Laurel's corner

[Laurel]

Aaron{{REBLAST}} wrote: "Just out of curiosity, how many books do you read at one time, Laurel?"

Usually three, sometimes 4-always a paper version that I can chance getting wet in the hot tub, a couple of e books-I have both IPad and kindle, and often one nonfiction. Depends on the challenges and group reads.

[Michael]

Laurel wrote: "Michael wrote: "how are you doing?"

Well, it has been an interesting couple of weeks! My mother-in-law, who is 94, has been in the hospital twice in the last five weeks, and has had a couple of cl..."

My prayers go out to you and your family.

[[deleted user]]

Laurel wrote: "Aaron{{REBLAST}} wrote: "Just out of curiosity, how many books do you read at one time, Laurel?"

Usually three, sometimes 4-always a paper version that I can chance getting wet in the hot tub, a c..."

Well that's incredible. I only read one book at a time.

[Laurel]

Michael wrote: "Laurel wrote: "Michael wrote: "how are you doing?"

Well, it has been an interesting couple of weeks! My mother-in-law, who is 94, has been in the hospital twice in the last five weeks, and has had..."

Thank you Michael. I greatly appreciate your kindness. Will keep you posted.

[Laurel]

Aaron{{REBLAST}} wrote: "Laurel wrote: "Aaron{{REBLAST}} wrote: "Just out of curiosity, how many books do you read at one time, Laurel?"

Usually three, sometimes 4-always a paper version that I can chance getting wet in t..."
I only read one at a time when my kids were little, and/or I was working full time. I always had schoolwork to do at night and on the weekends. You will have more time when your kids are older.

[[deleted user]]

Not sure I'll be having kids at my age.:)

[Laurel]

Idea borrowed from the Mystery, Crime & Thrillers Group:

History of Mysteries Challenge: by decade, starting with 1914-1924 to the present

[Michael]

I'd like to invite to join the Reading for Pleasure book club and The Book Addicts.

[Laurel]

Michael wrote: "I'd like to invite to join the Reading for Pleasure book club and The Book Addicts."

Thank you, Michael. I joined both. Looks like the latter is just getting started. Should be interesting. Thanks for thinking of me.

[Michael]

How are you doing?

[[deleted user]]

Hi Laurel and Michael. How are you both?

[Laurel]

Michael wrote: "How are you doing?"

Not so good. My mom is day-to-day. Her status has been changed to palliative. We were there on Saturday. So, we are waiting for the phone call. The waiting is hard. Could be today, next week? My husband's mom is 94, and has been hospitalized twice in the last six weeks. She is about a year and a half younger than my mother. Finding it hard to concentrate on much of anything.

Thanks for asking. Hope all is well with you. It must be getting pretty hot and humid in your neck of the woods!

[[deleted user]]

Sorry to hear about your Mom, Laurel.

[Laurel]

Aaron{{REBLAST}} wrote: "Hi Laurel and Michael. How are you both?"

Not so good. My mom is day-to-day. Her status has been changed to palliative. We were there on Saturday. So, we are waiting for the phone call. The waiting is hard. Could be today, next week? My husband's mom is 94, and has been hospitalized twice in the last six weeks. She is about a year and a half younger than my mother. Finding it hard to concentrate on much of anything.

Thanks for asking.

[Laurel]

Aaron{{REBLAST}} wrote: "Sorry to hear about your Mom, Laurel."

Thank you. She was 95 last Christmas.

[[deleted user]]

That's a great age to live to be, Laurel. You're lucky to have had her in your life.

[Laurel]

Aaron{{REBLAST}} wrote: "That's a great age to live to be, Laurel. You're lucky to have had her in your life."

Very! But the last few years have been pretty tough. Severe dementia is very difficult to watch, and those few extra years are not necessarily a blessing. I am just glad that she is no longer really aware of what she has been through.
She was born the year the First World War ended-1918, so she witnessed a lot of history in her lifetime.

[[deleted user]]

I know, my own Gran had severe dementia before she passed away. So hard to watch...no dignity. No they aren't a blessing. I was actually relieved when she passed because I knew she wasn't going to get better.

My Gran was born in 1917, around the same era as yours. Yes, I know my Gran witnessed a lot in her lifetime,too.

I feel very fortunate to have had her in my life. She was such a positive, loving influence on me.

[Laurel]

Aaron{{REBLAST}} wrote: "I know, my own Gran had severe dementia before she passed away. So hard to watch...no dignity. No they aren't a blessing. I was actually relieved when she passed because I knew she wasn't going to ..."

Thanks for telling me about your Gran. Dementia is a terrible disease. Like you, I will be relieved when she is gone.

[[deleted user]]

My pleasure, Laurel. Take care.

[Michael]

you doing ok?

[Laurel]

Michael wrote: "you doing ok?"

Yes, Michael. I am, I guess. She is still hanging in there. There definitely seem to be more bad days than good ones, and we wonder how much longer she can go onlike this. I spend time in my garden, read, watch tv-anything to keep my mind occupied. Of course every time the phone rings you wonder if this time it is that call. My mother-in-law pitched herself face first out of her wheelchair when she caught her foot under it, as she was being returned to her room from breakfast. She is ok, a big goose egg on her forehead. These two old gals keep us on our toes, at 95.6 and 94 yrs., respectively. I haven't finished any books lately, since I can't seem to stay focused on any thin for any length of time. Hope all is well with you and yours. Our kids here have another month of holiday. When does school start there?

Thanks so much for looking in on me. I really appreciate it. Read any thing really good lately?

