Katiekrug Reads and Reads and Reads Some More - Part 15

CURRENTLY READING
(Kindle) (Audio)

Hi All!

For anyone new to my thread, I'm Katie: reader, wine drinker, food appreciator, shenanigan-ator, and non-sufferer of fools. I live outside New York City with my husband, "The" Wayne, our cat, Leonard, and our dog Nuala/Noodles. I work as a senior governance manager for a non-profit engineering association, which used to be fun because I got to travel and now is just a big pile of meh.

Here's to a great, or at least an improved, new year!

Books Completed

Books Off My Shelf: 28
Books Off My Kindle: 35
Books from Audible: 8
Library Loans: 23

September
Favorite:
94. What is Left the Daughter by Howard Norman (5 stars)
93. No Mark Upon Her by Deborah Crombie (3.75 stars)
92. The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman (4 stars)
91. The Colour of Milk by Nell Leyshon (4 stars)
90. Amethyst by Lauren Royal (3 stars)
89. The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff (4.5 stars)
88. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (4.25 stars)
87. Animal Farm: The Graphic Novel by Odyr and George Orwell (4 stars)
86. Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare (4.5 stars)
85. Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan (4 stars)
84. West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge (4.25 stars)
83. Home Sweet Anywhere by Lynne Martin (3.5 stars)

YTD Did Not Finish
1. Waterland by Graham Swift
2. Adequate Yearly Progress by Roxanne Elden
3. The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon
4. Chasing Shakespeares by Sarah Smith
5. Dear Girls by Ali Wong
6. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
7. The Pink Hotel by Anna Stothard
8. The Middleman by Olen Steinhauer

August
Favorite:
82. The Black God's Drums by P. Djeli Clark (4 stars)
81. Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller (4.5 stars)
80. Lizzie & Dante by Mary Bly (4.5 stars)
79. Falling by T.J. Newman (4 stars)
78. I'm Not Scared by Niccolo Ammaniti (4.25 stars)
77. A Burning by Megha Majumdar (5 stars)
76. Cashelmara by Susan Howatch (3.5 stars)
75. The Strawberry Hearts Diner by Carolyn Brown (audio) (3 stars)
74. Whiskey and Charlie by Annabel Smith (4 stars)
73. The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy by Sara Angelini (3 stars)
72. You Deserve Nothing by Alexander Maksik (4.25 stars)

July
Favorite:
71. Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa (4.5 stars)
70. The Frozen Thames by Helen Humphreys (4 stars)
69. Pack Up the Moon by Kristan Higgins (4 stars)
68. The President's Daughter by Ellen Emerson White (3 stars)
67. Becoming by Michelle Obama (audio) (4 stars)
66. All Systems Red by Martha Wells (audio) (3.5 stars)
65. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (3.5 stars)
64. The Night Hawks by Elly Griffiths (3.5 stars)
63. The Summer Book by Tove Jansson (4.5 stars)
62. The Bird Tribunal by Agnes Ravatn (4 stars)
61. Born in Death by J.D. Robb (3.5 stars)

June
Favorite:
60. The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris (3.5 stars)
59. The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton (3.5 stars)
58. The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman (4 stars)
57. In the Morning I'll Be Gone by Adrian McKinty (4 stars)
56. The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare (4 stars)
55. Summerwater by Sarah Moss (4 stars)
54. Outlawed by Anna North (3.5 stars)
53. Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell (audio) (3.5 stars)
52. Wish You Were Here by Stewart O'Nan (4 stars)

May
Favorite:
51. Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger (4.5 stars)
50. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz (4 stars)
49. The Other Americans by Laila Lalami (3.5 stars)
48. Normal People by Sally Rooney (audio) (4 stars)
47. A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught (3 stars)
46. The New Yorkers by Cathleen Schine (4.25 stars)
45. How to Break a Dragon's Heart by Cressida Cowell (audio) (3.5 stars)
44. On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn (3 stars)
43. Darkside by Belinda Bauer (4 stars)
42. Another Kind of Life by Catherine Dunne (3 stars)
41. Eat Cake. Be Brave. by Melissa Radke (audio) (3 stars)
40. Lord the One You Love is Sick by Kasey Thornton (4.5 stars)

April
Favorite:
39. Unleashing Mr. Darcy by Teri Wilson (3.5 stars)
38. Stories from Suffragette City by Various Authors (3.5 stars)
37. The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare (4 stars)
36. Lean on Pete by Willy Vlautin (4.5 stars)
35. The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side by Agatha Christie (3.5 stars)
34. The Crucible by Arthur Miller (audio) (4.5 stars)
33. The Vanishing Point by Mary Sharratt (4 stars)
32. Pride and Promiscuity by Arielle Eckstut and Dennis Ashton (2 stars)
31. Island of the Lost by Joan Druett (4 stars)
30. It's In His Kiss by Julia Quinn (4 stars)
29. The Secret River by Kate Grenville (4 stars)

March
Favorite:
28. Dodgers by Bill Beverly (4.5 stars)
27. The Rogue of Fifth Avenue by Joanna Shupe (3.5 stars)
26. Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton (3 stars)
25. Cannery Row by John Steinbeck (4 stars)
24. Shit, Actually by Lindy West (3.5 stars)
23. Difficult Women by Roxane Gay (4 stars)
22. Anywhere for You by Abbie Greaves (3.5 stars)
21. Fat Chance by Nick Spalding (3.5 stars)
20. Memory in Death by J.D. Robb (3.5 stars)
19. Passing by Nella Larsen (3.5 stars)
18. Love by Toni Morrison (4 stars)

February
Favorite:
17. The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver (4.5 stars)
16. The Blood of Emmett Till by Timothy B. Tyson (4 stars)
15. The Weirdies by Michael Buckley (audio) (4.5 stars)
14. The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley (4.25 stars)
13. Heaven, My Home by Attica Locke (4 stars)
12. Paradise by Toni Morrison (4.25 stars)
11. Emperor of the Air by Ethan Canin (3.5 stars)
10. When They Call You a Terrorist by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and Asha Bandele (4 stars)
9. Blessings by Anna Quindlen (4.5 stars)

January
Favorite:
8. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (2.75 stars)
7. Triangle by David Von Drehle (4 stars)
6. New Boy by Tracy Chevalier (3.5 stars)
5. 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl by Mona Awad (audio) (4 stars)
4. Siracusa by Delia Ephron (4.5 stars)
3. Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls (4 stars)
2. One By One by Ruth Ware (3.5 stars)
1. Jazz by Toni Morrison (3.75 stars)

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

2 stars = Whyyyyyy?
3 stars = Eh, ok.
4 stars = Definitely worth the time.
5 stars = Perfect *for me*

(Anything below 2 stars is unlikely to be finished)

Look, all I'm saying is, Black Box Cabernet Sauvignon isn't *that* bad...



WELCOME!

But where is my favorite Old Vine Zinfandel?? Happy New Thread, Katie. May everything continue to come together, especially that HVAC unit, and life be good!

Happy New Thread, Katie. I like your idea about featuring your favorite book for each month. I might borrow that. Nifty.

>7 ronincats: - Hi Roni! I think old vine zin wasn't included because there is nothing to mock. It's the world's most perfect wine (and my favorite too) :)

Thanks for the good wishes!

>8 msf59: - Borrow, Mark? Don't you mean STEAL?!?!!? Ha. Have at it, my friend! Thanks for stopping in.

Happy new thread, Katie! So happy for you having a hot water heater again :D

Great idea to start a new thread with a new attitude. (But you'll still be allowed to whinge and moan from time to time, as needed.)

>6 katiekrug: No, no...if I were to become my mother, I'd have to drink something called pink chablis. Although she hadn't been drinking anything alcoholic for many many years before she passed, and in her best days, she was a daiquiri or whiskey sour girl.
I'll take my Reisling dry please...and I did not spend a semester in Germany.

Hi Katie! Happy new thread.

>6 katiekrug: My husband's dad and step-mom served room-temp white wine with ice cubes when we first got married. I had to educate them. *shudder*

Happy new "After-the-Flood" thread, Katie!

>6 katiekrug: Love it. The ice cube in the chardonnay made me laugh out loud.

>6 katiekrug: ...ah, the dear, dead days when drinking did not equal early death...

Happy 1984 Hit!

Happy new thread, Katie! Congratulations on the hot water! So pleased to hear you're enjoying the Tessa Dare. I picked up a copy of It's in His Kiss at a used bookstore today and knew you'd share my delight.

>6 katiekrug: LOL. : )

Happy new thread!!!

Happy new thread, Katie.

Love the wine chart. Fortunately it's not saying anything about my favourite red!

I love the wine chart, too. And I have to agree with >12 laytonwoman3rd: about Riesling. It's one of my favorites, as long as it is a dry Riesling. In fact, UPS is delivering several bottles from our favorite Finger Lakes winery today, including their dry Riesling.

Ice cubes ... *shudder*

Hm, I don't see White Wine and 7Up over Ice on that poster, so I can't tell you what my fortune is...

/kidding
/sort of

Happy new thread!!
And yay for hot water!!

Happy new thread! Wine poster is sadly... accurate. 😀

Chardonnay made me laugh: my mum can't drink anything remotely dry, so sticks to the merlot (and no to the steaks). My Italian accent is terrible though.

Happy new thread.
May the rest of your year be dry.

>11 bell7: - ME TOOOOOOOO!

Thanks, Mary.

>12 laytonwoman3rd: - Mmm, I like daiquiris a lot. Riesling isn't really my thing, though Laura has told me I need to try a good dry one, so I keep my eye out...

>13 karenmarie: - There is nothing more foul than room temperature white wine!

>14 BLBera: - Thanks, Beth! I should confess to occasionally putting ice in my sauvignon blanc when it is especially warm out...

>15 richardderus: - Love the video!

>16 MickyFine: - Thanks, Micky! I love the Dare - only about 40 pages left :( And yay for the Quinn!

>17 Berly: - Thanks, Kim!

>18 Helenliz: - What is your favorite red, Helen? Mine is old vine zinfandel.

>19 lauralkeet: - Hi Laura! I remember your recommendation for the dry Riesling. I need to try it out somewhere - I don't want to invest in a bottle. Yet.

Please hide your eyes from my confession to Beth....

>20 scaifea: - A white wine spritzer girl, eh? I've enjoyed a fair few myself :)

>21 drneutron: - Ha! Yes, indeed.

