Mamie's 2023 Madness, page 8

It's the dog days of summer in the Deep South, and the air outside feels like what I imagine the breath from the hounds of hell feels like. Hot and fetid with a hint of damnation. Luckily, I have my sophisticated sense of charm, wit, and style to carry me through. Heh. Anyway, there's plenty of wine.

I did not mean to fall off the threads so thoroughly in 2022, but life got away from me for a bit.

I'm Mamie. I love that Mary Oliver poem about believing in kindness and in mischief - me, too. I try to squeeze in as much of both as I can in a day. I also have a weakness for snark. And wine. And old movies. For 2023, I am just going to let my mood determine my reading journey.

Currently reading:



October:
110. Diary of a Provincial Lady by E. M. Delafield
111. Yu-Gi-Oh (3-in-1 Edition) by Kazuki Takahashi, translated by Anita Sengupta
112. What is Left the Daughter by Howard Norman - Katie's Dirty Dozen and The Weird One said I MUST read this

September:
100. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Vol. 1 by Fuse, illustrated by Taiki Kawakami, translated by Stephen Paul
101. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Vol. 2 by Fuse, illustrated by Taiki Kawakami, translated by Stephen Paul
102. Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie, audiobook narrated by David Suchet
103. Thunder Bay by Douglas Skelton - recommended by Richard
104. Dead Man's Folly by Agatha Christie, audiobook narrated by David Suchet
105. My Hero Academia, Vol. 2 by Kohei Horikoshi, translation by Caleb D. Cook
106. Persona 5, Vol. 2 by Hisato Murasaki, translation by Adrienne Beck
107. The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent, Vol. 2 by Yuka Tachibana, translation by Kumar Sivasubramanian
108. The Leopard by Giuseppe Di Lampedusa, translated by Archibald Colquhuon
109. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Vol. 3 by Fuse, illustrated by Taiki Kawakami, translated by Stephen Paul

August:
85. Servamp, Vol. 1 by Strike Tanaka, translation by Wesley Bridges
86. Fruits Basket, Vol. 18 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, book 18)
87. Fruits Basket, Vol. 19 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, book 19)
88. Fruits Basket, Vol. 20 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, book 20)
89. Fruits Basket, Vol. 21 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, book 21)
90. Fruits Basket, Vol. 22 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, book 22)
91. Fruits Basket, Vol. 23 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, book 23)
92. Maps and Legends: Reading and Writing Along the Borderlands by Michael Chabon
93. The Town by William Faulkner, audiobook narrated by Joe Barrett
94. The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
95. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith - reread
96. The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad
97. Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata, translated by Edward G. Seidensticker
98. The Mansion by William Faulkner, audiobook narrated by Joe Barrett
99. The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald

July:
72. To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf, audiobook narrated by Nicole Kidman - followed along in print
73. Capote by Gerald Clarke
74. Persona 5, Vol. 1 by Hisato Murasaki, translation by Adrienne Beck
75. The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent, Vol. 1 by Yuka Tachibana, translation by Kumar Sivasubramanian
76. My Hero Academia, Vol. 1 by Kohei Horikoshi, translation by Caleb D. Cook
77. The Lost Garden by Helen Humphreys - Katie's Dirty Dozen
78. The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain, translation by Jane Aitken and Emily Boyce
79. Fruits Basket, Vol. 13 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, book 13)
80. Fruits Basket, Vol. 14 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, book 14)
81. Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku 4 by Fujita, translation by Fujita, (Wotakoi, Books 7 and 8) - manga
82. Fruits Basket, Vol. 15 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, book 15)
83. Fruits Basket, Vol. 16 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, book 16)
84. Fruits Basket, Vol. 17 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, book 17)

January:
1. The Lost Soul by Olga Tokarczuk, Illustrations by Joanna Concejo, translation by Antonia Lloyd-Jones - 3 stars
2. The Optimist's Daughter by Eudora Welty, audiobook narrated by Eudora Welty - 4.5 stars
3. Hot Milk by Deborah Levy - 4 stars
4. Vanishing Fleece by Clara Parkes, audiobook narrated by Clara Parkes - 4 stars
5. The Distant Echo by Val McDermid - 4 stars, (Karen Pirie, book 1)
6. Bleeding Heart Yard by Elly Griffiths - 4 stars (Harbinger Kaur, book 3)
7. Watership Down by Richard Adams, audiobook narrated by Peter Capaldi - 4.5 stars
8. The Weirdies Get Weirder by Michael Buckley, audiobook narrated by Kate Winslet - 4.5 stars (The Weirdies, book 2)
9. Gun, With Occasional Music by Jonathan Lethem - 4.5 stars
10. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum - 3 stars
11. Bel-Ami by Guy de Maupassant, translation by Margaret Mauldon - 3 stars
12. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren - 3.5 stars
13. Dubliners by James Joyce, audiobook narrated by Gerard Doyle - 4.5 stars
14. Candide by Voltaire, translation by Theo Cuffe - 4 stars
15. The Lost for Words Bookshop by Stephanie Butland, audiobook narrated by Imogene Church - 5 stars - Katie's Dirty Dozen
16. The Twilight Man Written and illustrated by Koren Shame - 4 stars - recommended by Mark
17. The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo, translation by Louise Heal Kawai - 3 stars, (Kosuke Kindaichi, book 1)
18. Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells - 4 stars (Murderbot Diaries, book 6)
19. Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? written and narrated by Seamus O'Reilly - 5 stars - recommended by Richard, Katie recommended the audio

February:
20. Fruits Basket, Volume 1 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, volume 1)
21. Fruits Basket, Volume 2 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, volume 2)
22. Cursed Princess Club by LambCat - 4.5 stars, (Cursed Princess Club, volume 1)
23. Network Effect by Martha Wells - 4.5 stars, (Murderbot Diaries, book 5)
24. Queen of Hearts by Rhys Bowen, audiobook narrated by Katherine Kelgren - 4 stars, (Her Royal Spyness, book 8)
25. Lugosi: The Rise and Fall of Hollywood's Dracula written and illustrated by Koren Shadmi - 3 stars
26. Heartstopper by Alice Oseman - 4 stars, (Heartstopper, volume 1) - recommended by Amber
27. The Bastards of Pizzofalcone by Maurizio de Giovanni, translated by Antony Shugaar - 3 stars (The Bastards of Pizzofalcone, book 1)
28. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, audiobook narrated by Michael Hordern - 4 stars
29. Naked in Death by J. D. Robb (In Death, book 1) - reread
30. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard, audiobook narrated by a full cast
31. Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott, audiobook narrated by David Rintoul
32. Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett, audiobook narrated by full cast
33. Selected Shorts: Chivalry by Neil Gaiman, audiobook narrated by Christina Pickles - 5 stars - recommended by Helen
34. Fruits Basket, Vol. 3 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press, (Fruits Basket, volume 3)
35. Fruits Basket, Vol. 4 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press, (Fruits Basket, volume 4)

March:
36. The Figure in the Carpet by Henry James - short story
37. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, audiobook narrated by Emma Thompson - 3 stars
38. Glory in Death by J. D. Robb, (In Death, book 2) - reread
39. Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku by Fujita, translation by Fujita, (Wotakoi, Books 1 and 2) - manga
40. Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku by Fujita, translation by Fujita, (Wotakoi, Books 3 and 4) - manga
41. The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann, narrated by David Rintoul, translation by John. E. Woods
42. Miami by Joan Didion
43. Howard's End is on the Landing by Susan Hill
44. The Aspern Papers by Henry James, audiobook narrated by Jeremy Northam
45. Death in Venice by Thomas Mann, translation by Kenneth Burke
46. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh, audiobook narrated by Jeremy Irons

