2019 "catching up" Maggie1944 (aka Karen M.)

OK, I feel moved to catch up with "you all". My tenure as President of the housing cooperative where I live will be coming to an end shortly, and I feel a reading binge coming on.

I'm going to try to reconstruct what I have read during these last four months, which may or may not be a complete list.

Today I finished: Unbelievable by Katy Tur and enjoyed it. She was assigned by NBC to "cover" Donal Trump when it appeared he was going to announce he was running for the President of the USA. She writes quickly, as the campaign moved quickly. She writes not only of what she saw, experienced, and reported but also what she lived through. Wow! Stress, fast moving, crazy-making. A very good read, and since she peppers the book with personal stories it is not overwhelmingly political.

Here's the beginning of my reconstruction

1. Unbelievable by Katy Our

Hey, welcome back!

Thank you, Jim. I've put myself to reading Germaine: the life of Germaine Greer It is an early readers book, and I"m contemplating setting daily goals in number of pages. Sometimes that helps me stick to reading something which feels a little bit like a "have to" read it.

So far, it is enjoyable. She is very much a contemporary of mine and I am fascinated by a more international view of those times.... you know the 60s, 70s, 80s, etc.

Hopefully, I'll be able to talk about some good books here.

Lovely to see you back, Karen. xxxxx

Thank you, Paul. I hope to reestablish the great friendships I temporarily had to abandon.

>5 maggie1944: You didn't abandon them, Karen, they (we) are here waiting for you and extremely happy to see you again. xx

Welcome back, Karen!

You all are so sweet, such a nice welcome back. I did read over 20 pages yesterday, and have it in my mind that I should read another 20 before I go to sleep. First, eat dinner; second, go next door and watch Rachel Maddow with my next door neighbor; third, have some cookies for dessert. Then read!

Hi Karen! I've found you again.

We'll be going to Seattle at the end of the year (but only for a few days) and I've been promised a book buying spree. Richard D suggested I ask you for recommendations of good fantasy bookshops in Seattle.

If you're not too far away and you'll be around in mid December, maybe we can meet up? And if you're heading to Hawai'i - hah! We're heading that way, too.

I've been quite absent for a while as some other responsibilities were making it very hard for me to read much at all. Now I've started reading again, and slowly getting back into the LT world.

I do not know if there are any "fantasy bookshops" per se in Seattle. When I go book shopping I usually go to Half Price Books for good used book selection + good book buying from customers; also, Third Place Books when I have time. Another book "shop" I will occasionally visit is Elliott Bay Books in Seattle.

My trip to Hawaii is scheduled for late Oct-early November. I will be in Seattle area during December, perhaps working part time for the holiday season in Bellevue Square.

Right now I'm reading A Dog's Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron - a young adult tear jerker of a dog story which I'm enjoying.

I recently finished Louise Penny's A Better Man which reminded me how much I love her books, and the setting of a small village filled with characters.

I also finished reading Heart - A History which I very much enjoyed. It is a combination of history of western medicine and the approach to heart related health with a personal memoir of becoming a M.D. in the United States, after having been raised in both the US and India. A delightful, humane book.

Now I'm fighting with reading Talking to Strangers not because I don't want to read it, but other things still call me away. I went to a Seattle Arts and Lectures with Malcolm Gladwell who was wonderful, funny, and smart, and a great entertainer. The subject, however, is not funny. I'm sure I will read it. Also, struggling with Germaine but I have allowed myself to begin to get captivated by that biography.

I'll be back.

Hi Karen, I thought I would come over and say hi on your thread. We are sitting here watching the Seahawks look not-too-good against the Cleveland Browns. The WSU volleyball has a noon match against the Beavs so we will happily go to that.

I'm reading the third Maisie Dobbs mystery, Pardonable Lies. It's a good distracting read so far.

I hope you are well! Give my love to little Gretchen. xo

Ellen! Good to see your post here, and I forgot about the Seahawks, so on goes the TV. Yuck! Second quarter and its Browns 20, Seahawks 9. But there is a lot of time left. I hope the Seahawks still have the 4th Q. mojo.

