General Chat

[Kirsten]

Great story this morning on NPR on the origins of "eeny meeny miny mo": http://www.npr.org/2015/04/26/4023538...#

[Kirsten]

Interesting article at io9:

10 Utterly Brilliant Novels That Have One Fatal Flaw

http://io9.com/10-brilliant-novels-th...

There’s no such thing as a perfect book — but some books feel as though they could be just about perfect, if they didn’t have one nagging problem. And sometimes, the most wonderful books have the most glaring shortfalls. Here are 10 amazing novels that are each marred by a fatal flaw.

[Elizabeth]

so how was everyone's day yesterday, mine not so great because my Ipad screen got cracked from one corner to another , actually it 2 crakes one is small but there's a big one that goes from the left corner to the right side and the one in the right corner is the small one)so I had to send it off to get it fix,So this is an update to let you know that I'm still going to be doing the challenges with my groups , think goodness I found three of my books on nook for free because the three I'm taking about , and are all Apple IBooks , so now I have copies of them on my nook app:
Challenges are:
Romance Readers Reading Challenges:Pick-It-For-Me Challenge ( August 's pick it for me)books are: and , , and

Feeding the Kindle Addiction........with Hot:Pick me a buddy challenge ( August)

Hooked on Books:Pick it for me ( monthly) book is: ,August 2-9 week long read a thon

The Challenge Factory: challenges are :Monthly )Dusty Bookshelf Challenge= , ,2nd challenge is :(Monthly) Finish What You've Started (Series) Challenge= and

Paranormal Addicts & Newbies:( monthly) read a thon August 2-8

#AYearAThon: August ( 3-9)-TV & Movie Adaptation : and ( so far)
and that's so far. think goodness my sister let me put both the kindle and nook app on her new laptop.

[Janet]

Oh, no. Such bad luck about the iPad cracking up. Do you have warranty or insurance for repairs or a replacement? I dropped my iPhone the other day, but fortunately it was the back that ended up cracking. I bought a leather case that fits nicely and covers the back of the phone.

I cooked steamed basmati rice for dinner today and served with a chicken curry and pickle. Rice is really heavy and it is so easy to eat too much of it. I am feeling a little sleepy from dinner now. Shame because I wanted to read my book in bed till late tonight.

[VickiLee]

Feliks wrote: "unrelated question

Why does the avatar/thumbnail image for this group feature detectives (Holmes? Watson?) without any eyes? Are these zombie sleuths? Were their eyes gouged out by the double-blad..."


Hi Feliks! I just spotted this random comment and it made me laugh. If you are curious about the origins of that picture, just remain in the General Chat section, then go to the discussion called "Emblem & Dave's Artwork." Keep ever alert to those nefariously vacant eyes!

[Janet]

Vicki, Felikc,

They are derived from the Comedy and Tragedy Masks that symbolise English theatre.

For many decades, the image of the theater masks have, universally, become like a symbol of theater or acting. Generally, known as "the Comedy and Tragedy Masks" or just "the theater masks", there is much mystery as to where these two masks really originate from. These masks real names were Melpomene (Tragedy Mask) and Thalia (Comedy Mask). These were taken from Greek Mythology. Thalia, being the muse of comedy and pastoral poetry; and Melpomene, the muse of tragedy. Muse, in this case, is a protector of an art or science.

Read more: http://breakofdawntheater.blogspot.co...

Images of variants of the masks: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=com...

[Janet]

I seem to have gone off food; there's nothing I want to eat. The only things I want to eat are what I have to cook from scratch myself. But I don't have the time or am too lazy to do this for every meal or even once every day.

I have absolutely no appetite for anything off the shelf that I can put in the oven for a fast meal. :-(

[Janet]

Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated" wrote: "Interesting article at io9:

10 Utterly Brilliant Novels That Have One Fatal Flaw

http://io9.com/10-brilliant-novels-th...

There’s no such thing as a perfect book — ..."

Great Article.

1. I now HAVE TO read that Iain Banks book.

2. I did not know that Stephen King had sex scenes in his books, let alone scenes that sound like orgies?!

[Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while)]

In today's New Zealand Herald is a list of extracts from book reviews - this is my favourite : The review is of the book Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady by Samuel Richardson, the review via One Star Book Review Tumblr. "The experience of reading this book is akin to being dragged through a bog of broken glass and Tabasco sauce. Face down. By a very slow mule."
I just love it!

[Janet]

Even in the old days when reviews were given by experts, some critics have been in the habit of giving mean reviews. Generally they are given because of strife or rivalry. One person who rose to fame purely based on mean criticisms is Simon Cowell. It's hard not to laugh at the reviews sometimes.

