Joe's Book Cafe Door 23

Street art by Heesco, Chloe Nexer, Mohammed Awudu, and JimmyC

Welcome back to the cafe!

My reading up to mid-December.

January, 2018

1. Artemis by Andy Weir
2. Bella Poldark by Winston Graham
3. Loose Woman by Sandra Cisneros
4. God Stalk by P.C. Hodgell
5. Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
6. The Tuesday Club Murders by Agatha Christie
7. The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay
8. Bizarre Space A Kid's Guide by Jenn Dlugos and Charlie Hatton
9. Lessons on Expulsion by Erika L. Sanchez
10. Binti The Night Masquerade by Nnedi Okorafor
11. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
12. Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
13. Warcross by Marie Lu
14. Hardcore Twenty-Four by Janet Evanovich
15. The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman

February 2018

16. The Odyssey translated by Emily Wilson
17. Neogenesis by Sharon Lee
18. The Pyramid of Mud by Andrea Camilleri
19. Girl in a Plain Brown Wrapper by John D. MacDonald
20. A Tan and Sandy Silence by John D. MacDonald
21. Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney
22. Shock by Shock by Dean Young
23. A Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths
24. Lightning Blade by D.N. Erikson
25. Absolutely on Music by Haruki Murakami
26. Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie
27. The Power by Naomi Alderman
28. Light Boxes by Shane Jones

March

29. Down the River Unto the Sea by Walter Mosley
30. In Pursuit of Memory by Joseph Jebelli
31. A Local Habitationby Seanan McGuire
32. For We Are Many by Dennis Taylor
33. All These Worlds by Dennis Taylor
34. One Goal: A Coach by Amy Bass
35. We Are Okay by Nina Lacour
36. Artificial Night by Seanan Macguire
37. On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder
38. Where Now New and Selected Poems by Laura Kasischke
39. Wires and Nerve* by Marissa Meyer
40. Wires and Nerve Volume 2* by Marissa Meyer
41. A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf
42. And the earth did not devour him by Tomas Rivera
43. The Glass Universe by Dava Sobel
44. Camp Austen by Ted Scheinman
45. The Beauty: Poems by Jane Hirschfield
46. Dark Forest by Cixin Liu

April

47. Hellbent by Gregg Horwitz
48. The Disappeared by C.J. Box
49. The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
50. The Masked City by Genevieve Cogman
51. Prairie Fires by Caroline Fraser
52. Selected Poems of Langston Hughes by Langston Hughes
53. All Systems Red by Martha Wells
54. Go, Went, Gone by Jenny Espenbeck
55. Quesadillas by Juan Pablo Villalobos
56. The Burning Page by Genevieve Cogman
57. Sandman Omnibus Vol. 2* by Neil Gaiman
58. Book of Dust by Phillip Pullman
59. Less: A Novel by Andrew Sean Greer
60. Brazen Rebel Ladies* by Penelope Bagieu
61. The Lost Plot by Genevieve Cogman

May

62. Wade in the Water by Tracy K. Smith
63. It Happens in the Dark by Carroll O'Connell
64. Late Eclipses by Seanan McGuire
65. Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
66. One Salt Sea by Seanan McGuire
67. Texts from Jane Eyre by Mallory Ortberg
68. One Robe, One Bowl by Ryokan
69. Chimes at Midnight by Seanan McGuire
70. Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
71. Worth Dying For by Lee Child (re-read)
72. Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
73. Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
74. The Book of Endings by Leslie Harrison
75. A Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths
76. Winter Long by Seanan McGuire
77. Flowers of Vashnoi by Lois McMaster Bujold
78. Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard
79. Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine
80. The Ghost Fields by Elly Griffiths

June

81. Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel
82. The Woman in Blue by Elly Griffiths
83. After the Funeral by Agatha Christie (re-read)
84. The Chalk Pit by Elly Griffiths
85. A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie (re-read)
86. Case Histories by Kate Atkinson
87. Red Rose Chain by Seanan McGuire
88. Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie (re-read)
89. Mrs. McGinty's Dead by Agatha Christie (re-read)
90. The Dark Angel by Elly Griffiths
91. Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs
92. What Would Jane Do from Potter Style
93. The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
94. Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman
95. Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames

July

96. Once Broken Faith by Seanan McGuire
97. Zen and Gone by Emily France
98. Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson
99. What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw by Agatha Christie (re-read)
100. Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie (re-read)
101. Case of the Missing Men* by Kris Bertin
102. Lord Peter Views the Body by Dorothy L. Sayers
103. Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman
104. Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley
105. Brief Cases by Jim Butcher

August

106. Brown by Kevin Young
107. Shine, Shine, Shine by Lydia Netzer
108. Selected Poems of Gwendolyn Brooks
109. House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea
110. Circe by Madeline Miller
111. 4:50 From Paddington by Agatha Christie
112. The Rat Catchers' Olympics by Colin Cotterill
113. Portugal* by Pedrosa
114. Broken Places by Tracy Clark
115. Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
116. The Spaceship Next Door by Gene Doucette
117. Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
118. The Carrying by Ada Limon
119. Dictionary Stories by Jez Burrows
120. The Overstory by Richard Powers

September

121. Hell's Bottom, Colorado by Laura Pritchett
122. Full of Briars by Seanan McGuire
123. Hickory Dickory Dock by Agatha Christie (re-read)
124. The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter by Theodora Goss
125. Death at Sea by Andrea Camilleri
126. Buddha by Deepak Chopra
127. The Delight of Being Ordinary by Roland Merullo
128. Skeleton God by Eliot Pattison
129. Night and Silence by Seanan McGuire
130. Depth of Winter by Craig Johnson
131. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
132. Bloody Rose by Nicholas Eames
133. Lethal White by Robert Galbraith
134. The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
135. John Woman by Walter Mosley

October

136. Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Entrada
137. Changers: Drew by T. Cooper and Allison Glock-Cooper
138. Priest Turned Therapist Treats Fear of God by Tony Hoagland
139. Irish Country Love Story by Patrick Taylor
140. Changers Book Two by T. Cooper and Allison Glock-Cooper
141. Changers Book Three by T. Cooper and Allison Glock-Cooper
142. Changers Book Four by T. Cooper and Allison Glock-Cooper
143. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
144. Murder in Thrall by Anne Cleeland
145. Murder in Retribution by Anne Cleeland
146. Murder in Hindsight by Anne Cleeland
147. Murder in Containment by Anne Cleeland
148. Murder in All Honour by Anne Cleeland
149. Murder in Shadows by Anne Cleeland
150. Transcription by Kate Atkinson
151. Murder in Misdirection by Anne Cleeland
152. Murder in Spite by Anne Cleeland
153. Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami

November

154. You're Never Weird on the Internet by Felicia Day
155. Collected Poems W.B. Yeats
156. Guardian Angels and Other Monsters by Daniel H. Wilson
157. Hope Never Dies by Andrew Shaffer
158. Past Tense by Lee Child
159. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman
160. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
161. The Ghost in the Shell* by Masamune Shirow
162. Hard Rain by Tony Hoagland
163. Donkey Gospel by Tony Hoagland
164. Shell Game by Sarah Paretsky
165. Raven Stratagem by Yoon Ha Lee
166. Citizen Illegal by Jose Oliverez
167. Nowhere Boy by Katherine Marsh
168. Orphans Vol. 2* by Roberto Recchioni

December

169. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling
170. Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
171. If They Come For Us by Fatimah Asghar
172. Graphite by Patrice Frazier
173. A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe by Alex White
174. The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
175. How to Be Safe by Tom McAllister
176. Take Me With You by Andrea Gibson
177. Intern and more by Gregg Hurwitz
178. A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
179. August Snow by Stephen Mack Jones
180. Europe in Autumn by Dave Hutchinson

Illustrated Books 2018

1. Saga Volume 8\ by Fiona Staples
2. Black Panther Avengers of the New World by Ta-Nehisi Coates
3. Black Panther Book Two by Ta-Nehisi Coates
4. Moon Knight by Jeff Lemire
5. Henchgirl by Rita Stradling
6. The Adventures of Dieter Lumpen by Jorge Zentner
7. Death The Deluxe Edition by Neil Gaiman
8. Going into Town by Roz Chast
9. Black Panther Book Three by Ta-Nehisi Coates
10. Black Panther World of Wakanda by Roxanne Gay
11. After the Rain by Andre Julliard
12. Silent Days, Silent Dreams by Allen Say
13. Leave it to Chance by James Robinson
14. Thornhill by Pam Smy
15. Lumberjanes Vol. 4 by Noelle Stevenson
16. The Green Hand and Other Stories by Nicole Claveloux
17. Orphan Black Helsinki by Graeme Manson
18. Nemi by Lise Myrhe
19. Jane by Aline McKenna
20. Eye of the World Volume 5 by Robert Jordan
21. Andre the Giant by Box Brown
22. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
23. The Discworld Graphic Novels by Terry Pratchett
24. Starseeds by Charles Glaubitz
25. Why I Hate Saturn by Kyle Baker
26. Josephine The Dazzling Life by Patricia Hruby Powell
27. Ada Twist Scientist by Andrea Beaty
28. Paper Girls Vol. 4 by Brian K. Vaughan
29. Serenity No Power in the 'Verse by Chris Roberson
30. Hawkeye Kate Bishop Anchor Points by Kelly Thompson
31. Alpha Abidjan to Paris by Bessora
32. Drawing from Memory by Allen Say
33. Orphan Black Deviations by Heli Kennedy
34. Lazarus X+66 by Greg Rucka
35. How to Be Happy by Eleanor Davis
36. Flight Volume 6 edited by Kazu Kabuishi
37. Feathers by Jorge Corona
38. Lady Killer Vol. 2 by Joelle Jones
39. Kill or Be Killed by Ed Brubaker
40. Kill or Be Killed Vol. 2 by Ed Brubaker
41. Royal City by Jeff Lemire
42. Runaways Find Your Way Home by Rainbow Rowell
43. Wonder Woman Love and Murder by Jodi Picoult
44. American Gods Volume 1: Shadows by Neil Gaiman
45. Catwoman Final Jeopardy by Will Pfeifer
46. Batgirl Vol. 2: Son of Penguin by Hope Larson
47. Black Panther: Long Live the King by Nnedi Okorafor
48. Royal City Vol. 2 by Jeff Lemire
49. Orbital Vol. 1 by Sylvain Runberg
50. A History of Violence by John Wagner
51. All Summer Long by Hope Larson
52. Dr. Strange: The Way of the Weirdby Jason Aaron
53. Dr. Strange: The Last Days of Magicby Jason Aaron
54. Strong Female Protagonist by Brennan Lee Mulligan
55. Orphans Vol. 1 by Roberto Recchioni
56. Ms. Marvel Vol. 9 by G. Willow Wilson
57. Bitch Planet Vol. 2 by Kelly Sue DeConnick
58. New Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 6 by Kazuo Koike
59. New Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 1 by Kazuo Koke
60. The Golden Compass Graphic Novel by Philip Pullman
61. Strong Female Protagonist Book Two by Brennan Lee Mulligan
62. Hack/Slash Reanimation by Tim Seeley
63. Monstress Volume 3 by Marjorie Liu
64. 100 Bullets Book 5 by Brian Azzarello
65. Human Target Living in Amerika by Peter Milligan
66. Saga Volume 9 by Brian K. Vaughan
67. Super Mutant Magic Academy by Jillian Tamaki (re-read)
68. Rat Queens Vol. 3 by Kurtis J. Wiebe
69. Captain Marvel Rise of the Alpha Flight by Michele Fazekis
70. Britten and Brulightly by Hannah Berry
71. Black Panther and the Crew by Ta-Nehisi Coates
72. Doctor Strange: Secret Empire by Dennis Hopeless
73. Imagine by Juan Felipe Herrera
74. Kick-Ass 3 by Mark Millar
75. The Case of Charles Dexter Ward Graphic Novel by H.P. Lovecraft
76. Paper Girls Volume 5 by Brian K. Vaughan
77. Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein by Linda Bailey
78. How the Finch Got His Colors by Annemarie Guertin
79. Buffy Freaks and Geeks by Faith Erin Hill

*Also a graphic novel

Jesse and Adriana got so many requests for a copy of this one from friends that they made it their holiday card. We're going to frame ours.

