Joe's Book Cafe 2016 Door 17

Art by Vicky Mount

Welcome back to the cafe!

2016 Books

January

1. Hattie Ever After by Kirby Larson
2. Saint Odd by Dean Koontz
3. Tricky Twenty-Two by Janet Evanovich
4. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
5. Cold Mountain by Han Shan (re-read)
6. Bryant & May and the Burning Man by Christopher Fowler
7. Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler
8. Valis by Philip K. Dick
9. Neon Vernacular by Yusef Komunyaka

February

10. Tokyo Decadence by Ryu Murakami
11. The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher
12. Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen by Lois McMaster Bujold
13. Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
14. Martian Time-Slip by Philip K. Dick
15. The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie
16. Natural Birth by Toi Derricotte
17. A Thousand Mornings by Mary Oliver
18. Winterdance by Gary Paulsen
19. Heap House by Edward Carey

March

20. Evicted by Matthew Desmond
21. Pax by Sara Pennypacker
22. Voyage of the Sable Venus by Robin Coste Lewis
23. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
24. Dead Man's Mirror by Agatha Christie
25. White Sky, Black Ice by Stan Jones
26. Shifting Shadows by Patricia Briggs
27. Divine Invasion by Philip K. Dick
28. Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
29. Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs
30. Fair Game by Patricia Briggs
31. Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs
32. Venetia by Georgette Heyer
33. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
34. Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer

April

35. Off the Grid by C.J. Box
36. Lighthead by Terrence Hayes
37. At The Threshold of Memory by Marjorie Agosin
38. A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin
39. Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs
40. The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
41. Life on Mars by Tracy K. Smith
42. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Inga Moore (re-read)
43. The Transmigration of Timothy Archer by Philip K. Dick
44. In a Different Key: The Story of Autism by John Donvan
45. Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb
46. The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan
47. Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer
48. The Bangkok Asset by John Burdett
49. The Swallows by Adriana Ramirez
50. The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson
51. The Siege of Krishnapur by J.G. Farrell
52. The Island of Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

May

53. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
54. Shaman Pass by Stan Jones
55. Poems from the Typewriter Series by Tyler Knott Gregson
56. My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
57. Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
58. Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie
59. Without: Poems by Donald Hall
60. Dancing at the Rascal Fair by Ivan Doig
61. A Whole Life by Robert Seethaler
62. Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan
63. Anna and the Swallow Man by Gavriel Savit
64. Zero World by Jason M. Hough
65. The Dream of a Common Language by Adrienne Rich
66. The Highwayman by Craig Johnson
67. Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorenson

June

68. The Royal Wulff Murders by Keith McCafferty
69. Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
70. Uprooted by Naomi Novik
71. Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
72. Dodgers by Bill Beverly
73. Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye
74. Application for Release from the Dream by Tony Hoagland
75. Waterloo: The History of Four Days by Bernard Cornwell
76. The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge
77. Silence in the Snowy Fields by Robert Bly
78. The Rook by Daniel O'Malley
79. An Infamous Army by Georgette Heyer
80. The Well Speaks of Its Own Poison by Maggie Smith

July

81. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
82. What is This Thing Called Love by Kim Addonizio
83. Charcoal Joe by Walter Mosley
84. Night Sky with Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong
85. The Spanish Bride by Georgette Heyer
86. Ubik by Philip K. Dick
87. Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave
88. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
89. The Wayward Bus by John Steinbeck
90. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
91. The Last One by Alexandra Oliva
92. Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
93. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
94. Aeneid Book VI by Seamus Heaney

August

95. The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancy
96. The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu
97. Flaubert's Parrot by Julian Barnes
98. Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry
99. Dragon in Exile by Sharon Lee
100. I Shot the Buddha by Colin Cotterill



Graphic Novels

1. The Fade Out by Ed Brubaker
2. Concrete Park by Tony Puryear
3. The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage by Sydney Padua
4. Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
5. Killing and Dying by Adrian Tomine
6. Sleeper by Ed Brubaker
7. Where is Jake Ellis by Nathan Edmondson
8. Lucifer by Mike Carey
9. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep Omnibus by Philip K. Dick
10. Super Mutant Magic Academy by Jillian Tamaki
11. The Fade Out Volume 2 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips
12. Low Moon by Jason
13. The Fade Out Volume 3 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips
14. Fatale by Ed Brubaker
15. Demo by Brian Wood
16. Alex + Ada by Jonathan Luna
17. Step Aside, Pops by Kate Beaton
18. The Property by Rutu Modan
19. Descender by Jeff Lemire
20. Ms. Marvel Vol. 4 by G. Willow Wilson
21. The Sleeper Omnibus by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips
22. Lucifer Volume 2 by Mike Carey
23. Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan
24. The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks
25. Ruins by Peter Kuper
26. Harrow County by Cullen Bunn
27. The Story of Mu by James Cordova
28. Torpedo Volume 1 by Enrique Sanchez Abuli
29. Lucifer Book Three by Mike Carey
30. Pocket Full of Rain by Jason
31. Batgirl by Gail Simone
32. Descender Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan
34. Deadly Class by Rick Remender
35. How to Fall Forever (Black Science) by Rick Remender
36. Hawkeye Volume 3 and Hawkeye Volume 4 by Matt Fraction
37. Wonder Woman: Earth One by Grant Morrison
38. The Planetary Omnibus by Warren Ellis
39. Princess Black by Shannon Hale
40. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and Amy Corzine
41. The Private Eye by Brian K. Vaughan
42. Missed Connections by Sophie Blackall
43. Patience by Daniel Clowes
44. How to Talk to Girls at Parties by Neil Gaiman
45. Maggie the Mechanic by Gilbert Hernandez
46. Almost Silent by Jason
47. Saga Volume 6 by Brian K. Vaughan
48. Lucifer Book Four by Mike Carey
49. Ms. Marvel Vol. 5 by G. Willow Wilson
50. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells and Lewis Helfland

Top 5 First Quarter of 2016

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Tokyo Decadence by Ryu Murakami (finally available in the U.S.)
Evicted by Matthew Desmond
Pax by Sara Pennypacker
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Top 5 Second Quarter 2016

A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin
The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanthi
Without: Poems by Donald Hall
Lab Girl by Hope Jahren

Top graphic novels so far in '16:

Super Mutant Magic Academy by Jillian Tamaki
The Sleeper Omnibus by Ed Brubaker
The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks
Pocket Full of Rain by Jason
How to Talk to Girls at Parties by Neil Gaiman
Saga Volume 6 by Brian K. Vaughan

Fans of H is For Hawk might appreciate this one by Ted Hughes:

Hawk Roosting

I sit in the top of the wood, my eyes closed.
Inaction, no falsifying dream
Between my hooked head and hooked feet:
Or in sleep rehearse perfect kills and eat.

The convenience of the high trees!
The air's buoyancy and the sun's ray
Are of advantage to me;
And the earth's face upward for my inspection.

My feet are locked upon the rough bark.
It took the whole of Creation
To produce my foot, my each feather:
Now I hold Creation in my foot

Or fly up, and revolve it all slowly -
I kill where I please because it is all mine.
There is no sophistry in my body:
My manners are tearing off heads -

The allotment of death.
For the one path of my flight is direct
Through the bones of the living.
No arguments assert my right:

The sun is behind me.
Nothing has changed since I began.
My eye has permitted no change.
I am going to keep things like this.

The art in the cafe continues to please!

>6 RBeffa: Ha! Good to hear, Ron!

First in the door gets the key to this library:

well thank you kindly. I think I could sit in there for quite a long time. I'll bring a cat for my lap and I'll be good.

I enjoyed Dark Matter a couple months back as an early reviewer book. Glad to see you and others having a go with it. One of my favorite books of the year so far. I can't recall if it was you or Mark crowing about Double Cross. I had read part of it a year or two ago when I had read several WWII books set in occupied France and Britain but it didn't really grab me. The meat of the story was great but the telling with a few too many names I couldn't keep straight dampened my enthusiasm. As I am still interested in the subject I picked it up from the library again and will see how it goes.

>8 RBeffa: Good to hear from another fan of Dark Matter, Ron.

I haven't read Double Cross yet; I was crowing about Agent Zigzag and A Spy Among Friends, and I'm looking forward to getting my ER copy of his new one, Rogue Heroes. Anne and Brodie and maybe others were crowing about Double Cross, I believe.

OK. I remember seeing Rogue Heroes and was tempted but I limited myself to one request, The Wolf Road and won it. I will be happy when that one shows up in my mailbox. Rogue Heroes sounds very good. Hope you enjoy it.

Have fun on your meetup tonight.

And again, amazing toppers! I especially love the quirky humor of the first one. (What are YOU lookin' at?, as Jesse Stone would say.)

>10 RBeffa: Yeah, I normally also only request one or two, Ron. I'll look forward to hearing about The Wolf Road. I see it's recommended to me by LT based on my liking The Last One by Alexandra Oliva.

>11 laytonwoman3rd: Oh good, Linda. Glad you like the toppers. That first one is amusing, isn't it? I like the quirky humor of the 4th one, too - what led to that moment?

>5 jnwelch: a knockout, like yes! yes! yes!

good thoughts: happy new thread, splendid weekend, delightful last of toppers especially.

>13 mirrordrum: Happy Weekend, Ellie! Glad you like the poem and thread and 4th topper especially. I'm departing to catch up with our pal kidzdoc for some dinner. Hope you have a fine time this weekend.

Happy new one, Joe! LOVE those toppers - made me smile big.

Happy new thread, Joe.

Pleased of course to see Ted Hughes feature up top.

Have a great weekend.

Happy new one, Joe. What colourful opening.

Happy New thread! And hope you had fun with Darryl at dinner. : )

Am seeing you enjoyed Binti great to hear, Dark matter is on order at the Library ...

Nice toppers up there

Happy Saturday, Joe! Happy New Thread! Love the mount toppers.

I am sure you had a nice Meet-Up with Darryl.

