Carolyn's Goal Becomes A Lower Plateau!

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Hello from Carolyn! {echo, echo, echo} Here I am atop Mount Ararat, my promised level! After a picnic and night via tent, I think I'll rise higher. First, let me introduce you to the band: the magical companions who have me climbing.

Here is my personal library! It's a real building. Other than a workshop under the shorter roof: this is where my books are kept. Ready for this tidbit? Other than nature / gardening / spiritual references: everything in it is to be read! Consider yourselves frightened. ;)



Please do visit my blog for the related reviews. http://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2013/01...

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Here are my 48 books, alphabetized, that amounted to Ararat. See my reviews at WordPress. I'm thrilled to discuss any authors we have in common.

Nathaniel Benchley "Red Fox And His Canoe" (1964)
Claudia Bishop “Death Dines Out” (1997)
Juliet Blackwell "In A Witch's Wardrobe" (2012)
Crosby Newell Bonsall “The Case Of The Cat's Meow” (1965)
Bryan Buchan “The Dragon Children” (1975)
Clyde Robert Bulla “Ghost Town Treasure” (1957)
Clyde Robert Bulla “The Ghost Of Windy Hill” (1968)
Ray Bradbury “Dark They Were & Golden-Eyed” (1949)
Kate Carlisle "Homicide In Hardcover" (2009)
10) Kate Carlisle "If Books Could Kill" (2010)

Natalie Savage Carlson "Time For The White Egret" (1978)
Erika Chase "A Killer Read" (2012)
Agatha Christie “The Secret Adversary” (1922)
Olivia E. Coolidge “Hercules, Other Tales From Greek Myths” (1949)
E.J. Copperman “Night Of The Living Deed” (2010)
Antoine De St. Exupéry “The Little Prince” (1943)
Dorothy Gilman “Uncertain Voyage” (1967)
Christel Kleitsch "Dancing Feathers" (1985)
Christel Kleitsch "A Time To Be Brave" (1985)
20) Irina Korschunow “The Foundling Fox” (1982)

Victoria Laurie "Demons Are A Ghoul’s Best Friend" (2008)
Jean Little "Forward, Shakespeare!" (2005)
Helen MacInnes “The Salzburg Connection” (1968)
Charlotte MacLeod "Rest You Merry" (1978)
Charlotte MacLeod "The Luck Runs Out" (1979)
Helen Fuller Orton “Mystery In The Pirate Oak” (1949)
Mordecai Richler "Jacob Two-Two Meets Hooded Fang" (1982)
Mordecai Richler "Jacob Two-Two & The Dinosaur" (1987)
Gabrielle Roy "Street Of Riches" (1955)
30) Rochelle Staab "Who Do Voodoo" (2010)

Mary Stanton “Defending Angels” (2008)
Ted Staunton "Greenapple Street Blues" (1987)
Mary Stewart “Thunder On The Right” (1957)
Robert Sutherland "Mystery At Black Rock Island" (1983)
Robert Sutherland "The Ghost Of Ramshaw Castle" (1989)
E.B. White “Stuart Little” (1945)
Phyllis A. Whitney “Black Amber” (1964)
Eric Wilson "Murder On The Canadian" (1976)
Eric Wilson "Vancouver Nightmare" (1978)
40) Eric Wilson "The Case Of The Golden Boy" (1994)

Eric Wilson "Disneyland Hostage" (1982)
Eric Wilson "The Ghost Of Lunenburg Manor" (1981)
Eric Wilson "The Kootenay Kidnapper" (1983)
Eric Wilson "Summer Of Discovery" (1984)
Mildred A. Wirt “The Secret Of The Old Clock” (1930)
Mildred A. Wirt “The Hidden Staircase” (1930)
Mildred A. Wirt “The Mystery At Lilac Inn” (1930)
Catherine Woolley “Ginnie & The Mystery House” (1957)

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Let's glimpse inside my library! This is the first time I open the door over the internet. It's a good way to change the notion that a large collection = 'hoarding'. If we use it, create lovely decor of it; then it should be deemed a functional, worthwhile environment that brings joy.



My young cat, 'Love' atop our highest shelf. A cutie at 11 months old, August 2011.

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Thanks for sharing a personal view. Love has a sister, 'Angel' who much more resembles your Ayouri! I'll choose one of her soon. Nice that cookbooks take a beating in your family. ;)

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I don't know why I keep finding Love around books. Behold him at 2 years old. Like human toddlers, he toppled a storage trolly. I saw something artistic about the spill of paperbacks, from before either of us were born! [Taken September 2012.]

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I introduce Mother to most of our kitties, 'Marigold'! At only 3 years old, scarcely their senior; she too snuggles with a novel from before our time. [January 2013.]

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You have a daughter who's a teenager! She and the presumably male 'Puss' are sweet. When I brought my possee for first vaccinations, I heard female orange cats occur 2% of the time. Marigold and her daughter 'Petal' make two. :)

"Do I have a tabby" she asks. Where to start? I consider Angel a white tabby (Love's stripes aren't prominent). Petal is a tabby and so is 'Spirit', our 8 year-old of the traditional grey variety.