>22 charl08: - Thanks, Charlotte! Chardonnay is just gross. The only white I like is sauvignon blanc.

Happy new one, Katie! And hooray for the water heater because hot water on demand is full of fabulous.

>6 katiekrug: This made me laugh out loud.

We spent a couple of hours this morning going through the wet and muddy crap that was dragged out of the basement. I wanted to scrap it all en masse, but The Wayne was having no part of that. He's managed to salvage some tools and a bunch of useless (as far as I can tell) crap. He had a lot of spare computer parts down there, too. I tossed six - SIX! - spare keyboards onto the pile for electronics recycling.

Today, the flood dudes are coming back to turn off and pick up the drying equipment, and we are supposed to talk to the PM about a mold remediation plan. Fun. And our plumber is coming out today or tomorrow with his "duct guy" to take a look at what needs to be done to replace the duct work connected to the HVAC unit. I am not complaining or whining about any of this, just noting it :) Progress is (expensive) progress....

Now I'll be settling down to work and working on a PowerPoint that should have been done last week. Oopsy. Luckily, no one has harassed me for it yet, but it's only a matter of time...

We are hoping to get to pub trivia tonight, but we'll see. We are both a bit behind on work.

>25 Crazymamie: - I'm glad the graphic made you laugh, Mamie. I just had to post it.

And yes to hot water on demand! Though it was a bit alarming when we first ran it and the air had to work itself out of the pipes - much spitting and terrible noise. But all is well now.

I'm a fan of a good, robust Spanish Rioja. Which probably comes with an accent as bad as the Pinot Grigio!

>27 katiekrug: I cam imagine! We had a tap changed a couple of weeks ago. The water was only off for a short while, but the thumps and bangs were quite impressive!

>26 katiekrug: Six! Good heavens. Permaybehaps the flood did you a solid...?

I got my first, mild, snark about my Inseparable review on Twitter. Really pleased that there's so little blowback, and that it's just wrong in what it says. (I didn't say what she said I did.)

>26 katiekrug:, >29 richardderus: Just what I was thinking... Nothing like a disaster to clear away the crap. 😀

White Zin, dry Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zin -- any or all please :)

>28 Helenliz: - I like some riojas, but I luuuurve tempranillos!

>29 richardderus: - I am very proud of how well I did at not saying something pointed about all the crap. *shines halo*

Anyone can be an "expert" on Twitter, and they're almost always wrong!

>30 drneutron: - Ha! No comment!

>31 RebaRelishesReading: - This is why I like you, Reba ;-)

>24 katiekrug: I need to try it out somewhere

I totally understand that, Katie, and it was a tasting that introduced me to dry Riesling. After all you guys have been through, I think you deserve a weekend getaway to the Finger Lakes. Perhaps one of the Finger Lakes Wine Country - Wine Trails!!

I realize this might not be optimal timing. But it's a lovely part of the country and there's wine in abundance!

>33 lauralkeet: - We are hoping to get to the Finger Lakes next year, Laura. SO many wineries AND breweries to keep us both happy :) We had been talking about going away around Thanksgiving, but I think the outlay of funds we are currently making might preclude that. We are going to Atlantic City (don't laugh) at the end of October for a much-delayed show TW had gotten tickets for pre-pandemic... I think that will be our only getaway before going to my in-laws at Christmas. Maybe we can sneak in a night or two in the city - I'm dying to get back into a theater...

>34 katiekrug: Ooohhh, Seneca Falls! Watkins Glen! Strangler State Park! ...wait...Letchworth State Park...wow, is it gorgeous.

>32 katiekrug: I know, thus I was braced for more negativity. Maybe it's good to be obscure.

>35 richardderus: - We are looking forward to exploring the area eventually. It's not too bad of a drive, which is nice.

I mean, I love Twitter of course (w-bomb), but JFC. Some of those people... *smh*

Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan

This is, apparently, being made into a Netflix limited series, and I can see why. Sex, twists, politics, etc... It's reasonably well done - an up-and-coming British politician is accused of rape by a former lover and the story is mostly told from the perspectives of his wife and the barrister tasked with prosecuting him. But everyone has secrets, because of course they do. I could have used Susan's expertise in navigating the nerdy legal bits, since the British judicial system is a bit of a mystery to me, but I understood enough to enjoy the read. One of the major plot twists was a bit obvious, but Vaughan does her readers a favor by not dragging it out and it's revealed halfway through. I appreciated that.

4 stars

Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare

I rarely rate romance novels this highly, but this one is near-perfect in my book and hit just the right spot for my addled brain right now... Tessa Dare may usurp Julia Quinn as my favorite historical romance author - I love her characters, their banter, that there isn't an excess of angst in their relationships but enough tension to keep things interesting, her supporting casts, just... everything. Oh, and her pacing! The book moves along at a nice clip without a lot of boring filler :)

Anyway, this one tells the story of Pauline, a farm-raised bar maid, and Griffin, an emotionally haunted duke. There's some Cinderella in the story, along with Cinderella's modern-day cousin, Pretty Woman (the film)*, but it still reads fresh and not like a tired re-tread of a well-known story. Many, many thanks to Micky for encouraging me to read this one. It's now a firm favorite.

4.5 stars

* The scene when Griffin takes Pauline back to a bookstore where she was treated badly... Even better than the similar scene on Rodeo Drive in PW...

>38 katiekrug:, >37 katiekrug: What a great gift to have such a terrific pair of reads at this moment.

>36 katiekrug: It's a terrific drive. What's more the wines are very good indeed.

>39 richardderus: - I've been wanting to get up there ever since I read one of my favorite series of contemporary romance novels (Blue Heron series by Kristin Higgins) - focuses on a family that owns a vineyard and winery on a (fictional) Finger Lake.

Belated happy new thread, and congrats on the progress with the house and car. What a mess. It's good that the various trades people have been responsive.

I loved the wine graphic. But I've never developed a palate for wine, because I drink bourbon most of the time. Good bourbon.

If there are shows you would like to see in NYC, let us know. We are slowly building up our schedule again. Jim just put in for one of three Sundays in December for the production of Assassins at the CSC on E. 4th St. If you are interested, I'll let you know which dates we get.

Glad to see you're making progress towards normal, albeit slow and expensive Katie. I wonder what people who are not fortunate enough to have a lot of ones do when this happens to them. Scary.

Happy newish thread, Katie. Good to see the progress being made. Things must be looking up now that you have hot water and thoughts are straying to up coming trips.

Ya got ten days only to get this'un: A Proposal to Die For by Vivian Conroy

Kinda Phryne Fisher-flavored. 99¢

>41 ffortsa: - Hi Judy! I need to figure out what I want to see. I know Hadestown is on the list. Assassins would be great - do let me know what day you're going...

>42 brenzi: - It is scary to think about having to deal with these issues without a financial safety net. That's how it was when I was growing up - always living on the edge of disaster, so anything going wrong with the house or cars was basically a crisis. I'm lucky to not have to go through what my parents often did, and I try hard not to complain too much about the money. TW reminds me that that's why we have a "reserve" and that we should get some of it back - eventually - from the insurance company.

>43 Familyhistorian: - Thanks, Meg. Having the hot water is great. And I'm just dreaming about trips to counteract my stress :)

>44 richardderus: - You're the devil! xx

We did go to pub trivia last night and came in 3rd of 12 or so teams. Woot!

The drying equipment is gone from the downstairs, so now we wait for mold remediation. And then get the new HVAC installed, after replacing some duct work. Not sure when those two things will happen...

Work is busy with people suddenly realizing they have Board meetings starting on Friday :-P Way to be prepared, people! My weekend schedule is nutty, as I'll be participating remotely and the meetings are taking place in Dubai. So Friday, I have a meeting at 5am, Saturday at 12:00am, 2:00am, and 5:15am, Sunday at 5:00am, and Monday at 12:00am. It's going to be interesting! Still, I'd much rather have the odd hours than have to be going in person.

I've started reading I Capture the Castle which I've meant to read for AGES, and I love it so far. I'm also making my way through the graphic novel of Animal Farm, and still plugging away at my 9/11 audio.

Hi Katie!

It sounds like things are progressing, even if more slowly than you'd like. Thank goodness for insurance.

What a crazy weekend schedule. But better and safer at home and ... naps...

I read I Capture the Castle for book club one year and loved it. Smith also wrote The Hundred and One Dalmations but I've only seen the Disney movies.

Morning, Katie! Well done on the pub trivia.

Ouch to that weekend schedule - good luck!

I have big love for I Capture the Castle - one of the best narrators, and I love that opening sentence. How is Animal Farm is GN format? Birdy pre-ordered me the new GN of 1984 way back for Mother's Day, and it is supposed to arrive today. Most exciting!

>38 katiekrug: Into the Dirty Dozen list it goes!

>47 karenmarie: Oh, the book is full of fabulous, Karen! One Hundred and One Dalmatians is a sentimental favorite of mine.

Good luck with the board meeting, Katie. You have a lot going on now. I think when the meeting is over, you deserve a break. When is your last day of work?

>47 karenmarie: - Morning, Karen! Yes to naps! I can't believe it's taken me so long to get around to ICtC. I think I read 101 Dalmatians when I was little, but I'm not 100% sure.

>48 Crazymamie: - Hi Mamie! The GN of Animal Farm is good. I'm not a huge reader of GNs so I can't compare it to anything really, but I'm enjoying revisiting the story with some pretty pictures :)

>50 BLBera: - Thanks, Beth! My last day of work is October 21. Not long now...

Oh yay! I'm glad you loved Any Duchess Will Do so much. ❤

I get to feel smug because Hadestown was workshopped at the theatre here in Edmonton before it went to Broadway so I got to see it before it was big. It's an excellent show and I hope you get a chance to squeeze it in.

Congrats on your placement in the pub trivia and on the progress with remediation! Hope your weekend meeting go well and that you get a chance to catch up on your sleep soon after.

>52 MickyFine: We get to feel smug because we saw 'Hadestown" at the tiny New York Theatre Workshop space on east 4th street where the actors were close enough to reach out and touch.

We didn't think they could re-invent it for a proscenium theatre but we saw it on Broadway last year and it was still powerful and great!

Excellent quizzing.
Less excellent meetings, but I suppose not having to go does offset the time difference inconvenience. Hope it all goes smoothly.