I am starting Dark Matter today. Feels like a good time...

>15 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie. Yay! It's a good day when I can make Mamie smile big!

>16 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. I thought of you with that Ted Hughes poem, as I know you're a big fan. Brother Mark is reading Crow right now.

>17 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara. Isn't that colorful? She's located in Edinburgh.

>18 Berly: Thanks, Kim. We had a grand time with friend Darryl at dinner. I'll try to post some pics later on - but knowing him, if you get over to his thread, he probably already has some up.

>19 roundballnz: Good to see you, Alex. Yes, I liked Binti a lot. Thanks again for the nudge. Have you read others by her?

Glad you're tracking down Dark Matter; you'll have a good time with that one. Aren't those toppers fun?

>20 msf59: Happy Saturday, Mark! Thanks re the thread, and I'm glad you're enjoying the Mount toppers.

Yay for Dark Matter! Better set everything else aside for a while. :-)

We had a most excellent time with Darryl; showed him the house, and had quite a dinner at a Peruvian restaurant, with piscos. Becca joined us, so he finally got to meet her and vice versa, and then we walked her home and he got to meet the furry Sherlock.

Next time we'll figure out a way to have you join us. It was a squeeze-in while his convention was going on this time.

Hope you have a great weekend!

>21 jnwelch: Mark is really taking huge strides forward with his poetry reading after that great AAC April. Crow is pretty heavy stuff for a first intro into Hughes.

Saw pictures of your meet-up with Darryl over at his thread - wish I could have snuck along for the ride.

>24 PaulCranswick: Mark sure is taking huge strides with his poetry reading, isn't he, Paul. He's a mighty book reader, that guy.

I guess you're right about Crow being heavy stuff to start with for Hughes. But it's so good. Plus Mark is well-equipped for travel in the darker reading regions. :-)

Yes, I just saw the pics on Darryl's thread. Hani can show you more on FB. Wish you could've been there, too. Maybe we can all meet up in Yorkshire some day, or Kuala Lumpur.

"Darker Reading Regions" are a familiar and beloved stomping grounds for me. Grins slyly...

>24 PaulCranswick: I am so glad this door has opened for me. I know I still have a lot to learn but I am enjoying the journey. "Crow" is a bit heavy for me but I do admire the fiery verse.

>26 msf59: :-) Well put, buddy. Great to have you on poetry street. You're opening doors for me with what you're finding.

Happy new thread Joe have a wonderful weekend.

Thanks, Rae. We're having a fine time, we are. Just saw the new Jason Bourne movie - action-packed. Hope you have a wonderful weekend, too.

^Not sure if you were keeping it a secret or not, but what the hell: Happy Birthday, Joe! Hope you have a fine day with your family and can relax with a couple cold ones later on. I know I plan on it.

Oh! Happy, Happy Birthday!! I didn't know what flavor you'd like....

Happy Birthday Joe hope you had a spectacular day.

>30 msf59: Ha! Thanks, Mark. It just felt kinda weird to announce a birthday. We've got stuffed pizza coming from Bacino's on Lincoln, and I just finished an Xtra-Citra Pale Ale from Minneapolis.

Tip one for me, and I'll do the same in honor of your weekend starting. :-)

>31 Berly: Thanks, Kim! Those look good. I believe I'll try them all . . .

>32 GeezLouise: Thanks, Rae. It's been pretty darn spectacular. My lovely wife just gave me a Funko Pop Dr. Strange to top it off. Now we're going to watch a Phryne Fisher mystery.

>1 jnwelch: I love the snow angel up top! He looks so carefree, and so does his cat.

Happy birthday, glad you liked the Bourne film, it might be a little too full on for me! Plus, the international film fest is on for the next two weeks so I have a plate full of options already.

Happy Birthday, Joe! Sounds like you are having a good one.

>23 jnwelch: I have not read any others yet .... must see if can track them down, maybe on Audible since my account credits have built up again

Happy birthday to you, Joe, and happy new thread! LOVE the artwork up top. They remind me of the beloved Mr. Putter and Tabby books.

Happy new thread and happy birthday, Joe. Love the thread toppers!

>34 LovingLit: Isn't that snow angel one great, Megan?

Thanks re the birthday; it was a good 'un. Lots of books, including Jane Austen Cover to Cover: 200 Years Years of Classic Book Covers, which I'm already enjoying.

Yeah, there are tons of intriguing movies out there right now, aren't there. We did enjoy the new Jason Bourne one. Matt Damon is so good in that part, and it's got the Danish Girl/Ex Machina star, Alicia Vikander, in it, too. It seems pretty clear at the end that this one be the last one, either.

>35 ronincats: Thanks, Roni. It was a beaut of a birthday. I've got to kick my book reading in gear to take advantage of all the new arrivals. I did finish Homegoing, which was excellent - no surprise there, given all the LT buzz.

>36 roundballnz: You and me both, Alex. I wishlisted a couple more of hers, Who Fears Death and Kabu Kabu.

>37 AMQS: Thanks, Anne! Glad you're loving Vicky Mount's art up there. I don't know the Mr. Putter and Tabby books, but if you enjoy illustrations with cats, you should look for more by Vicky Mount; it's one of her favorite themes.

>39 jnwelch: Thanks, Meg! Her illustrations make me smile. No one's mentioned the third one; I get a kick out of that sneaky dog.

>41 jnwelch: Poor Calvin's Mum!

Happy Birthday Joe. Hope you've had a great day. Do we get a picture of your birthday haul?

Love the topper art - the cat in the snow made me smile.

>42 charl08: Hi, Charlotte.

It's a challenge for Calvin's Mum to deal with his craziness, isn't it.

The cat in the snow makes me smile, too - and I like that the dressed-up man with a briefcase decided to flop in the snow and make an angel. :-)

It was a great birthday, thanks in large part to Madame MBH, seasonsoflove and the wily Sherlock.

You convinced me to pull it together, so here's my birthday haul:



The Funko Pops are weaponized Lizzie, Jane, Darcy and Reverend Collins from Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (they don't have just plain Pride and Prejudice figures yet, I'm told), and an old school, pre-Benedict Cumberbatch, Dr. Strange. At top are two DVDs and the newest Nickel Creek CD.

Very nice!!

>40 jnwelch: Ah yes, the sneaky dog, as someone who has lived with many dogs in the past that one struck a chord but didn't really catch my attention as much as the next one with the cat making snowangels - that atypical cat behaviour was what really caught my eye; that and the lego girl in the library stacks.

Happy Birthday, Happy New Thread, and Happy great Haul, Joe! my recent addiction to Orange is the New Black on Netflix means I spend 2-3 hours a day watching 2,3 episodes every day, which obviously encroaches on my social time and everything else!

I really really loved H is for Hawk, and felt almost certain even before I picked it up that I'd want to read The Goshawk by TH White, knowing she had been strongly influenced by it. Hesitated on which to read first, and the former won out, but I wasted no time in ordering the White book shortly after finishing it (or perhaps even while I was listening to HMs book). How about you, do you think you'll be tempted by that one eventually?

>44 Berly: Thanks, Kim. The family was mighty good to me. Our lovely daughter went beyond the call of duty in getting me the Austen Funko Pops.

>45 Familyhistorian: Oh, I'm glad you mentioned the Lego girl in the library stacks, Meg. I really like that one. As I mentioned, if cat behavior catches your fancy, look for more by Vicky Mount, as they're featured in a lot of her art, and they're all charming.

>46 Smiler69: Thanks, Ilana! You know, I'm pretty sure Ellie loves Orange is the New Black, too. I should probably check it out sometime.

Like you, I loved H is for Hawk. It's funny, her description of T.H. White's Goshawk book in H is for H didn't tempt me to read it. It sounded to me like he missed the boat (or the hawk) a bit, but maybe I was reading too much into it. If you end up loving The Goshawk, I'll likely read it, as those birds fascinate me.

Happy Sunday, Joe! I am having a great day off but I NEED more reading time. I am having a good time with Dark Matter. He must have wrote this before the '16 season, when the Cubbies were still the "lovable losers". LOL.

Sweet birthday gift haul! It is nice having family buy the "right" things for you.

Gorgeous weather today too! I wish we can get a long stretch of it.

>41 jnwelch: LOL

>43 jnwelch: Nice book haul.

Big waves from the French Alps.

Happy Sunday, Mark! IT has been a great day, hasn't it. I know what you mean about needing more reading time! I did manage to finish Heaney's Aeneid Book VI, which was excellent - what skill he had as a translator - and get a ways into The Infinite Sea.

Isn't that a sweet haul the family gave me? I'm a lucky guy.

>49 Ameise1: Hi, Barbara. Glad we gave you a laugh and you like the book haul. Big waves back - I'm sure you're having a great time in the French Alps. I'll come visit and see if there's any news on your thread.

Happy birthday, Joe--great haul!--I see that Persuasion DVD at the top--one of my all-time favorite films. Enjoy!

Wow, excellent birthday haul, Joe!

>43 jnwelch: Great looking pile of reading there, Joe! Bestest birthday wishes came true, I see.

>51 kac522: Thanks, Kathy! Yeah, that's the Persuasion with Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root. I'll bet you were one of the warblers about it who piqued my interest. I love the book - it's my second favorite after P & P. I'm also psyched about having that Jane Austen 200 Classic Covers book.

>52 scaifea: Thanks, Amber!

>53 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks, Linda! They all know me well by now. I'm already into the second Fifth Wave book and the Jane Austen covers one.

Calvin has it nailed. Is that the explanation for Trump?

>56 weird_O: Ha! It's probably as good an explanation for Trump as any, Bill. This election year has seemed like a bad reality tv show a lot of the time, hasn't it.

Sherlock has begun a new career as a book model.

Morning Joe! Warming up out here but the humidity seems to be more comfortable, so that is good.

So glad you started the Liu collection, so we can keep the warblin' machine going. I heard him on a podcast earlier. What a smart, interesting guy.

