Thread Number Four for Whisper1 (Linda) 2024

I recently finished a lovely illustrated book by Oliver Jeffers. Here We Are Notes For Living on Planet Earth, written in 2017 is a beautiful message to his two-month old son welcoming him to this planet we call earth. What an incredible book!!!

BOOK # SEVEN READ IN APRIL 2024

It's mid April and I haven't read many books. Two trips in the hospital, three visits to the primary care doctor, six various medications, and finally I am feeling better. I've talked to others who have this respiratory illness that doesn't want to go away, and all have noted the same issues.

Today is a good day. Spring is here. Today began with rain and for the last few hours, the sun is bright and highlighting the drops of water that stayed on the grass. I've planted lots of marigold and zinnia seeds and look forward to watching the green beginnings as they push up through the earth.
And, as Oliver Jeffers book notes, Here we are on earth -- life is good!

Happy new thread Linda!

What a gorgeous book!

Happy new thread, Linda. Good to hear you are (once again!) on the mend. Our rain has finally stopped (for now) and the sun is shining at the moment. My daffodils are up and after 2 solid days of rain, things are looking very green and ready!

So very glad you are feeling better Linda. That is a lot of medical trips you have had to do! I have just done a thumbs up on your review of Followed by the Lark. I am reading it now and enjoying it.

Another one chiming in happily that you are finally on the mend, Linda.
Happy new thread, dear lady.

Happy new thread, Linda! So glad to hear you're feeling better.

>4 quondame: Hi Susan. Many thanks for visiting here!
>5 jessibud2: Shelley I'm so glad you are experiencing sunshine and green. Daffodils are a flower that always make me happy.

I'm also happy to read you're feeling better! That really knocked the socks off of you, didn't it?!
Here We Are sounds delightful. I'll have to request it from my library.

Oh and happy new thread too!

Lynda, Our messages crossed. I sent a message to you, then immediately saw yours to me. How about that!

>11 Whisper1: haha Great minds....

I am so glad to hear you are finally feeling better!! Yay! And happy new thread. : )

Happy New Thread, Linda! I'm enjoying the spring weather too. I'm so glad that you are feeling better.

Happy new thread, Linda.

So glad you are finally feeling better!

Happy new thread, Linda! I love new threads!

Karen O

Happy new thread, Linda! So glad to hear you are feeling better.

Happy new thread! I'm close to a new one in one group. I seem to be way behind in posting and everything else this year.

Happy new thread, Linda! I am very glad to hear you are finally feeling better. I hope that bad bug is finally gone for good. And >2 Whisper1: another beautiful book!

Happy new thread, Linda!
And again a wonderful book.
I'm glad you're feeling better.
Spring is a wonderful time, the colors are all so fresh and intense.
Have a wonderful week.

Happy New Thread, Linda. Here We Are Notes For Living on Planet Earth sounds wonderful. We need more reads like this.

Happy new thread! I'm glad you are on the mend!

Happy new one, Linda!

Hi Linda, and happy newest thread.

>3 Whisper1: Wow, I’m so sorry to read about the respiratory illness but glad that you’re finally feeling better.

Spring has sprung out here, too, and it’s gorgeous.

>2 Whisper1: What beautiful and happy illustrations!

>3 Whisper1: I love marigolds. They are hardy and bloom all summer ( even in extreme heat).

Heres hoping that the rest of April is better for you on the health front

Happy new thread.

Checking in on the new thread, lovey, before I lose track of you again!

>1 Whisper1: I'm so glad to hear you are on the mend.

There's a supplement that I take, that my dh takes, and that my dad took for a while too, NAC (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine). It's supposed to be good for respiratory issues and overall immunity.

From WebMD (https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/n-acetyl-cysteine-uses-and-risks):

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is used by the body to build antioxidants. Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that protect and repair cells from damage.

You can get NAC as a supplement or a prescription drug.

As a prescription drug, doctors use NAC to treat acetaminophen overdose. It may also help break up mucus in people with some lung diseases, like chronic bronchitis.

As a supplement, some people use NAC to try to protect the liver. There's evidence it can help prevent kidney or neurologic damage caused by some drugs.

NAC might help prevent colon cancer in people with some types of colon polyps, but more research is needed to be sure. NAC does not seem to reduce the risk of lung cancer or head and neck cancer.

Dear Linda, there's no way I can keep up with you, but I hope that spring is going to bring you much better health. I'm awfully sorry about your respiratory distress. I hesitate to mention it for fear of jinxing myself, but I attribute my health in that area to daily sinus rinses. You Take Care of Yourself!

