats: Ha! Thank you, Roni! Things are moving along here at the Pecan Paradisio. Daniel and Kaitlyn may have finally gotten a house - the housing market is so crazy right now and the houses here are selling as soon as they go on the market for more than their list price. Anyway, their offer was accepted, so now if the inspection goes well, we may have a winner.

>27 bell7: Thanks, Mary!

35Crazymamie
Oct 19, 2021, 9:51 am

>28 quondame: Thank you, Susan!

>29 Berly: Me, either, Kim. Thank you. SO great to see you here.

>30 scaifea: Thanks, Amber!

>31 msf59: Morning, Mark! Thank you. Nope - I have big love for Jackson Brodie. I have read Case Histories multiple times. My very first time was with a mass market paperback gifted to me in your 2012 Santa Swap, and Stasia was my very first Santa. She also gave me Ex Libris and World War Z.

36karenmarie
Oct 19, 2021, 10:19 am

‘Morning, Mamie and happy new thread!

>2 Crazymamie: I just now noticed how you differentiate your paper reads from your audiobook reads. Clever.

>34 Crazymamie: Yay for Daniel and Kaitlyn’s making an offer on a house and its being accepted.

37Crazymamie
Oct 19, 2021, 10:42 am

>36 karenmarie: Morning, Karen! Thank you. I have been using those same graphics up in >2 Crazymamie: for years now - still love them.

The house news is so happy making. They have been looking for two years - started looking when they got engaged because they hoped to skip apartment living and just move into a house after the wedding, but it just did not work out. This one has a gorgeous back yard, so Griffin will be very happy to finally have his own outdoor space to run around in and wear off some energy. And their apartment is currently two stories up, so they will love not having to climb those stairs all the time. Poor Kaitlyn broke her foot just before their anniversary, so she has been doing all that climbing in a boot.

38karenmarie
Oct 19, 2021, 10:46 am

Poor Kaitlyn - COVID and a broken foot in recent years.

One of my secret vices (well, now not so secret) is to look at homes for sale on Zillow. I love looking at all the pics, especially of the kitchens.

39scaifea
Oct 19, 2021, 10:47 am

Woot for the house! I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly with the inspection.

>38 karenmarie: Omg, me too with the Zillow snooping!!

40Crazymamie
Oct 19, 2021, 10:54 am

>38 karenmarie: It has been a rough few years for her - she works at the hospital, and so she has had a front row seat for all of the Covid stuff, and it has been very hard on her. I am so glad that she has Daniel and that Daniel has her - they are such a great couple. They will be very happy to be able to stop looking at house. Ha!

>39 scaifea: Hello, Amber! Thank you for that. The inspection is on Monday morning.

41richardderus
Oct 19, 2021, 11:12 am

>34 Crazymamie:, >25 katiekrug: Enjoying the rest of the read so far. It's addictive.

>20 richardderus: Honestly, Mamie, I don't know if there's a deckled-edge edition, I just knew it'd make you pay attention.

Have some guilt jewelry.

42Crazymamie
Oct 19, 2021, 11:22 am

>41 richardderus: Hooray for an addictive read!

Ha! This is just what I figured. You know me too well. I'll take the guilt jewelry, thanks.

43Helenliz
Oct 19, 2021, 11:34 am

Hopefully the house survey comes up with the right answer. There's little in life as stress inducing as buying a house. I hope it all goes smoothly and they get to move in soonest.

44jessibud2
Oct 19, 2021, 12:02 pm

Fingers crossed here too. A new house is so exciting, once you get past the initial jitters of realizing that you have a mortgage and the inevitable *it's always something* that comes along with being a homeowner. But it will be more than worth it! Best of luck!

Once it's a done deal, you know you'll have to post photos.... right?

45katiekrug
Oct 19, 2021, 12:15 pm

Very exciting for Daniel and Kaitlyn!

I'm also a Zillow snoop. The house next to ours just went on the market - the owner had been renting it out, but after the flood she decided the hassle wasn't worth it. I totally Zillowed it as soon as I heard :)

46Crazymamie
Oct 19, 2021, 12:20 pm

>44 jessibud2: Thank you, Shelley! I'm excited for them - they are SO ready to be homeowners. And better a mortgage than rent, as you at least have a chance of getting your money back. You are right about the inevitable *it's always something*, but then life is like that whether you own a home or not, seems like.

I will definitely post photos!

47Crazymamie
Oct 19, 2021, 12:21 pm

>45 katiekrug: Thanks Katie! Apparently, I am the only one not Zillowing. Who knew?!

48richardderus
Oct 19, 2021, 12:37 pm

>47 Crazymamie: ...not...Zillow...not even Redfin?! *gasp*

49lauralkeet
Oct 19, 2021, 12:46 pm

May I join the Zillow Snoop Club? I have two saved searches: one for the town we live in now, because it's fun to "see" the different types of neighborhoods. The other is for where we used to live, because I want to follow sales of homes on our block, many of which were built by the same builder at the same time. I also love Zillow-ing when we are visiting someplace new, because we always end up speculating on what it would be like to live there.

>47 Crazymamie: See? You don't know what you're missing, Mamie!

50msf59
Oct 19, 2021, 12:51 pm

>35 Crazymamie: I am not surprised that you had all ready read Case Histories. And hooray for Stasia. She has mighty fine taste.

51Crazymamie
Oct 19, 2021, 12:52 pm

>48 richardderus: Nope. It did not even occur to me, TBH.

>49 lauralkeet: Too funny!

52Crazymamie
Oct 19, 2021, 12:55 pm

>50 msf59: Yep, Stasia is good with the books. I have read all of the Brodie books except for the very last one because I am hoarding it for emergency purposes.

53FAMeulstee
Oct 19, 2021, 2:51 pm

Happy new thread, Mamie!

Keeping fingers and toes crossed for Daniel, Kaitlyn and Griffin.

54quondame
Oct 19, 2021, 3:58 pm

>41 richardderus: Oooow pretty. I love Egyptan themed jewelry!

55msf59
Oct 20, 2021, 7:18 am

Morning, Mamie. Happy Wednesday. I am birding again this AM. It might be the last of the mild days for awhile, so I need to take full advantage. I am currently loving Once There Were Wolves. I am guessing this is on your radar all ready?

56Crazymamie
Oct 20, 2021, 8:08 am

>53 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita! Much appreciated.

>54 quondame: Me, too, Susan. And the colors are full of gorgeous.

>55 msf59: Morning, Mark! Happy Wednesday. We had a couple of days in the 70s, but we are back to the 80s again. The night have been lower temps, though, so that has been nice - we can open the windows, and I love when we can do that.

I only know about Once There Were Wolves from your thread. I do have Migrations in the stacks and hope to get to it soonish. I also have Barry Lopez's Of Wolves and Men - have you read that one? I have not read it yet.

57karenmarie
Oct 20, 2021, 9:20 am

Happy Wednesday, Mamie!

Coffee, puttering, laundry, etc. are on my agenda for the day. Reading, too, of course.

58Crazymamie
Oct 20, 2021, 9:50 am

Morning, Karen! We are to be twins today.

59richardderus
Oct 20, 2021, 10:01 am

Greetings, Mamie me lurve. Go get Oh William!.

*smooch*

60jnwelch
Oct 20, 2021, 11:40 am

Happy New Thread and Happy Mid-week, Mamie! i hope all is well at the Pecan Paradiso,

61alcottacre
Oct 20, 2021, 11:50 am

>50 msf59: >52 Crazymamie: Thank you both for saying so!

I should note that Kerry and I found our house through Zillow :) I hope things turn out as well for Daniel and Kaitlyn as they did for us. We moved in May 2008.

Happy Wednesday, Mamie!

62Crazymamie
Editado: Oct 20, 2021, 4:56 pm

>59 richardderus: Hello there, darling man! Nope. (But look where your touchstone goes - made me laugh!) *smooch back*

>60 jnwelch: Thank you, Joe! All is well here, and we are more than halfway through October. I honestly don't know where October is going. And why is it in such a hurry, I wonder.

>61 alcottacre: You are welcome, Stasia. I have read through those Jackson Brodie books multiple times, and every time I think of you because you gave me the first one. Such a lovely memory.

Thanks so much for those good wishes for Daniel and Kaitlyn, and hooray for being happy with your move. Zillow is quite the popular website, it seems. Makes sense. We moved here is 2012, but we relied on our realtor since we were not from around here. We ended up buying the very first house that she showed us on our whirlwind tour of Leesburg and Albany. We had a weekend to buy a house, and she showed us 15 or so in one day, which was exhausting. We narrowed it down to three house, looked at them again the next day and put in an offer on this one.

Happy Wednesday to you!

63richardderus
Oct 20, 2021, 5:09 pm

>62 Crazymamie: Ha! That's priceless. I'll be leavin' that.

64msf59
Oct 21, 2021, 7:34 am

Morning, Mamie. Sweet Thursday. Looking forward to your thoughts on Migrations, when you get to it. Yes, I did read Of Wolves and Men. It is a good read but a lot has changed since he wrote that one. That reminds me- I want to read more Lopez.

65Crazymamie
Oct 21, 2021, 8:40 am

>63 richardderus: Indeed. Cracked me up.

>64 msf59: Morning, Mark! Sweet Thursday. I want to read his Arctic Dreams and thought I would get to it this year, but the year is getting away from me.

66katiekrug
Oct 21, 2021, 8:57 am

Morning, Mamie!

67Crazymamie
Oct 21, 2021, 9:02 am

>66 katiekrug: Morning, Katie!

68karenmarie
Oct 21, 2021, 9:28 am

'Morning, Mamie and happy Thursday to you!

I'm glad we were twins yesterday. I bet we won't be today - I'm visiting my friend Louise then going to the Spine Clinic to see what they can do for my poor back. *smile*

69Crazymamie
Oct 21, 2021, 9:32 am

Morning, Karen! Happy Thursday. Right - we will not be twins today. I have some chores and then a trip to the market if I can talk myself into it.

70msf59
Editado: Oct 21, 2021, 9:48 am

I think I have Arctic Dreams saved on my Kindle. Maybe a shared read for December?

71Crazymamie
Oct 21, 2021, 9:54 am

>70 msf59: I would love that, Mark!

72richardderus
Oct 21, 2021, 11:02 am

Thursday orisons, Mamie. I like your viewpoint: This is the last day of the week. Friday's the start of the weekend. *nods*

73Crazymamie
Oct 21, 2021, 11:03 am


95. Interview With a Vampire by Anne Rice, audiobook narrated by Simon Vance, horror/vampires (The Vampire Chronicles, book 1) - 4.5 stars

I read this one now because of Richard's 1976 publication read that was happening this month. I'm so glad that I finally got to it. Very good, and not what I was expecting, although I don't know exactly what I was expecting. Something scarier? A vampire who was less conflicted? Once you reach a certain point in the narrative, it is very hard to put down. It also works very well on audio - this was narrated by Simon Vance, who did an excellent job. I kind of want to read the next one, but don't want to ruin the experience - thoughts? I know the next one focuses on Lestat and is set in the 1980s - kind of hard to resist as I have a thing for the 80s since those were my teenage years. The music. The shoulder pads. The hair!

74richardderus
Oct 21, 2021, 11:05 am

>73 Crazymamie: I'm so glad you liked it! I was actually a big fan until Queen of the Damned so take that for what it's worth.

*smooch*

75Crazymamie
Oct 21, 2021, 11:38 am

>74 richardderus: Okay. Interesting. Did you watch the film? I am not a fan of Tom Cruise or Kirsten Dunst, but I kind of want to see what they did with it.

76scaifea
Oct 21, 2021, 11:43 am

>73 Crazymamie: I *loved* that entire series when I read them back in the summer between my college years and grad school! If you liked this first one, I suspect you'll enjoy the rest. I love Simon Vance, too. Such a good narrator.

77Crazymamie
Oct 21, 2021, 12:05 pm

>76 scaifea: Thanks for that, Amber. Good to know. Sometimes the first book in a series is good, but the rest not so much, so I thought I'd ask.