>52 MickyFine: and >54 magicians_nephew: - Y'all can start a Smug Club ;-)

>53 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks, Reba!

>55 Helenliz: - Thanks re: the quiz, Helen. It's always fun but more so when we do well, of course :)

I can't imagine if I'd had to go to the meetings, what with everything still at sixes and sevens around here...

>46 katiekrug: Yay for the quiz, ummm oookaaayyy for the schedule preference, and w00t for the Dodie Smithing!! I hope it continues to please.

>45 katiekrug: ::lapelnail:: one does one's poor best

Happy new one!

>6 katiekrug: Great/funny poster

>57 richardderus: - I am still enjoying I Capture the Castle :)

>58 figsfromthistle: - Thanks, Anita!

We made our return to the gym last night and were reunited with Joel the Devil. He was super nice and told us to take it easy and do what we could. That was good because I had zero energy. But I did feel better afterwards, so yay for that.

I finished the GN of Animal Farm so am now just focusing on I Capture the Castle, which is great.

Other than that, not much is going on. I need to think about getting to a laundromat soon. Or buying more underwear :-P

Buy more underwear.

>61 Crazymamie: - Soooo tempting....

We really just need to bite the bullet and buy a new washer and dryer but SOMEONE needs to do far too much research and comparison shopping....

Oh, dear! Seriously, buy the underwear.

Are you looking at top loading or front loading?

>63 Crazymamie: - I'm not picky. I've never had a front loading washer, but TW is intrigued by a set that can be stacked. I'm not sure we have the ceiling height for it in the laundry room but he wants to check. It would be nice to be able to stack them, since it's a rather small space, but we'll see...

Craig's office has a stacked set, and they love them. The thing about front load washers is that you really need to keep the door open when it is not in use, and wipe the seal from time to time with washer wipes or with Lysol wipes. It makes a HUGE difference, as they will develop mold otherwise.

>65 Crazymamie: not my experience, but then I don't live somewhere hot. I run a hot cleaning wash on the washing machine once a month, to keep it's pipes and wot not in tip top condition. And try to remember to clean the filter occasionally.

>64 katiekrug: as a short person, a front loading washing machine is easier to empty that a top loader. Easier to reach that stray sock at the bottom...

>66 Helenliz: Really?! What brand to you have? I do the once a month hot clean and also the cleaning of the filter and emptying of the drain. Have you looked inside and underneath your seal - we had ours replaced a few years ago, and the repair guy is the one who told me about wiping down the seal from time to time. Maybe it's because we do so much laundry?

I also vote for buying new underwear!

>65 Crazymamie: >66 Helenliz: >67 Crazymamie: I have a top load washing machine and *still* have the mold issue, despite cleaning it monthly and keeping the lid open when it's not in use. Ugh.

>65 Crazymamie:, >66 Helenliz:, >67 Crazymamie:, and >68 scaifea: - Oh, dear. I've never checked for mold in any of the washing machines I've had. Guess I will now!

New undies. Deffo. Lots quicker than the new machine could get delivered and laundromats are the Devil's Own.

BIG push towards a front-loader. They save huge amounts off the water bill and the dryer has a lot less work to do so the wrinklies are reduced by a lot.

Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the show?

We've had two front loaders now in succession. Loved 'em both. Our latest are LG and clean/dry really well. We keep the door on the washer cracked too when not in use and wipe down the seal regularly. Plus ours come with a phone app that lets us know when a cycle is done!

>70 richardderus: - I think I've found a laundromat where I can just drop the dirties and pick them up later, so I might do that. Our water bill is rarely more than $50 a month as it is, so that's not a big concern, though I guess using less is good for other reasons!

>71 drneutron: - Oooh, fancy, Jim!

>69 katiekrug: nah, some things you're better off not knowing about >;-)

>67 Crazymamie: Hotpoint Aquarius. Second one we've had. I get some fluff build up around the seal, but never* had a mould problem. There's just the two of us so it does maybe 3/4 loads a week, and those are usually 2 on one day. I do run a 60C wash probably once a week, maybe that helps.

*touches wood.

Definitely buy underwear -- then get a front-loading washer. I have an LG too and love it. I leave the door ajar when not in use and have never had any trouble with mold (but it's not humid here so perhaps that matters). Front-loading use less water and are easier on the clothes -- also never get "unbalanced".

>73 Helenliz: - Ignorance really is bliss sometimes...

I don’t think they sell top-loading machines here - my understanding is that they use huge amounts more water and electricity. Everyone I know has a front-loader and no-one I know keeps the door open (at least not on purpose). You just need to wipe the seal down very occasionally.

>74 RebaRelishesReading: - Oops, almost missed you, Reba! The no "unbalanced" things is a big selling point for me. The washer that came with this house and which the flood killed, was terrible about that, and also about clothes getting tangled and the drum not draining properly with smaller loads. I think I may be sold on the front loader now!

>75 katiekrug: - Good to know, Rhian!

>77 katiekrug: I don't think you'll be sorry, Katie.

Sad face - the show we were going to see in Atlantic City next month - Rob Lowe's "Stories I Only Tell My Friends" has been cancelled. I really loved that book and was looking forward to hearing him tell some of the stories in person. The Wayne had gotten me tickets for Christmas in 2019 and it's been rescheduled 2 or 3 times, and now it's just cancelled.

On the bright side, AC holds zero appeal to me (TW was excited to play some poker...) so now I can talk him into doing something else that weekend, which happens to also be our anniversary weekend :)

>78 RebaRelishesReading: - Well, I'll just blame all of you if I am! Ha!

>79 katiekrug: I'm sorry the show was cancelled but AC is a hellscape. And my albeit limited experience with casino shows is that they are very short, so as to get you back out on the gambling floor. But since we don't gamble, we were pretty disappointed both times.

>79 katiekrug: Oh, I'm so sorry to hear it. I hate that COVID is screwing up so very much in our lives!

OTOH, no Atlantic City is just gorgeous. *shudder* Maybe Seneca Falls beckons?

Hi Katie!

>60 katiekrug: A friend of mine frequently buys new underwear – her washer and dryer are in the basement and it’s just easier to go to the mailbox…

>64 katiekrug: I’ve always had top loading washers, and started reading a lot about leaking and mold around the seal on front-loaders when I was researching 2 years ago. We ended up with an LG WT7100CW top loader and LG DLE7100W electric dryer. The washer is HE – uses hardly any water, and I don't have to leave the door open and worry about mold. We love them both. If you don’t have a lot of space, though, they might not work.

>81 lauralkeet: - Yeah, we spent a day in AC a few years ago and I wasn't a fan. There are way nicer places "down the shore."

>82 richardderus: - I think we'll probably stick a bit closer to home and just do an overnight - maybe two nights - so we don't have to board the cat...

>83 karenmarie: - I have quite a stash which is why it's not been a problem for the 2+ weeks we've been sans w&d. But I am coming to the end...

I believe the leaking issue related to front loading washers has mostly been solved - I rarely hear about it now. And if we can and decide to stack the units, the front loader is the only option. I think TW is pulling the trigger on the purchase as I type...

Welp, we can't get the W&D delivered before a week from Sunday. Which isn't that surprising, I guess. So I've called a laundromat nearby that has a drop-off service where they wash, dry and fold your clothes for you. $1.39/pound. Maybe I should just not get a W&D and never have to do laundry again?!!?!?

Happy Kinda New Thread, Katie.

You’ve read so many books I’ve liked this year! I’m particularly happy to see The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey and The Frozen Thames as for me those are two standouts that I worry not enough people find among all the choices out there.

>85 katiekrug: Appealing in theory...appalling in practice. Trust me.

The House on Boundary Street by Tea Cooper is 99¢...just toooooooo goooooood to sleep on! Dolly walks into a, hmm, "boarding house" *cough* and sees...the Past! Spang in the middle of the Future! And hijinks, as the saying goes, ensue. A lot like Phryne but more innocent.

You only have until 1 October.

>65 Crazymamie: - I also have a front load washer and I don't like it at all. Including the reason you mention, about keeping the door open when not in use. I will never get a front loader again. I am intrigued about the stackables, though (which of course, necessitates having a front loader....)

I had to replace my previous washer and dryer in one big basement flood about 11 years ago (prior to the 3 I had last year).

>86 jnwelch: - Joe, you may very well be the reason some of these ended up on my TBR list!

>87 richardderus: - Why appalling? Now you have me worried...

Kindle deal noted!

>88 jessibud2: - Interesting, Shelley. I can only hope we have a better experience, as it's been purchased!

I was up and out of bed at 3:45 this morning, in anticipation of my 5:00 meeting. The alarm was set for 4:15 but I was wide awake, so decided to just go with it. Later this morning, I'm going to drop off the laundry and then The Wayne and I are going to rent a U-Haul van to take some things to the storage unit we've rented. TW will do most of that, as I - hopefully - will take a nice long nap :)

Good luck with the meetings and the scheduled napping.

>91 Helenliz: - Thanks, Helen!

>90 katiekrug: Oooooft.

>93 ELiz_M: - Ayup. One down, 3 days to go!

Morning, Katie!

>93 ELiz_M: What she said.

Hooray for ordering the machines - I predict you will love them.

I wonder why top-loading machines are so popular in the U.S. and front-loading in the U.K.? There used to be top-loading machines here, I remember my Mum having one when I was young, but I haven’t seen one for ages.

Edited to add: I looked it up. You can buy them but very few places sell them and there is not much choice. And they are a different shape than the standard washing machine space provided in British houses which would put people off. And surprisingly front-loaders take more laundry - I would have thought it was the other way around!

>96 SandDune: I don't think I could have a front-loading washing machine in the laundry room space I have. As it is, I need to load and unload my front-loading dryer from the side. There just isn't room in front of it for me when the door is open.

>96 SandDune: I know, isn't it intriguing? The last time I used a top loading washer was in the US in the early 1990s, when I assumed they were that shape as it was a communal laundry for the apartment block. Didn't realise they were a standard thing. Before that it was in the late 1980s, when Mum had a twin tub. Washing day really was washing day back then, as it had to come out from under the worktop, and occupied most of the centre of the kitchen floor. When on spin it used to have a habit of walking across the floor as it rattled and rolled itself into what sounded like take off mode! I don't miss that beast one little bit!!

