lindapanzo's 2021 reading--first period

Welcome to my 2021 thread!!




I'm back for my 13th year in the 75 books group (my first one was in 2009). This seems incredible to me but there it is. I've been reading much, more more since I joined LT and made lots of friends on LT.

2020 was a terrible year, not only due to the pandemic and family issues but it was also one of my worst reading years in nearly 30 years. I'll be finishing 2020 with about 82 to 85 books read, which is a far cry from my more typical 110 to 120 books read. 2021 is looking brighter with the vaccine likely during the first quarter and, for my reading, a new enthusiasm.

In 2021, besides the Net Galley books and mysteries I usually read, I'm hoping to get back to reading more history. As usual, I'd like to make a big dent in my print TBR piles but we'll have to see about that.

My reading tends to be in certain categories, mainly mysteries, sports, and history, but, for 2021, here are my categories for the 2021 Category Challenge:

1. Mysteries
2. Baseball Books
3. Other Sports Books
4. Chicago Books
5. History
6. Historical Fiction
7. Books Helping Me Get Through the Pandemic
8. Seasonal Books
9. Non-Mystery Fiction
10. Nonfiction
11. CAT/KIT Books

BOOKS READ IN JUNE
33. Death in Daylesford by Kerry Greenwood--finished on 6/5/21
34. The Eve of Destruction: How 1965 Transformed America by James T. Patterson--finished on 6/13/21
35. The Art of Betrayal by Connie Berry--finished on 6/20/21
36. In Hot Water by Kate Kingsbury--finished on 6/25/21
37. Slashing Through the Snow by Jacqueline Frost--finished on 6/30/21

BOOKS READ IN MAY
22. The Story of a Photograph: Walker Evans, Ellie Mae Burroughs, and the Depression by Jerry L. Thompson--finished on 5/1/21
23. Murder is in the Air by Frances Brody--finished on 5/8/21
24. Ajax Penumbra 1969 by Robin Sloan--finished on 5/9/21
25. Inked Out by Karen MacInerney--finished on 5/11/21
26. Navy Baby by Debbie Macomber--finished on 5/13/21
27. Once We Were Brothers by Ronald H. Balson--finished on 5/16/21
28. Murder in a Teacup by Vicki Delany-finished on 5/18/21
29. The Bath Conspiracy by Jeanne M. Dams--finished on 5/22/21
30. Paris Never Leaves You by Ellen Feldman--finished on 5/25/21
31. Fear Strikes Out by Jim Piersall--finished on 5/28/21
32. For Batter or Worse by Jenn McKinlay--finished on 5/30/21

BOOKS READ IN APRIL
20. Haunted Hibiscus by Laura Childs--finished on 4/22/21
21. Death Comes to Durham by Jeanne M. Dams--finished on 4/29/21

BOOKS READ IN MARCH
17. The Hole Truth by Jessica Beck--finished on 3/10/21
18. Off Mike: How a Kid from Basketball-Crazy Indiana Became America's NHL Voice - Mike Emrich - finished on 3/23/21
19. Reserved for Murder by Victoria Gilbert--finished on 3/31/21

BOOKS READ IN FEBRUARY

10. Rachel Maddow: A Biography by Lisa Rogak--finished on 2/1/21
11. They Were Her Property by Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers--finished on 2/4/21
12. The Herndon Climb by James R. McNeal and Scott Tomasheski--finished on 2/6/21
13. Egg Shooters by Laura Childs--finished on 2/11/21
14. I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel--finished on 2/12/21
15. Out of the Dog House by Dick Portillo--finished on 2/16/21
16. Murder in the Cookbook Nook by Ellery Adams--finished on 2/28/21

BOOKS READ IN JANUARY

1. Here for It by R. Eric Thomas--finished on 1/2/21
2. Battered Bluff by Jessica Beck--finished on 1/3/21
3. Bag Man by Rachel Maddow--finished on 1/10/21
4. The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal About Identity, Race, Wealth and Power by Deirdre Mask--finished on 1/16/21
5. A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck--finished on 1/17/21
6. A Killer Ending by Karen MacInerney--finished on 1/18/21
7. Whatever the Weather by Harry Volkman--finished on 1/22/21
8. Jackie Robinson and the Integration of Baseball by Scott Simon--finished on 1/23/21
9. Deadly Delights by Laura Jensen Walker--finished on 1/29/21

RESERVED

Hi Linda! I am hoping for a better reading year in 2021, too.

Enjoy your Thingaversary!

>4 cbl_tn: I hope you have a better 2021.

>5 cyderry: Thanks, Cheli. This is becoming a major purchase now but I do tend to save the Amazon gift cards I get for Christmas and use them towards the Thingaversary books.

Welcome back!

Thanks, Jim. Glad you did the hard work to set this group up again for another year. Thanks!!

Hi Linda! Looking forward to a much better year. Happy 2021!

Welcome back, Linda. x

Hope you have a great reading year!

Happy new reading year, Linda. I liked your category of books to get me through the pandemic, I have those too:-)

>9 SqueakyChu: >10 PaulCranswick: >11 thornton37814: >12 EllaTim: Nice to see you all here. Hope you have a great reading year in 2021.

As for my books to help me through the pandemic, my "possibles" now include a humorous book, a book about friendship, and a book about reading.

