Amber's (scaifea's) Thread #3

Hey, everybody!

I'm Amber, a one-time Classics professor, turned stay-at-home parent/lady of leisure, turned part-time library assistant, turned once again Classics professor. I spend my free time sewing, writing, knitting, baking, and, of course, reading.

My reading life is happily governed by lists, which means that I read a healthy variety of things across various genres.

I'm 46 going on 12 and live in Ohio with my husband, Tomm; our son, Charlie; Mario, the Golden Retriever; and the newest addition to the family: Agent Fitzsimmons, the Border Collie.

The haircut isn't all that new anymore, but, well, here I am:



Favorite Books from 2021
Spinning Silver
Far Away Across the Sea
The Book Thief
Return of the Thief
Mister Impossible
Something Wicked This Way Comes
The House in the Cerulean Sea
Under the Whispering Door

What I'm Reading Now:
-More Fool Me (Fry bibliography)
-The Portrait of a Lady (books I'm reading with my friend, Rob)
-Burn (romance list)
-The Ghost Writer (wishlist book)
-A Loyal Character Dancer (Year-Long AlphaKIT:Q)
-A Fatal Grace (series read)
-Mockingjay (I'm rereading this one along with Charlie)
-The Path (1001 Children's Books)
-Heartsong (audiobook)
-A Wizard of Earthsea (family bedtime read-aloud)

Books on Deck:

-Les Miserables (books by year - 1862)
-(an unread book from my shelves)
-(a book from my Read Soon! shelves)
-The World of Tibetan Buddhism (Buddhist reading list)
-Hitting the Books (cozy mysteries)
-Richard III (Shakespeare re-read)
-The Land of the Free (100 Banned Books)
-Lest Darkness Fall (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books)
-Titan (Locus SF Award)

The five-ish or so books I have going at once and the On Deck books nearly all come from the following categories and lists:

1. A book from the 100 Banned Books book (at least currently. As soon as I finish this list, I'll replace it with another, and oh, I've got tons of lists).

2. 13 years ago I started working my way through a handful of awards lists for children's books. I've finished a fair few of those, but I'm still working through the 1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Die list, and I try to stay up to date with several of the YALSA awards each year.

3. A book from the Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List, in chronological order.

4. A list I'm working through together with my best friend, Rob: The Hugo/Nebula/WFA/Bram Stoker (and other) lists (combined, in chronological order)

5. For this category, I cycle through 9 different stacks:
a. Agatha Christie's bibliography (in chronological order)
b. Stephen Fry's bibliography (in chronological order)
c. John Boyne bibliography (in chronological order, sort of)
d. Neil Gaiman's bibliography (in some order other than chronological (don't
ask)).
e. Christopher Moore's bibliography (in chronological order)
f. Maggie Stiefvater's bibliography (in chronological order)
g. The NEH Timeless Classics list
h. The National Book Award list (in alpha order by title)
i. The Pulitzer list (in alpha order by author)

6. An unread book from my shelves.

7. A book from my Read Soon! shelves.

8. A book on Buddhism or from the Dalai Lama's bibliography.

9. Book-a-year challenge: A few years ago, along with a few others in this group (*cough* Paul *cough*), I made a year-by-year list to see how far I could go back with consecutive reads. I've since been trying to fill in the gap years.

10. A cozy mystery.

11. A full-on re-read through Shakespeare's stuff.

12. A read-aloud-to-Charlie-at-bedtime book (or two).

13. An audio book, which I listen to as I knit/sew/otherwise craft/drive.

14. A romance novel.

15. A book from my wishlist (it's *so* long).

16. This slot is reserved for books that just grab me and shout that they need to be read Right Now.

Books Read

JANUARY
1. The Cave Children (1001 Children's Books) - 7/10
2. Conan the Barbarian (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books) - 7/10
3. Beauties, Beasts, and Enchantment (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books) - 8/10
4. The Paradise War (audiobook/Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books) - 7/10
5. What Fresh Hell Is This? (impulse read) - 8/10
6. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (I reread this one with Charlie, who's reading it for his ELA class) - 8/10
7. The Hidden Face of Eve (100 Banned Books) - 7/10
8. Guilty Pleasures (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books) - 7/10
9. Cue for Treason (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10
10. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (books I'm reading with my friend, Rob) - 9/10
11. Metropolis (1001 Children's Books) - 7/10
12. Timescape (Nebula Award) - 6/10

Mario & Simmons:





And Charlie on cookie decorating duty:

Next one is yours!

Copied from the last thread:

On the agenda for today:
Another day of not much going on and I'm very okay with that. Yesterday I spent the day alternating between reading and napping, which seems to have done the trick to get me feeling mostly back to normal this morning. We have maybe 3 inches of snow on the ground and I love it! The only real thing we have to do today is take Charlie to get his booster shot, but that's just right here in town and won't take long. Otherwise, I think I'll bake some Cinnamon Bread for this week's breakfasts but otherwise have another day of relaxing and reading. Meatloaf and mashed potatoes for dinner tonight.

On the reading front:
I read a large chunk of A Loyal Character Dancer yesterday, a bit more of Cue for Treason, and listened to more Guilty Pleasures.

What We're Watching:
It was Charlie's pick last night, so after we finished up the D&D game (so fun, that one), we started watching My Hero Academia and now we're all (or at least Charlie and I - I think Tomm may be humoring us) completely hooked.

Happy new thread, Amber!

I hope your arm isn't sore anymore, and Charlie gets no side effects of the booster.

Happy new one!

Happy new thread, Amber, and hooray for another quiet day! We got a couple of inches of snow and now it's raining on top of that, so I'm glad I'm not working (though I may have to shovel at home this afternoon). And love the updated photos of Mario and Simmons. So cute!

>8 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita!

The arm is still sore, but that's okay. The last time I had a tetanus shot, it was sore for two months! I don't mind that part as much as the feeling blech, and thankfully that seems to be over.

>9 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!

>10 bell7: Oh, gross to the rain, but I'm glad you don't have to work!

And thanks! They're pretty cute gals, aren't they?

Happy New Thread, Amber!

Sounds like you have my favorite kind of day planned - reading and not much else. Although Cinnamon Bread sounds just my style.

Great photos of Mario and Simmons, as usual.

Happy new thread!

Meatloaf! MMMMmmmmm. That needs to go on the menu here soon.

>14 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe! I'm really happy about the kind of day we've got going on here. Perfect.

>15 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie!

>16 laytonwoman3rd: Right? Perfect comfort food.

Hi Amber! Happy new thread.

>1 scaifea: Ah ha! Mona Lisa quirky makes its appearance here, too. *smile*

>7 scaifea: I’m glad you are mostly recovered AND have 3 inches of snow. Good luck getting Charlie his booster, and yum to cinnamon bread.

Happy #3, Amber!

Ooh a day off filled with only things you want to do and that ends with meatloaf and mashed potatoes? Colour me jealous!

Happy new thread! Enjoy your mostly unscheduled day 😁 we have one of those over here too, but I probably need to sneak in some grocery shopping.

Happy New Thread, Amber! Enjoy your day. Meatloaf and mashed potatoes? Sounds perfect.

>19 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen! Charlie is now officially boostered - we were in and out pretty quickly - and I'll start the cinnamon bread here in just a minute.

>20 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda!

>21 MickyFine: I am *so* looking forward to that meatloaf and potatoes.

>22 curioussquared: Thanks, Natalie! Good luck with the shopping.

>23 msf59: Thanks, Mark!

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread Amber my dear.