Many thanks for all lthe wonderful messages. I will respond tomorrow. For now, know that I am so happy that there are so many messsages.''

Hi Linda - Hope this turns into a Well Day - sent you a Jacquie Card...

Hi, Linda. You sold me on the Oliver Jeffers Here We are Notes. I requested it at the library.

I was sorry to hear about the respiratory illness and happy to hear that you’ve been improving.

Wejust visited the grandkids and six year old Rafa is reading on his own now. So great to see that love continue! He even reads sometimes to his four year old sister Fina. They both love the Daniel Salmieri Dragons Love Tacos books. Anything silly always tickles them.

I hope your week goes well.

Happy new thread, Linda. I am glad you are feeling better. I love Oliver Jeffries.

Hi LInda. Hope you are having a very good day! I steamed through many (all, maybe!) of the Oliver Jeffers books because I thought they were so wonderful. I sure love his illustrations too!

Thanks to everyone for your kind outreach and lovely messages wishing me well. I am not coughing or wheezing. I had energy to do so things around the house.

Today, April 18th, is the fifth year since Will died. He passed away during the evening. He did not die alone, Kayla, daughter Breanna, and close neighbors were here. I remember very well how much he was loved. I thought that as time went on, the sadness would abate. But, tonight is a sad evening, but remembering the neighbors and family and how they loved him helps the loss.

I thought of mnay good memories today and this evening. Manly, memories of how he made me laugh. A special memory comes to mind:

Before I moved in this house with him, we were sitting on the couch, looking at the moon through the sky light. He said "I'm so glad you are here. With others, I couldn't wait until they left. With you, I want you to stay a long time, and not go home." Will wasn't an overly romantic man, but that comment stayed with me and made me smile when I remembered it tonight.

>4 quondame: Susan, I've read most of Oliver Jeffers books. This is the best one! It grabbed me from the first - last page.

>6 mdoris: Mary, I've read a lot of Helen Humpreys books. The Frozen Thames is stellar, and if you haven't read it, I highly recommend that you do. Thanks for thumbs up.

>7 PaulCranswick:. Hi Paul. I always smile when I see a message from you! Thanks for stopping by.

>8 bell7:, Thanks for your kind words Mary.

>9 Whisper1: Hi Lynda. Thanks for stopping by. I think you will like Here We Are Notes For Living On Planet Earth. This one is special!

>13 Berly: Kim, I know you also struggle with health issues. I hope you are feeling better as well.

>14 vancouverdeb: thanks for visitng Deb!

>15 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita, Reading about all the walking you and Frank are doing, made me smile remembering how much I previously liked to walk every night. Periodically, I walk with a friend who has a little white dog. His dog walks faster than we do, and always brings a smile when I see her little legs go so fast.

>16 klobrien2: Thanks for stopping by Karen!

>17 curioussquared: Hi Natalie..I'm glad you visited here.

>18 thornton37814: Lori, Your story is the same as mine -- behind on the threads, and reading as well.

>19 atozgrl: Hi Irene. I appreciate your kind wishes. Today I started to cough again, and immediately grabbed the meds. By the end of the day, I felt better. I actually had energy to do some cleaning of kitchen cupboards and the freezer.

>20 SirThomas: Hi Thomas. Many thanks for your cheery message that made me smile.

BOOK #8 IN THE MONTH OF APRIL 2024


Eleanor, Quiet No More the Life of Eleanor Roosevelt written by Doreen Rappaport with georgeous illustrations by Gary Kelley

This is a re-read. Eleanor Roosevelt is one of my favorite historical people. Her tenacity of spirit amazes me. Here is the previous review, since I wouldn't change anything, I'll post it again:

A beautifully illustrated book which highlights Eleanor Roosevelt's life from her childhood wherein she was born into a life of priviledge, though as she proved, it is true that money cannot buy happiness. Treated with cruelty by her beautfiul, high-society mother, she consistently called her ugly and stupid. Her favorite name for Eleanor was "Granny." She carried this nastiness, and felt ugly and thought she would never belong. She overcame the death of her mother and her much loved father, and pushed herself to overcome the negativety and nastiness to become one of the best-known First Ladies of the United States.

Her future husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was drawn to her intelligence and innter beauty. They were married and became parents of five children. She suppored her husband throughout his presidencies, and after he contracted polio, she became his right and left hand. She traveled world wide, was at the forefront of American civil rights, and was a strong advocate of the poor and needy.