Here's the obituary for my late father Lyndon:



http://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/annarbor/obituary.aspx?n=lyndon-welch&pid=...

He's missed.



Cartoon for my harmonica-playing Dad by Keith Taylor

Here are my Top 5 books of the year:

The Odyssey translated by Emily Wilson (beautiful translation, and now my favorite)

A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf (what a book!)

The Overstory by Richard Powers (book of the year for me)

Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami (he takes on the act of creating in this one)

Citizen Illegal by Jose Olivarez (poetry book of the year for me)

Honorable mention: One Goal by Amy Bass (uplifting true story of Somali refugees on a Lewiston, Maine soccer team)

Biggest surprise of the year: All Systems Red and the rest of the Murderbot books. What fun!

Eight month old Rafa working hard at the Children's Museum

Photo post courtesy of Bill (weird_o)

OK, we're open for business.

Sorry both Heart's Invisible Furies and How to Be Safe were disappointing, Joe.

It took me a while to embrace Milkman but I ended up appreciating it. I hope it turns the tide of your streak.

Happy new thread, Joe!

>8 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen. How are you doing with The Heart's Invisible Furies?

I'm more optimistic about Milkman. I'm glad to hear you ended up appreciating it. That's encouraging.

>9 banjo123: Thanks, Rhonda!

Happy new thread, Joe!

>1 jnwelch: You found beautiful street art pictures again, I like the 3rd by Mohammed Awudu best.

>2 jnwelch: Besides reading 176 books this year, you also reached the mark with illustrated books, congratulations!

>6 jnwelch: Keep workin', Rafa....it's going to be up to you to save the world, you know!

Great street art toppers Joe.

And an impressive amount of reading too.

Where are you and Debbi off to for Christmas this year? I'm off to my brother's for a few days (he also lives n London), then heading to Bilbao for a couple of days.

Happy threading. Some carrot cake would inaugurate the place a treat, eh what?

>11 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita!

I'm glad you're enjoying the street art toppers. I like all of them (that first one is strong, isn't it); the last may be my favorite.

Hey, thanks. I hadn't thought of that (reading 75) with the illustrated books. It's been a fun year for those. I'm just about to finish that very good fifth volume in the Paper Girls series, Paper Girls 5.

>12 laytonwoman3rd: Ha! I can see Rafa and his fellow small people doing it, Linda. :-) But we've got to keep the world going long enough to give them a chance to save it!

>6 jnwelch:

Out of all of them, Rafa has chosen that peaceful blue color - there's hope for us yet!

>13 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Caroline. I'm glad you like the street art toppers.

It's been a good, if unusual, reading year. Way less nonfiction than usual for me. I needed escapism a lot of the time.

Jeez, London with your bro and Bilbao sound great for Christmas. Are you going to the Guggenheim while in the latter?

We're going to Pittsburgh, home of the Rafa, for ten days, starting next Sunday. I've also got a sister and BIL there (not to mention Rafa's parents). Son #1 and his bride asked if we'd stay extra so they could go out on New Year's Eve, and more time with the grandson seemed A-OK to us. We'll come back in '19.

>14 richardderus: Thanks, mate. Crikey, that carrot cake idea is a fine one. Here we go:

>16 m.belljackson: Ha! That's a lovely thought, Marianne. He's a peaceful little guy, I must say. When he's cranky, he's always got a good reason - hungry, sleepy, needing a diaper change, that kind of thing.

For those who've been thinking about reading Alif the Unseen (which Madame MBH, Son #1 and I all liked a lot), it's only $1.99 on Kindle today.

As we chatted over on my thread, I'm still enjoying The Heart's Invisible Furies, Joe, and I hope to read a bit this evening. It has not been a reading weekend for me.

I'll be so interested in your thoughts about Milkman. It is certainly an original and perhaps innovative work.

>17 jnwelch: Yes Joe, the main reason for going to Bilbao is to see the Guggenheim. I love Frank Gehry's work, and this is the first I will have visited. I'm planning to visit others in Europe on short visits in the next couple of years, it's good too, that a couple are in cities I haven't visited yet.

Sounds like plenty of fun for you over the holidays too Joe.

Yum, thanks for the cake.

>20 EBT1002: I just bought Milkman Ellen, and will read it early in the New Year. I heard her read from it, and participate in a Q&A in October.

>20 EBT1002: I know, I've been a mushbrain this weekend myself, Ellen. Watched LOTS of sports, including the women's college volleyball championship with Stanford and Nebraska (I do love volleyball!) Now I'm watching the replay of the Bulls win last night, which I missed originally.

I need to dig in some more with Milkman. I think you're going to be happy with The Heart's Invisible Furies, as the second half was the best part for me.

>21 Caroline_McElwee: Can't wait to hear what you think of the Bilbao Guggenheim, Caroline. I'd love to see that some day - like you, I'm a Gehry fan (Debbi's more skeptical). We have one of his here in Chicago (the Millenium Park bandshell and bridge), so you need to come visit here, as well as visiting his work in Europe. :-)

How was Anna Burns in the reading and Q & A?

Happy new thread, Joe! That is a nice looking top 5 list. I own A Room of One's Own, I think, based on your list, I ought not put it off any longer.

>23 Carmenere:. Thanks, Lynda!

Honestly, the sooner you read A Room of One’s Own the better. You’ll be really glad you did. I can’t believe I took so long.

Happy new one, Joe. Great toppers, and I also vote for the third one!

>6 jnwelch: - Could Rafa be a lefty? Looks like it! Go, Rafa! ;-) Great focus

What an impressive list of books you've read this year, Joe. I recently finished Washington Black and liked it very much. I probably won't make the 100 mark again this year. Hmmm, I don't travel nearly as much as you do or spend all that much time on LT and yet I am far behind you in the reading department. I think I'll have to give up my duplicate bridge addiction if I want to keep up. Haha…I know it's not a race and I'm pretty satisfied with getting close to 100 books read. Hooray for The Overstory being your Book of the Year. It is clearly leading the pack for me as well. I'm still thinking about it with a smile on my face!

Happy new thread, Joe. You think this one will last until the end of the year? Bringing in the New Year by looking after Rafa sounds like a great plan.

Happy new thread! As usual, the topper art is great, and Rafa’s a cutie!

Happy New Thread, Joe! Glad you got the new one started. Love the toppers!

Go Bears! What a great win. I sure hope Mitch catches fire soon. They could be unstoppable.

Happy new thread. As always, love the street art, and the pics of Rafa!

>22 jnwelch: I found Anna Burns a good reader Joe, with her soft Belfast burr. In the Q&A she was talking about how she ended up not having names for her characters, as the story didn't work for her with names, no matter what she called them. She realised that it would make it more difficult for readers, but she couldn't have written this book any other way.

My cousin is reading it at the moment, and her difficulty is there were no chapters or paragraphs in the first third of the book. Like most people, she likes regular breaks. At the moment I'm reading W G Sebald's Austerlitz which is one 416 page paragraph!!!! Definitely needs to be read in long bites.

>25 jessibud2: Hi, Shelley. Thanks! OK, two votes for the third one. I'm glad you like the toppers.

That would be cool if Rafa was a lefty, wouldn't it. As far as I know, he'd be the first in the family on our side.

>26 Donna828: Thanks, Donna. It's been a good reading year. I liked Washington Black a lot, too. I wasn't sure what to make of the ending, with him looking out the door at the storm. I suppose we could ascribe a lot of different meanings, and that's why she did it. Plus, figuring out an ending for a book like that seems tough.

Ha! I don't think there's a prescribed amount of books we need to read; I'd keep up with the duplicate bridge if you love it. I've always gone through a lot of books, and our daughter's the same way. Take a look at Anita's total for the year - she's somewhere over 300!

Isn't The Overstory great? I think of it with a smile, too. I've always loved trees, but I feel it even more strongly after reading that book.

>27 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I am thinking this thread should last through the end of the year. We'll see! I know, ringing in the New Year with the mighty Rafa sounds like a grand plan to us, too.

>28 drneutron: Ha! Thanks, Jim! Rafa tips his bear hat to you, and I'm glad you like the toppers. So much great street art out there!

>29 msf59: Thanks, Mark! Ha! Yeah, inertia had me in my grip, but Meg inspired me to get off my duff and start the new thread.

How bout them Bears?! Last to first in one year. I think the whole town wants to buy Coach Nagy dinner.

For a second year NFL quarterback, I'm pumped at how well Trubisky played. He said he tried to do too much last game, which makes sense to me. He was under control and got the job done well. He's just going to get better as he learns. I think Peyton Manning was 3-13 his first year. It takes a while.

>30 figsfromthistle: Hi, figs. Thanks! Yay for the street art and the Rafa pics! He's looking to stand now every chance he gets. We're thinking he's going to start walking early, like his Dad, who started at 9 months.

>31 Caroline_McElwee: I thought I could hear that soft Belfast burr while reading Milkman, Caroline. What an oddball book! My favorite name in it is "maybe-boyfriend". It all works, so it seems like (no surprise) she made the right choice with leaving them all nameless.

Yeah, the lack of breaks in it makes for challenging reading. I'm right about at one-third of the way - it sounds like maybe we get more breaks further in? I'd take that in a blink. I've never read Austerlitz, but one 416 page paragraph - wow.

Indy in her yellow raincoat

Ha, look at you two.

