Group Reads 2017/2018

[Teresa]

Good God that's horrific Kim. What an ordeal!! It seems the health system is dire no matter what country you're in.

[Abigail]

I had a similar experience in Berkeley, Kim! Went to urgent care with the flu; told the physician first thing that I was on Humira and this affected my treatment. He gave me an antibiotics injection and a prescription for more antibiotics, and by the time (24 hours later) my rheumatologist saw the treatment record and stopped the oral antibiotics, my liver, kidneys, and pancreas were all in bad shape. Took me weeks to recover!

[Susan in Perthshire]

Oh wow Kim! What an ordeal for you and him. You are so right though - we need to be vigilant. I am in awe of most medical people - but it doesn't stop me from trying to be alert to what is going on- just in case!

[Kim]

It is somewhat better now with computers, as they match drug orders with wrist bands, but if goes into computer wrong, it is hard to fight that. When I shattered my leg, they put wrong leg into computer, and it took me 10 days to get someone to fix it. When I went up for emergency surgery first night, correct leg was marked but permission paperwork had left leg listed, & I withheld permission until they pen & inked correction & made everyone aware on surgical team. Then for next ten days, everyone would come in and rest hand on bad leg which could not endure even a sheet on it, and I would
wince with pain. Then someone put in I needed 3 enemas instead of one, and I fought that one
with my husband until it got straightened out. I feel so sorry for people who do not know how to deal with authority and who cannot understand what is happening to them, my mom came from a generation that viewed doctors as gods, and just accepted what they said without question but was terrified because she did not always understand what was happening. She was very intelligent, just not educated. I learned to be an advocate while dealing with her health issues, and my dad's, while at same time I was raising my children and learning to deal with their issues. My husband was gone to sea for long periods at a time and I had to take care of it all by myself. One grows up fast.

[Susan in NC]

Kim wrote: "My son got strep a while back, & I took him in as soon as I realized, as it always absolutely floors him. They did the "fast" test, which they have since stopped doing because of plethora of false ..."

Kim, that is a terrifying story, and since the current congress is all het up to repeal the ACA, with or without a replacement, we'll likely be heading back into those shark-infested waters, God help us...Carol, since Chloe is moving to Oz, could you maybe put up some of your American friends? We'll be grateful for a spot in your garden shed... ;-(

[Kim]

I do appreciate the medical people, but as with most institutions in this country, budget constraints are often solved on the backs of the personnel, and there are often simply not enough people to provide the care that is required.

[Susan in NC]

Kim wrote: "I do appreciate the medical people, but as with most institutions in this country, budget constraints are often solved on the backs of the personnel, and there are often simply not enough people to..."

Yes! Even with the best intentions they are always stretched to the utmost and overburdened with work...

[Kim]

Oh, Abigail, how awful. I had to deal with similar issues as I was on various heart medications, including blood thinners, and so surgery was tricky. Orthopedic surgeon wanted to take me off, cardiologist wanted me to stay on, ER people were worried my blood pressure was in the basement & wanted to stabilize me, orthopedic surgeons wanted to operate immediately as compression syndrome & other factors were going to bring on a new heart attack if they did not relieve pressure, felt like an episode on a medical drama. In the middle of this, my sister calls and starts pouring a litany of deaths from various things into my husband's ear & he was just on the verge of losing it as it was, I told him to politely disengage and hang up. Disaster thinking was not helping.

[Kim]

The problem, Susan, is sometimes we are not conscious to be able to help ourselves, and sometimes our people are not there, either. That's when I was most scared. I got to where I was afraid to sleep without my husband being there. We talked about everything and I had him write things down in case someone came in when I was out of it, at the beginning I was on so many pain killers thinking was work.

[Karlyne]

Oh, my word, all you people! You've just scared me into sticking my head back in the sand and never pulling it out again. I've always been very aware of how lucky we've been to have so very few dealings with the health care system, but now I'm positively petrified!