I read in the news today that bacon, ham, and other processed meats are cancer causing, close to the effect of smoking. Glad I long ago quit my morning bacon bap addiction. My current weakness is a particular brand of chocolate chip cookies with hazel nuts in them.

[Marion]

It is the dark chocolate that has all the health benefits.

[Janet]

I'll clutch at any straw to justify it. Currently I offset by going for a jog in the evening.

[Marion]

I have 2 small pieces of dark chocolate every night

[Janet]

Ah, a lovely misty Saturday morning. The sun's out and the mist will clear soon. I'm gonna stay in bed and read.

[Janet]

I have been suffering from a stomach upset since last Thursday. Must be something I ate. Lots of Pepto Bismal later (ugh!) it seems to be settling down now.

[Kirsten]

Ick! Get better, Janet!

[Janet]

Better today. Was able to stomach my first cookie in a week without throwing up.

[Chris]

A cookie will do it any timne. :-)

[Chris]

Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated" wrote: "Interesting article at io9:

10 Utterly Brilliant Novels That Have One Fatal Flaw

http://io9.com/10-brilliant-novels-th...

There’s no such thing as a perfect book — ..."

I have not read any of them, though I do want to read The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton. I need to note that in Want To Read.

[Janet]

Thanks, Chris. I agree, good list except... we talk about characters or people having "fatal" flaws. Can books' faults be "fatal", considering they can't really die?

I have not heard of King being naughty before... writing about orgies and all.

[Chris]

Janet wrote: "Thanks, Chris. I agree, good list except... we talk about characters or people having "fatal" flaws. Can books' faults be "fatal", considering they can't really die?

I have not heard of King bein..."

KK

[Janet]

I am working from home today. I have French patio doors opening to a balcony and a river/marina view from it. Except construction of a new block of flats is blocking half of it. I have to new sell this flat and buy one from the new block closer to the river.

[Janet]

King is good at creeping people out.

[Janet]

Yes, King's genre is creepy horror.

Working from home, I can have a great marina view and cooked lunches. Duck with orange sauce, beans, and mash for lunch today.

[Janet]

Thanks, Mary. I don't own a puppy. I got the picture from a cousin's Facebook photo.

I was thinking of going out to the shops and doing some shopping, but it is windy and rainy today. An hour ago it was raining snow that had turned into slush on its way down. So it must be cold out there. I lit a fire in the morning, so the house is warm. A good day to stay in and read.

[Janet]

Ours was just slush. It all turned into water by the time it hit the ground, but it was attempting to snow. Winter is here, I agree.

[Janet]

My log fire has kept the house warm through the day. Got quite a bit of reading done on the armchair and the couch set around it in the living room. The hot embers will keep the house warm through the night also.

[Kirsten]

It's chilly here, but no snow luckily. However, the ski resorts are getting plenty so people are happy.

[Janet]

I'd love a white Christmas and snow for about 4 weeks.

[Michael]

Janet wrote: "My log fire has kept the house warm through the day. Got quite a bit of reading done on the armchair and the couch set around it in the living room. The hot embers will keep the house warm through ..."

This sounds so delightful! I miss real Christmas weather. There is something disconcerting about decorating a palm tree and seeing the Salvation Army Santas wearing red shorts.
However, this morning was absolutly marvelous--it was 65 (equates to about 40 in yankee degrees) and a bit breezy. Felt so good!

[Janet]

Where do you live, Michael? How about decorating a date palm? Jesus lived in a desert after all (though it may have been less of a desert back then). :D

I love seasons, but want no more than 4 weeks of snow please. This is usually what we get in England.

[Chris]

I was raised in New York, but have been living in Central Florida for twenty years. I don't miss the snow shovel at all, but do miss the white Christmases.

[Kevin]

Who do people prefer, Lee Child and Jack Reacher or Vince Flynn and Mitch Rapp.....
I can't decide. would love to see a collaboration of sorts between them

[Kirsten]

Kevin wrote: "Who do people prefer, Lee Child and Jack Reacher or Vince Flynn and Mitch Rapp.....
I can't decide. would love to see a collaboration of sorts between them"

I haven't tried Vince Flynn but I do really like Lee Child's Jack Reacher.

[Kirsten]

I don't mind the snow. I just wish it would stay off the sidewalks and the streets. And maybe if it wasn't so cold and wet.

[Janet]

Chris wrote: "I was raised in New York, but have been living in Central Florida for twenty years. I don't miss the snow shovel at all, but do miss the white Christmases."