>55 jnwelch: Perfect.

>59 msf59: Good to hear re the interview with Mr. Liu, Mark.

We've got a lunch meeting today, but I'll try to get out for a bit afterwards.

Madame MBH shared this Billy Collins poem with her storytellers' writing group yesterday:

ADVICE TO WRITERS
by Billy Collins from Sailing Alone Around the Room

Even if it keeps you up all night,
wash down the walls and scrub the floor
of your study before composing a syllable.

Clean the place as if the Pope were on his way.
Spotlessness is the niece of inspiration.
The more you clean, the more brilliant
your writing will be, so do not hesitate to take
to the open fields to scour the undersides
of rocks or swab in the dark forest
upper branches, nests full of eggs.

When you find your way back home
and stow the sponges and brushes under the sink,
you will behold in the light of dawn
the immaculate altar of your desk,
a clean surface in the middle of a clean world.

From a small vase, sparkling blue, lift
a yellow pencil, the sharpest of the bouquet,
and cover pages with tiny sentences
like long rows of devoted ants
that followed you in from the woods.

>62 jnwelch: Love it. I hope your day is going well.

Is it too late to wish you a happy birthday, Joe?

Sounds like you had a great day - well-deserved, I'm sure!

>63 Ameise1: It is, Barbara, thanks. I hope this is another excellent day for you in the Alps.

>64 katiekrug: Never too late to wish me a happy birthday, Katie! I'm trying to stretch it out as long as I can. :-)

Thanks - it was a great day. Madame MBH is awfully nice to me, and our daughter and her furry sidekick were swell to me, too. I loved every minute of it.

Thanks for posting the stack - love the dolls too. I've still not ventured into P & P and Zombies. Perhaps I should?

The trumpeter is wonderful too. And Collins makes me laugh (and sigh) as usual.

>54 jnwelch: Ah, Persuasion the DVD! I've owned it for years and it's time for another look. In addition to the principals, Sophie Thompson (Emma's sister) as Mary and Corin Redgrave (Vanessa and Lynn's brother) as Mr. Elliot, give wonderful, layered performances. They clearly paid great attention to the text and every time I read the book (often, as it is my fave) I can hear these two speaking Austen's words.
Happy belated Joe!

hello oh older and wiser one.

>62 jnwelch: ah!

>67 NarratorLady: hi Anne. this is embarrassing. i can't remember if i've read Persuasion. i believe not. your favorite? mmmmm. it's like one of those whaddayacallem towers where you keep pulling bricks out of the stack and the stack gets taller but also more unwieldy. my stack is on the verge of having no wield atall atall.

Incredible art illustrations opening your thread. I haven't heard of this artist, but I'll check into her. As usual, you find some of the most unique artists. I enjoy visiting here.

Happy New(ish) Thread, Joe! I'm glad that you had a great birthday with Becca, Debbi and Sherlock, and your B-Day book haul looks fabulous. Thanks again for a lovely evening out on Friday; it was definitely one of the highlights of a memorable and special five day visit to Chicago.

>41 jnwelch: Oof. I'm about to have a bowl of homemade West African chicken mafé (groundnut stew) over rice. I'll try to avoid thinking about maggots while I eat. ;-)

>55 jnwelch: Yep. Calvin, as always, is wiser than many of us.

>62 jnwelch: Nice art work of Miles Davis!

Joe, you and Mark (and I know he'll see it here) may well be interested in the University of Chicago Press free book for August.

Rising up from Indian Country: The Battle of Dearborn and the Birth of Chicago by Ann Durkin Keating

Two hundred and four years ago this month, Captain Nathan Heald undertook a hurried evacuation of ninety-four people from the isolated outpost of Fort Dearborn—near where the Chicago River meets Lake Michigan—to Fort Wayne, hundreds of miles away. Barely started on the journey, the party was attacked by five hundred Potawatomi warriors. The battle became a foundational moment in the creation of the city of Chicago. Our free e-book for August, Rising Up from Indian Country: The Battle of Fort Dearborn and the Birth of Chicago by Ann Durkin Keating, relates the history of this crucial period.
“Keating’s well-researched book rights some misconceptions about the old conflicts, the strategies of the whites and Indians to keep their land, and how early Chicago came to exist.”—Publishers Weekly
We have many more books about Chicago—its history, architecture, arts, and literature. Get 20% off any of these books or e-books when you use promo code UCPCHI.

Here is the link for the free book. The only downside is they don't have mobi format for Kindle, but you can read it on your computer or phone.
http://www.press.uchicago.edu/books/freeEbook.html

Happy belated Birthday, Joe! Sounds like you had a great day. And there's a new Nickel Creek CD? Off to Amazon I go!

Hope you're having a good night!

>68 mirrordrum: Having a Jenga problem, Ellie? (I think that's what it's called.). It's worth a topple to read Persuasion! If it helps, it's the shortest of Austen's six novels. Audible has it read by the sublime Juliet Stephenson and the NLS version is read by Carmen Matthews, a wonderful actress, not British but I bet she could pull it off. Still it's hard to beat Miss Juliet reading Austen.

I love the art by Vicky Mount!! Cats!! And dogs!! (And people!)

>58 jnwelch: He's so cute!

Sorry I missed your birthday but it appears that you celebrated in style and acquired an excellent book haul. And your thread makes me miss Bill Watterson more and more. I wonder how he would, um, "capture" the current political environment. I actually found myself watching the Democratic convention every night last week. It slowed down the reading and the LT posting but it was captivating. Obama is an amazing orator.

I hope you're having a great post-birthday week!

Morning, Joe! LOVE the Collins poem.

>66 charl08: You're welcome, Charlotte. I'll give you my take on P & P & Zombies - if you're an Austen purist, skip it. If the idea gives you a chuckle, personally, I wouldn't read the book, but you might enjoy the movie. It's no great shakes, but it is fun to have Lizzie and Jane and others competently taking on the living dead while in the midst of a comedy of manners.

We may have patrons who've read the book, and can comment on that.

Isn't that street art well done? Collins has such a knack for humor and wisdom, IMO. Glad you enjoyed that one. It was perfect for her writers' group.

>67 NarratorLady: Yes! Great to hear, Anne. I'm looking forward to watching this Persuasion. Such a good story. P & P remains my #1, but Persuasion is a close second. I also always urge folks to give Lady Susan a try, in particular because it's outside of the big six. It's very funny and good - the new movie is based on it, despite the movie's use of the Love and Friendship name (another JA book well worth reading and laughing over).

>68 mirrordrum: Hi, Ellie.

Thank goodness we get wiser as we get older, as the increased time and effort requirement for keeping the body operable can be mighty frustrating, right? You know that one way better than I do.

Oh, I hope you try Persuasion, despite that toppling tower. As Anne says, it's a shortie, and it's so worth the read!

>69 Whisper1: Oh good, Linda. I know you're a big time appreciator of illustration art, and Vicky Mount seems right up your alley. I'm very glad you enjoy visiting here - we sure enjoy your stopping by. :-)

>70 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl! We all had a great time with you on Friday. In an ideal world (from our POV), you'd be a Chicagoan. So please come back soon! (Hard to complain too much, as we look forward to seeing you next month in London).

Rice - if you do think of maggots instead of rice, just think of the fun you'll have (like Calvin) telling your partners and other friends what you ate.

Isn't that an excellent street rendering of Miles? I know you're a major fan of MD. Me, too, but I feel like, as much as I've listened to, I've barely tapped into all that he did. I'd like to spend several days of immersion some time. Wish I could've heard him live.

P.S. I'm going to get my act together today and post a couple of the Friday night pics.

>71 ronincats: Thanks for the great tip, Roni. Free is always my favorite price. I'll check it out. I'm facing a formidable mountain of reading post-birthday, but at least I can get it on the Kindle.

>72 LauraBrook: Thanks, Laura. Great to see you!

The Nickel Creek cd is "newish" - I found out about it recently, but it came out a while ago. It's very good, said the man playing it over and over.

We did have a good night, thanks, if largely uneventful. I've been absorbed into the second Fifth Wave book, The Infinite Sea, and finished it this morning. Now I want to get to The Last Star, shown with the mighty Sherlock up in >58 jnwelch:.

>73 NarratorLady: Completely agree, Anne. If I remember correctly, Ellie also loves narration by Juliet Stephenson, so that may put reading Persuasion over the top for her.

>74 EBT1002: Oh good, Ellen. From the sounds of that, you'd probably enjoy tracking down more art by Vicky Mount, as cats (in particular) and dogs (and even people) feature in a lot of her art.

Isn't Sherlock a cutie? He's a smart one, too. Nowadays, when he sees a book, or a stack thereof, and his human mom tells him to sit by it, he goes right over and poses. He's a pro book model now.

No worries re the birthday; Mark was nice enough to bring it up over the weekend. The DNC had a lot of highlights, and I loved the Prez's talk and the one by Michelle, among a number of others. He is an amazing orator, as you say, and it seems like he's relaxing more and more, as his second term comes to a conclusion. He's having fun - an amazing accomplishment for someone at the epicenter of responsibility and second-guessing.

The post-birthday week is most excellent so far, although I've failed miserably in stretching out my birthday into a week or so. Maybe next year.

>75 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Oh, glad to hear it - Billy Collins has got so many good ones, doesn't he, but that's a particularly fine one for writers, and for creators of other sorts, for that matter.

OK, here you go, two photos from Darryl's visit last Friday. We're at the Peruvian restaurant Via Lima, up on Lincoln Avenue.



Seasonsoflove (Becca), Walklover/Madame MBH (Debbi), Proprietor, Kidzdoc (Darryl).



Patiently waiting for the piscos to show up.

>71 ronincats: Thanks, for the heads-up, Roni. I will have t check it out.

Morning Joe! It is heating up out here but the last few days were refreshing.

Hope you are enjoying the Liu collection. It is one to be savored.

Love the Meet-up photos. The only thing missing is me. Grins...

