2024*5: LizzieD at Home with a Book

Mama at 20 or 21. This is one of the pictures that Daddy took to the Army in 1943.

READ IN NOVEMBER
63. A Haunting on the Hill
64. Heartbreak Hotel
65. Reunion in Death
66. Trespasses
67. Queen Lucia (3rd time at least)
68. The Eagle of the Ninth Chronicles: The Eagle of the Ninth
69. Memories

Into the House in November
110. Sister Bernadette's Barking Dog - Birthday Box from Dear Friend! (Thank you, Dear Friend!)
111. The Ministry of Time - BBox
112. Trespasses ✔ - BBox
113. Three by Echenoz - BBox
114. The Clairvoyant Countess - BBox
115. Kibogo - PBS
119. Bridgerton Collection Volume one - Kindle deal through BookBub
120. Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory - Kindle
121. Love in Bloomsbury: Memories ✔
122. Eliza's Galiardo ✔ - AMP
123. The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin - PBS

READ IN DECEMBER
70. A Desolation Called Peace
71. The Last Devil to Die
72. The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory
73. Plum Duff
74. A Pacifist's War
75! Eliza's Galiardo
76. Clary Sage
77. The Saint of the Bookstore

Into the House in December
124. The Puttermesser Papers - Kindle daily deal
125. Lent - Kindle deal through Bookbub
126. The Last Devil to Die ✔
127. A Pacifist's War ✔
128. Plum Duff ✔
129. Religion Explained - AMP
130. French Dirt - local friend
131. Clary Sage ✔
132. The Saint of the Bookstore ✔
133. Everything to Lose

*Review on Book Page

OPEN FOR READING IN DECEMBER


(Just because they're open doesn't necessarily mean that I'm going to get to them this month.) (This is such a joke. Maybe this will be the year I actually read *Life* --- maybe not. I do live and read in hope!)

BEST OR MOST MEMORABLE OF THE YEAR!

The Marriage Portrait*
The Man Who Died Twice and The Last Devil to Die
The Debatable Land
Resurgence
Covenant of Water
Britain BC
Saint Elspeth
Babel (It seems churlish not to include it.)
House of Doors
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store
Virginia Woolf in Manhattan
Christ Stopped at Eboli
City of Djinns
Sacred Trash
Trespasses
The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory
Memories and A Pacifist's War

Rockton series + Haven's Rock series
Greenwing and Dart series

A HAUNTING ON THE HILL by Elizabeth Hand

I read this to scare myself for Halloween. It worked pretty well. The Haunting of Hill House remains the scariest book I've ever read, but this is a good homage. It may not be Hand's best novel, mainly because I think it goes on too long. Jackson uses Nell's experience to wake the house so that finally claims her. In Hand's book, all four characters, who rent the house for two weeks to refine their first reading of the I-narrator's play, The Witching Hour (Hour? I'm not sure and i don't have the book right here with me. How soon I forget!), have inclinations toward the occult and darkness in their pasts. This book is a hundred or so pages longer than Jackson's, and it's almost as though she thinks of some new randomly creepy manifestation and throws it into the mix. That lessens the impact, but in the end, Hill House is revivified and sits there quiet and not dreaming.

I'd also like to mention Hand's mixture of POVs. I can't think of another book in which a first person narration shares paragraphs with third person omniscient. It wasn't bothersome, just sort of noticeable and different.

Happy new thread Peggy!

Happy new thread, dear Peggy. xx

'Morning, Peggy, and happy new thread! I look forward to your pic/pics.

Wordle in 3 for me today, only using the spreadsheet to make sure words I thought of weren't already used.

Brrr now, but it might be hammock time this afternoon.

Happy new thread, Peggy.

New-thread orisons, Peggy me lurve. *smooch*

Good afternoon, and a first-day welcome to you dears! Richard, Beth, Karen, Paul, and Susan, thank you for visiting.

I have been to SS and church, we've walked, and it's past time to feed the cats.

Wordle 1,233 6/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, glare, plane, blade, blame, blaze I knew that #5 had been used before, but PHEW hadn't come to me yet. Good Grief!
Good for you, Karen!

*smooch*, Richard!

Happy new one, Peggy!

Happy new thread!

Thank you for new thread good wishes, Jim and Anita!

Off to bed........ I loathe the time change, even this easy one. I'll be glad to be back on sun time one of these days.

Happy new thread, Peggy!

>5 LizzieD: The scariest movie I ever saw was the original version of The Haunting, which I saw when I was a child. I kind of liked scary movies when I was a kid. But not after I became an adult. I don't watch them any more. And I've never seen The Exorcist. But The Haunting stands out in my mind as being particularly frightening. I have read Jackson's book too, I think. It was a long time ago.

‘Morning, Peggy! Happy Monday to you.

>1 LizzieD: Thanks for sharing the picture of your Mama. I was so pleased to be able to meet her.

>11 LizzieD: Yesterday was alphabet soup, wasn’t it? I lucked out.

>14 LizzieD: I loathe the time change, too. I panicked when I looked at the time on my Kindle yesterday, thinking that I only had a few minutes to get something organized, but when I looked at my cell phone to try to understand why my alarm hadn’t gone off, I realized that cell phones adjust the time but my Kindle doesn’t. Fixed that, and then had to change the time on the stove. For some reason the microwave/wall oven did it automatically, Bill did all the rest of the wall clocks.

Wordle in 4 for me today.

>15 atozgrl: I don’t watch scary movies anymore either, Irene.

Good morning, Karen and Irene! I don't watch scary movies - or really any new movies - these days either. That original *Haunting* was scary. I have now a collection on DVD of the old movies and Masterpiece Theater offerings that I've loved, and when I watch, that's what I watch. I do look forward to this year's *Wheel of Time* on Prime, and that should be starting soon. Yay!

Wordle 1,234 5/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, blood, quill, civil, vinyl Those were wild guesses. I'm losing patience with myself and Wordle, I'm afraid. I did love it. Oh well.

>17 LizzieD: When something stops being fun...well, I sure don't need to tell you, now do I? I still feel a pang when I look at the Wordle boxes and they're all jumbled still, more than a year into my recovery. Oh well.

*smooch*

I'm sorry you're not up for it yet, Richard. It's not a chore; I'm just not in love as I used to be.
BTW, my copy of Kibogo has just arrived. I look forward to it! *smooch*

>19 LizzieD: *popcorn bowl* I'm eager to hear from you about it!

'Morning, Peggy! As I wrote on RD's thread, happy tuesday and ... gulp ... hopeful Election Day.

Wordle in 3, with spreadsheet help.

Off to book sort and Virlie's in a while. There will be strange men in the house when I return, with the HVAC duct work and etc. being done today.

>20 richardderus: When will I get to it??? But I have it! *smooch*

>21 karenmarie: Happy, we hope, Day, Karen. I am trying not to be on tenterhooks. I remind myself that we rejected him once, and we rejected Goldwater.
Enjoy your normal Tuesday, and good luck with the HVAC ducts.

Wordle 1,235 4/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, event, cruet, octet I can certainly live with this.

>22 LizzieD: It will sit on your night table...whispering "you are ignoring me" and "I am a good book so read me now" and "PEGGY!! SIT DOWN AND READ ME!!" until you finally realize it's all an auditory curse I've coated you in until you read it.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooo NooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I'm so sad and scared...

Wordle in 4.

Sad and scared begins it, Karen. Who knows what we'll feel as we go through it?

All I can do is keep on keeping on.

Wordle 1,236 5/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 leave, moldy, girly, slyly, truly

I think maybe some horror would be a relief - a lot less scary than the present. Or maybe I'll simply withdraw and finally read Life: A User's Manual.

Well. At least it's finished. What's starting will be...
...
...I have no positive thing to say at the end of that sentence.

We'll have to deal. I sincerely hope his followers aren't delighted by term's end - if it ends.

Look at my Wordle for the morning. I would never, ever have chosen leave for a first word, but that's what I used rather than my accustomed one.

HEARTBREAK HOTEL by Deborah Moggach
This was fun and enjoyable to read while I was waiting for whatever. Whatever has happened, and I just don't have it in me to say anything about it. Is it even a novel? I'm not sure, but a lot of people get happier than they have been by the end.

>28 LizzieD: I don't think his followers are capable of being delighted or even satisfied by what he sets in motion, but they aren't the point. It's his enablers that are going to be grabbing everything they want from the chaos he makes of our economy.
While the supporters are busy making hell for immigrants and minorities of all races and genders, and while liberals are pouring their efforts into working against discrimination, the capitalists in charge are going to grab everything in sight.
I won't live to see it, but maybe my daughter will see Bezos, Musk and the like be eaten alive by the Chinese ultra-billionaires who really know how oppression is done.
This is the biggest step yet toward the destruction of the middle class, even if we aren't pictured on the target.

I thought I had dropped by yesterday, Peggy, but I guess not. Happy new thread!

Hi, Stasia and Susan. Everybody will suffer. Everybody.

I'm going to bed.

Hi Peggy.

Everybody will suffer, but those who voted for him will revel in the chaos he unleashes and not see how it hurts our country and damns their souls.

I just got up a while ago, and will hide out in books today, I think.

>31 LizzieD: emotional-support *smooch*

Thank you for coming by, Karen and Richard. Hugs and smooches all around.

I'm relieved to have our Internet service back after a broken (?) fiber optic cable that Spectrum worked on all day long. I'd be embarrassed to be so dependent on it, but that's how we live these days.

I didn't manage Wordle yesterday, so I'm back to a 1-day win.

Wordle 1,238 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, deary, ready Another one where 30 seconds more might have given me a 2 win. 3s are not to be sneezed at these days.

>34 LizzieD: Given the stress and anxiety of life nowadays, every streak is a one-day streak!

'Morning, Peggy. It's a beautiful day here, with Carolina blue skies and feeling like fall again after yesterday's 80F. I hope you and your DH have a good Saturday.

Yay for the three, and sorry you are starting over with a one-day win.

Books, and etc. for me today.

Wordle in four for me today. I used the same wrong second letter on my third word, alas.

>35 richardderus: I'm not sure that one day can be a streak, Richard, but you're right about one day at a time. *smooch* for this one!

Lovely day indeed, Karen. We're off to a funeral, and I have to rethink what I'm going to wear. I did want to post my Wordle now that I have a streak again.

Wordle 1,239 6/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, slide, shelf, spell, smell, swell Alphabet soup, anyone?

>37 LizzieD: Alphabet soup indeed, today! I thought I was going to have it in 3, but it took me 5 because of all the possibilities.

I hope your day is going well.

