Anita (FAMeulstee) goes on wherever the books take her in 2024 (3)

Welcome to my third thread in 2024!

I am Anita Meulstee (61), married with Frank (62) since 1984. We live in Lelystad, the Netherlands. We both love modern art, books and walking.

At the end of this month we will finish our walk on the Pieterpad.
In March 2020 we started, and walked from Pieterburen to Groningen, in September 2020 from Groningen to Schoonloo, in March 2021 from Schoonloo to just past Hardenberg, in October 2021 from Hardenberg to Vorden, and in March 2022 we walked from Vorden to just before Groesbeek. In March 2023 we walked from Groesbeek to just before Venlo. Last fall we walked from there to just past Sittard. All together we have walked 465 km on the Pieterpad, only 38 km to go!
Even in my present hypothyroid state I should be able to walk 38 km in 6 days.

We will start where we ended last October, just after Sittard, and wil walk 38.1 km to the end at the Sint Pietersberg (Saint Peter Mountain, height 107 meter). I know, not a real mountain, but in our flat country this hill looks like a mountain ;-)

Left: the whole Pieterpad; right: the part we plan to walk
 

--
I have been hanging around in this group a few months after finding LibraryThing in March 2008.
I read (almost) everything, from childrens and YA books to more serious literature, mysteries, historical fiction, fantasy, and I try not to forget to throw some non-fiction into the mix.

total books read in 2024: 40
11 own / 29 library

total pages read in 2024: 10,713

--
currently reading:
e-book: Ideen : vierde bundel by Mutatuli, 469 pages
Het glazen huis (House of Glass) by Pramoedya Ananta Toer, 461 pages, TIOLI #6

--
books read in March 2024: 14 books, 2,275 pages, 9 own / 5 library)
book 27: 1968 by Jan Guillou, 349 pages, TIOLI #12 (msg 146)
book 28: Asterix en de Gothen (Asterix and the Goths) by Goscinny & Uderzo, 48 pages, TIOLI #12 (msg 147)
book 29: Asterix en de gladiatoren (Asterix the Gladiator) by Goscinny & Uderzo, 48 pages, TIOLI #3 (msg 148)
book 30: Asterix en de ronde van Gallia (Asterix and the Banquet) by Goscinny & Uderzo, 48 pages, TIOLI #12 (msg 160)
book 31: Wildwest in Siberië by Karl May, 320 pages (msg 161)
book 32: Asterix en Cleopatra (Asterix and Cleopatra) by Goscinny & Uderzo, 48 pages, TIOLI #12 (msg 162)
book 33: Asterix en de kampioen (Asterix and the Big Fight) by Goscinny & Uderzo, 48 pages, TIOLI #12 (msg 163)
book 34: De dode op het strand (The Weeping Girl) by Håkan Nesser, 372 pages, TIOLI #5 (msg 167)
book 35: Asterix en de Britten (Asterix in Britain) by Goscinny & Uderzo, 48 pages, TIOLI #12 (msg 168)
book 36: Dodo by Mohana van den Kroonenberg, 180 pages, TIOLI #4 (msg 169)
book 37: Asterix en de Noormannen (Asterix and the Normans) by Goscinny & Uderzo, 48 pages, TIOLI #12 (msg 220)
book 38: De elandparadox (The Moose Paradox) by Antti Tuomainen, 270 pages, TIOLI #5 (msg 221)
book 39: Pieterpad deel II: Vorden-Maastricht by Toos Goorhuis and Bertje Jens, 208 pages (msg 222)
book 40: Mus & kapitein Kwaadbaard en de 5 slangen by Kevin Hassing, 256 pages, TIOLI #5 (msg 223)

March 2024 reading plans
No plans this month, as I can't foresee how much I can read at the moment.

If my reading picks up, I might be able to put a few books in the TIOLI challenges.

TIOLI March 2024
#1: Read a book with the common name of a fish in the title or subtitle
-
#2: Read a book whose author has three names
-
#3: Read a book that has either the numbers 03, 14, or 62 (each in the respective order) in its ISBN number
- Asterix en de gladiatoren (Asterix the Gladiator) - Goscinny & Uderzo, 48 pages
#4: One Word; Many Syllables -- read a book whose title has only a single polysyllabic word
- Dodo - Mohana van den Kroonenberg, 180 pages (GV100, e-library)
#5: Read a book where there is at least one embedded word of 3 letters or more in the author’s name
- De dode op het strand (The Weeping Girl) - Håkan Nesser, 372 pages (e-library)
- De elandparadox (The Moose Paradox) - Antti Tuomainen, 270 pages (library)
- Mus & kapitein Kwaadbaard en de 5 slangen - Kevin Hassing, 240 pages (GV100, e-library)
? De zwaluw, de kat, de roos en de dood (The Strangler's Honeymoon) - Håkan Nesser, 564 pages (e-library 7/4)
#6: Saint Patrick's Day SHAMROCK rolling title challenge
- Het glazen huis (House of Glass) - Pramoedya Ananta Toer, 461 pages (library 19/4)
#7: Read a book for the Zodiac challenge (Pisces - cover w/ two (2) or more fish OR a mirror image/reflection
-
#8 Read a book connected to "the movies"
-
#9: Read a book about fire or with a picture of fire on the cover
-
#10: Read a book where the author shares your first name or mine
-
#11: Read one of the Times Must-Read Books of 2023 (see list)
-
#12: Read a book that is set or was published in the 1960s
- 1968 - Jan Guillou, 349 pages (library)
- Asterix en de Gothen (Asterix and the Goths) - Goscinny & Uderzo, 47 pages
- Asterix en de ronde van Gallia (Asterix and the Banquet) - Goscinny & Uderzo, 48 pages
- Asterix en Cleopatra (Asterix and Cleopatra) - Goscinny & Uderzo, 48 pages
- Asterix en de kampioen (Asterix and the Big Fight) - Goscinny & Uderzo, 48 pages
- Asterix en de Britten (Asterix in Britain) - Goscinny & Uderzo, 48 pages
- Asterix en de Noormannen (Asterix and the Normans) - Goscinny & Uderzo, 48 pages
- Asterix en het 1ste legioen (Asterix the Legionary) - Goscinny & Uderzo, 48 pages
#13: Read a book written by a Canadian and published in the last 5 years
-

Reserved for April 2024 reading plans, if any

books read in January 2024
book 1: De wereldwandelaars by Wim Willems
book 2: In het vervloekte hart by Rima Orie
book 3: De mierenmaatschappij (Empire of Ants) by Susanne Foitzik
book 4: Nicolas en de verdwijning van de wereld by Anne Eekhout
book 5: Zolang de citroenbomen bloeien (As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow) by Zoulfa Katouh
book 6: Biljarten om half tien (Billiards at Half Past Nine) by Heinrich Böll
book 7: Wen er maar aan by Maike Meijer
book 8: Het verhaal van een leven (The Story of a Life) by Aharon Appelfeld
book 9: Iets ter grootte van het universum (About the Size of the Universe) by Jón Kalman Stefánsson
book 10: Echte Amerikaanse jeans by Jan Guillou
book 11: Opwaaiende zomerjurken by Oek de Jong
book 12: De kunst van het veldspel (The Art of Fielding) by Chad Harbach
book 13: Madame le Commissaire en de dode non by Pierre Martin
book 14: Lily by Tom De Cock, 396 pages
book 15: In het duister (Set in Darkness; John Rebus 11) by Ian Rankin
book 16: Zeg maar Agaath by Margôt Ros

books read in February 2024
book 17: North woods (North Woods) by Daniel Mason
book 18: Een dramatische liefde (Correspondence: Ingeborg Bachmann and Paul Celan) by Ingeborg Bachmann and Paul Celan
book 19: Spitsroeden (For kicks) by Dick Francis
book 20: De geschiedenis van de liefde (The History of Love) by Nicole Krauss
book 21: De verloren zoon (Brother Cadfael's Penance) by Ellis Peters
book 22: Een soort Engeland by Robert Anker, 280 pages
book 23: Carambole (Hour of the Wolf) by Håkan Nesser
book 24: Voetsporen (Footsteps) by Pramoedya Ananta Toer
book 25: De leesclub by Renate Dorrestein
book 26: Ik ben de sterkste by Christian Frascella

Reading plans in 2024
Reading books from the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die lists
Read some big tomes (1000+ pages)
Read books by Nobel Prize for Literature winners

I join the TIOLI (Take It Or Leave It) challenges each month.

Trying to read an author from every country in the world

Afghanistan: Khaled Hosseini
Albania: Ismail Kadare
Algeria: Kamel Daoud
Angola: José Eduardo Agualusa
Argentina: Alberto Manguel
Armenia: Nairi Zaryan
Aruba: Denis Henriquez
Australia: John Marsden
Austria: Marlen Haushofer
Azerbaijan: Kurban Said
Belarus: Svetlana Alexievich
Belgium: Els Beerten
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Saša Stanišic
Brazil: Malba Tahan
Bulgaria: Elias Canetti
Cameroon: Ferdinand Oyono
Canada: Naomi Klein
Chile: Isabel Allende
China: Cao Xueqin
Colombia: Gabriel García Márquez
Croatia: Slobodan Šnajder
Curaçao: Frank Martinus Arion
Czechia: Pavel Kohout
Danmark: Tove Ditlevsen
Dominican Republic: Junot Díaz
Egypt: Nagieb Mahfoez
Finland: Väinö Linna
France: Annie Ernaux
Georgia: Nino Haratischwili
Germany: Uwe Johnson
Ghana: Yaa Gyasi
Greece: Yanis Varoufakis
Hungary: Miklós Bánffy
Iceland: Hallgrimur Helgason
India: Vikram Seth
Indonesia: Pramoedya Ananta Toer
Iran: Hushang Moradi Kermani
Iraq: Rodaan Al Galidi
Ireland: Paul Murray
Israel: David Grossman
Italy: Elena Ferrante
Japan: Junpei Gomikawa
Lebanon: Hoda Barakat
Lithuania: Romain Gary
Malaysia: Tan Twan Eng
Mexico: Mariano Azuela
Morocco: Fayza Oum'Hamed
Netherlands: Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer
New Zealand: Margaret Mahy
Nigeria: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Norway: Marta Breen
Palestine: Sayed Kashua
Peru: Mario Vargas Llosa
Poland: Olga Tokarczuk
Portugal: António Lobo Antunes
Romania: Herta Müller
Russia: Konstantin Paustovski
Senegal: Mohamed Mbougar Sarr
Slovakia: Sándor Márai
South Africa: Trevor Noah
South Korea: An Na
Spain: Almudena Grandes
Suriname: Anton de Kom
Sweden: Henning Mankell
Switzerland: Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz
Syria: Khālid Khalīfah
Tanzania: Abdulrazak Gurnah
Tibet: Tenzin Gyatso
Trinidad and Tobago: V.S. Naipaul
Turkey: Orhan Pamuk
Ukraine: Isaac Babel
Venezuela: Miguel Bonnefoy
United Kingdom: Robert Macfarlane
United States: John Steinbeck
Vietnam: Viet Thanh Nguyen


visited 74 countries (32.8%)

