A Year of Normality and Tea No 6
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2johnsimpson
Please join me here shortly.
3johnsimpson
Hi I am John and this will be my Sixth time with the 75ers and I must say I have made some great friends along the way.
I am 56 years old and have been married to Karen for 35 years, I have two children, Robert who is 31 and lives with his partner Louise and has a daughter Hannah who will be Nine at the end of February and a step-daughter Shannon who is 16, and Amy who is 30 and married Andy in October 2015.
I love books and currently have just over 2,500 books on my shelves and this doesn't include my Cricket collection which stands at about 400 books. While reading I do enjoy the odd pot or two of tea.
I am 56 years old and have been married to Karen for 35 years, I have two children, Robert who is 31 and lives with his partner Louise and has a daughter Hannah who will be Nine at the end of February and a step-daughter Shannon who is 16, and Amy who is 30 and married Andy in October 2015.
I love books and currently have just over 2,500 books on my shelves and this doesn't include my Cricket collection which stands at about 400 books. While reading I do enjoy the odd pot or two of tea.
5johnsimpson
CURRENTLY READING
6johnsimpson
BOOKS READ IN JANUARY.
1. A Gull on the Roof by Derek Tangye, PB - 216 pages. No1 of ? in The Minack Chronicles Series.
2. Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor, PB - 206 pages.
3. Fragile Lives, A Heart Surgeon's stories of life and death on the Operating Table by Professor Stephen Westaby, HB - 340 pages.
4. The Trial by James Patterson, PB - 114 pages.
5. 16th Seduction by James Patterson, PB - 350 pages. No 17 of 20 in The Women's Murder Club Series.
6. The Maze Runner by James Dashner, PB - 371 pages. No 1 of 3 in The Maze Runner Series.
7. Lacey's of Liverpool by Maureen Lee, PB - 481 pages.
BOOKS READ IN FEBRUARY
8. To Play the King by Michael Dobbs, PB - 309 pages. No 2 of 3 in the House of Cards Series.
9. A Darkness More Than Night by Michael Connelly, PB - 403 pages. No 7 of 22 in The Harry Bosch Series.
10. Manna from Hades by Carola Dunn, PB - 305 pages. No 1 of 4 in the Cornish Mystery Series.
11. Where have all the boys gone? by Jenny Colgan, PB - 340 pages.
12. Manhunt by Janet Evanovich, PB - 219 pages.
13. A Painted House by John Grisham, PB - 466 pages.
14. Dying in the Wool by Frances Brody, PB - 356 pages. No 1 of 10 in the Kate Shackleton Mysteries.
15. The Cleverness of Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith, PB - 101 pages. No 13.5 of 20 in the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency Series.
1. A Gull on the Roof by Derek Tangye, PB - 216 pages. No1 of ? in The Minack Chronicles Series.
2. Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor, PB - 206 pages.
3. Fragile Lives, A Heart Surgeon's stories of life and death on the Operating Table by Professor Stephen Westaby, HB - 340 pages.
4. The Trial by James Patterson, PB - 114 pages.
5. 16th Seduction by James Patterson, PB - 350 pages. No 17 of 20 in The Women's Murder Club Series.
6. The Maze Runner by James Dashner, PB - 371 pages. No 1 of 3 in The Maze Runner Series.
7. Lacey's of Liverpool by Maureen Lee, PB - 481 pages.
BOOKS READ IN FEBRUARY
8. To Play the King by Michael Dobbs, PB - 309 pages. No 2 of 3 in the House of Cards Series.
9. A Darkness More Than Night by Michael Connelly, PB - 403 pages. No 7 of 22 in The Harry Bosch Series.
10. Manna from Hades by Carola Dunn, PB - 305 pages. No 1 of 4 in the Cornish Mystery Series.
11. Where have all the boys gone? by Jenny Colgan, PB - 340 pages.
12. Manhunt by Janet Evanovich, PB - 219 pages.
13. A Painted House by John Grisham, PB - 466 pages.
14. Dying in the Wool by Frances Brody, PB - 356 pages. No 1 of 10 in the Kate Shackleton Mysteries.
15. The Cleverness of Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith, PB - 101 pages. No 13.5 of 20 in the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency Series.
7johnsimpson
BOOKS READ IN MARCH
16. The Medical Examiner by James Patterson, PB - 125 pages. No 18 of 20 in the Women's Murder Club Series.
17. 17th Suspect by James Patterson, PB - 348 pages. No 19 of 20 in the Women's Murder Club Series.
18. Remembrance by Danielle Steel, PB - 477 pages.
19. The Payback by Simon Kernick, PB - 457 pages. No 3 of 3 in the Dennis Milne Trilogy.
20. The Burning Girl by Mark Billingham, PB - 449 pages. No 4 of 15 in the DI Tom Thorne Series.
21. Fatty O'Leary's Dinner Party by Alexander McCall Smith, HB - 174 pages.
22. The Broker by John Grisham, PB - 465 pages.
23. The Final Cut by Michael Dobbs, PB - 452 pages. No 3 of 3 in the House of Cards Trilogy.
BOOKS READ IN APRIL
24. The Moon of Gomrath by Alan Garner, PB - 153 pages. No2 of 3 in the Alderley Series.
25. Boneland by Alan Garner, PB - 149 pages. No 3 of 3 in the Alderley Series.
26. Plum Island by Nelson De Mille, PB - 574 pages. No 1 of 8 in John Corey Series.
27. Home Truths by Freya North, PB - 449 pages.
28. the Five People you meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom, PB - 208 pages.
29. Starting Over by Jack Sheffield, PB - 333 pages. No 11 of 12 in the Ragley School Series.
30. The Little Grey Men go Down The Bright Stream by 'BB', PB - 256 pages.
31. Dream Angus by Alexander McCall Smith, PB - 173 pages.
16. The Medical Examiner by James Patterson, PB - 125 pages. No 18 of 20 in the Women's Murder Club Series.
17. 17th Suspect by James Patterson, PB - 348 pages. No 19 of 20 in the Women's Murder Club Series.
18. Remembrance by Danielle Steel, PB - 477 pages.
19. The Payback by Simon Kernick, PB - 457 pages. No 3 of 3 in the Dennis Milne Trilogy.
20. The Burning Girl by Mark Billingham, PB - 449 pages. No 4 of 15 in the DI Tom Thorne Series.
21. Fatty O'Leary's Dinner Party by Alexander McCall Smith, HB - 174 pages.
22. The Broker by John Grisham, PB - 465 pages.
23. The Final Cut by Michael Dobbs, PB - 452 pages. No 3 of 3 in the House of Cards Trilogy.
BOOKS READ IN APRIL
24. The Moon of Gomrath by Alan Garner, PB - 153 pages. No2 of 3 in the Alderley Series.
25. Boneland by Alan Garner, PB - 149 pages. No 3 of 3 in the Alderley Series.
26. Plum Island by Nelson De Mille, PB - 574 pages. No 1 of 8 in John Corey Series.
27. Home Truths by Freya North, PB - 449 pages.
28. the Five People you meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom, PB - 208 pages.
29. Starting Over by Jack Sheffield, PB - 333 pages. No 11 of 12 in the Ragley School Series.
30. The Little Grey Men go Down The Bright Stream by 'BB', PB - 256 pages.
31. Dream Angus by Alexander McCall Smith, PB - 173 pages.
8johnsimpson
BOOKS READ IN MAY
32. Without Fail by Lee Child, PB - 556 pages. No 6 of 23 in the Jack Reacher series.
33. Full Speed by Janet Evanovich, PB - 344 pages. No 3 of 4 in the Full Series.
34. The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell, PB - 310 pages.
35. Dead Man's walk by Larry McMurtry, PB - 477 pages. No 3 of 4 in the Lonesome Dove Series.
36. Private L.A. by James Patterson, PB - 487 pages. No 7 of 14 in the Private Series.
37. A Colourful Death by Carola Dunn, PB - 337 pages. No 2 of 4 in the Cornish Mystery Series.
38. tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, PB - 192 pages.
BOOKS READ IN JUNE
39. A Killing Kindness by Reginald Hill, PB - 303 pages. No 6 of 22 in the Dalziel and Pascoe Series.
40. The Reader on the 6.27 by Jean-Paul Didierlaurent, PB - 194 pages.
41. Deadly Decisions by Kathy Reichs, PB - 382 pages. No 3 of 22 in the Temperance Brennan Series.
42. Emily goes to Exeter by M.C. Beaton, PB - 186 pages. No 1 of 6 in the Travelling Matchmaker Series.
43. Bullseye by James Patterson, PB - 339 pages. No 9 of 13 in the Detective Michael Bennett Series.
44. Chase by James Patterson, PB - 115 pages. No 10 of 13 in the Detective Michael Bennett Series.
45. Sin Killer by Larry McMurtry, PB - 343 pages. No 1 of 4 in The Berrybender Narratives Series.
46. Peach by Elizabeth Adler, PB - 480 pages.
47. Precious and Grace by Alexander McCall Smith, HB - 247 pages. No 18 of 21 in the No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series.
48. The House of Unexpected Sisters by Alexander McCall Smith, HB - 226 pages. No 19 of 21 in the No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series.
32. Without Fail by Lee Child, PB - 556 pages. No 6 of 23 in the Jack Reacher series.
33. Full Speed by Janet Evanovich, PB - 344 pages. No 3 of 4 in the Full Series.
34. The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell, PB - 310 pages.
35. Dead Man's walk by Larry McMurtry, PB - 477 pages. No 3 of 4 in the Lonesome Dove Series.
36. Private L.A. by James Patterson, PB - 487 pages. No 7 of 14 in the Private Series.
37. A Colourful Death by Carola Dunn, PB - 337 pages. No 2 of 4 in the Cornish Mystery Series.
38. tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, PB - 192 pages.
BOOKS READ IN JUNE
39. A Killing Kindness by Reginald Hill, PB - 303 pages. No 6 of 22 in the Dalziel and Pascoe Series.
40. The Reader on the 6.27 by Jean-Paul Didierlaurent, PB - 194 pages.
41. Deadly Decisions by Kathy Reichs, PB - 382 pages. No 3 of 22 in the Temperance Brennan Series.
42. Emily goes to Exeter by M.C. Beaton, PB - 186 pages. No 1 of 6 in the Travelling Matchmaker Series.
43. Bullseye by James Patterson, PB - 339 pages. No 9 of 13 in the Detective Michael Bennett Series.
44. Chase by James Patterson, PB - 115 pages. No 10 of 13 in the Detective Michael Bennett Series.
45. Sin Killer by Larry McMurtry, PB - 343 pages. No 1 of 4 in The Berrybender Narratives Series.
46. Peach by Elizabeth Adler, PB - 480 pages.
47. Precious and Grace by Alexander McCall Smith, HB - 247 pages. No 18 of 21 in the No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series.
48. The House of Unexpected Sisters by Alexander McCall Smith, HB - 226 pages. No 19 of 21 in the No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series.
9johnsimpson
BOOKS READ IN JULY
49. Belinda Goes to Bath by M. C. Beaton, PB - 185 pages. No 2 of 6 in the Travelling Matchmaker Series.
50. The Body Farm by Patricia Cornwell, PB - 387 pages. No 5 of 25 in the Dr Kay Scarpetta Series.
51. A Distant View of Everything by Alexander McCall Smith, PB - 232 pages. No 14 of 15 in the Isobel Dalhousie Series.
52 Valley of the Shadow by Carola Dunn, PB - 309 pages. No 3 of 4 in the Cornish Mystery Series.
53. The Riviera Express by TP Fielden, PB - 364 pages. No 1 of 3 in the Miss Dimont Mystery Series.
54. Penelope Goes to Portsmouth by M. C. Beaton, PB - 185 pages. No 3 of 6 in the Travelling Matchmaker Series.
BOOKS READ IN AUGUST
55. The President is Missing by James Patterson, PB - 513 pages.
56. Date with Mystery by Julia Chapman, PB - 432 pages. No 3 of 4 in the Dales Detective Series.
57. Virgins by Diana Gabaldon, HB - 130 pages counted. 0.5 of 10 in the Outlander Series.
58. The Dealer and The Dead by Gerald Seymour, PB - 458 pages.
59. The Silent Tide by Rachel Hore, PB - 514 pages.
49. Belinda Goes to Bath by M. C. Beaton, PB - 185 pages. No 2 of 6 in the Travelling Matchmaker Series.
50. The Body Farm by Patricia Cornwell, PB - 387 pages. No 5 of 25 in the Dr Kay Scarpetta Series.
51. A Distant View of Everything by Alexander McCall Smith, PB - 232 pages. No 14 of 15 in the Isobel Dalhousie Series.
52 Valley of the Shadow by Carola Dunn, PB - 309 pages. No 3 of 4 in the Cornish Mystery Series.
53. The Riviera Express by TP Fielden, PB - 364 pages. No 1 of 3 in the Miss Dimont Mystery Series.
54. Penelope Goes to Portsmouth by M. C. Beaton, PB - 185 pages. No 3 of 6 in the Travelling Matchmaker Series.
BOOKS READ IN AUGUST
55. The President is Missing by James Patterson, PB - 513 pages.
56. Date with Mystery by Julia Chapman, PB - 432 pages. No 3 of 4 in the Dales Detective Series.
57. Virgins by Diana Gabaldon, HB - 130 pages counted. 0.5 of 10 in the Outlander Series.
58. The Dealer and The Dead by Gerald Seymour, PB - 458 pages.
59. The Silent Tide by Rachel Hore, PB - 514 pages.
10johnsimpson
BOOKS READ IN SEPTEMBER
60. Lifeless by Mark Billingham, PB - 464 pages. No 5 of 15 in the DI Tom Thorne Series.
61. When All is Said by Anne Griffin, HB - 264 pages.
62. The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes by Ruth Hogan, HB - 326 pages.
63. The Rumour by Lesley Kara, HB - 304 pages.
64. Life Support by Tess Gerritsen, PB - 471 pages.
65. Millie's Fling by Jill Mansell, PB - 566 pages.
BOOKS READ IN OCTOBER
66. The Runaway Jury by John Grisham, PB - 484 pages.
67. Buried in the Country by Carola Dunn, PB - 324 pages.
68. Haunted by James Patterson, PB - 317 pages. No 11 of 14 in the Michael Bennett Series.
69. Manhunt by James Patterson, PB - 112 pages. No 12 of 14 in the Michael Bennett Series.
70. Beatrice Goes to Brighton by M. C. Beaton, PB - 185 pages. No 4 of 6 in the Travelling Matchmaker Series.
71. Echo Park by Michael Connelly, PB - 392 pages. No 12 of 24 in the Harry Bosch Series.
72. The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths, PB - 327 pages. No 2 of 13 in The Ruth Galloway Mystery Series.
73. Deborah Goes to Dover by M. C. Beaton, PB - 186 pages. No 5 of 6 in the Travelling Matchmaker Series.
74. Fade Away by Harlen Coben, PB - 346 pages. No 3 of 11 in the Myron Bolitar Series.
75. The Kicking the Bucket List by Cathy Hopkins, PB - 383 pages.
60. Lifeless by Mark Billingham, PB - 464 pages. No 5 of 15 in the DI Tom Thorne Series.
61. When All is Said by Anne Griffin, HB - 264 pages.
62. The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes by Ruth Hogan, HB - 326 pages.
63. The Rumour by Lesley Kara, HB - 304 pages.
64. Life Support by Tess Gerritsen, PB - 471 pages.
65. Millie's Fling by Jill Mansell, PB - 566 pages.
BOOKS READ IN OCTOBER
66. The Runaway Jury by John Grisham, PB - 484 pages.
67. Buried in the Country by Carola Dunn, PB - 324 pages.
68. Haunted by James Patterson, PB - 317 pages. No 11 of 14 in the Michael Bennett Series.
69. Manhunt by James Patterson, PB - 112 pages. No 12 of 14 in the Michael Bennett Series.
70. Beatrice Goes to Brighton by M. C. Beaton, PB - 185 pages. No 4 of 6 in the Travelling Matchmaker Series.
71. Echo Park by Michael Connelly, PB - 392 pages. No 12 of 24 in the Harry Bosch Series.
72. The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths, PB - 327 pages. No 2 of 13 in The Ruth Galloway Mystery Series.
73. Deborah Goes to Dover by M. C. Beaton, PB - 186 pages. No 5 of 6 in the Travelling Matchmaker Series.
74. Fade Away by Harlen Coben, PB - 346 pages. No 3 of 11 in the Myron Bolitar Series.
75. The Kicking the Bucket List by Cathy Hopkins, PB - 383 pages.
11johnsimpson
BOOKS READ IN NOVEMBER
76. The Regency by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, PB - 586 pages. No 13 of 35 in the Morland Saga.
77. Yvonne goes to York by M. C. Beaton, PB - 182 pages. No 6 of 6 in the Travelling Matchmaker Series.
78. Red Fox by Gerald Seymour, HB - 308 pages.
79. Top Secret Twenty-One by Janet Evanovich, PB - 326 pages. No 21 of 26 in the Stephanie Plum Series.
80. Cross The Line by James Patterson, PB - 373 pages. No 24 of 29 in the Alex Cross Series.
81. A Thousand Pardons by Jonathan Dee, PB - 274 pages.
82. Private India by James Patterson, PB - 447 pages. No 8 of 17 in the Private Series.
BOOKS READ IN DECEMBER
83. Persuader by Lee Child, PB - 543 pages. No 7 of 31 in the Jack Reacher Series.
84. The School at the Top of the Dale by Gervase Phinn, PB - 408 pages. No 1 of 2 in The Top of the Dale Series.
85. A Vintage Wedding by Katie Fforde, PB - 454 pages.
86. Date with Poison by Julia Chapman, PB - 388 pages. No 4 in The Dales Detective Series.
87. Chocolate Wishes by Trisha Ashley, PB - 371 pages. No 4 of 6 in the Lancashire Series.
88. The Corpse at the Crystal Palace by Carola Dunn, PB - 276 pages. No 23 of 23 in the Daisy Dalrymple Series.
89. Deadheads by Reginald Hill, PB - 393 pages. No 7 of 22 in the Dalziel and Pascoe Series.
90. The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm by Norman Hunter, PB - 208 pages.
76. The Regency by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, PB - 586 pages. No 13 of 35 in the Morland Saga.
77. Yvonne goes to York by M. C. Beaton, PB - 182 pages. No 6 of 6 in the Travelling Matchmaker Series.
78. Red Fox by Gerald Seymour, HB - 308 pages.
79. Top Secret Twenty-One by Janet Evanovich, PB - 326 pages. No 21 of 26 in the Stephanie Plum Series.
80. Cross The Line by James Patterson, PB - 373 pages. No 24 of 29 in the Alex Cross Series.
81. A Thousand Pardons by Jonathan Dee, PB - 274 pages.
82. Private India by James Patterson, PB - 447 pages. No 8 of 17 in the Private Series.
BOOKS READ IN DECEMBER
83. Persuader by Lee Child, PB - 543 pages. No 7 of 31 in the Jack Reacher Series.
84. The School at the Top of the Dale by Gervase Phinn, PB - 408 pages. No 1 of 2 in The Top of the Dale Series.
85. A Vintage Wedding by Katie Fforde, PB - 454 pages.
86. Date with Poison by Julia Chapman, PB - 388 pages. No 4 in The Dales Detective Series.
87. Chocolate Wishes by Trisha Ashley, PB - 371 pages. No 4 of 6 in the Lancashire Series.
88. The Corpse at the Crystal Palace by Carola Dunn, PB - 276 pages. No 23 of 23 in the Daisy Dalrymple Series.
89. Deadheads by Reginald Hill, PB - 393 pages. No 7 of 22 in the Dalziel and Pascoe Series.
90. The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm by Norman Hunter, PB - 208 pages.
12johnsimpson
KAREN'S 2019 READS
JANUARY
1. Quality Street Girls by Penny Thorpe
2. Fragile Lives by Professor Stephen Westaby
3. Essence of Malice by Ashley Weaver
4. The Mobile Library Case of the Missing Books by Ian Samsom
5. Sing Your Name by Jodi Picoult
6. The Cheltenham Square Murder by John Bude
7. Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks
8. A Drake at the Door by Derek Tangye
FERUARY
9. How to be Happy by Eva Woods
10. Over the Gate by Miss Read
11. Farther Afield by Miss Read
12. Starting Over by Jack Sheffield
13. The Case of the Poisoned Chocolates by Anthony Berckley
14. The Magic Touch by Kelly Florentia
15. Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase by Louise Walters
MARCH
16. Five Go Parenting by Bruno Vincent
17. Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell
18. Donkey in the Meadow by Derek Tangye
19. Death in August by Marco Vichi
20. The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae by Stephanie Butland
21. Manhunt by Janet Evanovich
22. Where Have All The Boys Gone ? by Jenny Colgan
JANUARY
1. Quality Street Girls by Penny Thorpe
2. Fragile Lives by Professor Stephen Westaby
3. Essence of Malice by Ashley Weaver
4. The Mobile Library Case of the Missing Books by Ian Samsom
5. Sing Your Name by Jodi Picoult
6. The Cheltenham Square Murder by John Bude
7. Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks
8. A Drake at the Door by Derek Tangye
FERUARY
9. How to be Happy by Eva Woods
10. Over the Gate by Miss Read
11. Farther Afield by Miss Read
12. Starting Over by Jack Sheffield
13. The Case of the Poisoned Chocolates by Anthony Berckley
14. The Magic Touch by Kelly Florentia
15. Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase by Louise Walters
MARCH
16. Five Go Parenting by Bruno Vincent
17. Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell
18. Donkey in the Meadow by Derek Tangye
19. Death in August by Marco Vichi
20. The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae by Stephanie Butland
21. Manhunt by Janet Evanovich
22. Where Have All The Boys Gone ? by Jenny Colgan
13johnsimpson
KAREN'S 2019 READS - QUARTER 2
APRIL
23. Death in Norfolk by Ian Sansom.
24. Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop by Jenny Colgan.
