Katie's Reading Life - 2020 - Part 18

Continuing with my travel theme.... Azerbaijan!

I spent several days in Baku, which is a fascinating city. This was one of my favorite trips.

(1) (2)
(3) (4)
(5)

(1) Baku city view
(2) Elderly woman on the street
(3) Walls of the Old City
(4) Juxtaposition of old and new
(5) Cool mural (?) installation (?)

This trip included a day in the Kirmaky Valley, where we learned about the geology and history of the oil industry there.

(1) (2)
(3)

(1) A pack of wild dogs. We also saw a flock of sheep.
(2) Part of our group climbing a hill; in the far distance, you can see the buses that got us there.
(3) A hand-dug oil well from the late 19th c. with wood casing.

On our way back to Baku, we stopped at Yanar Dag,where the rocks have been flaming for thousands of years.

Welcome to my thread! I’m Katie and I’ve been with the 75ers since 2011. I live just outside New York City - in addition to reading, I love to explore the city and to travel both near and far. I’m a bit of a foodie, am trying to get more comfortable doing my own cooking, and love wine. My reading tastes are eclectic and run from acknowledged classics to super frothy romances. I can be a bit snarky and sarcastic, and I am not to everyone’s taste, which is totally okay with me :)

In addition to a couple thousand books, I live with my husband (affectionately known as The Wayne), our cat, Leonard,and our new doggo, Nuala.

I don't have any specific reading goals for this year, but I do plan to participate - at least a bit - in several challenges here and in the Category Challenge and Reading Through Time groups.
________________________________________

CURRENTLY READING

(Audio) (Kindle)

COMPLETED

Books off my shelf: 29
Books off my Kindle: 32

128. The Last Flight by Julie Clark (4 stars)
127. More Than a Woman by Caitlin Moran (3.5 stars)
126. Hieroglyphics by Jill McCorkle (3.5 stars)
125. When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn (4 stars)
124. 4:50 from Paddington by Agatha Christie (3.5 stars)
123. The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim (4 stars)
122. Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier (3.5 stars)
121. Survivor in Death by J.D. Robb (4 stars)

DID NOT FINISH (Year to Date):

1. The Little Disturbances of Man by Grace Paley
2. The Murder of Harriet Monckton by Elizabeth Haynes
3. Handsome Boss by Lori Wilde
4. Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren
5. Curious Toys by Elizabeth Hand
6. Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English by Natasha Solomons
7. A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby by Vanessa Riley
8. Sweet Talkin' Lover by Tracey Livesay
9. A Paradise Built in Hell by Rebecca Solnit

COMPLETED

120. Under the Table by Stephanie Evanovich (audio) (3 stars)
119. Don't I Know You? by Karen Shepard (4 stars)
118. Star of the Sea by Joseph O'Connor (4 stars)
117. The End of the Affair by Graham Greene (audio) (3 stars)
116. Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby (4.25 stars)
115. Mr. Malcolm's List by Suzanne Allain (3.5 stars)
114. Dumplin' by Julie Murphy (4 stars)
113. Very Nice by Marcy Dermansky (2.5 stars)
112. A Dark Redemption by Stav Sherez (4 stars)
111. To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters (4 stars)
110. Infinite Home by Kathleen Alcott (4 stars)
109. Sea Glass by Anita Shreve (4.25 stars)
108. Happy is the Bride by Various (2.5 stars)
107. The Last Summer of Reason by Tahar Djaout (4 stars)
106. The Boy in the Field by Margot Livesey (4.25 stars)

105. To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn (4 stars)
104. The Witches Are Coming by Lindy West (audio) (3.5 stars)
103. The Outcast by Sadie Jones (4 stars)
102. My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout (audio) (4 stars)
101. The Girls in the Garden by Lisa Jewell (4 stars)
100. All Adults Here by Emma Straub (4.5 stars)
99. 500 Miles from You by Jenny Colgan (audio) (3.5 stars)
98. The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino (3.5 stars)
97. Dangerous Books for Girls by Maya Rodale (3.5 stars)
96. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison (4.25 stars)
95. Coventry by Helen Humphreys (4.5 stars)
94. A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World by C.A. Fletcher (4 stars)
93. The Sherbrooke Bride by Catherine Coulter (3 stars)
92. Between Two Skies by Joanne O'Sullivan (4 stars)
91. I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott (audio) (3.5 stars)

90. The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths (4 stars)
89. Daring and the Duke by Sarah MacLean (3.5 stars)
88. The Last Days of Dogtown by Anita Diamant (4 stars)
87. The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead (audio) (4 stars)
86. The Dilemma by B.A. Paris (3 stars)
85. The Wicked Girls by Alex Marwood (4 stars)
84. Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson (audio) (4.5 stars)
83. Moranthology by Caitlin Moran (audio) (4 stars)
82. The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews (3 stars)
81. Turbulence by David Szalay (4 stars)
80. Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (4 stars)
79. City of Thieves by David Benioff (4.5 stars)
78. Jackaby by William Ritter (audio) (3 stars)
77. Lockdown by Peter May (3.5 stars)
76. Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner (3 stars)

75. Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel by Ruth Hogan (3.5 stars)
74. With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo (audio) (4 stars)
73. The Fire This Time by Jesmyn Ward et. al. (4 stars)
72. Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean (4 stars)
71. Writers & Lovers by Lily King (4.5 stars)
70. The Mercy Seat by Elizabeth H. Winthrop (5 stars)
69. Lily-Josephine by Kate Saunders (3.5 stars)
68. The Silent Treatment by Abbie Greaves (audio) (4.5 stars)
67. An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena (3.5 stars)
66. Speaking of Summer by Kalisha Buckhanon (3.5 stars)
65. Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore (3 stars)
64. Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris (audio) (4 stars)
63. Simon the Fiddler by Paulette Jiles (4 stars)
62. The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin (audio) (4 stars)
61. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (audio) (2.5 stars)

COMPLETED

60. An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn (3 stars)
59. Long Bright River by Liz Moore (5 stars)
58. Beach Read by Emily Henry (4 stars)
57. The Secret Guests by Benjamin Black (audio) (3.5 stars)
56. My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell (4.5 stars)
55. How to Ride a Dragon's Storm by Cressida Cowell (audio) (3.5 stars)
54. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (audio) (4.5 stars)
53. The End of October by Lawrence Wright (3.5 stars)
52. French Exit by Patrick deWitt (audio) (3.5 stars)
51. The Patron Saint of Lost Dogs by Nick Trout (3 stars)
50. Fade Away by Harlan Coben (audio) (3 stars)
49. Necessary as Blood by Deborah Crombie (4 stars)
48. The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris (4.5 stars)
47. Heidi's Guide to Four Letter Words by Tara Sivec and Andi Arndt (audio) (4 stars)
46. Smile by Roddy Doyle (audio) (4 stars)

45. Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange (3.5 stars)
44. The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary (4 stars)
43. A Simple Favor by Darcey Bell (audio) (3 stars)
42. I Hear the Sirens in the Street by Adrian McKinty (4 stars)
41. Pont Neuf by Max Byrd (audio) (2 stars)
40. Beautiful Mistake by Vi Keeland (audio) (3.5 stars)
39. Navigate Your Stars by Jesmyn Ward (4 stars)
38. Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl (5 stars)
37. Quarantine by John Smolens (3.5 stars)
36. Mister Monkey by Francine Prose (audio) (3.5 stars)
35. Born Round by Frank Bruni (audio) (4 stars)
34. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson (4 stars)
33. Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands by Chris Bohjalian (audio) (3 stars)
32. The Cold, Cold Ground by Adrian McKinty (4 stars)
31. Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes (audio) (4 stars)

30. Rules for Visiting by Jessica Francis Kane (audio) (4 stars)
29. Elizabeth: Obstinate, Headstrong Girl by Various Authors (2.5 stars)
28. Visions in Death by J.D. Robb (4 stars)
27. The Indignities of Being a Woman by Merrill Markoe & Megan Koester (audio) (4 stars)
26. Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi (audio) (3.5 stars)
25. The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn (3.5 stars)
24. Ordeal by Innocence by Agatha Christie (audio) (3.5 stars)
23. A Boy in Winter by Rachel Seiffert (audio) (4 stars)
22. This is Your Life, Harriet Chance! by Jonathan Evison (audio) (3.5 stars)
21. Island of Wings by Karin Altenberg (3 stars)
20. Riots I Have Known by Ryan Chapman (audio) (3.5 stars)
19. Emma by Jane Austen (audio) (4 stars)
18. Eye Contact by Cammie McGovern (4 stars)
17. Miss Buncle's Book by D.E. Stevenson (3.5 stars)
16. Circe by Madeline Miller (audio) (4 stars)

COMPLETED

15. Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham (4 stars)
14. Still Waters by Viveca Sten (3 stars)
13. Corregidora by Gayl Jones (3.5 stars)
12. Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen (3.5 stars)
11. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood (4 stars)
10. Lady Fortescue Steps Out by M.C. Beaton (audio) (3 stars)
9. Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn (4 stars)
8. Nightwoods by Charles Frazier (4 stars)
7. The Circus Fire by Stewart O'Nan (3.5 stars)
6. The Duke and I by Julia Quinn (4.5 stars)
5. A Commonplace Killing by Sian Busby (4 stars)
4. The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider (3.5 stars)
3. Big Girl by Kelsey Miller (audio) (4 stars)
2. Gracelin O'Malley by Ann Moore (4 stars)
1. American Royals by Katherine McGee (3.5 stars)



My Ratings (revised, once again, as I continue the fruitless search for the perfect scale...)

2 stars = below average
3 stars = average
4 stars = above average
5 stars = perfect *for me*

(Anything below 2 stars is unlikely to be finished)

Using this one again as it is so appropriate right now....

WELCOME!

8/7
Happy new thread!

>7 katiekrug: - Thanks, RD. *smooch*

New thread happiness. Ha. Now I don't need to wade through all the posts I missed when they were timely. I can just step onto the people mover and see where it takes me!

Yer ol' pal,

Happy new thread, Katie. I am sending tons of health wishes to your brother-in-law and the rest of the family. As for 2021 reading plans - yes! The 2021 Category Challenge is up and we are in the process of deciding on the various Cats/Kits and Bingo. I have my fingers crossed that 2021 is a far better year than 2020 turned out to be.

Happy new thread, Kate. I love the travel photos. Keep 'em coming!