Tickers

Totals since 2008:

My reading in previous years
2008: 130 books -   35,224 pages   (96.2 ppd)
2009:   78 books -   21,470 pages   (58.8 ppd)
2010: 121 books -   38,209 pages (104.7 ppd)
2011:   84 books -   30,256 pages   (82.9 ppd)
2012:   53 books -   18,779 pages   (51.3 ppd)
2013:   13 books -     3,692 pages   (10.1 ppd)
2014:   17 books -     3,700 pages   (10.1 ppd)
2015:   29 books -   10,080 pages   (27.6 ppd)
2016: 253 books -   72,547 pages (198.2 ppd)
2017: 453 books - 110,222 pages (302.0 ppd)
2018: 534 books - 111,906 pages (306.6 ppd)
2019: 413 books - 110,873 pages (303.8 ppd)
2020: 226 books -   79,216 pages (216.4 ppd)
2021: 288 books -   94,339 pages (258.5 ppd)
2022: 323 books - 102,275 pages (280.2 ppd)
2023: 278 books -   92,617 pages (253.8 ppd)

--
Previous threads in 2024
book 1 - 16: thread 1
book 17 - 26: thread 2

--
Monthly statistics
January: 16 books / 5,378 pages
February: 10 books / 3,060 pages

Lists on my WikiThing

The best books I have read, by year first published
My Five star reads
The best 50 books I have read (fiction)
The books by Nobel prize winners I have read
The Booker prize winners I have read
The Pulitzer prize winners (fiction) I have read
The winners of some Dutch literary prizes
Countries I have visited while reading around the world

Series I read, a list to keep track

Alan Banks by Peter Robinson (re-read 4/20)
1 Stille blik; 2 Nachtlicht; 3 Tegenstroom; 4 Zondeval; 5 Schijnbeeld; 6 Woensdagkind; 7 Zwanenzang; 8 Innocent Graves (not translated); 9 Dead Right (not translated); 10 Verdronken verleden; 11 Kil als het graf; 12 Nasleep; 13 Onvoltooide zomer; 14 Vuurspel; 15 Drijfzand; 16 Hartzeer; 17 Duivelsgebroed; 18 Overmacht; 19 Uitschot; 20 Dwaalspoor; 21 Dankbare dood; 22 Slachthuisblues

Ari Thór Arason (Dark Iceland) by Ragnar Jónasson 4/4
1 Sneeuwblind; 2 Inktzwart; 3 Poolnacht; 4 Ademloos

Bernie Gunther by Philip Kerr 8/14
1 Een Berlijnse kwestie; 2 Het handwerk van de beul; 3 Een Duits requiem; 4 De een van de ander; 5 Een stille vlam; 6 Als de doden niet herrijzen; 7 Grijs verleden; 8 Praag fataal; 9 De man zonder adem; 10 De vrouw van Zagreb; 11 De schaduw van de stilte; 12 Pruisisch blauw; 13 Vergeven en vergeten; 14 Metropolis

Broeder Cadfael by Ellis Peters 20/20 finished!
1 Het heilige vuur; 2 Het laatste lijk; 3 Het gemene gewas; 4 De kwade knecht; 5 De eenzame bruid; 6 De kille maagd; 7 Het vege lijf; 8 De duivelse droom; 9 De gouden speld; 10 Een wisse dood; 11 Een hard gelag; 12 De ware aard; 13 Een witte roos; 14 Het stille woud; 15 De laatste eer; 16 Het rechte pad; 17 Een zijden haar; 18 Een lieve lust; 19 De heilige dief; 20 De verloren zoon

De Cock by A.C. Baantjer 59/70

Cormoran Strike by Robert Galbraith 6/7
1 Koekoeksjong; 2 Zijderups; 3 Het slechte pad; 4 Witte dood; 5 Kwaad bloed; 6 Inktzwart hart; 7 Stromend graf

George Smiley by John Le Carré 6/9
1 Telefoon voor de dode; 2 Voetsporen in de sneeuw; 3 Spion aan de muur; 4 Spion verspeeld; 5 Edelman, bedelman, schutter, spion; 6 Spion van nobel bloed; 7 Smiley's prooi; 8 De laatste spion; 9 Een erfenis van spionnen

De grote eeuw by Jan Guillou 7/10
1 Bruggenbouwers; 2 Dandy uit het noorden; 3 Tussen rood en zwart; 4 De kop in het zand; 5 Blauwe Ster; 6 Echte Amerikaanse jeans; 7 1968; 8 Zij die dromen doden slapen nooit; 9 De tweede hoofdzonde; 10 Het einde van het verhaal

Guido Brunetti by Donna Leon 30/31
1 Dood van een maestro; 2 Dood in den vreemde; 3 De dood draagt rode schoenen; 4 Salto mortale; 5 Acqua alta; 6 Een stille dood; 7 Nobiltà; 8 Fatalità; 9 Vriendendienst; 10 Onrustig tij; 11 Bedrieglijke zaken; 12 De stille elite; 13 Verborgen bewijs; 14 Vertrouwelijke zaken; 15 Duister glas; 16 Kinderspel; 17 Droommeisje; 18 Gezichtsverlies; 19 Een kwestie van vertrouwen; 20 Dodelijke conclusies; 21 Beestachtige zaken; 22 Het onbekende kind; 23 Tussen de regels; 24 Ik aanbid je; 25 Eeuwige jeugd; 26 Wat niet verdwijnt; 27 Vergiffenis; 28 De troonopvolger; 29 Duister water; 30 Vluchtig verlangen; 31 Liefdadigheid; 32 So Shall You Reap (not translated)

Isabelle Bonnet by Pierre Martin 5/6
1 Madame le Commissaire en de verdwenen Engelsman; 2 Madame le Commissaire en de uitgestelde wraak; 3 Madame le Commissaire en de dood van de politiechef; 4 Madame le Commissaire en het mysterieuze schilderij; 5 Madame le Commissaire en de dode non; 6 Madame le Commissaire en de dode minnaar; 7 Madame le Commissaire und die Frau ohne Gedächtnis (not translated); 8 Madame le Commissaire und die panische Diva (not translated); 9 Madame le Commissaire und die Villa der Frauen (not translated); 10 Madame le Commissaire und die Mauer des Schweigens (not translated)

John Rebus by Ian Rankin 11/20
1 Kat & muis; 2 Blindeman; 3 Hand & Tand; 4 Ontmaskering; 5 Zwartboek; 6 Vuurwerk; 7 Laat maar bloeden; 8 Gerechtigheid; 9 Door het lint; 10 Dode zielen; 11 In het duister; 12 Valstrik; 13 Lazarus; 14 Een kwestie van bloed; 15 De rechtelozen; 16 Gedenk de doden; 17 Laatste ronde; 18 Cold case; 19 Saints of the Shadow Bible (not translated); 20 Even Dogs in the Wild (not translated); 21 Rather Be the Devil (not translated); 22 Een web van leugens; 23 Een lied voor duistere tijden

Konráð by Arnaldur Indridason 4/5
1 Smeltend ijs; 2 Boven water; 3 Smeulend vuur; 4 Vallende stenen; 5 Razende storm

Konrad Sejer by Karin Fossum 6/14
1 Eva's oog; 2 Kijk niet achterom; 3 Wie de wolf vreest; 4 De duivel draagt het licht; 5 De Indiase bruid; 6 Zwarte seconden; 7 De moord op Harriet Krohn; 8 Een andere voorkeur; 9 Kwade wil; 10 De waarschuwer; 11 Veenbrand; 12 De fluisteraar; 13 De verduistering; 14 Zwanenzang

Martin Servaz by Bernard Minier 5/7
1 Een kille rilling; 2 Huivering; 3 Verduistering; 4 Schemering; 5 Weerzin; 6 Afdaling; 7 Afrekening

Oliver von Bodenstein & Pia Kirchhoff by Nele Neuhaus 10/10
1 Een onbeminde vrouw; 2 Moordvrienden; 3 Diepe wonden; 4 Sneeuwwitje moet sterven; 5 Wie wind zaait; 6 Boze wolf; 7 De levenden en de doden; 8 Het woud; 9 Moederdag; 10 Eeuwige vriendschap

De Rougons-Macquarts (The Rougon-Macquarts) by Émile Zola 4/20
1 Het fortuin der Rougons; 2 De buit; 3 De buik van Parijs; 4 De verovering van Plassans; 5 De misstap van pastoor Mouret; 6 Zijne excellentie Eugène Rougon; 7 De nekslag; 8 Liefde; 9 Nana; 10 In troebel water; 11 In het paradijs voor de vrouw; 12 Levensvreugde; 13 De mijn; 14 Het werk; 15 Het land; 16 De droom; 17 Het beest in de mens; 18 Het geld; 19 De ondergang; 20 Dokter Pascal

Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle 4/8
1 Een studie in rood; 2 De vallei der verschrikking; 3 De hond van de Baskervilles; 4 Het teken van de vier; 5 Het laatste probleem; 6 Het avontuur van de duivelsklauw; 7 Zijn laatste buiging; 8 De onbekende avonturen van Sherlock Holmes

De tandeloze tijd by A.F.Th. van der Heijden 1/11
0 De slag om de Blauwbrug; 1 Vallende ouders; 2 De gevarendriehoek; 2.1 Weerborstels; 3.1 Het hof van barmhartigheid; 3.2 Onder het plaveisel het moeras; 3.4 Doodverf; 4 Advocaat van de hanen; 5 De helleveeg; 6 Kwaadschiks; 8 Stemvorken

Van Veeteren by Håkan Nesser 8/11
1 Het grofmazige net; 2 Het vierde offer; 3 De terugkeer; 4 De vrouw met de moedervlek; 5 De commissaris en het zwijgen; 6 De zaak van Münster; 7 Carambole; 8 De dode op het strand; 9 De zwaluw, de kat, de roos en de dood; 10 Van Veeteren en de zaak-G; 11 De vereniging van linkshandigen

Books acquired in 2024: 13

February (6)
De zwarte heer Bazetub - Albert Vigoleis Thelen (e-book)
Notities van een theoreticus - Shi Tiesheng
Alkibiades - Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer
Persoonsgegevens - Elfriede Jelinek
Pieterpad : Deel 1: Pieterburen-Vorden - Kees Volkers*
Pieterpad : Deel 2: Vorden-Maastricht - Kees Volkers*

* A new edition was published while we were walking

March (7)
Pierre Bourdieu : weerspannigheid als erfenis - Édouard Louis
Om een zin - Carel ter Linden
Eigen meester, niemands knecht - Cees Fasseur
Vanzelfsprekend maar niet normaal - Winfred and Annelies Haasse
Gezinsverpakking- De Chabotten (Bookweek gift)
Ooievaarsblues - Bart Chabot (Bookweek poetry)
Vissenschild - Liesbeth Lagemaat

Welcome!