25. Kicking the Bucket List by Cathy Hopkins.
26. Circle of Friends by Joanna Trollope.
27. London Crimes - Collection of Short Stories by Various Authors.
MAY
28. The Little Teashop of Lost and Found by Trisha Ashley.
29. Fatal Winter by G. M. Malliet.
30. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom.
31. A Thousand Pardons by Johnathan Dee.
JUNE
32. Bats in the Belfry by E.C.R.Lorac.
33. The Lido by Libby Purves.
34. A Hopeless Romantic by Harriet Evans.
35. The Little Black Dress by James Patterson Bookshots Series
36. Christmas at the Sweet Shop of Dreams by Jenny Colgan.
APRIL
23. Death in Norfolk by Ian Sansom.
24. Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop by Jenny Colgan.
25. Kicking the Bucket List by Cathy Hopkins.
26. Circle of Friends by Joanna Trollope.
27. London Crimes - Collection of Short Stories by Various Authors.
MAY
28. The Little Teashop of Lost and Found by Trisha Ashley.
29. Fatal Winter by G. M. Malliet.
30. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom.
31. A Thousand Pardons by Johnathan Dee.
JUNE
32. Bats in the Belfry by E.C.R.Lorac.
33. The Lido by Libby Purves.
34. A Hopeless Romantic by Harriet Evans.
35. The Little Black Dress by James Patterson Bookshots Series
36. Christmas at the Sweet Shop of Dreams by Jenny Colgan.
14johnsimpson
KARENS'S 2019 READS - QUARTER 3
JULY
37. The Distant View of Everything by Alexander McCall Smith.
38. When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr.
39. The Husband - Ladybird Book.
40. The First Phone Call From Heaven by Mitch Albom.
41. Heavenly Dates and other Flirtations by Alexander McCall Smith.
42. Recipe for Life by Mary Berry.
43. Mystery of Three Quarters by Sophie Hannah.
AUGUST
44. A Vintage Wedding by Katie Fforde.
45. Resorting to Murder, Holiday Mysteries by Martin Edwards.
46. Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel by Ruth Hogan.
47. Date with Mystery by Julia Chapman.
48. When All is Said by Anne Griffin.
SEPTEMBER
49. Resort to Murder by TP Fielden.
50. The Good Pilot Peter Woodhouse by Alexander McCall Smith.
51. The Note by Zoe Folbigg.
52. A Little Faith by Mitch Albom.
53. Sydney Chambers and the Dangers of Temptation by James Runcie.
54. Rococo by Adriana Trigani.
JULY
37. The Distant View of Everything by Alexander McCall Smith.
38. When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr.
39. The Husband - Ladybird Book.
40. The First Phone Call From Heaven by Mitch Albom.
41. Heavenly Dates and other Flirtations by Alexander McCall Smith.
42. Recipe for Life by Mary Berry.
43. Mystery of Three Quarters by Sophie Hannah.
AUGUST
44. A Vintage Wedding by Katie Fforde.
45. Resorting to Murder, Holiday Mysteries by Martin Edwards.
46. Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel by Ruth Hogan.
47. Date with Mystery by Julia Chapman.
48. When All is Said by Anne Griffin.
SEPTEMBER
49. Resort to Murder by TP Fielden.
50. The Good Pilot Peter Woodhouse by Alexander McCall Smith.
51. The Note by Zoe Folbigg.
52. A Little Faith by Mitch Albom.
53. Sydney Chambers and the Dangers of Temptation by James Runcie.
54. Rococo by Adriana Trigani.
15johnsimpson
KAREN'S FOURTH QUARTER READS
OCTOBER
55. The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce.
56. Cartes Postales From Greece by Victoria Hislop.
57. Miraculous Murders Anthology by British Crime Library.
NOVEMBER
58. The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman by Denis Thesiault.
59. Bookshop of the Broken Hearted by Robert Hillman.
60. Death at Bishops Keep by Robin Paige.
61. Winter by Ali Smith.
DECEMBER
62. The Magic of Christmas by Trisha Ashley.
63. One Day in December by Josie Silver.
64. Christmas Pudding Murders, British Crime Library.
65. The Christmas Egg by Mary Kelly.
OCTOBER
55. The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce.
56. Cartes Postales From Greece by Victoria Hislop.
57. Miraculous Murders Anthology by British Crime Library.
NOVEMBER
58. The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman by Denis Thesiault.
59. Bookshop of the Broken Hearted by Robert Hillman.
60. Death at Bishops Keep by Robin Paige.
61. Winter by Ali Smith.
DECEMBER
62. The Magic of Christmas by Trisha Ashley.
63. One Day in December by Josie Silver.
64. Christmas Pudding Murders, British Crime Library.
65. The Christmas Egg by Mary Kelly.
16johnsimpson
BOOKS BOUGHT IN JANUARY
1. Haunted by James Patterson, PB.
2. To Die But Once by Jacqueline Winspear, PB.
3. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley, PB.
4. Starting Over by Jack Sheffield, PB.
5. One Day in December by Josie Silver, PB.
6. Mexico by James A. Michener, PB.
BOOKS BOUGHT IN FEBRUARY
7. Ventoux by Jeremy Whittle, PB.
8. Death in the Tunnel by Miles Burton, PB.
9. Scarweather by Anthony Rolls, PB.
10. The Long arm of the Law by Martin Edwards, PB.
11. The Female Detective by Andrew Forrester, PB.
12. A Rising Thunder by David Weber, PB.
13. Sail Away by Celia Imrie, PB.
14. West End Girls by Jenny Colgan, PB.
15. The Man in the Middle by Gordon Greenidge, HB.
16. The Magic Touch by Kelly Florentia, PB. Karen won this on her book club, signed by the author.
1. Haunted by James Patterson, PB.
2. To Die But Once by Jacqueline Winspear, PB.
3. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley, PB.
4. Starting Over by Jack Sheffield, PB.
5. One Day in December by Josie Silver, PB.
6. Mexico by James A. Michener, PB.
BOOKS BOUGHT IN FEBRUARY
7. Ventoux by Jeremy Whittle, PB.
8. Death in the Tunnel by Miles Burton, PB.
9. Scarweather by Anthony Rolls, PB.
10. The Long arm of the Law by Martin Edwards, PB.
11. The Female Detective by Andrew Forrester, PB.
12. A Rising Thunder by David Weber, PB.
13. Sail Away by Celia Imrie, PB.
14. West End Girls by Jenny Colgan, PB.
15. The Man in the Middle by Gordon Greenidge, HB.
16. The Magic Touch by Kelly Florentia, PB. Karen won this on her book club, signed by the author.
17johnsimpson
BOOKS BOUGHT IN MARCH
17. No Middle Name by Lee Child, PB.
18. The Dead Shall be Raised / The Murder of a Quack by George Bellairs, PB.
19. Absolutely Foxed by Graeme Fowler, HB.
20. The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse, PB.
21. Death in Sardinia by Marco Vichi, PB.
22. H.R.H. by Danielle Steel, PB.
23. Winners by Danielle Steel, PB.
24. Without Fail by Lee Child, PB.
25. Persuader by Lee Child, PB.
26. Misspent Youth by Peter F. Hamilton, PB.
27. The Quiet Side of Passion by Alexander McCall Smith, PB.
28. Date with Mystery by Julia Chapman, PB.
29. The Roses Matches 1919-1939 by Neville Cardus, HB.
30. The Good Pilot Peter Woodhouse by Alexander McCall Smith, PB.
31. A Quarter Past Dead by T P Fielden, PB.
BOOKS BOUGHT IN APRIL
32. The Mystery of Three Quarters by Sophie Hannah, PB.
33. Playfair Cricket Annual 2019 by Ian Marshall, PB.
34. Anna by Amanda Prowse, PB. Freebie from a colleague
35. Theo by Amanda Prowse, PB. Freebie from a colleague
36. The Wandering Wombles by Elisabeth Beresford, PB.
37. The Coniston Case by Rebecca Tope, PB.
38. The Windermere Witness by Rebecca Tope, PB.
39. Emperor of the Eight Islands by Lian Hearn, PB.
40. 2019 Wisden Cricketers Almanack by Laurence Booth, HB.
41. the Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom, PB.
42. Bill Mitchell's Yorkshire by David Mitchell, HB.
43. Changing Places by David Lodge, PB.
44. The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier, PB.
45. Lethal White by Robert Galbraith, PB.
46. From The Pavilion End by Dickie Bird, HB. Signed Copy
17. No Middle Name by Lee Child, PB.
18. The Dead Shall be Raised / The Murder of a Quack by George Bellairs, PB.
19. Absolutely Foxed by Graeme Fowler, HB.
20. The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse, PB.
21. Death in Sardinia by Marco Vichi, PB.
22. H.R.H. by Danielle Steel, PB.
23. Winners by Danielle Steel, PB.
24. Without Fail by Lee Child, PB.
25. Persuader by Lee Child, PB.
26. Misspent Youth by Peter F. Hamilton, PB.
27. The Quiet Side of Passion by Alexander McCall Smith, PB.
28. Date with Mystery by Julia Chapman, PB.
29. The Roses Matches 1919-1939 by Neville Cardus, HB.
30. The Good Pilot Peter Woodhouse by Alexander McCall Smith, PB.
31. A Quarter Past Dead by T P Fielden, PB.
BOOKS BOUGHT IN APRIL
32. The Mystery of Three Quarters by Sophie Hannah, PB.
33. Playfair Cricket Annual 2019 by Ian Marshall, PB.
34. Anna by Amanda Prowse, PB. Freebie from a colleague
35. Theo by Amanda Prowse, PB. Freebie from a colleague
36. The Wandering Wombles by Elisabeth Beresford, PB.
37. The Coniston Case by Rebecca Tope, PB.
38. The Windermere Witness by Rebecca Tope, PB.
39. Emperor of the Eight Islands by Lian Hearn, PB.
40. 2019 Wisden Cricketers Almanack by Laurence Booth, HB.
41. the Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom, PB.
42. Bill Mitchell's Yorkshire by David Mitchell, HB.
43. Changing Places by David Lodge, PB.
44. The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier, PB.
45. Lethal White by Robert Galbraith, PB.
46. From The Pavilion End by Dickie Bird, HB. Signed Copy
18johnsimpson
BOOKS BOUGHT IN MAY
47. Inside Out by Gideon Haigh, PB.
48. The Lido by Libby Page, PB.
49. The Librarian by Salley Vickers, PB.
50. The Temptation of Gracie by Santa Montefiore, PB.
51. Winter by Ali Smith, PB.
52. Sharpe's Regiment by Bernard Cornwell, PB.
53. Sharpe's Gold by Bernard Cornwell, PB.
53. Sharpe's Christmas by Bernard Cornwell, PB.
54. What I Love About Cricket by Sandy Balfour, PB.
55. Lord's by Geoffrey Moorhouse, HB.
56. The Battle of the Bulge by Charles B. MacDonald, HB.
57. Miraculous Mysteries by Martin Edwards, PB.
58. Jamaica Inn by Daphne Du Maurier, PB.
59. The House on the Strand by Daphne Du Maurier, PB.
60. Juror No 3 by James Patterson, PB.
61. Bullseye by James Patterson, PB.
62. Miracle at Augusta by James Patterson, PB.
63. Cross the Line by James Patterson, PB.
64. Private Princess by James Patterson, HB.
65. The People Vs Alex Cross by James Patterson, HB.
BOOKS BOUGHT IN JUNE
47. Inside Out by Gideon Haigh, PB.
48. The Lido by Libby Page, PB.
49. The Librarian by Salley Vickers, PB.
50. The Temptation of Gracie by Santa Montefiore, PB.
51. Winter by Ali Smith, PB.
52. Sharpe's Regiment by Bernard Cornwell, PB.
53. Sharpe's Gold by Bernard Cornwell, PB.
53. Sharpe's Christmas by Bernard Cornwell, PB.
54. What I Love About Cricket by Sandy Balfour, PB.
55. Lord's by Geoffrey Moorhouse, HB.
56. The Battle of the Bulge by Charles B. MacDonald, HB.
57. Miraculous Mysteries by Martin Edwards, PB.
58. Jamaica Inn by Daphne Du Maurier, PB.
59. The House on the Strand by Daphne Du Maurier, PB.
60. Juror No 3 by James Patterson, PB.
61. Bullseye by James Patterson, PB.
62. Miracle at Augusta by James Patterson, PB.
63. Cross the Line by James Patterson, PB.
64. Private Princess by James Patterson, HB.
65. The People Vs Alex Cross by James Patterson, HB.
BOOKS BOUGHT IN JUNE
19johnsimpson
BOOKS BOUGHT IN JULY
66. When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr, PB.
67. A Small Person Far Away by Judith Kerr, PB.
68. The Labyrinth of the Spirits by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, PB.
69. The President is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton, PB.
70. Heads You Win by Jeffrey Archer, PB.
71. Arlott, Swanton and the Soul of English Cricket by Stephen Fay and David Kynaston, PB.
72. Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel by Ruth Hogan, PB.
73. The Note by Zoe Folbigg, PB.
74. Bombs on Aunt Dainty by Judith Kerr, PB.
75. The Colours of the Cattle by Alexander McCall Smith, HB.
76. Criss, Cross by James Patterson, PB. Uncorrected Proof Copy, Competition Prize.
77. The Bookshop of the Broken Hearted by Robert Hillman, PB.
78. Date with Poison by Julia Chapman, PB.
79. Murder at the Grand Raj Palace by Vaseem Khan, PB.
66. When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr, PB.
67. A Small Person Far Away by Judith Kerr, PB.
68. The Labyrinth of the Spirits by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, PB.
69. The President is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton, PB.
70. Heads You Win by Jeffrey Archer, PB.
71. Arlott, Swanton and the Soul of English Cricket by Stephen Fay and David Kynaston, PB.
72. Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel by Ruth Hogan, PB.
73. The Note by Zoe Folbigg, PB.
74. Bombs on Aunt Dainty by Judith Kerr, PB.
75. The Colours of the Cattle by Alexander McCall Smith, HB.
76. Criss, Cross by James Patterson, PB. Uncorrected Proof Copy, Competition Prize.
77. The Bookshop of the Broken Hearted by Robert Hillman, PB.
78. Date with Poison by Julia Chapman, PB.
79. Murder at the Grand Raj Palace by Vaseem Khan, PB.
20johnsimpson
BOOKS BOUGHT IN AUGUST
BOOKS BOUGHT IN SEPTEMBER
80. The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton by Anstey Harris, PB.
81. Swallowtail Summer by Erica James, PB.
82. Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch, PB.
83. NYPD Red 5 by James Patterson, PB.
84. Ambush by James Patterson, PB.
85. Private Delhi by James Patterson, PB.
86. Wisden Cricketers Almanack 1965 by Norman Preston, SC.
87. 59 Memory Lane by Celia Anderson, PB.
88. The Corpse at the Crystal Palace by Carola Dunn, PB.
BOOKS BOUGHT IN OCTOBER
89. 18th Abduction by James Patterson, PB.
90. Cartes Postales in Greece by Victoria Hislop, PB. Karen's book club freebie.
91. The Cat Who Had 14 Tales by Lilian Jackson Braun, PB.
92. Heartbreak Hotel by Deborah Moggach, PB.
93. Final Venture by Michael Ridpath, PB. From Karen's Book Club Friend.
94. The Family Lawyer by James Patterson, PB. From Karen's Book Club Friend.
95. Camino Island by John Grisham, PB.
96. The Rooster Bar by John Grisham, PB.
97. Love Over Scotland by Alexander McCall Smith, PB.
98. The World According to Bertie by Alexander McCall Smith, PB.
BOOKS BOUGHT IN SEPTEMBER
80. The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton by Anstey Harris, PB.
81. Swallowtail Summer by Erica James, PB.
82. Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch, PB.
83. NYPD Red 5 by James Patterson, PB.
84. Ambush by James Patterson, PB.
85. Private Delhi by James Patterson, PB.
86. Wisden Cricketers Almanack 1965 by Norman Preston, SC.
87. 59 Memory Lane by Celia Anderson, PB.
88. The Corpse at the Crystal Palace by Carola Dunn, PB.
BOOKS BOUGHT IN OCTOBER
89. 18th Abduction by James Patterson, PB.
90. Cartes Postales in Greece by Victoria Hislop, PB. Karen's book club freebie.
91. The Cat Who Had 14 Tales by Lilian Jackson Braun, PB.
92. Heartbreak Hotel by Deborah Moggach, PB.
93. Final Venture by Michael Ridpath, PB. From Karen's Book Club Friend.
94. The Family Lawyer by James Patterson, PB. From Karen's Book Club Friend.
95. Camino Island by John Grisham, PB.
96. The Rooster Bar by John Grisham, PB.
97. Love Over Scotland by Alexander McCall Smith, PB.
98. The World According to Bertie by Alexander McCall Smith, PB.
21johnsimpson
BOOKS BOUGHT IN NOVEMBER
99. Making Hay by Veronica Henry, PB.
100. Dust of Dreams by Steven Erikson, PB.
101. An Act of Villainy by Ashley Weaver, PB.
102. House of Shadows by Kate Williams, PB.
103. Spiderweb by Penelope Lively, HB.
104. It's Knott Cricket by Alan Knott, HB.
105. Bradman's Invincibles by Roland Perry, HB.
106. Death at Bishop's Keep by Robin Paige, PB.
107. The Cows by Dawn O'Porter, PB.
108. Yorkshire County Cricket Year Book 1928, HB.
109. Yorkshire County Cricket Year Book 1929, HB.
110. The Only Game by Reginald Hill, PB.
111. The Land of Green Ginger by Winifred Holtby, PB.
112. A Year in the Life of the Yorkshire Shepherdess by Amanda Owen, HB.
113. The Pearl Sister by Lucinda Riley, PB.
114. The Christmas Pudding Murders by Various authors for the British Crime Library, HB.
115. The Road to Grantchester by James Runcie, HB.
116. Beating About the Bush by M. C. Beaton, HB.
117. To the Land of Long Lost Friends by Alexander McCall Smith, HB.
118. Sweet Danger by Margery Allingham, HB.
119. Blood of the Mantis by Adrian Tchaikovsky, PB.
120. Death at Gallows Green by Robin Paige, PB.
121. Death at Daisy's Folly by Robin Paige, PB.
122. Death at Dartmoor by Robin Paige, PB.
123. Death at Glamis Castle by Robin Paige, PB.
124. Death in Hyde Park by Robin Paige, PB.
125. Death on the Lizard by Robin Paige, PB.
126. Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson, PB.
127. Time and Chance by Sharon Penman, PB.
128. Bradman and the Summer that changed Cricket by Christopher Hilton, HB.
BOOKS BOUGHT IN DECEMBER
129. The Garden of Lost and Found by Harriet Evans, PB.
130. Twas the Nightshift before Christmas by Adam Kay, HB.
131. Death at Epsom Downs by Robin Paige, PB.
132. The Radleys by Matt Haig, PB.
133. The Christmas Egg by Mary Kelly, PB.
134. The Triumph of the Dwarves by Markus Heitz, PB.
135. Deadheads by Reginald Hill, PB.
136. The Language of Kindness by Christie Watson, PB.
137. Death at Devil's Bridge by Robin Paige, PB.
138. Death at Rottingdean by Robin Paige, PB.
139. Death at Whitechapel by Robin Paige, PB.
140. Death at Blenheim Palace by Robin Paige, PB.
141. The Skeleton Cupboard by Tanya Byron, PB.
142. Alastair Cook, The Autobiography by Alastair Cook, HB.
143. Arnhem, The Battle for the Bridges 1944 by Antony Beevor, PB.
144. Wisden Cricketers Almanack 1954 by Norman Preston, PB.
145. Wisden Cricketers Almanack 1955 by Norman Preston, PB.
146. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, HB.
147. The Next Person You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom, PB.
148. Yorkshire County Cricket Club Yearbook 2018 by David Warner, HB.
149. The Confessions of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell, HB.
150. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery, PB.
151. Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery, PB.
152. Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery, PB.
