Watcha Doin' - 2017.1 edition Showing 3,801-3,850 of 5,020

[Sarah]

UK is fine Margo. Just a bit blustery. I reckon maybe 30mph max. Looks like Ireland has taken a battering. Thanks for the artocle link Rusalka. Just started feeling wheezy and that article explains why. Dust from Sahara and fires in Portugal caused the weird sky and sun but with the winds now its bringing it all down in to the air. Not good for us asthmatics right now.

[Margo]

Glad we were here to take the hit for you Sarah lol

My breathing has been worse than normal for the last few days too.

[Cherie]

Sarah wrote: "Wind has got up here but it's not even gale force yet. But we have had some seriously apocalyptic skies here. This morning the sky was pink, then a weird orange, just before lunch yellow and it now..."

Did you get your boat floating, Sarah?

[Janice, Moderator]

Margo wrote: "Lost power for 4 hours. Back now but we're not out of the woods yet!!

How's it going in the UK?"

Glad to see you're okay, Margo!

[jaxnsmom]

Peggy wrote: "My baby nephew is currently being tested for a disease called neurofibromatosis (also known as Von Recklinghausen's disease). When he went for a regular check-up they noticed café-au-lait spots on ..."

Oh Peggy, how awful. To have a healthy newborn, and then having to wait 8 weeks to face the possibility of that health being jeopardized. I hope for the most positive outcome.

[jaxnsmom]

Lisa wrote: "Rusalka wrote: "Peggy, I'm so sorry to hear about your little nephew. Hopefully the dna test come back clear, but if not, that he has an asymptomatic version of the disease. It must ben very hard t..."

How frustrating to have so much going on and not know which is the culprit for your symptoms. I don't know if having a syrinx is good or bad, but I hope it works out for the best for you.

[Sarah]

@Cherie, yes we are floating again. The pump was fixed and the water levels came up. So we thought we'd better quickly get down the massive lock flight before it breaks again. There are winter repairs planned on the locks and they will be closed for 3 months. We didn't want to risk an emergency closure which would then last up to the winter closure and be left stranded in the middle of nowhere for winter. So now we are on familiar territory thankfully.

[Lisa]

Glad you are okay, Margo!

[Lisa]

Thanks jmom! A syrinx is not a great thing to have as they can cause problems in the spine and usually require surgery, but at least there are treatment options available for them.

[KimeyDiann]

Glad you are weathering the storm okay, Margo. I thought about you as soon as I saw the headlines that the Hurricane was heading towards Ireland.

The unusual skies you are all describing remind me of how it looks here during potential tornado weather. If the clouds start looking green, its about to get real.

Last week and this weekend was super busy for me so I haven't checked in much except for in my teams' toppler thread. **Waves to the Just Us League!** Flooring is being replaced throughout my office building so we've been cleaning out and rearranging getting ready for that. Between that and organizing a group of my coworkers to compete in a local chili festival last Friday, I didn't have much down time.

The Chili Festival was Friday night and a lot of fun. I had never been and have never organized anything like that before. I was exhausted, but really enjoyed it. I work for a construction company so we decorated our tent with miniature safety vests, hard hats, caution tape and the like. We wore safety vests and hard hats for our "costumes." I knew we weren't going to win any awards for creativity, but it turned out super cute. There were 15 competitors and even though we didn't win anything, I think our chili was one of the best! lol. A few of them I tasted were simply nasty! The local library's group won best costumes, they were dressed as Trolls (the cute ones from the cartoon, not the nasty ones that live under bridges) and were adorable. I'm already getting ideas for competing again next year!

[Sandra, Moderator]

The chilli festival sounds great, Kimey. Considering the problems you have had in your office lately, it is a great idea to get involved in this activities that help to improve relationships.

[Janice, Moderator]

The chili festival sounded like it was a lot of fun. I've only been to one, and nobody dressed up. Like your experience, some of the chili's were not very tasty.

[Sarah]

When you mentioned chilli festival i thought you meant a festival about chillies. We have those here. Different types of chillies. Different products made of chillies etc. Not a chilli (con carne) festival although that sounds awesome too. Love the competition aspect of it.

[Lisa]

The chilli festival sounds fun, Kimey!