>10 weird_O: - Hello, Bill! I so love that graphic you use. It always makes me smile.

>11 DeltaQueen50: - I've been lurking on the 2021 Category Challenge threads. I am toying with having a thread over there again next year. It's been a few years since I had one....

>12 BLBera: - Thanks, Beth! I'm glad you enjoy the photos. I enjoy sorting through them :)

Today is our wedding anniversary. We aren't doing anything super special, but the weather is gorgeous, so we may go have a drink and snacks al fresco in a little bit.

We leave tomorrow for the lake house we rented in New York. Non-essential travel even between these two closely-aligned states has been discouraged, but I consider it essential in that I've spent a lot of money on the rental :-/ I expect we will spend more time at the house and in the great outdoors than originally planned, as small shops and restaurants are not appealing right now.

We do have tickets for the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday, but they are timed and entry is being limited to small numbers at any given time, so I feel okay about that. I wanted to check out the art museum in Cooperstown, especially as they currently have Pete Souza's (Obama's official White House photographer) photography exhibit showing, but you can't book ahead. I think we'll probably go and just see how busy it is. The weather is supposed to be not great the first part of the week, so we may luck out. Plus, it's the work week and not a weekend. Fingers crossed!

Leonard has been deposited at the vet's office for boarding and Nuala goes to her boarding facility tomorrow. We can't leave until around 12:30 or so because The Wayne is a panelist at a virtual event starting at 11:00am. But it should only be about a 4 hour drive. I just want to arrive before dark...

Happy new thread! I’m considering jumping into the 2021 Category Challenge too.

>15 drneutron: - Thanks, Jim!

And you should join over there. It's a nice group of people :)

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim

This was a delightful novel about 4 women who rent a castle on the Italian coast. They are each suffering from loneliness and various sorts of ennui with their lives. Despite their different backgrounds and circumstances, each finds that the small village of San Salvatore fills a need and allows them to find some clarity in their lives. The writing is gorgeous and lush, and the subtle humor throughout makes for an enjoyable read.

4 stars

Happy new thread, Katie. And happy wedding anniversary. Mwah!
I'll assume you've not been married long enough that you're wondering where you put the reciept and how long you need to wait for the upgrade... >;-)

The 2021 category people are lurvely. Well apart from me, and I'm only occassionally grouchy (see greeting above for evidence).

Happy New Thread, Katie!

I was blathering away on the old one before I realized it was old.

You are well-traveled! Great, interesting photos up top. "On our way back to Baku, we stopped at Yanar Dag,where the rocks have been flaming for thousands of years." What? It sounds like something out of Scheherazade. How remarkable.

Congratulations on your anniversary with the Wayne! I loved the photo of you two laughing on FB.

Have a great mini vacation, Katie. I'm sure it will be good to get away. Will we see pictures?

Happy Saturday, Katie! Happy New Thread! Have a great getaway.

>17 katiekrug: Ohhh...I've been meaning to read that one for a while. I have that same NYRB edition, and I love the cover.

Eleven years without a fatality! Not even a serious injury! Y'all astonish me.

:-P

>17 katiekrug: I saw the movie when it was released way back when, and loved it. I read the book years later. Such a good read!

You might also enjoy Elizabeth and her German Garden

I love the photos of your travels!

Happy Anniversary to you and The Wayne, Katie!

Morning, Katie! Happy new thread!

I'll likely have a thread over in the 2021 Challenge Group, too. I'm just waiting for all the CATs and such to get sorted first.

Have a safe trip and a great time!

Travel safely on this *gorgeous* day!

Happy new thread and Happy Anniversary! Hope you have fun on your trip and that the crowds are few.

Happy new thread, Katie! And WOW, Azerbaijan! I'm impressed.

Hi Katie, best wishes on the anniversary and for your getaway.
I am fascinated with the photos of Azerbaijan. Thanks for posting these. Very middle eastern looking.
That Yanar Dag site is amazing. I'd never heard of it. Seems incredibly biblical, doesn't it?

Oh yes, enjoyable reading you've lined up. Hope you have a great time with those plans.

>18 Helenliz: - Not looking for an upgrade yet, Helen. He's just about perfect for me :)

I used to maintain a thread in the Category Challenge, but multiple threads became onerous. But with The Big 'Rona, I find I have more time on my hands, so......

>19 jnwelch: - Hi Joe! Apparently, Yanar Dag was very important to the Zoroastrians way back in the day. It was very cool to see. I have a fun photo of our then-Board President lighting a cigarette off the flames...And thanks re: the anniversary!

>20 BLBera: - Hi Beth, yes, I'll share pictures. So far there is not a ton to see, as it's grey and rainy :) But the cottage is lovely and we had a nice drive up.

>21 msf59: - Hiya, Mark, and thanks!

>22 laytonwoman3rd: - It's a beautiful cover, Linda. I love NYRB editions...

>23 richardderus: - We astonish ourselves sometimes, RD! x

>24 lauralkeet: - I'm going to see if I can find the movie to stream while we're away, Laura. Perhaps while The Wayne is doing something else ;-)

>25 Whisper1: - Thanks, Linda!

>26 kidzdoc: - Thank you, Doctor sir!

>27 scaifea: - I'm waiting for all those different things to get sorted, too, Amber. I used to try to do a fun theme for the categories, but I think I'm going to keep it pretty simple this time around. We'll see....

Thanks re: the vacation. So far, so good.

>28 richardderus: - It was such a nice drive yesterday! Blue skies, gorgeous fall colors, not a ton of traffic. The only thing marring it was that once we left the big highways and were out in the country, we entered Trump Land. *shudder* Honestly, between the giant Trump signs, Confederate flags, and big-ass pick-up trucks, this part of New York has a lot more in common with, say, Mississippi, than many of us would like to admit...

>29 Berly: - Thanks, Kim. The cottage we rented is so nice and cozy, I have a feeling we won't be leaving it much. And The Wayne discovered an old-school Nintendo set, so he's in heaven. I discivered a fabulously comfy sofa for reading, so I'm in heaven, too :)

>30 RebaRelishesReading: - Reba, it was a work trip, so it's not like I chose to go or anything... But it was awesome. I figured for this thread, I'd feature somewhere I don't think many people would have visited.

>31 SandyAMcPherson: - Hi Sandy - thanks for the good wishes. I'm glad you liked the photos. It was hard to only post as many as I did. I have A LOT :)

We are safely ensconced in our little cottage on Lake Canadarago. The first floor is one big room with dining, living, and kitchen, and a deck overlooking the water. Upstairs are a bathroom and 3 bedrooms. It's been recently renovated and everything is very comfortable and nice-looking.

The Wayne is still sleeping (it's 10am!) but he had a long day yesterday, so I'll allow it. Heh. Today, all we plan is a trip to the grocery store to get some supplies. Last night, we ordered Chinese at one of the only two restaurants open in the little nearby town, and it was, no joke, some of the best Chinese takeaway I've ever had. Who'd-a-thunk-it?

So quiet day today. It's raining, so I plan to read a lot and nap on the amazingly comfortable sofa. Please wish me luck for the arduous day ahead ;-)

>36 katiekrug: I have just one word for you....Enjoy!

>34 katiekrug: I know that, for a lot of Upstate, there's no joy in election night because there aren't enough of them to offset the City. GOOD, says I.

>36 katiekrug: It sounds divine. Revel!

*smooch*

>34 katiekrug: once we left the big highways and were out in the country, we entered Trump Land. *shudder*
Ack yes, it was the same on our recent trip to Seneca Lake. PA is the same, once you leave the major cities. But tbh I think all of rural America is like that regardless of which state you're talking about.

Enjoy your cosy getaway!

We saw some of those obnoxious pickups and signs in the Portland area and a few billboard in the California central valley coming home. Like NY, there aren't enough right-wingers in CA to offset the cities. I was most pleased to see lots of Biden/Harris signs in yards in our future home and only two of the other kind :)

Glad you otherwise had a good drive to your VRBO and that it's as cozy and comfortable as you hoped. Enjoy!!

>34 katiekrug: >39 lauralkeet: But tbh I think all of rural America is like that regardless of which state you're talking about.
Yup. We're only 30 minutes from downtown Columbus (we're in the last unswallowed-up section of the greater Cbus metro area), but our small town is flooded with Trump signs and obnoxiously large trucks and rednecks. Blech.

Interestingly, we spent a couple of days in western Pennsylvania back in the mountains and saw a pretty even distribution of Trump and Biden signs in yards, when I was expecting it to be overwhelmingly Trump. Not sure what to make of that, but it does fall in line with Pennsylvania being up for grabs this year.

Hope you're having a lovely time relaxing.

Happy new thread, Katie. Enjoy the comfy couch and some time to relax.

Happy New Thread, Katie.

That is all.

Hmmm. Someone just alerted me to the fact that stars no longer carry through to continued threads. I checked and I missed a lot of your posts! Looking forward to catching up.

So glad you're getting a chance to be away, although I guess the weather's not great. Enjoy the quiet and the reading - I hope the new Caitlin Moran lives up to expectations.

Coming from a fairly red-neck portion of the state of PA myself, and now living on the edge of another one, I feel the need to point out that some mighty prosperous-looking homes around here are also displaying T-P signs. The appeal is really not just to the ignorant or disaffected. Buying that line plays into the whole "us" vs. "them" thing, and it doesn't tell the whole story. Our chiropractor, dentist and former eye-doctor (now retired) are all supporting Trump. There is an exclusive, ritzy lakeside community (Harvey's Lake) not far from us where the houses and boats run to serious money...we took a drive around there a couple months ago, and the Trump signs and flags were overwhelming. He's playing to the lowest common denominator with his ads, but his "base" isn't going to elect him....there's more to it than that, and that's why I'm so anxious about the outcome of this election.

>48 laytonwoman3rd: I don't think it's shocking that wealthy people can be just as sexist, racist, homophobic and selfish as poor people. And the Trump tax cuts gave them a tangible reason to vote for him — he's good for their economy, if not the economy of the country as a whole.

Have some swell, relaxing days on your anniversary vacay.

>48 laytonwoman3rd: His "base" is ignorant and brimful of hate. That has no socioeconomic boundary, sadly. Most educated people I've known were able to see past their baseness to the way the Common Good really is good for everyone, though it's sad that not all of them can. The wealthy people whose support for 45 is on display there cloak their baseness in "I should get to keep my own damn money!" instead of the more honest "MINEMINEMINE NONONO MINE!!!!" and "what, pay taxes so They can sponge off me?!"