78richardderus
Oct 21, 2021, 12:25 pm

>75 Crazymamie: I did indeed watch the film.

I did.

Mm hm.

Yep...watched it.

79Crazymamie
Oct 21, 2021, 1:46 pm

80msf59
Oct 22, 2021, 8:08 am

Morning, Mamie. Happy Friday. Volunteer services this AM. Jackson time this PM. Of course, bookhorn in some reading when I can. I remember loving Interview With a Vampire, a few decades ago. The follow-up was very good too. The film was a dud, as I recall but have not seen it since it came out.

81Crazymamie
Oct 22, 2021, 9:20 am

>80 msf59: Morning, Mark! Happy Friday. Sounds like a balanced day. Since you and Richard agree that the film was a dud, I will skip it. I did learn an interesting factoid about the film, though. Originally River Phoenix was supposed to play the part of the young reporter, but he died just a few weeks before filming began. Christian Slater replaced him, and Slater donated his entire salary from the film to Phoenix's favorite charities. Isn't that lovely?

82karenmarie
Oct 22, 2021, 9:30 am

Hiya Mamie, and happy Friday to you!

>73 Crazymamie: I really liked Interview with a Vampire and immediately read Lestat, which I also really liked.

>74 richardderus: I quit Queen of the Damned halfway through and just recently got rid of all the Anne Rice from my shelves.

>81 Crazymamie: Probably wise to skip the film – I honestly don’t remember if I watched it or not. I think I did, but I’ve tried to excise all brain cells tied up with Tom Cruise.

83BLBera
Editado: Oct 22, 2021, 10:01 am

Hi Mamie - I am loving The Window Seat. Thanks!

84Crazymamie
Oct 22, 2021, 10:07 am

>82 karenmarie: Morning, Karen! Hooray for Friday! Sounds like I am good to go for the second book - I'll read that one and then see how I feel about going any farther.

Yeah. I am not a Cruise fan, either. Although I like him in Live, Die, Repeat - perhaps because he gets killed over and over again. Heh.

>83 BLBera: Beth, I just knew you would love it - every essay spoke to me. What about that essay Ice? So short but so powerful.

85richardderus
Oct 22, 2021, 11:47 am

Mamie. You are a kind soul. Please come kill me. My glands are sore and swollen and nothing feels like it's in the proper place.

*whimper*

86Crazymamie
Oct 22, 2021, 12:54 pm

>85 richardderus: Oh, dear! I regret to inform you that I am unable to acquiesce to that request. I rely on your snark and your good sense and your humor too much. I need you here. I will, however, come over and console you. Poor, poor baby. *smooch*

87weird_O
Oct 22, 2021, 1:37 pm

Keep on keeping on. I know you will. Cuppa joe, a trip to the dump, attack some weed trees. All good.

By the way, posting those photos of my outside job was an exercise in learning Apple's photo editing capabilities. Finally figured it out. The phone produces really large image files, and LT's photo drawers gag on them. Reducing the size of the image is what I learned how to do. I'm happy about that. For a few more minutes, anyway.

88richardderus
Oct 22, 2021, 1:58 pm

>86 Crazymamie: *sigh*

Meanie!

*whimper*

89Crazymamie
Oct 22, 2021, 5:42 pm

>87 weird_O: I will. You can count on me. And look at you learning new things! Most excellent. I used to be a wizard with Apple's photo editing, but everything has changed, and I have not kept up. When my new phone arrives I will probably be amazed. And confused. Ha! Remember that Neil Diamond song?! I had the 8 track from The Jazz Singer. Back in The Day.

>88 richardderus: Right. I've raised four children, so I remain unmoved. *smooch* Feel better, dear man.

90PaulCranswick
Oct 22, 2021, 11:53 pm

>89 Crazymamie: I've been remembering 8-Tracks a lot these few days as they evoke for me happy times travelling here and there with my parents singing along to Johnny Cash, Elvis, the Everly Brothers, the Fab Four and the Big O in the process. My mum was also a fan of Neil Diamond and I loved the fairly recent music he made with Rick Rubin (if fifteen years is recent!) and want to treat you to this.

Have a great weekend. xx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiInucdAOxo

91msf59
Oct 23, 2021, 8:43 am

Morning, Mamie! Happy Saturday. Jackson had his first shots yesterday, so he was crankier than usual, while I was over there. Poor baby. He at least was pretty good, while I was watching him alone. I sure hope he is doing better today. Looks like a low key weekend. Chores and book time, for me.

92karenmarie
Oct 23, 2021, 9:02 am

'Morning, Mamie, and happy Saturday to you!

Coffee is slowly working its morning miracle. I finished up a good mystery, The Merchant's House, in the middle of the night, and am in the happy position of having to decide on a new fiction book.

93Crazymamie
Oct 23, 2021, 10:39 am

>90 PaulCranswick: Thanks for that, Paul. I think the best line is the one about hope. I had a very eclectic 8-track collection, as I did not have much money for purchasing and so mainly listened to the ones I could access from various family members. The best were to be found with my sister Julie's husband who had a HUGE collection and lent me an entire box full. America, Three Dog Night, and Pink Floyd among others. My sister Vicki loved Fleetwood Mac and Simon and Garfunkel but also Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson...

Hoping the weekend is kind to you.

>91 msf59: Morning, Mark! Happy Saturday. Hooray for Jackson getting his first shots. I hope he is feeling better today. We are planning a weekend of lazy. I am hoping to get in some porching time with the books.

>92 karenmarie: Morning, Karen! Happy Saturday. I have had my first cup of coffee and am contemplating a second. I have The Merchant's House in the stacks, so I am happy to hear that it worked for you. Can't wait to see what you choose next in fiction.

94BLBera
Oct 23, 2021, 10:59 am

Yes, "Ice" was a good one. I am still laughing at the Timbuktu one. I really liked "Hame" as well.

95Crazymamie
Oct 23, 2021, 11:03 am

>94 BLBera: Right?! It's an excellent collection, and I hope she publishes another one. "Hame" was one of my favorites - so much food for thought on what home means and how it is defined and how it defines us.

96richardderus
Oct 23, 2021, 11:21 am

*trudges in*

Mamie. Your unwillingness to pull the trigger & put me out of my intense misery has led to another day of aching and soreness and general malaise. You President Carter you.

*chinwobble*

It's all your fault!

(So how's my teenager imitation coming along?)

97Crazymamie
Oct 23, 2021, 12:40 pm

>96 richardderus: I'm gonna give you a B+. No one can out teenager me - I was a total rebel, so you need a whole lot more attitude to achieve top marks. I mean, you are still speaking in complete and coherent sentences, so...

98richardderus
Oct 23, 2021, 1:06 pm

>97 Crazymamie: I had a partner once who, when in the throes of extreme emotion, became utterly incoherent. "You...stupid...I'm...rotten...BIG STUPID MEANIE!!!"

To my shame, I found it hilarious and provoked her into fits at every opportunity. (But it really was hilarious.)

99Familyhistorian
Oct 23, 2021, 11:14 pm

Happy newish thread, Mamie. I'd never heard of Zillow before. Thanks for mentioning it. That website will come in handy when I have to look for a new place.

100Crazymamie
Oct 24, 2021, 8:57 am

>98 richardderus: I have a sister who does the exact same thing.

>99 Familyhistorian: Thank you, Meg! Happy to share the Zillow love. Apparently, I use it less than everyone else - it had not occurred to me to use it to "tour" local houses just out of curiosity, but I will definitely be doing that the next time I see a house in the neighborhood that is on the market.

101msf59
Oct 24, 2021, 9:23 am

Morning, Mamie. Happy Sunday. Hooray for a lazy weekend. Books & football for me. Jackson was doing much better yesterday. I see that the Braves are going to the World Series. Impressive. I take it you are not a baseball fan?

102Crazymamie
Oct 24, 2021, 9:42 am

>101 msf59: Morning, Mark! Happy Sundaying. Books and football are also my plans for today.

I am not a baseball fan. I know nothing about baseball. Less than nothing. However, newest daughter is a HUGE Braves fan, so I am excited that she is excited.

103karenmarie
Oct 24, 2021, 9:54 am

‘Morning, Mamie! Happy Football Day to you.

>93 Crazymamie: I just started a book given to me by Peggy, Run with the Horsemen, and will need to read Dick Francis’s Decider for the September-October Shared Read before the end of the month. I’m also reading The Code Breaker for nonfiction, about Jennifer Doudna, gene editing, and CRISPR.

>102 Crazymamie: I am not a baseball fan. I know nothing about baseball. Less than nothing. However, newest daughter is a HUGE Braves fan, so I am excited that she is excited. My sister is a serious Dodgers fan and is now sad.

104richardderus
Oct 24, 2021, 9:56 am

>100 Crazymamie: I hope you've spent your entire life provoking. I need something to lessen my sense of culpability.

You're missing one of Zillow's main joys! Enter a zip code...any random five digits...and we're off! Or a street name...Adams Street's productive...Maple Drive's a good'un. Tour the country (and parts of Canada!) for zero gas and no stress.

105Crazymamie
Oct 24, 2021, 10:29 am



Yesterday was full of the lazy and it was a delight. The weather cooperated, and with the overhead fan on, the screened-in porch was an excellent reading spot. I love when I can read out there and glance up between chapters to gaze at those beautiful pecan trees that back up to our property. The day temps are still in the 80s, but after 9pm or so, we can open up the windows and invite the cooler temps inside.

I spent the entire afternoon porching, first listening to Case Histories (this is a reread for me) while working on a digital jigsaw puzzle, and then reading from The Coldest Case, which is the latest entry in Martin Walker's Bruno Courrèges series. It's a library copy, but it has deckled edge pages. *squee* If Martin does not move along the storyline in this one, it might be my last Bruno because I grow weary of his romantic entanglements that have stalled in an unhappy mess that cannot provide what he wants from life. Just get on with it already! The last few books have felt like a mystery squeezed in between meals that begin to all sound alike and stolen moments of happiness that can never make up a whole.

In the evening, Rae and I watched some West Wing (we have been rewatching this from the beginning and are in the middle of season two currently), some Bones and some Buffy. We have made it to the final season of Buffy - no spoilers, please, and I feel like I am finally going to actually watch the ending. No promises, but it's looking good.

....

My insomnia read has been Orwell's Nose, and I am closing in on the end. It's been very interesting - apparently Orwell had one of those noses that can separate smells into their component parts. This is why he was so sensitive to smells and why his writing is filled with so many references to it. I had not noticed this before, but now I cannot NOT notice it. Heh. Anyway, I am immersed in Orwell at the moment - I'm reading the nose book, Nineteen Eighty-Four (a reread), 1984 The Graphic Novel (the new GN version that was just recently published), and Homage to Catalonia (which I have been reading slowly for a while). And guess what just arrived in the mail yesterday? Orwell's Roses by Rebecca Solnit! I cannot wait to get to this one.

106Crazymamie
Oct 24, 2021, 10:36 am

>103 karenmarie: Morning, Karen! Thank you. I have read zero of your current reads, but I am wanting to read The Code Breaker one.

Sorry about your sister's sadness. Her love for the Dodgers reminds of a book that was one of Katie's Dirty Dozen, and that I read and loved even though I know nothing about baseball. Has your sister read Wait Till Next Year - it's a memoir by Doris Kearns Goodwin, and it is about her love for the Brooklyn Dodgers. It's a lovely read.

>104 richardderus: Pretty much. She is kind of a pill, and we do not really get along.

Hmm. Maybe with the Zillowing.

107karenmarie
Oct 24, 2021, 10:51 am

Thanks for the heads up - I just ordered Wait Till Next Year for my sister for Christmas.

Zillowing is fun.

108Crazymamie
Oct 24, 2021, 10:53 am

>107 karenmarie: You are welcome! I have started my Christmas shopping, too!

109lauralkeet
Oct 24, 2021, 5:00 pm

>100 Crazymamie: I will definitely be doing that the next time I see a house in the neighborhood that is on the market.

