Morphy Moseys through 2013 - Year 8

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Morphy Moseys through 2013 - Year 8

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1Morphidae
Redigerat: dec 20, 2013, 4:53 pm


Morphy at Her Little Brother's First Christmas (Age eight years)

This is my third 75 Books Challenge. I read about 250 books a year, so I'm not worried about meeting the challenge!

I mostly read fantasy, preferably urban, but also enjoy general and genre fiction, historical romance, classics, popular non-fiction, and will honestly try any genre at least once.

I prefer story over language and my favorite books are the ones I just want to hug after I'm done.

I don't so much review books as leave some sparse comments.

I have more challenges and lists than I know what to do with and am not going to list them here except as notes to the books I've completed.

Pounds Lost:



Books Read in 2013: 289

My best books of 2013 are:

Written in Red by Anne Bishop
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Moloka'i by Alan Brennert

My best book of 2012 was:

The Fault in Our Stars by Green, John

My best books of 2011 were:

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by McKillip, Patricia
Bridge of Birds by Hughart, Barry
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Wells, Rebecca
Garden Spells by Allen, Sarah Addison
Soulless by Carriger, Gail
What I Eat by Menzel, Peter and D'Aluisio, Faith
Ready Player One by Cline, Ernest

My favorite books from the years before that were:

Essential Spirituality by Roger Walsh
Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
The Stand by Stephen King
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Katherine by Anya Seton
Sweet Liar by Jude Deveraux
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

2Morphidae
nov 25, 2013, 3:43 pm

Morphy's Mighty Monthly Reads for 2013 (Green Dragon Group Reads)

January (1001 Fantasy) - The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

February (111 Science Fiction) - The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin

March (50 Mystery) - The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

April (111 Nonfiction) - The Great Influenza by John M. Barry

May (1001 Fantasy) - Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis

June (111 Science Fiction) - A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge

July (50 Mystery) - Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith

August (111 Nonfiction) - The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman

September (1001 Fantasy) - Nine Princes in Amber by Roger Zelazny

October (111 Science Fiction) - The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham

November (50 Mystery) - The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers

December (111 Nonfiction) - Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat

Group Read Links: http://www.librarything.com/topic/146136

***

The LT Green Dragon Book Club's next meeting is at the Ridgedale Barnes & Noble on Saturday, January 18th at 2pm. We are reading ???.

3Morphidae
nov 25, 2013, 3:43 pm

13 in 13 Challenge (59/91)

1. New to Me Minnesota Author (1/1) DONE
2. Complete Lois McMaster Bujold Bibliography (2/2) DONE
3. Graphic Novels (3/3) DONE
4. Second Book in Series (4/4) DONE
5. Book to Movie (5/5) DONE
6. Around the World (2/6)
7. 2011 TBR Code List (4/7)
8. Cover Color (7/8)
9. LT Recommended (9/9) DONE
10. If You Like... (2/10)
11. Paranormal Creatures (9/11)
12. Green Dragon Lists (9/12)
13. LTers Choose from the Ultimate Reading List (2/13)

Thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/147584

4Morphidae
nov 25, 2013, 3:43 pm

I stole this from someone else at LT and tweaked the last few ratings. I can't give credit because I don't remember who I copied it from! Since I started using this I've noticed I've been handing out more 6's and less 7's.

My rating system:

10 stars - The book completely enthralled me. Could not put it down. Got something more out of it than just entertainment -- it enlightened or educated me in some way. Can definitely see myself reading it again. Will keep forever and never loan it out.

9 stars - Not quite perfect but almost so. I will actively push this book on my friends and family.

8 stars - A really great book in all respects with perhaps some minor flaws. Highly recommended.

7 stars - Better than average but with some flaws. Recommended.

6 stars - Average. An entertaining read but probably forgettable. Will not reread. Recommended for entertainment value to readers with similar interest.

5 stars - Slightly lower than average. Some aspects of the story, characters or writing troubled me. Probably will not recommend.

4 stars - Finished but did not like. Would not recommend.

3 stars - Had some redeeming qualities or else I couldn't have finished it. Nothing to recommend it though.

2 star - I can't believe I finished this book. What am I? A masochist?

1 star - No book ever gets this rating. If it's a 1, I can't finish it.

5Morphidae
nov 25, 2013, 3:44 pm

As of October 2013:


visited 19 states (8.44%)
Create your own visited map of The World


visited 35 states (70%)
Create your own visited map of The United States

6Morphidae
nov 25, 2013, 3:44 pm



269. The Regulators

Genre: Horror

Notes: TIOLI #20 (title scramble - Healers Rotgut), to complete bibliography, King (12 in 12)

Summary: An evil entity has taken over a little boy and is transforming a suburban neighborhood to a wild west town peopled with violent cartoon characters.

Opinion: Companion novel to Desperation. It was okay. A little too weird, too little characterization (surprising for a King novel), too much death and destruction for too little point. Not one of my favorite King's.

Rating: 6

7Morphidae
nov 25, 2013, 3:45 pm

270. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Notes: TIOLI #15 (I am thankful for...), reread

Rating: 8

8Morphidae
nov 25, 2013, 3:45 pm



271. A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny

Genre: Mystery

Notes: TIOLI #15 (I am thankful for...)

Summary: A cozy mystery set in Three Pines, Canada, about an unliked woman who was killed in front of the entire village in the middle of a frozen lake

Opinion: Like most of the mysteries I prefer, this is more about the characterization than the mystery. In fact, the mystery almost took a backseat to the lively villagers of Three Pines and the Canadian Police force, especially the inspector. I liked this one more than the first, Still Life.

Rating: 8

9Morphidae
nov 25, 2013, 3:45 pm



272. Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Genre: Science Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #20 (scramble title - Eating All)

Summary: Tris, Tobias and their compatriots head out of the city and find something completely unexpected

Opinion: I didn't like this one as much as the first two. The plot wasn't as tight and the characters weren't as relatable. I understood why the author ended it the way she did, doesn't mean I have to like it. Still an enjoyable read and it drew me in. Finished it quickly.

Rating: 7

10Morphidae
nov 25, 2013, 3:46 pm



273. Horizon by Lois McMaster Bujold

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #6 (straight letter title), COMPLETED bibliography, Bujold (13 in 13)

Summary: Final book of the story of Fawn and Dag and how they merge the cultures of farmer and Lakewalker

Opinion: I've completed Bujold's bibliography - all 26 books! I liked this more than the third book - less travel, more plot, more characterization. I didn't like that several of the secondary characters that were built up in the second and third books got barely more than a mention even though they were with them. Solid ending to a decent fantasy series. Not one I'd recommend though except to a Bujold completist.

Rating: 7

11Morphidae
nov 25, 2013, 3:46 pm

274. Lover Enshrined by J. R. Ward

Notes: TIOLI #6 (straight line title), reread

Rating: 6

12Morphidae
nov 25, 2013, 3:46 pm



275. The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #20 (scramble title - Diaper Dry Them), to complete bibliography

Summary: Teen siblings must flee to America after their father accidentally releases Egyptian gods

Opinion: Fun read. Would have given it an eight but the pace was too frantic for my tastes. I had no time to breathe. Interesting characters and enjoyed the contemporary mash up of the Egyptians gods into modern life, especially Bast.

Rating: 7

13Morphidae
nov 25, 2013, 3:47 pm

Missed from last month:

276. Lover Revealed by J. R. Ward

Notes: Reread

Rating: 7

14Morphidae
nov 25, 2013, 3:56 pm

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
Drowned Wednesday by Garth Nix

On Deck:
Bellman & Black by Diane Setterfield
The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Mrs. Tim of the Regiment by D. E. Stevenson

15jnwelch
nov 25, 2013, 3:59 pm

What a delightful thread this is in the correct group, Morphy! At least I get to be first here.

16MickyFine
nov 25, 2013, 5:14 pm

Ooh, I'm so early I have my pick of corners! :)

17PaulCranswick
nov 25, 2013, 5:54 pm

Morphy - congratulations on the new thread. To catch up with the old one for a second or two.

SWMBO and I met when she was working as a receptionist in the then only 5* hotel in Johor Bahru. I made sure that she remembered me because I checked out after a month in the hotel by paying the bill for myself and a colleague in cash using small change (company money, I hasten to add). At this stage in 1994 I didn't understand the smiling expletives as she was forced to count tens of thousands of the local currency before me only to find it right to the cent. We got together more than a year later but that is a story and a half on its own.
She broke her engagement to the state Chief of Police's son after my persistent calling - she ran away to Kuala Lumpur as her parents didn't approve - (they approved reluctantly when I brought her home to them months later) and I removed myself to Singapore to avoid trouble from the policeman's son and very extended family giving up the security of a job with one of the world's largest companies in the process. Worth it as it turns out. 17 years married and it doesn't feel a day over 150 years ago.

Enjoyed the insults and Churchill really was the doyen of them wasn't he? One not included:

Churchill worse for wear at a party is accosted by an irate lady:
"Sir, you're drunk!", she exclaimed;
"Yes Madam and you're ugly", he replied "but in the morning I shall be sober".

18ronincats
nov 25, 2013, 5:55 pm

Hey, Morphy, glad you finally got your new thread all straightened out! Glad to be here.

19Kassilem
nov 25, 2013, 6:38 pm

:) Looking forward to seeing what you read!

20lkernagh
nov 25, 2013, 9:32 pm

Migrating over to your new thread Morphy and looking forward to seeing what you think of Diane Setterfield's new book Bellman & Black

21UnrulySun
nov 25, 2013, 10:16 pm

Hi Morphy! Nice new digs. :)

Paul, that is a pretty funny story. I know she was mad at you for all that change!!

DH and I met at college-- he played hockey and I watched. We were friends for a few years before getting together.

22EBT1002
nov 26, 2013, 12:23 am

Cute pic of you and the little brother, Morphy!

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

23scaifea
nov 26, 2013, 7:05 am

Happy New Thread!

Tomm and I met when I was a grad student and he was a freshman in college. He was a student in my Beginning Latin class. It's all above-board, though, I assure you - we didn't start dating until 3 years later. But, yeah, I robbed the cradle just a bit.

24Morphidae
Redigerat: nov 26, 2013, 8:32 am

>15 jnwelch: Joe, you get a cookie! Not only for being the first but for finding me in the wrong group. Doh!

>16 MickyFine: Micky, you do! Perhaps the one with the cushy pillows over here?

>17 PaulCranswick: Paul, here's another Churchill goodie!

Churchill: Madam, would you sleep with me for five million pounds?
Woman: My goodness, Mr. Churchill… Well, I suppose… we would have to discuss terms, of course…
Churchill: Would you sleep with me for five pounds?
Woman: Mr. Churchill, what kind of woman do you think I am?!
Churchill: Madam, we’ve already established that. Now we are haggling about the price.

>18 ronincats: Roni, oh man, that was an exercise in frustration. (Or idiocy, depending on how you look at it.) LOL!

>19 Kassilem: Melis, thanks! I hope to get a bunch of reading in. I'm a bit behind.

>20 lkernagh: Lori, I hope I like it as much as The Thirteenth Tale.

>21 UnrulySun: Kathy, how did he propose?

>22 EBT1002: Ellen, I thought it was rather tender, myself. We had a good relationship while we were young. It makes me sad we aren't close now. It's not for lack of effort on my part. Le sigh.

>23 scaifea: Amber, oooooh, you bad girl, you! Ha!

***

Talk to Me Tuesday

I'm going a little out there for today's TtmT. So if you are too genteel to talk about bodily functions, skip this one. Also, any one who answers this question, please label your post with BFW or Bodily Function Warning for those too faint of heart. LOL!

BODILY FUNCTION WARNING

Farts are Fun!

I know, I know. A totally inappropriate topic in polite company. But as I was going to sleep last night, I thought it would be funny to talk about flatulence. Between MrMorphy and I, we get the range. I'm the "loud one" - usually all sound, no substance. We call my morning tooting, "Reveille" as it happens right as I get out of bed, never fails. MrMorphy is Mr. SBD - Silent but Deadly.

When I first lived with MrMorphy, if I had to pass gas, I would go the bathroom and run water or flush the toilet. That is, I would until he asked me why I was doing that. He still heard me. I gave up and started "letting go" at need.

Sometimes if we fart around the same time, we'll bat our eyes at each other and call it the (last name) mating call.

Growing up we'd called it "whoopsing." "You whoopsed!" "Sorry, I whoopsed!" Ha ha! MrMorphy's family called them "barking spiders."

My mom was the type who was ashamed of passing gas. She "never" did it. "I don't fart, I fluff." Heh. But it was fun when we were kids, especially when we had a step-family. All five of us - from 17 (me) to 11 (step-brother) would be watching TV and mom would be napping on the couch. She'd let a loud one go in her sleep and we'd all lose it. She'd wake up and ask what we were laughing about. We'd tell her and she'd furiously deny it which would make us laugh all the harder.

Dad was evil incarnate. He'd wait until it was raining torrentially* then let one go in the car. We'd be trapped with the foulest stench you could possibly imagine. He would just cackle. I've never been so grateful to be a girl as when he'd wrestle with my brother. He'd wrestle him into position then fart right in his face. They'd both giggle madly but I thought it was disgusting.

*Basically most summer afternoons in Florida.

So, do you have funny flatulence stories? Did/do you have an unusual name for passing gas?

25SylviaC
nov 26, 2013, 12:56 pm

BFW

Generally I'm quite open about bodily functions, but passing gas is something that I just don't talk about. Wanna know the colour of my poo? The duration and flow of my last period? Colour commentary of the kids' last stomach bug? No problem—I'll share. Gas, however, is taboo. That was just my family's attitude when I was a child, and it has stayed with me.

26Morphidae
Redigerat: nov 26, 2013, 5:12 pm

>25 SylviaC: Sylvia, I have to giggle that you'll talk about poo but not gas. I guess my question was too edgy since there have been no other responses. Ah well. How about them (insert sports team)?

*mumbles,"pansies"*

27MDGentleReader
nov 26, 2013, 6:22 pm

I will say that you and Mr Morphy are not the only couple who talk about and have terms for farting. With my current Sweetie, we toot. Even though, that's not always very descriptive. Fog horn? I cannot remember the silly term we used when I was with my other long long term relationship (7 1/2 years). If I think of it, I'll post it. It's been almost 18 years since we broke up...

My brother let's out really smelly ones and blames it on his adorable little girls. For some reason, that gets old for me. I don't know why, I usually enjoy silliness.

OK, for that behavior alone, your Dad was evil. I am very, very grateful that I have a terrible sense of smell sometimes.

Morphy, I am rather appalled that you have to wait so long for the endoscopy and that don't have any other options before that is done.

re: the ibuprofen ban before testing. Recently I had allergy skin testing and forgot to stop my antihisitamine. The antihistamine worked really well and I got to come back to get poked all over again. SIGH.

It seems a little cruel that you missed your chance because you needed pain relief. I mean pain is one of the things that needs to be relieved...

{{{Morphy}}}

28SylviaC
nov 26, 2013, 6:32 pm

My former career involved changing a lot of diapers. My current career involves a barnful of chickens. Poo is commonplace.

29UnrulySun
nov 26, 2013, 7:06 pm

Morphy, he proposed at a nice restaurant. He conspired with the waitstaff to bring the ring out in a glass of champagne, lol. Classic. I was expecting it though, so he intentionally made it a bit silly.

Farting is one of those things everyone does but most people won't talk about. Including me! Haha

30MDGentleReader
nov 26, 2013, 9:28 pm

Meant to comment on the thread topper. It reminded me so much of me and my brother. We are a little closer in age, but so many similarities. He was blonde, chubby cheeked, wore a footed sleeper and was SUCH a cuddle muffin. I tried to find a picture of us when he was that age. It wasn't in my photo album, but my Dad scanned all the pictures, so I need to poke around among those to see if I can find it. Mind you, he wasn't much of a playmate for me and therefore, a disappointment. But a that age - SO cuddly. I went away to college when he was 12.

Meant to comment on Mr Morphy's discernment and and perseverance in deciding that you were the one for him. Very cool. Smart man. But, you knew that :-).

31msf59
nov 26, 2013, 10:07 pm

Hi Morphy- Congrats on your Year 8 thread! It looks like you've been a busy book bee! Glad you liked the 2nd Three Pines book. The 3rd one is also good.
We felt about the same way, on Allegiant. Decent fluff.

I also have Bellman & Black waiting in the stacks. I snagged an ARC a couple months ago but have just not found the time to squeeze it in. I also really liked The Thirteenth Tale.

32scaifea
nov 27, 2013, 7:12 am

We have a 5-year-old boy in our house, so fart jokes and general musings about farts are legion. In fact, just last night - at the dinner table, no less (my in-laws would have keeled over had they been here) - we had a long and very giggle-filled discussion of the topic. I love being a parent. It's so liberating sometimes.

33Morphidae
nov 27, 2013, 9:04 am

>27 MDGentleReader: & 30 MD, tooting! Sometimes, not too often, I'll blame it on the dog. Considering how loud they are and how small Maia is, the claim makes us both laugh. "She'd being flying across the room!" As for pain, I finally got permission for small doses of Tylenol. So at least I can take something for the occasional headache! Sometimes I wonder what he sees in me to be honest. But then we are our own worst enemies!

>28 SylviaC: Sylvia, ah, and I imagine projective pooing at times. At least with the previous job.

>29 UnrulySun: Kathy, so it seems. This Talk to Me Tuesday seems to be a bit of a failure.

>31 msf59: Mark, did you read The Thirteenth Tale or listen to it? I got it on audiobooks and I swear I would have listened to those women read a phone book.

>32 scaifea: Amber, ha! I would have enjoyed that conversation, too. Farts are funny.

***

Wacky Wednesday

Several centuries ago, the Pope decreed that all the Jews had to convert to Catholicism or leave Italy.

There was a huge outcry from the Jewish community, so the Pope offered a deal: he'd have a religious debate with the leader of the Jewish community. If the Jews won, they could stay in Italy; if the Pope won, they'd have to convert or leave.

The Jewish people met and picked an aged and wise rabbi to represent them in the debate. However, as the rabbi spoke no Italian, and the Pope spoke no Yiddish, they agreed that it would be a 'silent' debate.

On the chosen day the Pope and rabbi sat opposite each other. The Pope raised his hand and showed three fingers. The rabbi looked back and raised one finger.

Next, the Pope waved his finger around his head. The rabbi pointed to the ground where he sat.

The Pope brought out a communion wafer and a chalice of wine. The rabbi pulled out an apple.