Which, in the end, is exactly what they're saying with their signs and flags and other impedimenta.

Happy New Thread, Katie, and Happy Anniversary to you and The Wayne. So nice to hear you two are so well suited and happy together.

So, you're back soon?

We got back this afternoon. I'll respond to messages tomorrow :)

Happy new thread, Katie! Glad you were able to have a few days' relaxation away for your anniversary.

>37 laytonwoman3rd: - Thanks, Linda! We did :)

>38 richardderus: - I grew up in what some people term "upstate" (I call it the mid-Hudson Valley), and there was a definite conservative bent there (including my parents). It is slowly being moderated by "flatlanders" coming up from the city and buying country homes and starting antiques businesses :)

>39 lauralkeet: - Laura, I think I forgot just how very rural some parts of NY still are. Which was silly of me, because I grew up in a rural part and it's a huge state...

>40 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks, Reba! The VRBO was great - thanks again for recommending looking there. My very immediate area doesn't have a lot of political signs. I think our Biden-Harris one is the only yard sign I've seen in the ~5 block neighborhood. There is one house with a small Trump sign in the window, but it's barely visible. If we cross the main street that separates our small mini-neighborhood from the larger one, we see a lot more signs, and they are mostly B-H.

>41 scaifea: - Blech, indeed, Amber!

>42 drneutron: - Interestingly, we saw a lot more B-H signs around some of the bigger towns like Cooperstown, Jim. I felt slightly better then, as it was just surreal to see so many T-P (how appropriate!) uninterrupted on the drive in...

>43 Helenliz: - Thank you, Helen, we did!

>44 Familyhistorian: - Thanks, Meg!

>45 EBT1002: - That is enough, Ellen :)

>46 japaul22: - Really, Jennifer? Mine have been carrying over. A lot of these changes seem to be browser and operating system specific. I don't envy the LT staff trying to get it all smoothed out! I'm glad you found me :)

>47 vivians: - Hi Vivian! Yeah, the weather was pretty terrible, but it did allow for more ti me to do absolutey nothing :) I didnt manage to finish the Moran before my loan expired, but the first half was good. I now have about an 11-week wait to get it back....

>48 laytonwoman3rd: - I totally agree, Linda, that it's not a class or socio-economic division. I certainly didn't mean to imply that.

>49 rosalita: - Yup.

>50 weird_O: - Thanks, Bill!

>51 richardderus: - Yup to this, too.

>52 ffortsa: - Thanks, Judy! It is nice that we continue to like each other and enjoy spending time together - especially useful when we do so much of it!

>53 richardderus: - Yes :)

>55 bell7: - Thanks, Mary!

In brief, we had a very nice time away, although the weather didn't cooperate with all of our plans. We didn't get to do any fishing, and the hike I wanted to take got rained out. But we did go the National Baseball Hall of Fame and wandered around Cooperstown a bit. We also visited the Fenimore Art Museum and Glimmerglass State Park, and took some drives around the lake. And we visited two breweries because it wouldn't have been fair if I dictated EVERYTHING. Heh.

Cooperstown seems like a pretty cool place, and I would like to go back when the weather is a bit better (not that one can predict that...). I would definitely like to go back when the Bad Times are over. There were very few people around, and while it was nice to have the HoF and museum practically to ourselves, it was also a bit depressing.

My favorite days were the ones we spent in the cottage, snuggled up, watching bad TV and eating apple cider donuts :)

And now we are back home, and I am increasingly worried about the election. I'm usually a fairly optimistic person but I just have a bad feeling about things. Hopefully, it is my subconscious just making up for the over-confidence I felt in 2016...

Welcome home Katie! I'm glad you had a lovely, cozy, restful break.

>60 katiekrug: "I am increasingly worried about the election. I'm usually a fairly optimistic person but I just have a bad feeling about things. Hopefully, it is my subconscious just making up for the over-confidence I felt in 2016..." -- Me too!!

>60 katiekrug: I'm so glad that y'all had a good time in Cooperstown. It sounds *dreamy* to me to have the HoF to one's self...but I was beset by an unwilling companion (I told her to go shopping, meet me at the car in 2 hours, but nooooo), a busload of no-neck monsters, and a steamy summer afternoon.

The whole vacay comes at just the right time. Welcome back to reality. Assume the position.

Glad you had a nice time. >:-)

>61 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks, Reba!

How goes the move prep?

>62 richardderus: - It was nice to linger where we wanted to at the HoF (mostly in front of anything Yankee-related :) ) but the lack of people in town just felt odd. Of course, it was the off-season and the middle of the week, but still....

>63 Helenliz: - Thanks, Helen!

A few photos....

This was our cottage:


James Fenimore Cooper's grave:


Me at the New Inductee display for my favorite baseball player of all time:


The first sun we saw in four days:


And the next morning, we woke up to snow (this is not a black and white photo):


Our last night, the almost full moon was stunning as it rose:

Welcome back, Katie. It looks like you had a pretty decent getaway. We visited Cooperstown a million years ago and always thought we'd return but have yet to so. Silly.

I share your anxiety. Instead of enjoying that extra hour of sleep last night, I woke early and tossed around thinking about things. Ugh.

>65 katiekrug: How lovely they all are! I don't see anything in that glass case...was it under renovation or something? Odd to have a completely vacant spot in the HoF....

>65 katiekrug: Oh wow, a cottage overlooking the lake and then snow! I looks like heaven.

As to the move prep -- I asked for quotes from movers on-line and I'm beset by phone calls, texts and emails!! Otherwise I really haven't done much but must start culling soon.

>66 lauralkeet: - When (really, if, because we are famous for saying we want to go back to places and then never do because the allure of the new is too strong) we go back, we'd like to stay closer to Cooperstown itself, or right in the midst of it. Our rental was about 20 minutes away...

Yes, so anxious. I hate it.

>67 richardderus: - *sticks tongue out* Love my Jetes!

>68 RebaRelishesReading: - When we were moving from our rental to this house, I requested a few quotes and got overwhelmed. Since I was going to be out of town during the actual move, I delegated deciding on and booking a mover to The Wayne :)

>69 katiekrug: Hmm, looks to me like Katie just volunteered The Wayne to manage Reba's move. What a nice person you are, Katie!

>70 lauralkeet: - LOL!!

Back to the real world today. I got up about 6:00 with the dog, and am relaxing with coffee. We have our personal training session at 8:45, after which we'll go pick up Leonard from his boarding place (we got back too late on Saturday to get him, and they don't do pick-ups on Sunday). And then I'll try to settle into work again. Boo.

We had a quiet day yesterday, except for The Wayne shouting in excitement over the Dolphins game. I got all the laundry done, and we ordered Thai for dinner, which was delicious (drunken noodles for me, pad thai for himself).

>65 katiekrug: I love your vacation photos. What a beautiful locale. Did you hear any loons?

Morning, Katie! Welcome home. Good luck getting back into the work groove.

>73 msf59: - Hiya, Mark! It was a beautiful spot. We didn't hear any loons. Saw a few ducks, but the lake was very quiet.

Thanks for those work wishes. I know they are genuine, though I suspect you are also glad you don't have to worry about work grooves anymore:)

Ten days away from the gym. OOF. Note to self - next time actually do the at-home workouts while on vacation....

Leonard is back home and not at all amused that the dog is still here. Heh. When I called from the parking lot to say we were there to pick him up, the sweet lady started raving about him and what a good kitty he was and how they all adored him. Maybe next time, they'll let me board him for free?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIsKen3y-mU

First trailer for the Netflix Bridgerton series!!! It's so purrrty....

My boss and his wife have a beagle named Dolly. This morning, I received an email from my boss with the subject: "Dolly's Election Prediction." Attached was this photo.



I asked him how long it took Linda (his wife) to train her to do that and he responded with, "No training required. She's a smart dog."

It gave me a chuckle...

>77 katiekrug: Okay. I LOVE this.

It's Monday, but I decided to risk it. Happy newish thread, my friend.

>78 Crazymamie: - Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit! It's MAMIE!

You have been sorely missed, for sure. I know you've had a ton going on - please don't feel like you have to catch up with all of us (just me - ha!) or respond to every message left on your thread. I am sure I'm not alone in just being delighted to see your username pop up.

xx

(PS - Thanks for the PM - I responded!)

>75 katiekrug: I know the feeling. We're about to head into a second month long lockdown - just as I've got my spin score back up to somewhere near where it was in February. And I can do exercises at home but they're not the same without the weights or equipment that are at the gym.
*grumble grumble grump*
Seriously debating asking if they'll let me borrow a 10 kg plate weight for the month...

>78 Crazymamie: hurrah!!!

>80 Helenliz: - You should totally ask about borrowing the weight! We have a few weights and two good sets of resistance bands, and activity mats, all of which we brought on vacation where they sat in a corner of the living room for 5 days :)

4:50 From Paddington by Agatha Christie

When I was 10 or 11, I had a hardback of 3 Christie novels, all Miss Marples, I believe. And I think this was one of them. But maybe not. It seemed vaguely familiar but maybe that's just because I knew the general plot from other reviews. Anyway, it was a fun read, and as an older Christie (1957), Miss Marple was rather more in the background than in some earlier ones. But that's okay with me, because old ladies (especially Miss Marple) tend to grate on my nerves ;-) While some of the characters' actions and reactions to events beggared belief, I thoroughly enjoyed following the story.

3.5 stars

(Sad to say, this is the *only* book I read while on vacation. I did, however, watch a lot of crap TV...)

Wowee wow wow! Hi Mamie! All the best to you and yours.

Katie, I glad you had a relaxing time.

I'm spending way too much time surfing for any crumb of election talk, and I do fret about the outcome. But we're voting tomorrow. Blue blue blue all the way. I'm stunned to learn that PA eliminated from the ballot the option of voting for a straight party. Can't just blacken one oval; gotta blacken a dozen or more ovals, one for each Dem candidate.

I'll persist.

>77 katiekrug: - LOL!

>77 katiekrug: I adore it on its own merits, but anything that leads to >78 Crazymamie: is in need of enshrinement and cultish worship!

>78 Crazymamie: I am SO GLAD you're here.

>84 weird_O: - I told myself yesterday I was getting off Twitter until Wednesday, but that lasted about an hour, Bill... We are obviously masochists!

