Richardderus 2013 thread 28

No fireplace like home.

I have a category called Orphans, which will still catch all the other reading I do in 2013. Thinking 60 reviews as my target.

My 2013 ORPHANED books ticker:




I want to treat the Short Story collection challenge as a ticker-to-itself thread, thinking 48 reviews as my goal. I'll keep the thread over in the Short Stories forum.

My 2013 SHORT STORY collections ticker:




I'm going to keep a mystery-genre thread over in Crime, Thriller, and Mystery forum, with a goal of 50 reviews. Way way way too many of my reviews this year, in all forums, were mysteries and thrillers, and while I love them, I don't want to get too rut-ified and read only those books while keeping up my self-made review writing census.

My MYSTERY & THRILLER books ticker:




THIS THREAD is the 75 challenge for 2013, which will be non-fiction and non-genre-fiction books published in 2012 and 2013, plus recommendations from other 75ers.

My last thread of 2012.

My 2013 NEW books ticker:




Book 1...thread one.
Books 2 & 3...thread two.
Book 4...thread three.
Book 5...thread five.
Books 6 & 7...thread seven.
Books 8-11...thread eight.
Books 12-19...thread nine.
Books 20 & 21...thread 10.
Books 22-25...thread 11.
Books 26 & 27...thread 12.
Book 28...thread 13.
Books 29-31...thread 14.
Book 32...thread 15.
Books 33 & 34...thread 16.
Books 35-38...thread 17.
Books 39-42...thread 18.
Books 43-45...thread 19.
Books 46 & 47...thread 20.
Book 48...thread 21.
Books 49-52...thread 22.
Books 53-56...thread 23.
Books 57-61...thread 24.
Books 62-65...thread 25.
Books 66 & 67...thread 27.

Books are reviewed in post:

Good morning, Richard. I think your library, above, looks very inviting. Invitation includes opportunity to add more books to the shelves!

Today is our last full day here on Kaua'i and then tomorrow we fly home. I "only" bought 4 books, I think, while here. And now I have to figure out how to get them back stateside. And then, the house deal closing, and the six weeks at my daughter's home.

One of the books, Robert Allerton: The Private Man and The Public Gifts is a study, in part, of how a gay man survived and thrived in the early 20th Century. He had the good fortune to have been born into a family of wealth, his father at one time being labeled the third richest man in Chicago.

Robert and his partner were vacationing in 1938 outside of Europe due to the impending conflict. They somewhat accidentally were sent to Kaua'i from Honolulu due to a reservation mix up; and were shown the property, now Allerton gardens, which just happened to be for sale. I am looking forward to reading of their development of the property which is now one of my favorite places on Kaua'i. We should all have such good fortune. I think I'll ask Santa for a series of happenstances which result in my having such a wonderful place for retreat. With a library, of course.

I hope your week continues to be good with little to no discomforts and plenty of excellent reading.

Loverly library and fireplace, my friend. The perfect winter spot to hang out.

Congrats on the new thread! Good reviews at the end of the old one. I have a charlatan-fascinated BIL who might take to As Flies to Whatless Boys. What a cut-through-the-clutter title that is, too.

Hope you and Stella are warmly commiserating near the fireplace and aren't too disrupted by the stormy weather.

>3 maggie1944:

Congratulations on being first up, Karen44!

Allerton Gardens sounds spectacular. I'd love to visit one day, especially given the history!

>4 jnwelch: Hiya Joe! That is a no-clutter title, isn't it. It's supersunny here, but effin' cold. It *might* break freezing, but I doubt it. Happily, the sunshine is melting the snow on the roads and our driveway (it's brick, so it's dark like the roads). Less ice worry!

You read Hounded and made it through! It was my spring/summer brain candy while Mom was in the hospital. *warbles* I think Tina hounded as much as I did.

xoxo to you and Stella

Now to find you a book about a handsome gay druid that enjoys walking around naked. ;)

>6 luvamystery65: *perk*

Okay! Let's get right on that, shall we? And maybe make a movie out of it, too!

Stella sends slurps.

Just stopping by to say hello and send *smooches and scritches* for you and Stella. Hope you are snuggled up with a good book and your beverage of choice.

Hounded does sound good - I'll have to see if I can track down a copy.

Hi calm! Thanks for dropping in and leaving us such nice gifties. We're all tucked up, enjoying the sunshine.

#1 -- that is lovely!!!!

Good morning, Richard!

BTW, have I told you that on many mornings, P brings my first mug of coffee to me while I'm still in bed? Ostensibly, she does it so as not to disturb the cat who is usually resting next to me, but.....

Hi Ellen! This will be the last remotely friendly communication from me until 1) P stops bringing you coffee in bed or b) your doctor forces you to give up caffeine and suffer. Just sayin'.

*jealous flounce*

*smooch*

Morning Richard Dear.. I want to come sit in that library.. It looks so cozy..

Ho ho ho, Monica! Yeah, it's the kind of room you want to sink into and not leave.

Pretty library with a roaring fire. . .just what we need. :)

That's a pretty classy joint, that library. Beam me up, Scotty!
Saw this this morning and thought of you:

>16 avidmom: The way I wrap, that one would be a close call.

Richard, did someone already point out this new spiced rum to you? Seems to warrant a place on your shelf.

>15 leperdbunny: Hi Tamara! I sure as heck need a fire today. It broke freezing about a half hour ago, probably won't see it again for 24 more hours.

>16 avidmom: HA!! Love that. Thanks!

>17 jnwelch: What a great packaging job!! I love it! Now I need a bottle for display. (I can't imagine pre-spiced rum would be anything except dire.)

We used to go to a little old fashioned spa resort in upstate New York for yoga and R&R.

Embarassed to say that almost my favorite thing was sitting in their woodsy old parlour and feeding the fire, one carefully placed log at a time.

Almost meditative.

I like your book nook photos.

Dropping in to your new thread to leave my mark--

Good very early morning, Rdear, I'm not sleeping too well these nights, the stress is getting to me, I guess. My favorite book porn ever ( that is hard to saysince there are so many stunning bp's on your threads) but the bestest one to me is on your last thread with the lone chair in front of the fireplace. Something very comfortable and comforting about that one. And you know what, I am glad to hear you enjoy Xmasbecause I do too. What I like best is making gifts for friends and family with carols playing or xmas shows playing all day. I wouldn't mind snow that day either. I have very special presents (home-made) planned this year. Smooches all around! Does Stella like the snow? My doxie does, we call her Tundra because she goes out in any weather and stays out until we force her in. richard, did you do a review of Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates on here? I think it was your fantastic review that made me want to read it! It is quite amazing, quite intense. JCO is beyond beyond, for lack of better words. I liked "Mudwoman" alot, also.

Pretty, cozy opener... I hope you are happily munching Newman-Os and drinking a jug of coffee. I am also wishing you a happy and painless day :)

Have fun without me!

>19 magicians_nephew: Fire-tending is a fine meditation. Very primal stuff, tending a fire. I think it connects a person to the inner spaces as well or even better to do something as basic as tend a fire or make a meal than to assume the lotus position and hum.

>20 ronincats: HIM I want to meet. Hi Roni!

>21 mmignano11: Hi Mary Beth! Wow, you *remember* that review? It was on my old-time blog! I'm so sorry to hear you're not sleeping well. It's torture, and I speak as one blessed with easy sleep. When it's taken away from me, it's agony. I hope things smooth out soon.

>22 mckait: Hi Kath! Ugh, late night again, eh? Horrors. Sending poopless and stinkless workday whammys! Stella and I are tucked up after our freezyfrostycold first walk, me with coffee and her in a patch of sunshine. All in all, a good morning.

It's a photo from a real-estate site, so the books are props. But the bookcases are real and the idea is drool-making.

Today's selfie. What? It's cold!

No real estate picture showing up for me. sob. I love real estate. I was even casting my eyes on for sale signs on Kaua'i.

I am up early, also not sleeping all that well with all the noise of the surf, and the fans, etc. Poor me (not). Really, it is the prednisone. I'm still taking some and it begins to act a little like speed which is sometimes a good thing, sometimes not so much.

We are flying back to cold weather today. One of my friends asked me if I'd left heat on in the house I have now sold; concerned for frozen pipes. Thankfully, talking to my niece I find they'd be over there recently and no frozen pipes.

I am enjoying the fact that I've finished a couple of books and am looking forward to more reading time! Yay! So much more fun than packing, and moving, and all that!

I hope your week is going well. I like coffee whilst sitting in a beam of sunshine, oh... that's Stella in the sun, and you with the coffee. Well, close enough.

Hi Karen44! Sorry about the prednisone speedies. I hate having to take steroids. Many unpredictably timed side effects. Ugh. Still better than the pain.

We're happy as clams around here! Stella *adores* the wintertime, even more than I do, and we both enjoy the sunshine. I've read a few good books this week, and just can't work up the oomph to write reviews. Oh well.

I want me one of those reading rack thingies...

Oh the misery! NOT

>28 laytonwoman3rd: Yeah!

Nice selfie in >25 richardderus:. Impressive how you make it look like a painting.

Lead in The Zona just managed to get away from the jimson crazies, and the preacher he was hunting is for the moment helping him rather than offing him. That will toy with Lead's mind, I'm sure. It's Kindle "in-between" reading for me, so it'll take a while to finish, but so far so good.

>30 jnwelch: Oh good! I'm glad you like Nathan Yocum's book. The darn thing kept me hooked. Hate when that happens on the Kindle.

Howdy! Are you keeping warm? It's currently a balmy 26 here, and the weather guessers saw we'll have 5 tomorrow, so all I want to do is stay here on the couch, light up a fire and grab some books and booze until it's spring.



And, I have to thank you - I'm afraid of octopuses (octopi?) and squids, and seeing them on your threads is really helping me get over this irrational fear! *smooch* for that, and for you being you.

Ha! Glad my enthusiasm for Tentacled Americans has done something good for you, Laura. *smooch*

hey hon, i am starting my holiday pause apparently so I will read your musings more often :)
I am not sure of the hr there but there goes some hot chocolate

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I think it is time to give in and get aNook or a Kindle. Question is, which one? Would you mind giving me your opinion on which you prefer, and/or which others have told you they prefer? I have been leaning toward the Nook because it is connected with Barnes &Noble. But on LT everybody seems to have Kindle. Any help is greatly appreciated.

I love love love that octopus. I want to draw him. He would look great done with a quill pen and watercolor. Love that he is holding books! Now he needs a scotch on the rocks! Speaking of which, although not much of a drinker,my husband and I favor Scotch and recently have decided we would venture out and try some quality Scotch. What do you suggest say, 100.00 and under. I want to taste the heather, the moors, Heathcliff!

*waves*

Oh oh... with today's weather, I'd love to be in front of that roaring fire in your thread topper, Richard. What a cozy room .. but what's with all that empty shelf space? Did they not unpack all their books yet from the boxes when they moved in?

>34 tigerlyly: Oooo that looks GOOD with the whipped cream and all, Lyly! Thanks!

>35 mmignano11: I bucked and reared and screamed about the Kindle. I like it a lot now. I can't use the bloody highlight feature to save my soul, so I don't spend much time reviewing Kindle reads.

If money is a concern, go with the basic-model Kindle at ~$70; the selection of books is not identical, and the advantage is to Amazon. Otherwise, I'd go with a Paperwhite.

My tablet computer is a Nexus 7, and it works fine for reading, too. Tablets like Kindle Fire et alii are good dual-purpose devices. But for my own uses, I prefer the dedicated Kindle.

>36 mmignano11: I love the peatiness of Islay single-malts, and my favorite is Ardbeg Corryvreckan. It runs $75 or so, and is as good as it gets on the Islays.

For something a little less intense, a good Speyside single-malt is Glenfiddich 15-year-old, about the same price and more of a mellow, cognac-y effect.

Oh gawd I'm drooling!

>37 leperdbunny: Hi Tamara!

>38 cameling: Doesn't that look like a slice of heaven? It's 25° now, with a wind chill of 16°. A fire and a good book! Just the thing!

smoochiemurbles, my sweet. love everything, especially the Tentacled Ones. and the selfie.

wishing you a minimal pain weekend, bookporn aplenty and lots of *cheap* coffee that won't fret you. *smirk*

also a smooch for Stella and mention give Perkins my virtual best.