I think there are more chapters from around a third on Joe. I probably won't get to it to the new year, but having read such a long paragraph, I don't expect to have too much difficulty with it!

Happy new thread! Does Indy enjoy wearing a raincoat? My dog doesn't like getting wet, so I thought a raincoat would help, but she disliked the raincoat even more!

>32 jnwelch: - I was the first lefty in my family on either side, for as far back as we were able to trace it. The family joke is that I must have been dropped one my head at some point. I used to have a t-shirt that said: If the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body, then only left-handed people are in their RIGHT minds. Or something like that, lol

>36 jnwelch: - Our dog never minded being *dressed*. Except for boots. We once put rain boots on him and, one foot at a time, he stepped out of them and walked away, leaving the 4 boots behind. Wish I had taken a pic of that one!

Is that lumbar pillow on the green chair behind you, comfortable? Looks like it is meant to be!

>40 jessibud2: Oh, I was just about to ask about that cushion too! It looks like it has little vibrating thingies in it, yes? I could really use that this morning.

Well, our Lily who is two whole weeks older than Rafa is nowhere near pulling herself to a standing position (although her roly-poly thighs may be an impediment). Clearly, he's an advanced child.

Sorry Heart's Invisible Furies didn't do it for you Joe. It was my #1 read of the year. My fave non-fiction was Jane Austen at Home - recommended by you, so thanks again!

Now engrossed in Educated which I was not intending to read but was chosen by my book club for next month. This is why I love book club!

Happy new thread! Cute pics of Rafa, as always, and Indy!

>37 Caroline_McElwee: I'm about halfway now in Milkman, Caroline, and the chapters have gotten better in length, although they're still longer than usual. I'm getting more acclimated to the unusual setting and story, too.

Yeah, this'll probably be a piece of cake for you after Austerlitz!

>38 foggidawn: Thanks, foggi! Yes, Indy is fine with wearing the raincoat, and really anything, including Halloween costumes and holiday dresses. Our daughter's having a lot of fun with her. Indy's limits are: nothing on her paws, and she'll only briefly tolerate her head being covered.

>39 jessibud2:, >40 jessibud2: Shelley, when I was young I thought all math teachers were left-handed, because every one I had was! Maybe it had something to do with that left brain, right brain thing. Left-handedness is often an advantage in sports, because of its relative unusualness.

Good for you for adding some left-handed spice to the family. My wife's uncle was in that generation where school teachers tried to make him right-handed despite his being a natural lefty. Thank goodness that kind of stupidity seems behind us.

I know, both Sherlock (our daughter's previous dog) and Indy have said "no way" to anything on their paws. We wish it were otherwise when the lousy weather arrives, but forget it. (Madame MBH found some protective lotion that helps). They were both funny in rejecting boots - Sherlock was more frantic to get them off than Indy. Dresses - no problem for Indy or her cousin Maleta. They were both looking quite charming in their dresses at Thanksgiving.

P.S. That is a back massager on the green chair behind me. It's electric, and really feels good running up and down the back and spine. That was a holiday present I gave Madame MBH.

>41 laytonwoman3rd: Hi, Linda. It's an electric back massager - very effective. Yes, it definitely has little vibrating thingies in it, and feels great. We don't usually have it out like that, but it had just been in use by Madame MBH.

>42 NarratorLady: Ha! Children advance in different ways, don't they, Anne. Our daughter started talking at 9 months (and, as we joke, never stopped), while her brother didn't until months later than that. But he started walking at 9 months (and, as we joke, running and jumping and hurling himself around), while our daughter started that months later. Maybe Rafa will do both early, we'll see. He looks like the walking will arrive soon, and we can't wait until he starts talking. Well, to be fair, he seems to be using some kind of pterodactyl language already, but none of us speaks it.

Oh, I loved Jane Austen at Home, and I'm glad you did, too. Yeah, I thought of you with The Heart's Invisible Furies. I can see why you rate it so highly. You probably read my spoiler comments on the last thread; I think I just didn't connect with Cyril and Julian the way I'm sure you did.

Sounds like you have a great book club. Madame MBH LOVED Educated, and I'm definitely going to read it.

>43 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle! We have the one of Rafa in his bear costume in >3 jnwelch: greeting us every morning in our bedroom, and he cracks us up every time. Indy's a sweetheart; Becca emailed me a bunch of photos of the two of us together, so I'll try to remember to post another one or two.

Happy New Thread, Joe!

Love the Rafabear - and also the pics on this thread and the last where he is upright! He'll be walking running before long!

I really must get to A Room of One's Own. I've love all the Virginia Woolf I've read.

Hi Joe - I'm glad Milkman is working for you. I really enjoyed it on audio but I'm not sure I would have stuck with it in print. I think the stream of consciousness writing (to say nothing of the absence of proper names)makes it seem somewhat impenetrable, whereas the audio somehow rises above those obstacles. It's a shame that it isn't getting a wider readership...I found a lot of humor in the grim overall circumstances and the impact has really stayed with me.

Hello Joe! I hope you had a great weekend.

Happy new thread.

>1 jnwelch: great toppers. I like the 3rd and 4th best.

>6 jnwelch: Rafa pics are the best. excellent scene at the children's museum.

I'm making my way through Star Trek: Discovery Season 1. It's getting better as it goes. Have you seen it?

Happy new thread Joe.

>47 streamsong: Ha! Thanks, Janet. You're so right about Rafa! We'll be seeing him soon, starting Sunday.

>48 vivians: Milkman was tough going at the beginning for the reasons you give, Vivian; the stream of consciousness and unusual setting and culture took some getting used to. It intrigues me to hear the advantages of audio for it; I can almost imagine that. Knowing it won the Booker and some positive LT reactions like yours helped me stick to it, and now the style and setting and culture are sinking in, and I'm enjoying it. I wouldn't mind more chapter breaks, as Caroline mentioned, so we'll see how that goes.

>49 brodiew2: It was a great weekend, Brodie, thanks. Lazy as all get out, just the way I like it best. :-)

Thanks re the new thread. I'm glad you like the toppers. The 3rd, as you may have seen, is the most popular so far. Like you, I appreciated the 4th, too.

Go Rafa! He loves the Children's Museum, we're told, and you can see why in the photos. It's going to be fun watching him grow.

I was just mentioning Star Trek: Discovery to Madame MBH. We both really want to see it, but balked at CBS charging for the privilege. Is it on free TV yet?

>50 johnsimpson: Thanks, buddy. Good to see you in the new cafe. I now know you drink coffee in cafes, so just let us know if you'd like some of the virtual brand.

>52 jnwelch: It is not free on TV, but the DVD set has just been released. I just got it through the library.

>52 jnwelch:, A virtual coffee would be just grand mate.

>53 brodiew2: Ah, okay. Good tip, thanks, Brodie. It'll be 2019 for us, but I'd think our library must have it or be able to get it transferred.

>54 johnsimpson: Ha! Thanks for circling back, John. Here you go, buddy.



We're having a Jane Austen party today; hope you don't mind

Happy newish thread Joe!

>6 jnwelch: Rafa shots are the best! What's a children's museum?

Happy new thread Joe! I like the third and fourth of your thread toppers.

>45 jnwelch: Son number one is a lefty (well, partially; he bats left but bowls right in cricket, for instance. Or is it the other way around?) but doesn't seem to have a head for maths so far. We're hoping it'll click really soon as next year he has major exams.

>56 EllaTim: Thanks, Ella!

Ah, do they not have a children's museum in Amsterdam? They're very interactive museums designed for kids. Chicago has a great one we used to take our kids to. Educational playgrounds is one way to think of them. Basic principles that you'd learn at a young age, like a prism breaking up the color spectrum, are exemplified for the kids in a way they can play with. One of our kids' favorites was a "pirate ship" that they could climb all over. It was filled with rope nets and shiply shapes to climb up and in and out. It was so popular we'd show up at the museum opening time so they could have it (mostly) to themselves for a while.

Indianapolis (not far from us) has one that's well-known for its excellence. We made a special overnight trip there so the kids could go to it.

>57 humouress: Thanks, Nina! The third and fourth of the toppers are getting the most love so far.

I did have a head for maths for some reason, and I'm a righty. Sometimes it takes a while to click in, doesn't it. Our son was good at them, and so was our daughter, but neither of them liked them much. I've never seen research indicating that left-handedness is directly associated with maths skills, so I may just have had a coincidental experience growing up. I hope your number one son comes around to having a head for them; it does help with exams, for sure. Cynics would say for most of us the usefulness ends there. :-)

I like that ambidexterity he has in cricket; that's another cool skill lefties often develop. In basketball, skill with both hands is a big plus, and almost a necessity at the highest levels.

Last night, for the first time, we went with some friends to "Zoolights" at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. It was beautiful (2.5 million lights, they tell us), and we had a lovely time. I'll try to post a couple of more photos later on.

Morning, Joe. Sue has been sick, since we got back from vacation, but she is doing better now. Unfortunately, I caught a cold, I just hope it does not progress into what she had. Fingers crossed.

I should be cracking the Murakami in just a bit...

ETA- Hooray for zoo lights.

>59 jnwelch: Ooo aaahhh

More pics! More pics!

>58 jnwelch:

The Housekeeper and the Professor has a lot of fun Math woven into the story,
as does the darker and more challenging A DOUBTER'S ALMANAC.

>60 msf59: Yikes! I can't believe it lasted this long with poor Sue, Mark. I hope it just taps you on the shoulder and then leaves you alone.

Oh, that Murakami book! What a mind-bender. Give it a little time to get really weird. :-)

Zoolights - great fun it was.

>61 richardderus: I just got back and I have to do an afternoon phone call, Richard, but later on I should be able to post more pics. Thanks for the enthusiasm!

>62 m.belljackson: I loved The Housekeeper and the Professor, Marianne. A Doubter's Almanac is new. to me; I'll take a look.

I was just thinking of you. You'd asked me to consolidate my year's poems here (if I remember that right), and I plan to do that later on. I'd like to post some new ones first. Thanks for your patience on this! I'll even have some rhyming in one or two of them, for aficionados of that.

>62 m.belljackson: >63 jnwelch: another fan of The Housekeeper and the Professor here.

Well, if there is any correlation between left-handedness and math skills, someone forgot to mention that to me. My total lack of said skills is one of the reasons I would never have been able to teach beyond elementary school. But those very early basic skills (and concepts related to them) were fun to teach to young kids so it worked out well for all concerned and no brains were broken in the process. :-)

I watched that NCAA Volleyball final, too. It was quite a match! I was pulling for Stanford (my west coast bias) and glad they pulled it out. I agree that it's a fun sport to watch.

The second half of The Heart's Invisible Furies has indeed been stellar. I have been busy every evening with other things and then staying up too late because I don't want to put the novel down. I love when that happens (tiredness in the morning notwithstanding).