>27 quondame: >28 johnsimpson: Thanks, folks!

Happy new thread, Amber. Cinnamon bread sounds yummy!

>30 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg! The cinnamon bread turned out extra good this time!

On the agenda for today:
Not much again today, but this time because I'm apparently not over whatever's going on with me. At this point I'm convinced that it's the new meds causing side effects (nausea and such), so I'll be calling the doc's office today for advice and I'm *not* taking that medicine today. I was up most of the night with the not feeling good and not I'm good for not much at all today. Charlie woke up not feeling great either - we're assuming it's booster shot symptoms - but luckily school was canceled anyway (ice on the roads). So, besides a few phone calls I need to make, we'll be taking it easy today. If I feel a bit better later on, I'll put together some Dal Soup for dinner.

On the reading front:
Another good day for reading yesterday, which is the silver lining for not feeling well, I suppose. I made good progress on Perfume, read a bit more of Cue for Treason, and listed to more Guilty Pleasures.

What We're Watching:
Tomm's pick last night, so we watched a handful of 30 Rock episodes.

The cinnamon bread did turn out really lovely, though:

Sorry about the ick. My money's on the new meds - I hope the doctor can adjust them or try something different. Take care.

Ugh, sorry you're not feeling well Amber. Hope the doc can sort you out.

>34 katiekrug: >35 lauralkeet: Thanks, ladies. I hope so, too. I have zero patience with not feeling well and it's been a handful of days now. Time's up. I want to feel better, nowish.

Sorry to hear you're still feeling under the weather, Amber, and hope another day of rest and some clarification on the medicine side effects helps out.

The cinnamon bread does look delicious!

Hi Amber!

I'm sorry you and Charlie are not feeling well. I hope a call to the doctor can sort the meds out.

The cinnamon bread looks yummy. I want some.

>37 bell7: >38 karenmarie: Thanks, folks! I hope I can get sorted out soon too. I'm annoyed that I still don't feel well - I have things to do! Ha!

The bread turned out particularly good this time - very light and un-dry (to avoid the m word that so many hate).

>39 scaifea: Nowt wrong with that as a description, especially not of cake. I can several places where it might be an unwelcome description, but you can hardly hold that against the word itself.

Your new medication should have a leaflet with it that will list possible side effects and how common they are. Read it. (You have no idea how much hard work going into creating PIL & IFU and how few people seem to bother reading them - I will now step down from my soap box) If the way you feel is listed as a side effect, you can at least know that is the likely cause and if they might diminish. Side effects also ought to be reported, so that the prevalence can be updated for just this sort of reason. In the UK is is yellow card reporting, not sure about the US, but there will be a process for reporting side effects.
As a down side, reading a list of side effects can make you think you have them all. You don't.

>40 Helenliz: Yup, I read the sheet that came with the meds. Always do.

>41 scaifea: Amazed. Genuinely amazed.

>42 Helenliz: ...People don't do this? Bizarre.

Have you shared the cinnamon bread recipe before? If not, will you share it?

>42 Helenliz: and >43 scaifea: - I, um, skim it. If I read it word for word, I will freak myself out. But I always hold onto it in case I have a side effect, so I can check if it's a common or known one or not...

>33 scaifea: The cinnamon bread looks good. I made cinnamon muffins yesterday.

>43 scaifea: Nope. Nowt as strange as folk. We did a user trial for our inhalation device. Experienced users. Asked them if they cleaned the device, which they are instructed to do once a week. Nope, not one of them. It's estimated that less than 5% of people actually bother to take the leaflet out of the box. Less than that read it. All that wasted effort makes me want to cry.

>45 katiekrug: They do that! Reading list of side effects can easily convince you you've got them all. At least you know its there and what its for. I can't say I read it cover to cover, but I read certain sections, just to know what I'm getting myself into. I always read the contraindications, just to be on the safe side.

>44 karenmarie: Here you go, Karen:

Cinnamon Loaf
Ingredients:
Cinnamon Sugar:
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
Batter:
• 1 ¾ cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup butter, softened
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 8 oz. sour cream

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Coat loaf pan with baking spray.
3. Combine all the cinnamon sugar ingredients in a medium bowl. (This recipe uses about ½ the mixture; you can store the rest.)
4. In medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 6-8 minutes.
6. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.
7. Add vanilla.
8. Alternately add flour mixture and sour cream in 3 or 4 parts, mixing only until combined.
9. Spoon 1/3 of the batter into pan.
10. Sprinkle ½ of the cinnamon sugar onto batter and spoon another 1/3 of the batter into the pan.
11. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon and finish by spooning in the final 1/3 of the batter.
12. Take a knife and make a zigzag line from one narrow end of the pan to the other. Only do this once.
13. Bake 50-60 minutes or until a knife emerges clean from the center. The top will be golden and it may also be split.
14. Cool loaf on a wire rack 15 minutes before turning out of the pan to cool completely

I'm afraid I don't remember where I found this recipe exactly, although I do know it was from a cookbook I checked out of the library in the last couple of years, and I want to say that the writer owns a bakery in the northeast somewhere? Vermont, maybe? I feel bad about not being able to give the provenance, but I didn't write it down. *sigh*

>45 katiekrug: Oh, that's a huge fret for me, too, so yes, it's always a challenge to read through it!

>46 thornton37814: See below for the recipe if you're interested, Lori.

>47 Helenliz: I'm too much of a worrywart not to read it, even though, like Katie, reading it gives me anxiety, too.

>51 scaifea: - #cantwinclub

>52 katiekrug: Exactly.

Thank you for the recipe. The bread looks wonderful and I do love cinnamon in any form

>54 RebaRelishesReading: You're welcome, Reba - I hope you love it!

>48 scaifea: I assumed it was a yeast bread, which is fine but just takes more time. This looks easy and delicious. Thanks for the recipe!

>48 scaifea: I will be trying this soon, I hope! (I need to buy more sour cream first, as I just used up the last of mine.)

>56 lauralkeet: Ope, I should have specified - sorry! Charlie loves quick breads for breakfast, so I make a lot of those.

>57 foggidawn: I hope you love it (I suspect you will)!

6. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (I reread this one with Charlie, who's reading it for his ELA class)
A reread for me, but it had been long enough that I was ready to revisit it while Charlie read it for the first time for his ELA class. It's funny how so many of these kinds of classic stories, when appropriated for movies and TV, take on a completely different life and end up looking not much at all like their originals. But it's not at all surprising is that it's the stories with such potential for carrying higher truths that get this treatment - this is what myths do (function as vehicles for every new teller's message), and in that way stories like Jekyll and Hyde are very close to belonging to a kind of mythology. So, although I like Treasure Island loads more, I still appreciate the qualities inherent in this one.

>48 scaifea: >50 scaifea: Thanks. I copied it. I might try it sometime.

I have a special weakness for cinnamon. Thanks for the recipe, Amber. I hope you're feeling better.

Happy newish thread Amber.

>60 thornton37814: >61 Familyhistorian: You're welcome!

>62 fairywings: Thanks!

On the agenda today:
Class prep and teaching, a trip to the library for holds, menu planning and prepping my grocery list for tomorrow's shopping. My back is finally feeling better this morning - part of the side effects of the meds was abdominal cramping that wrapped around to my lower back (think really *really* bad menstrual cramps) - and I'm hoping that it's because the medicine is now mostly out of my system and not because the muscle relaxer I took last night still is. Still nauseated, but I think that *is* because of the muscle relaxer. I did, however, get a very sound night's sleep and I'm grateful for that. And for the leftovers in the fridge so I don't have to cook tonight.