April:
47. Call Me Maybe by Cara Bastone, audiobook narrated by Luci Christian and Neil Hellegers - Katie's Dirty Dozen
48. Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle by Kagiji Kumanomata, translation by Tetsuichiro Miyaki - (Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle, Volume 1)
49. Wise Blood by Flannery O'Connor, audiobook narrated by Bronson Pinchot
50. Immortal in Death by J. D. Robb (In Death, book 3) - reread
51. Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding, audiobook narrated by Imogen Church
52. Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by M. C. Beaton, narrated by Penelope Keith, (Agatha Raisin, book 1)
53. Fruits Basket, Vol. 5 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, book 5)
54. Fruits Basket, Vol. 6 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, book 6)
55. Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku 2 by Fujita, translated by Fujita (Wotakoi, book 3 and 4)
56. Fruits Basket, Vol. 7 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, book 7)
57. Fruits Basket, Vol. 8 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, book 8)
58. Fruits Basket, Vol. 9 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, book 9)
59. Fruits Basket, Vol. 10 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, book 10)
60. Fruits Basket, Vol. 11 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, book 11)
61. Fruits Basket, Vol. 12 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press (Fruits Basket, book 12)
62. Political Fictions by Joan Didion
63. Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, Vol. 3 by Fujita, translation by Fujita, (Wotakoi, books 5 and 6)
64. Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell - recommended by Heather

May:
65. The Last Remains by Elly Griffiths
66. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray

June:
67. Young Bloomsbury by Nino Strachey
68. Moon Over Africa by Pamela Kent
69. A Writer’s Diary by Virginia Wolff
70. Virginia Woolf’s Garden: The Story of the Garden at Monk’s House by Caroline Zoob
71. Fear and Loathing at Rolling Stone: The Essential Writing of Hunter S. Thompson, audiobook narrated by Phil Gigante

Katie’s 2023 Dirty Dozen:

1. The Lost Garden by Helen Humphreys read 7/21/23
2. Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson
3. I Came All This Way to Meet You: Writing Myself Home by Jami Attenberg - NF
4. Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn
5. A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost
6. Milk Street: The World in a Skillet by Christopher Kimball
7. IQ by Joe Ide
8. I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
9. All the Feels by Olivia Dade - "Spoiler Alert is great, but I liked All the Feels even better"
10. Call Me Maybe by Cara Bastone read 4/1/2023
11. Shopgirl by Steve Martin
12. The Reader on the 6.27 by Jean-Paul Didierlaurent
13. The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson
14. Ghost of the Innocent Man by Benjamin Rachlin
15. The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai

Here are the Book Bullets for 2023:

The List:

1. River of Shadows by Rebecca Solnit - The Weird One
2. Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose - Judy in NY
3. The Man Who Could Move Clouds by Ingrid Rojas Contreras - Beth - memoir
4. The Crane Wife by CJ Hauser - Charlotte - memoir
5. Babel by R. F. Kuang - Jim thinks I would love this
6. The Barrakee Mystery by Arthur William Upfield - Julia
7. Burning Questions: Essays and Occasional Pieces by Margaret Atwood - Beth
8. The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell - Queen Judy
9. Amnesia Moon by Jonathan Lethem - The Weird One
10. Parallel Journeys by Eleanor Ayer - Carrie
11. As She Climbed Across the Table by Jonathan Lethem - Joe
12. The Bangalore Detectives Club by Harini Nagendra - Meg
13. A Career in Books by Kate Gavino - Meg - GN
14. The Silent Land by Graham Joyce - Queen Judy
15. The Female Quixote by Charlotte Lennox - Jan
16. A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin - Sandy
17. Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby - Charlotte
18. Radio Silence by Alice Oseman - Amber
19. Mutual Admiration Society by Mo Moulton - Jan
20. Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky (trilogy) by Patrick Hamilton - Paul
21. The Twilight Man: Rod Serling and the Birth of Television by Koren Shadmi - Mark - GN Read 1/2023
22. Semicolon by Cecelia Watson - NY Judy
23. The Pleasure of Reading edited by Antonia Fraser - Stasia
24. Queenie: Godmother of Harlem by Elizabeth Colomba - Mark
25. Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki - Mary (bell7)
26. The Ardent Swarm by Yamen Manai - Carrie
27. Love on the Brain - Ali Hazelwood - Micky
28. Dearly by Margaret Atwood - Helen - Poems

Late Night Thriller - Cat Reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Lucia Hefferna

The List, continued

29. In the Ravenous Dark by A. M. Strickland - Amber
30. My Hero Academia by Kōhei Horikoshi - Amber again read 7/15/23
31. Aunt Bessie Assumes by Diana Xarissa - Richard thinks I would like this
32. The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World by Jonathan Freedland - Charlotte
33. Euphoria by Lily King - Charlotte again
34. The Last Picture Show by Larry McMurtry - Mark
35. Foundation: The History of England from Its Earliest Beginnings to the Tudors by Peter Ackroyd - Meg
36. Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin - Beth - essays
37. Dinosaurs by Lydia Millet - Beth again
38. Chivalry by Neil Gaiman - Helen - she listened to this one read 2/28/23
39. The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa - Amber
40. Weyward by Emilia Hart - Deborah
41. Mrs. England by Stacy Halls - Deborah again
42. Kunstlers in Paradise by Cathleen Schine - Joanne
43. Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World - Charlotte mentioned wanting to read this one
44. Old Babes in the Wood by Margaret Atwood - Beth
45. Eastbound by Maylis de Karangal - Richard
46. And a Dog Called Fig by Helen Humphreys - Joanne
47. Everyone in my family has killed someone by Benjamin Stevenson - Helen
48. The Verifiers by Jane Pek - Meg
49. Poirot: The Greatest detective in the World by Mark Aldridge - Helen

Birdy and Mischief

My daughter Birdy and I are doing a year long project where she picks one of her favorite graphic novels or manga to share with me each month. I'm going to keep track of the books here:


January - Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 1 by LambCat - This started as a webtoon and is now being released in lovely hardback editions. It is completely delightful! I can't wait to read the next installment, which is not out yet.


February - Fruits Basket, Volume 1 by Natsuki Takaya, translated by Yen Press - I liked this and have decided to read the entire series, and Birdy and I are watching the tv series of it together. There are 23 volumes, and I have read the first four so far.


March - Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, Vol. 1: Games Over Romance by Fujita, translated by ? - This is a nerdy romantic comedy, and it was fun, so I am going to continue with it for now. Thank goodness for the translation notes at the end that clarify so much for me, otherwise I would not get a lot of the cultural and gaming references.


April - Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle by Kagiji Kumanomata, translation by Tetsuichiro Miyaki - This was cute, but not one I will continue. I can see why The Girls love it so much as the damsel in distress here does not really care about being rescued. She just wants to be able to get a good night's sleep, and in seeking a solution to her problem, she inadvertently thwarts the plans of both her captors and her would be rescuer.

This should do it - next one's yours!

Looka me, all first an' junk!

Happy new one, Mamie. Here's for a better July and onward! To all of you!

>6 Crazymamie: I liked Dearly, Mamie.

Happy new thread,Mamie.

>10 richardderus: Excellent work, Big Daddy!! I'm feeling good about this thread's mojo already. *smooch*

>11 jessibud2: Thank you, Shelley! Yes, please, to your good wishes.

>12 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Caroline! I'm looking forward to getting to that one. Atwood has yet to disappoint me.

