Comfort Reads discussion
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Chit Chat
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Daily Chat
Good morning everyone! The weather here couldn't be more disgusting...where's the sun?? I have my face to face bookclub tonight, and the girl who is hosting desperately wants to hold it outside. I'm kinda' worried that she will now because the bugs are out in full force with all of this wet weather. I hate to go covered in bug spray, but I will if I have to. We are discussing Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.
Have a good start to the day! (or finish to the day for those of you in another time zone)
Have a good start to the day! (or finish to the day for those of you in another time zone)
Mod
Christine, why does she want to hold the meeting outside when it's so wet and buggy?
Susanna wrote: "Our blueberries are starting to get ripe. We also have tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, cucumbers, melon, snap and pole beans, peppers, and an herb garden.
Would love to have corn, but the soil's no..."
Wouldn't that be nice. I manage the herbs, rosemary (when I can manage not to kill it), basil, Roman mint (smaller leaves and more delicate flavor), but that's about it.
I used to love visiting my grandmother in the summer. She always had a good old fashioned kitchen garden in the back yard. I'd help weed and pick. Loads of fun!
Would love to have corn, but the soil's no..."
Wouldn't that be nice. I manage the herbs, rosemary (when I can manage not to kill it), basil, Roman mint (smaller leaves and more delicate flavor), but that's about it.
I used to love visiting my grandmother in the summer. She always had a good old fashioned kitchen garden in the back yard. I'd help weed and pick. Loads of fun!
Alas, Christine, I know where the sun is. It's in South Carolina. Predictions for today and tomorrow: 96 and 97, ten degrees higher than they should be for the time of year.
Lee wrote:
Christine, why does she want to hold the meeting outside when it's so wet and buggy?"
They just spent weeks doing an outside landscaping project with a fire pit. It looks beautiful, but I know tonight is gonna' be yucky. She lives next door to me and we live off of a pond. I can not step out to get the mail without being attacked by swarms of biters.
Christine, why does she want to hold the meeting outside when it's so wet and buggy?"
They just spent weeks doing an outside landscaping project with a fire pit. It looks beautiful, but I know tonight is gonna' be yucky. She lives next door to me and we live off of a pond. I can not step out to get the mail without being attacked by swarms of biters.
Mod
Mod
Hey everyone! My Internet connection has been playing hide-and-seek, and I am using an older desktop computer right now since my newer one crashed (think it was the dang motherboard again, not going to fix it). My laptop is better to use, but I let the battery go down on it. It's miserably hot here, has been for days now. We are getting an occasional rain shower, just to tease us that there might be some relief, but, of course, it just makes things steamier.
I got some great pictures of my granddaughters in the lake yesterday at my son-in-law's parents' house. It was a college graduation part for his younger brother. I just love my son-in-law's parents, have become great friends with his mom. I am so grateful that my daughter married into such a wonderful family. Oh, and my littlest angel, Izzy, not only waves, but she claps and says, "roof," for the doggies. Am I smitten or what? LOL!
Christine, let me know what your book group thinks of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: A Novel. I loved it! I hope you get an air conditioned meeting and not the muggy, buggy one.
Oh, Susanna (now I will have that song in my head the rest of the afternoon--lol), what a scrumptious garden you have. Yummy! I'm not sure what the temp here is today, but it's been hitting the 90's, too.
All the blueberry talk is making my hungry for some. One of my friends just got a new freezer mainly for the purpose of freezing as many blueberries as she can this summer. Hayes, you are still way ahead of me, with your herbs. Oh, and Hayes and Scout, with your 13 and 16 year old sons. I don't know if they are going through the not wanting to tell you anything stage, but with my son, who is now 23, he is past that and tells me too much. LOL!
Lee wrote: "Susanna, I can't believe you live with such temperatures! Is it wet or dry heat?"It is a wet heat, unfortunately. It gets this bad every summer, but usually in late July/early August. Gah. The best word I can use to describe it is "sauna."
How am I dealing with it? Air conditioning, avoiding going outside, knitting, reading, and TV sports (the World Cup, college baseball, and the saga of the Big 12 collapsing or not, mostly).
Whoops, I hear thunder! If we get rain, it may cut the heat (very nice), but I'll have a terrified cat again.
Mod
And don't forget about our jam cake recipe (when you have time)! I've been very curious about that.
Susanna wrote: "Lee wrote: "Susanna, I can't believe you live with such temperatures! Is it wet or dry heat?"