On the reading front:
Another day spent mostly laying on the couch with the heating pad means I got some good reading done, this time I made progress with The Ghost Writer and a bit more of Cue for Treason. Still listening to Guilty Pleasures, too.

What We're Watching:
My pick, so I decided it was time for Charlie to experience The Goonies. He didn't seem all that impressed. Philistine.

Hope you are feeling better!

Morning, Amber! Glad your back is feeling better. May that continue. I do not think I have read Jekyll & Hyde.
Phillistine?

>64 scaifea: - I'm sad Charlie didn't like The Goonies more. I still love it.

>65 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Anita! I think I'm on the recovery road at least.

>66 msf59: Morning, Mark! Ha! Nope, not a Philistine, but I do think you'd like it. It's short (a novella, really), so you could bookhorn it in pretty easily.

>67 katiekrug: Me, too, Katie. I mean how can you not love a movie where baby Thanos and baby Samwise are brothers, plus it has a Corey!

>66 msf59: If you are, so am I. I only read it in the last year or two. The edition I read had a foreword that advised, if you had not read the story before to stop reading this, read the story and then come back. I did as I was told and was surprised at it. One of those you think you know, but has more to it than the popular imagination.

Hiya, Amber. As I mentioned on Facebook, we read Jekyll an Hyde in tandem with Mary Reilly by Valerie Martin, which my sister’s book club had done and liked. The latter has the perspective of the maid in the goings- on, and later got made into a Malkovich movie I never saw. Anyway, we thiught the combo worked really well.

Tomorrow should be a good day for catching up in the Aeneid. I’ll revisit your last message and organize my new questions. I’m in Book 9 now.

>71 Helenliz: I never read introductions or forewords before reading the actual text. Too many spoilers, generally, and also I don't like to be told how to read something before I read it. Stubborn, I am.

>72 jnwelch: Didn't Julia Roberts play the lead in that movie? I haven't seen it but I remember hearing about it when it came out. I'll have to put the book on my list!

You're in the part of the Aeneid that I don't revisit all that often (because I like other parts better!), but I'll do my best with your questions. Keep 'em coming!

>64 scaifea: I didn't watch Goonies until I was in my 30s and I get why people who grew up with it love it, but it was mostly just a 'meh' experience for me. That said, I do enjoy being able to get/make references to it.

Oh, The Goonies! One of my all-time favourites. I actually didn’t see it until I was in my early 20’s but it’s exactly the kind of film I love the most.

Sorry you’ve been feeling under the weather, but glad to hear you’re bouncing back.

>72 jnwelch: I enjoyed Mary Reilly too. I meant to keep track of the author's output, because I liked her Property even more, and wanted to read others. Note to self: pay attention to self.

>75 MickyFine: >76 PawsforThought: I was in my 30s when The Goonies was made!

>75 MickyFine: *tsk*

>76 PawsforThought: I think my favorite part is how realistic the interactions between the kids are - they're rude to each other and goof off but still underlying it all they're all best of friends.

On the agenda for today:
Grocery shopping and a trip to the pharmacy to pick up a couple of new meds, a new anti-anxiety one (let's hope I don't react the same to this one!) and Lipitor because my cholesterol has been a little high for several years and I'm done with doctors telling me to try changing my diet for a bit first - my diet has changed as much as it's gonna at this point and I will not give up cheese. I'll get those errands done this morning and then probably work on my course proposal some this afternoon. Charlie has a haircut appointment after school and then we'll bring home Jersey Mike's subs for dinner, I think.

On the reading front:
I read some more of Timescape and more of Cue for Treason yesterday, plus I finished up Guilty Pleasures on audio.

What We're Watching:
Charlie's pick last night so we watched a few episodes of My Hero Academia. That show is bananas and we love it.

>80 scaifea: I had the same cholesterol discussion with my doc a few years ago too, Amber. Well, maybe more than a few. But anyway, my cholesterol was a tad high when I turned 30, and kept creeping up. I had watched my dad try every possible diet- and lifestyle-related strategy for many years until finally ending up on meds. I mentioned this to my doctor and he agreed my high cholesterol was most likely genetic and gave me a prescription. And I kept eating cheese. Yay!

>81 lauralkeet: Yes to cheese! I suspect mine's mostly genetic, too, because my parents both have cholesterol issues. It's hard for me not to feel like I'm being a bad person, though, when the doctor tells me my cholesterol is high. It feels like getting a D in school or something.

>82 scaifea: I had that feeling with my A1C, which was borderline pre-diabetic a few years ago. After all sorts of sugar-related tinkering over a couple years with no effect (and those feelings of getting a D), I had a new primary care doc who said you know, we've only recently started measuring this as part of the annual bloodwork. Maybe you've always been on the bubble.

Yeah, I wish the first doc had thought of that.

>83 lauralkeet: Oh, that's an interesting perspective! A good doctor who listens makes all the difference, too. I'm really happy that my new doc immediately accepted my "I've tried diet change and it doesn't seem to work" without question. It's easier to trust a doctor who trusts her patients.

It's easier to trust a doctor who trusts her patients. Yes! This was always TW's problem until he found (well, actually I found her) his current doc.

And YUM to Jersey Mike's. I love their subs.

Ooh, Jersey Mike's! Yum.

It's easier to trust a doctor who trusts her patients.

Amen to that. I had to go to the doctor about a year ago with an ear infection, and explained to the doctor that I've had it enough times to recognise the symptoms (so many times!), and I have a family history of susceptibility to them. She took my word for it and prescribed antibiotics (which I hate taking but I know what's good for me) right away. I've read my chart and it says "patient recognises the symptoms of ear infections". So I have it in print that I know what I'm talking about.
That doctor is my favourite of the ones I've met recently (we don't have just one that we go to, you meet the one who has a time slot available).

>85 katiekrug: I've not had great luck with GPs in the past, but this some seems promising and that makes me happy. I'm so glad that TW has a doc he trusts now, too!

>85 katiekrug: >86 foggidawn: I've never actually had Jersey Mike's - one just opened up near us and we thought we'd give it a try. I'm glad to see that you all think it's good!

>87 PawsforThought: It's sad that, at least in my experience, that quality seems rare.

>88 scaifea: - Well, it's a Jersey-based chain, founded in Point Pleasant, so you know it's legit :) I am now seriously reconsidering lunch plans...

>90 katiekrug: Honestly I wondered if it might just be a clever name...

>91 scaifea: - Nope. Founded here and still headquartered here.

I like how they shred their lettuce. I know that sounds a little weird. I usually get the Super Sub, Mike's Way, no onions, and it's just perfection. There's not one close to me, but there's one in the area where I do some of my shopping, so maybe Saturday...

Well I'll be. We have a Jersey Mike's here in our little corner of Northern Virginia. Having moved from Philly, where subs -- er, I mean hoagies -- are A THING, I had dismissed Jersey Mike's as undoubtedly a poor imitation. But if actual New Jersey-ite Katie recommends them that's another story. We don't have subs all that often, but it's great to know there's an alternative to the local sub-par Subway.

>94 lauralkeet: - They are far superior to Subway! As an erstwhile Philly-ite, you might want to eschew their cheesesteaks, of course...

Debbie Downer here. My 17 year old grandson loves Jersey Mike's so we went to one about a year ago. They had a sort of assembly line going to make up the sandwiches and the guy at the end had his nose hanging out of his mask. We left and have never gone back.

>92 katiekrug: Excellent! Now I'm even more excited to try it!