>16 avidmom: *smile*
That is so true! And today I put back a cat card and got an octopus one, it was just so much more....dynamic!

#35 > One consideration on choosing a Nook, Kindle or higher level tablet (iPad, Kindle Fire, etc.) is that the basic Nook and Kindles cannot be installed with an app for accessing state library e-book lending services. In Missouri we use Overdrive and in Kansas they use 3M Cloud. I'm sure there are others. You can install the access app on a Fire or iPad but not on the basic Kindle or Nook, so if you intend to use e-book lending services, aim a bit higher.

On the other hand, the Kindle and Nook are lighter and much more reader-friendly in terms of weight, size, price and battery life, so plan accordingly.

Good morning, Darling. Hoping that it doesn't get too ouchy or crowded for you this week-end.

I blushingly admit to owning a Kindle Fire and a Nook. The Nook is a dedicated reader and works great with the single exception of no back-light. The Kindle is more of a tablet, but fine for reading. Big advantage to the Kindle for being backlit. That said, I use both and have a considerable virtual library on each. I'm still fonder of physical books, but even so, the e-readers are handy and travel very well.

Word.

>41 mirrordrum: Good morning, dear Ellie! I am especially pleased to note the progress my Tentacled American friends are making in image terms around here. Stella sends slurps! *sips guiltlessly inexpensive coffee*

Perkins! Miss Ellie wishes to have a word. I believe it is "hello."

>42 LovingLit: Agreed! *smooch*

>43 mldavis2: Mary Beth, the advice and recommendations Mike and Gail are giving should answer your concerns! Thanks, Mike, I didn't know that about basic Kindles.

>44 Matke: Morning, Dannie darling, hope you're well. It's cold here, but it's even colder (relatively speaking) there I notice. Poor lamb! *smooch*

>45 richardderus: I love the combo of coffee shop and bookstore. Smelling all the aged paper infused with coffee. Mmmmm.

>46 leperdbunny: My two primary addictions in one place! Who am I to complain?

Women can be sexist pigs, too. Only thing is, it's okay when they're nasty, dismissive, judgmental about men. Don't believe me? Read AFTER THE FIRE, A STILL SMALL VOICE.

A thoroughly unpleasant book.

Thanks everybody for your advice on an e-reader. I think it would be nice to have the option of using the library lending system because one of my concerns was not having access to very old or very new books. It also sounds important to have the back-lighting for my poor over-worked eyes. Also, I should know ths by now, but since I will be getting rid of a great deal of my book collection, I would like to see what my fellow LTers might be interested in having before I donate them en masse.(by the truckload) Where can I look at something like that? Again, thank you for the e-book info and the Scotch info, I think it will be a great present for the husband (and for me to sip as I tearfully glean my books)

Hello Ricardo!! Big smooches and best wishes for all thing holidayish: fascinating books, yummy drinks, divine food, toasty fireplaces, etc. : )

>49 mmignano11: Mary Beth, unless you're in a hurry to deaccession the collection, I'd wait until the 2014 group is up and then post a notice and a link to your catalog. How sad to get rid of them!

>50 Berly: BERLY!! *smoochiesmoochsmooch* It's a much warmer day today than yesterday was. And it's a better day still because you're here!

Awwwww...Thanks!! I bought a book for you...

I agree totally, dear fellow. Ladies can be sexist too especially in willingly eschewing equal rights when it suits. They can also be damnedly sexy too and I am in truth (but don't tell too many people) missing my own little barrel of bias who is clearing the shops in Egypt until the end of next week.

Have a lovely weekend and I am pleased to see the weather agrees with you.

>52 Berly: You did? You're very sweet, thank you!

>53 EBT1002: ...man...underwear...coffee...newspaper...*swoon*

>54 PaulCranswick: Heh! I hope Hani leaves you with a tiny amount for books. Have a wonderful weekend anyway!

#53 *sings* There's a stain on my notebook Where your coffee cup was

Happy Weekend! xoxo to you and Stella

Ha! "Black Coffee in Bed"! I loved Squeeze. Happy weekend to you and the Devilles!

>48 richardderus: yikes, that one sounds like a non-starter. So how come I am interested then? Perverse, that's me. I think it is the nice sentences that lure me in. The period, setting and man-bashing doesn't interest me so much.

>58 LovingLit: It's not going to appear on my life-list of rereads, that's for sure.



Genius! Lazy, but genius.

Morning RD! I thought of you the other day as I strolled through my favorite liquor store and perused the single-malt scotch section. I saw Balvenie, (I have to try that one) and Ardbeg. Sadly, I spent my allowance on beer that day but I will return. This is a cool website called Scotch Hunter:

http://scotchhunter.com/

Morning, Rdear. Read your review on FB, and couldn't agree more. Hate any generalized "They're no good because..." sorts of things, by either sex.

Heading for *much* colder weather tomorrow. Yikes!

I feel uninhibited.

>60 msf59: Cool site, Mark! Thanks. Oh the joys of scotch. YUM!

>61 Matke: Ain't that the truth! Very lazy, IMO. No need for characterization! Just trot out an old stereotype and hang a name on it. Yeesh.

Have a fun trip, dear Danvers, and remember: They ALWAYS find the body.

Women can be sexist pigs, too. Only thing is, it's okay when they're nasty, dismissive, judgmental about men.

I've known quite a few in my day. The one that comes to mind is a woman who said if she had a boy, she would refuse to breast feed him and only give him the bottle, as opposed to her daughter(s) which she would always give breastfeeding to. I am not sure if she was serious but I felt sorry for her and any future children she may have. She clearly had issues.

Indeed she did. How was some future child going to make it into her uterus, one wonders. Men are involved in that process.

Ahhh, the naked friends... only with books..

It is w-a-a-a-ay too chilly for that sort of thing here, right now.

And I do. A surprising amount.

62: Love it Richard

#49 > A couple more comments on e-readers. I think the issue of back lighting is an overstated sales feature. Of course that depends on where and when you want to read, but so far none of my paperbacks or hardcovers come with back lighting and I read 'em the old fashioned way -- with lights. Even my Kindle can be used with a simple clip on book light if that's your choice (not mine). The best part of a Kindle or Nook is that you don't have to unclip the light to turn the pages.

Library lending systems vary. In Missouri we use the Overdrive system. In Kansas it's 3M Cloud or Blio. I've found that the selections are fair at best with few really new releases or old favorites being available. Many new authors seem reluctant to release their books in electronic format (fear of copyright violations I suppose), and lending libraries do not obtain or access many of the books currently available in e-format. Libraries must pay the for the service, and the services vary as to the extent of what they choose to pay the authors and publishers for access, so there are two very effective filters that make most of the lending selections disappointing as I've found out. In short, don't get excited and expect to find all your favorites in an online lending library.

>66 richardderus: me too, Richard. I wish though I enjoyed it as much with 20 yrs less ;)

HoHoHo Merry Monday!

Milk, with just a hint of valium, please.

Make mine a double please!

xoxo to you and Stella

>65 mckait: Way too chilly, and in the case of the book nerds I know, probably not the most scenic of sights.

>67 magicians_nephew: Ain't that a hoot?

>68 mldavis2: Thanks for that mine of information, Mike! Much appreciated.

>69 tigerlyly: I don't want to relive my life, unusually enough. I'll take the forward march over the retreat any day!

>70 mckait: Ho effin' ho effin' ho.

>72 luvamystery65: Perkins! A double valium espresso for Miss Roberta, please, and see if you can prod Stella into wakefulness long enough for her to send slurps to the Devilles.

#48 - Absolutely the shortest review I've ever seen in these parts.

>75 EBT1002: I go into a bit more detail on the blog. But generally speaking, that squib says what needs saying.

Book porn! Beautiful corner fireplace.

>77 richardderus: I agree, but there is no chair near it! You know that Stella would be ensconced near the fire.

And those sort-of-Barcelona chairs look mighty uncomfortable. I assume there is lamplight somewhere?

Now that I've picked it apart, I want it.

We had somebody come in and rearrange our living room (a deccaratta, yet!) and it was fine but my favorite seat was left without a reading light.

We fianally re-jiggered this year and now I have a wonderful light over my place on the couch - I'll never leave!)

I'm with Judy. I'd put in different furniture and lighting, and then snap it up.

I don't mind the sofa...I hate the chairs. I'd have wing chairs on either side of the fireplace with an ottoman between them, and floor Verilux lamps behind them, and y'all can all have the sofa and stuff when you come over.

I may bring my sofa with me when I come over. That one just doesn't look comfy to me.

>77 richardderus: Beautiful reading room. I'm not crazy about the ikea-esque furniture either.

hmm, I would keep the shelves and the books, and the fireplace.
Everything else, specially the cold hospital paint would go.
Comfy sofa with blankets and soft pillows for me to lounge, sit and contort in any possible position hunting the elusive perfect one. :P

>62 richardderus:: Who's the stoolie? Man, I swear I had it all worked out, and now this...must develop a different plan. And what about Jimmy Hoffa?

>66 richardderus:: I, too, have enjoyed after 50. This year's known to me as "The Year My Life Fell Apart", but next year marks the beginning of being myself. I'm calling it "And Now for Something Completely Different."

It is horribly cold. Couldn't even take a walk. Had to spend the day reading, resting, being online, with a couple of hours devoted to helping child (46!) with some chores, thus preventing an imminent crying jag. All in all, I can mark this as a good day.

Who's the stoolie? I haven't heard that phrase in some time. It took me back in a nice way. :)

yes, mafia is looming in the wings at the mere mention of a 'stoolie"...

gee, I am invading Richard's turf here but >85 Matke: bohemima made me laugh out loud (I refuse to use this LOl thing) big time.
Love your names for the years, so relate to it (a wave would go nicely here... when is LT introducing smileys???)

*smooch*

That is for what you wrote on my thread. xo

I, too, think naming years is a good idea. Well done, Gail!

I'll have to think about what 2013 would be called....

I'm SO glad you gave in and finally read Hounded! Sounds like you made it through in one piece!! ;) So, you didn't love it as much as Ro and I do, but admittedly there are some refreshingly light moments, right???

I LOVED your review of As Flies to Whatless Boys! I've added my thumbs up and it now sits atop a huge wish list!

*smooches*

Wow! I'm reading The Man on the Balcony book 3 in the Martin Beck mysteries. Page 60

"Just at the moment I don't give a damn what fails you," Martin Beck said heatedly. "Get that guy."
"Use the stoolies," Kolberg said.

Twice in one day. I'm buying a lotto ticket tomorrow. If I win, I'm coming to see you.

>82 jnwelch: It's a wee bit thin on the butt-padding, isn't it. I'll seek another.

>83 leperdbunny: Furniture is the easy bit to change, however!

>84 tigerlyly: Oh yes, the elusive "I am so comfy I could lie here all day and be happy" position. Never did find it.

>85 Matke: Ain't tellin'. Gotta protect my stoolies. I agree that sounds like a pretty darn decent day all in all. Sending smooches, dear Danvers!

>86 luvamystery65: It's got a retro charm, eh Roberta?

>87 tigerlyly: I particularly like "And Now For Something Completely Different," Lyly. It's apt and well-said.

>88 EBT1002: For me, "What A Carve-Up!" would work. *smooch*

>89 TinaV95: I liked Hounded just fine, and if the next one materializes, I'll read it. Atticus is a bit too hetero for my affections to be fully engaged. I do love Oberon the Wolfhound.

I'm so glad I could cause a surge of book-envy! It's a really good book.

>90 luvamystery65: Ooo, that's spooky. Buy the ticket! We've got plenty of room. xo

*smooch*

hey, good morning :)... For you and your loyal readers:




hmm, I wish to be able to call 2014 "Year when Victoria's Secret came knocking and all my lottery predictions came true". Is this a too long name? darn...

I liked As Flies to Whatless Boys review, too. Thumbed it even. It looks very good. If I remembered how to read, i might want to read that one, but it seems that my reader is broken, still

xo

glad to see you made it in from the dark and cold.

Hmmmm, don't think I've tried the Ardbeg - will have to hunt about for it. Glenfiddich 15 is very good, I concur.

This cold is really too cold. That is all I have to say about it.

Love the Ditto!

I like the airy openess of that room in the latest book porn, however, it seems a bit odd to have a lovely fireplace and not group the furniture around it. The books don't need it!

Yes lawd! I testify!

