klobrien2 Karen O Reads in 2023 -- Part 6

This is my dear, sweet gone-to-heaven husband Art. I miss him so incredibly much.

Welcome to my sixth 2023 reading thread!

I've been with the 75-bookers for many years now, and I enjoy so much the camaraderie and book talk that happens here. I'm very glad to join with you all again!

The year 2023 has continues to be a terrific time for reading. I find myself reading pretty much as the spirit leads. I participate in the American Author Challenge, and plan to continue with them. A long-term project of mine is to accomplish reads from the "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die" book, so that may guide my reading a little. Current 1001 Books count: 215.

What directs my reading more are my friends here on LT, so keep those recommendations coming!

This is my fifteenth year participating in the 75 Books Challenge. In 2009, I read 94 books; in 2010, I made it to 148!; 153 in 2011; 160 in 2012; 114 in 2013; 92 in 2014; 109 in 2015; 145 in 2016, 210 in 2017, 200 in 2018, 180 in 2019, 225 (3 x 75!) in 2020, 242 in 2021, 286 in 2022. In 2023? Maybe I'll shoot for 287?

In addition to reading books, I've also discovered the world of Great Courses DVD lifelong learning courses. I love them! Below is a list of the courses I've completed, and I will try to always have at least one course going all the time.

A list of the Great Courses I have done can be found here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/331920

I've also begun some serious magazine reading, using my public library as source once again. I keep track of and read some fifteen magazines, on a range of topics: science, quilting, nature, birding, cats, news, etc.

I read two daily newspapers (St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Minneapolis Star Tribune), and I also read a lot of daily newsletters from the NYTimes.

Here's where I'll list the books I read (the number at the end of each line represents the post number where I listed the book).

Books from January and February are detailed on my "Part 1" thread: https://www.librarything.com/topic/347174#

Books from March and April are detailed on my "Part 2" thread:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/349008#

Books from May and part of June are detailed on my "Part 3" thread: https://www.librarything.com/topic/350579#

Books from rest of June through part of August are detailed on my "Part 4" thread: https://www.librarything.com/topic/351719#

Books from rest of August through most of September are detailed on my "Part 5" thread: https://www.librarything.com/topic/353046#

The books I read in January:

1. Yellowrocket by Todd Boss
2. Mara's Stories: Glimmers in the Darkness by Gary Schmidt
3. Flying Solo: A Novel by Linda Holmes
4. Murder in the Dark (Phryne Fisher #16) by Kerry Greenwood
5. The Lost Soul by Olga Tokarczuk
6. Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death (Agatha Raisin #7) by M. C. Beaton
7. Molly on the Range: Recipes and Stories from an Unlikely Life on a Farm by Molly Yeh
8. Game of Thrones, Vol. 4 (Graphic) by Daniel Abrahamson
9. The Canary Trainer: From the Memoirs of John H. Watson, MD by Nicholas Meyer
10. Noah's Ark: From Genesis, Chapters 6 - 9 ad. by Linda Falken, from Metropolitan Museum of Art
11. Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Alliance by Larry Millett
12. Cat Kid Comic Club: On Purpose (Cat Kid Comic Club #3) by Dav Pilkey
13. Breakdowns: Portrait of the Artist as a Young &@&*! by Art Spiegelman
14. The Paper Chase by John Jay Osborn Jr
15. Cat Kid Comic Club: Collaborations (Cat Kid Comic Club #4) by Dav Pilkey
16. Captain Carter: Woman Out of Time by Jamie Mckelvie
17. Moonflower Murders (Susan Reyland #2) by Anthony Horowitz
18. Troll Magic: Hidden Folk from the Mountains and Forests of Norway by Theodor Kittelsen, trans. Tiina Nunnally
19. Milk Street: The World in a Skillet by Christopher Kimball
20. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
21. Selected Poems by U. A. Fanthorpe
22. Number One is Walking: My Life in the Movies and Other Diversions by Steve Martin, illus. Harry Bliss
23. Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of Evesham (Agatha Raisin #8) by M. C. Beaton

The books I read in February:

24. Zabar's: A Family Story, with Recipes by Lori Zabar
25. The Twilight Man: Rod Serling and the Birth of Television by Koren Shadmi
26. Home is Where the Eggs Are: Farmhouse Food for the People You Love by Molly Yeh
27. Museum Masterpieces: The Metropolitan Museum of Art by Richard Brettell
28. A Wealth of Pigeons: A Cartoon Collection by Harry Bliss and Steve Martin
29. Bleeding Heart Yard: A Novel by Elly Griffiths
30. "Modulation," from Best American Short Stories 2009, by Richard Powers
31. Foster by Claire Keegan
32. Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen, ill. by Kevin Hawkes
33. Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden (Agatha Raisin #9) by M. C. Beaton
34. The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, ill. Robert Ingpen
35. Hickory Wind: The Life and Times of Gram Parsons by Ben Fong-Torres
36. Where the Wild Things Are: The Art of Maurice Sendak by Maurice Sendak
37. Agate: What Good is a Moose? by Joy Morgan Dey and Nikki Johnson
38. A Hole is to Dig by Ruth Krauss, ill. Maurice Sendak
39. Enola Holmes: The Missing Marquess (Enola Holmes #1) by Nancy Springer
40. Where the Sidewalk Ends: The Poems and Drawings of Shel Silverstein
41. Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam (Agatha Raisin #10) by M. C. Beaton
42. Verity by Colleen Hoover
43. Small Batch Bakes: Baking Cakes, Cookies, Bars and Buns for One to Six People by Edd Kimber
44. The Cathedral (Great Courses) by William R. Cook
45. Triple Jeopardy (Nero Wolfe #20) by Rex Stout
46. Marigold and Rose: A Fiction by Louise Gluck
47. Lugosi: The Rise and Fall of Hollywood's Dracula by Koren Shadmi
48. No Filter: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful by Pauline Porizkova
49. Creature: Paintings, Drawings, and Reflections by Shaun Tan

The books I read in March:

50. Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell (Agatha Raisin #11) by M. C. Beaton
51. The Case of the Left-Handed Lady: An Enola Holmes Mystery (Enola Holmes #2) by Nancy Springer
52. Barnum's Bones: How Barnum Brown Discovered the Most Famous Dinosaur in the World by Tracey Fern, ill. Boris Kulikov
53. Murder on a Midsummer Night (Phryne Fisher #17) by Kerry Greenwood
54. Treasures of Egypt: A Legacy of Photographs from the Pyramids to Cleopatra, ed. Ann R. Williams
55. 1066: The Year That Changed Everything (Great Courses) by Jennifer Paxton
56. Feels Like Home: A Song for the Sonoran Borderlands by Linda Ronstadt and Lawrence Downes, photographs by Bill Steen
57. Fen, Bog, and Swamp: A Short History of Peatland Destruction and it Role in the Climate Crisis by Annie Proulx
58. American Cult: A Graphic History of Religious Cults in America from the Colonial Era to Today, ed. by Robyn Chapman
59. Bliss on Toast: 75 Simple Recipes by Prue Leith
60. Agatha Raisin and the Day the Floods Came (Agatha Raisin #12) by M. C. Beaton
61. The Red Green Book: Wit and Wisdom from Possum Lodge by Red Green (Steve Smith and Rick Green)
62. North: Poems by Seamus Heaney
63. Maud Martha by Gwendolyn Brooks
64. The Rise of Rome (Great Courses) by Gregory S. Aldrete

I read these books in April:

65. Dr. No by Percival Everett
66. On Noah's Ark by Jan Brett
67. Arrowsmith #2: Behind Enemy Lines by Kurt Busiek
68. The Best American Poetry 2021, guest editor Tracy K. Smith
69. The Idea of North: The Paintings of Larwen Harris
70. Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate (Agatha Raisin #13) by M. C. Beaton
71. Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully
72. The Next Place by Warren Henry
73. The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets (Enola Holmes #3) by Nancy Springer
74. Enola Holmes: The Graphic Novels, Volume 1 by Cerena Blasco
75. Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House (Agatha Raisin #14) by M. C. Beaton
76. Musical Tables: Poetry by Billy Collins
77. Dead Man's Chest (Phryne Fisher #18) by Kerry Greenwood
78. Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas by Jim Ottaviani and Maris Wicks
79. Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage, and Survival by Velma Wallis, ill. Jim Grant
80. Big Tree by Brian Selznick

I read these books in May:

81. The Windeby Puzzle by Lois Lowry
82. Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea (Dog Man #11) by Dav Pilkey
83. The Deadly Dance (Agatha Raisin #15) by M. C. Beaton
84. Remember by Joy Harjo, illus. Michaela Goade
85. Castle Rock Kitchen: Wicked Good Recipes from the World of Stephen King by Theresa Carle-Sanders
86. The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan (Enola Holmes #4) by Nancy Springer
87. Heathen, Volume 3 by Natasha Alterici
88. Creation Stories of the Ancient World (Great Courses) by Joseph Lam
89. Whatever Next? Lessons from an Unexpected Life by Anne Glenconner
90. Amazing Cows: A Book of Bovinely Inspired Misinformation by Sandra Boynton
91. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