With that, the Pope stood up and declared himself beaten and said that the rabbi was too clever. The Jews could stay in Italy.

Later the cardinals met with the Pope and asked him what had happened. The Pope said, "First I held up three fingers to represent the Trinity. He responded by holding up a single finger to remind me there is still only one God common to both our beliefs. Then, I waved my finger around my head to show him that God was all around us. The rabbi responded by pointing to the ground to show that God was also right here with us. I pulled out the wine and wafer to show that God absolves us of all our sins, and the rabbi pulled out an apple to remind me of the original sin. He bested me at every move and I could not continue."

Meanwhile, the Jewish community gathered to ask the rabbi how he'd won. "I haven't a clue," said the rabbi. "First, he told me that we had three days to get out of Italy, so I gave him the finger. Then he tells me that the whole country would be cleared of Jews and I told him that we were staying right here. "And then what?" asked a woman. "Who knows?" said the rabbi. "He took out his lunch so I took out mine."

34Morphidae
Redigerat: nov 27, 2013, 9:29 am

Oh oh oh! I forgot to tell you! I got a call from my news station. I won a contest! The biggest one I've ever won! I got the new IPAD AIR! Whooo hoooo!

35scaifea
nov 27, 2013, 9:32 am

WOW! That's awesome! Congrats!

36avatiakh
nov 27, 2013, 9:42 am

Love the joke, I read it out to my husband, he loved it too. Congrsts on winning the iPad, not sure what the AIR bit is but wow!!

37streamsong
nov 27, 2013, 9:44 am

Wow, wow, wow! Good for you! Many congrats on your win!

38wilkiec
nov 27, 2013, 9:52 am

Congrats on your iPad win, Morphy!

39MDGentleReader
nov 27, 2013, 10:03 am

Congratulations! Do you currently have an iPad?

40SylviaC
nov 27, 2013, 10:45 am

Congratulations, Morphy! IPads are awesome. Good joke, too.

41Sakerfalcon
nov 27, 2013, 10:51 am

That's great Morphy! Congratulations!

42UnrulySun
nov 27, 2013, 10:59 am

Ohmigosh Morphy congrats on winning the tablet!! Do you have it in hand and are you playing on it nonstop? Your first order of business is to download the kindle app (I think you can use that on an ipad).

Then you can become addicted to all the free books available! :D

43SylviaC
nov 27, 2013, 11:15 am

I was going to recommend the Kindle app, too. I use it to preview books that I'm interested in.

44ronincats
nov 27, 2013, 12:30 pm

Wow, congrats on winning the tablet, Morphy!

45jnwelch
nov 27, 2013, 12:51 pm

That's one of the best prizes I've ever heard of, Morphy. Congrats! I recommend the Kindle app, too.

46Kassilem
nov 27, 2013, 2:19 pm

Congrats!!!!

47PrueGallagher
nov 27, 2013, 5:21 pm

Congratulations on the prize, Morphy! I never win anything so gave up entering a long time ago. Enjoyed the Wacky Wednesday joke, too. As for farts - when I hear my husband fart upstairs in his study (sound travels down the stairwell, ok? And he thinks no one can hear) I always call out "did you say something, darling?" just so he knows I heard and can offer a polite 'pardon me'. But he rarely excuses himself. Moi? Of course I never let fly! And they never smell either! When I was in Japan and before I spoke Japanese, a bunch of girls were giggling furiously. When I asked what was funny, one of them frantically went through her English/Japanese dictionary and said "Sachiko break a window'. (I think it should have been 'break wind'). Must have been a mighty powerful fart, is all I can say.

48MickyFine
nov 27, 2013, 5:37 pm

I recently won an iPad (of the non Air variety) at my work staff appreciation party. Weirdness.

49Whisper1
nov 27, 2013, 6:40 pm

Congratulations on winning an I pad!!!! WOW

50lkernagh
nov 27, 2013, 10:02 pm

Congrats on the iPad win, Morphy!

51Morphidae
nov 28, 2013, 9:05 am

>35 scaifea:, 37-46, 49-50 Amber, streamsong, Diana, MD, Sylvia, Claire, Kathy, Roni, Joe, Melis, Linda, Lori, thanks! No, I don't have an iPad yet. I'll be picking it up on 12/21. It's the first free Saturday we have to go to the station. I have to show my ID and sign for it. I don't know about the whole Kindle thing. I have a Nook and haven't gone for any free ebooks. I'm not one for reading books just because they are free, they have to be highly recommended or on one of my many lists.

>36 avatiakh: Kerry, Air is just a fancy name for the newest iPAD.

>47 PrueGallagher: Prue, "did you say something darling?" made me laugh both times I read it. Heck, your entire post did. Did you know the average person (male and female, sorry) passes gas fourteen times a day?

>48 MickyFine: Micky, congrats!

***

I'll be watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade via live streaming on my laptop with any luck. Later we'll have rib roast, roasted red potatoes, and sautéed mushrooms for dinner. We have personal cupcakes for dessert. I have a German chocolate cupcake and MrMorphy has a mint lover's cupcake. They are so large and rich though I think I'll be able to eat only half of mine. We'll watch World War Z (MrMorphy's choice) during dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving to fellow USians!

52msf59
nov 28, 2013, 9:17 am

Happy Thanksgiving, Morphy! And congrats on the iPad. How very cool. I love mine, although I have still yet to use it as an e-reader. Stubborn, I guess.
And yes, I did listen to The Thirteenth Tale. Terrific narration.

53cameling
nov 28, 2013, 9:22 am

Happy Thanksgiving, Morphy and MrMorphy!

Mmm....personal cupcakes for dessert. What a wonderful idea. I would have liked a lemon cupcake for dessert instead of the ubiquitous pumpkin pie and pecan pie (both not desserts I like). Enjoy your day, Morphy.

54MickyFine
nov 28, 2013, 2:26 pm

Happy Thanksgiving, Morphy. Sounds like you have an excellent holiday planned. :)

55ronincats
nov 28, 2013, 2:35 pm

Happy Thanksgiving, Morphy!

56jnwelch
nov 28, 2013, 4:13 pm



Happy Thanksgiving, Morphy!

57Crazymamie
nov 28, 2013, 5:45 pm



With all the talk about Atari and gaming on your previous thread, this made me think of you. Happy Thanksgiving, Morphy! Hope it has been full of fabulous!

58PrueGallagher
nov 28, 2013, 7:36 pm

Happy Thanksgiving to the Morphys!

59Morphidae
nov 29, 2013, 9:06 am

>52 msf59:-58 Mark, Caroline, Micky, Roni, Joe, Mamie, Prue, thank you! I hope you all had a splendid Thanksgiving!

>52 msf59: Mark, weren't their voices like butter?

***

The next three days will be quiet ones. Lots of time for reading. I'm working on Bellman & Black by Diane Setterfield right now and it's quite good.

60PaulCranswick
nov 30, 2013, 2:13 am

Morphy - I am thankful for your TALK TO ME TUESDAYS and WACKY WEDNESDAYS that I look forward to every week. I am thankful for your good humour and occasional correct choices of reading material. I am thankful to have someone in the group who is an inspiration for a number of reasons.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend and all the best to Mr. Morphy.

61Morphidae
dec 2, 2013, 7:39 am

>60 PaulCranswick: Paul, I love your compliments and sentiments. Thank you.

***

I didn't read as much as I wanted. Finished Bellman & Black and The Nine Tailors. I really need to get moving. I had my worst reading month in years. Only 14 books in November. I haven't read that few since September 2010. If I want to beat last year's numbers (301), I need to read 24 books in December. Since my normal average is 26, I'm hoping it won't be a problem but the last few months I've been averaging under 20, so we'll see.

I was getting excited because I had three good eating days in a row. I was able to eat close to a "normal" amount of calories. I was thinking maybe what I had was some type of virus and it was passing. No such luck. It came roaring back yesterday and I had my usual problems eating. Meh. I did lose 6 pounds this week though. Gotta look at the silver lining!

62Whisper1
dec 2, 2013, 9:44 am

I hope you are feeling well today Morphy

63lkernagh
dec 2, 2013, 11:53 am

Glad to see that you have had some good eating days and that you are feeling better, Morphy.

What did you think of Bellman & Black?

64Morphidae
dec 2, 2013, 1:18 pm

I got in on a cancellation tomorrow. Wish me luck!

65SylviaC
dec 2, 2013, 4:15 pm

Glad you finally got in! Hope it goes well.

66Carmenere
dec 2, 2013, 4:26 pm

Hi Morphy! I nearly fell off my chair when I say 214 at the top of your thread. You rock!!!!
Woo Hoo on the iPad victory! I love mine and I don't go anywhere without it and I mean anywhere!
Hope you're soon feeling better and the doc offers some clue as to what's going on and how he can fix it.

67TinaV95
dec 2, 2013, 5:40 pm

Hey there Morphy! Congrats on your iPad win!! Good luck on your procedure!

I'm bummed you didn't like Allegiant any more than you did... I just ordered it and hope to get it some time this week... Maybe I'll love it anyway??

68MDGentleReader
dec 2, 2013, 5:43 pm

64> Here's hoping for as hassle free expericence as possible that leads to a simple tweak to take care of your digestive issues.

69ronincats
dec 2, 2013, 6:10 pm

Wishing you good fortune with your appointment tomorrow. I'm glad you were able to get in, and hope something positive comes out of it!

70dk_phoenix
dec 2, 2013, 7:24 pm

Best wishes on tomorrow's appointment! Hope it goes smoothly. :)

71Morphidae
Redigerat: dec 2, 2013, 7:54 pm

I need a word - it means something commonly thought about a person or group but it isn't necessarily true. Help?

72Morphidae
dec 2, 2013, 8:21 pm

We got it! Stereotype.

73Sakerfalcon
dec 3, 2013, 6:11 am

Holding my thumbs for your doctor's appointment.

74PrueGallagher
dec 3, 2013, 6:42 pm

Good luck for your appointment, mighty Morph!

75Morphidae
dec 3, 2013, 8:54 pm

I'm still woozy from the sedation so I'm not up to responding to posts today but wanted to get this in...

Talk to Me Tuesday

What surgeries and procedures have you had?

I'll answer tomorrow.

***

My endoscopy went well. All negative. He had an idea of what might be wrong though. Will tell tomorrow. Night.

76msf59
dec 3, 2013, 9:43 pm

Hi Morphy- I snagged a copy of Bellman & Black a couple months ago. It's been getting very good reviews. I wish I could squeeze it in, but I am completely booked.

"My endoscopy went well. All negative." Yah!

77inge87
dec 3, 2013, 10:05 pm

Two major surgeries, both before I turned 6. I was born with a cleft palate and had it surgically repaired at age 2. Then I caught the chicken pox, which caused the tissue to scar. So I had my second surgery the Christmas after I turned 5. Luckily it's all held since then, and the only real evidence that anything was ever wrong is hidden at the back of my throat.

Glad to hear you might be on your way to figuring out what's wrong. Hopefully the doctor's hunch is a good one.

78dk_phoenix
dec 3, 2013, 11:12 pm

I had minor surgery to put tubes in my ears as a kid (do they still do that these days?), and though those are supposed to fall out and heal over once you're a few years older, the hole from one of mine never healed and I had an elective procedure to correct it at 16.

I'm sure I went under a third time for something else, but for the life of me I can't remember what it might have been...

79PaulCranswick
dec 3, 2013, 11:25 pm

Circumcision counts or not?
Apart from that I had my tonsils out as a boy of 11 and an operation on a stubborn testicle when I was 4 years old - to encourage it to go where it is normally housed.
35 years on and no operations; touch wood.

80SylviaC
dec 3, 2013, 11:29 pm

I'm glad today went well, and hope that whatever is wrong can be easily fixed.

Everything's holding together pretty well so far. The only surgery I've had was the removal of one wisdom tooth. That was the only time I've had any kind of anaesthetic. I can't recall any significant procedures, although my insatiable curiosity as a toddler did lead to some ER visits.

81ronincats
dec 4, 2013, 12:44 am

I had my tonsils out when I was 4 (I still vividly recall the doctor having me count backwards as they place the anesthesia mask on my face), and then nothing until the last five years, when I had a biopsy on some pre-cancerous breast tissue and pins put in my wrist when I fell and broke it. Also a colonoscopy, since that was done with anesthesia as well.

I didn't think of the removal of my wisdom teeth as surgery, but since I was put under and they cut into my mouth, I guess it is, and that was in the 80s.

82SandDune
dec 4, 2013, 4:48 am

I had my jaw operated on in my mid-thirties as the joint had become misaligned. Very painful and not recommended if it can be avoided.

83scaifea
dec 4, 2013, 7:06 am

I've had three separate surgeries, to remove tonsils (at age 8), a gall bladder (at age 32), and a Charlie (at age 33), respectively.

84Morphidae
Redigerat: dec 4, 2013, 8:05 am

>62 Whisper1: Linda, I'm still woozy from the sedation yesterday, but otherwise well. How is the pain today?

>63 lkernagh: Lori, I'll get my micro-review out on Bellman & Black out today or tomorrow.

>65 SylviaC: & 68-70, 73-74 Sylvia, MD, Roni, Faith, Claire, Prue, thanks. I tell about it below.

>66 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda! A doctor has an idea. I share below.

>67 TinaV95: Tina, well, I did give Allegiant a 7 out of 10 stars. It isn't all THAT bad.

>76 msf59: Mark, you should sneak it in. It's right up your alley. Check my mini-review in the next day or two.

>77 inge87: Jennifer, I'm glad they got the cleft palate fixed for you. I tell about the appointment I had below.

>78 dk_phoenix: Faith, ha! They say the memory is the second thing to go.

>79 PaulCranswick: Paul, there is a joke about your testicle in there somewhere...

>80 SylviaC: Sylvia, sounds like you've lucked out so far! *knocks on wood*

>81 ronincats: Roni, hope you had a better experience with the colonoscopy than I did. Felt the whole thing. Ouch.

>82 SandDune: Rhian, ouch? How did it become misaligned?

>83 scaifea: Amber, LOL! You are a trip.

***

So, I have to say, doctors lie. Nurses lie. They always say procedures are "easy." "You won't feel a thing." "There will be some discomfort" Blah blah blah. My colonscopy hurt like a son-of-a-gun and the endoscopy, while not as bad, also hurt. Different ends, but still. It hurt at the back of my throat where it curves down. Thankfully it's a short procedure. And sedation takes forever to get out of my system, I'm still woozy.

So, anyway, everything is perfectly fine. All was negative. The doctor who did the procedure had an idea though. I have a large abdominal hernia. I've known about it as I've had a couple CTs and was told I had it and some intestine is involved. The doctor yesterday called it a "significant amount of intestine." He said that it might be what is affecting my appetite. The problem is that they really can't repair it right now. Because of my size, the repair wouldn't hold. I have to lose a lot more weight before they can repair it for good. And we have to watch it to make sure the intestine doesn't get strangulated while we are at it.

So, basically, there is nothing there for them to really fix. I just have to deal with my change in appetite. It has gotten a little better over the weeks. I'm not having to force myself to eat quite so much.

85Morphidae
dec 4, 2013, 8:14 am

So, for the Talk to Me Tuesday...

As I mentioned, I've had a colonoscopy and now an endoscopy. I've had a hernia repair. All of those were moderate sedation, same day surgery/procedures. Only once was I really knocked out. That was for a skin infection. I had two infected cysts removed. That was so much fun. I had a six inch long, three inch deep incision that they could not sew back up. It had to be cleaned and "packed" with gauze each day. Oh, so painful. It took almost a year to completely heal. I have a picture of it for those who like that type of gruesome thing! :D

***

Wacky Wednesday

The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door.

Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort, however. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It Is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.

The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.

One more thing, staring at me while I eat to try to direct my mind to give you my food will not work (usually). I am too old and too tired. Go stare at the kids. They are younger and more susceptible to mind control. If you don't believe me, notice how they all dress alike so they can be individuals.

Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:

TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:

(1) They live here. You don't.

(2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'-niture.

(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.

(4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.

Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:

(1) eat less,

(2) don't ask for money all the time,

(3) are easier to train,

(4) normally come when called,

(5) never ask to drive the car,

(6) don't hang out with drug-using people;

(7) don't smoke or drink,

(8) don't want to wear your clothes,

(9) don't have to buy the latest fashions,

(10) don't need a gazillion dollars for college and

(11) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children

86SandDune
dec 4, 2013, 1:28 pm

#84 How did it become misaligned? Don't know -it just did. But before I had it operated on my jaw would just ache by about lunchtime everyday like a sort of permanent grumbling toothache.

87RosyLibrarian
dec 4, 2013, 2:04 pm

Holy moly Morphy, you've had quite the week. Glad everything was negative and that at least the problem was pinpointed.

I am happy to say I've never had any surgery except for my wisdom teeth coming out when I was 20. I did not handle the anesthesia well and ended up throwing up most of the strawberry milkshake my roommate gave me for dinner. I can still see the pink...

88Morphidae
dec 5, 2013, 8:06 am

>86 SandDune: Rhian, sounds like something horrid to go through. Glad they got it fixed now.

>87 RosyLibrarian: Marie, MrMorphy had his wisdom teeth pulled and it didn't go well either. The anesthesia was fine, but he was in excruciating pain while healing.

89msf59
dec 5, 2013, 8:12 am

Morning Morphy- I heard the upper Midwest is getting hammered with snow and cold. Does that include you?

90Morphidae
dec 5, 2013, 8:24 am

>89 msf59: I wouldn't say hammered with snow. We got a couple inches. But it's colder than sin. Wind chills in the double digits below zero. We're going to have 30 below wind chill Saturday morning. That's just wrong...

***

Some generous LT soul has given me an Amazon gift certificate. No idea who it is, but thank you! Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet. But I am going to wait until after Christmas. Don't want to duplicate any another gifts!

91MDGentleReader
dec 5, 2013, 8:40 am

Well, I guess having an idea is better than a total mystery. I trust you know what signs indicate a more serious situation is beginning? I did SO want a magic, all better solution for you. You are very good at adapting, though. Just wish you didn't have one more thing to adapt to.

{{{Morphy}}}

85> I laughed out loud at number 11. Thank you again for the laughter

92streamsong
dec 5, 2013, 9:01 am

I hope the health problem stays stable. I always worry about things possibly being tumor-ish so I'm very glad nothing like that was found and that you have a clean bill of health on that front.

Yay for the unexpected gift certificate. Hope you enjoy your thoughtful gift!

The weather here is awful, too. I think were blessed with the polar express a few days before you were. Temps are forecast to hover around 0 for the next week at least. Ugh, ugh, ugh.