Happy first thread of 2021!! I like your pandemic books listed above. Enjoy.

>14 Berly: That could be a fun category for me. Most likely avoid putting mysteries and sports books in there, though, because those have a place elsewhere.

The NHL hockey season starts two weeks from today. Hurray, hurray!!

Best wishes for a better 2021!

Happy reading in 2021, Linda!

Happy New Thread, Linda. Happy New Year! Glad we are turning the page on that chapter. I hope we can do a face to face Meet Up in 2021.

>16 DianaNL: >17 FAMeulstee: Happy New Year!! Anita, I'm thinking it's already 2021 in the Netherlands.

Hi Mark, happy new year to you, too. I'd love to do a meet up when it's safe to do so. The last one I remember was with you, Joe, and Jim at that German restaurant in Rosemont.

>19 lindapanzo: Yes, Linda, 2021 started here over an hour ago.

>20 FAMeulstee: Aha. I always remember that London is 6 hours ahead of us so I thought you would be 7 or so. It is 6:15 pm so we've got a few more hours left in 2020.

And keep up with my friends here, Linda. Have a great 2021.

Happy new year!

Happy New Year Linda!

Go Hockey!!! And Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, Paul, Susan, Rhian, Kim, and Cheli.

It's been quite a few years since I've made it til midnight on NYE. Last night, I was regularly texting a friend and was wide awake. Til I wasn't. I dozed off about 11:55 pm and was awakened by the loud countdown. I woke up at about 9,8,7 and then was wide awake for an hour. So glad to be rid of 2020. May 2021 be a better year for us all.

As for us, we've got our second snow/ice storm in 3 to 4 days so it's a nice day to listen to music and read.

Happy New Year!!

>27 lindapanzo: We're expecting a bit of ice later...anyone's guess how much it will amount to and how much trouble it may cause. Doesn't sound TOO dramatic so far, but hey...2021, didn't you get the memo? You're meant to be an improvement, y'know.

>28 laytonwoman3rd: Chicagoland covers a very large area. I live to the north and a bit west and we're typically a few degrees colder than the rest. In this instance, it's probably enough to get all snow for us, which would be fine by me.

My sister lives 90 minutes south and a bit further west and she may get a mix of ice and snow. South and west of there may be mostly freezing rain. So much so that the areas south and west of what we call Chicago's collar counties may get a third of an inch of ice or even more, which could be disastrous.

Hi, Linda!

Happy new year! Just rain here today. I'm hoping for a break this afternoon so that Adrian and I can get out for a walk.

Happy New Year, Linda. I hope 2021 is a great year for you.

Thanks, Terri, Carrie, and Beth. Happy New Year to you as well.

We had a New Year's Day snow and ice storm. For us, mostly snow but with some sleet and a touch of ice. Heavy lifting this morning but it's not that cold (upper 20's) and the sun is out so at least the frozen parts of the driveway should melt.

My 2021 reading pace has started out well. Alas, the first two books I finished were just meh. I'm reading the new Rachel Maddow book on Spiro Agnew now, though. Much better.

I was in grade school when all of that happened and, while I remember Watergate, I don't remember a whole lot about Agnew.

I am shaking and in disbelief. Horrified for my country. I've never felt like this before. Hoping that the forces of law and order can regain control over these domestic terrorists and the legal process can continue. Praying for the safety of our security forces and for the health of the woman who was shot in the chest on Capitol grounds.

>35 lindapanzo: What you said. I can not believe this is happening. : (

>36 Berly: We are also celebrating Mom's 84th birthday, as best we can considering stay at home orders and excited about Warnock and Ossoff winning their Senate seats. What an odd day of ups and downs.

Much thanks to the governors of Virginia and Maryland, a Dem and a Republican, for sending in the national guard to help quell the assault on our democracy.

Well, the events of recent days kept me awake with barely any sleep. Now I'm well rested but haven't been able to focus on books. This afternoon, maybe.

Suddenly realized that my 12th Thingaversary is on Wednesday so I'm planning out my 13 Thingaversary books to acquire.

Happy Sunday, Linda. Hooray for your fast approaching 12th Thingaversary! I am glad you have a good feeling about our Bears. I am just hoping for a decent game.

>41 msf59:> The Bears played them pretty close but, in the end, too many mistakes. They seem to lose their tempers and get thrown out, too. At least more than the average team.

I wonder if they'll keep the GM, the coach, and Tribisky.

I think I mentioned elsewhere that my first two books of 2021 were duds. Surprising to me was that the 51st book in a favorite light cozy mystery series ended up being my least favorite book in the series.

But things improved. Finally, a good one, the Rachel Maddow book about Spiro Agnew. During the Watergate hearings, I was in about 7th grade and we followed that closely. However, we didn't learn much about Agnew and, until reading this book, I still hadn't known much about Agnew, except that he'd been governor of Maryland and that he resigned the Vice Presidency. I also didn't know much about Maryland politics or that Agnew's style, when accused, sounds a lot like the approach taken in recent years, namely villify the media and other institutions.

Also interesting was a discussion about how the memo indicating how presidents can't be charged with a crime came about. Nixon wanted to get rid of Agnew so the memo was written to show that presidents can't be charged with a crime while in office but vice presidents could be so charged. I'd actually love to track down a book focusing on that issue.