>89 katiekrug:, >90 katiekrug: Ick-ptui on the earlier-than-early rising! Still, awake is awake so making the best of it is a good idea. I'd've probably fumed and fussed and tried to make that half-hour of sleep materialize...and ended up upset!

You do not want to be in thrall to Others for your laundry needs getting met! What if the place goes out of business with your laundry inside it? And the court case takes a year to resolve? And the decision is, in the end, to discard all the laundry that's been sitting there at a toxic-waste dump?

Not that it could ever happen. (But it did.)

Ooof to the early morning, and hope you are able to get a good long nap in!

I, glutton for punishment, stayed up late for the Giants game last night.

>95 Crazymamie: - I don't need to love them, I just need them to work ;-)

>96 SandDune:, >97 laytonwoman3rd:, and >98 Helenliz: - It's interesting, isn't it? And front-load washers - at least for residential use - are relatively new.

>99 richardderus: - Well, hopefully our dirties are safe until Sunday, when I pick them up!

>100 bell7: - I went to bed after the first half and am quite glad I did. And poor Nick Gates :(

Animal Farm: The Graphic Novel adapted and illustrated by Odyr

This was a good way to revisit a favorite novel. The illustrations were quite well done, and the story is, of course, brilliant. I wish more could have been included.

4 stars

When i was in college there used to be a guy a student who would come around in the women's dorms every night with a big padded suitcase full of standard issue K-Mart bras and panties and such.

Many girls who had the choice of doing a hand wash or buying something basic from Craig more often than not opted for the latter.

The men thought "what a wierdo" but the girls who bought panties from him thought him a godsend.

Classic entrepreneurship - see a need and go and fill it. Always wondered what happened to that guy after college. I bet he did OK.

>103 magicians_nephew: - He's probably a billionaire by now...

Super enjoying my all-night meetings. Started at midnight, first one went long. It's now 3:34am and I'm in the second meeting. Next one starts at 5:15, but I think I can sneak out of that once it gets going because I don't actually have a role. I had a two hour nap yesterday afternoon and then slept from about 9:00-11:00pm. Good times :)

You sounds like you deserve my morning coffee more than I do! Mind you it is decaf (can't tolerate caffeine any more) so you might not want it.

>106 Helenliz: - I'm on my 3rd cup of full-caf coffee :)

>107 katiekrug: I like your style. Ditto re the laundry!

>105 katiekrug: Blerg. That's rough, Katie. But short-lived, so tolerable I guess. And as you've noted, way better than traveling to Dubai. And soon you'll be a lady of leisure!

>105 katiekrug: Wooof. I'd be a weepy, angry mess (I do *not* do well when off my sleep schedule). Is it just today and you're done or is there more tomorrow?

>105 katiekrug: The price you're paying for *not* being in Dubai is pretty steep. Still, to me on the outside, it seems worth it.

AND IT IS THE LAST TIME YOU WILL DO IT.

Priceless! Nap well, dear Katie, and brava for deciding to invest in yourself and your well-being while you have some sanity left.

>108 charl08: - Luckily, the coffee did not prevent me from getting back to sleep for a bit :)

>109 lauralkeet: - Counting the days, Laura!

>110 scaifea: - It's tomorrow and Monday :-/

>111 richardderus: - Yep, that's what I keep telling myself!

I slept from about 7:00-10:00am and am not somewhat refreshed. I'll probably crash this afternoon, but hopefully I can finish I Capture the Castle first...

So "Super enjoying my all-night meetings" was irony? I'm sure though that you can look forward to these meetings ending, your last day of work and having your house restored to pre-flood status so there are rosy days ahead :)

>114 RebaRelishesReading: - Sarcasm :)

I'm looking forward to those rosy days!

>38 katiekrug: That sounds like a winner, Katie. I will look for it. Your comments also make me want to find and re-watch *Pretty Woman*. I saw it in the theaters and I may have watched it once since then, but I hardly remember the story. That will make watching it like seeing it all brand new! 😀

>116 EBT1002: - Ellen, it might be a good read for when your brain is especially friend from work :)

Pretty Woman is super problematic in some ways, but I still love it. I first saw it in the theater and then bought myself a VHS copy when it came out.

4am wake-up call today! Second to last day, thank goodness.

I did finish my book yesterday, and helped move some things over to our storage unit, so I felt very virtuous. After my meeting is over this morning, I have a couple of errands to run and some little things to do around the house. Other than that, I'll just take it easy. My last meeting starts at midnight tonight.

I remember the first time I saw Pretty Woman was at a friend's house in high school. I was so scandalized at the content because I had been so sheltered by my parents, who never let me watch anything with any kind of sexual content. I think I was probably 16? Ridiculous.

>119 scaifea: - I looked up when it came out - 1990! I was 12. It was rated R so I probably went with my sister, who would have been 16. Or a friend and her mom? I don't remember...

You make me laugh about Pretty Woman - in 1990 I was 37. No worries about sexual content. I found it problematic even then but love it anyway.

>120 katiekrug: Yep, I must have been about 16, then, when I saw it; I was 15 when it came out.

Fourteen more hours to putter and futz until this unfun overnighting is DONE! Well, starts being done. Just can't believe the speed that September's achieved on its way to The End.

>121 karenmarie: - Yup, I will watch it whenever I see it on TV...

>122 scaifea: - So I saw it twice in theaters, IIRC. I made my mom take me to see it again. I don't remember her reaction, but she probably hated it. And then, before it was released on video, I was watching a rental and there was a trailer for it, and I watched that over and over. I was slightly obsessed, I guess. It was around the same time I started reading romance novels, so.....

>123 richardderus: - September has been a blur. Almost 3 weeks since Le Deluge! And progress seems to have stalled. Sigh. I have phone calls to make tomorrow...

I can't believe tomorrow will be my last Board meeting ever. FREEDOM!

>124 katiekrug: Oh, I absolutely loved the movie, too, after I got over the guilt of watching something I knew my parents would flip if they knew I had watched it. But nothing could take the place of The Princess Bride as the key to my romantic sensibilities at that age. I wanted a Wesley of my very own. These days, I think I'd prefer an Inigo - I think I could turn that overdeveloped sense of vengeance energy toward better pursuits...

I can't think when I first saw The Princess Bride, though I think it was in the theater. I loved it, too, but more as a comedy than a romance, which is kind of weird, I guess...

>126 katiekrug: I don't think so; I mean, it *is* hilarious.

>118 katiekrug: I hope you can sleep until afternoon tomorrow!!

I love The Princess Bride, one of my all time favourite films. But my romantic model was, for years, The Slipper and the Rose. First film I was taken to see at the cinema - aged 4.

I've got another 99¢ Kindledeal to urge on you: A Drop in the Ocean by Jenni Ogden. Boston medical researcher has a huge life-crisis at 49, runs away from home to an island offshore from Australia, "just north of the Tropic of Capricorn," and starts wrangling sea turtles.
https://smile.amazon.com/Drop-Ocean-Novel-Jenni-Ogden-ebook/dp/B08YZ9KKHH/
I made a mistake and bought it when I intended to sample it but it turns out that's a Good Thing because I was completely sucked in within two paragraphs. The sale ends on the 22nd.

>101 katiekrug: Late entry on the laundry discussion. We had a front loader in the house I grew up in, starting in 1951. As I recall it lasted until my folks sold the house 35 years later. in my apartment building, we have always had top-loaders, and the last upgrade had a configuration that is just too deep for me to get to those socks. I keep thinking that someone will find me one day with my legs sticking out and my head in the basket.

Powers that be have put in some front-loaders, but for some reason I haven't tried them yet. Reports of saved water, and memories of my childhood, are encouraging me to try them. Also the height thing, of course! Last time I did the laundry, I brought down my salad tongs to get to the socks.

My first time viewing The Princess Bride was in chemistry in Grade 10. Every Friday our teacher would spend the last 20 minutes of the class showing it to us. I think it was the first time most of us had seen it and we all loved it. My group of friends even ended up doing a version of Wesley and Inigo's duel as a skit in French class.

Also a Pretty Woman fan here, even with its problems. Pretty sure I watched it for the first time at a sleepover at my house when I was 16ish.

>127 scaifea: - It is that.

>128 RebaRelishesReading: - I hope so, too!

>129 Helenliz: - I'm not familiar with The Slipper and the Rose. I'll have to look it up!

>130 richardderus: - *shakes fist eastward*

>131 ffortsa: - Judy, I love the mental image of you with your legs sticking out of the washer. Also with the tongs :)

>132 MickyFine: - Chemistry class, eh? I wish I went to your school! PW was a staple at slumber parties for me and my friends. Also Beaches.

>131 ffortsa: "the last upgrade had a configuration that is just too deep for me to get to those socks. " When we visited our daughter and SIL in July in their new (nearly 2 years now) house, I found her washer presented me with that problem as well. She has a little stool she uses to so she can bend down in there, but I can't imagine anyone under 6 feet tall would find this configuration appealing. Of course, her husband IS over 6 feet all, and he does his own laundry, but I don't think they need the large capacity that I assume is the justification for this deep deep tub.

>133 katiekrug: *chuckle*

Morning, Katie! I read Any Duchess Will Do over the weekend and loved it so much that I also read the next book in the series. Please do not tell Susan that I started a series at book four. Anyway, thank you because I was having a rough week, and it was the perfect book at the perfect time.

>101 katiekrug: Yes, but if they work AND you love them, then that is a bonus.

>120 katiekrug: 1990 is the year I got married. Pretty Woman is a favorite here at the Pecan Paradisio.

>129 Helenliz: You must! It's a musical Cinderella, where the Prince very nearly doesn't get his girl.
Watching it as an adult you notice it is full of snide remarks that must have completely passed me by as a child.

>134 laytonwoman3rd: - Having a stool is smart! I am 5'7" and have never faced this problem :)

>135 richardderus: - *grin*

>136 Crazymamie: - Oh, I'm so happy you loved it, too! And now you're ahead of me in the series. Must. Catch. Up.

>137 Helenliz: - I will look for it - promise.

My last Board meeting is done and dusted! It was brutal - I was so tired but I powered through. I then went to bed from 4:30 am to 9:00am. I see a nap in my future this afternoon.

I picked up our laundry from the laundromat, and I have new life goals - it is folded so beautifully and perfectly, I want to put the clothes on a display shelf :)

Not much going on here - I need to call the flood remediation company and prod them, and I need to figure out who to talk to at the flood insurance company - do I have a specific contact? Am I supposed to communicate through the useless adjuster? Gah! I hate making phone calls.

