Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group discussion
What are U doing today?
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What are U doing today? (Ongoing thread)
Mary JL wrote: "We have not had this much snow in years! We have 10 inches on the ground; the winds are 35mph plus and we are under a blizzard warning.All the schools are closed; the buses were taken off the ..."
Wow, Mary! Looks as if you're snowed in there in Nebraska! Here in northern NY we have about 8+ inches of snow on the ground already and it's still coming down. It's already too deep for our poor little Maltese dog, Romeo. It's powdery. So I've been sweeping it away on the front and back stoops. The driveway will have to be plowed or the postman won't deliver our mail. No Netflix DVDs!
The worst part is the freezing rain that's expected on top of this. That means the weight of the snow and ice on the trees and bushes might cause a lot of damage and also affect electric wires out on the roads. This is the part I dread... outages and damaged trees putting everything else in danger.
Jim wrote: "Joy, the hounds chase the fox or scent trail. The huntsman & whips (staff) chase the hounds. The Master chases the hounds, but makes sure he/she keeps clear of the staff & tries not to get between... ... Wikipedia has a pretty good article on it.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_hunting "
Jim, thanks for taking the time to explain about Fox Hunting. I'll check out the Wiki link too. So far, I see that there are quite a few "staff" people involved. I never knew there was so much to it... well, to be exact, I never thought about it. :) Where do the hunters go after the hunt is over? Is there a social gathering of some sort? If so, that must be fun too. It's a whole other world, isn't it.
"The unspeakable chasing the uneatable" Oscar Wilde on fox hunting.
There is a social gathering after the Hunt. It's called a 'tea'. Depending on where the meet is & who is available, a member or two will arrange the tea. Sometimes they're catered, but often lots of people bring a dish each. In cold weather, soup & port are big hits. Usually sandwiches & other finger food are plentiful.I used to really enjoy it after the Children's Hunt, which is the day after Thanksgiving. On that day, kids get to ride with the staff members. Erin got to ride with the Huntsman two years running. James used to ride with the Whips, since his grandmother was one back then. Also, all the kids come out with their parents. There's a picture of all of us at a Children's Hunt on my web page under the family pictures (http://jimwoodwork.com) You'll see Erin on a pony not much bigger than the hounds. The lady in the Pink coat is my mother. Marg, James, Brandon & I are also there.
I was a co-master when I was about 15 or 16. A girl & I wound up getting our picture on the cover of the Maryland Horse magazine. We were leading the field & jumped a post & rail fence together. We were both up in the stirrups with our right hands in the air. A couple of wild indians.
The girl went on to be one of the few female jockey's to win the Maryland Hunt Cup (the toughest timber race in the world). She just broke her ankle very badly last week tripping over a dog. Life is so weird.
Right now I'm listening to Anthony cursing in the yard...poor baby is shovelling the foot of wet snow we've got.
Jim wrote: "There is a social gathering after the Hunt. It's called a 'tea'. Depending on where the meet is & who is available, a member or two will arrange the tea. Sometimes they're catered, but often lot..."Jim, You must have some great memories of your family's equestrian events. You all look quite snazzy in your riding outfits.
Arnie wrote: " "The unspeakable chasing the uneatable" Oscar Wilde on fox hunting."Arnie, I found this one online:
" To horse and away To the heart of the fray! Fling care to the Devil for one merry day!" -W.H.Ogilvy
Jackie wrote: "Right now I'm listening to Anthony cursing in the yard...poor baby is shovelling the foot of wet snow we've got."Eddie cleared our snow today too. I'm not ready for all this snow. In fact, I'll never be ready. I used to like snow, but over the years I've come to realize all the trouble it causes.
It's so pretty when it first falls, but it gets wearisome quickly.
I got the shelf/magazine rack that Marg wants for the small bathroom stained tonight. I'm staining it first, then putting it together, so I don't get glue marks. I'm using a homemade iron stain, which won't quite match the other cabinet that it is sitting against, but shouldn't be too far off. The stain is made by soaking steel wool in cider vinegar & then straining it through 2 layers of an old tee shirt. It should be a pretty piece. The magazine rack makes it about 10 times as hard as it should be, though.
Jim wrote: "I got the shelf/magazine rack that Marg wants for the small bathroom stained tonight. I'm staining it first, then putting it together, so I don't get glue marks. I'm using a homemade iron stain, ..."Jim, I admire your ambition. Good luck with the rack.