>13 katiekrug: Thank you, Katie! I just finished reading The Lost Garden the other day, and I absolutely loved it, so thanks for bringing it to my attention. A perfect read for me, and I gave it the full five stars.

*edited to fix the touchstone

Happy new thread, Mamie!

I keep meaning to try Fruit Baskets. Some day...

Happy new thread Mamie!

Happy new thread, Mamie! Sending (((hugs))) and best wishes for a better month!

Just one last comment re the last thread-- I wonder if I just got a bad Rooibos. Maybe I should try it again. Oddly, I don't like cilantro much either, although I can tolerate it. I do like cabbage and cucumbers though. I had not heard of people disliking cucumbers--they don't seem to have enough flavor to me to be a turnoff.

>1 Crazymamie: I'm with you on the old movies!

>17 atozgrl: My grandfather could tell if a cucumber had been removed from his plate of salad. He said the flavor overpowered all the other greens. But that's the only report I've had of aggression by cucumbers.

Thanks for the catch-up Mamie. Stay cool!!

Happy new thread, Mamie. Enjoy those dog days!

Happy New Thread, Mamie!

HAppy new one!

Daniel and the first mow of the new yard!

Morning, All! Yesterday was a good day for Abby, so HOORAY for that. Outside it was hot and steamy, and I was feeling mojoless, and then the skies darkened and the rains came down. It was lovely, and I grabbed my books and hung out in the Big Bed for most of the day. In the late afternoon, Birdy and I started a rewatch of the first season of Good Omens in anticipation of season two coming out on Tuesday. We cannot wait!

On the reading front, yesterday I listened to several hours of The Town, the second volume in William Faulkner's Snopes trilogy - I am really enjoying this, and it's narrated with near perfection by Joe Barrett. I find Faulkner so much more accessible in audio format - I like to follow along in print as needed. For anyone wanting to tackle Absalom, Absalom or The Sound and the Fury, I highly recommend Grover Gardner's narration - it is so full of fabulous, and turned me into a fan of Faulkner, which is practically a miracle. Just saying... I also read from Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, Vol. 4. In the evening I started The Red Notebook, which I finished in the wee small hours.

No big plans for today except a few household chores. Daniel and Kaitlyn should be back to pick up Griffin later today - probably this evening. He has been such a Good Boy, but I know he will be thrilled to see his folks and start moving into his new home.

The coffee today is Eight O'Clock's Hazelnut.

>15 scaifea: Hello, Amber! I am really liking Fruits Basket - The Girls all love it and have their own copies which they have read and reread over the years, so it's lovely to finally be getting to it. I thought of you during my recent reading because the manga that Birdy chose for July was My Hero Academia, which I had added to The List after your comments on it. I loved it and am going to continue with the series.

>16 quondame: Thank you, Susan!

>17 atozgrl: Thank you, Irene! The hugs and good wishes are most appreciated. I love cilantro in small doses - for me, it overwhelms things easily, so less is more in my book. I also love both cucumbers and cabbage, but sadly, I can no longer eat cucumbers unless I want to taste them for the rest of the day. Report back if you do try the Rooibos again - inquiring minds and all that...

And HOORAY for old movies!!

>18 quondame: Intersting, Susan! He must have been really sensitive to cucumbers. As I mentioned above, I love them but can no longer eat them raw in a salad.

>19 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba! I am trying to stay cool - this is not an easy thing in the Deep South. Yesterday we went to 98F. Our downstairs AC unit actually broke down last week, but luckily we were able to get it fixed the evening before Griffin came to stay with us. Still, no downstairs AC for 48 hours was not fun with temps routinely in the 90s currently.

>20 Familyhistorian: Hello, Meg, and thank you! I do not enjoy the dog days - summer is not in my list of favorite things. It's more about surviving the dog days for me. I am always ready for winter. Heh.

Happy new one, Mamie. I am so happy to see the cat back with TKAM.

You are doing some good reading. I will have to try Faulkner on audio. I am already a fan.

>21 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deborah!

>22 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Anita!

>26 BLBera: Thank you, Beth! I love that image, too!!

I had a reading funk in May, but have gotten my mojo back, and am loving my current reads. Please do try Faulkner on audio, especially if you can get it narrated by Grover Gardner - it is SO full of fabulous. What is your favorite Faulkner?

I will have to try Faulkner on audio. I tried to read As I Lay Dying in print and just couldn't engage with it.

>23 Crazymamie: Also eager for Doog Omens 2, Mamie me lurve. These characters are so deliciously daffy, every time I see them it brings up a smile. *smooch*

>17 atozgrl: "bad Rooibos" - isn't that a Lady Gaga song...?

>23 Crazymamie: Good Omens 2!!! We're also SUPER excited for it, but since Charlie will still be away at band camp, I've vowed to wait for him before starting it. Patience is not something I'm generally known for, but I'll give it a try.

I loved both Go Down Moses and The Sound and the Fury, but any of this books are so rewarding.

>29 katiekrug: I hated As I Lay Dying, Katie. I would start with Absalom, Absalom on audio - I really loved that one.

>30 richardderus: Hello, darling! Birdy and I have watched the first season SO many times. Craig came into the bedroom yesterday while we were watching and said, Again?! Yep. Again. Have you seen those two in Staged? We loved that and could not stop laughing.

>31 scaifea: You crack me up, Amber!!

YIKES on having to wait to watch season two! You are such a good mom! Keep saying that over and over to yourself - it's your mantra for the week. I am also not good with patience, so I am sending you positive waiting mojo. Band camp! I loved band camp, but ours was not away, it was in town, so we were just gone for the entire day and then came home exhausted and sweaty but very excited about learning the new program. Good times.

>32 BLBera: As I mentioned to Katie above, I really hated As I Lay Dying. I also really did not like parts of The Hamlet, but that was because some of what was supposed to be funny was SO not funny to me. I'm adding Go Down, Moses to my list of ones to get to - thanks, Beth!

Happy new thread, Mamie.
>23 Crazymamie: what a great photo! I'm sure Griffin has been a very good boy. >:-)

SOOO glad Abby is having a good day and that you're having a cozy big bed day. Keep on enjoying!!

Happy new one, Mamie. So pleased to see you making another one. xx

The Lost Garden by Helen Humphreys - Katie's Dirty Dozen - 5 stars

I loved this one. A huge thanks to Katie for bringing it to my attention earlier this year. What's funny is that I had absolutely no idea that it is also a bit of a love letter to Virginia Woolf and her To The Lighthouse. I have been on a Virginia Woolf kick lately and just recently read To The Lighthouse for the first time, so this was a bit of serendipity for me. This is the Amazon blurb:

"This word-perfect, heartbreaking novel is set in early 1941 in Britain when the war seems endless and, perhaps, hopeless. London is on fire from the Blitz, and a young woman gardener named Gwen Davis flees from the burning city for the Devon countryside. She has volunteered for the Land Army, and is to be in charge of a group of young girls who will be trained to plant food crops on an old country estate where the gardens have fallen into ruin. Also on the estate, waiting to be posted, is a regiment of Canadian soldiers. For three months, the young women and men will form attachments, living in a temporary rural escape. No one will be more changed by the stay than Gwen. She will inspire the girls to restore the estate gardens, fall in love with a soldier, find her first deep friendship, and bring a lost garden, created for a great love, back to life. While doing so, she will finally come to know herself and a life worth living."