Hi, Irene. I consider the day a success because I'm able to get back into old, smaller clothes today. That's a real plus! (I'm celebrating the minus. Heeheehee)

Back to add that I found a couple of pages of my students' bloopers that I didn't copy for you last year or whenever I last did it. We'll be back to one a day for awhile since they do make me laugh.

"Macbeth is a very nice and kind man except that he kills King Duncan of Scotland along with others."

'Morning, Peggy. Happy Sunday.

Yay for fitting into smaller clothes, sorry about the funeral.

Good old Macbeth. I have never read it or seen it performed, but just bought the graphic novel at the thrift shop.

Wordle in 4 for me today. Jenna and Hwan are stopping by with donuts and will take some engagement photos outside. I think Jenna wants me to take some of them together. Hwan apparently has a wonderful digital camera.

>39 LizzieD: I'm glad you had a successful day fitting into smaller clothes. That's always a good thing! I'm sorry for the reason for the funeral, but I hope you were able to visit with friends.

That is a good one from your student!

>39 LizzieD: Given what Duncan did, not sure what the youff was saying is justified.

*smooch*

I've tried to get here all day, and I'm grateful to see that you visited anyway, Richard, Irene, and Karen.

Actually, we knew one other person at that funeral, but I'm glad we went to let them know that my DH's branch of the family is still here and still cares. She was a distant cousin, but she had helped him when he was trying to separate his Baptist Scottish ancestors from all the Presbyterian ones around here.

Wordle 1,240 5/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩Wordle 1,240 5/6* least, noire, repin, finer, inner Guess 3 was dumb, but 5 is still better than 6. Maybe in a day or two I can make it 4.

I was going to do another Macbeth one, but I think I'll give you this one instead. We tried to have a career academy at our local school for a couple of years, and I was instructed to have my regular seniors write a paper about a career they were considering.

"Funeral directoring can also be called a mortican or undertaker, makes arrangements with families of the decreased for removal of the body to the funeral service."

Here's this from Latin on the same topic more or less.

"And professional morons would wear the death mask of your forfathers."

(I would have been a perfect professional moron.)

'Morning, Peggy. Overcast, leaves flying off the trees here.

Yes, 5 is better than 6. 4 is a good goal. Wordle in 3, with guess 3 just coming to me as if I was, once again, channeling the Wordle word picker.

I hope you had a good day reading In Death 14 and feeding your hunger, as you posted on my thread yesterday. I hope you read what makes you feel good today.

You know me... smut...

>43 LizzieD: "Forfathers" amuses me at least as much as "professional morons." I think the decreased are actually better described as "increased" or so I want to believe. I'm leaving the carcass to med students, and the remainder, well, if I can figure out how to pay for it, "water cremation." It leaves only the useful stuff behind. Do something good at last, as my mother would've snorted derisively.

Good morning, Richard and Karen! Hooray for smut and amusement. "Water cremation, eh?" Interesting! *smooch* for the day!

Back to the Scottish Play

"He explained to his wife that his conscience would not let him sleep no more. She told him to get a drink of water and relax."

>43 LizzieD: and >46 LizzieD:
I just love your bloopers! Really funny to minds that really need the humor!

Karen O

Glad to see you here, Karen, and glad you're enjoying my kids. It was either laugh or cry.

'Morning, Peggy.

One week on from the debacle.

In other news, book sort, Virlie's, cleaning ladies. Reading, updating spreadsheets, and puttering.

I hope you have a good, fun, productive day.

Wordle in 3 for me. Makes me happy.

Checking in on you, Peggy. I hope to start Trespasses today unless you would rather I didn't?

All's I got is *smooch*

Richard, that's a deal. *smooch* right back!

Stasia, go ahead. I was wrapped up in *Reunion* so that I didn't pursue Trespasses. I'll likely get back to it today, but do what feels good to you. I'm afraid that's all I can do right now.

Hi, Karen! Sounds like a good day to me!!! I am going to make that dal. I am. Today. I had to buy or replace almost all the spices and get some coconut milk (I love coconut milk in our Thai restaurant's green or red curry), and I'll likely modify the recipe, "The Best Dal Ever" from Ambitious Kitchen (I think), in case I'm not in love with some of the spices. I live in hope. Might make half a recipe just to see.....

REUNION IN DEATH by J. D. Robb

This #14 is one of my favorites so far. Eve takes on and takes down an unworthy but similarly talented woman. We meet Peabody's parents. Eve and Roarke celebrate their first anniversary. Eve confronts the worst night of her childhood. That's a lot for one book even in this series. *Purity* will have to wait awhile.

From Latin class about time:

"Each day of the weak was named for seven different gods."

"They had 12 day light hours & 12 night light hours."

Oh! I did do Wordle today and was very happy.....
Wordle 1,242 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, orlon, flown

>52 LizzieD: The quotes about time are hilarious! Thanks for publishing them!

Karen O

>52 LizzieD: The last one actually makes a lot more sense than the standard one. The top one, IMN-RHO, puts a firm finger on Reality that we could all benefit from adopting. "Day of the weak" indeed.

Tuesday *smooch*

I can always count on you, Richard. *smooch*

Glad you're enjoying them, Karen!

I'm here to tell you that I made the dal. It took me an hour and a half, but I'm slow. I cut way back on the spices and didn't use coriander at all. It is really, really, really good. I'm in love and hope I can reproduce my version.

'Morning, Peggy! Congrats on the dal. Making a recipe your own is so satisfying, isn't it?

Wordle in 4 for me today. Congrats on yesterday's 3.

I'm hiding out in comfort things, no errands that require me being in my SUV.

Bird feeders, on the other hand...

Do love me some dal. I'm always happy when we get lentil soup here.

Happy Wedneday, me lurve.

Good morning, Richard and Karen! I wish I could feed the world with my satisfying batch of dal. (I wish my DH would even try it, but he had to leave as I was heating the masala and the cumin was overwhelming. It didn't turn out that way at all, but I'll never convince him of that.) Anyway, you two would be at the top of my list with Bev.
(((((Karen))))) *smooch*, Richard!

Wordle 1,243 4/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, groin, brick, primp I thought of the word early but discarded it for my number 3.

Latin again.....

"You had to cross the river of sticks on a fairy to get to Hades."

"Achilleas was dipped into the River Stynx as a baby which made his body indispensible."

(It never helped to write "Styx" on the white board or to have it multiple times in the text. I always did though.)

>59 LizzieD: ...
...
...
...the River Stynx...
...
..."indispensable"...
...

>59 LizzieD: Those are good ones! Thanks, I need the laughs these days.

I join you as Wordle-in-four sisters today.

Wishing you a good day.

>59 LizzieD: The dal sounds great.
I have an Indian inspired cranberry chutney recipe that starts with ginger and garlic cooked in vinegar. It clears out the house very quickly, but ends up just tasting tangy.

Richard, the classics person in me enjoys "Achilleas" too.

Glad you enjoy them, Irene. We all need to laugh while we can. May we all be 3 tomorrow! Or Better!

Yum, Susan! I know that garlic cooked in vinegar clears the sinuses - with cabbage, my DH's remedy for a head cold. I almost prefer the cold. Of course, I haven't had one in years since I've been using my neti pot.

(((((Peggy)))))

It's drizzly and cold here, but I don't have to go out in it at all, so there's that.

I got skunked today. Grrrrrr.

In other news, I started a promising book, L.A. Math by James D. Stein. the preface and first chapter pleased me.

When I made sweet pickles, both Bill and Jenna were appalled at the smell of simmering vinegar/pickling spices. I loved it, of course.

"the smell of simmering vinegar/pickling spices." I love that smell too. Possibly because my grandmother made a lot of pickles, and I associate it with her kitchen?

"garlic cooked in vinegar clears the sinuses" I did not know that! I must give it a try. My husband uses a neti pot regularly, but I'm such a wimp I just can't bring myself to try it.

Good morning, Karen and Linda! I wish I didn't have to go out in the cool damp today, but it's study club. I always enjoy it when I get there.

Linda, add cabbage to the garlic and vinegar, eat, and inhale. I think it's awful, but it does a job on the sinuses for a bit.

Sorry for the skunk, Karen. I looked at a list when I got to guess 4, or I'd still be fretting over it. Lucky 2nd guess put me in the ballpark.

Wordle 1,244 4/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, aural, baulk, uvula NOT a word I would have chosen until I was down to the last hundred or so.

Stasia and I are reading Trespasses together, and I'm intrigued. I don't think I've read anything contemporary set in Northern Ireland from the POV of a Catholic woman. I've also started A Desolation Called Peace, and I'm naturally sucked right in. It's not a good choice if I'm aiming for a reachable 75, but - too bad.

More Latin

"Roman marriag were sometimes held by Spelt Cake Ceremony, you eat a piece of spelt cake and your married for live."

>66 LizzieD: One wonders what the idea of "spelt cake" was to that student...a cake that spelt c-a-k-e permaybehaps?

Best of times reading should outweigh any numerical goal, shouldn't it? I'm pretty sure we're all well into the top percentile of Anglophone readers on this site. Anything that increases our joy is precious at the moment. *smooch*

Heh, Richard. I explained that spelt was an ancient grain, but we continue to see what happened to what I explained.

As to hedging my bets since I am closer to 75 than I have been in years, I've started a reread of *Lucia1*, thanks to Tui and a $2.99 Kindle omnibus. I have a hc omnibus that is hard to hold these days, so off to Italian, and closing the piano lid with a sigh, and learning to ride a bicycle! A sure increase in joy! *smooch*

Wordle 1,245 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩least, fatty, tacky A welcome surprise!

More Mythology
"Minerva was the daughter of Jupiter. It is said that he sprained from her head."

(And one I either copied twice or simply remembered....but points for correct use of a semi-colon.)
"Roman roads were great; the ends were terrible."

"add cabbage to the garlic and vinegar, eat..." THAT part I know about, thanks to my Slovak grandma and Czech aunt...I'm very fond of cabbage, and garlic.

Wow, Linda! I had no idea!!! Slovak and Czech is quite a combination.

>66 LizzieD: I read Trespasses last year and really enjoyed it. For some reason I imagined Tom Wilkinson for the male love interest and Annabelle Wallis (from Peeky Blinders) as our main character. I don't really know why because I am not wont to make my reading so cinematic! Must be thanks to the vivid writing.

Have a good weekend dear Peggy.

>68 LizzieD: Again, the kid punctuateth, and speaketh, sooth! The ends *were* terrible. And it just proves the incredible tenacity of the gender binary that they switched Minerva to the bearer from the borne.

Thanks for the chuckles, me lurve.

Hi Peggy! Happy Saturday to you. Gorgeous Carolina blue skies, crisp out.

Well. *blinks* I thought I posted yesterday.

Wordle in 4 for me today.