Now that's the spirit! 😀

110scaifea
Oct 24, 2021, 5:04 pm

Ooooh, Buffy!! I won't spoil anything, but I will say that that show has The Best series finale I've ever seen. Just perfection. I hope you enjoy it.

111Crazymamie
Oct 24, 2021, 5:17 pm

>109 lauralkeet: *grin*

>110 scaifea: I remember you saying that, Amber, which is actually one of the reasons I decided to go for it. You and Karen convinced me that it's worth seeing through. I have watched all of the high school years multiple times, and some of the college years but had never made it through the rest of the series. It's a wild ride, that's for sure. We had ti watch the musical episode over and over again - so much fun!

112weird_O
Oct 24, 2021, 6:56 pm

You asked about the meat 'oaf recipe I used. Here's the link to Bone Appetite. https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/bas-best-beef-bacon-meatloaf
I followed the recipe except for not having kosher salt, not having cider vinegar, not having dark brown sugar. Also, I used a beef-pork mix. Also too, I cut up three red potatoes and some carrots and put them in the pot.

113scaifea
Oct 25, 2021, 6:47 am

>111 Crazymamie: Oh, the musical episode is so good! Charlie and I love to sing along in the car at top volume.

114richardderus
Oct 25, 2021, 8:43 am

Mmmday orisons, dearest. Don't make them too loud, you *know* who is listening.

115Crazymamie
Oct 25, 2021, 8:50 am

>112 weird_O: Bill, thanks so much for that! Your post made me laugh - Bone Appetite! If you did not have cider vinegar, did you just leave it out or substitute something else? I'm gonna try the recipe and report back.

>113 scaifea: Too funny! After we watched it for the first time, we had to immediately watch it again. SO fun and so clever, some of the lyrics were cracking us up.

>114 richardderus: Morning, BigDaddy! Not too loud is an excellent rule of thumb. Good thinking.

116Crazymamie
Oct 25, 2021, 8:52 am

Today is the house inspection for Daniel and Kaitlyn - this morning, actually. All good thoughts and and wishes are much appreciated.

117msf59
Oct 25, 2021, 9:41 am

Morning, Mamie! Chilly and rainy here. A good day to hang with the books. Fingers crossed for the home inspection. Hopefully there are no surprises.

118Crazymamie
Oct 25, 2021, 9:48 am

>117 msf59: Morning, Mark! It's overcast here but warm and steamy - 90% humidity which is kind of gross.

Thank you for those good wishes - it's an older home, so no big surprises would be excellent.

119karenmarie
Oct 25, 2021, 9:51 am

‘Morning, Mamie!

>105 Crazymamie: I echo Amber, Ooooh, Buffy!!

>113 scaifea: I bought the CD for the musical episode – one copy for Jenna an one copy for me.

>116 Crazymamie: All good thoughts and wishes directed towards Daniel and Kaitlyn and the house, aye!

120Crazymamie
Oct 25, 2021, 10:01 am

>119 karenmarie: Morning, Karen! I was just over at your place. We are loving the last season of Buffy. And we are watching Angel with it which we have never watched before.

A CD?! I was wondering about Amber and Charlie singing along in the car and should have put two and two together. How fun! I need to track down the digital download version.

Thanks so much for those good wishes for Daniel and Kaitlyn.

121karenmarie
Oct 25, 2021, 10:07 am

The last time Bill and I re-watched Buffy, for probably the 5th time, we immediately re-watched Angel, for only the second. It was a good thing to do for us and we appreciated it more than the first time.

I simply don't have the emotional wherewithal to figure out how and where to keep track of digital music. I have an iPod from a gazillion years ago, and do have some stuff on Amazon music, but haven't added to either for a very long time. What I usually do, and it's mostly for baroque music when I'm in the mood, is find a good recording on YouTube.

122katiekrug
Oct 25, 2021, 10:08 am

Good luck vibes for Daniel and Kaitlyn!

And give Rae a fist bump for me.

123Crazymamie
Oct 25, 2021, 10:20 am

>121 karenmarie: We have been watching them together, which provides insight into some of the storylines. It's been a fun project.

We have tons of digital music, as we were iPod junkies - I am still sad that they don't make them anymore. I know you can do it with your phone, but I liked having a second smaller device just for music and audiobooks. Daniel still uses my original iPod. Birdy listens to more music than the rest of us combined, and she uses her iPad mini or her Kindle Fire to listen. Last Christmas she got a record player, and now she has started collecting vinyl.

>122 katiekrug: Thank you, Katie!

Will do with Rae - she was very excited. Falcons and Packers won, too!

124scaifea
Oct 25, 2021, 11:08 am

Fingers crossed for the inspection!

Laura (lycomayflower) and I are watching Buffy together (rewatch for me, of course, but first time for her) and are on Season 7. I think we'll probably watch Angel together, too, once we're through with Buffy.

125RebaRelishesReading
Oct 25, 2021, 12:27 pm

>116 Crazymamie: Well, by now it's afternoon in Georgia so I can only hope the inspection went well.

126Crazymamie
Oct 25, 2021, 12:43 pm

>124 scaifea: Thanks, Amber! Your tandem watch of Buffy sounds fun - how exactly are you watching it together? Do you watch the same episode at the same time? Rae and I watch together, so sometimes it's tricky - M/R are football nights, and Friday is GBBO. And we have to both be in the right mood - sometimes she needs crime or West Wing. Craig is watching Angel with us but not Buffy - he thinks Angel is better. Silly man. They are both awesome.

>125 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba! I have not heard back on the inspection yet, so hopefully the means they didn't find anything huge. They already know that the HVAC needs to be replaced as they had that inspected last week.

127Carmenere
Oct 25, 2021, 12:48 pm

Dare I say, Happy Monday, Mamie? Well, I hope all's feeling like a Tuesday to you. :0)

128Helenliz
Oct 25, 2021, 12:52 pm

Hoping the no-news-is-good-news thing works for the house inspection. I know a couple who have got to survey stage on 2 houses, only to decide that there was too much that needed doing in each case. It's a touch decision.

Apart from that, it's almost the end of M-day, fingers crossed we all escape it!

129scaifea
Oct 25, 2021, 12:56 pm

>126 Crazymamie: Angel is better?! I mean I like Angel just fine, but those first couple of seasons are a little clunky. Craig is clearly mistaken. Ha!

Laura and I watch at the same time and live-chat through the episodes. It's always one of the highlights of my day.

130lauralkeet
Oct 25, 2021, 5:46 pm

>129 scaifea: I love that you do this! Hurray for an LT-inspired real life friendship.

Hi Mamie!

131weird_O
Oct 25, 2021, 6:39 pm

>115 Crazymamie: Sorry for the slow reply, Mamie. I had and used white distilled vinegar.

I should warn you, it doesn't go very far. I mean, a couple of suppers, a couple of sammies, phfipbt, it's gone.

132richardderus
Oct 25, 2021, 6:39 pm

Hopefully the satellite images of your town having a giant naked conga line down the middle of the highway is a good sign re: the happy couple's house-purchase hopes. *tut* Such heathenry!

133alcottacre
Oct 25, 2021, 7:51 pm

Not trying to catch up, Mamie, after 4 days out of town with no Internet, just stopping by to say "Hello!"

134scaifea
Oct 26, 2021, 7:24 am

>130 lauralkeet: Yes! I'm grateful to LT for many things, but her friendship is right up there at the top of the list.

Morning, Mamie!

135msf59
Oct 26, 2021, 8:00 am

Morning, Mamie. The rain moved out so I am getting out for a walk with a birding buddy. I will be on call, though. My FIL should be released from the hospital today and I will be taking him home. I am getting an itch to see Jackson. Maybe, tomorrow?

136karenmarie
Oct 26, 2021, 8:06 am

Hiya, Mamie, and happy Tuesday to you!

I woke up early and have already had two cups of coffee, two hard boiled eggs, and a chocolate-frosting-and-sprinkles donut for breakfast.

>123 Crazymamie: I’d love to have a working record player/turntable downstairs to take advantage of the 300+ records Bill and I still have upstairs, but I can’t figure out a place to put it and the records without disrupting our setup. And we never go upstairs to Bill’s now-defunct media room. He can’t climb the stairs easily, and the reminder of how much he used to love the media room depresses him. Sigh.

137katiekrug
Oct 26, 2021, 9:05 am

Morning, Mamie!

138Crazymamie
Oct 26, 2021, 9:14 am

>127 Carmenere: Ha! Monday was not horrible, so you did not jinx me, Lynda. I got my grocery shopping done for the week, made soup in the slow cooker, and even squeezed in some reading with Birdy.

>128 Helenliz: There are actually some issues, Helen. It's an older home, so I was expecting there to be some items on the list. Besides the HVAC and new ducts, it needs some wiring grounded, and there is an issue with sloping and cement placement outside that would allow for water to get into the lower room if there is significant rain. (And we get A LOT of rain) It can be fixed, but it is a big fix - you wouldn't need to do anything to the house, but you would have to cut through that cement and create a place for the water to go. Craig knows how to fix it, but they would have to hire someone to pour the cement. I am saying it badly, but it's kind of a big deal. Also the house has no gutters. The roof is newer, and because it overhangs the house by two feet or something like that, gutters are not legally required. But if they don't want to get damage eventually, they are going to want gutters. Georgia is so weird. Anyway, it's a lot to think on for two first time house buyers, so I don't know what they will decide. I'm kind of hoping they go for it because they have been looking at houses for a long time and are really ready to be in one, and the housing market is crazy right now - they called to get an appointment to see the house less than 30 minutes after it went on the market, and it had already been shown and had an offer put in on it. Also, Craig said the inside is really cute with tons of charm and some great remodeling/features.

139Crazymamie
Oct 26, 2021, 9:24 am

>129 scaifea: Right?! I completely agree with you, Amber. And how fun! Rae and I love watching it together. Birdy and Abby also love it, but they were not ready to watch it all the way through yet. Abby says she is awaiting my opinion on the ending.

>130 lauralkeet: No worries, Bill. I got the meat at the market yesterday, so I am ready to give it a go either today or tomorrow. I am very excited - it looks delicious. I am guessing it might be a one and done for us, so if we love it, then the next time I would make two of them.

>132 richardderus: Hold that Congo line! They have to make some big decisions about moving forward, so we are currently in a hold pattern.

>133 alcottacre: Hello, Stasia! It's impossible to keep current around here, so don't ever worry about it. Dropping to the bottom is absolutely fine - it's always good to see you here.

140Crazymamie
Oct 26, 2021, 9:31 am

>134 scaifea: So awesomwsauce, Amber! And hello!

>135 msf59: Morning Mark! No rain here, and it's only going to 78F today, so I am doing a happy dance. Friday the high is supposed to be a very cool (for Georgia) 64F, and I hope we get it.

Hoping everything goes smoothly for the FIL and that he gets to go home today. Also hoping you get some Jackson time tomorrow!

>136 karenmarie: Morning, Karen! Your post made me laugh. I was awake int he wee small hours of the morning and managed to fall back asleep around 6am, so I am late to the coffee this morning. Still on my first cup.

Bill missing his media room is very sad making. I'm hoping you can figure out a place to squeeze in that record player. There are some very compact models out there - Birdy LOVES hers. It also has bluetooth, so she can hook it to her wireless speaker.

>138 Crazymamie: Morning, Katie! How goes the trophy wife life if leisure?

141katiekrug
Oct 26, 2021, 9:39 am

>138 Crazymamie: - I shuddered at the potential rain issues with the house... But if they really love it, they should go for it, because it sounds like the gutters could wait a couple of years, and they could renegotiate the price based on the major fix needed, maybe?

haven't had much leisure time, to be honest. Still lots of flood stuff to be dealt with, unfortunately.

142Crazymamie
Oct 26, 2021, 9:50 am

>141 katiekrug: Right. Our previous house in Indiana had a very similar issue, so Craig does know the fix. But, yeah, water in the house is NOT good - we dealt with that issue for years, and it was exhausting. The HVAC and ductwork is much easier, because Kaitlyn's dad sells that stuff, so he could everything wholesale. Price renegotiation would definitely be part of moving forward. And yes, gutters could wait a year or two.