93Morphidae
dec 5, 2013, 4:31 pm



277. Drowned Wednesday by Garth Nix

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #4 (15 letter title - 16), next in series

Summary: Arthur has to face Lady Wednesday, the ruler of the Border Seas

Opinion: I like this one better than the first two, perhaps because the villian in this book isn't THE MOST EVIL EVER. This series skews a little young for me but overall it's a decent read and the plotting is getting tighter.

Rating: 7

94Morphidae
dec 5, 2013, 4:32 pm



278. Bellman & Black by Diane Setterfield

Genre: Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #20 (title scramble - Bald Bank Men Call)

Summary: Gothic story about a man in Victorian (?) England who kills a rook as a boy and pays the cost throughout his life

Opinion: Setterfield is a great writer. I could barely put the book down, not because of the plotting, but because you get so involved in Bellman's life. I found the parts on the textile mill and funeral store fascinating. Speaking of plotting, I think that is Setterfield's weakness. If there had been some type of climax, if the ending had been less murky, I could have given this an 8 or 9. But I never quite figured out what was going on. I think I might have, but I am not sure. Without that, it's just the life story of a man. An interesting story, yes, but there is no climax, no payoff.

Rating: 7

95Morphidae
dec 5, 2013, 4:33 pm

279. Lover Avenged by J. R. Ward

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Notes: TIOLI #6 (straight line title), reread

Rating: 8

96Morphidae
dec 5, 2013, 4:35 pm



280. The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers

Genre: Mystery

Notes: TIOLI #14 (previous TIOLI), GD Lists (50 Mysteries - 13 in 13)

Summary: An unknown man is found in the grave of a local woman and Lord Peter comes to investigate.

Opinion: While I liked the laid back story-telling and I found the characters amusing at times, some things drove me batty. The style of dialogue was irritating. A character would go off on paragraphs of a monologue. You'd know that they were responding to someone, but you'd only get one side of a conversation. Or they'd be rambling to themselves. There was a lot of change-ringing terminology with no explanation of what the terms all meant. Lastly, the mystery was so convoluted, there was no way for you to figure it out yourself. It had to be handed to you on a platter. Then they killed off one of the main players for what seems to be no reason. It was a decent read but I'm not so sure I'd read another Sayer based on this book.

Rating: 6

97Morphidae
dec 5, 2013, 4:36 pm



281. Glorious Angel by Johanna Lindsey

Genre: Romance

Notes: TIOLI #19 (Nativity scene), to complete bibliography

Summary: Poor girl falls in love with the heir to estate the family's farm is attached to in the 1860s South

Opinion: Typical 80s romance. Arrogant, overbearing, Alpha male. Wimpy, poor, misunderstood female. He's mean. She runs away. He goes after her. He's mean. She stomps her foot. HEA. Blah blah blah. But Lindsay still is a good writer even with this old plot and I ate it up in one afternoon.

Rating: 6

98Morphidae
dec 5, 2013, 4:38 pm

282. Lover Mine by J. R. Ward

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Notes: TIOLI #1 (two word tag, same letter - secret societies), reread

Rating: 7

***

283. Lover Unleashed by J. R. Ward

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Notes: TIOLI #10 (blue cover), reread

Rating: 6

99Morphidae
dec 5, 2013, 4:39 pm



284. After Dead by Charlaine Harris

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #16 (imbedded word title - aft), to complete bibliography

Summary: What Came Next in the World of Sookie Stackhouse

Opinion: I should only count this as 75 to 100 pages. Some of the entries were only one sentence long! Just about every character (if not all) in the Sookie Stackhouse series got an entry about what happens to them after the last book. It took me about half an hour to read. The part of me that likes everything tied up neatly into a bow, the part of me that loves to read the ending first, squealed like a little girl while reading this book. The rest of me was a tad disappointed. I was expecting something more. Maybe little short stories or something?

Rating: 6

100Morphidae
Redigerat: dec 5, 2013, 4:43 pm

Currently Reading:
TBD

On Deck:
Tiger Burning Bright by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Mercedes Lackey, Andre Norton
Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore
Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat
Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger
Crafting Calm by Maggie Oman Shannon

101thornton37814
dec 6, 2013, 10:53 am

I'll probably try to read the Setterfield book sometime next year. Glad it was fairly good overall.

102UnrulySun
dec 6, 2013, 1:37 pm

Only wisdom teeth for me too... And they didn't heal properly either. I've been lucky so far to have not needed anything more.

90: let us know what you end up getting!

You've been a busy reader lately. Gonna break 300 this year!

103MickyFine
dec 6, 2013, 2:44 pm

>90 Morphidae: We're in that temperature range today here. Windchill of -40 this morning (which I don't have to translate as it's the same in Celsius and Fahrenheit. Yay?)

104Morphidae
dec 6, 2013, 3:04 pm

>101 thornton37814: Lori, it was good, Just sort of a letdown at the end.

>102 UnrulySun: Kathy, I shall! I might get some DVDs. MrMorphy and I want to collect all the Jeff Dunham ones. But then again... there are always more books!

>103 MickyFine: Micky, poor Micky. Today I was out in the cold. And when I go out of the house, I'm in a wheelchair because I can't walk very far. So it's not like I can walk or jog in place to keep warm. I just got back and it's 2F(-17C) at the moment with a -13F (-25C) windchill. Brrrfreakingrrrrr....

105inge87
dec 6, 2013, 3:49 pm

We're supposed to be below freezing all weekend, which doesn't happen very often. Toss in some sleet and freezing rain and they're calling it "Icepocalypse". The whole region has pretty much shut down. We'd never make it if it camped out around 0 F (-18C) for that long, much less -40.

106MickyFine
dec 6, 2013, 5:04 pm

>104 Morphidae: I pulled out the full snowsuit today. I take the bus to work but can end up waiting 10-15 minutes. And as my weather app on my phone helpfully informs me. At these temperatures, I could get frostbite in less than 10 minutes. :P Hope you were wrapped up nice and snug.

107SandDune
dec 6, 2013, 5:53 pm

#104 it's 2F(-17C) at the moment with a -13F (-25C) windchill
I can't actually imagine it being that cold!

108EBT1002
dec 6, 2013, 6:12 pm

Okay, I guess we have to stop complaining about our 35F here in Seattle, eh? And, no snow. :-(

I hope you have a great weekend, Morphy, you reading fiend!!

109tymfos
dec 7, 2013, 8:08 pm

Hi, Morphy! I got way behind on the thread . . . but scanning, I see belated congrats in order for winning an iPad Air? Whee!! :)

110Morphidae
dec 8, 2013, 9:42 am

>105 inge87: Jennifer, I was going to go visit an elderly, sick friend this evening but it's far too cold. It's going to be -2F (-18C) and snowing tonight. Not this little gray duck...

>106 MickyFine: Micky, thankfully I'm not out for more than a couple minutes. Just long enough to get on and off the MetroMobility bus or in and out of MrMorphy's truck. The bus is always warm and the truck warms up pretty fast.

>107 SandDune: Rhian, I remember the first time I went back to Florida to visit. It was 70F (21C) and my mom comes out asking if I need a sweater to cover my arms because I'm in a sundress. After all, it's pretty chilly outside. "Mom, when I left Minnesota, it was -25 below (-31C). That's a 100F degree difference. No, I don't need a sweater!"

>108 EBT1002: Ellen, we laugh in the face of 30 degree weather. (Well, in Spring time we do. In Fall, we complain!)

>109 tymfos: Terri, thanks! I'm pretty excited!

111humouress
dec 9, 2013, 3:42 pm

Skimming through, because I lost a thread. Sorry to hear about your woes, though I missed them at the time. Hope things are looking up now.

Not going to comment on the weather; Mickey threw me out of her thread after I chimed in there ;0) - you'll have to hop over there to find out.

Congrats on the iPad Air - not quite sure what it is, so not totally jealous. Really. :0)

>24 Morphidae:: Mammas never poot. I think my 9 year old may have twigged, though, and my 4 year old has his suspicions. But if you want a conversation on farting, I can point you in the direction of my husband and kids, who would be more than happy to entertain you. You'll be sorry you asked, though. Me, I lost my sense of smell shortly after we got married. And I think that conveys everything I need (or want) to.

>75 Morphidae:: I'd never had any procedures done before I got married. I did have a lump under my chin that no-one bothered about for ages (through my twenties at least), but shortly after marrying, one day when I went to the doctor, our GP was away and the locum got awfully interested in it (must have been bored). So, though it was investigated five ways from Sunday and found to be benign, because it might have caused a problem and be harder to remove when I got old, I went for an operation to remove a blocked salivary gland. To disguise the scarring, the surgeon cut along one of the crease marks on my neck, and then they stapled it closed. My aunt happened to be visiting from London, so she came to see me a few days later. Poor lady got the shock of her life when I opened the door looking like something out of Frankenstein!
Apart from that, two Caesars, one emergency and one elective.

112Morphidae
Redigerat: dec 10, 2013, 8:04 am

>111 humouress: Things are getting better, humouress. I'm not sure if it's because I'm getting used to it or because they are actually getting better though. Heck, Micky threw us all out! I was just about to post about the cold when she started a new thread! And what is it with mom's and not cutting cheese anyway? Is it a mom thing? I never was a mom, is that why I don't mind talking about it? Only the Shadow knows.

*****

Talk to Me Tuesdays

This week's question is entirely selfish. I need to come up with some ideas for this month's book club. For the next six months we have a bunch of "heavy" books and we want to intersperse it with some lighter fare. I told them I'd come up with some ideas. We recently read Garden Spells and they absolutely loved it and want more like it. We'll be discussing Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat Thursday and I think they'll feel the same about this one as well. However, there will be one woman who will be annoyed there was a supernatural element to both of them. She doesn't like anything that isn't realistic.

I'm looking for books that are light, breezy, positive reads. Not that nothing bad can happen, but rather there is a happy, uplifting ending and overall it isn't a downer. No romances, nothing paranormal. There can be romance in the book, however, it can't be the focus. Aim for stories about friends, family and/or some type of theme that we can discuss. Mysteries tend to not have much to talk about.

They are all heavy readers so they've probably read the more obvious best sellers like The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society or The Help.

The meeting is Thursday. Help?

ETA: It needs to be accessible from a library. So nothing extremely recent or rare.

113streamsong
dec 10, 2013, 9:19 am

HI Morphy! I'm glad you're feeling better!

Here's what I've read this year that might fit in:

I'm currently reading The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. It's a retelling of a Russian folk tale. I picked it up because of LT recommendations. I'm enjoying it, but I keep wondering if it ends badly like the original fairy tale did. I guess you'll have to ask someone else about the ending. :-)

Where'd You Go, Bernadette was light and funny and had a few laugh out loud moments. Urban Upper Yuppie life becomes too much and Bernadette chucks it all as her super bright teenage daughter sleuths out her whereabouts.

I also just finished Barbara Kingsolver's The Bean Trees. It's about being young and poor and finding family in unexpected places. I had a good, warm feeling in the end.

The Father Tim/Mitford series starting with At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon.

114Morphidae
dec 10, 2013, 9:58 am

>113 streamsong: Thanks for the recommendations, streamsong.

The Snow Child won't work because of the magical realism. I forgot to mention this book group is at the church so they've all read the Mitford books!

They might have read The Bean Trees but I'll throw it out there along with Where'd You Go, Bernadette.

115_Zoe_
dec 10, 2013, 9:58 am

I loved The Snow Child! Worth reading even if not for the book group.

116MDGentleReader
dec 10, 2013, 11:58 am

miss buncle's book, some romance, no sex, gentle, kind read, eccentric charters, English village
thale's folly, some romance, no sex, gentle, kind read, eccentric characters, New England, lighter garden spells, very little, probably no paranormal, don't own it right now, can't check ;-(
henrietta's war, World War II stories, gentle, kind read, eccentric characters, English village
irish country Doctor, irish village, animals, eccentric characters, gentle kind read, start of a series

117streamsong
dec 10, 2013, 1:20 pm

Where'd You Go, Bernadette may not be what you want, then. The husband has an affair resulting in a pregnancy, and if I remember right, the neighbor-next-door thinks of herself as Christian, but is mostly a pain in the patoot.

I'd think you'd enjoy it, but it may be too much 'modern life' for your club.

118Morphidae
dec 10, 2013, 1:52 pm

You know, I know I asked this type of question before, but I can't find the thread. And I looked a couple years back in my posts. I found a movie one but not a book one.

>115 _Zoe_: Zoe, I'll have to check it out then!

>116 MDGentleReader: MD, I have the first three in my LT Recommended TBR List. I got Miss Buncle's Book Friday as a free Barnes & Noble ebook! I'll recommend those. We read An Irish Country Christmas last December!

>117 streamsong: I'll mention it, streamsong, but I'm pretty sure I heard one or two mention they've read it.

119humouress
dec 10, 2013, 2:14 pm

Is Wodehouse too obvious / old / obscure?

120UnrulySun
dec 10, 2013, 2:17 pm

Sorry Morphy, I cant think of any books that fit the criteria except for children's books! I guess I don't read much uplifting literature. Haha!

121inge87
dec 10, 2013, 3:25 pm

There's Letters from Skye, which some reviewers have described as being like The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. I didn't like it that much, but I know others on LT have.

I don't suppose one of Mary Stewart's thrillers would work?

122Morphidae
dec 10, 2013, 4:05 pm

>119 humouress: Well, I wouldn't want to read anymore Wodehouse because I didn't particular like the one I read so I wouldn't recommend one to the group, humouress!

>120 UnrulySun: Kathy, you read lots of good stuff. Though not much my senior ladies would be interested in, true.

>121 inge87: Jennifer, we tried a mystery/thriller and while we enjoyed it we found we didn't have a lot to talk about. For some reason that genre doesn't lead to much discussion. Although something like the Louise Penny books which are more character driven might work. Unfortunately, I wouldn't want them to start with the first Penny because it wasn't as good as the rest of the series.

123humouress
dec 11, 2013, 1:31 am

>122 Morphidae:: Sacrilege!

125Morphidae
dec 11, 2013, 8:13 am

>123 humouress: :D

>124 SandDune: Oh, Cider with Rosie has come up in a few conversations, Rhian. I'll definitely be recommending Miss Buncle's Book. And probably Cold Comfort Farm as well since it's been on my TBR list awhile. Oh, and The Enchanted April. I loved the movie. I know the book is a bit different, but still... I'll check out the others.

***

Wacky Wednesday

126jnwelch
dec 11, 2013, 10:15 am

I've benefited from the recommendations of Rhian and others, Morphy, but I'll chime in on Cider with Rosie, Miss Buncle's Book, Cold Comfort Farm, and Queen Lucia. I liked them all. (Queen Lucia is probably the chanciest - the humor is not everyone's flavor). I'm giving Miss Buncle's Book as a holiday gift - that book was one of the nicer surprises for me this year. I'd never heard of it before, and now I've read its sequel and I'm looking forward to reading more D.E. Stevenson.

127luvamystery65
dec 11, 2013, 11:28 am

I loved Cold Comfort Farm and The Enchanted April this past year. The book is not too far off the movie. I had a harder time getting a copy of Cold Comfort Farm but The Enchanted April was available from the library. I found CCF at Half Price Books.

128avatiakh
Redigerat: dec 11, 2013, 11:36 am

I stil haven't read Cider with Rosie but have read the other 3 books in the set and would recommend the next one - As I walked out one summer morning.
maybe Ana gavalda's Hunting and Gathering,Rhubarb by Craig Silvey, Mr Rosenblum's List by Natasha Solomons, Marcel Pagnol's jean de Florette and manon des sources, Love, honour and O'Brien by Emily Rodda (possibly not avail in the US), Death of a superhero by Anthony McCarten, Fish change direction in cold weather by Pierre Szalowski, Pied piper by Neville Shute. Also have to mention The Rosie Project as a 'feel good' read.

129SandDune
dec 11, 2013, 12:19 pm

I always thought Pied Piper was really sad but such a long time since I read it I can't remember why!

130avatiakh
dec 11, 2013, 1:45 pm

I read it earlier this year and while I'm a bit hazy on details I thought it wasn't too sad, though probably more nostalgic than feel good. I read it in one sitting, I couldn't put it down which is why I recommended it

131Morphidae
Redigerat: dec 11, 2013, 3:20 pm

>127 luvamystery65: Roberta, our library has nine copies of Cold Comfort Farm and all are available, so that could be a good choice!

>128 avatiakh: Kerry, I haven't heard of most of those. I'll check them out. The Rosie Project sounds like an interesting one. I've seen it recommended in a few places and think I have it on Mount TBR, but there's a huge line at the library for it, so isn't appropriate for my book club yet.

>129 SandDune: & 130 Rhian and Kerry, yeah, we don't need anything sad or nostalgic at this point. Look at our upcoming list!

January 9, 2014
My Own Country by Abraham Verghese (AIDs)

February 13, 2014
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie (Chinese Cultural Revolution)

March 13, 2014
The Returned by Jason Mott (dead people coming to life)

April 10, 2013
Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali (memoir about a Somalian woman)

May 8, 2014
Moloka’i by Alan Brenn (leprosy colony)

We need light and happy to intersperse in there!

So far my recommended list is going to be:

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
Miss Buncle's Book by D. E. Stevenson
Thale's Folly by Dorothy Gilman
Henrietta's War by Joyce Dennys (rats, can't do this one, not available at the library except through ILL)
Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons
The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim (might be tough, only one library copy)
Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee (only have illustrated version in library, is that okay?)

132Morphidae
dec 12, 2013, 9:41 am

On the schedule for today:

From 8am to 12pm, I have dispatch duties for the local transport non-profit. I'll be picked up by MetroMobility at 1:45pm to go to church for my ...oh my god, I gave them the wrong time! I'm such an idiot... my meeting is at 2:00pm. Dagnabit. Sheesh. Well, I talked to another member and I will just show up late. Such a maroon. MrMorphy will pick me up and we'll grab dinner somewhere. Either Maggie's, a local family restaurant, or a grilled sandwich place in the mall where my drawing class is. I have class from 6:30 to 8:30. Then we'll run home and jump into bed because it will be past our bed time!

133PaulCranswick
dec 12, 2013, 9:53 am

Morphy - What about Gerald Durrell's My Family and Other Animals or perhaps All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot? Both light, amusing, well written and not too obscure either.

134SylviaC
dec 12, 2013, 10:03 am

You have a busy day, Morphy! Is it still super cold there? Keep warm.