After FDR died, she continued to be a strong advocate of making the United States well known world wide. President Harry Truman appointed her to the United Nations. After two years of service, the committee framed a declaration of rights for people throughout the world. Stating "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." Eleanor continued to represent the down-trodden and poor throughout her life. A strong advocate for civil rights and equality for all, she was quoted as saying "Decent housing is a basic human right that society is morally and politically obligate to provide all of its citizens.".""Very early I knew there were men and women and children who suffered."

She personally responded to thousands and thousands of letters received. Her high energy level enabled her to travel the world while making America better.

She continues to amaze me as I read many books both written by her, and biographies about her. I cannot think of another woman who had as much of an impact on this country as she did.

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

Happy new thread, Linda. I'm glad you are feeling better healthwise. It's sad and also wonderful that you and Will were there for each other until he passed. He left you with happy memories which is good.

Thinking of you on this day, Linda.
It's hard when all you have left are the memories, but they are beautiful memories.

>37 Whisper1: Thanks Meg. Thre are many good memories. And, as with many relationships, there were some difficult times as well. But the good did outweigh the bad.

>38 Familyhistorian: It's good to see you here Tom. Yes, today and tonight, I am thinking of the many good memories. We had a beautiful grand daughter whom we loved very much. He spent hundreds of hours playing with her. I remember one day in particular when I was working from home. It was a snowy day and as I worked and watched the beautiful snow, I heard her teacher like voice from her upstairs bedroom, tell one on the stuffed animals that "Handy Manny needed to get his act together and straighten up!" "She knew he was smart and it was time he started to act like it!"

Will had a unique voice for each of the stuffed animal pupils. He and she placed them on small chairs and made a chalk board. She loved her Opa so very much. It makes me happy to remember how much time they spent together. When she turned 21 this past February, after she blew out the candles on her birthday cake she said that while she was happy for the times when she was little, now is the time she wishes he was her to guide her through young adulthood. I admit, I shed a tear.

Such lovely memories, Linda. Losing a spouse, so hard. It's not something I have had to do yet, but I recall the sorrow I had when my dad passed after a battle with cancer when he as 65, which is now 17 years ago. I know my mom still misses him very much, as do I, but of course my mom that much more. Wishing you a good day today.

>34 Whisper1: What a lovely memory of Will, Linda.

>21 msf59: >22 foggidawn:>23 >24 karenmarie: >25 figsfromthistle: Thanks to all of you for stopping by. I am so very glad I found this group in 2008! Not only did my reading genre grow, but I've met many wonderful people, like all of you!

>26 alcottacre: Stasia, How about it...We've been with the group since it began. This group would not be the same without you!

>27 fuzzi: Fuzzi, thanks for the information regarding N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is used by the body to build antioxidants. Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that protect and repair cells from damage.. I will ask my primary care doctor if she agrees that this would be a good supplement for me.

>28 LizzieD: Daily sinus rinses sounds like a good idea. I will try this! Many thanks for the information.

>30 m.belljackson: Hi Marianne, thanks for the beautiful Jacquiline Lawson card..much appreciated.

>31 jnwelch: Joe, Where did the time go? Rafa and Fina aren't those little tots anymore. I hope you are able to obtain the Oliver Jefers book. I think you, and they will like it.

>41 vancouverdeb: How very sad that your father died at 65. That seems like such a young age. I think it is wonderful that you had loving memories of your father.

>42 BLBera: Happy Saturday Beth. I have a lot of good memories. There are some challenging ones as well, but overall there are many more positive ones.

BOOK #9 READ IN MONTH OF APRIL 2024



The Truth About Dragons written by Julie Leung with incredible illustrations of Hanna Cha

In this Caldecott award-winning book, a little boy loves his grandmother who one day told him about two cultures that she expressed in the form of two dragons, both different, and both important, representing the two cultures that belong to the boy.

The illustrations are very beautiful.

Hi Linda, Glad you are feeling so much better! Yes, I have read Humphreys The Frozen Thames and agree it was wonderful. I have read most of her books and jump any newly published ones. I'm sorry that this is a difficult day for you but good that it is one that is bringing back many wonderful memories.

It was a dreary day. The road in front of my house is being paved. It was going to take all last week, but unfortunately, it's running into the upcoming week as well. The good thing is that we need to park on another street, not too far from the house, and it is nice to walk even in the bit of rain.

I spent $545 this week for a filling on a front tooth. The dentist then told me he wants to put a cap ($1,500) and then a root canal, another $1,000 on the same tooth. I will look for another opinion. I hate to hit my savings that hard.

Living on one income isn't always easy.