Happy New Thread, Anita! May this month bring better health and many good reads .

Happy New Thread, Anita!
All the best for for your walking and reading plans.
I hope you get better soon.

Happy new thread Anita! I'm glad you're still hanging around here ;0)

HAppy new thread!

>14 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deborah! I hope this month will bring ll that.

>15 SirThomas: Thank you, Thomas!
The walking will be fun, as always, only a bit slower ;-)
Sadly the reading is still going downwards, but I am sure it will go up again some day.

>16 humouress: Thank you, Nina!
So am I, even with a few books read, there are enough other things to talk about :-)

>17 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita!

Happy new thread Anita! I hope that you enjoy the walking, and find yourself able to read more. Greetings to Frank too!

Happy new thread, Anita. New month, new thread, look forward.
I like when you show the map of your walks. Such a great accomplishment!

Happy new thread, Anita.

Happy Friday, Anita. Happy New Thread. Hoping for a healthier month for you. 🤞

Happy new thread!

Happy New Thread!! Been praying that you are feeling better soon!

New thread. Good for all of us, Anita. I admit to being a lurky follower of your thread. It's the introvert in me.

Cheers!

I'm glad you're going back to the Pieterpad soon. I hope it is a calming and health increasing walk!!

Happy new thread, Anita. Looking forward to your report from the last section of the Pieterpad.

Sending good wishes for the medical journey as well.

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread Anita. So wonderful to have some walking plans. Thinking of you!

>20 Sakerfalcon: Thank you, Claire. We will certainly enjoy the walking, although it will be a bit slow. The reading will return one day, but it will take a while. Greetings back from both of us!

>21 jessibud2: Thank you, Shelley, the first day of March sadly brought back some anxiety. But it got better through the day.
Yes, it is amazing we walked so far through our country. We'll be very happy when we make it to the end of the Pieterpad :-)

>22 Kristelh: Thank you, Kristel!

>23 msf59: Thank you, Mark, I really hope so 🤞

>24 foggidawn: Thank you, Foggi!

>25 hredwards: Thank you very much, Harold, it will take a while, but heading into the right direction.

>26 weird_O: Thank you, Bill, always nice to see a msg from you. Lurkers are always welcome ;-)
An occasional delurk is much appriciated!

>27 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba, we are looking forward to the last part of the Pieterpad.
Walking is always good for health, even if it goes a bit slow. We will walk through some beautiful landscapes.

>28 swynn: Thank you, Steve, you will certainly get some report of our walking adventures at the Pieterpad.
Thanks, it isn't an easy journey this time.

>29 drneutron: Thank you, Jim!

>30 mdoris: Thank you, Mary. I remember we started this four years ago, just to try. I am amazed we are nearing the end now. And thanks very much for your regular visits lately

Happy new thread, dear Anita.

Enjoy your stroll through your lovely country. xx

Happy new thread, Anita!

The last part of the road. A good thing to look forward to. Walking a bit slower gives you more time to enjoy what the road has to offer!

Happy new thread Anita!

Happy new thread, Anita! Enjoy your walk on the Pieterpad. It's quite the accomplishment to finish that! And I also send wishes that your health will continue to improve all month.

>36 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul, we will enjoy.

>37 EllaTim: Thank you, Ella.
Sadly I will probably see much less of the surroundings than in prevouis parts, as all my energy is needed to get myself moving. Even on our daily walks I mainly have to focus where I put my feet. A year ago I was already a bit down from the usual 5km/hour to 4.5 km/hour. These days I am glad I to get to 3 km/hour. But I really want to finish the Pieterpad, and we can do it in very short parts a day, with only 38km left.

>38 quondame: Thank you, Susan!

>39 atozgrl: Thank you, Irene!
I look forward to be away from home for a while. And I hope I can mange the walking. It would make us feel very proud when we manage to get it done :-)

--
The panic attacks have been worse the last days, as I get nervous from waiting for the response of the endicronologist, making me uncomfortable in my own home.
Frank got care leave again for this weekend, but I am not sure yet that I can manage if he has to return to work next week.

This all has made that Frank now considers early retirement, his working place is changing into a ditection he doesn't like, and he has been struggling with it for a while. My problems add to the load.
On February 25 it was 5 years before official retirement, and from that date on you can put parts of your pension funds into early retirement, leaving less money for your later years.

ETA: Sorry, at the moment I have no energy to read other threads, mostly browsing through and lurking. All I can promise is to keep up with new threads to wish 'Happy new thread'.
I appriciate all visitors here.

>41 FAMeulstee:, so sorry that things continue to be difficult. Take care of yourself. Your reading community is caring for you.

Merrier month of March for you both, Anita. I hope the panic attacks leave you alone until you get the medications sorted. And I wish hopes had a practical effect, too.

*smooch*

Hello Anita and happy new thread. I’m sorry your hypothyroidism is throwing everything off and hope that you get the appointment with the endocrinologist soon.

Line in the sand, skimming to get caught up.



>1 FAMeulstee: Impressive goal, glad to see that you’re in the last lap.

>7 FAMeulstee: Your map is impressive. I see that Greenland isn’t represented and had hoped that Smilla’s Sense of Snow’s author would be from Greenland, but alas. He’s from Denmark.

>11 FAMeulstee: I hope the newest Galbraith is translated to Dutch soon. It was a doozy.

>41 FAMeulstee: I’m so sorry about the panic attacks and other symptoms relating to your thyroid problems.

>41 FAMeulstee: Anita, I am very sorry to hear that the panic attacks are worse now. Sending (((hugs))) and positive energy for improvement. Don't worry about visiting other threads, just take care of yourself. We'll be glad to keep visiting you here!

Good point "your reading community is caring for you" . i know we must ALL be thinking of you and hoping that you get feeling better very soon. So sorry that you are dealing with this Anita. I know things will get better.

>41 FAMeulstee: Please don't worry about keeping up with threads. Just take care of yourself and know that your reading friends care about you and will be here when you feel up to coming back.

Happy new thread, Anita! Hope that the panic attacks are better soon, glad that Frank is there for you.

>41 FAMeulstee: So sorry to hear about the anxiety. It sounds like early retirement for Frank might be good for both of you if it is possible. Fingers crossed. Keeping you in my thoughts Anita.

>42 Kristelh: Thank you, Kristel. We both try to take care, and I am very thankful for you all being here!

>43 richardderus: Thank you, Richard dear, at least we have a vacation to look forward to this month.
Yesterday we spend the afternoon and evening with my brother and his wife. It was a good visit, we talked some about my father (who isn't doing well at the moment), Frank's retiring plans and my present probems.

>44 karenmarie: Thank you, Karen, I hope so too.
I think we can manage the last part of the Pieterpad, despite my slowness at the moment. We will know for sure at the end of the month.
Some countries will be more difficult to find in Dutch than in English.
The newest Gailbraith is translated now, I am waiting until the rush is over at the library. Besides, with my present reading speed it would take me a month to read it! It is near the top of my list when reading turns back to my usual numbers.
I am so disappointed that the thyroid problems are back again, and especially about the way it went :-(

>45 atozgrl: Thank you, Irene. Today is a bit better, visiting my brother and his wife yesterday was good, not only to be with nice company, it was also good to be out of my house for a while. Today we took a long bike ride to relax a bit.
Can't tell you how glad I am with our group here!

>46 mdoris: Thank you, Mary, you all bring a bit of light in this difficult time.
As I said above, today seems a litte bit better, compared to a few days back.

>47 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba. One of the hardest parts, besides the pac/anxiety, is being barely able to read. Not only books, but also the threads.

>48 banjo123: Thank you, Rhonda, I don't know how I could deal with this all without Frank.

>49 Caroline_McElwee: Thank you, Caroline. We went through all options this weekend, and Frank should be able to retire at July 1st this year. If our calculations are right, he would not have to return at work at all, as he has so many extra hours and vacation time available to fill the next months. Tomorrow he will try to contact his manager to talk about the details, and to check if our calculations are right.

You do have a lot on the table. Dad not doing well, husband retiring, your health, and a vacation up-coming.

>51 FAMeulstee: I'm glad you got some quality family time Anita. I'm sorry to hear about your father and that the thyroid issues are still not resolved. I'm looking forward to our annual dose of the Pieterpad.

>51 FAMeulstee: I am glad to hear you had such a good visit with your brother and his wife, and that you are doing better today. I hope things go well with Frank and the decisions about retiring. I do hope his retiring early would not be a hardship for you both. My thoughts are with you.

>54 Kristelh: Indeed Kristel, it is a lot. Two to look forward to, and two more worrysome.
Frank retiring won't change much in our daily life, he only works two nights a week. In the last weeks I somehow developed a kind of separation anxiety, knowing to have him around permanently has a calming effect. He won't loose much of his present income for the next 5 years, and still will get a bit more than that in five years, at his official retirement date in February 2029.
My father has trouble with his back, and has been sleeping in his chair for two weeks now, as he is unable to sleep in his bed. Various painkillers have't helped much yet.

>55 humouress: Thank you, Nina. Since the the family is reduced to me, my father and my brother all family time is good.
Upping the thyroid meds is going to take months anyway, as going up is only possible in tiny steps.
In a year my dose was reduced from 0,1625 mg to 0,1125 mg. It took nearly four weeks to get back to the 0,125 mg I had until early January. And the further I get, the smaller the steps my body can take. Now going up with the next quarter of a 0,025 mg pill, and I expect that will take three to four weeks. Probably 5 more of these tiny steps are needed, each one taking a bit more time, so that makes about six months from now before the anxiety will be gone.

>6 FAMeulstee:>7 Good look with the goal to read from these categories. I own a copy of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. You are a voracious reader, and I do see you as able to complete this category.
I'm thinking of you, and it dawned on me that I needed to visit your threads more often. All good wishes to you my friend!

>56 atozgrl: Thank you, Irene. I am glad this brother is the sibling left. He always was the most stable of us all.
As I said above >57 FAMeulstee: Franks retirement won't change much in our daily life. Only make it easier to see my brother more often, as Frank worked most weekends, and my brother and his wife still work three days a week. On their two days off they usually take care of their grandchildren.