>93 foggidawn: That's not weird at all - I know exactly what you mean. Lettuce and ice both need to be a certain way to be perfect.

>94 lauralkeet: Ha! I've started a Movement, it seems. I love it!

>95 katiekrug: I LOVE cheesesteaks but have never had one in Philadelphia. One of these days.

>96 RebaRelishesReading: Well, you'll find mask idiots pretty much anywhere, though.

>96 RebaRelishesReading: - It's now a franchise operation. I'm not sure the whole thing can be judged by one store. But duly noted not to go to whichever one you went to :)

>80 scaifea: Doctors really do think we live in situations that don't impose any restrictions on what we can eat so they can set restrictions that are easy for us to implement. Time, money, and palatability also don't come into their directives, not to mention other household members requirements and preferences. Good luck. I won't give up cheese as long as I can waddle to the fridge and get it.

>83 lauralkeet: >84 scaifea: I'm pretty sure that the whole pre-diabetic diagnosis is a way of shaming us into diet changes. Not necessarily a bad desire, and for sure I could improve my intake in quality and (lower) quantity, but it's seems to be being used as a bludgeon. And yes, trust on both sides makes for better treatment and better acceptance of the treatment.

Well, I am hopelessly behind, having missed the entire thread up to this point, Amber, so I will just say "Have a great rest of your week!"

>103 quondame: I'm not sure I would be that harsh on the lives doctors think we lead, but I'm with you on the cheese.

>104 alcottacre: No worries, Stasia - it's good to see you!

Today's Agenda:
Class prep and teaching this morning, then baking (shortbread cookies) for this week's Friday After-School Snack. The course proposal is finished, so this afternoon I may work a bit on a proposal to create a Classics minor. Frozen Friday for dinner tonight, although I may have a leftover meatloaf sandwich instead.

I took the first of the new anti-anxiety meds this morning; fingers crossed that the side effects stay away this time. I'll wait a few days before starting the Lipitor, just so if I do have symptoms I'll know which drug is causing them.

On the reading front:
I finished up The Hidden Face of Eve yesterday, which means I'm now two reviews behind. I'll try to catch up this afternoon. I also read bits of Cue for Treason and A Loyal Character Dancer, plus I switched Heartsong over to audio.

What We're Watching:
An episode of West Wing and two episodes of My Hero Academia.

Morning, Amber! Happy Friday. I have Jackson duty this AM and then get to bring him home for the afternoon too. Yah! Ooh, a meatloaf sandwich. Now, that sounds tasty.

Helenliz: I never read introductions or forewords before reading the actual text. Too many spoilers, generally, and also I don't like to be told how to read something before I read it. Stubborn, I am.

I agree with this so much! If they feel they must do this, put it all in a “Reader’s Guide” Afterword.

I like knowing what to expect and what to look out for along the way. *shrug* Each to their own.

>108 msf59: Afternoon, Mark! Yay for Jackson duty! It makes my heart happy that you get to spend so much time with him.

And yes! I'm really looking forward to that meatloaf sandwich tonight. Yum.

>109 jnwelch: Right?! Or at least they should put the spoiler stuff at the end. Historical background and context is fine in the front, I suppose.

>110 Helenliz: You're clearly not the only one who thinks that way, since, well, the intros are there.

I think most editions with those in depth and spoilery introductions are intended for students who will study the work, and therefore may be expected not to be reading it for "pleasure" but to "get it". I ignore 'em completely, for the most part, UNLESS I am motivated to re-read the book, and then I will start with the introduction the second time around; or unless I feel I totally missed something and feel I shouldn't have.

>114 laytonwoman3rd: Yep, I think in a lot of circumstances you're right there - I still tell my students, "Don't you dare read the intro until you've read the text!!" Because I still want them to get pleasure from the texts and be surprised by the surprises.

Today's after-school snack:

7. The Hidden Face of Eve by Nawal El Saadawi (100 Banned Books) - 7/10
A disturbing history of women in the Arab world and how they have been brutalized and mistreated in many ways throughout history up to the present day. This isn't a happy read, but would be an important one, I think, if it weren't for the frequent and sometimes incredibly blatant inaccuracies included in the text. I assume the author knows her own subject (Arab women and their mistreatment) since she is a doctor herself and has treated and interviewed many Arab women and has extensively studied the subject. But she should have stuck to what she knows; she branches out into the history of mistreatment of women in other areas of the world, including ancient Greece and Rome, and she boldly states as fact - frequently without citing sources - wildly inaccurate and untrue ideas. This, as you can probably guess, drove me absolutely bananas.

8. Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy Books) - 7/10
Anita Blake is a reanimator and vampire hunter by trade, living and working in St. Louis. She gets a job offer that she literally can't refuse from the local vampire master to find out who's been murdering vampires in town. Things get...complicated from there on out.
And I mean ridiculously complicated, or at least it seemed to me that the plot was overly convoluted. It could just be that I couldn't ever quite manage to care enough about Anita to bother with following along in all the details. She annoyed me. To be fair, I listened to the audiobook and it could be that the narrator was the annoying part and that if I had read a print version I wouldn't have been so not taken with Blake. At any rate, I don't think I'll continue with the series. For me, there are better vampire/monster stories out there and much more interesting vampire/monster hunters.

>116 scaifea: Aww, I love that you made Charlie's after school snack in hearts. Lovely Mom touch there. :)

>119 MickyFine: Well, Valentine's Day is coming up. We respect the themes here at Scaife Manor.

>109 jnwelch: I agree with that statement. I almost always skip intros. The only exception is if it's an academic text.

>116 scaifea: What a yummy looking snack!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

>121 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Anita! I love shortbread cookies; they're so simple to make and sooo light and buttery.

On the agenda for today:
Laundry, some baking (Buttery Bubble Bread and a Chocolate Cream Dessert), and reading. Moo Shu Turkey (ground turkey instead of ground beef) for dinner tonight.

Day Two of the new meds and no side effects! I'm very happy about this (last time the symptoms showed up within the first hour).

On the reading front:
I read a couple of chapters of Mockingjay to catch up with Charlie, started A Fatal Grace, read a bit of Cue for Treason, and listened to some of Heartsong.

What We're Watching:
Avengers: End Game last night. Loooong, but with some very satisfying parts.

Woo hoo for meds w/o side effects! Have a great day Amber.

>123 scaifea: - I'm also glad the new meds seem to be better. What a relief for you!

Glad to hear the new meds have no side effects - certainly hope that continues!

>124 lauralkeet: >125 katiekrug: >126 bell7: Thanks, ladies! I was so nervous to take that first pill, let me tell you. Ha! Fingers crossed it stays this way.

Adding my woohoos that the meds aren't upsetting your system. Sounds like a pretty cozy day at the manor ahead at the manor.

9. Cue for Treason by Geoffrey Trease (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10
Peter, a boy from Cumberland, is forced to flee his home when he's spotted trying the hit the wicked local nobleman with a rock. This sets him up for all sorts of adventures, including joining up with a traveling theater troupe, befriending a girl-in-disguise who's also a fugitive from home, meeting and working for Marlowe and Shakespeare in Elizabeth's England, and finally becoming a spy in her majesty's service to help foil a treasonous plot against her, which takes him full circle and right back to his homeland.
There are stretches of time when I consider abandoning my goal of reading through the 1001 Children's Books list because I've found so many of them not to my taste, but then one comes along that restores my faith in the project by virtue of being such a wonderful read. This is one of those books. It's a fun and fast-paced romp from the beginning to the end, with great characters and a very enjoyable plot. I loved it.