Indy is pretty adorable in her yellow raincoat. She would have needed it here today -- it has been pouring!!! The sun is sort of out now, though.

Regarding Milkman, your comment "...now the style and setting and culture are sinking in, and I'm enjoying it" resonated exactly for me. It definitely took some getting used to and I'm very glad I stuck with it. I could even imagine doing a reread someday.

Happy Tuesday evening, Joe!

*impatiently checks for photos*

*impatiently checks library site for Milkman delivery*

>64 Caroline_McElwee: Right, Caroline? The Housekeeper and the Professor is a beautiful book.

>65 jessibud2: Ha! I love that no brains were broken in the process, Shelley. Those are important years - good for you for taking on teaching like that. I wish (I'm sure you do, too) that teachers weren't so underpaid. The Dems here are proposing to take tax cuts from the rich and give the money to teachers - huzzah!

>59 jnwelch: Great pics of Christmas lights, Joe. I like it when public places put on a display like that which my city does close to here. I just wish it would stop raining so more people could get out and enjoy them.

>66 EBT1002: Oh good, Ellen. Wasn't that a great volleyball match between Stanford and Nebraska? For no particular reason, I also was pulling for Stanford (I just liked the way they played), and I was glad they got the win in the end. Those digs!!! Wow.

The end of The Heart's Invisible Furies just gets better and better, IMO. The humor is outstanding. I suspect you're facing another late night!

Indy is such a good sport about wearing that raincoat and other dog clothes. You can imagine, the raincoat really saves Becca a lot of dog-drying.

Your being able to imagine a re-read of Milkman is particularly encouraging. It's not the easiest read-through I've ever had!

Happy Tuesday evening, my friend. It's been a good day here, and I hope yours was, too.

>67 richardderus: Ha! Photos coming (the process from camera to here takes a while!), and I hope Milkman arrives at your door soon.

>69 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. Hold onto your hat; a bunch more of the zoo lights photos are on their way here. We had great weather (for this time of year) last night for them. Mid-30s F and clear - there even was a beautiful moon out.

All right, more Zoolights photos. Here you go.













The last three are of a "woods" that had rock Christmas music sync'd with the color changes. Very cool.

Our friends Jessica and Wes

Debbi bravely standing in front of lion



Near the end we rode the zoo carousel



Debbi got to ride a panda

Quite a nice time we had. Plus excellent pizza at a new (to us) pizza joint called Pequod's before we went.

>73 jnwelch: #1 How great! I love the giraffes.

#3 That's just gorgeous.

They're all right spiffing, Joe, and thanks for sharing them. Now can you please call the library and use your lawyer voice and get Milkman for me?!

>75 richardderus: Hee-hee! I'm glad you enjoyed the (impatiently waited for) photos, Richard. For Milkman, I just need the library phone number and someone else willing to make the call. (I'm pretty busy posting, can't you tell - I try not to let lawyering interfere with my LT time).

Wow, terrific photos!! Such fun!

>68 jnwelch: - As I am sure you know from your daughter, the early years are so important for acquiring basic numeracy skills, skills that go well beyond just numeral recognition and counting. And I can attest to the fact that pretty much any skill can be taught through play, at that age. One of the main reasons I love the little ones: play is children's *work*. And if you can have fun, you can learn. That's about the only thing I miss about teaching: working (and playing) directly with the kids. If the admin and the ministry of Ed would leave us alone, school would be so much better ;-.

I have heard that teachers in the States are not paid well. I have never talked salary with friends there but up here, at least where I was, I couldn't complain. Sure, I bought a lot of things for my class out of my own pocket (eg, books), but the career has been good to me, financially and though I worked hard for it, I am grateful and very aware of how fortunate I am.

>68 jnwelch: >77 jessibud2: >62 m.belljackson:

Challenged by Root's advancing math skills, I remembered that old adage that 'Teachers Teach to the Level of Math They Have Mastered.'

Retired 4th grade teacher here!

Our class Math Fairs were great fun as was learning millimeter, centimeter, and meter by measuring thickness of fingernails and fingers,
then
floor to waist or hip.

>58 jnwelch: Thanks for the explanation Joe! Seems like fun for the kids. Amsterdam does have a science museum for kids, but I think it's more for kids that are a bit older, up from 9 years old maybe. It seems like a wonderful idea to have a place where kids can learn about the natural world by experiencing and experimenting, so that's play of course.

Ambidexterity is a very handy skill. But did you know that besides being right- or left handed we can also be right- or left footed. You can be right handed and left footed, or the other way round, or both the same.

Happy newish thread, Joe.

Ha. I had something I wanted to say here, but reading through 80 posts blew it the heck out of my mind.

How about this: both my father and mother were lefties, my brother's a lefty, and my daughter is a lefty. I don't think any of the grands are lefties.

Love the lights Joe! Feeling festive, much?

I found Milkman made a lot more sense to me once I knew it was set in the Troubles. I also found it a bit like A Brief History of Seven Killings it took a bit to get used to the way it was written, and then something clicked and I stopped thinking about the style and started wondering what would happen next.

Zoo lights looks fun Joe.

Oh, yay for zoo lights! We're going to ours - again! - this coming weekend. They're so lovely.

>77 jessibud2: Hi, Shelley. Good to hear you like the photos!

I know you're right about basic skills, and we've said more than once that we're so glad our daughter is the one helping these kids get started. She's really good at it. I'm sure you were, too. She loves that play aspect, too.

If the admin and the ministry of Ed would leave us alone, school would be so much better ;-) Oh, she would so chime in on that one. She's in an IB (International Baccalaureate) school, which exacerbates that aspect. Lots of requirements.

It is good to hear you have no complaints about pay. That's a much more civilized country you live in. The low teacher pay is a scandal here, as far as I'm concerned. I'm hoping the changes in the wind right now include addressing that situation.

>78 m.belljackson: I didn't know you were a retired 4th grade teacher, Marianne! Kudos to you. I still remember all my elementary school teachers at my advanced age; I bet a lot of us do.

I'm sure the kids got a kick out of learning measurements that way.

>79 EllaTim: You're welcome, Ella. A children's museum seems like such a natural for Amsterdam; that science museum sounds right on target - they could just add to it for younger ones. I can tell you as a parent that it was wonderful for us to see our kids enjoying playing while learning.

Huh, I didn't know that we can also be right or left-footed. What we do with them vs. with hands is so different, it's hard to imagine the effects. I know from basketball I'm used to jumping off my left foot because I'm right-handed, but I don't know whether that's natural or trained.

>80 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul.

>81 weird_O: Ha! I know that feeling, Bill. These days, just walking from one room to another can blow my great thought right out of my mind. There was a great British short video about an older woman starting out in the kitchen to make a sandwich or something and getting waylaid by one distraction after another that takes her all over the house. When she gets back to the kitchen, she can't figure out why the sandwich isn't made.

But what were we talking about?

That's a whole heckuva lot of lefties in your family. Are all your doors reversed and that kind of thing?

>82 charl08: Ha! Hi, Charlotte. We were feeling mighty festive at the Zoolights - hard not to, right?

I'm glad you mentioned Milkman being set during the Troubles. It seems a bit exaggerated and fantastic to me, but maybe that's due to the narrator's unique experience, or to my ignorance. The comparison to A Brief History of Seven Killings makes sense to me, although with ABHOSK I had an easier time getting to the point where it clicked and I stopped worrying about the style.

>83 Caroline_McElwee: The zoo 'twas fun, Caroline. Beautiful, too. They did an admirable job of making it magical. The designing and implementation must take a huge amount of work. It was all well worth it.

>84 scaifea: Yay for zoo lights! Good for you for going a second time, Amber. It is lovely, isn't it. I can imagine the enthusiasm of Mr. Charlie.

More Zoolights

>88 jnwelch: We've actually been three or four times already this year - we have annual passes and we're getting our money's worth!

>89 jnwelch: OOO AAAHHH

>87 jnwelch:

Is that British video on Youtube?

It sounds great - wonder if she forgot her Poems too!

I'm still here hangin' out with the ladies. Renata Adler, Yaa Gyasi, Cynthia Ozick. Sylvia, Nadine, Judy, Beryl, Marjane, and Jane were entertaining, fun, challenging, but they all had to depart. Still hope to visit a bit with Emma Donoghue and A. S. Byatt. Maybe Ali Smith will happen by. Hope so.

>72 jnwelch: Hooray for the zoo light photos! It looks like they do a good job, at Lincoln Park. I have only been to the light shows at Brookfield Zoo and the Arboretum.

Happy Wednesday, Joe. Fortunately, I am off today. I am still feeling under the weather but I did get a walk in the woods in, with a friend. A beautiful morning in Chicagoland. Now, for an R & R afternoon, which hopefully means reading, a nice chunk of the Murakami, which I am enjoying. He just moved into his mountain retreat. Sounds like a perfect hideaway.

Great photos from the zoo! Looks like a fun time :)

>90 scaifea: Ah, excellent, Amber. We're zoo members (let the sarcastic remarks commence!), so we could go some more, but I think we're going to have to let that magic night be it.

>91 richardderus: Ha! I love your enthusiasm, Richard.

>92 m.belljackson: Ha! Oh, I get that Poems reference, Marianne. You're good, you're very good. I hope to post a new one or two today or tomorrow.

Let me see if I can find that video. Here it is - it wasn't a sandwich; it was all sorts of stuff! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oHBG3ABUJU

P.S. I love the diagnosis: "Age-Activated Attention Deficit Disorder". I believe I may be experiencing a bit of that. :-)

>93 weird_O: Those all sound great, Bill. I need to get to your thread and see what you have to say about these. I've only read one A.S. Byatt, Possession, but it was terrific.

>94 msf59: Thanks, Mark. How were the light shows at Brookfield Zoo and the Arboretum?

Yes, I thought they did a great job at Lincoln Park Zoo. 2.5 million lights is a lot of lights! Some of it was very clever, too, like the changing woods.

Oh boy, the weirdness is about to commence in the Murakami. :-) I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Great day to have off! I'm sorry you're still feeling under the weather, but I'm glad you got a walk in the woods in with a friend anyway.

Happy Wednesday, buddy.

>95 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle. Your little gremlins would have loved the Zoolights. (I enjoyed Chloe's self-made ugly sweater today on FB!)

I finished Milkman and would give it 4 stars. I can see why there's all the buzz. I appreciated the ending, where the many oppressions on her (Milkman, Somebody McSomebody, her ma (now diverted by the possibility of love with real milkman), and the town gossipers) are lifted, and she is going for a simple run with her BIL, feeling so good she "almost nearly laughed".

not unspoilering not unspoilering not

...oh...yeah, this gon b gud

>99 richardderus: Can't wait for you to read Milkman and hear your comments, Richard. You definitely do not want to read the spoiler!