>82 msf59: Truth! We'll get you there for the next Darryl meetup, Mark, the book gods willing.

I got sucked into finishing that second 5th Wave book, so I haven't made more progress with the Liu collection, but I'll be reading it on the commute home today.

OK, I promised another Joe poem. Here you go.

Pockets

If I pull out all my pockets, all I can
put on the table is a few moments -
voices under the moon in the mountains
above Santa Barbara, my love in red
panties, telling me a secret, a road,
a morning, sun, rain. Yet sometimes I
feel as if I will never stop pulling
from these pockets, as if it is my body
that is these moments, and when the
pockets are actually empty, it will
be me sitting on that table, only
better, purely composed from all
That I thought was random.

>84 jnwelch: oh, you lovely man. Mme MBH picked a winner. i was longing for a new Joe poem just this very morning and pondering whether it would be pushy to ask. oh and it's such a fine one. i love it. pop it goes into the Joe's poems folder along with the Hughes crow poem.

the last 5 lines are stunning. also the red panties. perfection. i like the discreteness of the moments. like the marbles in another poem of yours. with textures? also on a table? interesting to me that what is random isn't jarring or painful and there seems to be no pain, not even the yearning for what was. very much past as present.

i have stuck with Are we smart enough to know how smart animals are although it got lost for a while during a software compatibility problem so i'm lagging. he irritated me extremely with some attitudinal things and i have huge argument with some things. when he got over snarking at behaviorists for snarking at him, he got much more interesting and informative.

also, the crow poems are lovely b/c we have 7 daily crows this year up from our normal 3. probably due to habitat destruction that is soul-wrenching and quite close. we are crow-mad. every day JB is out in the back at about 4 giving them tidbits and calling, "come on, darlings. i hear you up there." talk about moments. like Mary Oliver's partner, Molly Malone Cook, overheard in the other room at night saying, "hello, darling moon."

lucky, lucky, lucky.

eta: not marbles, beads.

A very belated Happy Birthday!

>81 jnwelch: Lovely pictures of Darryl, you & family :-)

>85 mirrordrum: Ha! Wonderful, Ellie. Never pushy to ask. Glad you love it! Beads and marbles, I like that.

I need to revisit the crow poems. Good for you and JB; I'm crow-mad meself. I read somewhere that Thich Nhat Hanh teaches a walking meditation which has the student alternately saying "Yes" and "Thank you" with each step. Somehow "hello, darling moon" seems in that spirit.

Lucky, lucky, lucky - agreed.

>86 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita! It's always good to hear Happy Birthday. :-)

That was one swell time with Darryl. Glad you like the pictures.

What would breakfast be without our phone?

Alice Pasquini

>84 jnwelch: Red panties? Will we ever think of your MBH in the same way again?!

Great birthday haul by the look of it buddy. My best wishes are of course added to all the others - the group's Prop in more than just culinary terms.

>91 PaulCranswick: Ha! Hiya, Paul. I thought that would probably get some attention.

Thanks re the birthday and the birthday haul - lots of fun ones in that pile. The Cozy Classics War and Peace is a hoot in miniature; I got their Cozy Classics Pride and Prejudice on another birthday. A Question of Death is a collection of Phryne Fisher mystery stories with recipes and illustrations.

>84 jnwelch: Like!! Nice touch with the "red panties".

Morning Joe! Just about done with Dark Matter. Fun ride. And GSAW is not bad, light and breezy. It will also not put a tiny scratch on the mighty power of TKAM.

>93 msf59: :-)

Go Dark Matter! Glad to hear GSAW is going all right.

I returned to Flaubert's Parrot, and I'm working my way through The Paper Menagerie, which is A-OK so far.

Joe, I thought you would enjoy this... http://www.filmsforaction.org/articles/donald-and-hobbes-is-genius/

>95 katiekrug: Wowsers, you sure were right, Katie! Those are great - and so on target!

"Enmity sells"; "Imagine getting paid to act like a six-year-old", abiding principle = "Look out for number one". If only the Donald were just a comic strip.

Leahbird pointed this out over on MickyFine's thread - the Hamilton cast recording can be listened to for free on Amazon Prime: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0135P6PZA?ie=UTF8&qid=1470231739&playNo...

I'm listening now and, no surprise, it's terrific.

I love this one:

>98 katiekrug: LOL! It gets me every time. Was this part of the Donald's RNC speech?

>84 jnwelch: Very nice poem, Joe.

>88 jnwelch: Yes, that was a great evening with you, Becca, Debbi, and, of course, Sherlock!

>95 katiekrug: Hilarious! That's going on my Facebook timeline now. Thanks, Katie!

>101 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl. Oh yeah, can't forget Sherlock!

I was tempted to do the same with that gift from Katie in >95 katiekrug:. It deserves it.

Love the altered Calvin and Hobbes strips. Amazing (and scary) how well they fit!

Joe, you might also want to stop by Tor.com and pick up their free e-book club selection this week, The Just City by Jo Walton. I read a library copy so was glad to get my own copy on the Kindle.

>81 jnwelch: What a lovely meet up photo!

mornin', Prop.

>105 Whisper1: >81 jnwelch: yes it is. i especially like the one of our two blokes. i meant to say how wonderful it was and flat forgot. senior moment. :-o

in Sweet Thursday, Doc has just met "the Seer" and is moving on. thanks for recommending it. there's a bit in there reminds me of your Jesus poem. something Doc says about it being a good thing the Seer isn't named Jesus? not sure. audio's like that.

Oh my, those adapted Calvin comic strips are so amazing. But as you said, too bad Trump isn't just a cartoon.

>39 jnwelch: re: films. I watched most of that film with Matt Damon and Jodie Foster (...Elysium? Yes, I think it is called Elysium) on tv the ohter night. I am sometimes drawn to the futuristic ones, something about imagining how the world might be making me want to make sure we are doing things right at present....not hopeful on that! But you get my drift. Anyway, I enjoyed it even though it was silly-violent.

>90 jnwelch: aw, pretty!

And your poem s lovely too, even if all the fellas did seem to focus on the underwear! ;)

Morning, Joe!

>103 Familyhistorian: Don't those C & H strips have an amazing fit with the Donald, Meg? We have a narcissistic six-year-old nominated to be President. Not many novelists could've come up with one this strange. Sort of the opposite of the gardener in Being There.

>104 ronincats: Thanks for the tip, Roni! Did I mention how much I enjoy "free"? I'll do it.

Wow, those Calvin strips. >98 katiekrug: especially nails it.

>105 Whisper1: Thanks, Linda! Always a pleasure to re-unite with Mr. Darryl.

>106 mirrordrum: mornin', Pate.

Ha! Thanks, Ellie. Glad you like the meetup photo. We were stoked to meet that bloke.

Hmm. Now you've got me wanting to revisit Sweet Thursday. I don't remember the good thing the Seer's not named Jesus line, but I'm intrigued by it.

BTW, Sweet Thursday!

>107 DeltaQueen50: Aren't those Calvin and Hobbes strips amazing, Judy? Someone was very clever to spot the similarities, and then skilled enough to put the Drumpf into those. I hope Watterston sees them somewhere.

Which reminds me, do you think Watterston and Gary Larson are out there still creating strips once in a while? I keep thinking it would be hard not to return to that source of greatness, kind of like The Cursed Child. I'm hoping one or the other springs something new on us some day, but maybe it will be like Harper Lee.

>108 LovingLit: Madame MBH and I enjoyed Elysium, too, although it surely wasn't the finest piece of filmdom to ever come out. If you haven't seen friend Matt in The Adjustment Bureau, we'd sure recommend that one. It's adapted from a Philip K. Dick story, no noteworthy violence beyond a fistfight or two, and it's got him teamed up with the excellent Emily Blunt.

Isn't that one in >90 jnwelch: pretty.

The underwear sure gets everyone's attention, doesn't it. Not sure why, but everyone who's liked that poem comments on it. I suppose if I'd said "my love in her rabbit costume", that would have gotten attention, too?

>109 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

It's your and Charlie's world, and we're just living in it. :-) Sweet Thursday!

>114 jnwelch: *snork!*

>114 jnwelch: 'struth!

my red panties reaction has no effect on my perception of Mme MBH at all. i liked it b/c it's such a change in the visuals. the color and the really fine implied sensuality alters everything else around it or maybe pulls it together? it's sort of like a "don't tell me the moon is shining . . . show me the glint of light" effect.

Sweet Thursday it is. except for JB who got up uncomplaining at 6 to jackass me through land rape to the shoulder store where she discovered a formidable piece of metal stuck in a tire. so she's brought me home, picked up Casey and jackassed back out through the destruction to the tire store. while we were home, we watched a minor horde of tiger swallowtail butterflies, both black and yellow, cavorting amongst the lantana. uplifting to the spirit and we know what comes of canoodling and have the parsley to accommodate it. also a couple of hummers sampling this and that.

lordy! i got a injection in the shoulder so i am high as a kite. love that doc. he's the one as put the hardware in the shoulder. i'm glad i'm amped as he give me irksome news. i have so got to go and leave you alone. i am totally wired. cool thing? pain is sooooo irrelevant at this point.

the Sweet Inspirations are up on Facebook cause it's just, you know, that kind of Sweet Thursday. i really am whacked. i am such a cheap high.

>90 jnwelch: I love that one Joe happy Thursday.

>116 scaifea: :-)

>117 mirrordrum: Nicely put re the red panties, Ellie. That works for me. It does seem to center the poem and pull it together. Rabbit costume = not the same. :-)

Woo, love that description of your and JB's Sweet Thursday, although I'd wish you no destruction and tire-violence.

What's going on with your shoulder? I'm all for pain relief, and high kites can be wondrous, but I'm not at all fond of irksome news.

Ha! I'll look on Facebook. I'm imagining you enjoying life in that "twee" in the flowers photo you posted.