153. Anne of Windy Willows by L. M. Montgomery, PB.
154. Anne's House of Dreams by L. M. Montgomery, PB.
155. Anne of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery, PB.
156. Rainbow Valley by L. M. Montgomery, PB.
157. Rilla of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery, PB.
99. Making Hay by Veronica Henry, PB.
100. Dust of Dreams by Steven Erikson, PB.
101. An Act of Villainy by Ashley Weaver, PB.
102. House of Shadows by Kate Williams, PB.
103. Spiderweb by Penelope Lively, HB.
104. It's Knott Cricket by Alan Knott, HB.
105. Bradman's Invincibles by Roland Perry, HB.
106. Death at Bishop's Keep by Robin Paige, PB.
107. The Cows by Dawn O'Porter, PB.
108. Yorkshire County Cricket Year Book 1928, HB.
109. Yorkshire County Cricket Year Book 1929, HB.
110. The Only Game by Reginald Hill, PB.
111. The Land of Green Ginger by Winifred Holtby, PB.
112. A Year in the Life of the Yorkshire Shepherdess by Amanda Owen, HB.
113. The Pearl Sister by Lucinda Riley, PB.
114. The Christmas Pudding Murders by Various authors for the British Crime Library, HB.
115. The Road to Grantchester by James Runcie, HB.
116. Beating About the Bush by M. C. Beaton, HB.
117. To the Land of Long Lost Friends by Alexander McCall Smith, HB.
118. Sweet Danger by Margery Allingham, HB.
119. Blood of the Mantis by Adrian Tchaikovsky, PB.
120. Death at Gallows Green by Robin Paige, PB.
121. Death at Daisy's Folly by Robin Paige, PB.
122. Death at Dartmoor by Robin Paige, PB.
123. Death at Glamis Castle by Robin Paige, PB.
124. Death in Hyde Park by Robin Paige, PB.
125. Death on the Lizard by Robin Paige, PB.
126. Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson, PB.
127. Time and Chance by Sharon Penman, PB.
128. Bradman and the Summer that changed Cricket by Christopher Hilton, HB.
BOOKS BOUGHT IN DECEMBER
129. The Garden of Lost and Found by Harriet Evans, PB.
130. Twas the Nightshift before Christmas by Adam Kay, HB.
131. Death at Epsom Downs by Robin Paige, PB.
132. The Radleys by Matt Haig, PB.
133. The Christmas Egg by Mary Kelly, PB.
134. The Triumph of the Dwarves by Markus Heitz, PB.
135. Deadheads by Reginald Hill, PB.
136. The Language of Kindness by Christie Watson, PB.
137. Death at Devil's Bridge by Robin Paige, PB.
138. Death at Rottingdean by Robin Paige, PB.
139. Death at Whitechapel by Robin Paige, PB.
140. Death at Blenheim Palace by Robin Paige, PB.
141. The Skeleton Cupboard by Tanya Byron, PB.
142. Alastair Cook, The Autobiography by Alastair Cook, HB.
143. Arnhem, The Battle for the Bridges 1944 by Antony Beevor, PB.
144. Wisden Cricketers Almanack 1954 by Norman Preston, PB.
145. Wisden Cricketers Almanack 1955 by Norman Preston, PB.
146. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, HB.
147. The Next Person You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom, PB.
148. Yorkshire County Cricket Club Yearbook 2018 by David Warner, HB.
149. The Confessions of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell, HB.
150. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery, PB.
151. Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery, PB.
152. Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery, PB.
153. Anne of Windy Willows by L. M. Montgomery, PB.
154. Anne's House of Dreams by L. M. Montgomery, PB.
155. Anne of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery, PB.
156. Rainbow Valley by L. M. Montgomery, PB.
157. Rilla of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery, PB.
22johnsimpson
I just love Big Books, these are my 1000+page reads so far with more to add.
1.Shogun by James Clavell, 1243 pgs
2.Gai-Jin by James Clavell, 1578 pgs
3.Noble House by James Clavell, 1435 pgs
4.War & Remembrance by Herman Wouk, 1171 pgs
5.Whirlwind by James Clavell, 1343 pgs
6.Centennial by James A. Michener 1100 pgs
7.The Covenant by James A. Michener, 1080 pgs
8.Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd, 1344 pgs
9.Homeland by John Jakes, 1138 pgs
10.Russka by Edward Rutherfurd, 1007 pgs
11.A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth, 1474 pgs
12.Love and War by John Jakes, 1019 pgs
13.Texas by James A. Michener, 1508 pgs
14.My Life by Bill Clinton, 1000 pgs
15.Child of the Phoenix by Barbara Erskine, 1086 pgs
16.Voyager by Diana Gabaldon, 1059 pgs
17.The Journeyer by Gary Jennings, 1219 pgs
18.Pandora's Star by Peter F. Hamilton, 1144 pgs
19.Judas Unchained by Peter F. Hamilton, 1235 pgs
20.Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon, 1185 pgs
21.Wicked by Jilly Cooper, 1007 pgs
22.The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon, 1412 pgs
23.London by Edward Rutherfurd, 1299 pgs
24.The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, 1076 pgs
25.A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon, 1391 pgs
26.World Without End by Ken Follett, 1111 pgs
27.Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey, 1,015 pgs
28.The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer, 1,056 pgs
29.An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon, 1,065 pgs
30.New York by Edward Rutherfurd, 1017 pgs
31.Hawaii by James A.Michener, 1130 pgs
32.The Company by Robert Littell, 1281 pgs
33.The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F.Hamilton, 1225 pgs
34.Spangle by Gary Jennings, 1276 pgs
35.Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell, 1024 pgs
36.Alaska by James A. Michener, 1073 pgs.
37.Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson, 1180 pgs.
1.Shogun by James Clavell, 1243 pgs
2.Gai-Jin by James Clavell, 1578 pgs
3.Noble House by James Clavell, 1435 pgs
4.War & Remembrance by Herman Wouk, 1171 pgs
5.Whirlwind by James Clavell, 1343 pgs
6.Centennial by James A. Michener 1100 pgs
7.The Covenant by James A. Michener, 1080 pgs
8.Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd, 1344 pgs
9.Homeland by John Jakes, 1138 pgs
10.Russka by Edward Rutherfurd, 1007 pgs
11.A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth, 1474 pgs
12.Love and War by John Jakes, 1019 pgs
13.Texas by James A. Michener, 1508 pgs
14.My Life by Bill Clinton, 1000 pgs
15.Child of the Phoenix by Barbara Erskine, 1086 pgs
16.Voyager by Diana Gabaldon, 1059 pgs
17.The Journeyer by Gary Jennings, 1219 pgs
18.Pandora's Star by Peter F. Hamilton, 1144 pgs
19.Judas Unchained by Peter F. Hamilton, 1235 pgs
20.Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon, 1185 pgs
21.Wicked by Jilly Cooper, 1007 pgs
22.The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon, 1412 pgs
23.London by Edward Rutherfurd, 1299 pgs
24.The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, 1076 pgs
25.A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon, 1391 pgs
26.World Without End by Ken Follett, 1111 pgs
27.Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey, 1,015 pgs
28.The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer, 1,056 pgs
29.An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon, 1,065 pgs
30.New York by Edward Rutherfurd, 1017 pgs
31.Hawaii by James A.Michener, 1130 pgs
32.The Company by Robert Littell, 1281 pgs
33.The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F.Hamilton, 1225 pgs
34.Spangle by Gary Jennings, 1276 pgs
35.Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell, 1024 pgs
36.Alaska by James A. Michener, 1073 pgs.
37.Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson, 1180 pgs.
23johnsimpson
Latest reading stats:
Books on shelves at 1-10-2019 - 2531
Books added in October - 10
Books read in October - 10
Revised book total - 2531
Pages to read at 1-10-2019 - 1,063,323
Pages added in October - 3,633
Pages read in October - 3,056
Revised total pages to read - 1,063,900
Books on shelves at 1-10-2019 - 2531
Books added in October - 10
Books read in October - 10
Revised book total - 2531
Pages to read at 1-10-2019 - 1,063,323
Pages added in October - 3,633
Pages read in October - 3,056
Revised total pages to read - 1,063,900
24johnsimpson
OCTOBER'S READING STATS
Books Read...................... 10
No of Authors.................... 8
New Authors...................... 1
Male Authors..................... 4
Female Authors.................. 4
Pages Read....................... 3,056
Daily Avg........................... 98.58
Book Length avg................. 305.6
Books Read...................... 10
No of Authors.................... 8
New Authors...................... 1
Male Authors..................... 4
Female Authors.................. 4
Pages Read....................... 3,056
Daily Avg........................... 98.58
Book Length avg................. 305.6
25johnsimpson
Next ones yours.
26FAMeulstee
Happy new thread, John!
28johnsimpson
>26 FAMeulstee:, Thank you Anita my dear.
29johnsimpson
>27 quondame:, Thank you Susan my dear and what a great photo, you know me so well. By the way what is the Fountain pen as I can't just make it out but it is so lovely. I follow Goulet Pens and get regular e-mails and they have some wonderful pens and some special editions only made for them but by the time I have factored in delivery and customs at my end it becomes prohibitive, unlike a couple of Asian sites who because their currency looks large are able to make it look like they are something cheap and avoid getting the recipient a customs charge, Goulet cannot do this, a shame really or I would purchase from them, maybe if we get the chance to visit the States I can get something.
Hope you are having a good day and wishing you a really good weekend dear friend and send love and hugs from both of us.
Hope you are having a good day and wishing you a really good weekend dear friend and send love and hugs from both of us.
30mahsdad
Happy New Thread, John! I don't get around here too often, but I saw you had a new thread (its on the top of my starred threads) and I wanted to stop in and say Hey!
31quondame
>29 johnsimpson: It is one of the results when I searched Most beautiful Pens. I'm sure you can make more sense of the pen-speak on the link than I could.
33PaulCranswick
Happy new thread, John and, from the last thread congratulations on making it to 75 already.
100 books on this year?
Wishing you and Karen a lovely weekend.
100 books on this year?
Wishing you and Karen a lovely weekend.
36johnsimpson
>30 mahsdad:, Hi Jeff, thanks for stopping by my friend.
>31 quondame:, Hi Susan, I had a look at the link and as soon as I saw the description I should have realised what it was as I have three PENBBS' but only one has a clip, the 309 the other two are 323's. I love these pens from China even though they have a fine nib as I have been used to a medium nib and have a couple of Broad nibs. The Amber 355 is on my list to get and luckily I can get this pen without too much bother. Karen has added a couple of pens to her potential present list, these are Wingsung's and will be filler presents as they are quite inexpensive.
>31 quondame:, Hi Susan, I had a look at the link and as soon as I saw the description I should have realised what it was as I have three PENBBS' but only one has a clip, the 309 the other two are 323's. I love these pens from China even though they have a fine nib as I have been used to a medium nib and have a couple of Broad nibs. The Amber 355 is on my list to get and luckily I can get this pen without too much bother. Karen has added a couple of pens to her potential present list, these are Wingsung's and will be filler presents as they are quite inexpensive.
37johnsimpson
>32 Matke:, Thanks Gail my dear.
>33 PaulCranswick:, Thanks Paul, it's nice to get to 75 and I think I only have an outside chance of hitting the 100 mark, I would have been more confident if July and August had been a little better. The weather is poor here mate at the moment but we are going up to the village school for the Craft Fair tomorrow.
Hope your weekend is a good one mate and I see that Hani is making her mark sorting the furniture out mate, the final touches will be when the books are shelved, lol. Sending love and hugs to you all from both of us mate.
>33 PaulCranswick:, Thanks Paul, it's nice to get to 75 and I think I only have an outside chance of hitting the 100 mark, I would have been more confident if July and August had been a little better. The weather is poor here mate at the moment but we are going up to the village school for the Craft Fair tomorrow.
Hope your weekend is a good one mate and I see that Hani is making her mark sorting the furniture out mate, the final touches will be when the books are shelved, lol. Sending love and hugs to you all from both of us mate.
38johnsimpson
>34 jnwelch:, Thanks Joe, mate. Karen has been working today but we should have a nice Sunday as we are going to a Craft Fair at the village school.
Hope your weekend has got off to a good start mate and we send love and hugs to both of you from both of us dear friend.
>35 EllaTim:, Thank you Ella my dear.
Hope your weekend has got off to a good start mate and we send love and hugs to both of you from both of us dear friend.
>35 EllaTim:, Thank you Ella my dear.
39johnsimpson
I forgot to mention on my previous thread that on Thursday morning Karen noticed that one of her eggs was in the jar opening device for Arthritis sufferers. As she tried to take the egg out she noticed that it seemed to be stuck, she gently got it out and found that it had a crack but a small plaster had been put over it, I had spoken to Hannah about touching the eggs on Wednesday and she must have gone back into the kitchen and been messing with the eggs and obviously it cracked but 10 out of 10 for ingenuity to put a plaster over it to keep it sealed. Karen laughed out loud and messaged Louise and sent a photo, Louise replied that she had spoken to Hannah and she had replied that it had needed surgery, what can one say to that, lol.
41johnsimpson
Yesterday we had a date day out in Skipton, although the weather was a bit on the miserable side we had a nice day. On the drive from Walton it was wet and quite foggy in places and by the time we got to Skipton the fog had cleared, first stop was a coffee stop and some cake. After we had finished our drink and cake we headed out onto the high street, as WH Smiths was next door to the Costa we went in there and came out with three cookbooks and a couple of magazines, one of the cookbooks is a Christmas present which set the theme for the day. Because the cookbooks were hardback and large I took this lot back to the car while Karen went into the Works.
I met back up with Karen in the Works and by the time we came out three more books followed us along with some small Christmas decorations. We continued along the high street and went into a charity shop and came out with one book (can you see the pattern here) and then we moseyed along to the Oxfam bookshop. After a nice perusal three more books had jumped into the shopping bag, we crossed the high street and went into the House of Fraser store which is sadly closing down, although they had reduced prices they were still on the high side but Karen spotted a pack of socks for me, once these were paid for the bag was rather full so that went back to the car before I met back up with Karen.
Once I was back with Karen she had a look at footwear and handbags before we left the shop, we wandered down this side of the high street and ended up calling in to the British Heart Foundation charity shop. I had a look at the books and spotted two for us, as we were waiting to pay I just happened to look up at the non-fiction and reference books and spotted four Yorkshire County Cricket yearbooks, two I knew I had but the other two, 1928 and 1929 I knew I didn't have. I picked them up and had a look at them and the price, they were £5 each, a bargain, so they were added to our purchase. We left the shop and continued wandering along, Karen picked up some foil baking trays and then we made our way to the covered Craven Courtyard. We perused the shops there before we headed back to the car, Karen decided to pick up a sandwich for us in M&S while I went to the car and waited for her. Once Karen got back with the sandwich we decided to have a coffee and our sandwich along with some crisps and then some cake. Once we had eaten we set off for home and got back just after 4pm.
After getting all our purchases out of the bags I found that we had picked up 14 books in total along with some smaller bits and pieces.
We had a nice steady evening after all the shopping and wandering about.
I met back up with Karen in the Works and by the time we came out three more books followed us along with some small Christmas decorations. We continued along the high street and went into a charity shop and came out with one book (can you see the pattern here) and then we moseyed along to the Oxfam bookshop. After a nice perusal three more books had jumped into the shopping bag, we crossed the high street and went into the House of Fraser store which is sadly closing down, although they had reduced prices they were still on the high side but Karen spotted a pack of socks for me, once these were paid for the bag was rather full so that went back to the car before I met back up with Karen.
Once I was back with Karen she had a look at footwear and handbags before we left the shop, we wandered down this side of the high street and ended up calling in to the British Heart Foundation charity shop. I had a look at the books and spotted two for us, as we were waiting to pay I just happened to look up at the non-fiction and reference books and spotted four Yorkshire County Cricket yearbooks, two I knew I had but the other two, 1928 and 1929 I knew I didn't have. I picked them up and had a look at them and the price, they were £5 each, a bargain, so they were added to our purchase. We left the shop and continued wandering along, Karen picked up some foil baking trays and then we made our way to the covered Craven Courtyard. We perused the shops there before we headed back to the car, Karen decided to pick up a sandwich for us in M&S while I went to the car and waited for her. Once Karen got back with the sandwich we decided to have a coffee and our sandwich along with some crisps and then some cake. Once we had eaten we set off for home and got back just after 4pm.
After getting all our purchases out of the bags I found that we had picked up 14 books in total along with some smaller bits and pieces.
We had a nice steady evening after all the shopping and wandering about.
42johnsimpson
>40 Matke:, She certainly is Gail.
43figsfromthistle
Happy new thread and congrats on reaching the magic number :)
44quondame
>39 johnsimpson: Children are aliens. Delightful aliens, but so out there.
45johnsimpson
>43 figsfromthistle:, Thanks Anita my dear on both counts, I don't think I will 100 though.
>44 quondame:, Hi Susan, Hannah is a devil dick and I have to admire her ingenuity with this, lol.
>44 quondame:, Hi Susan, Hannah is a devil dick and I have to admire her ingenuity with this, lol.
46Familyhistorian
Happy new thread and congratulations on reading 75, John!
47PaulCranswick
>45 johnsimpson: Your comment to Susan made me smile, John. I don't imagine "devil dick" will translate too well to our transatlantic contemporaries, mate!
48quondame
>45 johnsimpson: >47 PaulCranswick: Well, I had to imagine something other than what I was imagining, and let me tell you that from this rock between the ponds the browsers don't give good alternatives.
49PaulCranswick
>48 quondame: In West Yorkshire it denotes someone who is impishly naughty. Don't follow the urban dictionary!
50quondame
>49 PaulCranswick: That's close to where I upstreamed my thoughts. Tough paddling though.
51PaulCranswick
>50 quondame: Susan, Yorkshire dialect can leave many people non-plussed even those from other areas of England.
52johnsimpson
>46 Familyhistorian:, Thanks Meg my dear.
53johnsimpson
>47 PaulCranswick:, >49 PaulCranswick:, >51 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul, I nivver gi it a thought mate that ah'd confuse anyone, I must remember that I am writing to an international audience.
>48 quondame:, >50 quondame:, Hi Susan, I never gave it another thought when I wrote that comment, I forget that I am writing for an international audience. I can imagine your first thoughts and thinking that I must have lost the plot, lol.
>48 quondame:, >50 quondame:, Hi Susan, I never gave it another thought when I wrote that comment, I forget that I am writing for an international audience. I can imagine your first thoughts and thinking that I must have lost the plot, lol.
54jnwelch
Phew, I'm glad Paul cleared up that "devil dick" comment. I thought you were pretty harsh about poor Hannah! :-)
55johnsimpson
>54 jnwelch:, Hi Joe, it is a common phrase in Yorkshire and I never gave it a second thought when I wrote it down forgetting it is an international audience that are viewing the post. I love Hannah to bits but at times she is a bit of a scamp or a devil dick as we say in Yorkshire, the egg escapade was a classic though and I admired her ingenuity of using a plaster to hide the crack.
56quondame
>53 johnsimpson: My first thoughts were quite mild - I read lots of historical & F&FS so dialect variations are my first goto. It was after PaulCranswick's suggestions that I wandered the Google route.
58johnsimpson
>57 drneutron: Thanks Jim.
59johnsimpson
The last few days have been quiet and steady and the weather has been awful apart from Sunday morning until mid-afternoon.
Saturday was steady away, once we were up and about we had breakfast and a pot of tea before I took her to work, once back home I had a pot of tea and read until I had finished my drink and then got on with the downstairs housework. Once the housework was done I made a drink and finished off the first part of my manual Fictfact file, after I had done this I spent the rest of the afternoon reading and drinking tea until it was time to pick Karen up from work.
We had a nice relaxing evening watching Strictly Come Dancing and then listening to the radio until it was time for bed.
The alarm went off on Sunday morning and I went and made us a pot of tea to have in bed, once we had finished our tea we got up, washed and dressed before coming downstairs to have some breakfast. Once breakfast was done we pottered about until it was time to go and look at the Steam Train passing through, sadly the information we got was not good and we were in the wrong place after I checked on realtime trains to check it's timings. We then decided to walk up to the village school to have a wander around the craft fair.
The craft fair was a bit smaller than previous years according to Karen and nothing grabbed us but on the way out I stopped at the Library book stall and we picked up another three books, at this point it was 17 books garnered in just three days of November. Once the books had been paid for we made our way home and had a pot of tea before we made some lunch. We had just sat down for lunch when the rain began again so we were glad it had been fine for our walk.
On Monday morning we caught up with programmes we had recorded after we had had breakfast and a pot of tea and in between programmes we had more drinks and then some lunch before it was time to take Karen to work. After dropping Karen off I popped into Wakefield to do some banking before making my way home.
Once home I made a pot of tea and began the next phase of my manual Fictfact file, I had short breaks to read and enjoy a pot of tea and stopped to watch the evening news before making myself something to eat. I had a steady evening doing some things on LT until it was time to go and collect Karen from work.
Tuesday morning began with a pot of tea in bed before we got up, washed and dressed and came downstairs to have breakfast, a pot of tea and our meds. We watched a couple of programmes I recorded on Monday before it was time to take Karen to work. Once back from taking Karen to work I had a pot of tea and a quick flick through the Radio Times listings magazine before I got in with the upstairs housework.