Well then you might be able to get the best of both by visiting relatives in New York for New Year, Christmas in Florida.

[Janet]

Mary wrote: "It's pretty. I love the way it glitters in the sun."

I know, so fresh, crisp, and pretty. And it is pristine white and freezes over all the muck, washing it all away in the thaw, as if a cleaning mousse has been spread over the dirt for an annual cleanup.

[Janet]

Kevin wrote: "Who do people prefer, Lee Child and Jack Reacher or Vince Flynn and Mitch Rapp.....
I can't decide. would love to see a collaboration of sorts between them"

Don't know Vince Flynn and Mitch Rapp. I don't see Lee Child collaborating with anyone. I have heard some interviews he has done and he seems very confident and possessive over his work. I don't particularly like books that 2 people have written either.

[Kirsten]

Janet wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Who do people prefer, Lee Child and Jack Reacher or Vince Flynn and Mitch Rapp.....
I can't decide. would love to see a collaboration of sorts between them"

Don't know Vince Flynn an..."

I think Mitch Rapp is Vince Flynn's character and Jack Reacher is Lee Child's.

[Chris]

Kevin wrote: "Who do people prefer, Lee Child and Jack Reacher or Vince Flynn and Mitch Rapp.....
I can't decide. would love to see a collaboration of sorts between them"

I like them both, wouldn't be able to pick one from the other. Though, different in many ways, both make for great reads. It would be great to see them working together at least once. At this point it would be between Lee Child and Kyle Mills.

[Chris]

Mary wrote: "It's pretty. I love the way it glitters in the sun."

Me too, it's walking in it I don't like.

[Chris]

Janet wrote: "Chris wrote: "I was raised in New York, but have been living in Central Florida for twenty years. I don't miss the snow shovel at all, but do miss the white Christmases."

Well then you might be ab..."

I have done that a few times, spend either the Christmas week or New Years week with them over there. My sister lives in New City, N.Y., right across the Tappan Zee bridge from the city; my brother lives in Middletown. I have also helped them cut their Christmas tree.

[Niles]

As we prepare for Thanksgiving here in the US, I would like to take this time to thank our moderators for their effort in making this site enjoyable for all the members. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all.

[Chris]

Niles wrote: "As we prepare for Thanksgiving here in the US, I would like to take this time to thank our moderators for their effort in making this site enjoyable for all the members. From the bottom of my heart..."

I have nothing better to add. I do want to wish everyone a very happy and wonderful day.

[Janet]

How was thanks giving? Any awful turkey jokes? ;)

[Chris]

When I was a young turkey, new to the coop,
My big brother Mike took me out on the stoop.

Then he sat me down, and he spoke real slow,
And he told me there was something that I had to know.

His look and his tone I will always remember,
When he told me of the horrors of ..... Black November.

"Come about August, now listen to me, each day you'll be thick,
where once you were thin,
And you'll grow a big rubbery thing under your chin.

"And then one morning, when you're warm in your bed,
In'll burst the farmer's wife, and hack off your head.

"Then she'll pluck out all your feathers so you're bald'n pink,
And scoop out all your insides and leave ya lyin' in the sink.

"And then comes the worst part" he said not bluffing,
"She'll spread your cheeks and pack your rear with stuffing".

Well, the rest of his words were too grim to repeat,
I sat on the stoop like a winged piece of meat.

And decided on the spot that to avoid being cooked,
I'd have to lay low and remain overlooked.

I began a new diet of nuts and granola,
High-roughage salads, juice and diet cola.

And as they ate pastries, chocolates and crepes,
I stayed in my room doing Jane Fonda tapes.

I maintained my weight of two pounds and a half,
And tried not to notice when the bigger birds laughed.

But 'twas I who was laughing, under my breath,
As they chomped and they chewed, ever closer to death.

And sure enough when Black November rolled around,
I was the last turkey left in the entire compound.

So now I'm a pet in the farmer's wife's lap;
I haven't a worry, so I eat and I nap.

She held me today, while sewing and humming,
And smiled at me and said "Christmas is coming........"

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Aw poor turkey!

[Chris]

A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store for Thanksgiving Day, but couldn’t find one big enough for her family. She asked a stock boy, “Do these turkeys get any bigger?”

“No, ma’am. They’re dead.”

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

Chris loved the stories. I had to share them with my family and they laughed at the lady asking if they get any bigger. Thanks for sharing them :)

[Chris]

Thanksgiving is a traditional American Holiday where families all over the United States sit for dinner at the same time---Halftime