I've been drinking gallons of coffee lately. It keeps me going, since giving up sleeping and reading has changed the structure of my day. I drink coffee.... a lot. And no, the coffee isn't causing the sleeplessness. I didn't sleep first, then started drinking coffee by the gallon.

8-/

>94 ronincats: Awwwww Roni makes me blush!

>95 tigerlyly: Hi Lyly! I like the title of your year. Who says there's such a thing as too long?

>96 mckait: This book funk is worrying me. Seems to be more than the accustomed seasonal book funk. We made it in just fine and dandy! Our place is lit up like an alien landing strip, and the street's very well-lit. I'd be in trouble if it wasn't! If I trip and fall, there will be BIG trouble all the way around. So it's a good thing it's so well-illuminated a block.

>97 sibylline: The Ardbeg Corryvreckan is only sold in select locations around the US, so visit the website to see what's nearby...but it is SO worth it. Even just one self-indulgence bottle is worth it.

I love that corner fireplace. I'd re-do the furniture for sure.

>99 mckait: Coffee is the sine qua non of remaining vertical when not sleeping or reading. It's no fun at all, this joyless passage. No. Fun. So sorry! *there there, pat pat*

>98 richardderus:: ain't dat de truth

Reading along. Nothing to say. Pre-Yule, snow, and cold temps paralysis of all body parts, especially the brain.

>102 tiffin: It is, it is. Brain freeze from the outside = WAY too cold. I think the entire world's climate should march between -10C and 25C. No lower, no higher.



Yep.

3 days away and i have 65 posts to catch up on? Good thing i have a big mug of hot dark chocolate in front of me and a plate of shortbread to dunk.

#68 : Going back to the Kindle discussion for a bit, I have a Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Fire and I have been borrowing e-books from libraries without any issue. I get to borrow up to 5 at a time for up to 3 weeks.

yep...

>104 cameling: Three days without ME in them? How ever did you survive the ennui?

>105 mckait: Yep.

>103 richardderus:. Exactly.

I think my road's a superhighway.

#108 LMAO. That might be the best one yet!

Greetings from the frozen north. My under the desk heater is working overtime today!

>108 richardderus: Loved this one, too, RD.

>103 richardderus: Is resigned to it the same as confident?

# 103 - So Love this one :)

# 108 - Loved this one too. :)

Smooches to you and Stella.

>108 richardderus:: A friend sent me that one on Facebook. I lurve it. I would like it embroidered on a pillow.

>110 jnwelch: Not at all! You have to EMBRACE it!

>113 ronincats: Ha! OK, I'll work on it, Roni. I do say "thank you" when our kids tell me I'm weird.

>98 richardderus: lol- I so do that! Also, it's the breakfast I am keen on too :)

>108 richardderus: lol- that is so funny too. That set of images/quotes often get me chuckling, to which Lenny often inquires "why you laughing?" in his usual LOUD voice.

All the info on the e-readers is sure helping me. I'm not getting one! Kidding, but that was a good point about not needing the back-lighting. And the Scotch website! I can't wait to get on that one! My daughter reminded me that she has a Kindle, so I'm going for a test read and see what I think about it. (Ignoring the kids can get a bit out of hand...)I am heading for home where I will be attempting to achieve that ultimate reading position as I finish Cross and Burn by Val McDermid. I love it, but I'm aching from head to toe so lots of pillows, my flannel sheets(loooove them)and probably my Lyla (one of my American Bulldogs) curled up on the bed with me. She does insist on making contact which means 90 lbs of solid dogflesh pushing against you. And the look you get when you ask her to move. Wrinkles magnify any expression, trust me. But once I get her situated I'm just gonna read all night! Unless the Klonipan kicks in....

>107 laytonwoman3rd: I know, right?

>109 Cobscook: I looked at the Maine temps and said a swift prayer of joy that I live on an island in the Atlantic. Keeps things MUCH warmer!

>110 jnwelch: Heh...I think we all relate to that one...and I'm not sure about resigned vs confident. I say "whatever works" more and more these days.

>111 MonicaLynn: Hi Monica! *smooch* back...Stella's completely gorked. She had too much fun in the snow today.

>112 katiekrug: Ya know, there's an Etsy shop in that sentence, Katie.

>113 ronincats: With verve! And enthusiasm!!

>114 jnwelch: Well now, if one's kids DON'T think Dad's weird, then one has done something seriously wrong.

Oh and 2013 for me would be named...The Year It All Caught Up To Us, making 2014-365 Days of Pain and Suffering Including No More Room For Books

>115 LovingLit: It must be weird for Lenny to think mum's laughing at something he can't see or hear or relate to. I remember thinking grown people were just weird for the things that would set them to laughing, most often because they made *no* sense to me at all.

Still think that sometimes.

>116 mmignano11: Amazing, isn't it, Mary Beth? A huge amount of experience shared so generously! Lyla + klonipin = serious need to sleep, I would think. I know it makes me sleepy when all 40lbs of Stella press up to me and I'm warm under a blanky and the book is...*smorphlgggg*

We don't have any snow here, Richard, in NJ. Just pouring rain, and my windshield wipers quit on me the day it did snow. Perfect curling up with a good Kindle, I mean book weather.

*snorp*smack*smack* mmmmwwwhhhaaa? hsszzat righ' oooh mmmm *snore*

Do you think I can find the Glenfiddich you mentioned in a decent liquor store or will I have to find a more specialized one? That sounds like something we would like, although I am curious about the peaty flavor of the others you mentioned unless you think it is too intense for an amateur?

I'll let you sleep and go home and ease my aching body into my flannels. I'm at an incredibly noisy library.

>98 richardderus: TESTIFY!

>108 richardderus: Of all the "addictions" to have, I find this one the least bit to worry about. A book buying addiction can be bad, but I sublimate it with booksales/used books and the liberrrryyy. A little bit more worrisome is my addiction to food, but even that isn't *that* bad either. Mostly, my addiction to sweets/sugar is what gets me in trouble, but I'm working on it. I'm grateful I don't have any other substance or behavioral addictions. A lot of people in my family had alcohol problems and I'm glad I was able to escape that. I think that has more to do with the fact that people are more aware of that kind of thing these days. I can be a little bit "hoard-y" but I try to keep that in check too. Hoarders, the t.v. show, and their ilk keep me in check. :)

Any good-sized liquor store should have the Glenfiddich. I say ease into the whisky appreciation bit by bit, saves money AND lets your preferences develop naturally.

I snuck back...thanks for the advice. Wise and sensible.

Ooh, Glenfiddich! Hey, RD! Hope the day went well. I also have Hounded saved on audio and might get to it soon. I think I am going to jump into Doctor Sleep next. Visit the Master.

>127 mmignano11: Home! Home! The liberry is no place to spend a cold rainy night! Be safe on the roads.

>128 msf59: Thanks, Mark, it was fine. I have Doctor Sleep glowering at me from the Tome Tower. One day...one day...

I think, now that it's The Season, you should be allowed to have a flask with you on your rounds. Hey, if that 16-year-old can drive drunk (and not for the first time, apparently), why shouldn't you be able to?

You have Dr. Sleep? I'm really looking forward to reading that one. I'm of a mind to do some King re-reading soon. I need something to keep me totally engrossed, even if it means I have to be scared out of my few remaining wits.
A soft smooch to you.

Oh, Richard, I just saw the new K-Mart commercial on TV, the one with the bells. Oh, yum!!!!

Roni--Great minds think alike. Richard, this is the ad for you! Kmart Boxer Ad for Christmas...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ4lnyHtBX8

>98 richardderus: What does she mean by "sometimes"?

>132 Berly: I can't believe they had the, um, "bells" to do that! ;)

good morning dear Richard...

Made the coffee ;)

Good morning, indeed! Have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious day. Not sure about the spelling, but you get the idea.

*smooches* from the Original Curly-Crested Satanic Book Warbler, aka Horrible

#104 & #116 > I think the point I was trying to make with e-reader access to lending libraries is the lack of selection. Many older books have never been ported over to electronic formats, and some current authors resist having their work converted. The selection my friend found in the 3M Cloud library lacked almost all of her desired books from her favorite authors which was terribly disappointing. That selection list may well vary depending on where you live and how much money your local library system is willing to pay for the service. It isn't cheap.

On the other hand, one of the main advantages of e-readers is that you can carry hundreds of books in the palm of your hand - certainly handy for travel or reading away from home. The built-in dictionary is a winner for me since I am often too lazy to get up and open the paper dictionary. And of course for those with failing eyesight, the ability to choose font size is a Godsend.

>130 Matke: I have read several Kings... I Don't think he is a "scary" as all that. I'm hard to scare... or maybe my wits are already all gone? That must be it..

rd... I see that K-Mart made an add for ? Nice of them. I wish you cookies :)

Here is a bonus for e-readers and access to lending libraries. Sometimes I click on a genre I want to read and highlight *available copies only*. I have found authors I would never have read before.

Be adventurous!That is how I found Keeper of Lost Causes!

>134 tigerlyly: Beaut of a photo!

>125 leperdbunny: Tamara! You snuck in and I didn't notice, I'm so sorry! You know, alcohol addiction IS sugar addiction. It's only the delivery method that makes it different. Of the two, I'll drink my sugars as opposed to eat them by strong preference. I don't like most sweets too much because the sweetness makes my hair too tight and my eyeballs dry.

>130 Matke: It glowers at me daily, insisting that The Shining was a fluke and this mammoth tome won't be worth the wrist pain. Howzabout you re-read that one, and I'll send this one to you when I've read it?

>131 ronincats:, 132 We don't have K-Mart in my market. I'll have to go look at the ad.

>133 avidmom: *snerk* I totally relate to that one! I *always* look forward to my coffee!

>134 tigerlyly: Speaking of coffee! The coffee angel came and even left it in a beautiful cup! Thanks Lyly!

You ARE leaving the books.

>135 karenmarie: Hiya Horrible! Happy Wintertime! It's a perfect winter day, cold enough but not bone-cracking, sunny, lightest of breezes. *aaahhh* And I can stay inside, read, drink coffee, and fondle my doggie.

>136 mldavis2: Mike, you are a *fount* of information! Thank you for sharing it. I'm all prepped for Kindle-borrowing with a realistic view of my parameters. I appreciate that.

>137 mckait: morning dear...I haven't looked at the ad yet. King scares me once in a while. The Stand scared me to leaking. The Shining, the book, scared me, and the movie (a good movie, but very little like the book) made me jump.

>138 luvamystery65: Good idea, Roberta!

>139 jnwelch: Isn't it a beaut, Joe? I'll be cafe-bound shortly, hoping for something scrummy.

Portrait of the Reader As A Young Man

^ Perfect. Including the dog.

Book porn!

Yep, I'd sit there with a glass of wine and a book.

Add me, scotch (neat), and boy (hot), then it's perfection. *bubble machine clicks into overdrive*

*smooch* for dear Ellen

You are missing serious eye candy if you don't do watch the Boxer Boys!! xoxo

OMFG OMFG I AM DYIN OVER HERE

Seriously funny and the amazing part is that the darn thing's running on TV!!!

What a hoot! Thanks, Roni, you know what will pique my pervy-old-man interest!

Hi Berly! *smooch*

#145 Oof - I really really want that one :(

>150 BekkaJo: Yeah, and the wonderful thing is it looks like something a normal person with a normal house and a normal budget could make happen.

>131 ronincats:/132 I was laughing so hard and Mr. had to come over to see what it was and he just gave me a side eye and major ::eyeroll::

>152 leperdbunny: I'll just bet he did! Ha! Oh that is an inspired campaign. Bet the Longface Puritans League is shouting at them about it.

I was feeling old and useless today. This beautiful image and apropos quote inspired me!

>143 richardderus: and 145: Each is perfect in its own way.

On King: you know very well it was no fluke. I think I might start on my 're-reads immediately after I finish the current tome, Medieval Underpants, which isn't as exotic as you might think.

Agreed, Danvers, each is indeed perfect in its unique way.

Oh Susanne's book! I like her. She's fun. I'm trying to find a place to run a review/interview with her. She's a stitch!

the sweetness makes my hair too tight and my eyeballs dry

Too much sweetness makes my teeth itch.

love the book porn, although I'd have added a chaise lounge to the room. I don't like sitting upright to read. I'm prefer lying down to read or work on my laptop (which is why i hate going into the office .. they frown on you lying on the floor ...even if I put a sheet underneath me ... after all, who knows when the last time was that the cleaners actually vacuumed my office)

>157 laytonwoman3rd: Yeup. I can switch from "yum" to "yech" in a single bite, too.