I would've loved to have seen a bit more about the courageous young Assistant U.S. Attorneys who did all the work on pulling the case against Agnew together. They are the real heroes in this event, along with their boss who shielded them from public fury (which was raised by Agnew). Attorney General Elliott Richardson, who defended his people and pursued the case, even though Agnew was a fellow Republican, also comes out looking very well in the book.

One interesting tidbit...after Agnew left office, he was naturally desperate to make money. One of the first people to try to hire him was the husband of actress Eva Gabor, who'd just been on Green Acres. However, his board of directors quickly discouraged him from hiring Agnew.

Creating my Thingaversary book list and checking it twice. So many choices.

12th anniversary Thingaversary list:

1. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
2. Outlawed by Anna North
3. Glamour Girls by Marty Wingate
4. Jackie Robinson and the Integration of Baseball by Scott Simon--READ
5. Silver Lining by Elizabeth Beisel
6. Closed Casket by Sophie Hannah--READ
7. One Day by Gene Weingarten
8. The Way We Never Were by Stephanie Coontz
9. Snow: A Novel by John Banville
10. A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck--READ
11. By Cook or By Crook by Maya Corrigan
12. Perestroika in Paris by Jane Smiley
13. The Herndon Climb: A History of the United States Naval Academy's Greatest Tradition by James R. McNeal--READ

Happy Thingaversary to me, happy thingaversary to me...

Swamped at work and at home so I haven't completed my list, but I will.

>45 lindapanzo: Happy Thingaversary to you!

Hi Linda! Just popping in to see what you've been up to.

>44 lindapanzo: Belated happy Thingaversary, Linda!

Looking forward to the rest of the list.

Such a relief, I finished a big new thing at work and now I can read and relax again, and look for other books to add to the list.

My whole list is completed and all the books I chose are either in my possession or on their way. Hurray, hurray!!

My first read from the Thingaversary haul will likely be the baseball book, Jackie Robinson and the Integration of Baseball by Scott Simon.

Sorry I missed your Thingaversary! You've got some great books on your Thingaversary list.

Happy Sunday, Linda. Nice Thingaversary list up there. Not surprised that the Pack had no problem with the Rams. I think they are good enough to go all the way. Enjoy your day.

>52 msf59: Thanks, Mark, you too. Were you out and about birding in the snow this morning?

A nice long weekend to sit in and read. Two hockey games and two football games today, though.

Currently reading a YA book from my Thingaversary haul. I love the Grandma Dowdel books from Richard Peck, reading the second one, A Year Down Yonder. A nice comfy read.

One interesting thing I realized when thinking about my 12th Thingaversary on LT. On my homepage, when I joined in January, 2009, I listed 3 bookstores under "favorite bookstores." By then, my absolute favorite bookstore, Scotland Yard books in Winnetka, IL had just closed so I listed the three bookstores I went to most often. Alibi Books in Glenview, IL, Borders in Gurnee, IL, and Barnes & Noble in Lincolnshire, IL. All three have since closed, though another B&N near the office remains open. Of course, I haven't been to the office in 10 months.

During these 10 months, the only real live bookstore I've visited is a used bookstore, This Old Book, in Grayslake, IL. I wasn't looking to buy but donated some used books to them without asking for credit. (My used books always look like new.) I've also contributed to their GoFundMe and, as far as I know, it seems to be working.

>54 lindapanzo: Oh, I love those Peck books, too. Such fun, comfort reads.

>55 scaifea: I wish there were more Grandma Dowdel books, though. I saw here that there is a third one but set many years later. I love these.

>56 lindapanzo: Yes! I've read all three and definitely with there were more.

Happy New Year, Linda.

What do you think of the Blackhawks' chances this year?

I see The Vanishing Half on your Thingaversary list. I joined the LT crowd in enjoying that one.

>58 jnwelch: This may be the Hawks worst season of my soon-to-be 60 year lifetime!! My friend I go to games with and I text constantly and a big topic of discussion has been, with a 56 game schedule, whether the Hawks can reach double digits in wins.

In fact, she's an avid Sox fan and I think the Cubs will be just as bad as the Hawks and I wondered which of the two, the Hawks or the Cubs, will have more wins this season. Probably will depend in part how many games MLB plays.

Glad to hear you liked The Vanishing Half. My free copy just arrived from the Book of the Month Club. I hardly ever order from them but getting this, their top-ranked book of 2020, for free was awfully enticing.

Dropping by to wish you well, Linda.

>60 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul, thanks for stopping by. Hope you're doing well, too.

Hope everyone is doing well. After a winter of virtually no snow, we had our second 8 inch snowstorm of the week overnight. It took 90 minutes to clear it up with the snowblower. It's still snowing so we'll have to go out again tomorrow. Will probably end up in the 10 to 12 inch range.

I was cold and wet and tired. Now I'll get back to reading my biography of Rachel Maddow.

>62 lindapanzo: I had a friend report they were calling for a couple feet in her area. I told her she could ship 6-8 inches down here which ought to be enough for a couple much-needed snow days.

>62 lindapanzo: I hope you get lots of good reading in!

hi Linda....good to hear from you on the Bruno/GUido thread. I always seem to pick up at least one BB whenever I visit you. I'm a huge Rachel Maddow fan and already have Bag Man on my TBR list, but was unaware of the Biography. Off to find it.