I did not know anything about the Women's Land Army, which was actually created by England during WWI to help with food production during the war years and then used again in WWII. The author lists a book in the credits by Vita Sackville-West that was written about the Land Army to aid the war effort that I am now wanting to read:

>35 Helenliz: Thank you, Helen! Daniel and Kaitlyn were both so over the moon about the first mow the it made me laugh. They also sent me video of Griffin getting to explore the new house and yard for the first time - so sweet. And yes, Griffin is almost always a very good boy. *smile*

>36 RebaRelishesReading: Reba, that was yesterday, but today has been a good one for all of us so far, too. Abby is currently napping upstairs, and the rest of us have been rotating getting some chores done and taking it easy. It's supposed to rain again this afternoon, so I am hoping to snag some more reading time in the Big Bed.

>37 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul!

I loved The Lost Garden too, Mamie. I am also a huge fan of Helen Humphreys in general, so if you should seek out her other work if you haven't done so already.

It's so nice to have you back ...

>24 Crazymamie: I didn't realize cucumbers could cause that problem. I hope I avoid that one as I'm growing older. I'd hate to give up my cucumbers.

>31 scaifea: LOL! Good one!

So glad to hear that Abby is having good days; I hope that continues!

Happy new thread, Mamie!

>2 Crazymamie: Congratulations on reaching 75 earlier this month!

>40 lauralkeet: Laura, the only other thing that I have read by her is The Frozen Thames, which I also loved. Definitely an author to which I will return.

And thank you.

>41 atozgrl: It's a sadness, Irene, as I do really love them. Hoping it's something you never encounter.

Abby had a small episode early last evening, but she is feeling fine this morning, so hopefully today can be another good day. Thank you for your good thoughts.

>42 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita! The project with Birdy is helping my numbers as I can read manga even when I can't seem to focus on other stuff. It has been the perfect year for this particular project.

>34 Crazymamie: It's true: I am SUCH a good mom... *sigh*

We had two band camps every summer (the first and the last week of vacation), and like yours, it was not an away thing, but 8am-8pm at the school for 5 days straight. And yes, exhausting but SO much fun.

Happy new one, Mamie!

*smoochiesmoochsmooch*

>44 scaifea: Yep. It's true.

That's how our band camp worked, but we just had the one. Good times. Nothing but good times.

>45 drneutron: Thank you, Jim!

>46 richardderus: *smooch back* Your posts always make me smile!

>47 Crazymamie: Happy New Books Day, Mamie! Speaking of which...I've put up two book reviews in a series set in Scotland that your hell-hot Georgia-bound self would probably like. Added bonus to the good characterization is the fact one can practically *feel* the chill. Quite appealing in the Oven Season.

*smooch*

Happy new thread Mamie!

Happy new thread and happy 75, Mamie! And happy to hear of Abby's good days.

Helen Humphrey's memoir, And a Dog Called Fig, is also very good.

Weekend *smooches*

Way behind but here! Happy 75 and new thread and best wishes for more good days for Abby! : )

Thinking of you and hoping all is well with you and yours, Mamie.

more weekend *smooches*

Hi, Mamie! Just a hello, and congrats on zooming by #75!

Hoping all is well with Mamie & co.

>48 richardderus: Thank you so much for that, darling! I read your reviews, which were full of fabulous and snagged the books - currently just $4.99 and $1.99 on Kindle. I am thankful for any kind of chill these days - I am SO ready for Fall. *smooch*

>49 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel!

>50 Copperskye: Thank you so much, Joanne! I have added that memoir to The List.

>51 richardderus: You are simply da Best! Thanks for thinking of me and for stopping into my dead thread, dear one! *smooch back*

>52 Berly: Kim, thank you for that. Much appreciated.

>53 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba! Your good wishes and keeping us in your thoughts mean so much to me.

>54 richardderus: I will take all the smooches I can get! Thank you, kindly. *smooch and a Bear hug*

>55 tymfos: Hello, Terri!! How lovely to see you here!

>56 Helenliz: We are hanging in there, Helen. Abby has had some very good days in August and was even able to venture out twice. She got to go and see Dan and Kaitlyn's new house and was even able to go up the stairs to the second level. She was so happy!

>59 Crazymamie: Lovely to see you posting, Mamie.

Love and best wishes to all at the Pecan Paradisio (but particularly to Abby) from the group's latest Grandpa.

Mamie! Yay! It's always nice to hear from you. I'm glad Abby has been doing so well.

This is the bookshelf page that Abby drew for her book journal - she has done the same layout for each of us, but has personalized the objects on the shelf. I'll have to take a photo of the one she did for me. I love that each of our cats is featured.

Hello, Everyone! A huge thanks to those of you who kept my thread slogging along. I am finding it very difficult to keep up here, and I also don't want my thread to be a downer. Some days are just...hard. BUT, August has been kind to us, and as I mentioned to Helen above, Abby had several really great days. We were able to take her over to see Daniel and KP's new house on one day and to take her shopping on another (with no wheelchair!). She has been able to do more artwork and to make it up and down the stairs more often.

The Girls and I have started a fun project together - we making reading journals, but not just about reading - about whatever we want to include from the year. We got the idea from a vlog that Abby was watching. For mine, I am going to include a layout about the Year of the Scone since I have become obsessed with my scone pan and keep baking different things in it because I am a complete nut that way. Cornbread was da Bomb baked in it and cookies were full of fabulous.

On the reading front, I finished up the Fruits Basket series this month - went on a binge read, and it was very good. I thought the final volume was unnecessary - it felt like an epilogue to me, but that led a lovely discussion about it because we didn't all agree about that. I also read Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros - my first book recommendation from Kaitlyn! I thought it was very well done, and I have already pre-ordered the second book in the series. Other reads included Maps and Legends: Reading and Writing Along the Borderlands by Michael Chabon (I thought the first essay was the best one), The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad, Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata, and The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald. I actually just finished The Bookshop in the wee small hours of this morning, and I thought is was so perfectly done. Made me cry. On audio, I re-listened to the Cuckoo's Calling, finished up The Town by William Faulkner and went straight into and through The Mansion, so that completes The Snopes Trilogy for me. I LOVED The Town. Currently, I am re-listening to The Silkworm.

The coffee today is hazelnut.

>59 Crazymamie: Thank you for that, Paul! Love and best wishes are most appreciated, my friend. Grandpa! I'll have to come and see. Congratulations!

>60 PaulCranswick: Laura, thank you so much! We are very thankful for each and every good day that Abby has - August has been much kinder that July.

>62 Crazymamie: I'm so thrilled that you'e back with us! A big *smooch* for all y'all and a happy grin for the good reading you've done with your girls. The Snopes books are fascinating reading, though living in Snopes Country they might be just a wee bit too much like non-fiction to be comfortable reads for you....

The coffee here is Amazon's house brand, dark roast. To my surprise, it's drinkable.

The Sandhamn Murders series I'm reading now is Scandicozy and luckily the characters are investable. The latest plot twist did NOT meet with my approval. But the series itself is still engrossing, six books in. August has seen my reading skew almost exclusively female because of Women In Translation Month. I've learned that I'm REALLY REALLY GLAD I'm not a Macedonian woman.

>64 richardderus: Good morning, BigDaddy! Thank you for your kind words. So true about us living in Snopes Country. I have really enjoyed listening to the Snopes Trilogy, and I was surprised by how much the second two books had me laughing out loud, as the humor in The Hamlet was a miss with me. Unfortunately, you are right about a lot of reading like non-fiction in these here parts.

Drinkable is good, but maybe raise the bar a bit.

I have read the first three books in the Sandhamn Murder series. Which one have you just finished, I am wondering? I'll come look. I love the setting. They made it into a tv series that I really enjoy and have watched through several times. Well, the early parts - I don't like who they replaced the character of Thomas with in the show. Not sure why the first guy left, but he was perfect in the part, I thought. At least they didn't try to have someone else play Thomas, I guess. I did not know it was Women in Translation month because I am So Out Of Touch. I have been trying to read more translations, and hope to make women in translation a focus of my reading next year. I'm a mood reader, so I can't make any promises.