Frank suffers from CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) since the early 1990s. He lost his job, disability was denied, and we lost more than half of our income. His energy levels have been very low for a long time. In the first years he used to sleep 13 hours or more, and rested in his comfortable chair for 5 to 6 hours a day. When we moved here in 2005, his sleep was reduced 10 hours (as it still is), and the daily resting hours also got less. In 2007 he noticed a vacancy for sleepwatchers needed in a facility for young adults with mental problems, for two nights a week, and he decided to give it a try. He still works there. In the last year things have changed at his work, requiring more and more education to be qualified for his job. The education is always during the day, and it takes a lot of energy for him to get up early. So he was alread thinking about retiring early. My present problems added to his load, so we were pleased to find out we can make it on a slightly lower income for the next five years, and both look forward to his retirement.

>59 Whisper1: There are various editions of the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die, you can find all English editions together at https://www.librarything.com/award/2/1001-Books-You-Must-Read-Before-You-Die
I mostly read from the Dutch edition https://www.librarything.com/award/15/1001-boeken-die-je-gelezen-moet-hebben!
At my present reading speed I won't make it at all, but I have good hope to get back in a few months.
I hope all is well with you, Linda. My visits to other threads are as good as non existing at the moment.

I got a message from the endocrinologists (I just notice I have spelled it wrong before), and have an appointment on May 3th
*sigh of relief*

>62 FAMeulstee: That’s great, Anita. But May? That’s two months waiting, are they so busy?

I hope Frank will be able to retire early, it sounds like a good plan for both of you.

>63 EllaTim: Apparently they are very busy, Ella.
Almere has one of three specialised thyroid departments in the country, with three endocrinologists who are specialised in thyroid problems. In all other hospitals they are part of an internal medicine department with one or two endocrinologists who know a bit about thyroid and other hormonal problems.

And this gives me the time to up my dose to 5.5 (0,1375 mg) in the next weeks, so I am stable at that dose on May 3rd, making the results of thyroid bloodtests reliable at that time.

No reaction yet from Franks manager, he called her this morning, and got her voicemail. So we are waiting for her response. Meanwhile Frank is making a summary of all his extra hours, vacation days, and 11b hours (a few years they could save up days for calamities, or earlier retirement, and he has a lot of those). So he gathered all relevant numbers for the meeting with his manager.

All the best for you both and your plans, Anita.

Wat een pech allemaal Anita, door verkeerde samenloop van omstandigheden. Een geluk dat de schildklierpoli dichtbij is. Hopelijk lukt je het lopen zo af en toe. Het weer vandaag werkt mee. Ik snap dat je van druk af wilt. Geduld en Sterkte gewenst!

(Automatically translated: 'What bad luck all around Anita, due to wrong coincidence. A stroke of luck that the thyroid clinic is nearby. Hope you manage walking every now and then. The weather today is cooperating. I understand you want to get rid of pressure. Patience and Strength wished to you!')

Happy new thread, Anita! I hope things get settled with your thyroid and health care soon, and best of luck to Frank in retirement.

>65 SirThomas: Thank you, Thomas. It looks like it is all working out.
I hope you are having a good time at Sylt!

>66 EMS_24: Thank you very much, Esther, glad you left a message here. Our healthcare system isn't what it used to be, and all these different GPs through the years didn't help either. So for now I retreat myself from Hebban (a Dutch book website), and stay in my own little corner her on LT.
I will keep on walking, although slow, even think we will finish the Pieterpad this month.

(Heel erg bedankt, Esther, fijn dat je hier een bericht achter liet. De gezondheidszorg is niet meer wat het vroeger was en allemaal verschillende huisartsen in een paar jaar tijd hielp ook niet. Dus voor verlopig trek ik mij terug van Hebban en verblijf hier in mijn eigen hoekje op LibraryThing.
Ik blijf zeker lopen, al is het langzaam, ik denk dat we het gaan redden dat laatste stuk Pieterpad deze maand.)

>67 bell7: Thank you, Mary, the thyroid problem needs time, at least I do have an appointment with an endocrinologist in two months time now. And today we got the word that Frank is going to retire early.

--
Frank spoke to his manager and all is settled, he doesn't have to return to work and can spend his time taking care of me. Next week he will speak with his manager to talk about the details.

I really hope that everything works out for the best for both you and Frank, Anita!

Hello Anita, I am so pleased that Frank is now able to retire and you will get the help and support that you need and that you can hopefully get the meds figured out for your May appt. Fingers crossed for you!

>70 alcottacre: Thank you, Stasia. I am glad everything got sorted out today :-)

>71 mdoris: Thank you, Mary. I was nervous about both, my appointment at the endocrinologist and Frank's retirement, and feel very relieved that both are in sight now. Next week we will know the exact date of his retirement, so he can notify his pension fund.

I'm glad things are working out for Frank to retire now. I imagine that will help you recover as well. Best wishes to you both.

>69 FAMeulstee: - Good news about Frank and the progress there. I hope it helps to put you at ease for the immediate future and trust that things will work out for you both. {{hugs}} again, because, why not?

Glad to hear that Frank can retire and be there at home with you. A lot of major changes happening. My thoughts are with your dad and his pain. Hope his sleeping is restful even if not in a bed.

Hiya Anita, how are ya?

>73 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba, we are both happy about it. Now the last formalities need to be done by Frank. Some hurdles to take, as at the moment he is unable to access the digital system where he should register his resignation...

>74 jessibud2: Thank you, Shelley, indeed good news. Now the hurdles mentioned above to take, but it seems there is some progress. Hugs are always welcome and (((hugs))) back to you, as I know you can use some.

>75 Kristelh: Thank you, Kristel, a big relief, both Frank's retirement and the appointment with the endocrinologist. We will need our vacation to recuperate a bit from all turmoil in the last month!
Thanks for thinking about my father, he should see his GP today and I hope she can find out more.

>76 Owltherian: Thank you, Lily, I feel a tiny bit better than last time we spoke on my thread.
Still a long way to go, but I am more optimistic.
And how are you today?

Hi, Anita. I am glad to hear there is some good news in your life. You both needed something positive to happen. Congrats to Frank and good luck moving forward.

>69 FAMeulstee: That is good news about Frank's retirement, and your upcoming appointment. I hope these are signs of better times ahead.

Holding out hope your family plans all pan out in order. *smooch*

>60 FAMeulstee: I am glad to know that Frank can retire early and not cause you income problems. But I'm sorry to hear that he suffers from CFS. I didn't realize that. And then VERY good news in >62 FAMeulstee: and >69 FAMeulstee: that you've got the appointment with the endocrinologist and that Frank can retire now and doesn't even need to return to work. It seems that things are finally looking up for you and this should help with your mood as well. I am so happy for you!

>79 msf59: Thank you, Mark, we are very happy things have turned into the right direction. Thanks on Frank's behalf, we will see what this next stage in our life will bring us.

>80 Sakerfalcon: Thank you, Claire, two times good news made our day.
I hope we can meet you again some day.

>81 richardderus: Thank you, Richard dear, that is what we hope for.
I still have my 'me time' in de morning hours, as Frank sleeps way longer than I do. We also had a very good time together during his last vacation, and joked this was a good preparation for his retirement, not knowing that would arrive so soon.

>82 atozgrl: Thank you, Irene, we were surprised that it was financially possible to retire so early.
You are now so much a part here in the group, that I sometimes forget you aren't around that long, and thus not aware of our circumstances.
Frank had two months notice for his work, and over two and a half months of vacation time and extra hours, so he could quit immediately.
I am still having an occasional panic attack, but not as bad as the first ones in February. And of course it helps that I do have an appoiment with the endocrinologist in two months time.

>84 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita, I'm glad to know I am so well accepted into the group. I have met such a wonderful group of people here! It makes me very happy to hear that your panic attacks are so much better now. May you and Frank enjoy having more time together.

Hi Anita

>68 FAMeulstee: Our healthcare system isn't what it used to be, and all these different GPs through the years didn't help either.
I was just chatting somewhere else about how our healthcare system is under pressure as well...too few GPs, long waits for publicly funded procedures. I feel ripped off as really want to have faith in public healthcare, but there just hasn't been sufficient funding allocated and people are more and more using insurance now. Not a great trajectory, sadly.

Hi Anita, glad to read Frank is able to retire as you hoped.
It sounds like the GP issue is an international one - a shortage here too, and many of those currently working will retire soon. There aren't enough young people willing to go into the job to replace them.

Hi Anita, I'm glad to hear that things are looking up. I hope they continue that way.

>85 atozgrl: Thank you, Irene, I think we are all very happy to have found this group. The people here have pulled me through difficult times, are as a whole compassionate and reliable companions on a somtimes bumpy road.
I still have some anxiety left around my sleep, falling asleep and waking up still triggers some. After a few better nights, the last two nights and mornings were not. Probably because the reality of the last weeks now really dawns upon me.
Thanks, I am sure we will enjoy Frank's early retirement!

>86 Owltherian: Hi Lily, how are you today?

>87 LovingLit: It seems to be everywhere, Megan.
Our system is even worse, public healthcare is no more. Health insurance became mandatory for everyone (low incomes get some compensation), and basicly the health insurance companies rule all. I suspect the wrong thyroid level test I got is a few bucks cheaper...
We switched to a small non-profit healthcare provider a few years back, as they are the only one who still try to go against the system.

>88 charl08: Thank you, Charlotte, it is a big relief.
Yesterday he filled the papers for early retirement, so all is settled for it now. I had to co-sign, as it also involved a slightly less pension for me, about 10 euro a month, in case Frank deceases before me.
As I said above to Megan, it got even worse here, no more public healthcare left.
We used to have something like the NHS for everyone up to a certain amount of income. The low income group payed a small percentage for it. The higher income group had to take care of their health insurance by them selves, as they found that small percentage WAY to much, and could get their health care for much less with insurance...

>89 humouress: Thank you, Nina, we hope so too!
Upping the meds give a slight increase in my energy levels.

>90 FAMeulstee: I'm doing better than yesterday in terms of cramps at this moment, and its Friday.

>92 Owltherian: Glad today is better, Lily. Friday is almost weekend :-)

Mhm, although i sadly ended up forgetting to change my pad this morning so i have to wait to change it, and my next class doesnt allow people to go to the bathroom anymore.

>94 Owltherian: Sorry for that, Lily, maybe between classes?
I remember having heavy cramps, and feeling lousy overall, from my younger years. I am glad those days are over for me!

Possibly, but 4 minutes is not nearly enough time to do all of that

>96 Owltherian: Sorry, I was away from my computer for a while, Lily, and I don't have a mobile phone.
I hope you got to change your pad by now!

>97 FAMeulstee: Yeah, i changed my pad before i got lunch, my advisory teacher doesnt let anyone go to the bathroom sadly so i had to wait forever

Congratulations to Frank on his retirement!!
I don't think I'll ever get to retire, not quite old enough yet, but some friends younger than me are retiring and it sure is tempting, but can't afford it.