>129 scaifea: Nice review. Often those children's books are terribly dated and the stories don't hold up well. This one sounds really intriguing and would easily capture a reluctant reader's interest. I was surprised, for example, how popular Ballet Shoes continues to be.

A couple or 3 years ago, I read a few of Ralph Moody's books (in the Little Britches series). The story vernacular would seem so foreign for today's kids and I was surprised that the books were still on our shelves even though both my brother and I had them as kids.

I also shudder to remember thinking that I would love reading my younger childhood books to my grandchildren such as Read Me More Stories and Read Me Another Story. This series used to be my favourite when I was in the primary grades. The used bookshop in town gave me a prime credit because, you know... they're vintage.

>130 SandyAMcPherson: Ha! See, Ballet Shoes is one of the ones I can't believe was popular to begin with, let alone still. Way too saccharine for me, I'm afraid. And that's the case with a lot of them - too over-the-top wholesome. I don't mind wholesome when it's done properly, but that isn't very often.

On the agenda for today:
Not very much, honestly, and I am HERE for it. A little more laundry than usual because it's time to wash the bedding, but other than that, I'm mostly planning on reading. Maybe poking around the sewing room a bit, too. Oh, and I'm going to try another beverage recipe from The Joy of Cooking: I'm making Flying Mocha Monkeys for Charlie and me (Tomm is not interested, apparently). Tomm's in charge of dinner (cornish game hens and roasted potatoes), so I don't even need to cook tonight!

On the reading front:
I read a big chunk of Perfume: The Story of a Murderer yesterday, and after finishing Cue for Treason I started Metropolis. I may try to finish both of those today.

What We're Watching:
Tomm's pick last night, so a handful of 30 Rock episodes.

Morning, Amber! Happy Sunday. Hooray for a reading day. I plan on that too. We got nearly 4 inches of snow here, so there will be shoveling on my agenda too.

>133 msf59: Morning, Mark! Happy reading day to you, too! Once again I'm jealous of your snow, but there's still a chance that we'll get 2-4 inches today. Fingers crossed...

>131 scaifea: In the context of its time, I thought Ballet Shoes was rather amazing. There was support for a young woman going off to be a car mechanic as a occupation which I thought was very enlightened.

I agree it was certainly a saccharine story and even a bit unrealistic. However, those themes were quite common in the day. I re-read my Mom's 1920's copy of Heidi about the time I read Ballet Shoes for the first time, so I was left feeling very positive about Streatfeild's work. And traded the Heidi book for credit at the secondhand bookshop in town. Boy oh boy, that edition was so dated! And much too religious-y. Later editions (of Heidi) might not have been so much like that, according to a friend who was aghast I decluttered the book.

Morning, Amber! I am also planning a day of the lazy - no laundry for me as I did that yesterday. I cannot wait for the report on the Flying Mocha Monkeys.

I would like a Flying Mocha Monkey, please and thank you.

*fist bump* re: not cooking today. The Wayne is making dinner tonight :)

I keep meaning to ask: did you, as a kid, read the Great Brain books by John D. Fitzgerald? Or encounter them as an adult amidst your children's lit reading? I have fond memories of those books, but never see them anymore. And I'm wondering if they were actually horrible. The talk above about non-saccharine children's books made me think of them again. I was very much anti-saccharine, and I remember them fitting the bill.

Hi Amber!

>107 scaifea: 🤞 for no side effects from the anti-anxiety medicine. I had to start taking atorvastatin (Lipitor) in the hospital after my heart attack. I’d been resisting it for years, was (and am also STILL on) a non-statin cholesterol-reducing med (Zetia/ezetimibe), but am (unhappily) following cardiologist’s orders on the statin. She reduced my dosage from 80 mg to 40 mg a couple of weeks ago, which seems to have helped with the side effects.

>116 scaifea: Yum. I love shortbread.

>118 scaifea: It doesn’t surprise me that you won’t continue the series – some of the later ones are more complicated and over the top than you could possibly imagine. Best leave them alone. *smile*

>135 SandyAMcPherson: Ooof, yeah, Heidi is lousy with the wholesomeness. Blech. I'm glad you liked Ballet Shoes - you're very welcome to it!

>136 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! Yay for lazy Sundays! I don't mind laundry, really, as the machines to most of the work. I will absolutely report back on the Flying Mocha Monkeys.

>137 katiekrug: Come on over and we'll definitely share the flying monkeys!

And yay for spouses who sometimes cook! I have to stay completely away from the kitchen while Tomm does dinner, though, because he does things...differently...than I do and I can't cotton to it. My way or the highway.

I *have* heard of the Great Brain books, and I think I've even read the first one! But you're right that they're not ubiquitous these days. Apparently there's a movie, too? Have you seen it?

>138 karenmarie: Morning, Karen!

I haven't started my Lipitor yet - I wanted to stagger the two new meds so that if I did have side effects it would be easier to pinpoint which one was the culprit. I'm still symptom free from the anxiety meds, so I'll start the Lipitor tomorrow. Fingers crossed that that one doesn't throw me for too much of a loop.

Shortbread is so good, isn't it? One of my favorites, and these came out really nice and buttery. Yum.

I wonder if I'd picked up the Anita Blake book in print if I would have been more tolerant of her. I just really didn't care for the narrator. *shrug* I'll just stick with Buffy as my favorite slayer.

Read Ballet Shoes (on audio book) at the end of last year - desperate to read something quick in order to get to 75 and because I remembered hearing the Meg Ryan character rhapsodize about it in "You've Got Mail". OMG it was incredibly saccharine! Almost lethally so. Am about 1000% sure I would have hated it as a kid. The bit about the girl who wanted to be a car mechanic - for me - did not come along soon enough to keep BS from qualifying as a book I will poke my eyes out before reading again. But - it was mercifully short.

>141 scaifea: - Nope! No idea there was a movie. May have to look for it...

>143 Fourpawz2: *snork!* Agreed. It was...rough.

>144 katiekrug: It was made in 1978 so it may not be easy to find.

>146 scaifea: - Ah, ok. I won't bother then. I"m not *that* interested.

>142 scaifea: Eh - I found Anita Blake a difficult character to tolerate in print for the first few books. She gets better but then the series begins to get weird. I have stalled around book 11 with the rest waiting for me on the TBR shelves.

>148 jayde1599: Oh, that's too bad that just as the character gets better the story gets worse. That doesn't really make me want to continue, either.

>147 katiekrug: *snork!* Yeah. I looked it up on IMDB and it doesn't look fabulous.

10. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind (books I'm reading with my friend, Rob) - 9/10
Grenouille was born a monster, a baby without any scent whatsoever, birthed and abandoned in the most stench-filled area of 1700s Paris, a child who neither understands nor needs love, but who has a sense of smell unparalleled by any other human in the world. He uses that talent to become an apprentice to a perfumer, in his pursuit of a way to capture the scent essence of all things. When he one day smells the most beautiful, most perfect scent he's ever experienced and discovers that it's the scent of a young woman, well, things take a very dark turn and his passion and quest become darker and more monstrous as well.
Disturbing in parts but also just as equally fascinating, this story takes some interesting turns and kept me engaged all the way to the end. I usually don't go in for the darker stuff, but somehow I was pulled into this one from the beginning. I suspect it has something to do with how Suskind was able to write such a revolting character but also manage to get you to root for him as well. I feel manipulated and I love it.

>151 scaifea: Agreed on Perfume, Amber.
I was going to say I did read it last year, but a quick look revealed it was over 3 years ago. Yet, the story still is firm in my mind, very good writer.