>158 cameling: The issue with a chaise longue or a recamier is they take up so much space!



Pretty recamier, no? But try to fit something else in the room with it!

Santa Claus = Odin the One-Eyed Grey Wanderer.

No, really!

The boy in his bed with dog and book? Plug in a female, make the boy a softly snoring hubby, and make the bed queen size. And until they go in their crates for the night, two big doggies! We are planning on getting a king size bed despite the cost of the sheets and blankets needed to cover it so we can be more comfortable with our dogs on the bed. They don't stay all night but they would be depressed for a day or two if we stopped them from ever being on the bed again. They are incredibly sensitive. If my husband loses his temper and raises his voice (does not happen often, that is my job) they cast disparaging looks at him for at least a day and slink away until he reassures them that it was a fluke and not directed at them, unless it was. Re: Dr. Sleep- I read it recently and enjoyed it but didn't love it. He seems to have changed his style which is understandable after such a long career, and I definitely prefer "The Shining" Salem's Lot" The Stand" etc. to Dr. Sleep. I particularly liked "Bag Of Bones" because I think I liked his main character and narrator a lot. So Dr. Sleep is a good read but more psychologically driven than his "things that go bump in the night" books.

Hi Richard, I agree with your comment on my thread. Hope you are well my friend and the book porn is great.

>161 mmignano11: Hi Mary Beth! I am dragging my feet over reading Doctor Sleep because I've enjoyed so many of his newer books so much that I'd hate to get stuck comparing this to the earlier works I enjoyed then but might not remember too clearly.

>162 johnsimpson: Doing well! We're at the tag-end of a cold snap, but I'll take that over a hot spell any darn day.

Eerie, isn't it, the similarities....

I am feeling grumpy. Whats new right?

Hope it as a good day.

>164 mckait: Do what I do when I feel grumpy: Cast a dreadful curse on a GOP politician. Hey, it seems to be working, the bigwigs are retiring in increasing numbers.

^ I wondered what was happening.

ETA: I like it. Keep it up, Richard.

>160 richardderus: Bwahaha!

>166 EBT1002: I'm a eeeevilll ol' man, ain't I.

>167 leperdbunny: I know, right?!

smiling, nodding, reading along, liking the pics, occasionally *snorting*.
ETA: *snort* is a noise, not an action

I harbored no suspicion of you action-snorting, Tui. Can't see it, somehow.



The single gaudiest, most obnoxiously overblown Yule tree I've ever seen, or even imagined I could see.

I love it.

>170 richardderus: That's a tree??

You'd never know it. I wonder if it's artificial.

No scratch that. It MUST be. A real tree would collapse!

Has to be a fake tree. WOW!!! I wonder how many hours that took to decorate? And all the boxes to store it!

Eek! Too gaudy for me. But to each his own.

Vacation day today - baking, wrapping, mailing, hanging with daughter, drinking coffee, reading (?). Insomnia rears its ugly head, so I might nap later on. Only one more day of work - the 20th- then off until January 2, 2014!!!!! Bliss.

Have a loverly day, RD! *smooches* from your own dear Horrible

Good morning to you!

Gaudy, ugly tree :P

Not a single thing to say, as the day is barely begun.. laundry chugging away. Ready for second cuppa....gearing up for a longish day. Sending feel great mojo your way...

When I see a tree like that, all I can think of is the fun someone will have putting it away for next year.

>170 richardderus:: Oh my.

I downloaded The Shining last night for a mere $1.99, and read the first chapter before sleep. Daughter is already prepared for the late-night knock on her door with me asking to sleep in her room.

Paybacks are wonderful, even when delayed.

Morning RD- I am staying home today. I plan on sitting in my favorite reading spot, wrapped in blankets, in the fine company of a couple of books.

OMG! That Christmas tree is a monstrosity! LOL!

Reminder for those in Holiday Meltdown Mode.

There were years I could've made good use of >179 richardderus: with my mother.

How about a Christmas tree cake for your holiday enjoyment?

>173 Berly: I know, right? The pic is 40 years old. I wonder if ANY of them have survived.

>174 karenmarie: Gaudy?! Madam, that tree is to gaudy as warmish is to the surface of the sun! Yeee-ikes! That's a reasonable amount of vacation, and goodness knows you've MORE than earned twice that amount with the audits and the Italian trip and the stupidity of the supervisees. But you have time to enjoy life and that's a good thing. *smooch*

>175 mckait: Hiya sweetness! Ugh laundry that's on today's list. Ugh ugh ugh. Other than laundry, I'm planning a pasta bake for tonight and tomorrow night's solo dinners. Ain't I a laugh a minute? *smooch*

>176 mldavis2: I have enough trouble facing up to the idea of taking down OUR xmas tree. I'd have a nervous collapse if I had to undecorate that one! Of course, it is the staff who does such chores when one has a tree like that.

>177 Matke: Oh my goodness yes! The *intense* satisfaction of payback. It's delicious, as I hope you will find the chills and scares of The Shining! PS I've arranged a weather warm-up for you, dear Danvers, and didn't even make you sacrifice a kitten for it. You may kiss my ring.

>178 msf59: An excellent plan, Mark, one worthy of your statesmanlike wisdom and common sense. I think that tree's got a *something* that eludes exact words, something that elevates it into artfulness.

I know! Vulgarity!

>180 jnwelch: I think learning that phrase circa 1962 would've stood many many of us in good stead!

Cute tree, too.

Book porn! Pushkin's library, Moscow.

>179 richardderus: I almost bought a plaque like that just last night! I was in a Books-A-Million store, and the place was giving me a rash. I swear it's a right-wing stronghold. Everywhere I turned, there was ANOTHER book by Glenn Beck. Or Catherine Coulter. Or Bill O'Reilly. So I left. Without. buying. anything. That cured the rash, but it left me a little weak.

>183 richardderus: Shouldn't there be a samovar in that room somewhere?

UGH!!!! Beck and Coulter and O'Reilly in ONE STORE!!!!
*there there, pat pat*

I'd love to have that plaque. I'd keep it on my wall year-round!

What an interesting library set up - so one has to lean and contort to get at those books in the top case.... kind of a test of yr. determination to get yr. hands on one!

Love the weird. That would be me.

There are hooks for the ladders, cuz, they've converted to a restaurant so no need for them now.

Heh. Me too!

Did you see the latest flap with this Duck Dynasty dude, being fired from A & E for making homophobic and now racial comments? And worse yet, how many people are defending this douche, because he's a Christian?

It's appalling that it's being couched as the old homophobic racist is being censored for being xian. He's being censured for saying nasty shit about potential viewers of his show!

Free speech = say what you like, within limits set by law; freedom also means taking responsibility for your actions. He said stuff lots of people think, yes, but lots of other people don't think it and don't like it. They get to criticize and insult him for what he said and what it means about what he believes. They too have free speech!

Good point! My cousin who is a stalwart Christian was defending him on FB. Give me a break!

Have you ever seen the show? I haven't and do not plan on it. I wonder what Rush has to say about this on his show today? LOL.

Those people give a good duck call a bad name.

>190 msf59: I've never seen it, and don't want to. Now of course I'd leave the room if it came on and I couldn't turn it off for some reason!

>191 laytonwoman3rd: I so agree.

>183 richardderus: Pretty!

Re: Duck Dynasty, I almost feel sorry for public relations people when these issues come up because it seems like whether they choose to ignore it or address it by firing or reprimanding, someone is always mad. I've always been a supporter of LGBT so of course I think he was out of line.

Ain't it?

Honestly Tamara, as yucky as I find his stance on gays and lesbians, it's his "happy darkies under Jim Crow laws" line of guff that makes me see red and start screaming. Put the two together and you get a scumbag. I wouldn't piss in his ear if his brain was on fire.

I can't say I'm surprised that extreme right wing Republicans like Bobby Jindal (the governor of Louisiana) and Sarah Palin are coming out in support of him.

Sarah Palin Defends Duck Dynasty Star Suspended For Anti-Gay Remarks

GOP Politicians Defend ‘Duck Dynasty’ Star’s Right to Anti-Gay Comments

>194 richardderus: I wouldn't piss in his ear if his brain was on fire.
LOL
Sorry, I know its not funny really, but I love that saying.
Don't know Duck Dynasty, but do know an a$$hole when I hear about one. They are out there, I sometimes forget cos I choose to surround myself with decent folk, but boy are they out there. And it is scary what some people think.

Richard love you and all my gay friends but I do not think you are fair.
Potential viewers of his show know what the show is about and with what kind of people from the first 10min.
He is no politician who wants to be famous, or actor, or anything else that he pretends to be.
He is a redneck in the South, with little respect for yupees or any metrosexual fad of the day. He more or less has this opinions on almost every episode.

if you are free to speak in a country than everybody should be free, being them right or wrong.
It's my prerogative to not watch or follow somebody if I do not like their opinion.
My censorship - turning off the channel - is enough, and I am intelligent enough to sort out who is worthy of my attention.
Really I do not need networks telling me what I should think about somebody's comments or groups of people.

We should do what we preach :), live and let live and let anybody speak , with their own prejudices and opinions.
Argue with them, try to make them see they are wrong - yes, all the time.
Ban them from TV cause it is not popular what they say - no, it is a slippery slope that I hate to see the whole world slide on for the last 20yrs.

Sorry :), still love you ...

>195 kidzdoc: Well ya could not possibly get two more perfect proofs of why this kind of nonsense is harmful than that. Giving these idiots any room to throw red meat to their slavering dimwit followers is bad.

>196 LovingLit: He is a complete douchebag, and anyone who thought he might be otherwise is surely disabused of the notion now. I'm not surprised about any of it, except that it took so long to hit the fan!

>197 tigerlyly: No, not true, Lyly. No one is telling the man to shut up except THE PEOPLE WHO EMPLOY HIM. Surely your boss can fire you for making your company look bad? He said stupid and offensive things, and the people who made him and his clan of idiot goofball rednecks famous and rich said, "no indeed, that isn't something we want our television network associated with."

They own the broadcasting rights. That means the things he says, even off camera, affect how people see their network. They made a business decision to get rid of someone who associated their network with bigoted and homophobic beliefs.

Why can't they do that, and have it come under the heading of free speech?

When a network chooses to remove an individual from its programming because he made hateful public remarks, that is not "banning" him. The man is still free to say whatever he likes. He won't be jailed for it. The government won't prevent him from working because of it. His employer has chosen not to condone it. That's their right, and I don't see it as an attempt to tell people what they should think about it. And I've eaten a fair few squirrels in my time...

I hadn't originally heard about his comments regarding blacks in the South, but when I did, I thought, "Did he go for the hat trick and say something offensive about the Jews, too?" What a moron. He can say whatever he likes but as others have pointed out, the rest of us, including his employer, can choose not to provide him an audience or a platform.

Slightly off topic but: there is a whole bunch of stuff on tv these days that looks like someone lifted a rock and started filming. I hear about these Honey BooBoo, Kardashian, Duck whatever shows, and think that there is nothing these people could possibly say or do to entertain me. The one thing I am concerned about, however, is that they seem to be growing in number and the dumbing down of (North) America continues. It has crept north of the 49th in the person of Rob Ford, the erstwhile mayor of Toronto and his quote unquote Ford Nation. These people scare the tar out me and I just know they watch this kind of tv. I'd run for the hills but they're there too.

>194 richardderus: I wouldn't piss in his ear if his brain was on fire.

Why would you? It would only take a second or two for his 10 neurons to burn to a crisp.

>202 tiffin: I don't get it either. But then again I like to read and I know there are large groups of people out there that can barely read much less string together a coherent, written sentence. There are so many better forms of "entertainment" in my opinion. I will say this for Honey Booboo's parents though, her mother is putting every cent from that show into bank accounts for her children's future education. At least that is commendable.

RE: Duck Dynasty: I was not aware of racially charged comments/opinions. That's icky. This guy is a real winner. ::eyeroll::

^^^This.

I am worn out. Hard to keep standing long enough to make stuff to fill the freezer, do laundry, and get the last bit of trash to the curb.

See all tomorrow!

((Hugs)) and xx smooches xx, RD.