I'm reading a fairly mediocre romance right now, which is about all my brain can handle. I may actually finish my audio today, which would be nice as I feel like I've had it on the go forever.

>134 laytonwoman3rd: I hear you! I have had that problem. I also have the same problem getting to the bottom of the chest freezer. I resort to leaning into it, lifting my feet, balancing on the edge on my hips and engaging my core to get me out again. It's not elegant or terribly comfortable.

>139 katiekrug: but it's done and you don't need to do it again. Happy napping.

>136 Crazymamie: Yay! I'm always happy to see another fan of that book.

>139 katiekrug: Huzzah on finishing with board meetings. Enjoy that well-deserved nap this afternoon!

So many people love the movie of The Princess Bride and never stick a nose into the book, which is a delight on its own terms and a hoot and a half.

I remember seeing Pretty Woman and just seeing it as a fairy tale so the more sordid parts of it just washed over me. All fairy tales need to have an ogre or two, for flavor.

Congrats on The Last Board Meeting, Katie!

Brava for naps.

Speaking of Pretty Woman, Netflix has this show called The Movies That Made Us that tells the story of how certain movies got made, and Pretty Woman is featured in Season Two - very fun to watch if you are a fan of the movie.

>141 MickyFine: I am very thankful for your influence on Katie's reading! I really loved the book.

Last meeting over -- a few hours of sleep grabbed -- congrats on both!! And then beautifully laundered and folded clothes -- wow! I do so agree with you about hating to make phone calls though and hope you manage to get the flood remediation company moving. Also hope you're getting that much-needed nap.

Congrats on getting through the board meetings!

The Princess Bride remains one of my top five movies of all time (*whispers* and I like it better than the book). By the time I saw it, I'd already heard some quotes from my friends and I was probably 12 or 13? I had most of it memorized when I was a teen.

Yeah, I’m a Princess Bride nerd from way back. Love both the book and the movie. My secret shame is I like the movie version of Stardust much better than the book - and it’s Gaiman… 😱

Okay, this Monday did something right. You're through! Yay!

I got the shitty end of the Monday-stick. Thank the goddesses it's almost over.

I, too, like the movie version of The Princess Bride *way* better than the book.

Morning, Katie! I feel I should confess that I have never actually seen The Princess Bride all the way through - just bits and pieces of it.

>140 Helenliz: - Thanks, Helen! I had a lovely nap :)

>141 MickyFine: - Thanks, Micky!

>142 magicians_nephew: - I read the book as a teenager, after seeing the film. It was good, but I liked the movie better...

>143 karenmarie: - Thank you, Karen. It was a nice feeling, knowing I never had to be that bored again ;-)

>144 Crazymamie: - I keep meaning to watch that show, Mamie! I didn't know there was a second season of it. I'll definitely check it out.

>145 RebaRelishesReading: - Thank you, Reba. I did get the nap. I did not get to the phone calls. Priorities!

>146 bell7: - It's such a great movie, Mary. And I agree that it's better than the book (though, tbh, I don't remember much about the book...)

>147 drneutron: - I still haven't seen the movie of Stardust but I did like the book, which I listened to several years ago.

>148 richardderus: - I'm sorry you had a craptastic Monday. Here's hoping Tuesday is an improvement!

>149 scaifea: - You have excellent taste, Amber.

>150 Crazymamie: - Oh, Mamie. You must watch it all the way through. It's delightful from beginning to end!

Okay, back to our regularly scheduled programming today - I hope. I took a lovely long nap yesterday afternoon, and then skipped the gym in favor of a glass of wine and some Katie-time. It was perfect.

I finished up The Only Plane in the Sky on audio (finally!) and am not sure what I'll load up next. My mediocre romance continues to be mediocre, so I'm skimming parts. Apparently, I read this one in 2002, but none of it is ringing any bells.

Today at work, I have minutes to type up, expense reports to review, and an out of control inbox to tame. I'll also fit in some phone calls related to the flood stuff - ugh - and then reward myself with pub trivia and a tasty dinner out.

I just dropped Nuala off at day care, and when we walked in, the two staff members yelled, "Nuala!" And she jumped and wriggled around and it was so cute. Such a good girl she is. And now I get a day of relative peace and quiet...

>154 katiekrug: That's a pretty great way to start your slog! And you've got a pleasant ending planned already. Now the books need to kick it up a notch...hmm...did I mention A Drop in the Ocean, that 99¢ dealie I've used to soothe the strapping Monday gave me? I might not have. It's a really lovely book, though. Quite entertaining, nicely paced, just the right tone for the slide into Winter.

Hmmm?

>155 richardderus: - You did mention that one - can't wound me twice with the same BB so NYAH NYAH!

(Now I need to go click 'Buy Now'...)

Katie! Ninety-nine cents! And it's *sucked*me*in* so deep that it cheered me up after yesterday's Brazil-level awfulness.

>157 richardderus: - Purchased!

>158 katiekrug:

>159 richardderus: - Creepy!

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

Just as charming as everyone says, I Capture the Castle tells the story of 17-year old Cassandra Mortmain and her eccentric family who live in a crumbling castle in the English countryside. The novel is narrated by Cassandra and is something of a coming of age story as she moves into adulthood and begins to understand the joy and challenges of growing up. Through everything, she never loses her vibrant imagination or talent for observation.

I remember seeing the film of this many years ago and not finding it very interesting, but I think I'll give it another go.

4.25 stars

The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett M. Graff

Over 15 hours long on audio, this riveting account of September 11 tells the stories of ordinary people, first responders, rescue workers, and politicians in their own words. It covers the lead-up to the attacks, what went on in the three planes that were crashed, how the government reacted, how people searched for loved ones - nearly every facet one can think of is covered, at least in part. Parts of it are harrowing, some inspiring, some heart-breaking, and some rage-inducing. The whole thing is very well done, but it took me over a month to listen to because it is extraordinarily detailed and truly took me back to that day, so much so that I could only listen in small pieces lest I get overwhelmed all over again.

4.5 stars

>161 katiekrug: The book's delicious, the film's...okay.

>162 katiekrug: Yeah I also thought that audio was incredibly well done Katie. Absolutely riveting and of course heart breaking.

Hey, Katie. Good review of The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11. I will add it to my audiobook list.

Yay for I Capture the Castle! I loved it, too. But I think I'll pass on the 9/11 one. Too much for me, I suspect.

>163 richardderus: What he said.

Morning, Katie! Adding The Only Plane in the Sky to your Dirty Dozen, and my thumb to your review of you posted it. We made it to Wednesday - it's all downhill from here.

>163 richardderus: - I've added the film to my watch list, but things usually go there to languish and die, so.....

>164 brenzi: - I am pretty sure it was your review of it that made me pick it up from Audible, Bonnie!

>165 msf59: - Hope you like it, Mark!

>166 scaifea: - Totally understand, Amber. I could only tackle it in small pieces.

>167 Crazymamie: - Yay for Wednesday! May it be smooth sailing right into the weekend... I'll post the review - I rarely do that as I never remember to :-P

Well, we were terrible at trivia last night, but it was still fun. I think we came in 8th. But I did enjoy a delicious Greek wrap and some wine, so that was a win.

Grey and gloomy here this morning, and I found it very difficult to get out of bed. Hopefully, I'll perk up soon and get some things done. Gym tonight. Soup for dinner, I think. Exciting stuff...

Amethyst by Lauren Royal

Meh. There was nothing particularly interesting about this one - very standard fare and I've become accustomed to a little more from the historical romances I read.

3 stars

NB: This was re-issued at some point with a different title, When an Earl Meets a Girl.

>170 katiekrug: 21 years ago it would've been Hot Stuff for using the background it did! The world really moves quickly...I had another troll go after me for my riddled-with-errors review of The Sheltering Sky, which I leave up on Goodreads to flush them out and pre-emptively block them, but she's the first one in over a year!

It's deeply weird how stuff comes in waves. I don't process the waves's existence until most of the way through them, it seems.

>170 katiekrug: "When an Earl Meets a Girl"?????

(gagging)

Archie comics would be embarrassed to use a title like that

Hi Katie - So great that you are done with board (or should I say bored) meetings! Are you counting the days?

>171 richardderus: - It's interesting to me how certain settings for romances go in and out of style. I remember reading a lot of medieval ones as a teenager, and you don't see those much anymore. Or at least not from the most popular authors...

I love how you flush out idiots so you can block them!

>172 magicians_nephew: - Yeah, there is an occasional tendency to get cute with romance titles. I'm not a big fan...

>173 BLBera: - OF COURSE I am counting the days, Beth! I hadn't planned to, but it's too tempting. I am down to 19 work days left, and 28 overall days :) A month from today!!

We had a gym session with Joel the Devil last night, which was okay. I am determined to get back to that regularly, as it does make me feel better (and sleep better!). I had forgotten that afterwards, The Wayne was having a physical therapy session for his elbow, so I downloaded the book I was reading onto my phone and managed to finish that up while waiting. We came home and had a late (for us) dinner of salad with chopped chicken on top. I am very happy to report that I am back down to my lowest weight (which isn't that low - heh) in a long time - a place I flirted with last summer before creeping back up by about 5-6 pounds. So yay for that.

After finishing The Colour of Milk last night, I started The Red Garden in bed last night. Alice Hoffman is something of a comfort read for me, and I've had this one on my shelf forever. I am not sure if I mentioned this previously, but my new audio is Bookmarked: Reading My Way from Hollywood to Brooklyn, which is about - er - books and reading :) I'm not very far into it yet, but I think it will be good.

JtD is going out of town tomorrow, so we have another session with him this morning. And then I'll settle down to get some more work done. It's supposed to be rainy (and we are under a flash flood watch - ugh) today and tomorrow, so I expect we'll just stick close to home.

Morning, Katie!

Fingers crossed that the flash flood watch passes by without actually turning into something.

(I kind of like that romance title...) And speaking of romance setting trends, did you see the Book Riot list of coffee shop romances? It looks pretty good.

Morning, Katie! Congrats about the weight - that is full of fabulous. I really need to get back into losing the weight.

I love Alice Hoffman! I have not read that one yet, so I will await your thoughts on it. And I am adding Bookmarked: Reading My Way from Hollywood to Brooklyn even though you just started it - you know how I am about anything connected in any way to F. Scott Fitzgerald (yes, it's a sickness), so...