>152 FAMeulstee: Hi, Anita!

I bet the story will stick with me for a long time, too. You're very right: he's an excellent writer.

The Flying Mocha Monkey (it's *very* good):

The recipe, for those interested:

1 cup ice
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup brewed coffee, room temperature
1 ripe banana
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon chocolate syrup

Blend all ingredients with a blender until smooth.
It makes 2 servings.

>154 scaifea: >155 scaifea: It looks and sounds good!

11. Metropolis by Osamu Tezuka (1001 Children's Books) - 7/10
Meh. I'm not a huge Osamu Tezuka fan (I didn't like Astro Boy at all) and this comic sustains that feeling. *shrug* It feels silly (not in a good way) and dated.

>156 thornton37814: It is!

>155 scaifea: oh wow, that looks delish.

BTW, my order of Land-o-lakes cocoa packets (12 mint, 12 hazelnut) arrived last week. Chris looked askance at them at first, but we've now had HoCho twice of an afternoon, and it seems to be satisfying that afternoon snack craving. To our surprise we've found they are just fine mixed with water so that saves some calories too.

>159 lauralkeet: Oh! I'm so glad you mentioned that because I had forgotten to order some! Thank you!

My pleasure 😇

>135 SandyAMcPherson: Sandy, I'm not sure I've every read Ballet Shoes though if my JR. High library had it I'm sure I did. I know I read Party Shoes and Movie Shoes, and the latter wasn't nearly so saccharine - and included a character or two from Ballet Shoes.

The Flying Mocha Monkey sounds great! I might add a shot of something… 😀

Hi Amber! Thanks for the recipes- I will definitely make the cinnamon loaf, and maybe see if Callia will try the Flying Mocha Monkey.

I've had borderline cholesterol for some years now. My diet is improving for the better - less meat, more whole grains & veggies etc, but my last blood test indicates that I really need to up my calcium, and the doctor (and the Google) really encourage doing that through diet and not supplements. So that means... dairy. Which I love. But it seems somewhat incongruous with low cholesterol. What I really need to do it exercise and lose a few pounds but that seems like work.

>137 katiekrug: Katie, I read them all! We have some illustrator-signed first editions, I think at my mom's house. The illustrator is my uncle. Sort of. Mercer Mayer is my dad's stepbrother. I loved them so much as a kid, but they are kind of hard to find now. My library doesn't have them, and I don't see them circulating unless I read them aloud, and my library lessons don't really support that (except for first chapter Fridays) and I don't have the time with the students like classroom teachers do.

>129 scaifea: This was one of my childhood favorites; I still have a copy of it.

>154 scaifea: & >155 scaifea: That looks delicious.

>161 lauralkeet: Ha! Patron saint of HoCho?

>163 drneutron: Well that's definitely one way to get the flying part in...

>164 AMQS: You're welcome, Anne!

I'm trying to lose some weight, too, but I'm not very successful at it. I do exercise every day, but it's the eating responsibly that gets me. *sigh*

Very cool about Mayer being sort-of related to you! I know he's a very popular illustrator.

>165 ArlieS: Excellent! I would have loved this one as a kid, I just know it.

>166 fairywings: It's *so* good! I hope you give it a try!

On the agenda for today:
Ooof, Mondays are kind of bananas for me: I have 20 quizzes and 20 reader responses to grade on top of prepping for both classes, and all that needs to be done by 10am. But then I teach back-to-back classes and am done for the day by noon. Well, usually - I have a department meeting this afternoon, too, but those, miraculously, don't feel like a chore. Charlie has a 2-hour delay this morning (snow and slick roads), so he'll be hanging out for a bit longer than usual this morning. Corn Chowder for dinner tonight, I think.

I'm very happy to report that there are still no signs of any side effect with the anxiety meds, so I'll start the cholesterol stuff tonight (I'm supposed to take it before bed) and we'll see how that goes.

On the reading front:
I made some progress in A Fatal Grace yesterday, and I started The Path.

What We're Watching:
We finally watched Encanto and it's as wonderful as people are saying it is. So fun.

>164 AMQS: - Oh, cool!

>172 scaifea: - Morning, Amber! That *is* a busy start to the day. Yikes.

We watched Envanto over Christmas with my nephew who loved it. I was not as... enchanted. But I also didn't see the end, so *shrug*

I don't envy you, having to use your brain so much, so early. Good luck with that!

My cholesterol meds (Simvastatin) is also a bedtime thing. I wonder why that is? Anyway, glad you are ready to the Lipitor to your regimen. Hope it, too, is free of side effects.

>173 katiekrug: I've been bustling around since 7am and I'm finally just now kind of ready for class - I'll have to grade the quizzes this afternoon, which is NBD but I do generally like to have them graded and back to the students before I go over them in class. Oh well, they'll survive.

I don't really see you as a huge Disney fan in general, so I'm not shocked that you didn't love this one.

>174 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura! Yes, I'm really hoping not to have side effects with this one, either, but I know that lots of people do. It's interesting about the bedtime dosage; I wonder why that is.

Hi Amber!

>172 scaifea: Interesting – I was told to take the Lipitor in the morning.

Morning, Amber! Hooray for no side effects from the new anxiety meds. Crossing my fingers for the cholesterol stuff. Hoping Monday behaves itself, but I wouldn't count on it because Monday.

>154 scaifea: This looks most yum! And thanks for sharing the recipe!

>175 scaifea: - I like plenty of Disney movies - well, at least several... *grin*

I also take my cholesterol med (rosuvastatin) at night.

I take my Lipitor in the morning with my BP meds. I don't recall being advised as to when to take it. My doctor recently had me increase my dosage, with no adverse side effects. (I think I still take a relatively low amount compared to people who have actually had heart attacks, for instance. My cholesterol levels have never been shocking.)

Instructions are to take my Atorvastatin at night. I take it when I do my bedtime teeth brushing so I won't forget.

>177 karenmarie: >179 katiekrug: >180 laytonwoman3rd: >181 RebaRelishesReading: I just looked it up and apparently studies have shown that "most cholesterol is synthesised when dietary intake is at its lowest" so it might work better during your overnight fasting, I guess.

>178 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie! And thanks! I'm so grateful that this med seems to be behaving itself. It'll still take a little while before we know if it actually...works. My Monday seems to be behaving pretty well so far - we're getting and serious snowing right now and I love it, plus Charlie's school was full-on canceled for the day because of the snow and I love those unexpected Charlie-at-Home days.

You're welcome for the recipe - I hope you love it if you try it!

Oh! Snow and a snow day for Charlie! Magic.

>179 katiekrug: Okay we all need a List of Disney Movies Katie Likes now.

>180 laytonwoman3rd: I'm so happy to hear that there are folks out there who don't have side effects from the cholesterol meds. I guess I've heard a skewed sampling of horror stories.

>181 RebaRelishesReading: That's my plan exactly! I was worried at first that I'd forget them because I take my other pills in the morning, but I've already put the bottle next to my toothbrush...

Disney Movies Katie Likes*

Cinderella (1950)
Lady and the Tramp (1955)
101 Dalmations (1961)
Mary Poppins (1964)
Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)
The Rescuers (1977)
The Little Mermaid (1989)
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Wreck It Ralph (2012)
Zootopia (2016)

* I used this list on Wikipedia and only counted actual WD Animation movies. The list also included Pixar (which I usually love) and some others.

As a kid, I loved any and all Disney live-action movies...

>188 katiekrug: That's a pretty great list, Katie. Have you seen the live action B&tB? I kind of love it (and B&tB) is one of my all time favorite animated movies.