>96 jnwelch:

She found our missing glasses!!!

Thank you - that is a definite keeper for sharing!

Imagine by Juan Felipe Herrera and illustrator Lauren Castillo.

Juan Felipe Herrera is the son of migrant farm workers, and he grew up to become the U.S. Poet Laureate. This children's book takes his poem about that journey and lays it out with charming earth-tone illustrations by Lauren Castillo.

Each stanza ending uses the word "imagine", and the message to kids is, if I could make this journey from where I started, imagine what you could do.

If I let the stars
at night
paint my blanket with milky light
with shapes of hungry birds
while I slept outside

imagine what you could do



It's upbeat, with no mention of the hardships he undoubtedly experienced. This is an ER book for ages 5-9, and at that level it's a well-done portrait of a migrant's son who became a national figure, published at a time when immigrants are being unfairly vilified and mistreated.

>101 m.belljackson: Ha! Right, Marianne? And the keys were the first thing she put down. Hee-hee! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

>97 jnwelch: You asked about the zoo lights? I have not been to Brookfield for the Christmas lights in many years, but remembered it being pretty good. The Arboretum, on the other hand was quite impressive. We went last year. It would be worth the trip out.

In regards to, Killing Commendatore: He has found the painting and has agreed to paint the neighbor's portrait...

>96 jnwelch: ha. At the moment I'm still able to multi-task, but I can see a time....

>102 jnwelch: love the cover. You are creating a library for Rafa, Joe?

>104 msf59: I did - thanks for responding, Mark. Good info - I'll talk to Debbi about pegging the Arboretum for Christmas lights next year.

Right - you are on the cusp of many developments in Killing Commendatore. :-)

>105 Caroline_McElwee: Isn't that a hoot, Caroline? They do it so well.

You can imagine Debbi's excitement at getting books for Rafa, so, yes. Right now we're at the stage of ones that he can chew on, or that will float in the tub. (Since he likes the flavor of the New Yorker, we did think about giving him a bunch of old ones that Becca cleared out).

Imagine would be a good one for him when he gets a bit older, for sure.

Great photos of the Zoo Lights, Joe. That must have been a special evening.

Thanks for sharing the picture of the Zoo Lights, Joe, it looks lovely.

(at this rate you can start your next thread tomorrow ;-) )

Love the Zoo lights Joe and I’ll probably still read Milkman....possibly. So. Many. Books. And the Booker judges get it wrong most of the time lol.

>107 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. It was indeed a special evening. It was suggested by our friend, and we're sure glad he did.

>108 FAMeulstee: Oh, you're welcome, Anita. It was as lovely as it looks. There's something magical about so many designs in lights at night.

I know, what happened? Didn't we just start this thread?

>109 brenzi: Oh good, Bonnie. I'm glad the Zoolights photos worked for you. Yes, do give Milkman a try. It seems worthy to me of the accolades. I was pulling for The Overstory to win the Booker, and I'd rate it higher than Milkman, but Darryl said it was unlikely an American author would win this year and he ended up being right.

>98 jnwelch: Milkman is now on the tbr pile. What a wonderful night at the zoo! Most recently, I am learning about the conservation efforts of zoos as they attempt to save animals on the endangered list. I am having such fun learning about baby orangutans. I could spend hours on youtube watching these incredible animals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyvTuvYGPkI

I send all good wishes to you and your family for a wonderful Christmas!

Liking the Zoo Lights pictures. Thanks Richard ;0)

>79 EllaTim: That same child of mine who is mostly left handed tells me he is right-footed when it comes to football (ie the game where your foot actually makes contact with the ball).

>81 weird_O: Huh, interesting. Confuses the heck out of the basic genetics I learned at school, though.

>111 Whisper1: Oh good, Linda. I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of Milkman.

It was a wonderful night at the zoo. I love that zoos get involved in saving animals on the endangered list. We've got to race off soon, but I'll circle back to see the video of the baby orangutans. They are incredible animals, for sure.

Thank you! Best holiday wishes to you and your family!

>112 humouress: Ha! I should thank Richard, too, Nina, for getting me to make the effort on the zoo photos. I'm glad you like them.

Oh, that makes sense. Right and left footedness would be important for soccer/football. I played a lot as a kid (it's popular here for youngsters; still working on it at higher levels); my kick was definitely stronger from my right leg, so I bet I'm right-footed.

I don't know how left-handedness travels genetically. It sure doesn't seem predictable at this point.

Our future astronaut Rafa

Astronaut? Nah...I think Rafa is going to run Starfleet.

>114 jnwelch: Ha! I love it, Linda. I hope so!

I'm just happy I catalyzed whatever it was that got me pretty pictures.

>115 laytonwoman3rd: ^^^What Linda3rd said.

>117 richardderus: Ha! Thanks, Richard. Your catalyzation powers remain strong.

May Rafa go where no one has gone before . . .

OK, for Marianne and those interested, here's a new Joe poem. This one isn't, but I'm going to find a rhyming one or two.

On the Farm

I

The smell of dust and the sound of
Desperate snoring.
It once was a chicken coop
Speckled by shit.

Hungover, the gray air
Moves like spilled paint.
I anger at the flies
Grabbing someone else's t-shirt
To do battle with.

Ship and P.E. pile up the beer cans
While I break canned hash into the pan.
The morning has waited, and only now
Is lifting from the hills.
Outside the coop, the horses and I know
Each other, and through the fence
We jab at the damp ground, muttering.

II

Marv might've been born that way.
We always thought some horse
Finally kicked him back.
His limp, a practiced arc, propels
Him forward like a swinging door,
Opening and closing, opening and closing.
The horses never scare him at all.

He grips the edge of the barn door,
Pausing before he pulls it aside.
Over the years the colors
Fused into age, each
Crook and imperfection
Working its gray way inward.
The open doorway shows
A sun-speckled hayloft
Lit by spaces and knotholes in the shrunken planks.

III

We agree to stop a hundred or so yards away.
In the darkness we can barely make it out.
Beside the hole the ground is piled roughly
And the moon lays quiet on sheets of aluminum.

As partial payment they will let them keep the wood.

IV

The new barn is almost done.
In the refurbished coop everyone is
Comfortable.
At night there is weed and TV
And nice beds to sleep on.
The flies are no longer a problem.
They blacken curls of fly paper
And the air around them smells slightly sweet.

Brushed By an Angel's Wing

Brushed by an angel's wing
She's been brushed by an angel's wing
She was sweaty, in the wrong clothes
Looking for sugar or the light show
She's been brushed by an angel's wing

Been the baby, she's been the man
Spent good money according to plan
Curled up like a rose, spread like a fire
Said no to denial and goodbye to desire

Debutante, the ground was uneven
Fell, and looked around at the bleeding
Been a fool, and mean, now it's all coming clean
She's been brushed by an angel's wing

If a man was tilting, she held him up
Felt bad when he couldn't be alone
She felt selfish for caring
Where she was going
Guilty for feeling the load

Helped out the poets, the artists, the bums
The reckless, the heartless, the cold
The down-dirt choosers, determined losers
And somehow still held her own.
Well, that's enough, there's no looking back
She's been brushed by an angel's wing.

Brushed by an angel's wing
Brushed by an angel's wing
She was turning the corner, minding her own business
On the Fourth of July no one's looking for Christmas
She's been brushed by an angel's wing

You're the Best Thing I Never Had

Walking out the door this morning
I knew today I was gonna be sad
It was a bright breezy love time
And you're the best thing I never had

Couples hanging happy by the river
A band playing old Beatles' tunes
Hot and bright, the timing right
I stood alone with the need to lose

You're the best thing I never had
I guess I should thank you
For letting me stand here
But I can't see the next step
And what's gone can't be kept
You're the best thing I never had

I love "On the Farm." I felt transported, like I was really there and could feel the air, smell the smells, see the images. Nicely done, Joe.

>121 jnwelch: Thanks, Ellen! Great to hear.

One for the Lee Child fans:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/entertainment-arts-46610175/lee-child-channelling-...

>119 jnwelch: This has a flavour of Faulknarian characters for me Joe. I'm thinking of The Hamlet. I need to read the rest of that trilogy.

>124 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks for the Reacher/Lee Child link, Caroline. He's fun to listen to, and probably right about the satisfaction and consolation we get from Reacher doing the right thing whatever the odds, when we so often don't or can't.

Faulkner?! I must've slipped up. Just kidding! Thank you. As you may have seen, I'm not a Faulkner fan, and I haven't read The Hamlet. I'm glad the poem had traction for you, and I hope poor Faulkner isn't turning over in his grave. :-)

>119 jnwelch:

Wow - so much in On the Farm to love and enjoy and return to,
notably these Classic Lines:

Outside the coop, the horses and I know
Each other, and through the fence
We jab at the damp ground, muttering

(Not sure if you like these guys, but Robert Frost, Whitman, and William Carlos Williams
would want these!)

>121 jnwelch:

You wrote You're the Best Thing I Never Had for ALL of us, right?

And someone - Hendrix? Dylan? Freddy Mercury? - is putting it to music...!

>126 m.belljackson: Ah, thanks, Marianne. I love those lines, too. I do like Frost, Whitman and William Carlos Williams a lot. Thank you!

>127 m.belljackson: Ha! Yes, You're the Best Thing I Never Had is for ALL the cafe patrons. :-) I'm glad you caught the song-iness of that one, and I think of Brushed By an Angel's Wing the same way. I do have a sound engineer friend who was in a band for ages, and wrote his own songs. I'm hoping maybe I can persuade him to give it a go. Probably not, but you never know.

What a beautiful baby!

>129 Whisper1:. Ha! You’ll get no argument here, Linda!

Find the Light—Reflect the Light—Be the Light

Happy Yule 2018!

>114 jnwelch: Boy, this kid is adorable.

Morning, Joe. Happy Friday. I am still a bit out of sync, but I sure hope to rebound soon. I will come back and take a closer look at your poems, when I have more time.

>114 jnwelch: Such a cutie, as always!

>114 jnwelch: Rafa is unbeetable!

Happy Winter Solstice, Joe!

Hoping your holidays are filled with good friends and good books

>131 richardderus: Happy Yule, Richard! Thanks for the good thoughts!

>132 msf59: Thanks, Marks. Totes adorbs, that kid. Hope you feel back on top of things soon.

>133 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle! We see him for 10 days, starting tomorrow. Little smushkin guy.

>134 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl. Well, for beet's sake. I won't rebeet what you said, but I appreciate the thought.

>135 EBT1002: Awww. Thanks, Lynda. Back atcha - happy holidays, my friend.

Hi Joe!

Yikes, way behind on threads. Happy belated new one.

>46 jnwelch: pterodactyl language I like that. Go Rafa!