I read these books in June:

92. Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
93. The Perfect Paragon (Agatha Raisin #16) by M. C. Beaton
94. The World's Greatest Engineering Icons by Mike Bluett
95. The Last Remains (Dr. Ruth Galloway #15) by Elly Griffiths
96. The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline (Enola Holmes #5) by Nancy Springer
97. Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild! by Mem Fox, illus. Marla Frazee
98. Howard and the Mummy: Howard Carter and the Search for King Tut's Tomb by Tracey Fern, illus. Boris Kulikov
99. Grandfather Twilight by Barbara Berger
100. Love, Lies and Liquor (Agatha Rasin #17) by M. C. Beaton

101. Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride by Pam Munoz Ryan, illus. Brian Selznick
102. All Systems Red (Murderbot Diaries #1) by Martha Wells
103. Rose Quartz: Poems by Sasha taqwseblu LaPointe
104. Two Bad Ants by Chris Van Allsburg
105. The Case of the Gypsy Goodbye by Nancy Springer
106. The Woman Who Fell From the Sky: Poems by Joy Harjo
107. Enola Holmes: The Graphic Novels (Volume 2) by Serena Blasco

I read these books in July:

108. American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
109. The Violet Bakery Cookbook by Claire Ptak
110. The Lost Soul by Olga Tokarczuk, illus. Joanna Concejo
111. The Talk by Darrin Bell
112. Artificial Condition (Murderbot Diaries #2) by Martha Wells
113. Galatea: A Short Story by Madeline Miller
114. Never Forget Eleanor by Jason June, illus. Loren Long
115. The Imitation Game: Alan Turing Decoded by Jim Ottaviani, illus. Leland Purris
116. On the Curry Trail: Chasing the Flavor That Seduced the World by Raghavan Iyer
117. She-Hulk: The Complete Collection by Charles Soule, illus. Javier Polido
118. Promises of Gold by Jose Olivarez
119. Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche (Enola Holmes #7) by Nancy Springer
120. Maureen: A Harold Fry Novel by Rachel Joyce
121. Under the Blanket Sky by Tim Fischer
122. You're Strong With Me by Chitra Soundar and Poonam Mistry
123. She-Hulk, Volume 1: Jen, Again by Rainbow Rowell
124. Enola Holmes: Mycroft's Dangerous Game by Mickey George
125. Captain America: The Ghost Army by Alan Gratz, illus. Brent Schoonover
126. Rogue Protocol (Murderbot Diaries #3) by Martha Wells
127. The Bones of Birka: Unraveling the Mystery of a Female Viking Warrior by C. M. Surrisi
128. The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill
129. You're Safe With Me by Citra Soundar and Poonam Mistry
130. You're Snug With Me by Citra Soundar and Poonam Mistry
131. Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, illus. Patrick Benson
132. The Enigma of Garlic: A 44 Scotland Street Novel (44 Scotland Street #16) by Alexander McCall Smith 2
133. Exit Strategy (Murderbot Diaries #4) by Martha Wells

I read these books in August:

134. Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade (Enola Holmes#8) by Nancy Springer
135. Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford, illus. Kadir Nelson
136. The Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee
137. In Every Life by Marla Frazee
138. She-Hulk Volume 2: Jen of Hearts
139. Sailing Alone Around the Room: New and Selected Poems by Billy Collins
140. He's Got the Whole World in His Hands by Kadir Nelson
141. If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson
142. Mirror by Jeannie Baker
143. 1964: Eyes of the Storm (Photographs and Reflections) by Paul McCartney
144. Quietly Hostile: Essays by Samantha Irby
145. Prisoner's Base (Nero Wolfe #21) by Rex Stout
146. All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley
147. Tigers & Tea with Toppy by Barbara Kerley with Rhoda Knight Kolt, illus. Matte Stephens

148. Jacques Pepin: The Art of the Chicken: A Master Chef's Paintings, Stories, and Recipes of the Humble Bird by Jacques Pepin
149. Kissing Christmas Goodbye (Agatha Raisin #18) by M. C. Beaton
150. A Dog So Small by Phillipa Pearce
151. Once Upon a Tome: The Misadventures of a Rare Bookseller by Oliver Darkshire
152. Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
153. Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
154. Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey
155. I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott, ill. Sydney Smith
156. Big by Vashti Harrison
157. Once Upon a Time in Persia by Sahir Doustar, ill. Daniela Tieni
158. We Are Starlings: Inside the Mesmerizing Magic of a Murmuration by Robert Furrow and Donna Jo Napoli, ill Marc Merton
159. Weslandia by David Fleischman, ill. Kevin Hawkes
160. Love is a Pink Cake: Irresistible Bakes for Morning, Noon and Night by Claire Ptak
161. The Trees by Percival Everett

I read these books in September:

162. All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, ill. Marla Frazee
163. A Spoonful of Poison (Agatha Raisin #19) by M. C. Beaton
164.The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerley, ill. Brian Selznick
165. One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey
166. Make Way for McCloskey: A Robert McCloskey Treasury by Robert McCloskey, intro by Leonard S. Marcus
167. Cluny Brown by Margery Sharp
168. Wishes by Muon Thi Van, ill. Victo Ngai
169. What You Know First by Patricia MacLachlan, engravings by Barry Moser
170. My Shadow is Purple by Scott Stuart
171. In a Village by the Sea by Muon Thi Van, ill. April Chu
172. Leonardo da Vinci and the Italian High Renaissance (Great Course) by George R. Bent
173. There Goes the Bride (Agatha Raisin #20) by M. C. Beaton
174. Network Effect (Murderbot Diaries #5) by Martha Wells
175. Waiting for Godot: A Tragicomedy in Two Acts) by Samuel Beckett
176. It's Time to Sleep, My Love by Eric Metaxas, ill. Nancy Tillman
177. Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel
178. The Horror at Red Hook by H. P. Lovecraft, ed. Leslie S. Klinger
179. Track of the Cat (Anna Pigeon #1) by Nevada Barr

180. Busy Body (Agatha Raisin #21) by M. C. Beaton -- 3
181. Lean on Me by Bill Withers (song lyrics), ill. Rachel Moss -- 24
182. Eleanor: Quiet No More: The Life of Eleanor Roosevelt by Doreen Rappaport, ill. Gary Kelley -- 24
183. The Golden Spiders (Nero Wolfe #22) by Rex Stout -- 33
184. Funny Things: A Comic Strip Biography of Charles M. Schulz, by Luca Debus and Francesco Matteuzzi -- 35
185. As the Pig Turns (Agatha Raisin #22) by M. C. Beaton -- 54
186. Curves for Days by Laura Moher -- 55
187. Christmas Crumble (Agatha Raisin #22.5) by M. C. Beaton -- 64
188. Gidget by Frederick Kohner -- 71
189. The Last Devil to Die (Thursday Murder Club #4) by Richard Osman -- 79
190. Artemisia by Nathalie Ferlutk, ill. Tamia Baudouin -- 80
191. Fugitive Telemetry (Murderbot Diaries #6) by Martha Wells -- 91
192. The Puppets of Spelhorst (A Norendy Tale) by Kate DiCamillo, ill. Julie Morstad -- 105
193. Hiss and Hers (Agatha Raisin #23) by M. C. Beaton -- 121

Here is where I'll list the authors selected for the 2023 American Authors Challenge, the books I will read, and if I complete them (here's hoping!)

2023 AAC
JANUARY: Children’s classics: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum - COMPLETED
FEBRUARY: Richard Powers: short story "Modulation" -- COMPLETED
MARCH: Poetry: The Best American Poetry 2021, ed. David Lehman -- Reading, North by Seamus Heaney
APRIL: Ursula Hegi -- Going to skip
MAY: John Edgar Wideman -- Going to skip
JUNE: Mary Gordon -- Going to skip
JULY: US Presidents as authors -- Going to skip
AUGUST: Percival Everett -- The Trees - COMPLETED
SEPT: American Ladies of Crime -- Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr - COMPLETED
OCT.: Dorothy Canfield Fisher -- will read Understood Betsy
NOV.: Canadian authors
DEC.: Benjamin Alire Saenz
WILD CARD: AAC 2014 REDUX

My 2003 "Books Read" list (casually kept, and probably incomplete): http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2003-reading-list.html
My 2004 "Books Read" list (see above caveats: things get better!):
http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2004-reading-list.html
My 2005 "Books Read" list (most pathetic list yet): http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2005-reading-list.html
My 2006 "Books Read" list : http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2006-reading-list.htm
My 2007 "Books Read" list : http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2007-reading-list.html
My 2008 "Books Read" list : http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2008-reading-list.html
My 2009 "Books Read" list : http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2009-reading-list.html
My 2010 "Books Read" list : http://librata.blogspot.com/2012/04/karens-2010-reading-list.html

Here is a link to my last thread from 2011: http://www.librarything.com/topic/122919

Here is a link to my last thread from 2012: http://www.librarything.com/topic/138897

Here is a link to my last thread from 2013:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/156012

Here is a link to my thread from 2014: http://www.librarything.com/topic/163564

Here is a link to my thread from 2015: https://www.librarything.com/topic/186139

Here is a link to my thread from 2016: http://www.librarything.com/topic/211096

Here is a link to my last thread from 2017: http://www.librarything.com/topic/268142#

Here is a link to my last thread from 2018: https://www.librarything.com/topic/298557

Here is a link to my one-and-only thread from 2019: https://www.librarything.com/topic/301738

The books I've read in the first half of 2020 (115 of them) are here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/314888

The books I read in the second half of 2020 are here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/322010#

The books I read in the first half of 2021 are here:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/328372#

The books I read in the second half of 2021 are here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/333390#

The books I read in the first quarter of 2022 are here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/338204#n7791489

The books I read in April and May of 2022 are here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/340601#n7851702

The books I read in June, July, part of August of 2022 are here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/342092#

The books I read in August through part of October of 2022 are here:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/343494#n7961305

The books I read from October to the end of year are here:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/345382#

Good reading to you!