*smooch*

I hate how schools don't let people go to the bathroom. That's not even healthy.

yeah, and either way we cant go to the bathroom 10 minutes at the start of class and at the end

Congratulations to Frank on his retirement, Anita. I'm glad he was able to do that, and that he will be home with you. What a big relief for both of you. I would agree that a shortage of health care workers seems to be global issue. I have a doctor and so does Dave, but am I keen about him ? No. But many people can't find a GP at all, so you take what you can get. Dave is retired on March 21 st of this year, so not long for him to keep working either. But he was 67 this past December, so it's not a early retirement for him.

I'm glad your energy levels are improving.

>103 vancouverdeb: It is a global issue. For decades, third world countries have been losing their healthcare workers to first world countries because the pay, for them, is better but isn't enough to tempt the first world citizens. In South Korea at the moment doctors are on strike because they're overworked and underpaid (and, really, would you want to be seen by a doctor who's not slept in 48 hours?) so the government is threatening to strike them from the register and take legal action. I mean, I can see both sides there. It's all a mess.

>98 Owltherian: Can't understand why teachers would keep you from going to the bathroom, Lily.

>99 hredwards: Thank you, Harold!
We never thought early retirement for Frank would be affordable, but then it became necessary because of my present condition, and we found a way. You never know how these things work out eventually. My brother always said he would retire early (and could afford it back then), now past retirement age he is still working part-time.

>100 richardderus: Thank you, Richrad dear!
*smooch*

>101 The_Hibernator: Completey agree with you, Rachel. It wasn't like that way back when I went to school.

>102 Owltherian: That is weird, Lily, do you know why this is?

>103 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deborah, we are both very happy about it.
Health care in general, and especialy the shortage of health care professionals, seems to be everywhere. I had way to many different GPs through the years, and this is now the 4th time I have a set back due to shortage of thyroid hormones. I must say, the previous set backs were not as bad as this one, more in the range of needing half a tablet more to get back in shape.
So in Canda retirement age is now also 67 and three months, like here?

>104 humouress: It is a sad world, Nina, where rich countries can buy the health care workers from poor countries, leaving the poor countries without proper health care.
The South Korean story sounds like a health care emergency/nightmare...

And I finally finished the last book of my library batch from early February!
1968 by Jan Guillou was a good read, a review will follow soon.

For the first time in years I had no next book ready to go. Even took a while before I decided on what to read next. Then I saw an Asterix book mentioned on one of the threads and decided to continue my re-read of the Asterix books (first two I had read again in 2019 and 2021), so I started Asterix and the Goths today.
I also got The Weeping Girl, the next Van Veeteren book, from the e-library.

>108 FAMeulstee: Irksomely, 1968 has not been Englished...yet, maybe; though his Crusader books that *were* translated did not do all that well. *sigh*

Happy weekend, Anita.

>109 richardderus: I read the first one (and have the other two) as one of my picks for my historical fiction book group. Enjoyed it enough that I featured it on my bookstore's social media feed in a photo along with some SCA-flirtation bling. I am not, however, an Influencer.

>110 ReneeMarie: I think Influencers largely felt that the stories had Been Done, and that is the kiss of Death in publishing. This, despite the fact that ALL stories have Been Done ten trillion times!

>111 richardderus: Are you saying there is nothing new under the sun? :-D

>112 ReneeMarie: Well, it wouldn't be the first time ;0)

>112 ReneeMarie: see >113 humouress:

>109 richardderus: I know how it feels, Richard dear, seeing a book you would like that isn't translated.
This is the seventh book in a series of ten. I haven't read his Crusades books, might get to them someday.
Happy weekend!

>110 ReneeMarie: So more enthousiasm for The Crusades Trilogy, thanks Renee.

>111 richardderus: Indeed, and still each time from a different angle or point of view :-)

>112 ReneeMarie: You are right! :-D

>113 humouress: Certainly not, Nina.

>114 richardderus: Still in agreement ;-)

And now for someting completely different.
Since we have no pets around anymore, and I need a lot of comforting at the moment, I turned to my stuffed pets. In the 1990s I got two beautiful Steiff rabbits, never used them, they were at the top of the bookcase upstairs.

The one on the left now keeps me company at night, the other is with me at the couch in de livingroom.
 

When we were in Berlin in 2019, I bought a beautiful stuffed baby hare by Kösen, small enough to sit on my hand, or to take with me in my handbag. And yesterday a next Kösen arrived, the bear cub on the left. These two are even more life like than the Steiff. Both are sitting next to me on the couch, I put them on my lap when needed. Surprisingly they do have a calming and comforting effect.


I have an eye on one more larger Kösen bear.
I'll have to save some in the next months and then I might add it to my comforting bunch:

>116 FAMeulstee: What a great, sweet idea, to have such beautiful stuffed animals around you! I’ll remember that idea.

I hope your weekend is going well! Grace and peace to you!

Karen O

>116 FAMeulstee: Oh Anita I am smitten! Those are such good companions. I will take a picture of a few of mine left over from when our kids were little but they are now part of my life!

>117 klobrien2: Thank you, Karen!
I was surprised how well it worked for me. I hope it can be useful for you in some way.
The weekend is going well, thanks.

>118 mdoris: Thank you, Mary, they are very good companions. And more immune to stress than living pets ;-)
I would love to see your left over stuffed animals. Which reminds me, I also have my old stuffed elephant, almost bald from cuddling. I will take a picture of it tomorrow.

Thanks for sharing your bear and rabbits, Anita.

>116 FAMeulstee: What a great idea. I hope they are providing some comfort and are aiding in reducing your anxiety. I have to admit that the larger Kosen bear looks quite cuddleable!

>116 FAMeulstee: Such lovely stuffed animals! Before we had dogs I often kept a squishy Gund bear around for petting. All the flocking on the nose rubbed off.

Those are very cute stuffed animals, Anita. I don't have any on my bed right now, but I used to have one in particular, a red flat sort of rabbit that I enjoyed having a cuddle with when times were rough. I still have our dog Poppy, and she is fairly cuddly, though not always.

In Canada, retirement age is 65 , but it is gradually changing to age 67 in 2029. Dave wasn't ready to retire at 65, and it has improved our government pension and his company pension to work for longer. But last October, he was just so tired after work , I suggested to him that it might be best to retire, and so then he got that in motion. He's really looking forward to it. Just a 7 more work days or so for him.

>104 humouress: That doctor strike and the hours they work in South Korea sounds horrendous, Nina.

I hope you decide to do a puzzle, Anita. People tell me that they are relaxing, and I find that sometimes they are, but sometimes they can be frustrating too.

Hi Anita! I’m new to 75 group. I love your stuffed animals. I also surround myself with stuffed animals. And for the first time in over 35 years, we don’t have a pet.

>120 Kristelh: Thanks, Kristel, the pleasure is mine :-)

>121 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita, I am finding more and more creative ways to deal with my present condition.
I might get the large Kösen, if I still think I need it, when we are back from our vacation.

>122 quondame: Thank you, Susan. The image of plush rubbed of the nose made me smile :-)
I will show my nearly bald elephant later today.

>123 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deborah, I never thought I would use them this way. I got them because I fell in love with each of them, and they were just being pretty at the top on the bookcases upstairs.
Live animals, like Poppy, don't always want to be cuddled. The stuffed ones don't care. Some of our dogs from the past were stable enough to take care of me in difficult times, some others preferred Franks company, when I had a bad time.
Over here retirement age used to be 65, but it was gradually prolonged. Now it is 67 and three months, for those born in 1961. Six years before retirement age you will know the date for sure, and five years before early retirement becomes available.
It sounds like Dave took the right decision. Does it feel weird that he only has 7 days of work to go?

>124 dianeham: Welcome on my thread, Diane, I just left a message on yours.
We lost our last dog at the end of 2017, after 35 years of having one or more around. I never thought I could live without, as I suffered from agoraphobia for nearly 20 years, and only dared to leave the house in company of the dogs, or my husband. But the phobia went away, and when the last dog died we decided to give it a try. We adapted to being dogless, and life is still good. It is a bit easier to go away without a dog around. And I certainly don't miss the morning walks at rainy days ;-)

Edited to correct some misspellings, happens a lot lately.

Anita , yes , it does feel weird that Dave is going to retire after 6 more workdays. When we married , I was working full time , and he was laid off from work . But he worked full time since about 18 months after we married, and he has worked shift work all his life. The past 10 or so years , he has worked 10.5 hour days, 5 on , 5 off and all of a sudden he will be home full time . We will have more time to see our grandchildren, which is great, and Dave will no longer have to work holidays , like Christmas, Easter etc . But it is going to be different having home all day, every day . But he has hobbies and likes to stay busy , so I think it will be fine. I’ll let you know soon. 😉

>128 vancouverdeb: At least you had some time to get used to the idea of Dave retiring, Deborah. Working shifts his whole working life sounds like a lot. I hope you both adapt easily to the new situation. I am sure I will read about the changes at your thread.

Here it was all very sudden. Frank did have some reservations about changes at his work in the last years, so we were already talking about retiring early, one or two years from now. But then my sudden separation anxiety changed all, and now he is home forever.

And here he is, Flapoor (Flopear) the stuffed elephant, companion of my youth. He is old, lost most of his plush from cuddling. Lost his left eye, it is loosely sewed back. If I remember well, his mouth was also repaired more than once.
He got his name because you can flop his ears, ears up on the photo's left and right, ears down at the middle picture.

  

Wonderful pictures, Anita - and wonderful that you found something that helps you.

>130 FAMeulstee: Can see he is much loved!

>116 FAMeulstee: I'm so glad you have fur-friends for comfort. I'm sure they love the attention too.

Hi Anita! I am so sorry you are dealing with anxiety. I've had bouts with steriod-induced anxiety attacks, and it's such a horrible feeling. Adrian sends his best, and he wishes that he lived close enough to drop in for a nice visit with you. It would be so good for both of you!

>131 SirThomas: Thank you, Thomas, I need every help I can get, or can think of.

>132 mdoris: Indeed, Mary, for years and years!

>133 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba. Not completely sure about the last, but would like to think so ;-)

>134 cbl_tn: Thank you, Carrie, it is horrible. I am very sorry you know how it feels.
I wish so too, a visit from Adrian would be very comforting. Give him a hug from me!

>130 FAMeulstee: very sweet, Anita! Obviously he was much loved.
It’s good you found something that will help you.

When I have a bad day I like to watch animal videos, (on Twitter). Last one I saw was mama Panda bear cuddling her tiny youngster. That gives me a boost.

>130 FAMeulstee: Flopear is such a dear.