It is a wet heat, unfortunately. It gets this bad every summer, but usually in late July/early Augus..."
Its been thundering here too but is about 51. It was so cold I had to bring my plants back inside. They tell us it will warm back up tomorrow. I guess all the tourists are freezing but they come here for the cool at high altitude in Colorado.
Alice
It is a wet heat, unfortunately. It gets this bad every summer, but usually in late July/early Augus..."
Its been thundering here too but is about 51. It was so cold I had to bring my plants back inside. They tell us it will warm back up tomorrow. I guess all the tourists are freezing but they come here for the cool at high altitude in Colorado.
Alice
Lee wrote: "Kathy, one day I want to see pictures of these grandkids of yours! And don't forget about our jam cake recipe (when you have time)! I've been very curious about that."
Oh, thanks for reminding me about the jam cake recipe. I promise, soon.
One of my resident raccoons just brought out her babies for the first time, five little miniature raccoons, they are so cute.
That is so cool! Unlike our weather here in South Georgia - 99 degrees today and humid. The blooms are dropping off the tomatoes, they're so stressed. Can you post a photo of the little bandits?
Scout wrote: "That is so cool! Unlike our weather here in South Georgia - 99 degrees today and humid. The blooms are dropping off the tomatoes, they're so stressed. Can you post a photo of the little bandits?"I wish I knew how to do that. I don't even have a digital camera, but maybe I should get one. One of the problems is that by the time I get the camera ready, the raccoons are generally gone. And, I also am loath to spook them. It's really cute, I have a very large berry tree (don't know what kind) outside of my bedroom window, and once the babies become a bit bigger, the mother usually puts them in training in the tree (teaching them to climb, to eat berries etc.). It was humid in Hamilton as well today, but thankfully not 99 degrees (I hope it does not get as hot as that this summer, I don't have air conditioning), and my hair looks like a huge puffball.
Heehee! Wish you could see my hair now. Picture a brunette dandelion with curls. Don't know if I could survive the heat now without AC. I grew up here without it and can remember damp sheets wrapped around me at night. I'd irritably untangle myself and lie on the floor to get some relief.
Scout wrote: "Heehee! Wish you could see my hair now. Picture a brunette dandelion with curls. Don't know if I could survive the heat now without AC. I grew up here without it and can remember damp sheets wr..."
My stepmother sent me this really cool (literally) thing some years ago... I wonder where I hid it ... it's a long tube of material, filled with gel beads. You let the thing soak in water, then drain a bit, put in the fridge to get cool, and then you drape it around your shoulders, legs, etc.
Hi ladies! I'm really busy this week so will be lurking and checking in rarely.
Have a good week everyone!
My stepmother sent me this really cool (literally) thing some years ago... I wonder where I hid it ... it's a long tube of material, filled with gel beads. You let the thing soak in water, then drain a bit, put in the fridge to get cool, and then you drape it around your shoulders, legs, etc.
Hi ladies! I'm really busy this week so will be lurking and checking in rarely.
Have a good week everyone!
Neat stuff up here in the gloomy, wet, cold north: Last night was the annual Green Bay Packers v. GB Police basketball game to raise money for the Special Olympics... one of the waterboys didn't show up, so they asked my granddaughter, Abby, to do it! They also had her shoot a freethrow.... Way to go, Abby!!!!
Hayes wrote: "it's a long tube of material, filled with gel beads. You let the thing soak in water, then drain a bit, put in the fridge to get cool, and then you drape it around your shoulders, legs, etc."Hayes, I had one of those years ago, but it eventually fell apart and the gel inside made a bit of a mess. I used to put it around my shoulders near my neck and it really helped.
Good (late) morning, lovers of comfort! I just got back from the pool after being at the pool until 10:00 last night, and in a couple hours I am headed to ...wait for it...the pool. Gotta' love swim team momming.
Christine, "momming" cute word. Do you get to take something to read with you?
Mod
Well, it's ever so slightly cooler today (predicting 94), but we had a gullywasher of a thunderstorm yesterday evening - 2 3/4 inches of rain in about an hour.
Mona wrote: "Christine, "momming" cute word. Do you get to take something to read with you?"
I usually avoid taking my books to meets because we almost always seem to be caught in rain lately. It downpoured last night, but we waited the rain out and did the meet. I will take something when we go to the out of town, all day invitationals. However, I don't get much reading done anyway because I'm usually working in some fashion. So I guess the short answer would have been, "not really". :(
Yes Lee, many many hours. Crazy unmentionable morning hours, crazy exhausting afternoon/evening hours. But, she loves her sport..so there you go.