>118 GeezLouise: Oh good, Rae. That Alice Pasquini is really talented. There's a lot of variety in what she does. I love the one in >90 jnwelch:, too.

Good monring, Joe! I hope all is well.

>62 jnwelch: >90 jnwelch: Awesome images!

Morning Joe! Sweet Thursday, my friend. Starting to really heat up out here. My books are my savior....Amen.

>121 brodiew2: Welcome back, Brodie! I hope you had a great vacation. I always think of you when I post an Alice Pasquini, as I know you're a fan.

>122 msf59: Morning Mark! Sweet Thursday, buddy. Glad you have some good books to help distract you from the heat. I'm going to be out there soon, but not for nearly as long.

I meant to tell you I'm trying a GN called Puma Blues by Stephen Murphy that pops up on some "best ever" lists. One review called it, "Transmetropolitan meets Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep, liberally dipped in the grittier side of the 1980s and paired with John Audubon-style nature art." So far that seems accurate. Excellent black and white art, and an intriguing story. We'll see. BTW, it's HUGE. Debbi couldn't believe I was carrying it in my backpack.

>123 jnwelch: Wow. That sounds amazing. Look forward to your review of Puma Blues!

Hi, Joe! I'm late to the thread and missed your birthday; but belated birthday wishes, and I really do love that thread-topper art -- especially the cat in the snow.

>55 jnwelch: That is so true!

Morning, Joe!

Hey Joe and Happy Friday! I don't know how you dropped off my radar but I've corrected that little faux pas. Seems great minds collect Funko Pops - my son has a nice Star Wars collection. It puzzled me at first why he wanted these but they are very cool!
C & H, Soooo funny and soooo spot on!

In honor of our Alaskan traveler Ellen.

Hi Joe!! Your pockets hold a surprising number of objects!! And I love all the artwork you continue to sprinkle throughout your thread. Jealous of your meet-up, but thanks for posting the pictures. ; ) I started the new David Bowie thread and am about to dive in today, so come lend your brilliant thoughts.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/228526

>124 charl08: I'm liking Puma Blues very much so far, Charlotte. It's very dense, so it'll be a while.

>125 tymfos: No worries, Terri, thanks! I'm glad you like the Vicky Mount toppers. Living in Edinburgh and creating paintings like those - I could happily do that one.

I know, besides celebs, a lot of us know much more about sports than government policy and other things that affect over lives. Maybe we can start having politicians glam it up and have award shows, or fight each other gladiator-style?

>126 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

>127 Carmenere: Hiya, Lynda. Good to see you! It happens - sometimes RL interrupts the more important process of getting around to LT 75ere threads. So annoying.

Our son would be simpatico with yours; he has some Star Wars Funko Pops, among lots of other Star Wars merch, and no doubt will find more. Our daughter the Holmesophile is busy collecting Holmesian Funko Pops. How they knew to get me Jane Austen ones is beyond me.

I miss Calvin and Hobbes like crazy. It's a pick-me-up to bring some back, isn't it.

>129 Berly: Ha! Just when I thought those pockets were empty, Kim, it turns out they're plum loaded with stuff. Random? Maybe not.

I'm glad you're enjoying the sprinkled art. Jazzes up the place a bit, we hope.

Some day we'll meet up, I'm sure. You just won't find a better group of folks than the 75ers, seems to me. I'm so glad that Darryl and our daughter (seasonsoflove) finally got to meet. It's harder with our peripatetic son, but Ellen and Karen met him out in Seattle.

Ha! My brilliant thoughts on Flaubert's Parrot will probably consist of, "Wow, this Barnes guy is good!" I saw the link over on Mark's thread, too - I'm in!

>131 DianaNL: Aww! Thanks, Diana. Nothing better than Friday hugs. Sending Friday hugs back to you.

>133 jnwelch: I can't see you lost for words on Barnes and his books, Joe.

Have a great weekend buddy.

Have a fantastic weekend.

>134 PaulCranswick: Ha! I do enjoy reading our friend Barnes, Paul. I'm impressed by how different his books are - the ones of his I've read before are The Sense of an Ending and Arthur & George. Both great, neither at all like the other.

>135 GeezLouise: Thanks, Rae. I hope you have a fantastic weekend with that great family of yours.

Morning Joe! Happy Friday. Puma Blues sounds terrific and gargantuan. I liked Monstress but found it convoluted. The illustrations are gorgeous and it is very dark and violent. Take a peek at a library copy and see for yourself.

I think you will like my current GN, Lucky Penny. Breezy & fun.

I requested Flaubert's Parrot. I'll see if I can bookhorn it in. I have a busy book month ahead.

>138 msf59: Morning Mark! So far, both are true re Puma Blues. Dense, too!

I'll peek at Monstress. Thanks for the tip on Lucky Penny. I've requested it.

I know what you mean re Flaubert's Parrot, but I've been wanting to read it for a long time, so I didn't want to miss this opportunity and motivation. Hope you can join in.

>137 jnwelch: Good morning, Joe! I love this one as well. This painting reminds me of a young Dean Stockwell in the film 'The Happy Years', which is an adaptation of The Lawrenceville Stories by Owen Johnson. The Tommy squirt gun is a nice touch.

hiya Joe. love the C & H cartoon but you know i could really have done w/out the political visual, viz. "Maybe we can start having politicians glam it up and have award shows, or fight each other gladiator-style?" and just curious, in a gladiator fight between the real estate developer and the Hill, whom would you bet on? "she's cheating, she's not allowed to do that, i lost b/c i won't attack a woman, i was misrepresented, i don't have to do to this b/c i'm the best, i've won thousands and thousands of gladiator fights in front of coliseums filled with millions and millions of people . . . "

i have Flowbert's parrot somewhere. looking quite forward to any review or comments.

have a simply grooooovy weekend, man. :-)

oh and ""hey" Brodie. i've been worried about you. glad you're back. :-)

>133 jnwelch: ohhhhh, i could use me one of them hugs. happiness for the inner child.

>140 brodiew2: Oh, good one, Brodie. I can see the similarity. Give him a squirt gun!

That sure is a young Dean Stockwell. I think of him these days on Battlestar Galactica (excellent as always).

I finally got my hands on a copy of The Lawrenceville Stories, so, with your enthusiasm in mind, I'll get to it in a while. (Not this loaded month!)

>141 mirrordrum: Ha! I hadn't thought of the gladiator-style for the presidential candidates, Ellie. Neither is a youngster, and Hillary's way tougher than than her blowhard opponent. I'd put my money on her; he's probably already saying he's worried it'll be rigged.

I'm near halfway through Flaubert's Parrot, and as usual with his books, my brain cells are doing a happy dance.

Thanks for the weekend wishes. I need to slow down, I've been moving too fast. This weekend I'll try to make the morning last. I plan on just kicking down the cobble stones, looking for fun and feelin' grooooovy.

Hope you have a groovy one, too - say hello to the lamppost for me, and try to spend some time watching your flowers growing.

Phew! It's been a few days since my last visit, and almost 100 posts to catch up on! The café is doing great business as ever!

>55 jnwelch: >56 weird_O: I agree with Bill that Calvin and Hobbes cartoon explains the Drumpf phenomena well. Sad when people confuse fame and braggadocio with competence. Let's just hope good common sense will prevail come November.

>61 jnwelch: I really enjoyed Sailing Alone Around the Room a couple of years ago. As I'm not exactly obsessed with poetry, you're the one who roused my interest in his work with your occasional postings of his work. That poem in particular talks about a writer's approach, but it works equally well for visual artists!

>62 jnwelch: Love that street art! Thanks for helping me feed my pinterest collection!

>92 jnwelch: Wow, that really hits the mark, doesn't it? You've got to wonder if Watterson had DT in mind all along...

If only the Donald were just a comic strip.
Maybe we're all living in an alternate universe and he really is a comic strip come to life??

Re: Flaubert's Parrot, it had been on my radar for many years, but I wanted to have some actual Flaubert under my belt before I picked it up. Finally, seeing the David Bowie book list once again after his passing was the little nudge that got me to pick it up at the beginning of the year. It was a surprising book, wasn't it? I'm sure I'll revisit it eventually, I had lots of fun with it.

Thought you would be delighted to know that Liz and I have finally firmed up our Emma tutored read plans. We'll be doing that next month. It's a reread for me, and as I've done several of the JA tutorials by now, I don't know that I'll have as many questions as I've had in past, but it's always interesting to see comments posted by other participants. Hope you'll join in. I'm counting on you!

Hope you get all the great R&R you're needing over the weekend. The café and its patrons need you!

>141 mirrordrum: Hi Ellie! I was on vacation for a week or so and not posting. It's good to know I was missed. :-)

> 142 I've been a fan of Stockwell for as long as I can remember. Quantum Leap!

I'm glad to hear you have Lawrenceville, Joe! I think you will enjoy it. Lots of private school shenanigans at the turn of the last century.

>143 Smiler69: It's always great to have you stop by, Ilana. Glad you're liking the street art, and I agree that the Billy C. poem applies well to all sorts of artists, not just writers. If you liked Sailing Alone Around the Room, you might try his collection Aimless Love some time. Lots of good ones in it, too. You can see him here doing the title poem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzaVSduxx_E

Maybe we are in an alternate reality, with the Drumpf featured way too much. Is there some we can get to the alternate to the alternate? I feel like I've fallen into a bad reality tv show, and I've been trying to avoid even the "good" ones.

Flaubert's Parrot is a surprising book, all right. I've been thinking about Geoffrey's take on coincidences and irony. I'm really enjoying that section.

I'll be there for Emma! Thank goodness for you and Liz. Who needs to spend money on the Great Courses?

Lots of R & R planned for the weekend. A White Sox baseball game tonight with some friends, and Shakespeare in the Park tomorrow night with Madame MBH and our beloved seasonsoflove. It'll be Twelfth Night, one of my faves, with lots of room for silliness.

>144 brodiew2: Being away from LT due to vacation is way better than some other possibilities, Brodie. Good to have you back.