Sounds like you had a full day yesterday... I hope that you can take it easy with a book today :)

>200 laytonwoman3rd: Ugh, Brunswick stew. Not a fan. Agree with everything else you say, though.

>201 katiekrug: HA! Yes, Katie, he missed one by not going after the "Christ-killers." Horrible way to live, don't you think, being so against people you don't know for reasons that don't make sense?

>202 tiffin: Someone described TLC, the network where most of those shows appear, as "the Tiaras, Losers, and Cupcakes channel." I about wet myself laughing.

Rob Ford wouldn't raise much of a stir outside his home patch in the USA. Not anymore. Too used to these kinds of fruitcakes in politics.

>203 kidzdoc: All ten neurons?! You think he has that many? *snort*

>204 leperdbunny: That Booboo creature isn't being raised any differently from many others, just that it's on camera. While the mother may be salting the money away for the future, she still has the kid on camera at a time in life where I'm not at all sure that's a good idea.

But she's not my child or grandchild, and I don't know these people, so I can't judge them, only what I see on camera and that's revolting to me.

>206 alcottacre: *smoochiesmoochsmooch* Thank you, dear Stats-meister!

>207 mckait: I took advantage of my soon-to-depart minion's good nature and got in the supplies to make a big pan of mexican-style pasta casserole, which freezes well and will give me ~12 dinners. The minion also took the leaf-trash to the curb, so all I had to do was defenestrate the kitchen garbage. It coincided with a painful foot day, so I complain more about it than it warrants, based on the facts.

Happy Winter Solstice to you, Richard!

Ah.... "hi, from the far northwest corner of the USofA". I rec'd your sweet Solstice greeting over on my thread and responded: Thank you, dear RMD, I appreciate you and your greetings! And return them with gratitude for a life, and good friends, and fascinating books. More of the same for 2014.

This is such a lovely place, on line, for hanging out and skimming, perusing, and reading comments by interesting and largely kind and caring people. We have a rare snow storm today and so I'm hanging with the kids while they start their Christmas vacation one day early.

Life is Good.

>202 tiffin: ....looks like someone lifted a rock and started filming.
LOL
Reality shows in a nutshell! Brilliant.

>203 kidzdoc: Another brilliant comment. This place is full of 'em!

RMD- you have classy visitors. A mark of the man.
Happy Solstice to you too. Your days will get longer, and mine shorter from now on. Our summer heat doesn't usually kick in til late Jan or Feb, so summer is still gearing up. If you don't hear from me for about a week it is because I am off glamping for Christmas- I will see you again close to the New Year! (will I cope- no LT for over a week?)

Take care of your good self this holiday season.

>210 tiffin: Ooo! ooo! ooo! Such a *gorgeous* image, Tui, thank you!!

>211 maggie1944: Baaawwwww, Karen44, you're making me mist up! Aren't we amazingly lucky to have this haven for the bookohlics in our lives? How dry and grim it would be for me without it. Very very. *smooch*

>212 LovingLit: Ain't we the pair! I know several people across multiple platforms, so I'm sort of accustomed now to conversations that cross over in sometimes incomprehensible ways. I bless the gawds of the internet every time I fire up this netbook.

Have a wonderful week of glamping, dearest Maudie-pie, and hug all the necks within reach from me!

Oooh, glamping! *jealous*

ì agree with the observation that there is a serious "dumbing down" of that network in particular. It is not the least bit surprising that one of those fuzzy face dudes would eventually say something inappropriate and ignorant. I do firmly believe in freedom of speech, I just fervently wish the people that use it so vigorously would show a modicum of intelligence. I actually thought that particular show would help to aquaint the public with a way of life some of us have nevr seen. I guess that wasn't very intelligent of me! I love watching shows that educate me, not so crazy about the abundance of shows that center around people that need educatin'! Anothr one that bothers me i "Storage Wars". If you have ever had your storage unit reclaimed and lost things that were precious to you bcause you had to decide between eating and paying your storage bill, you would not find it very amusing watching the vultures gather. I refuse to get a storage unit just in ase I am ever in that position and wonder if that show has had that effect on others.

Richard, thank you for your solstice message on my thread. I wish you the same.

Thought you'd get a giggle out of this one:

I'm late to the duck guy discussion, so I'll leave off for now. Morris Dees, founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, has a terrific response to this guy's idiocy, which maybe I'll share another time.

Meanwhile, in honor of the axial tilt, Happy Solstice, Richard! Look what we found for you:



Thanks for all you do to keep us thinking, entertained, flustered, shaking our heads, and laughing!

I missed all the hub-bub about DD until Lisa told me last night... Reading some of my "friends" comments on Facebook (using the term loosely) made me ill.

I have watched the show before just for laughs (because Lisa's niece and nephew love it) so his comments didn't really surprise me too much, but they way people have just jumped all up to defend him SO vehemently has made me sick at my stomach (literally).

>214 leperdbunny: I know, right Tamara? *glowers at Maudie*

>215 mmignano11: I find most reality TV annoying on some level. I like Project Runway because I have no dog in that fight, but if I miss some episodes, I can survive just fine.

I'd prefer to watch science and nature shows from the BBC on Netflix and Amazon Prime. (And YouTube, but don't tell anyone.)

>216 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie! I love the jpeg. It IS the reason for the season! Heh.

>217 jnwelch: COOLEST. SHEETS. EVER!! I love them! I covet them! Heh. Just wonderful. Very kind words, Joe, and thanks for them. *blush*

>218 TinaV95: I can only imagine it would, Tina, given where y'all live. SMH

Well! The UPS man needed a helper to come to my house today. An old friend from RL sent me 6 books! An old friend from LT sent me a carton of my favorite cookies! And I ordered doggie supplies. Then there were some mystery books....

The New Confessions...I like William Boyd's books, so I was happy to have this one.
Stoner...I've been champing at the bit to get this!!
One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night...someone yodeled this one's praises, can't remember who, and I wishlisted it.
Tomorrow-Land...the first World's Fair I remember and how it grew.
Glazed Murder...barely hit my wishlist and *whoomp* there it is!
The Crash of 2016...because she knows I'm a screaming wingnut leftist who gobbles all available anti-reactionary materials.

From my old pal Nancy, whom I have known since the 80s. I did a bit of consulting for her and these are my reward. *aaahhh*

Mars, Inc.: The Billionaire's Club
The Steel Remains
Raygun Chronicles: Space Opera for a New Age (boo! no touchstone)

I don't know this, but I suspect that a blogger friend of mine sent these to me. No note. I guess I'll find out.

Still! A superb haul, and timely, and lovely thoughtful prezzies all!

>220 richardderus: Ooh fun stuff!

Hi RD- It looks like you are buried in gift books, you lucky lucky man. For some reason I wasn't as impressed with Stoner as many people were. You might have to straighten me out on that one. I am not familiar with any of the other books.

Your Lee book is in the mail!!

Richard thank you for my Solstice greeting! I see you have been making the rounds around the threads. Perhaps a hot naked Celtic Druid has inspired you. I hope you had a lovely day filled with delicious food, good drink and hot dancing (naked) men!

xoxo to you and Stella

>222 msf59: Ain't that the truth, Mark? A lucky old fuffertutt indeed. I've heard so much about Stoner and its publishing history makes me very curious. I'll broadcast my responses, never fear.

>223 luvamystery65: And visions of (pairs of) sugarplum-shaped, errrmmm, objects, danced in his dirty-minded head....

xoxo

Stella sends slurps! Schmoozle the Devilles from me.

I don't know if this is real but I thought it was a cool image for the winter solstice.
The days will now be getting longer, Richard. For me, this is a good thing.

Hey Rdear, I made the coffee since you sent the wishes ;)

I am trying to upload a new cup I bought with you in mind but it does not work, the pic is too big it seems. Finally , managed it




I put on my thread the answer to the DD discussion cvause was too long. Have been in writing mood lately :)

#220: Nice haul, RD. Guess we know what you will be doing for the next several days. . .

((Hugs)) and xx smooches xx for today

Happy Saturday, darlingest Richard.

I'm off to clean the sun room, get the clean laundry folded and put away, drink Gevalia Stockholm Roast, freshly ground and brewed with my wonderful well water, and eat some chocolate covered pretzels.

You're the goods, always.

Morning again. It is weirdly warm out...kind of icky warm. And raining. Duncan is sad, no more lovely snow to eat. ( Thank the goddess)

Love that poster up there about Free Speech. Kind of sums it up, I'd say.

My mind is pretzeled otherwise. Probably people are no stupider than they always have been. Of course there are a lot MORE people, so there are more stupids than ever, but let us hope balanced by more enlightened people too.

>225 EBT1002: Oooh! Who cares if it's real? It's gorgeous! I love images like that. *smooch*

>226 tigerlyly: Hi Lyly! I'll be over to your place directly to read your writings. I like the new cup!

>227 alcottacre: *smoochiesmoochsmooch* Stasia! So happy to see you here!

>228 karenmarie: Hi Horrible, as I mentioned in your thread moments ago, surely the staff can handle the drudgery and leave you time to sip the coffee and scrape the chocolate off those perfectly good pretzels. And maybe, oh I dunno, read.

*smooch*

>229 mckait: Yay for no more snow! The warmth will end soon enough. But it's very weird. It's almost 50° already. This climate destabilization is as disorienting for me as for the poor plants. A few bulbs are thinking about sending up leaves. I hope they don't make it before the next frost!

>230 sibylline: Hiya cuz...no doubt in my mind that the proportion of stupids isn't higher nowadays than ever before, but the massive, massive upward redistribution of income and resultant educational attainment nosedive makes even the borderliners sink into the dimwit category.

People aren't taught to learn now. That would be bad for the richest, because the more information people have, the more likely they are to question why they can't keep more of what they earn.

I did the Home page list of five top books for 2013, and this is the list:

The Luminaries -- simply beautiful.
TransAtlantic -- involving, enriching, if a bit unnecessarily complex.
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena -- brutal, hateful, necessary.
The Daughters of Mars -- layers upon layers of sadness and conflict, made right in the end by the lessons learned.
The Yellow Birds -- a poet's first novel, about a war he didn't have to fight and the horror of life lived in fear of death...long after the threat is over.

Good morning, Richard! I'm de-lurking to say hello, as it's been awhile since I posted in here (though I'm always following the conversation). Hope you have a lovely weekend full of joy!

And while I don't find our reading tastes overlap very often, I think I'll check out your list of top 5 books above because, well, I'm a sucker for lists... :D

Hi Faith! Happy Solstice wishes for you and yours. Holiday feastings galore!

Some of those books are, I suspect, outside what I've seen of your comfort zone. Each one has a lot to offer. Sometimes it's rough to judge the match between reader and book, but of that list, I'd suggest taking a closer look at The Luminaries. The astrology bits are not crucial to the story.

Yeah, *just* enough...like flicking a page...*aaahhh*

RD - Your reading is always a little bit more up to date than my own, but I have to agree with Yellow Birds. Loved it.
Part way through The Luminaries and it will also make the list. Not got the others yet.

Interesting telephone conversation with SWMBO. She told me quite superciliously to make sure that I am at the airport at 9.00 pm on Monday 22nd. I pointed out that Monday is the 23rd and she is now hurriedly packing and I am picking her up on Sunday evening instead now. What a chump! Happy and bemused at the same time.

Have a great weekend, dear fellow.

>233 richardderus:, added all these to my tbr pile. :) I love historical fiction.

>236 richardderus: Bwahahahah!

>237 PaulCranswick: Oh dear!

>237 PaulCranswick: Ha! That's one phone call that's got two edges. *snicker*

I think the most astounding thing about 2013 is the number of books published this year that picky-picky me loved. Just flat-out loved. Most years I'm thrilled with three or four loves...this year at LEAST a dozen made my heart smile.

>238 leperdbunny: You're in for a treat or five, Tamara! I know, Hani's little goof is humorous, but aren't we all relieved that she found out BEFORE the Sunday flight left?!

Good top 5, Richard! I have to read 4 of the 5 (how did that happen?), but I liked Yellow Birds a lot.

I hope you'll enjoy at least one or two of the other four, Joe.

*crunch crunchcrunch* another Newman's Own Organics GingerO goes down the hatch, thank you again you sweet gifter you!

And also in gift news, today's mail brought an RL friend's generous gift of Morvern Callar from my Ammy wishlist! Yippeee!