>128 jnwelch: >127 m.belljackson:

Maybe someone in your Pittsburg crew wants the challenge to write music for the song Janis Joplin or Tina Turner would have belted out
and JIMI would have had fun with. Keep us posted!

Does Amtrak go direct to Pittsburg?

>139 karenmarie: Hi Karen! Thanks!

Ha! Yeah, his pterodactyl language seems high-pitched, wordless and unpredictable, but I'm sure he's trying to tell us something. He clearly wants to join in on the conversation! He's getting both Spanish and English, so it's going to be fun to see how his language skills develop.

>140 m.belljackson: Ha! Thanks re the lyric poems. I'll let you know if any songwriting gets off the ground.

Right now there is no direct Chicago-Pittsburgh Amtrak railroad line. There's lots of talk about installing a very high speed line that would get us there in an hour or so - wouldn't that be something! Right now, you have to go through another city, like Cleveland. That's what our daughter's going to do to come back early to Chicago, after driving to Pittshburgh with us.

Happy Holidays!

>114 jnwelch: Adorable baby, as always

Safe travels and delightful grandparenting!

(Or in other words, Happy Christmas, to you and yours!)

>142 The_Hibernator: The adorable baby would love this adorable Happy Holidays post. Thanks, Rachel!

>143 richardderus: Thanks, buddy. My bride is practically vibrating with the anticipation of seeing the grandbaby. Perhaps I'm looking forward to it a bit, too. :-)

No bad weather is predicted for the trip, so I'm hoping for a safe and relatively easy one. I'll post when we get there.

>143 richardderus: Oh, I love it, Rhian. Thank you. Somewhere back there my ancestors could read that without translation.

I won't be able to stop by at everyone's thread, but thank you for making it a great year at the cafe even with an Orange Gasbag as Idiot-in-Chief here in the USA, and the unfortunate events that entered the lives of some of us. I'm looking forward to more good times in the cafe in 2019, and to all of us finding, reflecting, and being the light, as Richard says.

Wishing you and your family the best of the holiday season, Joe. Enjoy that grandson of yours!

All the best to you and your family, Joe. Enjoy them all!

Safe travels and the best of the holiday season to you and yours, Joe.

Happy Holidays Joe!

Morning, Joe! Wishing you safe travels today - you know, one of these days you all need to plan a stop in Ohio and let us treat you to lunch...

Hi Joe, we would like to wish you, Debbi and your family a very Merry Christmas and festive season and send seasonal love and hugs to you all from both of us dear friend.

Thank you every one. We have arrived safely. Unfortunately, Rafa and his folks all have the stomach flu, son #1 worst of all. We’re with him in emergency at the hospital right now - I expect they’ll be giving him an IV and an anti-nausea drug.

Once a parent, always a parent! It’ll be okay.

Oh my, I hope they are fixed soon and ready to enjoy the festivities Joe. May you and Debbi stay healthy too.

Every good wish of the season, and a New Year full of all good things.

>153 jnwelch: Oh, that's just terrible. Nothing worse than being sick at the holiday, except having a sick child when you are also suffering with it. Sending recuperative whammies to all.

Ouch. Hoping it blows over quickly! Without hitting anyone else on its way out!

>153 jnwelch:

Hope you are all home recovering and that senior flu shots have helped.

>138 jnwelch: Who're you calling Lynda? xo

Joe, I know Hanukkah is over (early this year) but I'm remembering (correctly?) that your family celebrates a variety of winter holidays. I wish you and yours...



>153 jnwelch: Oh lord, I just read this. I hope he recovers soon!!

Morning, Joe. I am so sorry, that Jesse and the clan are sick. I sure hope they are doing better today, so you guys can enjoy the holiday. Sending healing vibes from the Midwest.

Oh, no! Sending healthy thoughts for Rafa and his parents (and his grandparents)!

Thank you for the sympathy and holiday wishes! Late night at the hospital, but we got to bring him home. (Three IV bags to rehydrate him!). Debbi reports no vomiting this morning by anyone(!), so that’s a good sign. I stayed with our daughter, who’s struggling a bit herself health wise.

This will probably screw up today’s Christmas Eve get-together with my sister and her family, but we’ll take it one step at a time. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas or otherwise enjoy the holiday break.

Toast and tea are always good. Maybe serve them in festive dishes? ;-)

Take it easy!

>164 jnwelch:. Ha! Thanks, Shelley. I’m sure festive dishes will help. There will be a lot of that BRAT eating going on - bananas, rice, applesauce, toast. I suppose I can help out by eating the neglected cookies and pastries.

Sorry to see that everyone is sick! Hopefully you all still manage to have a wonderful holiday and enjoy some grand baby time!

>153 jnwelch: Awful!

>164 jnwelch: Silver lining!

Be healthy amid the chaos.

To Joe, Debbi and family, Merry Christmas. May the new year bring health, joy and new adventures.

Here is something for your Christmas tree.

Sorry to learn the flu has struck! Stopping by to wish you and your family a healthy conclusion to 2018 and peace, joy, health and happiness for 2019!

So sorry to hear about that flu Joe! Toast and tea, sympathy and rest can all help.

Still wishing you all happy holidays!

Merry Christmas to you and yours! Looking forward to a very bookish 2019

I hope everyone is feeling better soon and that you both stay healthy! Best wishes, Joe.

Happy holidays, Joe.

I do hope you are all feeling much better soon dear friend.

Happy Christmas from Santa Mouse and Rudy the Red Shelled Lobster, Joe! I'm sorry to hear that Jesse and your other family members are ill. I hope that everyone is feeling better very soon.

Gosh, Joe! I hope everyone has recovered enough to enjoy the festivities.

I was going to ask if you've tried baby sign language with Rafa? Although I know American sign language differs from British, so I don't know if it's the same as Spanish.



Seasons Greetings from Singapore! Wishing you and your family joy, peace, good fortune and good health now and in the coming year.

Best wishes to you for a very merry Christmas!

I love the holiday posts! Thanks, everyone. I’ll try to get on later to respond individually.

We had a grand Christmas. Those on Facebook can see the photos (much easier to post there!). We started the day in matching flannel pjs (Adriana’s idea - she even bought some for Debbi and me). Rafa loved opening and eating/mouthing his presents, as his way of making sure they were high quality.

We joined my sister and BIL and her kids and the recent marry-into at the Grand Concourse restaurant, a beautiful converted train station with excellent food. Some of you have seen the photo of my three foot high (or so it seemed) slice of carrot cake. The rest of the day was lazy.

Yes, I got some cool books, including the new and weird Shaun Tan Book and the Andre The Giant GN. I’ll gather them and report at some point.

The one downer is poor Madame MBH caught that stomach bug after heroically helping with the baby while our son and his bride were laid low. Not fun. She did make it through the night and is feeling improved. Fingers crossed.
We’re going to see the Harlem Globetrotters today, and she thinks she can make it.

That slice of heaven carrot cake was most impressive. I adore the icing-heavy cakes, as I needn't really belabor, but the density and moistness of that particular cake was impressive.

Poor Debbi. I hope her recovery is swift and complete.

I love those flannel jammies, Joe...saw the photo on FB. It showed up just above a family photo from another friend of HER family in matching red plaid PJ's...slightly different pattern. So glad Rafa felt well and had a good time. I suppose it was inevitable that Debbi would get the bug, but she should have earned an exemption.

I'm sorry that Debbi was felled by the stomach bug. Give her my best, and I hope that she's back to normal soon.

>176 jnwelch: Sorry to hear about the stomach bug. 3/5 of our household went down with the same the weekend before Christmas but the oldest (me) and youngest escaped unscathed. It was a 24 hour thing in our household and with several in-laws so hopefully Debbie will be back up soon. You, sir, should be investing in some bleach.

Oh my. Having the flu amidst the holiday festivities is no fun. I hope all is better soon. How nice of you to eat the cookies to save the sickies more misery! Thank you, Joe, for having one of the most fun and interesting threads on LT. It's always a pleasure coming here. I'm also a fan of your FB posts. Best of Everyhing for 2019, my friend!

May I put a poster in your front window, Esteemed Proprietor? Yes? Thank you so much.

The General Discussion Thread for the 2019 American Authors Challenge is now active.

The January author is Chaim Potok, and his thread is up as well.

Hope Debbi, and all the other sufferers are now recovering. Look forward to the photos when they surface over here on your return Joe.

How were the globetrotters?

>165 ChelleBearss:. Thanks, Chelle! I like the sparkliosity of your Merry Christmas.

>166 richardderus:. Hi, Richard. Yes!

>166 richardderus:. Yes!

>166 richardderus:. Chaos is my middle name. And my other two names, too. CCC, that’s me.

>167 Caroline_McElwee:. Thanks, Caroline! I love that ornament.

>168 lkernagh:. Thanks, Lori. Beautiful photo, and beautiful thoughts. Back atcha.

>169 EllaTim:. Thanks, Ella. Debbi is doing better, and I suspect a night’s sleep will help a lot. She’s following almost the identical sequence that son and DIL did.

>170 mahsdad:. Hi, Jeff. A bookish 2019 sounds great. Meet you here!

>171 Familyhistorian:. Thanks, Meg. We’re almost out of the illness Woods. All the throwing up has stopped, I’m glad to say.

>172 PaulCranswick:. Thanks, Paul. Everyone ill is nearly back to normal, and there has been a whole lot of laughter. I’m glad you’re reunited with your crew, and I hope you’re all having a wonderful holiday season. It looks on Facebook like you are!

>173 kidzdoc:. Thanks, Darryl. I believe your Happy Christmas post wins for the weirdest. Maybe we can come up with a “The Christmas the Mouse Rode the Lobster” song or poem for next year.

>174 humouress:. Wow, Nina, Singapore! I love that we can all be in touch with each other around the globe. Thank you! Happy Holidays and joy and peace and all that good stuff to you and your family.

I’m sure Rafa’s Baby Sign Language is excellent, but mine is terrible. I’m sure he’s told me he’s needed a diaper change more than once, but I’ve run away not understood.

Is that a dog of your acquaintenance neath the tree? He/she’s a beaut.

>175 AMQS:. Thanks, Anne! Merry Christmas!

>177 richardderus:. Hi, Richard. I could’ve used your help with that huge slice of carrot cake, buddy. I’m embarrassed to say that I . . . didn’t finish it. !!!! I blame El Niño, or the alignment of the stars. It was so delicious, but it was like the Mount Everest of carrot cake slices. And no one would help! They seemed preoccupied with their own delicious desserts. I’ll always think of it as a special relationship untimely ended. If we had stayed at the restaurant a few more hours, or days, I know I could’ve finished.

Thanks re Debbi. Her recovery isn’t swift or complete, unfortunately, but it’s steady and getting there.

I hope everyone is well again soon! And let's hear it for flannel jammies for all!