I usually avoid taking my books to meets because we almost always seem to be caught in rain lately. It downpoured last night, but we waited the rain out and did the meet. I will take something when we go to the out of town, all day invitationals. However, I don't get much reading done anyway because I'm usually working in some fashion. So I guess the short answer would have been, "not really". :(
Yes Lee, many many hours. Crazy unmentionable morning hours, crazy exhausting afternoon/evening hours. But, she loves her sport..so there you go.
Christine: You're a good mom. In the future when your daughter wins an Olympic medal,hopefully she'll give you credit for your devotion to her and her grueling training schedule. :)
Otis posted this general poll on the site today. It's open until 6/22:http://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/35...
It's about how frequently you read. Answer it by a simple click on the correct amount listed. (I voted on "daily" of course. ;-) )
Christine, I hope they give medals to the moms as well as the swimmers. I never had to do swim team, but my daughter is doing with their 9-yr.-old. I asked Journie when her next swim meet was, and she told me it was this coming Saturday, all day Saturday. Yikes, I was thinking about going to her meet, but I didn't realize she would be there all day, and with the heat we've been having, Grammy may have to pass this one up. I plan on giving my daughter a big pat on the back the next time I see her. Oh, I like "momming," too. One of my friends and I are going to hear Tess Gerritsen tomorrow night, can't wait! http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
My son was so cute the other day. He gave me a kiss and said that he is glad he is old enough to take the bus to and from his friends' houses and the gym, and home from school as it makes him feel autonomous, and gives me a break from "taxi duty".
My "little" boy... had to shell out a "few" bucks for new shoes yesterday. Size 11!
My "little" boy... had to shell out a "few" bucks for new shoes yesterday. Size 11!
Awww...thanks, Hayes. You are sweet.
Am I wrong or is your little boy the same age as my little girl?? She's starting high school in the fall.
Am I wrong or is your little boy the same age as my little girl?? She's starting high school in the fall.
It's a gorgeous day here, so my son says, "Mom, can we go to the pool later?" Hahahahaha! I may just move my stuff there and stay until the end of July.
I'm taking Dixie for a walk. Have a great start!
I'm taking Dixie for a walk. Have a great start!
Hi Christine. The Beast will be 13 next month. In Italy they do 5 years elementary, 3 years middle, and 5 years high school. So next year is his last of middle school. Frightening how big they get, isn't it?
Nice medal, Hayes. Well deserved, Christine. My daughter and her family bought a new mini van yesterday, and I had to laugh. I can remember her in her teens and even college saying that she would never drive a mini van or a stations wagon. Boy, does becoming a mother change a lot of your thinking! 26 and driving her mini van. LOL!
I am getting excited about my trip later today to hear Tess Gerritsen speak. I love her Jane Rizzoli/Maura Isles seriess, and new one is coming out next week. I'm hoping we will get an early opportunity at buying one tonight.
Oh, and Hayes I had to laugh at your calling your son "the beast." My husband got into the habit of calling our son, "the boy." I think it was because my husband was so befuddled by our son and his creative rather than practical tendencies. Being an Army man, my husband tends to view the world rather pragmatically.
Mod
I hope you have fun seeing Tess Gerritsen tonight! How exciting that you get to see and meet so many authors.
Kathy wrote: "Nice medal, Hayes. Well deserved, Christine. My daughter and her family bought a new mini van yesterday, and I had to laugh. I can remember her in her teens and even college saying that she wo..."
My parents sometimes call me "the absent minded professor" Oops.
He really isn't a beast, he's a very sweet boy (I wonder how long that will last), incredibly musical and with his head permanently in the clouds. He just eats a lot. And drinks a lot of milk. We get through three quarts every two days, and my husband and I use it only in our coffee.
Gundula wrote: "...the absent minded professor...."
What were they thinking! ;-)
Morning ladies and have a good day everyone. I have another busy day so wont be checking in much.
Gundula wrote: "...the absent minded professor...."
What were they thinking! ;-)
Morning ladies and have a good day everyone. I have another busy day so wont be checking in much.
Hayes wrote: "He really isn't a beast, he's a very sweet boy (I wonder how long that will last), incredibly musical and with his head permanently in the clouds. He just eats a lot. And drinks a lot of milk. We g..."My brother went through this phase as well when he was a teenager. I got kind of turned off when I caught him once drinking the milk right out of the carton and then putting it back into the fridge.