>62 Crazymamie: Oo, I love that. Abby certainly is talented!

Joe is also touting Fourth Wing, so I am going to have to get to that one soon. I agree about The Bookshop being perfectly done. I need to re-read it at some point.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, Mamie!

>66 alcottacre: She really is, Stasia! I am so happy to see her actually able to do her art again.

Fourth Wing was really fun, and the pacing was well done - it just pulls you right in. And dragons!

The Bookshop is so bittersweet with not one false step, I thought. It spoke to me. Definitely one I will reread.

Hoping your Wednesday is also full of wonder!

So glad to hear Abby had a better August.
Love the book shelf page, that's just adorable.
Year of the scone, brilliant!!
As a matter of interest, is that scone to rhyme with gone or scone to rhyme with cone? We have a marital disagreement on the subject, I say the former, as otherwise the joke doesn't work. He is wrong and uses the latter.

Hello, Helen! August was much better than July, and I am greedy so I want September to be full of fabulous. I remain ever hopeful.

Glad you like the book shelf page - Abby showed it to us and we were all going crazy over it, so she offered to do one for each of us. Mine is so cute, and I shall see if I can post a photo of it tomorrow.

Hooray for the Year of the Scone love! I always say it the way your husband does with the long o, and that's how most people in these here parts would pronounce it, but this is the Deep South, so...

>62 Crazymamie: I love the bookshelf journal Mamie. Good to see you back, and glad Abby had some good August days.

I read the first of the Snopes trilogy years ago. Must get back to it.

>62 Crazymamie: How delightful! Yay for Abby's good days. May September be full of them.

Wonderful to see you!! and delighted to hear Abby is having a good stretch. May it be the beginning of a slide into dormancy and permanent well-being! Love the journal page. My BFF keeps a journal and from time to time she tells what we were doing a year (or two or ten) ago. I love that. Sending unending health and happiness to Pecan Paradiso!!

>62 Crazymamie: I love Abby's bookshelf page! I wish her the best of days ahead.

So glad to see you around, Mamie!

>62 Crazymamie: Abby created a lovely bookshelf page, looking forward to yours.
Glad to read August was kind to her, with even some very good days :-)

>70 Caroline_McElwee: Thank you, Caroline! The Hamlet was my least favorite of the books - things really pick up in the final two entries, and I loved hearing the same story from different points of view.

>71 quondame: Thanks, Susan! Those good wishes make such a difference.

>72 RebaRelishesReading: Reba, what a lovely message! Thank you for that and for always keeping us in your thoughts and wishing us well.

I am excited to see our journals when they are all done because we are going to have some things that overlap and then some individual things. Birdy is going to journal about all the music she listened to this year and include the covers of the vinyl albums she collected this year. Rae will include the puzzles she has done. Abby will put us all to shame, but will try not to be intimidated by her talent. Heh. We have been having a lot of fun with it.

>73 tymfos: Thank you, Terri! Me, too, with the bookshelf love. Those good wishes are so appreciated.

>74 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita! Part of me is sad that I could not be as present here as I wanted to, but we do what we can when we can. Hopefully next year will be more serene. I would settle for less stressful.

SO glad you like Abby's bookshelf layout. I will try to post a photo of mine today - it's the same basic image but with my own personal items mixed in with the books on the shelf. Abby has her succulents featured. Thank you so much for the kind words about Abby.

Hi Mamie! I'm away from home and my laptop at the moment, and I hate typing on my.phone, but I wanted to say how glad I am to see you here and to hear that Abby's had some good days.

Take care.

>75 Crazymamie: Reading your comments about the Snopes Trilogy makes me think I might try re-reading The Hamlet sometime. I couldn't finish it a few years ago when I tried to read it, but knowing that it's the worst of the three might give me the incentive to push through so I can get to the others. Maybe.

>77 katiekrug: Hello, Katie!! Thank you for leaving a message even though you only had your phone - bonus points for that! And thank you for the kind words. I am betting that you are at the US Open as I seem to remember you had plans to go again this year - how fun, if so, and if not, then I am sure you are making the most of whatever adventures you are engaging in at the moment.

>78 rosalita: Hello there, Julia!! I couldn't finish The Hamlet the first time I attempted it, either - the supposed humor in that one is icky to me, and it just made me sad and slightly angry. The second time, I just powered through because I wanted to see where it was going. You really need to understand the events in that one in order to follow and appreciate the other two books in the trilogy, or I would say just skip it. It's the lynchpin of the series, so vital, but at least you know that the next two books are SO much better - I especially loved The Town, which had me laughing out loud in places, and The Mansion brought it all full circle, and was very well done.

Happy Thursday, smoochling. I'm so glad to see you.

Mischief enjoying the sunshine and the amenities of a recently emptied box

Morning, All! It's hot and humid here today, but slightly lower temps than we have been having, which is a relief. Last weekend it went up and over 100F both days, and we had heat advisories - just gross. Tomorrow is supposed to be only a high of 85F, so that would be lovely if we actually get it. Yesterday was rainy and overcast, and we just did what we absolutely needed to get done and then indulged ourselves the rest of the day. Birdy and I watched two episodes of Brokenwood Mysteries (Rae and I have already watched all of this, but I am re-watching it with Birdy who is really enjoying it). In the evening, Rae and I re-watched an episode of Vera, as we are re-watching that entire series.

On the reading front, nothing until I started Diary of a Provincial Lady in the wee small hours. Still making my way through Virginia Woolf's first diary - very interesting, and all of the footnotes provided by Anne Oliver Bell (the wife of VW's nephew Quentin Bell) provide great insight into the people and events she is writing about. I'm also still working on The Annotated Mrs. Dalloway - SO gorgeous, and I love the layout of the book:



The coffee today is again our favorite hazelnut.

>80 richardderus: Sweet Thursday, BigDaddy! I am also glad to see you. *smooch*

>79 Crazymamie: the supposed humor in that one is icky to me, and it just made me sad and slightly angry

Yes, this exactly! I wasn't sure if I just didn't get it because I haven't really read much Faulkner but that's a perfect description of how I felt about it. I will definitely put it back on the TBR pile, though not on top. :)

>83 rosalita: *fist bump* Yep. And the problem is that you can't just skip the section it is in because it runs throughout the book. Attempt it again only if it really calls to you, but I do promise that the other two books in the trilogy are delightful. I love all the scheming and shenanigans and general craziness that speak to what it is to be human and deeply flawed.

Hi Mamie -- hope you get your cooler weather today (without effects of hurricane

>85 RebaRelishesReading: The temp is cooler, but is VERY humid out there. Hoping tomorrow is nicer. I am craving some screen porch time, but it is too yuck out there for me currently. Thanks for those good weather wishes!

Hi Mamie! I love that bookshelf page that Abby drew. Is the intent to record reading by writing in titles on the spines?

Good to see you back posting, Mamie. Nice to know that Abby had good days in August. May September be the same.

>38 Crazymamie: The Women's Land Army is basically a handbook that was given to the women who joined that service. I have the newer version that is pictured in your post as well as the one issued in the '40s to the members of that service as my mum was in the Land Army. The text is exactly the same but the pictures are different.

Hi Mamie! Coffee sister extrordinaire! A very belated happy new thread.