[Kim]

Well, it is scary, but it is better to know than to not know. I used to trust my doctors as they were our neighbors, we saw them all the time and they made house calls. But, as with all institutions--banking, education, etc--business has overcome the personal, and we have to be able to meet the challenges. I never thought about this stuff until I had to go through it with family, & then myself. As Monty Python says, no one is prepared for the Spanish Inquisition. No one is prepared to fall down stairs & have life changed, to go through cancer, to have a heart attack, a car accident, a sudden viral infection that fells a healthy young adult. We realize these things are possibilities back in our lizard brains, but we distract ourselves and live life as if things will remain the same. But then one day the unforeseen does happen, and we are moved immediately from life before to life after, without a period of adjustment. Much literature is devoted to this--life before love and heartbreak impacts us, before accidents, before wars or elections or economic downturns, before illness, before death...and then the aftermath. It is how we deal with after that determines who we will be from then on. I have generally been one to fight the battles I can and come to terms where I cannot. My mother-in-law hid her cancer and avoided the doctors as long as she could and had a crisis and went into septicemia and a coma. My best friend was tossed off a horse and was paralyzed and in a coma for weeks, she recovered eventually, but it was a long haul and no one saw it coming. I am grateful for every noneventful day, exciting & interesting days can be more than I bargained for...but I am also grateful for the friends and family who have seen me through things, and I am glad I have built emotional muscles for dealing with life as it has made it a bit easier to get through. I am also extremely grateful for the books that have seen me through such times, as well as the music, the conversations, and the kind strangers.

[Susan in NC]

Kim wrote: "The problem, Susan, is sometimes we are not conscious to be able to help ourselves, and sometimes our people are not there, either. That's when I was most scared. I got to where I was afraid to sle..."

Yes! With my mom, Coumadin complicated things with her colon cancer surgery, so we made sure someone was always there- my brother elected to sleep several nights in the reclining chair in her room, bless him. My sisters and I took turns making/delivering coffee and food and relieving him so she was never alone. It was all hands on deck, and as you say, there was no time or energy for negative thinking or doom and gloom scenarios; we got through that health crisis, unfortunately the breast cancer got her less than a year later.

[Teresa]

That's so sad Susan. That she had fought one battle and then succumbed to the second. I know what it's like to lose someone to cancer. It's a cruel disease.

[Susan in NC]

Kim wrote: "Well, it is scary, but it is better to know than to not know. I used to trust my doctors as they were our neighbors, we saw them all the time and they made house calls. But, as with all institution..."

Hear, hear! My dad had his first heart attack when I was in eighth grade, and heart issues until he died when I was in my early thirties; then mom's two bouts of cancer. I agree with Kim, I don't wish those things on anyone but I do feel dealing with them has made me and my siblings stronger people. It definitely makes me grateful for quiet, peaceful days with nothing more on my agenda than a walk with my dear husband and dogs and a good book!

[Karlyne]

Kim wrote: "Well, it is scary, but it is better to know than to not know. I used to trust my doctors as they were our neighbors, we saw them all the time and they made house calls. But, as with all institution..."

I have heard people say that they wouldn't trade their "tragedies" for anything, because without them they feel that they wouldn't have grown, and I think that's pretty much what you're saying, too, Kim. No one, of course, is immune to illnesses and accidents which can leave us at the mercy of institutions, and I'm happy for those who have not only survived their encounters but have thrived.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Thanks - she is ok so far, but stressed with all she still has to do. & she rarely gets stressed.

I went to work yesterday & one woman went home with a viral illness. I'm usually pretty robust, I'm just concerned about Chloe.

[Susan in NC]

Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "Thanks - she is ok so far, but stressed with all she still has to do. & she rarely gets stressed.

I went to work yesterday & one woman went home with a viral illness. I'm usually pretty robust, I'..."

Best wishes to you and her that everything for her move goes off without a hitch, and everyone stays healthy!

[Howard]

We read historical novels with physicians believing in treatments that nowadays we reject. I am certain that in a century novels about our time will point out our modern medicinal practices which they will reject. We just don't know which ones.

And medicines will be designed for each person, not for the statistical population.