Saw your post about the world wide aspects of GR friendship. I should look at that too. I am sure I would be surprised by the results.

[Michael]

My Johnny comes home Aug 7 from visiting with his Mom in Alabama all summer. It will be good to have him home, but I will admit I enjoyed the peace and quiet.

Have a book you might like to read:The Garden of Eden

I thought it was as good as Cannery Row

has the same diverse set of characters, multiple story lines. It is a good read.

[Michael]

how you doing?

[Michael]

Talk to me. Are you alright?

[Laurel]

SPRING Challenge:
S-Scones, Skulls & Scams Leighann Dobbs Completed April29/15
P- Powder BurnCarl Hiaasen Completed April18/15
R- Return to Dead City Mike Reuther Completed April 20/15
I- InSight Completed May 6/15
N-Nailed Completed May 11/15
G-Gone for a Soldier Completed May 13/15

Challenge completed May 13/15

[Laurel]

Just finished Nailed, gave it 5*'s, going to read the next one with Police Chief Ron Ketchum, in Goldstrike, California. It is Defiled

[Laurel]

Fifty Shades of Reading:
1. A book with a one word title-Nailed completed May 11/15
2. A book with a female author- Gone for a Soldier Completed May 13/15
3. A book written by an author that is new to me:Boca Knights Steven M. Forman Completed May 13/15 Completed June8/15
4. A book with short stories- War Girls Completed March 31/15
5. A book by an author that I love, that I haven't read Evan Hunter also writes as Ed McBain Completed May19/15
6. A book set in another country-Cocaine Blues Kerry Greenwood set in Australia, Completed May20/15
7. A book listed as romance or historical romance AmethystLauren Royal Completed May 24/15
8. A book that I started and never finished The Great GatsbyF. Scott Fitzgerald Completed May 26/15
9. A book that I could read in one day- and I did! Sweet MasterpieceConnie Shelton
10. A book with a number in the title 4.50 from Paddington Agatha Christie Completed May 141/5
11. A book listed as horror Completed June 4/15
12. A book set somewhere I would like to visit (Florida) The Mangrove Coast Randy Wayne White Completed June 4/15
13. A book that begins a new series, and will be a series that I continue reading-I can record two for this one Completed June 8/15 A Beautiful Blue DeathCharles FinchThe Secret History of the Pink CarnationLauren Willig Completed June 6/15
14. A book set in a famous city (Rome) David Hewson
9] A Season For The Dead Completed June8/15
15. A book with a character that I liked, but have not read of, recently Havana Bay Martin Cruz Smith the character is Arkady Renko, that I first encountered in Gorky Park

[Laurel]

******Note to Self******

Reading Trinity-read only to page 360 before June 1st! Less than half for counting In Summer Reading challenge

Reading Needful Things read only to page 350 before June 1st! Less than half for counting In Summer Reading challenge
-starting May 20/15 & Completed June 4/15

Reading RomaSteven Saylor less than 298 pages for SRC, started May27/15

[Laurel]

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...

Wanted to remember this list, part of Listopia!

As of June 12/15, I have read 24 of this list of 100, and have designated another 34 to read, according to GR. Why not just go for the 100?

[Michael]

How are you doing, Laurel?

[Laurel]

PERSONAL Challenge: read any of the following
1. Main page genre starts with letter in MUSEUM-mysteryScott Hunter Black DecemberCOMPLETED March/18
2. Author's first & last initials appear in CULTURE
3. Human hair is visible on cover
4. Choose a book involving a cyrptid-vampire 'Salem's Lot COMPLETEDv
5. 300+ pg published in year with a 9 & 2
6. Something sweet to eat on coverA Decadent Way to Die
7. Book involving spies
8. Free choiceThe Tea Rose COMPLETED June/18
9. Non-fiction, within history genre
Twilight at Monticello: The Final Years of Thomas Jefferson
10. Book with a 3 word titleThe Silent Girls COMPLETED March/18
11. Bird or bug on cover
Swan Song
12. Set in France or French author The Dark Vinyard COMPLETED March/18
13. Book from Book Lovers' List
14. Non-fiction by a journalist Trumpocracy: The Corruption of the American Republic
15. Set in a country that is part of the African Union-Tunisia The African Quest
16. Any book with a form of "lie/liar" in titleCity of Liars and Thieves
17. Historical fiction genre with a female authorLily of the Nile
18. Fruit name or flavour in title
19. Author's name is David, Patrick or George
20. Any form of mechanism that flies, on cover
21. Book from a country I have not visitedIsland in the East Singapore COMPLETED March/18
22. Medieval theme
23. Ready to eat food on cover
24. Flowers on cover
25. New to me historical fiction, already on TBR list
26. #1, 3, or 5 in a series Die with Me COMPLETED JUNE/18 (#1 in a series)
27. #1, 5, or 10 in a series
28. Book originally published in another language The Ice ChildCOMPLETED, originally published in Swedish
29. Book involving a railway/train themeThe Railway Detective
30. Book on my list longer than a year The Mists of Avalonadded to TBR 2009
31. Book added recently-post Feb./18Blood Silence added to list March/18 COMPLETED
32. Book with a building on the cover
33. Book with 50% set in London
34. Any location setting, but prior to 1800
35. Book with a beautiful gown on coverThe Hanover Square Affair
36. Prize winner-record prize & year
37. Two books by the same author Deadly Stillwater COMPLETED Electing To MurderCOMPLETED
38. Predominantly one colour cover
39. Castle on cover
40. Book with Western genre listed Northfield