>2 Crazymamie: Are you re-reading Strike/Ellacott in anticipation of book 7, The Running Grave? I’ve ordered both hardcover and audiobook and have been listening to the series again just to get as caught up again as I can. Unfortunately, I’ll probably only get 1-5 re-listened to, but listened to The Ink Black Heart this year and have enough memory of it to carry forward. I can hardly wait for the new one! Belated congrats on reading 75.

>4 Crazymamie: *smile* at the kitty. And coffee.

Skippety-skip-skip.

>24 Crazymamie: Sorry about cucumbers repeating on you. Burpless ones aren't burpless for you? I rarely like cucumbers on salads at restaurants – they usually taste bitter or not crisp or both. I wanted a vegetable garden this summer but alas, couldn’t get organized enough to plant it/get it planted. I’m determined for next year, though, because among other things I grow the sweetest cucumbers.

>43 Crazymamie: Sorry about the small episode, glad it was small.

>62 Crazymamie: Abby is so talented.

>81 Crazymamie: We call Amazon and other boxes Cat Traps. They’re very effective.

>62 Crazymamie: Oh wow! What a neat idea!

I am glad that Abby has had a few good days In August. One step at a time. Hopefully September will be even better :)

Happy Weekend reads ahead.

Friday orisons, Mamie me lurve.

>87 curioussquared: Hello, Natalie! Glad you love Abby's artwork. I will probably not attempt to write the titles on the spines but instead color code them to reflect the medium in which I read them. I have 150 books on the one she drew for me, and I probably will not make it, but I will come close (it was my goal for this year). I might also use some sort of symbol on each spine to indicate genre - haven't decided about that yet.

>88 Familyhistorian: Hey there, Meg! Thank you for those kind words and good wishes - most appreciated.

Oh! Thanks for the info about The Women's Land Army. That is so great that your mum was in the Land Army!

>81 Crazymamie: I have no idea what it is with cats and boxes, but mine sure enjoy them. Chalfont likes crawling into game boxes when I am playing too.

The Annotated Mrs. Dalloway looks awesome!

Have a wonderful weekend, Mamie!

>89 karenmarie: Hello, Coffee Sister! And thank you.

Yep - I am re-reading the Strike/Ellacott novels in anticipation of the newest entry. I am actually behind in the series. I thought I was just one book behind, but I am actually two books behind. Anyway, I thought I would re-listen to the ones I have already read before and then just keep going. The books are full of fabulous on audio, aren't they?

I was very happy to reach and then pass 75 this year - I lost my reading mojo earlier in the year, and thought I might not even make it to 75 a t all, so...

Right about the cucumbers - even the burpless ones repeat on me. It's a sadness because I love cucumbers. Craig did not do a vegetable garden tis year, either. He did flowers instead, and they are very cheerful and less work. He will probably do vegetables again next year.

Abby had a very bad episode yesterday evening, and I was thankful that Craig was home, or she would have dislocated her wrist - I could not hold it in place, and he had to take over. It is amazing how strong the body is - Craig, Birdy and I had to work together to keep everything in place, but we did manage it. Then she had horrible, intense burning, and I thought it would never be over, but then it was, thank goodness. All of the day leading up into that, though, was really good - she spent most of the day downstairs and we had a lot of fun just hanging out together. This morning she is doing fine, but tired and sore from the episode. She is doing such a great job, and I am amazed by her each and every day. She texted me this photo earlier (she is upstairs today, and I was downstairs) which made me smile:



Thank you for the complement to Abby - I agree that she is very talented. I am so happy that she is able to do art again. It's so much a part of who she is that she feels lost when she cannot do it.

So true about cats and boxes. *Smile*

Thanks so much for stopping in and catching up - it's so lovely to see you, and I always love reading through your posts on any thread but especially on mine.

>90 figsfromthistle: It's full of fabulous, isn't it, Anita?! She showed it to us, and we were all wanting one for ourselves.

One step at a time. Exactly. Thanks so much for those good September wishes.

Hoping your weekend is also full of happy reading!

>91 richardderus: Darling! You know I love me a Friday!! I'm hoping yours is full of fabulous.

>93 alcottacre: Hello, Stasia! Mayhem does that, too, with the game boxes!! Cats are so funny about boxes, and I love watching Mayhem trying to fit into one that is too small for him - he makes us laugh. And the girls love any box, even the ones that haven't been opened yet.

Birdy bought me that Annotated Mrs. Dalloway and it is so gorgeous. You know I love annotated books, and this is just so well done.

Hoping that your weekend is also full of wonder!

This is the bookshelf page that Abby made for me - you can see that it now has wine, the red pig that Abby bought me years ago, a bluebird (Craig built a birdhouse and this year the bluebirds came back and made a nest inside again), cat grass (Mercy's addicted to this!), Mayhem's favorite mouse, and one of our Harry Potter light up houses (The Three Broomsticks).

Morning! I am so thankful it is Friday - my very favorite day. We will be doing our usual Mexican takeaway for lunch, and I can't wait. Yesterday, as I mentioned to Karen above, Abby had a great day until the early evening when she had a pretty big episode. She is doing fine today - just tired and sore. Not too much on the agenda, just some household chores and taking care of Griffin. I'm hoping to snag a chunk reading time this afternoon.

On the reading front, Birdy and I started listening to Evil Under the Sun yesterday - we are hoping to get back to our shared Agatha Christie reads. The audio is narrated by David Suchet, who played Hercule Poirot for all those years, and he does a terrific job. In the wee small hours I started Thunder Bay which is the first book in a murder mystery series that is set in Scotland - recommended by Richard. It's the first of the month, so Birdy has given me her manga selection for September which is That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime -the title alone is cracking me up. This reminds me that I need to update Birdy's and my Manga Project - she has given me one of her favorite manga to read each month and then we discuss them and compare thoughts. This has been so much fun that we are going to do something similar next year.

No coffee today. *gasp* Instead, this morning I am drinking Republic of Tea's Plum Pudding Black Tea:



This is one of my new favorites! I love that vanilla is described as being virtuous. I like it anyway. Heh.

>92 Crazymamie: Makes sense! I've seen similar concepts with cross-stitch/embroidery patterns -- you stitch each book a color you assign to a genre. I kind of want to do one next year!

Sorry to hear about Abby's episode. I hope today is much more restful.

So glad Abby's feeling better again today -- please let it be the start of another good run. Glad she's getting kitty love today. Those journal pages are fantastic. Is the idea that you will journal reading by putting the titles on the spines of the books? Will you be journaling other things too?

>96 Crazymamie: You're enjoying the Skeltons! Wonderful. His next one is coming out on 17 October during my mystery reviewing month. I'm eager to get Ann Cleeves's latest Matthew Venn story, The Raging Storm, reviewed and up on Monday.

>97 curioussquared: That sounds like a very col project, Natalie. I have not seen that, so I am hoping you do decide to go for it.

Thank you for your comments on Abby - so far, so good today. *smile*

>98 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba. Mercy adores Abby and can always be found wherever Abby is hanging out. Glad you love the journal pages - Birdy's includes album covers, too. I am not going to attempt putting the titles on the spines because I don't think I could write small enough to get the whole title on there for most of the books. Instead I am going to color them in with a color coded system is that it reflects the number of books I read and in what medium. I might also try to come up with a symbol to reflect the genre. Each book will get its own showing as we will also have pages where we post the covers of the books we have read. Something similar to this:



We will be journaling others things, too, such as the murder mystery series we have watched, and the music we have listened to...I'm going to include layouts about Daniel and KPs new house, my scone pan which I became obsessed over, what we did for the holidays...basically anything we want to include about the year. It will be fun to compare what we do and don't include when we are all finished. We're kind of hoping that it will become a yearly project.