I maintain a weekly "roundup" of the books I am reading: here is the roundup from last Friday:

Friday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (and do so much eBook reading), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly.

Karen's current reading (09/22/2023):

Actively reading (or soon will be!)

Fugitive Telemetry (Murderbot #6) by Martha Wells -- p. 2 of 168
The Last Devil to Die (Thursday Murder Club #4) by Richard Osman -- p. 17 of 322
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, ill. Grahame Baker Smith -- p. 6 of 191
The Silkworm (Cormoran Strike #2) by Robert Galbraith -- p. 128 of 424
Unnatural Habits (Phryne Fisher #19) by Kerry Greenwood -- p. 49 of 255
The Golden Spiders (Nero Wolfe #22) by Rex Stout -- p. 50 of 148
People of Darkness by Tony Hillerman -- p. 24 of 305
Busy Body (Agatha Raisin #21) by M. C. Beaton -- p. 23 of 278
Funny Things: A Comic Strip Biography of Charles M Schulz by Luca Debus and Francesco Matteuzi -- p. 50 of 440

I'm overbooked! I'll probably leave these on the list, but I can't truly say that I am actively reading them right now:

Sister of Grendel by Susan Thurston -- p. 4 of 164
The Remarkable Retirement of Edna Fisher by E. M. Anderson -- p. 11 of 310
The Private Life of Spies and The Exquisite Art of Getting Even by Alexander McCall Smith
I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai
The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer, p. 4 of 202
Portable Magic: A History of Books and Their Readers by Emma Smith -- p. 31 of 314
Ready Player One (audiobook) by Ernest Cline, read by Wil Wheaton
Thursday Next in the Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde -- p. 10 of 373
Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead -- p. 26 of 288

I try to participate in the American Authors Challenge. In September, we are reading Women Authors of Crime. I am reading the first Anna Pigeon, Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr -- p. 144 of 245.

I usually am reading/watching Great Courses. My current course is Understanding the Periodic Table by Ron B. Davis Jr, 24 half-hour lectures. I've finished 1 of 24.

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still-Want-to-Get-to-Them (so, these are readily available to me although I might not be reading them quite yet or may have had to return them to the library; most are my own books)

The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols by Nicholas Meyer -- p. 3 of 238
The Disappearance of Sherlock Holmes by Larry Millett -- p. 0 of 340
Marple: Twelve New Stories by assorted authors
Fairy Tale by Stephen King
The Bob-iverse books! (reread)

180. Busy Body (Agatha Raisin #21) by M. C. Beaton



Now Agatha and the gang have two murders to solve, and they may or may not be connected. There's a new intern detective in the agency, young Simon Black, and he is appears to be a great fit with the group. This was a fun read.

I loved this passage: "Mrs. Bloxby had often wished that her friend would grow out of her silly obsessions, but she thought, Agatha without an obsession seemed gutted somehow."

Happy new thread, Karen!

New 🧵 orisons, Karen O.! *smooch*

Happy new thread, Karen. xx

Happy new one, Karen!

Happy new thread :)

Happy Wednesday, Karen. Happy New Thread. I am glad we plan to keep Film Fest going!!

Happy New 🧵, Karen! Many good reads ahead.

>4 atozgrl: >5 richardderus: >6 PaulCranswick: >7 katiekrug:>8 >9 msf59: >10 vancouverdeb: Thank you all for the lovely new thread greetings!

Wordle 830 3/6 irate, chime, smile

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Etymonline.com: smile (v.)
c. 1300, smilen, "assume a facial expression or change of features indicative of amusement and pleasure," perhaps from Middle Low German *smilen (compare Middle High German smielen) or a Scandinavian source (such as Danish smile "smile," Swedish smila "smile, smirk, simper, fawn"), from Proto-Germanic *smil-, extended form of PIE root *smei- "to laugh, smile" (source also of Sanskrit smayate "smiles;" Latvian smiêt "to laugh;" Latin mirus "wonderful," mirari "to wonder;" Old English smerian "to laugh at, scorn," Old High German smieron "to smile"). Related: Smiled; smiling; smilingly.
It gradually pushed the usual Old English word, smearcian (modern smirk), into a specific, unpleasant sense. Of the eyes, from 1759. Figuratively (of Fortune, etc.), as indicating favor or encouragement, from c. 1400. In Middle English to smile still (c. 1400) was to smile to oneself.
The saying smile and the world smiles with you is by 1884, in quotation marks, in newspaper poetry. An early second line to it was, frown, and it frowns again. 1886, credited to E.L. Ellsworth, "Cleveland Leader"
The Romance, Celtic, and Slavic languages tend to use a diminutive of the word for "laugh" to mean "smile" (such as Latin ridere "laugh;" subridere "smile"), perhaps literally "small laugh" or "low laugh."
also from c. 1300
smile (n.)
mid-15c., "expression of the face like that at the start of a laugh, indicating amusement, pleasure, etc.," from smile (v.).

Connections
Puzzle #108
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Happy new one, Karen.

Happy new thread, Karen!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Karen!

Happy new thread and happy Wednesday, Karen :)

>13 BLBera: >14 alcottacre: >15 drneutron: >16 FAMeulstee: >17 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you all for your warm welcome! Have a wonderful Thursday!

Wordle 831 4/6 irate, bland, champ, coach

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etymonline.com: coach (n.)
1550s, "large kind of four-wheeled, covered carriage," from French coche (16c.), from German kotsche, from Hungarian kocsi (szekér) "(carriage) of Kocs," village where it was first made. In Hungary, the thing and the name for it date from 15c., and forms are found since 16c. in most European languages (Spanish and Portuguese coche, Italian cocchino, Dutch koets). Vehicles often were named for the place of their invention or first use (compare berlin, landau, surrey). Applied to railway passenger cars by 1866, American English. Sense of "economy or tourist class" is from 1949.
Meaning "instructor/trainer" is c. 1830 Oxford University slang for a private tutor who "carries" a student through an exam (compare pony in the student slang sense "translation"). Transferred sense in sports, "person employed to train athletes for a contest" is attested from 1861. A more classical word for an athletic trainer was agonistarch, from Greek agonistarkhes "one who trains (someone) to compete in the public games and contests."
All panelled carriages with seats for four persons inside, and an elevated coachman's seat, are designated coaches. The town coach proper, has windows in the doors, and one in each end, the quarters being panelled. Henry William Herbert ("Frank Forester"), "Hints to Horse-Keepers," New York, 1859
also from 1550s
coach (v.)
1610s, "to convey in a coach," from coach (n.). Meaning "to tutor, give private instruction to, prepare (someone) for an exam or a contest" is from 1849. Related: Coached; coaching.

Connections — I took my time with the sorting and had success.

Puzzle #109
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215 is a lot of books from the 1001 list. I started reading it, and have read quite a few of the classics, but they just ended up to literary for me to read book-after-book. I am a sliw reader and like a little fluff. Well about 50% fluff, in reality.

>3 klobrien2: Looks like a fun read, Karen! Happy Weekend ahead!

>20 The_Hibernator: I have really slacked off on my reading from the 1001 Book list. There are too many other books that come to my attention (both new and not so new). I've enjoyed the 1001 Books reading, and maybe I'll try to do more in the new year.

Thanks for stopping by!

>21 vancouverdeb: I really like the Agatha Raisin books! Good thing there are so many of them. Happy weekend to you, too!

A couple of great picture books, featuring heroes. Thanks again to whisper1 for her recommendations!



181. Lean on Me: A Children's Picture Book by Bill Withers, ill. Rachel Moss



Sweet picture book featuring the lyrics of the classic Bill Withers song, with pictures illustrating the lives of four children through their early years.