The Absent Minded Professor -- that's because I tend to screw up seemingly important things like times and dates. The best one was when my mother was coming to visit meat the University of Waterloo and I got the date wrong. No, actually I did not, I knew she was coming on Wednesday, but come Wednesday, I thought it was Tuesday and went to the library in the afternoon (to get stuff organised before my mom arrived). She was waiting for me for over an hour. I mean, it was silly of me, but my parents certainly have not let me forget it (and it happened in the early 90s). I never dared tell them the time I got onto the wrong train in Germany and ended up in Switzerland instead of Austria (I just did not want them to get any more ammunition -- but this time, it really was not all my fault, the signs were very confusing and the conductor told me that this train was going to Austria -- oh, it was, but a different route and not where I wanted to go, ha,ha, now, but I was mortified then).
This is the first chance that I've had to get on today and say that Tess Gerritsen was fantastic last night! She's so smart and witty, a very entertaining, as well as informative, talk and Q & A session. She signed books, too. My friend and I had a wonderful time!
Good morning! Our power was out much of yesterday so I feel out of touch. I just looked at Jeannette's blog for her trip, and the pictures are beautiful!!! It seems like they are having a very nice time.
My mom is having more health problems so I may go AWOL suddenly if I need to head to Ohio. As for today, taking the kids to see Toy Story 3, and hoping to read later.
Kathy,
How awesome to meet Tess Gerritsen! Did you get a picture with her?
My mom is having more health problems so I may go AWOL suddenly if I need to head to Ohio. As for today, taking the kids to see Toy Story 3, and hoping to read later.
Kathy,
How awesome to meet Tess Gerritsen! Did you get a picture with her?
Yes, Christine, I did get a picture, and if I can get my Internet service to stay on long enough, I really do plan on posting it and other pictures I've been meaning to, plus that jam cake recipe. I sure hope your mom gets better soon. Keep us updated. How was Toy Story 3?Jeannette, I need to go to your blog and look at the pictures. It's so hard to get to do what I want to online right now with my service so messed up. I guess I am going to have to call this week about it.
It's very hot here, so I have had nice day staying inside and reading Tess Gerritsen's book Bloodstream.
I've never read anything by Tess Gerritsen. It doesn't sound like my genre. I usually just can't take the suspense in that type of book. If anyone can make a recommendation of something of hers that may not be as 'scary' or 'tense', I'd be willing to try it.
Sue wrote: "I've never read anything by Tess Gerritsen. It doesn't sound like my genre. I usually just can't take the suspense in that type of book. If anyone can make a recommendation of something of hers tha..."
I tried her, and the one I read was a bit too scary and graphic for my comfort level. I'm not much help then.
I tried her, and the one I read was a bit too scary and graphic for my comfort level. I'm not much help then.
Kathy, Toy Story 3 was fantastic. I loved it! Very funny and clever.
My mom isn't really going to get better, although I know she'll eventually recover from this recent thing. Her Parkinson's is just moving very fast, and every other thing that complicates it is more and more difficult for her. I don't want to bring everyone down here, I just wanted to explain why I may be absent suddenly.
My mom isn't really going to get better, although I know she'll eventually recover from this recent thing. Her Parkinson's is just moving very fast, and every other thing that complicates it is more and more difficult for her. I don't want to bring everyone down here, I just wanted to explain why I may be absent suddenly.
I will be wishing both you and your mom well, Christine. It's especially hard when you are not in the same City. Take care.
Christine, it is so hard when your loved one is ill and so far away. Hubby's father had heart surgery a few years ago and he lives in India. Hubby debated whether he should go and then decided he would be more help from here. Besides my parents have some contacts as well. Hubby was in daily contact them to monitor progress.
I hope all goes well with your mom.
Of course, the busybody community members made hubby out to be a bad son for not coming and tried to provoke my in-laws into bad-mouthing him but they were having none of it. They said they know their son and he was just being practical and pragmatic.
Christine, I'm sorry. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you and your mom as well.
I'm glad to hear Toy Story is so good. I'm looking forward to taking my nine year old son to see it!
Beth wrote: "Christine, I'm sorry. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you and your mom as well."Yes, Christine. Me as well.
Thanks everyone. I appreciate the kind thoughts.
I hope that everyone had nice Father's Day celebrations.
I hope that everyone had nice Father's Day celebrations.
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Comfort Reads
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Would love to have corn, but the soil's not up to it, alas.