Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group discussion
What are U doing today?
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What are U doing today? (Ongoing thread)
Nice pic, Jim.Maybe you should patent that tassel-maker. :)
Knitting needles and spindles and a sweet dog. Thanks for sending the pictures. nina
I watched the older version(British) of Shadowlands last night and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. Every bit as good as the follow up with Anthony Hopkins, which is saying a lot. nina
Nina, I'm going to try the older, 1985, version too."Shadowlands" (C.S. Lewis: Through the Shadowland)(TV 1985)
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Shadowla...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090005/
For reference: Here's the 1993 version:
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Shadowla...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108101/
Jackie, I'm probably not the world's best restaurant critic, because I don't have a sharp sense of taste --my sense of smell is weak, too, and I've read that they're closely related. (I enjoy my food, though!) But Barb does have a well-developed sense of taste. Anyway, there's a Golden Corral in Harrisonburg, in the area where she grew up and her side of the family lives. We both consider it the best restaurant in that area, and eat there when we want a special treat. It's comparable to Ryan's; the cuisine is varied, to appeal to every taste, and it's served buffet style, so there's no tedious waiting. And the buffet is all-you-can-eat (I can eat a lot! :-) )
Good picture. I have forgotten how many horses you have/nina
Thanks, Nina. 3 horses & a pony. Blue was lurking in the barn, I think. It was close to supper time, so that's likely. Speedy is stuck in his paddock so Marg can strictly control what he eats. I even got in trouble for giving him the occasional treat. He's not processing food well any more.The goats are in that picture, too. They just blend in really well. The dogs were underfoot or gone.
Jim, thanks for sharing the pictures. The animals are cute --and I'm in awe of anybody who can make his own knitting needles. (I'm doing well if I can thread a needle!)
You're the second person who thought knitting needles were tough, Werner. They're actually very easy - just a straight run of a specific diameter. Making the spindle for the chair was much harder since I not only had to match diameter at every point, but had to match all the curves, too. The part I found the hardest was trying to match the color. I mixed up some stain with polyurethane about the right base color & put a coat on. Then I painted it with thinned down black/brown paint & let it dry. Then I 'sanded' off some of the paint with a piece of a paper grocery bag. That left enough dark to look like the natural aging. It was shinier, so I did a final coat of satin spray polyurethane. As it was, I didn't get quite enough red in it.
I found it funny that my redneck knitting box prompted another knitter to go out & buy 2 boxes for her own supplies. The second box was for her crocheting stuff. She's tickled with it.
Yes, I could see how the chair would be harder, because of the curved surfaces. And it would require a type of perfectly dovetailed fitting of part to part that's kind of like what Barb has to do in making her picture frames. The sanding and staining processes would have similarities, too. It's too bad she's Internet-phobic (I won't say computer-phobic, since she likes playing solitaire on the computer); if she were on Goodreads, she'd probably love talking woodworking with you!
Actually, the spindles lay fairly loose in the holes, one reason you can see chips at the edge of them in this photo, especially on the right side.http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid...
The right spindle is the one I made from scratch & it had been broken for a while, so it came out & then was put it back in again until it completely broke. It was given to me then & has sat around as a project to finish for ages. With green-bent chair backs, nothing fits too tightly after it all dries. This back moves almost 2" when you lean back & then becomes solid. They're very odd creatures & it is a real art to make a good, comfortable, yet sturdy one. They usually have several different kinds of wood in them & are finished with odd mixtures. I think this one was originally stained & then had a linseed oil finish on it. That's why it darkened in non-wear places so much. I didn't want to wait a decade for it to blend in, so I faked it.
;-)
Well, Zenyatta took both Horse of the Year & Older Mare of the Year. Yay!!! Blame got Older Male of the year, no surprise.Forest didn't even come close to getting Apprentice Jockey. Moreno got all the votes, rightly so, but still...
A surprise to me was to see Slip Away get Steeple Chase horse of the year. I don't follow it, but when they introduced the trainer, it was Tommy Voss, an old neighbor. I talked to Mom this morning & she was at Tom's house with his kids & grandkids watching the awards. Small world.
Here's a good link that shows the voting & has links for more info, if you're interested.
http://www.drf.com/news/2010-eclipse-...
Unfortunately, a lot of what I'm going to be doing today is taking steps to remove my book, Lifeblood, from the Inked in Blood website, and to spread the word to people not to purchase it there! Last night, another Goodreader supplied me with a wealth of irrefutable documentation (links available on request, but will be posted in another group later) that this "publishing" operation is a scam, run by a man with a long string of aliases and front companies. (His main M.O. apparently is using the "publishing" disguise to get access to writer's manuscripts, and then try to market them as his own under his own name or an alias.) Fortunately, he signed his "contract" with me under a bogus name, so it has no legal standing.I apologize to anybody who might already have ordered the book from this source --as I know you did, Jim! At least you did get your copy (apparently, he doesn't always deliver!); but I know you ordered it at least partly to do me a good turn, and I'm really sorry that my gullibility caused you to shell out that much hard-earned money. :-(
Werner, that's a shame. Well, at least you found out about it and are remedying the situation. So that's a good thing.