182. Eleanor: Quiet No More: The Life of Eleanor Roosevelt by Doreen Rappaport, ill. Gary Kelley



The life of Eleanor Roosevelt, beautifully illustrated, and masterfully told.

Wordle 832 4/6 irate, arose, agree, azure

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Etymonline.com: Love this word! And its etymology ain’t bad, neither!
azure (n.)
"sky-blue color; pigment or paint made of powdered lapis lazuli," early 14c., from Old French azur, asur, a color name (12c.), from a false separation of Medieval Latin lazur, lazuri (as though the -l- were the French article l'), which comes from Greek lazour, from Persian lajward, from Lajward, a place in Turkestan mentioned by Marco Polo, where the stone was collected.
also from early 14c.
Entries linking to azure

lapis lazuli (n.)
"azure-stone, rich ultramarine silicate stone," early 15c., from Middle Latin lapis lazuli, literally "stone of azure," from Latin lapis "a stone" (see lapideous) + Medieval Latin lazuli, genitive of lazulum, from Arabic lazuward (see azure).

Connections
Puzzle #110
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>25 klobrien2: One of my favorites on all fronts. Have the weekend delightful, dear lady! *smooch*

>26 richardderus: I even like just saying today’s word…I hope you have a wonderful weekend, Richard!

Friday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (and do so much eBook reading), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly.

Karen's current reading (09/29/2023):

Actively reading (or soon will be!)

Holly by Stephen King -- p. 2 of 449
The Last Devil to Die (Thursday Murder Club #4) by Richard Osman -- p. 71 of 322
The Golden Spiders (Nero Wolfe #22) by Rex Stout -- p. 114 of 148
Fugitive Telemetry (Murderbot #6) by Martha Wells -- p. 2 of 168
Funny Things: A Comic Strip Biography of Charles M Schulz by Luca Debus and Francesco Matteuzi -- p. 150 of 440
The Remarkable Retirement of Edna Fisher by E. M. Anderson -- p. 24 of 310
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, ill. Grahame Baker Smith -- p. 19 of 191
Unnatural Habits (Phryne Fisher #19) by Kerry Greenwood -- p. 49 of 255
People of Darkness by Tony Hillerman -- p. 24 of 305

I'm overbooked! I'll probably leave these on the list, but I can't truly say that I am actively reading them right now:

The Silkworm (Cormoran Strike #2) by Robert Galbraith -- p. 128 of 424
The Private Life of Spies and The Exquisite Art of Getting Even by Alexander McCall Smith
I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai
The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer, p. 4 of 202
Ready Player One (audiobook) by Ernest Cline, read by Wil Wheaton
Thursday Next in the Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde -- p. 10 of 373
Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead -- p. 26 of 288

I try to participate in the American Authors Challenge. In October, we are reading books by Dorothy Canfield Fisher. I will read Understanding Betsy.

I usually am reading/watching Great Courses. My current course is Understanding the Periodic Table by Ron B. Davis Jr, 24 half-hour lectures. I've finished 1 of 24.

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still-Want-to-Get-to-Them (so, these are readily available to me although I might not be reading them quite yet or may have had to return them to the library; most are my own books)

The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols by Nicholas Meyer -- p. 3 of 238
The Disappearance of Sherlock Holmes by Larry Millett -- p. 0 of 340
Marple: Twelve New Stories by assorted authors
Fairy Tale by Stephen King
The Bob-iverse books! (reread)

Wordle 833 4/6 irate, cloud, dandy, daddy

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Etymonline.com: daddy (n.)
c. 1500, colloquial diminutive of dad, with -y (3). Slang daddy-o is attested by 1949, from bop talk.
Daddy-long-legs is from 1814 in Britain as "crane-fly," a slender, long-legged summer fly. In the U.S., it was used by 1865 as the word for a spider-like arachnid with a small round body and very long, slender legs.
A superstition obtains among our cow-boys that if a cow be lost, its whereabouts may be learned by inquiring of the Daddy-Long-legs (Phalangium), which points out the direction of the lost animal with one of its fore legs. Frank Cowan, "Curious Facts in the History of Insects, Including Spiders and Scorpions," Philadelphia, 1865
also from c. 1500
Entries linking to daddy

dad (n.)
"a father, papa," recorded from c. 1500, but probably much older, from child's speech, nearly universal and probably prehistoric (compare Welsh tad, Irish daid, Lithuanian tėtė, Sanskrit tatah, Czech tata, Latin tata "father," Greek tata, used by youths to their elders). Compare papa.
-y (3)
suffix in pet proper names (such as Johnny, Kitty), first recorded in Scottish c. 1400; according to OED it became frequent in English 15c.-16c. Extension to surnames seems to date from c. 1940. Use with common nouns seems to have begun in Scottish with laddie (1546) and become popular in English due to Burns' poems, but the same formation appears to be represented much earlier in baby and puppy.

Connections
Puzzle #111
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>29 klobrien2: Interests me that the word's ancestry is described as "near-universal"...where's it NOT used? Curious the paths that etymology leads my brain down.

A long-ago friend told me that my love of trivia and oddball information was me giving chew-toys to my brain to keep it from eating the furniture. I've never felt so seen before or since.

>30 richardderus: That's great ("chew-toys for the brain"). I'm getting a lot of entertainment and comfort from my puzzles lately, that's for sure.

I really look forward to seeing you here! You have been a faithful friend! Or, is that "faithful fiend," haha.

>30 richardderus: "chew toys for the brain" -- I love it!!

183. The Golden Spiders (Nero Wolfe #22) by Rex Stout



I really enjoyed this one, about a set of murders involving a woman wearing spider earrings. I remember this plot from the TV series. Art bought me my own DVD set of the show; I should start watching that again!

>31 klobrien2:, >32 RebaRelishesReading: It's the perfect description of my obsessive quest for information, and it's so pithy it's vey quotable.

Happy-Sunday *smooch*

Fiendishly yours,
Me.

184. Funny Things: A Comic Strip Biography of Charles M. Schulz by Luca Debus and Francesco Mateuzzi



A really interesting approach to the presenting of a biography--it's in comic strip form. Thanks to msf59 for bringing the book to my attention!

Wordle 834 4/6 irate, treT, rebut, beret

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Etymonline.com: beret (n.)
also berret, "round, flat, woolen cap," originally worn by Basque peasants, 1827 as a fashionable accessory, from French béret, 19c., from dialect of Béarn, from Old Gascon berret "cap," from Medieval Latin birretum, diminutive of Late Latin birrus "a large hooded cloak," a word perhaps of Gaulish origin. For the clerical version, see biretta.
also from 1827
Entries linking to beret

biretta (n.)
square cap worn by Catholic clergy, 1590s, from Italian beretta, from Late Latin birrus, birrum "large cloak with hood;" which is perhaps of Gaulish origin, or from Greek pyrros "flame-colored, yellow."

Connections —a few false starts, but I deselected and shuffled and rethought.

Puzzle #112
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Just had a lovely two-day visit from daughter Cindy and my two grandsons, Rory (12) and Quin (8). What fun, loving people! And they were so helpful, doing chores, and keeping me entertained. The house seems extra quiet now!

Cindy had the Barbie movie on an app, so we watched that last night, and I loved it! We watched a few “Ren and Stimpy” episodes, which we loved when Cindy was Rory’s age, and which the boys are crazy for now.

>37 klobrien2: We have a grandson Quinn (ours with 2 n's) who is 5 :) I've run into a few girls around that age named Quinn but yours is the first other boy I'm "met". So nice you got to spend a couple of days with him, his brother and his mother.

>38 RebaRelishesReading: “Quin” is actually short for Quinlan; “Rory” is short for Riordan. They hardly ever get called by their full names, probably unless someone is quite upset with them, I guess. They are great boys!

Thanks for stopping by!

Very lucky second guess (wanted to use the two found letters and figure out the last).

Wordle 835 3/6 irate, mercy, merry

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Etymology: merry (adj.)
Middle English mirie, from Old English myrge "pleasing, agreeable, pleasant, sweet, exciting feelings of enjoyment and gladness" (said of grass, trees, the world, music, song); also as an adverb, "pleasantly, melodiously," from Proto-Germanic *murgijaz, which probably originally meant "short-lasting," (compare Old High German murg "short," Gothic gamaurgjan "to shorten"), from PIE root *mregh-u- "short." The only exact cognate for meaning outside English was Middle Dutch mergelijc "joyful."
The connection to "pleasure" likely was via the notion of "making time fly, that which makes the time seem to pass quickly" (compare German Kurzweil "pastime," literally "a short time;" Old Norse skemta "to amuse, entertain, amuse oneself," from skamt, neuter of skammr "short"). There also was a verbal form in Old English, myrgan "be merry, rejoice." For vowel evolution, see bury (v.).
Not originally applied to humorous moods or speech or conduct, yet the word had a much wider senses in Middle English than modern: "pleasant-sounding" (of animal voices), "fine" (of weather), "handsome" (of dress), "pleasant-tasting" (of herbs). The evolution of the modern senses is probably via the meaning "pleased by a certain event or situation or state of things" (c. 1200). Of persons, "cheerful by disposition or nature; playfully cheerful, enlivened with gladness or good spirits," by mid-14c.
Merry-bout "an incident of sexual intercourse" was low slang from 1780. Merry-begot "illegitimate" (adj.), also "bastard" (n.) are in Grose (1785). Merrie England (now frequently satirical or ironic) is c. 1400, meri ingland, originally in a broader sense of "bountiful, prosperous." Merry Monday was a 16c. term for "the Monday before Shrove Tuesday" (Mardi Gras).