>69 laytonwoman3rd: I’m half Czech-American – Bohemia, Slovakia, even Austria technically when the borders changed a lot in the late 19th century.

Hi, Karen, Richard, and Paul! What a trio!!!

Karen and Linda, I absolutely recommend, but not for the faint-hearted which neither of you is, Lauren Binet's HHhH in which a Slovak and a Czech set out to assassinate "Himmler's Brain," Heydrich. I'm going to assume that Paul and Richard have read it - another gender-based assumption, doggone it. (And what does that make me?)

As usual, Richard there are more where that came from. *smooch*

Glad for your thumbs up too, Paul. I can absolutely see Tom Wilkinson as Michael. Annabelle Wallis is a little too pretty and willowy for my taste, but I don't watch much and can't cast.

Wordle 1,246 5/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, sworn, prosy, osier, visor #3 was just stupid. I thought of the word and rejected it because I was thinking er instead of or. Stupid goes on and on.

Latin
"The family actually live in the pantry."
(I have no idea. Was student maybe thinking about the Lares and Penates???)

"If Daphne could never be Apollo's bride, she could at least be his tree."

"Out in the country their meals consisted of portage, got's milk & cheese & some figs."

>70 LizzieD: Well, I must clarify that the Czech aunt is not a blood relative...she married my Dad's brother, after they each lost their first spouse. She was a fantastic cook.

>74 LizzieD: ...portage...OH! "Pottage"! That's some clever mishearing there. I can make unkind fun of the milk I gots being the only milk I can, in fact, have for my meal, but I shall refrain.

Daphne being his tree seems a cold, distant second to being left the Hell alone....

>70 LizzieD: Got you!

>76 richardderus: My daddy had several years of got's milk too. He resented every drop, and I didn't blame him.
I'm pretty sure I said "porridge" not "pottage." I'm also pretty sure I didn't write that down for them.
Yep - Daphne would have preferred being left the Hell alone. I always thought her turning wooden in his arms was such a nifty way to describe her reluctance/abhorrence.

Back from church and ready to walk.

Wordle 1,247 4/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, talon, talky, tally

Latin
"The first Roman theater was pompous."

English
"I speach what I fell and I was very upset about this tissue."

Hi Peggy! Enjoy your Sunday, kind regards to your DH.

Took me 6 today, congrats on your 4.

Thank you, Karen, and a belated wish for the same to you and yours!!!

TRESPASSES by Louise Kennedy

This one broke my heart all the way through. Cushla Lavery, her family, the regulars at the family's bar, the McGeowns are mostly Catholic in Northern Ireland. They live their lives through the sectarian violence of the Troubles, pushed and pulled in fear and defiance. Cushla, though, has fallen in love with an older Protestant man, and Davy McGeown, a seven year-old in her class at parochial school, has a Protestant mother who has refused to convert. They do their best while their hearts break, and so do the hearts of the readers who follow them. In the end, they have lived and loved. That's what good humans do.

>80 LizzieD: Wasn't Trespasses excellent, Peggy? It was indeed heartbreaking from start to finish but so well done.

Hi, Laura. I loved the book. In fact, I haven't heard anybody here say that it was less than excellent. I'll look for more Louise Kennedy for sure!

(Why am I here so early? I forgot to reset my alarm last night. OH well.)

Wordle 1,248 3/6*

🟨⬜🟩⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, claim, frail Don't see many 3s these days.

English (?)
"She was involved deeply with his miscarriage to Percy Belly."

'Morning, Peggy! I admit that I was surprised to see such an early post from you. It's now explained. *smile*

I hope you have a great Monday.

Wordle in 3 today for me, too. getting the ai was critical, of course, although I got there via grain.

Busy day - Friends Board meeting, chiropractor, grocery shopping. I am trying to figure out how I can get to the middle 4 boxes of book donations from McIntyre's that are taunting me from the back of my SUV without killing my back. I may just have to yield to being cautious over greedy, but ... books ...

I pulled Iain M. Banks' The Algebrist for you because it seems like a perfect fit for you but then I looked at your catalog and see loads of books by him, including TA. 0 for 2...

Now *TA* was right on point, Karen. I've even read it, so thank you for the thought!

>82 LizzieD: ...his...miscarriage...? I confess I can't parse an antecedent to that which contains any particle of fact or truth. I'll be puzzling over, though.

*smooch* for today's too-early doins.

I have no idea, Richard. I think that this was the funeral directoring person. I believe that she was talking about Mary and just got tangled up in words and didn't bother to reread what she had written. I can't guess whether Percy Belly was joke, opinion, or ignorance.
*smooch*

>78 LizzieD: "I speach what I fell and I was very upset about this tissue." ??? I can't make heads or tails of that one.

I'm surprised about yesterday's Wordle. I got it in two, while Karen struggled, and it was average for you. I actually thought of the correct answer first, but initially tried LATIN, which Wordle rejected. So I went back to my first thought, and was surprised it was the answer. Today I got it in 3, like you.

Wishing you a great week!

WOOO HOOOO!! Congrats on Wordle in 2!!!!!

("I speak what I feel and I was very upset about this issue.") Poor dear.

'Morning, Peggy. Overcast, many birds, a cat hovering, and surrounded by some of the books I purloined from the McIntyre's donation to the Friends (with the blessings of friend Sarah who works at McIntyre's).

Book sorting and etc., and Wordle in 4 today.

>87 atozgrl: Congrats on your 2, Irene. We were definitely all over the place, weren't we?

Good morning, Karen! So you got to the last 4 boxes, did you? We are Wordling all over the place. I could hardly believe myself today, but I'll take it!

Wordle 1,249 3/6*

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟨🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, minor, going,

"One of them was an aritech."

"He's cloths was expense."
(A very bright young man wrote this, who went on to make dean's list at one of the universities in the NC system - not Chapel Hill or State, I hasten to add. I don't think his spelling improved appreciably from his senior year with me to his freshman year in college.)

>90 LizzieD: Good grief, we had the same second and third words in Wordle today. Karen may channel the Wordle creator; sometimes I think I'm channeling you.

>88 LizzieD: Thank you for clarifying. So it was just misspelling of some ordinary phrase. I wasn't sure if he was trying to communicate something related to a specific subject.

'Morning, Peggy. It's raining here. The sound is soothing. I hope you and your DH have a Very Good Day.

What's next on the cooking hit list after the dal? We've still got chili, which we'll probably have tonight, although Zoe's got a 4:30 vet appointment and I won't get back home 'til 5:30. A bit late for Bill, 6 p.m., but it sounds good to both of us.

Yes, I did get to the last 4 boxes of books, thanks to John of the book sort team and Friends Board, who took 8 boxes in on Monday and rearranged the last 4 in the back of my SUV for easier access. This makes up for my terrible September. Missing the book sale was insult to injury. Now I've got 25 shiny new additions to my catalog. Of course, I'd of had them anyway, but glass half full and all that.

Wordle in 3 for me today.

>91 atozgrl: Let's all channel together, Irene! Today I was just logical after confirming valid words and they hadn't been used already.

Good morning, Irene and Karen. We truly are 3 Sisters, and I'm happy to channel both of you! I almost didn't try the word because I learned and will stubbornly use nitch

Drizzly here today too, and I have both a funeral and a haircut to look forward to and a quick run through Aldi at some point. I still look forward to that, come to think of it.

Wordle 1,250 3/6*

⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜
🟩⬜🟨⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, noire, niche

Coming to the end of the newly found list, but I have more from one of our vice-principals, I'm sorry to say.

"It had aqua ducks and was built beside the tiger river." (Again and again!) (Not a joke)

"Qui homines estis?" ("Who are you men?")
"Which of y'all are is human?" (A joke from a very good student)

"Mater eius rogat..." (His mother asks...)
"His mother was ragged."

>They sacrificed animals to the gods & to do this they pull their togas over their heads & cut off the heads."

>93 LizzieD: His mother most likely *was* ragged, being a mother and all...and your student's joke made me laugh loudly enough to get dagger looks from Old Stuff, as it interrupted his fascinating copaganda show for a moment.

>95 LizzieD: Buona notte, Riccardo mio! Me is gwad the wittle joke tickled oo. I fall for Lucia and Co., especially Georgie and Olga in this first book, every time including this one. See below. *smooch*

QUEEN LUCIA by E. F. Benson

I thought this was hysterically funny the first time I read it at least a half century ago. Neither the book nor my sense of humor has changed. Lucia, queen of Riseholme, gets her comeuppance again and again. She is a stunning combination of stupidity and cleverness, arrogance and vulnerability, but she is finally able to maintain her superiority in the face of humiliation with the help of her friends, and the reader is glad for her.

I'll maybe change my original reading order and go with Miss Mapp next, but I need not to binge.

>95 LizzieD: Those are such excellent comfort reads! I'm glad they hold up.

‘Morning, Peggy! I hope you're doing well.

Happy day – Jenna and Hwan are probably getting married as I type this.

It’s gorgeous out, blue skies, a bit of a breeze.

Wordle in 3 again for me today.

>95 LizzieD: I have Make Way for Lucia, which includes Queen Lucia. All tbr, of course.

>95 LizzieD: Every time someone mentions the Mapp and Lucia books here I think those are JUST what I need sometimes... But I tried Queen Lucia a few years back, and it didn't work for me at all. I don't understand why. Perhaps I should give Miss Mapp a try, and approach the series from a fresh perspective.

>95 LizzieD: Oh, Tilling's own Quaint Irene! I do love those tart old satires!

*smooch*

Richard and Laura, I'm always happy to see Lucia Love abounding. Karen, give them a chance. Linda, I can totally identify with "I see that's supposed to be funny but not to me." That's how I feel about Pratchett, but I'll certainly give Guards! Guards! a chance at some point. Maybe Mapp and Quaint Irene will get you into the mood.

CONGRATULATIONS TO JENNA AND HWAN!!! The deed is done!!!!!!!

Wordle 1,251 3/6*

⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜
🟩🟨⬜⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, snore, spine 3 Sisters again!!!! I can't quite believe it!

I shouldn't do this, but I'm going to give you a couple of things from an administrator whose writing illustrates the reason that our kids can't write. A teacher can't teach what she doesn't know.

"Teachers please remember that the Progress Reports were due to day home yesterday. If you have not sent out Progress Reports please do so before this week." (You will be relieved to know that I had sent mine out on time.)

>95 LizzieD: I read that one about 10 or so years ago. I really need to revisit those books again. I need all the laughs I can get these days!

>100 LizzieD: ...!!...

>100 LizzieD: I join you and Karen as 3 sisters today. Not so much yesterday, that one took me 4.

Jenna and Hwan! I better book it over to Karen's thread to catch up and see what's going on.