Today, I made meatballs for pasta dinner tomorrow night, then I made chocolate chip cookies. The house smells so good. A trip to the library yesterday was very fun. Friends at the library highly recommended books by this author. Has anyone read books by Kate Quinn? I brought home the following:

>48 Whisper1: I REALLY enjoyed The Alice Network. Based on that, I also acquired the other two books (as yet unread). The author also wrote historical novels set in the ancient Roman empire, & a former coworker loves those.

Thanks for affirming this author's work. Thanks for visiting my thread.

Hi Linda, I liked The Rose Code and read it in 2021 for bookclub. There is lots about female friendship. I'm off to the dentist this week too. Ugh. They are finding lots of work to do on me too!

>34 Whisper1: I love that memory, thank you for sharing.

>46 Whisper1: Isn't that a beautiful book? I read it to several different groups of children this spring after it got a Caldecott honor.

>48 Whisper1: I've read all of those and really enjoyed them. The Rose Code was my favorite of the three. She has a new book coming out that I'm looking forward to.

I finished this book today. I really enjoyed it, except for the graphic description of all the killing the main character did as a sniper. In college, a Russian history professor was incredible. We studied a lot about the Seige of Leningrad. What a brutal battle that was. Hitler did not learn the lesson of Napoleon who lost an incredible amount of people when the winter arrived. I think Hitler underestimated the strength of the Russian people. The images of all the bloody bodies stack up was very graphic. I am not prone to nightmares, but a few nights ago, after eading the book before I fell asleep, I awoke from a nightmare.

>51 mdoris: a member of the staff at the library highly recommended The Rose Code. I brought this one home.
>52 fuzzi: Thanks Fuzzi. I am allowing the good memories to come through. Originally, it was too difficult to think of them. Now, after five years, I'm stronger, and I am so very glad for the happy memories.
>53 foggidawn: I think I'll read The Rose Code next. I'll visit the library site and see if I can reserve The Alice network

It is good to see how many enjoyed these books. Kate Quinn is an excellent writer I like that she noted the references in the back of the book. Looks like i have more to read!

BOOK #TEN IN THE MONTH OF aPRIL 2024


The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

The original setting is a woman, forcefully used at 15, then married to the man who abused her phsyically, who then proceeded to abuse her emotionally. The small boy as a result of the union was very much loved by his mother, and grandparents, with whom he lived when his mother left his father, and then left him behind with her parents to join Stalin's defense of German intervention Russia in WWII.

This historical novel is based on some true-to-life occurrences, and part accompanying embellishment. Lyudmila "Mila" Lichenko becme an amazing sniper in her mid 20's. She joined Russia's war effort to stem Hitler's invasion of Europe, and in particular Russia, where the war was brutal. It is believed "Lady Death" was successful in killing 309 German soldiers as she moved through where ever most needed in the war as she trained more snipers to replace those tragically killed.

The writing is exceptional, and I had difficulty putting the book down. Recommended by a member of my local library who, in particular recommend, my next read in the series, titled The Rose Code which is often noted as the best. The description of the fighting and killing throughout Russia was brutal and at times I had dificulty with the sheer volume of death and gore.

Previous reading of Harrison E. Salisbury's The 900 Days: The Siege of Leningrad many years ago, and which I highly recommend, helped understand the vivid depiction of the brutallity of Hitler as he swept throughout Europe. Again, the sheer number of those killed or died of starvation on both the German and Russian sides of this overwhelmingly violent occurrence in WWII was vividly portrayed in The Diamond Eye.

Ludmila became a hero, not only for the amount of those she killed, but also because she was a lone young woman on the bloody battle fields among many men.

The book travels from before Ludmilla became a sniper and afterward when because of disability she was sent to the United States where she traved to the White House and was welcomed by Eleanor Roosevelt.

Five Stars! Highly Recommended!!!

>44 Whisper1: The group would not be the same without you either, lovey!

>48 Whisper1: I have read one of Quinn's books, The Rose Code, which I thought was a bit long but I still enjoyed it.

>54 Whisper1: >56 Whisper1: My local library has that one so I will see if I can get hold of it sometime soon.

>54 Whisper1: Linda - Reading super fun light weight books before sleeping

(kc dyer, Abbi Waxman, Jenny Colgan, Donna Ball...)

helps offset the scary ones (Vercher's THREE-FIFTHS, MADAME FOURCADE'S SECRET WAR...

My daughter has a Falling Asleep Meditation that she recommends for balance.

Have a peaceful night!

Hi Linda my dear, a belated Happy New Thread dear friend.

>57 alcottacre: It is always wonderful to hear from you Stasia
>58 m.belljackson: Marianne, Thanks for the recommendations, and good wishes
>59 johnsimpson: Hello Dear John, Always good to hear from you.