>85 jessibud2: - *grin*

>86 richardderus: - I thought it was pretty funny. And yes, MAMIE!!!

>77 katiekrug: Love it, Katie. That is one smart dog.

Thanks for the photos. Despite the weather, I imagine it was fun to get away.

I think you might approve of my latest review, Your Kickassness.

Hi, Katie.

Love those photos from your break, Katie - especially that last one.

Any Agatha is a good one, as far as I'm concerned. Smart pick for a vacation read.

>84 weird_O: "I'm stunned to learn that PA eliminated from the ballot the option of voting for a straight party." We noticed that on our ballots....what's the story?

*waves* Hi, Katie. Sounds like a lovely break. I noticed the name of your cottage....I have a cousin who lives in the village of Unadilla, a bit south and west of Cooperstown. Always loved that name.

>91 laytonwoman3rd: I don't know what the story is. It just saw it in an election story (probably in the NYT or WaPo) in the last couple of days. I imagined that it was a compromise between the GOP legislature/senate and the Dem governor to get some more pressing issue resolved. I view it as just another niggling paper cut inflicted by the party that wants to make voting as vexing as possible.

I think I'm going to be scared to even LURK here tomorrow.

Your northern neighbours are also feeling terribly anxious.
Sending thoughts of peacefulness and calm from north of 49.

(PS. Your getaway sounds/looked great. A time to treasure).

Good to see that you had a relaxing time on vacay, Katie. Loved the Bridgerton teaser. Surprised and pleased to see the Mamie sighting. Hopefully that is a sign of good things to come! And, yes, as is said in >93 SandyAMcPherson: we are anxious to the north of you.

>88 BLBera: - Glad you liked the photos, Beth! It was great to getaway for a bit.

>89 richardderus: - Thanks for bringing it to my attention, RD!

>90 jnwelch: - Thanks, Joe. Dame Agatha rarely disappoints.

>91 laytonwoman3rd: - We drove past Unadilla, Linda! It's a lovely area.

>92 weird_O: - If I recall correctly, I could vote straight ticket when I lived in Texas. My New Jersey ballot didn't have that option.

>93 SandyAMcPherson: - Sandy, thanks for those good wishes about our election. Fingers crossed. I'm going to be scared to lurk on any social media (but I probably still will because I can't help myself....)

>94 Familyhistorian: - Hi Meg! Glad you enjoyed the Bridgerton teaser. It's nice to have something to look forward to. Hoping I can add Inauguration Day to the short list of things I am anticipating....

>70 lauralkeet: Hey, I hadn't thought of that!! Great idea!

>77 katiekrug: Good dog Dolly!!

>78 Crazymamie: Mamie!! I'm so happy to see you I could be twins!

"Straight ticket" option -- hm. Never heard of that. The only way you can do that in CA is to do it vote by vote.

Stomach in knots today.... can't wait until it's over. I was in the city yesterday and was shocked to see all the stores boarded up, sanitation dump trucks and barricades in front of Trump Tower. So sickening the way he has provoked and divided this country.

>96 RebaRelishesReading: - Hi Reba! It was a treat to spot Mamie, wasn't it?

And yes, Dolly is a Very Good Girl :)

>97 vivians: - I feel exactly the same way, Vivian.

Still disappointed about your old boss - why do you think he didn't come out with an endorsement?

>99 vivians: - I'm disappointed, too, though it did occur to me that the Biden camp might have asked him NOT to endorse, as so many still despise him and it could have dampened enthusiasm, especially int he uber-progressive wing of the party which was already less than thrilled with Biden. But I think it has more to do with the family as a whole and the younger generations - one nephew is in elected office in Texas (and apparently eyeing a run for AG) and another recently ran for a Houston-area Congressional seat (but lost the primary). He might be concerned about shutting party doors for them?

I think it's a safe bet, though, that given that he didn't vote for Trump in 2016, he certainly didn't this time around. I'm a member of the "43 Alumni for Biden" group and there were A LOT of people there who were hoping his endorsement would be a late October surprise...

October Re-Cap

(YTD in parentheses)

Books: 9 (124)
Pages read: 2655 (28,453)
Audio time: 13:53 (297h 23m)

Print: 4 (26)
Kindle: 3 (48)
Audio: 2 (40)

Library: 1 (41)
Mine (pre-2020): 7 (59)
Mine (2020): 1 (18)

Fiction: 9 (97)
- General/Popular: 1 (20)
- Literary: 1 (19)
- Historical: 2 (18)
- Romance: 1 (18)
- Crime/Thriller: 2 (19)
- Juvenile/YA: 0 (9)
- Classics: 2 (5)
- Speculative: 0 (3)
Nonfiction: 0 (10)
Re-reads: 0 (8)

Female: 6 (91)
Male: 3 (36)
Mixed Anthology: 0 (1)

Own Voices: 0 (10)

US/UK authors: 8 (99)
Other countries: 1 (10) (Ireland x3, Canada x3, Sweden x2, Australia, Japan, Algeria)

Date of Publication:
New (2019-2020): 1 (39)
2010-2018: 0 (40)
2000-2009: 5 (27)
1990s: 0 (5)
1980s: 0 (0)
1950-1979: 2 (8)
1900-1949: 1 (4)
19th c.: 0 (1)

Happy Anniversary, belatedly. Sounds like you two had fun

Appointment with Death is practically an assault weapon on the sale-book emails the past two days. It's creeping me out, seems like they know something I don't. Why that one? Why not Murder on the Orient Express? The spoilerific solution to which is one I wish to see enacted on 45.

Anyway, see you tomorrow.

Fingers crossed. This is looking uncomfortably close.

>102 magicians_nephew:- Thanks, Jim!

>103 richardderus: - I keep seeing it. I haven't pulled the trigger on purchasing it yet. Is it a good one?

Sigh. It's tomorrow. And here we are...

>104 Helenliz: - Indeed, Helen.

I have two things to say:

(1) Every vote should be counted.

(2) The fact that this race is so close is completely disheartening. Even a Biden victory, while welcome, will feel a bit hollow, I think.

>105 katiekrug: It's not at all bad, it's a peak-period Christie; but it's not the top of my personal list. I think you should read it, TBH, because it's always good to absorb peak-period Christie.

>106 katiekrug: I am appalled.

I have to admit that US elections bemuse me. How can you declare a result without having counted every ballot? I simply don't understand that.
In UK elections, the count cannot start until after the poll has closed and all the cast ballot papers (postal or in person) are at the count location*. First they have to make sure that the number of ballot papers in a box matches the number of ballots cast at that location. Then they can start counting the votes for each candidate, and they are double counted.
Some constituencies manage it in an hour...

* there are some exceptions with far flung island constituencies

>106 katiekrug: Me too. The interesting news from working the polls yesterday is that the traffic was amazingly light, to the point of totally boring, which means that the mail-in and early voting options were taken very seriously. I think New York doesn't start counting the mail-ins until the polls close, so we won't know for a day or two. But I doubt it will matter in NY. What worries me is the support for the Rs in the Senate.

and to be honest, I woke up today and saw the news so far and am terribly depressed.

>108 Helenliz: - I don't know what to tell you, Helen. It's a weird system...

>109 ffortsa: - I'm 75% sure Biden will win, Judy, but I wish it wasn't so close. The early/mail-in ballots seem to be swinging a lot towards him in the states that "matter"....

>109 ffortsa:, >110 katiekrug: Yep, even with a Biden win it will be difficult to get anything done without flipping the senate and that does not seem likely now.

Hi Katie, what a nail-biter your election has turned into! I admit to being quite disappointed in how close the votes are - how can people not see what a disaster Trump is!

Anyway, I am glad that you had a great time while away and at least we have The Bridgertons to look forward to.

>111 ELiz_M: - Yup.

>112 DeltaQueen50: - It is much closer than many of us wanted, Judy.

Yay for 'Bridgerton'!

Sending hugs your way, Katie. Watching the news from this side of the border is stressful enough.

I may have watched the Bridgerton trailer... more than once. :D

>114 MickyFine: - Thanks, Micky!

I believe I have logged at least 5 watches of the trailer :)

I really need people who don't know WTF they are talking about to stop sharing their hot takes and NOT-trenchant analysis of the political situation. They're embarrassing themselves and annoying the eff out of me.

That is all.

G'night!

>116 katiekrug: *sniff*
okay i'll go now
*sniff*

>117 richardderus: - Silly man. I didn't mean you. I'm just tired of all the nonsense all over social media (including a bit here but not primarily).

Also, I was grumpy last night. x

>116 katiekrug: This made me snort my coffee. I am not ashamed to admit that it hurt a tiny bit.

Good morning, Katie! I have missed you so. I am waiting for Georgia to go blue. I am willing it to happen.



>79 katiekrug: Thank you for this. My thread is...um....daunting.

>81 Helenliz:, >84 weird_O:, >86 richardderus:, >94 Familyhistorian:, >96 RebaRelishesReading: Aw, shucks. You guys are da Best.

Hi Katie! A very belated happy new thread. I somehow lost you.

Happy belated Anniversary, too. Beautiful cabin, thanks for sharing all the photos.

Sweet Thursday, Katie! I have been under the weather all week. Team this up with the election stress levels, and my health is taking a beating. I hope this all improves quickly. I hope your return to work has gone smoothly.

If your looking for a chuckle or two, check this out. It is priceless:

https://twitter.com/RexChapman/status/1324078979775684608?s=09&fbclid=IwAR1z...

>119 Crazymamie: - Sorrynotsorry for making you snort, Mamie!

Come on, Georgia!

>120 karenmarie: - Hi Karen! Glad you liked the photos. And thanks for the anniversary wishes.

>121 msf59: - I'm sorry you've been under the weather, Mark. And I'm sorry the election stress isn't helping.

I saw that Tweet yesterday and it made me chortle. Twitter is priceless in many ways :)

We have to find our fun, any way we can, otherwise we would sink under the awful weight. We sure need to turn things around.

>121 msf59: - This is HILARIOUS! I don't speak German so I have no idea what the *actual* monologue is but if you turn off the sound and just read, it's great. And so are the tweets that follow. I especially liked the one, by Sarah Cooper:

"He spent 4 years golfing. And people are still voting for him. I will never understand it."

>123 msf59: - So true, on both counts.

>124 jessibud2: - Hi Shelley!