Sorry about all the flood stuff that needs to be dealt with. This, too shall pass, but in the meantime...OOF.

143richardderus
Oct 26, 2021, 1:06 pm

>138 Crazymamie: There's at least a good, solid chance of making it work, though. That's great!

*smooch*

144Crazymamie
Oct 26, 2021, 1:50 pm



96. Orwell's Nose: A Pathological Biography by John Sutherland, Kindle, acquired in 2016, literary criticism/biography - 4 stars - Charlotte told me about this one

"Orwell was born with a singularly diagnostic sense of smell. He had the beagles rare ability to particularize and separate out the ingredients that go into any aroma."


I had not thought about just how malodorous Orwell's books are before reading this unique biography, but now I can't NOT notice all the aromas and descriptions of smells that infiltrate his pages. I was reading this at the same time as I was rereading Nineteen Eighty-Four and also the newest graphic novel version of 1984 that recently was published. I wanted to read the two versions of Nineteen Eighty-Four together so that I could see what got cut to make the book fit into the GN format. So, because I was reading about Orwell's nose, I realized that a lot of the stench was omitted. Interesting.

This fairly short biography, weighing in at just 256 pages, packs a punch. I learned more than I actually wanted to know, especially in the beginning chapters. After that it settles down into more of what you expect in a biography but with a focus on scents and Orwell's fixation on them. It's well done and offers up a lot to think about. I did not agree with all of Sutherland's conclusions. I am wanting to read more of Orwell's Diaries and dip into his correspondence to give myself a wider base for my own thoughts on Orwell. I think I might give him his own category next year in my Category Challenge.

There is a great appendix in the back of the book, in three parts: Appendix I is Blair/Orwell's Smoking Diary, II is The Smell Narrative of A Clergyman's Daughter, III is The Smell Narrative of The Road to Wigan Pier. This is followed by References and Index. I liked the organization and insights into his research and thought process.

*In a bit of serendipity, here is a funny. Some of you know that a small group of us will be reading Swann's Way together next month. There has been mention of madeleines. In Orwell's Nose, there is a chapter called Madeleines and All That. Here's how it starts:

"When from a long-distance past nothing subsists, after the people are dead, after the things are broken and scattered, taste and smell alone, more fragile but more enduring, more unsubstantial, more persistent, more faithful, remain." - Marcel Proust, Remembrance of Things Past

Comparisons with the so-called 'Proust Phenomenon' (as psychologists call it) - temps perdus recovered via the smell of a teacake - are not out of place when discussing Orwell's fiction.

145Crazymamie
Oct 26, 2021, 1:51 pm

>143 richardderus: Agreed. *smooch back*

146richardderus
Oct 26, 2021, 2:08 pm

>145 Crazymamie:, >144 Crazymamie: The Road to Wigan Pier is one of the angriest books I've ever read, and that sense of being scorched by his incandescent outrage makes the, um, malodors of his narrative palpable.

Never occurred to me to wonder if permaybehaps it was ol' Eric's actual schnozz behind it al.

147Crazymamie
Oct 26, 2021, 2:21 pm

>146 richardderus: That is one of his novels that I have not read yet - I have The Road to Wigan Pier and Coming Up For Air left to go. And yes, the nose thing is very interesting - he does tend to dwell on the stinky stuff.

148Crazymamie
Oct 26, 2021, 2:43 pm

Welp. They are gonna pass on the house. I'm crossing my fingers they can find a house that they love and can actually purchase before the year is out, but it is what it is. Their apartment lease is for a year, so it's not like they have to move any time soon. They are just ready, and I know that feeling.

On a happy note, they took Griffin on his first camping trip this past weekend, and he loved it. He was a very good boy, and he did really well with sleeping in a tent. I'm so proud GrandMamie.

149katiekrug
Oct 26, 2021, 3:04 pm

>148 Crazymamie: - Too bad about the house but it's no good if they aren't comfortable with it. Something will come along, but I know what you mean about being ready.

Good boy, Griffin! I decidedly do not do well with sleeping in a tent :)

150richardderus
Oct 26, 2021, 3:05 pm

>148 Crazymamie: what >149 katiekrug: said (someday I'll tell the story of camping in Big Bend...there's a snake...)

151Crazymamie
Oct 26, 2021, 3:10 pm

>149 katiekrug: Exactly right. More than they wanted to take on. And it's so important to listen to that inner voice.

I also do not do well sleeping in a tent. Griffin is a most excellent boy. I have asked Daniel to send me a photo, so when I get it, I'll post it. He is SO big now.

152Crazymamie
Oct 26, 2021, 3:10 pm

>150 richardderus: Oh, dear. You have already told me enough of the story. YIKES!

153Crazymamie
Editado: Oct 26, 2021, 3:22 pm







Griffin's first camping trip.

154Helenliz
Oct 26, 2021, 3:28 pm

>148 Crazymamie: It's a tough decision to have to take. Hopefully they'll find something that suits soonest.

I've long since decided that camping is completely not for me. I'm too old (and grumpy) for that sleeping on the floor thing. Griffin looks like he enjoyed it though, so that's good.

155scaifea
Oct 26, 2021, 3:50 pm

I'm sorry the house didn't work out, but good for them for not rushing into something just because they've been looking for a long while. Sounds like they're doing the mature thing here.

>153 Crazymamie: OHmygosh, he's so adorable!

156Crazymamie
Oct 26, 2021, 3:52 pm

I hope so, too, Helen.

Camping is so not my jam. Craig loves to camp, so we went camping when we were first married, and I really hated it. Once the kids were older, he would just take whoever wanted to go, and they would have grand adventures. Birdy and Abby are also non campers. I mean, you want me to pack up stuff so that I can go and sleep outside on the ground in a flimsy tent with no deadbolts or plumbing or air conditioning. On top of which, I have to be IN nature. NOPE. But yes, Griffin had much fun. Goofy dog.

157Crazymamie
Oct 26, 2021, 3:57 pm

>155 scaifea: I agree, Amber. Better not to rush and then feel like you have gotten in over your head.

Right?!

158FAMeulstee
Oct 26, 2021, 4:07 pm

>156 Crazymamie: Completely agree with you, Mamie, camping is not my thing either :-)

Nemo, our first Chow Chow, once went camping with friends of ours. It was alright, but our friends told us Nemo didn't really trust a "house" that came out of a bag ;-)

Good that Griffin liked it better.

159katiekrug
Oct 26, 2021, 4:07 pm

Great photos of Griffin!

160richardderus
Oct 26, 2021, 4:21 pm

>153 Crazymamie: Griffin is so cute!

>152 Crazymamie: You don't want to know where the snake was? (Hint: I slept in the car.)

161Crazymamie
Oct 26, 2021, 4:55 pm

>158 FAMeulstee: Hello, Anita! Sounds like Nemo had very good instincts. Smart dog.
Daniel and Kaitlyn said that Griffin loved it, which is good because it's something they do a lot.

>159 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie!

>160 richardderus: Thank you, Richard! Nope. I would guess in your sleeping bag. Gives me the squeeves just thinking about it. How polite that you set in the car - I would have driven it home.

162quondame
Oct 26, 2021, 5:08 pm

>153 Crazymamie: How darling. A good camping dog is great. Should we every feel able to camp with our group again I think Gizmo would do OK. She's friendly and hasn't barked much.

It's too bad the house didn't work out. That search is so exhausting even if times are closer to normal.

163bell7
Oct 26, 2021, 9:43 pm

Aw, sorry the house didn't work out for Daniel and Kaitlyn, but here's hoping they're able to find something even better down the road.

Such great photos of Griffin! Glad his first camping trip was a success. I actually enjoy camping in small doses, and in 2019 I went with my sister for an overnight in May and a weekend in July. But I require campgrounds with actual bathroom facilities and warm showers.

164alcottacre
Oct 26, 2021, 10:13 pm

Too bad about the house, but I know that they will find one that they are absolutely in love with and that will be the house for them.

I love the pictures of Griffin!

165karenmarie
Oct 27, 2021, 8:37 am

Hi Mamie! Happy middle-of-the-workweek to you.

>144 Crazymamie: Excellent review of a very strange book. I read 1984 and Animal Farm in high school but have never read anything else by him. Not on my radar right now, however…

>148 Crazymamie: Sorry they had to pass, but it sounds like there were quite a few big issues. Another, better, house will show up.

>153 Crazymamie: Yay for Griffin and camping. Last time I camped was … 47 years ago… and I do not miss it at all.

>156 Crazymamie: I like your description of camping. *smile*

166RebaRelishesReading
Oct 27, 2021, 12:50 pm

Too bad about the house but better not to "settle". They'll find the right place eventually I'm sure.

I love that Griffin is a good camper!! I like being in a campground in the early morning with quiet and little sounds of people waking up and starting their day. I do NOT, however, like to sleep in a tent or anywhere on the ground/floor.

You're making me want to read some Orwell. I never have and perhaps it's time.

167Crazymamie
Oct 28, 2021, 8:20 am

>162 quondame: Gizmo might love camping - they said that Griffin was so thrilled about everything.

Yeah, the house thing is getting slightly exhausting for them. They are just so ready to own their own home and settle in. They have a really cute apartment right now, but it is up two flights of outside stairs and also smallish. They have a storage unit they are paying for to hold their stuff that won't fit - they would love to have everything in one place.

>163 bell7: Thanks, Mary. That's what I'm hoping, too. House hunting can be fun but also heartbreaking. We lucked out with our current home - it's my favorite of all the ones we have owned.

They did stay at a campground with actual showers and bathroom facilities, but they said the showers were gross. The worse ones they have seen, and they have done A LOT of camping.

168Crazymamie
Oct 28, 2021, 8:26 am

>164 alcottacre: Thank you, Stasia. I love your attitude. That's exactly what I want for them.

Griffin is a big goof but very photogenic. I look forward to more of his adventures.

>165 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen, and now we have made it to Thursday which is almost Friday.

If you ever do get the urge to read more Orwell, try some of his essays - those are my favorite.

Yep. There will be another house - I'm just hoping it turns up sooner rather than later.

No more camping for me ever. SO not my thing. But I'm glad you liked my description of it!

169msf59
Oct 28, 2021, 8:28 am

Morning, Mamie! Sweet Thursday. Aw bummer, about Daniel & Kaitlyn's house. Hopefully, this will lead to find something more promising. I just picked up Passing, which I will start after Bewilderment.

170Crazymamie
Oct 28, 2021, 8:34 am

>166 RebaRelishesReading: I agree, Reba. You want to own the house, not have the house own you. Also, their schedules are very busy, so it would have been a lot to tackle even setting the money issues aside.

When they got Griffin, they said that they really wanted him to be well trained and well behaved so that they could take him anywhere including camping. He is coming along nicely - he has really settled down and is truly fun to hang out with.

I think Orwell's non-fiction is much better than his fiction. I would say start with either Animal Farm in his fiction or one of his essay collections.

171karenmarie
Oct 28, 2021, 9:31 am

Happy almost-Friday, Mamie!

Coffee. No more donuts, alas. Perhaps some cinnamon toast, which is what I had yesterday afternoon with a cup of hot tea with sugar to fight the one-day-lurgy. I'm chipper today.

>168 Crazymamie: If you ever do get the urge to read more Orwell, try some of his essays - those are my favorite. Yes ma'am! I just went over to Amazon and got four books of his essays on Kindle for $3 plus tax.

172Crazymamie
Oct 28, 2021, 9:42 am

Morning, Karen! Happy almost Friday to you! Too bad about the doughnuts, but cinnamon toast is also yum. I also go for the tea when I am feeling under the weather - but no sugar for me, just milk, please.

I am very excited about your Orwell purchase!! I hope Why I Write is in there somewhere - I love that one.

