Play Book Tag discussion
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Tuesday Reading Kaffeeklatsch: 4/6/2021
It is unseasonably warm here, 80 degrees, but still no leaves. My 2-weeks after shot is up in a few days. Book Concierge and I want to meet up and Doughgirl is also interested so maybe we will each drive a couple hours and find a place. At some point I will definitely visit my brother in NYC and go out with Theresa, probably not till late summer/fall.
Robin P & Lynne - we'll talk offline ... but I think the midway between Milwaukee and Twin Cities is Tomah WI. I'd be willing to drive and pick Robin up on the way. As for Texas ... I have two Goodreads friends (though they aren't in PBT) that I'll be meeting with for certain! I've met other people in the past but these two ladies and I have met regularly every time I'm in Texas for at least 10 years. They've welcomed me to their book clubs. And Diana and her husband Chris and I usually attend a "midnight movie" at a local art-film cinema that serves pizza and wine. We'll probably skip the movie this time ... but they've all been vaccinated, so I'm sure we'll find a place to have lunch.
I am so glad you got to hook up with some PBT members, exciting! I have never been to NYC, so when I finally make it out there we will definitely have to meet up :)
I am not much of a hugger but I feel like if I see you in person I will have so much happy energy I will have to (if you consent, of course)!
I have no big plans but the weather here is freakin gorgeous.
I sat on the porch to read yesterday after getting my porch furniture out and that is one of my favorite parts of summer.
Book Concierge wrote: "Robin P & Lynne - we'll talk offline ... but I think the midway between Milwaukee and Twin Cities is Tomah WI. I'd be willing to drive and pick Robin up on the way. As for Texas ... I have two Go..."
I'll be in y'all's area when I pick up the pup... just saying ;)
The new pup is in Fairchild, WI
I haven't planned the trip yet, but we are thinking of going through N. Dakota one way and S. Dakota the other.
Charlotte wrote: "I'll be in y'all's area when I pick up the pup... just saying ;)"Congrats on the pup! What kind?
I think I missed this info in another thread.
My husband and I are looking to adopt a rescue, but it has been slow going. Seems hard to find one both my husband and I are interested in and when we do they tend to go quick. But I am looking forward to getting a dog in the house again.
...Maybe I can Uber to Wisconsin-LoL! The only real plan I have right now is to get together with 3 local ladies (all vaccinated) that I use to chum with when our girls were in Girl Scouts. We started having bi-monthly dinners about 2 years ago to reconnect, and I really miss those gals. Also have plans to consume mass quantities of wine with my middle sister and her husband sometime in May. We will also be doing our annual Memorial Day/It's my birthday camping trip to Michigan's thumb area.
Absolutely gorgeous day here today too-topped 70 degrees I believe.
Meli wrote: Congrats on the pup! What kind? I think I missed this info in another thread.."
We are getting a Vizsla which is what the pup I unexpectedly lost in Aug was. I love the breed, super active but very loyal and affectionate.
Our other two dogs are both rescues that my husband picked out. And whenever we get our next rescue, he'll be the one picking it out. I feel like if I see all the doggies that need homes I'd end up with them all.
I honestly believe that the right dog finds us at the right time. Both the rescues and pure breeds that I've had have all been amazing.
I am so excited at the mere idea of my social calendar having events on it again! Meals with friends, old and new, seems like a good first step to getting back in person social interactions. I am also feeling very popular! 🤗 It is nice to live in a destination city.
@Meli - I am a total hugger! [LibraryCin - I will restrain myself the day we meet😉]. In fact Amy and I, masked of course, totally hugged each other hard as we said goodbye.
Theresa and Amy, I'm so glad the two of you were able to meet up for dinner and a visit - and I love the photo!I'm thoroughly enjoying the spring weather and already have a bit of a sunburn from sitting on my parents' deck for a visit with them on Eastern Sunday morning.
I got the J&J vaccine on Friday. I was laid out with awful flu symptoms all day Saturday, but by Sunday morning I was fine, and now I just have to wait the two weeks for full effectiveness. Of course, still practicing all of the safety precautions, but relieved to have the protection the vaccine provides.