When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn

The sixth (of eight) entry in the Bridgerton series is Francesca's story. Up to this point, Francesca has been a character off-stage, occasionally referred to in the earlier books but not making an appearance. I didn't remember much about this one before picking it up for my re-read, but it is now among my favorites of the series. It deals with serious themes like grief and illness and infertility, always with Quinn's signature emotional depth, as well as her humor. A very satisfying escape.

4 stars

A new spin on an old meme... Made me chortle.

>126 katiekrug: Definitely agree that it's one of my favourites of the series.

I just finished the new Courtney Milan and I think you might like it.

>126 katiekrug: I think I need to get round to the Bridgerton books soon...

>127 katiekrug: I showed that one to Charlie earlier today and it sent us both into a giggling fit. Memes and the promise of cookies tomorrow is the only thing keeping me sane today, I think.

>128 MickyFine: - *fist bump*

Thanks for the heads-up about the Milan!

>129 scaifea: - Yes, yes, you do.

Memes (and gifs) and the promise of wine tonight are the only things keeping me sane :) But that's par for the course with me, election or no ;-)

>130 katiekrug: *snork!* Same here, really. Just more so right now.

>106 katiekrug: Amen sister!! Agree on both counts.

>111 ELiz_M: True that with a Republican senate Biden will/would be hamstrung but at least we won't have the obnoxious, idiotic stuff coming out of the White House. But I read a bit ago that there may be two run-off's in Georgia...(it has been said that I am always looking for the pony under the Christmas tree)

What a completely disheartening day...six lousy electoral votes! And things are moving sloooooooowly.

Which, TBH, is a darn good thing since no one can argue that due care was not taken. But yeesh.

You need to know about this: brand new Dame Ags winter-themed stories! On sale via HarperCollins at the link...audiobook too!

>132 RebaRelishesReading: >111 ELiz_M: In a Biden administration, the cabinet will be populated with competent leaders. No Bill Barrs, for example. Mitch McConnell's wife will be out of the transportation department. No Betsy DeVos. An energy department looking to alternate sources, working to reduce carbon emissions. And mighty important just now, competent medical people guiding an anti-COVID program.

>131 scaifea: - Totally understand!

>132 RebaRelishesReading: - Yep, likely two run-offs in Georgia for the Senate seats.

>133 richardderus: - Well, today is looking better :)

>134 richardderus: - Oooh, that looks a treat!

>135 weird_O: - Agree, Bill. Not a perfect situation but let's not make perfection be the enemy of progress...

Happy Friday, folks!

Like so many others, I am feeling better about the election with each passing hour.

The sun is shining here, and it's already 70F.

I kicked ass at the gym today, and my arms and legs are slowly losing their noodliness (technical term).

I have one project to finish for work and then I'll probably take the rest of the afternoon off...

We are going out to dinner tonight, since the weather is gorgeous and soon it will be too cold to eat outside.

I have lots of cleaning and straightening up to do around the house this weekend, but other than that, not much on the agenda.

Should be a nice few days!

>137 katiekrug: I just vacuumed the room and took the dead mice out to the garbage, so I feel like Mr. Clean's hairier brother.

I hope the new Christie hits your reading spots.

"We are going out to dinner tonight, since the weather is gorgeous and soon it will be too cold to eat outside." I dream about this, but I will settle for Georgia turning blue. One dream at a time.

Happy Friday, Katie!

*back to specify that what I dream about is it being too cold to eat outside

Yep, the world is looking brighter :) Enjoy your fine weather and dinner out.

>138 richardderus: - Mr. Clean's hairier brother made me laugh :)

>139 Crazymamie: - Georgia turning blue is MUCH more important than the weather, for sure!

>140 RebaRelishesReading: - Hi Reba! Dinner was actually terrible (I'll explain below), but overall the day was very nice...

Dinner last night: we went to a place we used to go to at least once a week. We'd sit at the bar and kibbitz with Bryan, the bartender, and have a jolly time. The food was always fine - not outstanding but you could get a decent burger and other sandwiches.

Last night was the second time we'd gone during the pandemic to eat outside. The first time was okay, though the service was a bit iffy. I am generally very forgiving of that sort of thing, so as long as I can get my wine glass refilled, I'm good.

This time was just awful. It took 25 minutes to get our drinks after we ordered. They took my favorite wine off the list. When our food finally did come (The Wayne's first and mine almost 10 minutes later), my tomato "bisque" was basically a chunky tomato sauce, with nary a sliver of the promised crispy pancetta in sight. And the grilled cheese was, I swear, American singles slapped between two giant pieces of doughy bread. I had asked to add bacon-onion jam to it (it's an extra you can get on a burger), and of course, that didn't happen. Best of all, when my meal was delivered, I noticed there was no spoon, so asked for one. And it never came. By the time someone came back (without a spoon), the soup was cold. I had dipped the grilled cheese in it, so I knew it had no seasoning and just tasted like bad pasta sauce, so I turned down the offer to re-heat it. The waiter said he'd take it off the bill, but ended up forgetting to do that (which is fine; $10 is not going to break the bank but really). We paid and skedaddled, and that restaurant is officially off the list.

And I told The Wayne I needed a re-do on dinner out, so fingers crossed for tonight....

So ends my sad tale of woe ;-)

Happy Saturday, Katie. Our weather has been unseasonably gorgeous and I have been loving it. I hope your enjoying the same. Sorry to hear about your dining out woes. We won't be dining out for awhile with the Illinois numbers skyrocketing the way they have. WTH?

>143 msf59: - Yes, the weather has been beautiful, Mark. Today and tomorrow will be in the low 70s.

I only dine outside, and only where there is ample space between tables. I have been known to do drive-bys of various restaurants to see what the set-up is :)

Our numbers are increasing, too, which is disheartening. It's going to be a long winter, I fear...

>142 katiekrug: Oh, dear! That was a dining disaster. I am so sorry that happened - crossing my fingers that the do over is full of yum and good service. We have not dined out since this whole mess began, but we didn't do a lot of that anyway. I am a carry out kind of gal - I like the comfort of my own home too much. Plus, we live in Albany, Georgia, so...

>142 katiekrug: I'm sorry your dining experience was so awful, Katie. Opportunities are so limited these days, and one does want to support restaurants to help them stay afloat, but honestly.

When our food finally did come (The Wayne's first and mine almost 10 minutes later)...
There's a "fine dining" sort of place near us where this is a thing. Every time we go there, they make a point of telling us they bring the food out as it comes available in the kitchen. That's fine if you've ordered a collection of small shared plates, but when it's a table for two and you've each ordered say a starter and main course, then NOPE. It smacks of laziness to me and I fail to see why the restaurant talks it up as some sort of unique value proposition.

FINALLY!!!

President Biden has a nice ring to it, but I am especially proud to have been a Kamala-stan from way back :)

>145 Crazymamie: - We've been going out a couple of times a month, which is A LOT less than we used to. And I like that it feels special now. That's probably why I was so disappointed last night. I shall be sure to report back on how tonight goes :)

>146 lauralkeet: - I've been to a couple of places in New York where they do something similar. I appreciate them letting us know in advance, and I don't totally mind it, but it's not my favorite experience.

>142 katiekrug: Canadians are generally very polite, usually paying and leaving (forever).
You were a golden guest.
I - OTOH - am old and cranky these days. Not tolerant of such eateries. I keep it polite but have taken to speaking to the manager - not that we've eaten outside of our home since last March TBH.
I don't mean to criticise your decent behaviour or anything... in fact, I admire your restraint not to throttle someone.

Now all of us need to donate *heavily* to the Georgia Senate races. Flip both of those seats and we get the Senate back from Moscow Mitch McTraitor.

>143 msf59: oh that's just so not on - on so many levels. I'd completely not have behaved with such restraint.

>147 katiekrug: I know not if this is true, but I now feel maybe you'll take it with a smile.

>152 Helenliz: Canada indeed, has a closed border. Let's not inflict poor old Mexico.

How about this other place, 🇷🇺 (you know, 'hammer & sickle place')

>149 SandyAMcPherson: - I think my displeasure was pretty clear, but yeah, I can be a bit of a door mat :)

>150 richardderus: - Funny you mention that, RD. The Wayne informed me yesterday he got another stock vest and was buying himself a present with part of it, and I said well, whatever you spend, I'm spending the same amount on the Georgia run-offs :)

>151 Helenliz: - Hee hee. When I make it back over the pond and get to finally meet you, I will just have to hope our meal is perfect ;-)

>152 Helenliz: - Oooh, I saw this. I think it went on and on with people from various countries contributing. I love Twitter.

>154 katiekrug: My YGC and I agreed that we'd each give 1/2 my monthly income to the two races, me to Ossoff and him to Perdue. It's only $200 in total, but it matters that much.

I reminded him about Yule, he said "you're worth it."

...!...

>155 richardderus: - Love it!

This is fun.

But THIS is fuckin' priceless.

>152 Helenliz: He should go live with one of his dear friends -- Putin or Kim -- I'm sure they'd love to have him. Or we could keep him and put him in jail for his crimes.

>157 richardderus: - I literally JUST saw that clip of the reporter before coming over here to LT :)

>158 RebaRelishesReading: - I'd be cool with a desert island.....

>157 richardderus: That first one was a delight. I espeically enjoyed the response from the penguin protecting Antartica. >:-)

>159 katiekrug: and he could lie there on his back, kicking his tortoise legs, all day long -- nope, too good for him.

Happy results day!

Enjoy that balmy weather while you can. We're in the process of getting (at least) a foot of snow. About to head out for a second round of shoveling with Mr. Fine. Likely it'll peter out before it reaches your end of the continent... ;)

>160 Helenliz: - Yes, so funny.

>161 RebaRelishesReading: - LOL, Reba!

>162 MickyFine: - Thanks, Micky. Another beautiful day here. Sorry about the snow.... :(

Dinner last night was MUCH better than the previous outing. No issues at all, and the food was delicious.

I did very little yesterday - bad Katie. We went to Costco in the morning, and when we got back, they had called the election, so I spent the afternoon watching coverage of the celebrations in various cities. If it weren't for Covid, I would have gone into the city to participate :)

So, must get some stuff done today. I am thinking of taking tomorrow off, as The Wayne has it off (monthly wellness day) and we could space out the chores rather than trying to cram them all in today...

In book news, I've started Hieroglyphics by Jill McCorkle, which was an ER I got a few months ago. So far, it's pretty good.