I'm with you with the live-action ones as a kid.

>189 scaifea: - Yes, I've seen it. I, um, didn't really like it.

>190 katiekrug: *snork!* Well, then. Fine.

>117 scaifea: I have that one here to read - and now will probably not. Not citing sources drives me absolutely bananas too.

>129 scaifea: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation, Amber!

>151 scaifea: I own that one and really need to get it read!

>172 scaifea: Continued good luck with your meds!

Have a wonderful week, Amber!

>192 alcottacre: It's not so much that she doesn't cite her sources (but that's annoying, too); it's that her statements about certain things are so blatantly and laughable wrong! Ugh.

Thanks for the luck!!

12. Timescape by Gregory Benford (Nebula Award) - 6/10
There are two timelines in this story: one in sort-of mid-apocalyptic 1998, when algae blooms and mass extinctions have triggered the beginning of the end it seems, and one in 1962, when scientists at UCLA are conducting some sort of physics experiment involving tachyons...? Anyway, the future scientists (aka those in 1998 - the book was published in 1980) figure out that they can send a message via tachyons to the 1962 scientists, warning them of the impending doom. But they don't want to make it too clear or else the Grandfather Paradox would kick in and...it...wouldn't...work? But somehow it sort of doesn't work anyway (but also sort of does), because, I'm guessing, butterfly wings and then Kennedy gets shot but not killed? Because physics! Gah. I give up. There's way too much science talk and not nearly enough make-it-make-sense-to-the-reader talk. I got confused. And then I got bored. Which I think would have happened without the confusion - it takes just this side of forever for any actual plot to be bothered to happen. So nope, this one didn't really work for me.

>194 scaifea: M has that. I wonder if he's read it. Sounds like precisely the kind of sf he likes and makes my eyes cross.

>195 lycomayflower: If he prefers SCIENCE! to plot, then yeah, he'll dig it.

Ooh, a snow day! You're right - they are a gift. On snow days I give myself permission to indulge - reading, bath, baking, puzzle - whatever my heart wants (my heart rarely wants shoveling but alas, usually there's some of that). I'm hoping for one tomorrow but probably in vain. It's supposed to start snowing around 6:00 am and keep going all day - up to 8 inches expected at my school, which is probably not enough:(

>197 AMQS: Oh, I agree! Snow days are license to treat yourself! We already got the call last night that they're on a 2-hour delay this morning, too. We'll see if that turns into another snow day. Charlie, though, wants to get back to school. Ha!

It's so funny being back here in Ohio after living in Wisconsin for seven years; the conditions for a snow day in both states are *very* different! On the other hand, it was pretty nice knowing that the folks in Wisconsin knew how to clear the roads quickly.

On the agenda for today:
Well, I was thinking about making a trip to the fabric shop - I need supplies before I can do any more work on Charlie's quilt - but I'm not going to try it until I know all the roads are clean, which means not today. I'll probably do a bit of cleaning and maybe some writing instead.

On the reading front:
I didn't find much reading time yesterday, but I did get through a few more pages of A Loyal Character Dancer and a bit of The Path. I also listened to some of Heartsong.

What We're Watching:
It was Charlie's pick last night; we watched a handful of My Hero Academia episodes.

>198 scaifea: I find the idea of "snow days" fascinating. It's something I've never experienced either as a student or in my working life. People are expected to get to school (or work) no matter how much snow has fallen, although of course people will understand if it takes longer than normal. I remember calling my school when I was in high school to let them know I'd be late but wasn't sure *how* late since the bus I was supposed to take had skidded off the road and they couldn't send another out because the roads were still too snowy.
I was only an hour late, though.
The one time I can recall being sent home was when there was a major water leak in town and they cut the water to make sure the hospital didn't run out. They couldn't make people work without access to drinking water and toilets so let everyone home.

On the other hand, if it gets hot here we all almost die on the spot.

>200 PawsforThought: At least in Wisconsin they were efficient at getting the roads cleared and that's why there were so few snow days. There's no virtue in making people get out when travel isn't safe. But hey, you have universal health care, so who am I to judge?

>201 scaifea: It's not really about making people go out, but the situation is similar to what you describe in Wisconsin - it gets cleared fairly quickly - we have the infrastructure to deal with snow.
I'd say we have fairly few accidents considering the circumstances. And there's a law about having winter tyres (which can handle snow) during winter months. Regular tyres (summer tyres) are not safe to use during October-April here. The vast majority of accidents don't happen because of snow but because of ice.

>202 PawsforThought: Ah. I got the wrong impression, then, from your bus story.

Morning, Amber! How much snow did you get? I know you were looking forward to some. We probably got about 6 inches over those 3 days. Now, it is just COLD! Bree asked me to come over and help with Jack. Twist my arm...

>204 msf59: Morning, Mark! I'm not sure how much we ended up with, maybe 4 inches or so? And yes, it's COLD here too! I love it!

Give that sweet Jack a hug for me.

>203 scaifea: I should have explained in more detail.

>206 PawsforThought: Ha! No worries. It's not like this is the Spanish Inquisition.

Predictable, I know.

>208 lauralkeet: Yes, but still hilarious!

>207 scaifea: Ah! Now you've reminded me of the excellent Eddie Izzard bit "Cake or Death" (from Dress to Kill).

Alas, no snow day. I shoveled the driveway before heading out - fortunately this is light, fluffy stuff. There were probably 2-ish inches at home and 3-4 at school, but it had only started snowing at 5:00 am or so. It's supposed to snow all day. I've been scraping between 4-8 inches off of my car at least once a week at school, so we'll see how much today. Mountain areas are supposed to get 8-10 inches.

>211 AMQS: Wooof. Scraping off your car at the end of the day is the worst. I forgot that I need to pop into the library today to return some books and pick up holds, so I need to clean my car off here in a bit, too. Yoicks.

>211 AMQS: You reminded me that I need to buy a new snow scraper to keep in my car, so... thanks? You're definitely doing more scraping than I am! The schools here are off today, but my library is still open.

>213 foggidawn: Charlie's two-hour delay didn't turn into another full day off here. I'm hoping the library is open since I'm headed there soon (I suspect it is).

Hi Amber! Here's to a good Tuesday.

>182 scaifea: I think I’ll leave my atorvastatin as is until mid-February, when I see the cardiologist again. I’d rather discuss it with her in person than rely on ‘mychart’ messaging. Both the hospital AND my cardiologist saw fit to have me take it in the morning. I wonder why? Because of the other drugs I’m taking? Something else about my particular situation they know that I don’t?

>180 laytonwoman3rd: My doctors started me on 80 mg atorvastatin and the cardiologist reduced it to 40 mg when I complained of muscle and joint pain.

>187 scaifea: I have cell phone alarms for both morning and evening meds. I punch snooze until they’re taken. So far I’m 100% within half an hour of when they should be taken, usually within 10 minutes.

>188 katiekrug: Ooh, lists! I preface this by saying that we watched these movies with Jenna when she was little, first on VHS tape then on DVD, otherwise I wouldn't have watched them:

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Pinnochio
The Three Caballeros - so very unPC, but I love it
Cinderella
One Hundred and One Dalmatians
The Sword in the Stone
Mary Poppins
The Aristocats
Pete’s Dragon
The Lion King
Toy Story
James and the Giant Peach
Hercules
Mulan
A Bug’s Life
The Emperor’s New Groove
Monsters, Inc.
Lilo & Stitch
Spirited Away
Finding Nemo

One of our favorite movies was Madagascar, but that’s not Disney, as it turns out.