Charlotte, I'm so excited for you to be picking up a new pup! We love our shelter pup - she's a little over a year old now - and we're thinking about adopting another shelter dog sometime this year. We're thinking it would be smart to install a backyard fence first :)
Charlotte wrote: "Meli wrote: Congrats on the pup! What kind? I think I missed this info in another thread.."
We are getting a Vizsla which is what the pup I unexpectedly lost in Aug was. I love the breed, super a..."
I had to google that, but what a cutie! Looks like a total farm dog.
I agree about finding the right dog at the right time, so we are being patient. I am anxious though as I was ready a little earlier than my husband was.
Theresa wrote: "@Meli - I am a total hugger! [LibraryCin - I will restrain myself the day we meet😉]. In fact Amy and I, masked of course, totally hugged each other hard as we said goodbye."
I knew it! I had a feeling but I didn't want to assume :)
@Kimber - sorry to hear that you had a bad reaction like that. My mom and uncle both did! My first shot was OK, but we will see how I do on 4/21 when I get the final one. Congrats to being vaccinated!
When I filled out the questionnaire, there were two allergy ones at least. The ones for reactions to vaccinations were a no, but I do carry an epipen so had to say yes for the anaphylactic reactions to other things.
Charlotte wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "Robin P & Lynne - we'll talk offline ... but I think the midway between Milwaukee and Twin Cities is Tomah WI. I'd be willing to drive and pick Robin up on the way. As for ..."
I was wondering where your dog is. I hadn't heard of Fairchild, so looked up and saw it is near Eau Claire and near Osseo. Osseo is famous for the restaurant Norske Nook and its homemade pies.
*perks up* Homemade pies? Pity I am so far away, I would totally have driven quite some distance to meet over homemade pie!
Theresa wrote: "@Meli - I am a total hugger! [LibraryCin - I will restrain myself the day we meet😉]. In fact Amy and I, masked of course, totally hugged each other hard as we said goodbye...."LOL! You remembered! I do have other friends who are huggers (though my entire (immediate) family isn't), I will be ok, though, if someone really does want a hug one day when/if we ever meet.
[ETA: What I mean by that, I guess, is I'm a lot better at accepting them than I used to be!]
On the Canadian side of the border, though, it will be a while yet before we are all vaccinated.
I am not that much of a hugger normally but am feeling much more disposed to it after such a long time!I don't think Canada will be letting us in for some time, even if we are vaccinated.
I get my second shot on April 25. So I'm looking at the second week of May to reconnect with local family. I've got the little league schedule for all the grandnephews' games. (The last time I saw them was at a game just days before the shut down in March 2020) My daughter and I are meeting up for a weekend at the beach in mid-May. Just made the reservations today.
Long terms plans include a trip to Hawaii to see my son and daughter-in-law. The navy has just relocated them. And, FINALLY, he got his first vaccination today. ( I've been totally unimpressed with the lack of precautions, and lack of consistent, coordinated virus containment policy of the navy command)
Family aside, I have been deferring a desire to go to New York for at least 10 years if not longer. Every time I get close to managing it something interferes..... like a global pandemic. All this talk of PBT meetups is just making me more determined.
Nothing like a good puppy!Definitely a hugger!
We love our friends and I see a lot of activity in our future. But Scott and I also are planning a trip to California to Carmel by the Sea and Monterrey. We are also going to see San Francisco/San Rafael family on both ends of the trip. Plus host a huge outdoor graduation party for our kid and the class of 2021.
Robin P wrote: "Osseo is famous for the restaurant Norske Nook and its homemade pies ..."So maybe Lynne can stop on the way to meet us in Tomah and pick us up a pie to share! LOL
Robin P wrote: "I don't think Canada will be letting us in for some time, even if we are vaccinated."You'll all be vaccinated way before we are! You don't want to come yet! LOL!
Theresa wrote: "*perks up* Homemade pies? Pity I am so far away, I would totally have driven quite some distance to meet over homemade pie!"