Hoping the rain is a miss. You do not need any more drama.

Hi Katie!

Congrats on the weight loss and getting back into the swing of things with JtD, especially with all the chaos and upset you've had recently.

>175 katiekrug: We're expecting rain, too, of course...not being that far away...but the problem we're all facing is *duration* and your weather pattern is worse than mine for that. More winds to disrupt the clouds, and at multiple levels of the atmosphere. It takes a *storm* to do us in flood-wise.

Or, y'know, high tide.

The Colour of Milk wasn't a cheery little bagatelle, was it...my German GR friend Ellinor kinda talked me into trying it and, at p66, I cried Auntie. And I use "cried" advisedly. mary's desperation was TOO MUCH.

>176 scaifea: - Morning, Amber! Thanks for the good wishes regarding the potential weather. And no, I haven't seen that Book Riot list, so I will go seek it out!

>177 Crazymamie: - Hi Mamie! Thanks re: the weight loss. It's amazing what stress will do for a person :-P I was going to mention Bookmarked to you for that connection to FSF, but you were too quick for me :) The Hoffman is a winner so far - it's similar to Blackbird House - linked stories set in a single place.

Thanks re: the rain. Definitely don't need any more drama!

>178 karenmarie: - Thanks, Karen! I was regretting the gym return this morning, but was glad I went afterwards. It really does help my mental health.

>179 richardderus: - As long as it's not a giant deluge all at once, we should be okay. The yard always floods, and unfortunately, we still have a lot of stuff out there but it should really just be junked anyway, but TW is...um... resistant. And if the house floods, it doesn't matter at this point since there's nothing in the basement or ground floor. I would worry about the new car, though.... But honestly, the Evil Flood was bizarre. The river level gauge a mile or two south of us showed a rise of about 8 feet in half an hour, which is absolutely crazy. And not easily repeated (I hope)....

For any NYT Spelling Bee devotees - WTF is with today's puzzle? I've just barely hit "Nice" and I'm usually already "Genius" at this point. Is it especially hard or is my brain dying?

>181 katiekrug: The Spelling Bee struggle is in progress chez nous, Katie. It's a bear of a puzzle today.

>182 lauralkeet: - I'm glad it's not just me! I *finally* got the pangram, but am still not at Genius level.

Wow, that one *was* tough!

>180 katiekrug: Reminds me of Central Texas's storms. Clear blue sky/trickle in creek, then 8ft wall of water, then clouds and rain + 12ft wall of water, then blue sky and trickle. Start to finish: eight hours.

>184 drneutron: - I struggle on, though I've finally reached Genius, at least :)

>185 richardderus: - Crazy...

>183 katiekrug:, >184 drneutron:, >186 katiekrug: we reached Genius too, and found the pangram an apt description of the puzzle.

😂😂.

So true, Laura...

Catching up here, Katie. Short-timer indeed, glad the board meetings are over. Hope you can light a fire under the flood remediation folks and that your river behaves itself.

>189 ronincats: - Hi Roni! Thanks for stopping in. No flooding yesterday, so yay for that! Looks like our flood/mold remediation will be in about two weeks, and then we have to get new duct work and a new HVAC installed. Good times... *eye roll*

Things are ticking along here, with not much new. We had a hello Fresh pasta dish for dinner last night and it was not a winner. Not terrible, but not one I would repeat. Then I read and The Wayne played on his computer. We got a lot of rain, but the river stayed inside its banks, which was a relief. I did have a lovely night's sleep and actually had to have a fleece blanket to ward off the chill. Woot!

Today I'll keep plugging away at work and figuring out what I need to do this weekend. Another laundry drop-off might be in order, since we are low on towels. We are supposed to get our new washer and dryer on Sunday, but The Wayne hasn't decided if he needs to replace the electrical panel or just switch out breakers, so we might not be able to use it right away.

The weather here is gorgeous - blue skies and breezy, high around 75F. My ideal. I may take some time off this afternoon to enjoy it.

The Red Garden continues to be good. I haven't listened much to Bookmarked, but maybe I'll take a walk this afternoon...

Hi Katie!

>181 katiekrug: Yesterday’s was difficult and I only got eensy words, not the panagram. At a certain point, after looking at it every which way and checking it several times a day, I was glad just to get through it. Today’s, however, was a snap. Saw the panagram right away, got one other word and I was done. I don’t subscribe – do you? Do you play Letter Boxed? I love it, too.

>191 katiekrug: I’m glad you didn’t get flooded out again. And yay for needing a fleece blanket.

>192 karenmarie: - Morning, Karen! Today's Spelling Bee was a cinch. I got Queen Bee very quickly, which was a nice change after yesterday! I do have a NYT subscription. I don't play Letter Boxed but am a faithful solver of the crossword every day :)

I'm a wimp - I only solve the mini-crossword.

>193 katiekrug: Yeah, a much different puzzle today!

The first two words I got on today's Spelling Bee were "whine" and "whinge" so I called it an omen and stopped.

>194 karenmarie: - I adore crosswords and routinely use the archives to do a few a day :)

>195 drneutron: - Yep!

>196 richardderus: - Annoyingly, whinge wasn't accepted as a word! I'm thinking of whinging about it in a Tweet to the Bee's editor...

Katie, do all of us non-tweeters a favor and whinge about “whinge”!! I get so annoyed when a known word isn’t recognized.

Morning, Katie! Hooray for the rain behaving itself. I'm guessing the Hoffman will be another for your Dirty Dozen - I love linked short stories and Blackbird House was lovely.

Hoping your Friday is full of fabulous!

Stay out of trouble, Katie. Yes, yes, I know you will.

>198 lauralkeet: - I do find some of the choices of what's allowed and not very odd and inconsistent. But I guess it's also part of the challenge...

>199 Crazymamie: - Thanks, Mamie! Friday is just fine so far. Maybe the fabulous will come later? *grin*

I've recently discovered that as a U of Dayton faculty member, I get access to the NYT, so I've started puttering around with this spelling bee thing. I easily get annoyed, though, about those words that are actual words, dangit, but they're not counting them. ARGH. So then I usually walk off in a huff.

>202 scaifea: - Ha! I know that feeling. Whenever someone complains on Twitter, they are reminded that it's a "curated" puzzle with words included at the editor's discretion. I'm often flummoxed by the foreign words that are allowed while many others aren't...

>203 katiekrug: Well the editors must be jagholes. I find it intensely annoying. But I'll probably keep coming back because I'm a sucker for puzzles and I love that I have free access to the NYT stuff.

>204 scaifea: Jagholes. A new one for me, but fitting. My sister and I both tanked on yesterday's puzzle, and then I was embarrassed when I saw the list this morning. Today's was really easy, although I haven't gotten to QB (I rarely do); and I think I'm two or three words away. Valid words rejected get me a little crazy too.

>204 scaifea: - Snork! Free is always good.

>205 ffortsa: - I got QB today, thanks to some keyboard smashing...

Best news of the day: I was reminded that the first episode of the new season of GBBO/S is available on Netflix!

>207 katiekrug: I've spent hours doing medical stuff, but here I am with it done. So much yay.

I'm happy to report that GBBO's cold open is funny and cute. I have already chosen the baker I want to expunge from the Akashic Records.

>208 richardderus: - Ew to medical stuff but yay for being done!

Oooh, I can't wait to compare notes on who we hate :)

>207 katiekrug: Already on top of it, Katie. My cousin and I are going to watch it together remotely and text our comments.

Looks like things are coming together for you slowly, Katie. I used to like dropping off dirty laundry and picking up clean folded stuff. Enjoy it while you can.

>210 BLBera: - Good plan, Beth!

>211 Familyhistorian: - It will be hard to go back to doing my own laundry, Meg, and I don't actually mind doing laundry!

I Can Not WAIT for you to see who wins Star Baker this week.

Can.

NOT.

Happy Friday, Katie. I hope you have a nice weekend planned. If you are in the hunt for another audio, check out The Man Who Lived Underground. I think it has been excellent. Just sayin'...

>213 richardderus: Loved it.

>215 lauralkeet: Deeply, deeply satisfying.

>213 richardderus:, >215 lauralkeet:, >216 richardderus: - I wasn't a fan until he made that book and lamp cake!

My favorite, so far, is Crystelle, and in addition to who went home, I didn't like the vegan one or the one from Liverpool (I'm terrible with names until farther into the season!)....

>214 msf59: - Hiya, Mark! I expect the weekend will consist of more flooded junk sorting than I would like, and trying to tidy up the house which looks like a tornado hit it because of all the stuff TW saved from the flood and dumped in our main living areas... But I'm sure there will be some book time, too :)

I've made note of the audio recommendation!

Morning, all! It looks to be another gorgeous day here. I have some errands to run this morning, and then I need to try to bring some order to the chaos of our living areas (see my note to Mark). It's driving me batty.

We had a nice dinner out, where I was super healthy (charred zucchini and grilled fish tacos) until I ordered dessert. But I only had a few bites and took the rest home, where I will nibble on it over the next couple of days. My efforts have been rewarded with another nice (for me) number on the scale this morning :D

I finished up The Red Garden yesterday, and have started No Mark Upon Her - next-up-for-me in the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James series which I adore.

The Colour of Milk by Nell Leyshon

This is a difficult book to describe, as very little happens until something does. It is the story of Mary, the youngest daughter of a farming family in England in 1830. She leaves the farm to work in the nearby vicarage, where she is taught to read and write. I found it to be oddly compelling, though bleak, and while it was obvious what the "surprise" was going to be, I still appreciated the book with its emphasis on the power of words and books and writing.

4 stars

Note: The style of the novel will put some people off, as there is no capitalization and little punctuation beyond periods at the end of sentences. So if you are among those who hate not having quotation marks to set off dialogue, you should probably avoid this one.

>220 katiekrug: Oh HELL. *trudges off to Overdrive*

>217 katiekrug: The vegan one, Freya, is the one I want to delete from the Akashic Records. I detest her simpersmirk cutesypoopsie act.

Lizzie Liverpool lacks love-ability. I think her bakes are interesting, though...the showstopper was really really surprising (flavorwise).

I am going to get on a container ship in Bayonne and make Chigs (the one who's only been baking since the pandemic) my husband.

>221 richardderus:, (re: >220 katiekrug:) - I thought you had tried this one and didn't like it?