[Lisa]

The 2017 Man Booker Prize winner was announced last night. It went to 'Lincoln in the Bardo' by George Saunders. It seems a lot of people were surprised by the result and I have read a number of news articles this morning that have asked whether it truly deserved to win. I have been in two minds whether to read it or not. Has anyone here read it? Is it any good?

[Travis]

I haven't read it Lisa but I have a few friends on GR who have. All 4 & 5 stars from them

[Sandra, Moderator]

I didn't read it Lisa, but I will read it now. I have always been interested in this Lincoln's life aspect.

[Margo]

Lisa wrote: "The 2017 Man Booker Prize winner was announced last night. It went to 'Lincoln in the Bardo' by George Saunders. It seems a lot of people were surprised by the result and I have read a number of ne..."

it's in local library but the waiting time is about 18 months! I'll wait til a few people I trust have reviewed it. I'm not grabbed by the blurb and the audio sample consists of quotes from other books - why do they do that I wonder?

[Sandra, Moderator]

I requested it, let see how long do I have to wait.
Lilisa gave it only 1 star, but other than that it has only 4 and 5 stars among my GR friends.

[Janice, Moderator]

Lincoln in the Bardo. Thought I'd add the link so people can look it up easily.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Yeah. I copy pasted it twice, and didn't think of doing it...

[Janice, Moderator]

My library shows 10 of 18 available in ILL. The digital library shows 0 of 1 available but with no holds. So it now has one hold (me), and I'm not sure when I'll get it. I've seen that once before on a new release, so it's possible that means they are in the process of acquiring the digital copy. I'm in no rush.

[Travis]

Sad day for Canada as well as music lovers everywhere. Gord Downey finally succumbed to his battle with cancer this morning. Kingston's krock is playing non stop tragically hip music from now until Sunday night. Even Justin Trudeau made a press statement on the death.

[Lisa]

Janice wrote: "Lincoln in the Bardo. Thought I'd add the link so people can look it up easily."

Thanks for linking it, Janice. I was on my phone so couldn't link it myself.

I have added it to my wishlist. Like you, Margo, the blurb doesn't really appeal to me but its Booker Prize win has got me curious.

[KimeyDiann]

Sarah wrote: "When you mentioned chilli festival i thought you meant a festival about chillies. We have those here. Different types of chillies. Different products made of chillies etc. Not a chilli (con carne) ..."

We have sweet potato festivals, fly wheel festivals, railroad festivals, watermelon festivals, and numerous others, but no chili pepper festivals. At least not that I'm aware of. I still have no idea what a fly wheel festival is supposed to be in honor of. It is something to do with farm equipment, but I have no idea why it would need a festival. lol.

@Sandra, I was hoping this would be a relationship builder for our office and I think it was for the few that participated. But of course the ones that are the sources of the real problems didn't join in. Which, honestly, was fine by me!

[Kristie, Moderator]

I like the Halloweeny Goodreads logo they have now to go with "horror week". Does anyone else notice when they change their logo?

[Lisa]

Kristie wrote: "I like the Halloweeny Goodreads logo they have now to go with "horror week". Does anyone else notice when they change their logo?"

Yes, I noticed it. I don't always notice when they change their logo, but I did spot this one. I really like it too.

[Cherie]

Janice wrote: "Lincoln in the Bardo. Thought I'd add the link so people can look it up easily."

I saw it on the new arrivals shelf at my library yesterday. It only has a two week check out time, and no renewing. I would have snapped it up, but I am reading three other 350+ page books right now. I've added it to my TBR list.

[Cherie]

Kristie wrote: "I like the Halloweeny Goodreads logo they have now to go with "horror week". Does anyone else notice when they change their logo?"

LOL! I noticed that it changed, Kristie, but I did not really notice what it actually was until just now.

On that same note, I have to keep looking at your name to make sure who you are, after you changed your avatar. ;0)

[Kristie, Moderator]

Haha, Cherie. I did the same thing a few times. Then, I noticed it was just me and not someone new and felt a bit silly. Lol

[Lilisa]

Sandra wrote: "I requested it, let see how long do I have to wait.
Lilisa gave it only 1 star, but other than that it has only 4 and 5 stars among my GR friends."