Not a huge deal for me, Werner. I'm sorry you got scammed. If you ever figure out what due diligence could have been done, please post it. That's the sort of thing we could all learn from. I'm sure it can take other, similar forms.
Thanks, Jim, and Joy. Yes, as a former boss of mine once said, "If you couldn't learn from your mistakes, there wouldn't be any sense making them!" :-) (Or as a less complimentary old saying has it, "Experience teaches a dear school, but a fool will learn in no other.")Just in terms of warning signs that a more prudent and less trusting writer might have looked for: beware of publishers with multiple names and e-mail accounts. (Granted, a publisher who also writes may legitimately employ a pen name, and some writers have several --but those who are on the level use them only in specific contexts.) Also, it's well to be wary of two supposedly separate presses, with supposedly different owners, that nevertheless collaborate seamlessly. And a publisher that insists on electronic fund transfers or money orders because his bank holds checks he tries to cash is probably a danger signal. (Yes, I know --I'm an idiot! :-( )
My son, who lives in Julian, CA sent me a clipping from his local newspaper concerning a local author who has already published 12 books and the latest one is being made into a movie by Oliver Stone. The author is Don Winslow and his latest to be made into the movie is, "Savages." His area he lives in and writes about is San Diego, County. Other titles are, "The Death and LIfe of Bobby Z," "The Power of the Dog,"and a prequel to the espionage thriller, "Shibumi," by Trevanian. It is called, Satori>" I thought it might be fun to check him out. nina
The drive in wasn't pretty this morning. We had rain earlier this week that washed the roads clear of salt. Last night we got some freezing rain & just enough snow to make the first 10 miles of my drive a real bear. Once I got into Shelbyville, the roads had been salted & were fine. The last mile into work wasn't great, either. Our snow is supposed to start at 11am & go until 1am now. We're right on the line of 1-3" & 3-6" where I live, but now they're calling for the heavier amount here in Louisville. I think I'll take a half day today.
I'm really worried about poor Marg, though. They have school as usual & the snow is supposed to be at its heaviest this afternoon. They've had her driving kids home in the worst of the snow before. It's very tough on her & scary. She had to have kids call their parents because she couldn't go down their roads to drop them off.
Good luck to Marg. That's such a big responsibility. They should close the schools.
We'll be thinking of her today, Jim! I'm trusting that she and the schoolkids will come through okay.
Thanks, all. Joy, it's a real tough decisions with the schools. Unless it is snowing, closing them means tagging more days on at the end of the year now & it upsets a lot of parents who have to leave work.
My boss isn't thrilled about me leaving, but he lives a couple of miles from work & doesn't have anyone else to worry about. The easy fix - take 1/2 a vacation day. He calls me a snow whimp.
;-)
Jim, you know what they say: "Better safe than sorry".
Good morning!I made it into work without a problem. Getting back into the lane might be interesting, though. It's 12 freaking degrees out with a few inches of snow blowing all over.
Marg had a fun time with the bus yesterday. The elected idiot in charge of the school board decided to close school early, but she decided the elementary kids should go home 1/2 an hour earlier than the middle & high school kids. Hello! The same buses are used for both & they're scheduled like they are so everything works out. By not doing both the same, they wound up with a complete jumble & lots of waiting. Some of the kids were on the bus an extra hour.
To add injury to insult, Marg's bus died down in a hollow while she still had a dozen kids on. No radio or cell phone service down there & she's not allowed to let a kid off the bus or get off herself while they're on. Luckily, a gal stopped & Marg had her call in the problem. Then another guy stopped & proceeded to go up the road & inform all the parents, who then came & picked up their kids.
Marg wound up getting home late, in a horrible loaner bus that barely made it up the hill into our lane. Luckily there is no school today so they might fix her bus & have it back to her before she has to do any runs in the loaner.
Hope Marg will rest up today from the ordeal. That sort of thing takes a lot out of you.
Jim, sorry to hear about Marg's ordeal, but glad she and the school kids got home safe and in one piece! Drive carefully going home (not that you need that advice, duh!).Since the prevailing wind direction is usually from the west, our weather here usually mirrors yours, but a day or so later. It started to snow here last night and is still coming down, so we've got a white world again.
Thanks, Joy. Marg has the day at home, so she should be able to rest up some, although doing the animals today will be a chore. Thanks, Werner. I was creeping in the first 10 miles. The wind blew a fair amount of snow back across the roads & it melted on the salt, then refroze. Still, it wasn't as bad as yesterday. The main roads were dry, though. There's a lot less snow here in Louisville than at home.
Ah, the comforts of home. Hope you had something hot for her to drink, after the fact. No one was hurt and that is a blessing. nina
I didn't, Nina, but the microwave is quick.;-)
We're down to 6 degrees. Ugh. The high today was 19. Not much wind, thankfully.