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Here is two year-old Angel, outside our library this month. That shrub has finished flowering, captured in good time. [June 2013.] I suppose this qualifies as a portrait of a kitty near books!

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Few can tell Love from his sister Angel (previous). Here he is at one year-old, inside our library; aka 'cat lounge'. There is a short sidewalk between it and our house. [Aug 2013.]

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Thank you for commenting on my version of babies. I just hit 40 but haven't gotten around to being a Mom, because I've yet to afford marrying my fiancé. Now that you see Angel, wouldn't you say she resembles Ayouri the closest? :-)

Manitoba, mine, is the last province considered Western Canada and the very centre of our country. Ontario is to our east. Not coastal but that's where Windsor is. Are you married, partnered? A fine variety of children, who are depicted in your thumbnail. Is Jessie a girl or boy?

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Communication and tempers could use improvement anyway. Money became a stressor when we moved to a small town and his income became our own. We considered marrying around 2009 but were invited to a friend's wedding instead: in Europe! Didn't expect my youngest brother to marry a month after our return: in Toronto (another plane trip). Early 2010 we learned our apartment building was ousting pets, hence an unprepared house purchase. Country life fulfilled a dream and you get a lot more value.

The only thing marring peace is a run, put where a dog can only stare our way. She's never walked. For 14 months, goes out in full view of our home and barks at whatever moves, on OUR property (even our cats and us). The teen who requested the border collie moved out after 1 year. Something tells me your family interacts better and wouldn't refuse to move a run, if aware it gave so much grief to people who only want a cup of coffee in their yard.

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On a tough note, I'm sorry for your recent loss. My elderly cat passed away July 21, 2003 and I won't be able to believe it will have been 10 years. With how my sorrow was then, I prayed I'd be able to think happily about her someday and I got there. I hope Father's day isn't hard on your kids and they think of their Dad with gladness now. Do tell if Jessie is a girl or boy.

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Terrible - no insurance, possibly uncharted waters in treating. I met a creep who ended a cat's life "because his son was allergic". Many choose euthanasia "because it's an animal" but wouldn't decide the same for other family; with the idea of animal disposability. Your family isn't about that; I regret the pain of your loss. *HUG*

Via my beliefs, I cared for my baby until she died (kidney failure). In both cases, you & I needed serious condolences for "that childhood pet of a lifetime"! Mine was born at the beginning of the 1980s, older than your son.

How long was it before you happily remembered your dog? And ex-husband/best friend? Year 1 was awful for me because I thought it marked the end of sympathy despite pain being fresh. Until about year 3, I made a tadoo of her birth date (July 2) and D day. Then only her birthday by 2007. I could have pleasant recall by about 2 1/2 years and slowly improved.

It was in 2009 that I found myself making a dream come true in Scotand. I remarked at the joy embracing me, that this was one of the high points in my life to remember. It was D day as I stood on a boat upon Loch Ness. I thanked God for showing me that happiness was allowed to come on that day of all days. I was free.

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Toza is a wonderful name. I'm sorry Paul clearly died early. The reason I can say '40' aloud, me, not in the league of Moms and who stuns everyone that I'm past 30; is because my same-age friend ended her life at 40. She suffered from mental illness all her life and medicine only did so much. There was nothing left for her in her opinion but there are entire galaxies left for me. So I honour her by not being vain about chronolgy defying the young lady I feel like I am.

Thank you Christine, you're right that love surrounds us, even though we may battle relatives! Mom gave the wisdom that helps everything: about my childhood cat, who was born to our dear calico at home when I was 9 years-old and who saw me turn 30! She said that she had her turn. Now she is very glad for our present cats to have their turns to receive my love and a life with me.

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About my library / cat lounge; the exterior might look like 'a guy's room'. We learned it was once a garage that the previous owners made into what you astutely remarked. It's no shed. The low roof on the right is a workshop. Ron tinkers in there but cherishes our library too; reading just as much as me (James Rollins types) and frequently referring to the bird, gardening, plant, insect, astronomy guides.

The main room is a carpeted, furnished, very comfortable parlour that I keep clean and fancy. I should show more of the inside. Think books, candles, and neatly-stored plant seeds and tools.

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Authors like James Rollins, Douglas Preston, Tom Clancy, Michael Crichton are Ron's bag. I have enjoyed male authors as long as the protagonist is relatable: similar age, era, interests. I lagged with Mary Roberts Rinehart "The Man In Lower Ten" because it was two lawyers and what's more, of a 1909 mindset such as portrayal of domestic help or females at all. Anyway it doesn't matter what Ron reads. He accompanies me to sales and shares a passion for books.

