Comfort Reads discussion
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Lance, such a touching post you wrote about your mom, dad and step dad. My mom passed only 3 months ago and my dad gave me her engagement ring and wedding band which I wear every day or I wear her ruby ring which she saved for and bought when she was 16. I completely understand how devastated you felt when you thought you lost the ring in the park! I'm sure your heart sank, could never be replaced. I'm glad you found them.U.S. Mothers Day is always in May.
Glad you still have your dad and that you enjoy him so much.
I am so happy to announce, for those of you who followed my get fit and healthy regime last year, that yesterday I passed the one million metres for the "season" on my rowing machine.At 50 pounds lighter than this time last year, and maintaining my weight and fitness levels, I am feeling fantastic!
A huge congratulations, Lance! Keeping it off is a huge challenge and you're doing it!
Thanks Lisa.I vary between 175 and 180 pounds, but I am very happy with that.
Lance Greenfield wrote: "Thanks Lisa.I vary between 175 and 180 pounds, but I am very happy with that."
Lance, Everybody has a range. I have a usual range of 3 pounds just from morning to night, and inexplicable ranges of a few pounds from day to day that probably depend on water and salt intake.
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Lee wrote: "I think I must eat too much salt. I have similar inexplicable ranges from day to day, even when staying within my calorie goal."Maybe. But I know when I exercise a lot I retain more water, consuming salt or not, so I think most of it is just the body's way of holding on to needed fluids??? Of course, I drink much more water those days too. Anyway, I don't worry about fluctuations, just the general direction things are going, as a pattern.
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Remember that a pint of water weighs 20 ounces, so a good pee in the morning can lose you a pound.Try this. As soon as you get up in the morning, before you go to the loo, weigh yourself naked. Then have the pee that you've been bursting for. Put on your running shorts and run twice around the block. Have another pee if you can. Strip off and weigh yourself again.
I'd bet that you have lost a pound and a half from your first weigh in.
So what is the lesson to be learned here?
Weigh yourself in exactly the same condition each time you step on the scales.
I get up, go to the loo, do my exercise which is running or rowing, strip off and weigh myself naked. That way (excuse the awful pun!), I am always (pun again!) weighing myself for a true comparison.
Lance, you are very inspiring! It is the maintenance of your weight loss that is the most impressive. I've lost a lot of weight over the years, but I always put it back on...
Thanks Shelley.What I have done is to continue to use MyFitnessPal (MFP) phone app and online right the way through my weight loss regime and on into my maintenance.
I occasionally overstep the mark, but most days I am under my calorie count. There are also days when I lie in bed and read for an hour rather than get up and exercise. I blame my GR friends for that, for recommending so many great books to me!
I have been logged on to MFP every day for over 335 days now!
Lee, and others, have been my friends on both MFP and GR, and have given me great support. They have really helped me!
Thanks for sharing those tips that have helped you keep (and take) weight off, Lance. I agree about weighing yourself at the same time in the same condition every day. And support from others is invaluable.
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Lee wrote: "I am in the biggest reading slump ever! I haven't read a decent book in weeks. I'm feeling quite guilty about it, hence my lack of book talk."I hate those times! What are you in the mood for, do you think? Maybe we can suggest books.
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Something with interesting characters, good pace and plot, not too heavy or difficult to get into.
Lee wrote: "Comfort reads. :-)Something with interesting characters, good pace and plot, not too heavy or difficult to get into."
You might try a kids' book. Double benefit of checking out books M. might want to read within a few years.
I recently read First Light, the first novel by Rebecca Stead. I loved it. I'd read and loved her second book When You Reach Me and then read her third book Liar & Spy before I read this first one. Just a thought.
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Lee wrote: "Thanks, Lisa. I'll check it out!"Two time travel children's lit books I quite enjoyed recently were Beswitched and The Magic Half (they are both available at the local library).
I also totally loved Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen (quite funny at times, but also thought provoking).
Or you could do what I do whenever I really need comfort reading, reread favourite series (I do that with the Anne of Green Gables series or the All Creatures Great and Small series).