I'm glad you have your stuffies for comfort! I still have several of mine, including Sally, a tan-colored dog who was my main comfort object when I was little. Mine all reside up high, because Lottie would have no mercy (judging by how she treats her own toys).

>116 FAMeulstee: Oh, I love your stuffed companions, especially the Kösen hare. I'm so glad that they bring you such comfort! I always loved stuffed bunnies when I was a child, and I still have many of them.

>137 EllaTim: Thank you, Ella, Flapoor is no part of the present comforting bunch, afraid he would loose his last hairs.
I never go to Twitter, but I might find some on YouTube. Thanks for the suggestion.

>138 quondame: Thank you, Susan, and good looking for a 57 year old ;-)

>139 foggidawn: Thank you, Foggi, so nice you still have Sally.
When we still had dogs, mine were all on the top of the bookcases upstairs, for the same reason.

>140 atozgrl: Thank you, Irene, I never heard of Kösen until I saw that hare in Berlin five years ago. It was in the shop window, but the shop was closed, so we came back the next day to get it.
Glad to know you also still have many stuffies around.

>108 FAMeulstee: >109 richardderus: I am with Richard on this one. Too bad that 1968 has not been translated.

>116 FAMeulstee: My daughter Catey is one who finds stuffed animals to be of comfort. I am glad that they work their magic on you too, Anita!

>130 FAMeulstee: Oh, he is still a beauty after all these years :)

I hope you have a calm, relaxing, terrific Tuesday!

>142 FAMeulstee: I had never heard of Kösen until your mention right here on this thread. It looks like they make wonderful stuffed critters!

>143 alcottacre: 1968 is part of a series, Stasia, covering a century mainly set in Sweden. Sadly no English translation yet. Ihope to get to my review tomorrow.
Glad to know Catey also finds comfort with her stuffies. How is she doing?
Yes, he is, filled with good memories :-)

Thank you, wishing you the same!

>144 atozgrl: Glad to have intoduced Kösen to you, Irene.
They originate from former East-Germany, so only became a bit better known after Germany was reunited.

book 27: 1968 by Jan Guillou
library, translated from Swedish, no English translation, 349 pages
TIOLI Challenge #12: Read a book that is set or was published in the 1960s

De grote eeuw book 7
Again we follow Eric, a grandson of Oskar. He finished his study at university, and wants to be a lawyer. He is active in leftist groups, protesting against the war in Vietnam, and wants to help American soldiers, looking for refuge in Sweden.
He applies at the office of the only leftwing lawyer in Stockholm, on his advice he ends up in a more commercial law firm, as he can learn way more there. Eric is multi-lingual, he speaks Swedish, French, German and English. Because of this he is send to Germany to follow a case against pharma, who knowingly went on with a drug that caused serious misformings in babies. There will be a similair case soon in Sweden. The drug is recognisable as Thalidomide, but has an other name, use and circumstances are slightly different. Eventually Eric plays a large part in the court case.

No translation of title needed ;-)

book 28: Asterix en de Gothen by A. Uderzo & R. Goscinny
own, translated from French, comic, English translation Asterix and the Goths, 48 pages
TIOLI Challenge #12: Read a book that is set or was published in the 1960s

Asterix book 3
Asterix and Obelix accompany the druid Panoramix (Getafix in English) to the yearly druid meeting. Meanwhile some Goths have crossed the border, to kidnap the winner of the druid competition to their own advantage. When our heros go after the kidnapped druid, the Romans in between both parties have a hard time.

Fun read, and quick, even at my present reading speed :-)

English and Dutch title are the same

book 29: Asterix en de gladiatoren by A. Uderzo & R. Goscinny
own, translated from French, comic, English translation Asterix the Gladiator, 48 pages
TIOLI Challenge #3: Read a book that has either the numbers 03, 14, or 62 (each in the respective order) in its ISBN number

Asterix book 4
Asterix and Obelix have to rescue the local bard Assurancetourix (Cacofonix in English), who is taken to Rome as a present for Ceasar. To get to the bard, they get themselves hired as gladiators.

Fun read, and quick, even at my present reading speed :-)

Dutch title translated: Asterix and the gladiators

>148 FAMeulstee: You make me want to do a reread, Anita! Fun, how those names are different in the English translations.

Your stuffed animals are lovely, Anita! I do like my cuddly friends even now I have a real cat of my own.

I loved the Asterix books when I was young. We borrowed them from the library but I wish I'd owned copies.

>149 EllaTim: Asterix is always fun, Ella. And a good way to get me reading again.
I think the names are different in all languages. For clarity I added the English names.

>150 Sakerfalcon: Thank you, Claire!
Good to know you also have some stuffed friends around.
I have all Asterix books up to book 29, so there might be more to come.

Read, not yet reviewed, still going strong with Asterix:
#30: Asterix en de ronde van Gallia (Asterix and the Banquet) by Goscinny & Uderzo
#31: Wildwest in Siberië by Karl May
#32: Asterix en Cleopatra (Asterix and Cleopatra) by Goscinny & Uderzo
#33: Asterix en de kampioen (Asterix and the Big Fight) by Goscinny & Uderzo
#34: De dode op het strand (The Weeping Girl) by Håkan Nesser

Reading now:
Ideen : vierde bundel by Mutatuli
Asterix en de Britten (Asterix in Britain) by Goscinny & Uderzo

Your stuffed animals are cute Anita!

I very rarely bought any myself (once, for boarding school and a couple for the kids) but we were given loads by other people for the kids. I feel guilty about giving them up, so they tend to collect in the house - but they suspiciously disappear when I take an overseas trip without my husband :0/ And none of my childhood toys are around, because we've packed and moved so many times.

Congratulations on Frank’s immediate retirement Anita.

Love your furry friends.

Hope you feel better soon. Cx

>153 humouress: Thank you, Nina, they are :-)
Sorry yours disappear, are they all gone?
Flopear is the only one surviving since childhood, I also had some dolls (never liked those) and a small yellowish bear. That bear was called Paris, as it came from Paris after my parents took a short trip there.

>154 Caroline_McElwee: Thank you, Caroline, it was a big relief that Frank could quit immediately.
Thanks and thanks. Since my collaps eary February, I have nearly upped my thyroid meds with the amount the GP allowed. Resulting in slightly less fatigue, and reducing the panic attacks. For next steps I will have to wait for my appointment with the endocrinologist in May.

Hi Anita, Any chance of getting on a cancellation list so you could possibly be seen sooner than May with the endocrinologist? Wouldn't hurt to ask!

>156 mdoris: I could do so, Mary, but it would make no sense. To get reliable thyroid test results, I need to be at the same dose for at least 6 weeks. I got to my present amount of thyroid meds two days ago, and six weeks later is Saturday April 27th. So only a few days earlier would be possible.
I need to pause anyway for at least a month, to give my body a break. Going up is hard work for body and mind. That is why it needs to be done in small steps. Going up 0,025 mg since February 6th was rather fast, and was only possible because the dose was way to low. From previous experiences I would say that the next 0,025 mg up will take at least twice that time.

Thank you Anita. Your explanation makes complete sense! i am sorry that it will take so long to get to the optimal level.

>158 mdoris: Asking is always good, Mary, and I am always glad to answer. I really appriciate that you try to think along with me.
Yes, it does take a very long time. When my thyroid problem was first found, back in 2011, it took almost 2 years before I got to the right amount of thyroid meds to get rid of the anxiety, panic attacks and phobia's. At that time it came as a big surprise, as I had no idea about the possible relation between those and low thyroid.

book 30: Asterix en de ronde van Gallia by Goscinny & Uderzo
own, translated from French, comic, English translation Asterix and the Banquet, 48 pages
TIOLI Challenge #12: Read a book that is set or was published in the 1960s

Asterix book 5
A bet with the Romans make Asterix and Obelix traveling through Gallia. The Romans try to stop them, but they get a lot of help from locals. On their way a little dog follows them, in the next book he will get his name: Idefix.

Fun read, and quick, even at my present reading speed :-)

Dutch title translated: Asterix and the round of Gallia

book 31: Wildwest in Siberië by Karl May
own, translated from German, no English translation, 320 pages

Deutsche Herzen - Deutsche Helden book 4
The final book about the Adlerhorst family. Three brothers and a sister where scattered over the earth, and eventually find eachother back after many years. The last brother is in Siberia, together with his foster father. Convicted, and exiled because of a mix up with real villains.
With of course, a happy end.

Title translated: Wildwest in Siberia

book 32: Asterix en Cleopatra by Goscinny & Uderzo
own, translated from French, comic, English translation Asterix and Cleopatra, 48 pages
TIOLI Challenge #12: Read a book that is set or was published in the 1960s

Asterix book 6
Ceasar and Cleopatra quarrel about the present greatness of Egypt. Ceasar argues that Egypt once was a great nation, Cleopatra claims it still is. She will prove it by building a palace in three months. The architect Tekenis (Edifis in English) has to build it. He once met Panoramix years ago, so he goes there for help. Asterix, Obelix, and Idefix go to Egypt to help out.

One of my favorites, lots of fun , and I love Cleopatra :-)

Dutch title translated: Asterix and the round of Gallia

book 33: Asterix en de kampioen by Goscinny & Uderzo
own, translated from French, comic, English translation Asterix and the Big Fight, 48 pages
TIOLI Challenge #12: Read a book that is set or was published in the 1960s

Asterix book 7
The Romns have anew plan to occupy the smal Gaul village. A Roman friendly leader of an other village wil challenge Abraracourcix (Vitalstatistix in English). Meanwhile they will kidnap the druid, so the other leader will win the match.

Not the best, but still amusing.

Dutch title translated: Asterix and the champion

>160 FAMeulstee: Ah, this is in preparation for your own trip, is it? ;0)

I get a good giggle out of the names of the characters in the English versions of Asterix and the puns they make. It's interesting to see how different they are in other languages. Do the Dutch versions keep the same names as the original French?

>164 humouress: Of course, Nina :-)

Some names are in Dutch the same as in French, mostly the regular inhabitants of the village have kept their French names.. Some others are translated into a Dutch version, to keep the pun.

Yesterday we tried a longer walk with our backpacks, in preparation for our vacation. We walked a little over 8 km, rested twice, and it all went well, I was tired, not exhausted. So that turned out well.
Today we will pack, and we will leave tomorrow.

book 34: De dode op het strand by Håkan Nesser
library, e-book, translated from Swedish, English translation The Weeping Girl, 372 pages
TIOLI Challenge #5: Read a book where there is at least one embedded word of 3 letters or more in the author’s name

Van Veeteren book 8
Ewa Moreno is about to go on holiday, but first she has to interrogate a criminal in a city near her holiday destination. He has some information he only wants to share with a female police officer. On her way she meets a girl in the train, who is about to meet her real father for the very first time. Her father is in a mental hospital, since being accused to have murdered a young girl. When this girl goes missing, Ewa spends the rest of her holiday helping out with this case.