>178 laytonwoman3rd:. Thanks, Linda. Weren’t those flannel jammies great? We were the Flannel Family Christmas morning. Rafa has that baby resilience, and he’s been having a blast. He can’t wait to walk. He’s been standing upright behind wheeled toys and pushing them around.

I agree Debbi should’ve gotten an exemption from the bug. She (we) knew she was likely to get it under the circumstances, but the kids were a mess and not in shape to take care of the baby. Our DIL was very grateful, and says Debbi saved their lives.

Debbi was better enough today to join us for the Harlem Globetrotters, although she conked out afterwards.

>179 kidzdoc:. Thanks, Darryl. Debbi says, “Thank you, sweetie”, and asks whether you are still in Philly.

>187 jnwelch: Thank you, that would be Jasper, our very enthusiastic golden retriever. He’s looking a bit confused in the photo, wondering why I wanted him to sit just there. Ah, I see; strategic (re baby language). Nod, nod, wink, wink.

ETA: probably a good strategy; they say it encourages babies to talk earlier. Ten years later, I get debates instead of action when I suggest that the boys’ room should be tidied up.

Good to know everyone is on the mend.

>188 jnwelch: Little tip I picked up while living in New York - doggy bag.

>180 Oberon:. Ha! Thanks, Erik. I’m, uh, not allowed near bleach, since I’ve shown rather, uh, clumsy laundry skills along the way.

It’s been sort of a 24 hour bug for the worst of it, but with lousy after effects, Our daughter and I have escaped its wrath, despite being around her sick brother and our DIL. We’re calling the baby “Patient Zero” (he was the first to get it, in daycare), and I think close proximity to him at the wrong time snared Debbi.

>181 Donna828:. Thanks, Donna. I think of myself as a giver, and if giving means eating a lot of cookies, I can do that.

I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the thread; it also seems fun and interesting to me, in large part because we’ve got so many fun and interesting 75ers like you.

I’m a fan of your FB posts, too! What a good-looking family you have.

Happy Holidays, my friend!

>182 laytonwoman3rd:. Hi, Linda. Yay for the AAC and Chaim Potok. Thanks for the link. I feel like maybe we can come up with a better poster? I volunteer to think about that one.

>183 Caroline_McElwee:. Hi, Caroline. The kids are still feeling it a bit, but are almost in the clear. Debbi is closely following their trajectory, so I’m hoping tomorrow morning she’ll be feeling a whole lot better.

She made it to the Globetrotters game, and they were a blast. Very funny and very talented. We had taken our kids when they were little, so they got a kick out of seeing them at an older age. The four year old with us loved it, and Rafa was looking all over the place, trying to figure out what the heck this new wonderfulness was.

>189 ffortsa:. Ha! Thanks, Judy. What a kinder, funner world it would be if we all wore flannel jammies all the time. I’m not sure it’s possible to be in a bad mood if you’re wearing flannel jammies.

>191 humouress:. Yeah, strategic sign language, that’s the ticket, Nina.😀

Doggy bag - it crossed my mind, but I came close to finishing and the remnants were . . . too meager. Sigh.

Jasper’s a snazzy-looking golden retriever. I’m sure he’s a boon companion.

>194 jnwelch: Re doggy bag - you have to gauge these things early, Joe.

Re doggy - Jasper is faithful hound to number one son. Myself, I seem to come at the bottom of the list of humans in his mind, level with his chew toys. But I’m also Protectress from the Thunder because I’ll sit with him through thunderstorms, of which we’ve had many in recent weeks.

It's good to hear that it is a short lived bug, Joe. I hope that Debbi is fully recovered very soon. That that was a very impressive piece of carrot cake!

Hi, Joe! I'm sorry that MBH came down with the virus, but I'm glad she's feeling better and that your holiday seems to be going well otherwise! Please to give that Rafa fellow a squeeze for me.

Morning, Joe. Sweet Thursday. I hope Debbi is doing better today and I am glad the group had at a good time at the Globetrotter game. Go Rafa!

I am enjoying a day off. It looks like a rainy one here, so I am glad I will be tucked inside. I have about a 130 pages left in the Murakami and should be able to chip away at a chunk today. I am also loving Citizen Illegal. Such an original voice. You were spot on, with that one.

How is Tales from the Inner City? There was a glowing review in the Trib today. It sure sounds like my cuppa.

Thursday brightness, Joe. I'm an InstantPot lover, as I expect you're utterly indifferent to...I mean aware of!...but my bread-making efforts in it haven't been satisfactory. I'm mulling over budgeting in a new bread machine for summer 2019, the garage-sale one having died.

This variation on cranberry-orange bread, that December breakfast staple, is a big reason why:

The bread machine offers the huge advantage of controlling how crunchy the crust will be, and this crunchy-crust cranberry-orange bread sounds so good I want to try it. The YGC's over will be pressed into service for the experiment.

Other than that, not much new. Is the family recovering from the epizootics?

>195 humouress:. I know,Nina, my carrot cake planning was lousy. Plus I way overestimated my eating power. But it sure was delish.

I love faithful hounds, and I’m familiar with being at the level of chew toys.😄. Protectress from the Thunder - I don’t think it gets any better than that. You may have your own Marvel movie soon!

>196 Familyhistorian:. Thanks, Meg. Debbi isn’t all the way there, but she’s feeling much better. That was some cake! (I was trying to invoke “Some Pig”. - did it work?).

We’re now off to the Science museum and the LEGO exhibit. I’ll check in later today.

Hi Joe! I'm behind on your thread but I have been seeing all the wonderful photos of your little Rafa. And now we have one too!!! Our first grandson, named Rafael (after my father, who was Ralph) and already being called Rafa, was born last week. So far this grandparenthood thing is pretty wonderful and I'm happy to be joining the club!

Oh, Joe, so sorry to hear the flu is visiting your family. My nephew's family all had it too Christmas Day. Hope they are starting to feel better.

Saw this street art on Facebook today and have to share it. Someone said the artist is Julian Beever but I don't know where this is.

>197 scaifea:. Thanks, Amber. Madame MBH is resting after joining us for a great time at the Carnegie Science Center. Best science museum I’ve been in- and Chicago has a pretty darn good one. Most wondrous was an exhibit of LEGO art by Nathan Samaya. Really cool. I’ve got photos I’ll post at some point.

Rafa is quite the smilemaker; I’ll gladly give him a hug for you.

>198 msf59:. Sweet Thursday, Mark! Debbi is doing much better, thanks. The Globetrotters experience was great, and we went to a terrific science museum today- Carnegie Science Center.

I’m glad you’re in the final stretch with the Murakami (is your brain exploding?), and enjoying Citizen Illegal. “What an original voice.” Exactly!

I hope it’s been a relaxing day off. The art in the Shaun Tan is quite different, and the stories look . . . weird. Just my flavor! I’m psyched to hear the Trib gave such a positive review.

>199 richardderus:. Kudos to you for being an Instant (not Harry) Potter, and bread-maker, Richard. French Press coffee is about as far as this Grateful Bread Head goes. I opened a book cafe mainly so others would cook and bake while I read. What a schlub.

The whole gang is on the far side of that voracious virus. Still physically worn out, but otherwise in the clear. We’re going to do an Escape Room today.

>201 vivians:. Hiya, Vivian. Congratulation to your Rafa from our Rafa! He’s our first, too. It’s a treat, isn’t it. We get 10 days with this little guy. Guess what his parents are doing right now? Yup, sleeping.

>202 ronincats:. Thanks re the flu, Roni. Our son’s house is in the clear, thank goodness. We’re hearing about stricken folks all over the place. Now a friend here’s 4 year old is in the hospital being rehydrated, poor little guy.

Cool street art! You can see everyone around is loving it. What a great idea for the holidays.

>206 jnwelch: LIKE!!

>204 jnwelch: Did you escape? : )

>207 kac522:. Ha! For some reason LT wouldn’t post an image here, Kathy. I thought I’d try later. Right now it’s a polar bear in a snowstorm.

>208 Berly:. Hi, Kim. We busted out of the jail cell, and we were SO CLOSE to getting out of the police station! The room master said we probably only needed 2 more minutes. But time was up. A wooden cipher wheel at the end took just that little wee tiny bit too long. As you may have seen on FB, we all started in handcuffs. Tough room!

>206 jnwelch: ...a snowstorm of red & black check, & shiny heads, looks to me...

>206 jnwelch: - I am seeing nothing but a black *x*… ??

>210 kac522:, >211 jessibud2:. Well, that’s intriguing, Kathy and Shelley. I see . . . nothing at all. White on white = polar bear in a snowstorm. No red or black on my end.🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

>212 jnwelch: Yep, coming through loud & clear in Chicago...Rafa just needs glasses to round out the triplet look. Some folks are saying you just need to be sure you got that "https" in your URL handle, but I'm not a techie in any form, so just a suggestion.

>206 jnwelch: I see NOTHing....

>214 laytonwoman3rd: Nothing here either, but I think I saw the post on Facebook. Glad they let you go!

White on white here too, Joe. There seem to be a lot of missing photos on LT tonight.

>206 jnwelch: Well now, I can't see it with Firefox or Chrome, but it's A-OK with IE.

Yay! It worked. The Flannel Family: Adriana, Jesse and Rafa

3 Gens of the Flannel Family

Thanks, Kathy, Linda, Meg, and Judy. I suspect LT was having one of its glitches.

We continue to have a groovy kind of love going on here. Yesterday we took it easy, and watched Michigan (I didn't go there, but grew up in Ann Arbor with grad uncles) get crushed by Florida in the Peach Bowl, plus lots of "Nailed It", the absurd baking show. Plus lots of playing with the cute little guy.

We just had brunch at Park Bruges here, and based on the mess Mr. Rafa left under his chair, left a most excellent tip. Took Madame MBH and me back to the old days, when we'd tip heavily when our kids left a mess at a restaurant. It was nice not to have a collective look of horror next time we showed up. Plus, you know, fairness and justice. :-)

Not Rafa - this is a stunt double

>218 jnwelch: >219 jnwelch: You're all looking marvelously colour coordinated and cozy at the same time. Yay for flannel!

Glad you are all feeling well again. I'm having the flu as well, but it's clearing already. Wishing you a nice day tomorrow.

>222 EllaTim: Thanks, Ella. Sorry to hear you're having the flu; I'm glad it's clearing already and I hope it passes quickly.

The flannel was Adriana's idea, bless her. She bought the flannel outfits for Madame MBH and me, so we could all be flannel-coordinated. We're thinking we'll make it an annual tradition.

Great goddess below us! I've stumbled into the lumberjack room instead of Joe's cafe!

*backs slowly away*

>224 richardderus: We're the friendly lumberjacks, Richard, You're thinking of that Hell's Lumberjacks gang. Flannel feels mighty good this time of year.

A little help with a huge slice of carrot cake?

*re-enters scary lumberjack room*

...carrot cake? Well...if you insist...