ETA: I guess I'm in a bit of a slump as well, but not really a reading slump, but a writing reviews slump (I just don't feel much like writing, but I do fee like reading).
Gundula, I understand. I just finished a marvelous book last night and I can tell I'm going to struggle to write a review. I've been writing reviews but it's been awhile since I enjoyed writing them.
Lisa wrote: "Gundula, I understand. I just finished a marvelous book last night and I can tell I'm going to struggle to write a review. I've been writing reviews but it's been awhile since I enjoyed writing them."I have to actually want to write reviews in order to do so (or in order to write good reviews). That being said, I am usually fine once I get started, but getting started has been a problem lately (don't feel like it, too many other things to do, would rather read than write etc. etc.).
I'm trying to get better about writing reviews. There was a time when I mainly just rated after reading and didn't bother reviewing, but after reading other people's reviews, I've decided to try and be better at it.
That's great, Tim. I love reading others' reviews, and for me writing them is a way to contribute to this community. It's also a way to remind myself why I rated the book the way I did.
Gundula, I'd rather be in the mood. I hope I get into the review I plan to write today. I'm sure I do write better reviews when I'm enthused about writing them.
Tim wrote: "I'm trying to get better about writing reviews. There was a time when I mainly just rated after reading and didn't bother reviewing, but after reading other people's reviews, I've decided to try an..."You know what I'm like Tim. When I do write a review, I just cannot simply write a simple one, ha (I go off on tangents or end up writing huge, long reviews, and for those, I do have to be in the mood).
Yes, I know what you're like. What you might want to do is open up a simple text document (i.e., separate from Goodreads) and type some thoughts up once you've finished a book. So that way you can use it as a starting point if you want to come back to the review.
Tim wrote: "Yes, I know what you're like. What you might want to do is open up a simple text document (i.e., separate from Goodreads) and type some thoughts up once you've finished a book. So that way you can ..."I might try that, that's a good idea, thanks.
Lee - I refer you to my top ten Comfort Reads that I submitted when I joined this lovely group three years ago.Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling
Uncommon Law: Being 66 Misleading Cases by AP Herbert
Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome
The Utterly Ultimate My Word by Frank Muir and Denis Norden
Wesley: The Story of a Remarkable Owl by Stacey O'Brien
The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure by Hans Magnus Enzberger
Mathematical Puzzles and Diversions (I have a 1960s Penguin version) by Martin Gardner
Para Handy Tales by Neil Munro
Dud and Pete: The Dagenham Dialogues by Dudley Moore and Peter Cook
Surely You're Joking Mr Feynman: The Adventures of a Curious Character by Richard P Feynman
The Essential Spike Milligan by Spike Milligan
Out of all of these, to give you a bit of a lift with a most enjoyable book, I would recommend Para Handy Tales.
Have fun!
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I've got two or three reviews mostly written for books that have been on my currently reading shelf for about a year and I'm feeling so guilty! It's been many months since I've felt like writing anything. I must finish them and allow myself to move on.
Lee wrote: "Thanks, Lance and Gundula for the suggestions. Para Handy Tales sounds like something I would like. I do love sea stories and adventure stories! I've got two or three reviews mostly written for..."
I think you are like me, Lee, you have to feel like writing in order to do so (and for me, writing reviews also sometimes feels like writing term papers, sigh).
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One of the great reasons that I put Para Handy on my Comfort Reads shelf is that you could easily read any one of the stories as a stand=alone short story. Or you could choose to read them in sequence.I can tell you that they are delightful, and I can guarantee that you will be thoroughly amused!
Dip in and enjoy.
Lee wrote: "I am in the biggest reading slump ever! I haven't read a decent book in weeks. I'm feeling quite guilty about it, hence my lack of book talk."I would like to suggest The False Prince
it has some wonderful characters, the plotting is very well done and some humor thrown in. A middle grade/ya fantasy but I really enjoyed it.
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Thanks for the suggestion! I've added that to my to-read pile. Looks like fun.