>65 tututhefirst: It's good to see you back here.

A good friend's son is a plebe at the Naval Academy. It was interesting to watch the process as he tried to get in (the track and cross country coaches really wanted him) and he was able to secure a nomination from our U.S. senator. I believe. It's also been interesting to see how he's developed during his first semester and to follow along with his company and spot him in an occasional picture on FB or Instagram.

So, when the Army/Navy game was on, I had more of a rooting interest than usual.

Not sure how much you read about the Naval Academy but, if you do, I found an interesting sounding one and picked it up for my 12th Thingaversary last month. The Herndon Climb: A History of the United States Naval Academy's Greatest Tradition by James R. McNeal. I hope to get to it very soon.

The Herndon Climb might be very interesting. Over 50 years ago (when I was still in college) I dated the young man who at that time held the record for climbing Herndon in the shortest time (I believe it was under 2 minutes.) In fact I remember going to watch the following year when I was there in Annapolis to celebrate June Week. It was a very exciting place to be at the time, and dating there throughout my college days had a great influence on my decision to join the Navy when I graduated.

Hi, Linda. Good luck with the work week and keep warm, my friend. It is going to be a frigid stretch.

>67 tututhefirst: I read this book over the weekend. Very interesting. I bet the guy you dated was in the pre-greased Herndon era. Once they started greasing it up, it usually takes about 2 hours, though as short as one hour and even more than 4 hours. I bet you'd appreciate this book.

Sadly, just read about the first death due to COVID at our nearby Great Lakes station. He was a 50-year old instructor there. A Chief Quartermaster, I think was his title.

>68 msf59: Thanks, Mark. I get the Trib via digital daily email but part of the deal is to get the Sunday print Trib. Yesterday I ventured out onto the driveway when it was 10 below with a 25 below wind chill. This am, putting the trash out at 1 below with a 1 below wind chill felt almost balmy. It's funny what you get used to.

To my astonishment and delight, yesterday evening, I managed to get both Mom and Dad vaccine appointments at the closest Osco Pharmacy for later this week. Very unexpected as these are like trying to get tickets to a hot concert via Ticketmaster.

>70 lindapanzo: Congratulations on getting those appointments.

>70 lindapanzo: Great news, Linda. My MIL managed to get her first shot, but it's dreadful here in PA too...all sorts of places in our local area are designated for delivering the shots, but none of them are scheduling appointments at the moment, nor can you even put your name on a waiting list. Weeks ago, when we became eligible, one of the sites was allowing you to sign up, so we are technically on their list, but they don't have vaccine except for their own employees and long-term care patients. No clue when this will start to improve.

>71 thornton37814: >72 laytonwoman3rd: Things have opened up and just about every friend or co-worker who has tried to get a 65+ appointment, whether for themselves, their elderly parents, or their spouses, has managed to get through.

On an even happier note, I am about to turn 60 and have a number of the underlying medical conditions they're worried about, in particular, since I had that horrible pneumonia in December 2017, my lungs have never been the same. Ahem, my weight is not near to what it should be and I've got some other issues. I've been very concerned because it looked like I wouldn't be eligible until Illinois stage 1C, which would start in early April, though my doctor told me, in the strongest terms possible, to get vaccinated as soon as I possibly could.

But, in what could be a very nice, unexpected birthday gift for me, the Illinois governor today has moved the under 65's with medical conditions to a group eligible for the vaccine starting on February 25. What a great day!!

>73 lindapanzo: Good news! We're just beginning the 70+ here so it will be awhile. K-12 teachers and ages 65+ are next--probably starting next month.

"the Illinois governor today has moved the under 65's with medical conditions to a group eligible for the vaccine " Our governor did that weeks ago, but sadly, the vaccine isn't available for so many people at once, so it's not doing us any good whatsoever. We can't even get on a waiting list for an appointment.

>75 laytonwoman3rd: I don't think we do waiting lists in Illinois. I just keep trying and trying online, though, when I thought about it logically, that was when I got in to get appointments for Mom and Dad. Another friend called in and was on hold with her neighboring county's health dept for an hour but she got in at the huge site run by the IL National Guard.

Just took Mom and she got the Pfizer dose. I was taken aback when a guy in his low 20s got the next vaccine and was waiting near us afterwards. He must be a first responder or else a grocery store employee.

Well phooey, the governor gave me hope that, within 2 weeks, I could be vaccinated, but my county has rejected doing it, which they can. I was quite upset yesterday. However, later, an old friend, who is a village trustee, told me to read the fine print. Private pharmacies aren't subject to the county rules on this, but rather, they follow state rules. So there's hope yet.

>77 lindapanzo: The whole thing is just a big mess. We read about new ways to get appointments AFTER the process is already overloaded and bogged down. Pharmacies can't keep up with the record-keeping, so when they ask for a new supply, they only get half, because it looks like they still HAVE some.

I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel

I suspect that most of us love books about books or reading. I know I do, but i typically don't like heavyweight books. I prefer lighthearted, breezy books about reading and this one absolutely fits the bill. For Bogel, a reading tastemaker and blogger, books are part of life and, in this short (160 page) book, she talks about books that first grabbed her and how she became the reader she is. As I read this in nearly one sitting, I found myself saying constantly "YES, that's me, too."