I'm, as you know from your thread, reading Blowout. Check out the full title. Also, They Called Us Enemy. It is a sad, sad story, but maybe not as sad as the one Rachel is telling.

Oh, I loved They Called Us Enemy though, as you say, it's a sad sad story. Takei's equanimity, compassion, and wisdom are inspirational. He is of the MLK leadership ilk.

I love listening to the Canada geese, but I do not see as many as I used to see in the autumn. It is autumn, yes? End of October, beginning of November is my idea of the beginning of the wet, dreary, dark and damp months for the pacific northwest on the west side of the mountains. Today was a good example, rained all day long, on and off. Poor Gretchen did not get much walking.

I bought two books today just because I wanted to have plenty to read on the Kindle during my Hawaiian weeks (2). I bought Me: Elton John Offical Autobiography by Elton John and I bought Running with Sherman. I think two weeks in Hawaii is timed just about perfectly!

HAVE FUN in Hawaii!!!!!

Yup! We are relaxed, enjoying the warm weather and watching a few rain showers. Went on the Allerton Garden tour on Tuesday, and this time my travel buddy, Robin, scheduled for us to see it via golf cart. I spent our first couple of days limping around with a wonky and sore knee.

The garden was enchanting as always and we loved it.

Home after two weeks in Hawaii. I spent entirely too much time sitting on my butt and generally enjoying the feeling of having no appointments. I did try to read Elton John's book but truthfully it became quite tedious. I'm sure that if I were a more enthusiastic fan of popular music I would enjoy the comings and goings of the musicians of note in the 1960s, 1970s, and perhaps into the 1980s. Frankly, my dear, I don't and didn't give a damn.

So, it lays there on my Kindle, unfinished, and I might read it some long night when I can't sleep, and will read anything.

I also started Running with Sherman: The Donkey with the Heart of a Hero and I'm recommending it for a long airplane ride home, after two weeks in Hawaii. Relatively light and funny with a reasonable amount of serious discussion of the animal/human bond. I will finish this book soon.

Just *waving* ‘Hello!’

Hi Karen! I'm keeping an eye out for Running with Sherman.

You may have to stoop to buying it from Amazon. I believe that is where I found a copy.

Merry Christmas, Karen!

Thank you for keeping me company in 2019.......onward to 2020.

And Happy New Year to us all!

I am buried in Where the Crawdads Sing and am enjoying it. Still having some difficulty finding time to read. Spent a few "spare" minutes today writing post cards to voters around the country. Trying to help turn Texas from red to purple. Really! We need to stay on this task: keep your eye on the prize.

Now, just to make my life interesting I've started reading Beloved as my community's book group is going to discuss it during the first week in February. Hopefully, I can finish both books before the meeting.

I'm doing better at reading, but need to develop some self discipline and stop playing with my computer "coloring book".

>25 maggie1944: Computer colouring book? I need to know more.

It is called "Happy Color" and you can find it where you find apps for your phone, or iPad, or computer. I like to use a stylus. My niece's step-daughter and I discovered we are on the same coloring app. She's 9 years old. So, it is not difficult. A great way to stay still while listening to the radio, or the news.

Picked up A Stable Genius and started reading it. I find it well written in a style which is easy to read. Not that I need more information about the misbehavior of this guy, but I like the idea that these two journalists used their skills to write a relatively balanced account.

I am leading a discussion at my senior cooperative housing community this evening. We have read Becoming together, and the discussion advertises that the book is marked by humor, warmth, and frank discussions of life growing up black. If you have not read this book I recommend you do read it. It may reinvigorate your faith in modern life in the USA.

One notable moment early in the book gives an account of how Michelle Obama worked hard to qualify to go to college at Princeton, even though her high school counselor told her she was not "Princeton material". She also notes that once she received her acceptance she did not go back to that counselor and brag about her accomplishment, she just shared it with the teacher at that high school who had been supportive and encouraging. She realized at this early age that "I hadn't needed to show her anything. I was only showing myself". Lucky woman to discover at an early age that impressing herself was much more important than impressing others.

I am reading The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin so that I can encourage my middle schooler grand niece in her "stay at home" school assignment. It is jam packed with amusing plays on words but I'm not sure it is worthy of serious consideration.