Speaking of that type of furniture, I recently bought a handy used small 3-shelf item made of mahogany for $20. It was on display on the sidewalk outside a small antique store in Glens Falls. It's perfect for holding my piano sheet music. It's 22" wide and 24" high (about 12" deep). It's very pretty with its turned legs. What a bargain!
I knew when I saw it that it was perfect for my purposes. I placed it next to the piano. I'm hoping that by having my sheet music in sight and available, I will be motivated to sit down and practice at the piano. Right now I have my Christmas sheet music on the top of the piles of music. It makes me feel good just to look at it.
Where do you live that you are in a blizzard? We have unusually cold weather for this time of year too; like zero tomorrow and the petunias that were still blooming a few days ago gave up on the vine. We are in a crazy weather zone as it was lovely in the sixties last Saturday. BRRR~in KS But watched, "Julia and Julie," again under a blanket and had hot chocolate and so it was a fun evening after all. Now I am into bed to begin reading the Bio of Warren Buffet Maybe I'll get some hints on how to become rich..I wish..Well, too late for that, literally. nina
Nina wrote: "Where do you live that you are in a blizzard? We have unusually cold weather for this time of year too; like zero tomorrow and the petunias that were still blooming a few days ago gave up on the vi..."Nina, Mary JL is from Nebraska, north of your Kansas location.
Which Warren Buffett biog are you reading, Nina?
I just watched "Julia and Julie" today. See my post at:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/9...
Message #985.
Thanks for the idea of having a hot chocolate. Good idea. I think I'll have one too. :)
We're finally going to see New Moon today! I stayed up til 5AM reading but I'm not going to let the opportunity slip away again. The Host was too good to put down, I could have gone on for a while but knew I'd never get up! We were supposed to go yesterday but Anthony had an emergency job to do and that will always take precedence over any plans we may have.Then we'll do our food shopping afterwards, not looking forward to that part of the day.
And yesterday Eric gave me my Christmas present. He's as bad as me with holding onto presents!
It's a big dreamcatcher with a wolf face and a wolf pack below the face stretched across the center, with faux fur trim on the circle and feathers dangling. I LOVE IT! I hung it up immediately in the living room because I spend a lot of time there. I have a small dreamcatcher over my head while I sleep, but I never look at it. I'm either sleeping or reading in the bedroom. In the living room I can see it all the time and admire the beauty of it.
Jackie, enjoy New Moon and enjoy your new dreamcatcher. I had to look up the meaning of the word. Below is the Wiki definition:"Dreamcatcher: A decorative Native American object in the form of a hoop and net with attachments such as feathers, traditionally believed by the Ojibwa to "filter out" bad dreams."
FROM: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dreamca...
Is your dreamcatcher anything like one of the following hits at Google images?
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en...
Yes, that's the layout, but different picture and the faux fur around it is something I haven't seen before.
This afternoon, sat in the living room and watched the snow fall. For several minutes anyway..then went back to life (cleaning, cooking, studying).
Jackie wrote: "Yes, that's the layout, but different picture and the faux fur around it is something I haven't seen before."
Enjoy your gift, sounds lovely.
We first saw Dreamcatchers while we were shopping in Montreal for my husbands' grandkids. Found one for the eldest granddaughter - was pretty - lots of blue and brown. She loved the gift and went up to her room to hang it right away.
They are very beautiful. They're works of art and beauty. I bought Brittny one a couple of years ago and she loves it. Eric has them in his room too.
I met Dan Lynch today at a book signing at the New York State Military Museum here in Saratoga Springs. He's the author of "The Thunder of Captains". It's a historical novel, telling the story of John Burgoyne's love affair that changed history and altered the outcome of the Battle of Saratoga in the American Revolutionary War, October, 1777. Can't wait to start this one!
Katherine wrote: "I met Dan Lynch today at a book signing at the New York State Military Museum here in Saratoga Springs. He's the author of "The Thunder of Captains". It's a historical novel, telling the story of John Burgoyne's love affair..."Wow, Katherine, that sounds fascinating!
RE: _The Thunder of Captains_ by Dan Lynch
From the GR description:
"... The Battle of Saratoga's ending was shaped by a determined, compelling woman whose love affair with a dashing general altered the course of world history. Their dramatic, romantic story set in motion a bizarre sequence of events that created a nation. ..."
From Wiki:
"General John Burgoyne was a British army officer .... Burgoyne is best known for his role in the American War of Independence. During the Saratoga campaign he surrendered his army of 6,000 men to the American troops."
FROM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bur...