My wife LOVED Quantum Leap. Stockwell has led an interesting acting life, hasn't he.

I'm looking forward to Lawrenceville. Thanks for the tip.

I may have to dig out my copy of Flaubert's Parrot. It is hiding around my house somewhere, but right now I am deep into Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I managed to finish one Michael Dibdin Aurelio Zen book Dead Lagoon on the trip. I grossly over-estimated how much reading I would do. I took four books with me, but I only finished one. Shame on me - The blackberries got all my time.

>146 benitastrnad: So far I think it's Kim, Megan and I reading Flaubert's Parrot, Benita. It would be great to have you join in. Americanah is another one I've been wanting to read - how are you liking it?

I know that feeling on a trip. "The blackberries got all my time" sounds like a great excuse to me. I'd love to be somewhere where the blackberries got all my time.

I like Americanah. Ellen read it and liked it as well. It is a big book and there are parts of it that make me laugh and parts that make me cry. She really skewers American culture with her story lines and commentary on how American's live and work. My real life book discussion group is reading this novel for our August title and I won't have finished it - but I will.

Thought of you, Joe, when I saw this street art in Grenoble today.

Hi Joe, just discovered there is another book coming out following on from Binti you might want to add it to your watch list ....

http://blackgirlnerds.com/art-cover-reveal-nnedi-okorafors-binti-home/

hi, Prop. dropping by to cheese Amber. Amber, consider yourself thoroughly cheesed. trust me, nobody does it better. thousands and thousands, nay, millions will say that at cheesing i'm the best. specifics aren't needed. trust me. do you feel cheesed? (looking hopeful)

>147 jnwelch: read Americanah. it embarrassed the hell out of me as i kept thinking "oh, dang. i think i've done that." i didn't like it as well as Purple hibiscus but it's kind of apples and oranges to compare them. one of my favorite things was Ifemelu's envy of people in the US with enough money to allow them to make donations, to give aid. it snapped my head around.

mornin', Joe. i said "hullo" to the lamp post. it knew absolutely nothing, had splendid flowers growing but no time for me. so me and my cat named "dog" went walkin' high against the fog. having fun and feelin' groovy. fancy you being old enough to know the song, well, songs.

complete change of subject. did you know HBO bought the rights to brief history of seven killings? he's doing the screenplay and then is going to tackle fantasy. learned this in an interview in the Telegraph. helped me a lot. i had no idea the man was a gay kid in 70's Jamaica. dear lord. the article helps me understand a bit about his ability to speak so many voices and how he got his stunning amount of information. i tell you, the man is a genius and we won't see his like again in my time.

Hey, you two - stop cheesing me!!

*snork!*

>152 mirrordrum: Ha! I'm plenty old enough to remember Simon and Garfunkel kicking down the cobblestones, Ellie. I didn't know Walkin' My Cat Named Dog until now. I'll give it a listen.

Great news re HBO and Brief History, which I'll be reading come Aug. 22 or so, with Ellen and maybe others. That's a much appreciated endorsement of his genius. I'll circle back to the interview.

Oops, gotta go, as our contractor just showed up (lots of remaking going on at the Casa Welch).

Try to go easy on poor Amber, okay. She's sensitive to cheesing.

>153 scaifea: Hey, Amber, we're going to try to stop cheesing, but I know cheesing comes so naturally to me that it won't be easy. Books, reading and Charlie - oops. Going to my quiet corner now.

Happy Saturday, Joe! What a beautiful summer day. Maybe, we should pick a time to read Americanah. I am long overdue to read that one. I had it tentatively added for August but that is not going to happen.

Hooray for Seven Killings. Looking forward to following the G.R.

I am enjoying How To Talk to Girls at Parties. What a team this is.

>155 msf59: Happy Saturday, Mark!

It is such a beaut out there. Debbi and I were out in it for a good while this morning, then I took the long walk to our library and back. Gorgeous. Sat on the deck with Sherlock for a long while, too, and tonight we'll be in Welles Park for Twelfth Night.

A G.R. for Americanah would probably be a good idea. We've still got Infinite Jest on the agenda for early next year, too.

Looking forward to Seven Killings. Great to hear you're enjoying How to Talk to Girls at Parties. What a team is right - I love both the story and the brothers' illustrations of it.

By John Sloane

>157 jnwelch: Gorgeous!

Looks like you have a perfect evening planned. Enjoy.

The Freeburg clan is heading out to Plainfield for dinner and refreshments.

>157 jnwelch: Love that one, Joe!

All caught up here - I am very late to wish you happy for your birthday. So sorry that I missed it, but it sounds like it was lovely. That was a very nice birthday haul.

Loved the meet-up photos and all of the Calvin and Hobbs. Delighted in the pockets poem - that might be my favorite so far. Please keep 'em coming!

Happy, happy Saturday, Joe!

Stopping by to say hi, Joe and see what is up at the Cafe !

Joe, thought of you as NBC news did a spot on the street art in Rio tonight!

Hope you have a relaxing Sunday planned, Joe - enjoy!

Americanah, Infinite Jest, Murikami March...my reading card for next year is already filling up!

Happy Sunday to you, Joe! I own Americanah and would certainly be in for a GR.

>158 msf59: Hiya, Mark!

Isn't that gorgeous up in >157 jnwelch:?

We had such a good time last night. An unexpected treat was a Chicago high school musical group called Musicality. Apparently they're in at least the semi-finals for America's Got Talent in the fall (not a show we watch, but we'll watch and vote for them). They were so good at Welles Park. They did a Hamilton piece that was terrific, as were the others. We ended up listening to them on Youtube this morning. Wow. This is the one they did from Hamilton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqGGmfDZsWU

And here's another from Hamilton we liked this morning (we loved all the ones they do - amazing so many good singers turned up at one high school, and their conductor must be quite a story himself): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LrxaZ8Sm7s

It also brings home the brilliance of Miranda's lyrics. Wow. We're going to see Hamilton here in the fall as part of an Equality Illinois group.

AND Twelfth Night was hilarious and musical. We/ve seen several play versions now, a couple brilliant, but this had to be the funniest. Standing O from the Welles Park crowd - first time that's happened.





Hope the get-together in Plainfield was a blast; it sure looked like it on FB.

>159 Crazymamie: I love the feel of that John Sloane painting, too, Mamie.

Happy Sunday! It was a grand evening, and we had a good breakfast out this morning at our favorite neighborhood breakfast place. A grocery shop later, we're taking it easy and watching some Olympics.

Thanks re my birthday. I'm trying to keep it going, so this helps. :-)

I'm glad you like the poem! Thank you for the encouragement. I'll look for more.

>160 vancouverdeb: Hiya, Deb. Thanks for stopping by.

We're trying to do a bunch of art, poetry, plays and music at the cafe - and food. How are we doing? I feel like we may be lagging a bit in the food category.

>161 ronincats: Oh, maybe I can find it somewhere on the intergoogleweb, Roni. Thanks for thinking of me. They have some most excellent street artists there, including the brothers Os Gemeo.

>162 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. We do have a relaxing Sunday planned. Breakfast out (delicious), a grocery shop, some Olympics watching, and later some reading on the porch. Hopefully, the last will include our reading some more in On the Banks of Plum Creek.

>163 Berly: Those are some great dances on your reading card, Kim. Infinite Jest is a doorstop, too, just the kind of book a group read helps.

>164 Carmenere: Sounds good to me, Lynda. I don't think we've all figured out exactly when to do it for Americanah, but I'd get my hands on a copy for a group read.

>43 jnwelch: Great birthday haul, Joe. I think I wished you a Happy Birthday on FB but a belated one here is in order. I love Nickel Creek. I have several of their early CDs but sorry to say I haven't added any music to my collection in quite a while since I discovered I like audio books.

Ahhh, the Darryl meet up pictures. He does get around, doesn't he. You're no slouch in that department either. I need to get out of The Ozarks more often. I'm pretty sure no one on LT has this area on their bucket list.

Hey, I'll be reading Flaubert's Parrot, too. I need to read more Barnes books. I may give some thought to following along with the Seven Killings G. R. I gave it up on audio because of all the killings (ha-I thought he would stop at 7!). I might do better with it in print and with a little encouragement. I know it has gotten lots of love around here so I will probably end up loving it. This group hasn't steered me wrong yet.

Plantains and shrimp

>165 jnwelch: Happy Sunday, Joe! It looks like you had a fantastic day yesterday. Thanks for all the links. I wish I could see Hamilton but it will probably be too rich for this old mailman's blood.

Glad to hear you enjoying The Paper Menagerie and I hope you keep spreading the word. Has Jesse read it? If not, is this his cuppa?

I am in for the rest of the afternoon. Books and Cubs, are on the agenda.

>170 jnwelch: I will be making sweet plantains one day this week, probably tomorrow. I think they are now suitably mature.

#161
I saw that segment. Thought of Joe as well.

Loved the plantains breakfast. However, it is watermelon season here in the South, and I want me some! Does the cafe have anything like that on the menu?

>171 msf59: Hey, Mark. That was a great day yesterday. I'm hoping some others pick up on those links, too.

I just finished The Paper Menagerie. I wasn't as crazy about it as you, but I bet others will be. I already mentioned it to son Jesse, as he's the one who recommended to me The Three-Body Problem, translated by Liu.

Hamilton is a tough ticket to get right now, in Chicago just like it was in NY, no doubt about it. We've been contributing to Equality Illinois for a lot of years, and they got us into Book of Mormon when it opened here, too. We were advised to listen to the music and get exposed to the lyrics first, because it moves so fast. I listened on Amazon Prime, as someone recommended, but listening to Musicality works better for me. Something about their clarity with the lyrics.

Books and the Cubs sounds right on target for a relaxing day. We're doing books and the Olympics, plus some porch time with Becca and her furry sidekick.