‘Morning, Peggy! Happy cold Friday to you. Seasonal, which I like.

>103 atozgrl: Yay for the 3 sisters, Irene.

I got in 3 again today.

Still euphoric, of course.

3 Sisters again!!!!! Yay for us, Karen and Irene! I should have done it in 2 - especially since my next letter is in the word, but I didn't consider it this time. I also knew that my #2 had been used, but I was tired to thinking about it.

Wordle 1,252 3/6*

🟨🟩🟩⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, mealy, pearl

Stasia, Lucia will cheer you up for an hour or so if she's to your taste. Enjoy!

Oh, Richard. If you thought that was bad - and it is - you might want to skip this one directed to 9th grade teachers but sent to the whole faculty. ("Failure is not an Option" was the dumbest motto ever adopted by a secondary school.)
*smooch* with hopes for an easier Friday than Thursday was!

"This message goes out to All teachers who have 9th grade students in their classes. I have just looked at a stack of report cards and realize that I will be camping out at LSHS by my phone for the next few days and weeks listening to complaints because teachers cant do what they are suppose to do. For the last two years L.High School has attempted to follow the guidelines of a "freshmen Academy" though we do not have a "true" academy we still follow certain rules. one of those rules that we do not deviant from that students and parents alike know very well is the "Power of I'(*). We have had alot of controvery over this rule however it is still a mandate and every teacher was asked to follow. This has been explained over and over time and time again that this is not an option. I feel really stupid when I have to look at report cards from a Freshmen class filled with 'F's' on their report card and they would have the opportunity to make it up. Whether or not you or I agree with this concept is not the issue it is the rule. Had report cards been printed prior to today I would have asked for grade changes and filled out insubordination slips on every F i saw printed. if I appear to be upset I am because we went through this last year and I know the influx of calls I am getting ready to receive. Now if you took the time to count errors and mistakes on this emails your time needs to ne spent doing something else."

*('Power of Incomplete')

Actually, this isn't as awful as I remembered. I wasn't hardened when it came out.

>105 LizzieD: I need cheering up desperately right now before the black dog gets me down. I will see if I can sneak in some Lucia, if my local library still has the books.

Have a fantastic Friday, PA!

>105 LizzieD: It is pretty awful. All the more so because it is a petty selfish rant that appears to disregard basic realities.

It is pretty awful, isn't it, Susan? I do see where she's coming from. The school administrator adopted this stupid policy without discussing it with the faculty. He refused to change it or think about it after the first year when he had lots and lots of negative feedback from the teachers. This poor woman had to deal with parents, and I'm sure that she got at least a hundred calls about the report cards with Fs in the next few days. On the other hand, I'm appalled that a person with a master's degree can't write better than that.

And that reminds me of a bulletin board I saw one year just before classes started. A math teacher had cut out big letters reading, "WHERE WILL YOU BE WHEN OPOTUNITY KNOTTS?" I pointed it out to the head of the department, who very tactfully told her, "I can't spell either. We're math teachers, but you're really going to have to fix that one." She did. I can't tell you how thankful I am to be out of that place.

>108 LizzieD: Peggy "I can't tell you how thankful I am to be out of that place."

Well said! My previous assistant called last week with some horror stories of what is happening at the university. She is a very hard worker, and it grieves me to hear her so stressed. Like you, I am very glad I am retired.

'Morning, Peggy!

I'm glad I'm retired, too. The business stupid I put up with is just as draining and eviscerating as academic stupid.

Wordle in 4 for me today.

>109 Whisper1: >110 karenmarie: Hi, dear Linda and Karen! I'm sorry, but we're getting old. I can remember my Latin I teacher telling us that when she was in HS, she had to translate Caesar's whole account of building the first bridge across the Rhine. We had only a note that he had done it. I believe she thought that losing that standard was a good thing.

Wordle in 4 for me too, or Back to Normal!
Wordle 1,253 4/6*

🟨🟩⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟩🟩
⬜🟩⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, reply, newly, jelly I could have been a little quicker, but I'm grateful not to have gotten into alphabet soup.

I've just about come to the end of my newly found blooper notes. I have a character sketch of Elizabeth Proctor from The Crucible that I'm tempted to copy. I'll do it paragraph by paragraph and nobody has to read it but me. So here we go, and you should imagine a page with 2½ inch left margin, 1½ inch right margin, double-spaced with size 14 font..... not exactly what I asked for.

In Arthur Millers, The Crucible we meet a woman of about middle age by the name of Elizabeth. Wife of John Proctor, Mother of two children, and during the play is the most hated character. But this woman interests me, because she shows more strength than a score of men combined.

>111 LizzieD: Well, it's unexceptionable so far....

*smooch*

'Morning, Peggy. Happy Sunday to you. Kind regards to your DH.

Jenna and Hwan called me last night - are very excited to have your gift, asked for your address, and are making a thank you card. Hwan's the artist, Jenna's the helper who got ink on her finger while on a practice sheet... Jenna gets her can't-draw-for-s**t gene from me.

Wordle in 3, was channeling the word picker today, I think.

Love the paragraph in >111 LizzieD:.

FINALLY I get here three minutes before I have to go shower.

Hooray for Jenna and Hwan with a thank you, Karen, for coordinating!

Wordle 1,254 3/6*

⬜⬜⬜🟩🟩
⬜⬜🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, roist, twist Some days I just love my starting word. Guess 2 settled the vowels, and the rest wasn't cake because that's a 4-letter word.

Paragraph 2 to follow.

>114 LizzieD: post-shower *pat*

More Elizabeth Proctor
We learn that, like every one else, she has had her share of problems. She fell ill last winter, but it was not the chill in the air which struck her the hardest. Lying in bed, not able to lift a finger for herself - more or less for children and husband - she had to hire a mistress to tend to her house. Not fully aware of what was happening under her knows, though suspicions grew, she noticed how pretty the young teenager was ... and how she thought she wasn't.

THE EAGLE OF THE NINTH by Rosemary Sutcliff

Reading this is to honor Anita, to add an easy entry in my quest for 75, and to indulge of my fondness for RS. How I wish I had discovered her when I was a child. This would have been perfect for me at ten or eleven, the year it was published. I missed it.

Marcus Flavius Aquila has his first command as Centurian in the north of Britain. He is following in the footsteps of his father, who was lost with the whole legion which disappeared in the wilds of what is now Scotland. Also lost was the legion's eagle. Adventure follows adventure as Marcus eventually sets out to find out what happened to the Ninth and to bring its eagle back if he can find it.

I'll read the other two books in the trilogy but not now .

>116 LizzieD: Hi Peggy, I'm glad you got to the Sutcliff. I was actually completely unfamiliar with her until I found the 75ers and heard all the praise. I too wish I had discovered her while I was young.

I should have had Wordle in 3 or 4 today, after guessing MOIST at 2. For some reason, I considered a second S, though I couldn't get it to fit, but didn't think of a second T. My brain wasn't working well this afternoon.

‘Morning, my dear Peggy.

>116 LizzieD: *shudder* for the Elizabeth Proctor.

Wordle in 3 for me. Lots of errands today, alas.

I hope your day will be calmer than mine, although mine won’t be bad, just busy.

>116 LizzieD: How I wish I had discovered her when I was a child. I wish the same thing!

I hope you have a marvelous Monday, Peggy!

I'm happy to see the Sutcliff love, Stasia, Karen, and Irene! Happy for the visits too!!!

Oh, Wordle. At least I wasn't skunked. (I wasn't skinked either, which is what I typed first.)

Wordle 1,255 6/6*

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨🟨🟨
⬜🟩🟩🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, minor, crony, grown, drown, brown

More Elizabeth --- This was supposed to be a big project for them. I don't remember how long I wanted the paper to be, but this child's "creative use of white space" and 450 words wouldn't have cut it even if they had been 450 mediocre words.

So there she was - sick, helpless, just plain pitiful. For six months she lay in the cold winter bed until that dark, dark day came when she felt the strength to rise of her feet, and walk to the barn, where she found her suspicions to be correct. There her husband John, and that hell-whore were out there sinning like two rabbits in a meadow. And this is when Elizabeth shows the first sign of her strength conquering her weaknesses. "To the streets with you" is how any ordinary Puritan woman react, but I could imagine a woman with Proctor's bravery easily saying "Get the hell out!"

'Morning, Peggy.

Wordle in 4 for me today.

LOL to hell-whore. I honestly think rabbits just go at it, don't sin.

Book sort, Virlie's, cleaning ladies. Thanksgiving prep stuff. Another busy one.

I hope you have a Very Good Day.

Have a terrific Tuesday, Peggy!

I'm wishing you both a productive Tuesday too, Stasia and Karen. Maybe the kitchen cabinets will be done to your satisfaction by the end of the day, Stasa. I wish us all good Thanksgiving prep!

I'm in agreement about the rabbits, Karen.

Wordle 1,256 3/6*

⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
🟨⬜⬜🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, tonic, witch Luck today to make up for yesterday's not-so-good- luck.

More Elizabeth Proctor

We'll, no matter what she had said, it worked. The women of Salem feared Elizabeth, and probably the men too. Though she did have doubts, she was too strong to show them. Who could walk over her? No one, but her - she wouldn't allow it.
Though after that experience Elizabeth thought she didn't have the best marriage in the world (and she didn't), she tried. She knew she couldn't leave John, and didn't even question it. Any woman today would at least question the thought, but not Elizabeth - that's the kind of morale the woman had... the morale to go on and live.

I'm feelin' low on that morale RN. *sigh*

>116 LizzieD: I adore Rosemary Sutcliff too. I think the next books in the series are equally good.

Hi, Rhian! I have no doubt that the next two are good, and I will read them. My favorite RS is Sword at Sunset. I think she had to have channeled the authentic Arthur for it.

Richard, I wish that you may have a personal morale boost. I'm not sure when our poor country is going to get one.

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Wednesday to you.

I have lots of prep today but Jenna and Hwan are coming over early tomorrow, so most of today will be spent making 4 pie crusts and baking two pies - pumpkin and pecan. The cream pies might get made today, but probably not, waiting 'til tomorrow starting at 9 a.m. with daughters' help.

Wordle in 4.

I hope it goes well with the audiologist. Let me know the results if you feel up to it.

Thank you, Karen. Unless I'm furious again, I'll certainly let you know how the appointment goes. If I'm furious, I'll probably come here to vent. Stay tuned!

I'll assemble the dressing today and make our fake ambrosia (5 cup salad - pineapple chunks, mandarin orange slices, coconut, pecans, sour cream). I'll also chop and shred for the Veg-All casserole, one of the few things from the 60s or 70s that really tastes good.

LOOKY!!!!