PS-Katherine, is Dan Lynch from Saratoga?
'The Thunder of Captains' sounds enthralling. Usually not my kind of book, it has my interest piqued. I'd like to read it. Thank you, Katherine.
Dan Lynch has worked as a writer for The Times Union newspaper in Albany, NY. Currently, he hosts a radio talk program at 1300AM. He lives in Penn Yan, NY.
Katherine wrote: "Dan Lynch has worked as a writer for The Times Union newspaper in Albany, NY. Currently, he hosts a radio talk program at 1300AM. He lives in Penn Yan, NY."Thanks for the info, Katherine. From the map, I see that Penn Yan, NY, is in the Finger Lakes area, around Keuka Lake.
Wiki says: "The name (Penn Yan) is an invention of the early settlers for their community. It is derived from the shortening of 'Pennsylvania Yankee'."
FROM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penn_Yan...
I see that Penn Yan boats got started there too. Now I know where the boats got their name. :)
http://www.flbm.org/Buildr/pennyan.htm
(A friend of ours has a 21' Penn Yan boat and has camped on Lake George with it for years.)
Hmmm, I guess I got off topic, but as long as it interests me, I go there. :)
I ran out early to get groceries; took me two hours; wanted to have staples as they have ALREADY issued a winter strom watch for Wednesday!Freezing drizzle off and on tomorrow; freezing rain on Wednesday; changing to snow all day Thursday; ending Friday on Christmas, followed by bitter cold!
The freezing ice-rain worries me especially. The blowers on the apartment furnace her are electirc ignition. If we lose power, it's goning to get really, really cold in here!
On the plus side, we had our Christmas exchange yesterday with friends and I have two new (new to me to own-- I've seen htem_ DVD's--The King and I and Mary Poppins! If we can keep our electircal power I shall just stay in my nice warm front room; watch the DVD's and then read--and read some more!
Mary JL wrote: "I ran out early to get groceries; took me two hours; wanted to have staples as they have ALREADY issued a winter strom watch for Wednesday! Freezing drizzle off and on tomorrow; freezing rain o..."Oh my goodness, Mary. I hope you get through that Nebraska storm OK, keeping warm and comfortable. One of the worst things about this time of year is the fear of the complications from bad weather. Hope you don't lose power. Do any of the folks around your way use electric generators when the main power goes off?
I have just "broadcast" a Goodreads e-mail to all the members of this group telling them about the new "Holiday Greeting" topic I've started where we can share our greetings. I hope you will receive the e-mail soon and I hope the link I included is hyperlinked. If not, the link is below:http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...
We are predicted to have a White Christmas. The first one since 1962. nina
Nina wrote: "We are predicted to have a White Christmas. The first one since 1962. nina"Nina, I hope you get enough snow to be pretty but not too much to be an inconvenience. Our snow here is frozen where it is. I'm hoping it will melt away soon. The temp here right now is 13 degrees F.
I've got snow, big flakes, coming down.
One of our weather forcasters joked at noon "Everyone wishing for a White Christmans--you can stop now!"
(G) Yes, somebody, turn off the snow machine! I never used to worry about falling, but I do now. All it takes is one mis-step and you've got a broken hip. :-(
Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "(G) Yes, somebody, turn off the snow machine! I never used to worry about falling, but I do now. All it takes is one mis-step and you've got a broken hip. :-("When walking in the winter:
I say "I walk like a little old lady". Then I say, "Wait a minute. I am a little old lady. No wonder I walk like one"!
Katherine wrote: "When walking in the winter:I say "I walk like a little old lady". Then I say, "Wait a minute. I am a little old lady. No wonder I walk like one"!
Yes, Katherine, looking old is a hard thing to face up to, especially when in our heads we feel perpetually young (regardless of what our bodies are telling us).
Joy: I AM young--in my head. Only my body has not co-operated and is turning old!
Mary JL wrote: "Joy: I AM young--in my head. Only my body has not co-operated and is turning old!"Funny how we all think of ourselves as young. Bernard Baruch said: "Old age is always fifteen years older than I am." That's so true!
It is true. I guess you are as old as you feel. And that's what really counts, how you feel.