Of the 21 short chapters, particular favorites for me include Bogel's chapter on living next door to a public library (which had me dreaming of such a thing); book bossiness (something I definitely try not to be); and, most especially, the chapter on bookworm problems. On bookworm problems, I think she presents maybe 100 of them and I excitedly said yes that's me for virtually all of them.

This is a fun little book about reading which I think many readers would enjoy (since I don't want to engage in book bossiness, I won't say "you must read this." Probably my favorite book of the year so far.

>79 lindapanzo: You should give us some examples of those bookworm problems!

Happy Saturday, Linda. Glad to hear you enjoyed the Bogel book. I get her daily book deal emails. Keep warm up there. It is going to be a FRIGID next couple of days. Brrrrr...

>80 cyderry:
--Your library holds all come in at the same time--this happens to me without fail.
--You check out more library books than you can carry--yes, I'm always borrowing/checking out an additional tote bag from the library.
--You're in the middle of a great book and forget to eat dinner--oh yes
--You're a good part of the way into a book and you realize it's not the first book in the series
--You realize halfway through a flight that your new Kindle book didn't download--not as often but yes
--You finally persuade a good friend to read your lifetime favorite book and she gives it 3 stars.

One that I've never had a problem with: You pile the stack of library books on the front passenger seat and your car complains bc it thinks you have an unbuckled passenger--never happens to me since I put the stack of books in the trunk.

>81 msf59: I should do that, too.

>82 lindapanzo: Well, the foodie and the bookworm have their conflicts, I may skip lunch, but not dinner. It just doesn't happen. Delay, well, a bit, but only a bit.

>82 lindapanzo:
--Your library holds all come in at the same time--this happens to me without fail. I rarely get real books from the library - mine are usually ebooks or audiobooks and I can push the hold back a week or two as I want

--You check out more library books than you can carry--yes, I'm always borrowing/checking out an additional tote bag from the library. no real books for me

--You're in the middle of a great book and forget to eat dinner--oh yes hubbie won't let that happen

--You're a good part of the way into a book and you realize it's not the first book in the series I have learned to check to see if it is the first in a series when I start a new author. I end up buying the previous books or getting them from the library. Just did that last year - binged a series of 5 books!

--You realize halfway through a flight that your new Kindle book didn't download--not as often but yes No, No! this is not me. I ALWAYS make sure that I have the books loaded that I want for a trip. Usually extras! Getting ready for a trip next week with 9 hours in the car each way. Made sure that I had 3 audiobooks as well as 10 eBooks for the week! (I'm sure that I will finally be able to finish the chunkster No Ordinary Time by Doris Kearns Goodwin.)

--You finally persuade a good friend to read your lifetime favorite book and she gives it 3 stars. Been there for this one! I was so disappointed for her. She just didn't get.

Thanks for the fun!

I had my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine today, under the newly expanded IL 1B category. As of Feb 25, people under 65 with certain underlying conditions could get vaccinated. It went well. I was armed to the gills with proof of my 3 conditions under the rules but the check-in tech looked at me and said OK. I got a little teary after the injection.

Mom came along for moral support and to take some photos. Afterwards, she told the female pharmacist that, with my pulmonary issues, her giving me the vaccine may have saved my life. Hope is making a comeback for me.

Hi, Linda!

Yay for your first shot! It seems we're making progress. Slow progress, but still. Progress.

>85 lindapanzo: So glad you got your first shot. Here in MD we are very far behind. Some counties are starting 1C where my county is still in 1A. Since my county has a large population and the 1C counties have smaller concentration of people, I think my county should get more of the vaccine but I'm not the one doling out the stock. My husband and I are 1B and are still waiting for appointments. At least I have plenty to read as I hide out at home.

Stay safe.

Thanks for visiting. I had a bit of a side effect from the first dose. Think mild, yet persistent, hot flash.

Starting about 4 hours post vax, I started what I call revving up, feeling like I'd eaten a huge meal at with a lot of wine at an Italian restaurant. It seems like my metabolism really goes full tilt when this happens and I get quite warm, but usually not for long. This time, while I have no fever and everything was fine, it lasted for 36 hours. The first night full of warmth and energy wasn't bad but I was really fatigued by last night. Seems to be subsiding today and I feel lots better. Though annoying, I think it's a good thing and means it's working. Having to roll up my sleeves and mop my brow is a small price to pay.

Hope to start reading again tonight, the first time since Thurs.

>88 lindapanzo: Did you get the Phizer or Mederna?

>89 cyderry: Pfizer. Most of the people I know who've gotten the vaccine are 70+ but now my group, the under 65's with medical conditions are getting vaccinated and it appears that the side effects may be different. Mom, Dad, and older friends have had nothing, except for a bit of arm soreness. Elderly mother is quite worried but my temp, pulse, etc are all normal. I just feel like I ate too much and I'm trying to break it down and this is all causing fatigue.

>91 cyderry: Thanks, Cheli. Can't believe I'm 60 now.

>92 lindapanzo: Time flies when you are having fun!

Belated happy birthday, Linda!

My husband will reach the same age later this year.

Oops! I missed your birthday! Happy belated birthday! Today would have been my grandmother's 124th one. She made it to 96.

What a slow reading month. Just 3 books read. But hundreds of people signed up for the COVID vaccine.

