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Carol wrote: "What's bringing you joy these days? A hobby? a new friendship? an upcoming holiday or trip? an improved health outlook? We got super-good news on my spouse's cancer journey. No active cells. We ..."Wonderful news! Congratulations and best wishes!
Carol wrote: "What's bringing you joy these days? A hobby? a new friendship? an upcoming holiday or trip? an improved health outlook?We got super-good news on my spouse's cancer journey. No active cells.
We ..."
I’m so happy to hear this for you! I agree, make the joy happen! Hopefully the fantastic news will allow you some relief and free up some emotional space for those experiences.
Perhaps a search into books on Margrethe Bohr is now in order?
I recently had a visit from a brother and we took in a concert. That was very nice although now I just miss my family. We’re also trying to add more concerts and shows - joyful experiences that might not require time away from the unending chore that is work - to our agendas.
Carol, I'm so happy for you and your spouse! That's wonderful!
Gail W wrote: "Carol wrote: "What's bringing you joy these days? A hobby? a new friendship? an upcoming holiday or trip? an improved health outlook? We got super-good news on my spouse's cancer journey. No active..."That is good news. Congratulations. I've heard good things about the play. It was made into a film. I had thought the film was in theaters, but I see that Wikipedia says it was a made-for-TV film that made significant cuts to the script. I've not seen either, but have heard others praise the play.
Oh yay, celebrating with you, Carol. My brother’s been on a cancer journey. He seems to be clear of the lung cancer but lesions were seen on his spine in a recent scan, but at latest consult they say they determined it’s scarring and not more cancer. So relieved!
Moderators, would be fun to know who you feature on the group banner and profile photo :)
Jen wrote: "Moderators, would be fun to know who you feature on the group banner and profile photo :)"My bad, Jen. I haven't checked this thread for awhile. sorry for the delay.
The tiny photo is Monica Ali. The array is, left to right: Maxine Hong Kingston, Jenny Zhang, Celeste Ng, Han Kang and Hanya Yanagihara, from this article:
https://medium.com/@DIANCALONDON/12-b...
I tend to change the masthead and the profile photo on a whim/opportunistic basis while purporting to work, so remind me to declare it if I forget. In principle, I seek out shots of multiple authors or their books, and lean toward showcasing non-white and predominately under-50 authors.
Thank you so much, everyone, for your kind responses. I am sorry I let this notification nonsense get in the way of just looking for new, unread comments but that's no excuse. New topic: we thought it would be fun to go to Toronto for 3 days in January. When you're finished laughing - and, yes, it will be one of the coldest weeks of the year, and I don't own boots or a true winter parka - if you have any favorite book stores, restaurants or indoor things to do there, share them! We head up next Wednesday, returning Saturday.
I'm wishing all those who celebrate a lovely Easter weekend! If you're in the UK, enjoy the bank holiday slash Good Friday (although "enjoying" Good Friday is admittedly an awkward sentiment for believers).I have a 3 pm call with someone 2 levels up and am bewildered that she wanted to discuss this topic on the Friday of a holiday weekend, but there you go.
After our latest health adventure, which started around the time of our trip to Toronto, I'm grateful to be at a point where my spouse is not in the hospital, doesn't need 24/7 oxygen, doesn't have pain requiring oxi or an equivalent solution, and I'm back to work (or at least work thinks I'm working).
Does anyone have any stories or plans to share?
Carol wrote: "I'm wishing all those who celebrate a lovely Easter weekend! If you're in the UK, enjoy the bank holiday slash Good Friday (although "enjoying" Good Friday is admittedly an awkward sentiment for be..."I sing in my church choir, and we still have Easter vigil tomorrow evening (oddly, it begins an hour before the sun goes, despite the requirement that it at least begin later than sundown), and two services on Easter morning. So that's the biggest part of my weekend!
I'm in the US, and there's another round of street protests planned for tomorrow, and I think I can fit a half hour or so in (I can't stand in one place for a lot longer than that in any case).
G wrote: "Carol wrote: "I'm wishing all those who celebrate a lovely Easter weekend! If you're in the UK, enjoy the bank holiday slash Good Friday (although "enjoying" Good Friday is admittedly an awkward se..."I hope you had a spectacular Easter weekend! I thought of you as I listened to our choir Sunday. For a change, our weather was reasonably warm and rain-free.
The pollen has mostly gone, so the folks tortured by it can turn to other topics. Like mosquitoes. I have a red leaf maple tree that I adore which only has leaves on its bottom third now and I'm wrestling with whether to replace it or continue to imagine that I see more leaves working their way up the trunk.