Lol Sandra - you're right - I gave it 1 star - it was not for me, I could not get into it - and the supposed creative way in which it was done. I just found it frustrating. There are folks who raved about it. It was recommended to me, so doubly disappointed in it. I can't believe it won the Man Booker - when I think of The Narrow Road to the Deep North and The Luminaries - awesome books. But then again I did not like last year's The Sellout much either! Also, I'm in the camp of those not in favor of including Americans - just by the fact that they tend to dominate mostly because of the heft of the publishing companies. I like seeing quality writers from other countries shine.

[Janice, Moderator]

Travis, it's very sad about Gord Downey. There are lots of posts on my facebook page regarding his legacy and what he meant to people.

Kristie, I notice the logo changes from time to time. I clicked on it and their blog has the 50 top read horror books. I have read a lot of them, and some have found their way to my wishlist.

[Anne (Booklady)]

Hi everyone,
I have been in hospital since Friday evening. My Blood Pressure dropped very low. They did some testing and I'm Hypoglycemic and was slightly Anemic and my Mitral Valve Prolapse was acting up. I'm sorry I missed the last day of the toppler.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Anne! I think you have a very legitimate reason. I hope you are feeling better, and that you are at home relaxing with lots of tea, blankets and books.

So sorry you have been so sick. Look after you!

[Anne (Booklady)]

Rusalka wrote: "Ann I think you have a very legitimate reason. I hope you are feeling better, and that you are at home relaxing with lots of tea, blankets and books.

So sorry you have been so sick. Look after you!"

Thank you, Rus. I am back at home, curled up on the couch with an afghan I knitted drinking some Earl Grey :) I've got a few books beside me ready to read after I check a few more threads :)

[Peggy]

I hope you feel better now Anne. Glad you're back at home. The toppler is the last thing you should worry about!

[Sandra, Moderator]

I'm sorry to hear that, Anne! Get better soon.

[Margo]

Anne (Booklady) wrote: "Hi everyone,
I have been in hospital since Friday evening. My Blood Pressure dropped very low. They did some testing and I'm Hypoglycemic and was slightly Anemic and my Mitral Valve Prolapse was ..."

Anne I hope you feel better soon. Sounds like the toppler was the least of your worries ;-)

[Sarah]

Feel better soon Anne.

[Anne (Booklady)]

@Peggy, Sandra, and Margo,

Thank you. I'm supposed to rest a lot, so I can read :D I go back for an Heart Echo next Friday.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Yikes, Anne! Hope you are feeling better!

[Anne (Booklady)]

Kristie wrote: "Yikes, Anne! Hope you are feeling better!"

Thank you, Kristie

[KimeyDiann]

Anne (Booklady) wrote: "Hi everyone,
I have been in hospital since Friday evening. My Blood Pressure dropped very low. They did some testing and I'm Hypoglycemic and was slightly Anemic and my Mitral Valve Prolapse was ..."

Oh goodness, Anne. I'm so glad you are doing a little better. Sending wishes for good health your way!

[Anne (Booklady)]

Thank you KimeyDiann ;)

[Lisa]

Anne (Booklady) wrote: "Hi everyone,
I have been in hospital since Friday evening. My Blood Pressure dropped very low. They did some testing and I'm Hypoglycemic and was slightly Anemic and my Mitral Valve Prolapse was ..."

Really sorry to hear you have been ill, Anne. Sending you lots of good wishes and hugs. I hope you feel better soon.

[Anne (Booklady)]

@Lisa

Thank you. And how are you doing?

[Janice, Moderator]

I've been watching for a post from you, Anne. I was worried that you may have taken ill. I hope you are hale and hearty soon. In the meantime, rest.

[Anne (Booklady)]

Janice wrote: "I've been watching for a post from you, Anne. I was worried that you may have taken ill. I hope you are hale and hearty soon. In the meantime, rest."

I was. And you know me well, Janice. ;-) I plan to snuggle with a book for the next week and sleep when I'm not reading. And thank you for the Get Well Wish.

[Lisa]

Anne (Booklady) wrote: "@Lisa

Thank you. And how are you doing?"

I'm not too bad. I have just received an appointment for my next MRI scan, which is in November, and once I have had that done, I will be off to see the neurosurgeons in London.

[Anne (Booklady)]

@Lisa
Hopefully both of us will be right as rain soon. I really scared myself Friday, Lisa.