Dutch title translated: The dead on the beach

book 35: Asterix en de Britten by Goscinny & Uderzo
own, translated from French, comic, English translation Asterix in Britain, 48 pages
TIOLI Challenge #12: Read a book that is set or was published in the 1960s

Asterix book 8
After the Romans have invaded Britain, one small village resists. They are loosing the fight, so help is needed. Notax (Anticlimax in English) goes to the well known village in Gallia, and Asterix and Obelix (without Idefix) cross the sea with a barrel of the potion.

A lot of fun is made about British habits :-)

Dutch title translated: Asterix and the Brits

book 36: Dodo by Mohana van den Kroonenberg
library, e-book, Dutch, YA, DGV100, no translations, 180 pages
TIOLI Challenge #4: One Word; Many Syllables -- read a book whose title has only a single polysyllabic word

The first day at high school is disastrous for Dorian. He is shy and stutters, and when everyone has to introduce themselves, he never gets past the fist syllabe of his name Do-Do-, and so he gets his nickname. A few days later the class goes to a museum, where Dorian sees a dodo. He makes a young dodo into an imaginary friend, and desides not to talk anymore.
Eventually his parents and a good friend from primary school get through, and Dorian breaks the silence.

A it over the top, and not a believable story. Writing could be better too.

Title probably doesn't need translation ;-)

Hi Anita! Happy Thursday to you and Frank as you complete the last of the Pieterpad.

>60 FAMeulstee: I did not realize Frank suffers from CFS. Knowing Stasia suffers from it to has helped me to understand what a burden it is. Congratulations on his early retirement. I’m so glad the decision is behind you both.

>62 FAMeulstee: Yay for the May 3rd appointment with the endocrinologists.

>84 FAMeulstee: Wow. Two months for notice, 2.5+ hours of vacation and extra hours. Fantastic.

>116 FAMeulstee: I love your Steiff rabbits, Kösen bear cub and baby rabbit and completely understand the need for comfort. I keep a Winnie The Pooh I bought at Disneyland in the 1980s with me on the bed and also have a Beanie Baby Aardvark named Ants who helps prop my Kindle when I’m reading in bed.

Sweet Thursday, Anita. I hope you are both doing well. Have a good time completing your Pieterpad walk.

Enjoy your vacation and completion of the Pieterpad walk. Hope weather is enjoyable, verses a challenge.

Hallo Anita! I’ll miss seeing you, of course, but y'all Pieterpad well this coming week!

>166 FAMeulstee: Sounds like a great day. "Tired" but "not exhausted" is exactly how one should feel at the end of a walking day in my opinion :) What a lovely way to celebrate your husband's retirement and to find some peace yourself. Enjoy.

>170 karenmarie: Thank you, Karen, we are looking forward to finish the Pieterpad. We were not sure we would get this far when we started.
Yes, that is why his small two nights a week job was as much as he could do. CFS is a nasty disease, it isn't as bad as it was at first, but Frank still has to be careful not to overdo. He officially will stop working halfway May, which feels a bit odd, as he doesn't have to work anymore, but still is employed. His early retirement starts June 1st.
Thanks, I love my stuffed aninimals, and glad to know you have Winnie on your bed. I never thought so many of us have some around.

>171 msf59: Thank you, Mark, I am getting used to have Frank at home forever :-)
Thanks, I am sure we will have a good time.

>172 Kristelh: Thank you, Kristel, we will.
Weather forecast is mixed, starting with two chilly and rainy days, the other days should be dry. We have good rainsuits to cover the rainy days. Next Thursday could be rainy again, so we might try to do 8 km a day and finish in five days instead of six. We will see if I can manage in my present condition.

>173 richardderus: Thank you, Richard dear. I will miss you all too!

>174 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba. It was a good test for next week. The last part of the Pieterpad wasn't planned to celebrate Frank's retirement, but I am glad it turned out this way. I am sure we will enjoy!

Anita wishing you and Frank a wonderful hiking trip away! Enjoy.

>178 mdoris: Thank you, Mary, I am sure we will enjoy!

--
See you all next week :-)

Enjoy your hiking trip, Anita and Frank! Thanks for the lovely retirement wishes to Dave and I , and the same to you and Frank!

>166 FAMeulstee: Glad you were able to complete a longer walk with less exertion. Hope you have a wonderful trip with sunny skies :)

Have a wonderful trip, Anita & Frank!

Hope the trip goes well Anita. Fingers crossed for sunshine.

Wishing you a good trip Anita. We had mixed sun and showers here, so can be tricky. But should make for nice pictures!

Anita, I also find comfort in having a few stuffed animals around. I have a small Steiff bear and a much bigger tiger that I got as a child when we lived in Germany. The tiger had to ride on my lap on our trip back to the U.S. but it was worth it.

So sorry that you and Frank are both having health issues. It's wonderful that he can retire early and be of help to you. Enjoy your hiking trip. Listen to your body and don't get overtired.

Anita, I hope you and Frank are having a wonderful trip, finishing your walk on the Pieterpad. I hope you are not getting much rain and that the rest of the trip will be clear. As Donna said, do listen to your body and don't overdo.

Hi Anita--Hope you and Frank have a fantastic time on your walk! I am so impressed. : ) And glad that Frank gets to retire soon -- wishing you both happiness as you learn to share the housing together all the time. LOL

I have been away from my laptop and LT for the month so am just getting around to wish everyone a happy new thread! I hope you are enjoying your walk. I still do a bit of work but mostly from home. Bob and I figured we could get along at home together after spending two months in a small motor home on a road trip! I know you will enjoy having Frank at home.

Hoping your Pieterpadding is going well.

Anita, I hope you and Frank are having a wonderful time on your trip.

I am so so sorry to read about the continuing thyroid problems and the lost records (!). I hope your appointment in May goes smoothly and you can find the help you need and deserve.

Hi Anita my dear, a belated Happy New Thread. I am so far behind through a lack of time to come on here my dear. I hope that you and Frank are well and we both send love and hugs to both of you dear friend.

Enjoy your vacation Anita.

Hi Anita! You must nearly have finished the Pieterpad by now and will be home soon. I hope the weather has been good for walking. It must feel like quite an achievement! What are you going to follow it up with though? :0)

Just stopping by to say hi, Anita, and hoping that you and Frank are having a wonderful holiday.

Thanks everyone, we are back home.
We had a wonderful, although very muddy, time at the Pieterpad. Here a picture of us at the end, taken by a nice couple, who arrived there a few minutes later. We took pictures of eachother :-)



More pictures will follow, probably at the top of my next thread.

I am happy for you both - Happy Easter!
I'm looking forward to the pictures.

Happy Saturday, Anita. Love the photo of you two. Glad you had a nice time in Pieterpad.

Well done! Hope you are basking in the sense of accomplishment. Lovely photo too.

>195 FAMeulstee: Congratulations on completing the Pieterpad! That's a great accomplishment. I'm glad you had such a good time.

Welcome back! And well done with your Pieterpad project!

I'm glad you Pieterpading went well and you are now back enjoying the comforts and connections of home!

I am very behind, Anita, only just making it to this thread! Congrats on Frank's retirement, and hooray that you got the appointment you needed. Lovely picture in >195 FAMeulstee:!

>180 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deborah, we did enjoy our trip. And glad we are back home now :-)

>181 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita, it was a good try out for our trip.
We had few sunny skies, some rain, and a lot of ankle deep mud on the trails. Despite all this we had a good time!

>182 SirThomas: Thank you, Thomas, we had a wonderful time. And glad we made it to the end of the Pieterpad.

>183 charl08: Thank you, Charlotte, it went well. We walked it in 5 days, I managed to do 8 km a day :-)
Not much sun, mostly clouded. A lot of rain in the days before we came, covering some trails with a lot of mud, especially in the dales. My muscles are still in protest against going up and down the hills.

>184 EllaTim: We had a good time, Ella. First two days some rain, next three days (almost) dry, so not bad for the time of year. Most pictures taken on the dry days.

>185 Donna828: It is nice to find out so many here share my love for stuffed animals, Donna. Glad you have your Steiff bear and big tiger still around.
We both have our health issues for a long time, and are used to take care of eachother, when needed. We were glad to find out it was possible for Frank to retire early, and it is good to have hime home.
We had a good time on our trip, and took rests when needed. Most times we found a bench in time, other times we used our walking stools. I only still feel my muscles in protest to the hilly roads, we are flatlanders, and not used to walk in the hills. Ou first walk back home felt so good! :-)

>186 atozgrl: Thank you, Irene, we are proud to have finished the Pieterpad!
We had rain the first two days, our rain suits did their job well. And so did our waterproof walking shoes, some parts of the way were through ankle deep mud... We took a break every three kilometer (about 2 miles), and managed to walk 8 km a day.

>187 Berly: Thank you, Kim, we managed to finish our walk. Never thought we would make it, when we started back in 2020. No problems sharing the house, we have done that for years. Between 1995 and 2007 we were both home fulltime, because of our bad health. It wasn't easy in the first years, got easier in the later years. So I am confident we will adapt again :-)

>188 witchyrichy: Thank you, Karen, glad to see a message from you on my thread!
We had a good time walking in the south of our counrty.
As I said to Kim above ^, we have spended years together at home, so I am sure we will manage again. Frank only worked two nights a week, and had a monthly meeting in the afternoon once a month. But I am glad he can be with me fulltime now, as my panic attacks when he left for work were bad. He already considered retiring in one or two years, so it is just a little earlier.

>189 richardderus: Thank you, Richard dear, it did. You made me smile with 'Pieterpadding' ;-)

>190 streamsong: Thank you, Janet, we had a wonderful time. And happy we finished the Pieterpad trail.
Thanks re the continuing thyroid troubles. It is sad that bad tests caused it. Upping the dose a bit makes it a bit easier, I am not as bad in shape as I was early February. Still a long way to get back where I was. I hope the appointment with the endocrinologist can clear it all.

>191 johnsimpson: Thank you, John, love and hugs to you and Karen.
A lot going on here, Frank retiring early, and I have thyroid problems again, because of wrong testing.
Just back from walking the last part of the Pieterpad trail (over 500 km from the north of our country to the furthest south), that we started in March 2020.

>206 FAMeulstee: Congratulations on finishing the Pieterpad Trail. That is some achievement!

>192 Caroline_McElwee: Thank you, Caroline, we did!