I was out all day yesterday, but today will be quiet. I need to write my Christmas cards and start organizing presents. This evening the family is going to a Christmas variety show at a local theatre.

135msf59
dec 12, 2013, 10:13 pm

Morphy- I am going to read Bellman & Black soon. I snagged an ARC a couple months ago, so I think I should knock it out.
I loved Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat. I got to meet the author at Booktopia. Engaging guy!

137Morphidae
dec 14, 2013, 4:47 pm

>133 PaulCranswick: Paul, they've decided on The Bean Trees and Thule's Folly from my selections. We're also adding The Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan, A Heartbeat Away by Michael Palmer, and 3rd Degree by James Patterson. I know I said the ladies weren't interested in mysteries/thrillers. Seems I was wrong!

>134 SylviaC: Sylvia, this winter is miserably cold and far too soon. We aren't supposed to get this types of temperatures until January.

>135 msf59: Mark, none of the ladies liked the Supremes quite as much as me. And one didn't get past the second chapter, but overall it went well.

138scaifea
dec 14, 2013, 4:54 pm

>136 Morphidae:: Apparently I'm as British as a Dalek serving afternoon tea. *snork!*

139SylviaC
dec 14, 2013, 6:24 pm

I'm "Probably American." Not being a tea drinker puts me right out of the running.

140SandDune
dec 14, 2013, 6:24 pm

#136 Apparently I'm as British as Kevin Costner in Robin Hood - so not very! Being as I actually am British this is a bit worrying!

141inge87
dec 14, 2013, 8:08 pm

I'm as British as Stephen Fry walking a Corgi outside Buckingham Palace: "You’re awkward. You’re easily embarrassed. You’re sickeningly polite. You’re as British as they come"

Every side of my family has been in America since the 1600s or 1700s, so my genes must have a great cultural memory.

142ronincats
dec 14, 2013, 9:30 pm

I'm with Amber:
You got: As British as a Dalek serving afternoon tea
There aren’t many more British (or awkward) than you. The Empire is lucky to have you.

Blame that Earl Grey tea I had earlier today!

143PaulCranswick
dec 14, 2013, 9:35 pm

Morphy - I think I have lived away from Britain for too long as I got "probably American', check your passport.

Have a lovely weekend.

144lkernagh
dec 14, 2013, 11:18 pm

I got "Probably American." I love when my behavior isn't "completely" easy to pigeonhole. guess that is what being Canadian means. ;-)

145humouress
Redigerat: dec 15, 2013, 2:52 am

I'm also as British as a Dalek serving afternoon tea. So good to know I haven't lost all that awkwardness (who said that? A Yank?! It's not awkwardness, it's just being polite. Hmff) in all my years away from the UK.

ETA: oops, sorry. Did I say that out loud? Spent the morning birthday and Christmas shopping. With my husband.

146msf59
dec 15, 2013, 9:31 am

Morning Morphy- I wonder why your reading group didn't connect with 'The Supremes"? I thought it was a perfect companion piece to the Help, but told by a black author and featuring an all black cast.
Hope the weekend is going well.

147Morphidae
dec 16, 2013, 8:50 am

>138 scaifea: Amber, I don't drink much tea. That probably brought my score way down.

>139 SylviaC: Sylvia, I drink some but obviously not enough!

>140 SandDune: Rhian, ha! That made me smile.

>141 inge87: Jennifer, or maybe you were British in a previous life!

>142 ronincats: Roni, hmm, I wonder if there is a classification "worse" than American? Now that I think on it, I didn't have tea, I had a tisane.

>143 PaulCranswick: Paul, ha! I would have thought living in Malaysia would be closer to British than American. Guess I was wrong!

>144 lkernagh: Lori, all these answers are making me laugh. I can see how Canadian gets "probably American" - part British but influenced by its nearest neighbor!

>145 humouress: Where's your husband from, humouress? Is he a British or non-British influence?

>146 msf59: Mark, oh, they did, just not as much as I did. I loved it, they liked it and one didn't get past the second chapter. But then I wasn't surprised that that person didn't. She doesn't like anything paranormal. We just finished Garden Spells which is magical realism and then she got smacked in the face with a ghost in the Supremes. She did get convinced to try to finish it though because the rest of us liked it so much.

This is the woman who in the near two years we've been doing this has not liked even *one* of the books we've read. However, she comes every month, she at least tries to read the book, she isn't nasty about it and she helps make the conversation vibrant with her contrariness as she makes interesting points, so we feel amused and indulgent rather than annoyed. (Most of the time. Sometimes her ignorance is astounding.)

148Morphidae
dec 16, 2013, 9:30 am

You never realize how much you interact with a pet until it's not around.

Maia is off to the groomer and in the last 30 minutes, I swear I've checked for where she was about 4 times.

149_Zoe_
dec 16, 2013, 9:34 am

I'm another Canadian identified as "probably American" on that quiz. They should have known that some weird mix of British and American is actually a Canadian, hehe.

150Carmenere
dec 16, 2013, 10:07 am

Hi morphy, this "probably American" hopes you're having a good day! (I was certain my result would be "not of this planet", but I don't think that's an option)
So glad your test was negative, Hurray! I love my colostomy guy. Everything was ok, sound asleep, no pain and he discovered the palpitations I was getting was not a heart issue it was acid reflux. Gave me some pills for a month and all's been okie dokie.

151C4RO
dec 16, 2013, 6:25 pm

I'm a native Brit that has been living abroad in bits of Europe for 10 years now. I still got Stephen Fry with his corgis thanks to the slight but noticeable tea-weighting! although the commute thing did happen to me and I did get an earlier bus to avoid a chatty colleague.

152Morphidae
dec 17, 2013, 8:25 am

>149 _Zoe_: Zoe, I agree!

>150 Carmenere: Lynda, you are so lucky! I've had two procedures "under sedation" now and in both cases I wasn't entirely under and felt pain. Ugh.

>151 C4RO: Caroline, I'd probably end up being rude and say I don't want to talk right now. Or put on headphones and listen to an audiobook!

***

Talk to Me Tuesday

We're getting close to Christmas! (For those that celebrate.) I sent MrMorphy off this morning with packages to be mailed. Tonight we are headed off to Target for a final shopping expedition including getting holiday cards which will be mailed out late this year (oh dear.) I'll also pick up small gifts for the postal carrier (gift card) and police station (cookies). An elderly, ill friend will be getting some puzzle books and I want to find a card holder to hang from the mantle.

On Saturday while I'm having lunch with a friend, MrMorphy will pick up a DairyQueen gift card for a neighbor. Next grocery trip, he'll pick up cookies for work. Lastly, at some point in the next week he needs to stop at Trader Joe's for a couple of bottles of wine for his parents.

I'll be handing out small Swiss Colony gift boxes to the ladies at the senior center tomorrow and to my "co-workers" at the church on Friday morning.

Christmas Day we'll go to MrMorphy's parents for the "traditional" Swedish meatballs, potato sausage and corn casserole. It's weird but what they do.

What do you have left to do?

153scaifea
dec 17, 2013, 8:30 am

That 'traditional' meal sounds delicious!

Charlie and I will make some sort of craft something today for him to give to his teacher, and I've just got a bit of wrapping to do and then I'll be done - yes!

154humouress
Redigerat: dec 17, 2013, 11:15 am

>147 Morphidae:: My husband is a non-British influence. (I'll dig out an e-mail he forwarded me last week, if I can.) He's also a non-shopper; at least, we have opposite techniques.

He likes to go to one place, look at something, if it's suitable, take it to the counter and out of there in 5 minutes flat.

Me, I look at things, think about them, browse some more, get another idea, go to another shop, compare everything, repeat a couple of times (and usually come back to the first thing I saw). We did both boys' birthdays, their Christmas presents from us, their Christmas presents from my husband's brother and our Christmas presents to their kids. It was a bit fraught, especially as I favoured different items.

>148 Morphidae:: I find myself looking for the kids when they're not around, but I'm fairly sure I don't when they are. In fact, I usually hide away in my room when they're around (especially as they're usually fighting. Or glued to some screen or other).

Talk to you Tuesday: as both boys birthdays fall in the next week, we're having play dates for them, and we have a tradition (i.e. this will be the second year we're doing it) of hosting a Christmas party for friends where we split the menu between all the families coming, and do a secret Santa, so there's the shopping and cooking for all of those. And finalise my husband's present. I have spotted a few things, and compared them and …

ETA: we didn't plan very well with our eldest re timing of birthday. And again with our second.
Found the link:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/10280244/Translation-tab...

155SylviaC
dec 17, 2013, 10:50 am

>152 Morphidae:
Is that "potato sausage" or "potato, sausage"? Either way, I think it would be worth trying.

The bulk of my Christmas preparations are done. We don't have many people to buy for, so it doesn't get too crazy. Every year I do more online shopping, which becomes more necessary as local shopping options decrease.

All but one of my cards are mailed. I'll mail it today, and pick up some parcels from the post office. I need to get a cute little stuffed animal to put in the top of my daughter's stocking, and a few stocking stuffers and some Armor All for my husband. And a couple of things for my brother's family. I still have to take my son out shopping.

We have supper with my in-laws on Saturday, and that is our only social commitment.

156inge87
dec 17, 2013, 11:08 am

The college staff Christmas party is today; they bus in people from the other campuses in our community college district, so you get to see people you don't see very often. Normally we would have had a library staff party last week, but the director was out with the flu the whole time, so that didn't happen.

I've bought all my presents, but still need to do some wrapping. I'm meeting my Mom in Dallas for lunch on Saturday to celebrate Christmas/her birthday (which was crashed by the ice storm), since she'll be in Iowa for Christmas.

I still need to plan the menu for Christmas, but it's just going to be me, my Dad, and the terrier, so that shouldn't be too bad. Then that weekend Dad and I are driving down to Austin to visit my sister and the extended family, while the dog gets boarded. The period between getting home and picking her up from the kennel always feels weird. I keep waiting for her to trip me in the kitchen or I'll look for her in the corner where she's commandeered an old comforter, but of course she's not there.

157RosyLibrarian
dec 17, 2013, 3:31 pm

152: I just shipped out the last of everything yesterday, so I am ready. My husband has to work Christmas Day so we decided we would do everything on Christmas Eve and then just do a movie on Christmas itself when he gets home. All I have, other then waiting, is a staff Christmas party on Saturday. I'm looking forward to 2014.

158ronincats
dec 17, 2013, 3:47 pm

I'm doing Christmas cards finally today--last day before we leave! I can't ever seem to do them except last minute. And all the shopping is done. Half the gifts are already in Kansas; the other half we are taking with us. But when we get there, I'll still need to wrap them all.

159MickyFine
dec 17, 2013, 5:27 pm

On the British quiz I was the Stephen Fry one (thank you Anglophile tendencies).

As for what I have left to do before Christmas, I just need to pick up some gift cards for my little brother and my paternal grandparents and I will be all set. Unless, of course, you count all the Christmas movies I consider must-watches during the season. Then I'm a bit behind. ;)

160msf59
dec 17, 2013, 8:50 pm

"This is the woman who in the near two years we've been doing this has not liked even *one* of the books we've read." Is she by chance a James Patterson fan? LOL. What kind of books does she like, for crying out loud?

161drneutron
dec 17, 2013, 10:18 pm

Just finish up a bit of shopping for mrsdrneutron. Plus pick up her packages from my secret hiding place and get 'em wrapped and under the tree, now that it's up.

Family's all in Louisiana, so we have to get stuff together and mailed early.

162lkernagh
dec 18, 2013, 12:36 am

> 152 - Well, unless I have forgotten something, which is entirely possible, all that is left to figure out is the Christmas breakfast and dinner. My other half wants turkey for dinner - he loves turkey dinners and would eat it every day if meal planning was left to him - but I find it to be a bit of a hassle so I am trying to steer him towards alternatives. If we don't come to an agreement by this weekend, then turkey it will be, but he will be tasked with all the shopping.

163Morphidae
dec 18, 2013, 8:37 am

>153 scaifea: Amber, so what did you make for Charlie's teacher?

>154 humouress: I'm more your husband, humouress. I go with a list, buy what's on the list and leave. I love the list. We have something similar in Minnesota, "Well, that's different." equals "I think it's awful but I'm too polite to say so."

>155 SylviaC: Sylvia, it's "potato sausage." You'd think I'd like it - meat, potatoes, onion, etc. But for some reason, perhaps the seasonings or how it's cooked, I really don't.

>156 inge87: Jennifer, I know exactly what you mean about the dog. I had something similar on Monday when ours went to the groomer.

>157 RosyLibrarian: Marie, what movie will you be watching?

>158 ronincats: Roni, you are ahead of me on getting cards out. I'm writing them today!

>159 MickyFine: Micky, I have two Christmas movie traditions. I watch Love Actually and one new Christmas movie. This year will be National Lampoon Christmas Vacation.

>160 msf59: Mark, she likes J. A. Jance. That's all I'm sure of. Even so she complained about the one Jance we read. And it's not like we are stuck in a rut. We read all sorts of books. Here's our list so far! Wouldn't you think there would be something here that anyone would like? I think she's just the type that complains about everything in life.

August 2011 – State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
September 2011 – The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
October 2011 – Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafasi
November 2011 –Ellis Island by Kate Kerriga
December 2011 – Fall from Pride by Karen Harper
January 2012 – Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls
February 2012 – Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow
March 2012 – In the Lake of the Woods by Tim O’Brien
April 2012 – My Antonia by Willa Cather
May 2012 – A Respectable Trade by Philippa Gregory
June 2012 – Spilling Clarence by Anne Ursu
July 2012 – Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
August 2012 - The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
September 2012 – The New Woman by Jon Hassler
October 2012 – The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon
November 2012 – Patty Jane’s House of Curl by Lorna Landvik
December 2012 – An Irish Country Christmas by Patrick Taylor
January 2013 – Main Street by Sinclair Lewis
February 2013 – The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar
March 2013 – A Country Doctor’s Casebook by Roger McDonald
April 2013 – Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly
May 2013 – The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King
June 2013 – Until Proven Guilty by J. A. Jance
September 2013 – Me: Stories of My Life by Katherine Hepburn
October 2013 – Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
November 2013 – Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
December 2013 – The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore

>161 drneutron: Jim, will it be just you two for Christmas?

>162 lkernagh: Lori, it's the opposite with us. I'm the one who loves turkey!

***

Christmas isn't much fun for me anymore. MrMorphy "hates" Christmas. His parents want very little. My brother, his family and I aren't close. That just leaves my mom and I and she's down in Florida. Most years we don't even bother decorating. He won't watch Christmas movies with me and won't listen to Christmas music. It makes me sad.

Be grateful for your friends and family this holiday season!

***

Wacky Wednesday

It's a sunny morning in the Big Forest and the Bear family is just waking up.

Baby Bear goes downstairs and sits in his small chair at the table. He looks into his small bowl. It is empty. "Who's been eating my porridge?" he squeaks.

Daddy Bear arrives at the table and sits in his big chair. He looks into his big bowl. It is also empty! "Who's been eating my porridge?" he roars, as big bears often do.

Mummy Bear puts her head through the serving hatch from the kitchen and yells, "For Pete's sake, how many times do we have to go through this? It was Mummy Bear who go up first. It was Mummy Bear who woke up everybody else in the house. It was Mummy Bear who unloaded the dishwasher from last night and put everything away. It was Mummy Bear who went out into the cold early morning air to fetch the newspaper and the wood for the fire. It was Mummy Bear who set the table. It was Mummy Bear who put the cat out, cleaned the litter box and filled the cat's water and food dish. And now that you've decided to come down stairs and grace me with your presence...listen good because I'm only going to say this only one more time..."

"I haven't made the @#*% porridge yet!!"

164scaifea
dec 18, 2013, 9:58 am

>163 Morphidae:: This:



It's an orange with cloves stuck in it all over, wrapped in fabric. An easy-peasy project that Charlie can pretty much do himself, and it's great as a sachet in a closet or dresser, and lasts a really long time.

165Berly
Redigerat: dec 18, 2013, 10:31 am

Hi Morphy--Delurking to wish you lots of holiday hoopla (despite the dour MrMorphy)!! Can't talk to much...I am WAY behind on my to-do list! : )

166EBT1002
dec 18, 2013, 12:14 pm

I LOVE that Wacky Wednesday "joke."

Sorry Cnristmas isn't much fun for you these years, Morphy. We're not doing much with regard to the holiday this year, but we do have lights up and we'll get a tree this weekend. And I will spend the morning in winter-themed flannel pajamas, eating whatever chocolate I find in my stocking and reading whatever books I find under the tree (and thanks to Stasia and the Xmas Swap, I know I will have four of those!).

Take good care today.

167_Zoe_
dec 18, 2013, 12:37 pm

Aww, I'm sorry MrMorphy hates Christmas. Despite being nominally Jewish, I adore the whole "Christmas spirit" thing, with carols and movies and cookies and such. Do you have any friends or neighbours who might want to join you for a Christmas movie? Or maybe you could even watch remotely with someone.

I don't actually have any holiday obligations, so I can just enjoy the parts I like without the stress or pressure.

168lkernagh
dec 18, 2013, 8:42 pm

I am also sorry to see that MrMorphy hates Christmas. I love Christmas, but I do hate all of the hype and insanity that commercialization has brought to the holiday.

169SylviaC
dec 18, 2013, 9:16 pm

I'm sorry your Christmas isn't more merry, Morphy. I promise I'll think of you on Christmas Day, so you'll be included in our celebrations!

170Morphidae
dec 19, 2013, 7:53 am

>164 scaifea: Amber, lovely! If I were his teacher, I would certainly appreciate it.

>165 Berly: Kim, we're not too bad. But it still stresses MrMorphy out. So much so that he's told me that we have to be done shopping and wrapping by December 1st next year!

>166 EBT1002: Ellen, at least I'll have Christmas cards to put up! I'm trying to find a card holder to hang from the mantel or over the door rather than trying to keep them all straight on the cabinet I usually put them on.

>167 _Zoe_: Zoe, with me being mostly homebound I don't have many face to face friends. And most of them are at the senior center, so they don't come here. Our neighbors are more the "wave and say hi" type. So I'm pretty much on my own. Although maybe I could get some LTers to join in my annual Love, Actually viewing!

>168 lkernagh: Lori, he's pretty much a Grinch, yes. It's not so much the commercialization but it takes away "precious time" from his computer.

>169 SylviaC: Sylvia, do keep me in your thoughts, please!

Receiving Christmas cards, sending (and receiving!) presents, seeing the house lights, watching fun movies are some ways I do enjoy the holidays.