Connections —The last two took some thinking…

Puzzle #113
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>40 klobrien2: I do so love merry-begot for bastard! Bloody-minded English, with its plethora of be-verbs!

*smooch*

>41 richardderus: I love that one, Richard Never heard it before.

Wordle 836 3/6 irate, whine, while

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Etymonline.com: (Me: interesting how the “hw” switched to “wh”!) while (n.)
Old English hwile, accusative of hwil "a space of time," from Proto-Germanic *hwilo (source also of Old Saxon hwil, Old Frisian hwile, Old High German hwila, German Weile, Gothic hveila "space of time, while"), originally "rest" (compare Old Norse hvila "bed," hvild "rest"), from PIE *kwi-lo-, suffixed form of root *kweie- "to rest, be quiet." Notion of "period of rest" became in Germanic "period of time."
Now largely superseded by time except in formulaic constructions (such as all the while). Middle English sense of "short space of time spent in doing something" now only preserved in worthwhile and phrases such as worth (one's) while. As a conjunction, "during or in the time that; as long as" (late Old English), it represents Old English þa hwile þe, literally "the while that." Form whiles is recorded from early 13c.; whilst is from late 14c., with unetymological -st as in amongst, amidst. Service while-you-wait is attested from 1911.
while (v.)
"to cause (time) to pass (without dullness)," 1630s, earlier "to occupy or engage (someone or something) for a period of time" (c. 1600), new formation from while (n.), not considered to be from Middle English hwulen "to have leisure," which is from a Germanic verb form of while (n.) (compare German weilen "to stay, linger"). An association with phrases such as Shakespearean beguile the day, Latin diem decipere, French tromper le temps "has led to the substitution of WILE v by some modern writers" OED (see wile (v.)).

Connections
Puzzle #114
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>43 klobrien2: A really interesting coincidence on the day I was finishing up Menewood! A really cool synchronicity.

*smooch*

This was in today’s post from my CSA (my “farm box” people):

Let us Give Thanks for a Bounty of People

As the second-to-last week of our CSA season arrives, we find ourselves at a juncture where the bounty of the harvest is soon to transition into the stillness of winter. In this moment of reflection and gratitude, we turn to words of Reverend Max Coots, whose poignant poem captures the essence of our journey. His prayer, which we share every season, reminds us to honor the diverse friendships and relationships that have nurtured us throughout the season, drawing parallels between the people in our lives and the ever-changing, yet enduring, cycles of nature. In the spirit of thankfulness, let us embrace this prayer as a heartfelt expression of our appreciation for the abundance we’ve shared and the connections we’ve forged.

by Reverend Max Coots

Let us give thanks for a bounty of people:
For children who are our second planting, and though they grow like weeds
and the wind too soon blows them away, may they forgive us our cultivation
and fondly remember where their roots are.
Let us give thanks.
For generous friends with hearts as big as hubbards, and smiles as bright as blossoms;
For feisty friends as tart as apples;
For continuous friends, who, like scallions, keep reminding
us that we’ve had them;
For crotchety friends, as sour as rhubarb and as indestructible;
For handsome friends, who are as gorgeous as eggplants and as elegant
as a row of corn, and others as plain as potatoes, and so good for you.
For funny friends, as silly as brussel sprouts; and serious friends,
as complex as cauliflower and as intricate as onions;
For friends as unpretentious as cabbage, as subtle as summer squash,
as persistent as parsley, as delightful as dill, as endless as zucchini,
and who, like parsnips, can be counted on to see you through the long winter;
For old friends, nodding like sunflowers in the evening-time, and
young friends coming on as fast as radishes;
For loving friends, who wind around us like tendrils and hold us,
despite our blights, wilts, and witherings;
And finally, for those friends now gone like gardens past,
but who fed us in their times that we might have life thereafter;
For all these we give thanks.

>44 richardderus: Hiya, Richard! I love synchronicities! And juxtapositions. They’re all copacetic with me! 8>)

>45 klobrien2: Lovely prayer or post, as you wish. Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated Monday , October 9, though my family is having a get together -dinner on the 8th instead.

It's a beautiful prayer.

I'm glad you had the visit from your daughter and your grandsons. When I was young, there was a family down the road with 4 boys, Ray, Ryan and Rory. The 4 th son also was an R name, but I can't remember it now. My mom mightk now.

Happy Wednesday, Karen. I am so glad you read and enjoyed Funny Things: A Comic Strip Biography of Charles M Schulz . I am about halfway and having a good time with it too. I knew very little of his background.

I also liked the prayer up there.

>47 vancouverdeb: My brother and SIL named all their boys with “W” names—Wesley, Warren, William, and Walker.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving to you! In America, the day used to be known as Columbus Day, but now is officially referred to as Indigenous Peoples Day (which I much prefer).

Thanks for stopping by to chat!

>48 msf59: Hi, Mark! Thank you for pointing Funny Things out to us! I did like the book. The authors didn’t shy away from portraying Schulz’s complicated character. The book did tend to bog down for me at times. But I thought the comic strip approach was terrific!

Thanks for visiting!

Did a lot of thinking about this one! I had 2 letters, but absolutely no idea what the word might be. I knew what the vowel had to be, and I knew the ending letter was probably one of my two foundlings. My third word was mostly a lucky guess, but I was very happy with it!

Wordle 837 3/6 irate, throw, spurt

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Etymonline.com: spurt (v.)
"to gush out, squirt," 1560s, said to be a variant of spirt, itself of obscure origin, perhaps related to Middle High German spürzen "to spit," and sprützen "to squirt" (see sprout (v.)), perhaps ultimately imitative. Related: Spurted; spurting. The noun in this sense is attested from 1775.
also from 1560s
spurt (n.)
"brief burst or outbreak of some activity," 1590s, variant of spirt "brief period of time" (1540s), which is of uncertain origin, perhaps connected with spurt (v.).



Connections
Puzzle #115
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>51 klobrien2: They used this word...! It's common enough in only one usage I know of describing "growth" and beyond that it's not too much used as far as I recall anyway. Wordle wins the interesting choices derby today.

Happy Wednesday, Karen O.

>52 richardderus: “Wordle wins the interesting choices derby today.”

No kidding! Seemed really an unusual choice! And kind of a boring etymology.

I’ll be to your thread in a bit!

185. As the Pig Turns: An Agatha Raisin Mystery (Agatha Raisin #22) by M.C. Beaton



Another excellent installment in the Agatha Raisin series. I remember this one from the TV series, although plot elements, of course, were changed; the basic structure remained. Lots of old characters, a few new ones. Good times.

186. Curves for Days by Laura Moher



I don't read many "romance" books; if they were all as good as this, maybe I would read more. The author writes from the POVs of both Rosie and Angus, and so we're able to know how both characters are feeling and thinking. No faking. There is some nice, hot, passion, but it's love and redemption that are the important things here. Topics of bullying, PTSD, body positivity...lots to think about.

I read about this book in a recent Booklist. I'm psyched to know that this book is planned to be the first in a series!

>55 klobrien2: - Karen, you might give Olivia Dade's books a try if you want something similar. Start maybe with Spoiler Alert...

>56 katiekrug: I concur. I love Spoiler Alert and The Brown Sisters is another good option for a body positivity series.

>56 katiekrug: >57 dreamweaver529: Thanks for the reccies, you two! I’ve requested Spoiler Alert from my library, although there’s a bit of a wait.

I have to say, with Curves All Day, the “body positivity” was only a minor element, not a big theme. Not what one might think from the title or the cover.

Thanks for coming by!

Flailed around a little bit today, but eventually got there!

Wordle 838 5/6 irate, cloud, mucky, hunch, bunch

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Etymonline.com: bunch (n.)
mid-14c., "a bundle;" late 14c., "protuberance on the body, swelling, knob, lump," probably from Old French dialectal bonge "bundle," a nasalized form of Old French bouge (2), 15c., from Flemish bondje diminutive of boud "bundle." The sense of "a cluster, joined collection of things of the same kind" is from mid-15c. The looser meaning "a lot, a group of any kind" is from 1620s.
also from mid-14c.
bunch (v.)
late 14c., "to bulge out," from bunch (n.). The meaning "to gather up in a bunch" (transitive) is from 1828; sense of "to crowd together" (intransitive) is from 1850. Related: Bunched; bunching.