I'm back to work, but with even less motivation than I had previously. Send motivation credits to me post-haste.
Carol wrote: "I'm wishing all those who celebrate a lovely Easter weekend! If you're in the UK, enjoy the bank holiday slash Good Friday (although "enjoying" Good Friday is admittedly an awkward sentiment for be..."Carol, I'm so glad that your spouse is not in the hospital and doesn't need 24/7 oxygen! I hope you had a good weekend, despite that darn meeting on Friday.
I'm not a believer so it was just another weekend for me. I work at a community college and we had Friday off, so it was a nice 3 day weekend for me. I went to a performance of Twelfth Night where I work, as put on by the drama students. It was brilliant! So much talent and so many hilarious moments. It seems they do these performances twice a year so I'm going to make a point to go to the next one later this year. I can't believe I've been missing out on these because I just never noticed any advertisements for them before this one. (Likely me being obtuse, lol).
The rest of the weekend was just filled with reading, TV watching, and looking for more books to read. There are SO many books to read and never enough time! Glad I've gotten into audio books for my long work days.
Carol wrote: "I'm wishing all those who celebrate a lovely Easter weekend! If you're in the UK, enjoy the bank holiday slash Good Friday (although "enjoying" Good Friday is admittedly an awkward sentiment for be..."I'm so happy to hear this update on your spouse, Carol. Sending you all the motivation and inspiration to help you through the nuisance of meetings and mosquitos.who knows, maybe that tree does have an extra leaf or two today…
Carol wrote: "I hope you had a spectacular Easter weekend! I thought of you as I listened to our choir Sunday. For a change, our weather was reasonably warm and rain-free."
I did, thanks. To my great delight we sang my favorite Easter hymn AND my favorite communion hymn on Sunday, which meant I got to sing them twice (2 services). And we did a really fantastic anthem that isn't one of the Easter standards, but introduced me to a Wesley hym I'd not known, and was a stunning composition that blended 3 different well-known tunes.
I'm glad to hear your pollen counts have gone down. We're in peak tree-pollen season. And the Kwanzan cherries in my area just opened. Saturday morning they were furled tight as clenched fists, and by bedtime they were blowing kisses on the wind. I love their pretty pink pom-poms, which is quite a statement from a woman who normally loathes pink.
Best wishes in the motivation department! Mine is depleted as well, but it will do its best to send some your way.
Also, Carol, I'm sorry I neglected to say I'm glad for your husband's improvement!
ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Carol wrote: "I'm wishing all those who celebrate a lovely Easter weekend! If you're in the UK, enjoy the bank holiday slash Good Friday (although "enjoying" Good Friday is admittedly an awkward se..."A long weekend without a ton of obligations is the best!
Anita wrote: "Carol wrote: "I'm wishing all those who celebrate a lovely Easter weekend! If you're in the UK, enjoy the bank holiday slash Good Friday (although "enjoying" Good Friday is admittedly an awkward se..."Thanks, Anita. I believe there are more leaves today lol
G wrote: "Carol wrote: "I hope you had a spectacular Easter weekend! I thought of you as I listened to our choir Sunday. For a change, our weather was reasonably warm and rain-free."
I did, thanks. To my g..."
It's so fun when you get to sing your favorites and you like the arrangements. Also a fellow Pink Hater, but the cherry blossoms bring me a ton of joy, too.
G wrote: "Also, Carol, I'm sorry I neglected to say I'm glad for your husband's improvement!"oh - no worries at all. We've all got stuff happening, always.
Anita, were you able to find someone to lead The Bees for May? I can't find your original post asking? If yes, great. If not, I will likely be able to handle it. thanks.
GailW (on partial hiatus) wrote: "Anita, were you able to find someone to lead The Bees for May? I can't find your original post asking? If yes, great. If not, I will likely be able to handle it. thanks."No one volunteered Gail. We’d love to have you still lead if you’re able :)
Anita wrote: "No one volunteered Gail. We’d love to have you still lead if you’re able :)..."Okay, let me give it a shot then. The more I work with the "new norm", the more I seem to be able to function.
GailW wrote: "Anita wrote: "No one volunteered Gail. We’d love to have you still lead if you’re able :)..."Okay, let me give it a shot then. The more I work with the "new norm", the more I seem to be able to f..."
your adaptability puts mine to shame, friend. I'm overbooked the next two weeks with group commitments (some IRL, one for another GR group) or I'd have my hand up. I hope things continue to improve, however you measure that.