>193 humouress: Thank you, Nina, we finished on Wednesday, March 27th at 4:08 PM.
The weather was well enough, rain the first two days, mostly dry the next three days. Yes, it does feel good to have madeit, also a bit odd that it is done now. In November we will starte with the Drenthpad, a trail through the province of Drenthe, only 340 km (the Pieterpad was over 500 km). That will keep us walking for the next vacations ;-)

>194 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deborah, we had a good time at the last part of the Pieterpad.
And it is also good to be back home.

>196 SirThomas: Thank you, Thomas, happy Easter!
Pictures will come soon :-)

>197 msf59: Thank you, Mark, happy and a bit tired at the picture.
Glad we finished the Pieterpad trail, we didn't expect to walk it all, when we started back in 2020 ;-)

>198 charl08: Thank you, Charlotte!
Yes we are, and a slight feel of emptiness that comes when such an accomplishment is done. The end of our first long distance trail...
But already plans for the next trail, starting the Drenthepad in November!

>199 atozgrl: Thank you, Irene, very happy we made it :-)
It is a nice way to spend our vacations. And perfect that our friend Guido goes with us. He drives us to our starting point, and picks us up at the end of our walk. This way we can plan our walks each day as far as we want.

>200 humouress: Thank you, Nina. Glad we made it, and good to be back home.

>201 quondame: Thank you, Susan. It was good to be away, and indeed as the Dutch saying 'East, West, Home Best'!

>202 curioussquared: Thank you, Nathalie. A lot has happened in the last weeks. Thanks re Frank's retirement, the photo, and I hope the appointment at the endocrinologist will bring some relief.

>207 SandDune: Thank you, Rhian, we are happy to have finished our first long-distance trail!
I hope there will be more to come.

It was the first time I could take a picture of our friend Guido, our faithful companion and driver at our Pieterpad adventures. Taken from a large distance, Guido and Frank.

Congratulations on finishing the Pieterpad, Anita. And kudos for finishing through such a muddy, and probably also very slippery trail!

Nice pictures as well!

>214 EllaTim: Thank you, Ella!
Frank slipped twice, but stayed on his feet. Once I got almost stuck in the mud with one foot. One time we took a paved road around a very muddy and steep hill, it was a bit further, but we didn't dare to go up there. The maps in the Pieterpad book are very detailed, so alternatives can be easy found.
On a very narrow path, hill on the left and barbed wire on the right, we had a family of four coming from the other side. It took some time to pass eachother.

Nice to hear that everything went well on the Pieterpad. I'm glad to know that Frank was able to retire and is now steadily by your side. That gives you the support you need to get well again.
Have a great Easter Sunday.

>215 FAMeulstee: Gosh, I thought you were just walking (a very long way) but you had adventures, too.

Y'all all look so happy! The trip was clearly a resounding success, so all the YAY. *smooch* for a great April's reading.

>216 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara, it was nice to be able to finish the Pieterpad. Way less kilometers a day than previous times, still more than I thoughtI could.
We were both happy with Frank's retirement, it was a bit sudden.
Happy Easter!

>217 humouress: LOL, Nina! Most of the Pieterpad goes over unpaved paths, some very narrow. And a lot of mud this time, worse than we ever had before.

>218 richardderus: Thank you, Richard dear. It was a happy day when we finished :-)
Reading is still difficult, March numbers are even worse than February... So no expectations for April.
*smooch*

book 37: Asterix en de Noormannen by Goscinny & Uderzo
own, translated from French, comic, English translation Asterix and the Normans, 48 pages
TIOLI Challenge #12: Read a book that is set or was published in the 1960s

Asterix book 9
Normans sail out to find fear. They don't know it, and it is said fear gives wings. Arriving at the coast near the well known village they start their quest.
Meanwhile Hippix (Justforkix in English) a nephew of Abraracourcix (Vitalstatistix in English), the leader of the village, has arrived for a short stay. Hippix is a modern adolescent, who looks down at old ways. When he sees the Normans at the beach, he flees in fear...

English and Dutch title are the same

book 38: De elandparadox by Antti Tuomainen
library, translated from Finnish, English translation The Moose Paradox, 270 pages
TIOLI Challenge #5: Read a book where there is at least one embedded word of 3 letters or more in the author’s name

Henri Koskinen book 2
Former actuary Henri Koskinen keeps calculatng chances in the adventure park, that he enherited from his brother. Times are difficult, and he really needs the new Moose Chute to keep it going. But the company that sells the Moose Chute, doesn't want to sell it, and delivers an other attraction instead...

Again a funny, and very odd crime novel I enjoyed. Looking forward to Henri's next adventures in The Beaver Theory.

English and Dutch title are the same

book 39: Pieterpad deel II: Vorden-Maastricht by Toos Goorhuis and Bertje Jens
own, non-fiction, Dutch, no English translation, 208 pages

With finishing the Pieterpad, I also finished this book again.

This is our second copy of this guidebook, that describes the southern half of the Pieterpad in words and with maps. This one was teared apart, so I could only take the few needed pages with me each day.
Each stage is divided in 3 or 4 parts, with the map on the left page and the description of the route on the right page. Special sight seeings are marked on the map, and described next to the route descripten, or in a few case on seperate pages.
Although the Pieterpad is almost everywhere well marked with the white/red markings, on a few occasions it wasn't, and there we had to rely on the pages from the book.

We walked the 13 stages (263,3 km) in 24 days, started on March 19th, 2022, finished on March 27th, 2024.
We got used to take drinks and food in my backpack, and now Frank carries the Walking Stools, so we no longer have to depend on the benches we find on our way.

Title translated: Pieterpath part II: Vorden - Maastricht

book 40: Mus & kapitein Kwaadbaard en de 5 slangen by Kevin Hassing
library, e-book, Dutch, YA, DGV100, no English translation, 240 pages
TIOLI Challenge #5: Read a book where there is at least one embedded word of 3 letters or more in the author’s name

Mus (Sparrow) is an orphan, living in Zeeburgerdam. One day pirates arrive and take the city. Mus escapes to get help. She has a hard time to find Captain Kwaadbaard (Angrybeard), the only one who can save the city. And it is ever harder to persue him to help out.

Nice adventure story, with a girl as main character. Found onthe second edition of 'De Grote Vriendelijke 100' (The Great Friendly 100), a list with best childrens and YA books.

Title translated: Sparrow and captain Angrybeard and the 5 snakes

And the last book in March brings me to 3,333 books read since 2008!

March 2024 in numbers
  (Totals for the year between brackets)

14 books read, 2,275 pages, 73.4 pages a day
  (40 books read, 10,713 pages, 117.7 pages a day)

--
books:

• own books: 9 (11)
• from the library: 5 (29)

• male author: 12 (28)
• female author: 2 (12)

• originally written in Dutch: 3 (12)
• translated into Dutch: 11 (28)

• original language of translated books:
    • English: 0 (7)
    • Finnish: 1 (1)
    • French: 7 (7)
    • German: 1 (5)
    • Hebrew 0 (1)
    • Icelandic: 0 (1)
    • Indonesian: 0 (1)
    • Italian: 0 (1)
    • Swedish 2 (4)

• fiction: 13 (36)
• non-fiction: 1 (4)

• paper books: 11 (20)
• e-books: 3 (20)

• mystery/police procedural: 2 (7)
• childrens/YA: 3 (7)
• 1001 books: 0 (3)
    Total 1001 books since 2008: 327

--
pages:

0 - 100 pages: 7 (7)
101 - 200 pages: 1 (3)
201 - 300 pages: 3 (13)
301 - 400 pages: 3 (13)
401 - 500 pages: 0 (3)
501 - 999 pages: 0 (1)
1000+ pages: 0 (0)

• longest book 327 pages (533 pages)
• shortest book 48 pages (48 pages)
• average book 163 pages (268 pages)

--
date first published:
19th century: 1 (1)

20th century
1950s: 0 (1)
1960s: 7 (8)
1970s: 0 (1)
1980s: 1 (2)
1990s: 0 (3)

21st century
2000s: 1 (6)
2010s: 1 (8)
2020s: 3 (10)

--
ratings:

0 (0)
0 (3)
5 (13)
7 (15)
2 (5)
0 (2)
0 (2)

--
best books in March


1968 by Jan Guillou
Asterix en Cleopatra (Asterix and Cleopatra) by A. Uderzo & R. Goscinny
Asterix en de ronde van Gallia (Asterix and the Banquet) by Goscinny & Uderzo
Pieterpad deel II: Vorden-Maastricht by Toos Goorhuis and Bertje Jens
Wildwest in Siberië by Karl May

>195 FAMeulstee:, >213 FAMeulstee: - Great photos, Anita. And even better to hear the whole trip was such a good success. Accomplishment goes a long way to feeling better, even if there is more to accomplish ahead. You will get there.

>226 jessibud2: Thank you, Shelley, we had a very good time :-)
I do feel a bit better now, the last half of January and February were the worst. Anxiety and panic attacks are not gone, but way less. Thank you, I know I will get there, it just takes time.

>221 FAMeulstee: Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I read and enjoyed the very odd The Rabbit Factor. I just added this one to my suspended* library holds.

* Monday I pick up 9bks & 1DVD being held for me at my library. Yeesh!

Hi Anita! Glad that you are feeling a bit better, and enjoying your reading.

Congratulations on finishing your walk. It looks like it was cool temperatures.

>228 ReneeMarie: You are very welcome, Renee. Indeed very odd stories, and very enjoyable. I hope to get to the third book later this year.
You can pick up library holds today? Over here it is second Easter day, a day off for most, and libraries are closed.

>229 banjo123: Thank you, Rhonda. Frank being home helps.
Reading is still slow, I hope it will come back later this year.

>230 Kristelh: Thank you Kristel. Yes the weather was cool, but we like that. For us is is more difficult when it is warm. The temperatures were between 9 and 15°C (48 and 59°F), normal for this time of year.

>231 FAMeulstee: I absolutely have books due today. I've renewed what can be renewed. And I have a bag and a half to go back. Leaving shortly so I can be home before the rain hits.

>232 ReneeMarie: I hope you managed to get home dry, Renee. A bag and a half is a lot to take home!

>219 FAMeulstee: Well in that case, increased respect. (ETA: I'm spoiled by super-urbanised cities like Singapore and New York where all the paths are paved.)

It looks like Frank's retirement is off to a good start and sounds like your thyroid levels are starting to settle.

>234 humouress: Thanks, Nina, we are as spoiled living in a city ;-)
The unpaved paths are part of the fun, walking in way other places than usual.

We hadn't planned this vacation to celebrate Franks retirement, we booked the holiday cottage a year ago, when there were no signs of any early retirement. But it turned out this way.
I am still below my usual capacities, and energy levels. Walking is at about half to two third, housekeeping still way behind, and reading at a quarter of my usual numbers. I will have to wait until the appointment at the endocrinologist in May to up the meds, and get near normal thyroid levels to get rid of the anxiety, and get my energy back.