I must say, I'm getting mighty anxious for spring to arrive. This time of year I get really depressed when it's still so cold and gray. I don't know how many more weeks I can take!!!! A few weeks ago, I was so desperate, I suggested to my husband that we move back to Costa Rica where the temperatures are beautiful all year round. I was shocked to hear he wasn't interested. He thinks life is better here. I was even prepared to go knowing how big the spiders are!
Lee wrote: "Hi Brenda,Thanks for the suggestion! I've added that to my to-read pile. Looks like fun.
I must say, I'm getting mighty anxious for spring to arrive. This time of year I get really depressed..."
Spring is right around the corner...:-))
I went to the Andover Hockey Club Presentation Dinner this evening. We were saying farewell to a lady who is going back to her homeland after many years of service in the club. I wore my kilt in her honour.
Just come off 20 mins on my rower. Working from home today as have to take car to garage. Will run the four miles back to the house. Then have to take one of the dogs, Maisie, to the vet before I start work. She's got inflamed gums and is obviously uncomfortable. It's all go, but it keeps me fit!
Poor Maisie. I hope the vet doesn't scare her and gets her out of pain. Good go on the running, Lance.
The vet didn't know what was wrong with Maisie. She gave her a steroid injection and told us to come back tomorrow morning. She'll put her under for a more thorough investigation if she's not any better.I think I'll do an even longer run tomorrow, even though it is f-f-f-f-f-f-f-reezing here in England!
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Lee wrote: "I love kilts! I hope Maisie is okay. :-)"Do you like mine?
I love it. The tartan is called "Hunting Chisholm". This is the clan of my maternal heritage. The Chisholms were very prominent in both the Jacobean wars and the Highland Clearances. And it is a beautiful tartan.
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I finally devoured a book but the ending left me with a yucky feeling. I'm definitely going to read something more light-hearted now. At least the kittens are making me laugh with their wrestling and play-fighting.
I love the pattern and colors Lance. I hope Maisie is okay! Please keep us posted.
I took Maisie back to the vet, and had to leave her there. They are going to put her under and do a thorough exploration. It could be anything at this stage. I'll find out later and update you all.
Lance Greenfield wrote: "I took Maisie back to the vet, and had to leave her there. They are going to put her under and do a thorough exploration. It could be anything at this stage. I'll find out later and update you all."Scary! I hope whatever is wrong is benign and fixable. Thanks for keeping us posted, Lance.
Update on MaisieI just collected Maisie from the vet and there is nothing serious wrong with her. They've done every test imaginable. It is somewhat mysterious, but they have seen similar before now. It is neurological, and gradually clears up after a few weeks with steroids, antibiotics, soft food and walking on a harness, which I have to go out an buy right now.
Anyway, thanks for your good wishes folks, and here's a photo of her which I just took: back home and relaxing on the settee.
Lance Greenfield wrote: "Update on MaisieI just collected Maisie from the vet and there is nothing serious wrong with her. They've done every test imaginable. It is somewhat mysterious, but they have seen similar before ..."
Glad it does not appear to be serious and hope Maisie won't be too uncomfortable as this clears up (too bad that there is not some magic pill, this must be quite uncomfortable for her).
The vet says she's not in any pain, so it's not too bad. But uncomfortable, as you say.
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Comfort Reads
Books mentioned in this topic
No Angel (other topics)The False Prince (other topics)
Para Handy Tales (other topics)
Para Handy Tales (other topics)
Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jane Austen (other topics)Rebecca Stead (other topics)
Ken Jennings (other topics)
Neal D. Barnard (other topics)
Nigel Tranter (other topics)
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I just realised that, although we think of it as the most famous dog show in the world, with over 20,000 dogs being shown over 4 days, some of you may never have heard of it. It could be a bit like the [American] World Series!
Anyway, here are three more clips to watch.
Here's a link to Best in Show
But that one lasts 30 minutes, so you may prefer the short highlights
You are sure to absolutely love this Friends for Life video. The little boy, Owen, is from Basingstoke, which is about 20 miles east of where I live.