Once the housework was done I had some lunch and a pot of tea before doing more Fictfact work until the evening news came on. After watching the news I had something to eat before firing the laptop up to come on here, I perused the threads before finishing off some work on another group and then Karen rang to say she was finishing early as her vertigo had flared up.
Today has been reasonably busy, we had a pot of tea in bed before getting up, washed and dressed and then stripped the bedding off to be washed. While Karen set the washing off I got our meds out and put the kettle on and then we had breakfast. Once breakfast was done with we set off to the Aldi at Snowhill and when Karen had done the shopping we made our way into Wakefield so that Karen could look at some bags for her best friend Tina's 60th birthday in December. While Karen looked at bags I went to New Look to pick up a parcel for Karen and then we made our way home.
Once home we unpacked and put the shopping away and then had a pot of tea before we put the washing on the airer and radiators. By the time this was done, Debbie the nail technician arrived, I made us all a pot of tea and while Karen had her nails done I watched the daily politics show and then the news before reading until it was time to go and pick Hannah up from school. I collected Hannah and then we made our way home, as soon as we were in Hannah wanted to watch a DVD to chill down, she went upstairs to watch it while we had a pot of coffee. We all had something to eat and then Hannah finished off watching her DVD and then she had a bath before I took her home.
Saturday was steady away, once we were up and about we had breakfast and a pot of tea before I took her to work, once back home I had a pot of tea and read until I had finished my drink and then got on with the downstairs housework. Once the housework was done I made a drink and finished off the first part of my manual Fictfact file, after I had done this I spent the rest of the afternoon reading and drinking tea until it was time to pick Karen up from work.
We had a nice relaxing evening watching Strictly Come Dancing and then listening to the radio until it was time for bed.
The alarm went off on Sunday morning and I went and made us a pot of tea to have in bed, once we had finished our tea we got up, washed and dressed before coming downstairs to have some breakfast. Once breakfast was done we pottered about until it was time to go and look at the Steam Train passing through, sadly the information we got was not good and we were in the wrong place after I checked on realtime trains to check it's timings. We then decided to walk up to the village school to have a wander around the craft fair.
The craft fair was a bit smaller than previous years according to Karen and nothing grabbed us but on the way out I stopped at the Library book stall and we picked up another three books, at this point it was 17 books garnered in just three days of November. Once the books had been paid for we made our way home and had a pot of tea before we made some lunch. We had just sat down for lunch when the rain began again so we were glad it had been fine for our walk.
On Monday morning we caught up with programmes we had recorded after we had had breakfast and a pot of tea and in between programmes we had more drinks and then some lunch before it was time to take Karen to work. After dropping Karen off I popped into Wakefield to do some banking before making my way home.
Once home I made a pot of tea and began the next phase of my manual Fictfact file, I had short breaks to read and enjoy a pot of tea and stopped to watch the evening news before making myself something to eat. I had a steady evening doing some things on LT until it was time to go and collect Karen from work.
Tuesday morning began with a pot of tea in bed before we got up, washed and dressed and came downstairs to have breakfast, a pot of tea and our meds. We watched a couple of programmes I recorded on Monday before it was time to take Karen to work. Once back from taking Karen to work I had a pot of tea and a quick flick through the Radio Times listings magazine before I got in with the upstairs housework.
Once the housework was done I had some lunch and a pot of tea before doing more Fictfact work until the evening news came on. After watching the news I had something to eat before firing the laptop up to come on here, I perused the threads before finishing off some work on another group and then Karen rang to say she was finishing early as her vertigo had flared up.
Today has been reasonably busy, we had a pot of tea in bed before getting up, washed and dressed and then stripped the bedding off to be washed. While Karen set the washing off I got our meds out and put the kettle on and then we had breakfast. Once breakfast was done with we set off to the Aldi at Snowhill and when Karen had done the shopping we made our way into Wakefield so that Karen could look at some bags for her best friend Tina's 60th birthday in December. While Karen looked at bags I went to New Look to pick up a parcel for Karen and then we made our way home.
Once home we unpacked and put the shopping away and then had a pot of tea before we put the washing on the airer and radiators. By the time this was done, Debbie the nail technician arrived, I made us all a pot of tea and while Karen had her nails done I watched the daily politics show and then the news before reading until it was time to go and pick Hannah up from school. I collected Hannah and then we made our way home, as soon as we were in Hannah wanted to watch a DVD to chill down, she went upstairs to watch it while we had a pot of coffee. We all had something to eat and then Hannah finished off watching her DVD and then she had a bath before I took her home.
60thornton37814
>59 johnsimpson: Your comment about going to watch the steam train pass through made me long for a simpler time and place. Most of the arts and crafts fairs are over in our area. They tend to be in October which is one of our peak tourist seasons. There are still plenty of places to get arts and crafts in the area, but the "fairs" are over.
62benitastrnad
As a native Kansan and a monolingual American I had no clue that there were different dialects inside of England, let alone in areas of Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. That changed when my niece began dating a boy from Newcastle-on-Tyne. I work with a professor here who is from England. (Somewhere in Kent I think.) I told him about my niece and how she had made three trips to England and toured all over the Northeast. He laughed and asked me if she was on the way to being a "real Geordie." I had no idea what that meant. I had to look it up in Wikipedia.
I know that Yorkshiremen are not Geordie's, but is there a term for native Yorkshire residents who speak the dialect. And is there a Yorkshire dialect?
I know that Yorkshiremen are not Geordie's, but is there a term for native Yorkshire residents who speak the dialect. And is there a Yorkshire dialect?
63johnsimpson
Finished book 76 on Saturday night, The Regency by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, this is the Thirteenth of Thirty-Five in the Morland Saga.
As the Nineteenth century unfolds, the bloody war against Napoleon continues. And for the Morland family private problems mirror the turmoil around them.
Lucy, trying painfully to rebuild her life after the death of her lover Captain Weston, is thrown into an agony of doubt and confusion by an unexpected marriage proposal. At Morland Place itself, the hard-won happiness of James and Heloise is threatened by his rebellious daughter, Fanny. As heiress to the Morland estate, she is determined to claim her inheritance - and more. But for those dependent on her generosity, Fanny's decision to marry the unscrupulous Lieutenant Hawker brings only anxiety.
Yet these troubled times hold many surprises, and in their blackest hour the Morlands make an astonishing discovery that enables them to face the future with new strength.
64johnsimpson
Finished book 77 on Sunday night, Yvonne Goes to York by M. C. Beaton, this is the sixth of six in the Travelling Matchmaker Series.
A damsel in distress and a confirmed bachelor - surely a match made in heaven!
No coach journey is ever dull with Miss Hannah Pym on board, and this one proves to be no exception. Miss Pym meets the young and beautiful Miss Yvonne Grenier, who is fleeing the Terror in France.
Yvonne becomes quite frightened when a dangerous enemy also boards the stage to York, but luckily Miss Pym is on hand to propose a plan which will save Yvonne - and throw her into the arms of the wealthy and unattached Marquis of Ware.
65johnsimpson
>61 Matke:, Hi Gail, we are both fine my dear, it is just the constant rain that is annoying. Hope you are well dear friend.
66johnsimpson
>62 benitastrnad:, Hi Benita my dear, we are just known as Yorkies and there are various dialects around the county, some broader than others, even we sometimes struggle to understand what they are saying.
67johnsimpson
The last few days have been horrendous in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire with both receiving a month's worth of rain on Thursday and then it has been raining since then. The River Don which flows through Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster has burst its banks and caused flooding and then at the weekend the village's of Fishlake and Stainforth to the east of Doncaster were flooded and Fishlake is surrounded by water and Stainforth has only one way in. Sadly more heavy rain is forecast for late Wednesday and Thursday so it will probably get worse for them.
We have had a steady few days just pottering about although Karen went out on Saturday night with three colleagues and she had a really good time and was a bit worse for wear. I picked her up at 1am Sunday morning and her three friends were just laughing as they had never seen Karen like that. I managed to get a couple of books read over the weekend so that was good.
We have had a steady few days just pottering about although Karen went out on Saturday night with three colleagues and she had a really good time and was a bit worse for wear. I picked her up at 1am Sunday morning and her three friends were just laughing as they had never seen Karen like that. I managed to get a couple of books read over the weekend so that was good.
68thornton37814
>67 johnsimpson: Sounds like you are getting the weather we had at the first of the year. We had a couple inches of snow today, and it's getting down to 12 or 13 Fahrenheit (-11 Celsius) tonight.
69johnsimpson
>68 thornton37814:, That is rather cold Lori my dear, the rain is still falling and the flood hit areas are hoping the river doesn't break its banks again.
70johnsimpson
Book 78 finished earlier today, Red Fox by Gerald Seymour. Two unconnected events make headlines in Rome one morning. A British businessman is kidnapped and a huge ransom demanded from the multinational company which employs him; and Franca Tantardini, vicious and beautiful, Italy's most wanted woman terrorist, is captured and her bodyguard gunned down.
Two events, totally unconnected, which are to become dramatically linked.
As the police forces of Italy begin the hunt for Geoffrey Harrison while urging his firm to pay up, and the British Embassy discreetly washes its hands of a national unwise enough to get himself kidnapped, a new ransom demand is received. The youngest of Franca Tantardini's associates, a boy of eighteen who had just been accepted into her bed, is still at large and has managed to gain control of Harrison. Suddenly the price of the Englishman's life escalates. It is now nothing less than Tantardini's release.
The name of the game changes abruptly. Money is no longer at issue, but principle; it is not hardened criminals, but an emotionally unstable teenager with whom the police - and the victim - must deal. And the odds have shortened dramatically. For Harrison, death is only a dawn away.
This is the third book written by Seymour and for some unknown reason it has taken me all these years to get to and it is a taut thriller from a master of his craft.
71karenmarie
Hi John!
From your previous thread, good to see you reading Harry Bosch, Ruth Galloway, and Myron Bolitar!
Congrats on reaching 75 books.
Clever Hannah with the duck egg plaster. *smile* And devil dick had me chuckling out loud.
Sending love and hugs to you and Karen.
From your previous thread, good to see you reading Harry Bosch, Ruth Galloway, and Myron Bolitar!
Congrats on reaching 75 books.
Clever Hannah with the duck egg plaster. *smile* And devil dick had me chuckling out loud.
Sending love and hugs to you and Karen.
72utbw42
hey john
haven't been reading much lately...kind of in a reading slump right now.
I'm still trying to come out of it...hopefully next year will be better. I see you are still really kicking ass with your reading. Nice job!
Andy
haven't been reading much lately...kind of in a reading slump right now.
I'm still trying to come out of it...hopefully next year will be better. I see you are still really kicking ass with your reading. Nice job!
Andy
73johnsimpson
>71 karenmarie:, Hi Karen my dear, I really am enjoying my reading at the moment and catching up with some authors I have neglected for a while.
It was great to hit 75 and I hope I can get to 90, earlier in the year I had thought I would hit the magic 100 mark but a couple of poor months have put paid to that, sadly.
Hannah is so clever at times, we just laughed out loud and even more so when we found out her explanation was that it needed surgery.
Sending love and hugs to you, Bill and Jenna from both of us dear friend.
It was great to hit 75 and I hope I can get to 90, earlier in the year I had thought I would hit the magic 100 mark but a couple of poor months have put paid to that, sadly.
Hannah is so clever at times, we just laughed out loud and even more so when we found out her explanation was that it needed surgery.
Sending love and hugs to you, Bill and Jenna from both of us dear friend.
74johnsimpson
>72 utbw42:, Hi Andy, you will come out of your reading slump my friend, it happens to us all at times. After a steady year reading the Big Ones last year, this year has seen me motoring ahead and lots of good books to read still on the pile.
Hope all is well with you mate and hope you can end the year reading one or two good books.
Hope all is well with you mate and hope you can end the year reading one or two good books.
75johnsimpson
The last couple of days have been nice and steady for both of us but the weather has not changed much with more rain but not quite as heavy as the previous few days.
Karen had to go for her Eye test on Wednesday and once it was done it took an age for her to select some new frames but eventually she chose two pair. Once this was done we went to the nearby Aldi so she could pick up a few bits.
We had Hannah in the afternoon for a few hours before I took her back home.
Yesterday we had to go into Wakefield so that Karen could pick up her parcel from Next and then she posted a couple of cards to Australia. After this had been done we went to the Aldi at Snowhill to pick up a couple of bits that only came into store yesterday. We had a nice steady relaxing afternoon and evening.
This morning was a bit of a tribulation as both us must have knocked our alarms off and gone back to sleep, luckily Karen woke up just after 8am and we shot out of bed, got washed and dressed and managed to do everything we would normally do and I got Karen to work on time. After dropping Karen off I went into store to pick up a few essentials only and I was back home by 10am.
After putting the bit of shopping away I made a pot of tea and read and I continued to do this for the next couple of hours before getting on with the housework. Once the housework was done I had a pot of tea before making myself something to eat along with another pot of tea. I read along with a pot of tea until it was time to go and pick Karen up from work.
Today is the annual Children in Need day where members of the public do sponsored events to raise money and form 7.30pm tonight there is the Children in Need show that goes on until about 2am. Last year Children in Need raised over £58 million.
Karen had to go for her Eye test on Wednesday and once it was done it took an age for her to select some new frames but eventually she chose two pair. Once this was done we went to the nearby Aldi so she could pick up a few bits.
We had Hannah in the afternoon for a few hours before I took her back home.
Yesterday we had to go into Wakefield so that Karen could pick up her parcel from Next and then she posted a couple of cards to Australia. After this had been done we went to the Aldi at Snowhill to pick up a couple of bits that only came into store yesterday. We had a nice steady relaxing afternoon and evening.
This morning was a bit of a tribulation as both us must have knocked our alarms off and gone back to sleep, luckily Karen woke up just after 8am and we shot out of bed, got washed and dressed and managed to do everything we would normally do and I got Karen to work on time. After dropping Karen off I went into store to pick up a few essentials only and I was back home by 10am.
After putting the bit of shopping away I made a pot of tea and read and I continued to do this for the next couple of hours before getting on with the housework. Once the housework was done I had a pot of tea before making myself something to eat along with another pot of tea. I read along with a pot of tea until it was time to go and pick Karen up from work.
Today is the annual Children in Need day where members of the public do sponsored events to raise money and form 7.30pm tonight there is the Children in Need show that goes on until about 2am. Last year Children in Need raised over £58 million.
76PaulCranswick
>75 johnsimpson: I am struggling to adapt to the new house in terms of my sleeping body clock, John. I have never used an alarm content that I am able to will myself to wake up at a certain time of my choosing. After so long in the same place and with different variations of light and external noises in our new place, my body clock has rebelled a little but to the extent of some sort of early warning sign that seems to wake me an hour earlier than I really want to!
Wishing you both a great weekend.
Wishing you both a great weekend.
77Ameise1
Belated happy new thread, John. I hope all is well at your place. Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Sending love and hugs to Karen and you.
78Familyhistorian
Good to see that your rain has slowed down a bit, John, but I'm sure you would prefer some sunny skies for a change. Hopefully there will be some there soon. Best of luck reaching 90 this year. Looks like you are well on your way.
79figsfromthistle
Hope you are having a great weekend!
80johnsimpson
>76 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul, I need an alarm clock as I sleep deeply once I am off and could sleep on a clothes line, I used to sleep in all sorts of all sorts of places when on nights underground. Your sleeping and waking pattern will soon be in place when you have been in the new place a while.
Hope your weekend has been a good one mate.
>77 Ameise1:, Hi Barbara, thanks for stopping by my dear. We are both well and have had a nice weekend, sending love and hugs to you and Thomas.
Hope your weekend has been a good one mate.
>77 Ameise1:, Hi Barbara, thanks for stopping by my dear. We are both well and have had a nice weekend, sending love and hugs to you and Thomas.
81johnsimpson
>78 Familyhistorian:, Hi Meg my dear, the rain has slowed down a bit but it is still raining but we may get some respite by mid-week and sunny skies would be most welcome. I am still hopeful of hitting 90 by year end and think December will be good enabling me to reach the target.
Hope you are having a good weekend dear friend, sending love and hugs.
>79 figsfromthistle:, Hi Anita my dear, thanks for stopping by, Our weekend has been a good one and we are tired now. I hope that you are having a really nice weekend and send love and hugs dear friend.
Hope you are having a good weekend dear friend, sending love and hugs.
>79 figsfromthistle:, Hi Anita my dear, thanks for stopping by, Our weekend has been a good one and we are tired now. I hope that you are having a really nice weekend and send love and hugs dear friend.
82johnsimpson
Book 79 finished yesterday afternoon, Top Secret Twenty-One by Janet Evanovich, this is the 21st in the Stephanie Plum Series.
Stephanie Plum has just one job lined up - tracking down Jimmy Poletti, car dealer and all round scumbag. Problem is he's on the run, and silencing his former colleagues one bullet at a time. Plum is going to need bait to bring him in. Bait like Poletti's ex-bookkeeper, Randy Briggs: a ninety-two centimetre-tall magnet for bored housewives and rocket-propelled grenades.
To make things worse, there's a one-eyed Russian assassin who's out to get revenge on Ranger, Stephanie's part-time temptation and full-tome protector. Who is the one-eyed Russian and what's his connection to the former special forces operative? Afraid that's top secret.
Another enjoyable read about the mishaps and love life of Stephanie Plum.
83jnwelch
We still enjoy the Stephanie Plum series, too, John. The series is reliable for laughs and entertainment, isn't it. We're going to pick up the new one (I think it's 26?) when we get home.
84johnsimpson
>83 jnwelch:, Hi Joe, Stephanie always cheers me up too.
85johnsimpson
We had a lovely day yesterday at the Living North Christmas event at York Racecourse, there were 250 exhibitors showing their wares from food and drink, clothing and accessories, gifts and decorations. We had a two for one ticket to the event and arrived at 11am, first stop was the Ebor Suite and at the first stall Karen picked up six small tree decorations, we wandered around the rest of the stalls in this small area and then picked up a couple of food items that we had today.
We went up the escalator to the next level in the Ebor suite and perused the stalls, there was some lovely items on offer and Karen picked up five notecards from an artist based in the Lake District. We quickly realised that we had picked up one of this artists cards when we went to Grasmere in the summer and Karen had it framed and it is in the living room above the light switch.
We moved on a bit further and then I made a schoolboy error, I pointed to a stall selling bags, Karen had a look at them and they were reasonably priced and all made of leather. I spotted a nice bag that was reduced as it was an ex-display model, Karen loved it and gave me the look, I quickly succumbed and she promised that she would have it as her Christmas present. Although I made a schoolboy error I soon turned it to my advantage, that is my take on it and I am sticking to it.
On leaving the bag stall we mooched around the stalls and then went up some stairs and moved into the Knavesmire suite, this is where I go for the PBFA bookfair in September. The bulk of the stalls were here and we began the serious wandering, we mooched around this level and then went up a few stairs to the next level, we wandered around and then took a coffee break. Once we were finished with our coffee we continued wandering around and soon completed this level and went up some more stairs to the next level and wandered around the stalls here. We chatted to some lovely people, some of them are so talented with what they make and produce.
Once we had done all the non food stalls we made our way down to the food and drink level, we sampled a few liqueurs and Gin and Vodka's and Karen picked up some pastries for us. We wandered around and found the Toffee Vodka that we loved, we first got this at the Manchester Christmas fair two years ago and couldn't find it last year but we found a stall selling it and purchased a 20cl bottle of it. We moved around and sampled some Christmas puddings, they were divine but the first sample was the best so we bought a pudding that we will have on New Years Day, we are not sharing it with the rabble on Christmas Day.
Not long after we made our way back to the car and headed for home, we had bought a few things, mainly small, Karen was sorted out and I had nothing, we were both tired and ready for home. Once home we had a nice pot of tea or two before having something to eat. We were glad we went and had a nice time, met some nice people and came away with a few ideas and we will go again next year.
We went up the escalator to the next level in the Ebor suite and perused the stalls, there was some lovely items on offer and Karen picked up five notecards from an artist based in the Lake District. We quickly realised that we had picked up one of this artists cards when we went to Grasmere in the summer and Karen had it framed and it is in the living room above the light switch.
We moved on a bit further and then I made a schoolboy error, I pointed to a stall selling bags, Karen had a look at them and they were reasonably priced and all made of leather. I spotted a nice bag that was reduced as it was an ex-display model, Karen loved it and gave me the look, I quickly succumbed and she promised that she would have it as her Christmas present. Although I made a schoolboy error I soon turned it to my advantage, that is my take on it and I am sticking to it.
On leaving the bag stall we mooched around the stalls and then went up some stairs and moved into the Knavesmire suite, this is where I go for the PBFA bookfair in September. The bulk of the stalls were here and we began the serious wandering, we mooched around this level and then went up a few stairs to the next level, we wandered around and then took a coffee break. Once we were finished with our coffee we continued wandering around and soon completed this level and went up some more stairs to the next level and wandered around the stalls here. We chatted to some lovely people, some of them are so talented with what they make and produce.