I stalled in The Westing Game and I need to call my Great Niece and see if she likes it, and why.

I picked up Raised in Ruins by a young woman who's childhood was spent in the "out back" of
Alaska. Her father, suffering from Post Vietnam War syndrome, was a "hell bent for" kind of a guy, and brought his wife and four children to an abandoned fish processing "factory" and set up a homestead of sorts. They were actually leasing the land from a corporation, but were left alone for years. The kids grew up, and Dad worked his tail off, and it was an interesting story. If you enjoy memoirs that are filled with adventure and fun, this one is a good read for you. Much of it is very light hearted and fun, although there were tragedies and scary parts, too.

Now, I went back to Running With Sherman: The Donkey With the Heart of a Hero and will try to finish it soon. I'm enjoying memoirs, I guess.

Finished Running With Sherman. Recommend this for those who like quirky stories about people rescuing animals from an inappropriate home life. Who ever heard of running marathons at the side of a donkey? It is a quick and easy read if you need some break from staring at the walls of your home office, or living room, or rec room. Wherever you are, this is a fun book.

I am adding a bunch of books to my inventory. I suggest you go take a look and see if there are any there which we might be reading at the same time.

Just waving *hello*

I am reading a couple of pages a day, in the evening, sitting in my bed. Then, I'm overtaken with the sleepy time. I really am enjoying reading Caste. The author takes a very different tone and I am intrigued to continue reading about her thesis. In brief, she does not think the problem is racism. The problem is that the USA began a caste system during the pre-Revolutionary days.

I think many of us has also thought that social class was an issue which needs attention, and I think this thesis will make room for that.

Now, that said, I do want to caution all: I am only about 30 pages into a 400 page book.

And "hello" back at you, humorless!

I believe I am being "hooked" by Caste. The author has a unique and inviting style of writing. One chapter will be relatively academic and historical. And then the next, familiar and conversational. That makes the book a much easier book to read because you feel as if you are having a convefsation. I recommend it. It is a great way to get a little closer to understanding the divisions in our society.

>36 maggie1944: No, no - never humourless!

Whoops. This is the reason why I have always been a poor speller. I am not good with details. So "humouress" it is! My apologies!

>39 maggie1944: No problem :0)

You could always blame it on the spellcheck - that causes a lot of problems anyway.

I prefer to blame Autocorrect.

Nevertheless, this error of mine has made your pen name much more firmly embedded in my poor memory.

How crazy is this! It has been a good deal longer than I imagined.

I will begin to be catching up.

Just finished reading Gone to the Woods by Gary Paulsen, a favority author for Middle School/High School readers. His books are well worth an adult reading them, too.

Hi Karen! I was hoping you'd make an appearance on the 2021 group, but I don't see your name on the Threadbook there.

Wishing you a belated Happy New Year! I hope 2021 is treating you well.

Thanks for the good wishes. We can never have too many of those in our "in-boxes".

Things are good. I live in a wonderful community of seniors. We watch out for each other, we help each other, and we cheer each other on! I have been kinds of out of commission and I have two neighbors who love to give my pup a good long walk during each day. Truthfully, sometimes they beg off, and I have to walk a short distance with her and feel badly that she doesn't get the long walk. Nonetheless, I love my neighbors.

Tomorrow I am getting a new washer and dryer, and another neighbor came over to take the folding door off the closet where these will be installed. No charge, just a happy thank you!

I am trying to read all the books I've kept which I've not yet read. And frankly, I have too many books so I am doing some pruning of the library. I had a vision of trying to navigate my apt. in a wheelchair, and nope! Not ever going to happen. And I may be facing that reality, so I'm downsizing once again!

Have a happy Spring!

Can anyone tell me how to change the title of this poorly written thread. I have been very neglectful and am trying to be more attentive.

Happy New Year! 2021 is bound to finally be better for us, I'm sure.

This is still the 2019 group. Now that there are group administrators, drneutron is officially the admin for the 2021 group but I don’t know if that’s been retroactively applied to previous years’ groups. But group admins can change thread titles.