>99 richardderus: Just started the first one in the wee small hours! Thanks so much for pointing me towards an undiscovered seres - I am always on the lookout. And I love the setting!!

I have not read that latest Ann Cleeves' - I still need to read A Heron's Cry. My favorite series by her so far is her Shetland books - love me some Jimmy Perez and that setting. I am hoarding the last book in that series because I don't want it to be over.

And now I know that October is your mystery reviewing month - I can't wait!

>94 Crazymamie: Glad Abby feels better today. Those episodes must be scary for all of you.

>96 Crazymamie: What a lovely bookshelf Abby made for you, Mamie. Thanks for sharing!

>96 Crazymamie: I have to add my praises for the bookshelf pages Abby made, they are beautiful and fun! I was so glad to hear that Abby had a good August, then sorry to find out she had a rough time last night. I hope that September will be more like most of August was.

>100 Crazymamie: Your journaling project sounds like so much fun, especially to do it as a family! I hope it does become a yearly project for you all. It looks like a wonderful way to record your memories.

Wishing Abby more good days. And longer stretches between *episodes*. Are her episodes actual seizures? Must be so frightening as well as exhausting for her and everyone. Thank goodness she is in a safe and caring environment, always!

Your journal projects sound so much fun! I look forward to following the progress!

>96 Crazymamie: And more books. More books is always good.

>92 Crazymamie: My mum was probably safer as a Land girl stationed on a farm than living with her parents in a district of London at that time plus learning to drive a tractor meant that it was easier for her to learn to drive a car in Canada than it was for my dad.

>96 Crazymamie: Love the bookshelf page.

Nice to see you posting, Mamie, and hope Abby has a good September. Your book journals look amazing!

>102 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita. And yes, the episodes are very scary.

I am happy to share Abby's beautiful artwork. She is so pleased that it is getting so much love here.

>103 atozgrl: Hello, Irene! So happy you love the bookshelf pages that Abby made. Thank you so much for those good wishes - they mean so much to us.

We are having a lot of fun with the journaling project, and I am hoping they will make beautiful little time capsules to look back on. Abby has jumped in with both feet, and the rest of us are still working on how we want to organize our journals. I will try to post images as I progress.

>108 Crazymamie: Abby's an amazing human being, so her getting all the love here ought to be her due not a surprise. A talented artist, a tough survivor, a loving and genuinely supportive sister/daughter/lady, she's another testament to your skills in example-setting.

*smooch*

>104 jessibud2: Thank you, Shelley! Abby has CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome). Her episodes are not actual seizures, but that is a good comparison. She is cognizant during the episodes - she has muscle spasms that might start as a small tick and then escalate. Sometimes they come on full force out of nowhere. They are so strong that she often dislocates things, so we have learned how to help hold her bones and tendons (which will often roll out of place - very freaky) in place. She often passes out multiple times during the process, and so we have learned to be careful/aware of where/how her head is situated. Abby and Craig have also gotten very good with putting things back into place when they do dislocate. Usually at some point in this process, she will start to burn, and that is horrendous. She feels like she is on fire, and her skin turns bright red, and this is so intense that sometimes she loses herself in the moment and she cannot see or hear us, just feel the pain and scream. Sometimes the episode might last only ten minutes, but we have had some that lasted over an hour. It's scary and intense and exhausting.

"Thank goodness she is in a safe and caring environment, always!" Right?! I do not know how people deal with this who do not have someone who can be home full time with them. She can fall or pass out often even without an episode and she often gets her hands stuck on things. She might grab hold of the stair railing or a mug or a sandwich, and suddenly her grip looks up and she is holding it very tightly and can't let go. We had a very funny incident with toothpaste once (and a scary one with scissors), and just last night she got her hand stuck on her brush and the brush stuck in her hair. Birdy and I were both trying to get it out without causing her further pain, and then we were all laughing so hard that we had to take a moment before we could rescue both the brush and her hair.

On a much lighter note, we are very excited about the journal project!

>105 quondame: So true, Susan!

>106 Familyhistorian: A very good point, Meg. The Women's Land Army is something I was unfamiliar with, so it was very interesting to learn about.

So glad you love the bookshelf page!

>107 bell7: Thank you so much, Mary! We are excited for September and all of its possibilities. If nothing else, we are at least traveling towards cooler weather.

>109 richardderus: Well, that made me tear up. Thank you so much for that, BigDaddy! *smooch and a Bear hug*

>110 Crazymamie: - Wow. I taught disabled kids for 26 years and came across and learned about many medical issues I had never heard of before. CRPS is new to me. It sounds like it could be a type of seizure disorder, in some of those manifestations you described. But the intense pain is not something I have seen in seizure students I have had over the years. I bet that is the worst (and scariest) part of it. My heart goes out to Abby (and all of you). Are there any meds that have helped at all?

Daniel and KP's new grill

Morning, Y'all! Saturday and overcast and slightly cooler - only going to 85F today, so hooray for that. Currently it's 75F which feels like a gift. No big plans for the holiday weekend, so I'm hoping to snag lots of reading time. Our Mexican takeaway yesterday was delicious. In the late afternoon, Craig went with Daniel to Americus to pick up the new grill for Daniel and KP's new house - this was our housewarming gift to them. We let them pick out the grill they wanted, and it is very cool looking - it features a wood pellet grill and smoker with a gas grill. I had not seen one like this before, and I cannot wait to taste the results. The Girls and I enjoyed a lazy afternoon with Griffin and the cats. Rae worked on a big Lego set she is assembling, Birdy and I read, and Abby watched Shark Attack Files. In the evening, Rae, Birdy and I watched an episode of Broken wood Mysteries (a re-watch for are and I), and then Rae and I re-watched an episode of Vera (we are watching back through the entire series).

On the reading front, I read my manga assignment from Birdy - That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Vol. 1, which was so weird that I had to immediately read the second volume. Birdy loves this series which the other Girls do not read, and I can see why she likes it - it's quirky and silly and weird. The premise is mind-boggling and succinctly captured in the title of the series. I love the titles of a lot of these manga because they are so long and crazy. In the wee small hours, I read more from Thunder Bay.

Today's coffee is once again our favorite hazelnut.

>113 jessibud2: Shelley, I had not heard of CRPS before Abby was diagnosed with it. I think the easiest way to describe it is to say that it is a nerve dysfunction - Abby does not have any actual damage to her nerves, but what happens is that they send the wrong message to the brain. She goes to a pain clinic and is currently on several medications, two of which are muscle relaxants. I do feel like her current combo of meds is making a difference.

>115 Crazymamie: - That's good to hear and I bet the experts at the pain clinic are as eager to solve this mystery as anyone. It's good to have a whole team approaching it from different angles and perspectives. Continued good wishes and easier days.

>116 jessibud2: Thank you for that, Shelley. I love the idea of "whole team approaching it from different angles and perspectives" but it is actually just one doctor. He is retiring soon, and the new doctor taking over is from Atlanta and is much younger and a woman, so I am hoping that she can bring some new perspective. She is also going to work out of two different facilities, and one is MUCH closer to us, so hooray for that.

>100 Crazymamie: Wow! Those are some impressive projects and will, I'm sure, be family treasures for generations to come. Fantastic!

>109 richardderus: Amen, brother! You hit it perfectly.

>115 Crazymamie: So glad current meds seem to be making a difference.

>118 RebaRelishesReading: Reba, thank you so much. You are always so supportive and encouraging and thoughtful - I hope you know how very much that means to us.