[Teresa]

Wouldn't that be nice Howard! My daughter has a mental illness. It took nearly four years before the final diagnosis and proper medication. It was a long haul.

[Karlyne]

Wouldn't it be fun, Howard, to be able to look into the future and see what those people laugh at us for?!

[Howard]

Yep

[Susan in Perthshire]

Kim wrote: "Well, it is scary, but it is better to know than to not know. I used to trust my doctors as they were our neighbors, we saw them all the time and they made house calls. But, as with all institution..."

Kim those are wise words. Reading everyone's experiences, It sounds like we have all had, (to a greater or lesser degree) the trials and tribulations of illness and death etc. As you say, it's how we deal with each of these events which forms us and helps us move into the future. Realising what is important and what is not; and being able to live in the moment and totally appreciate it - and being able to have people we love and respect around us - all that is what is truly important.

[Susan in NC]

Susan in Perthshire wrote: "Kim wrote: "Well, it is scary, but it is better to know than to not know. I used to trust my doctors as they were our neighbors, we saw them all the time and they made house calls. But, as with all..."

Beautifully said, thank you!

[QNPoohBear]

Boo hoo Snowdrift is not yet available in print through Barnes & Noble, where I have half a gift card waiting to be spent! I read Pistols For Two ages ago. I'll have to be content with rereading that for now.

[Susan in NC]

I've never read Pistols for Two but can get the e-book through my Scribd subscription, so I will read that instead of Snowdrift- I think it's only different with three new short stories, so you all can fill me in on those!

[Karlyne]

I only have Pistols for Two, and it looks as though Snowdrift adds three more stories to it. So I'll just have to not discuss those but listen to everyone else's discussion!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Karlyne wrote: "I only have Pistols for Two, and it looks as though Snowdrift adds three more stories to it. So I'll just have to not discuss those but listen to everyone else's discussion!"

I think all 3 stories are online though.

I'm planning to do one thread for Pistols for Two & one thread for the Snowdrift stories. :)

[Sheila (in LA)]

I've never read Pistols for Two, nor do I own a copy so I decided to treat myself and buy a copy of Snowdrift. I think it's coming from Ireland. The estimated delivery date is sometime in March, so I requested Pistols for Two from the library, just in case. (They didn't have Snowdrift, a rare occasion when they have let me down!)

[Teresa]

Isn't it amazing Sheila in this day and age how long it takes for post from one country to another? My daughter received a book yesterday (Ireland) which she ordered in December from the States. She had actually given up on it!

[Sheila (in LA)]

Teresa wrote: "Isn't it amazing Sheila in this day and age how long it takes for post from one country to another? My daughter received a book yesterday (Ireland) which she ordered in December from the States. Sh..."

Yes, Teresa, it is, although in my case it probably has to do with my opting for "free shipping"! In other words, you get what you pay for! But I will be happy to get it, whenever it arrives. I haven't bought any GH's in several years and book purchases have always, always been my favorite!

[Marissa]

QNPoohBear wrote: "Boo hoo Snowdrift is not yet available in print through Barnes & Noble, where I have half a gift card waiting to be spent! I read Pistols For Two ages ago. I'll have to be content with rereading th..."

Looks like it's not available till October in either print or ebook--ah well. Onto my wishlist it goes!

[Teresa]

It is a lovely book with a beautiful cover. Even though I had Pistols and had read one of the extra stories on line I still had to buy it. And no, I don't have money to burn :)

[Susan in Perthshire]

I have an ancient Pan paperback of Pistols for Two and I downloaded the 3 new short stories as PDFs when they were in the news a few months ago so I am well equipped! Mostly I do eBooks now but my old GH paper books are like old friends so I keep them handy!

[Teresa]

I think if you have a favorite author you just have to have the paperback. That's the way I am anyway even though my books are threatening to take over the house at the moment :0

[Howard]

Teresa wrote: "I think if you have a favorite author you just have to have the paperback. That's the way I am anyway even though my books are threatening to take over the house at the moment :0"

I still buy an occasional hardback - if I expect a chance to get it autographed. But no more paperbacks. It's all e-books, I only have the one room left full of bookcases.