173katiekrug
Oct 28, 2021, 9:53 am

>171 karenmarie: and >172 Crazymamie: - Oooh, I haven't had cinnamon toast in FOREVER. When I was young, my bedroom shared a wall with the dining room/kitchen in our little house. On Saturdays, I would wake up and knock on the wall and minutes later, my mom would bring me two slices of cinnamon toast, and she'd sit on my bed, and we'd talk about what to do that day. One of my favorite memories :)

174Crazymamie
Oct 28, 2021, 9:54 am

Yesterday I had to run a few errands and take Abby to the dentist, and by the time I got back home, that shoulder muscle I have been having trouble with was killing me, so the rest of the day involved just taking it easy. Feeling much better today, and I am very excited about trying out that meatloaf recipe that Bill so kindly posted the link to up in >112 weird_O:.

On the reading front, I finished up my reread of Case Histories, and I loved it just as much as my previous reads of it. I listened to it - narrated by Susan Jameson, and she gets it just right. SO full of fabulous! I'm hoping to finish up The Coldest Case today. Birdy and I are about halfway through our Agatha Christie read of Hallowe'en Party. My new insomnia read is Why Read the Classics by Italo Calvino, and I am loving it so far. I liked this idea:

"All that can be done is for each of us to invent our own ideal library of our classics; and I would say that one half of it should consist of books we have read and that have meant something to us, and the other half of books which we intend to read and which we suppose might mean something to us. We should also leave a section of empty space for surprises and chance discovering."

175weird_O
Oct 28, 2021, 10:27 am

Bravo! Italo. I don't know if I have the proportion right, and I'm expanding the TBR side faster than the "read it" side.

176Crazymamie
Oct 28, 2021, 10:40 am

>175 weird_O: Me, too, Oh Weird One!

177richardderus
Oct 28, 2021, 11:00 am

I like the Calvino quote because it enables my tsundoku. Read it...think it through...it's inescapable: a library made up of 3/2!!

178Crazymamie
Oct 28, 2021, 11:09 am

>177 richardderus: I had to look up tsundoku. According to Wikipedia:

Tsundoku is acquiring reading materials but letting them pile up in one's home without reading them. It is also used to refer to books ready for reading later when they are on a bookshelf. The term originated in the Meiji era as Japanese slang.

So, yes! *smooch*

179msf59
Oct 28, 2021, 11:37 am

^I think I snuck in on you earlier...Sorry, to be sneaky.

180alcottacre
Oct 28, 2021, 11:48 am

>174 Crazymamie: I really need to re-read the Jackson Brodie series too. It has been far too long and I have no idea if any more were added to the series while I was in school.

Happy Thursday, Mamie! Glad to hear that the shoulder is doing better today.

181Carmenere
Oct 28, 2021, 11:49 am

Awe, Griffin looks like a sweetheart!
I'm really happy they passed on the house. Why walk into a situation which the previous owners are going to be happy to leave behind. Something better is out there waiting for them.
Just in case, I recommend you do nothing today and rest that shoulder.

182Crazymamie
Oct 28, 2021, 12:49 pm

>169 msf59:, >179 msf59: Mark, thanks so much for letting me know I missed you! Sweet Thursday, my friend. It was a bummer about the house, but I am hoping they find something they love even more, and closer to us would also be awesome. Kaitlyn's parents live in a neighborhood just down the street from us, so their ideal house would be one close to both of us, but a lot of houses that sell in this area are out of their price range. And it's a really lovely, conveniently located area, so people tend to stay put.

I will be awaiting your thoughts on Passing. I loved the ending.

>180 alcottacre: Stasia, there are five books in the Jackson Brodie series. The last one, Big Sky, just came out in 2019, and I have not read that one yet. I have been saving it for an emergency. I really love all four of the other books in the series. I have them all in print and on audio.

Thank you for the happy wishes. Hoping your Thursday is also full of happy. And thanks in regards to the shoulder - so much better today.

>181 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda, he really is. Thanks for your thoughts on the housing hunt - I agree with you.

I am really taking it easy today - my only planned "work" will be making dinner, which I am very excited about.

183katiekrug
Oct 28, 2021, 1:24 pm

>173 katiekrug: - Ahem. Sure, just ignore my very moving and poignant story about my youth and my dead mother. *sniff* It's fine. I'm not hurt.

;-)

184Crazymamie
Oct 28, 2021, 1:52 pm

>173 katiekrug:, >183 katiekrug: Katie, I am so very sorry! I am obviously off my game today. I love that story - so sweet, and how lovely that she took that time with you. And does the smell of cinnamon toast always bring back that memory for you - we were talking about smell memories on my other thread. If I had knocked on the wall for my mom, she would have either hollered (99% probability) or come into my room and informed me that "If you do that again, I'm gonna crown you, and it won't be queen."

185Helenliz
Oct 28, 2021, 2:20 pm

I have a plan to read more Calvino, and with that quote I think he'd be right up my street.

Hope the shoulder's feeling better again. They're such a difficult one to heal - you can't readily not use it but immobilising isn't any better.

186katiekrug
Oct 28, 2021, 2:30 pm

>184 Crazymamie: - I am pretty sure my memory is faulty, as surely it wasn't *every* Saturday. Not even she was that patient or indulgent!

187Crazymamie
Oct 28, 2021, 7:21 pm

>185 Helenliz: Form what I have read so far, Helen, I think you would love it.

Well, now my shoulder is killing me again, but it was for a worthy cause - dinner was most yum. So true what you say about shoulders - I have been trying to gently stretch it every day, and I do feel like that is helping. I just need to be careful and remember not to reach up for things, especially anything that is heavier. And also to support my arm when sitting, which also seems to help. Driving really irritates it, but there is nothing I can do about that.

>186 katiekrug: Katie, I am choosing to think it was every Saturday. Even if she had only done it once in a blue moon, it's a lovely memory.

188Crazymamie
Oct 28, 2021, 7:32 pm



I made the meatloaf recipe that Bill has been talking about, and it was mighty tasty. Next time I am going to use a beef/pork mix (probably 3:1) instead of all beef, and I am going to leave the cheese out. But it came our gorgeous, and everything was fully cooked without needing any extra time. Did I do anything different from the recipe this time? Well...yes. I did not use a box grater to grate the onion - I just chopped it up. And instead of sautéing it in olive oil, I used bacon grease - I mean, bacon was going on the top anyway, so why not? I also used more than six slices of bacon and did not crisscross it - I just placed it straight across the meatloaf and tucked the ends in - I just kept going until the entire meatloaf was covered. I chopped up and fried up the remaining bacon in the package, and added it to my corn. I would have liked to have also added jalapeño slices, but the girls would not thank me for that, so I didn't. We served it with the corn and mashed potatoes and gravy. Pure comfort food. Thanks, so much to the Weird One for hooking me up.

189richardderus
Oct 28, 2021, 7:51 pm

190quondame
Oct 28, 2021, 8:48 pm

>173 katiekrug: >183 katiekrug: >184 Crazymamie: A bedroom my younger brother took over from me after I took over my older sister's room, was next to the kitchen and shared a vent. In high school I often had a beef patty for breakfast, with dill pickle slices and mustard, which put that brother off his feed in the morning. He could have moved back to the middle of the three bedrooms on the opposite side of the house since our older brother had moved on, but I think he liked the privacy.

191Crazymamie
Oct 28, 2021, 9:41 pm

>189 richardderus: Indeed! Bonus points because I know you are not a fan of corn. *smooch* Thank you for your generosity, kind sir!

>190 quondame: Susan, I love that story, which hits home as I have five older sisters. I love your choice of breakfast!

192quondame
Oct 28, 2021, 11:50 pm

>191 Crazymamie: The room by the kitchen was designed to be the maid's - it wasn't reached from the kitchen, but from the utility room off the kitchen which opened to the yard, a 3/4 bath and the small bedroom with a tiny closet. We used it for about 3 years as a guest room, but I convinced my parents that my sister should have a room of her own for her last year before college so I could move into it. Then it was simple for my younger brother to make the same argument about my older brother. At about that time the main house guest did something to offend my mother and no longer got invited, so there wasn't much need for a guest room any more.

193msf59
Oct 29, 2021, 7:31 am

Morning, Mamie. Happy Friday. Looks like you were up and moving around early today. My FIL is staying with us for a couple of days, displacing me from my Man Cave but I can hardly complain. He is doing pretty good. I get to sit with Jackson for awhile this afternoon and I will be starting Passing. All good here.

194Crazymamie
Oct 29, 2021, 8:33 am

>192 quondame: Nicely done with the convincing. The house I grew up in did not have enough bedrooms for everyone, so we all had to share except for the oldest - whoever was the oldest still living at home got the tiny room upstair that was meant to be a sewing room. No door. Only two of the rooms used as bedrooms had a door - one upstairs and one downstairs, and those were the coveted rooms. My mom had a very large babysitting business that seemed to run at all hours and some Saturdays, and having a space where you could go and close the door, especially downstairs was it's own kind of magic. The babysitting kids were not allowed upstairs, so upstairs was also sought after. Everything worked by birth order, so I only got my own room with a door upstairs after outlasting everyone else. Only one bathroom for the entire house and no shower.

>193 msf59: Morning, Mark! I've been up since 4am. I was thrilled to have made it to 4, since normally I am wide awake at 3am. Hooray for Friday. Sorry about the Man Cave, but it's for a good cause. I'm glad your FIL is home from the hospital and that he can stay with you for a few days. I know you will be very thankful for some Jackson time. Birdy and I are hoping to get some reading time for Hallowe'en Party this afternoon.

195karenmarie
Oct 29, 2021, 8:48 am

Hi Mamie and a very happy Friday to you.

>188 Crazymamie: Ooh, how exciting! I’ve just put the recipe into a word document, saved it, and printed it. I've taken 2 lbs. of ground beef out of the freezer and plan on making it tonight, barring unforeseen circumstances. I only have thick-cut bacon but think if I partially fry it before putting it on, it will crisp up nicely. (?) Let’s see – I can make instant mashed potatoes (potato flakes only, no added junk) and have a jar of gravy. Canned corn… yup.

Thanks for seconding Bill's effort.

196Crazymamie
Oct 29, 2021, 9:03 am

>195 karenmarie: Morning, Karen! Happy Friday! I was amazed at how beautifully the bacon cooked - it made for a gorgeous presentation. I will be awaiting your thoughts on the recipe - I have not yet tried it in a sandwich, but it held together nicely, so I'm thinking it will make a good one.

You're welcome - it was fun!

197karenmarie
Oct 29, 2021, 9:11 am

With your crowd there was meatloaf left over? Or did you hide some before you started?

When we had large Thanksgiving dinners before Bill's dad and stepmom passed away, my homemade gravy would mysteriously mostly disappear in plates to take home. I grumbled to one of the cousins, and after that she always made sure to immediately after dinner put most of the leftover gravy up for me, hiding it in the refrigerator.

198Crazymamie
Oct 29, 2021, 9:31 am

>197 karenmarie: Yep, we had leftovers. It makes a foot long meatloaf, so we still have enough for several sammies. Daniel and Kaitlyn were not here, so there were just five of us. And I served it with sides that everyone loves because I am clever that way.

Your cousin is a true friend. I have one sister that every single holiday and birthday would show up with her Tupperware and be putting stuff away to take home with her before we even began eating it. Rude.

199richardderus
Oct 29, 2021, 10:06 am

There's not a superior sandwich-meat to be found than leftover loafmeat.

Hallowe'en Party made me sad. There's a superb filmed version in Agatha Christie's Poirot, if you've got the itch to compare the two.

Weekend-ahead smooches!

200Crazymamie
Oct 29, 2021, 10:32 am

>199 richardderus: Agreed. I sent Daniel a text photo of the meal last night, and he texted back that it looked absolutely delicious. Then he texted, "What's under the bacon?" Made me laugh out loud!

I have read it before, and I think I remember who the murderer is, but my memory is not great, so I might be totally surprised when we get to the ending. Heh. We will definitely watch the filmed version - that is part of our project. We did finally watch Agatha Christie's Poirot version of Death on the Nile. It was so interesting because they chose different characters from the large cast in the book to use than the 1978 movie version did. Fun! I like the movie version better, but it was very fun to see a different take on the story. I would love to see a filmed version that included the entire cast from the book. I love the twisty multiple storylines that the book presents.