The meme that went around about 15 books that changed your life didn't gaff me in the gills. I did the Home page list of five top reads of 2013 and, since I limited myself to books published in 2013, it was tough to limit it to five.

So then I thought, why not do both things? What books published in 2013 made me think the most, gave me the most food for thought, bid fair to stick with me?

After the five above:

Among Others -- luminous. Walton relives her youth with improvements.

How The Light Gets In -- Louise Penny comes home to Three Pines and the relief is epic. Wonderful tale! (Thanks for the signed copy, Suz!)

The Unwinding -- politics. Populist. Simple. Clear.

The Everything Store -- Bezos isn't a nice man. And when have driven, obsessive, power-hungry people ever been nice? No other way to GET rich in the world. But the business he built is, whatever your opinion of it, GENIUS.

Below Zero -- NO ONE TELL PAUL OR JOE THAT THERE'S A POULTRY BOOK ON MY TOP LIST!! But this book is spare and lean and fabulously imagined and told. I loved it.

American Honor Killings -- deeply disturbing, completely perplexing look at what idiots who internalize Bronze Age Jewish "morality" as their own will do when normal right-thinking people reject it, and by extension them.

Commentary -- touchstones all go to bible-based bull. This book is a new translation of Marcelle Sauvageot's beautiful meditation on loving someone who doesn't love you back. Gleaming, perfect prose.

Crapalachia -- a semiautobiographical more-fact-than-fiction look at the same sort of world Donald Ray Pollock writes about. Fabulous, amazing book.

>242 richardderus: Our very own Cookie Monster. :)

Sounds like some fun books there!

Hi Richard- I love your best of list! Unfortunately, I have to postpone the Luminaries but I will get to it in the new year. I was also crazy about TransAtlantic, a Constellation and the Yellow Birds. All 3 wil be contenders for my list.
I haven't heard much LT buzz on The Daughters of Mars but I'll have to add that one to the list too!

*waving hi*

I'm lurking through the threads for a few minutes. Love it here.

Happy weekend, Richard! I'm afraid I've gotten so far behind and am just now catching up, but I have to say I covet the room in 145... Not only the walls of shelves, but those chairs just look perfect for curling up with a cup of coffee (or tea or hot cocoa, I'm not picky) and a book. I'd be at risk of staying there all day.

Dropping in on a snowy Kansas eve to wish you a belated Happy Solstice, Richard.

Richard, I'm happy with your top 5 of best reads 2013.

I didn't read any of them yet, but I have 4 on Mountain TBR, and I'm looking forward to reading them:
The Luminaries, TransAtlantic, The Daughters of Mars and The Yellow Birds.

Have a beautiful Sunday!

Morning Richard Dear I hope you and Stella have a wonderful Sunday Hugs and Smooches.

>235 richardderus:: Thank you for the recommendation! It does sound interesting, so onto the list it goes. I notice other reviews say they either loved or hated the astrology aspects, so I'm intrigued to discover my own reaction. :D

>243 richardderus:: Yes, yes! Luminous is the perfect descriptor for Among Others. I really can't think of a better word.

Haha.. your gif reminds me of the time a flight attendant did poke me during a flight because the passenger sitting next to me thought because I hadn't moved in 6 hours, that I had died, but was afraid to check for himself, and called a flight attendant over to voice his concerns. Why neither of them thought to look to see if I was breathing before interrupting my sleep continues to baffle me.

>244 leperdbunny: Hi Tamara! There are indeed some way fun books there.

>245 msf59: It was Suzanne that caused my interest to flare in that one, and it was every bit as good as I'd hoped. I hope it can get onto your 2014 read list.

>246 maggie1944: Hi Karen44! *smooch* Happy to see you.

>247 bell7: Hi Mary! Glad you stopped in. I know what you mean...I could sink into one of those chairs and submerge from life for a very long while. It's an inviting space. I'm envious of them as owns it.

>248 ronincats: Hi Roni! Snowy and cold there in Kansas, according to Benita's mini-travelogue in Mark's thread. Good Yule to you and yours there on the freezyfrostycold plains!

>249 wilkiec: Hello there Diana! I hope you'll enjoy them all, though everyone brings a special pair of eyes to every book. I hope you'll see what I saw that made them best-of material for me.

>250 MonicaLynn: Morning Monica! Glad to see you. We're probably going to be slobbish until time to make dinner. Smothered pork chops, potatoes Anna, and a pumpkin chiffon pie. Nothing fancy.

>251 dk_phoenix: How do, Faith...I think the astrology bits were an odd idea, one that makes sense when one considers how very young the author is. A bit tricksy. I myownself had to use internet astrology sites to learn what the configurations meant, as I'm not conversant with the language.

It was interesting. All I'll say.

>252 cameling: Caro darling! *smooch* I'm just glad you *weren't* dead. I suspect your seatmate was a worrywart in many ways. Plus a weirdo. Why wouldn't you simply "accidentally" drop something and check for vitals that way?

Silliness. Happy that your undead status remains undiscovered! Oops I've said too much....

Two book-warbles today! Shattered Love, a memoir by gay actor Richard Chamberlain, about his life as a huge star and unhappy man morphing into openness and honesty and happiness after stardom waned.

Also, Pat Frank's classic post-apocalyptic novel Alas, Babylon, about the struggles of one small town in Florida (!) to cope with life after the nuclear holocaust we all feared back in the day.

Both are $1.99 on all ereader platforms today, 22 December. Worthwhile to archive on the device, even if reading them today isn't in your plans.

Thanks, Rdear, for the tips above. Dreary here weather-wise; did an interesting shopping yesterday at a small Italian grocery. Such fun and so many yummies. Otherwise 2013 continues to win Worst Year Ever award in this family. Starting to lose a bit of my grip.

Never mind; 2014 will be here soon enough. Hoping your Sunday is as pleasant as possible, I remain your
Danvers

Glad you saw the goodies and got them, darling Danvers. It's a sad fact that some years just rot on ice. This has been one!

*smooch*

...

>258 mckait: Okay...I'll bite: what?

The Headless Dickens, or, Richard's Fantasy Best Yule Gift EVER If Only It Was Real Life and Maybe About 1840

Hi Richard, thanks for being a friend who cares, we may never meet but I feel that we have and that I know you, hope you've had a good weekend.

Do you know, John, meeting people and coming to be friends with them isn't limited to face-to-face interactions anymore. We're all in cyberspace for a lot of purposes nowadays and we're just as genuinely bonded as if we all lived in the same neighborhood.

What you and Karen are going through at this moment is unpleasant and difficult on so many levels, and the beauty of having this large community of reader/friend/supporters is that we're here a lot of the time when local friends might not be. Plus so many of us are of an age and have therefore been through, or are going through, what you and Karen are.

Take heart from the number and variety of people who wish you and your while family so well! Happy Yule to you all.

Thanks Richard, I will be posting my Christmas message tomorrow or Tuesday. Everything you have put is so true and with all the timezones there is always somebody to chat to as you say.

I can vouch for that, rd. I am quite fond of you, as you know. I think of you daily and send good energy and wish and wish for a golden ticket or a magic wand to wish your troubles away from you..
hugs

>260 richardderus: *shedding a tear over poor head separated Charles* Super glue! Super glue! Someone must have some.

>263 johnsimpson: I'll look for it then!

>264 mckait: ...I'm sorry, you are...?

xoxo for saying such sweet things. I hate to imagine what my life would be like without your friendship.

>265 jnwelch: Oh dear! I seem to have SMASHED THE EFFIN' THING INTO DUST PARTICLES and swept them into the toilet. Pity.

So dinner's smothered porkies were outstanding, huge, thick, perfect boneless chops...the smotherin' was very tomato-y, with basil and fennel and a hint of balsamic vinegar to balance the onion. Three layers of thin-sliced potatoes in brown butter, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and parmesan baked with about a cup of cream came out tasty enough that 5 people ate 5 pounds of potatoes. Then the let-down: I made a tasty pumpkin chiffon pie today. The disappointment? It really needs to set overnight. Runny runny runny, dagnabbit! Even after 3hrs in the freezer. A wee bit bummed by that.

But I am here to tell you that the people ate every morsel. I love when that happens.

Dear One




I send a light of love to warm you. Thank you for the wonderful, kind, sensitive person you are.

Thank you, Linda, what a lovely wreath. Lovelier still is the thought behind it. Sending hugs and love!

>266 richardderus: So dinner's smothered porkies were outstanding, huge, thick, perfect boneless chops...the smotherin' was very tomato-y, with basil and fennel and a hint of balsamic vinegar to balance the onion. Three layers of thin-sliced potatoes in brown butter, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and parmesan baked with about a cup of cream came out tasty enough that 5 people ate 5 pounds of potatoes. Then the let-down: I made a tasty pumpkin chiffon pie today. The disappointment? It really needs to set overnight. Runny runny runny, dagnabbit! Even after 3hrs in the freezer. A wee bit bummed by that.

Sounds delish!

*shedding a tear over poor head separated Charles* Super glue! Super glue! Someone must have some.
Oh noes!

#170 LOVE LOVE LOVE ....WANT WANT WANT
233...great list RD...I certainly can't argue with any of them altho I still have to read Constellation and Daughters of Mars Not sure they'd be my personal top 5 but they are all worthy nominees for everyone's TBR pile

Have a wonderful holiday, Richard!

Made coffee and wish you a day filled with wonderful posts like the ones above... you devilish you ;).
Poor Dickens, such a prolific writer he was...

Yummy sounding food, RD. I just purchased the Kindle edition of Alas, Babylon and perhaps that one will pull me out of my reading funk.

Have a lovely Monday. *smooches* from Horrible

wishing you a lack of pain, and a lot of peace and contentment for today

260> Ha! So I'm NOT the only one . . .

>269 leperdbunny: Thanks, Tamara, it was pretty durned tasty. I'm still a little bit bummed by the pie, but it should be ready to be fabulous today.

>270 tututhefirst: You know, Tina, The Daughters of Mars might make your list. It's deeply involving. I loved the time I could spend immersed in it, so permaybehaps you'll find the same thing.

>271 Cariola: Thank you most kindly, Deborah!

>272 tigerlyly: Oooh good coffee! And with a peppermint stick! *smooch*

>273 karenmarie: Hiya Horrible, well if the hilarity of the idea that a small town in Florida (!) survives the nuclear holocaust and is responsible for remaking civilization doesn't make you grin, it's a bad funk indeed. *smooch*

>274 mckait: WAAAYYY too late on the pain, I fear, all that time in the kitchen doing the fun stuff (I know I'm weird, but I like to cook) has made the footsies pretty sore today. Thanks for the wishes!

>275 Cariola: No indeed, there are at least two of us on this path of most resistance.

#276 Seconded! I can't diss 2013 totally much because it has had its good points. Albeit occasional ones. Still... gotta believe that next year will have more good days in it :/

Ditto. Good to hear there's a better year ahead.

>279 BekkaJo: It wasn't a shit sandwich every day, no. Very few years are. But I'm ready for it to be a memory.

>280 jnwelch: I hope that's what the light at the end of the tunnel means. Of course, it could be the Eurostar coming on at 200mph.

LOL! Ducking probably won't help if it's the latter.

Stopping in before this thread runs away -

I've read only one on yr. best book list, Among Others and I concur. The Penny, i will read or listen to eventually, no doubt. And..... Hmmm. Those with whom I share the closest 'taste radar' or whatever it is, didn't like The Luminaries all that much. That means I'll 'test' it at the library. The rest I've had to look up and read yr. reviews of.! Thee is a much more serious and thoughtful reader than me, and I'm glad for that. I'm happy to learn secondhand through your thoroughness.

>282 jnwelch: I suspect not....

>283 sibylline: Why thank you, Lucy! I appreciate the compliment.

Well, Richard, I've only read one of your top five.
I also loved TransAtlantic and it made my own top five.
I own but have not yet read The Yellow Birds (and it now moves up on the TBR pile), and I have been wanting to read A Constellation of Vital Phenomena. I had it from the library, but didn't get to it before it was due.
I'm receiving a copy of The Luminaries soon and will definitely read it early in 2014.
The Daughters of Mars has not been on my radar. Must investigate.

And I hope that 2014 is, indeed, better.

Smooches to you and the Stella dog.

To finally follow Richard's threads through the year is one of my New Year resolutions, at least I'll try not to get as lost as I did this year.