>221 richardderus: - Exactly right about Freya. Lizzie Liverpool might grow on me. I also find the old lady somewhat annoying.

I did like Chigs, too, but not enough to fight you for him ;-)

I thought Crystelle's show-stopper (flower bouquet) was absolutely lovely.

I'm with you both on Freya and Lizzie Liverpool, although I don't expect Lizzie to grow on me. Maggie (the "old lady") is likeable enough -- Katie, I wonder if the reason for your annoyance isn't the way they kept going on about how she and Prue resemble one another. Which is true, but enough already.

No love for Giuseppe? I really like him and his mini rolls and showstopper were superb.

>223 lauralkeet: - Maggie's just a little too perfect for me. Giuseppe's not bad - he's in the middle of the pack for me at the moment, but I feelings about the bakers always ebb and flow :)

>212 katiekrug: I'm fine with doing laundry too, except for the folding! They do it so much better.

>224 katiekrug: The Maggie issue will resolve before too long, St. Honoré willing...I suspect Giuseppe hasn't revealed his best moves yet. Let's hope.

>222 katiekrug: I did; I didn't; your warble of pleasure addressed my issues...time to revisit.

You might want to look at the Ringer's GBBO Hall of Fame:
https://www.theringer.com/tv/2021/9/23/22688909/great-british-bake-off-hall-of-f...

>225 Familyhistorian: - So true, Meg! I don't mind folding laundry, but the professionals do it much better.

>226 richardderus: - It's always fun to see how a season pans out. There are often bakers I don't like at the beginning who I start rooting for.

I hope The Colour of Milk hits you better this time around!

>227 richardderus: - Ooof, so many of those bakers I don't remember. But I can't argue with Nadiyah and Liam being in the HoF. I loved them both.

The big excitement for the day is our washer and dryer getting delivered. Hopefully that will go smoothly. The Wayne still needs to replace an outlet in the laundry room (they were all under water) but he can do that with his eyes closed. I plan on going to get a pedicure this morning - It's been well over a month and... just no. I'll probably then make a grocery run before settling in at home to watch some football.

Last night we had a giant salad and shared a thin crust frozen pizza, and then I finished up 'Schitt's Creek,' which I loved. The finale was good but I was expecting a teensy bit more, given all the hoopla about it. Still, it's a great show and one I know I'll watch again.

I was in bed by 9:15 and read for a bit before turning out the light. The nights are now a tad chilly, which I love. We have all the windows in the bedroom open, plus the overhead fan on and I love snuggling under the quilt and drifting off....

Morning, Katie! Most exciting about the washer and dryer delivery. Make it go quickly and smoothly.

We love Schitt's Creek, and it's thanks to you that we gave it a go. I still have a few episodes of season 5, and then the last season to watch. One of our favorite episodes is the finale of season 2. But they are all good. I have big love for David.

I also love cooler nights when the windows can be open - we have had a few nights with temps in the 50s, and it was full of fabulous.

Morning, Mamie! My absolute favorite episode of SC is open-mic night at Rose Apothecary, when Patrick serenades David. Love them.

Yes! That is also a good one. Rae does not usually do comedy, but she LOVES David and Patrick. We just watched the one about the surprise party for Patrick, and it made us cry.

Huzzah for new washer and dryer! And double huzzah for a pedicure!

>232 Crazymamie: - Love that one!

>233 MickyFine: - Thanks, Micky! It's a banner day at ol' Casa Krug ;-)

Hurray for the washer and dryer! I hope all goes well, Katie.

Morning, Katie! Happy new washer and dryer day!

I wish I could actually make it through SC because I do so love David with all my heart. I've only seen two full episodes and then tons of David clips and gifs, but I've adopted "I've asked you thrice" as a common bit for when I've asked Tomm or Charlie to do something and it doesn't get done right away.

Hi Katie!

I hope the washer and dryer install goes well. 🤞

Yay for a pedicure and yay for Schitt's Creek. Bill and I need to rewatch it sometime soon.

>236 lauralkeet: - Thanks, Laura! Still waiting on the delivery...

>237 scaifea: - Thank you, Amber. I'm sorry SC doesn't do it for you. It really seems like it would be right up your alley with the tolerance and love and acceptance. I know I've said it before, but the first season is rough. If you could get to the David and PAtrick story line, I think you'd really love it. BUT, I hate when people try to push stuff on me, so never mind :)

>238 karenmarie: - Thanks, Karen - me too!

No pedicure, alas. My salon is now closed on Sundays, so I'll probably go after work on Tuesday. I did make it to the grocery store where I bought all sorts of healthy stuff, including some amazing grapes which I am snacking on now :)

W-D Day: A date that shall live in famy.

Heh.

It's a *glorious* day, isn't it! I love this brief window. Cold and dark are okay for most of the winter, but Fall is the finest-wine of a season for its sunny, cool, breezy days and chilly blanket-needin' weather. *happy sigh*

>240 richardderus: - It's a picture-perfect day!

I'm a little late to the GBBS comments, but I agree that Crystelle's showstopper was the best! I do like Giuseppe. I think those two will go a long way.

Regarding books: The Colour of Milk looks like one I would like. Adding it to the list.

>239 katiekrug: I may eventually give it another try because of my David love. Maybe I should just have season one going in the background while I sew or something and don't have to pay too close attention...

Just popping in, the GBBO stuff is going far above my head, I've seen clips of it, but nothing more. The only one of those programmes I've watched was the Great British Photography challenge. It was different in that no-one was sent home episode, they all participated in the entire series, so they all learnt from the different challenges and experiences. For someone who has no kind of artistic eye, it was really interesting.

>242 BLBera: - I think you're right, Beth.

>243 BLBera: - It's a short read, Beth, so easily slipped in between other books :)

>244 scaifea: - That's not a bad strategy, Amber!

>245 Helenliz: - Ooh, that sounds like it would be fascinating, Helen. Which means it probably isn't available here :-P

The new W&D have arrived! Now TW needs to hook them up, so that should be another... checks watch... 4 weeks. Ha! I kid because I love.

He's at the hardware store now to get a few things he needs.

Hooray for W&D! Booo for no Pedi!! I agree, no better sleep than in a warm bed in a cool/cold room.

>248 RebaRelishesReading: - Hi Reba! We had another nice, snuggly night :)

The W&D are still not hooked up because of a few "issues" which hopefully will be resolved today. Fingers crossed.

My Giants lost (again) yesterday, as did The Wayne's Dolphins, so no joy here.

TW has the day off and in addition to W&D hook-up, he'll be going up tot he car dealer to get our permanent plates and registration. We have the gym tonight, and dinner will probably be whatever we can scrounge from the fridge.

I've got a little over 100 pages to go in No Mark Upon Her so hopefully will finish that today but more likely tomorrow.

I got a flood of emails in over the weekend, so work is going to be busy. Boo. One nice thing: my boss has a meeting of a Board he sits on this coming weekend, and it's in eastern PA, a little over an hour from me, so I am going to go and be his +1 at a dinner, so I'll get to see him in person before my last day of work :)

>250 katiekrug: Hope the W&D "issues" are resolved today, Katie. And I'm glad you'll be able to see your boss. He's been a genuine Katie-supporter, as far as I can tell.

>251 lauralkeet: - Thanks, Laura! My boss has been great, and I genuinely like him as a person, which helps...

Ooof, there are always little issues with something like that, isn't there. I hope they're fast and easy fixes. And yay for the boss meet-up! He sounds like a pretty cool person.

Morning, Katie! Crossing my fingers about the W&D. I'm sorry about the lack of football joy. I am trying to keep all the new names straight because it seems like everyone switched teams once last season - weird.

You are reminding me that I really need to get back to that Crombie series - I think I read the first five or six books, and I love that series, but I keep forgetting about it.

It's lovely that you get to see your boss in person one last time before you exit stage left.

It's Monday, so remember not to make eye contact with it.

>253 scaifea: - ALWAYS. This time it's something about the vent pipe and location and blah blah blah. TW seems pretty sure he can make things work without professional intervention, so I'm glad he has the day off.

And yay for my boss! (How many people can say that?)

>254 Crazymamie: - I'm with you about all the new players or old players on different teams. Of course, it's the same old sad-sack Giants, so....

I really love the Crombie series. It's probably my favorite mystery series, with Ruth Galloway second.

"Exit stage left" sounds so much nicer than what I will actually be doing which is jumping for joy right off the stage ;-)

Exit stage left is more dignified but yours sounds more carpe diem. After the jump of joy, I think you should do the Elaine dance:



Be sure to stretch first.

I was thinking of a little Snoopy-Kermit hybrid....

Okay. Yours is better. Carry on!

'Morning, Katie!

Good luck with the W&D hookups, sorry your Giants and TW's Dolphins lost. Glad you'll be able to see your boss one last time before you jump for joy off the stage.

>258 Crazymamie: - I'll work on a combo of all 3. Will definitely need to stretch beforehand...

>259 karenmarie: - Thanks, Karen! TW is down, tinkering with the W&D as I type. I don't hear any swearing so it's either going well, or he's huddled in the corner crying silently to himself ;-)

I've come over to commiserate on all things dryer-related: ours decided it doesn't like its job anymore this morning and refuses to work at all. Repair person can't come until Friday... Yoicks.

>261 scaifea: - Ew - that sucks! TW says ours is all set to go, but he hasn't turned it on yet, so.... It's a gas dryer and I'm half-convinced it's going to explode. #anxietybrain

>262 katiekrug: Ha! Yeah, I think I'd feel the same way, even though most my my brain would know it was going to be okay. I'd probably make sure I was in the opposite part of the house when he does, though, just to be safe...

Fingers crossed that the washer and dryer are operational soon, Katie. How wonderful that you will be able to see your boss in person before your exit!

'Morning, Katie!

I hope the W&D work perfectly.

>263 scaifea: - Truth be told, I made him turn it on while I was out walking the dog :-P

>264 Familyhistorian: - Thanks, Meg! They seem to be working. TW has done a load of laundry.

>265 karenmarie: - Thanks, Karen! They seem to be all good :)

I haven't used the W&D yet, but The Wayne did a load of laundry last night, so all seems to be in order. Now I just have to reconcile myself to going outside and through the back door to do laundry. Normally, of course, I would use the door in the kitchen that goes down to the ground level, but there is plastic sheeting up, so I can't. SO out onto the deck, down the stairs and through the store room door it is. Alternatively, I could go out the front door and through the garage but I don't really need the neighbors seeing my hampers of dirty laundry. Heh. ANYWAY! I guess there is some laundry in my future...