Once we had done all the non food stalls we made our way down to the food and drink level, we sampled a few liqueurs and Gin and Vodka's and Karen picked up some pastries for us. We wandered around and found the Toffee Vodka that we loved, we first got this at the Manchester Christmas fair two years ago and couldn't find it last year but we found a stall selling it and purchased a 20cl bottle of it. We moved around and sampled some Christmas puddings, they were divine but the first sample was the best so we bought a pudding that we will have on New Years Day, we are not sharing it with the rabble on Christmas Day.
Not long after we made our way back to the car and headed for home, we had bought a few things, mainly small, Karen was sorted out and I had nothing, we were both tired and ready for home. Once home we had a nice pot of tea or two before having something to eat. We were glad we went and had a nice time, met some nice people and came away with a few ideas and we will go again next year.
86johnsimpson
On Friday afternoon I was on Twitter and had answered a question from James Patterson, I got quite a few likes and so on Saturday afternoon I added another comment to my original comment. A short time later Mr Patterson replied, it was the number of pages I have read and that my target is 1 million pages, he said that if I reach it he will give me something. I thought nothing about it for about 15 minutes and then I had a light bulb moment, I said it would be another 15 years at current reading and that will make me 71, I quickly remembered that Mr P was born in 1947 so that would make him 87, he Is obviously aiming to be around at that time and if I up my game I could reduce the time by a couple of years, it made me chuckle at the time.
87quondame
>85 johnsimpson: What a vertical market! I'm used to nothing but acres of flat.
88johnsimpson
>87 quondame: Hi Susan, it was mainly in the Knavesmire Suite at York Racecource and is underneath the big stand so there are multiple mini levels. I think there are five floors to the stand and is an ideal venue for events with over 200 exhibitors, the book fair had 237 stands in September and yesterday was the last day of four with 250 exhibitors.
89quondame
>88 johnsimpson: The local summertime night market at a racetrack takes up the center area and leaves the stands alone or for other activities. I went once, and while the food was fabulous, the lines for it were long and the super youthful music and esthetic weren't for me.
90johnsimpson
Finished book 80 yesterday evening, Cross the Line by James Patterson. This is the 24th in the Alex Cross Series.
Shots ring out in the early morning hours in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When the smoke clears, a high-ranking cop lies dead.
Under pressure from the mayor, Alex Cross steps into the leadership vacuum to investigate the audacious killing. But before Cross can make any headway, a wave of murders erupts across the city. The victims have one thing in common - they are all criminals.
And the only thing more dangerous than a murderer without a conscience is a killer who thinks he has justice on his side.
Another fast paced thriller from Mr P.
91thornton37814
>90 johnsimpson: Congrats on hitting 80!
92johnsimpson
>91 thornton37814:, Thanks Lori my dear.
93johnsimpson
The week began well, after I took Karen to work on Monday I got back home, set the DVD recorder up and had a pot of tea before cleaning the three piece suite in the living room, another job done in time for Christmas. Once all this was done I had a bite to eat and then read and had a pot of tea and later I had something to eat and read until it was time to pick Karen up from work.
On Tuesday I felt a little bit stiff, probably from cleaning the suite and it had been quite a frosty night and that doesn't help me. I took Karen to work and then got back and had a pot of tea and read before getting on with the upstairs housework. Once the housework was done I had a pot of tea before going to pick up our prescriptions from the pharmacy. I had a bite to eat once I got back home and then read before coming on here.
On Wednesday I was in a bit more pain but managed to get to the supermarket with Karen and we picked up all the chocolate items and other Christmas treat items and while Karen did this I picked up other more normal items as it is double discount week for staff, by the time we had got through the checkout after using the savings card we still had money on it despite everything we had got. After putting everything in the car we drove the short distance to the Aldi store to get the usual items we normally get, once this was done we made our way home to unpack and put all the shopping away. The rest of the day I rested as the pain in my back was getting worse after another cold night and the daytime temperatures were cool, luckily for me I am not in parts of North America and Canada, I think I would be really struggling.
I picked Hannah up from school and brought her home, we had a nice time with Hannah, she had her tea and Karen bathed her before I took her home. While I was taking Hannah home, Karen was picked up by a friend to go to their works night out at Holmefield House, I picked Karen and two of her colleagues up just after 9pm.
I had a bad nights sleep and woke up in quite a bit of pain, after breakfast we had to pop out, I stayed in the car while Karen did what had to be done at the Asda supermarket, after this we went to Sainsbury's to get a couple of bits that Asda didn't have. Once this was done we moved across to the Home Bargain store where Karen picked up some items to create two small boxes for the homeless in Wakefield. Once this was done we made our way home and had a pot of tea before Karen did some baking and I read. After a pot of tea, a mince pie and a rock bun I went upstairs to lie down a bit to try and get some respite, I managed to read for a bit before coming back downstairs to watch the Repair Shop.
I have struggled all this evening and luckily my patches are changed to night and hope they do more good than the ones changed on Monday night.
One good thing apart from getting the suite cleaned and getting some Christmas items is that a lady on the Fountain Pen UK group was giving away a couple of old fountain pens, I managed to be the second to reply and should be getting a Sheaffer pen with a broad 2mm nib either tomorrow or Saturday and also found out that Jon Rabbett who is organising the Brinkvent calendar is posting out the ink samples on Saturday ready to be put into an Advent calendar to begin opening on 1st December. Jon is including a list of the inks but I will leave it to Karen to put the inks into the Advent truck and each day she will let me know what the ink is, the inks have been supplied by Rob from Izods pens and they are the Robert Oster brand, I have a Robert Oster Fire and Ice, a nice blue and so am looking forward to what other colours are in the range. This has been a fantastic collaboration between Jon, Rob and Robert Oster and is in the true spirit of Christmas.
On Tuesday I felt a little bit stiff, probably from cleaning the suite and it had been quite a frosty night and that doesn't help me. I took Karen to work and then got back and had a pot of tea and read before getting on with the upstairs housework. Once the housework was done I had a pot of tea before going to pick up our prescriptions from the pharmacy. I had a bite to eat once I got back home and then read before coming on here.
On Wednesday I was in a bit more pain but managed to get to the supermarket with Karen and we picked up all the chocolate items and other Christmas treat items and while Karen did this I picked up other more normal items as it is double discount week for staff, by the time we had got through the checkout after using the savings card we still had money on it despite everything we had got. After putting everything in the car we drove the short distance to the Aldi store to get the usual items we normally get, once this was done we made our way home to unpack and put all the shopping away. The rest of the day I rested as the pain in my back was getting worse after another cold night and the daytime temperatures were cool, luckily for me I am not in parts of North America and Canada, I think I would be really struggling.
I picked Hannah up from school and brought her home, we had a nice time with Hannah, she had her tea and Karen bathed her before I took her home. While I was taking Hannah home, Karen was picked up by a friend to go to their works night out at Holmefield House, I picked Karen and two of her colleagues up just after 9pm.
I had a bad nights sleep and woke up in quite a bit of pain, after breakfast we had to pop out, I stayed in the car while Karen did what had to be done at the Asda supermarket, after this we went to Sainsbury's to get a couple of bits that Asda didn't have. Once this was done we moved across to the Home Bargain store where Karen picked up some items to create two small boxes for the homeless in Wakefield. Once this was done we made our way home and had a pot of tea before Karen did some baking and I read. After a pot of tea, a mince pie and a rock bun I went upstairs to lie down a bit to try and get some respite, I managed to read for a bit before coming back downstairs to watch the Repair Shop.
I have struggled all this evening and luckily my patches are changed to night and hope they do more good than the ones changed on Monday night.
One good thing apart from getting the suite cleaned and getting some Christmas items is that a lady on the Fountain Pen UK group was giving away a couple of old fountain pens, I managed to be the second to reply and should be getting a Sheaffer pen with a broad 2mm nib either tomorrow or Saturday and also found out that Jon Rabbett who is organising the Brinkvent calendar is posting out the ink samples on Saturday ready to be put into an Advent calendar to begin opening on 1st December. Jon is including a list of the inks but I will leave it to Karen to put the inks into the Advent truck and each day she will let me know what the ink is, the inks have been supplied by Rob from Izods pens and they are the Robert Oster brand, I have a Robert Oster Fire and Ice, a nice blue and so am looking forward to what other colours are in the range. This has been a fantastic collaboration between Jon, Rob and Robert Oster and is in the true spirit of Christmas.
94thornton37814
>93 johnsimpson: My fur boys awakened me quite a bit before my alarm was set this morning. That 40 pound 3-cat alarm certainly gets my attention.
95johnsimpson
Finished book 81 just before I went to pick Karen up from work, A Thousand Pardons by Jonathan Dee. I really enjoyed this comic tale of Guilt, Redemption and the American Dream.
Ben and Helen Armstead have reached breaking point and it takes one afternoon - and a single act of recklessness - for Ben to deal the final blow to their marriage, spectacularly demolishing everything they built together.
Helen and her teenage daughter Sara leave for Manhattan where Helen takes a job in PR - her first in many years - and discovers she has a gift for spinning crises into second chances. But can she apply her professional talent to her personal life?
96johnsimpson
I have had a very steady day trying to make sure I did no more damage to my back. I slept in the spare bed so that I could sleep on my back without disturbing Karen especially on a work day. Once we were up and about I got washed and dressed before coming downstairs to have breakfast, a pot of tea and my meds.
Once we had finished breakfast it was time to take Karen to work as she was in for 9am, I dropped Karen off and then went into store to pick up a couple of bits. I wandered around slowly trying to ease the pain I was feeling, I quickly got done and then made my way home and unpacked and put away the few items. Once I had done this I put the washing on the airer and radiators before making a pot of tea and picking up my book. Over then next four hours I made sure I had a pot of tea to hand and read before the postman arrived and my free pen from Joanne, a Fountain Pen UK group member, the Sheaffer with a 2mm nib is lovely. I had another pot of tea and read a bit more before cleaning the kitchen, I took my time so that I did not over exert myself.
Once the kitchen was cleaned I made myself a couple of sandwiches and also had a mince pie and the last piece of sugar free flapjack and a pot of tea. Once I had finished eating I took up my book again and after another pot of tea I had finished my book. I made Karen a pot of tea in the travel mug and shortly after went to pick her up from work, my back was just starting to ache quite badly by the time we got back home. Karen is in at 9.30am tomorrow and as I am still in quite a bit of pain I will sleep in the spare bed again so that we both get a good nights sleep.
Today it is Rob's 32nd birthday, we sent him a message as by the time we were up we knew he would be at work and him, Louise and Hannah are coming for lunch on Sunday.
Also we got a message from Andy late last night and early this morning, they were on their way out and spotted an injured cat in the middle of the road, they carefully picked her up and went to the nearby vets and she was transferred to York as she look quite badly injured. If she survived they were going to keep her as she wasn't chipped and looked a little feral. Andy messaged later in the day to say that despite the vets best efforts, the injuries were so severe that she had to be put to sleep, Andy said that he had been crying for an hour. Although he has always had a dog in the family, since getting Combie with Amy he is quite taken with cats and so was very upset at this news. I messaged him back to say that at least they had tried to do their best and that she was in kind hands at the end of her life.
Once we had finished breakfast it was time to take Karen to work as she was in for 9am, I dropped Karen off and then went into store to pick up a couple of bits. I wandered around slowly trying to ease the pain I was feeling, I quickly got done and then made my way home and unpacked and put away the few items. Once I had done this I put the washing on the airer and radiators before making a pot of tea and picking up my book. Over then next four hours I made sure I had a pot of tea to hand and read before the postman arrived and my free pen from Joanne, a Fountain Pen UK group member, the Sheaffer with a 2mm nib is lovely. I had another pot of tea and read a bit more before cleaning the kitchen, I took my time so that I did not over exert myself.
Once the kitchen was cleaned I made myself a couple of sandwiches and also had a mince pie and the last piece of sugar free flapjack and a pot of tea. Once I had finished eating I took up my book again and after another pot of tea I had finished my book. I made Karen a pot of tea in the travel mug and shortly after went to pick her up from work, my back was just starting to ache quite badly by the time we got back home. Karen is in at 9.30am tomorrow and as I am still in quite a bit of pain I will sleep in the spare bed again so that we both get a good nights sleep.
Today it is Rob's 32nd birthday, we sent him a message as by the time we were up we knew he would be at work and him, Louise and Hannah are coming for lunch on Sunday.
Also we got a message from Andy late last night and early this morning, they were on their way out and spotted an injured cat in the middle of the road, they carefully picked her up and went to the nearby vets and she was transferred to York as she look quite badly injured. If she survived they were going to keep her as she wasn't chipped and looked a little feral. Andy messaged later in the day to say that despite the vets best efforts, the injuries were so severe that she had to be put to sleep, Andy said that he had been crying for an hour. Although he has always had a dog in the family, since getting Combie with Amy he is quite taken with cats and so was very upset at this news. I messaged him back to say that at least they had tried to do their best and that she was in kind hands at the end of her life.
97quondame
>96 johnsimpson: Unfortunate about your back. I hope you are up for enjoying yourself this weekend. It's so very sad about the cat. Sometimes attachments are instant and the losses are significant.
98thornton37814
>96 johnsimpson: Sad news about the cat. I saw a dead one on the road en route to work this morning and shed a couple tears myself.
99PaulCranswick
>96 johnsimpson: Sad story about the cat, John.
Hope your back continues to improve over the weekend.
Hope your back continues to improve over the weekend.
100jnwelch
Tough times for your back, John; sorry to hear it. I hope the pain eases.
Good for Andy for making the effort with the poor cat. Too bad her injuries were too severe.
I once found a lost (uninjured) dog sitting in the middle of one of Chicago's fairly busy streets, obviously having given up. I took him home, but then Debbi had the good idea of walking her around that neighborhood. Sure enough, after we walked around a while, she made a beeline for one house. We checked, and they didn't even know she was gone - the back of the house was under construction and she (turns our her name is Princess) had slipped out and gotten lost.
Good for Andy for making the effort with the poor cat. Too bad her injuries were too severe.
I once found a lost (uninjured) dog sitting in the middle of one of Chicago's fairly busy streets, obviously having given up. I took him home, but then Debbi had the good idea of walking her around that neighborhood. Sure enough, after we walked around a while, she made a beeline for one house. We checked, and they didn't even know she was gone - the back of the house was under construction and she (turns our her name is Princess) had slipped out and gotten lost.
101FAMeulstee
Sorry your back is troubling you again, John, I hope it gets a bit better by now.
How sweet that Andy tried to save the injured cat, sad it ended this way.
As a kid I took stray dogs and cats home many times, but I was never allowed to keep them.
How sweet that Andy tried to save the injured cat, sad it ended this way.
As a kid I took stray dogs and cats home many times, but I was never allowed to keep them.
102benitastrnad
Sorry to hear about your back. Will the physical therapy start soon?
We are having a winter here in Alabama. It turned cold today. Last week I was shopping at T. J. Maxx and as I was walking out of the door saw a 13 cup Cuisnart food processor in the box sitting by the door. It was marked at $80.00. Roughly half price of what I paid for mine. I walked on out of the door and left it because I didn’t need one for myself.
This morning at yoga I decided that if it was still there I was going to buy it. For that price there is somebody who needs it.
It was there, so I purchased it. I stopped at the hospital on the way home to see a friend who had been hospitalized for a week due to a ruptured appendix and the infection and complications from that. In our conversation I told her about the food processor. She told me that she would buy it from me for what I paid because her food processor had quit right before she got sick. I will deliver it to her house on Monday.
We are having a winter here in Alabama. It turned cold today. Last week I was shopping at T. J. Maxx and as I was walking out of the door saw a 13 cup Cuisnart food processor in the box sitting by the door. It was marked at $80.00. Roughly half price of what I paid for mine. I walked on out of the door and left it because I didn’t need one for myself.
This morning at yoga I decided that if it was still there I was going to buy it. For that price there is somebody who needs it.
It was there, so I purchased it. I stopped at the hospital on the way home to see a friend who had been hospitalized for a week due to a ruptured appendix and the infection and complications from that. In our conversation I told her about the food processor. She told me that she would buy it from me for what I paid because her food processor had quit right before she got sick. I will deliver it to her house on Monday.
103johnsimpson
>97 quondame:, Hi Susan my dear, Saturday was painful for me but luckily I didn't have anything to do and yesterday we had Rob, Louise and Hannah for a birthday Sunday lunch for Rob. We had a nice lunch and he opened his presents from us as he made us keep them, we had a good catch up before they left. They took Karen with them as they were dropping her and Hannah at Karen's workplace as they were having an early Christmas party for Staff children or Grandchildren. Hannah loved it, they took them around the warehouse briefly and then they all had a go on a checkout before making a Pizza and some buns. They decorated a plate and then added mini-doughnuts and other items to their plate, they were there from 4pm until 6pm when I collected them both and took Hannah home. My back had not been too bad on Sunday morning but by the time we got home it was playing up again and today it has rained all day and so I have had to be careful.
Hope you had a good weekend my dear and send love and hugs dear friend.
Hope you had a good weekend my dear and send love and hugs dear friend.
104johnsimpson
>98 thornton37814:, Hi Lori my dear, it was sad about the cat but at least they both tried to help it out and then to add to their woes their cat Combie attacked Andy and he had a long cut down the side of his thumb, just what he needed before they set off for the last big Pantomime rehearsal where they performed it twice, once with the red group of juniors and then with the blue group.
Hope you had a good weekend my dear and sending love and hugs dear friend.
Hope you had a good weekend my dear and sending love and hugs dear friend.
105johnsimpson
>99 PaulCranswick:, Hi Paul, it was sad about the cat but at least they tried to help the poor thing, the weekend has not been too good for my back and it has been raining all day again and it is cold so I am being careful mate.
106johnsimpson
>100 jnwelch:, Hi Joe, the weather has not helped with my back and the weekend was mixed with it but today it is very tender as it has been raining all day and it is cold, I am taking care as I need to be fit for Friday when we go down to Nottingham to have a wander around their Christmas market and the city before we drive the short distance towards Derby to the Premier Inn we are staying in overnight. On Saturday we will decide where to wander to and set off hoping for another good day.
Hope your weekend has been a good one mate and sending love and hugs to both of you.
Hope your weekend has been a good one mate and sending love and hugs to both of you.
107johnsimpson
>101 FAMeulstee:, Hi Anita my dear, the back has been a problem over the weekend and today it is quite tender, it has been raining all day and it is cold so that doesn't help. It was sad about the poor cat but at least they tried to help it but the vet said the injuries were just too bad.
Hope you and Frank had a good weekend and send love and hugs to both of you.
Hope you and Frank had a good weekend and send love and hugs to both of you.
108johnsimpson
>102 benitastrnad:, Hi Benita my dear, the back has been a problem all weekend and today it is quite tender as it has been raining all day and it is cold. At the moment I am waiting to see if the weather becomes milder and the pain eases and then I can let the doctor know what has been going on. It is hard to decide if it is the reduction in the patch strength or that combined with the cold, damp weather or if it is just getting worse naturally and then we can work out med strengths to go forward.
It was sad about the poor cat but they did their best for it but sadly it was in vain. Very nice to help a friend out with the food processor my dear, that is very good of you my dear. The chap came to pick up the two boxes we have done for the homeless and the two boxes a friend has done, we both did one for a male and one for a female and the chap who collected them was very grateful for us doing it.
Apart from the food processor bit, I hope you had a good weekend my dear and send love and hugs.
It was sad about the poor cat but they did their best for it but sadly it was in vain. Very nice to help a friend out with the food processor my dear, that is very good of you my dear. The chap came to pick up the two boxes we have done for the homeless and the two boxes a friend has done, we both did one for a male and one for a female and the chap who collected them was very grateful for us doing it.
Apart from the food processor bit, I hope you had a good weekend my dear and send love and hugs.
109johnsimpson
Finished book 82 a couple of hours ago, Private India by James Patterson, this is the eighth in the Private Series.
When Santosh Wagh isn't struggling out of a bottle of Whisky, he's head of Private India, the Mumbai brancj of the world's finest investigation agency.
In a city of over Thirteen million he has his work cut out at the best of times. But now someone is killing seemingly unconnected people, strangled in a chilling ritual, with strange objects placed carefully at their death scenes.
As Santosh and his team race to find the killer, an even greater danger faces Private Indi - a danger that could threaten the lives of thousands of innocent Mumbai citizens....
110Familyhistorian
Hi John, I'm sorry to hear about the cat but they tried their best. Hopefully your back problem are down to the rainy weather and it stops soon. The weather here is not rainy (which is odd in itself). It has been cold -2C this morning and only slated for a high of 4C, quite cold for us, although I'm sure the rest of Canada is snickering.
Looks like your books are treating you well. I really should get back to reading some of the books that I own but I put some on hold at the library and they keep coming in bunches.
Looks like your books are treating you well. I really should get back to reading some of the books that I own but I put some on hold at the library and they keep coming in bunches.
111johnsimpson
>110 Familyhistorian:, Hi Meg my dear, the wet weather should clear up tonight and then it is going to be cold but dry so we will see if that makes any difference to my back pain.