I wish you a belated "Happy Solstice", an early "Merry Christmas" (in case you're celebrating) and in any case a very "Happy Year-End"!

I too hope 2014 is better on so many levels!

Your smothered porkies sound simply delish. I love porkies but I have to wait until the hubster isn't home to make them for myself because he doesn't like them (WTH right?) I usually like to do the eggwash and breadcrumb thing (twice to get a really thick crunchy crust) and deep fry them. add a large dollop of stone mustard and mashed potatoes on the side .. ok, maybe a broccoli floret or two and blissssss.......

Hi, Rdear. I hope this finds you in less pain.

>276 richardderus:: We can but hope. I've had a lot more than enough of 2013.

#286 - Good luck with that! Ha. :-)

>285 EBT1002: The list was only possible to make because I limited myself to books that came out in 2013. No other way I coulda done it. Smooches back!

>286 Deern: Ummm welllll I don't know how to make that easier. Permaybehaps there will be fewer of them in 2014? One never knows. Thanks for the wishes! Sending hugs.

>287 cameling: Those porkies sound supercalafragilisticexpialadocious, too!! How about some curried roasted broccoli and cauliflower? Oh yummm. xo

>288 Matke: AMEN!! Pain's not subsiding too much, there's a low-pressure system parked overhead and I'm affected quite a bit by same. *grumble*

>289 EBT1002: Some days it's all I can do to keep up with my own threads. And I still lose people every year! How does this happen?

>276 richardderus: Make it so.

Richard, I would like to introduce you to Balzac. After you read him Dickens will seem like a cheap romance novel.
And if that did not convince you, let's not forget Tolstoi and his never ending War and Peace
And why are you sore, people in that era need it soap-opera too, you know. They had no Spanish telenovela's but they had sappy novels. Shame on you to begrudge them that :P

>252 cameling: Sheesh...don't they teach attendants the mirror-under-the-nose trick anymore? Can't believe they poked you....after all, what if they found out you WERE dead, wouldn't they rather no one knew that until the plane landed?

Oh boy! The tide riseth further! I got Mark's duplicate ARC of Chang-Rae Lee's On Such a Full Sea, yay and thanks Mark! And a gift copy of Pilcrow from a UK friend Neil; and Brain: The Man Who Wrote the Book that Changed the World for review. Whee!

>291 ffortsa: To the extent I can control it, I will!

>292 tigerlyly: I like Balzac! Dickens is icky-ptoo-ptoo for all of me.

>293 laytonwoman3rd: I've wondered that...

Hey RD, my dear sweet friend. Just dropping in for a quick smoochling or four. ;) Love you!

RD- I am glad you received On Such a Full Sea and in such a prompt manner. Go P.O.! I mailed it Friday. It got ridiculously cold here this afternoon. Brrrrrr.....

Your meal sounds delish! I'm having a Jamie Oliver Christmas dinner tomorrow (using several of his recipes).

>276 richardderus: I hope so!

>272 tigerlyly: That's the best thing I've seen on the internets all day! :)

xoxo to you and Stella from me and The Devilles!

wish you a blessed Christmas, Richard

(and add a self made picture to your collection of nice pictures)

Good morning my favorite curmudgeon. Let's have coffee and be merry today ;)
I am sorry I did not know you when I was living in NY, we would definitely had some cooking/reading parties.

Richard, When words are not enough to wish you Seasons Greetings

May you have a book filled, pain free Christmas. *smooch* and {{{hugs}}}

Can't resist this! Have a merry day.

Dear Richard,

I want that green velvety soft cushioned sofa for my Christmas present; I'll provide the bookshelves, and the warmth (even if I can't have a real fire place). Perfect! I want to begin 2014 sitting on that sofa in front of the heat source and read, read, read. Good idea! Hoping the same for you, dear friend.

>294 richardderus: That's the ARC I got from ER too. It's waiting back in SD for me.

Merry Christmas, Richard! And that means Peace on Earth, Good Will toward (Wo) Men.

Happy Booksmas, book porn lovers!

Oooooooh!

Does everyone over 45 remember the movie Soylent Green? Well guess what! The Kindle edition of Make Room! Make Room! is only 99¢ now! It's the novel the movie was based on, and it's well worth the read.

>296 TinaV95: Baaawww thank you my sweet pal! I'm sending hugs and love to you and Mrs. Tina!

>297 msf59: I was thrilled and amazed, Mark. I wouldn't have made a peep if it had arrived at New Year's Day! But certainty, security and celerity were the order of the day.

>298 tiffin: I like Jamie Oliver's style of cooking a lot. I enjoy his programs when they're re-run on BBC America. I can see a Naked Xmas would be a good one!

>299 avidmom: Heh, it's a pretty good sight for Internetted eyes. Mocha in a mug with candy cane, oooooo

>300 luvamystery65: Thank you, Roberta! It's a spectacularly beautiful day today, 40° and sunshiney; tomorrow colder, maybe a dusting of snow...*bliss*

>301 paulstalder: Thank you for the beautiful painting and the warm wishes, Paul! I will see you in 2014!

>302 tigerlyly: Oh thank goodness you brought coffee, Lyly. I've done my part of the arranging and am now in need of fortification. Coffee ho! Well, yes, I think we'd've had a ball as neighbors, but the internet means we can have fun any time!

>303 Carmenere: OOOO Lynda! That is some kinda yummy book porn! Thank you, and see you in 2014!

>304 calm: Thank you, calm, lovely lovely wishes and a warm and inviting room...doesn't get much better than that.

>305 sibylline: HA!! I adore them!! So cute, thank you cuz!

>306 wilkiec: Many thanks, Diana, and I hope to see more of you in 2014!

>307 maggie1944: doesn't that sound like the best thing ever, Karen44? So lush and inviting, isn't it? Looking forward to 2014 with all my 75er pals!

>311 richardderus: I'm under 45 and love Soylent Green, do I count?
I'm not an e-book-er, but Make Room! Make Room! is definitely on the list of books I need to read.

You got me! One BB, square in the middle of my Decider, and I bought Make Room! Make Room! for my little kindle, yes, I did!

Best wishes to you, Richard!


glitter-graphics.com

>308 ronincats: I'm really looking forward to it, as I feel sure you are as well Roni. Have a wonderful snowy Kansas xmas!

>310 ronincats: Ain't that somethin'? It was Texas Book Festival's Facebook image today. Lovely!

>315 norabelle414: Under 45 and have heard of it! Amazing! Make room for the book soon, it's eerily relevant to today's world.

>316 maggie1944: How can you go wrong for a buck, I ask you...how?

>317 tymfos: Thank you so much, Terri! What a lovely GIF!

From little ol me and The Devilles to you and Stella. Merry Christmas!



xoxo

How adorable, Roberta! *smooch*

Happy Christmas, RD. A vignette from our Christmas tree...

Wonderful! I love the bird...bird ornaments on the tree are among my favorites! Sending hugs, Linda3rd, to you and all yours.

#309 - LIKE.

Okay, Richard, I'm hoping you'll suck it up, it being Christmas and all, and appreciate the irreverent humor and forgive that my holiday greeting has an apparent feline imbedded within......

Merry Christmas, my book loving friend!

>324 EBT1002: Ain't it purtyful?

>325 EBT1002: Ha! One, and ONLY one, exemption from 1 cat = 1 eye surgery rule granted. And used.

Thank you, Richard Dear.
And I do mean it -- happy Christmas to you and the lovely Stella!

I wanted to wish you a few delicious pain-free moments to yourself, a good book and a hot mug of coffee this Christmas, Richard.

Just dropping in to wish you a wonderful Christmas, exactly as you might wish it to be. Thank you for adding a smile to my year.

Best wishes of the season to you, Richard.

RD - I had planned to say something about what an all-round good egg you are but I know how you abhor all that mushy, gushy stuff. So simply put: thank you for being my friend and sometime word jouster. Have the most wonderful of festive seasons.

Merry Christmas, Richard!

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!!

Dearest, darlingest, Richard...

I'm wishing you the merriest of Christmases tomorrow, my friend! I love you!! Be well and enjoy the day!

What a gift it has been getting to know you this year, Richard. Your incredible charm and thoughtfulness has provided for me many smiles, and your humor and wit has made me laugh out loud more times than I can count. Hoping that you know how very much you mean to me and how very much you are loved. May your holidays be filled with fabulous, just like your heart. *smooch for you, BigDaddy*

Have a merry happy day, Richard, full of books & book porn & similarly delightful stuff!

No fancy gifs, alas, just heartfelt sentiments...

Happy holidays, Richard, and warmest wishes for a wonderful New Year filled with good books, good friends, good health, and good times!

Happy Holidays, Richard, from me as well. I've been AWOL from your thread for a few weeks as I'm on an extended vacation (in Spain). Anyway on a recent trip to Gibralter I came across the story of the Garrison Library and think you'd like it too.
'The Garrison Library of Gibraltar is no ‘ordinary services' library. Its founding was due to the perceptive Captain (later Colonel) John Drinkwater, author of one of the most famous histories of the Great Siege of Gibraltar, which lasted from 1779–1783. Having suffered from a lack of reading material during the four years of the siege, Colonel Drinkwater saw the need for a good circulating library and club as a means of saving the officers of the garrison from “having their minds enervated and vitiated by dissipation”. The library now houses in excess of 45,000 books.'
Unfortunately I didn't visit it but love the story of how it started and that it is still there, though now is a research library.

*waving* hi, I'm up way too early so I'm strolling through threads. I'd love to visit #339 for a hot toddy and a nice book but no, I've got to "cook" up a treat and submit to the annual Christmas craziness with kids and family. See you on the other side, sir.

Seasons greetings Richard fro John and Karen.

Wishing you a comforting and happy day... Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Dearest Richard and to Stella Too. Sending Big Hugs and smooches. Hope your day is filled with Joy.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2014, RD!

Many *smooches* and hugs from your own Horrible

Morning RD! I hope you are having a perfect kick-back Christmas day! Warm, snugly and well-read.

Whew! Have one little dinner party and look what you miss!

We were a very small group last night. One of our invitees was hit by a bus (!!) so wasn't in attendance, which left us with extra portions of cod salad, grilled veggies, bacalao, salad, and napoleon cake. Boo effin' hoo. It was a scrumptious dinner of all fish dishes in deference to Italian tradition, but it was no hardship at all. Everything was outstandingly fresh and delicious.

My goodness! I am utterly incapable of waiting for xmas day to open presents, so the gifts that Santa brought for me were well-hidden. (I looked. They were WELL hidden.) As I spent too much time with my body in its least favorite position, seated, I'm mostly incapable of movement today, and have requested that unwrapping wait until Boxing Day. I'll spend a quiet and welcome day alone today, sunshine and FREEZINGBLOODYCOLD temps safely outside until I have to walk Stella this evening.

And, of course, the leftovers....

>327 EBT1002: *smooch* and sluuurp from our home to yours, Ellen!

>328 cameling: Thank you, dear Caro, it's all me and Poochie today. Heaven! Much good reading in the embarrassment of riches I've received this holiday.

>329 BekkaJo: Thank you Bekka, you'e too kind! *smooch*

>330 qebo: Oh how lovely, Katherine! I love butterflies. They look the way smiles feel.

>331 katiekrug: Thank you, Katie! The "bright" bit is for sure. This day is so clear it's almost painfully bright.

>332 leperdbunny: Thanks, Tamara! Lovely wreath. I'm glad you're back in the land of the posting 75ers!

>333 PaulCranswick: Thank you most kindly, Paul, I appreciate the sentiments indeed. All the more for your restraint, as you suspected!

>334 cushlareads: Happy happy Boxing Day, Cushla! Oh wait...are you in Europe or NZ now? Aaargh! Well anyway, I hope it's delightful wherever you are and only gets better in 2014.

>335 ChelleBearss: Thank you, Chelle! Have a wonderful 2014, you and Nate and Small-one!

>336 TinaV95: Baaaaaaawwwwwwwww, Mrs. Lisa, so cute and so sweet! *smooches* for you both, and scroodles of loving support for a calmer yet even happier 2014.

>337 Crazymamie: *sniff* Now listen here, bad bad woman! I am an EVIL CURMUDGEON with NO REDEEMING GRACES and you best not forget it! You take back *every*word* of those calumnies on my character!