171dk_phoenix
dec 19, 2013, 8:07 am

Oh, it's so hard to have a spouse who isn't "into" the holidays. :( While my husband enjoys Christmas, so to speak, he doesn't want to do anything either and complains about many of the tasks that I grew up doing with my family and love. We probably wouldn't even put up a tree if I didn't insist on going out and getting one (we cut it down, despite his complaints, because That's How My Family Does It). And yesterday, I strung all the outdoor lights by myself, and then spent three hours putting all the lights & ornaments on the tree, decorating and cleaning the rest of the house, and finishing off buying gifts for everyone. It's exhausting, but I love Christmas and the joy it brings, so if he's going to be a party pooper, his loss.

Sorry to hear your Mom is all the way down in Florida. I've never seen "Love, Actually" and would like to, so if you manage to round some LT'ers up to watch it "together", maybe we could have a virtual celebration together?

172Morphidae
dec 19, 2013, 8:09 am

The Green Dragon has a chat room so we could actually talk together during the movie!

173Morphidae
dec 19, 2013, 3:35 pm



285. Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger

Genre: Steampunk

Notes: TIOLI #15 (humorous fiction), Color Cover (13 in 13, violet)

Summary: Sophie receives top marks and the other girls in the Finishing School shun her

Opinion: Not as funny as Carriger's other books and it has no real overarching plot. It is more episodic in nature and it didn't feel pulled together. When I finished it, my thought was, "What was the point of this book?" However, the characters were fun and I love the world.

Rating: 6

174Morphidae
dec 19, 2013, 3:36 pm



286. Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: TIOLI #7 (Never Cry Wolf), GD Lists (111 Nonfiction - 13 in 13)

Summary: Story of a man's experience in the Canadian Wilderness observing wolves in the 1940s

Opinion: I know this book is supposedly heavily fictionalized, but I found it an enjoyable, quick read. I would have given it an 8 but there were some instances where he pulled a TSTL (Too Stupid to Live) card that was too "precious." For example, he knew damn well what the various Inuit people thought when he did something odd to them, but acted as if he didn't for the amusement factor.

Rating: 7

175Morphidae
dec 19, 2013, 3:38 pm



287. The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore

Genre: Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #3 (different country - US)

Summary: Debut novel about three black women depending on their thirty-year friendship from the 50s onward

Opinion: Funny, painful, heart-warming, tragic, magical, mundane - this book was all of these. I loved the voices of these women. So different from typical WASPy friendships. Sometimes I was taken aback by how they spoke to and about each other, but it was very real. Lots of interesting secondary characters as well. I can't wait to read more by this author.

Rating: 8

176Morphidae
dec 19, 2013, 3:39 pm



288. Mrs. Tim of the Regiment by D. E . Stevenson

Genre: Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #1 (two word tag, same letter - women's writing)

Summary: Fictionalized diary of the wife of a British Army Navy in post-World War I Britain

Opinion: A gentle, feel-good, comfy read. This isn't a book you rush through but savor. I might have rated this book higher but there were two things that bothered me. One was Hester's obliviousness to Morley's attraction to her. The other is how much of a jerk her husband was. They lessened my enjoyment a bit.

Rating: 8

177Morphidae
dec 19, 2013, 3:40 pm



289. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Genre: Classic

Notes: TIOLI #18 (two words title same)

Summary: Two migrant ranch workers in California during the Great Depression - one quick-witted, one slow - are friends

Opinion: This novella packs quite a punch. I don't know if I can explain why I liked this so much. It's not something I would, typically. It's violent and dark with mostly unlikeable (although sympathetic) characters. But when I finished, I thought, "Damn, that was a good story." Definitely recommended.

Rating: 8

178Morphidae
Redigerat: dec 19, 2013, 3:44 pm

Currently Reading:
Prisons We Choose to Live Inside by Doris Lessing (haven't yet opened it, but it's up next)

On Deck:
Whispered Lies by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki
Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl
Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts by Josepha Sherman
Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher

179SandDune
dec 19, 2013, 3:45 pm

#176 I've had Mrs Tim of the Regiment on the Wishlist for a while. I loved the same author's Miss Buncle's Book.

180MDGentleReader
dec 19, 2013, 4:48 pm

17> Tim, a jerk? Hmm. Maybe I'll need to re-read for the fifth time or so to see why you'd get that impression. This was not the first in the series that I read, so my opinion was definitely colored by the others. He was a pain over the car, I know, but I identify with the feelings if not all of the behaviors, so I might be more forgiving. I am pretty sure the whole Hester-Tony Morley thing was an add on to "spice it up". Much of the material was taken directly from D. E. Stevenson's journal and given to a friend whose young relative was marrying into the armed forces and was looking for ideas of what the lifestyle was like. I find the whole Hester-Tony Morley thing annoying, but I actually completey identify with Hester's obliviousness. The vast majority of the folks I hang with are men both at work and at home - it takes a whole lot to get my attention in terms of someone having a "romantic" interest. And if I'm in a relationship, I just don't have a receiver for that kind of thing. It makes my daily life much more comfortable. Apparently I've missed a whole lot of dating opportunities when I was available, though :-). That being said, I know I'm really unusual and that neither Hester or I react in a typical way.

I am sorry MrMorphy is not into Christmas. That makes it hard. When is the movie watching? My Christmas Day activities probably won't start until the afternoon, unless my Sweetie is done with his shopping and wrapping by Christmas Eve and stays over (not REAL likely). I will call my family in the morning, they are all in other states. Starting sometime in the afternoon we'll be at my Sweetie's brother's house with his parents. Relaxed and low-key. The youngest grandchild just turned 20 and the grandkids don't usually show up until later. I wish you didn't live so far away, we're always up for additions to any gathering. They are lovely folks. I do usually go to church either the evening before or early morning, often it is both. It's just me, so I decide at the last minute.

I did a bunch of thinking about Christmas presents in the lead up to Thanksgiving because my SIL was spending it with her family and celebrating Christmas then and needed input. Then I just went ahead and ordered a bunch of stuff that showed up on my doorstep the day before I flew to FL to be with my Dad during his final illness. I THINK I'm mostly done. Haven't quite figured it out yet. I won't celebrate with my immediate family until sometime next year, so I have some leeway. Not decorating this year because it is not my turn to host my immediate family and I won't celebrate at home. Got some things mailed earlier. Sadly, one of my aunt's gifts won't arrive until after Chrismas. I think she'll really like it, though. (it's a book). I have to work the two days before and the two days after, so I don't have any activities scheduled around Christmas this year. Last year I hosted board gaming on Christmas Eve.

Wacky Wednesday *Grin*

181luvamystery65
dec 19, 2013, 5:55 pm

Morphy I am so behind on my Christmas movie watching this year. I would love to watch Love Actually with you all. Christmas Day I'll be at a relatives house but I'm game for Christmas Eve. I ordered Scrooge from the library but it's still out. I own Love Actually so I'm set.

182SylviaC
dec 19, 2013, 6:17 pm

That was a pretty good batch of books for you, Morphy. A lot of 8s there.

I agree with every word MDGentleReader said about Mrs. Tim. If you read Mrs. Tim Carries On you will get to know Tim better, and there is less of Morley.

183humouress
dec 20, 2013, 2:15 am

Morphy, re MrMorphy's non participation; the year we got married, we flew back to Sydney for Christmas (in fact, we landed either on Christmas day or the day before. In pouring rain but that's another story) and my mum had got everything set up for a family Christmas with her new son-in-law. He, I definitely remember, told her that his family don't celebrate Christmas, they give gifts on New Year's day (which I thought was odd, as that's his brother's birthday). Though I'm not religious, I really like all the seasonal gift-giving, putting up decorations etc. etc., which we had always done, so I decided I wasn't going to give that up. So I bought decorations for the house, and at some point, we acquired a tree. Of course, when the kids came along, my husband dragged us all out to the shops for a 7-footer to replace the original tree (we don't have real ones), and these days, he's usually the one leading the charge to get the house decorated. For the children's sake, of course.

And he denies ever having said they don't celebrate Christmas. Hmff.

Sorry … hijacking … go ahead and celebrate - and maybe you'll overcome MrMorphy's resistance. If only so he can get back to his computer faster. (What - he can't use it on any other day of the year)
;0)

PS - bought my husband's present, to be delivered tomorrow, with some other stuff. Bag of apple wood chips, to be given by one child. Other child will present a cast iron smoker for the barbecue.

184alcottacre
dec 20, 2013, 5:43 am

*waving* at Morphy

185richardderus
dec 20, 2013, 2:41 pm

In happy hopes that 2014 will bring ever greater pleasures to your reading world, Morphy:



Celebrate the return of the light with feasts, merriment, and gratitude for all the wonders of this wide green earth.

RMD

186Morphidae
dec 20, 2013, 3:19 pm

>179 SandDune: Rhian, I tried to get my book group to read Miss Buncle's Book but no go. One specifically said she doesn't like British cozy type novels. *sniff*

>180 MDGentleReader: MD, check out the polls at http://www.librarything.com/topic/162354. I'm trying to figure out when. There doesn't seem to be a lot of interest so far. I might be on my own! I wish you didn't live so far away either. The few friends we do have are busy with their families.

>181 luvamystery65: Roberta, if you haven't already, go select Christmas Eve on the poll at http://www.librarything.com/topic/162354.

>182 SylviaC: Sylvia, I do plan on reading more of the Mrs. Tim books. Tim can only get better, I suppose! And, yes, I had some solid good reading there. It's nice when I'm so used to 6s and 7s.

>183 humouress: I think at 54, MrMorphy isn't going to change. If anything, he's getting grichier. I found out this morning his presents are supposed to be delivered on the 24th! I ordered it all on the 15th. *grumble grumble*

>184 alcottacre: Thanks for stopping by, Stasia!

>185 richardderus: OMG! LOOK EVERYONE! RICHARD POSTED ON MY THREAD!

It's a red star day! Whooo hooo! Hand out the champagne! Who's got the canapés?

P.S. Happy Solstice to you, too, Richard!

187EBT1002
dec 20, 2013, 3:59 pm

Hi Morphy,
I'm getting ready to start my Dorris Lessing for Kerri's challenge, too. I'll be reading The Grass is Singing. I hope we both love them!

188luvamystery65
dec 20, 2013, 4:44 pm

Okay I voted for Christmas Eve Morphy. If you watch it on Christmas Day I'll pop in and comment but I won't be able to watch it on that day.

189MDGentleReader
dec 20, 2013, 6:55 pm

186> I did some voting. I found that I can stream it on my iPad. I'll consult with my Sweetie this evening and see what he'd prefer.

We're going to see either Inside Llewyn Davis or Philomena this evening. It depends upon how much longer he spends in traffic getting to the theater.

reminds me, I owe you some iPad recommendations. Did you pick it up today?

190richardderus
dec 20, 2013, 6:56 pm

*discreet QE2 wave*

191msf59
dec 20, 2013, 9:14 pm

Hi Morphy- Fear not! I am not holding you responsible for the dud called Bellman & Black. I am a grown man who makes his own choices and this one was like biting into spoiled fruit. I only have a few pages left but I do not see the point of any of it.
Have a fantastic weekend.

192Morphidae
dec 21, 2013, 10:35 am

>187 EBT1002: Ellen, I've read the first essay and it was good. So I don't think there will be a problem. I should finish it up today. Good luck with yours!

>188 luvamystery65: Roberta, so far it's looking like Christmas Eve. I'll decide on Sunday-ish.

>189 MDGentleReader: MD, no, I'll be picking it up on Monday. I was going to pick it up today, but it seems they don't have a way to lock it up at the front desk overnight, so it has to be a weekday.

>190 richardderus: *discrete finger flick to RD in response - no, not THAT finger*

>191 msf59: Mark, I didn't see the point of it either, but I did like the writing.

193ronincats
dec 23, 2013, 12:00 am

Morphy, my spouse is a grinch as well. "I'm not a child--that stuff is for children!" which is why it is such a nice change to be home with my family for Christmas this year instead of, as we usually do, spending the day alone with him. I hope your communal movie watching comes together!

194Morphidae
dec 23, 2013, 8:30 am

>193 ronincats: Roni, I hope it does, too!

***

ATTENTION: GROUP MOVIE

It will be Christmas Eve at 7pm CST/1am GST. We'll be watching Love, Actually and the chat will be in http://www.greendragongroup.net/chat/pjirc_login_v5/index.php and it requires JAVA (sorry.)

***

Today I have a follow up appointment (3:15pm) with my doctor about the stomach issues which have basically gone away. They never figured out what is was. All I can think of is that it was some type of virus that hung around for a couple months.

Next MrMorphy has an appointment (same doctor at 3:45pm) about a growth (maybe, hopefully a wart?) on his back.

Then we are going to pick up my iPAD. Yipeee!

Last, depending on our energy level, we'll either stop somewhere to eat or have eggs for a quick dinner.

195PaulCranswick
dec 23, 2013, 9:36 am

Morphy - Glad your stomach is back to normal and I trust MrMorphy's back is ok too.

I am funny about eating eggs outside the house and will only order them in certain places. Fast food joints I would never eat eggs and I hate it when they get added on top of burgers or, as is often the case here, on top of fried rice. Love making my own omelettes though so I can't quite figure my blindspot there.

196TinaV95
dec 23, 2013, 10:38 am

Hi Morphy!! I've added The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat to my wish list!! It sounds great!

I'm sorry your hubby is a grinch at Christmas, but I'm glad you've found a way to celebrate with the lovely folks here! :)

Have fun watching your movie! I've never seen it ~~ so I'm just guessing that it's a Christmas movie. ;)

197SylviaC
dec 23, 2013, 10:48 am

I hope the appointments go well for both of you, Morphy.

You finally get to pick up your iPad! Yay!!

It would be nice if you have enough energy to eat out, but eggs are always good (I'm biased). Unlike Paul, I often get eggs at restaurants and fast food places, and I like eggs on top of other things. An egg on a hamburger does seem like overkill, though.

198Morphidae
dec 23, 2013, 9:59 pm

Guess what? I'm posting from my iPad! Whoo hoo!

199MDGentleReader
dec 23, 2013, 10:01 pm

Oooh. Congratulations!!

200scaifea
dec 23, 2013, 10:14 pm

Yay! That's exciting!!

201SandDune
dec 24, 2013, 3:10 am

Morphy, have a great Christmas and New Year, and enjoy Love Actually!

202Morphidae
dec 24, 2013, 8:39 am

>195 PaulCranswick: Paul, MrMorphy has a follow up appointment with dermatology on January 7th. They'll either take a bit or remove it entirely then do a biopsy. The doc said she couldn't really say but she said it looked like it was probably nothing to worry about. Meanwhile, we grabbed burgers from a place called Culvers and brought them home.

>196 TinaV95: Tina, I wouldn't say it was a "Christmas movie" but rather it's set around Christmas time, if you get the very narrow difference. I'm looking forward to tonight!

>197 SylviaC: Sylvia, no, not enough energy to eat out or to cook eggs. Just grabbed burgers as I told Paul. I don't mind eating eggs out either. In fact, it's easier to have a nice egg breakfast out at a restaurant rather than cook all that. Hmm... great Talk to Me Tuesday idea!

>199 MDGentleReader:-200 MD & Amber, and OMG! I'm having SO much fun with a bunch of free apps I downloaded so far. Candy Crush... Duolingo (learning Spanish!)... even the ACCUweather app is fun!

>201 SandDune: Rhian, bright blessings to you as well! Have a lovely holiday.

***

Talk to Me Tuesday

My perfect breakfast is cooked by someone else, typically a restaurant. It includes scrambled eggs (firm but not brown - just nothing runny), enough bacon to have a bite with each bite of egg, a lightly toasted English muffin with butter, a couple of sausage links, grits with butter and salt (not runny, should firm as they cool) and a small bowl of fresh fruit (cantaloupe, watermelon, grapes, pineapple) to finish off. Cold iced water to drink in a crystal glass.

What is your perfect breakfast?

203scaifea
dec 24, 2013, 9:20 am

Oho, Candy Crush: the game I love to hate. Are you a fan of The Simpsons? If so, check out Tapped Out - it's a really fun game.

204wilkiec
dec 24, 2013, 9:34 am

Hi Morphy,

205SylviaC
dec 24, 2013, 10:57 am

A local restaurant has something on their menu called a "skillet". It comes in a little casserole dish, and consists of shredded potatoes, onion, cheese, and your choice of meat or vegetables, all mixed together and baked. Then they top it with eggs cooked to order. I like to get the bacon skillet, which has bite-sized pieces of bacon in it, with over-easy eggs on top. When I break the egg yolks, they soak down through the rest of the mixture. I can feel my arteries hardening just thinking about it, but it is soooo good! I like to get the full-sized serving and eat half there and take the rest home.

206humouress
dec 24, 2013, 12:40 pm

Oh-oh; an iPad? Your rate of reading may suffer. All those free apps eat into my free time - when I can get the iPad away from the kids, that is.



Wishing you and MrMorphy (even if he doesn't celebrate) the best for the festive season, and for a wonderful 2014!

207luvamystery65
dec 24, 2013, 12:50 pm

My perfect breakfast out to eat is huevos rancheros with a side of bacon and refried beans. The eggs have to be over easy and not all dried out on the edges. Fresh made four tortillas to sop up the yolk and ranchero sauce. Of course a cup of coffee makes it complete.

208tymfos
dec 24, 2013, 1:21 pm

Best wishes to you, Morphy!


glitter-graphics.com

209humouress
dec 24, 2013, 1:22 pm

Were we talking breakfast? I'm not a morning person. I roll out of bed, stumble downstairs and get myself a bowl of cereal (as healthy as I can stand) and a glass of grapefruit juice. On special occasions (especially if someone else makes it for me), bacon & eggs are good, or danish pastries or pain au chocolat or … almost anything, really.

210MDGentleReader
dec 24, 2013, 1:26 pm

202> I am glad they are pretty sure that MrMorphy's issue is nothing to worry about. I wish you didn't have to wait over the holidays to get confirmation. Any possibility of the big C is scary, and Mr Morpy's already had a positive. There are probably hundreds of little abnormailities taken off of folks' skin every day that are benign. I am glad that he is being proactive, though.

I am really glad that your stomach issues seem to have cleared up. That has to be a huge qaulity of life improvement.