The books are treating me well at the moment and long may it continue.
Sending love and hugs dear friend.
The books are treating me well at the moment and long may it continue.
Sending love and hugs dear friend.
112johnsimpson
Well it never rains but it pours (sorry about the pun seeing all I have reported for ages is rain), not only has my back been bad for quite a while but late on Tuesday night my left knee started playing up. I had only done the upstairs housework and took my time, I had not banged my knee and was surprised, it was worse when I put weight on my leg or getting up from the sofa or a chair.
Yesterday the knee was really bad but this morning it didn't feel too bad but I said nothing. We had to pop out to the Aldi in Featherstone, Karen went into store and I stayed in the car and read. By the time we got home and I got out of the car the pain in the knee was back and it has been painful for most of the day. Hopefully it will start to ease as we are going down to Nottingham to do a bit of Christmas shopping and are staying overnight at a Premier Inn near Derby and on Saturday we will wander elsewhere before making our way home.
I had a good day on Tuesday, my Brinkvent inks arrived and Karen will put them in an advent calendar and keep the note with the colours on and tell me each day what I have got. I had to pop into Wakefield after dropping Karen at work to pay a couple of bills and on the way back to the car decided to go into the antiques centre in the shopping centre. After a perusal I spotted some Wisden Cricket Almanacks, I knew I hadn't got the 1960 edition in soft cover so bought that and after a 20% Black Friday discount it only cost me £2.40. I made my way home and had a pot of tea, set the DVD recorder up and then checked my Cricket book lists and found that I hadn't got the 1957 and 1966 edition which the antiques centre had so I got back in the car and went back into Wakefield to get them. After parking up I got some money out of the cash machine and went and got the two books and they cost me a total of £13.60 so all in all I got three Wisdens, two in hardback and one soft cover for the grand total of £16, a total bargain. I now have 63 Wisdens and just need the small matter of 93 more excluding next years edition.
Yesterday the knee was really bad but this morning it didn't feel too bad but I said nothing. We had to pop out to the Aldi in Featherstone, Karen went into store and I stayed in the car and read. By the time we got home and I got out of the car the pain in the knee was back and it has been painful for most of the day. Hopefully it will start to ease as we are going down to Nottingham to do a bit of Christmas shopping and are staying overnight at a Premier Inn near Derby and on Saturday we will wander elsewhere before making our way home.
I had a good day on Tuesday, my Brinkvent inks arrived and Karen will put them in an advent calendar and keep the note with the colours on and tell me each day what I have got. I had to pop into Wakefield after dropping Karen at work to pay a couple of bills and on the way back to the car decided to go into the antiques centre in the shopping centre. After a perusal I spotted some Wisden Cricket Almanacks, I knew I hadn't got the 1960 edition in soft cover so bought that and after a 20% Black Friday discount it only cost me £2.40. I made my way home and had a pot of tea, set the DVD recorder up and then checked my Cricket book lists and found that I hadn't got the 1957 and 1966 edition which the antiques centre had so I got back in the car and went back into Wakefield to get them. After parking up I got some money out of the cash machine and went and got the two books and they cost me a total of £13.60 so all in all I got three Wisdens, two in hardback and one soft cover for the grand total of £16, a total bargain. I now have 63 Wisdens and just need the small matter of 93 more excluding next years edition.
113quondame
I'm sorry to hear of your multiplying pains. The home assembled advent calendar sounds cool, but are they still surprises? I am waiting for the advent calendar I ordered this year for my daughter, a strange tradition for a young Jewish woman to follow, but it's fun, so hey, let's be Japanese about doing all the holiday in our own way!
114karenmarie
Hi John!
That is so neat about James Patterson promising a giftie when you reach a million pages.
Sorry about the poor kittie, even more sorry about your back and knee problems.
Congrats on having read 82 books this year so far, too, and sending love and hugs to you and Karen.
That is so neat about James Patterson promising a giftie when you reach a million pages.
Sorry about the poor kittie, even more sorry about your back and knee problems.
Congrats on having read 82 books this year so far, too, and sending love and hugs to you and Karen.
115Berly
Hi, John! Thank you so much for the Thanksgiving wishes. I am now having a quiet day, relaxing at home, catching up on LT!!! And I have lots of yummy leftovers. : )
The egg story and the "devil dick" story were a hoot! Congrats on passing the magic 75 and on the advent calendar. Sorry about the kitty and your various pains. Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. Much love and hugs to you both.
The egg story and the "devil dick" story were a hoot! Congrats on passing the magic 75 and on the advent calendar. Sorry about the kitty and your various pains. Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. Much love and hugs to you both.
116johnsimpson
>113 quondame:, Hi Susan, touchwood the knee pain has gone and the back has eased a bit. Karen has ordered an advent calendar to put the ink samples in, this morning she wrapped the first one in some tissue paper and made me guess what the ink was and then gave me the label to stick on. I have not seen the package since it arrived and Karen is keeping the name list so each day it will be a surprise.
I hope your advent calendar arrives soon and as you say who needs to be picky about how we celebrate the Christmas season.
I hope your weekend has been a good one so far and have a great week ahead dear friend.
I hope your advent calendar arrives soon and as you say who needs to be picky about how we celebrate the Christmas season.
I hope your weekend has been a good one so far and have a great week ahead dear friend.
117johnsimpson
>114 karenmarie:, Hi Karen my dear, I must say that James Patterson has some confidence as he will be 87 if I just manage 30k pages a year, I need to up it a bit and say bring it down by about three years.
Amy and Andy were quite upset about the poor kittie but they are fine now and busy with last minute Panto rehearsals, the first performance is on the 7th December in the afternoon with an evening performance also, in total they do ten shows from the 7th to the 14th December. The knee pain seems to have gone now touchwood and the back has eased a little.
I am hoping to reach 90 books for the year and just a little sad I won't hit the magic 100 for the year.
I hope you are having a good weekend so far and wish you a good week ahead dear friend.
Amy and Andy were quite upset about the poor kittie but they are fine now and busy with last minute Panto rehearsals, the first performance is on the 7th December in the afternoon with an evening performance also, in total they do ten shows from the 7th to the 14th December. The knee pain seems to have gone now touchwood and the back has eased a little.
I am hoping to reach 90 books for the year and just a little sad I won't hit the magic 100 for the year.
I hope you are having a good weekend so far and wish you a good week ahead dear friend.
118johnsimpson
>115 Berly:, Hi Kim my dear, I hope you are enjoying your relaxing day and glad you enjoyed the egg story and the bit about her being a "Devil Dick".
I am hoping to hit 90 books for the year and am just a little sad not to reach the magic 100 and Karen has ordered an advent calendar to put the ink samples in. Today Karen gave me the first ink sample in some tissue paper and made me guess what the colour was and then she gave me the label to stick on it so I know what it is. I haven't seen the package since it arrived, Karen moved it and the original advent truck drawers were too small for the ink samples when she tried to fill it. Karen is keeping the ink colour list and will make me guess each day before she reveals the colour and gives me the label to stick on each tube.
Amy and Andy were upset about the kitty but are fine now and are in full Panto mode now with the shows starting on the 7th December, the Panto runs rom the 7th to the 14th December with ten shows in total and we are taking Hannah to see it on the 8th December.
My knee pain seems to have gone touchwood and the back pain has eased a bit and we have had a lovely weekend. I hope you are having a good weekend and wish you a good week ahead dear friend.
I am hoping to hit 90 books for the year and am just a little sad not to reach the magic 100 and Karen has ordered an advent calendar to put the ink samples in. Today Karen gave me the first ink sample in some tissue paper and made me guess what the colour was and then she gave me the label to stick on it so I know what it is. I haven't seen the package since it arrived, Karen moved it and the original advent truck drawers were too small for the ink samples when she tried to fill it. Karen is keeping the ink colour list and will make me guess each day before she reveals the colour and gives me the label to stick on each tube.
Amy and Andy were upset about the kitty but are fine now and are in full Panto mode now with the shows starting on the 7th December, the Panto runs rom the 7th to the 14th December with ten shows in total and we are taking Hannah to see it on the 8th December.
My knee pain seems to have gone touchwood and the back pain has eased a bit and we have had a lovely weekend. I hope you are having a good weekend and wish you a good week ahead dear friend.
119johnsimpson
We had a lovely trip away to Nottingham and Derby, we set off early Friday morning and arrived at the park and ride facility by 9.45am and the bus to take us into Nottingham was due at 10am. Once in the city centre we had a coffee break before beginning to wander around the city and the Christmas fair. We picked up a couple of bits early on and then mooched around before the next purchase. It was cold but dry and we were well wrapped up but our nose and ears were cold. We gradually worked our way to the Victoria centre mall and had a coffee/lunch stop before continuing mooching around. we picked up two or three books on our travels and covered the city centre. We had a coffee stop before going to the bus stop to get the bus back to the park and ride.
Once back at the park and ride we defrosted the car and put the shopping in the boot before setting the satnav for our hotel in Derby. After about a 45 minute drive we arrived at the hotel and checked in and went to our room where we unpacked our small case and then making a pot of tea. We had a relaxing hour or so and had another drink while we looked online for somewhere to eat.
we decided to have Indian and picked out the Shalimar Gold which was just a mile and a half away. We set off and a short time later we parked in the restaurant car park and entered the restaurant, the staff were lovely and directed us to our table. Once we had ordered our waiter came over to have a chat and it turned out that he was from Wakefield originally and moved to Derby aged 5. He continued going back to Wakefield during school holidays to see relatives, what a small world, it was lovely to chat with him and reminisce about our fair city and he recommended going into Derby city centre on Saturday.
We had a lovely meal, in fact it was the best Indian meal I have had for a number of years and would definitely recommend them. We left the restaurant after hugging a few of the staff, they were brilliant with us, and made our way back to our hotel. We had a drink or two and watched some TV before lights out.
On Saturday morning we woke up and looked out of our room window and found it foggy and frosty, there had been a hard frost in the night but the room was nice and cosy. After a pot of tea in bed we got washed and dressed and then got our things together and went downstairs to check out and defrost the car. We headed towards Derby city centre and parked up in the intu Derby shopping mall.
We made our way down to the shopping levels and headed for the Costa Coffee shop for coffee and some breakfast before we did anything else. After breakfast we headed out of the mall to explore the city centre, Karen went into a store across from the mall before we moved towards the city centre. It is split into four quarters and we ended up exploring them all and saw some nice independent shops and some lovely old buildings. The Derby Cathedral choir had split into small groups and were scattered across the city entertaining shoppers and visitors. We picked up one or two small things on our travels before we got back to the mall.
We entered the mall and found that they had a market at the end we were and also the Derby theatre could be accessed from the mall. We wandered around the market and found a secondhand book stall and came away with seven books. We left the market and headed into the main mall and went in a few shops before deciding that we needed lunch. We headed back to the Costa coffee shop for coffee and lunch, Karen went to get the food while I got our seats. A young lady asked if the table next to us was free for herself and two friends, I said it was as long as she didn't mind a couple of oldies, she laughed and her friends went to get food and drink and we chatted. She was a lovely lady and we had a good chat before Karen got back with food and drink and then she chatted to Karen. When her friends got vack with food and drink we all chatted for a bit before we got on with our food.
After our lunch stop we continued wandering around the mall which turned out bigger than I first thought, Karen picked up a nice dress and blouse both reduced in the Black Friday sale. We wandered up and down the top level before going back down to the ground level and once we were done we decided to go back to the car and make our way home. We left Derby at 3pm and got back home by 4.40pm.
We felt tired but had had a really nice weekend and will definitely go back to Derby again.
These are the books bought over the two days in Nottingham and Derby.
Sweet Danger by Margery Allingham, HB.
Blood of the Mantis by Adrian Tchaikovsky, PB
Death at Gallows Green by Robin Paige, PB.
Death at Daisy's Folly by Robin Paige, PB.
Death at Dartmoor by Robin Paige, PB.
Death at Glamis Castle by Robin Paige, PB.
Death in Hyde Park by Robin Paige, PB.
Death on the Lizard by Robin Paige, PB.
Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson, PB.
Time and Chance by Sharon Penman, PB.
Bradman and the Summer that changed Cricket by Christopher Hilton, HB.
Once back at the park and ride we defrosted the car and put the shopping in the boot before setting the satnav for our hotel in Derby. After about a 45 minute drive we arrived at the hotel and checked in and went to our room where we unpacked our small case and then making a pot of tea. We had a relaxing hour or so and had another drink while we looked online for somewhere to eat.
we decided to have Indian and picked out the Shalimar Gold which was just a mile and a half away. We set off and a short time later we parked in the restaurant car park and entered the restaurant, the staff were lovely and directed us to our table. Once we had ordered our waiter came over to have a chat and it turned out that he was from Wakefield originally and moved to Derby aged 5. He continued going back to Wakefield during school holidays to see relatives, what a small world, it was lovely to chat with him and reminisce about our fair city and he recommended going into Derby city centre on Saturday.
We had a lovely meal, in fact it was the best Indian meal I have had for a number of years and would definitely recommend them. We left the restaurant after hugging a few of the staff, they were brilliant with us, and made our way back to our hotel. We had a drink or two and watched some TV before lights out.
On Saturday morning we woke up and looked out of our room window and found it foggy and frosty, there had been a hard frost in the night but the room was nice and cosy. After a pot of tea in bed we got washed and dressed and then got our things together and went downstairs to check out and defrost the car. We headed towards Derby city centre and parked up in the intu Derby shopping mall.
We made our way down to the shopping levels and headed for the Costa Coffee shop for coffee and some breakfast before we did anything else. After breakfast we headed out of the mall to explore the city centre, Karen went into a store across from the mall before we moved towards the city centre. It is split into four quarters and we ended up exploring them all and saw some nice independent shops and some lovely old buildings. The Derby Cathedral choir had split into small groups and were scattered across the city entertaining shoppers and visitors. We picked up one or two small things on our travels before we got back to the mall.
We entered the mall and found that they had a market at the end we were and also the Derby theatre could be accessed from the mall. We wandered around the market and found a secondhand book stall and came away with seven books. We left the market and headed into the main mall and went in a few shops before deciding that we needed lunch. We headed back to the Costa coffee shop for coffee and lunch, Karen went to get the food while I got our seats. A young lady asked if the table next to us was free for herself and two friends, I said it was as long as she didn't mind a couple of oldies, she laughed and her friends went to get food and drink and we chatted. She was a lovely lady and we had a good chat before Karen got back with food and drink and then she chatted to Karen. When her friends got vack with food and drink we all chatted for a bit before we got on with our food.
After our lunch stop we continued wandering around the mall which turned out bigger than I first thought, Karen picked up a nice dress and blouse both reduced in the Black Friday sale. We wandered up and down the top level before going back down to the ground level and once we were done we decided to go back to the car and make our way home. We left Derby at 3pm and got back home by 4.40pm.
We felt tired but had had a really nice weekend and will definitely go back to Derby again.
These are the books bought over the two days in Nottingham and Derby.
Sweet Danger by Margery Allingham, HB.
Blood of the Mantis by Adrian Tchaikovsky, PB
Death at Gallows Green by Robin Paige, PB.
Death at Daisy's Folly by Robin Paige, PB.
Death at Dartmoor by Robin Paige, PB.
Death at Glamis Castle by Robin Paige, PB.
Death in Hyde Park by Robin Paige, PB.
Death on the Lizard by Robin Paige, PB.
Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson, PB.
Time and Chance by Sharon Penman, PB.
Bradman and the Summer that changed Cricket by Christopher Hilton, HB.
120johnsimpson
Today we have been quite busy getting a few jobs done. We awoke with the alarm and I went and made us a pot of tea to have in bed. We got up about an hour later and got washed and dressed before going downstairs to set some washing going and then get our meds and vitamins out before having some breakfast.
Once breakfast was done with we emptied the washer before setting the second load going, I put the towels in the tumble dryer before we went upstairs to get the Christmas decoration boxes and the tree bag out of the loft. We had to get all the gift bags out of the little bedroom before we could do this and then there was room for the boxes. After getting the boxes down we had a pot of tea and then the washer was emptied of the second load. Some of the washing was put on the airer and the next lot of towels were put in the tumble dryer.
We had another pot of tea before clearing the oak room furniture of ornaments, magazines, pens etc so that we could oil it all. Karen helped me out to oil the furniture and once it was all oiled we had a pot of tea before we could polish the furniture. Karen moved Hannah's DVD's upstairs into her room and we moved our DVD's into the space vacated by Hannah's under the TV in the drawer of the TV unit. Once this was done I moved the CD's up a shelf and put in the CD's that had previously not been put in alphabetically order, this took me about 45 minutes. I moved some of my book note things into the little bedroom with the two big book cases. The living room looked tidier after this and then Karen put Hannah's advent socks and gloves string along the top of the fireplace, the three socks or gloves that Hannah will have are the 4th, 11th and 18th of December.
When all of this was done we had a pot of tea before peeling the vegetables for our late Sunday lunch, after we had eaten we had a pot of tea before having some sweet treats and then watching Strictly, the Results show. We have had a busy but enjoyable day and are relaxing now.
Once breakfast was done with we emptied the washer before setting the second load going, I put the towels in the tumble dryer before we went upstairs to get the Christmas decoration boxes and the tree bag out of the loft. We had to get all the gift bags out of the little bedroom before we could do this and then there was room for the boxes. After getting the boxes down we had a pot of tea and then the washer was emptied of the second load. Some of the washing was put on the airer and the next lot of towels were put in the tumble dryer.
We had another pot of tea before clearing the oak room furniture of ornaments, magazines, pens etc so that we could oil it all. Karen helped me out to oil the furniture and once it was all oiled we had a pot of tea before we could polish the furniture. Karen moved Hannah's DVD's upstairs into her room and we moved our DVD's into the space vacated by Hannah's under the TV in the drawer of the TV unit. Once this was done I moved the CD's up a shelf and put in the CD's that had previously not been put in alphabetically order, this took me about 45 minutes. I moved some of my book note things into the little bedroom with the two big book cases. The living room looked tidier after this and then Karen put Hannah's advent socks and gloves string along the top of the fireplace, the three socks or gloves that Hannah will have are the 4th, 11th and 18th of December.
When all of this was done we had a pot of tea before peeling the vegetables for our late Sunday lunch, after we had eaten we had a pot of tea before having some sweet treats and then watching Strictly, the Results show. We have had a busy but enjoyable day and are relaxing now.
121johnsimpson
Latest reading stats:
Books on shelves at 1-11-2019 - 2531
Books added in November - 30
Books read in November - 7
Revised book total - 2554
Pages to read at 1-11-2019 - 1,063,900
Pages added in November - 11,082
Pages read in November - 2,496
Revised total pages to read - 1,072,486
Books on shelves at 1-11-2019 - 2531
Books added in November - 30
Books read in November - 7
Revised book total - 2554
Pages to read at 1-11-2019 - 1,063,900
Pages added in November - 11,082
Pages read in November - 2,496
Revised total pages to read - 1,072,486
122johnsimpson
NOVEMBER'S READING STATS
Books Read...................... 7
No of Authors.................... 6
New Authors...................... 1
Male Authors..................... 3
Female Authors.................. 3
Pages Read....................... 2,496
Daily Avg........................... 83.20
Book Length avg................. 356.57
Books Read...................... 7
No of Authors.................... 6
New Authors...................... 1
Male Authors..................... 3
Female Authors.................. 3
Pages Read....................... 2,496
Daily Avg........................... 83.20
Book Length avg................. 356.57
123quondame
>116 johnsimpson: The Advent calendar arrived in the Saturday mail - it's the "I'd rather stay at Hogwarts" one this year since the Lego ones didn't look to promising. So far a deck of cards has been revealed.
It sounds like you had a lovely weekend and good shopping.
It sounds like you had a lovely weekend and good shopping.
124johnsimpson
>122 johnsimpson:, I am glad the calendar has arrived my dear and we had a lovely time in Nottingham and Derby.
125thornton37814
>119 johnsimpson: Sounds like your trip to Nottingham and Derby was excellent. They offered Advent calendars for your cats and dogs at Trader Joe's but all the stores I visited were out. In cities with more than one store, they generally knew the other store was out too.
126Familyhistorian
It sounds like you had a wonderful outing in Nottingham, John. I'm glad that you had a good time in spite of your recent problems with your back and knee. Good luck with reaching your goal of 90 for the year!
127figsfromthistle
Looks like you had a great time in Nottingham! Books, food, shopping, and entertainment- sounds like a perfect weekend :)
128johnsimpson
Finished book 83 on Tuesday, Persuader by Lee Child, this is the seventh in the Jack Reacher Series.
NEVER FORGIVE, NEVER FORGET.
Jack Reacher lives for the moment. Without a home. Without commitment. But he has a burning desire to right wrongs - and rewrite his own agonizing past.
NEVER APOLOGIZE, NEVER EXPLAIN.
When Reacher witnesses a brutal kidnap attempt, he takes the law into his own hands. But a cop dies. Has Reacher lost his sense of right and wrong?
Another great Reacher book, onto another soon.