*smooch*

*sniff*

>338 Chatterbox: I missed seeing you last night, Suz, it wasn't near as much fun without your laugh to jolly me...and thanks, today is perfect! Peace and quiet. So soothing to my pain-addled senses.

xo

>339 Storeetllr: Thank you, Mary! What a beautiful image that is. I love Yule trees in their decorated splendor.

>340 avatiakh: So kind, Kerry, thanks! I love that story about the Garrison Library's origins! Drinkwater might have had a slightly purseymouthed reason for starting it, but it's a darn fine gift to give the colony.

>341 maggie1944: Survival whammys coming your way, Karen44. I'll check your thread on Boxing Day to be sure you're not a casualty of the merriment.

>342 johnsimpson: Thank you John (and Karen) for the kind wishes, which you know I heartily return.

>343 -Cee-: Thanks Claudia, and what an adorable gif that is! Snow doesn't seem like a bad idea now, it's so cold. Always feels warmer if it's snowing. (I think it actually is warmer....)

>344 MonicaLynn: So kind, Monica! Thanks. And Stella, lazy animal, would send slurps if she hadn't fallen asleep!

>345 karenmarie: Thanks, Horrible! 2014 will be a good year indeed, or I will Have Words for the Management. *smooch*

>346 msf59: All of the above, Mark, thanks for your whammy! It worked.



Yep. Me!

(late Christmas Day) I spent from 10 am to 3 pm with the family. Fun. Kids were very happy. I even got a hug from the oldest boy because I bought him a book about fighting methods and tools of the Ancient World. He is a geek in training, that one. Or maybe a nerd. Dogs were with me and got one very nice walk from me and the youngest who loves to run with Greta Garbo. I was so sorry I did not have my camera around my neck. I received three (count them) gifts cards for Amazon. My family knows me well. We ate pizza and salads. Good time was had, and then I cam home. I love being home, and I'm going to spend the rest of the evening reading! Dogs are already crashed. I know that feeling of loving being quiet, and with ones own self, with dog(s) by your side. Sigh,

Happy Boxing Day, too, dear man.

Thanks, Karen44, it will be less quiet but no less delightful for that.

My 2014 thread is up. Wander by at your leisure.

Hi Richard. I hope you've had a restful and restorative day. Sounds like a great way to spend Christmas. Thanks so much for your Solstice greeting. I need to start celebrating that instead of putting the focus on Christmas so much. I'm off to check out your 2014 thread. Thanks for the link.

Hi Pat! What a beautiful cardinal that is! I love them. They make me feel warm inside, all that glorious redness a-wing in the wintertime bareness. See you there!

Cardinals are actually something I miss out here in Idaho. Oh well, you can't have everything.

Richard dear, I know I'm late but could not be remiss in wishing you a wonderful holiday time and a pledge to try harder to keep up with all the book porn, hunky guys, humorous jibs and jabs to say nothing of the pithy reviews that go in to each and every one of your threads. I'm not ready for 2014 yet and when I am you may already be on your third or fourth thread. Somehow, I'm behind already and 2014 is still six days away. *sigh*

I hope your body has limbered up with a day's rest, Richard, and that you are up to unwrapping your gifts on Boxing Day.

>358 phebj: I would miss them terribly, as well. Didn't realize they couldn't cross the Rockies. Permaybehaps I can send some to you....

>359 brenzi: Baaawwww Bonnie, how sweet! I'm glad to know 2014 is already slipping away from someone else. The group went up today and already I'm a-welter in a sea of unread messages.

I'll take this over bored any day, however.

>360 ronincats: Up to it or not, I'll be chivvyed and horsewhipped unless I hop to! I do so love the Yuletide. The colors, the gaudiness, the overeating...all just wonderful.

Have a great day Richard. I'm ignoring the 2014 group until it is 2014 ... I know I will be miles behind and lost in a sea of posts but I definitely look forward to following you and your posts next year:)

xo. 2014? dear goddess, not me, not yet.

Best wishes to you for whats left of 2013... ( she says with a cringe)

>362 calm: I admire your confidence...I'd never, ever get a handle on the welter of posts if I started that late.

>363 mckait: What's left of 2013...ahhhmmm...not enough to count! *smooch* Hope things are better now?

Happy Boxing Day, RD. I hope you're feeling a tad more limber today. My refrigerator groans with leftovers (poor us!), my husband's back has gone crook on him, but his mother means to leave this afternoon, so maybe that will relieve some of his pain! I my-ownself am at work and no longer inflicted with Herself, of whose presence 2 or 3 hours is a-plenty. Two or three days begins to try one's patience. Still...we do the right thing, always. I thought of you mightily yesterday, as my husband gave me a copy of The Library: A World History, which is coffee table book porn of the finest sort.

Hi Linda3rd! Oh dear oh dear, the Dreaded Motherinlaw (Homo insapiens vulgaris)! Sorry, my dear. It's amazing to me how often that relationship is difficult.

Stella and I are comfortably ensconced in full "no thanks, we're napping" mode. Sending hugs for your industrious self, back at work!

359: I love the snowman

#358- "Cardinals are actually something I miss out here in Idaho."
Me too! I mean, they are something I miss out here in Wshington ( and I missed them in Oregon).

Hi Richard. I see you are trying to make this thread eek it out until time to start the new 2014 thread.....

Being a life long Washington resident, I happily have discovered cardinals can be found on Kaua'i which I consider to be my other home. (-:

Five days to go....

Thanks for the messages Richard and yes you will have to put up with me again next year.

Egads is there no escaping the Tentacles of Northern Blighty

No, ha ha.

I saw a cute calendar today called Hunky Guys and Cute Puppies, so I thought of you. Bwahahah!

The infrequent visitor that I am is now stopping by with belated Christmas wishes Richard and to wish you a

Hope you had a very Merry Christmas, Richard! :D

>373 johnsimpson: I feared as much.

>374 leperdbunny: Funny coincidence...I ordered a hunks'n'puppies calendar for myself!

>375 lkernagh: Hi there Lori! Thanks for the wishes, they came true. I love that nostalgic image!

>376 dk_phoenix: Thank you, Faith! It was a lovely holiday season, and I'm still glad it's over.

((Hugs)) and xx smooches xx, RD

Glad to see that you survived the holidays :)

I did survive them, thanks! I'm fat and happy as a result of the delicious dining I did, and continue to do. xoxoxoxo

>379 richardderus: Glad you had a good holiday! Give Stella luvins for me.

>380 leperdbunny: Stella awoke long enough to slurp heartily!

Happy Holidays, Richard! Glad to hear you're feeling fat and happy. I picked up The Luminaries on our bookstore trip, so that will be on the agenda sometime soon.

Oh goody good good! I really hope it gives you the pleasure it did me.

One of your holiday guests was hit by a bus?? Are they ok?

And to think, all Terri, Stasia and I did was roam around, around, around, around and around trying to find your house.

Happy Holidays filled with good cheer and calm quietess.

>233 richardderus: seeing as I also really really liked, or loved, 3/5 of the top 5 you have there. I am thinking maybe to read the others. (which would be A Constellation of Vital Phenomena and The Daughters of Mars)

Oh my gawd (as they say), I am up late, have had 7x early starts in the last 7 days (with multiple uppings in the night- yes- kids) and am promised a sleep in tomorrow. So I am going to try to make the most of it and go to bed (in a BED!) now. xx

Hoping you had a Merry Christmas, but unable to get past post #233 just yet. :)

RD - We are almost closing out 2013 over here dear fellow so I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all the fun and frowns and furrowed brows you have given me over the last 12 months. You are a gem and a half even though I know you'd prefer everyone to think otherwise.

>385 LovingLit: Hiya Maudie, well those days were spent *shudder* sleeping on the dirt in defiance of all the work your ancestors did to enable you to have all the mod cons, so of course they started early! But isn't getting into a bed the best thing ever after a week of dirt-napping?

The season was perfectly fine, thanks, and still I'll be glad when all the desperate, manufactured gaiety is done.

>386 PaulCranswick: How lovely of you to say those kind things, Paul. I return the sentiments most heartily.

Thank you for being you. Wishing you a good 2014 with pleasant surprises rather than the other sort.

And many smooches to you.

>388 Matke: Thank you, you sweetiedarling of a Danvers you! More sentiments I can return most heartily. Goodness knows how very nice it would be for you to have all kinds and sorts of good surprises in 2014!

*waving while wandering through*

Good gracious, this ancient thread is still around! Imagine that, when there's a new sparkly thread in the 2014 forum!

hmmm I think RD is trying to hint at something, can't imagine what though .....

*taptaptap* good gravy the reception on this antique thread is awful I can barely...oh, HI ALEX LISTEN I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'LL SEE THIS THROUGH THE MISTS OF TIME BUT THERE IS A 2014 FORUM AND I HAVE A THREAD IN IT SO GO ON OVER THERE KTHXBYE

*checks calendar*



*returns to 2013 threads*

LOL at Darryl!

Should we send someone after him? Do you think he will lost over there in all that darkness with the empty echoing corridors?

*smacktapsmack* whatinaheck's goin' on with these ghosts whooeee it's grim in here oh wait HI THERE SPIRITS OF THE PAST LET GO OF THIS WORN-OUT UNREALITY AND MOVE TOWARDS THE LIGHT OF 2014 YOU CAN'T STAY IN DARK GLOOMY LIMBO FOREVER gosh I hope they can hear me through the mist and funk

Where's that, crazy Mamie? You mean with the hordes of people who have started their 2014 threads and insist on posting on them, their friends' threads, too? Is that where he's gone? My, my, my!

Sorry. Don't mind me.

400!! Couldn't resist. Even if RD will refuse to see or acknowledge this post.

Still clinging on to the last tattered strings of the past .... flitting in to say hello and see what's happening and who's swishing by in your thread today.

So hard to let go of 2013, isn't it?

Maybe they can see this from that dim and distant shore.

*sneaks in unlocked side door*

LOL

Joins Megan - it is still 2013 here as well:)

Oh, does this mean a party at Richard's *ahem* 2013 thread? If so, count me in!

That's a MARvelous idea!!

Where did 2013 go??? And where is the famous forum and threads for 2014 which were started too early??

Oh, did you see how fast I de-lurked when I heard the word party???

cocktails anyone?? Richard dear is not nice to kick out your guests ;)

^ Don't mind if I do.... thanks! Poor Richard - he has forgotten one must 'ring out the old' before they 'bring in the new'.

Cheese and crackers, anyone?

I brought some party favors, since this party will probably ring in the New Year.

Lol- again :)

I'm partying here through midnight EST tomorrow. Cheers, all!

>408 tigerlyly: Mmmmm, luverlies! Richard, I may need a mop.

Perhaps this will entice RDear to stop here again?

Now for GOODNESS SAKE MOVE ON!!

Why is there a CLOSED sign on this thread?

And Move On? What are you, a medium? Exorcist? Activist? Do tell?

Had to come by for just a few more 2013 smooches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me LOVES my RD!!!

Moving on now!!! You can't help it you're so popular, love. ;)

I've been going through and un-starring folks' 2013 threads as they close them down. Not un-starring this one. Uh uh. No way. Too much fun over here. Even if the proprietor has shuttered the windows and turned off the electricity.

Do you think he's ignoring us?

Oh, Richhharrrdddd!

Yep. Lucky for us we're so hard to resist!

I'm over here now.

Move with the times! G'wan, git!

The last message I'll post on your 2013 thread.

>422 richardderus: I dunno who that was, but it couldn't have been Richard, 'cause he left most of the bacon...

I want that door mat.

...it is still 2013 there I believe, so this is a legitimate visit from me. Possibly my last.....we'll see.

Happy New Year RMD!!

Saying good-bye to Richard's thread for 2013.

This thread is getting awfully long. I have no idea why he doesn't make a new one.

True enough. Still 2013 here...

SCAT!!! SHOO!!! GO TO THE 2014 THREAD!!!

I get the distinct feeling that Richard would like us to clear out.

But.... but.... but.... it's still 2013 here.....



.... sorry RD, I just couldn't resist! ;-)

I found that doormat on Amazon. I am trying to decide between it, andone that says, Hi. I'm Matt

awwwww kitty!

Here I am with another cat, and still not a red tabby. le sigh

hon, where's your 2014. i'm a deadhead sticker -- no pink caddie, though.

smoooooooochhhes forever y un abrazo!

regards to Perkins and Stellar (sic)