On the iPad:
- I use LocalEats to find good, local, non-chain restaurants whereever I am. Some locations have been a dissapointment, but it looks like your general area had some entries. So far, I have agreed with their recommendations in multiple lcoations in multiple states
- AroundMe lets me know what is around in general categories. This weekend we used it to find a local, non-chain coffee shop ( that had a free book exchange!). I haven't used it a whole lot, so I don't know how complete it is.
- Readar is LT's Local info in an app. Find bookstores, libraries, little free libraries, etc.
- Look for anything you use on the web regularly in an app. Amazon, TripAdvisor, Yelp, SparkPeople, etc
- Look for extra content in an app for any magazine subscriptions you have
- Board games implemented as an app, I have friends who know a lot about this, I can get recommendations for others if you are interested:
Ascension (someone else already mentioned this). We play it a lot a restaurants while waiting for our food.
Le Havre we play on airplane flights, it takes a little longer
Tichu is my favorite card game. There is an app for it that a whole lot of folks in my gaming circle play. Warning, if you are playing soley with the AI, your partner Becky can make some really boneheaded moves. Still, overall a good implementation.
- Nature Reference (my most expensive apps by far):
Sibley ebird guide to birds of North America. A very good implementaiton of the book, which is just amazing
Audubon has a lot of nature guides through Green Mountain Digital that are quite good.
- Exercises. The ones I have don't have a whole lot of seated exercises, but I am sure they are out there. The apps that I have gotten have detailed descriptions and pictures. Sometimes there are even videos. I find that new exercises can help me get moving.
- eReaders. I have 10 on my iPad. One is Overdrive for ebooks from my library. One reads PDFs, others are for specific free books I was interested in, etc.
- I have my Music on it, but I had to upgrade my iPad to make room. It was useful when I couldn't stay in my own home for a while earlier this year, I still had my music.

Always look at reviews in iTunes, but be wary, some games give you free stuff in exchanged for a 4 or 5 star review. Also, when you are exploring any app, check out the in-app purchase part of the description in Itunes. Too many apps lure you in with a good price and then you find you have to subscribe or purchase more and more in-app purchases to get any use out of it. Then you are probably out your initial purchase price. Popular apps most likely have on-line reviews that will warn you about this sort of thing.

211Whisper1
dec 24, 2013, 1:46 pm

Dear Morphy

All good wishes for a wonderful holiday


212EBT1002
dec 24, 2013, 2:43 pm



Merry Christmas to you and Mr. Morphy!

213MickyFine
Redigerat: dec 24, 2013, 3:30 pm

I love breakfast, Morphy. There are weekends when I decide to have breakfast foods for every meal so picking a perfect breakfast is tough as it depends on my mood. However, the best breakfast I've had recently (at a restaurant at lunch time) was overeasy eggs, turkey bacon (I don't eat pork), raisin bread toast with butter, and fresh fruit. Just the thought of that meal still makes me happy.

214scaifea
Redigerat: dec 24, 2013, 3:40 pm

>210 MDGentleReader:: Wow, excellent list and tips - thanks for sharing!

>212 EBT1002:: *snork!* Love it.

Favorite breakfast: Chocolate Chip Pancakes with peanut butter instead of butter, and swimming in Mrs. Buttersworth (I prefer the fake syrup to that maple business), plus sausage links on the side, also swimming in Mrs. B. And a cuppa Earl Grey with honey and milk.

ETA: I like eggs, but not for breakfast; I love bacon-and-fried-egg sandwiches with lots of mayo. Yum.

215cameling
dec 24, 2013, 4:44 pm

Have a simply marvelous Christmas and a very happy new year, Morphy!

216PaulCranswick
dec 24, 2013, 9:22 pm



Morphy, I have followed your trials and tribulations with concern and your triumphs with glee. You remain an inspiration and a firm friend in the group. Hope to make the twin cities in 2014 and I can try to persuade you to read some proper books, hahaha.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a carefully placed pat on the back to your soul mate Mr.Morphy.

Perfect breakfast would be one where I'm hosting a giant get together of all my LT friends flown in from the four corners to Kuala Lumpur and you can all eat whatever you like, I'll soak up the atmosphere. xx

217TinaV95
dec 24, 2013, 10:48 pm

Merry Christmas, Morphy! I hope tomorrow is a wonderful day!!

218ronincats
dec 24, 2013, 10:51 pm

Merry Christmas, Morphy! I hope your shared movie viewing has gone well, and think winning an iPad a great Christmas present.

219Donna828
dec 24, 2013, 11:03 pm

Morphy, I hope you are staying warm up there to the north of me. Thank you for providing such an interesting thread with great topics of conversation throughout the year. I hope you and Mr. Morphy have a joyful Christmas filled with all good things.

220ChelleBearss
dec 24, 2013, 11:06 pm


Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!!

221luvamystery65
dec 25, 2013, 12:07 am

Morphy thanks for hosting Love Actually! It was fun and my first experience in the Green Dragon chat room. The library still has not queued up a copy of Scrooged but it is in transit. I will watch it this weekend and think of you.

Merry, merry Christmas and remember that "love is all around" and Christmas too!

222inge87
dec 25, 2013, 12:18 am

Merry Christmas!

My dream breakfast happens to be bacon with eggs scrambled in ghee, but that's a once every few months treat. Most of the time I have cereal and a banana.

223Storeetllr
dec 25, 2013, 2:45 am

Hi, Morphy ~ Not sure how, but I seem to have misplaced your thread and missed a whole lot! It's too late after a full day of cleaning and then entertaining (and being entertained by) my nieces and their families this evening, but I'll try and get a chance to go back over at least the last 100 or so posts to get caught up.

In the meantime, just wanted to wish you a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year filled with good books, good friends, good health and good times!


224avatiakh
dec 25, 2013, 3:32 am

Wishing you a happy festive season. I have to confess that I'm a bit like MrMorphy and dislike the commercial cash-in aspect that the holiday season brings.

My current favourite breakfast is a fiery version of Turkish scrambled eggs (menemen) and a wake-up cup of coffee.

225scaifea
dec 25, 2013, 6:57 am

>216 PaulCranswick: Paul: Now *that* sounds like a wonderful breakfast!

Happy Christmas, Morphy!!

(I wasn't able to join in on the group watch, but Tomm and I watched Love Actually last night as we were waiting on a certain someone to fall asleep, and I was thinking of you as we did...)

226drneutron
dec 25, 2013, 8:24 am

Congrats on the iPad. I mostly post from mine. Although, I have to confess I'll fire up the laptop for a real keyboard if I need to do a lot of cut-n-paste... :)

As for apps, concentrating on what hasn't been mentioned... Evernote is my best friend. It's a note-taking app, but so much more. Plus you get a free account that lets you synch across devices and laptops, even mixing Android, iOS, Mac and Windows. Plus many other apps use Evernote to make things like to-do lists, etc.

And now breakfast! The bestest breakfast ever created was the Sausage McSkillet Burrito from McDonalds. Loved the egg, potato, peppers, hot sauce. Then they stopped making them, of course... So now my fave is the Panera Bread bacon and egg on asiago bagel with a huge cuppa their dark roast. One of those and I'm good for the day!

227msf59
dec 25, 2013, 8:28 am



Have a great day with Mr. Grinch! LOL. At least you have all this Yuletide joy over here, to revel in. The love is palpable.

228_Zoe_
dec 25, 2013, 8:29 am

Merry Christmas! I'm glad you're enjoying the iPad. I found Duolingo really helpful for language learning (German rather than Spanish), so I hope you like it too.

229avatiakh
dec 25, 2013, 8:49 am

Not sure if anyone has already mentioned dropbox which shares your docs etc between your devices. I also enjoy using Flipboard which merges your twitter, FB, tumblr, youtube, Feedly etc etc into a magazine like format for reading. And if you play a musical instrument you might like to check out 'Tonara' which looks to be excellent.

I do get frustrated with some apps as they differ so much from their websites and I have to learn a whole new way of doing things - pinterest is one, iPad is great for using your pinned recipes in the kitchen but I gave up on trying to pin something from a website, it can be done but is quite the process.

230Morphidae
dec 25, 2013, 12:23 pm

>203 scaifea:, 214, 225 Amber, nope, I think I've maybe watched one Simpson episode. It's not my type of humor. And, oh, that reminds me. Coming in second place for favorite breakfast - pecan pancakes, sausage links and a big glass of cold milk! And I'm with you. I prefer the fake syrup too! Glad you were somewhat able to join us in the group watch.

>204 wilkiec:, 208, 211-212, 215, 217, 219-220, 222, Diana, Terri, Linda, Ellen, Caro, Tina, Donna, Chelle, Jennifer, have a fabulous holiday!

>205 SylviaC: Sylvia, I wish I could eat skillets but there's something in the texture of the eggs that bothers me. I can eat eggs three ways - scrambled with a bit of bacon with each bite, hard boiled chopped up with butter and salt, and sometimes quiche if it's firm. When I was 8 or 9, I was really sick. I would cough so much and so hard, I burst all the blood vessels in the whites of my eyes and I would vomit. I was put on a soft food diet and ended up eating (and throwing up) a lot of eggs. Since then, I'm very sensitive to the texture of egg dishes.

>206 humouress:, 209 I know, humouress! And I've been trying to get RID of all my time killers! What type of cereal do you usual eat? Have a wonderful holiday.

>207 luvamystery65:, 221 Roberta, not my type of dish, but I'm sure it's delicious to you! We did have fun last night, didn't we? It was funny how we liked all the same scenes!

>210 MDGentleReader: MD, is it nice to not have to force my food down anymore. But now I have to struggle to not eat TOO much again. Can win for losing. HA! Lots of FABULOUS iPad advice, thank you so much!

>213 MickyFine: Micky, I had a pretty good breakfast myself today. MrMorphy made me hard-boiled eggs (in a cup, chopped up with butter and salt), an English muffin, sausage and "Crispy Crowns" (Ore-Ida Potatoes).

>216 PaulCranswick: Paul, as soon as we win the lottery, I'm going to host an LT meet up. Though it will be in the US somewhere, I'm afraid. But I will pay for airfare for everyone! Have a lovely day.

>218 ronincats: Roni, the shared movie did go well. I had fun! Have a lovely holiday.

>223 Storeetllr: Mary, good to see you back and have a merry holiday!

>224 avatiakh:, 229 Kerry, I don't think it's the commercialness of it that bothers him but rather his family has never been much into holidays or traditions in the first place, he doesn't like all the prep, and he'd rather be off in his man cave doing stuff on the computer. I use Google Docs and downloaded the free app, so I think we'll try that first. I do have iTunes, so that's an option. I doubt I'll use Flipboard because the only social media I use is Facebook.

>226 drneutron: Jim, Evernote was one of the first apps I downloaded. Haven't had a chance to play with it yet though.

>227 msf59: Mark, MrMorphy is a bit less grinchy today. He got me up this morning all eager to open presents. "We can open presents now, right?" Ha! And overall, he's in a better mood. Maybe now that all the "errands" are done he can loosen up a bit.

>228 _Zoe_: Zoe, I've had only Duolingo one lesson so far, but I really did like it.

***

Wacky Wednesday







231Storeetllr
dec 25, 2013, 1:59 pm

LOL I love Calvin & Hobbes! I can see the same cartoon a dozen times and still laugh when I see it again.

232Crazymamie
dec 25, 2013, 10:21 pm



Merry Christmas, Morphy! I LOVE the Calvin and Hobbes - always so funny! Hoping you know what a huge fan I am of yours. I so admire your honesty and your courage in sharing not just your reading life but your every day ups and downs. And what a great sense of humor you have! Looking forward to spending another year following your delightful thread.

233MickyFine
dec 25, 2013, 10:50 pm



Merry Christmas, Morphy!

234Morphidae
Redigerat: dec 26, 2013, 3:07 pm

>231 Storeetllr: Mary, I do, too. They are subversive. Is that a good word?

>232 Crazymamie: Mamie, ooooh, that's my favorite holiday picture. Love the cream and gold. I love reading your thread, too. You share so much of your family and heart with us. *hugs*

>233 MickyFine: Thank you, Micky! Hope yours was lovely.

***

Bonus: Talk to Me Tuesday Happens Again on Thursday

For Christmas I got:

ETD: I decided it was tacky to put the amounts in, so deleted them.

* Amazon gift card (LT anonymous)
* 2 Apple gift cards (MrMorphy and a church friend)
* Poinsettia (neighbor)
* 2 dozen or so homemade cookies - peanut butter kiss and chocolate chip (same neighbor)
* 2 Olive Garden gift cards (SIL)
* Mastercard gift card (Mom)
* 2 foot tall balsam Christmas tree with lights and little decorations (Mom)
* Quiet by Susan Cain (MrMorphy)
* The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor (MrMorphy)
* Godiva Pecan Caramel Clusters (MrMorphy)
* A third share in a very nice check (MrMorphy gets a third, savings account gets a third) (inlaws)
* A small silver dish I had told my MIL I would like "one day"

What did you get for Christmas?

235scaifea
dec 26, 2013, 9:03 am

Wow, you did alright, eh?

My Christmas pile:
-a couple of books (Tomm)
-a box of Godiva truffles (Tomm)
-Season 3 of Psych on DVD (Tomm)
-a wind spinner decorative thing (Charlie)
-a big bag o' pecans (Charlie)
-a bag of almond M&M's (Charlie & Tomm)

We're headed to my parents' tomorrow and then to Tomm's family tomorrow, so I'll end up with a couple more books, likely, and some other odd and ends.

236_Zoe_
dec 26, 2013, 9:20 am

How did the anonymous gift card work? I can imagine that it would be fun to give out anonymous gifts, but I wouldn't know how to go about doing it.

My family doesn't really do gift exchanges anymore, so there were no presents to be unwrapped yesterday. But my mother was very generous with theatre tickets to see Les Misérables and Aladdin earlier this week, and at Hanukkah, I got a lovely scrapbook from Mark's mother. Yesterday we mostly just enjoyed having the whole family together and relaxing around the house.

237SylviaC
dec 26, 2013, 10:50 am

You got a nice assortment, Morphy.

I received:
-a big box o' cheese (husband)
-2 books of photographs of our local area (husband and daughter)
-jigsaw puzzles: garden with sundial (daughter); 10 pack of beautiful, glow-in-the-dark, fantasy paintings (son); and one showing the evolution of Farmall/Case IH tractors from 1939 to now (husband)
-a homemade duct tape purse (daughter)
-neck massager (husband)
-fancy chocolate assortment (husband)
-2 sudoku magazines (son)

238humouress
dec 26, 2013, 11:18 am

>230 Morphidae:: For years I used to eat a mixture of Nestlé's Nut Crunch and Sultana Bran, but I can't find Nut Crunch anymore (and I can't eat certain preparations of oats, so I avoid them all). Now I've moved onto one we used to eat as children, which is Weetabix - the British one, made (I think) by Nabisco. On weekends I sometimes treat myself to one of the kids' sugar-filled cereals; but then I feel empty a couple of hours later.

My Christmas score:
A Kindle Paperwhite from my husband and kids. :0)
{and a ban on physical books} :0(
A pizza server and cutter from secret Santa (we hosted three other families for Christmas lunch, so the adults were assigned numbers and then picked numbers to see who they'd be secret Santa for, on behalf of everyone else)

I also got an electronic weighing scale which connects to an iPad app which tracks your daily weight, BMI etc. etc; but I didn't … quite … feel like unwrapping it in front of everyone else.

So how did I know what was inside? Well, we were in the shop buying presents for the people that we were secret Santa for, and we were shown the scales. My husband asked me if we should get it, and I said "Oh, OK. It looks interesting" (and, to be honest, we could both use some encouragement in the losing weight department). Though I didn't see him wrap it when he wrapped the others, I did recognise the shape when I found it under the tree with my name on, and I had my suspicions ...

239RosyLibrarian
dec 26, 2013, 12:37 pm

Merry belated Christmas! (Is that a saying?)

I got the whole Harry Potter set on blu-ray. Huzzah!

240drneutron
dec 26, 2013, 1:53 pm

We tried to tone things down a bit this year and were *mostly* successful...

1. S by JJ Abrams, Brilliant Blunders and The Patriarch From mrsdrneutron
2. A 10th Dr sonic screwdriver from my son
3. A new guitar tuner from mrsdrneutron

and, most impressively,...

4. a pair of snowshoes each from mrsdrneutron so we can go hiking this winter!

241inge87
dec 26, 2013, 2:16 pm

I've still got a lot of Christmas celebrating to do in Austin this weekend, since Christmas in Corsicana was just me and my Dad. The theme was kitchen:

A set of nesting glass mixing bowls (Dad)
box of chocolate coconut wafer cookies (Dad)
kitchen knife and scissors (Dad)
The Ocean of Life: The Fate of Man and the Sea (75-er Secret Santa)

Plus I gave myself a stockpot and some silicone spatulas.

242MickyFine
dec 26, 2013, 2:34 pm

I put the list of all the books I got for Christmas over on my thread. In addition to that I got:

A scarf with the text of Darcy's second proposal from Pride and Prejudice on it
The Disney version of Robin Hood on blu-ray
Some emery boards
A pewter Christmas tree decoration
Christmas money (half of which will go to books and the other half to DVDs, I think)

Plus prior to Christmas I got various food stuffs from friends at work. :)

243streamsong
Redigerat: dec 26, 2013, 2:56 pm

A gift certificate to my beauty salon and spa (Mom)
generous gift certificate from Amazon (brother and his family)
Hobbit extended version DVD (DD)
Les Mis DVD (DS)
candy and lottery tickets in my stocking (I won $4)

Most Serendipitous: I bought the wrong model 'Perfect Pullup' bar for my son. He wanted a more advanced model. Son and DD promptly mounted the one I bought in **my** bedroom doorway since I have been whining about how little upper body strength I have. (I ordered the more advanced model for DS).

Things I bought myself while Christmas shopping: ski bibs & long underwear, yoga mat, fourorsobookswho'scountinganyway

244EBT1002
dec 26, 2013, 3:27 pm

I love Calvin & Hobbes and those are three classics!

245lkernagh
dec 26, 2013, 6:17 pm

Congratulations on posting from your iPad! I have my fingers crossed that everything goes well for MrMorphy at the dermatologists.

As for seated exercises..... I used to have a link to a great set of seat of exercises geared towards office staff that have to stay seated at their desks for long stretches of time. Some of the exercises were really good. I will see if I can track down the link.

I love breakfast.... it is my favorite meal of the day, and I don't mind going to all the work to cook a full breakfast meal but I really only do that on Sundays. Work days breakfast consists of a small bowl of granola or hot porridge, depending on the weather. Right now our Sunday breakfasts consists of fried eggs, bacon (or sausage), hash browns and grilled tomatoes and mushrooms. That was also what we had Christmas morning and the meal carried us through until dinner.