Next time you go to British Columbia, drive to Hope. Home Restaurant. My dad has never driven through that area without stopping for pie there, and I have to say it's excellent. It's more of a diner, so only has 4 stars overall, but the pies are why you go.
It's en route from Vancouver to many great spots for travellers, such as the Okanagan Valley (great vineyards, wineries, home of the Ogopogo who lives in Lake Okanagan and various and sundry other wonderful things to do. Also, in this area you can find Canada's only pocket desert).
There's a place just east of St. Louis that has great pies. In fact there are billboards announcing it and the exit to use -- which is how I discovered it while driving to a trade show. We made an unscheduled stop to sample and they were deliciouis.There's also a town referred to as Pie Town in New Mexico - one of these days I'll actually get there to try them out. It's located middle of the state, south of I-40. Middle of nowhere.
My mother was a superb pie maker - fruit pies is what we did and maybe the occasional cream pie with graham cracker crust. I'm a decent pie maker but the cost of obtaining sufficient fruit to make a pie here is prohibitive -- except apples and the choice of apples is mostly wrong. *sigh* there's a restaurant in TriBeCa that supposedly makes its own pies on premises --- I say supposedly because those pies are commercially made, no different than buying a boxed Entenmann's pie. They use canned filling. Sorry, that's not a home made pie.
Oh, and there's a great restaurant along the Montauk Highway between Amagansett and Montauk called LUNCH - fantastic lobster rolls and the best homemade pies - truly wonderfully homemade pies using seasonal fruit. Lord I hope it survived the pandemic.
Pies would be a great member suggested tag!
Karin wrote: "It's en route from Vancouver to many great spots for travellers, ..."Hey! If anyone is coming from Vancouver through Hope, follow the #1 highway east and you'll come through the Rocky Mountians via Banff and Canmore before arriving in Calgary!!! (Or go the other direction, starting in Calgary!). :-)
ETA: Ok, it's a long drive (you'd likely stop overnight somewhere), but it's beautiful!
Theresa wrote: "I am so excited at the mere idea of my social calendar having events on it again! Meals with friends, old and new, seems like a good first step to getting back in person social interactions. I am..."
Theresa, my husband isn't as enthusiastic about the city as I am, so I might just make the trip on my own, knowing I'll have a friend to go to dinner with when I'm there. I really want to visit some museums and see a show. I'd love to a see a Broadway show - or off broadway, or anything really. Have you heard news or rumors about shows reopening?
Theresa wrote: "There's a place just east of St. Louis that has great pies. In fact there are billboards announcing it and the exit to use -- which is how I discovered it while driving to a trade show. We made an ..."We've been making or buying a pie every week since 3.14. We had two for Easter (I sent lots home with my son).
NancyJ wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I am so excited at the mere idea of my social calendar having events on it again! Meals with friends, old and new, seems like a good first step to getting back in person social inte..."Theaters and entertainment venues can start reopening at 33% capacity with safety protocols. Honestly, I don't know how they can do it and still pay salaries and keep the lights on even at the prepandemic inflated prices. I do know that shows like Hamilton and Music Man and major concerts like Billy Joel have rescheduled canceled show dates presale tix to late this year/early 2022. Many many other shows are not reopening. Subscription series are making noises about a season starting this fall maybe. I personally am buying no tickets, probably not until vaccination % are more like 80% not 33%.
On the plus side, NY has few tourists so ticket demands likely lower. And summer usually sees lots of outdoor events like Shakespeare in the Park which were all cancelled last year due to quarantine.
Off broadway even harder...tiny theaters, often in basements and backrooms with poor ventilation.
My cousin likes to go to live audience tapings (so not my thing), but few of those happening. And the ones that are have audiences a third the size so harder to get in.
Museums are mostly open though with advance tix. Bookstores. Restaurants in residential areas. No idea if tourist venues are open.
To my mind, visits to NYC right now are less about tourism and more about seeing people you know, going to museums and eating.
But that will slowly be changing.
Just did a quick check and some tourist sites like Empire State Building, High Line, and Circle Line have reopened with timed tix, one way paths through, severely reduced capacity, and safety protocols. That is exciting! While tourism is so reduced, this jaded New Yorker may have to indulge herself.