We also widely enjoy music. He's 51 and was a breath of fresh air from same-age boyfriends, stuck on techno and no real artists. I love stuff ahead of my time, as well as current hits. The beginning of our relationship 12 years ago had the setting of many a rock concert. Our most recent was the return of my favourite Canadian group in January. I wonder how many remember Platinum Blonde? :-)

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Would you like to see our beloved first tabby? In 2006 I created a greeting card collection, so I could write. I stopped with my manufacturer before I moved. But I have my stock of 85 for anyone who uses cards. It is she on cards #1, 2, and 82. Please meet our Thumbelina. :)


[Riedel Card #1 "Logpile Kitty", Copyright © 2006 Riedel Cards]

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Thank you ~ she certainly was long-lived. May all cats at least reach 21. :) Yours seems like a calico, three-coloured. A marble pattern more than stripes. For music: Australia gave me Olivia-Newton John who I grew up with and Ron & I would both love to see Midnight Oil!

I haven't read Mary Roberts Rinehart with bats. I like the ones patrolling moths under our yard light. Perhaps because most of my country has nothing lethal, I appreciate a view of frogs, spiders, snakes, skunks, bears, deer, raccoons, wild turkies, owls.... As long as we and our pets are safe, it's why I live in the forest. http://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2012/06...

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For everyone interested in where people put books, here now is the interior of our library. :) Behold our inner sanctum. [A tidy view, August 2012.]

[Bev]

C. wrote: "Here are my 48 books, alphabetized, that amounted to Ararat. See my reviews at WordPress. I'm thrilled to discuss any authors we have in common.

Nathaniel Benchley "Red Fox And His Canoe" (196..."

Woo hoo! Look at that list. Great job!

[Bev]

C. wrote: "For everyone interested in where people put books, here now is the interior of our library. :) Behold our inner sanctum. [A tidy view, August 2012.]



"

Color me envious. :-)

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49. “The Loon Lake Murders” Robert Sutherland 1987
50. “Marie-Anne Lagiomodière” Irene Turnier Gordon 2004
51. “Wrack And Ruin” Charlotte MacLeod 1982

I'm 3 into my new mountain! Here is a nice representation of being broad-minded. :) A 'new adult' adventure, VERY local pioneer history, and a mystery. I am reading entirely Canadian leading into Canada Day. 'The 4th' is famous but please do wish a good one for our country, every July 1st! :-)

[Julia]

I read Mary Roberts Rinehart's The Bat years ago. (Also the movie with Chester Morris who I think of as Boston Blackie in the movies/radio) Made the mistake of reading it when I was babysitting two kids and it was late and dark... a little on the creepyside. I've tried rereading it recently and winced reading the racial stereotypes of some of the characters.

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Hi Julia! That would be an unsettling environment: night, responsible for children, a home that isn't yours. I read so many oldies I overlook stereotypes. Women's depiction might get a wince but I tend towards women authors, who I hope advocate a strong lady. I'll think of you when I procure a copy of "The Bat". Bev: thank you for appreciating the library we set up!

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Julia, If you re-visit this thread, I want to tell you I went to a beach town's used store recently. I bought "The Bat" and thought of you! To all our literature peers: I am so glad my secondary mountain parlour was warmed by a lot of chatting. I've nearly climbed this one too! I'll update the newest list shortly.

I am always delighted by visits to my reviews - below. They are never spoilers. I discuss WHY I like books; not how any plots went. Safe to read, prior to flipping your own pages! :) Carolyn
http://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2013/01...

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49. “The Loon Lake Murders” Robert Sutherland - 1987
50. “Marie-Anne Lagiomodière” Irene Turnier Gordon - 2004
51. “Wrack And Ruin” Charlotte MacLeod - 1982
52. “Spirit In The Rainforest” Eric Wilson - 1985
53.“For The Birds” Dr. Paul Hiebert - 1980
54. “A Killing Tide” P.J. Alderman 2006
55. “The Secret Of Shadow Ranch” Mildred A. Wirt - 1931
56. “The Secret Of Terror Castle” Robert Arthur - 1964
57. “If Walls Could Talk” Juliet Blackwell - 2010
58. “Mew Is For Murder” Clea Simon - 2005
59. “The Ghost & Mrs. McClure” Alice Kimberly - 2004
60. “Pretty Poison” Joyce, Jim Lavene - 2005 ----> (in progress)

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Okay, I surmounted Mount Kilamanjaro! It makes me happy because it is above the peak I promised! I had fun company over, taking time for yard & house cleaning in preparation thereof. I will review the last two novels you see here and am going to start Mount El Toro.

Please join my fun commentary, when I make a thread for my next goal.
Yours Truly, Carolyn.

[Bev]

Congratulations! We'll see you on El Toro.

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Thank you so much! Wow treats, chairs, and even yourselves waiting for me, yum yum yum yum yum! It sure is a nice thought, to sit with such fine folks in person. :-)

[Susan]

Congratulations Carolyn! Another summit done! Excelsior!

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So sweet. I smile at how nice it would be to meet the folks I write. :) Really sit in chairs and talk books, where we're from. That would entail Australia, Europe, much more of the USA than I've seen. Anyone making it to rural Manitoba, there's a couch in my library itself. We could have tea (or spirits) in there. I also actually have a CAT named 'Spirit'. LOL