Happy Sunday, Katie. It is only 8am here in the Midwest but never to early to celebrate a victory, right? I just wish this ugliness and division would also leave. It will not be a pretty or easy four years.

I'm also reading Hieroglyphics, Katie and really liking it. I got a little sidetracked by the election...

>165 msf59: - Cheers, indeed, Mark!

>166 BLBera: - I am only about 50 pages in, Beth, but I love her writing.

That is all.

>152 Helenliz: - I hope our border is forever closed to HIM! Sheesh. He should be on a terrorists list or something, at the very least!

>168 richardderus: - Lovely. Just lovely.

>169 jessibud2: - Hi Shelley!

>170 katiekrug: - Hi Katie! ;-)

Morning, Katie! It's Monday, so remember not to look it in the eye.

Hi Katie! Happy Monday to you. I hope you decided to take it off as a vacation day.

>171 jessibud2: - :)

>172 Crazymamie: - Right, no eye contact. So far, so good!

>173 karenmarie: - Hi Karen! I have taken the day off. It's another beautiful day here, and I've been to the gym and am now enjoying a big cup of coffee and the sunshine.

So far Monday has been overcast and foggy, so it wouldn't be able to see even if you did make eye contact.

Enjoy the day off - I'm envious. Audit prep stress for me, 2 weeks today...

>176 Helenliz: - I'm sorry about the stress, Helen. Hang in there!

I saw on another thread someone complaining about too much political talk on the threads. So I'd just like to be clear - if you have a problem with what I discuss ON MY OWN THREAD, you should feel free to f*ck off. Kthxbye.

>178 katiekrug: Amen. I really need to remember not to drink coffee while reading your posts.

>178 katiekrug: Thank you.

>178 katiekrug: +1

>178 katiekrug: Amen sister. I saw that as well, and probably on the same thread. Kudos to the thread owner for not taking the bait.

>179 Crazymamie: - Too subtle? ;-)

>180 laytonwoman3rd: - I was soooo tempted to post "Bye, Felicia" in response, but refrained...

>181 richardderus: - *smooch*

>182 lauralkeet: - She is a better woman than I. I'm a bait-taker of long standing!

>178 katiekrug: oh wow. You can complain about what happens on your own thread, but doing it on someone else's is like turning up at their house and complaiing about the cake they serve.

mmm, cake.

One of the things I love about 75ers is that we talk about our lives, the world and, oh yes, books too. No one is required to be here and is welcome to leave if they don't like it, right?

>184 Helenliz: - Now I want cake, too, Helen!

>185 RebaRelishesReading: - Yes, exactly, Reba. I don't think a self-righteous announcement about leaving is necessary. Just go if you don't like it, right?

Nice day off so far. Gym, reading, walked the dog down to a Greek restaurant for lunch (I think the dog needs to go to training; she likes to jump on strangers... oops), supermarket, relaxing now. Cheese tortellini with pesto for dinner, I think.

>184 Helenliz: Election cake!



(I love the "ye Olde Englishe" setting: A Mikasa cut-crystal plate and Wedgwood "Runnymede" china from 1972!)

>188 richardderus: - But it's a fruit cake, which is not a cake at all. Or shouldn't be, anyway.....

>178 katiekrug: 👍

>189 katiekrug: A *grog-soaked* fruit cake. This is its saving grace.

>190 katiekrug: *snerk* I can not wait to be in a position to forget these yahoos ever existed.

>188 richardderus: why thank you sir.
Shall I pour?

(only if you've got some grog spiked in there)

(I can manage that).

>190 katiekrug: - Snerk! ;-)

Hi Katie!! :-)

>191 karenmarie: - Thanks, Karen :)

>192 richardderus: - There is no saving grace to fruit cake. Nyah.

>193 Helenliz: , >194 richardderus:, >195 Helenliz: - Y'all are just so polite!

>196 jessibud2: - Hi Shelley!

>181 richardderus:, >182 lauralkeet:, >183 katiekrug:, >184 Helenliz:, >185 RebaRelishesReading:, >186 katiekrug: You guys are golden in my book.

Hey, Katie! Just catching up on the threads.

>178 katiekrug: 14/10 :-)

>187 katiekrug: "...walked the dog down to a Greek restaurant for lunch"

Nuala eats better than I do! Your day off sounded great, Katie. I'm aiming for Friday, but trying not to think about it too much in case the universe sends me something hard to do which will take hours and hours.

>178 katiekrug: *SNORK!!* YES!!
I saw that post, too, and was instantly annoyed. And impressed with thread owner's stoic handling of it. I would definitely not be able to hold back the snark on my own thread. If you don't like what you read on someone's thread, then sure, leave, but a dramatic announcement about the leave-taking? I rolled my eyes so hard it in actual fact hurt.

>198 laytonwoman3rd: - *grin*

>199 ronincats: - Hi Roni! It's lovely to see you!

>200 susanj67: - I will keep my fingers crossed for you for Friday, Susan! The day-off was lovely. Nuala got a French fry from The Wayne, but otherwise the poor thing just sat there staring at us while we ate...

>201 scaifea: - Exactly!

Morning, Katie! Dang! I missed the grog spiked tea party.

>190 katiekrug: This made me giggle.

Hoping Tuesday is kind to you.

>190 katiekrug: is a hoot!

Morning, Katie. I love the way Trump is either being ignored or made fun of. I'm hoping he ties himself up in suing the vote until 1/20 next year.

>203 Crazymamie: - Morning, Mamie! I'm sure we could rustle up some more spiked beverages for you...

Glad you liked the silly graphic. I also saw this on Twitter: "Joke all you want, but Rudy is ready to fight this all the way to the Supreme Courtyard by Marriott." :)

>204 jnwelch: - Thanks, Joe! I do like that he isn't the center of attention, but the issues with the transition are a Big Deal. It's really important to get that funding and access to begin that complicated process.

>205 katiekrug: "Joke all you want, but Rudy is ready to fight this all the way to the Supreme Courtyard by Marriott." :)

Have you seen the Star Trek version?
https://twitter.com/stobiesgalaxy/status/1325850515171930114

>206 richardderus: - *grin*

>207 Helenliz: - Love it! I just retweeted it at my husband who will love it, too :)

>207 Helenliz:, >208 katiekrug: LOLOL
Oh that's just priceless!

>205 katiekrug: This made me laugh out loud! Too funny!

>207 Helenliz: Also this!

All this great stuff. Thank you, Katie, for attracting such entertaining posters.

Someone in Philly is organizing an 11-mile charity run from Four Seasons Total Landscaping to the Four Seasons Hotel. It's called the Fraud Street Run, riffing on an annual race called the Broad Street Run. Hilarious, and more about it here for those interested:
https://www.phillymag.com/be-well-philly/2020/11/10/four-seasons-total-landscapi...

>209 richardderus: - It's good to laugh, isn't it?

>210 Crazymamie: - You're welcome :)

>211 weird_O: - Ha! Glad you're enjoying all the nonsense as much as I am, Bill!

>212 lauralkeet: - Oh, I love that, Laura!

I was going to ask you about the transition issue, but you mentioned it already. I'm worried what else he will pull, aside from greasing his own palm with arms sale kickbacks and firing people before they qualify for federal benefits and digging trenches around the White House. And I'm worried about all those small Western towns and counties where people are SURE that the election was rigged and Trump won. For the first time in my life, I don't want to be associated with this country. It's a lonely feeling.

>214 ffortsa: - Hi Judy - I'm sorry to hear you sounding so low. I think the transition and such will work out, eventually. Addressing "Trumpism" will be a longer term effort, but I really do think, of all the candidates, Biden is the best one to make some headway. He can't fix it, or eliminate it, but he can start the process. So chin up! At least we still have books....? I saw on another thread you and Jim are going "to the country" soon - where to and for how long? I could already use another change of scenery!

The West Lawn earlier today:

This is the scenery I want changed.

Hey Katie,

Allow me to hijack your thread for a moment. Just wanted to spread the word. The Christmas Swap thread is up. To anyone that's interested, come on by...

https://www.librarything.com/topic/326191#unread

>212 lauralkeet: Okay, that is hilarious and just what we need when we may be witnessing and living through an actual coup. I mean, aren't coups things that happen in other countries???

Hi Katie. I've been off in a corner obsessing about the pre-election, pre-knowing-who-won, and now post-election-WTF news. I've also been reading a bit and thank the gods for that. It has snowed here in Pullman. Tomorrow is a holiday and we are driving to Spokane to go to REI, Fred Meyer, and Trader Joe's.

I love the memes making fun of the whole Four Seasons thing. I have a colleague who believes it was a malicious (and hilarious) act on the part of some admin who was fed up and on their way out. If that is the case, it is a fine act of sabotage.

Have a great Wednesday!

>216 richardderus: - Is Melania overseeing another abomination to go along with the new "Rose" Garden?

>217 mahsdad: - No problem at all, Jeff!

>218 EBT1002: - Hi Ellen. I think a lot of us are obsessing, processing, and trying to understand. I hope your trip to Spokane (a lovely little city I have visited twice!) provides a nice distraction :)

I haven't been reading as much with all the distractions in the news. I am still plugging away at Hieroglyphics and may finish it by tonight - certainly tomorrow. It's good, but not great. We'll see how it wraps up...

>219 katiekrug: Nope. And no administration* source will own up to what the heck is going on.

Someone I know on Twitter asked if 45 was having land mines put in place. I didn't laugh. I wouldn't put it past these idiots.

I'll watch to see what you think of Hieroglyphics, Katie. I finished it yesterday. I think it suffered a bit by the timing. But I ended liking it quite a lot.

>221 richardderus: - Very weird.

>222 BLBera: - Hi Beth! I'm interested to see how it lands on me, once I'm finished...

>215 katiekrug: Thanks for trying g to cheer me up. I'm not really low, just apprehensive, and if e Dr I believed in American exceptionaalism, I'm over it now.

We are heading back to Mohonk for our usual word puzzle weekend, except a large contingent of regulars are staying home this year, and there will be far fewer activities. We will be happy with the lovely pool, what hiking we might get in between the raindrops, and reading on the porch. Saturday at least looks to be better weather.

As for the aforementioned lawn, I though I heard about walls or trenches to be built on the White House lawn. Maybe he will import alligators for the moat.

>224 ffortsa:, >216 richardderus: - What is that all about??! I haven't really paid attention to the news this week (after overdosing last week).