For Christmas, we kept presents to a minimum but even then my other half managed to surprise me with a 800ml bottle of 4711 original eau de cologne, which has been a personal favorite of mine for decades. I also received a wonder pair of wire snipers (for my beading projects) and the always appreciated foot pampering kit of lotions and tools.

Sending you belated Christmas wishes and a

246dk_phoenix
dec 26, 2013, 7:35 pm

Merry belated Christmas, Morphy! Looks like you cleaned up for Christmas! Haha.

I was most excited to receive a rebounder for Christmas (mini trampoline). It's supposed to be great exercise and excellent for the lymph nodes. Also... fun!

247humouress
Redigerat: dec 26, 2013, 11:26 pm

Oh, were we counting the things we ... acquired ... while Christmas shopping for others?

I finally bought myself a KitchenAid stand mixer, which I've been looking at for ages. It was on sale, so I saved a couple of hundred dollars. I've made two batches of cupcakes for school and two birthday cakes for my kids in the past month, and tried out new recipes from the Whimsical Cakes book, which are more liquid than my usual recipe. My poor old hand held mixer - which I snaffled from my mum and must be about 20 odd years old by now - was getting a bit swamped.

And some tennis outfits, as my existing ones seem a bit small. I'll have to play tennis more often, I suppose. :0)

248alcottacre
dec 27, 2013, 2:06 am

Happy Holidays, Morphy!

249laytonwoman3rd
dec 27, 2013, 8:21 am

>247 humouress: I contemplate buying myself a stand mixer, as it has been on my wishlist forever, and my husband feels very strongly against buying household items as Christmas gifts. MY hand mixer was a wedding gift---over 40 years ago. It's still serving me well, for what it can manage.

Happy Holidays, Morphy! I can't keep up with your threads...maybe next year!

For Christmas I received: Two blouses; two sweaters; a copy of The Library: A World History (gorgeous coffeetable sort of book); Cooking for Your Cat; In Pursuit of Spenser; Amazon gift cards; the 2014 "Reading Woman" calendar; a container of baccala salad from our office manager, who knows the guy who makes it; a box full of home-canned goodies (pickles, jam, chili sauce, etc.) from my niece and her husband; two new bird ornaments for my tree; and 2 pretty new $100.00 bills (have you seen these? they are almost too pretty to spend).

250UnrulySun
dec 27, 2013, 1:48 pm

Popping in for some belated Merry Christmas wishes, Morphy! Hope you are finding lots of fun things to do on your ipad and still not neglecting your reading. ;)

251richardderus
dec 27, 2013, 4:06 pm

iHappy iFriday, iMorphele!

252Morphidae
Redigerat: dec 27, 2013, 4:18 pm

>235 scaifea: Amber, books? What books? Or did you tell us on your own thread?

>236 _Zoe_: Zoe, cameling was the middle man (middle person?). Someone asked cameling for my email address, cameling asked me, I gave it to cameling, and cameling passed it onto my secret present giver! Then when whoever did the gift card for Amazon bought it, they simply put in anonymous for their name.

Speaking of the Amazon gift certificate, I had a shopping trip which used it. I bought:

* Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
* My Own Country by Abraham Verghese
* Up DVD
* Jeff Dunham: Arguing with Myself DVD
* Book Lover's Page-a-Day Calendar
* Amazon Prime (half-off student rate)

>237 SylviaC: Sylvia, all these smart husbands giving us chocolate!

>238 humouress: Are you running out of space for physical books, humouress? And, no, were weren't counting what we got for ourselves while shopping for others. LOL. But you can certainly share.

>239 RosyLibrarian: Marie, nice present! And, yes, that's a saying or at least it works for me!

>240 drneutron: Jim, LOL. I didn't know they had a different sonic screwdriver for each doctor! What a hoot.

>241 inge87: Jennifer, it certainly was a kitchen-y Christmas, wasn't it? I didn't list my 75ers Secret Santa because I thought that was more of a swap, but I can do that.

My 75ers Secret Santa Books (from DeltaQueen):

* Mrs. Mike by Benedict Freedman
* Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas
* Does Anything Eat Wasps? by New Scientist

I'm going to concentrate on books owned as soon as I catch up on library books. I haven't reserved but one or two new library books. I'm going to get down to two or three, then get started on ones off the shelf.

>242 MickyFine: Micky, I love Disney movies! Robin Hood is a romantic one, too.

>243 streamsong: I really have got to get around to watching Les Mis, streamsong. Let me know how it is!

>244 EBT1002: Ellen, I have about a dozen of the snowmen ones. I picked my favorites. Well, except for my absolute favorite which I did earlier this year.

>245 lkernagh: Lori, see if you can find that exercise link. I'm always looking for stuff like that. Thanks!

>246 dk_phoenix: Faith, yes, I do feel rather spoiled this Christmas! I'm going to spend some of the money on getting someone in to clean the house. MrMorphy isn't much on housecleaning and I'm not able to. It drives me mad.

>248 alcottacre: Stasia, hope your holidays are jolly!

>249 laytonwoman3rd: Linda, hope to see more of you in 2014! I got the Reading Woman weekly calendar a couple of weeks ago. But it wasn't a present. It was because the boxes in the monthly calendar I currently use are too small for all the information I need to write down. The time and person aren't enough any more. I forget what the meeting is all about! So I need to write down the place and what it's for as well. Meh. I hate this particular part of getting older.

>250 UnrulySun: Kathy... er... *glances up from iPad* ... don't know what you are talking about. Too much time on the iPad? Phsaw.

>251 richardderus: iThanks, iRD! iHope iYou are iHaving a iFantastic iDay as iWell!

>250 UnrulySun: & 251 Actually, I'm being good at the moment. I'm just using it to listen to iTunes Radio (80s Dance Party) while I read/post on LT.

Yesterday, however, I spent hours researching, adding and playing with apps.

I downloaded (in the last couple of day):

- Wunderlist
- Carrot
- 12 Days of iTunes
- Accuweather
- Reuters
- Kindle
- Nook
- iBooks
- Duolingo
- Luminosity
- QuizUp
- Candy Crush
- Jewel Mania
- Bejeweled
- Magic Puzzles
- Angry Birds
- Dots
- iTunes U
- How Stuff Works
- Crackle
- Amazon Instant Viewer
- Box
- Google Drive

253SylviaC
dec 27, 2013, 5:26 pm

I'm glad you got Winter Solstice. It's the best Pilcher book that I've read so far. Elfrida is one of my favourite book characters ever.

254UnrulySun
dec 27, 2013, 6:29 pm

Wow morphy, you made out like a bandit. Enjoy every little bit of your presents! We each deserve to feel spoiled now and again.

So you have Prime now? That can be dangerous! Have you downloaded the kindle app yet? You can borrow a book a month and that's how I get some of the more popular (read: expensive) titles to read. Plus, the streaming videos ain't too bad either. ;)

Don't get hooked on candy crush. Consider yourself warned!

255jnwelch
dec 27, 2013, 6:51 pm

Sounds like you've been having a great holiday season, Morphy.



Best wishes for a wonderful 2014.

256lkernagh
dec 27, 2013, 9:48 pm

Ask and you shall receive! I searched my inbox today at work and couldn't find the link I mentioned back in post #245 above but I did come across these links with some of the same types of office chair exercises:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/02/06/the-10-best-exercises-to-d...
http://www.mnn.com/money/sustainable-business-practices/stories/5-chair-exercise...
http://www.backcare.org.uk/CMS/files/703-Eurocrat-220910.pdf

257humouress
dec 27, 2013, 11:14 pm

Angry Birds? (amazing physics graphics) Candy Crush?

Farewell Morphy. You've been a good LT friend …

;0)

258dk_phoenix
dec 28, 2013, 9:07 am

>252 Morphidae:: Oh, yes, do!!! Hiring someone to come in and clean for us was one of the best investments we ever made. Since we both work full-time, housecleaning is just not something that we're able to do regularly... and a dirty house affects my ability to focus. Bringing someone in to clean is good for sanity, stress reduction, and peace of mind. Highly recommended!

259RosyLibrarian
dec 28, 2013, 9:11 am

I own that book a day calender too. It's neat.

260Morphidae
dec 28, 2013, 9:32 am

>253 SylviaC: Sylvia, well, I'll be reading it shortly. I need to finish it before the end of the month for a TIOLI challenge!

>254 UnrulySun: Kathy, yep, I got the Kindle and Nook apps right away!

>255 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe! Hope you are as well. Is your son better now?

>256 lkernagh: Lori, thanks! The last one I bookmarked. The others had exercises I wouldn't be able to do because they involve using your own body weight or you get out of the chair for them. The last one you stay in the chair for all of them. Think more of exercises for people in wheelchairs.

>257 humouress: Ha, humouress! I've been keeping myself under rein. For instance, I allow myself three levels in Candy Crush per day (or 15 minutes whichever is less). Or 10 minutes of Angry Birds. And only after I've checked something off my to do list. Else I'd play them all day!

>258 dk_phoenix: Faith, I just wish we could afford it more often. Since we can afford only a couple times a year, it takes her all day to clean the house so it's a lot more expensive! Plus, I've love to have someone come in a couple times a month. I much prefer a clean house! I grew up in a house that got cleaned every week.

>259 RosyLibrarian: Marie, when I was looking at the reviews, I realized I wanted all the previous years too. Though I have no idea how I'd manage that!

261SylviaC
dec 28, 2013, 10:29 am

>260 Morphidae: Better get reading then! It's not short. I did find that it went pretty fast though, the first time I read it.

262PaulCranswick
dec 28, 2013, 10:58 am

I am more like santa at christmas but I got my wife and eldest daughter home for christmas which was present enough. I did buy one or two books......wait isn't every day christmas?

263humouress
Redigerat: dec 28, 2013, 11:48 am

>252 Morphidae:: I'm not (quite) running out of space for my books just yet; but when we moved into our current place, I was allotted 3 bookshelves (because, like Paul, my books were on top of cupboards and so on, previously) and told that was my limit. Since I love our house, we intend staying here for a good few years yet, and they're getting close to full …

Plus, I haven't shelved this year's purchases, because I'm hoping to overhaul and reorganise the whole thing, so they're sitting around in bags and boxes and looking a bit messy.

Re calendars - you should have iCalendar on you iPad, which should hold enough information for you. Date, time, place (it might even link to Google maps; I'm not sure), notes. It should have an alarm, too. I actually use it on my iPhone, but it syncs between devices, which is useful. I discovered that on my iPad, it's got each person in a different colour! Rather handy (for me, anyway), and allows things to overlap - say if both my kids have different classes at the same time.

iPad tips: there are myriads of apps out there, and myriads more being developed all the time. I try to stick to the free ones, and have a look at the charts now and then.

I don't know if you know (but it took me a while to find out, so I'll pass it on) : if you're using an app, and you press the round button at the bottom, it puts the app into stand-by. If you press the button twice, a bar comes up which shows you all the apps which are on stand-by. To actually close the apps, you have to press an icon in that bar for a couple of seconds so they all jiggle, and then tap the red-and-white minus sign for each icon you want to shut down. This should conserve your battery, as then they're not all running in the background.

Similarly, if you just press the top button on the iPad, it doesn't shut it down, it just puts it into sleep mode. To power down, you have to hold down the top and bottom buttons together for a couple of seconds, and then slide the on-screen button. But as this shuts down the iPad, any alarms you've set won't go off and alert you.

And you can organise your apps into folders so you don't have (like my husband) 15 screens to page through to find the app you want. Hold down an icon until they all jiggle. If you tap the black cross on any of them, it deletes that app (but you can just pick it up from the App Store again, and you don't pay again). To combine apps into a folder, slide one app on top of another and hold it there until a folder is created. It'll usually suggest a name for the folder, or you can rename it. To stop it jiggling, once you've finished organising, press the round button at the bottom.

(ETA - similarly, you can move apps between screens, by sliding it right over to the side of the screen it's currently on)

Completely confused by unnecessary information? Excellent.

Happy hunting.

264MDGentleReader
dec 28, 2013, 11:50 am

Forgot to mention AppsGoneFree. Apps that are free for a limited length of time. I don 't make good use of it, but my SIL does.

I, too love Elfrida. I hope that you enjoy her too, despite your reservations about the book.

Christmas book gifts, the Gift of Years, The Usborne History of Britain, and Camelot's Court. The last two were actually purchased for my Dad by my SIL and I am a little uncomfortable about the whole thing. The Usborne looks quite amazing.

Years ago I read in RD that having your home cleaned is one of the best investments you can make. It is something I need to just schedule at some point.

265Morphidae
dec 28, 2013, 6:10 pm

>263 humouress: I don't like the iCalendar app because of the wheel to set the time. It's too persnickety for me.

266jnwelch
dec 28, 2013, 7:55 pm

Son's way better, Morphy, thanks for asking. We shipped him off to his girlfriend in Houston early this a.m. She'll take good care of him.

267Morphidae
dec 29, 2013, 7:13 am

>261 SylviaC: Sylvia, I have started it. It does seem like a breezy read.

>262 PaulCranswick: Paul, only when it comes to books in the Cranswick household!

>263 humouress: Thankfully, this is a two reader household so I can buy as many books as we can squeeze into the house. Unfortunately, after 25 years together and owning a small house, it is getting rather constrained. I guess it's a good thing we can't afford to buy many new books!

I got three Apple gift cards for Christmas but I'm finding that most of the apps I want are free. I've only spent $5 so far! For the Air, you double click the button then sweep "up" any app you want to turn off. Thanks for the info on turning it off. I didn't know that! My iPad got turned off for the first time last night. LOL! I will keep it in sleep mode during the day though so I get my reminders. I found out about folders first thing. All the apps I use are on the first page and the ones I don't use regularly are on the second page. For some reason the sliding off the page isn't working to move the app to another page, but I can move it to the bar on the bottom, change pages, then move it back off the bar.

Not unnecessary information at all, quite helpful in fact.

>264 MDGentleReader: MD, thanks for the apps recommendation. I'll check it out! My cleaner probably won't be coming until the end of January. Her mother just had a lung transplant and she's the caretaker. When people have a transplant, they have to have someone with them 24x7. She's hoping to get more help so she can work, but it isn't looking all that hopeful.

>266 jnwelch: That's the way to do it, Joe! Send him off to be taken care of by someone else! :D

268Morphidae
dec 29, 2013, 8:30 am

This is like crack for list lovers:

Online "Best of 2013" Book Lists
http://www.largeheartedboy.com/blog/archive/2013/11/online_best_of_13.html

269humouress
dec 29, 2013, 10:21 am

>267 Morphidae:: Mine is an iPad 1, for which iOS 5.1.1 was the last upgrade to the operating system. Unfortunately, as iOS 7 is the latest system, the new apps (and upgrades to existing apps) don't work on it :0(

So it might work differently from your iPad, Morphy. But I remember that sliding an app to the next screen did take a few goes to get it, the first time. Just slide the app as though you intend to slide it off the screen, and hold it until the next screen comes across. Of course, you can carry on using the bar; but my bar is already full.

270cammykitty
dec 29, 2013, 11:19 am

OMG, that list of lists is in alphabetical order and the list of As goes on forever. I'm afraid to look at the whole thing! Ay, thanks for the crack.

271drneutron
dec 29, 2013, 12:35 pm

Actually you still slide an app to the side to change pages, but you have to pause and hold it at the edge of the screen for about a second to make the page change. It took me a few times to practice to get it right...

272msf59
dec 29, 2013, 12:42 pm

Hi Morphy! Just checking in with my Minnesota pal! I love that Best of 2013 List! I need to bookmark that baby. Thanks!

And thanks for the lovely Christmas card! Very sweet. I did not send out many cards this year. I guess I was a bit "grinchy" myself.

273MDGentleReader
dec 29, 2013, 1:06 pm

2do is my list making, calendar, organizing app. Not that I've made very good use of it lately. I should, I have many paperwork tasks right now.

Just adding my agreement for the whole sliding apps to next page, it takes more patience ( and perhaps dexterity) than I have sometimes. If you stack apps on top of one another, you can create a group - I have Books, Nature Reference, Reference, Travel, Shopping... I have 103 apps and 884 songs on my iPad, and I just got it in July.

Crack indeed. Must get away from the computer - have much to do this week

* must get awaaayyy *

274Whisper1
dec 29, 2013, 1:38 pm

Thanks for posting the online best books of 2013. I had great fun clicking through it all.


275_Zoe_
dec 29, 2013, 2:15 pm

I didn't think it was possible to have too many book lists, but that list of lists is rather overwhelming!

276Morphidae
Redigerat: dec 29, 2013, 4:02 pm

Okay, adding books read but I'm not including pictures and I'm putting them all in one thread. I don't want to start another thread and then have to start ANOTHER one in three days. Nope, not going to do it. The thread police can just go eat some donuts in Joe's Cafe.

289. Tiger Burning Bright by Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Fantasy
Notes: TIOLI #5 (heat/light related), to complete bibliography, reread
Rating: 6

290. Whispered Lies by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Genre: Romance
Notes: TIOLI #4 (secret or lie), next in series
Summary: BAD operative, Carlos, must save informant, Gabrielle. But is she worth saving or is she working for the enemy?
Opinion: This is the best of the BAD series so far. I haven't been impressed with them up to this point. However, the characterizations and plotting are better in this one. As least it's more than lust at first sight, let me nail you now, oh yeah, we better take care of the bad guys, like the previous books.
Rating: 7

291. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
Notes: TIOLI #9 (Kirkus)
Summary: Middle aged man goes back to his childhood home and reminisces about a magical time when he was young
Opinion: Nice fairy tale-ish style story. It was enjoyable and well written but over-rated, I think. I'm not quite sure why everyone thinks Gaiman is the best thing since sliced bread. Don't get me wrong, I like his books. But they aren't all that and a bag of chips. Maybe it's just me and I don’t relate as well to the little boy/immature male protagonists which seem to be in a lot of his books.
Rating: 7

292. Prisons We Choose to Live Inside by Doris Lessing
Genre: Nonfiction
Notes: TIOLI #13 (Doris Lessing)
Summary: Series of essays on the human condition and how we react to social mores
Opinion: Well written and clear. Perhaps a little too generalized rather than personal at times. I don't agree with everything she said but it gave me a lot of food for thought and I understood where she was coming from.
Rating: 7

293. Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl
Genre: Nonfiction
Notes: TIOLI #12 ("end" synonym)
Summary: Growing Up at the Table
Opinion: I liked most of the story of how Reichl grew up and into the fabulous food critic she is today. During the first third or so of the book, I thought it was going to be rated an "8." But her teens and twenties were depressing which lowered my enjoyment. That being said, she's a very engaging writer. I could hardly put the book down.
Rating: 7

294. Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts by Josepha Sherman
Genre: Nonfiction
Notes: TIOLI #6 (folklore), 888 Challenge (12 in 12)
Summary: The Subversive Folklore of Childhood
Opinion: Rather tedious as the author wrote down numerous variants of many rhymes, some with only a word or two changed. Also, there were so many footnotes, all at the back of the book, I spent half my time paging back and forth. If it hadn't been for those two things, I would have really liked this book. A fun look back at my childhood.
Rating: 5

295. Sea Glass by Maria Snyder
Genre: Fantasy
Notes: TIOLI #2 (holiday table), next in series
Summary: Opal, a glass magician, is ordered back to the Citadel but she disobeys orders to find the man she thinks she's in love with.
Opinion: Decent story. I like the characterizations and world-building but the plot could use some tightening. Another love triangle coming up, I can just tell. On one hand, I'm eager to read the final book in the trilogy. I want to find out what happens next. On the other, dear lord, I don't want all the drama. Even though I know who she'll end up with. It was foreshadowed rather heavy-handedly in this book, "Oh gee, here's this woman who is perfect for the guy I like/love in every way without all the baggage that I bring along! I'm so jealous!"
Rating: 7

296. Oathblood by Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Fantasy
Notes: TIOLI #1 (two-word tag/same letter - short stories), reread, to complete bibliography
Rating: 5

297. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling
Genre: Fantasy
Notes: TIOLI #5 (heat/light related), reread (audiobook)
Rating: 8

277_Zoe_
dec 29, 2013, 4:01 pm

I'm another non-fan of Gaiman. I've generally enjoyed his books well enough (with the exception of American Gods, which I really disliked), but I never find them particularly memorable.