Afternoon, Friends! I tried several times to get onto LT yesterday, but it was down each time. Yesterday and today I spent the morning out on the screened-in porch, taking advantage of the cooler morning temps. We are still going into the 90s each day, but the mornings have been cooler - a lovely treat. This morning it was a mere 67F out there, and so I stayed and soaked it up until it got to be too hot for me. Craig is grilling for lunch today, and it smells awesome - he's doing brats and burgers and several different veggies. YUM!

Abby had a very good day all of Saturday, and yesterday she had an excellent day until the early evening when that right wrist again was trying to dislocate. We could not hold it this time, and it did partially dislocate and unfortunately pinched a nerve in doing so. Craig was able to put it back into place, and today the nerve is sore, but she is doing other than that. I asked her about the muscle spasms because I knew they had a name but could not remember when Shelley was asking about it - it's called severe muscle dystonia.

Yesterday was mostly lazy, and I got a few household chores done but mainly just indulged myself. Abby, Rae, and I re-watched several episodes of the first season of Castle, and in the evening, Rae and I continued our re-watch of Vera.

On the reading front, I sent my porch time the last two mornings with The Diary of Virginia Woolf, Volume 1. Her entries are a fascinating mix of her social life, her writing, the Hogarth Press, the weather, the war, the garden - it makes for very good reading, and I have loved dipping in and out of it when the mood suits me. In the wee small hours, I have been reading more of Thunder Bay.

The coffee today was again the Eight O'Clock Hazelnut - Craig's favorite, so we usually make this when he is off.

Mamie, I am not a doctor, (nor do I play one on tv!), but I know that several of my students over the years who had varying degrees of dystonia (sometimes associated with CP), would sometimes get botox treatment (injections) to relax the muscles, mostly in their legs, if I am remembering correctly. Has this ever been suggested or discussed for Abby? I wonder if that might give her some relief. Just putting the idea out there.

Wishing you a good day. It's stinking hot here and I plan on going nowhere outside my front door!

>121 jessibud2: Your opening bit made ma laugh, Shelley. Botox has never been suggested to Abby, but maybe that is because her muscle dystonia is only in her upper body. Thank you for mentioning it - certainly something we can ask about.

Thanks for this good wishes - it is also stinking hot here. I am SO ready for Fall and some cooler temps.

What crazy couple of days trying to get on LT! I was relieved to find it up and running when I checked this morning. Not much to report - we have mainly been hanging out with the books and the cats and waiting for Fall to arrive. Abby has had a lovely couple of days - yesterday we were even able to make a book store run, which was very fun.

On the reading front, yesterday Birdy and I finished up listening to Evil Under the Sun, so now we will watch whatever video versions we can find of it. I have seen the 1982 movie With Peter Ustinov, but Birdy has not, so we will watch that one and then surely there is one with David Suchet. In the afternoon, I started With Love From Cold World, which was my book store purchase - it's a contemporary romance, and I am liking this one so far. I also forgot to mention that on Monday I started The Leopard and read Part I. In the wee small hours, I read more from Thunder Bay - closing in on the end.

The coffee today is Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice.

May I throw a recent read onto your radar? Poirot: The Greatest detective in the World is a chronological survey of all the Poirot books, but extends to theatre, radio and film as well. Some interesting remarks from Christie and her heirs about some of the film adaptations!

Glad you've had a few good days on the trot. I, however, am not ready for autumn, We're having a late summer and delicious it is too. But then, our summer isn't as hot as yours!

>124 Helenliz: You may, Helen, and thanks for that. Adding it to The List!

Totally understand. I have just never been a summer person, even when I lived in the Midwest. It's my least favorite season, and unfortunately down here it lasts about seven or eight months, and the rest of the seasons get crammed together in whet is left over. It's currently 87F and going to 93F today, with a humidity level of 59%.

>125 Crazymamie: I get that. it's just on 6 pm here are we've had a "hot" day at 27C, which is ~80F, humidity just over 50%. Our hot ain't a patch on your hot!

Mamie me lurve, I thought I'd never survive the LT drought on a hot day...it was a close thing but while my cyberbones aren't yet bleaching in the unforgiving blast of the DDoS I am a weakened shadow of my former sleek self. I needed to come batten on your watering hole of kindness...now I feel normal again.

>119 Crazymamie: Wish I could do more. You all deserve better and there's nothing one can do.

>125 Crazymamie: I join you in summer being my least favorite season. I would be miserable in the south, inland southwest or midwest!! Best thing about summer is that fall (my favorite season) is right behind it. Hurry up Fall -- we're waiting for you!!

>126 Helenliz: Helen, that hot is much more doable. I still don't want it. Heh. But Fall I could live in year round and be very happy indeed.

>127 richardderus: The LT drought was a sadness. You poor, poor dear! I see you managed to hang onto your delightful way of wording things and to your generosity of spirit. Nicely done, BigDaddy! And thank you for the kind words and lovely compliment. *smooch*

>128 RebaRelishesReading: Reba, you are a gem- thank you.

Fall is also my favorite season - as I mentioned to Helen above, I could live very happily in Fall all year long. If only!

Morning, All! No screened-in porch this morning because 90% humidity. Yuck. Nothing much on the agenda for today - some laundry and vacuuming and other basic boring stuff. Last night we made stuffed peppers for dinner, and they were so good. Tonight it will be Grab Your Own.

Abby had a good day yesterday, and today she is feeling great so we are planning on running out to Michael's this morning.

On the reading front, Birdy and I started Dead Man's Folly on audio yesterday and listened to more than half of it. We used Birdy's little speaker to listen while we were doing household chores and making dinner, so the was fun. In the evening and in the wee small hours, I finished up Thunder Bay - this is billed as a thriller, but it is more of an unraveling of a cold case. The writing is good and it's fast paced, so it moves along quickly, making it a good summer read. I did not like very many of the characters, including the main one, so it will be interesting to see where he goes with the second installment. Thanks to Richard for recommending this series.

Iced beverages today - Abby is having a chai and I am having a latte.

Yay for Abby's good days, and I hope she has fun at Michael's (how could she not?).

Also, please ask her to send me up an iced chai - my favorite!

>130 Crazymamie: Happy hot Thursday!

...wait...I'm sure I asked the AI to turn on the sarcasm font...

>131 katiekrug: Morning, Katie! We have already been to Michael's and we did indeed have fun. Abby does better in the morning, so we always try to do stuff like that as early as possible.

Abby and I both love iced chai!

>132 richardderus: Morning, BigDaddy! I am so done with the temps in the 90s.

I would LOVE sarcasm font! We need that.

Just holding my breath -- afraid to say anything -- but you know what I'm thinking

Hi Mamie, I haven't posted here in quite some time but I have been reading and keeping up with you. My heart goes out to Abby, what a terrible thing to be going through. Thank heaven she has such a loving and protective family. I can only imagine how the escape of reading is helping you.

Weekend-ahead's reading excellence *whammy*

Happy weekend, Mamie!

Hope all is well this weekend at the Pecan Paradisio.

New-Sunday *smooch*

Hi Mamie, I hope all is well at the Pecan Paradiscio.

*waves* Hi Mamie.

Hi, Mamie! Abby's CRPS sounds awful, and I hope there is more help ahead in lessening her suffering!

>81 Crazymamie: Love the photo of Mischief. So typical -- cats in boxes, in sunshine. My Sig will ignore every toy to climb into a new box that's available! (But then he'll start tearing it up with his claws . . .)

Indiana's next to Canada, isn't it? Oh, who cares, it's too funny not to share.

Happy Thanksgiving, Canadian friends.

Just popping in with a public service announcement - Teapigs' Gingerbread tea is back on their website for order in the UK.
Hope you are well.