Upcoming plans, anyone?I'm mid-the unpredictable world of back at work, but not close to caught up, long-term fitness schedule tossed by a studio owner and haven't figured out what to do beyond be sad, and knowing I do best when I have future weekend, travel or holiday or other entirely fun plans to anticipate - but the Vacation Fairy - dammit I wear that hat, too, in the household - hasn't planned anything yet.
Inspire me. What do you have coming up that's pure fun, joy or adventure, no matter if it's a 3-hour or 3-week plan? Aside from activities, what is bringing you joy this May?
Carol wrote: "Upcoming plans, anyone?I'm mid-the unpredictable world of back at work, but not close to caught up, long-term fitness schedule tossed by a studio owner and haven't figured out what to do beyond b..."
We just moved to a new, bigger apartment last month and now have a good sized deck! It's spring, so I've been internet rabbitholing all things balcony gardening. Kale and wild rocket have sprouted, balcony compost bin is established, and I'm really tempted by vermicomposting (with worms) now too. Fingers crossed on all these new projects, as well as all the indoor projects for making the home just how we want it. Current project in that department: morphing old coffee table to be an extension of the couch so it's an L-shaped sofa. Living room comfiness about to level up- yay.
My garden is bringing me joy too! My partner is having some long overdue time off and we're building some very raised beds to keep our 4 dogs (my other source of joy) off my veggies and herbs! Jen I'd recommend vermicomposting. I got one last summer and it isn't up to full capacity yet but I still love it. I talk to my worms, they've just started breeding, it doesn't smell bad like the regular compost bin and it's so much quicker at making good quality stuff! I just enjoy it as part of nature's fascinating process
*googling vermicomposting. back in a few days. this brings me such joy.
OMG coolio, thanks for the vermicomposting testimonial, Hannah, cuz I didn't know anyone personally who's doing it. I'm envious of your raised beds! I'm concerned that's too heavy for our deck... Anyway, starting small for now. My gosh the expenses add up, partly because of lots of beginner missteps and ignorance hehe...
Jen wrote: "OMG coolio, thanks for the vermicomposting testimonial, Hannah, cuz I didn't know anyone personally who's doing it. I'm envious of your raised beds! I'm concerned that's too heavy for our deck... A..."Yeah, my advice is to start small and grow more as you learn. It can be quite expensive, depending on how you do things. Feel free to DM me if you have any questions, it's my favourite topic (along with books of course). I recommend https://verticalveg.com/ for container gardening which is a great place to start.
Carol wrote: "*googling vermicomposting. back in a few days. this brings me such joy."
I hope the worms and I have helped to distract you Carol! 🪱
Hannah wrote: "Jen wrote: "OMG coolio, thanks for the vermicomposting testimonial, Hannah, cuz I didn't know anyone personally who's doing it. I'm envious of your raised beds! I'm concerned that's too heavy for o..."Absolutely! Plus I’d never heard of it before you mentioned it and it’s super-interesting to have so much potential to learn about a brand new thing. And I hope you’re in a “feeling better” period , Hannah.
Thank you, Hannah! I will look at that site and I’m sure I’ll take you up on your DM offer. My new fav thing too 😄
Is anyone else not getting notifications? I haven't had any from this group for 14 days! I haven't changed anything in my settings and the notification square for the group is still checked 🤔
I have, Hannah, definitely in the last 14 days, and as recently as last few days for this group
I was doing a search on a book I discovered on another site ( Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark), and found an article written by the author for Black History Month 2025. Excellent and eye-opening read that I thought some might be interested in. https://disgruntledharadrim.com/2025/...
Excellent writing and article, thanks for sharing, Gail. I love his humor and down to earth voice. He’s been on my TBR a while and now he’s higher on the list again. Great to read him finally.
Hannah wrote: "Is anyone else not getting notifications? I haven't had any from this group for 14 days! I haven't changed anything in my settings and the notification square for the group is still checked 🤔"Hannah - I get only rare notifications for any of my groups. The community wisdom is that logging off on all devices and back on solves the notification problem for many users. I haven't made it a priority to walk around and log off everywhere at a single time because .. hassle + aDHD, but odds are it's a winning formula. The most annoying consequence for me is the lack of notifications of comments on reviews and updates, since I want to engage with someone commenting on my reviews but here we are. Given GR's latest round of layoffs, I also suspect that the bug and error ticket list is long and no one is getting to this one with due haste.
GailW wrote: "I was doing a search on a book I discovered on another site ( Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark), and found an article written by the author for Black History Month 20..."Marking this for later reading - thanks so much, Gail!