[Critterbee❇]

I switched to ebooks at the same time I joined goodreads, and have only bought physical books as presents for other since. Except for cookbooks, of course.

[Howard]

Critterbee wrote: "I switched to ebooks at the same time I joined goodreads, and have only bought physical books as presents for other since. Except for cookbooks, of course."
I've seen ads for stands designed to hold up iPads in the kitchen for people using them as cookbooks. That's fine for following a recipe, but not for browsing through cookbooks the way I like to read them.

[Critterbee❇]

Agree, Howard! There is something about a full-sized cookbook with photos that does not translate perfectly onto a tablet.

I have a lot of recipes on my chromebook, but for safety's sake, I do not want to have it near all my ingredients and my frenetic cooking movements!

[Abigail]

As a copy editor and proofreader of cookbooks, your words, Critterbee and Howard, are warming my heart! Keep on reading those physical books!

[Susan in NC]

Abigail wrote: "As a copy editor and proofreader of cookbooks, your words, Critterbee and Howard, are warming my heart! Keep on reading those physical books!"

And thank you for providing such enjoyable books for our delectation and enlightenment - I learn a lot browsing through cookbooks! I'm a visual learner, so pictures are essential.

[Critterbee❇]

Susan in NC wrote: "And thank you for providing such enjoyable books for our delectation and enlightenment - I learn a lot browsing through cookbooks! I'm a visual learner, so pictures are essential. "

I second that, cookbooks nowadays are really quite beautiful. While weeding the cookbook section at the library, I have noticed that the improvement in the quality of design and usability over the last 20 years is extraordinary.

[Karlyne]

Although I'll look through Pinterest or Google a recipe once in awhile, it's cookbooks for me. I tend to pick mine up at thrift stores, and over time I've found some great ones!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Karlyne wrote: "Although I'll look through Pinterest or Google a recipe once in awhile, it's cookbooks for me. I tend to pick mine up at thrift stores, and over time I've found some great ones!"

I'm a big Googler! But I have some old faithfuls that I use all the time (all NZ books)

[Karlyne]

Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "Although I'll look through Pinterest or Google a recipe once in awhile, it's cookbooks for me. I tend to pick mine up at thrift stores, and over time I've found some great ones!"

I..."

I've found a couple of real keepers on Pinterest and Google lately, one of them an Irish Apple Cake and another a food processor croissant. But the flour tortilla recipe in a Mexican Cantina cookbook I just picked up is probably my favorite new one! (I've been needing all these recipes because my grandkids are learning to cook with me.)

[Linda]

My favorite food website is Foodgawker. I go there every time I need to look for a recipe. Or I'm just hungry and want to look at yummy photos. :)

My go to recipe books are my grandma's old Betty Crocker for basics, all 3 of my King Arthur Flour cookbooks for baking, and a couple of random crock pot and vegetarian cookbooks.

[Karlyne]

Linda wrote: "My favorite food website is Foodgawker. I go there every time I need to look for a recipe. Or I'm just hungry and want to look at yummy photos. :)

My go to recipe books are my grandma's old Betty ..."

Our old Betty Crocker is minus most of the binding and the pages are all falling out, so when I found a good copy at a thrift store, I was thrilled! But we still use the old one...

[Linda]

Oh yes, the binding on mine is now coming off and every time I pull it out I tell myself that I need to tape it up before it gets ruined even more.

[Karlyne]

My best go-to cookbook from -ahem- decades ago (and it was old when I got it) is the Meta Givens Encyclopedia of Cooking, in 2 volumes. It even has recipes for squirrel! And you just never know when you might need that... It's falling apart really horribly, too.

[Linda]

Karlyne wrote: "It even has recipes for squirrel! And you just never know when you might need that... "

Oh my! lol.

[Barb in Maryland]

I use very few cookbooks, but those I use are sooo stained. An ancient Joy of Cooking, an equally ancient Better Homes & Gardens (the red plaid binder version which is so stuffed with favorites from various newspapers). It's funny, the new cookbooks are so pretty and I enjoy looking through them and then I don't use them!