Wordle 1,257 2/6*

🟨⬜🟩🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, slang

Poor Elizabeth Proctor

What shows the best strength in Elizabeth is her strength to change. It was after a long time of thinking and being separated from John. Half a year in fact, and this is as she's pregnant with her third child, too. John is about to either sign an agreement with the Salem Courthouse or be hung of witch craft. But it doesn't matter to Elizabeth. She has finally seen all of their mistakes together ... and she is wise enough to see that the biggest mistake was the lack of love.

(There's the germ of an idea there in the last paragraph. I wish that had been the starting place.)

Checking in on you today, Peggy. I hope all of your Thanksgiving prep goes well!

I was just at your place with hope for your kitchen!!!!!

I'm off to the audiologist for a noon appointment. I need those hearing aids, but I'm antsy about whether I can actually use them.

>130 LizzieD: LOL. Well, my kitchen is not going to see any Thanksgiving prep - at least not this week.

I hope things go well for you at the audiologist!

Thank you, Friend!

>132 LizzieD: ((Hugs))

>128 LizzieD: A two-day today! Yay! Humanity might be scum but you had a good Wordlesult.

Audiologist-fun *whammy*

>128 LizzieD: Hi Peggy, I hope the visit to the audiologist went well.

Wordle in 2! Good for you! But how did you do it? It took me four, and I had the first three letters in order after my first word. I never realized how many words start with SLA.

I also hope you've gotten all your Thanksgiving prep work done. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks for Wordle cheer, Irene and Richard. Irene, you know that I consult the used word list, so that cuts out a bunch of possibilities. If I can't think of a word containing an "r" , I try for an "n" or best of all, both. Today it was magic.

Oh well. The pattern of my hearing loss could be because of a bony growth in my middle ear. An ENT will check me out before the audiologist will proceed. I don't much think that will be my problem, but people go to school to learn what I don't know.

We're pretty much set to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast for the two of us. I wish all my American friends a happy one. Be thankful. Things could be worse. For example, NC could have elected that quite mad Mark Robinson to be governor.

'Morning, Peggy, and happy Thanksgiving to you and your DH.

I'm so sorry that you have yet another step before you can get hearing aids. Grrrr.

I'm glad you're all ready to go for your Thanksgiving feast.

I am thankful for so many things, including NC getting a sane governor and losing the super majority in the Legislature.

Wordle in 3 for me today.

Wordle 1,258 4/6*

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜
🟩🟨⬜⬜🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, minor, cough, chock

GOOD for you in 3, Karen!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you who live in the USA. Be thankful anyway is my wish for the rest of you!

>138 LizzieD: *smooch* I'm listening to the one-hit wonders of 1962 instead of Old Stuff's Matlock. "Loop-de-Loop" isn'r *that* much better but it's short....

>139 richardderus: Holy Moly! I graduated from high school in 1962. Now that you mention it, I remember "Loop-de-Loop." I also remember looking forward to college where I was sure that people would be listening to classical music, jazz, folk groups, and show tunes. That didn't turn out very well for me.

*smooch*

'Morning, Peggy. I hope your Thanksgiving was a good one, with your DH and surrounded by your seven kitties.

Wordle in 3. Clean dishes to put up eventually, many leftovers to happily consume. Jenna and Hwan took some home, Diane and Geoff took some home, yet we still have lots.

>140 LizzieD: Isn't reality a bugger? I'm sure that somewhere the life I dreamed of exists, or did once; I never got there, so I'll never know. The life I led was interesting, though, and lots can't say that.

Anyway, a lovely Friday and a season of carols and cookies is ahead. *smooch*

Good morning, Good Richard and Good Karen!

>142 richardderus: Richard, I just wrote "What a world!" to Roni. I feel real. What we make here feels real. It's just out of step with most of our environment. By the time I get to carols and cookies, the rest of the world will be finished with them. I also have to say that what goes on in your head that you care to let us see is always interesting. Thank you! *smooch*

>131 alcottacre: Hooray for leftovers!!!! I just had my favorite breakfast and am already looking forward to lunch.
We are 3 Sisters again. *grin*

Wordle 1,259 3/6*

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, minor, hippo Could as easily have been 4, so I'm happy again.

>143 LizzieD: How do we keep on doing it? Get up, do life's business, suffer agonies of worry for the way the world goes...it's enough to make a person crazy.

Well, we're in a solidly supportive bubble, and that ain't nothin'.

>145 Adrianlol: Flagged both the post and the jerk.

Hi, Richard! 😁

>146 klobrien2: xo

That was a surprise. Thank you for the flags, Karen and Richard. Of course, we keep going. We're human, and that means we care. This is a wonderful bubble though, and I'm more grateful for it than I would have believed when I joined in 2009.

Memories by Frances Partridge

This is the first of twelve volumes of diaries from one of more or less the second generation of Bloomsbury. Frances married Ralph Partridge, who was earlier married to Dora Carrington, who completely loved Lytton Strachey. It's been years since I read Virginia Woolf's letters and diaries together. That was one of my all-time favorite projects. It was easy to fall back into the Bloomsbury world in which everybody was brilliant and creative.
This is a delightful memoir with diary entries and letters, and I'm eager to start her next, which carries us through WWII.

I wanted to stop by and let you know that, even though we don't celebrate Thanksgiving either in UK or Malaysia, I am thankful for this group and all the wonderful friends I have "met" here - you in particular Peggy went out of your way to make me welcome when I felt like a callow interloper here in 2011.

How time flies!

Have a lovely holiday weekend.

‘Morning, Peggy! Happy cold Saturday morning to you.

Another 3 for me in Wordle today. Congrats on your 3 yesterday.

What, pray tell, is your favorite breakfast, mentioned in >143 LizzieD:?

>149 PaulCranswick: What a dear you are, Paul, and what an essential member of this group! I can't keep up with your thread, but I'm always grateful for contact with you and love to see what you're doing and reading (very close to being the same thing), what Hani's cooking (on fb), and occasional peeks at that grandchild and your kids!

Morning back, Karen! Here comes winter. I enjoyed the day of autumn yesterday. Maybe we'll get another before the season is here with claws. I wish I could get winter some mittens!

3 was yesterday. Today I was muddled and relieved with my 5. Good for you for streaking the 3s though!

Wordle 1,260 5/6*

⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜
🟨⬜🟨🟨⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, fancy, armor, momma, dogma

My week of Breakfasts --- I look forward to every day but Tuesday, and even it's OK.
Monday and Friday (the favorite): ¾ everything bagel with added everything bagel blend and poppy seeds with onion/chive cream cheese on the half and garlic on the quarter.
Tuesday: oatmeal with maple syrup, blueberries, raisins, and sunflower seeds
Wednesday: 1 slice of bacon and a bit of cheddar in a Sister Schubert roll
Thursday: plain Greek yogurt with the oatmeal additions and granola
Saturday: 1 slice of bacon and a 2-egg mushroom and cheddar omelet
Sunday: 1 slice of bacon and a big muffin, preferably Wal-Mart's lemon

Every Day! seedless grapes, a handful of peanuts/almonds/cashews, an Aldi breakfast biscuit, or whatever my DH has baked - a toasted biscuit or a bit of an oatmeal bar or shortbread or scone

Those are big breakfasts, and they keep me going for 5 or 6 hours. I eat a second regular meal and then a snack or not at night. I quote again our Bulgarian neighbor who says, "Eat a big breakfast. Share your lunch with a friend. Give your enemy your supper."

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Sunday.

>151 LizzieD: Words fail me except to say that you've got mad breakfast organizational skills.

Wordle in 3 for me today, with spreadsheet help.

I'm glad for winter. I don't walk outside in it like you do with your DH. The freezes get rid of the bugs, including the fleas that although the kitties are Advantaged, still find them in season.

>151 LizzieD: Add two or three scrambled eggs in butter with cheese on top, multiply the bacon by three, add a biscuit/scone with butter and jam, and it's pretty decent as a day-starter, only give me mine at eleven. I can't eat before coffee.

Have a lovely winter's Sunday, me lurve.

Good morning, Richard and Karen! Just back from church a half hour ago..... heard a 7th Day Adventist dude from a blue zone where folks live well into their 90s quote statistics that people who attend some organized form of worship weekly live roughly 4-14 years above the national average and people who eat a handful of nuts every day increase their lifespans by 4 years. I expect that, plus living at home with family, was true for Mama and her 102-year old mother. As the highly paid Bloomberg commentator said this week, "I guess we'll see."

Richard, would you do that every single day for breakfast? It would be lovely while it lasted, I agree. *smooch*

Karen, I'll agree about the benefits of cold weather. I still dread it.

Wordle 1,261 4/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, anger, cheap, mauve I know that #2 is on the used word list, but I love to find out about those two consonants.

This guy is spamming threads all over.

>154 LizzieD: A pot of black coffee does me fine as my initial intake...with milk once in a while just not with sugar. By 11, I'm totally ready for food, and I love breakfast foods. Just not as soon as my eyes open.

>148 LizzieD: You got me with this one, Peggy. Bloomsbury!

Hey, Beth, Richard, and Linda! What's with the spam???? I've never had a rude visitor on my thread, and now it's two within a week's time. Good to see that they removed this one. (I haven't been around yet Linda, so I'm glad to know that I wasn't special!_

>157 richardderus: Did I neglect to mention that two cups of coffee accompany and follow every breakfast no matter what it is? They do, but I don't want it before as a usual thing. I like a little half-and-half and no sugar at all. I do not want to be drinking hot coffee ice cream.

>158 BLBera: Beth, you will love this book. I have started #2, which follows the Partridges through WWII. I am eager to get my VW diaries down to see what Virginia had to say about them. Unfortunately, we have bins and boxes too heavy to move in front of the shelf where the VW books hang out. If I can get them shifted, I'll still have to have a ladder to get to the top shelf - all for likely only an entry or two. I'd rather read!

>159 LizzieD: I think I flagged him on three threads, Peggy. I assume there were others, and possibly other flaggers, because it didn't take long for him to be removed.

Good for you, Linda! Thank you!!!

>160 laytonwoman3rd: I did the same Linda. I get annoyed when I see a spammer popping up on threads I follow, and enjoy "doing my bit" to flog flag them.

>160 laytonwoman3rd: >162 lauralkeet: I am with you on flagging the spammers. I really hate that they pop up so often in the 75ers.

Have a marvelous Monday, Peggy!

‘Morning, Peggy! Happy Cold Monday to you.

>154 LizzieD: Well, the church thing won’t ever work out for me, but I do need to consistently eat some of the raw almonds, walnuts, and pecans I always have here at the house. I drink black coffee no sugar every day except when I’m sick – then I drink hot tea with sugar. We’ll see if I can get past the nastiness of the last 3+ years and live into my 90s like most of my female relatives AND one g-g-grandfather, who lived to 92.

Wordle in 3, a lucky guess. Off to the chiropractor, home, then off to my GP for my annual exam. Lots of things to discuss, alas.

Hi, Linda and Laura and Stasia! I'm a ready flogger (heh heh) flagger too. I don't understand why somebody would go out of the way to be rude to a complete stranger. I suspect envy for people who enjoy a happy place may be part of it. That's sad, because this particular happy place welcomes strangers.

You know I have a cup of hot tea, lemon and honey, after lunch every day that I can, Karen. Eat the nuts and live long!!! Also feel wonderful post-chiropractor and have a fruitful discussion with your GP. (((((Karen))))) And congrats on your 3!!

I'm waiting for a call from the local ENT for an appointment to see whether I have bony growth in my inner ear. That question has to be answered before the audiologist will proceed with hearing aids. I thought I wasn't particularly anxious about it, but I've just started a ghost migraine, which will be with me for 20 or 30 minutes, so I'd just as well sign out. I'm VERY grateful that I don't get the whole deal.

Wordle 1,262 4/6*

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⬜⬜🟨🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, uncle, brule, guile

Happy new week, smoochling. I hope all goes well with identifying your hearing issues.

'Morning, Peggy!

Hot tea, lemon, and honey are so good for you, as are the nuts.

Good doctor visits yesterday.

I hoe the ENT called, sorry about the ghost migraine. I hope it went away after the 20-30 minutes you expected it to last.

Wordle in 5 today, but I was persistent.

Checking in on you today, Peggy. I hope the ghost migraine has abandoned you!

Good morning again, Stasia, Karen, and Richard! Migraine gone as usual; no word from the ENT, call from lawyer David saying that we can wrap up Mama's estate now. I have to gather a bit more documentation for him, and then it's done!
Many thanks for your caring!

Wordle 1,263 4/6*

⬜⬜🟩🟨⬜
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🟩⬜🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, smack, snaky, shaky Luck rules. I put them in as they come to me.

>169 LizzieD: All done, real good! It stinks about the ENT. Here's hoping it all goes right in the end.
*smooch*

Buon Giorno, Riccardo! Ah well. I called that audiologist's office this morning, but the secretary hadn't gotten the note to call the ENT for me and also had Mama's disconnected phone number on file. She found the notes and promises to call me when she has made the appointment for me - likely sometime in late January. Both are the only game in town except for hearing aid company's techs and urgent care.

I am, for no cogent reason, now dragging my feet on getting together my last bit of documentation AND making turkey soup - just the jolly contrariness of being me. *smooch* anyway!

Wordle 1,264 3/6*

⬜⬜⬜⬜🟩
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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, print, crypt Yay!

>171 LizzieD: So it went right but not fast. Recordkeeping being one of my bugaboos, I don't blame them, precisely; just wish it had been discovered before it became your issue to discover.

Well, a 3day deserves a little slack on the procrastination.

>169 LizzieD: Oh, I am so glad to hear that your mother's estate can be wrapped! I am sure it is a big relief to you too.

BTW - thanks for your recent recommendation of Queen Lucia. I read it several years ago and am wrapping it up tonight. I think I found it better this time than I did when I read it previously. I definitely needed the laughs right about now!

Thank you for good words, Stasia and Richard!

(((((Stasia))))), I hope that you'll continue the series. There are lots more laughs to come. I'll certainly continue my reread. I just don't want to top out on that particular brand of humor. Off to your thread in a minute to see an update from your mom.

Richard, I didn't expect the office person to remember the doc telling her on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving that she'd need to call the ENT for me Monday. I did sort of hope that she would have gotten to it by Wednesday of the next week. In fact, I now have an appointment for January 21, so no hearing aids for me for at least a couple of months. That's assuming that I can be fitted. *smooch*

Wordle 1,265 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, noire, endow Yippee!

I have 150 pp or so to read in A Desolation Called Peace. It's a lot easier to read than *Memory/Empire* because she took care of all the complications of the Teixcallaan culture there. This isn't engaging me quite as much as the first book did, even with a truly destructive enemy at the jumpgates. (I have my own theory about who is the real enemy if I've read everything correctly.)

>174 LizzieD: I expect you'll be able to be fitted. I've got weird ears, so nothing fits me including ear buds. It's a pain.

I'm glad you're enjoying Arkady Martine's very richly imagined world! I'm busily gulping graphic novels, illustrated books, and SEARCHING FOR MY GODDAMNED DRIVE full of notes. Keeping the pipeline open as best as I can....

Hi Peggy!

Sorry for not visiting, way too much going on, what with worrying about Jenna and Hwan and the Korea situation and the Mohs surgery worry and now pain. Grrrr.

Wordle in 3 again.

Nothing to do the rest of the day except get a few perishable items in after Bill picks up an online order from the grocery store - I'm too self-conscious to go out with a rather large bandage on my nose. Vanity, thy name is Karen.

I hope you have a good rest of the day.

Peggy! *smooch*

(((((Karen))))) I'm remembering more about that surgery. I ended up with a horrible black eye, but the whole thing did heal pretty quickly. I hope insult is not added to the injury and that the cancer is completely gone. Baby yourself!!!

Richard! *smooch*

Well, I made my soup. Various considerations turned it into something other than I had in mind. It's a bit bland, but I like all the textures. I may add some cheese to it or mushrooms or whatever else strikes my fancy.

I tenderized my onions and celery in a couple of tablespoons of my chicken/butter droppings and evoo with a big sprig of rosemary and ⅛ tsp. of thyme. Too much thyme while it was cooking, but it doesn't stand out now.

Ooops.. Off to feed the cats - NOT soup. I'll be back in case anybody's interested.

I'll have to finish my soup adventure later.

Wordle 1,266 4/6*

⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜
🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩
🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, snore, spoke, shove Whew! I could have been drowned in alphabet soup! I do sort of like the pattern though.

‘Morning, Peggy! I hope the eye-shot is uneventful although I know it's rough on you for at least the rest of today and perhaps tomorrow. Pamper yourself, of course.

>178 LizzieD: I hope you can perk up the soup with cheese or vegetables.

>179 LizzieD: Love the pattern, too. Only a little bit of alphabet soup.

It’s a gorgeous day here in central NC. Blue skies, hungry birds, a thirsty bird, too. PT, drive through for a prescription, home, jammies, and etc. for me today.

'Morning the next morning, my dear.

I hope you're bright-eyed and busy-tailed today, recovered from your eye shot.

4 for me today in Wordle.

Hi, Karen! Hi, Karen!!!! Thank you for two visits. Actually, the soup was better yesterday, and I bet it's even better today, so I'll finish writing out what I did for my future use in case I forget.

I am pretty much recovered from the aftermath of the eye shots. They were a bit different this time, probably new drops. I didn't have scratchy eyes until way late, but my vision was very cloudy the whole day - so I kept them closed and napped - recommended! Then, when they started draining, I could see, but they scratched. They're not perfect today, but I'm vastly relieved to be protected as much as possible for the next couple of months. Yay!

I am off soon to finish A Desolation Called Peace. She has a slam-bang ending going on. I'll let you know.

Wordle 1,267 3/6*

🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, dolor, hilly Another "Are you kidding me?" day!

>182 LizzieD: Happy ending-ing, Peggy. I think you'll agree it's a cracker. Spend a splendid Saturday! *smooch*

It did end well, Richard. I didn't exactly see how she was going to add another, and now I see great possibilities!

A DESOLATION CALLED PEACE by Arkady Martine

Although it was easier reading, I didn't quite like this one as much as the first book, A Memory Called Empire. *D/P* is a cracker though, just as Richard says and also offers a very richly imagined world.

More in a bit or 2 bits --- like a nonce or 2 nonces. (vid. *A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum*) (I'm back.)

I think that people who are going to read space opera already know about these two books. I would like to say that the heir to the Teixcatalaan Empire is a very precocious eleven year-old, Eight Antidote, who is remarkably like nine yea-old Cajeiri in Cherryh's *Foreigner* series. I look forward to the next book, and certainly enough goes on for there to be a next book, to watch Eight Antidote mature and to follow the careers and relationship of Mahit and Three Sea Grass.

>184 LizzieD: Who you callin' a nonce?!

...oh...wait....

Truly, Richard, if I were going to call you a nonce, I'd at least capitalize it! Heh!

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Sunday to you.

Wordle in 3 for me today. Arsenal play in 15 minutes and book club is at two. A busy day ahead for me.

No rest of the weary, Karen. Enjoy!

I was not only impatient but also stupid, so Wordle in 5 for me, and I hardly deserve that!

Wordle 1,268 5/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, cager, inane, amend, hyena

'Morning, Peggy, and happy Monday to you.

>188 LizzieD: I do that, too, use the same wrong letter in the same place. Take the 5 and run with it...

Wordle in 4 for me today. Only greens, which is always satisfying.

Just another day here in central NC.

>188 LizzieD: Oh dear...that one rather does show a degree of annoyance-sourced IQ dimming. Well, today will be better!

I hope.

*smooch*

Good morning, just barely, Richard and Karen! I'm happy to say that today is minimally better in the Wordle category and still more a matter of luck than of astute competence.

Wordle 1,269 4/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, prowl, filch, flung

I sincerely hope to have just another day in overcast SE NC, (((((Karen)))))
*smooch*, Richard!

>191 LizzieD: Improvement is better than dis-, so who cares. *smooch* again

'Morning, Peggy! Overcast, rainy, foggy. I'm really happy that I can wear my Totes raincoat, inherited from Bill's mother, which now fits me since I've lost so much weight (although I haven't gotten on a scale but think I've regained a few pounds.)

Book sort, Virlies, bank, cleaning ladies. A woman's work is never done. *smile*

I hope your day is less busy than mine, although most of the busy-ness for me makes me happy.

Wordle in 3, with serious spreadshet help.

Good morning, Karne! My day is seriously less busy than yours, I'm happy to say. I'll have to go out sometime this week, but I've leaving my options open! Mama gave me a Totes raincoat/long jacket for Christmas the last year she was able to order something for me. I rarely wear it, but I treasure it. Enjoy your day!

Wordle 1,270 4/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, tabor, facto, patio I picked up #3 from a list since I was completely at sea. The rest is mine, so I'm not unhappy with a 4. Good for you on 3!

*smooch* again, Richard!

THE LAST DEVIL TO DIE by Richard Osman

These Thursday Murder Club mysteries have been getting better and better, and this is certainly my favorite of the bunch. Not only is it a pretty good mystery (although I zeroed in on the culprit before Elizabeth did, thanks to the hints and because she wasn't giving it her full attention), but it is a thoughtful insight into issues facing us folks in our 80s - and I'm counting 80 in that group.
Osman promises that the group will be back, and he'd better keep his promise. I can see why he might want to let his experience with them settle.

'Morning, Peggy! Looks like we're going to get some Weather today.

Wordle in 4 for me today, congrats on your yesterday's 4.

Woke to thunder and very close lightening, Karen. Now it's just gray and dreary. Looks more like November than December to me.

Congrats on your 4 today. You'll see that I worked for my 5, and I'm happy with it.
Wordle 1,271 5/6*

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⬜⬜⬜🟨🟨
⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜
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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, woful - didn't think it was spelled that way, but Wordle took it, hurly (the other half of burly), clunk, plumb

>194 LizzieD: Howdy do, smoocheroo. I'm finally getting in sight of the data-stick based reviews, for the self-gifting part of my #Booksgiving blast. I'm always happy to look at pretty books but am gettin' to the point where I'm ready for dinner after eating appetizers and desserts.

Me too, Richard, as I tried to say on your thread. *smooch*

>198 LizzieD: Heh...we cross-posted. Only a few more gift ideas.

A rare pop-in to say hello! I’m not on LT often these days, but maybe that will change. I got very engaged in other things that dramatically affected my reading and attention- first making videos, then Covid and that was years of distraction and professional responsibility, then I relocated 18 months ago…now major tapering of work (one day possibly termed “semi-retirement”) to create more time for reading writing dog cooking loved ones self-care.
I am finally reading again, which is wonderful!
I hope you are surviving and thriving -
Loved the pic of your mama!
Warm wishes

'Morning, Peggy! Cold day. Have a good'un!

Wordle in 5 for me today. Happiness from a photo dump from Jenna and Hwan, too.

I'm being patient, Richard. I'm also enjoying the illustrations. *smooch*

Five, which could have been four, for me today too, Karen. I should have known that the woman wouldn't have used a negative word if she could help it. I did enjoy Wordle more when the words were randomly generated.

Wordle 1,272 5/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, noire, ching, dying, vying Oh well - with 2 non-standard word guesses!

REX!!!! What a treat to see you here and with so much that is new to me! I'll send you a PM to catch up on things in my life.

It was a tough wordle today, Peggy. Took me 5 as well, and a friend of mine was skunked today.

Peggy, been a day...roomie's gettin' interested in our recently widowed neighbor lady, so is gone more...I got surprised today when she spent HOURS *here* which I did not enjoy.

Whupped.

'Morning, Peggy!

I hope you got all your errands done yesterday.

Wordle in 6 for me today, and I was happy to get that. Darned alphabet soup.

>204 richardderus: That's an interesting (?) new state of affairs. I don't suppose there is any incentive to move into her room while she's in yours.......

>203 vancouverdeb: and >205 karenmarie: Oh the Wordling, Deborah and Karen! I thought of today's immediately at guess 3 but didn't want to use that rarely used letter so early in the game. Oh well. I was glad to escape the skunk lurking among the veggies.

Wordle 1,273 6/6*

⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟨🟨
⬜🟩⬜🟩🟩
⬜🟩⬜🟩🟩
⬜🟩⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩least, noire, coder, rover, mower, boxer

I've just realized that I may never have offered one of my favorite student errors here. Anyway, it's worth repeating. I'm sure that this girl, a senior taking Allied Health along with Latin I, ended up as an RN somewhere. I just have to hope that she learned to study more carefully and pay better attention in her career.

"Chariot races were held in the gluteus maximus."

(Incidentally, I helped the AH teacher grade a quiz for her senior class once: putting a list of names in alphabetical order. She provided me with a key! There were more poor grades than I would have imagined, so testing that skill was validated, and I hope that she gave them more practice.)

>206 LizzieD: ...that's a capacious booty....

Her room's a sty and she smokes in it. I told her, when she reached for a cigarette, not to imagine for a second that I wouldn't throw water all over her if she so much as thought about trying it again.

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Saturday.

Wordle in 4 for me today, off to watch Arsenal - Everton.

>207 richardderus: Heh! When I returned her paper, I pointed to it and asked if it was a joke. She stared at me and said, "What?"

Well, I'm sorry about the room. I will have to rewrite my scenario in which OS and Smelly find themselves to be soul mates and must live together. As the ousted party, you are given your choice of the 2 rooms and send them away from your wonderful one ----- unless, and this is dreamworld, she has a private room which admin will fumigate and clean for you as a gesture in thanks for your cooperation. I'm sorry, Richard. *SMOOCH*

Hi, Karen! Good Luck to Arsenal!

Wordle 1,274 4/6*

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⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, broil, prowl, drool I had both guess 3 and 4 in mind and again chose the wrong one first. Surely one day I'll luck into a 3 this way.

A tidbit from Frances Partridge's WWII diary. In 1940 the intelligentsia in London were wearing a cork around their necks to put in their mouths to prevent punctured eardrums when close-by bombs went off. Who else has read this? Richard? Would they blow on the cork to equalize pressure? I don't get it.

THE KINGDOM, THE POWER, AND THE GLORY by Tim Alberta

Whew! I finished it. I'm glad that I read it, but I'm much happier to have finished it at last TA is meticulous in documenting his conversations and other research in his quest to find out how the evangelical churches managed to fall so completely for the Republican right and especially Trump. I could have managed with a lot less.

Alberta is a man of faith in the very conservative, evangelical tradition. I had trouble reading this because he would almost certainly find my whole faith the sort to deplore. He'd be kind about it, but he'd be unhappy. That said, here's what I came away with from his analysis. The big name evangelicals (the Falwells get a lot of negative attention) have fostered the feeling among their followers that the church is under attack, and they must defend it. The worst of them are making a lot of money. Many of them have lost themselves and believe that they are keeping the faith. The best of them are either going back to basics or getting out. Trump is acceptable, and at this point adored, because he is as mean and canny against the church's enemies as the enemies themselves. On the other hand, many of the rank and file believe that Pence converted him during his first term, so he is born again and one of them.

That's all I have to say about it. I am very, very, very, very happy to be able to move on to some light stuff (except for Frances Partridge's A Pacifist's War) that I have been looking forward to!

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Sunday to you and your DH.

I've never heard of using a cork to equalize ear pressure.

So glad you finished the Alberta book, glad you can move onto (mostly) light stuff for the rest of the year.

Wordle in 4 for me today, with a lot of spreadsheet help.

>210 LizzieD: That is not light or fluffy reading. Unless you're a closet Ramblerholic, visiting my thread won't be any fun today...tomorrow, however, I have peanut-butter-smeared sticky traps and honey-baited witchballs aaalll ready to go....

I'm here at last, Richard and Karen, and appreciate your visits!

Karen, that's the only thing I could figure about the cork. FP wrote it in the diary as if it were an obvious thing to do.

Richard, I don't think I'm a Ramblerholic of any stripe, but I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

Wordle 1,275 4/6*

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, minor, bunny, funky I'll take it, 4 Sister!

'Morning, my dear. Happy Monday to you.

4 sister yesterday, but I amazed myself this morning by getting Wordle in 2 today. A rare occurrence, so must be channeling the Wordle Gods. The word popped into my head, was a valid and previously-unused word.

I've got a busy day ahead - no surprise - but should be safely back home by 2 or so.

I hope your day is more relaxing.

Good morning, (((((Karen))))). I plan a nothing day, and I hope yours sees you home successfully at least by 2:00.

Alas, I could have had a Wordle 2 today too (oo,oo,oo), but I wasn't channeling anything but stupid. Oh well.

Wordle 1,276 4/6*

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⬜⬜🟩🟩🟩
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, avast, roast, boast

Monday, Monday...the Mamas and the Papas just live on a loop on Radio K-Me. ugh

Hi Peggy. I hope your Tuesday is a good one.

Another Wordle, another day. Three for me.

Book sort! Virlie's! Post Office! And etc.

Good day to you both, Karen and Richard!

Wordle 1,277 4/6*

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🟩🟨⬜⬜⬜
🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩least, slink, spool, scowl

PLUM DUFF by Victoria Goddard

How I love Greenwing and Dart, and how urgently I hope that VG writes Jemis and Perry and their friends into her next Hearthfire novel....or continues their adventures somewhere. I haven't read all the novellas, and I know that they appear briefly in *Pali A*, but I really want more. When a person is a saint, he has a lot to do!

Hi Peggy! Happy Wednesday to you.

Wordle in 3 for me.

I've got a busy day ahead - no surprise there.

I hope you have productive or fun or relaxing day as you want/need...

Good morning, Karen! I have a busy afternoon ahead, and I can't say that I care for it. I will be glad to have a haircut though. Make the most of your day! Good for you for starting it with a 3!

Wordle 1,278 4/6*

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>219 LizzieD: I give up. There are five lights. Unconditional surrender. I've got the first one of each of Goddard's series on my Kindle. You are a wicked book-siren Peggy.
*smooch*

Ah, Richard, I hope that something of them strikes a chord with you. I think maybe the *G'wing & Dart* is early in her writing career. The first one wasn't one of her best, but the rest are lovely. I'll cross my fingers for you.
*smooch*

'Morning, Peggy! Sweet Thursday to you, as Mark would say.

Congrats on yesterday's four - that's what I got today.

I have a busy afternoon, with a massage and a small grocery store run. I hope your haircut is a good'un and that the rest of your errands were productive and short.

Good morning, Karen. I am well and truly shorn, but my hair grows fast, so in a couple of weeks I should be looking human again...I hope. Enjoy the massage!
Except for church, I'm going to make one last run and then hope to be finished with the car until after Christmas. You can't imagine the ??? (words fail me; carelessness, impatience, arrogance, and distraction on top of their normal witlessness) of RobCo drivers.

Wordle 1,279 3/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, sitar, stray My word was better than yours today, Karen, and I'll accept congrats gladly. Four is always good, but I'm seeing threes few and far between.

>223 LizzieD: It's always startling to me when first books are the author's best work...like Tom Rob Smith's excellent Child 44 being better than each that followed. It happens more rarely than the opposite, but does occur.

Happy Friday, Peggy!

Well and truly shorn... I guess that should hold you a while. I'll take my lead from Jenna re a haircut since she drives us both to Winston-Salem. Last haircut was 2 months ago. My ringlets now have ringlets.

I hope you can avoid the car 'til after Christmas. I'll be out today for book sort. We cancelled Tuesday, being Christmas Eve and all. I wanted Monday, but got outvoted. I hope to not have to be out over the weekend. Monday will be a regular grocery store run, then nothing 'til Boxing Day, when I have lunch plans.

Congrats on your word choice yesterday, for sure. Four for me today.

>227 karenmarie: Ah, ringlets! In the drier winter (!) my curls in back are much more like petals, maybe. That's OK. Happy Book sort!

Four is always a relief. Today I got payback for making the wrong choice between two several times. Yippeeee!

Wordle 1,280 2/6*

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>228 LizzieD: Wow! Wordle in two is fantastic!

Karen O

Woo HOOO!!! Thank you, Karen! It doesn't happen often.

>228 LizzieD: That's a gorgeous result, Peggy! I hope tomorrow does as well for your stats.

Solstice cheer, Peggy me lurve!

Ooooo! Thank you, Richard! Thank you twice, in fact! *smooch*

In other news about my hometown..... Somebody shot and killed a 42 year-old woman in the bank of our local Walmart this afternoon. Horrors! The shooter(s ?) fled on foot, but apparently it wasn't random. That's all that has been released, but horrors! That's another reason to stay home.

I'm going to bed.

>228 LizzieD: I'm slow getting around to threads this week. Congratulations on Wordle in 2! That's getting pretty rare for me, although I did get one yesterday.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and that you won't have to go out again until after Christmas!

Hello, dear Peggy, and happy Saturday to you. It’s a gorgeous Carolina Blue sky morning.

Book sort was fun, Virlie’s more fun.

Congrats on yesterday’s TWO.

I saw that and immediately checked out the WRAL link. Gads and glad you were home and not even remotely close by.

Wordle in four for me today. No need to leave the house, so yay for me. I hope you have another day of not needing to leave the house.

Saturday greetings, Irene and Karen! I'm happy not to go out again, happy that Karen isn't going out today, hopeful that Irene can stay in most of the time too. There's no update on the shooting, but overnight one man drove his pickup over another man with whom he had had an altercation(!) in the parking lot of a tobacco store right off I-95. Meanwhile, I'm having my third ghost migraine of the month. It will pass off in 20 minutes or so, but I'm going to lie down for now.

Wordle 1,281 4/6*

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>236 LizzieD: Good heavens, what on earth is going on in the world? I saw that story about the shooting at Walmart on the news last night. I did not hear about the other altercation you mention, but someone was shot and killed in a parking garage in Cary last night, and the shooter turned himself in. Is the stress out there right now that bad?

I did not have to go out today, I am happy to say, but my DH had to go out to a rehearsal. He has been asked to play for both services Sunday morning, and then for our church's annual Christmas music celebration early in the evening. On top of that, we're packing to leave for Mississippi early Monday morning, so we've got a busy weekend. Since the church is having its celebration so late this year, we're later than we would like leaving for our trip, and we're going to try to make the drive in one day. We usually try to break it into two days. We won't be back home until January, and I probably won't have a chance to get on LT while we're there.

Because of all of that, I don't know if I'll get a chance to say anything to you again before the new year, so I thought I would go ahead and send my holiday greetings. I wish you a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year. I hope you and your DH have a very cozy Christmas!

I'm glad that you dropped by when you had time, Irene! You are going to have quite a busy weekend, and I hope you each get at least a little rest before you hit the road. Is your husband an organist? I don't think I knew that.

It feels as though the whole world is going crazy, or at least our part of the world that includes you. I dread the Trump years even more if possible because his followers will feel even more free to do tragic things that they might not have done in a less venal atmosphere.

A Pacifist's War by Frances Partridge

I have read excerpts from several diaries written in England during WWII through the Mass Observation Project. This one is different both because FP is a writer and because she and her husband were both committed Pacifists. They were in their mid-forties and didn't have to register for any kind of service until late in the war. They did, however, face opposition both from some of their friends and their neighbors in the farmland of Wiltshire. As always, the Partridges entertain and visit many of the Bloomsbury group. We get fascinating glimpses of them and enjoy FP's comments on their conversations; conversation was their chief reason for being together.
I'm on to the next book that covers the last half of 1945 through 1960.

>238 LizzieD: Thanks, Peggy. My DH plays trombone, so he gets called to play in the tiny church orchestra for holidays. I wish the church "Sounds of Peace" Christmas music celebration had been earlier this year, like it is most years. That would have been easier for us. Then he would have played for services Sunday morning and would not have had to go back again for the evening.

The world does seem to be going crazy. I am trying very hard not to think too much about the upcoming Trump round two. I'll get too upset if I do.

Again wishing you a wonderful, and hopefully quiet, holiday season!

'Morning, my dear. Happy Sunday to you.

Yes, the world does seem to be imploding now, with more to come soon. However, I was encouraged by the fact that some Republicans defied Trump and voted for the bill to avoid a government shutdown. I hope it's a sign of things to come.

I'm so sorry you had another ghost migraine. I forget how long they last, but know you've mentioned it before. Hope it's gone.

A puttering and mostly lazy day for me, wordle in 3.

Many thanks all around, Karen and Irene!

The ghost or phantom or silent migraine doesn't last long- 20 minutes or so, and then I'm a bit off for the rest of the day. It's still better by far than a full-blown migraine.

Ha! 3 Sisers!

Wordle 1,282 3/6*

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ELIZA'S GALIARDO by James Gollin

This is a charming little mystery without a murder for my number 75 of the year! YAY!!!!

The central character is the director of the Baroque consort, Musica Antiqua. He lucks into performance rights for a newly-discovered late 16th century music book, which may have been the young Elizabeth Tudor's. There may even be one dance tune that Elizabeth herself wrote. Then the book disappears and bedlam ensues. It's funny, and the thing I like best is that Gollin gets musical performance exactly right. My friend is going to give me the other three books in the series because they are hard to come by, and she has duplicate copies. YAY again!

'Morning, Peggy.

Congratulations on 75!!!

Wordle in 5 for me today. I'll take it.

I hope your day is relaxing and full of things you enjoy doing and love to eat, good time with your DH and kitties, too. I think that covers it...

..............well, and reading!

Good morning, Karen! On my docket for the day is combining the fruit salad and making chicken salad so that we'll have something to eat until the Christmas ham. Then I look forward to getting our little tree up and dipping in and out of all these books I've pulled to sample.

Wordle 1,283 4/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, shark, savvy, sauna I was dumb at #2 and cheated at 4. Sometimes my brain is just not interested and stays pretty blank. I'd rather have 5 that I worked on under my own power, so good for you!

>242 LizzieD: Happy news, Peggy! I'm glad you got across the (arbitrary, but real) finish line.

We had fruit salad for dessert today here...different melons and some pineapple. Much much nicer than dry unfrosted cake bits. Spend the day pleasantly, dear lady.

Thank you, Richard. I am enjoying less stress with ham rather than turkey for Christmas. Glad you're getting some niceness where you are!

CLARY SAGE by Victoria Goddard

Hal, his grace, decides where he will go to college. It's embarrassing to count these 71 charming little pages as a book, but since VG is bold enough to call it one, I will too.

'Morning, Peggy, happy Christmas Eve to you.

I hope you got your fruit salad and chicken salad made. I'm glad that you're making it less stressful by having ham instead of turkey for Christmas.

Wordle in 3 for me today. The second word just popped into my brain, checked that it was valid and not used, and that helped a lot.

Nadolig Llawen, Happy Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Ah, Rhian, thank you! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Nadolig Llawen to you too!!!

Happy Christmas Eve, Karen! I won't be very busy today except for getting lights on the tree, which is now up, and doing some chopping so that all I have to do is combine a few things tomorrow!!!!! VERY RESTFUL!
I know that you won't say the same, but I know you enjoy what you do, and I wish that it may not have any stress involved at all.

Joy to the World!

Wordle 1,284 2/6*

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Karen, congrats on getting it in 3 with your not-so-magical first word today. You had to work for it.

(My DH brought in the 3 foot high elf that my SiL used to have on her front stoop at Christmas. I find that I'm not immune to elf/clown unease.......)

THE SAINT OF THE BOOKSTORE by Victoria Goddard

This is a sweet little short story! In fact, it's almost saccharine, but I love Jemis so much that I don't care. I am bereft with nothing specifically *Greenwing and Dart* yet to read except the short story about Jemis's travels with Hal after college. She has left herself plenty of plot lines to follow if she wants to.
I justify to myself counting this as a book because I counted The Covenant of Water and other chunksters as only one. So there, self!

Merry Christmas Peggy, to you and your DH!

>249 LizzieD: I am always overwhelmed with the idea of preparing for Christmas, and some years I'm more prepared than others. I do love the prep though. This year I am more organized than the last several decades, so there's that.

The Wordle gods were looking down at me today as I got it in two. The word just came to me like a bolt of lightning.

Thinking of you at this time, Peggy.

Thank you for Christmas wishes, Paul and Karen!

I return them and hope that all you dear 75ers have had a wonderful day and can continue to celebrate through the weekend!

Wordle 1,285 3/6*

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Wordle in 2 is a great Christmas gift, Karen!

Wordle 1,286 5/6*

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 least, roach, viand, manic, affix OK I was asleep and took my one and only letter for being placed correctly. I have had my coffee, but it is definitely time for a nap. Good Grief!

It is also our wedding anniversary, #54. What happy people we are!

'Morning, Peggy, and happy 54th Anniversary to you and your DH!

Wordle in 4 for me today. I'm amazed that I don't feel really bad - not a lot of pain and I'm not exhausted. Woo hoo.

No plans for me today - thought I had lunch plans but my friend remembered it differently so we'll meet up the week of the 6th.

>254 LizzieD: Happy anniversary, Peggy! I hope you and G have a wonderful day!!

Thank you for good wishes, Stasia and Karen! We did have a good, ordinary day. Yay!

Happy 54th anniversary, Peggy!

'Morning, Peggy! Happy overcast Friday to you.

Wordle in 2 again. I'm channeling the Wordle gods, with a bit of spreadsheet help.

Thank you, Laura! It's day one of year fifty-five. So far, so good!

Good morning, Karen! Dreary! I'm happy to have books and food and heat to supplement husband and cats! You are on a magnificent Wordle roll! I'm amazed!

Wordle 1,287 3/6*

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>260 LizzieD: A 3day is a good anni gift, indeed! May 55 be magically better than expected.

Right you are, Richard, although the DH may not be impressed. We'll do our best to make it through 55 in good shape.

'Morning, Peggy! Happy last Saturday of 2024.

I'm happy to have books and food and heat to supplement husband and cats! The simple things.

Wordle in 3 for me.

Good for you, Karen! My guess 3 was stupid except for giving me that last letter. I would never have gotten to the word without help from a list, I'm sure.
Hmmmm. I'm sure there is nothing simple about my DH!!!!!! *grin*

Wordle 1,288 4/6*

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Are you and your high school gym teacher The Weather Goddess on the outs? She's been in a wild moodswingin' pattern. Maybe go say sorry? It couldn't hurt....