GailW wrote: "I was doing a search on a book I discovered on another site ( Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark), and found an article written by the author for Black History Month 20..."Thanks for sharing! I love how people in this group share articles and things like this. It is right in my wheelhouse to do extra research when it comes to books/authors/topics!
ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "GailW wrote: "I was doing a search on a book I discovered on another site ( Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark), and found an article written by the author for Black Hi..."I snatch up and read anything Clark writes. He's one of my all time favorites :)
Taylor Jenkins Reid
On our landing page, I've updated the author jpeg to Taylor Jenkins Reid, a highly successful author we don't talk a great deal about here and having a big year - out with her 9th book, Atmosphere, working on converting one of the Chicks' hits into a jukebox musical, and addressing her bisexuality in a TIME cover story.
I haven't read any of her books, but am contemplating trying Atmosphere. If you've loved one or more others, please advise : )
I’ve read several of hers and have enjoyed all of them. Daisy Jones and the Six is a faux oral history of a Fleetwood Mac-type band. Malibu Rising is a fun beach read. Those have been my two favorites.
I had thought she’d be a good nomination for author focus! I’ve yet to read her but I have a secondhand paperback of the Evelyn Hugo story that I been wanting to get to.
Hannah wrote: "Is anyone else not getting notifications? I haven't had any from this group for 14 days! I haven't changed anything in my settings and the notification square for the group is still checked 🤔"Haven’t been getting notifications in weeks. I’ve made it a new habit to come straight to the discussions page when I open Goodreads. It’s pretty frustrating and I’ve made sure to check the ‘notify me’ box on the threads I visit. I’ll try Carol’s prompt to log out everywhere and cross my fingers, spit over my shoulder and hop three times. Or something.
For Taylor Jenkins Reid, I think Ive only read (listened to) Daisy Jones & The Six and it was a book made for audio imho. Would totally recommend. As I’m headed to the beach in a couple weeks, maybe I’ll pick up Malibu Rising.
Oh! Anita reminded me- I listened to her epistolary novella Evidence of the Affair and I quite enjoyed it 🙂👍
Carol wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Is anyone else not getting notifications? I haven't had any from this group for 14 days! I haven't changed anything in my settings and the notification square for the group is still ..."Thanks Carol, I only have 1 device but I logged out and logged back in again and got a couple of notifications since. Don't know why I didn't try that before. Ticking the notify box alone didn't work. So annoying, this website so needs updating
Hannah wrote: "...notifications..."I have been so annoyed at the notifications, I turned them all off unless I specifically "check the box" on particular posts. It's easier for me to just automatically go to the "my group discussions" button in the header, select which group I want to look at, and then selectively look at specific discussions. Some of the groups I'm in can have dozens of discussions going on at the same time. A few groups I look at everything (this one, for example). I may miss something but ...
TIL that 1 July is Canada Day commemorating the day in 1867 when, as a result of the British North America Act, the 3 original provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the United Province of Canada (which later split into Ontario and Quebec) became the Dominion of Canada.For anyone curious https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_...
we're planning to visit our daughter and her boyfriend for the holiday weekend. They live about 3 hours north of here. Taking the dogs, one of whom is so not a fan of cars. We've shipped a Weber grill there and one agenda item is - at her behest - to teach them how to grill on a charcoal grill. Fingers crossed that the grill assembly doesn't slow down the more fun part of this agenda.
Carol wrote: "TIL that 1 July is Canada Day commemorating the day in 1867 when, as a result of the British North America Act, the 3 original provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the United Province of Cana..."That sounds wonderful! Webers are notoriously simple designs so I hope that’s a non-issue for you. Maybe save the beer for after the assembly, who knows. We’re headed to the beach ourselves, about 3 hours south and also with our one pup. I hope you have a great weekend.
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Books mentioned in this topic
Daisy Jones & The Six (other topics)Atmosphere (other topics)
Ring Shout (other topics)
Ring Shout (other topics)
Ring Shout (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Taylor Jenkins Reid (other topics)P. Djèlí Clark (other topics)
P. Djèlí Clark (other topics)
P. Djèlí Clark (other topics)
P. Djèlí Clark (other topics)
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We got super-good news on my spouse's cancer journey. No active cells.
We went to see a play last Friday, Copenhagen, by Michael Frayn. 3 characters, Neils Bohr, Werner Heisenberg and Margrethe Bohr (who must have been a fascinating woman IRL). Loved it.
Work is a bit burdensome at the moment and taking up too much real estate in my life and head. On the other hand, I'm looking to increase my scheduling of joyful experiences to make sure they happen.
You?