>96 lindapanzo: March was a little off for me too. I think I just got "bogged down" in a couple, and I worked so much trying to get presentations ready to record. Fortunately those are done. I am working on one more presentation I'll do via Zoom in mid-April. Then I want to rest and read!

Happy Easter Weekend, Linda! Happy Belated Birthday! I hope you are doing well and I hope you have a much better reading month in April.

>98 msf59: Hi Mark, Happy Easter to you and Sue. What a beautiful day again today!!

Wishing you a lovely Easter Sunday, Linda.

Happy Easter, Linda!

>100 PaulCranswick: >101 cbl_tn: Happy Easter, Paul and Carrie. We have a spectacular day today. Sunny and 72. Couldn't ask for nicer.

Please keep my 18-year old nephew in your prayers (my extremely upset sister, too). After school, as he does most days, he was riding his bike (he not only loves to ride but has worked in a bike shop repairing and assembling bikes for a few years). Two minutes from home, a car sideswiped him and knocked him off his bike.

Driver did not stop to check on him.

Fortunately, he stuck his arm out so as not to hit his head on the ground but he broke his right wrist. No concussion or knee injuries, as feared, but, beyond the broken wrist, he does have scrapes all over his legs and back and is quite sore. He pulled himself together to call my sister and they rushed him to the ER. Filed a police report and alerted neighbors to watch out for a red sedan with damage on the passenger side.

Today, he found out he needs surgery on his wrist and forearm. Then a brace. Then physical therapy. It's all supposed to take 6 to 8 weeks. His HS graduation is 7 weeks from tomorrow. Poor guy.

>103 lindapanzo: How scary! I am glad that the physical damage was not worse -especially no head injuries - and I'll be praying that the healing is quick and without set-backs.

I sprained my ankle about a month before my college graduation and that was the first thought that flickered through my brain.

>105 quondame: My best wishes for your nephew's complete and speedy recovery. And I hope they catch the hit and run driver.

What a scary incident! Glad the arm is what took the brunt and not his head!
Agreeing that I hope the hit and run driver is caught. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Prayers said that he will fully recover. Keep us posted on how things go including, hopefully, that they catch the jerk!

Thanks everyone. His surgery is set for this Friday and he is extremely nervous. I've tried to be really reassuring to him.

To update, my nephew had roughly 2.5 hour surgery on Friday morning. It seemed to go well. They put in a titanium plate with 9 or 10 screws plus cadaver bone to fill in the gaps where they had to realign. Though he was really scared beforehand, about 5 or 6 hours after returning home, he face timed me and told me all about it and proudly showed off the x-rays of before and after.

Getting lots of rest. I think their Yellow Lab is keeping watch over him.

>109 lindapanzo: Thanks for the update, Linda. So good to read the surgery on your nephew went well.

>110 FAMeulstee: We were so thankful. He doesn't seem to have much pain. Used painkillers only during his first full day at home.

I finally have some good news. I attended my first zoom event tonight, through my library. It was an evening with my favorite columnist, Mary Schmich of the Chicago Tribune. Not only was it an interesting evening but I learned that I was one of the lucky winners of an autographed copy of her book Even the Terrible Things Seem Beautiful To Me Now. I've long wanted to read that one.

Hi, Linda. I am sorry to hear about your nephew and his injury. Glad he had a successful surgery and is on the mend.

Glad your nephew is on the road to recovery. The doctors nowadays can do remarkable things so I'm sure that your nephew will do well.

Any news of catching the guy who did this?

Thanks Mark and Cheli. The police aren’t holding out much hope. No cameras there. Hoping that someone spots a damaged car.

He starts physical therapy on Wednesday. Seems to have a great attitude about it all.

Attitude is everything with something like this. I remember when my husband just about destroyed his arm in a car accident that his goal was to get back on the golf course and he worked with the therapist so hard so that he could do that. He had plates and pins and screws in his wrist and elbow but he still plays golf. Your nephew needs to have a goal to work toward. That's what keeps them going on the tough days.

So glad that the surgery is behind him. Praying for healing now!

If he was that close to home when the accident happened, it's possible that the car might belong to someone in the neighborhood. I will pray that a family member or neighbor will spot it.

It looks like my nephew will get his stitches out today. He also returned to in person classes this week. That first week after surgery, he took classes remotely.

In other news, last night, I finally finished reading a book this month!!

With the vax hunting business slowing down (way more vax doses than people who want them), it's time to get back to reading!!

With a few weeks' worth of reading, after I've cut back on my vaccine hunting, due to walk-ins and widespread availability, I'm back to regular reading form this month.

My favorite book this month, so far, is a historical fiction Mom foisted on me (she's a big fan of WW2 fiction). It's called Once We Were Brothers by Ronald H. Balson. Set in present day Chicago where a Holocaust survivor wants to file suit against the leading philanthropist in the city for Nazi war crimes. The man he confronts at the Lyric Opera and then intends to sue was a poor German boy who was taken in by the man's Jewish family. Of course, this German boy, raised as a brother to the man who wants to sue, became a Nazi.

It seems to be the first in a series but the only connection, Mom says, is the woman lawyer and the male investigator.

>119 lindapanzo: - I read that one years ago when it first came out. I do think Balson has written another but I haven't read it yet. I did enjoy this one, though.