>172 thornton37814: I'm glad the plantains are suitably mature, Lori. Wish I was. We don't make them at home, instead having them when dining out, but we (more likely, Madame MBH at this point), should think about doing that. She just made an excellent roasted pepper artichoke tapanede that we enjoyed.



>173 benitastrnad: Thanks, Benita. >174 benitastrnad: Excellent thought, Benita. Let's get something watermelon-y out here.

Morning, Joe!

Morning, Amber! Happy Birthday!

By Henry van de Velde

Morning, Joe!

>180 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! Happy Pre-Tuesday!

>179 jnwelch: Like!!

Morning Joe! Nice, warm, summer day out here. I am picking up a copy of Flauberts Parrot from the library and I will try to squeeze it in by the end of the month.

I am enjoying The Private Eye. Is Vaughan just amazing or what?

>182 msf59: Morning Mark! Glad you like >179 jnwelch:. Almost a Seurat-style there.

Good to have you joining in on Flaubert's Parrot. He's such a smart writer. I can't figure out where this one is headed, but it's excellent reading in the meantime.

The Private Eye is an intriguing one, isn't it? Vaughan is amazing, I agree. He's has authored a bunch of the best GNs, including Saga, but also Y The Last Man, The Pride of Baghdad, Paper Girls, Ex Machina and Runaways. Wow.

Good morning, Joe! I hope all is well.

hiya, Joe.

>165 jnwelch: these young people move me to tears--Miranda's music and lyrics don't hurt. Quiet uptown is transporting and their faces, their voices. what joy that you got to see them. i'm so happy for you. and thanks for posting the the links. i hate all those reality shows but i hope maybe you'll remind us closer to time. i would watch them. i will be watching them. they make me wish i could throw my body over them all and over the earth, to hold the children and the only mother we have as tight as i can "And push away the unimaginable." you see? they've made me sappy. heavenly betsies.

i am creeping happily through Sweet Thursday, with awe through Brief history of seven killings, with sorrow and fascination through The spirit catches you and you fall down and etc. my list really is too long but it does give me a lot of options. :-)

have a good evening.

Morning, Joe!

Morning, Joe! Happy Tuesdaying to you!

Hiya, Joe! Great thread as usual. I caught up just now, and I love the poetry you're showing, especially yours. I suspect those pockets will always hold wonderful stuff.

I got a Kindle of Flaubert's Parrot and hope to join in before my vacation starts next week. I've wanted to read it for some time.

Good for you for getting tickets to 'Hamilton'. Here in the Big Broadway apple, they are still unaffordible, although there are lotteries held each day. I keep forgetting to enter, however. Not helpful.

And lastly, happy belated birthday. It's still August - maybe you can make it a birthday month.

Good morning, Joe! I hope your Tuesday is a good one.

>184 brodiew2: Good morning, Brodie. All is well on my end; hope it is on yours, too.

>185 mirrordrum: Hiya, Ellie. Isn't Quiet Uptown transporting? I'm glad you checked them out in >165 jnwelch:. They make me sappy, too. How did that many great voices end up in one high school, and not even a performing arts high school? It's a miracle. In my sappiness, I said to Madame MBH it's like the Beatles getting together in Liverpool - what are the odds?

I think their conductor/arranger is a special guy, too. Not to mention that brilliant fellow Miranda.

I'll let you know whatever I may know about their appearance(s) on AGT when the time comes. I know what you mean, I want to somehow make life turn out all right for all of them.

Wow, are you doing some quality reading! We're getting close to Seven Killings reading time for me, and I need to try The Spirit Catches You again; last time just wasn't the right time, as much as I love Fadiman's writing.

>186 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Happy post-birthday and pre-Indiana day.

>187 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! Let's go Tuesdaying. Does it involve swings and slides?

>188 ffortsa: Hiya, Judy! Thanks re the thread. I'm glad you're liking the poetry, including mine! Not something I'd planned on, but it feels good to share them and have people enjoy them. You're right, wonderful stuff keeps turning up in those pockets. :-)

I'm like you; I've been meaning to read Flaubert's Parrot for a long time. Group reads for me are great motivators. You'll be glad you're reading it once you start - he gives us lots to think about while at the same time carrying us along with his graceful writing. I suspect his writing intelligence quotient is somewhere off the charts.

I know, we could have gone to Hamilton our last NYC visit if we were willing to spend a fortune. It was tempting, even then, mostly (for me) to see Lin-Manuel on stage in it, even though Leslie Odom and Daveed Diggs won the Tonys. It sounds like the Chicago cast will be a good one. As I mentioned, we've been told that it would be smart to listen to the soundtrack beforehand because the lyrics fly by fast, so we've been doing that, including the Musicality versions, which help with their clarity (and their beauty is appealing, too).

Ha! I'd love to make August a birthday month. My birthday's actually at the end of July, but extending it has to encompass August, so that works for me.

>189 brodiew2: Thanks, Brodie. It should be a good one - I'm going Tuesdaying with Mamie. Want to come?

>193 jnwelch: Absolutely! what does Tuesdaying entail with you two?

Morning Joe! Glad to hear you are inching closer to Seven Killings.
Have you read Atonement? If not, it might be your cuppa. Just sayin'...

>194 brodiew2: Ha! Good deal, Brodie. Still trying to find out what's involved. I'm hoping swings and slides are on the agenda, but apparently it's all still in the developmental stages.

>195 msf59: Morning Mark!

Yeah, Ellen set Aug. 22 as the kick-off date for Seven Killings. I tried Atonement, but couldn't get into it. He doesn't seem to be my kind of author, which is too bad, as I know he has many fans.

>196 jnwelch: if one wanted to join the Seven Killings GR how would one go about it? i'm trying to listen to 1/2 hr a day and that comes to 2 or 3 chapters. most are short. would love to garner any thoughts from visual readers and maybe participate a bit. it's tough in audio.

>197 mirrordrum: It would be great to have you join the Seven Killings GR, Ellie. Good question as to how. We'll set up a thread when Ellen gets back from the wilds of Alaska, and let you know on at least her thread and here.

When your thread loads on my computer, Joe, the first image that appears, just for an instant, just a flash, is the guy making a snow angel. Then it's pushed down below the bottom margin of the screen as the image of the man with his morning coffee coalesces. I want to BE that guy in the snow. Swinging his arms. Right. Now.

Forecast here is for 5 or 6 days of 90 degree + temps and high HIGH humidity. You Chicagoans are probably already having this sweatpot stuff and are fobbing it onto us Easterners. Gee, thanks for sharing.

>199 weird_O: Ha! I'm with you, Bill. Being that guy in the snow, making a snow angel, sounds awfully good right about now.

We're trying to send all sweatpot humidity weather east as fast as we can, that's for sure. I was just thinking this morning that (knock on wood) it's been a pretty decent summer here in Chitown. Last weekend was a beaut, and we've had a lot of days with 70s and low 80s and not too much humidity.

Tomorrow I'm heading with Madame MBH around the bottom of Lake Michigan and up the west coast of Michigan to New Buffalo, a little lakeside town. We're going to go tech-less and take it easy for a few days. Can't wait!

Yarn-bombing

Morning Joe! Starting to get steamy out here. Sighs...

I thought you might like Atonement, since it is an usually conventional novel by McEwan and you like dramatic period pieces.

I just finished Horoscopes For the Dead. I liked it and I will be sharing some quotes. The poetry love marches on...

>202 msf59: Morning Mark!

Atonement: sometimes the ingredients sound right, but the mix doesn't work for me. There's something about McEwan's writing and subject matter that just doesn't get me going, so far anyway. Haruf, on the other hand . . . :-)

Yay for Horoscopes for the Dead! Looking forward to the shared quotes. Kudos to you again for doing so much to keep that poetry love going.

I'll be taking some poetry with me for our weekend getaway, so I'll report back.

Guac and chips?

Oh yes please Joe. Love guacamole.

Thanks for the thumb on the review of Do Not Say We Have Nothing . Hoping there will soon be lots of reviews and happy readers. Such a great read (and a relief: I realise in the grand scheme of things its not a bit deal, but still dislike thought of reading a list of 13 books and being unenthusiastic about all of them!)

Hope you and Mme MBH have a good trip.

>205 charl08: You and me both, Charlotte. LOVE guacamole.

My pleasure re the thumb. That was an excellent review of Do Not Say We Have Nothing, and I added the book to my WL. I'm so glad that finally one of the Booker longlist books doesn't disappoint. What a strange year it's been for that list.

Thanks re the trip. We're really looking forward to it. The only tech we're taking is our phones for emergencies. Otherwise, we're going to disconnect and enjoy a few days away from it all in a small resort town.

Happy Wednesday, Joe. You can send some of that warm weather our way. It feels like it is fall here already. I want summer back!

>207 Familyhistorian: It seems to be going in the other direction, Meg. The northeast is getting some hot temps, I understand. 68 F/20 C sounds pretty good to me - I like the weather you all get. Fall weather is good for reading, isn't it?

Hi Joe!

Happy belated Birthday!!

I love Vicky Mount's artwork - such fun and great expressions on both people and animals.

Sherlock makes an excellent book model.

>208 jnwelch: Fall weather is good reading weather but we have from October to December for that, Joe. Looks like we might be getting summer back as the sun came out at the end of the day.

>165 jnwelch: I saw them on America's Got Talent and I loved what they stood for; how fun that you saw them live and I hope they go far. I see that you are reviving people's hope in the Booker longlist. And a group read of Seven Killings? Dang it! I might get sucked into that....

Good morning, Joe! I hope all is well.

I probably sound like a broken record, but I think I have finally kicked the slump and it is another book altogether than the one I expected. I have started Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams. This fits in well with my recent love of travelogues, especially those with a historical and humorous elements.

The Last Policeman and Somewhere Safe With Somebody Good, will be next.

I am also through disc one of The Gods of Gotham on audio.

Sweet Thursday, Joe. Enjoy your Michigan getaway. See you, when you get back.

Sweet Thursday from me, too, Joe!