I was too busy doing yesterday to mention it, but besides vacuuming the house, I FINALLY got out into the barn & made some shelves for all the stuff we store out there. The barn is a nice old solid one, but it is a tobacco barn. As storage barns go, tobacco barns aren't great for a number of reasons. They have no loft nor are the walls solid. They're purposely built with the boards 1/2" apart so they can breath. Lots of wooden bracing all over for hanging tobacco, plus a dirt floor. Slowly, I've been redoing our barn so that it is better for our purposes, but I can't afford to dump a lot of money into it. I did cut out all the lower bracing, leveled the floor & put gravel down when we first moved in. I put pallets down & we store our hay for the year in half of it. The other half is for 'stuff'.
Anyway, yesterday I took two old, full sheets of plywood & made them into shelves 3' from the floor & 5' from the floor. I used old bracing & fence boards to frame up the shelves. What a difference! Now all the little 'stuff' is up off the floor & easily accessible, instead of under piles of other stuff on pallets where I'd trip over it. I have a few more finishing touches to do on it today, but nothing major.
I could have finished it up last night, but was mulling over some ideas. I had electric run out to the barn by an electrician, but he just put in a subpanel out there with one light & outlet. Last year, I put in a dozen lights & several more outlets, so I can see out there after dark. If I do say so myself, I did a good job on them. All were positioned really well to make the barn usable at night.
Jim wrote: "I was too busy doing yesterday to mention it, but besides vacuuming the house, I FINALLY got out into the barn & made some shelves for all the stuff we store out there. The barn is a nice old soli..."Jim, sounds like you're getting more and more organized as time goes by. It's a good feeling.
It was interesting to read about the tobacco barn.
Slowly but surely getting organized, Joy. I spent all morning organizing my main Xmas present from the family, a Sony EReader. I have a lot of ebooks & the reader has a 4gb memory card, so I can store thousands of books on it, but finding them once they're on there can be a chore unless I put them on just right.The Sony comes with a program, something like iTunes, for putting books on, but it doesn't have a lot of features that I wanted, so I downloaded a free program called Calibre. It's fantastic. I allows me to edit the metadata, which is what the reader uses to sort by title & author. It also converts files to various formats. Very cool. Takes a while, though.
Having a wonderful Christmas. I opened a treasure trove of books this morning from Santa via Amazon. Among the Offerings are: "The Thunder of Captains by Dan Lynch, "The Help" written by Kathryn Stockett, Tatiana Rosnay's "Sarah's Key", "I, Alex Cross" by James Patterson, the Saratoga Reads Book Club's current pick: "The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Society" By Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, and my friend Joe Bruchac"s "Rachel Carson- Preserving a Sense of Wonder".I will certainly keep you all filled in when I get into reading them.
It amazes me that Santa picked out lots of books that I'm anxious to read. Maybe, husband John had something to do with that.
Hmmm--I did not get any new books for Christmas--However, I still have a nice large TBr pile that I am demolishing while snowed in!Hopefully next week, when the roads are clear, I shall visit the bookstore in search of some after Christmas bargains!
Hope you are all enjoying your great gifts. My greatest gift has been seeing the family together here once again. I'm a bit worn out but that's to be expected. Everyone is still here. It's like old times.
While studying for a test (this will go on until the end of January), my husband and I are making Hungarian Goulash. Dinner should be ready by 6:30 at which point I'll stop studying (taking Medical Anatomy which is the 2nd course out of 3 for Medical Transcription).We also go out the winter down comforter. To decorate the bed, we have a coverlet that is red, white and black, with Black bears - countryish / Adirondack style (live in Lake George NY). I keep the same curtains up in the bedroom all year long, but change the bedding befitting to the season.
Tomorrow afternoon after going around town doing errands, we plan on making some cranberry nut bread. We'll enjoy this with a cup of tea and hopefully a good movie. And yes, I'll be studying some more!
Linda, can you send me the recipe for Hungarian Goulash? My mom used to make it and I've tried so many recipes and never seem to find what I'm looking for.I change my bedding seasonally. Most of my curtains get changed but my bedroom curtains are purfect for all year. I have found any I like better. So they get washed and ironed and put right back up. At this rate, they should have been in tatters, LOL
Jackie wrote: "Linda, can you send me the recipe for Hungarian Goulash? Mine is simple - I think the key is good paprika (which I don't have). I'll send the recipe to your email.
:)
I plan to go out this afternoon when the weather improves--up into the 20's!I've been stuck in the house for four days so I need to replace some groceries and I do not want to do it later in the week when people are shopping for New Year's parties.
We've got snow, I'm not going anywhere.Linda, I've got it, thank you!
Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group
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We're supposed to miss the snow, but I'm hoping we also miss freezing rain. That destroyed us the end of January this year. 6 days without power. Yuck.