Connections —squeaked out a solve!

Puzzle #116
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>33 klobrien2: I think I have only read the first of the Nero Wolfe's books. That is a series that I really should read!

>54 klobrien2: I read the Agatha Raisin series early on but stopped at about book 10(?) I had no idea it was still ongoing.

>55 klobrien2: I do not read much romance these days - I used to read a ton - but that one sounds pretty good. Thanks for the recommendation, Karen.

>59 klobrien2: hmmm

Strange etymology...anither weird word, too.

Happy Thursday's reads, smoochling!

>59 klobrien2: Thanks for dropping by my thread; it meant I came to find you again.

I didn't get the Connections today - too many US-centric combinations for me, I think. I'm not sure what aunt is, in the context they used it.

>62 humouress: Oh, yes, I can understand that! "aunt" pronounced "ant"

I hope you don't give up on Connections! I almost thought I was out of luck today.

Thanks for stopping by!

187. Christmas Crumble (Agatha Raisin #22.5) by M. C. Beaton



A short story written for the 20th anniversary of Agatha Raisin. Very skimpy and unsatisfying. I don't think the Agatha Raisin thing works in a short story format. But the inclusion of several oldsters ("crumblies" in UK slang?) and Christmas traditions was kind of fun.

>62 humouress: - that category was *insect homophones*. That's why the context was confusing. It took me getting all the others and being left with only those last 4, and then I saw the category label. aunt/ant

Wordle 839 3/6 irate, biome, chime

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Etymonline.com: I almost heard bells in my ears when reading this etymology! chime (n.)
c. 1300, chymbe "a cymbal," from Old French chimbe or directly from Latin cymbalum (see cymbal, the modern word for what this word originally meant). Old English had cymbal, cimbal in the "cymbal" sense. Evidently the word was shortened in Old French then misinterpreted in Middle English as chymbe bellen (a form also attested from c. 1300) and its sense shifted to "set of bells in a church or clock tower, apparatus or arrangement for striking bells," which is attested from mid-15c. Meaning "set of bells tuned to a musical scale" is from 1560s.
also from c. 1300
chime (v.)
mid-14c., chyme, from chime (n.). Originally of metal, etc.; of voices from late 14c. To chime in originally was musical, "join harmoniously;" of conversation by 1838. Related: Chimed; chiming.

Connections
Puzzle #117
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Taking a cue from Jessibud2 and spoiler-ing today’s Connections: Yellow—Laughter, in a text; Green—Art movements; Blue—Peter Pan characters; Purple—Lady ____

Out of the blue, a blessing: One of my lovely neighbors brought over a bouquet of flowers to cheer me (sorry that the picture is so dark! Cat Midnight wanted to smell the flowers, is lurking in back):

From today’s GriefShare email: “Fear, depression, anger, loneliness, despair—these emotions come and go with dizzying unpredictability. Your life is like a roller-coaster ride that you can’t get off.

Stay on the ride. You cannot hurry the grieving process. Each time one of these emotions comes flooding back, it is a sign that you are recovering.”

I found this so reassuring! It is truly a “blessed assurance”!

I can’t recommend the GriefShare program enough, for those of the Christian persuasion, or the religiously tolerant.

>68 klobrien2: - I am not Christian and not religious at all in any way but the first part of what you quoted speaks volumes to me. I am not sure I agree with the last sentence but that's ok, that's just me. Thank you for posting this.

>67 klobrien2: How very kind, and what a great choice of color!

*smooch*

188. Gidget by Frederick Kohner



I grew up watching a lot of TV, and "Gidget," with Sally Fields and Don Porter and Pete Duel(!) was in the rotation. When I decided to read the book on which the show, and lots of movies with Sandra Dee, was based, I really didn't expect much from the reading.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked the book. The author based the book on his daughter and her experiences with the surf culture of "Old Malibu." The language was imaginative and the characters were charming. Lots of humor and love shown.

I've started watching the 32 episodes of the TV show on YouTube. It has okay subtitles though the audio on my laptop is so much better than that on my TV that I sometimes don't need them. The show does have a canned laugh track, but I can tune that out. Overall, it's very enjoyable. Little bits of fun with those great shots of the Pacific and surfing!

Friday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (and do so much eBook reading), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly.

Karen's current reading (10/06/2023):

Actively reading (or soon will be!)

The Last Devil to Die (Thursday Murder Club #4) (TIOLI #2 shared read) by Richard Osman -- p. 143 of 322
Fugitive Telemetry (Murderbot #6) by Martha Wells -- p. 2 of 168
Holly by Stephen King -- p. 31 of 437 (Nook)
The Remarkable Retirement of Edna Fisher by E. M. Anderson -- p. 24 of 310
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, ill. Grahame Baker Smith -- p. 19 of 191
Unnatural Habits (Phryne Fisher #19) by Kerry Greenwood -- p. 49 of 255
Three Men Out (Nero Wolfe #23) by Rex Stout -- p. 13 of 154
Hallowe'en Party (basis for "Haunting in Venice") by Agatha Christie (Nook)

I'm overbooked! I'll probably leave these on the list, but I can't truly say that I am actively reading them right now:

The Silkworm (Cormoran Strike #2) by Robert Galbraith -- p. 128 of 424
The Private Life of Spies and The Exquisite Art of Getting Even by Alexander McCall Smith
I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai
Ready Player One (audiobook) by Ernest Cline, read by Wil Wheaton
Thursday Next in the Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde -- p. 10 of 373
Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead -- p. 26 of 288

I try to participate in the American Authors Challenge. In October, we are reading books by Dorothy Canfield Fisher. I will read Understood Betsy (TIOLI #1 shared read) -- p. 7 of 114.

I usually am reading/watching Great Courses. My current course is Understanding the Periodic Table by Ron B. Davis Jr, 24 half-hour lectures. I've finished 1 of 24. I had to return to the library, but I should have it back in 3 weeks or so.

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still-Want-to-Get-to-Them (so, these are readily available to me although I might not be reading them quite yet or may have had to return them to the library; most are my own books)

The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols by Nicholas Meyer -- p. 3 of 238
The Disappearance of Sherlock Holmes by Larry Millett -- p. 0 of 340
Marple: Twelve New Stories by assorted authors
Fairy Tale by Stephen King
The Bob-iverse books! (reread)

“Phew!”, indeed! Really struggled with Wordle today. I even resorted to the “2309” list for help, and it did help.

Wordle 840 6/6 irate, china, mafia, pizza, villa, viola

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Etymonline.com: viola (n.)
"tenor violin," 1797, from Italian viola, from Old Provençal viola, from Medieval Latin vitula "stringed instrument," perhaps from Vitula, Roman goddess of joy (see fiddle), or from related Latin verb vitulari "to exult, be joyful." Viola da gamba "bass viol" (1724) is from Italian, literally "a viola for the leg" (i.e. to hold between the legs).
also from 1797
Viola
fem. proper name, from Latin viola "the violet" (see violet).

Connections —got a “Phew!” here, too

Puzzle #118
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yellow-rhymes, green-natural features, blue-irregular verbs, purple-palindromes

I sort of "fell into" Wordle today but I struggled with Connections too.

>67 klobrien2: Oh, how nice!

>68 klobrien2: Stay on the ride. You cannot hurry the grieving process. Each time one of these emotions comes flooding back, it is a sign that you are recovering. I have found that to be so true. I am glad you found it to be reassuring, Karen!

>72 klobrien2: I am currently reading The Last Devil to Die and enjoying it. I hope you do as well whenever you get to it.

>67 klobrien2: How lovely!

>73 klobrien2: I got Wordle in 3 today; my starter word used to be the same as yours until my son gave me audio and then I got all the letters on my second guess but in the wrong order.

>67 klobrien2: What a nice neighbour! Is that sheet music under the flowers?

>75 alcottacre: Hi, Stasia! Thanks for your kind remarks. I just finished The Last Devil to Die and will post it today.

>76 humouress: That is a great first word! I wish you continued success in Wordle! 8>)

>77 figsfromthistle: Yes, it's the sheet music of "Across the Great Divide," under plexiglass on the coffee table. No particular reason other than I came across the pages years ago at a antiques shop.

Thank you all for stopping by! I'll be around to your threads in a bit.

189. The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman



Thoroughly enjoyed this fourth installment in the Thursday Murder Club books. I have missed the characters, and I'm glad to see how they continue to evolve. I chuckled and cried my way through the book, and am glad to know that the author is planning more books, after a switch to a new set of crime solvers.

A miscellany of quotes from the book:

“She spent her next few years too sad to live but too scared to die, reeling through a haze of grief and madness, always quick with a cup of tea and a smile for her customers, accepting their well-meaning sympathies, playing bridge, tending the shop, reciting from memory the pleasantries and the platitudes, while hoping every day might be her last.”

“May you be granted health and wealth and wisdom, and may you see your beauty reflected in those around you.”