Out temps were down near zero last night. It's now around 11 degrees at 9:18 AM. The snow is piled high and there are long icicles hanging from most of the houses. I'll be so glad when things warm up!
We were at 0 this morning. I had to dress & take Harley out before I got a cup of coffee & then take her out a second time before I finished it. I just got back in from scraping the lane, shoveling the walks & all. It's sunny & 23 now. That actually feels warm. No wind, thank goodness.
Hey, it's 23.4 degrees here... almost the same as your temp, Jim! Sunny too. :)
Put up new curtains in our computer/tv room (have 3 computers). Have an extra curtain panel and plan to make some throw pillows. Only thing is - we gave away our sewing machine. Should be interesting to see how this turns out. Perhaps use some velcro to reduce the amount of sewing to be done...
We're at a balmy 21 this morning! No wind, so it really doesn't feel bad. I had to get up & get Harley out again first thing, so these early morning temps really mean a lot. The schedule for today is pretty open. Bills still to finish this morning. I'm still paying for Xmas & Harley's vet bill came due, too. Ugh. Then I guess I'll go out to the shop for a bit. We have to trim the goats feet & clean Lily's ears, but nothing huge today. Oh, I have to clear all the paper boxes under my bed & vacuum under there, too. I thought I'd cleaned up under there, but it is Lily's favorite stash & she came up with a piece of plastic last night. The boxes are full of extra books & old video tapes.
I've got another "vacation" day today --but of an unwanted sort! A virulent strain of flu (that tends to hang on and on) has been going around here; it went all through our daughter and son-in-law's household on the WV side of the border, and Barb is slowly recovering from a siege of it that cost her two days of work this week. Last night, we discovered that I was carrying a fever, too; so, no church or work for me today! Right now, I actually feel fairly well; but it's morning, and human biorhythm patterns being what they are, that may change as the day goes on, and especially by tonight.
Get well soon, Werner.Jim, I hate clearing paperwork and getting rid of odds and ends. Good luck with that. :)
Linda, I hate sewing. Good luck with that. :)
Last night our dog got hold of my watch which was on an end table. He chewed up the metal band and left a few pieces of it on the floor. I assume he swallowed the rest of the pieces. What a worry. He seems OK and is sleeping peacefully on the sofa. :) What a digestive system! :)
We were lucky; after a seven inch snowfall this week they were predicting another one starting last night; it missed us; in the teens when we drove to Mass at Seven o'clock this morning but no struggling with a blizzard. Now, Joy could you help me out? I am trying to find out the plot of, "Cutting For Stone," by Verghese Abraham.I don't get anything by going to Amazon except prices. nina
Werner wrote: "I've got another "vacation" day today --but of an unwanted sort! A virulent strain of flu (that tends to hang on and on) has been going around here; it went all through our daughter and son-in-law..."Keep an eye on that fever, Werner.
Thanks, Joy, Jim, and Linda! I actually woke up with no fever this morning, which makes me feel like a heel for staying home. But maybe my system can use a day of rest. :-)
Today, its -12 outside. Unbelievable. I'll have to wear thermal underclothing. My job involves going to potential clients' homes - meaning getting in and out of the car more than I'd like! Glad you are back to good health Werner.
Just realized the -12 was for Albany NY. Here it is worse at -26.
We're a balmy 22 with 1/2" of snow & it's Monday. That's weird that it all doesn't seem too bad...It's amazing what you can get used to & even appreciate.
The temp right now (7:39 AM) in Glens Falls is a record-breaking -27, according to the TV. That's MINUS 27 degrees... 27 degrees below zero! Our private thermometer at home reads -17.9. The TV just said that it had been down to -30 earlier in Glens Falls.I hate to let the dog out because the temps are dangerous at this point.
Thanks for the Cutting For Stone review. It does sound interesting. You always come through when I need you. You are a wonderful researcher. what did you teach in school? nina
You're welcome, Nina. I enjoy looking things up online, especially because it's so easy. :) I love it when my curiosity is piqued. This group helps to stimulate my interest. I'm grateful for that.To answer your question, I taught elementary school downstate. I majored in history. I was always curious about history, but it turns out that there is too much to learn. :) Sometimes I wish I had majored in English literature... but there is so much to be read! LOL We can only taste, according to our abilities and interests.
Some quotes:
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"The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled." -Plutarch
"The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards." -Anatole France
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." -Confucius
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WAsn't Confucious wonderful. I would have liked to have him as a dinner guest. I had a wonderful History teacher in High School so I too loved history maybe because of her. Long ago Life magazine had a series called Life Goes To ... and the spring I was in her class Life magazine was coming to our history class. Life Goes to School...something important happened and I don't remember what now so we were upended. nina
Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group
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Yes, Lily is a sweetie & a camera hog. Cutter is worse. I went into the woods the other day. Cutter, Topaz, the goats & the dogs all came along. I thought I'd take a picture of my entourage, but Cutter helped me. This is all I got before the camera lens got covered in snow from his snout.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid...