Mark's Reading Place: Chapter Eleven

^Jackson will celebrate his first birthday, on August 22. What a joy this year has been. I can't express how happy this kid makes us.

“We need the tonic of wildness... At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature.”

~ Henry David Thoreau

Audiobook:



Graphic/Comic:



May:

36- Orwell's Roses by Rebecca Solnit 4 stars (audio)
37- A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold 3.8 stars
38- Messy Roots: Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American by Laura Gao 3.7 stars GN
39- Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr 3.7 stars w/Bill, Benita
40- Seeing Ghosts: A Memoir by Kat Chow 3.5 stars (audio)
41- Pulse: Stories by Julian Barnes 3.7 stars
42- On a Night of a Thousand Stars by Andrea Yaryura Clark 4.2 stars
43- The Candy House by Jennifer Egan 3.3 stars
44- Squire by Nadia Shammas 4 stars GN
45- Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner 4.2 stars (audio)

June:

46- Pollak's Arm by Hans Von Trotha 4.5 stars E
47- Taft by Ann Patchett 3.5 stars E
48- The Hurting Kind by Ada Limón 4.3 stars P
49- Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield 4 stars
50- Tunnels by Rutu Modan 3.7 stars GN
51- River of the Gods by Candice Millard 4.2 stars (audio)
52- The Ghost in You: A Reckless Book by Ed Brubaker 4.2 stars GN
53- Arctic Dreams by Barry Lopez 4.5 stars Group Read
54- The Deep Blue Goodbye by John D. MacDonald 4 stars (audio)

July:

55- You Better Be Lightning (Button Poetry) by Andrea Gibson 5 stars P
56- Zorrie- Laird Hunt 4.3 stars
57- Understories by Tim Horvath 4.2 stars
58- The High Desert: Black. Punk. Nowhere. by James Spooner 4 stars GN
59- Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel 4.5 stars
60- Fights: One Boy's Triumph Over Violence by Joel Christian Gill 4.2 stars GN
61- Gillespie and I by Jane Harris 4.3 stars
62- The Immortal Irishman by Timothy Egan 5 stars (audio)
63- Unseen City: Wonders of the Urban Wilderness by Nathanael Johnson 4 stars
64- Plainsong by Kent Haruf 5 stars (shared read)
65- The Cold Cold Ground (The Sean Duffy) by Adrian McKinty 4.2 stars

August:

66- Time Is a Mother by Ocean Vuong 3.6 stars P
67- Afterlife by Julia Alvarez 3.7 stars (shared read)
68- This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger 4 stars (audio)
69- Putin's Russia: Rise of a Dictator by Darryl Cunningham 5 stars GN
70- Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart 4.3 stars
71- Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks 4 stars
72- Ask the Dust by John Fante 4.3 stars
73- Strange Piece of Paradise by Terri Jentz 3.8 stars (audio)
74- The Con Artist by Luke Healy 4 stars GN
75- Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner 4.8 stars (shared read)

September:

76- Rogues: Grifters, Killers & Rebels by Patrick Radden Keefe 4.3 stars (audio)
77- Mercury Pictures Presents by Anthony Marra 4.2 stars

^ I was able to do some shared reading, with a few of my book buddies recently and really enjoyed it. I would like this to continue. Primarily, I would like to read books off shelf, but I am still catching up with a few titles that I missed reading last year. I will list some titles and if you are interested, we will set a firm date.

Plainsong Joe, Stasia, Jeff, Caroline late July?
Afterlife w/Mary 1st week in August
Angle of Repose (reread) Bonnie, Stasia, Benita, Karen, Shelley- last week in Aug
State of Wonder w/ Kim, Stasia September?
The Singapore Grip w/Benita Fall or winter?
The Brothers Karamazov w/Mamie
Women Talking November?

A New National Anthem

The truth is, I’ve never cared for the National
Anthem. If you think about it, it’s not a good
song. Too high for most of us with “the rockets
red glare” and then there are the bombs.
(Always, always, there is war and bombs.)
Once, I sang it at homecoming and threw
even the tenacious high school band off key.
But the song didn’t mean anything, just a call
to the field, something to get through before
the pummeling of youth. And what of the stanzas
we never sing, the third that mentions “no refuge
could save the hireling and the slave”? Perhaps,
the truth is, every song of this country
has an unsung third stanza, something brutal
snaking underneath us as we blindly sing
the high notes with a beer sloshing in the stands
hoping our team wins. Don’t get me wrong, I do
like the flag, how it undulates in the wind
like water, elemental, and best when it’s humbled,
brought to its knees, clung to by someone who
has lost everything, when it’s not a weapon,
when it flickers, when it folds up so perfectly
you can keep it until it’s needed, until you can
love it again, until the song in your mouth feels
like sustenance, a song where the notes are sung
by even the ageless woods, the short-grass plains,
the Red River Gorge, the fistful of land left
unpoisoned, that song that’s our birthright,
that’s sung in silence when it’s too hard to go on,
that sounds like someone’s rough fingers weaving
into another’s, that sounds like a match being lit
in an endless cave, the song that says my bones
are your bones, and your bones are my bones,
and isn’t that enough?

-Ada Limon

^Meet Juno. She is a 4 year old Rottweiler. She was a rescue. She has been with us a week. It has been working out pretty well. Still getting used to each other.

Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart 4.3 stars

“Mungo’s capacity for love frustrated her. His loving wasn’t selflessness; he simply could not help it. Mo-Maw needed so little and he produced so much. So that it all seemed a horrible waste. It was a harvest no one seeded, and it blossomed from a vine no one tended.”

Mungo is a fifteen-year-old boy, growing up in Glasgow. To say he has a rough childhood would be a wild understatement- He has an unstable, alcoholic mother and a domineering, abusive older brother. Mungo, a protestant, is also attracted to a Catholic neighbor boy, which is verboten in Scotland at that time. This is not an easy read. It can be relentlessly bleak at times but the writing is terrific and the reader cannot help but cheering this poor boy on, despite the myriad of obstacles thrown in his way. I adored Stuart’s last novel, Shuggie Bain and with his latest, he has proven to be a new force in the literary world.

Happy new thread, Mark!

>1 msf59: Can't believe it is almost a year ago, your life would be empty without Jackson!

>5 msf59: Getting used to eachother takes time. Juno looks relexed on the picture.

>6 msf59: I just reserved a copy of Young Mungo at the library, will pick it up next week.

Happy new thread, Mark!

>7 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita. Happy Sunday. You are right, Jack is the center of our life right now. I am sure our relationship will improve, as the days pass. It has really connected with Sue.

>8 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie. Happy Sunday.

You are on a roll, man. Come Labor Day, you will have surpassed 75 reads/listens for the year. You can taste it, right?

Excellent photos of your young relative, ol' whatsisname. :-)

Putin's Russia: Rise of a Dictator by Darryl Cunningham 5 stars

This illustrated biography on Putin, is simply outstanding. It covers his rise in the KGB, to becoming one of the richest and most powerful leaders in the world. Like most of us, I knew Putin was a bad, corrupt man but I had no idea the level of malovelence this man was capable of. It is simply a horror story and it continues. How a past president of ours could cozy up to this monster is truly appalling. Highly recommended.

“Every time (Putin) sees me, he says “I didn’t do that”. And I believe-I really believe- that when he tells me that, he means it.”

-Donald J. Trump

>10 weird_O: Happy Sunday, Bill. Not sure I will knock out 5 more books before Labor Day. Angle of Repose will take up the latter part of the month but I will get close. And hooray for " ol' whatsisname"!!

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday to you. Happy new thread, too.

>1 msf59: Excellent photos of Jackson, and wow! Already almost a year. Time does sure fly.

>5 msf59: So far so good, eh?

>11 msf59: Putin and Trump are two of the worst evils unleashed on the world recently. Of course there are others, but we’re back to Cold War politics with Putin.

>13 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen and Happy Sunday to you too. Hooray for Jack and Juno! " Putin and Trump are two of the worst evils unleashed on the world recently." You got that right, my friend.

-Harry Bliss

Happy new thread, Mark.

>1 msf59: Great Jackson photos up top. Give the little fella a hug from his "uncle" from the tropics.

Happy new one, Mark. Love the toppers.

As for trump and putin, I think the best *punishment* would be to pack trump up and send him to Moscow. On a one-way ticket. Best case scenario, for all concerned.

I am 100 pages into Angle of Repose and I am sure you will still finish before me. It's slow and steady, a quiet story. But it's LONG and I have 2 others on the go, plus, I am not a fast reader, which is why I wanted to get a start early. So far, so good, though.

>6 msf59: Glad to see your appreciation for Young Mungo, Mark. I agree it's bleak and relentless, but Stuart sure can write.

I cannot believe Jackson is turning 1 next week. Where has teh time gone?

>3 msf59: Thanks for more Cheerful Sunday Photos!

I'd like to join the Plainsong re-read...next July?!

>16 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Uncle Paul! Won't it be nice to see him grow up here on LT? I remember how young your kids were when you first joined.

>17 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. Happy Sunday. I sure like your idea about Trump's punishment. I think that would be fitting. Glad you started Angle of Repose and that it is keeping your attention. I should be able to start it by next weekend.

>18 lauralkeet: Happy Sunday, Laura. Yep, it looks like we both "enjoyed" Young Mungo. And yep, time sure flies. I am glad to say that I was happy to spend as much time with him, through the year and expect to do the same in the next 12 months.

>19 m.belljackson: Happy Sunday, Marianne. Glad we inspired you to put a reread of Plainsong on your calendar. You are in for a treat.

^Another friendly reminder- we are doing a shared read of Angle of Repose. I plan on starting my reread around the 20th. It must be 25 years, maybe more since I have read this, but it has stuck with me for a long time. If you have not read it, or would also be up for a reread, this might be the perfect opportunity. I have my copy at hand. Shelley has already started it.

Happy new thread!

>1 msf59: OMG cute!

>4 msf59: Also darling, just not quite so much...

Happy new thread Marc.

Happy new one! Hard to believe it’s been a year…

>21 msf59: Tempting to join you all. I am quite heavily committed but if it runs into September I may just tag along.

I am going to get a copy of Angel of Repose from the library next week. I am committed to reading it, but I will probably be behind you as I also have to read the books for the Kansas Author's Club Science Fiction and Fantasy prize. Two of those books are 500 pages in length and the deadline is September 18. I also have to write a critique of each one along with my vote for the winner on that date. I may be overextended but I am going to try. I am also still going to read Singapore Grip with you, but I would like to read Troubles first. I don't think these have to read in order, but I would like to give them the benefit of being read in the order in which Farrell published them.

Ellen is also going to be leading a group read of a Eudora Welty book Delta Wedding sometime in September and I would also like to read that one.

I also want to read all of the Kent Haruf novels this year. See what that group read started!

There are sure alot of good group reads going on in the last few months.

‘Morning, Mark! Happy day before Tuesday.

>21 msf59: I started it early this morning but am not far enough into it to have it grab me yet.

Still too dark for me to see what birds may or may not be on the feeders. Yesterday I did have some good hummingbird activity though.

>22 quondame: >23 EllaTim: Thanks, Susan & Ella!

>24 drneutron: You and me both, Jim and thanks.

>25 PaulCranswick: We would love to have you along, Paul. Would this be your first time reading Angle of Repose?

>26 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita. Glad you got your copy of the Stegner. It looks like you have quite a reading marathon ahead of you. Good luck. I would also like to read Singapore Grip. Maybe November or December?

>27 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. I am glad to hear that you have started Angle of Repose. I remember it being a slow read but very rewarding. Nothing at my feeders yet either, but there were several robins feeding on my side lawn.

^Has anyone been watching the limited series "The Offer"? It is on Paramount. I am doing the free trial week. It is a fictionized account of the making of The Godfather. I am 3 eps in and loving it. Excellent cast. Since this is my favorite film of all time, it is a perfect fit.

It's still morning where I am, so good morning, Mark. I'm moving slowly, as per usual. But slow and steady, as they say. Less than 100 pages to go in The Children of Men, and the tension has ramped up. I took a look at the recommendation that prompted me to read it in the first place and it registered with me that the recom includes a major spoiler. Oh, well thanks for that! But given the setup, it's pretty obvious.

>31 weird_O: Howdy, Bill. I have not read Children of Men but really enjoyed the film version. I don't take you much for a movie guy but if you are seek it out.

Happy new thread! Schmoozle Juno's ears from me.

>1 msf59: Wow! the time certainly flies by.

Happy new one!

>33 richardderus: Thanks, Richard. I will give Juno's ears lots of schmoozles. She loves those.

>34 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Figs. It certainly does.

-"Sun-Dappled" The New Yorker

Happy new thread, Mark! Wow, is Jackson growing up quick - and cuter by the minute!

'Morning, Mark! I hope Rehab goes well today. Enjoy the weather. We're enjoying our good weather, too, and I even read in the hammock for a while yesterday. I had a kitty visitor for part of that time, which was fun.

>26 benitastrnad: I haven't heard of the Empire Trilogy, but now you've got me interested. Sigh. So many books...

Hi Mark, Happy new thread greetings! Sweet Jackson - nearly a year already, my goodness. And welcome to Juno!

I won’t be joining in your Angle Of Repose read, as much as I absolutely loved it when I read it in 2015. I have a book of Stegner’s essays that I keep meaning to get to.

Happy new thread! Wow! So much going on here already!

>1 msf59: OMG he's so cute! That smile! Also, I notice he's opening a cupboard door. That is one of Rowan's favorite activities.

>5 msf59: Juno looks tired out. Did you take her on one of your hikes? Or would she be like the doggie in >15 msf59:?

If I hadn't read Angle of Repose just last year, I might take you up on the group read. I also still think about it, and it's definitely worth a reread; just not this soon.

>39 ffortsa: Hi, Judy. I also highly recommend the Empire Trilogy. Try to track down the first volume, Troubles. It is excellent.

>40 Copperskye: Thanks, Joanne. Great to see you. Hooray for Jack & Juno. Since you read Angle of Repose a mere 7 years ago, I completely understand but I am glad to hear you loved it.

>41 Storeetllr: Thanks, Mary. Great to see you. Yep, Jack is into everything, as you can well imagine. When he starts walking- WATCH OUT!! We are trying to build Juno's stamina. She is getting better all the time. I am glad to hear you loved Angle of Repose. Maybe, you can leave a comment or two, once we start the shared read.

Sure, love to!

Heh. Yes, watch out!

Rowan started walking. Nothing we could do to stop him. I posted a couple of pics of him wobbling around the local splash pad. I've got a video of it but don't know how to post it here, plus it's too long.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Wednesday to you.

Unusual for you - you missed me up there.

Was Rehab fun or tedious? I would define cutting up dead mice as tedious, seeing cute baby animals as fun.

>43 Storeetllr: Happy Wednesday, Mary. Go Rowan! Jack is probably just a month or so behind him. His big day coming up.

>44 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Sorry I missed you up there. Payback? LOL. Funny, I remember reading the post too. Rehab has not become tedious yet and I haven't done food prep in weeks. Mostly cleaning the cages/enclosures
(our designated task) and handing out the prepared food. Of course, this includes birds and mammals.

>1 msf59: Love the pictures of Jackson! Thank you for continuing to share them with us, Mark.

>3 msf59: Might I join you and Kim for State of Wonder next month? It is a Patchett that I have yet to read.

>5 msf59: Glad to hear that things are working out for both you and Juno.

>6 msf59: >11 msf59: Already in the BlackHole or I would be adding it again.

>21 msf59: Looking forward to that one. I will be starting it no later than next Monday.

Happy new thread! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

>1 msf59: What a cutie!!

I dropped off three books at the Little Free Library today!

...and picked up two.

Happy Wednesday Mark.

While I won't join in on the Angle of Repose fun. I read it about 10 years ago and really enjoyed it. I do have Big Rock Candy Mountain on the shelf, so maybe I'll bookhorn that one into rotation next and at least get on the Stegner bandwagon with yinz.

>46 alcottacre: Happy Wednesday, Stasia. Hooray for Jackson & Juno. We would love to have you along for the State of Wonder shared read, although I will have to check with Kim and check her availability. I will probably start Angle of Repose on Friday.

>47 ChelleBearss: Hi, Chelle. Great to see you, stranger and yes Jack is definitely a cutie!

>48 richardderus: Hey, RD. Hooray for adding a couple more books. The Hellman collection looks promising, and I remember enjoying Dept. of Speculation a few years ago.

>49 mahsdad: Happy Wednesday, Jeff. I hope our shared read of Stegner sparks you to read another one of his. I also enjoyed Big Rock Candy Mountain when I read it for the AAC a few years ago.

Hi Mark, it's taken me a while to answer but that's a double yes to your question from your last thread. Yes, I love Geraldine Brooks and yes, I really enjoyed Caleb's Crossing when I read it a few years ago. You are having an excellent reading month in August!

>6 msf59: I am not sure I could handle this new one from Stuart.....the whole 15-year old boy suffering thing would twist my poor old heart too much, seeing as I have a nearly 14 year old who, no doubt, will have some teenage times up and coming. I am *nearly* finished Shuggie Bain, which I started in May :)

>21 msf59: now there's one to have on the must-read pile! I wonder if I can source a copy, seeing as I am almost done with my two current reads (see above, and The Night Watch by Sarah Waters- so good!)

>51 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy and Sweet Thursday to you! It has been a good reading month and I will be starting my reread of Angle of Repose soon, which will be my final novel of the month.

>52 LovingLit: Hi, Megan. I completely understand you avoiding Young Mungo, because of own young teenage boy and that you are still reading Shuggie Bain, which is also a tough read. It has been over 20 years since I read Angle of Repose and I still highly recommend it.

'Morning, Mark, and a very sweet Thursday to you. Enjoy your pre-party Jackson time today.

I haven't gotten further into Angle of Repose, but will continue soon until it either grabs me or doesn't. I'm reading a book that I started 6/20 soon after Stasia and Peggy started a shared read, Pilgrim by Timothy Findlay. It's fascinating and I'm loving it. I'm about halfway through. I foresee Angle of Repose being the same way for me, so you and everybody else will finish it a long time before I do.

>54 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Hooray for Jackson time! It looks like it will take you awhile to read the Stegner but I just hope it interests you enough to finish it. Fingers crossed.

Fracture

When the grizzly cubs were caught, collared, and taken away—
relocated they call it—
their mother ran back and forth on the road screaming.
Brutal sound. Torn from her lungs. Her heart,
twisted knot, hot blood rivering
to the twenty-six pounding bones of her feet.
Just weeks before
I watched a bear and her cubs run down a mountain
in the twilight.
So buoyant, they seemed to be tumbling
to the meadow,
to the yarrow root they dug, rocking
to wrest it from the hard ground, fattening for winter.
They were breathing what looked like gladness.
But that other mother . . .
Her massive head raised, desperate to catch their scent.
Each footfall a fracture in the earth’s crust.

-Ellen Bass From Poem-A-Day

>56 msf59: Painful

Happy newish thread, Mark. Nice toppers! It's hard to believe that Jack is almost one.

The GN about Putin looks interesting and my library has it. On to the hold list it goes.

Hi, Mark! Excellent Jack toppers, as usual!

Now reading The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien, a book I bought in Dublin. It is quite bizarre, in keeping with At-Swim-Two Birds, a slightly better-known novel O'Brien wrote just before the one I am reading. O'Brien, whose real name was Brian O'Nolan, couldn't find a publisher for it in 1939. He claimed over the ensuing years that he lost the manuscript, but upon his death in 1966, it was found (!) and published. I may have to read it twice to grasp the whole thing.

>57 ffortsa: I agree, Judy. I like sharing painful from time to time. 😁

>58 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. Sweet Thursday. I am glad I got you with the Putin GN. I cannot recommend it high enough.

>59 scaifea: Thanks, Amber. As you can see, I have not slowed down on my Jackson love.

>60 weird_O: Howdy, Bill. The Third Policeman sounds bizarre, twisted and pretty interesting. I had not heard of it before. My current novel is also from 1939 and another very nice surprise.

^I think Juno is settled in. 😁

>62 msf59: Is she like "That barrier has nothing to do with me. No, nothing!"
She is beautiful. I am partial to black and tan and love the little eye-spots that make their expressions so moving.

>63 quondame: Sweet Thursday, Susan. We are keeping Juno from the carpeted areas. She had a couple of accidents in her first 48 hours here but has been perfect since. I am sure we will lift those restrictions, although we will keep her in her crate overnight and when we are away.

>62 msf59: She has a more confident look in her eyes :-)

>62 msf59: What a smoochieface snugglepuppy!
***

Seems like something we need to spread around....

Mark, What a wonderful way to start your thread by posting yet another endearing photo of the beautiful little boy with blue eyes. This sounds like a book title!!! And, with Jackson on the cover, it would be a best seller!
Happy almost one year birthday to Jackson!

Happy New Thread, Mark. ABSOLUTELY MOST ADORABLE THREAD-TOPPER EVER!!!! :)

I read Angle of Repose in 2015. A 4.5 star read for me, but I'm not up for a reread right now.

Glad to read that Juno is settling into your home and family.

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you.

>62 msf59: Juno looks like she owns the place. And Sue and you.

A one female Cardinal and one finch are visiting my feeders. Too quiet.

>66 richardderus: LOL. I am not a Limp Bizkit fan and could not name one of their songs but I think you are on to something here, Richard.

>67 Whisper1: "the beautiful little boy with blue eyes." Yep, it sure does sound lovely, Linda. Great to see you and I will pass along the birthday wishes to Jack.

>68 tymfos: Thank you, Terri and it is so good to see you. I have been posting pics of Jack for a year now. I am sure some visitors think I am overdoing it but I have no intention of slowing down. Now, I will be adding Juno pics into the mix. Grins...

So glad to hear from another fan of Angle of Repose.

>69 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Juno attended her first dog training class. She may be four but she has had no training whatsoever. She is a smart dog, so it the basics shouldn't take long. I only glanced at my feeders. Just a sole male housefinch.

>71 msf59: I'm betting that Juno needing rehoming was down to that lack of training. I suspect people want to get trained dogs from their mother's uterus, when it takes a lot of work indeed to get the pooch to be a good roommate.

I hope she takes to it!

>61 msf59: Painful and beautiful. Thanks for posting it.

>71 msf59: NO TRAINING? That's a big dog not to have been trained at all. I hope she does take to it, even at 4 years old. How neglectful of the previous owner.

Have a swell weekend, Mark, and Sue, and Jackson, and Juno, and birdies of all makes and models. Do what you want.

I myself have home-chores to confront today, as my attendance is required at a birthday pool party tomorrow. Shucks, you know. Awwww shucks. A pool party. Well, duty calls.

>72 richardderus: Juno came from a shady, neglectful breeder so she probably had zero training. All up to us now, RD. Thankfully she is a smart dog.

>73 ffortsa: Happy Friday, Judy. Juno came from a bad breeder and she was used as a puppy machine, probably producing 2 or 3 litters. So, zero training.

>74 weird_O: Happy Friday, Bill. The whole gang is doing swell. I hope you got to those house chores and have a fantastic time at the birthday pool party.

>62 msf59: She's a beauty Mark. What does Jackson think of her?

>62 msf59: I love the look on Juno's face. That says to me, "I belong here. This is my place."

I will be starting Angle of Repose today. Really looking forward to it!

>76 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Caroline. The meet up with Jack went well. Of course, Jack is used to dogs but I don't think Juno has met a baby before. We will take it slow.

>77 alcottacre: Happy Saturday, Stasia. Juno is getting more comfortable each day. I can't believe she has been with us for two weeks. I was hoping to start Angle of Repose yesterday but I could not get any reading in. Like you, I will start it today.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Saturday to you.

Juno a puppy machine. Makes me sad, makes me even happier that she's found a good home with you and Sue. Good luck with the training.

>78 msf59: I think I'm hooked on Angle of Repose. It definitely will not be a quick read for me, though.

>79 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. "I think I'm hooked on Angle of Repose." Music to my ears. Yah! It is sad about Juno. We are not sure how many litters she had had. Based on her dugs, probably 2 or 3. She is sure getting comfortable here.

"Confined to a wheelchair, retired historian Lyman Ward sets out to write his grandparents' remarkable story, chronicling their days spent carving civilization into the surface of America's western frontier. But his research reveals even more about his own life than he's willing to admit. What emerges is an enthralling portrait of four generations in the life of an American family."

Thankfully, I keep a book journal, which I have done since my early teens so I was able to track down the year I first read Angle of Repose- March of 1999, the year before I read Plainsong. I also discovered Cormac McCarthy in those years, so I was on a roll. 23 years later, I am planning a revisit. Honestly, I can't remember a lot of details but I still recall being profoundly moved by it. It is my favorite of Stegner's work, followed by Crossing to Safety, which I would also like to revisit.

I will be doing a shared read of this one with some pals, including Karen, Shelley and Stasia. Hopefully, Benita and Bonnie will also jump in. I will not be setting up a group read thread but everyone is welcome to leave comments here. I will start the book today.

Oh yeah- This won the Pulitzer Prize in 1971.

>81 msf59:
I plan on reading this novel. It will be a first time for this one. I suspect that it will be a slow read, as my previous Stegner too me about 2 months to finish. That one was Big Rock Candy Mountain and it was a very good book. I think it was Stegner's first novel and well worth the time it took to read it. I am looking forward to this book, but it will be dividing its time with my obligations to reading the books for the Kansas Author's Club contest and the other Book Discussion books I have to read for this month. I am going to participate in a group read with some of the faculty in the College of Education and so am going to be reading some heavy duty French philosophy while trying to read this novel. The book for this discussion group is Deleuze Connections about the philosophy of Gilles Deleuze. I seem to be into heavy books right now. And my last book was the psycho-thriller Silent Patient that was much touted by Jimmy Fallon Oh my!

>82 benitastrnad: I am not far into the Angle of Repose but I love how Stegner slowly pulls you into the narrative. You are in for a treat. How Sci-Fi reading coming along? Finding any gems?

>81 msf59: I probably won't get to this one until next month Mark. A reread for me too, and I bought and read a number of his other books after reading this (15 including this, by or about Stegner, of which I've read 5, my catalogue says). I think I read it in 2007, the year I joined LT, so suspect someone recommended it to me.

Happy Sunday!

>81 msf59: That looks interesting. I shall out it on my list

>81 msf59: Honestly, I can't remember a lot of details but I still recall being profoundly moved by it.
I'm the same way with Angle of Repose, Mark. I read it in 2009, when I was working my way through the Pulitzer winners. I couldn't tell you much about it off the top of my head, except that it blew me away and I rated it 5 stars. I might have to re-read it myself one of these days.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday to you! I hope Jackson's birthday party lives up to everybody's expectations and that he has a fun time.

>84 Caroline_McElwee: Happy Sunday, Caroline. I am glad the Stegner reread is sparking interest in reading him again. I also highly recommend Crossing to Safety, my second favorite of his work.

>85 figsfromthistle: Happy Sunday, Figs. Watch for more comments here about Angle of Repose. I am 70 pages and enjoying it.

>86 lauralkeet: Hi, Laura. I am so glad to hear that so many of my friends have read and loved Angle of Repose. Have you read Crossing to Safety?

>87 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. We had a surprise visit from Bree & Co. last night, so we all hung out. Yep, the big day has arrived. Lots of work to be done.

^Well, it is Jackson's first big party today. He turns one tomorrow. We are having it at the clubhouse, that is in our neighborhood. We were worried a bit about rain but it looks like it will be beautiful. Partly sunny, 77F.

Bree and Co. came over yesterday and Jack had his second contact with Juno. Funny, Juno took to him with perfect maternal warmth. Funny, all she wanted to do is play with him, like she would have done with her puppies. Of course, we all kept a close eye on things but absolutely no worries. B.A.G.

Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks 4 stars

“They say the Lord's Day is a day of rest, but those who preach this generally are not women.”

Martha’s Vineyard, 1665. Caleb, is the first Native American to graduate from Harvard. Our narrator is Bethia Mayfield, a highly intelligent young woman, working on the island and witnessing all these events, through the lens of a difficult puritan setting. It is her story. Brooks does a wonderful job with historical fiction and this one does not disappoint. The narrative is not as smooth as her earlier books but it still kept my attention throughout.

Strange Piece of Paradise: A Return to the American West to Investigate My Attempted Murder - And Solve the Riddle of Myself by Terri Jentz 3.8 stars

Terri Jentz, the author, was on a cross-country bike trip, with her Yale roommate, in 1977, when the unspeakable happened: while camping in a tent, in the Oregon desert, a man drove a pick up over their tent and attacked them with an ax. No one was ever charged with this horrific crime. Fifteen years later, Jentz returns to the small town where the event happened and starts doing some sleuthing herself. She makes some incredible discoveries. This is a solid true-crime tale. It could have used a little more editing but that is a minor quibble. Worked well on audio too.

>88 msf59: Hi Mark, yes I've read Crossing to Safety, as well as Big Rock Candy Mountain. Reading Angle of Repose sent me on a bit of a Stegner binge ... BAG.

>89 msf59: Happy birthday Jackson!! I love that Juno has taken so well to him too. That's very sweet.

Happy Birthday, Jackson!

Glad to hear things are going well with the new doggy!

>91 lauralkeet: Hooray for Stegner, Jackson & Juno! Have a great day, Laura.

>92 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle. I will pass the good wishes on to Jack.

Off to help set things up. See everyone tomorrow...

Have a lovely time with Jackson and the people who brought him!

Hooray for Jackson's party! I know you'll have fun - he looks so grown up.

Putin's Russia: Rise of a Dictator sounds very interesting. Unfortunately it's not available in my library system yet, so I've requested Darryl Cunningham's previous book Billionaires.

I don't think sending Trump to Russia would be a good idea. I'm sure he and Putin would form a close conspiracy to try to retake the US. I remember reading The Man Without a Country in junior high. That seems more fitting.

How wonderful that you can all celebrate Jack's first birthday together. Happy Birthday Jackson! And wonderful news that Juno has adjusted so well! All good news.

Happy Birthday to the utterly adorable Jackson! Lucky grandpa!

Happy birthday, Jackson! Looking forward to pics!

Happy Birthday, Jackson!

I have not started Angle of Repose yet but will do so this week. I read Big Rock Candy Mountain for the American Author Challenge back when Mark hosted it. It took me a long time to read the book, but it is a novel that has stayed with me. I would not hesitate to recommend it to anybody reading Stegner's oeuvre. It was his first published novel and if it is any indication of his style any subsequent books would only be better.

>83 msf59:
I finished the first of five books I have to read. Door Into Winter by Rob Howell is the first in a sci fi trilogy based in Norse mythology. I found it to be a very workman like novel. It wasn't bad, but it didn't really hold my attention. It is hard to make an assessment of the novel because it is the first in a trilogy so it has to be incomplete in some ways. As a school librarian I complained for years about Newbery committees awarding the final book in a series the Newbery medal, (An example is High King by Lloyd Alexander), and thought that they should have awarded the first book in the series. My thinking was that if the first book doesn't hook you the third or fourth one isn't going to do so either. Now I find myself in that position as a judge for this contest. So it is on to book two of the five I have to read. I haven't read enough of it yet, to know whether it is better or worse than the first one.

>94 richardderus: Thanks, Richard. Good time had by all. ❤️

>95 streamsong: Thanks, Janet. Great to see you. Glad I got you with the GN. A terrific read. I would also like to read some of that author's earlier work.

>96 mdoris: >97 quondame: >98 jessibud2: 99> Thank you, Mary, Susan, Shelley & Rhonda. We appreciate it.

>100 benitastrnad: Hey, Benita. Glad you still have Angle of Repose waiting in the wings. Also glad to hear that you are making your way through those sci-fi books. I agree with you on the Newbery awards too.

^The party went great. The weather was gorgeous. I think we had 45 people. Some of the guys even celebrated with cigars and bourbon, (me, included). Jackson was a perfect little gentleman and he dutifully devoured his cake.

Happy Birthday, Jackson. One year today, this little guy rocked our world.

'Morning, Mark! Excellent pic of you, Sue, and the birthday boy.

>103 karenmarie: Morning, Karen and thanks. It was a special day.

>102 msf59: *baaawww* he looks so adorable all schmooshed up in cake! And you and Sue should look into orthodontistry coverage if y'all're gonna keep smiling that big. I worry for the consequences....

>102 msf59: Great photo. Happy Birthday Jackson.

>105 richardderus: Thanks, RD. Hooray for Jack and "schmooshed" up cake and big ass smiles!

>106 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Caroline. I will pass on the good wishes.

River Roads

Let the crows go by hawking their caw and caw.
They have been swimming in midnights of coal mines somewhere.
Let ’em hawk their caw and caw.

Let the woodpecker drum and drum on a hickory stump.
He has been swimming in red and blue pools somewhere hundreds of years
And the blue has gone to his wings and the red has gone to his head.
Let his red head drum and drum.

Let the dark pools hold the birds in a looking-glass.
And if the pool wishes, let it shiver to the blur of many wings, old swimmers from old places.

Let the redwing streak a line of vermillion on the green wood lines.
And the mist along the river fix its purple in lines of a woman’s shawl on lazy shoulders.

-Carl Sandburg

Happy Newish Thread, buddy. I’m reading an author I think you’d like: Cynan Jones. I finished The Dig and started The Cove. Dark, rural Wales. Reminds me a bit of Larry Watson.

>108 msf59: Great poem with lots of bird imagery! I love this one—I’d saved it when it came through on Poem-a-day. I might have to do more Carl Sandburg reading!

Congrats on the great baby birthday party!

Karen O

>102 msf59: Happy birthday to Jackson! Jackson ... dutifully devoured his cake. My kinda kid!

>102 msf59: Lovely birthday picture!

>109 jnwelch: You might want to check those touchstones.

>102 msf59: Great photo Mark. I'm glad the party was a success!

>109 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. I read and enjoyed "The Cove" several years ago. I will have to check out his latest and you know I love Watson.

>110 klobrien2: Thanks, Karen. Glad you like the Sandburg poem. I have very little of his poetry but that one worked.

>111 Storeetllr: Thanks, Mary. Jack loves to eat. He dutifully devours everything.

>112 quondame: Thanks, Susan. I noticed those errant touchstones too.

>113 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. It was a fitting celebration for our little boy.

"From the prize-winning, New York Times bestselling author of Say Nothing and Empire of Pain, twelve enthralling stories of skulduggery and intrigue by one of the most decorated journalists of our time."

Keefe's book Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland was one of my top reads in 2019. A truly haunting tale. So, I am trying his latest Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks on audio. I started it today.

Happy belated birthday, to Jackson and family!
Must have been some party. Congratulations.

Happy Tuesday!

Glad Jackson's party was such a hit :)

>89 msf59: Hard to believe he is one already! Good on Juno.

>90 msf59: Yep, I need to get that one read.

>102 msf59: I am glad to hear that the party went well and the weather cooperated. Happy birthday, Jackson!

>115 msf59: I still have Say Nothing sitting on my shelves to read. One of these days. . .

Have a terrific Tuesday, Mark!

>116 EllaTim: >117 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Ella & Anita. It was the perfect party for a perfect little boy.

>118 alcottacre: Morning, Stasia. Juno still needs some training but she sure has settled in here. She is lying beside me as I type this. I will get you, your copy of Caleb's Crossing. Yep, it was successful party for Jackson.

I cannot recommend Say Nothing high enough. Wow!

'Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you.

I've already had the hummingbirds looking for food, so just put the feeder out, along with the suet feeder. Yesterday a squirrel kept getting up on the suet feeder and I kept making noise to get him off. Dratted squirrels. No birds on any feeders, but they'll be back for second breakfast soon. And, already a female hummingbird on the feeder after less than 5 minutes.

>120 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Thanks for the feeder report. The squirrels have been driving me nuts too. Yesterday, they knocked the platform feeder off the pole. It gets frustrating. I have not checked the feeders yet this AM.

72- Ask the Dust by John Fante 4.3 stars

“I was twenty then. What the hell, I used to say, take your time, Bandini. You got ten years to write a book, so take it easy, get out and learn about life, walk the streets. That’s your trouble: your ignorance of life.”

“I didn't ask any questions. Everything I wanted to know was written in tortured phrases across the desolation of her face.”

Ask the Dust, like many of my books has been languishing on shelf for a number of years. My timing was perfect, I needed a short read before starting my Stegner, so I plucked it down and what a terrific surprise it turned out to be. I had completely forgot that it had been written in 1938. It follows a young Italian-American writer in dust-choked LA, who falls hard for a Mexican waitress, while struggling to write his first novel. The prose is sharp and spare, like a strand of barbed wire. Fante should have gotten the same recognition as Salinger, Nathanael West, or Kerourac and like those authors, they are not for everyone. Highly recommended.

I read Richard's early review of this too and he is also a big fan.

This is part of a loosely connected trilogy called The Saga of Arturo Bandini.

Hiya, Mark! Facebook threw up some memories of Booktopia in Asheville today. Good times!

>123 katiekrug: Hi, Katie. I got that FB memory too. I can't believe how long-ago Asheville was but I do remember having such a good time and I got to meet The Wayne too!! I sure miss that version of Booktopia.

In my copy of Ask the Dust, the novelist and poet, Charles Bukowski does the introduction. Here is a few lines from it:

…Then one day I pulled a book down and opened it, and there it was. I stood for a moment, reading. Then like a man who had found gold in the city dump, I carried the book to a table. The lines rolled easily across the page, there was a flow. Each line had its own energy and was followed by another like it. The very substance of each line gave the page a form, a feeling of something carved into it. And here, at last, was a man who was not afraid of emotion. The humor and the pain were intermixed with a superb simplicity. The beginning of that book was a wild and enormous miracle to me.
I had a library card. I checked the book out, took it to my room, climbed into my bed and read it, and I knew long before I had finished that here was a man who had evolved a distinct way of writing. The book was Ask the Dust and the author was John Fante. He was to be a lifetime influence on my writing."

>125 msf59: That's Bukowski at his best, his most clear-eyed, his most eloquent. And, of course, he was correct.

>123 katiekrug: Oh my, yes, you've got Bandini-algia! I agree with you, as I expect you already knew. Yay for Fante!

>126 richardderus: Hey, RD. Sadly, I have never read Bukowski. I will have to read him one of these days. I remember really enjoying the film Barfly, based on a screenplay by him. I am definitely sold on Fante. I hope I can remember to read more of his work.

-Bill Bramhall

>128 msf59: - Ha! and :-(

>127 msf59: Well, Post Office is a solid intro to Buk; Fante's Bandini books are the way forward there.

>122 msf59: That sounds intriguing.

Happy first birthday greetings to Jackson!

John is reading Rogues: right now. I may give it a go when he’s done.

>128 msf59: That’s about the size of it...

>129 jessibud2: Perfect reaction, Shelley. 😁

>130 richardderus: Why the heck did I never read Post Office, RD? DUH!! I will have to remedy that.

>131 quondame: Definitely a dark slice of early LA, Susan.

>132 Copperskye: Thanks, Joanne. He is our special boy. Glad to hear John is reading "Rogues". I am still on the first essay but I like it.

"Morning, the room full of sun. I wheel to the window and watch the robins digging worms in Grandfather's lawn. The grass is blue-wet in the open, green-dry under the pines. The air is so crisp it gives me a brief, delusive sense of heath and youth."

"Behind the pines the sun is shifting dazzle. It breaks through and glitters along the wet grass. Golden-crowned sparrows are hopping and pecking among the roses, a robin cocks his head to the underground noise of a worm out on the lawn, a pine top shakes to the impetuous landing of a jay."

-Angle of Repose

Mark, I pulled Say Nothing off the shelf, thanks to your impetus, and will be reading it come September. I hope I like it as much as you did!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

‘Morning, Mark! Happy Wednesday to you. Enjoy your busy day.

>128 msf59: Sad but true.

>134 msf59: Lovely writing from Angle of Repose! How far along are you now?

Karen O

>135 alcottacre: Happy Wednesday, Stasia. You are in for a dark treat with Say Nothing. Glad you have it lined up.

>136 karenmarie: Happy Wednesday, Karen. Not much reading getting done but a nice chunk of Jack time, so all good here.

>137 klobrien2: Happy Wednesday, Karen. I was busy today, so not getting much reading time in. I am about 240 pages in and hoping to get in another 20. Getting close to the halfway point.

-The New Yorker

>139 msf59: - LOL! I'm surprised it isn't an orange-haired man sitting behind the stand, though.

'Morning, Mark. Sweet Thursday. It's too early for a bird report, too early for anything except to say that my first cup of coffee's wonderful.

>139 msf59: My God. The illegalities and sheer chutzpah make me ill.

I hope your day goes well.

Morning Mark! So much cuteness here! Welcome to Juno!
>102 msf59: what a great picture!!
Enjoy your Thursday!!

>140 jessibud2: Maybe he is in disguise. Grins...

>141 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Lightly raining here at the moment so no bird activity either. Hope you are enjoying that coffee. I just poured my second cup.

>142 Carmenere: Sweet Thursday, Lynda. Always good to see you. I think Juno has settled in well here. A nice addition to our household.

^ I am 2 eps into Pachinko. I read the novel back in 2019. I didn't love it as much as others did but there was plenty to enjoy and I felt it would make a good series. It is slowly paced but that fits the narrative. I think this will be a good one. It is streaming on Apple +.

-Barn Swallow

^I have hardly taken any bird photos in over a month and not because I am too busy taking baby and dog photos but I am just not getting many opportunities. This lovely barn swallow did cooperate. We were in a shelter, overlooking a marsh and she was busy feeding her young. The nest was in the eaves of the shelter. The lighting was poor:

>144 msf59: - Bonnie recently tweeted that she'd finally found an adaptation of a book that was better than the book. I haven't read it but may give the series a go.

>146 katiekrug: Oh, that is great news, Katie. It sounds like Bonnie and I had similar feelings about the novel. I miss Bonnie. 😢

>145 msf59: Hi Mark! The nest shot's pretty darn good considering where birds hide their nests, IMO.

The shot of her outside is lovely. I think the twigs look like she was dreaming of herself in an Art-Nouveau palace.

Bookstacks HOO-OOOOOO!

Mark, there is semi-underground parking at a local supermarket and in the pipes along the ceiling, a ton of barn swallows used to make their nests. The mamas would dive-bomb you if you parked near them (which was always) and stood too long staring at their nests, especially after the babies hatched. Which, of course, I used to do all the time. I have taken many photos of them. One even made her nest on the top of those round red fire alarms. I once noticed that almost all the nests were on the pipes facing north and I once wrote to a local bird site to ask about this. They did not know if this was a thing. I also wrote to a local conservation authority to report that the supermarket had removed all the nests because customers were complaining about bird poop on their cars. Don't know if anything was done. I haven't actually been there in awhile but I really did love watching those barn swallows.

>148 richardderus: Hey, RD. Glad you like the barn swallow and the nest. It was a small observation shelter and there were a few of us in there but this Mama steered around us to feed those hungry mouths. Those little joys in life.

>149 jessibud2: Hi, Shelley. Thanks for the barn swallow story. I am glad you got to enjoy the nesting and feeding ritual. Always exciting to see. These parents must be exhausted by the end of the day.

I am about caught up with my reading and will start on Angle of Repose tonight. This will be a first time read for me and I am looking forward to this novel.

>151 benitastrnad: I am glad you will be starting Angle of Repose, Benita. I am deep into the novel, about 340 pages along. As good, if not better than my first time around.

>144 msf59: >146 katiekrug: >147 msf59:
Hi Mark and Katie,
I guess I'll delurk to say yes, I loved the tv version but then I wasn't a huge fan of the book. The series was a bit hard to follow at first but then it was very compelling and I really ended up living it.

I'll finally start Angle of Repose tomorrow Mark. Really looking forward to a reread. I haven't read it since the 80s so needless to say I remember very little about it other than the fact that I loved it and it kicked off a plunge into most of Stegner's novels. Miss you too. I'm trying to figure out how to re-engage.🥴

That's a great pic of you guys and the birthday boy! One for the album.

You got me with another BB, this time for Strange Piece of Paradise.

>146 katiekrug: Well that pushes me more toward watching the series. Thanks guys!

>153 brenzi: Happy Friday, Bonnie. Great to see you, my friend. I am not surprised to hear that you loved the series Pachinko and I agree it seems to really take off in ep 3, which I just finished. Watching anything else of note?
I am also glad to hear you are starting Angle of Repose. Please stop by and let us know how you are progressing. And fingers crossed on your re-engagement. 🤞

>154 Familyhistorian: Happy Friday, Meg and thanks. We like that photo too and glad to hear I caught you with a BB. It is a good one.

>155 Copperskye: I am sure you will like it, Joanne.

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you.

>145 msf59: Thanks for sharing the pics – The field shot is beautifully framed, and even with poor lighting I love the action shot.

Friday orisons, Grandpa, and enjoy your Jackson time.

>153 brenzi: OMG a Bonnie sighting! *waves*
Happy Friday Mark!

Great flicks, Mark! And love the "document stand" in >139 msf59:.

Saw this article about a mailman in our area--he's been spotted on our street, although I have yet to see him:
https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/07/06/meet-kalani-han-the-super-stylish-dapper...

>157 karenmarie: Happy Friday, Karen. Glad you like the swallow pics. I get lucky once in awhile.

>158 richardderus: Thanks, RD. Long day with Jackson. He is currently sitting in Grandma's lap. We will head to Bree's shortly.

>159 lauralkeet: A Bonnie sighting is always a special event around here, Laura. Yippee!

>160 kac522: Hi, Kathy. Great to see you. I LOVE the Dapper Mailman story. How cool! Thanks for sharing.

>138 msf59: >151 benitastrnad: It is not looking good for me to finish Angle in August, so I have gone ahead and put it on the TIOLI Challenge list for September - challenge #14, if anyone is interested in adding it as a shared read.

Happy Friday, Mark. I’m another one who loved Say Nothing. I was a fan of Pachinko, but a tv adaptation doesn’t call out to me. Should I keep bugging you to try Sandman?

I’m embarked on my first Rushdie, Midnight’s Children. So far so good. You’ve probably read him before?

Hi Mark. It's hard to believe that Jack is a year (and a few days) old. Next thing you know you'll be waving as he goes off to college! I'm so happy that they live close to you and that you are retired and can make a lot of memories as he grows up.

Hooray for a Bonnie sighting! After dropping out for a year, I still done feel totally reengaged for some reason. I'll keep plodding along, though, because this is a special group and I love getting to see what everyone is reading and doing for fun.

Thanks for sharing quotes from Angle of Repose, one of my favorite Stegner books. It got a 5-Star rating from me in 1997. Happy memories.

>162 alcottacre: Happy Saturday, Stasia. That is perfectly okay if you don't finish Angle this month. I am just glad that this shared read got people to this book, in either a reread or for the first time.

>163 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. Great to see you. Wasn't Say Nothing terrific? I am enjoying the series Pachinko but I understand if isn't calling to you to watch it. I have Sandman on my Watchlist. I have a couple of shows going now but once I finish one of them, I will start it. Funny, Midnight's Children was also my first Rushdie. I believe I did a Group Read on it. Glad you are enjoying it. I remember it be challenging but entertaining read.

>164 Donna828: Hi, Donna. Yes, we are blessed with having Jackson so close to us and spending as much time with him, that we do. We are treasuring every moment. Yep, great to see Bonnie pop in. Like you, she is such a special LT friend. We miss you when you disappear. Consider a reread of Angle one of these days. It sure holds up well. I think it could qualify for the Great American Novel.

^ Jack confided with me the other day, suggesting that he would have no problem cutting the lawn, when he gets older, as long as he could use the riding mower. ❤️❤️

'Morning, Mark! Happy Saturday.

166 Awww. Happy grandpa and cuteness overload.

>1687 Morning, Karen. Sean had left his riding mower out, (it needs repair) and Jackson kept climbing on it, so I decided to jump in the seat with him. He enjoyed it.

-The New Yorker

>169 msf59: - Ha! Almost spit my coffee.

>170 katiekrug: Glad you didn't spew your coffee, Katie. I thought that was a cute one to share and gives me a break from a Trump cartoon.

>169 msf59: LOLOLOL

>166 msf59: *baaawww* those are happy, happy guys out playin' with their machinery!

Saturday orisons, future Scholastique Mukasonga fan.

>166 msf59: What fun!

>169 msf59: Also fun.

>166 msf59: Aw, look at you two! So Jack's a climber too. Rowan's like "see a thing, climb on it." Love it!

>102 msf59: "One year today, this little guy rocked our world." So very true regarding when we become grandparents. I remember the first time Will saw Kayla he said "This little girl is SPECIAL!" I think we all feel that way about the first grandchild we have. Congratulations, and all good wishes for many incredible memories to come!

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday to you.

>169 msf59: Put a smile on my face.

A female Cardinal and two Finches are the meager bird report.

>172 richardderus: Happy Sunday, Richard. Glad you like the riding mower shot. We were just sitting on it. It was broke down anyway. LOL. Yes, I would like to check out Cockroaches.

>173 quondame: I am fun guy, Susan. LOL.

>174 Storeetllr: Yep, the boys like to climb. Jack can practically fly up a set of stairs. Happy Sunday, Mary.

>175 Whisper1: Hi, Linda. I know how much you adore your grandchild too. It is a very special connection. ❤️

>176 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. I have not peeked out at the feeders yet but I will be letting Juno out, so I will check soon.

^There are plans to make A Gentleman in Moscow into a dramatic series starring Ewan McGregor, as the Count. This could be a definite winner, if handled well:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/ewan-mcgregor-a-gentleman-in-moscow...

Hey Mark, I just read your post on Karen's thread where you mentioned a new (used) camper and I came over here hoping for photos. That's okay ... I'll wait. 😀

>166 msf59:. Jack looks so happy!

%>166 msf59: What a happy little helper.

>178 msf59: Exciting news, I loved the book. I can imagine the nature McGregor in the role Mark.

>179 lauralkeet: Hi, Laura. Yep, we got a camper. Yahoo! Only got a few photos. I will try to share them soon.

>180 banjo123: Happy Sunday, Rhonda. Jack was definitely enjoying himself on the riding mower.

>181 Caroline_McElwee: Hi, Caroline. Jack likes hanging with Grandpa. I agree with you about McGregor playing the Count. Good casting.

>178 msf59: I think McGregor would be excellent as the Count! Did you see the little Disney+ show, Obi-Wan Kenobi? McGregor reprised his role as Obi-Wan and was really good.

Looking forward to whatever comes of it…

Karen O

Hi Mark, I had fallen behind here but have finally caught up. I can't believe that Jackson has turned 1!! This last year seems to have sped by at rocket speed. Glad to hear that Juno is settling in nicely and that you have gotten a camper - can't wait until we get to hear about the trips you will soon be taking.

>183 klobrien2: Hi, Karen O! I have not seen Disney's Obi-Wan but I am a Star Wars fan and a McGregor fan, so looking forward to Gentleman.

>184 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy. Always good to see you. Yep, Jackson is one and still precious as ever. Juno has become a good fit in our household, despite a few wrinkles, which are to be expected. The camper was a nice surprise. It is all about timing. We still have a lot to do before we get it on the road.

^Okay, not only do we have a new dog we also now own a used camper, (or will very shortly). Sue found it on FB marketplace and it immediately sounded like it could work. We drove out to where the camper is being stored, about 30 miles from here. The seller walked us through everything and by the end of it, we agreed to purchase it. We have a lot of things to do before we can take it for a spin. We will leave it at this same storage facility for the time being. The storage fee is reasonable. It is a 2013 Salem Cruise Lite. 24 feet. I will have to share better photos, when I am able to.

Looks nice, Mark!

'Morning, Mark! Happy birding buddy adventure day.

>186 msf59: Looks immaculate, congrats.

Nice! We're considering getting a small teardrop trailer as I head into retirement in the next few years.

Hi, Mark!

Congrats on the RV! Very cool!

>186 msf59: WOW - that's huge! - much bigger than expected from a description of "camper" -
can't wait to see photos of Jackson heading on in.

>186 msf59: Oh that looks like you'll have nice comfy digs when you're out on the road!

>187 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. I would have liked bigger windows, but we are not inside all that much.

>188 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen. We had a good birding morning and we think the camper will be a good fit.

>189 drneutron: Thanks, Jim. Glad to hear you have a camper in mind for your retirement too.

>190 scaifea: Thanks, Amber! Yah!

>191 m.belljackson: Honestly, it is not as big as many of the campers we have seen. This might be the perfect size for us, it certainly is the perfect weight.

>192 quondame: Thanks, Susan. I think this camper will work out for us.

>186 msf59: Cool beans! Kerry and I have talked about potentially getting one of them once he decides he is going to retire, if ever.

Happy traveling creating many wonderful memories with your family. Just think about holding Jackson with a fishing pole in his hand!

>194 alcottacre: Hi, Stasia. We are the last of our camping club that had not bought a camper, so we are especially pleased with that.

>195 Whisper1: Hi, Linda. Well, you know we have a bed, in our camper, for our little Jackson so he will be taking trips with us and you know I can't wait to take him fishing.

>197 msf59: - Love this! You should frame these 2 pics in a side by side frame but turn them so they are both facing the same way, either Jackson horizontally or Juno vertically.. Precious

'Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you. I hope the Rehab stint goes well and that you get a lot of good reading in this afternoon.

>197 msf59: Sweet pics.

Have a terrific Tuesday, Mark!

>197 msf59: Love the pictures!

Hi, Mark. Looks like Jackson is having fun up there learning to drive. What a photogenic kid he is!

I’m still enjoying thr Rushdie book, although it’s taking me longer to get through it than I thought it would. My GN is thr second volume of the Dune adaptation by Herbert’s son, which I’m finding as good as the first.

I’m pulling for the Chicago Sky to bounce back tomorrow night. This year’s team is as good as the one that won the championship last year.

Hope your week is going well, buddy.

>198 jessibud2: Cute idea, Shelley. Thanks.

>199 karenmarie: Happy Tuesday, Karen. Rehab went fine and I ducked out early, due to a light work load. Glad you like the pics.

>201 alcottacre: Happy Tuesday, Stasia. Glad you like the pics.

>202 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. Glad you like the pic with Jack on the riding mower. My precious boy. I am glad to hear you are still enjoying the Rushdie and your current GN. Go Chicago Sky!!

I'm another of your fans who is startled at what you call a "camper". I picture a pop-up as being a camper. Wowzer. Yes, a home away from home. Happy for you and yours.

I saw an article yesterday (but can't remember where) pitching Sir Salman for the Nobel. (Joe's comment in >202 jnwelch: is what made me think of this). No one has been a more tireless advocate of literary freedom.

>204 weird_O: Howdy, Bill. I guess we are old school. We still call them campers but the better and more modern term is travel trailers. Honestly, the used one we just purchased is most typical "camper" seen right now, although ours is 9 years old.

Hooray for Mr. Rushdie!

Congrats on the RV purchase. It looks like quite a decent size!

>197 msf59: Ah yes, dependent mammals in most easily handled states. The one kind does it less and less the other more and more over the next decade.

>206 msf59: Are you announcing that you've made the goal? Congratulations!

>206 msf59: So Angle of Repose was #75, Mark, congratulations!

Congratulations on 75 reads Mark.

Love your new travellin' toy, and the happy sleepers.

>207 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Figs. We are hoping it will be a good fit.

>208 quondame: I think you lost me there, Susan. LOL. Yes, I snuck in my milestone announcement.

>209 FAMeulstee: Yes, it was, Anita and a fine 75 it was. Thanks.

>210 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks. Caroline. There is a lot happening right now. It will keep us hopping for the next 6 weeks.

Congratulations, Mark. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

'Morning, Mark, and congrats on #75, Angle of Repose. Good luck with today's focus group. Knowing you, you'll find birding buddies and proselytize for LT. *smile*

Congrats!

>197 msf59: Aw, absolute dolls, the both of them.

Congrats on 75, Mark!!

I'm going to have to postpone my reread of Angle of Repose as I can't get at my copy of the book easily Mark. I look forward to it latter in the year though.

>211 msf59: re:>208 quondame: Just that 10 year old boys sleep less than 1 year old ones and 10 year olds dogs more.

'Morning, Mark. Sweet Thursday to you.

It's just getting light and I haven't put out the suet or hummingbird feeders yet. The kitties have gone outside, the house is quiet. My favorite time of day when I wake up without the alarm.

Sweet Thursday, LTers. Happy September! I had a crazy, long day yesterday- I attended a focus group, dealing with a mock civil trial, (an actual ongoing case). It was downtown on E. Wacker Dr. I left the house at 640 and got back home at 7pm. I was paid over $300 bucks so it was worth it but barely. This was the second mock trial I have done. I have been doing these focus group/research events for a little extra cash but I may stick to events in the suburbs or from home.

>213 karenmarie: >219 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Sweet Thursday. Long day at the focus group. There wasn't much chit-chat among the participants. They kept us busy, which was good. I have not checked my feeders yet either.

>214 drneutron: >216 scaifea: Thanks, Jim & Amber.

>217 Caroline_McElwee: Hi, Caroline. I am just glad Angle of Repose is still set up for the future.

>218 quondame: Now, I got you, Susan. Sweet Thursday to you.

Great photo of you and Jackson on the riding mower, Mark, and congrats on reaching 75! Happy September, too :D

Yay for your milestone read being Angle of Repose! Such a terrific book. It's aged better than most of its 1972 counterparts.

Happy camperhood!

I have been stuck on Angle of Repose. Mostly because I am busy reading the Kansas Authors Club contest books and with the beginning of the semester rush for teaching classes at work. I have 1 1/2 books left to read on that project. Those books have proved interesting with one of them really good, but I am waiting to reserve judgement until I have read all of them. I am only on page 50 or so of Angle, but it is good so far and has captured my attention. I will finish it. It is just going to take longer than I thought. I will be ready to start Singapore Grip with you later this month as well.

I dragged out a biography off of my shelves this morning - thinking that I should read it, but I look at what I have stacked on the bedside table and think "NAW! Not now." My reading eyes are bigger than my reading ability.

Hi Mark, Congrats on the new travel trailer! Happy camping to you!

>197 msf59: Sweet sleepy babies!

And YAY for reaching 75 already!!!

>222 bell7: Thanks, Mary. Sweet Thursday.

>224 richardderus: Thanks, Richard. I will attempt to do a mini-review of Angle of Repose this weekend. A masterful novel.

>225 benitastrnad: Hey, Benita. Don't take as long with Angle as you did Big Rock. Grins...I agree it is a long, slow read but very rewarding, IMHO. If we have to put off Singapore Grip for a month or so, I am fine with it. What was the bio, you plucked off the shelf?

>226 Copperskye: Thanks, Joanne. Starting next week we are going to be pretty busy with this "new" travel trailer. We hope to get in a few trips before the season ends but a few things need to be done first.

"The epic tale of a brilliant woman who must reinvent herself to survive, moving from Mussolini's Italy to 1940s Los Angeles...Written with intelligence, wit, and an exhilarating sense of possibility, Mercury Pictures Presents spans many moods and tones, from the heartbreaking to the ecstatic. It is a love letter to life's bit players, a panorama of an era that casts a long shadow over our own, and a tour de force."

After finishing the excellent but lengthy Angle of Repose, I decided to kick off my September with the new and lengthy Mercury Pictures Presents. Back in 2013, A Constellation of Vital Phenomena was my favorite novel of that year and his short story follow up was pretty impressive too. That said, I am looking forward to his latest, after a long hiatus. I was also able to hear and meet Marra at a Booktopia event.

>228 msf59:
I pulled off a biography of Clementine Churchill and one of Elsa Schiaparelli. I am going to read the one on Clementine Clementine: The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill by Sonia Purnell for the Nonfiction challenge. It is biographies this month. I would like to read Elsa Schiaparelli by Meryle Secrest. I have a used copy of it that I purchased a long time ago for $5.00, but it is almost 400 pages. But the reading for the Kansas Authors Club is taking up most of my reading time and that, along with the extra teaching burden right now is kicking my butt. I haven't been reading as much as I would like.

>228 msf59: Oh, I hope you like it as much as I did! I still miss the characters.

What’s that lovely looking brew you have waiting for you?

>229 benitastrnad: - Can you give me the link to the non-fiction challenge? I seem to have lost it and can't find it in the groups

'Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you.

>228 msf59: Love your photo - beer, book, and PO truck. The baby stuff in the background is particularly endearing. I read A Constellation of Vital Phenomena in 2014 and rated it 4*. I'm not overwhelmed with the need to read his newest though.

Still too early for a bird report.

Morning, Mark!

I'm in charge of the children's section book displays at the library, and I thought I'd let you know what I choose for the picture book display theme for this month: Letters, Letter Writing, and How the Post Office Works!

>229 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita. Now, I remember you mentioning the Clementine Churchill bio. A friend just gave me Lady Clementine, a fictionalized look at her life. Look forward to your thoughts.

>230 Copperskye: Happy Friday, Joanne. I am only a few pages into Mercury Pictures Presents but I feel it is going to be something I like. The hazy IPA was very good. 😁

>231 jessibud2: You might want to PM her too.

>232 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. You are up early. Glad you like the book/beer photo and yep, lots of baby stuff lying around. Grins...

>233 scaifea: Morning, Amber. Yah, for including books about how the post office works. Hopefully, it is mostly positive. LOL.

Letter writing? What is that? Didn't they do that a hundred years ago?

Congrats on reading 75 books!

Enjoy your weekend

>235 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Figs. You have a great weekend too.

^Happy September! I had a very good reading month in August. The best book was my reread of Angle of Repose, followed closely by "Putin's Russia" & Young Mungo. Yep, not a stinker in the bunch. Not much set in stone for September but I really want to read a story collection and more Off the Shelf.

'Morning, Mark! Congrats on a good reading month in August. Sweet baby pic, of course...

Congratulations on reaching the magic 75, Mark. Thanks for warbling about Putin's Russia: The Rise of a Dictator. It was a good one.

Happy Sunday, Mark! September hooo-oo-ooo-ooooo!

>238 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. My reading is off to a slow start in September but I hope to read some good books. Yah, tiny baby Jackson.

>239 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I am glad you loved the Putin GN. Yep, great stuff.

>240 richardderus: Happy Sunday, Richard. Looking forward to a lazy book-filled day.

^A chip off the old block...

>242 msf59: Very nice, Marc! Yes, he’s already researching the subject. Lots of fun still to come.

>243 EllaTim: Happy Sunday, Ella. Jack gets a little restless when I read to him in my lap but it is great seeing him pick up the books on his own.

‘Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday to you.

>242 msf59: Yay for Jackson and books.

>245 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. I hope you have a very good day.

“In the city of angels there was a bungalow of saints.”

“Despite their love of cigarettes, physical inertia, and bootlegged grappa of questionable potability, the great-aunts exuded immortality. Perhaps credit went to their Mediterranean diet.”

“Her mother drank bourbon in the moonlight with an effortless air of unattainable elegance.”

-Mercury Pictures Presents I hope to spend a lot of time with this book today.

>242 msf59: - Such concentration in that first pic! Doesn't that just make your heart thump? A chip off the old block, indeed!

Good morning, Mark! :-)

Happy Sunday Mark with Jack reading away about a Farm!

Today's online "Birds and Blooms" has a really good feature on
changing Bird Migrations, including the Sand Hill Cranes.

>248 jessibud2: Hi, Shelley. Yes, I agree about Jack. It does make my heart leap, in the most glorious way.

>249 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. Sue and I are good with him about books and reading. I wish the parents did a better job. Yep, the sandies will be taking to the skies in vast numbers, in the coming weeks.

>242 msf59: Such a cutey!

Karen O

>242 msf59: Super cute. Are there bird board books?

Hi Mark, I wanted to let you know that I finished my reread of Angle of Repose earlier today and it's still a stunning five star read for me. Thank you for reminding me that I wanted to read it again. Since it was almost 40 years since I last read it I remembered absolutely nothing except the setting so it was as if I'd never read it. Held up beautifully.

>242 msf59: such a sweetheart😊

>251 klobrien2: >252 quondame: Thanks, Karen & Susan. I definitely have a few picture books featuring birds.

>253 brenzi: Happy Sunday, Bonnie. Great to see you. I am so glad you loved Angle on your reread. 40 years? Wow.
I also loved it all over again and like you, I didn't remember much of it. I hope we can do another reread one of these days.

^I hope all my American friends have a pleasant and safe holiday. I will be mostly tending to the books.

Hi Mark, and Happy Labor Day to you, too.

I just had a female Cardinal and a Carolina Chickadee on the sunflower seed feeder and have seen several hummingbirds.

>256 karenmarie: Happy Labor Day, Karen and hooray for the Carolina chickadee!

>242 msf59: Why am I not surprised that Jack is turning into a bookworm? Thank you to you and Sue for encouraging him. Sometimes parents are so busy that they can't fit the books in at the end of the day. It was always the last things my kids did at night. I didn't even mind if they kept a light on a little longer than the prescribed bedtime when they were reading independently. ;-)

Congrats on the camper!

Slightly belated congratulations on reaching 75, Mark.

>242 msf59: I really love that photo - he is a chip off the old block already!

>258 Donna828: Hi, Donna. We are going to keep working at it. Not enough boys read these days, IMHO. I like sure like the idea of kids reading before bed.

>259 banjo123: Thanks, Rhonda. We are excited.

>260 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. I have been reading to Jack from the beginning. Lately, he gets restless, while reading to him, in my lap, shoving the book away but we will keep at it, especially when he starts to understand the story.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Tuesday to you.

The usual suspects here at my feeders.

Keep at it with Jackson and reading. Maybe get down on the ground, start reading regardless if he's paying attention or not, and see if he comes over.

>237 msf59: I finally finished Angle of Repose, Mark, and am so happy to have done the re-read! I still love it. Hard to believe Jackson was ever that small :)

Have a terrific Tuesday!

>262 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. The usual suspects decimating my feeders too. Thanks for the advice on Jackson and books.

>263 alcottacre: Hi, Stasia. Hooray for finishing Angle of Repose and loving it, as much as the first time. I think Jackson is still a small baby but, you are right, compared to those first few months.

-Harry Bliss

>255 msf59: Ah, that's right. Everyone else celebrates in May. We're just that socialism-phobic.
I hope yours went well.

Hi Mark, Does Jack have any words yet? The Speech Pathologist in me always wants to know. If not it will happen soon! Our granddaughter 21 months is starting to put 2 words together. I love watching how that happens.

>266 quondame: Happy Wednesday, Susan. I didn't realize the rest of the world celebrated "Labor Day", in May. See, the kind of stuff you learn around here?

>267 mdoris: Hi, Mary. Good to see you. No, Jack hasn't started talking yet or walking. He is on his own schedule but he is such a character, I can't wait to see what comes out of his mouth. 21 months? Wow, she is taking her time.

Hi there Mr Mark. Cute pictures of Jackson, the now one year old.

Did you ever finish Mercury Pictures Presents? That one is on my soon to read list.

I'm moseying along with cozies and the assorted fiction and nonfiction. I'm also reading an early Doris Kearns Goodwin book, a bio of LBJ, among others.

Irritating that it's even a remote possibility.

>269 lindapanzo: Happy Wednesday, Linda. Great to see you, my friend. Yes, Jackson is still front and center in our lives. Did you see that we added a new pooch to our household? Her name is Juno and she has been a fine addition.

I am more than 2/3rds done with Mercury Pictures Presents. I am really enjoying it. Glad it is on your radar.

>270 richardderus: That is perfect, Richard. I can't believe that this guy still has such a firm grip on his party. Funny, they still accuse Biden of being the Great Divider.

^The Booker Short list has been announced. There are definitely some interesting titles on here. I think The Trees is one that holds the most interest for me. Has anyone read it? Glory has a promising premise too. The only one I have read is Small Things Like These, which I really liked. Booker worthy? Not sure. As a Strout fan, I will read Oh, William. Based on reviews and LT response, I think she was nominated more for her name, than the quality of this novel. That is a shame.

'Morning, Mark and sweet Thursday to you.

Can't believe I didn't post yesterday, but I'm struggling with getting some Friends stuff out to book sale volunteers and it's messing with my mind. Nothing I won't solve today or tomorrow, though.

Too dark for the bird feeder report.

>273 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. No worries, my friend. We do have a "life" outside of LT and sometimes it gets away from us. Good luck with the book sale tasks. Still a bit dim here too, for feeder watching.

^I just saw a notice that the author Peter Straub died. He was 79. In my younger years I read a lot more horror novels than I do now, mostly due to my Mom's love of the genre. Straub's Ghost Story is one of my very favorite horror novels. He also teamed up with Stephen King, in The Talisman. It has been over 40 years since I read it, but I remember it being entertaining. RIP, Mr. Straub.

I saw that Straub died. I think I have Ghost Story in the stacks, but I know I never read it. I should search for it. I did see the film adaption. I looked at Wiki just now about the film, skipping over the storyline, and noted that reviews were "mixed to negative". I remember that Fred Astaire was in it and that he didn't dance. (Ginger Rogers wasn't in it.) Anyway, at least one reviewer thought the film a bad adaption of a nicely convoluted novel. No need to put it on The WANT! List™, but I should get it onto the TBR shelf (wherever that is.

Have a good day, Mr. Bird Guy.

>272 msf59: I have The Trees in the BlackHole, but have not yet read it since my local library does not have it yet. I loved Small Things Like These, but doubt it will win, which is a shame.

Have a thunderous Thursday!

Hi Mark! Welcome to the post-Elizabethan Age. Hope you're doing everything you want to.

>276 weird_O: Howdy, Bill. Always good to see you. I highly recommend reading Ghost Story. I also saw and enjoyed the film, although it wasn't perfect. It was good to see the old stars, including Astaire and John Houseman. I had a good day with Juno.

>277 alcottacre: Hi, Stasia. Maybe we can do a shared read of The Trees, if I can get a hold of a copy. Keep that it in mind.

>278 richardderus: Hey, RD. The Queen is all over the news, while I eat dinner. I had a good afternoon with my books and Juno, who keeps an eye on my goings on.

>275 msf59: Sad news. It’s been decades since I read Ghost Story. I don’t remember a lot about it except that it is, and will always be, the scariest book I have ever read. The Talisman was great, too.

I didn’t realize until I read about his death that the author, Emma Straub is his daughter. I never put the names together.

Hi Mark. I thought of you when I saw this.

>280 Copperskye: "and will always be, the scariest book I have ever read." I may have to agree, Joanne. The Shining comes a close second. Our tastes in books have always been closely aligned, that must be why we remain such close buds. ❤️

Happy Friday!

>281 Whisper1: I LOVE that quote and I LOVE that image, Linda. You are always thinking of me.

-Clay Bennett

'Morning, Mark, and happy Friday to you. Enjoy your Jackson day.

>283 msf59: I'm sorry about Queen Elizabeth II's passing, both because she was an amazing person and because we now have King Charles III.

>284 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Just getting ready to head over to Brees. Yah for Jackson day!

>283 msf59: - Bittersweet

>283 msf59: That is lovely and poignant, Mark. Thank you.

>272 msf59: I think it is a really wide open one this year, Mark.

>283 msf59: Awww, really hitting the right spot.

>286 jessibud2: I agree, Shelley.

>287 PaulCranswick: Happy Weekend, Paul. Glad you like my little tribute to The Queen and I agree, there are some interesting titles on the Booker short list.

>288 FAMeulstee: Yes, Anita, the tributes keep pouring in.

^Hitting the trails today with Jackson. He napped for most of us, so he didn't help with the bird spotting but I sure like having him along. Perfect company. In the bottom photo, he had just woken up so it was tough getting a smile out of him.

>290 msf59: Like he's starting to wave the paparazzi off!

Happy weekend, Mark!

>291 quondame: It does look like that, doesn't it? LOL.

>292 figsfromthistle: Back at you, Figs. Have a nice one.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Saturday to you.

Cardinals, House Finches. Yesterday afternoon I had a Carolina Chickadee and a male Goldfinch on the feeders. Hummingbirds, too.

"A deliciously funny, delectably shocking banquet of wild-but-true tales of life in the culinary trade from Chef Anthony Bourdain, laying out his more than a quarter-century of drugs, sex, and haute cuisine."

Somehow, I have made it through these many decades without really knowing anything about Anthony Bourdain, other than he was in the culinary field and that he committed suicide. Maybe, I just do not watch any cooking or travel shows. Well, I was just finishing up Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks and the last piece was a profile of Bourdain and I knew I had to read this memoir. I just started the audio, which Bourdain narrates. I also noticed that several of my book buddies loved this memoir, as well. Better late...

>294 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Still dim out in the yard, at the moment, so I can't see much. Your feeders are hopping though.

>295 msf59: - It's a great audio. I love Bourdain. His food-travel shows are excellent but always give me itchy feet when I watch them. They added many a place to my travel bucket list :)

I finished a book the other day I think you'd like. Have you read Waltzing the Cat by Pam Houston? It's a collection of linked short stories about a nature photographer and has some beautiful descriptions of places, especially out west.

>283 msf59: That one's the best of all the tribute cartoons I've seen. So true, too.

Have a lovely, Mark.

>295 msf59: He was fun to watch for a few shows, but his sort of gonzo macho food extremism wore out my interest.

>297 katiekrug: >298 katiekrug: I am sure my enjoyment of Kitchen Confidential will lead me to watching a few of his TV shows, Katie. I am surprised I had not globbed onto Waltzing with the Cat already, especially since I loved her story collection Cowboys are My Weakness and her excellent memoir Deep Creek. Thanks for the reminder.

>299 richardderus: Hey, RD. Glad you liked the Queen cartoon. I also thought it was perfect.

>300 quondame: I will keep that in mind, Susan. Have you ever read any of his work? I am finding him to be a gifted writer.