And the meaning behind the book title:

“However noble the causes of her career were, they weren’t noble enough to excuse the disregard for life. Day after day, mission after mission, ridding the world of evil? Waiting for the last devil to die? What a joke. New devils will always spring up, like daffodils in springtime.”

“That’s the thing about Coopers Chase. You’d imagine it was quiet and sedate, like a village pond on a summer’s day. But in truth it never stops moving, it’s always in motion. And that motion is aging, and death, and love, and grief, and final snatched moments and opportunities grasped. The urgency of old age. There’s nothing that makes you feel more alive than the certainty of death.”

I just love Osman’s writing!

190. Artemisia by Nathalie Ferlut and Tamia Baudouin (ill.)



This graphic fictionalization of the life of Artemisia Gentileschi is dramatic and compelling, but the artwork and lettering is rough and almost comical at times. The action keeps jumping around and I was lost on the "road trip" a few times. This still was a fun read!

Happy Sunday, Karen. I hope you are having a good weekend. I am still making my way through "Funny Things". I am enjoying it very much but it could have edited better. I think a 100 pages shorter, would have worked.

Gidget! OMIGAWSH

I'd completely forgotten that show, and if we ever watched it, I don't recall it. I know I never knew that Pete Duel was in it, since the only thing I remember about him is that he killed himself while starring in a cop show in the early 1970s.

Happy week-ahead's reads, Karen O.

>81 msf59: About Funny Things being too long— I agree, completely.

>82 richardderus: Yes, it was very sad about Pete Duel. From IMDB: “evidence pointing to death by suicide with depression and serious alcohol problems seen as contributing factors.” I had such a crush on him as a girl.

He’s got a fun role in Gidget—he’s husband to Gidget’s sister, kind of nerdy, psychiatry student.

Happy Sunday to you both!

Wordle 841 3/6 irate, guile, binge

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🟦⬜🟦⬜🟧
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Etymology: binge (n.)
1854, "drinking bout," also (v.) "drink heavily, soak up alcohol;" dialectal use of binge "soak" (a wooden vessel). Said to have been originally as a dialect word. Binge is noted in Evans' "Leicestershire Words, Phrases and Proverbs" (London, 1848) as a dialect verb for "To soak in water a wooden vessel, that would otherwise leak," to make the wood swell. He adds that it was extended locally to excessive drinking ("soaking").
The sense was extended c. World War I to include eating as well as drinking. Binge-watching is from 1996. Related: Binged; bingeing.

Connections
Puzzle #119
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yellow (easiest)—celebratory occasions; green—phone connectivity; blue—cities and towns in England; purple (hardest)— ____ opera

Wordle 842 3/6 irate, froth, truth

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Etymonline.com: truth (n.)
Old English triewð (West Saxon), treowð (Mercian) "faith, faithfulness, fidelity, loyalty; veracity, quality of being true; pledge, covenant," from Germanic abstract noun *treuwitho, from Proto-Germanic treuwaz "having or characterized by good faith," from PIE *drew-o-, a suffixed form of the root *deru- "be firm, solid, steadfast." With Germanic abstract noun suffix *-itho (see -th (2)).
Sense of "something that is true" is first recorded mid-14c. Meaning "accuracy, correctness" is from 1560s. English and most other IE languages do not have a primary verb for "speak the truth," as a contrast to lie (v.). Truth squad in U.S. political sense first attested in the 1952 U.S. presidential election campaign.
At midweek the Republican campaign was bolstered by an innovation—the "truth squad" ..., a team of senators who trailed whistle-stopping Harry Truman to field what they denounced as his wild pitches. Life magazine, Oct. 13, 1952
Let Truth and Falsehood grapple; who ever knew Truth put to the worse, in a free and open encounter. Milton, "Areopagitica," 1644

Connections
Puzzle #120
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yellow—crops, green—slang for head, blue—song, purple—things that whistle

>85 klobrien2: The Milton quote's very comforting, but I fear fails to mention the time lag in its execution. *sigh*

Happy week-ahead's reads, Karen O. *smooch*

Wordle 843 3/6 irate, plain, snail

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Etymonline.com: snail (n.)
common name for a small gastropod on land or in fresh water, Middle English snail, from Old English snægl, from Proto-Germanic *snagila (source also of Old Saxon snegil, Old Norse snigill, Danish snegl, Swedish snigel, Middle High German snegel, dialectal German Schnegel, Old High German snecko, German Schnecke "snail").
This is reconstructed to be from *snog-, a variant of PIE root *sneg- "to crawl, creep; creeping thing" (see snake (n.)). The word essentially is a diminutive form of Old English snaca "snake," etymologically, "creeping thing."
Snail also formerly was used of slugs. Symbolic of slowness at least since c. 1000; snail's pace "very slow pace" is attested from c. 1400. Related: Snaily; snailish; snailing.

Connections —struggled with the last two groups! Had the right idea, but lacked knowledge.

Puzzle #121
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Today’s categories: yellow—origin, green—Bible books, blue—NHL teams, purple—power ____

>87 klobrien2: I struggled with the blues too and ended up not getting it done in time :(

>79 klobrien2: I loved it too! I am looking forward to his new series while waiting for more Thursday Murder Club books.

>89 alcottacre: Yep, that's how I feel about Richard Osman's books! Since we now will wait patiently for another TMC, I'm sure what he does next will be a lot of fun, too!

>88 RebaRelishesReading: The blue connection was definitely NOT in my wheelhouse, but I had the right idea. The purple, I had no clue at all.

>86 richardderus: Hiya, Richard!

Thank you all for stopping by!

191. Fugitive Telemetry (Murderbot Diaries #6) by Martha Wells



Such a good reread of such an action-packed Murderbot entry!

My quest for completeness led to the discovery of a Murderbot short story, placed as the 0.5 entry in the canon:



Compulsory (Murderbot Diaries #0.5) by Martha Wells



Fun story, but VERY short. Very much an origin story for Murderbot. She (in my mind) is so heroic! I won't list this as "a book read" because it was so little.

I have yet to read a book by Richard Osman, but I own the first one and they seem so well liked on LT , I need to get to it. I bombed out on yesterdays Connections. Ah well!

>92 vancouverdeb: I think you should read Osman, and I hope you like the book(s)! Sorry about your Connections yesterday. As you can see, I barely made it myself. Better luck today!

Guessed my head off today! Really slow start…

Wordle 844 3/6 irate, cloud, skunk

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜🟦⬜
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Etymology: skunk (n.)
common weasel-like mammal of North America that emits a fetid odor when threatened, 1630s, squunck, from a southern New England Algonquian language (perhaps Massachusett) word, from Proto-Algonquian */šeka:kwa/, from */šek-/ "to urinate" + */-a:kw/ "fox" Bright.
Among Europeans, who sometimes called it after their polecat, the skunk is one of the earliest noted and described of the North American animals. Sagard-Théodat's "Histoire du Canada" (1636) introduced it to the naturalists as "enfans du diable, que les Hurons appelle Scangaresse, ... une beste fort puante," etc. Karen adds a translation: “Children of the devil, whom the Hurons call Scangaresse,... a very stinky beste”
Eighteenth-century Jesuit missionary Martin Dobrizhoffer, who tangled with one, wrote, "Had I a hundred tongues I should think them all insufficient to convey an adequate idea of the stench" and concluded that "Europe may be congratulated upon her good fortune in being unacquainted with this cursed beast" "An Account of the Abipones," as translated from the Latin by Sara Coleridge, the poet's daughter.
Its fur has been marketed as Alaska sable. As an insult, "contemptible person," attested from 1841. Skunk cabbage, which grows in moist ground in the U.S. and gives of a strong pungent odor when bruised, is attested from 1751; earlier was skunkweed (1738); so called from their odor when bruised.

Connections
Puzzle #122
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yellow—film set directives, green—conditional words, blue—foremost, purple—_____ paper

"Beste fort puante" made me laugh so hard I got a stitch. No joke, M Sagard-Théodat.

Happy Wednesday *smooch*

>92 vancouverdeb: I will echo Karen's recommendation, Deborah!

Have a wonderful Wednesday, Karen!

>95 richardderus: I added a translation of the phrase, and I agree, it’s very funny. It seems like you can hear the guy’s voice, with a very whiny French accent, non?

Happy mid-week, Ree-CHARD (with a French accent!

>97 alcottacre: Thanks for visiting, Stasia!

>98 klobrien2: That collection of French sounds is just a hoot with the accent, but even funnier in an American one..."PYEW-ant" lolololol

Wordle 845 4/6 irate, steel, cleft, knelt

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⬜🟦🟧⬜🟦
⬜🟦🟧⬜🟧
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Etymonline.com: knelt
past tense and past participle of kneel (v.).
Entries linking to knelt

kneel (v.)
Old English cneowlian "to kneel, fall on the knees," from Proto-Germanic *knewljan (source also of Middle Low German knelen, Middle Dutch cnielen, Dutch knielen Gothic knussjan), from PIE root *genu- (1) "knee; angle." Past tense knelt is a modern formation (19c.) on analogy of feel/felt, etc. Related: Kneeler; kneeling.