😅🥮🍰

Ha, love the Jim-jam photos Joe. And wow, what a whopping piece of a Carrot cake that is, and a happy fork wielder too.

Happy New Year (from Bilbao, I land home on the cusp of the New Year).

>228 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Caroline. How's Bilbao? I'll have to check your thread for tales of your adventures.

We had a jim-jammy fine time Christmas morning. That carrot cake slice was a whopper! I couldn't quite make it all the way through; I could've used some help, but the others were taken up with their own large deserts.

Have a great rest of your Bilbao visit, and enjoy your cusp of the New Year-ing!

Glad to hear that everybody is on the mend. I wish you and yours a healthy 2019.

I love the pictures, and even more the idea, of the Flannel Family, Joe!

Hi Joe, we would like to wish you, Debbi and your family a very happy new year and hope that 2019 is a good one also, sending love and hugs to you all from both of us dear friend.

>226 richardderus: Not all lumberjacks are scary....I'm just sayin'. https://www.librarything.com/topic/300767#6673469

Hi Joe!

Scroll, scroll, scan, scan, neat pic, neat pic, scroll... it's hopeless. Sorry about the flu, love the plaid matching outfits. And, of course,



Wishing you a new year filled with joy, happiness, laughter, and all the wonderful books you could wish for.

>230 Ameise1:. Thanks, Barbara. Happy New Year!

>231 FAMeulstee:. Ha! Thanks, Anita. The Flannel Family has a great time. Happy New Yesr to you and Frank!

>232 johnsimpson:. Thanks, John. Happy New Year to you and Karen, and love and hugs to you both!

>233 laytonwoman3rd:. So true, Linda. You wouldn’t believe how many wonderful lumberjacks we’ve met at lumberjack meetups. I’ll have to circle back and try your link.

>234 thornton37814:. Thanks, Lori! I’m hoping 2019 will be like a happy floating cat. 😄

>235 karenmarie:. I know, Karen, there’s been a surprising amount going on in the last cafe of the year. I’m glad you found some neat pics, and that you enjoyed the Flannel Family. The flu is in the rear view mirror, thank goodness, and son #1 and his bride are going to a local club with friends to dance their way into the New Year. We’ll watch over the bonny Rafa, and plan to view a couple of Cary Grant movies, The Awful Truth and North by Northwest.

Happy New Year!

>236 brodiew2:. Happy New Year, Brodie!

Happy New Year's Eve!!

>240 Berly: Thanks, Kim! Happy New Year's Eve!

^Have a great time hanging out with the family, Joe. We are just having another couple over for dinner and drinks. Low key night, which is fine with me.

Enjoy your movie night. I loved the Hitchcock, (although Notorious is my favorite, of that collaboration). It has been many years since I saw The Awful Truth. I should track it down.

I wish you from my heart a healthy 2019 filled with happiness, satisfaction, laughter and lots of good books.

>243 Ameise1:. Hey, buddy. Thanks for the texting this morning. Rafa is back to his old self. Enjoy MI Fallout!

A low key night with a couple of friends. We normally do something similar at a neighborhood friend’s house. Despite Rafa struggling (we all think it’s probably another new tooth coming in) we had a good night. It was fun to see an early Cary Grant in The Awful Truth, and we ended up watching the Trevor Noah comedy set rather than re-watch North by Northwest. After your comment, we both agreed we’ll track down Notorious.

Happy 2019! It’ll probably be a couple of days before I can start a new year’s thread, but I’ll stop by.

>244 Storeetllr:. Thank you, Barbara! That’s a lovely New Year’s wish. I wish you the same!

>244 Storeetllr:. Thank you, Mary! Happy New Year!

I will be keeping an eye out for your 2019 thread, would not like to miss the café.

Happy new year, Joe! Ugh! where does one go if the cafe is not open for coffee this morning.

>247 EllaTim:. Thanks, Ella. The cafe wouldn’t be the same without you!

We drive back home tomorrow, and I should be able to start a ‘19 thread the day after.

>248 Carmenere:. Thanks, Lynda! Happy New Year!

Hmm. Feel free to go back in the kitchen for some java, or maybe someone can help. I’m away from the necessary tech, unfortunately.🤭😬

Much of the New Year madness will be over by the time the new cafe opens up, Joe. Good way to bring in the crowds! lol

Is the 2019 café still closed for the holidays, Joe? Happy New Year to you and yours, in the meantime.

Morning, Joe. Have a safe trip back to Chicago today. At least the weather should cooperate.

>251 humouress:. Yes, Nina. Apologies from the proprietor. We drive home today, and plan to open tomorrow for 2019.

Happy New Year!

>252 msf59:. Thanks, buddy. We’ve been lucky with the weather. And I’m now a fan of IPass! Hope you have a good one today.

>250 Familyhistorian:. Whoops! Hi, Meg. Thanks!

>253 jnwelch: Safe travels home, Joe. Yeah, took me many years to break down and buy an I-Pass. Finally had to do it a couple of years ago when I realized all my siblings (there are 5 of us) had moved outside of Chicago to various and sundry outer suburbs and beyond. Visits to them are the only times I use it, but such a convenience.

Hello there Joe! I'll be checking for the new digs soon. I'm back on the 75er this year. Looks like I'll have more time than before. Hope I'll see you around!

Safe travels!

I am finally back at work and in the land of Internet access. Kansas was an adventure.

I wanted to let everybody know that the American Library Association Winter Conference will be in Seattle, WA starting January 25 and ending on January 28. Most of the major publishers will be there on the exhibit floor with plenty of Advanced Readers Copy's (ARC's) for people to pick up.

Tim Spaulding, intrepid founder and leader of LT, and Loreanne, the web services librarian for LT, will be there in the ProQuest booth, so you can stop in and meet them. (Rock stars that they are. Yeah LT!)

At this point I don't know if LT will be able to give out free passes to the exhibit floor, but the LT people are checking on it. If you are an LT user and live close enough to Seattle it might be worth your while to make plans to attend on Saturday or Sunday and pick up some of those free ARC's.

I don't know if we will have a meetup - yet, but if there is positive response I will plan one. Usually, Saturday night works best for us to meet for food and book talking. I will let you know. I will set up a thread for a meet up if enough people respond positively. Last time we were in Seattle there was only me and Karen for the meetup.

>255 kac522: Hiya, Kathy.

Yeah, same for me re the IPass, as you can tell. It is so convenient, when we're going through all the Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and then Pennsylvania toll booths to get to Pittsburgh and back!

The first time I went with our daughter to a meetup at Mark's, I didn't realize there'd be a toll booth on the way. Back then, you needed the change, and neither of us had it. Solution: we got out and collected enough from all the coins that had fallen to the ground when predecessors fumbled! Ha! Becca still thinks if we'd stayed and scrounged around some more, we could've made a nice profit.

>256 michigantrumpet: Marianne! Good to see you!

I saw you have a '19 thread, so I'll stop over soon. (I'm way behind on LT!) Great to have you back on the LT campus. Can't wait to see you in the LT Marching Band! :-)

>257 benitastrnad:, >258 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita. Good to have you back from Kansas!

Oh, my. ALA in Seattle. I wish we could make it. We love Seattle, and that would be a great reason to visit. But we've decided we're not traveling in January. We spent so much of last year on the road! We want to enjoy being home for a while.

I definitely recommend going to that ALA meeting to all those who can. We've had a blast in the past going to ALA meetings - lots of free new books and book reader excitement, along with author appearances and book signings.

I hope LT can get free passes again, and that a meetup happens. Thanks again for being coordinator; you're aces at it.

>258 benitastrnad: We’re planning to head for Seattle in about a year’ time if you could arrange for the ALA to meet us there then, please?

#261
I am not sure I can swing that. I am a long time member, but somehow don't think I have that much pull with the organization.

Frankly, the ALA Midwinter meeting is in trouble. Attendance, the last few years has been down and it is dropping more. Since it is a much smaller conference than the Summer meeting, ALA has been trying hold the meeting in cities that aren't huge and are in more out-of-the-way places. Hence, the meeting in Seattle in 2019 and the meeting in Denver in 2018. Next year the Mid-Winter meeting will be in Philadelphia and 2021 will be in Indianapolis. After that the conference is in doubt. Twenty years ago all the Midwinter meetings were held in Chicago - year in and year out. In an attempt to broaden the base it began moving around.

The good news is that the summer conference is still going strong and there is no doubt it will be held - usually in major cities such as Chicago, Washington, D.C. (June of 2019), New Orleans, etc., etc.

#260
It IS lots of fun to see authors treated like rock stars! The first time my niece attended, she couldn't believe the lines for the book signings. With stars in her eyes she pronounced it better than a rock concert! Last summer a former student of mine went absolutely gaga over Julia Colin Davis and she isn't even an author. She is one of the America's Test Kitchen cooks who was in New Orleans for ALA to promote ATK's cookbook for children.

I would like to use your thread to let people know that I am hosting a mystery challenge thread within the 75'ers Group.

Here is the link. https://www.librarything.com/topic/301787

For lack of a better title I christened it: Lackberg and Leon: A Scandicrime vs Venetian Mystery Challenge. I thought about doing something with North vs. South or Hot and Cold Climes Crime, but somehow it just didn't mesh. If one of you can come up with something let us know over on the new thread.

It is part of the 75 Books Challenge group. For a couple of years we have been doing a compare and contrast mystery group read and this year we selected the Erika Falck series by Camilla Lackberg and the Guido Brunetti series by Donna Leon as our two authors. Scandicrime vs. Canal Crime? The Ice Princess is our first book for this year.

If nothing else, drop a star on the thread and just lurk. We don't mind.

>262 benitastrnad: Interesting -- the ALA website lists dates and locations for Midwinter through 2024, which I would take to mean that they have contracted with conference centers for those locations. A lot of the work of the organization is done at Midwinter -- all of the award committees meet for deliberations, for example. I don't think there's much danger of them discontinuing it, though I could see them pulling it back to Chicago, as that's more convenient to the ALA offices. It's not, properly speaking, a conference at all, hence the name ("Midwinter Meeting," not "Midwinter Conference"). Certainly, the attendance has dropped -- it held steady at 10,000-12,000 attendees for many years, but has been just above 8,000 for the past two. But I also might attribute the lower numbers at those two meetings to location -- Denver's numbers have been comparatively low every time the meeting has been held there, and it's never been in Atlanta before. Atlanta also isn't particularly convenient for attendees in the West, Midwest, or New England, and lacks the additional tourist incentives, of, say, Orlando. Seattle's numbers have been reasonably good both times Midwinter has been there before, so I'll be interested to see if the numbers drop again this year, or if they rise slightly.

Did I miss something? Is the cafe closed?

Just moved into a new year

https://www.librarything.com/topic/301773

Thanks Caroline!