OK, this is the last hurrah before we go no-technology for a few days.

>209 SuziQoregon: Hi, Juli!

Nice to see you here. Thanks re the birthday. I'm taking some of the birthday books on our journey around the south end of the lake to western Michigan today.

Aren't those Vicky Mount paintings engaging? Sure seems like a happy life, living in Edinburgh and painting like that.

I'll let Sherlock know that you think he makes an excellent book model. He's been wondering whether it's the right career move, but IMO he's a natural.

>210 Familyhistorian: Ha! Hard to argue with that, Meg. Glad summer seems to be returning for you.

>211 Berly: As a non-AGT follower, I knew nothing about Musicality, Kim. They were so good at the Shakespeare in the Park! Such impressive voices and poise. We'll be pulling for them in the fall.

Yeah, it's really thanks to Charlotte re the Booker list. I've never seen so many negative reactions to the listed books once 75ers started reading them. At least one good one (Do Not Say We Have Nothing) is coming out of it. I've seen very mixed reactions to Lucy Barton, with at least some people liking it a lot.

Join in on our Seven Killings read - group reads can be a great inspiration, right?

>212 brodiew2: Hiya, Brodie. Good for you, buddy. I've read lots of positives re Turn Right at Machu Pichu, so I look forward to your take on it.

I'm another one who enjoyed The Last Policeman. I don't know Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good, so you can be the trail guide on that one. I know my wife has liked other Jan Karon books.

I still haven't gotten to Gods of Gotham, which I'm pretty sure friend Mark loved.

>213 msf59: Sweet Thursday, Mark!

Thanks, we leave pretty soon for the train to New Buffalo. Books are picked out - I'm going to take a collection of Sharon Olds poetry, among others. If you haven't read her, she's one I can recommend. I liked her The Gold Cell and The Dead and the Living in particular. The one I'm taking is a selection from a bunch of her books, Strike Sparks.

Have a good next few days, buddy.

>214 Crazymamie: Sweet Thursday, Mamie! I'm going to miss shooting the breeze with you all. Hope you have a great next few days at the Pecan Paradisio.

We'll be no-tech for a few days, back late Sunday. Please enjoy the premises, and I'll see you then, or Monday morning.



Hebru Brantley

Ok, everybody, the Est. Prop. is leaving us to our own devices. Who's got the key to top shelf?

Ellen had it last time and we really raided the frig on that one. I am not sure who has it this time.

Gosh, I hope he didn't take it with him...

^Look what I found...

>157 jnwelch: Joe, that beautiful image would be a lovely jigsaw puzzle.

Hope you have an awesome weekend Joe.

Thought the proprietor wouldn't mind if I parked up outside. Anyone for a drink?

Yes, please!

>225 charl08: - Um, YES!

So what's on the top shelf and why was it locked up? Must be something good!

Here's some of what we found on the top shelf:

>229 laytonwoman3rd: Ooh, looks good. And there's more?

Have a great trip to North Buffalo, Joe, as part of a wonderful weekend.

Great poem, Joe, and I love the C & H!

It looks like you two are having a great time in New Buffalo, despite my exhortation to stop skipping work. Both of you are in big trouble when you return to Chicago.

A Pimm's Cup! Did I see one of those! Oh!!! Please sir one more.

Well, that was certainly a relaxing time with Madame MBH. Why does it feel like someone threw a kegger in the cafe while the Prop was gone?

>219 laytonwoman3rd:, >220 benitastrnad:, >221 laytonwoman3rd:, >222 msf59: Ha! Linda, Benita and Mark, I can't believe I'm forgot to hide leave you guys the keys. I should have known you'd throw a party take good care of the place.

>223 Whisper1: That beautiful painting in >157 jnwelch: would make a great jigsaw puzzle, Linda, you're right. I could see Madame MBH happily assembling that one.

Morning, Joe!

>224 GeezLouise: Thanks, Rae. It was most excellent. Hope you had a great weekend, too.

>225 charl08:, >226 Crazymamie:, >227 katiekrug: Charlotte, Mamie, and Katie, this makes part of me wish I'd stayed for the festivities. Madame MBH has fallen in love with a drink made of Pimm's Blackberry Liqueur and lemonade, half and half.

>228 Familyhistorian: Thank goodness they didn't find the top, top shelf, Meg. That's where we keep the really great stuff that's just junk not worth considering.

>238 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! Just catching up with the party crowd this morning.

>229 laytonwoman3rd:, >230 Familyhistorian: Oh, my. No wonder Madame MBH wouldn't tell me what was on the top shelf, Linda. Yes, there's always more at the cafe, Meg. We put the "more" in "I want some."

>231 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. New Buffalo was just right for us. We took it very easy, and left the responsibilities behind.

>232 banjo123: Oh good, Rhonda. I'm glad you like the poem. You remind me I need to dig around for another one. Isn't that a funny C & H? He's going to win an Academy Award some day. I'll try to post another one today.

>233 kidzdoc: Ha! We would've listened to you, Darryl, but we were too busy having a good time. Skipping work is one of my favorite things to do, although it takes some talking to bring Debbi around to it.

>234 benitastrnad: We've got you covered, Benita, up in >235 jnwelch:.

Read recently: Flaubert's Parrot (what an intelligent author), I Shot the Buddha (the latest page-turning Dr. Siri mystery), Dragon in Exile (next-to-latest Liaden/Surebleak sci-fi novel), and Call it Courage (Newberry winner telling a South Pacific story of a boy overcoming his fears, bringing to mind, for me, both Island of the Blue Dolphins and Swiss Family Robinson).

Now I'm reading Rogue Heroes, the Ben Macintyre ER book, and Alliance of Equals, the latest Liaden/Surebleak sci-fi novel.

ETA: Also re-reading Strike Sparks, a selection of Sharon Olds poems. I'd forgotten what a powerful writer she is.

Morning Joe! Welcome back! Hope you are freshly recharged after your relaxing getaway. Looking forward to Flaubert's Parrot and hooray for a new Dr. Siri. I think I still have the last one to read. Hope I can squeeze it in.

I am off today, so I plan on doing some R & R of my own.

Welcome back, Joe! I'm glad that you two hooky players had a nice time this weekend.

>244 msf59: Morning Mark!

Enjoy the day off, buddy. Reading and relaxation = perfect.

>245 kidzdoc: Ha! Thanks, Darryl! We sure did have a nice time. We plan to go back - it's a short trip from Chicago, and such a different world.

>246 jnwelch: so nice to find a real escape not far from home!

>248 ffortsa: Yes! Exactly, Judy. It was easy and relaxing, a great combo.

>243 jnwelch: afternoon Prop. welcome back to the land of weird and wired. hope you enjoyed almost total disconnect this weekend. :-)

Call it courage? seriously? it was one of my favorites when i was a kid. i was considering recommending it to Amber and Charlie. i read the part about the breadfruit over and over and over. i'm still like that. a bit will capture me in a book and i feel a certain at-homeness or complete immersion or i don't know what. i usually end up memorizing the entire thing and still i will listen to (used to be read) that part. there are two from Mrs. Dalloway. the "what a lark, what a plunge" part and then the passage.

“Quiet descended on her, calm, content, as her needle, drawing the silk smoothly to its gentle pause, collected the green folds together and attached them, very lightly, to the belt. So on a summer’s day waves collect, overbalance, and fall; collect and fall; and the whole world seems to be saying “that is all” more and more ponderously, until even the heart in the body which lies in the sun on the beach says too, That is all. Fear no more, says the heart. Fear no more, says the heart, committing its burden to some sea, which sighs collectively for all sorrows, and renews, begins, collects, lets fall. And the body alone listens to the passing bee; the wave breaking; the dog barking, far away barking and barking.”

as narrated by Phyllida Law with her voice, pace and rhythm, it's without peer.

toodles, dahlink.

>250 mirrordrum: Beautiful one from Mrs. Dalloway, Ellie. She lulls us; I'm there, collecting, falling, renewing, beginning. I can tell why you'd memorize it (memorizing is not a strength of mine; darn liberal education), and return to it over and over.

I wanted some of that breadfruit in Call it Courage. I can just see him cooking it. All of Mafatu's food on that island sounded awfully good. Amber's the one who recommended the book to me, so I'm sure it'll be on the menu for Charlie if he hasn't already tried it.

The almost total disconnect from tech this weekend was mucho enjoyed by both of us. We create tech-free quiet times at home, but usually only for an hour or so. This much time of it was really refreshing. We're already thinking about when to do it again.

Good afternoon, Joe! Welcome back. I hope your vacation was agreeable.

I am making progress in the journey to Machu Picchu. It is an interesting history lesson as well as a travelogue.

>250 mirrordrum: >251 jnwelch: Yup, it's sitting on his shelves, waiting for him.

Morning, Joe!

>252 brodiew2: Oops, missed you the first time, Brodie. Thanks. It was an agreeable vacation; we seemed to agree on everything for an idyllic few days. :-)

My sister went to Machu Picchu, and I loved Neruda's poem about it. If you like this one, maybe I'll armchair travel there.

>253 scaifea: Thanks, Amber. Let us know how Charlie likes Call it Courage. I can see him really loving it.

This U.S. election year has had me thinking at times "the world is too much with us." Here's the Wordsworth poem. I'd rather be seeing Triton blowing or Proteus rising than Drumpf bloviating.

The World Is Too Much With Us

By William Wordsworth

The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;—
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon;
The winds that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers;
For this, for everything, we are out of tune;
It moves us not. Great God! I’d rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn.

Howdy, Joe! Thanks for introducing me to New Buffalo, sounds like wonderful getaway! Non-Tech adventure sounds great!

Door in Portugal

>256 Carmenere: Jeez Louise, I was so busy fixing up the new place I almost missed you, Lynda. Yes, New Buffalo makes for a great no-tech getaway. Among other things, we spent hours in David's Deli reading and writing.

OK, the new cafe is open. See everyone there!