I am putting my nightly insomnia to good use...exploring a bit on what is open in NYC. Best resource for info: not me. I have become a hermit. But, https://www.nycgo.com/ is a great resource. Checked my emails and see that Roundabout which produces many Broadway and Off-Broadway shows in repertory, is aiming to reopen in fall. City Center and similar venues as well. That is promising. Hopeful.
I can say ... from a regional theatre perspective .. that Actor's Equity is making it very difficult for theater production - especially musicals. Skylight Music Theatre (on whose board I serve) is an Equity theatre, which means we hire Equity-member professional performers. As our name implies, we produce strictly MUSICAL theatre (everything from opera to revues and everything in between). Also, Theresa's comment on house capacity is right on. Milwaukee's Health Dept recently approved 50% capacity. But we can't make enough money to mount the production of a full-scale musical at that rate. In discussion with them, they agreed to 75% capacity ... BUT, still 6 ft distance (which means 50% capacity), so we're back at square one. To say this is a challenge is an understatement.
Interesting - it's a bit like the teachers' unions, which are understandably looking out for their members' interests, but frustrating everyone else. There is a tentative plan to have touring Broadway shows in our area starting in September but that is contingent on being able to sell the full theater. Apart from seeing friends & family, live theater is what I miss the most, more than restaurants, bars, etc. I read that in NYC, they were opening a vaccination location in the Broadway area for theater people. They are the most at risk, rather than the audience.
After all the money spent on Clorox wipes, CDC now says chance of infection from surfaces is extremely low, like 1 in 10,000. So maybe venues don't have to spend so much time frantically wiping everything. It's the other people who are the problem. I am all for making people show proof of vaccination in order to attend events. Although the card would be easy to forge, it's just a little cardboard with hand-written dates.
I'm road tripping up to Vermont this weekend for my dad's 75th birthday. We are having an outside drive by/ meet and greet for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Most of the invitees are in the same age group and vaccinated so it should be fun and safe. Coincidentally my mom and my aunt will be separately visiting too so it will be a nice mini-family reunion. I will be stopping by NYC on my way back to DC but probably won't make it out of Wash Heights where my bestie lives. I used to visit NYC somewhat regularly since it is so close and I love the city. I could possibly join a meet up with some notice.
I do miss the shows. The Kennedy Center and other DC venues are great but not the same as the theater district in in NYC.
LibraryCin wrote: "Karin wrote: "It's en route from Vancouver to many great spots for travellers, ..."Hey! If anyone is coming from Vancouver through Hope, follow the #1 highway east and you'll come through the Roc..."
Yes, it is, and I should have though of that ;), but the last number of times I drove through there it was to the Okanagan. I have been a passenger who travelled between Calgary and then even beyond Vancouver--with my parents and once with my aunt, et al since she and her husband moved to Calgary when they got married and lived there the rest of their lives (he was an engineer with Shell). However, it's been many years since I have done that. We also drove through there on our way to Coaldale.
Jen K wrote: "I'm road tripping up to Vermont this weekend for my dad's 75th birthday. We are having an outside drive by/ meet and greet for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Most of the invitees are in the sa..."Oh, if you are stopping off I 95 in Rhode Island or parts of Massachusetts we could meet if you have time and it's not too hard to coordinate. I am not that far from I 95. Or 495. I am sure you aren't taking 24, but that one is also close. Of course you might be taking a different route (we never take I 95 through NYC--I did that once and am not likely to do that again as long as we can stay with my mother in law and bus in) but it sounds like you might be--my husband is from NJ so we veer off and take what used to be called the Tappan Zee Bridge, but they renamed it when they replaced it).
Karin wrote: "Jen K wrote: "I'm road tripping up to Vermont this weekend for my dad's 75th birthday. We are having an outside drive by/ meet and greet for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Most of the invitees..."Very kind of you! I will actually be on I-91 through Mass as its a straight route up to my town in VT. I usually jump from I-95 to I-91 using the Merritt Parkway in CT which avoids at least some of the craziness of I-95 in NYC.