*smooch back* Hoping you weekend is full of fabulous!

201Crazymamie
Oct 29, 2021, 10:35 am



I would just like to share my joy about the weather here today. It's currently a lovely 61F, going to a high of 65F, and the humidity is only 57%. I love when we can have the windows open!

202weird_O
Oct 29, 2021, 10:59 am

Morning, Mamie. Wow! That Elaine has sooo much energy. Makes me jealous.

You weather would be marvelous if those data points you cite are accurate. Here it's in the low 50s, breezy, intermittent clouds and sun, rain in the afternoon. Got to get in my hour or so of pruning. I'm making progress.

Much relieved to hear your meatloaf was a dining success. See? You mind find that stuffed pig's stomach to be tasty, if only you taste it. :-)

203scaifea
Oct 29, 2021, 11:08 am

Hi, Mamie! WOOT for excellent weather!!

204karenmarie
Oct 29, 2021, 11:27 am

>198 Crazymamie: Rude’s a nice way of putting it. Yes, the relatives started bringing their own Tupperware too. I’d fix a *generous* plate and they started wanting more than a *generous* plate’s worth. Sigh. At least my relatives waited ‘til after dinner.

>200 Crazymamie: “What’s under the bacon?” That’s a riot.

>201 Crazymamie: I’m happy for you.

205alcottacre
Oct 29, 2021, 11:30 am

>182 Crazymamie: Thanks for letting me know about Big Sky, Mamie. I know for sure that I do not have that one. Where the rest of the books in the series are in the meantime, I have no idea. Another treasure hunt for the weekend!

Have a fantastic Friday!!

206Crazymamie
Oct 29, 2021, 12:08 pm

>202 weird_O: I would also love to have Elaine's energy, Bill.

"You weather would be marvelous if those data points you cite are accurate." Ha! Are you doubting my data points? We have now made it to the promised 65F, and the humidity has dropped to 46%. There is even a breeze. It's truly full or gorgeous here. And we are supposed to get it again tomorrow. Then back to the 70s, which is also not horrible. I like the sounds of your weather, too, but we don't get that here until Winter which usually shows up for about 2-3 weeks in February. Good job with the progress making in your yard.

Nope. There will be no eating of stuffed pig's stomach for me.

207Crazymamie
Oct 29, 2021, 12:12 pm

>203 scaifea: Hello, Amber! Thank you!! It is most exciting.

>204 karenmarie: Truth.

Daniel cracks me up on a routine basis.

Look how my weather is making us all happy. I'm happy for me. All Y'all are happy for me. It's Friday magic.

>205 alcottacre: You are welcome, Stasia. Good luck with that treasure hunting!

Hoping your Friday is also full of fantastic!

208katiekrug
Oct 29, 2021, 12:28 pm

Enjoy that weather, Mamie (I know you will)!

209LizzieD
Oct 29, 2021, 1:46 pm

>188 Crazymamie: BIG YUM!!!! I'll look forward to making that meatloaf one of these days - just not this one or tomorrow, etc. The thought of the sandwiches is a real enticement though.

210Crazymamie
Oct 29, 2021, 1:53 pm

>208 katiekrug: Will do, Katie!

>209 LizzieD: Thank you so much, Peggy! I am looking forward to the sandwiches. I would be eating one now, but we always do takeaway on Fridays.

211weird_O
Oct 29, 2021, 4:02 pm

Is Griffin going trick-or-treating this weekend?

212quondame
Editado: Oct 29, 2021, 4:37 pm

>194 Crazymamie: Oh wasn't it a grand day for our family when we moved into a house with two bathrooms! My dad was a civilian employee on a dessert naval base and housing was strictly tied to ones GS level. My dad's bathroom visits could be long - no where else to read quietly in a small house with 4 children - and said children and their mother or caretaker could get impatient. So the first move I remember was most distinguished by the house having a master bath in addition to the hall bathroom. The next move was to a house with a guest bathroom by the entry, the maid 3/4 bath beyond the kitchen a master bath and a between bedrooms bath. A true luxury much appreciated though the between bedrooms bath could be the site or cause of contention - a door left inconveniently locked could cause hours of ill feeling.

>201 Crazymamie: Good weather should be celebrated!

213alcottacre
Oct 29, 2021, 6:12 pm

>207 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie. I hope the same for yours too!

214Helenliz
Oct 30, 2021, 4:12 am

Hoping the weather delivers as promised.
We're due a wet weekend. No windows open here - too cold for that! But as I wasn't planning on doing much (bar a spot of shopping and returning a library book) we can probably cope.
Have a good weekend, Mamie.

215msf59
Editado: Oct 30, 2021, 8:05 am

Morning, Mamie. I did some solo Jackson-sitting yesterday and read to him for the first time. It was from the Passing, which I had with me. He seemed pretty absorbed for awhile and then when I glanced back down, he dozed off. My infamous monotone voice works like a lullaby. Lol.

Enjoy your weekend.

216karenmarie
Oct 30, 2021, 9:28 am

'Morning, Mamie! Happy Saturday to you.

*blinks* Not much more than that, the coffee's barely kicked in. But I did confirm it was Saturday by hovering over the time/date icon on the corner of the monitor.

217Crazymamie
Oct 30, 2021, 9:52 am

>211 weird_O: You made me laugh, Bill! I was delighted to have your posted image be the very first thing I saw here today - thanks so much for being so generous with the humor or the quirky. We could get Griffin to do that if there was a treat involved. I do not think he is going trick or treating, but if he did, he could go as Fred Astaire as he has learned how to do a very pretty twirl on demand.

>212 quondame: When I was in middle school, my Dad and my Uncle Evan (Dad's very dapper younger brother) reconfigured the bathroom and put in a shower. It was heaven!! Of course, by that time most of my sisters had moved out (I am the Baby by seven years), and so they were outraged that he finally got around to putting in a shower AFTER they had moved out. My Dad replied, Let's do the math. Where do you think the extra funds came from?

Our very first house had one of those Jack and Jill bathrooms that you are talking about, but the kids were very young when we lived there, so we never had to deal with one side being locked out.

I completely agree about good weather being celebrated. Thanks so much for sharing - I am enjoying our exchanged posts. Takes me back!

218Crazymamie
Oct 30, 2021, 9:58 am

>213 alcottacre: And now we have made it to Saturday, Stasia. I am wondering what games are being played at your house this weekend.

>214 Helenliz: It did yesterday, Helen. Today is now (according to my data points which may or may not be faulty) going to 68F and the humidity has crept back in (82%), so not as nice as yesterday, but I'll take it. Very overcast currently, but we are not supposed to get any rain.

We slept with the windows open last night and it got down into the 50s - I really love a nice cold bedroom like that where you can snuggle into the covers and feel cocooned.

219Crazymamie
Oct 30, 2021, 10:05 am

>215 msf59: Morning, Mark! Hooray for Jackson time, and I love that you read to him from Passing - look at hime starting with the classics. Listening t a story is a learned skill; I learned this when I started listening to audiobooks. I kept zoning out and then would suddenly realize that I hadn't been listening and would have to figure out where to back up to. SO give Jackson time and maybe work on your delivery. *blinks*

Hoping your weekend if full of fabulous, my friend!

>216 karenmarie: Morning, Karen! Happy Saturday! I hope you are drinking that first cup of coffee by now. I am just about to get cups for Abby and myself. I was letting it brew while catching up with my thread.

220Crazymamie
Oct 30, 2021, 10:42 am



Yesterday was mostly a lazy one. Griffin was here all day, and he was a very good boy. For such we got takeaway from a local burger joint because Craig really wanted a Reuben, which he got with turkey instead of corned beef. This to me is not a Reuben, but Craig loves to order stuff that confuses the people your are trying to place the order with. (Not really, it just always works out that way) *blinks* I said that his sandwich could maybe be Reuben's younger brother. Anyway, they have excellent onion rings, so I had those and a burger. It makes two meals for me, so I just cut the burger in half before eating it and boom, I have lunch for the next day. I spent the afternoon reading, and in the evening we watched the latest GBBO episode, and then two episodes of West Wing. Craig got his Covid booster yesterday, so he is tired and achy and sick today. Poor baby.

On the reading front, Birdy and I read some more in Halowe'en Party - we are closing in on the finish, which is good because tomorrow is Halloween. I also read from The Coldest Case. I was really hoping to finish this one up yesterday, but I kept getting interrupted - sometimes this place resembles a hotel, but these are my people, so I can't help it they love me so much. Now if I could just get them to go away and let me read. What I need is a secret room with a hidden entry. Anyway, I will definitely finish up the Bruno book today and also Rosemary's Baby, which is my current audio inspired by Amber, so thank you Amber. Mia Farrow narrates it, and while she is not up there with the best narrators, she is also not bad, which is important. It's a very good creep this book has going. Perfect for October.

221scaifea
Oct 30, 2021, 11:05 am

Morning, Mamie!

Woot for Rosemary's Baby!

And a burger and onion rings sound amazing.

222Crazymamie
Oct 30, 2021, 11:12 am

>221 scaifea: Morning, Amber! I am really enjoying the audio, so thanks so much for the nudge. The takeaway was most yum.

223katiekrug
Oct 30, 2021, 11:19 am

Up here, we call a Reuben made with turkey a "Rachel" (technically, a Rachel also has coleslaw instead of sauerkraut). So Craig's not so weird, after all :)

224Helenliz
Oct 30, 2021, 12:21 pm

Lurve onion rings. mmmm.

225Crazymamie
Oct 30, 2021, 12:47 pm

>233 Crazymamie: A Rachel! See, now I have learned something. Thank you, Katie. And yes, Craig is most definitely weird, that's part of why I married him. He is truly one of a kind.

>224 Helenliz: Me, too!

226RebaRelishesReading
Oct 30, 2021, 12:54 pm

>218 Crazymamie: absolutely!! There's nothing finer than cocooned sleeping.

227richardderus
Oct 30, 2021, 1:12 pm

Onion rings = yes; turkey "reuben" ≠ yes. In fact turkey ≠ yes. Always. In all ways.

*smooch*

228Crazymamie
Oct 30, 2021, 1:56 pm

>227 richardderus: Ha! I like turkey sometimes, but I have to be in the right mood for it. *smooch back*

229quondame
Oct 30, 2021, 5:05 pm

>220 Crazymamie: Nope, a sandwich can be a Reuben with pastrami, but turkey is a step to far. Since I first and only ever had them with pastrami that's what I think of, but I'm aware it is a deviation.

I'm planning on fancy hotdogs and onion rings for tonight's dinner - my favorite dog place has an outlet in a sort of delivery/pickup food court that opened within a few miles rather than across town near USC.

230richardderus
Oct 31, 2021, 9:47 am

>228 Crazymamie: "like" "turkey"...hm...those two words repel each other in sentences. Turkey is a food-oid substance that will, in the direst of emergencies, stave off starvation. How can one "like" such a thing absent desperate hunger?

Is there something...wrong...that you're not sharing with us, Mamie my dear?

231Crazymamie
Oct 31, 2021, 9:53 am

>229 quondame: Interesting, Susan. I love how strongly this group thinks about food.

Love me a hotdog! Chili cheese dogs were one of my Dad's favorite things, and we always have those when we remember him on Death Day Dinner and a Movie.

>230 richardderus: I am not a fan of turkey as the main event, which is why I also serve ham on Thanksgiving. But I do think it pairs well with other things, say, if you wanted to make a club sandwich.

Nope. Just the usual amount of crazy.

232richardderus
Oct 31, 2021, 10:29 am

Club sandwich! So that's the stuff I rake out of the bottom of the BLTs I sometimes get. Aahh.

233Crazymamie
Oct 31, 2021, 10:38 am

>232 richardderus: *belly laugh*

234msf59
Editado: Oct 31, 2021, 10:57 am



Morning, Mamie! Happy Halloween. ^That is not my photo but I love the image. We got to spend the whole afternoon with Jackson yesterday, which was a TREAT. Looking forward to some book time and football today.