278Morphidae
dec 29, 2013, 4:32 pm

Currently Reading:
A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki
Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
Does Anything Eat Wasps? by New Scientist

On Deck:
Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files: Ghoul Goblin by Joseph Cooper, et al.
Take a Thief by Mercedes Lackey
The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

279thornton37814
dec 29, 2013, 6:49 pm

Tender at the Bone is on my TBR list. Glad to see a positive review.

280Storeetllr
dec 29, 2013, 6:51 pm

I find I like Gaiman's books better when I listen to him read them as an audiobook.

281Morphidae
dec 30, 2013, 8:58 am

>277 _Zoe_: Zoe, well, let's see:

American Gods - 8 out of 10 stars
Stardust - 8
Preludes & Nocturnes - 7
The Ocean at the End of the Lane - 7
Neverwhere - 6
The Graveyard Book - 6

He averages 7 stars with me, which isn't all that shabby, AND I've read six of his books. So, it's not as if I'm a non-fan but rather I don't get all the hype.

>279 thornton37814: Lori, I did like it. Just realize that when she gets to her teen years, it gets rather dark.

>280 Storeetllr: Mary, I may try that. Not the next one though. I have Anansi Boys in hardcover. It's been on the shelf for years now!

282Sakerfalcon
dec 31, 2013, 6:48 am

A rather belated Happy Christmas to you Morphy! Sounds as though you got some great gifts. Mine were mostly books, which is just fine by me. I'm glad you are getting to know your iPad and having fun with it.

I too liked, rather than loved, Ocean at the end of the lane. I took a long time recovering from the kitten incident near the start ...

I hope you have a good time seeing in the New Year, and that 2014 brings you all sorts of wonderful things.

283msf59
dec 31, 2013, 7:16 am

Happy New Year, Morphy! I also have The Golem and the Jinni lined up on audio. I didn't realize it was such a chunkster. I also have the Anansi Boys waiting in the wings.

284Morphidae
dec 31, 2013, 9:04 am

>282 Sakerfalcon: Claire, I'm ramping up to use iPad even more starting tomorrow. I'm going to set up my to do app, calender, and budget apps, etc. Whoo hoo! Until now, I've mostly playing games. Heh.

>283 msf59: Mark, I know it's huge! Unfortunately, it's now overdue at the library! I had to get a bunch of books read for TIOLI challenges and couldn't get to it in time. And today I'm re-reading a Lackey in hope that I can get one more book in to finish off the year. I'll start The Golem and the Jinni tomorrow. I'm also going to start The Happiness Advantage.

Talk to Me Tuesday

I'm not much into resolutions; however, I do like to get things started at the beginning of the year. I'm going to get started with drawing. I want to draw every day but I'm not sure how well that will work. I'm giving it a shot though. I'm going to get all my various to do lists, lists and bits of personal information that are spread all over the place and get them into Evernote. I want to be finished with my computer stuff by 10am each morning so I can work on other things like drawing, reading, crafts. Lastly, I want to be eating two fruits and two vegetables each day. In the next day or two, I'll create specific and measurable goals to make these happen.

I guess I feel the difference between these and resolutions is that resolutions are promises. Promises that will get broken. And then I'll feel bad about myself. What I have above are ideas about what I want right now. And, well, if they don't work out, that's okay.

So, do you make resolutions? Or do you have any ideas of goals you have for the new year?

285RosyLibrarian
dec 31, 2013, 9:12 am

I do love resolutions. I like that it gives me a goal for the year even if I'm not completely successful and if nothing else they are always fun to look back on. My husband and I make a list of ten things every year that we want to strive for. I love your resolution (er, goal?) to draw every day. You will post some of what you draw, right? :)

This year I want to do yoga on a more regular basis which was impossible with the hours I worked this year. I also want to get all my photos organized, take 12 Universal Classes and of course, read 75 books.

Happy New Years Morphy, looking forward to your 2014 thread!

286_Zoe_
dec 31, 2013, 9:18 am

>281 Morphidae: That made me curious too, so I also checked my records. I've also read 6 of his books:

Coraline - 3.5 stars
Stardust - 3.5 stars
The Graveyard Book - 4 stars
Odd and the Frost Giants - 3 stars
American Gods - 2 stars
Good Omens - 3.5 stars

So, pretty thoroughly average for me, with the exception of American Gods. And yet I keep reading them, because he's just so well-regarded.

287MickyFine
dec 31, 2013, 10:59 am

Hmm, do I make resolutions? Not really. But often try out a project or two every year (usually reading related). This year though, I thought I'd try out an idea that's been floating around Tumblr. You take an empty jar on January 1 and anytime something good happens you write it on a slip of paper and put it in the jar. And then at the end of the year you open the jar and read everything. Sort of a count your blessings exercise. :)

288luvamystery65
dec 31, 2013, 11:04 am

I did resolve to keep a calendar this year in the hopes that I will be more organized. Just that organizational goal. If it naturally leads to other then great, if not, at least there will be the one.

Two years ago I kept a daily photo gratitude journal on Instagram and Facebook. It was amazing and I grew in so many ways. I am going to chronicle my gratitude daily again this year but I think I will only post monthly highlights on IG and FB.

289Whisper1
dec 31, 2013, 11:12 am

Happy New Year Morphy. I look forward to following what you read in 2014.

290drneutron
dec 31, 2013, 11:44 am

If I resolve not to make resolutions will I collapse the space-time continuum from the paradox? :)

291Kassilem
dec 31, 2013, 11:44 am

I suppose I make resolutions. I feel like new years gives me the sense of a blank slate, to start from the beginning. But it doesn't really work that way most of the time. Things just happen when they do. You're either motivated to do them or not, and usually an arbitrary day won’t be the deciding factor, not to keep the resolution going till the end. So, I have mixed feelings about it.

However, I have made 'resolutions'. I would like to get back to talking more on these threads. I've gotten into a habit of just skimming threads and looking for books I've read or would like to read. I'd like to slow down a little, participate more and take more time reading reviews to books I'm unfamiliar with. I would also like to get to the gym more often. There are four classes I have picked out to attend and I've been good about going to the Body Flow, but I've missed a bunch of the other classes.

The rest are mostly goals to finish in 2014. Study for and take the GRE, get my Peace Corp application done, finish my degree and graduate, etc. I did find two really interesting ideas on pinterest the other day. One is a '365 days of gratitude' journal, kind of what Micky was talking about. And the other is an index calendar, where each index is a day but has ten years worth on the card. Every day you write something that you did or learned, and then next year on the same card you do the same. And five or ten years down the road you can go back and look at the different things you've filled your live up with. Since you start both on Jan 1, I've been thinking of trying them.

Well, Happy New Years Morphy!

292lkernagh
dec 31, 2013, 6:35 pm

I stopped making new year's resolutions because I was terrible at sticking to them. There is just something about a resolution made for New Year that psychologically makes it a bigger deal for me than one made any other time in the year so I now make resolutions in spring, summer, fall .... pretty much any time of the year but New Year. Crazy, I know, but I have to do what works best for me. Last resolution I made was at the end of November when I made a promise to myself to no longer eat at my desk while at work. If I am going to eat, I go to the lunch area set aside in our building for that purpose or head for lunch. I also made a resolution to eat healthy home made lunches at least four times a week and so far, I am still sticking to both of those resolutions. ;-)

Happy New Years Morphy!

293luvamystery65
dec 31, 2013, 6:43 pm

Happy New Year Morphy!

294UnrulySun
Redigerat: dec 31, 2013, 10:11 pm

I look at NY resolutions like you do, Morphy. I'll only feel guilty and lazy if I don't keep to it, so I just don't put the pressure on myself to start with. I am, however, in dire need of a diet makeover (as in daily eating habits), so that is something I'm going to work harder on.

Have you ever seen the daily drawing diaries? They give you a drawing prompt and space to draw and some lines to journal about it if you want. I think it'd be a neat way to keep track and get some warm up drawing in for each day. You could even make your own in a notebook, and have MrMorphy write in some random (or meaningful?) thoughts or prompts for you.

Now I feel like being artsy crafty.

295TinaV95
jan 1, 2014, 12:28 am

Hi Morphy! I used to make a resolution every year about losing weight and felt terrible every year when I broke it. Then I totally gave up. So I haven't made resolutions in several years. I've made a few reading "goals" rather than resolutions and now have been thinking of reframing what I need to do for my health from a resolution to a 'refocus'. Or some such. ;)

296Morphidae
jan 1, 2014, 8:37 am

>285 RosyLibrarian: Marie, I don't know if I want to display my drawings yet. I'm a rank beginner. Those Universal Classes look interesting but I have too much else I want to focus on this year. Maybe next year.

>286 _Zoe_: Zoe, as I've found with Gaiman, your favorite is my least and your least is one of my favorites! People's opinions of his books are all over the place. Perhaps that is part of his popularity? He writes books that always appeal to *someone*.

>287 MickyFine: Micky, I'm doing that with a five year journal. There are only a few lines per day. One line will be for which book I'm reading, but the other lines will be for what good things are happening. And the occasional "challenge." I got it with my Christmas money. It will even be monogrammed! Unfortunately, I'll have to write down the first couple of weeks somewhere else as my journal is on back order. Bummer.

>288 luvamystery65: Roberta, with my new iPad I'm looking forward to take occasional pictures. We have a digital camera but it's a pain to transfer to the computer. MrMorphy can do it but I hate to bug him.

>289 Whisper1: Linda, I wish for you a fabulous, pain-free 2014!

>290 drneutron: Jim, 42.

>291 Kassilem: Melissa, as I told Micky, I'm doing something similar to cards with a five year journal. I really like the idea. Each page is for one day. Every year you use the same page for that day. So there are five sections, one for each year, for that day of the year. Does that make sense? Here, this will be easier: http://www.levenger.com/5-year-journal-core-7150.aspx

>292 lkernagh: Lori, great job on meeting your "Thanksgiving" resolutions. Hope you have a wonderful 2014!

>293 luvamystery65: Roberta, have a fantastic new year!

>294 UnrulySun: Kathy, check out SparkPeople.com. They are a fabulous resource for making healthy eating changes in baby steps. Lots of articles, videos, recipes, etc. It's been one of my main tools for losing 200 pounds! The drawing journal sounds far too intimidating yet. I'm a beginner, self-conscious and uncertain. Maybe next year!

>295 TinaV95: Tina, ooooh, I haven't even gone there when it comes to my reading goals. Just wait until I post my 2014 thread sometime today. LOL!

***

Wacky Wednesday

297scaifea
jan 1, 2014, 9:04 am

2 things:
1) My drawing abilities are so non-existent that when people have seen ones lying around the house, which Charlie has insisted I draw while he's drawing, too, they say, "Charlie is getting pretty good at drawing, isn't he?" So, apparently I'm fair-to-middling for a 5-year-old...

2) I make a handful of resolutions each year, but I never tell others what they are. Too much pressure actually to keep them, then. Ha!

You makin' a new thread over on the new group soon? Eh? *taps foot in a borderline impatient manner*

298msf59
jan 1, 2014, 9:05 am

Morning Morphy! My new year resolution is a simple one: Read as much as I can. I like keeping it simple.

299Morphidae
jan 1, 2014, 9:52 am

>297 scaifea: Amber, yes, yes. Sometime today it will be up. Promise!

>298 msf59: Morning, Mark! I haven't mentioned my book goals, but one is to read more this year than last year. This year I read 304. Reviews will be posted some time today, also.

300humouress
Redigerat: jan 1, 2014, 10:57 am

Hmm… resolutions. When we called my parents (who are 3 hours ahead) to wish them for their New Year, my mum asked me what my resolutions were. I told her I hadn't made any, and asked her hers, to which she replied "I'm not telling anyone"!

Well, I still haven't made any, because I usually find I don't stick to them; but I've got a few plans I've been planning on for a while. I hope to eat more healthily (which I can't do until December is over because it's filled with birthdays) and exercise better, and use the school holidays to tidy up and organise the house; and I have a little project lined up to sort out my bookshelves.

ETA - can't find you in the 2014 group.

301Morphidae
jan 1, 2014, 2:52 pm

>300 humouress: That's because I haven't posted it yet! LOL. I'm going to post my final micro-reviews then start working on my 2014 thread. It will be in the background so it might be a couple hours yet. I have to do stats, find a new thread topper and have it scanned, etc.

302jnwelch
jan 1, 2014, 3:00 pm

Happy New Year, Morphy! Best wishes for a satisfying and adventurous 2014.

303Morphidae
Redigerat: jan 1, 2014, 3:03 pm

298. A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle
Genre: Nonfiction
Notes: TIOLI #11 (All I Want for Christmas), Ultimate Reading List (13 in 13 - 12 in 12)
Summary: An English couple decide to buy a home in Provence
Opinion: Delightful read. It was humorous and I loved the glimpse into another culture. And, oh my god, the food! And this was *real* food, not fancy, prissy French food. I would have rated this higher but Mayle had the annoying habit of throwing French words in randomly just to give it "flavor" rather than for any rational reason. There would be an entire paragraph of English and then one word would be in French like "grocery" or "pool man" or "muck." Yes, MUCK. He'd translate a French person's speech except for one word, too. And not occasionally either. There would be one or two words I'd have to look up PER PAGE. I'm so grateful for my new iPad. I kept Google Translate up all the time. Oh! And then he'd MISSPELL the French! ARGH! So you can imagine how much higher I would have rated this without all the aggravation.
Rating: 7

299. Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki
Genre: Nonfiction
Notes: TIOLI #17 (Z)
Summary: I have no idea. Something about zazen and Buddhism.
Opinion: I had a quote marked but then forgot to write it down before sending it back to the library. It was something along the lines of "You don't understand. You understand." or "Pain is happiness. Happiness is pain." And my comment was, "Arrrrggggghhhhhh!" I got through this book on sheer determination.

I've read three or four books on Buddhism now and not one have I understood, much less enjoyed. I'm not reading any more of them. Not this little gray duck.
Rating: 2

300. Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
Genre: Fiction
Notes: TIOLI #8 (Winter)
Summary: An English retired actress moves with a grieving widow friend to Scotland and they are joined by a motley group with issues of their own
Opinion: Much nicer than The Shell Seekers and a perfect read for the season. At first I was disbelieving that a mother and grandmother could be that neglectful and narcissistic, but then there was some family drama at my mom's house and I found that there are people just like that.

I don't know if it was me or the writer but I wasn't *quite* connecting with the characters. They felt a little distant. Could it be a cultural (British) thing? Perhaps they were a bit too flawed to completely sympathize with? I don't know. It might also have been me. I've been in some back pain the last ten days or so and have been missing sleep. I might just be a little cranky.
Rating: 7

301. Does Anything Eat Wasps? by New Scientist
Genre: Nonfiction
Notes: TIOLI #1 (two-word tag/same letter - fun facts)
Summary: Science questions and answers from the British magazine New Scientist
Opinion: I thought this would be a breezy popular science book but it was a bit more frustrating than that. At times I had to have my husband explain the answers to me. You almost had to have a science degree to understand them! And I didn't know this was from a British magazine so all the measures are metric. Since this was a bathroom read, I had no way to figure out the conversion. Otherwise an interesting book. And, yes, many many things eat wasps!
Rating: 6

302. Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: Ghoul Goblin by Jim Butcher
Genre: Graphic Novel
Notes: TIOLI #18 (two words title same)
Summary: A new story set in the Dresden world where a family is cursed to die in a horrific fashion
Opinion: Average story, average illustration. I read it because it's Dresden. The end.
Rating: 6

303. Take a Thief by Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Fantasy
Notes: TIOLI #18 (two words title same), reread
Rating: 7

304jnwelch
jan 1, 2014, 3:37 pm

Too bad, Morphy. I had a feeling Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind wasn't going to work for you. It's a favorite of mine, and makes perfect sense to me, but that probably says more about how my mind works than anything else.

305SylviaC
jan 1, 2014, 3:39 pm

>303 Morphidae: You hit on a pet peeve of mine with the thing about throwing in a few French words for flavour. If the narrative is supposed to be happening in a single language, it should all be in the same language! Don't throw in random words for flavour!

In Winter Solstice I felt a very strong connection with Elfrida, and the least connection with Carrie. I felt that Carrie's storyline was the weakest.

306Morphidae
Redigerat: jan 1, 2014, 9:09 pm

>304 jnwelch: Joe, well, it's so popular it had to make sense to LOTS of people. Just not me!

>305 SylviaC: Sylvia, I don't mind a bit of it. Especially some of the cuss words. I'd look up a word and it would be something like "asshole" and I'd crack up. But every page?

***

And here's my 2014 thread, just like I said I would, ON THE FIRST!

http://www.librarything.com/topic/163433

Sheesh, people! :D

307humouress
jan 2, 2014, 11:47 am

Well, I went looking for you ON THE FIRST! ;0)