I used to love saying Tappan Zee when I was younger and crossing. Now I usually do the GW bridge since it is near my friend's place. Not as fun and so expensive.
Jen K wrote: "Karin wrote: "Jen K wrote: "I'm road tripping up to Vermont this weekend for my dad's 75th birthday. We are having an outside drive by/ meet and greet for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Most o..."The only way to deal with Westchester and CT to get to Mass is taking Hutchinson/Merrit Parkway to 91 then 84. Never ever 95. Or get on 84 in NY. Sometimes coming back as soon as I re-entered NYS I'd take275 to Sprain Brook to Cross County, but my begin and start point is UWS Manhattan and the Henry Hudson/Saw Mill River Parkway. The bridge crossing backups can be killers.
Spent a lot of years driving to/from Worcester and Ipswich in MA and also Northeastern CT to visit friends on weekend. Have tested all the routes and the Parkways to 91 to 84 by far the fastest and smoothest.
Theresa wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I am so excited at the mere idea of my social calendar having events on it again! Meals with friends, old and new, seems like a good first step to getting back in per..."The last covid aids bill included $75 million for arts organizations. This is in addition to the aid money they got as employers last year, and donations. So I think the organizations will have a cushion to help them get up and going, but part-time and temporary employees might be sol.
Jen K wrote: "Karin wrote: "Jen K wrote: "I'm road tripping up to Vermont this weekend for my dad's 75th birthday. We are having an outside drive by/ meet and greet for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Most o..."Yes, I realized you might be travelling west of us coming from DC as they say here. When we drove to tour Univ of Maryland Baltimore we stopped at my mother in law's in NJ, then travelled into PA to pick up what was probably 91 (this was in 2012, so I don't really remember that well).
Theresa wrote: "Jen K wrote: "Karin wrote: "Jen K wrote: "I'm road tripping up to Vermont this weekend for my dad's 75th birthday. We are having an outside drive by/ meet and greet for a couple of hours in the aft..."It's the better way if you don't live where we do especially if you don't plan your days and times with precision. There are times my husband will take that way even though it's quite a bit longer if traffic on the I 95 is going to be really bad in southern Connecticut, but he takes the back roads from his home town to head up that way. He grew up in Hackettstown. Even going through Stamford can be terrible now (not like it was when we got married--a few years later we took the Merrit Parkway and then headed east to I 95 to bypass but then it got really bad).
Even with congestion, going via Tappan Zee is a faster drive for us, but NOT for going up to Vermont.
I recently received my second shot. Looking forward to having some friends over to the house. Pre-Covid, we entertained company 3-4 times a week, even if it was just sitting around doing nothing. As far as PBT, I dn't think there are any PBT members down my away.
I'm all alone
All by myself
There is no one here beside me
Im all alone
Quite, all alone
No one to comfort me or guide me.
Really, I hope many of the things we have started during COVID stays. Been out doors much more. Quiet evenings. Eating at home more. Fixing up the house and yard more.
Jason wrote: "I recently received my second shot. Looking forward to having some friends over to the house. Pre-Covid, we entertained company 3-4 times a week, even if it was just sitting around doing nothing. ..."
Agree with so much of that. Quieter times. Less rushing around, less scheduling every minute. Enjoying the outdoors on a park bench reading.
And I recognize those lyrics....
Jason wrote: "I recently received my second shot. Looking forward to having some friends over to the house. Pre-Covid, we entertained company 3-4 times a week, even if it was just sitting around doing nothing. ..."
Congrats on your vaccines, Jason!
And I'll join you in that song... LOL! No one can even come this way with the border closed! (And, as mentioned before, no one wants to come here yet... or shouldn't want to!)
Jason wrote: "I recently received my second shot. Looking forward to having some friends over to the house. Pre-Covid, we entertained company 3-4 times a week, even if it was just sitting around doing nothing. ..."
My son is very likely going to apply to a graduate program the University of Georgia or which ever college down there has a top orchestral program combined with a good trumpet teacher. If he gets a live, in person audition or a big scholarship and goes there and it's not too far away, perhaps we might meet someday.