235Crazymamie
Oct 31, 2021, 11:22 am

>234 msf59: Morning, Mark! Happy Halloween! I also love that image. We get loads of bluejays here. They like to sit in the crepe myrtle trees that line our driveway.

Hoping the books and the football treat you well. Go Bears!

236karenmarie
Editado: Oct 31, 2021, 11:45 am

Hi Mamie!

>220 Crazymamie: Good ol’ Snoopy! Yay for Lazy. Nope, not a Reuben. A Reuben must be with corned beef. Reminds me of a Reuben-wanna-be made with a slab of fried tofu instead of meat prepared by friends of a friend in the wilds of Montana in 1987. I was too polite to go “blech”, so ate it and actually liked it. Homemade sauerkraut, homemade bread.

Yay for football today.

237Crazymamie
Oct 31, 2021, 12:05 pm

>236 karenmarie: Hey, Karen! You are nicer than I am. Heh. There is something about tofu that does not agree with me, and the texture is off-putting. SO no tofu for me, thanks. I do have a niece, and Craig has a sister that love the stuff.

Yes, hooray for football! Anyway, one of us is guaranteed a win today - we both could use it.

238karenmarie
Oct 31, 2021, 4:25 pm

The tofu was fried, so it had a good texture. I hate Swiss, but for some reason it all worked well together. Plus, I didn't want to embarass my friend by being churlish.

Well, today's my turn. Even with Sam Darnold's concussion, the kitties came up the winner.

The meatloaf is in the oven. Man, that recipe creates a lot of dishes! Fortunately the kitchen's clean, the dishwasher going, and I have about 45 minutes before figuring out what else goes with the meatloaf (although I've got a fun idea...)

239alcottacre
Editado: Oct 31, 2021, 4:28 pm

>218 Crazymamie: Kerry and I played 3 games this weekend, including one early this morning. Head over to my thread if you want a rundown of the past 2 weeks worth :)

Happy Sunday, Mamie!

240Crazymamie
Oct 31, 2021, 5:05 pm

>238 karenmarie: Nope. Just no for me; it really doesn't sit well, and I feel like vomiting would be ruder than just saying that I can't eat tofu.

Yep. Good job today. But poor Matt Ryan's hand.

Hooray for the meatloaf - I will await your thoughts on it. Agreed about the dishes. I think I would maybe skip the blender step next time. Now I want to know what your fun idea is!

>239 alcottacre: Will do, Stasia! Happy Sunday!

241Crazymamie
Oct 31, 2021, 7:12 pm


98. The Coldest Case by Martin Walker, library hardback, crime fiction/police procedural (Bruno Courrèges, book 14) - 4 stars

The most recent installment in Martin's Bruno Courrèges series. These are police procedurals set in the south of France where food and wine are as much a part of the story as the mystery. This one redeemed the series a bit - the last one felt like the author was just going through the motions. If you decide to give these a chance, be sure to start with the first book, Bruno, Chief of Police because the backstories that develop through the series is half the fun.


99. Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin, audiobook narrated by Mia Farrow, horror - 4 stars

This was perfect for October - very creepy. Mia Farrow narrates the audiobook, and while she is not up there with the vocal talents that elevate the books they read, she is also not horrible. A few mispronounced words which made me slightly crazy, but she does a very good job with the ending. Can I just say, Rosemary is a complete moron. She had SO many opportunities to change the storyline. I have also read A Kiss Before Dying by the same author, and that one is also very good with the creepy.

242richardderus
Oct 31, 2021, 7:24 pm

>241 Crazymamie: #99 Oh my...and that was La Farrow's big star-maker role, was Rosemary!

243Crazymamie
Oct 31, 2021, 7:26 pm

>242 richardderus: I honestly can't remember if I have seen the movie or not, so I will watch it. I did know that Farrow played Rosemary in the movie. I did not know that was her big break.

244karenmarie
Oct 31, 2021, 7:51 pm

Come see my fun idea - I posted a pic on my thread. Plus - curly bacon meatloaf! Explanation on my thread, too.

245PaulCranswick
Oct 31, 2021, 9:51 pm

>241 Crazymamie: I have Rosemary's Baby on the shelves and ought to read it soon. I remember watching the movie and Farrow really did have gamine charm in those days.

Hope your weekend has been a fabulous one, Mamie.

246drneutron
Nov 1, 2021, 7:32 am

I haven’t read it either - that would make a good start to next year’s Scaretober list!

247scaifea
Nov 1, 2021, 7:38 am

Morning, Mamie!

>241 Crazymamie: I'm so glad you enjoying Rosemary's Baby! And I agree with your spoiler. She's a bit of a dingaling, isn't she. I definitely recommend the movie, too. Apparently Sinatra left her because she refused to quit that film to make some crappy movie with him? That could be just a rumor, but it sort of sounds accurate, to be honest.

I need to read A Kiss Before Dying...

248msf59
Nov 1, 2021, 7:50 am



-Northern Cardinal. From a recent outing.

Morning, Mamie! I hope you had a fine Halloween at the Pecan Paradiso. It was pretty quiet here and my Bears looked bad again. This is just not their year. They need to build a much better team around this gifted young quarterback.

249richardderus
Nov 1, 2021, 8:56 am

Well, here it is, morning again. I'm a little weary of this whole "morning-afternoon-evening" thing. Let's start with evenings for a few years. Just mix it up a little.

250Crazymamie
Nov 1, 2021, 12:44 pm

>244 karenmarie: I loved the photo and the explanation, Karen!

>245 PaulCranswick: That's an excellent way to describe Farrow, Paul. Rosemary's Baby was perfect for October reading, so I'm glad I finally got to it.

My weekend was full of fabulous, thanks. Hoping yours was kind to you - I need to come catch up.

>246 drneutron: I'm shocked you haven't read it yet, Jim. I thought I was one of the last to get to it. You are right about it being perfect to kick off the Scaretober list.

251Crazymamie
Nov 1, 2021, 12:53 pm

>247 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Well, I guess it's afternoon now - I did all my errands and marketing this morning, so now it feels like I have lost part of my day. However, I am so thankful that it's all done.

Yes, she is! I can see her confiding in Guy the first time, but I don't know why she doesn't figure out that the smart thing to do is to play along and run her own agenda in the background. Obviously, she has not watched enough Hitchcock. Amazon had the movie to rent for $1.99, so I rented it but have not yet watched it. No one here wants to watch it with me. Go figure. Interesting about Sinatra (it probably is accurate) - I had not heard that, but all I know about Farrow would fit into a tea cup.

Yes, get to A Kiss Before Dying!

>248 msf59: Afternoon, Mark! I missed morning. Love the cardinal photo. We have a pair that comes to our feeders every day. Halloween was good - mostly football, some reading, and an episode of West Wing. I can't complain. And the weather was lovely, so we had the windows open all day. Sorry about your Bears. My Falcons lost, too.

>249 richardderus: Oh! I like that idea, Richard! Let's do it!

252weird_O
Nov 1, 2021, 1:12 pm

>249 richardderus: >251 Crazymamie: My wake-sleep pattern is so screwed up. A great change I'd like would be: Up with the sun, down with the sun. Too much dark time is not good.

253RebaRelishesReading
Nov 1, 2021, 1:16 pm

>241 Crazymamie: Bruno books are our favorite listening for road trips. I have one waiting on my phone that we didn't get to on our big circle trip last spring. It may have to wait a while since there are no road trips planned at this point ... well, except for going to San Diego for Christmas/New Years...maybe then.

254Crazymamie
Nov 1, 2021, 1:19 pm

I spent my morning running errands and going to the market. They had everything I needed, which was unexpected since loads of the shelves were empty. I don't know if they were waiting on a truck or what, but it was very weird - back to beginning pandemic days but without the limits on amounts you could purchase. As I had mentioned to Katie and Karen, I have my menu planned for this week, and it includes four meals. Here's what they are:


CHICKEN AND WHITE BEAN ENCHILADAS WITH CREAMY SALSA VERDE
We love this recipe from the Skinnytaste blog, and I am pairing it with Mexican rice and refried beans.


Signature Spicy, Smoky, Sweet Chili
Another favorite, this time from the Iowagirlseats blog. We like to serve this over roasted sweet potatoes - SO good.


Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Again, a favorite. It's delicious, but we skip the step with the immersion blender because we don't like how it changes the texture. And really, you don't need it. She also has adapted the recipe for a slow cooker now - Crock Pot Broccoli-Cheddar Potato Soup. I haven't tried it this way yet. Not sure which version I will make, so I will report back. Serving this with salad and toasted bread.


One Pot Gnocchi Chicken Pot Pie

This is the new recipe I want to try, again from the Iowagirleats blog. We LOVE soups and stews, so this looks right up our alley. I had to order the gluten free mini-gnocchi from Amazon because the Publix doesn't carry it.

255RebaRelishesReading
Nov 1, 2021, 1:22 pm

Iowa isn't exactly what I think of first when I hear chili but it's definitely chili weather now and this one sounds good so I may try it next week. Just made a big pot of beef barley soup last night so that will do us for this week.

256Crazymamie
Nov 1, 2021, 1:23 pm

>252 weird_O: I worked night shift for years, so my wake-sleep schedule is also messed up. I feel really good if I can actually sleep from 11pm - 3am. A lot of my reading is in the wee small hours of the morning. I love darkness, and Georgia gets way too much sun, so more dark would be good for me. When I lived in Indiana, however, and the Fall/Winter meant shorter darker days, I used to crave a bit more sunshine. Wishing you luck with the sleep pattern you would like to achieve, Oh Weird One.

>253 RebaRelishesReading: Reba, the good news is that Bruno will wait for you. Gotta love that about books. I am all outta Bruno now, so I will have to be the one waiting.

257Crazymamie
Nov 1, 2021, 1:25 pm

>255 RebaRelishesReading: It's really good - I love the sweet and the spicy that you get in every bite. This is Rae's favorite chili. I would love your recipe for that beef barley soup if you are inclined to share.

258RebaRelishesReading
Editado: Nov 1, 2021, 1:41 pm

Beef Barley Soup
Serving Size: 6

1 beef Arm Chuck Roast, Boneless, cut into 3/4-inch pieces (about 2 pounds)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped onions
1 cup diced celery
1 cup diced carrots
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
6 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
3/4 cup medium pearled barley
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Directions:

1. Heat oil in stockpot over medium heat until hot. Brown half of beef; remove from stockpot. Repeat with remaining beef; remove from stockpot, pour off drippings. Season beef with pepper and salt.

2. Add onions, celery, carrots , garlic and thyme to stockpot; cook 5 to 8 minutes or until vegetables are lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Stir in broth and barley. Return beef to stockpot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover tightly and simmer 1 hour or until beef is fork-tender. Stir in balsamic

259Helenliz
Nov 1, 2021, 1:51 pm

>254 Crazymamie: I'm liking the look of the chicken gnocchi. Looks like an ideal dish for the day after a roast chicken. I do a chicken & bacon risotto, but this might be a way to mix it up a bit.

260Crazymamie
Nov 1, 2021, 1:59 pm

>258 RebaRelishesReading: That was so quick, Reba! thank you so much - I can't wait to try it.

>259 Helenliz: It would be an excellent way to use up leftover chicken, Helen. Chicken and bacon risotto sounds divine. I have never done risotto - it scares me a bit. One of these days.

261katiekrug
Nov 1, 2021, 2:01 pm

>254 Crazymamie: - I definitely want to try those enchiladas! The chili is a no-go because TW gets offended by any chili not his own ;-) And no soup because he doesn't like broccoli. And no stew because I don't like gnocchi. Difficult? Us? Never.

>258 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks for sharing the recipe, Reba! Beef barley is a favorite of mine.

262Crazymamie
Nov 1, 2021, 2:08 pm

>261 katiekrug: The enchiladas are really good and come out perfectly every time. And they are so filling - one enchilada will do. The first time I made it, I doubled the recipe thinking the boys would need two, but nope.