>224 ffortsa: - I hope you have a lovely getaway, Judy!

>225 jessibud2: - We can all rest easier - it's not a conspiracy. The National Park Service is doing maintenance.

https://www.washingtonian.com/2020/11/10/no-trump-isnt-trying-to-steal-the-white...

>226 katiekrug: - Thanks, Katie. Phew! Every time it seems things can't get weirder (or worse), it seems to do just that. At least this one has a logical explanation, which is more than can be said for much else this year. ;-p

>227 jessibud2: - So very true, Shelley.

Morning, Katie! We have made it to Pre-Friday.

>229 Crazymamie: - Pre-Friday is my favorite day! All that anticipation....

Puzzles by artists!

If I had the room, you *know* I'd get this one. :-)

It's been disheartening to see how supine the GOP is. But there's nothing better than a good sleep to knit the ravell'd sleave.

>232 richardderus: - Beautiful!

Disheartening, but not surprising, really....

I just got back from getting my hair cut. It had been 8 months. Man, do I feel better (and just in time, too, as covid cases skyrocket here and new lockdown regulations go into effect; I can't see them keeping salons open much longer). I did, of course, wear my mask the whole time, as did the two salon employees, and I was the only client there...

>234 katiekrug: - My hairdresser works alone, always has. No employees. There is always only one client at a time in her salon. But unfortunately, if shutdowns happen (and they are likely coming), she will have to close. Sigh... The one good thing (for me, anyhow), is that even when my hair begins to look terrible again, who's going to see it, anyhow It's not like I'm going anywhere. Warped logic, perhaps

>235 jessibud2: My hair salon is a one-woman operation as well. The owner was formerly with another small salon and in January announced she was starting her own business with plans to open in ... wait for it ... mid-March. Well, that didn't happen. The salon opened in July and I feel lucky to have had a few appointments. She sees one client at a time. It's a beautiful space and I'm sure she had visions of a salon with at least a couple more stylists but that will have to wait. At the rate things are going I'm not even sure how long she'll be able to remain open. As Shelley said, it's not like I'm going anywhere so I'm sure I'll be fine. I worry more about small business owners like my stylist who are struggling so much right now.

Happy Friday, Katie. I hope the work week went well (4Ws) and you are finding time for the books.

Morning, Katie!

I haven't had a haircut since January and I've got that backwoods witch look going. But I'm too anxious to go yet, so I'm living with it. I should just embrace the whole lifestyle, really. Get a cauldron. Maybe a pointy hat.

Hi Katie!

Yay for your haircut. My last one was March 17th and I've had to invest in some hair combs to keep my bangs from flopping into my face all day. I'm like >238 scaifea: Amber, too anxious to go.

Morning, Katie! Birdy and I got our hair cut in late September - the guy who cuts our hair is the only one who works on Saturdays, so we made a Saturday appointment and were the only ones there. We both wore our masks and the guy wore his mask, and it was lovely to finally get a professional haircut after more than a year. Ironically, I had been wearing it really short for years, and had decided to grow it out a bit so I could get a different hair cut just to change things up. When I got to the point where I was ready for a cut, Covid happened, so no. And my hair grows really fast. I had Abby cut it once and then Birdy chopped like four inches off of it, and I still had a mane. Finally got in just before Daniel's wedding to tame the tresses, and I love the haircut that he gave me. AND, and this is funny - I have aways had straight hair, but when I was growing it out, it grew back curly. When I went to get it cut, I had flat ironed it to make it easier to deal with (I was also getting color), and I had a picture of the haircut I wanted - I was telling the guy that I wanted it cut so that I could either flat iron it or just wear it curly, and he looked at me like I had lost my mind because he has been cutting my straight hair for years. After coloring and shampooing my hair, he could not believe how curly my hair was - how did you do that, he asked. I have no idea, I told him. It just happened.

>240 Crazymamie: Mamie: Interesting! My hair was always super-straight, and then Charlie happened. After I got pregnant, my hair because wavy/curly and has stayed that way since.

>241 scaifea: Oh, my word, Amber - I would never have guessed that your hair used to be straight! Fascinating. And I am happy to report that I am NOT pregnant.

>242 Crazymamie: Mamie: *SNORK!!* Whew, amirite?

I've had friends who have hit either puberty or menopause and it's caused curly hair. Yay hormones?

Also, happy Friday, Katie!

>235 jessibud2: - Hi Shelley! I feel so bad for these small business owners. I hope your stylist can stay open. Getting my hair cut was less about vanity - as you say, who's going to see it?!?! - and more about concern for our plumbing!

>236 lauralkeet: - Laura, I totally agree about the small business owners. The salon where I went was new to me, as it was the only place I could get an appointment on a week's notice, and I was chatting with the owner who was very concerned about a possible shutdown. It's such a hard balance to find between protecting people and not destroying livelihoods.

>237 msf59: - Hiya, Mark! Nice alliteration there with all those Ws :) Work is good, but of course, books are better :) I finally finished up Hieroglyphics and started a suspense novel for a little mind break.

>238 scaifea: - You should definitely get a cauldron and a pointy hat, Amber! I bet you could find them cheap in a post-Halloween sale :) I totally get the anxiety about going out for a hair cut. I resisted as long as I could, but the thickness was leading to tangles, and major shedding. I'll be nervous for the next several days, waiting to see if I develop any symptoms. Sigh.

>239 karenmarie: - I totally understand, Karen. I certainly didn't go into it cavalierly, and I wasn't there any longer than I would be in a grocery store. I'm glad I went, but I'm not eager to go again any time soon!

>240 Crazymamie: - That is so funny about your new curly hair, Mamie! Mine is mostly straight, but very thick, with a bit of a wave underneath. It means it tangles easily, which is annoying (and painful!).

>241 scaifea:, >242 Crazymamie:, and >243 scaifea: - This exchange made me giggle. I've heard about women's hair changing during and after pregnancy. My mother always had very blond hair, but started to go darker after my older sister was born. She blamed the pregnancy, but mine has done the same thing (though not quite as dark), so maybe it was just an aging thing...

>244 MickyFine: - Hi Micky! Interesting about the puberty/menopause changes. Yay, hormones, indeed. :-P

Happy Friday back at ya!

I had a fringe trim the week before we went back into Lockdown 2. It was looking a bit too short when I had it done, that's less of an issue now. I'm hoping we're let out before I need it clipping again.

Cold and rainy here. We had a good workout this morning, so I am feeling very virtuous. Last night was virtual happy hour, which is always fun, even if we mostly just talk about work.

As I mentioned to Mark up there, I finished Hieroglyphics, so will try to make some comments on that soon. It was good, not great, for me. A solid 3.5 stars, maybe 3.75 if I did increments like that :) I'm now reading The Last Flight, a suspense novel about two women trying to escape their lives who switch identities. It's no great shakes literature-wise, but definitely a page turner.

Dinner tonight is pasta fagioli soup, with pesto toast - perfect for the weather!

>246 katiekrug: I hope my comment about being too anxious to go to the salon didn't sound judgmental toward you going, because I definitely didn't mean it to be (and not that you sound snarky in your response, either, I just...worry)! I know that I'm an over-worrier at the best of times and so now I'm at the extreme end of the cautious scale during all this.

My hair has also steadily grown darker over the years; I was born with red hair (!), which quickly turned blond, then just kept getting darker, to the point that I don't really think I can claim to be blond anymore (although the journey to grey is well on it's way, too).

>243 scaifea: Indeed!

>244 MickyFine: Oh...menopause. This is probably the culprit, although I am still trying to get there "officially" (you need twelve months with no..um...interruptions) - who knew it could take so long?

>248 katiekrug: I want cold and rainy. *pouts* Dinner sounds most yum.

>249 scaifea: - No worries, Amber! I didn't take offense. I totally understand where you are coming from.

Sigh. I always wanted red hair.

>250 Crazymamie: - I love soup weather, Mamie. Though, honestly, I'll eat soup in any weather. It's just *better* when it's the "right" weather for it :)

I also worry about small businesses staying afloat, Katie. It's so worrisome and here in Toronto, we are heading in the direction of more shutdowns because our numbers are just skyrocketing. It's mind-boggling, really.

As for the curly thing, I was born with curly hair. Well, that's probably not exactly accurate. I was born with no hair but by the time I had some, it was curly, but baby fine. I was always jealous of my brother because he got the thick, straight hair. During my teens, I did everything to straighten it because that was the style then but now, I love that it's curly. I just wet it and it dries. It has thinned over the years and when the heat comes on in winter, the curls are not as strong (dry air, I guess). Summer's humidity is the only good thing about that weather that I like because it's great for my hair and makes it look and feel thicker!

Hiya Katie. Two things: 1) You should look into a short-story collection by a Nigerian author, Irenosen Okojie, called Nudibranch. She's won the Caine Prize and writes for The Guardian, among other good signs. I like her work a lot.
b) You really need to steal this and use it:

>252 jessibud2: "Summer's humidity is the only good thing about that weather that I like because it's great for my hair and makes it look and feel thicker! " Isn't it funny how we all feel so ambivalent about our hair? You might be the first person with natural curl who I have ever heard express thankfulness about what humidity does to/for it!
My hair is now and always has been poker straight. Neither pregnancy nor menopause had any affect on it whatsoever that I noticed. There is one perfect haircut for the way it grows, and I manage to get that cut about twice a year (even though the same person has been doing it for me for almost 20 years, and I go, as a rule, every 4 weeks.) The rest of the time I just manage it. I have been pleasantly pleased with how it has turned gray, though.

>252 jessibud2: - I'm glad the humidity serves some purpose, Shelley! I'll remember that the next time I complain about it ;-)

>253 richardderus: - Shall check out the book tout de suite. And I LOVE that graphic.

>254 laytonwoman3rd: - Hi Linda!

Nice article about the upcoming Bridgerton series on Netflix:

https://ew.com/tv/bridgerton-poised-revolutionize-romance-television/?utm_campai...

>254 laytonwoman3rd: I have been pleasantly pleased with how it has turned gray, though.
Well you're doing beter with that than I am. I had virtually black hair with natural ginger highlights. The highlights started going grey at 15. Spent most of my 20s dying it. It's gone grey from the top, so now it looks just like I've had a bucket of whitewash tipped on my head. Fetching. Now I'm just fed up of looking like a reverse malteeser and wish it would finish the job.

Grump.