The gym last night was good and then we came home and did our own things for dinner. I have a turkey sandwich with spinach on Dave's Killer Bread which is my new favorite thing. Then I read - finished up No Mark Upon Her and started What is Left the Daughter.

This morning, I need to run out to take Nuala to day care and then it'll be regular work. I was hoping to knock off a little early to go get a pedicure, but my boss rescheduled our regular weekly meeting from tomorrow to 4pm today. I should still be able to squeeze in a pedi, then pick up the dog, and be home in time to get to pub trivia. But I hate days where I have to be so cognizant of timing. #lifeishard

Oof to the additional work of doing laundry. Good thing you've been going to the gym. But hooray for the machines being up and going.

Sorry about the overfull day - I hate when I have to manage time.

>268 Crazymamie: - Thanks for the sympathy, Mamie!

The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman

Alice Hoffman novels are comfort reading for me. She is probably best known for Practical Magic, which is actually my least favorite of the books by her that I've read, but I like to be contrary like that. The Red Garden is very similar to Blackbird House in that it tells the history of a place over time through loosely connected stories. This time, it is a small town in western Massachusetts, and the book traces its history, founding families, and inhabitants from the mid 18th century to the late 20th. Like many of her novels, this one is touched by magical realism, but not in an obtrusive way, where one is shaken out of the story. She uses a light touch, much like Sarah Addison Allen, another comfort author for me. I could have used a family tree of some sort to keep the various connections straight in my head, but that's probably just due to my terrible memory.

4 stars

>270 katiekrug: So funny because Practical Magic is my favorite. I like to reread it every few years. Adding this one to your Dirty Dozen.

Hurrah for the washer and drier. boo to having to lug your own laundry about the place.
Nice boss to arrange an in-person meeting before you abandon him for good. >;-)

>271 Crazymamie: - I don't know what it was about PM, but I just didn't engage with it at all.

>272 Helenliz: - It's raining now, so laundry will have to wait, since I have to go outside to do it :)

>273 katiekrug: That's OK, I got wet for you. Walked down to the surgery fine, came home in a rather heavy rain shower. I'm now wet and none the wiser what's up with my wrist.

Glad you have W/D working. I'm guessing you must cook on an electric stove since you were worried about gas dryer - ?. Any news on when sheeting will go down and you can use regular path to the laundry room?

>274 Helenliz: - I'm sorry about your wrist. Did it just start hurting? I am having mystery back pain...

>275 RebaRelishesReading: - No, we have a gas stove/oven, but those were brought back to life by the gas company, not TW :)

The sheeting will stay up until the mold remediation is complete, which should be in a week or two. Which reminds me, I need to touch base with them about a specific start date.

It is inspiring to see you work your magic, Katie.

>276 katiekrug: It's been playing up for a while. Had a phone consultation 3 weeks ago, when Doc said probably carpel tunnel. Today's physical exam he decided probably not. Being sent for an X-ray, to see if it's arthritis. (oh joy). But at least I can now do my bra up by myself again...

The joys of not being 25 any more, apparently.

>277 weird_O: - I am not sure what you mean, Bill, but thanks (I guess)!

>278 Helenliz: - I feel your pain, sister (but in my back)!

Morning, Katie! I got nothing, but I wanted to share it with you.

>280 Crazymamie: - Morning, Mamie! Thanks for nothing :)

*belly laugh*

We came in 4th of 13 teams at trivia last night. Not too shabby. Our team name was Met Life Stadium Dumpster Firefighters, in honor of my hapless Giants :) I had fish and chips for dinner.

Not much really going on except the usual. I am very much enjoying What is Left the Daughter and plotting my reads for next month...

Hi Katie!

Sorry about the temporary laundry trek, glad you can at least do your own laundry again.

>278 Helenliz: In 2005 my carpal tunnel problems were officially diagnosed with an electrodiagnostic/nerve conduction test – rather painful, frankly – which then opened the way for insurance to cover the surgery. “Probably” and then “probably not” doesn’t sound like a proper diagnosis to me.

Your team name cracked me up! I am jealous of your fish and chips - one of my favorite meals.

>284 karenmarie: - I'm very glad to be able to do laundry again, trek or no :)

>285 Crazymamie: - Not the best fish and chips I've had, but better than some. The pub we go to has a great menu - I've yet to have the same thing twice, as there is a lot I want to try.

>283 katiekrug: nice quizzing and you can't beat fish & chips with a quiz.

I took a little break from work to make some black bean soup for dinner tonight. The Wayne has a physical therapy session after our gym session tonight, so it'll be nice to have something easy to heat up ready to go for dinner. This was a Hello Fresh recipe - one we've had before and liked. We are going to stop our HF subscription, though, since we tend to like their easy meals best, and even I can make soups, bowls, etc. on my own. So that's $60 a week saved! A few more savings like that, and we won't miss my pay check at all... ;-)

>288 katiekrug: Katie, do you have recipe cards for all the meals so you could recreate them on your own? I find it's easy to get into a rut of making the same things all the time, but if nothing else this subscription expanded your repertoire.

I have made up for an almost-year-long pig-meats-eating deficit in three days. Breakfast buffet at the hotel every day: 1/2lb crispy bacon, six sausage links, and scrumdiddlyumptious country-fried potatoes with peppers and garlic and onion. Lunch of lobster rolls at the hotel...my absolute favorites on Long Island. Dinner at several of my long-time favorite local places.

I roused myself from my food coma to come tell you about a really great deal on a book you should sample to see if you're willing to drop the 99¢ to get, or just take my word that you'll enjoy it more than 99¢worth: The Voyage of Freydis by Tamara Goranson.

Very enjoyable!

Happy Wednesday, Katie. Sounds like you are having a decent week. I also love your trivia team name. Hooray for 4th place!

>284 karenmarie: electrodiagnostic/nerve conduction test – rather painful, frankly

Oh yeah, I can also attest to that. The doctor actually told me to just relax, after the first jolt. Sure, sure, let me just do that

>289 lauralkeet: - Yes, we saved the recipe cards for the meals we liked and can use those as a guide for making our own. I need a better filing system for them than the stack sitting on a shelf in the kitchen.

>290 richardderus: - The food sounds heavenly and I'm so glad you got to indulge!

I will check out the book shortly.

>291 msf59: - Thanks, Mark! Not a bad week so far :)

>292 brenzi: - Hi Bonnie!

I've just finished What is Left the Daughter and I'm giving it 5 stars. A wonderful, quirky (but not in a cutesy way) novel that I adored.

Morning, Katie!

>294 katiekrug: I have to add it to your Dirty Dozen just based on that.

>294 katiekrug: Five! Wow!!

I think you'll enjoy this from Morning Brew, a newsletter I read because Rob does too:

Quote: “In tonight’s performance, the role of the duck will be played by a beet, doing things no root vegetable should be asked to do.”

The NYT’s food critic Pete Wells reviewed legendary restaurant Eleven Madison Park’s new all-vegan menu. Seems like he did not enjoy it all that much.

>295 Crazymamie: - I think you'd really love it, too, Mamie!

>296 richardderus: - Ha! I just commented on this over on Karen's thread. I read the whole review when someone mentioned it on Twitter. It was so very good.

>294 katiekrug: Excellent! I gave it 5 stars too.

>298 laytonwoman3rd: - It was SO good.

No Mark Upon Her by Deborah Crombie

This remains my favorite mystery series, though this particular entry is not a favorite. There were just a few too many coincidences and happy accidents for my taste. As usual, though, the best bits of the book were the developments in the personal lives of the characters. I love Duncan and Gemma and their community of friends and family.

3.5 stars

>300 katiekrug: I keep waiting for the next Crombie installment - I really enjoyed that series. Last one was published in 2019.

>301 vivians: - A Killing of Innocents due June 7, 2022!

Great news - thanks!

>303 vivians: - You're welcome!

So I'm doing laundry and my washer and dryer are too smart for me. I have always had really basic models, with twisty knobs and maybe 3 settings. These new ones have a million different options, and I'm a "throw it all in and hope for the best kind" of laundress, so it's bewildering. My favorite is that there is both a "Normal" setting and a "Regular" one. Super clear!

>294 katiekrug: Ho! You almost got this one past me, with your failure to specify the author. Bad Katie, no question. Thankfully, Linda (>298 laytonwoman3rd:) called attention to it with even more secrecy, not even mentioning the title. It's like insider information. I hope to goddess I won't be brought up on insider trading charges if/when I act on this.

ETA: See! I didn't tip off the title or author. Keeping it under wraps.

>306 weird_O: - It's a pretty unique title, Bill, plus I helpfully included the touchstone, so..... :)

Well, see... The title didn't pique my interest, so I didn't check the touchstone. Alls well that ends well. Well for the book seeker. How it ends for the characters is unk.

If you come up with a system for organizing your recipes, let me know. I get cooking magazines (I don't want to say how many), and they are overflowing my shelves. I've been trying to come up with an idea of copying the recipes I liked and recycling, but where/how do I file the recipes? Online doesn't do it for me. I like the paper recipe that I can annotate.

>308 weird_O: - I'm not sure why you'd care then whether the author was included. *shrug*

>309 BLBera: - TBH, Beth, it will probably take the form of plastic sleeves in a 3-ring binder with dividers for type of recipe/dish. I'm not very inventive :-P

I've been thinking of doing that as well, Katie. Great minds...

>311 BLBera: - *grin*

New thread's up!

https://www.librarything.com/topic/335646

>309 BLBera:, >310 katiekrug: This is exactly how I do it.

>209 katiekrug:, >310 katiekrug: Yup Me too. One of mine is a small book someone gave me long ago with blank removable pages, and I asked my mom, dad, and several friends to write out recipes of theirs that I used often. So now it's a keepsake. The other is a combination of handwritten and photocopies recipes that are favorites. We won't talk about that folder where I cram the ones I print or tear out of newspapers and magazines to "try someday".

>314 Crazymamie: - I will have to buy the supplies, which is no hardship since I love office supplies :)

>315 laytonwoman3rd: - I love the keepsake book of recipes! I wish I had a few of my mom's, specifically her meatloaf and chicken curry recipes which I have tried to recreate off and on for years now and never get right...