Why don’t you join us in the 2021 group? More people will be bound to see your thread; I see you because I use the ‘Your Posts’ view in Talk so you pop up when you post but I think most people use a different view (I can’t begin to guess which is most popular).

I can change the thread title, but yeah, if you can, please join us in the 2021 group. Lots of folks would love to see you again!

>47 drneutron: Oops, did I ping you Doc? Or are you still looking after all the previous years’ groups?

I use "Groups and Posts" in Talk, so I see threads pop up in the old groups from time to time.

Hi Karen. Just checking in on you. Hope things are going well.

Things are going well! My pinched nerve, in my back, has been healing and I am able to walk a bit farther than I have been able to do, since Dec. 1, 2020. Yikes. That is a lot of inactivity. Surprizingly, I have not gained a bunch of weight sitting around.

My Seattle Storm women's basketball team has started its season and for complicated reasons I will be watching it on TV. Also, other teams are on the TV, too, so I get to develop thoughts about our opponents.

I am reading The Orphan Collector which is set in the last pandemic affecting the USA. Not an easy read but it does celebrate the grit and courage it took to survive at that time.

Thanks for checking in! I am well, and getting older by the minute.

There you are! It's good to see you. I'm glad your back is healing. Back issues are no fun.

Well, what with having to wear masks and so on, I haven't been doing enough (or any) exercise but, unfortunately, I have gained weight. And age :0)

I found an article in the NY Times which states people with Rheumatoid Arthritis respond to exercise differently. Become tired more quickly, do less exercise before quitting. Etc. Boy did I identify!

Nonetheless, I'm convinced that a stronger back will help me avoid what I experienced these last five-six months. So! I do try to get to it, once in a while.

Aren't we all getting aged. Like a fine wine, I hope.

>53 maggie1944: That makes sense - but I don't have that excuse.

I'll take the wine, thanks ;0)

I think a fine glass of wine after doing my physical therapy exercises, and my meditation, and my cleaning up the kitchen, might be just fine. Except, I've not had alcoholic drinks since 1983. Wow!

Wow! indeed. Yeah, I think you could indulge :0)

I have found some frozen meals whch work well for me. Gah! Old age is wearing me down, I don't like cooking all that much any more.

Frozen meals aren’t a big thing here but they’re replaced by food courts, hawker stalls and coffee shops (not the equivalent of cafés but more like hawker stalls) so there aren’t many good frozen options. I’m glad you found something that works for you; I don’t have a knack for pulling together meals on the fly the way my mum and sister seem to do and whatever favourites on of my kids has, the other dislikes - except for junk food. :0)

I was just thinking about you yesterday. I’ve probably asked you before but do you always go to the same part of Hawai’i? I’d love to live there, but we’re not US citizens (so that would entail a whole heap of paperwork). You have a dog too, if I remember correctly, right?

Regarding Hawaii: I have a very good friend who lives near Seattle. She graduated from the U. of Hawaii years ago, and developed an unlimited love of the place. She manages to go to Hawaii about two times a year. I usually sign on to go with her in the fall... near my birthday. We normally to to Kauai which is a less developed, and tourist attractive island. It is quiet and easy for seniors to enjoy.

But I do not have much information about the best places to live. The largest island is probably most likely to have some affordable options.

I did read a book which may have been titled So You Want to Live in Hawaii. I recommend it and it may be well worth reading.

I just found it by putting in the title... Toni Polancy is the author. Good luck!

Thanks Karen. I was wondering if you had a base there, you visit it so often.

We visited Kauai on our honeymoon but this time (gosh, a year and a half already?) we took the kids to Hawai'i, a quick stop in Maui and then Oahu. I like Big Island, the boys - fickle young things - fell in love with Oahu and my husband does seems to like it well enough. But he's looking at the practicality of stuff so I'm not sure if it'd be on the cards for us. Thank you for the book reference; I'll have to look for it.

If you did want to join us in the 2021 group, this is the link: https://www.librarything.com/ngroups/23215/75-Books-Challenge-for-2021

Just checking in.

I am still here from time to time.

I am reading newspapers mostly, occasionally cook books, and most recently a Louise Penny mystery. All pretty light weight.

I am fine, adjusting to new dentures. I am fine, and getting old.