We have those same difficulties - trying to find something that everyone will eat and also like is trying at times. Rae is my most difficult customer because a lot of textures bother her. We have not tried the gnocchi before, so we might hate it - guess we'll find out.

263scaifea
Nov 2, 2021, 7:13 am

Morning, Mamie!

>262 Crazymamie: We have not tried the gnocchi before, so we might hate it...

*SNORK!* That's the spirit!

264Crazymamie
Nov 2, 2021, 8:11 am

>263 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Ha! You made me snort my coffee. I meant because it is gluten free. They have some fabulous gluten free products out there, but they also have some truly atrocious ones. That's part of what I like about the Iowagirlseats blog - she has Celiac Disease just like my niece, and so she recommends gluten free products that she actually uses and likes. Abby is also sensitive to gluten, so we are trying to just be aware of it and make sure we have some meals that are gluten free.

265msf59
Editado: Nov 2, 2021, 8:17 am

Morning, Mamie. Sue will be taking my FIL back to his place this AM. He is doing much better, thanks to our loving care. Grins...He will be nice to have my Man Cave back. Cold here. Around the freezing mark, right now but I plan on still doing a solo bird outing later.

266msf59
Editado: Nov 2, 2021, 8:18 am



^As a reminder, we do have plans to read Swann's Way in November. I was thinking of starting around the 15th. I have a Kindle copy of the book but I would really like to track down the Lydia Davis translated one. I hope you are still up for it.

267scaifea
Nov 2, 2021, 8:21 am

>264 Crazymamie: HA! I missed the GF part! Tomm can't do gluten, either, and you're definitely right that there's some nasty stuff out there. We've pretty much given up on pasta altogether for him, although he does like rice noodles, so that's what I use for noodlely soups.

268Crazymamie
Nov 2, 2021, 8:28 am

>265 msf59: Morning, Mark! Your FIL probably greatly appreciated the sacrifice of your Man Cave. You were a very good sport. Bundle up for that bird outing!

>266 msf59: That works for me - I am very excited about it.

>267 scaifea: *grin* I just bought some of Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 baking flour that is gluten free - have you ever used it? I know that King Arthur Baking makes a similar product.



There is some pasta that my niece likes - I'll have to ask her what it is. And yes to the rice noodles - we like those, too. It's lovely that there is so much more available in the grocery stores today than there used to be even just a few years ago.

269scaifea
Nov 2, 2021, 8:41 am

>268 Crazymamie: I haven't tried Red Mill but I have tried the KAF one. It's...okay.

270Crazymamie
Nov 2, 2021, 8:52 am



Today Birdy and I have dentist appointments - we are both getting out teeth cleaned, and I am finally getting my mouth guard made. I have had to keep moving this appointment because I have been waiting for my upper lip to heal from my fall way back in June. I think it is good to go - just a small seam still and a very tiny fat necrosis still in there. Can I just say that I can't believe how long it takes a fat necrosis to heal - it started out about the size of a pea and has finally gone down to about the size of one of those silver balls that we used to decorate cookies with that always felt like they could break your teeth. DO they still make those? Anyway, I can still feel it, and I still don't have full movement of my upper lip, but I am getting there. Most exciting!!

On the reading front, I have already finished two books for November! Last night we finished up Hallowe'en Party - Birdy and I have been reading this together, but last night Abby started reading it aloud to us while we made dinner. After dinner, Rae, Birdy, Abby and I took it into the bedroom where Abby read the rest of it to us. SO fun. And now Abby and Rae are going to join in our reads together. The other book I read was Winter Flowers, which is a book recommended by Charlotte - the writing is gorgeous! Hoping to put together reviews later today.

100. Winter Flowers by Angélique Villeneuve, translated by Adriana Hunter, Kindle, historical fiction/WWI/France - 5 stars - recommended by Charlotte

101. Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie, trade paperback, crime fiction/mystery, (Hercule Poirot, book 35, Ariadne Oliver, book 7) - reread

271Crazymamie
Nov 2, 2021, 8:55 am

>269 scaifea: I will report back. I mainly want to use it to thicken soups and stews, but I'm going to try it in a cookie recipe that I make all the time to see how it does.

272scaifea
Nov 2, 2021, 9:14 am

>271 Crazymamie: Excellent!

(I use cornstarch for a thickener, which I actually like much better than flour anyway.)

273Crazymamie
Nov 2, 2021, 9:26 am

>272 scaifea: I use cornstarch in some things, but my beef stew recipe, which I developed off of my sister's MIL's recipe uses flour. Not sure what the conversion would be - I add 1/2 cup of water slowly to 2T of flour, then use that to thicken. How much cornstarch/water do you use in something like that?

274richardderus
Nov 2, 2021, 9:57 am

Y'all should give cassava pasta a whirl: https://jovialfoods.com/grain-free/cassava-pasta/

Pricey. But there's nothing like *not* feeling bloated and miserable after eating mac'n'cheese!

*smooch*

275katiekrug
Nov 2, 2021, 10:42 am

The Wayne picked up his night guard yesterday. When I got mine, they made a mold of my mouth with some sort of thick goo substance thingy. The Wayne has such a bad gag reflex, when the dentist said he should get one, she rushed to say they wouldn't do the mold thing but some sort of special scanner that they ran over his teeth very carefully. I was a bit jealous when I heard...

276Crazymamie
Nov 2, 2021, 10:46 am

>275 katiekrug: I am hoping for the scanner, too. Our dentist has one, but it is not always working. Or being used by someone else. I want to say, Look, I am your best customer, so give me the high end stuff, but, of course, I don't. Seriously, I think I probably paid for a new car for him last year. But I am very excited to be getting the night guard, so whatever it takes...

277katiekrug
Nov 2, 2021, 10:48 am

>276 Crazymamie: - They must be finicky - TW's appointment got rescheduled twice because the scanner wasn't working...

278karenmarie
Nov 2, 2021, 11:06 am

‘Morning Mamie! Happy Tuesday to you.

>254 Crazymamie: Wow. Just wow. All sound wonderful to me. My picky husband would only want to eat two of them – the chili and the gnocchi chicken pot pie. Sigh.

>258 RebaRelishesReading: Yum. Bill and I both love barley. I like it whole (called barley groats), so will have to get some from the health food store and partially cook it before adding it to the soup.

>268 Crazymamie: Ah, another Swann’s Way reader. I’m on board. Have you read it before?

>270 Crazymamie: Keep up with dental appointments is good if not fun. I hope they both go well. I went in August, and already have the appointment scheduled for February. I’m sorry you still have the necrosis and lack of full movement on your upper lip.

Two books already for November? My, my. Impressive.

279weird_O
Nov 2, 2021, 11:54 am

Onward and upward, y'all.

I've got Swann's Way on the schedule, but I'm hesitant. I'm waffling. Bah. It'll be a piece of cake. Or a madeleine. Some sort of sweet.

280alcottacre
Nov 2, 2021, 1:18 pm

>270 Crazymamie: Adding Winter Flowers to the BlackHole even before you review it. If both you and Charlotte recommend it, I am sure to love it.

I hope you and Birdy survive the dentist!

281scaifea
Nov 2, 2021, 2:08 pm

>273 Crazymamie: I'd say start the amounts would probably be the same; if you use 2T of flour, then try 2T of cornstarch, and just make sure that it's good and mixed with the water before stirring it into the pot.

282Crazymamie
Nov 2, 2021, 2:17 pm

>274 richardderus: Not sure how I missed you earlier - so sorry. Thanks for the recommendation - we will give it a try.

>277 katiekrug: I am back, and I got scanned! I think they are finicky - the first scanner didn't work, so they brought in the second one, and that one got the job done. BUT, I came home to find out that our water had been shut off for nonpayment of bill - the one that I had paid online like I always do, so hours later the bill problem is fixed, but we are still waiting to get our water back on. *sigh*

>278 karenmarie: Afternoon, Karen! Bummer about the husband's food preferences. We run into that from time to time. Daniel and Craig love seafood, but the rest of us won't eat it for the most part - a few exceptions here and there.

I can't wait to try Reba's recipe! I also love barley, and so does Craig.

Nope. Never read it before.

Birdy and I both had excellent cleaning sessions - no cavities. And thank you for the kind words. The lip is coming along, so I cannot complain.

Well, the bulk of Hallowe'en Party got read in October, we just couldn't get it finished up before the new month. The other book is short, and pulls you right in, so it was easy to finish it in one day.

283Crazymamie
Nov 2, 2021, 2:32 pm

>279 weird_O: Agreed, Bill. Why don't you give Swann's Way a try, and if it doesn't suit your current reading mojo, then just set it aside for another time.

>280 alcottacre: I think you will love it, Stasia.

The dentist was good! Thanks for those good wishes. They worked!

>280 alcottacre: Thanks for that, Amber.

284richardderus
Nov 2, 2021, 2:33 pm

>282 Crazymamie: Oh...did you miss me...I didn't notice.

*hmph*

285Crazymamie
Nov 2, 2021, 2:54 pm

>284 richardderus: I did. And I'm so sorry, darling. I will spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you. *blinks* Yeah, probably not, but I AM very sorry. *smooch and a bear hug*

286richardderus
Nov 2, 2021, 3:01 pm

>285 Crazymamie: *smooch*

I should make you suffer but I just don't mind enough.

287Helenliz
Nov 2, 2021, 4:32 pm

I have read Swann's Way. It was in the (rather limited) library selection when we went on a cruise in the Med. I'm not sure I'm ready to commit to reading the entire cycle... Good luck with it.

288Crazymamie
Nov 2, 2021, 5:35 pm

>286 richardderus: Aw, shucks. Thank you, kindly.

>287 Helenliz: Helen, we are just reading the first book, not the entire cycle. I have never even read Proust before, so there is no way I would commit to the whole thing without sampling some.

289alcottacre
Nov 2, 2021, 7:02 pm

>283 Crazymamie: I hope so too, Mamie. Unfortunately the local library does not have it.

290weird_O
Editado: Nov 2, 2021, 7:50 pm

>283 Crazymamie: You said, If it doesn't suit... etcetera etcetera. And I reply, "Oh my goodness! I never thought of that!!

>283 Crazymamie: You said, If it doesn't suit... etcetera etcetera. And I reply, "Yeah. That's what I was thinking."

>283 Crazymamie: You said, If it doesn't suit... etcetera etcetera. And I reply, "Oh gracious. I could never do that."

>283 Crazymamie: You said, If it doesn't suit... etcetera etcetera. And I reply, *just smile*

Stay crazy, Mamie.

:-)

291quondame
Nov 2, 2021, 9:41 pm

>266 msf59: The e-holds at Los Angeles City library say it's about 2 weeks until Swan's Way is available, so it may be do-able.

292drneutron
Nov 2, 2021, 10:34 pm

Sooo… water deadbeats? 😂

I hope you get turned back on soon!

293Crazymamie
Nov 3, 2021, 7:15 am

>289 alcottacre: Bummer, Stasia. I read it on Kindle or I would send it your way.

>290 weird_O: Okay, okay. Take it easy, wiseguy. I promise to say crazy if you promise to stay weird, Oh Weird One.

>291 quondame: Crossing my fingers, Susan. It would be fun to have you along for the ride.

>292 drneutron: Yep. We got it back on yesterday a couple of hours later.

294msf59
Nov 3, 2021, 8:00 am

Morning, Mamie. Happy Wednesday. I took a fall yesterday so I am bit battered. Details on my thread. Looks like I will be getting some extra reading time in. Oh yeah- I also snagged the Davis translation form the library. Lovely edition.

295Crazymamie
Nov 3, 2021, 8:12 am

>294 msf59: Morning, Mark! Happy Wednesday. Oh, no to the fall - I just did that in June; are you trying to follow in my footsteps? (see what I did there?!) I hope you are not too battered - I'm coming to check on you soon as I'm done here. Yeah to extra reading time, but boo to the reason for it. I'm so glad you were able to track down that Lydia Davis translation.
Este tema fue continuado por Mamie's 2021 Madness, page 10.