129johnsimpson
Finished book 84 on Saturday afternoon, The School at the Top of the Dale by Gervase Phinn. This is the first in a new series although some characters from his lasts series do crop up now and again.
Newly qualified teacher Tom Dwyer has been given his first post in Risingdale, a sleepy little village at the very top of the Yorkshire Dales. Unsure if he'll ever fit into this close knit community, Tom joins a motley staff at the village school. With pupils who know more about sheep than they do arithmetic, Tom has his work cut out for him.
Tom's first term proves a baptism of fire, but he soon finds himself growing fond of Risingdale, and with a class of lively and demanding pupils, an-end-of-term show to put on and a jewellery thief at large, he will find himself at the centre of drama, secrets revealed and plenty of love, laughter and new friendships.
Another enjoyable book from Mr Phinn and I look forward to book two in the series.
130johnsimpson
We have had a busy but enjoyable weekend, just what is needed in the run up to Christmas. I took Karen to work on Saturday morning and once back home had a couple of little jobs to do that Karen had left for me and then I had a few pots of tea and finished my book off. Later I collected Karen from work and we had a pot of tea before we both got changed for the evening.
While I went to pick up our friends Linda and Geoff, Karen got the food out for the evening, some to be re-heated and the rest to be eaten cold. The meal was an Indian theme and all three courses went down well, we had a few drinks and once the meal was finished retired to the living room we chatted away, catching up with things and generally having a nice relaxing evening with good friends.
I awoke with the alarm on Sunday morning and went and made us a pot of tea before we got up, washed and dressed. We came downstairs and I got our meds and vitamins out and made us a pot of coffee while Karen sorted out the Crumpets. We had breakfast and then Karen made a few sandwiches and added a few snacks to the food bag and made a flask of coffee and put some juice cartons in for Hannah. We set off to pick Hannah up and then made our way to the Joseph Rowntree Theatre in York to see this years Pantomime, Sinbad, written by Howard Ella and Andy Welch.#
We arrived just after 1pm and the doors did not open until 1.30pm but we had to set off at a reasonable time as traffic can be bad in York at this time of year. We had a bite to eat before making our way to the Theatre entrance, we showed our tickets and found out seats. Karen bought Hannah a sparkly tiara and a wand and we settled down waiting for the show to start at 2pm. This year Andy was The Old Man of the Sea and Amy was in the Purple dance team.
The Pantomime got off to a good start and then the fun began, as part of the story the Dame, Tilly Tinbad is widowed and she came off the stage looking for a suitable husband in the audience. Little did I know, I had been set up, there was only one other gent in the front row and they had surreptitiously spotted where I was sat so that Graham (playing the Dame) could get to me. The Dame approached me and said I looked a fine fellow, just what she was looking for and we had a bit of banter. The Dame's son had lost her parrot and everytime it showed up, the kids had to shout out, Who's a pretty boy then. During the show the parrot appeared, the kids failed to shout out and the Dame then said, John show them what to do, and I had to shout out, who's a pretty boy then. Also during the panto something would be said and the Dame would then say a comment that included my name and she looked at me, one or two of them were the double entendre type which went over the kids heads.
It was a fantastic show, probably the best for the last two or three years and as we left the Theatre, the cast were outside so that the kids could meet them and have a photo with their favourite. I had a photo with the Dame and had a chat and then spoke to Andy who said I had been set up. We spoke to Howard the other co-writer and he said that in rehearsals they always refer to the audience fall guy as John as it is an easy name to remember and so I was just right, also on the Saturday evening show the man selected was also called John so two out of three performances were easy for Graham (the Dame) to remember.
We left York and headed for Andy's mum's to drop off her Christmas cake but we didn't stop long with having to get Hannah home. We dropped Hannah at home and then made our weary way home and got back just before 7pm.
A lovely but tiring weekend but wouldn't have missed anything.
While I went to pick up our friends Linda and Geoff, Karen got the food out for the evening, some to be re-heated and the rest to be eaten cold. The meal was an Indian theme and all three courses went down well, we had a few drinks and once the meal was finished retired to the living room we chatted away, catching up with things and generally having a nice relaxing evening with good friends.
I awoke with the alarm on Sunday morning and went and made us a pot of tea before we got up, washed and dressed. We came downstairs and I got our meds and vitamins out and made us a pot of coffee while Karen sorted out the Crumpets. We had breakfast and then Karen made a few sandwiches and added a few snacks to the food bag and made a flask of coffee and put some juice cartons in for Hannah. We set off to pick Hannah up and then made our way to the Joseph Rowntree Theatre in York to see this years Pantomime, Sinbad, written by Howard Ella and Andy Welch.#
We arrived just after 1pm and the doors did not open until 1.30pm but we had to set off at a reasonable time as traffic can be bad in York at this time of year. We had a bite to eat before making our way to the Theatre entrance, we showed our tickets and found out seats. Karen bought Hannah a sparkly tiara and a wand and we settled down waiting for the show to start at 2pm. This year Andy was The Old Man of the Sea and Amy was in the Purple dance team.
The Pantomime got off to a good start and then the fun began, as part of the story the Dame, Tilly Tinbad is widowed and she came off the stage looking for a suitable husband in the audience. Little did I know, I had been set up, there was only one other gent in the front row and they had surreptitiously spotted where I was sat so that Graham (playing the Dame) could get to me. The Dame approached me and said I looked a fine fellow, just what she was looking for and we had a bit of banter. The Dame's son had lost her parrot and everytime it showed up, the kids had to shout out, Who's a pretty boy then. During the show the parrot appeared, the kids failed to shout out and the Dame then said, John show them what to do, and I had to shout out, who's a pretty boy then. Also during the panto something would be said and the Dame would then say a comment that included my name and she looked at me, one or two of them were the double entendre type which went over the kids heads.
It was a fantastic show, probably the best for the last two or three years and as we left the Theatre, the cast were outside so that the kids could meet them and have a photo with their favourite. I had a photo with the Dame and had a chat and then spoke to Andy who said I had been set up. We spoke to Howard the other co-writer and he said that in rehearsals they always refer to the audience fall guy as John as it is an easy name to remember and so I was just right, also on the Saturday evening show the man selected was also called John so two out of three performances were easy for Graham (the Dame) to remember.
We left York and headed for Andy's mum's to drop off her Christmas cake but we didn't stop long with having to get Hannah home. We dropped Hannah at home and then made our weary way home and got back just before 7pm.
A lovely but tiring weekend but wouldn't have missed anything.
131thornton37814
>129 johnsimpson: I'll add that one to my Book Depository wish list. It sounds like a winner.
>130 johnsimpson: Glad you enjoyed the show.
>130 johnsimpson: Glad you enjoyed the show.
132jnwelch
Oh, the Pantomime sounds like so much fun, John! Good for you for going along with being set up.
As you know, I love that Jack Reacher series. I'm all caught up, but it's getting to be time to re-read some of my favorites.
As you know, I love that Jack Reacher series. I'm all caught up, but it's getting to be time to re-read some of my favorites.
133benitastrnad
You guys over there across the pond have an important day coming up tomorrow. (at least it is tomorrow from this side of the pond.) I hope for a record breaking turnout so that some of the issues can be resolved. There was a nice story on NPR (National Public Radio) yesterday about how pro-labor the north part of England was, and how that can't be counted on. Interesting for me was the part that many people gave to Margaret Thatcher to making northern England into what it is now, and how that may not be so true today. Tomorrow. As the great American heroine Scarlet O'Hara said - tomorrow is another day. The aftermath of tomorrow will be important to the whole world.
134karenmarie
Hi John!
Things seem to be perking along for you over there. Reacher is always good. I'm all caught up on the series, might consider re-reading them in 2021 since next year I'm seriously toying with the idea of reading Jane Austen's works.
Sending love and hugs to you and Karen.
Things seem to be perking along for you over there. Reacher is always good. I'm all caught up on the series, might consider re-reading them in 2021 since next year I'm seriously toying with the idea of reading Jane Austen's works.
Sending love and hugs to you and Karen.
135Matke
Just stopping by to say hi, John, and to commiserate with you on the election. I think the world has gone mad.
Also to say that you and Karen have raised a wonderfully compassionate son. Blessings on him for helping the poor cat.
Love to you both.
Also to say that you and Karen have raised a wonderfully compassionate son. Blessings on him for helping the poor cat.
Love to you both.
136johnsimpson
>133 benitastrnad:, Hi Benita, Thursday was a sad day for the Labour party but it has been coming for a long time and the Brexit issue was always going to be a problem for them as they were so confused on what they wanted to do. Margaret Thatcher decimated the North of England and she was vilified for many years, even after she passed away but the direction the Labour party was going and their part in holding up Brexit turned traditional Labour voters into Tory voters. It is going to be a long while before Labour are trusted and Boris has now got to deliver for folk of the North, previously they have never really bothered with us as they knew they hadn't really got a chance.
137johnsimpson
>134 karenmarie:, Hi Karen, things are pretty good at the moment my dear and I always enjoy Reacher, sending love and hugs to you Bill and Jenna.
138Familyhistorian
It sounds like you had a wonderful time at the pantomime, John. I hope you had fun being part of the action. Good luck with your reading numbers.
139johnsimpson
>135 Matke:, Hi Gail, the election was a shock, more on the size of the Tory majority but the Labour party has had so much in fighting and has not dealt with issues such as Anti-Semitism and being too far to the left and Momentum seemingly deciding upon candidates.
Sadly the coverage of the election overseas is not how it is in reality, in my constituency we had eight candidates, Labour, Tory, Lib Dem, Green, Brexit, Yorkshire party, and two independents. Of these we received a missive from Labour, two generic leaflets from Nigel Farage and the day before the vote one from the Tories. Only the Labour and two independent candidates were from the constituency with the Tory candidate living in London, no candidate or party worker knocked on my door, I was not surprised as no one has knocked on our door since 1997.
Boris has his work cut out now to show that he wants the North to flourish seeing as they voted for him, if it appears that he is not bothered about the North he will soon know about it. I voted to remain but I accepted the vote, maybe things will get better and once we are officially out but with things to tie up then maybe the problems in this country will be back on the agenda and they can sort them out as promised, I will reserve judgement on this.
We have only had a few years to work on our lovely Son-in-Law, Amy has always loved cats and since they got Combie, Andy has been in love with him and cats in general so it did not surprise me that they stopped to help the poor little thing out.
Sending love and hugs to you my dear.
Sadly the coverage of the election overseas is not how it is in reality, in my constituency we had eight candidates, Labour, Tory, Lib Dem, Green, Brexit, Yorkshire party, and two independents. Of these we received a missive from Labour, two generic leaflets from Nigel Farage and the day before the vote one from the Tories. Only the Labour and two independent candidates were from the constituency with the Tory candidate living in London, no candidate or party worker knocked on my door, I was not surprised as no one has knocked on our door since 1997.
Boris has his work cut out now to show that he wants the North to flourish seeing as they voted for him, if it appears that he is not bothered about the North he will soon know about it. I voted to remain but I accepted the vote, maybe things will get better and once we are officially out but with things to tie up then maybe the problems in this country will be back on the agenda and they can sort them out as promised, I will reserve judgement on this.
We have only had a few years to work on our lovely Son-in-Law, Amy has always loved cats and since they got Combie, Andy has been in love with him and cats in general so it did not surprise me that they stopped to help the poor little thing out.
Sending love and hugs to you my dear.
140johnsimpson
The last week has been pretty good for both of us, we have got more jobs finished for Christmas and most of the food has been bought and the same with all the presents.
On Thursday we went to York, after a quick coffee stop we split up so that I could get the small presents for Karen's stocking. We met up again for lunch but before we could go to the coffee shop I spotted a bank card lying on the cobbled street, I picked it up and motioned to Karen that we needed to go to the bank nearby which was the same as the card to hand it in. Once the card was handed in we went and had lunch before splitting up again.
The York Christmas market is a good one and I had a good look around it but the weather had changed for the worse with heavy rain coming down. I managed to get something before I had had enough and contacted Karen to see where she was, we met up and Karen agreed that she was done so we made our way back to the car and headed for home.
I dropped Karen at work on Friday and then made my way to the Elland Road park and ride on the outskirts of Leeds so that I could go Christmas shopping on my own. I parked up and made my way to the bus stop and a short while later was on my way into Leeds city centre. I had a good wander around and soon picked up an nice item for Karen, I continued wandering and picked up a second item as well as something for me. By this time I was feeling a little thirsty and so found Costa coffee and had a short break.
Once my thirst was quenched I wandered about a bit more but the weather had turned from cold and dry to cold and very wet so I made my way back to the P&R stop and waited for a bus back to the park & Ride. After a short wait the bus arrived and ten minutes later I was back in the car and ready to make my way home.
The weekend has been nice and steady and apart from Karen's presents everything is wrapped and labelled and ready to be put under the tree.
On Thursday we went to York, after a quick coffee stop we split up so that I could get the small presents for Karen's stocking. We met up again for lunch but before we could go to the coffee shop I spotted a bank card lying on the cobbled street, I picked it up and motioned to Karen that we needed to go to the bank nearby which was the same as the card to hand it in. Once the card was handed in we went and had lunch before splitting up again.
The York Christmas market is a good one and I had a good look around it but the weather had changed for the worse with heavy rain coming down. I managed to get something before I had had enough and contacted Karen to see where she was, we met up and Karen agreed that she was done so we made our way back to the car and headed for home.
I dropped Karen at work on Friday and then made my way to the Elland Road park and ride on the outskirts of Leeds so that I could go Christmas shopping on my own. I parked up and made my way to the bus stop and a short while later was on my way into Leeds city centre. I had a good wander around and soon picked up an nice item for Karen, I continued wandering and picked up a second item as well as something for me. By this time I was feeling a little thirsty and so found Costa coffee and had a short break.
Once my thirst was quenched I wandered about a bit more but the weather had turned from cold and dry to cold and very wet so I made my way back to the P&R stop and waited for a bus back to the park & Ride. After a short wait the bus arrived and ten minutes later I was back in the car and ready to make my way home.
The weekend has been nice and steady and apart from Karen's presents everything is wrapped and labelled and ready to be put under the tree.
141thornton37814
>140 johnsimpson: Sounds like you've had a good few days. Sad that the York Christmas market had such unpleasant weather.
142johnsimpson
>141 thornton37814:, Hi Lori my dear, sadly most of the Christmas markets outdoors up and down the country have had to put up with the horrible weather we have been having and it doesn't look as though there are going to be many dry days this week.
143thornton37814
>142 johnsimpson: I think it's supposed to be rainy the day I plan to drive to Mississippi. I can only hope the weather improves once I arrive.
145johnsimpson
Finished book 85 late last night, A Vintage Wedding by Katie Fforde. This is another enjoyable read from this author and I have a few more by her to read.
In a small Cotswold country town, Beth, Lindy and Rachel are looking for new beginnings. So they set up in business, organising stylish and perfectly affordable vintage weddings.
Soon they are busy arranging other people's Big Days. What none of them know is that their own romances lie waiting, just around the corner...
146johnsimpson
It has been a good day for getting a few things done. We got up with the alarm and got washed and dressed before coming downstairs to make a pot of tea and get our meds and vitamins out and Karen got the breakfast ready. We both had our meds and a pot of tea before I took Karen to the doctors for her nurse appointment. Karen wasn't in long and came out with a prescription for some cream and if it hasn't worked within a week she has to make an appointment to see the doctor.
Once home we both had our breakfast before I went outside to put some air in my tyres, when this was done I picked up the Christmas cards and set off to deliver them and get some fuel while leaving Karen alone to wrap my presents in peace.
I delivered the cards and got some fuel and then went to the DIY store to have a look at guttering before I made my way home. Once home I made us a pot of tea while Karen finished off and then we watched the news programme before having another pot of tea.
I took Karen to work and then popped into store to pick up some flowers for mum and dad's grave. Once I had the flowers I made my way towards Sharlston and dropped some cards off on the way. I got to the cemetary and made my way along the paths to the graveside and cleaned the headstone up and put the flowers in the holder and had a few words with them before continuing on my way dropping cards off.
My final drop was an old friend of my parents and me and I had a nice chat with May, she is a little unsteady on her feet so I made the pot of tea and then we had a good chat, catching up with things since I last saw her. May gave me the Parker pen to go with the set her late partner Laurie gave me a few years ago and sorted out some of her old pens and propelling pencils. When I see her in the new year I need to take some Parker ink cartridges for a pen we looked at and she has promised me a couple of old propelling pencils as she knows my interest in them along with Fountain pens. After about 90 minutes I said my goodbyes and wished her a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and took some Christmas cards to post for her.
Once home I made a pot of tea and sorted a couple of things out and then checked my phone and then read for a short while before having another pot of tea. I watched the evening news before putting a Pizza in the oven for my tea and since then I have had a nice steady evening.
Once home we both had our breakfast before I went outside to put some air in my tyres, when this was done I picked up the Christmas cards and set off to deliver them and get some fuel while leaving Karen alone to wrap my presents in peace.
I delivered the cards and got some fuel and then went to the DIY store to have a look at guttering before I made my way home. Once home I made us a pot of tea while Karen finished off and then we watched the news programme before having another pot of tea.
I took Karen to work and then popped into store to pick up some flowers for mum and dad's grave. Once I had the flowers I made my way towards Sharlston and dropped some cards off on the way. I got to the cemetary and made my way along the paths to the graveside and cleaned the headstone up and put the flowers in the holder and had a few words with them before continuing on my way dropping cards off.
My final drop was an old friend of my parents and me and I had a nice chat with May, she is a little unsteady on her feet so I made the pot of tea and then we had a good chat, catching up with things since I last saw her. May gave me the Parker pen to go with the set her late partner Laurie gave me a few years ago and sorted out some of her old pens and propelling pencils. When I see her in the new year I need to take some Parker ink cartridges for a pen we looked at and she has promised me a couple of old propelling pencils as she knows my interest in them along with Fountain pens. After about 90 minutes I said my goodbyes and wished her a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and took some Christmas cards to post for her.
Once home I made a pot of tea and sorted a couple of things out and then checked my phone and then read for a short while before having another pot of tea. I watched the evening news before putting a Pizza in the oven for my tea and since then I have had a nice steady evening.
147johnsimpson
A steady-ish day for me although I did have to sort something out this morning that potentially could have been costly to us.
Yesterday Karen got a text message saying that her O2 bill could not be processed, she sent me the link to have a look and try and sort it out, I tried the link but it would not let me there. We spoke last night and the only other thing I could think of was that we were seriously overdrawn and I was wondering how that could have happened as I know we haven't spent that much over the last week or so.
This morning Karen woke with the alarm and wanted a pot of tea which I duly went and made for us, once we had finished our tea we got up, washed and dressed before I stripped the spare bed. Karen set the washing going while I got our meds and vitamins out and then I made us a pot of tea while Karen sorted out breakfast.
As soon as I had finished my breakfast and drink I set off into Wakefield to visit the bank and see what had gone on with Karen's phone bill. The account was ok, a little overdrawn which I expected and so I spoke to one of the bank staff and she looked at our accounts. No payment had been refused and she suspected it might have been a scam, I went to the O2 shop and had a word with them and showed them the text message and they confirmed it was a scam. I told them that Karen had got into the link but came out when bank details were asked for but she had used her password, they told me that she needed to contact customer services to change her password. I rang Karen so she could get on with this while I was making my way back home.
Once home we had a coffee and Karen told me that she had changed her password, she spoke to a nice chap at O2 who said that these scammers are getting more sophisticated and was glad that Karen was a bit too wise to be caught out.
A short time later I took Karen to work and then made my way home, once home I made a pot of tea and picked up my book. For the next couple of hours I had a few more pots of tea and read my book before getting on with the upstairs housework. Once the housework was done I made myself a late lunch and a pot of tea before continuing reading. I had pots of tea and read until the news came on and then while the local news was on I put some food in the oven to cook for my tea.
After I had eaten I made a pot of tea and picked up my book again and then I decided to fire up the laptop and come on here.
Yesterday Karen got a text message saying that her O2 bill could not be processed, she sent me the link to have a look and try and sort it out, I tried the link but it would not let me there. We spoke last night and the only other thing I could think of was that we were seriously overdrawn and I was wondering how that could have happened as I know we haven't spent that much over the last week or so.
This morning Karen woke with the alarm and wanted a pot of tea which I duly went and made for us, once we had finished our tea we got up, washed and dressed before I stripped the spare bed. Karen set the washing going while I got our meds and vitamins out and then I made us a pot of tea while Karen sorted out breakfast.
As soon as I had finished my breakfast and drink I set off into Wakefield to visit the bank and see what had gone on with Karen's phone bill. The account was ok, a little overdrawn which I expected and so I spoke to one of the bank staff and she looked at our accounts. No payment had been refused and she suspected it might have been a scam, I went to the O2 shop and had a word with them and showed them the text message and they confirmed it was a scam. I told them that Karen had got into the link but came out when bank details were asked for but she had used her password, they told me that she needed to contact customer services to change her password. I rang Karen so she could get on with this while I was making my way back home.