(having a stressy week, ignore me, drink will be had later)

>257 Helenliz: The fear of some similar effect kept me coloring my hair for a long time after I began wishing I could quit. I had one grandmother with lovely white hair, and one whose gray/white had a definite yellowish tinge that I didn't care for. I've come to realize that was probably because there was so much sulfur in her well water. In any case, I got the white without the yellow, but underneath in the back it's still dark.

>256 katiekrug: That is a gooder. So psyched for this show. :)

>254 laytonwoman3rd: - I never had a pregnancy but menopause did nothing to my hair. And for the record, in those god-awful teenage years when I used to (try to) straighten it, humidity was my Enemy No. 1! If I so much as looked out a window, my bangs flipped up and the frizz sprung out in all directions. But once I gave into the curls, those I still hate humidity for every other reason under the sun, it truly is good for my hair. Go figure. And yes, we never seem to be happy with what we have, I've found!

I am not yet ready to succumb to the gray. If I could know for sure it would look great, like my mum and grandmother when they went white, I'd let it go. But the first few months of covid proved to me that this was not to be my destiny. It just looked mousy and awful after not colouring it for months and months. So, back to colouring (at least until I am forced not to, if it comes to that again).

>259 MickyFine: "That is a gooder." Wow....I haven't heard anyone use that expression in many many years. In fact, I think my Dad was the only person I knew who did use it. I always wondered if he was quoting from something---he did that a lot.

>257 Helenliz: - Helen, I hope that drink hit the spot and that you have a good weekend!

>258 laytonwoman3rd: - Hi Linda!

>259 MickyFine: - Me too!

>260 jessibud2: - I love how my going to get my hair cut has sparked such an intensive discussion of hair!

>261 laytonwoman3rd: - Hi again!

Happy Saturday, Katie! "I love how my going to get my hair cut has sparked such an intensive discussion of hair!" Me, too!

I dislike 2020 more and more. The Million MAGAt March attracted ~500 people? Why am I not happier.

Because 2020, that's why.

>263 Crazymamie: - I love the random conversations that develop across the threads. So much fun, and a nice distraction!

>264 richardderus: - 2020 blows. That is all.

I'm feeling very doless today. There are things I *could* do, but I don't wanna. Clean the main bathroom, de-clutter the kitchen counters, etc. No, thanks. So I'm reading, and puzzling (haven't done that in a while), and listening to my audiobook. But I'm not really enjoying myself. I hate that feeling. Sigh.

And chilly weather makes me hungry and want to eat All The Things, so that's a battle. Double sigh.

>266 katiekrug: Similar, if not same. I listened to WatchMojo count down 10 Forgotten 90s Rock Hits...that's how uberbored I am.

GBBO had the *weirdest* desserts ever, and the Leaver was one I could've seen leave a lot earlier without a tear, so....

>267 richardderus: - GBBO: I really thought Laura should have gone. I liked sweet, gentle Mark, and I didn't think he did as badly as she did.

Weren't those pond puddings bizarre??!! I told The Wayne I was simultaneously intrigued and repulsed....

>268 katiekrug: I agree with your GBBO assessment, Katie, although I thought Laura bounced back from her cheesecake failure pretty nicely.. As for the technical challenge: an entire lemon, peel and all, inside suet? Gross..

So who's your money on to win it all? I think it will be either Peter (who will bounce back from a bad week) or Hermine, who has been consistently very good, if not dazzling, week after week.

>268 katiekrug:, >269 lauralkeet: I know I'm weird, but I like Sussex pond pudding with a Meyer lemon, not a Lisbon, inside it so there's that.

The leaver: that dacquoise looked like chipboard! Too much hazelnut in the meringue makes it hard and bitter. But honestly the whole showstopper challenge was just weird with a jiggly jello dome on cakes and mousses and whatnot. And Laura's weird jiggly-do was at least pretty!

The winner: My money's on Peter. If he holds his nerves steady. Hermine just has to go into the final, too. Don't really care who's third, though Laura's a strong baker....

Happy Saturday, Katie. I find myself glued to CNN these days and I just can't believe what I am seeing. The sooner that man is banished the better! I almost had a meltdown today when my cleaning lady started spouting off about how the democrats "stole" the election and how mean the media is to Trump!! I was torn between wanting my house cleaned and tossing her ass to the curb. I can't believe that semi-reasonable adults can believe the crap that Trump and his allies are putting out.

*skipping over those BGGS spoilers* Morning, Katie!

Happy Sunday, Katie! I hope you are feeling less "doleful" today. Listening to audiobooks while tackling a puzzle, does have a certain appeal.

Morning, Katie! I also skipped over all the spoilers because I have only watched the first one so far - I need to catch up.

I started a reread of The Duke and I last night in preparation for the Netflix series!! I am so excited about it!

>269 lauralkeet: - I also think it will be either Hermine or Peter. I like them both, but give the edge to Hermine.

>270 richardderus: - I would give the pond pudding a try but would want an alternative dessert on stand-by :)

I thought the poppy jelly art was very well done. The rest were less than impressive, IMO.

>271 DeltaQueen50: - Hi Judy! I've given myself a TV news break this past week, and cut back on Twitter, too. Yuck about your cleaning lady - I'd have a hard time keeping my mouth shut!

>272 scaifea: - Hi Amber!!

>273 msf59: - Hiya, Mark! I'm doing fine today. I've cleaned a bathroom and straightened up the guest room (it tends to become a dumping ground), so I feel productive. Now I can relax :)

Doing puzzles gives me the best audio time, so I need to get back into them....

>274 Crazymamie: - Morning, Mamie! Yes, you do need to catch up with GBBO(S). And hooray for the Bridgerton re-read! I'm so stupidly excited for the show - I guess it just indicates how little there is to look forward to these days :-P

Decently productive morning so far. I did some cleaning/organizing, finished a book, and will soon settle in for some football. I am also thinking of making banana chocolate chip cookies, as I have three large over-ripe bananas needing a purpose in life.

Last night, we ordered Chinese delivery and watched crappy TV. Good times. Leftovers for lunch. I'm not sure what we'll do for dinner, though I picked up two Kevin's Natural Foods entrees at Costco last weekend, so we might give one of those a try. There's a Thai coconut chicken curry and a Korean bulgogi beef one. Anyone tried Kevin's before?

The excellent and important Just Mercy is on sale for $2.99 today (Kindle).

>275 katiekrug: That should be an interesting reveal. I am also stupidly excited for the show, since we only have to wait three days now that Netflix co-owns the rights.

>277 katiekrug: Ohhh yes to banana choc cookies. If you've not tried it yet, the ruby chocolate chips would go beautifully in a future recipe of same.

Interested to hear about the Kevin's Natural entrées. I've seen them at my Stop'n'Shop but haven't picked one up. (I heat frozen entrées in my 10qt crockpot.)

Lazy Sunday afternoon orisons.

PS: go watch this Colbert cold open that Kath sent me!

>279 richardderus: - I'll let you know if they turn out well, and I'll keep the ruby chocolate in mind (though it kind of freaks me out!).

And I'll let you know about the Kevin's!

>280 richardderus: - Is it weird that I wanted to stand up and cheer by the end of it? Thanks for sharing!

It is not, in fact, weird; it is exemplary patriotism!

>280 richardderus: The link doesn't work for me. *pout*

>282 richardderus: - *grin*

>283 Crazymamie: - That's weird -it won't work for me now on my laptop. I originally viewed it on my phone...

Try this: https://youtu.be/_VTp-UFxEHA

It worked!! Thanks, Katie. I loved it!

>286 Crazymamie: - You're welcome!

>285 katiekrug: *snort*

>285 katiekrug: - What are W2's?

>288 Helenliz: - VERY snort-worthy!

>289 jessibud2: - They are tax documents showing an individual's earnings - used to complete income taxes :)

So I thought these were going to be a disaster, because the recipe called for creaming the butter, sugar, and bananas together, and I guess my butter wasn't soft enough because it wouldn't cream, and I just ended up with chunks of butter in a really gloppy mixture. But I decided to see what would happen, and the cookies turned out fine.

The Wayne doesn't like bananas, and I don't want to eat all of these myself, so I will bring some to Joel the Devil, our trainer, at the gym tomorrow :)

>291 katiekrug: They were pretty much guaranteed to taste good with those ingredients, so pfui on the creaming-resistant butter.

>292 richardderus: - They're a bit more cake-y than I like my cookies, so I am going to think of them as breakfast food, and proceed accordingly :)

>293 katiekrug: Yup...definitely breakfast food. I had a baking failure today myself. A batch of oatmeal bread....which I've been making as long as I can remember...failed the second rising. It's first rising was fine. So I have two loaves of very dense bread, about 4 inches high. Tastes OK, and will make excellent toast, so we'll deal with it. I thought I'd lost it entirely when the power glitched off 5 minutes after I'd put it in the oven, but it came back on almost immediately. I don't think the Universe wanted me to bake today.

>291 katiekrug: So, I learned that one can order flat rate boxes from USPS and the mail carrier will deliver them for free! One can then send a 5 lb. box of accumulated extra cookies to one's brother or mom in the Midwest for about 2/3 the price of regular mail. (it's still cheaper to send by regular mail within NYC, though).

Morning, Katie! It's Monday again - I'm hoping it behaves itself.

>294 laytonwoman3rd: - I'm glad you can use the bread for toast, at least, Linda! TBH, toast is my favorite use for bread :)

>295 ELiz_M: - That's interesting, Liz. Am I to understand you have been doing a lot of baking? :)

>296 Crazymamie: - Morning, Mamie! Yep, Monday again. Why does it keep coming around when no one wants it?!?!

I tried to bribe Joel the Devil with cookies this morning. He took them but still made me exercise. Bastard. Now my arms are like noodles, and I can barely raise them to the keyboard.

If they recover, I will start a new thread today. And, you know, maybe do some work... I've taken the three days before Thanksgiving off (we get the Friday off anyway), and it just hit me that that is next week! Must buckle down....

>298 katiekrug: NEXT WEEK!!

How is that possible?! It was Thanksgiving six years ago!

Gadzooks and Godzilla, I need to fix some reviews.

>299 richardderus: - IKR?!?!

>293 katiekrug: lol -- perfect :)

Thanksgiving is next week!!!! No, that can't possibly be.

>301 RebaRelishesReading: - Maybe the calendar is wrong, Reba? I swear, there should be another week in there....

Okay, off to start a new thread finally.

New thread here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/326346