It's one of the 8 schools his trumpet teacher (in the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a fabulous teacher) recommended.
ETA, maybe not. I just checked google maps and see that your town is over 3 hours away from Athens. Doggone it!
That would be amazing if it works out. 3 Hrs is not that big of a deal. Could make a weekend out of it. I drive the 3 hrs for Braves games several times a year. Best wishes to your son.
Jason wrote: "That would be amazing if it works out. 3 Hrs is not that big of a deal. Could make a weekend out of it. I drive the 3 hrs for Braves games several times a year..."I frequently remind my husband that "distance is relative" When I was growing up in Texas we sometimes drove to Mexico for dinner (150 miles each way). Here I complained about having to drive 20 miles to work. And since retirement I usually stay within a 5-mile radius of my house.
That being said, I AM looking forward to driving to Texas next month. I love to drive (I am my father's daughter).
And speaking of Texas ... Jason, weren't you considering a job move (within your company) that would take you there?
No, my job move would have been to Lafayette, Louisiana. I work for an independent bottler and distributor of Coca Cola and they do not cover Texas. With my previous job, I went to Texas on a business trip that we also turned into a family road trip. went to Odessa, San Antonio, and Houston.
Well I have some interesting news. Had my second dose of Moderna yesterday in the early AM, and I feel great! I think I am somewhere between 92 and 96%. Even my arm has been barely sore. I’m at the Newton South Sub Varsity Football game, heading soon to soccer! In other news, Jaden has taken Delaware off the table. So while we know he will end at Hofstra and that is 100% right for him, he still cannot pull the plug and commit. We even bought the merch! But this has to be his process. So we are letting him take his time and sort this one out, until he comes to his own inexorable conclusion. He says he loves Hofstra and has zero reservations. So what keeps him from committing, is the other schools. So we are making the drive next weekend to Ithaca, and staying overnight. Will keep you all posted.
Meanwhile, my local book group that I run is having us discuss Circe tomorrow night. Just four or five of us. Which was not my pic, because I had already read it about two years ago. And have not been delighted that they are choosing books I have already read. Except that I am excited that they’re getting involved in decision-making. So I started chapter 1 this morning, in between the football game, the soccer game, to flag football games, and the two basketball games, and work and hangs on TickTock whole kinds of things, I guess I have 24 hours on the edges to finish the damn thing a second time. Theresa recommend Ed I just skim it. So that is the necessary plan.
I have no idea what that reference to TickTock was. It’s my damn phone making suggestions for me.
Hi everyone,I have been following your conversations in the past weeks and your meetings and/or meeting ideas sound a little like utopia for me, especially since they involve travel. Even though I do travel to Berlin regularly to be with my husband (and that is a 4-hour train ride), travelling in general is so far away.
Here in Germany, things are not looking so good. We have started vaccinations, but we're only getting to 79-year-olds now (having started with the people older than 80). Some professions were allowed to get a vaccination as well (nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, elementary school teachers and daycare professionals etc.). But it is slow and the so-called third wave is hitting quite hard.
I still haven't contracted covid, though, and am truly grateful for that.
Students have to be taught online next week, again, except the graduating classes, because they have their final exams soon. Since I have three graduating classes, I'll be at school quite a bit, which is good.
I did meet up with two friends (one each time) for long walks this week though and went shopping (we can go shopping after getting an appointment online, you have to register and you can then go and shop in that store for a set amount of time).
Amy wrote: "Well I have some interesting news. Had my second dose of Moderna yesterday in the early AM, and I feel great! I think I am somewhere between 92 and 96%. Even my arm has been barely sore. I’m at the..."I am generally happy when book groups choose books I have already read. More time for my own TBR! I hardly ever reread the chosen book, just skim or maybe look at the summary & reviews on GR to refresh my memory.
Amy and I have clearly triggered some fun discussion after our spontaneous drinks and dinner in NYC. Sally and I will soon get together. Charlotte is taking a road trip to get her puppy. Tessa has a graduation in Ttexas she's planning to attend.
What plans are you making, oh so cautiously after full vaccination? And how many see an opportunity to meet a PBT member in person now!