>120 jessibud2: Mom is on #2, Saving Sophie and I think she picked up #3 Karolina's Twins.

As I ease back into reading, I'm starting with light and fluffy, except for the Balson book.

>121 lindapanzo: - Hmmm. That title, Karolina's Twins sounds familiar. I just checked and I have it on my shelf, as an audiobook. I haven't listened to it yet but also, hadn't noticed it was by Balson. I don't know the second one but if they are a series, I suppose they should be read in order so maybe it's just as well that I haven't got to it yet. I should keep my eyes open for #2.

Good luck getting back into the reading groove, Linda. I think you would really like The Code Breaker. Go Cubbies! I am watching them now. Lots of ex-Cubs on the Nats.

Hi, Linda! Easing back into reading -- that's what I keep trying to do. There's just so much to distract one these days. Sorry to read about your nephew's accident. I don't understand how drivers can hit someone like that and not stop.

>122 jessibud2: Mom doesn't seem as enthusiastic about the second book in the series so I may hold off.

>123 msf59: Definitely back in the reading group. I read the largest number of books for me, this year, in May.

>124 tymfos: He's doing better now and, in fact, graduated from HS last week. He's starting his summer job at Home Depot this week but, due to lifting restrictions, he won't be a parking lot attendant (he can't lift 50 lb bags of things right now) but he will be in customer service.

Just signed up for the summer reading club. Can I read for 30 minutes per day for 60 of the next 75 days? I think so. I actually get a raffle entry for every 10 days I read for 30 minutes per day. (Naturally, prizes are books and other items) The friends of the library make a donation for every 20 days I read.

Just got an email that a favorite fiction author, Amor Towles will finally be releasing a new novel this fall. The author of A Gentleman in Moscow and Rules of Civility will be out with The Lincoln Highway on October 5th.

Yay!!

Ooo, exciting to know this! Thanks

>128 jessibud2: Interestingly, the email said that Towles likes to shake things up with each book so this one doesn't resemble the previous one. Either way, I am really looking forward to it.

Me too! I read both his previous books and really enjoyed them.

>127 lindapanzo: Ooh! Thanks for the head up! I recently reread A Gentleman in Moscow, and read Rules of Civility back then. Must go place a request for the upcoming one!

Karen O.

Please keep my 84 year old mother, Dorothy, in your prayers. On Tuesday, she fell for the second time within three days. This time, I couldn't lift her to a chair or to stand up and so I called 911. The rescue squad took her to the hospital and she's still there.

She was badly dehydrated and seems to have a quirky BP issue. It's high when she's seated and so is on BP meds but it drops by a lot when she stands up and she gets dizzy and feels faint.

Definitely will keep her in our prayers.

I am so sorry to hear this, Linda. Keep us updated on your Mom.

>134 msf59: Just talked to her and she thinks she'll be released this morning. These things always seem to take a long time to get organized.

Good news that she is coming home and it wasn't anything more serious. Does she use a walker, Linda? My mother does and it helps her to stabilize herself when she needs to stand up from a sitting position.

>137 jessibud2: Mom has never been one to do anything halfway. Forty years ago, we'd all urge her not to stand up and dash off so quickly. She has a cane but I suspect that they might suggest a rolling walker. (I think that's the kind with what looks like tennis balls on the bottom, not the kind she was using in the hospital whereby she has to pick it up and put it down with each step.)

I know that, on Sunday, I came home from the grocery store and was unloading groceries. She was outside watering the flowers and other light yard work. I wondered what was up with Mom and I found her in pain and sprawled out on the patio and she'd been that way for 20 minutes plus. I was able to get her into a chair.

The occupational therapist suggested that she carry her cellphone in a tote or a clutch and carry it with her everywhere. Also suggested getting a medical alert.

So sorry to hear that your Mom is having issues. I remember when my Mom started to have difficulties and it definitely made me feel a sense of relief when she agreed to finally get a medic alert - what she called the button. We try to convince her to always have her phone with her but she had a tendency not to remember to charge it. So Medic alert worked better because she wore it on her wrist. Before she went to assisted living she used that button a few times after we finally convinced that having it and not using it was basically not having it. But she "didn't want to bother anyone". We told her that these people needed a job and if no one called them, the company might lay people off. That's when she decided it was okay to push that button if she needed help.

Now, I have a button myself since I'm home alone during the day. I don't worry so much about tripping or falling.

I hope that things work out and your Mom accepts small limitations as she ages.

There are 2 kinds of walkers (that I know of). One (the hospital kind, I think) is lighter-weight and has wheels in the front but little *skis* on the back. That prevents speed but in my opinion, if someone if really weak, it doesn't provide much support. My mother had that one first. But I bought her a rollator (4 wheels) with hand brakes. I also has a seat which was important because she tires easily and quickly and it gave her the option to sit and rest when she needed to and the mobility to still be rather independent. I drilled her like a drill sargent (sp? that looks wrong) on using the brakes until it has become second nature to her. She loves it.

Also, a medic alert button (one of those that has a fall detector) is a great idea. The necklace style is the one that has the fall alert; the bracelet style doesn't. I know because I have done research on it for my mum. In the end, I didn't get her one because she has dementia and worried that she'd play with the button without realizing it and cause many false alarm calls. The person I spoke to alerted me to this. But for someone without dementia, this would be a great thing.