>200 PawsforThought: Growing up in Southern California we never had a day off for weather under any circumstances, even when it got to 113F one September when I was 10. Mom called the school to see if I could wear shorts instead of a full petticoat and dress and they said no. This was in 1963.

>215 karenmarie: I suspect your docs know what they're doing, so I bet they have a good reason for having you take it in the morning.

The alarm system sounds like it works well for you - that's great!

That's a great list of movies - I've seen all (and I mean pretty much *all* - I printed out a list when Charlie was a baby and systematically plowed through it and there are only a very few early live-action ones that I couldn't find anywhere) Disney movies and you've listed some of my favorites.

We're not big fans of the actual Madagascar movies, but we do love the Penguins spin-offs.

>180 laytonwoman3rd:, >215 karenmarie: Yes, I only take 20mg, and that's after doubling the dosage. My husband takes 40mg, but of course he's a much larger human than I am...his cholesterol numbers have always been very low, in spite of the fact that he had a 90% blockage in one artery 10 years ago.

I checked my bottle, and the leaflet that comes with my Rx. All it says is to take it at the same time every day.

>215 karenmarie: I do the phone alarm system too, for my birth control. It’s worked well for me for years and years.

And it’s cruel to not let kids wear shorts when it’s that hot.

>215 karenmarie: For what it's worth Karen, it may have to do with other meds you're taking. I take synthroid (thyroid meds) and was told verbally not to take both at the same time. IIRC, doing so decreases the efficacy of one or the other. My simvastatin bottle says bedtime and that's what I've always done.

>215 karenmarie: and >216 scaifea: - Just to clarify, my list was of ones I like, i.e. would watch now as an adult. I've seen a lot more than what I listed :)

>219 lauralkeet: - That's interesting, Laura. I just checked my statin (10mg) and it just says to take once a day, not specifically when. I have always taken it at night and I suspect it's because I started taking it when I was on synthroid and my doctor probably told me to separate them...

*Sits in the corner, sipping on tea, nibbling on cookies, and watching the conversation*

>221 scaifea: - In other words, you're bored. And annoyed at the hijacking of your thread ;-)

>222 katiekrug: HAAAAHAHAHA!! Nope. Amused that no one else noticed the cookies, so I have them all to myself.

*sneaks Katie a cookie*
Don't tell the others.

Ooh, cookies? Yum! And tea!

I took Lipitor for a while and never had any side effects.

>223 scaifea: - Nomnomnom.

>223 scaifea:, >225 katiekrug: I SAW that! Hmph. I'll just eat this pie I brought with me.

>224 foggidawn: That's reassuring, foggi. So far so good for me, too!

>225 katiekrug: *hands Katie another cookie*

>226 laytonwoman3rd: Rude.

Oh, and BTW, is there any tea left?

>228 laytonwoman3rd: Didn't you bring your own?

*Paddington stare*

I have Earl Grey, Chai and Blackcurrant tea. I’d like a cookie if there are any left over.

Dammit, I missed the cookies.

>230 PawsforThought: Nope, sorry. All gone.

>231 lauralkeet: *pulls out secret stash of cookies*

On the agenda for today:
Class prep, teaching, menu planning, writing up my grocery list for tomorrow, and then probably some other course work this afternoon. Leftovers for dinner tonight.

The windchill is -9F here this morning; I made Charlie wait until the last possible second before letting him out the door to walk to the bus stop, which is just across the street from us, but still. Yoicks.

On the reading front:
It's almost the end of the month and I still have a book and a half to read for my January Challenge CATs and KITs. Blerg. Already behind. So I spent my reading time with A Fatal Grace, which I'm reading for the MysteryKIT this month.

What We're Watching:
Tomm's pick last night, so a handful of 30 Rock episodes.

'Morning, Amber!

With windchill of -9F it's good you're staying in. Sorry Charlie has to be out in it. Yoicks for sure.

Happy Wednesday!

>232 scaifea:



Thanks Amber!
-9F is seriously cold. I'm glad Charlie's bus stop is so close to home.

>234 karenmarie: Morning, Karen! It's (frozen) bananas out there this morning. The bus came after about 5 minutes (I watch from the window, because of course I do), so he wasn't out in it for very long, thankfully.

>235 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Anita! Happy Wednesday to you, too!

>236 lauralkeet: Aw Cookie Monster! I love him.

I'm really happy that the bus stop for our development is so close. I know he's 13 and I'm overprotective for that (or any) age, but I like that I can watch out the window until he gets on the bus.

Morning, Amber!

It's sunny and a balmy 20F here. Hope it warms up a bit for you!

>232 scaifea: I approve of this secret stash of cookies.

I made the cinnamon loaf last night -- it's great! Thanks again for the recipe!

>240 katiekrug: Morning, Katie! Ooof, heat wave over there. Be careful you don't get sun stroke...

>241 foggidawn: Oh, yay! I'm glad you like the bread!

Glad to hear you get to stay inside and cozy, and glad Charlie didn't have to wait long in the cold. Meanwhile up here we're continuing to have a freakishly warm January. Temperature is supposed to be a few degrees above freezing all week.

>244 MickyFine: Enjoy your heatwave, Micky!

Brrrr so cold! It’s cold here too but like 30s cold during the day. We ended up with about 9 inches at school yesterday and we’re supposed to get about 4 more tomorrow. Our winter was late but it’s here now! Stay warm.

>246 AMQS: I know that snow is probably a pain for you, but gosh that sounds wonderful. It's super cold again here this morning, but still no delay for the school. I don't mind so much because Charlie doesn't have to be out in it long at all, but there are a lot of little kiddos who walk to school here, and I worry about them.

On the agenda for today:
I have a haircut appointment today, after which I'll do a Target run and the grocery shopping. I also have a bit of cleaning on the To Do list, and maybe some writing (but I deeply suspect I'll be too tired for that this afternoon). Chicken Tikka Masala for dinner tonight (one of my favorites).

On the reading front:
Still working on A Fatal Grace, which I'm enjoying. I think I'm going to abandon The Path, though. I just can't get into it at all.

What We're Watching:
It was my pick last night and I decided to give Kim's Convenience a try. We watched several episodes and I love it! The dad is absolutely adorable.

Morning, Amber! My last haircut was so bad, that I recently admitted defeat and just had Birdy use the clippers and take it all off. I actually love it and think I might keep it. Good luck with your errands - I did those yesterday, so I am looking forward to going nowhere today.

Morning, Amber! Sweet Thursday. Nearly 20 degrees warmer right now than yesterday at this time. A virtual heat wave! Ooh, the Chicken Yikka Masala sounds tasty.

>249 Crazymamie: Ha! At the beginning of the stay-at-home times, Tomm took the clippers to his head and now keeps his hair really short. He gets me to even up the back with the razor for him about once a week. I love the way it looks shorter, and I think he does, too. I'm grateful that I've found a stylist for me and Charlie and we both really like, especially Charlie - she gets that he isn't comfortable with small talk and happily cuts his hair in comfortable silence. Plus I love how she cuts my hair.

>250 msf59: Morning, Mark! That heat wave hasn't reached us yet. And yes! I'm so looking forward to dinner tonight!

Morning, Amber! I recently watched the first episode of Kim's Convenience (thanks, Micky) and enjoyed it. I will definitely be watching more.

Aaaand now I want Indian food. *shakes fist Ohio-ward*

The new thread is up!

https://www.librarything.com/topic/339099

>253 katiekrug: It's a really good show! So funny and sort of sneakily sweet.

Indian food is the best food.