Once home we had a coffee and Karen told me that she had changed her password, she spoke to a nice chap at O2 who said that these scammers are getting more sophisticated and was glad that Karen was a bit too wise to be caught out.
A short time later I took Karen to work and then made my way home, once home I made a pot of tea and picked up my book. For the next couple of hours I had a few more pots of tea and read my book before getting on with the upstairs housework. Once the housework was done I made myself a late lunch and a pot of tea before continuing reading. I had pots of tea and read until the news came on and then while the local news was on I put some food in the oven to cook for my tea.
After I had eaten I made a pot of tea and picked up my book again and then I decided to fire up the laptop and come on here.
148Berly
John--Glad you didn't fall for the scam and got to the bottom of it. I see you are on book #85--still pushing for 90? I think I will hit mid 80s, not the 100 I wanted, but RL got in the way this year. Happy to have made 75. : )
149johnsimpson
>148 Berly:, Hi Kim my dear, it was a really good looking scam but Karen was aware once they asked for bank details and then I checked things out and reported it. I am still hopeful of getting to 90 and like you I wanted 100 but like you things got in the way.
I am over the moon with Karen's reading, think she will hit 65 and this with not much reading time, if she had the time I have she would easily hit 150. It has been good to track her reading and she has enjoyed seeing how she does read at the present time.
Sending love and hugs dear friend.
I am over the moon with Karen's reading, think she will hit 65 and this with not much reading time, if she had the time I have she would easily hit 150. It has been good to track her reading and she has enjoyed seeing how she does read at the present time.
Sending love and hugs dear friend.
150johnsimpson
Finished book 86 yesterday morning Date with Poison by Julia Chapman, this is the fourth in The Dales Detective Series.
Spring is in the air in Bruncliffe but not everyone is filled with the joys of the season.
Samson O'Brien of the Dales Detective Agency is being questioned by the police about a murder, with the truth about his policing past about to be brutally exposed. And with Bruncliffe turning on Samson, his business partner Delilah Metcalfe finds herself in the impossible position of defending him to her friends and family.
Then Delilah's nephew, accused of being under Samson's influence, runs away from home and a frantic search begins. And with attention turning to Nathan, only a local vet is paying attention to a worrying spate of canine poisonings happening throughout the village.
Bruncliffe is turning toxic and with suspicion raining down on him, Samson knows he has to ask Delilah for help. Can she forgive his transgressions and help him so that they can find Nathan and the poisoner, or has the poison already spread too far?
Things in the village are starting to get more and more sinister, Rick Procter the golden boy and property magnate is becoming more and more evil but no one has yet started to see this.
I really love this series and could not put this fourth one down, looking forward to book five which should be out soon and the author has started book six. Bruncliffe is loosely based upon the Dales town of Settle although the author denies this.
151Familyhistorian
It's worrisome that scammers are getting more sophisticated. Good thing that Karen figured out that something wasn't right. Is all your shopping done now, John?
152witchyrichy
I am not going to try to get caught up. Thanks for stopping by my thread, my friend.
My excuse for being away is the new hip I had installed last week. Life had gotten too hard and I am already feeling so much better. Ready to get into the garden this spring. Meanwhile, time to read and say hello to LT friends.
Hope all is well.
My excuse for being away is the new hip I had installed last week. Life had gotten too hard and I am already feeling so much better. Ready to get into the garden this spring. Meanwhile, time to read and say hello to LT friends.
Hope all is well.
153johnsimpson
>151 Familyhistorian:, Hi Meg my dear, scammers are getting more sophisticated by the day, at least everything is sorted now. All the shopping is done apart from the fresh veg and a few bits that are being done in the morning. I went down to the Meadowhall shopping centre this morning to get the last few gifts for Karen and once home I wrapped and labelled everything up and now all the presents just need putting under the tree.
154johnsimpson
>152 witchyrichy:, Hi Karen my dear, hope your hip is not paining you and you are able to get around with your cane and walker, you will be ready for the garden in the spring. We are fine my dear and send love and hugs dear friend.
155richardderus
Soviet Santa says "Happy Yule!" Solstice Greetings to all. Read more here: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/soviet-santa
156johnsimpson
Finished book 87 this afternoon, Chocolate Wishes by Trisha Ashley, this is the fourth in the Lancashire Series.
LIFE IS SWEET FOR CHOCOLATE MAKER CHLOE LYON.
In the picture-perfect Lancashire village of Sticklepond, confectioner Chloe dispenses inspirational sweet treats containing a prediction for each customer. If only her own life was as easy to forecast - perhaps Chloe could have foreseen being jilted at the alter...
But when a new Vicar arrives in the village, the rumour mill goes into overdrive. Not only is Raffy Sinclair the charismatic ex-front man of rock band 'Mortal Ruin', he's also Chloe's first love and the man who broke her heart.
Try as she might, Chloe can't ignore this blast from her past. Could now be the time for her to make a wish - and dare to believe it can come true?
A nice light read in this series and just what is needed at this busy time of year, two left in the series but they may not get read in 2020 with my reading plans for next year.
157johnsimpson
It has not been a bad weekend for us, yesterday after dropping Karen at work I made my way down to Sheffield and the Meadowhall shopping centre to finish off my gift shopping for Karen. I was pleasantly surprised to find that on leaving the motorway I sailed right through to the centres parking, I had expected some sort of a queue with it being the last Saturday before Christmas.
Once parked up I made my way into the shopping centre and made my way to the bank to get some money out and then start gift hunting. First stop was Next to get a £20 gift voucher for Rob to add to his presents and then I went to WH Smiths to pick up my Yorkshire Post and this months edition of The Cricketer magazine. Once this was done I went to get Karen's gifts and these were from Superdrug, Marks and Spencer and House of Fraser and then I was done. I made my way back to the car and headed for home.
I was home by 11.40am which I was pleased about and after making a pot of tea I messaged Gail to say I was in until 4.30pm and then after 5.30pm if this was suitable for her to come and pick up her Christmas cake. After messaging Gail I settled down with my book and another couple of pots later I decided to wrap all Karen's presents. The wrapping and fancying up the presentation took me about two hours broken up with a couple of pots of tea. After putting the presents away I settled down with my book and listening to Final Score for football score updates. Gail arrived at 3.45pm on her way back from visiting her terminally ill sister, she was pleased to get her cake and I told her that one way or another I would have got the cake to her.
When Gail had gone I made a pot of tea and continued as before until it was time to make a pot of tea for Karen when I picked her up from work. I picked Karen up and once home we had another pot of tea before Karen got out of her work gear and then we had something to eat before watching TV.
I watched Liverpool v Flamengo in the Club World cup, it was a good game, tight and it went to extra time where Liverpool scored the winning goal. We watched a bit more TV before putting Radio Two on and enjoying some good music that brought memories back of going to Tiffany's Night club when we were young, we had not met at this point.
This morning we had a pot of tea in bed before getting up, washed and dressed and then coming downstairs to get our meds and vitamins out while Karen set a load of washing going. We had our meds and vitamins before setting off to the Aldi at Featherstone for when the store opened to get our fresh vegetables and other bits. Karen went in and got all the shopping and when she reached the checkout she rang me to help her pack it all.
Once the shopping was in the car she went next door to the Home Bargains store to pick up a couple of bits and then we made our way home. Once home we unpacked and put the shopping away and then while I made us a pot of tea Karen put the washing on the airers.
When Karen had finished with the washing she made us some crumpets and muffins for brunch before cooking the Gammon from a recipe she had found, by the time it was cooked it looked and tasted delicious. We had a pot of tea before cooking our late lunch. Apart from preparing the veg for Christmas day and cooking the Pork and Turkey Crown, everything is all about done. I have to pick the Pork pies up in the morning and then a couple of bits after dropping Hannah with Karen and then when Hannah has gone home and Karen is at work I will do the last of the cleaning and put Karen's presents under the tree and I have done. On Tuesday we will be busy until Karen goes to work and then I will have some tasks to do as Karen may not leave work until 10pm.
Once parked up I made my way into the shopping centre and made my way to the bank to get some money out and then start gift hunting. First stop was Next to get a £20 gift voucher for Rob to add to his presents and then I went to WH Smiths to pick up my Yorkshire Post and this months edition of The Cricketer magazine. Once this was done I went to get Karen's gifts and these were from Superdrug, Marks and Spencer and House of Fraser and then I was done. I made my way back to the car and headed for home.
I was home by 11.40am which I was pleased about and after making a pot of tea I messaged Gail to say I was in until 4.30pm and then after 5.30pm if this was suitable for her to come and pick up her Christmas cake. After messaging Gail I settled down with my book and another couple of pots later I decided to wrap all Karen's presents. The wrapping and fancying up the presentation took me about two hours broken up with a couple of pots of tea. After putting the presents away I settled down with my book and listening to Final Score for football score updates. Gail arrived at 3.45pm on her way back from visiting her terminally ill sister, she was pleased to get her cake and I told her that one way or another I would have got the cake to her.
When Gail had gone I made a pot of tea and continued as before until it was time to make a pot of tea for Karen when I picked her up from work. I picked Karen up and once home we had another pot of tea before Karen got out of her work gear and then we had something to eat before watching TV.
I watched Liverpool v Flamengo in the Club World cup, it was a good game, tight and it went to extra time where Liverpool scored the winning goal. We watched a bit more TV before putting Radio Two on and enjoying some good music that brought memories back of going to Tiffany's Night club when we were young, we had not met at this point.
This morning we had a pot of tea in bed before getting up, washed and dressed and then coming downstairs to get our meds and vitamins out while Karen set a load of washing going. We had our meds and vitamins before setting off to the Aldi at Featherstone for when the store opened to get our fresh vegetables and other bits. Karen went in and got all the shopping and when she reached the checkout she rang me to help her pack it all.
Once the shopping was in the car she went next door to the Home Bargains store to pick up a couple of bits and then we made our way home. Once home we unpacked and put the shopping away and then while I made us a pot of tea Karen put the washing on the airers.
When Karen had finished with the washing she made us some crumpets and muffins for brunch before cooking the Gammon from a recipe she had found, by the time it was cooked it looked and tasted delicious. We had a pot of tea before cooking our late lunch. Apart from preparing the veg for Christmas day and cooking the Pork and Turkey Crown, everything is all about done. I have to pick the Pork pies up in the morning and then a couple of bits after dropping Hannah with Karen and then when Hannah has gone home and Karen is at work I will do the last of the cleaning and put Karen's presents under the tree and I have done. On Tuesday we will be busy until Karen goes to work and then I will have some tasks to do as Karen may not leave work until 10pm.
158ChelleBearss
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
161johnsimpson
>158 ChelleBearss:, >159 SandDune:, >160 quondame:, Thank you dear ladies for the Christmas greetings.
162johnsimpson
We have both been busy this past couple of days and now everything is prepped, the Pork is cooked and the Turkey Crown is ready to go into the oven in the morning. After taking Karen to work I gave the house a clean from top to bottom and all the presents are around the tree ready for morning.
Karen managed to get away at 8pm tonight but there is a payback for this, she is doing 2pm until 6pm on New Year's Day but as it is double time she will be in front so not a bad payback for her.
Karen managed to get away at 8pm tonight but there is a payback for this, she is doing 2pm until 6pm on New Year's Day but as it is double time she will be in front so not a bad payback for her.
163witchyrichy
Sending love to you and your family!
164EllaTim
Here's a fitting book to wish you a Very Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and the family, John!
Merry Christmas to you and the family, John!
165Familyhistorian
Karen works awfully late on Christmas Eve, John. Things shut down early here with the shopping mall closing down at 5:00 pm. I had to do some Googling to find out what a turkey crown is. Sounds like you have a feast planned. Have a Happy Christmas!
167karenmarie
Hi John!
Wishing you and Karen the Happiest of Christmases. Sending love and hugs, of course!
Wishing you and Karen the Happiest of Christmases. Sending love and hugs, of course!
169kac522
Happy Christmas, John, and here's wishing you and Karen and your family a healthy and peaceful 2020.
Our kids have left Sheffield for the holiday for the sunnier sights of Milan, where the Italian grandparents have decorated a lemon tree, and they'll have a full Buon Natale eating and playing with cousins.
Our kids have left Sheffield for the holiday for the sunnier sights of Milan, where the Italian grandparents have decorated a lemon tree, and they'll have a full Buon Natale eating and playing with cousins.
170rolandperkins
Iʻm on a borrowed computer here today, home address has been a
nursing home since October; so i probably wontʻ be on line again for
some time
Merry ChrisTmas to: Schmerguls
et al!
nursing home since October; so i probably wontʻ be on line again for
some time
Merry ChrisTmas to: Schmerguls
et al!
171PaulCranswick
Thank you for keeping me company in 2019.......onward to 2020.
173johnsimpson
>165 Familyhistorian:, Hi Meg my dear, The store shut at 7pm but as she works on the George Clothing Department they had to make sure all the clothes that will be in the sale starting on the 26th were ticketed with the sale price. Karen managed to do a deal, she finished at 8pm but the payback was that she worked 2pm till 6pm on New Years Day.
175thornton37814
I haven't had much time to visit threads the last week. Glad you got the O2 scam sorted out. Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas. I spent Christmas eve and Christmas day sick and tried to plug through it, but I was completely wiped out by day's end. I went to bed before 9 p.m. I spent most of today resting. I shared about the preceding days unusual events in my own thread.
177johnsimpson
Finished book 88 yesterday evening, The Corpse at the Crystal Palace by Carola Dunn, this is the 23rd in the Daisy Dalrymple Series.
A CASUAL OUTING TO LONDON'S CRYSTAL PALACE TAKES A MYSTERIOUS AND MURDEROUS TURN.....
April 1928: Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher is being visited in London by her young cousins who are desperate to see the Crystal Palace. On discovering that her children's nanny, Gilpin, has also never seen the Palace, Daisy decides to make a day of it with the family. But this ordinary outing starts going wrong when Nanny Gilpin fails to return from the ladies' room. When Daisy goes looking for her, she doesn't find her nanny but instead the dead body of another woman dressed in a nanny's uniform.
Meanwhile, the rest of Daisy's party spot Gilpin chasing after yet another nanny. Intrigued, they trail the two into the park and stumble across Gilpin lying unconscious. When she comes to, she has no recollection of what happened.
Daisy's husband, Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard, soon finds himself embroiled in the murder investigation. Worried about her children's own injured nanny, Daisy is determined to help. But first she has to discover the identity of the third nanny, the presumed murderer, and to do so, Daisy must uncover why Gilpin followed them in the first place...
178jessibud2
Hi John. I just had to tell you the other day when I was at a store, I saw something that reminded me of you, your tea and books. It was a gift pack of tea, and each flavour was in a book-shaped box so that the 8 boxes looked like books on a shelf. It was clever and fun and I'd probably have bought it for myself but it was the last one there and the wrapping was gone so that even picking them up caused the *books* to fall all over the place. But I did get a pic. I can try to upload it later on. You'd have loved it!
Ok, I have put it on my gallery. I am not sure if it might be too big to add here so just have a peek over there.
Ok, I have put it on my gallery. I am not sure if it might be too big to add here so just have a peek over there.
179johnsimpson
We had a lovely Christmas Day with all the family to lunch. We awoke with the alarm and I went and made us a pot of tea and got the Turkey Crown out to get to room temperature. After I got back upstairs we opened our stockings before I went and made another pot of tea. Once we finished our drinks we got up, washed and dressed and came downstairs, Karen put the Turkey Crown in the oven while I got our meds and vitamins out. Karen made us both a coffee and we opened our gifts to each other, I got Karen a coat, some Gucci perfume, two pairs of woollen gloves, a nice scarf and some make-up and a book, in return Karen had got me three Fountain pens, a Wing Sung 3013, a Jinhao 950 Ceramic pen and Moonman M2 in the Christmas Design, a book, Two Sweaters, a nice Leather bound notebook and some Sweets.
Once the present were opened we had breakfast muffins and some toasted Panettone before getting the parsnips and roast potatoes out of the freezer. Amy and Andy arrived just after 10am and we exchanged gifts, I only got part of mine from them as one was a joint present from Amy and Rob. We all had a glass of Bucks Fizz and then we helped Karen get things ready to be put on. Karen got things cooking after the Turkey Crown was cooked and out of the oven.
Rob, Louise, Hannah and Shannon arrived just before 1pm and after a chat and a drink, Lunch was served just before 2pm. After we had finished lunch we went into the living room and presents were once again exchanged and I could finally unwrap the joint gift. The joint gift was a 1954 and 1955 soft cover edition of the Wisden Cricketers Almanack, just what I wanted to add to my collection. We had a lovely afternoon chatting and having a drink, Amy and Andy went out to their friends to pass on and exchange gifts, they were gone about an hour. We watched a bit of TV and Rob and the family left just after 5.30pm, Amy and Andy stayed on until 9pm.
The following day was a nice relaxing one for us and we did very little after a busy few days and Karen wanted to rest before she was back at work on Friday.
Once the present were opened we had breakfast muffins and some toasted Panettone before getting the parsnips and roast potatoes out of the freezer. Amy and Andy arrived just after 10am and we exchanged gifts, I only got part of mine from them as one was a joint present from Amy and Rob. We all had a glass of Bucks Fizz and then we helped Karen get things ready to be put on. Karen got things cooking after the Turkey Crown was cooked and out of the oven.
Rob, Louise, Hannah and Shannon arrived just before 1pm and after a chat and a drink, Lunch was served just before 2pm. After we had finished lunch we went into the living room and presents were once again exchanged and I could finally unwrap the joint gift. The joint gift was a 1954 and 1955 soft cover edition of the Wisden Cricketers Almanack, just what I wanted to add to my collection. We had a lovely afternoon chatting and having a drink, Amy and Andy went out to their friends to pass on and exchange gifts, they were gone about an hour. We watched a bit of TV and Rob and the family left just after 5.30pm, Amy and Andy stayed on until 9pm.
The following day was a nice relaxing one for us and we did very little after a busy few days and Karen wanted to rest before she was back at work on Friday.
181johnsimpson
>180 kidzdoc:, Thanks Darryl mate.
182johnsimpson
Finished book 89 just before lunch today, Deadheads by Reginald Hill, this is the 7th of 22 in the Dalziel and Pascoe Series.
Patrick Aldermann inherits the splendid Rosemont House and gardens on the death of his aunt, and there he is able to indulge his horticultural passions without restraint.
When his boss, Dick Elgood, suggest that Aldermann is a murderer, then retracts the accusation, Peter Pascoe's detecting instincts are aroused. How did an underachieving accountant make his way to the top of the company so quickly? And why do so many of his colleagues keep dropping dead?
Meanwhile, when not fielding politically incorrect insults from Superintendant Dalziel, Police Cadet Singh - Mid-Yorkshire's first Asian Copper - has dug up some very interesting information about Aldermann's beautiful wife, Daphne, who's now firm friends with one Ellie Pascoe.
Another enjoyable read from Mr Hill.
183kac522
>182 johnsimpson: My mom loved Reginald Hill, John. I have yet to read him, though. The last 25 years of her life she visited the UK almost ever year, and I think she bought most of her books there.
184johnsimpson
Finished book 90 this afternoon, my final book of 2019, The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm by Norman Hunter.
The professor was a great (if absent-minded) inventor, always ready to turn his genius to the practical affairs of housekeeping, whether in the matter of a burglar trap or some comprehensive device to get spring-cleaning over quickly. His best inventions, however, seemed to land him in the worst scrapes. Sometimes they involved his housekeeper, Mrs Flittersnoop, sometimes his best friend Colonel Dedshott, but somehow he never managed to solve the comparatively simple problem of keeping count of the five pairs of spectacles which he generally wore simultaneously so as to be prepared for all eventualities.
This brought back a lot of childhood memories of reading and purchasing books.
185johnsimpson
Well dear friends, we are at the end of the year and end of the decade and it has been a mixed decade to be sure. Sadly we lost Karen's Dad but we also had Amy's wedding to Andy and the birth of our first grandchild, Hannah.
I have reached my revised target of books read, 90, and achieved 30,000 pages once again, but only just and again fell short of my target of 40,000 pages. I am looking forward to the next decade both as part of LT and in general life, by the end of the next decade we will both be retired and hopefully we will have another grandchild or two and Hannah will have left school and possibly be going on to University.
I would like to take the chance to wish everyone a very Happy New Year, hoping it is a peaceful and prosperous one but most of all a very good reading year.
I will answer any visitors to this thread but now I will move onto my 2020 thread, so see you all there dear friends.
I have reached my revised target of books read, 90, and achieved 30,000 pages once again, but only just and again fell short of my target of 40,000 pages. I am looking forward to the next decade both as part of LT and in general life, by the end of the next decade we will both be retired and hopefully we will have another grandchild or two and Hannah will have left school and possibly be going on to University.
I would like to take the chance to wish everyone a very Happy New Year, hoping it is a peaceful and prosperous one but most of all a very good reading year.
I will answer any visitors to this thread but now I will move onto my 2020 thread, so see you all there dear friends.
186PaulCranswick
Another resolution is to keep up in 2020 with all my friends on LT. Happy New Year!
187Familyhistorian
You Christmas sounds great, John. All the best in 2020!