>132 lindapanzo: That is so disturbing. I hope they can get her stabilized and back feeling comfortable standing very soon.

Thanks for all the good wishes!! Mom came home on Thursday evening. She seems to tire easily but is catching up on her rest.

I think I'm having a delayed reaction to all the stress this week. That, along with the heat and humidity right now, has been really bothering me. I feel very tired and run down and have been taking a nap every afternoon. Drinking lots of liquids and taking it easy. Trying to run all of Mom's errands etc plus my own before it gets too hot out.

My current read is a book about 1965, Vietnam, Civil rights, and cultural events. Quite interesting. The Eve of Destruction by James T. Patterson. With my trying to stay inside and rest, this one has actually been holding my interest very well.

Mom is doing much better but, last night, Dad was rushed to the same hospital by ambulance.

Did they buy stock in the hospital?

Is Dad going to be okay?

>145 cyderry: I think so. He has dementia and sometimes odd things happen.

Aw, bummer, Linda. Keep us updated.

>144 lindapanzo: When it rains, it pours! I empathize with you over the aging parents having been there done that in the past. Cherish each moment with them. You'll miss them every day once they are gone.

Linda, I'm so sorry you're dealing with parents needing the hospital. I'm glad to hear your mother is doing better. I hope your father will be OK.

Thanks for the good wishes. Mom is 84 but is strong. Now that they've dropped 4 of her 9 meds, she's feeling stronger, not so dizzy. With Dad, I don't think there's much hope for improvement but we should try to savor every day we have with him.

Yesterday, a doctor came in to do a dementia test. One question was "who are these two people here with you?" Dad knew Mom's name after much thinking and knew I'm family but he couldn't think of my name. That was so heartbreaking. Except for his DOB, he couldn't answer any of the other questions.

>150 lindapanzo: Yes, that is heartbreaking, Linda, demenitia is so hard.
I still remember the first time my mother no longer recognised me.

>150 lindapanzo: I'm so sorry, Linda. It's so hard to see them "not like themselves."

Dad was released on Friday and tomorrow, a home health nurse will be coming to the house to make an assessment and, hopefully, arrange for us to get help in dealing with Dad and his Alzheimer's. Mom may need surgery soon and I just can't deal with both of them and she certainly can't jeopardize her own health to take care of him 24/7.

My younger sister came over today, from about 90 minutes away, to visit for Father's Day and that seemed to perk him up. He doesn't know her name, or mine, but he seems to know we're his daughters.

Such a difficult situation, Linda. Make sure that you take advantage of any and all help you can get and access. This is not a one-person job and if help is out there, grab it!

Breathe in, breathe out....

Things seem to be calming down. Mom is much better, Dad is getting home health nursing care, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Seems to be doing better.

I'm reading again. Still tired from dealing with Dad but things are improving a bit.

>155 lindapanzo: That is good news, Linda. I hope you are able to get more and better rest now.

There's nothing quite so hard as dealing with your own parents as they age and fail....particularly with dementia. I found I simply could not stay strong all the time, and needed a way to vent all the emotion I couldn't express in their presence. It wasn't fair to put it all on my husband, either. I found on-line friendships, like those here in LT, were invaluable. I could say anything I felt, and it was acceptable...no judgment, no consequences. And then I could go back and delete it all if I felt I should. Which is all to say, Linda, unload here whenever you need to. And cherish those moments of improvement.

>157 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks so much. Yes, it helps. I am doing the same with some co-workers and other friends. Seemingly everyone has a family member with dementia/Alzheimer's.

The occupational therapist yesterday suggested putting together games, puzzles, and other things to keep him occupied, focusing on things he likes. I'm getting a lot of suggestions for that.

no matter what, good days or bad days, you will look back and cherish this time.

Yes, we will. Since he's been home from the hospital and they got rid of the UTI, which I understand adds to the confusion of people in his condition, and they've put him on the new med, he seems more "with it" now. He's really tired now as today's physical therapist really tired him out.

Checking in on you, Linda. I'm so glad to read that things are improving with both of your parents Worry must weigh heavily on you. Take care.

Thanks for keeping us updated, Linda. I hope your Dad keeps showing some improvement. Good luck getting back into reading too.

What Mark said, Linda. I’ve been following the travails of your parents on Facebook. I’m sure they feel lucky to have you helping them, and I hope they keep improving.

Both my parents got UTIs and became confused. It was alarming until we learned how common that is for the elderly. Antibiotics helped a lot. Our father also had a B-12 deficiency and had to get a shot of that vitamin to bring him back from what seemed like severe dementia.

Thanks for stopping by, Madeline, Mark, and Joe.

Mom needed her carotid artery CAT scan (with contrast) so today was Dad's first day with a non-family caregiver. He seemed to like her though she made him walk outside.

Alas, after a 35 minute drive and then an hour plus wait for the CAT scan, the tech did a kidney function blood test on Mom. At her doctor's, it was OK. Unfortunately, at the hospital today, it was not and so it was deemed unsafe to do the CAT scan.

She needs to keep drinking lots of fluids. That and a lack of rest with Dad are probably affecting things.

Some good things during the first half of the year, such as COVID vaccines, but the past month or so has been awful. Hoping for a better second half.

Started a new thread for the second half of the year at https://www.librarything.com/topic/333406