Connections — I didn’t do too well today!

Puzzle #123
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yellow—conceal, green—parts of a watch, blue—Wonder Woman’s costume, purple—things that can run

Wordle 846 5/6 irate, globe, melee, duple, uncle

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⬜🟦⬜⬜🟧
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Etymon,ine.com: uncle (n.)
late 13c., from Old French oncle, from Latin avunculus "mother's brother" ("father's brother" was patruus), literally "little grandfather," diminutive of avus "grandfather," from PIE root *awo- "grandfather, adult male relative other than one's father" (source also of Armenian hav "grandfather," Hittite huhhas "grandfather," Lithuanian avynas "maternal uncle," Old Church Slavonic uji "uncle," Welsh ewythr "uncle"). Boutkan, however, says "the root probably denoted members of the family of the mother."
Replaced Old English eam (usually maternal; paternal uncle was fædera), which represents the Germanic form of the same root (source also of Dutch oom "uncle, grandfather, brother-in-law," Old High German oheim "maternal uncle, son of a sister" German Ohm "uncle," Old Norse afi "grandfather").
Also from French are German, Danish, Swedish onkel. As a familiar title of address to an old man, attested by 1793; in the U.S. South, especially "a kindly title for a worthy old negro" Century Dictionary. First record of Dutch uncle (and his blunt, stern, benevolent advice) is from 1838; Welsh uncle (1747) was the male first cousin of one's parent. To say uncle as a sign of submission in a fight is North American, attested from 1909, of uncertain signification.

Connections
Puzzle #124
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yellow—beans, green—cities beginning with “l”, blue—poetry terms, purple—“the(e) rappers”

I'm told by my stepson that Connections is easy, but he must be doing a watered down version. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks hard.

>103 The_Hibernator: I've found Connections to be variable-difficulty. If the day's puzzle hits your individual proclivities, it can be easier. I don't know that I would ever call it an easy puzzle, though. The trick is making correct groupings, when particular words can fit in more than one set.

It would be interesting to see which Connections puzzle he is doing? How does he access it?

Great to see you here, Rachel!

192. The Puppets of Spelhorst (A Norendy Tale) by Kate DiCamillo, ill. Julie Morstad



"From master storyteller Kate DiCamillo comes an original fairy tale, enchantingly illustrated, in which five puppets confront circumstances beyond their control with patience, cunning and high spirits. Once, there was a king. And a wolf. And a girl with a shepherd's crook. And a boy with a bow and arrow. And also, there was an owl..."

Really lovely book, with humor and beauty, lost love, and fulfilled dreams. This is a brand new book, a brand new series for DiCamillo, and I'm really looking forward to further offerings.

Friday Reading Roundup!

Because I rely on libraries so much for my reading (and do so much eBook reading), what I'm reading at any given time changes often, and changes quickly.

Karen's current reading (10/13/2023):

Actively reading (or soon will be!)

Holly by Stephen King -- p. 152 of 437 (Nook)
The Silkworm (Cormoran Strike #2) by Robert Galbraith -- p. 137 of 424
The Remarkable Retirement of Edna Fisher by E. M. Anderson -- p. 28 of 310
Unnatural Habits (Phryne Fisher #19) by Kerry Greenwood -- p. 49 of 255
Three Men Out (Nero Wolfe #23) by Rex Stout -- p. 13 of 154
For Whom the Book Tolls by Laura Gail Black -- p. 6 of 214
Too Much Sea for Their Decks by Michael Schumacher -- p. 12 of 251

I'm overbooked! I'll probably leave these on the list, but I can't truly say that I am actively reading them right now:

Hallowe'en Party (basis for "Haunting in Venice") by Agatha Christie (Nook)
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, ill. Grahame Baker Smith -- p. 25 of 191
The Private Life of Spies and The Exquisite Art of Getting Even by Alexander McCall Smith
I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai
Ready Player One (audiobook) by Ernest Cline, read by Wil Wheaton
Thursday Next in the Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde -- p. 10 of 373
Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead -- p. 26 of 288

I try to participate in the American Authors Challenge. In October, we are reading books by Dorothy Canfield Fisher. I will read Understood Betsy (TIOLI #1 shared read) -- p. 27 of 114.

I usually am reading/watching Great Courses. My current course is Understanding the Periodic Table by Ron B. Davis Jr, 24 half-hour lectures. I've finished 1 of 24. I had to return to the library, but I should have it back in 3 weeks or so.

Not-So-Time-Sensitive-But-Still-Want-to-Get-to-Them (so, these are readily available to me although I might not be reading them quite yet or may have had to return them to the library; most are my own books)

The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols by Nicholas Meyer -- p. 3 of 238
The Disappearance of Sherlock Holmes by Larry Millett -- p. 0 of 340
Marple: Twelve New Stories by assorted authors
Fairy Tale by Stephen King
The Bob-iverse books! (reread)

Happy Saturday, Karen. How is "Holly" so far? I am several books behind on Mr. King. Hopefully, next year I will start catching up with him.

>107 msf59: I am loving Holly! The “Mr. Mercedes” books were wonderful, and this one continues with the character of Holly (and several characters from the previous books).

Happy weekend, Mark!

I had some false starts today! “2309” list for some guidance.

Wordle 847 5/6 irate, cloud, steam, theta, agent

⬜⬜🟦🟦🟦
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟦🟧🟦⬜
🟦⬜🟧⬜🟦
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Etymonline.com: agent (n.)
late 15c., "one who acts," from Latin agentem (nominative agens) "effective, powerful," present participle of agere "to set in motion, drive forward; to do, perform; keep in movement" (from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move").
The meaning "any natural force or substance which produces a phenomenon" is from 1550s. The meaning "deputy, representative" is from 1590s. The sense of "spy, secret agent" is attested by 1916.
also from late 15c.
agent (adj.)
"acting, sustaining action," 1610s, from agent (n.).

Connections
Puzzle #125
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yellow—butt, green—rotary phone parts, blue—slang for home, purple—plunder

A little guessy-guessy today, but I made it…

Wordle 848 5/6 irate, seamy, heavy, peaky, leaky

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Etymonline.com: leaky (adj.)
mid-15c., from leak (n.) + -y (2). Related: Leakiness. Slang sense of "unable to keep a secret" attested from 1704.
also from mid-15c.
Entries linking to leaky

leak (n.)
"hole by which liquid enters or escapes," late 15c., from leak (v.) or Old Norse cognate leka. Sense of "revelation of secret information" is from 1950. Meaning "act of urination" is attested from 1934 ("Tropic of Cancer"); but the verb meaning "to piss" is from 1590s: "Why, you will allow vs ne're a Iourden i.e. a chamberpot, and then we leake in your Chimney." "I Hen. IV," II.i.22


Connections
Puzzle #126
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yellow—tools, green—pull, blue—shortcut commands, purple— title movie animals

Feeling great relief in that I have my 2022 tax returns ready to mail off! The powers-that-be give you 6 months leeway in the event of the death of a joint filer, and I let it go to the day! Art had pretty much finished and left a short list of things to add (very thoughtful of him!). BUT…I was new to Turbo-Tax and Art’s laptop is an antique cow of a computer. Pfui! This year’s taxes will be mega-complicated, and staff at my financial advisor’s will be doing them, thank goodness! Fingers crossed!

I want to suggest to everyone to have passwords available in a safe place for your loved one(s) in the unfortunate event of your passing. Art had most of his passwords saved for me, but some critical ones (like his phone‘s!) were not. And so many things were linked to his AOL email, and I didn’t have that password either. Save yourself some trivial grief in the event of real grief!

>111 klobrien2: I'm glad you have been able to complete tax returns for 2022 . What a relief that must be.

>112 klobrien2: Thanks for the suggestion, Karen. I know I don't have Dave's phone password. I'll ask him after work tonight - when he gets home. I have a password book for myself - I'll make sure Dave is aware of that.

>113 vancouverdeb: I have a password book, too, and I’ve made sure my kids know that I do, and where the book is. I’m thinking of using one of the electronic password apps.

It was a tremendous relief to get the returns reviewed and printed! I’ll mail them off today. Phew!

Always great to see you here, Deb! Have a great week!

Wordle 849 4/6 irate, gravy, grand, graph

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🟧🟧🟧⬜⬜
🟧🟧🟧⬜⬜
🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧

Etymonline.com: graph (n.)
1878, shortening of graphic formula (see graphic). The verb meaning "to chart on a graph" is from 1889. Related: Graphed; graphing.
also from 1878
Entries linking to graph

graphic (adj.)
"vivid, describing accurately ," 1660s (graphically "vividly" is from 1570s), from Latin graphicus "picturesque," from Greek graphikos "of or for writing, belonging to drawing, picturesque," from graphe "writing, drawing," from graphein "to write" (see -graphy). Meaning "pertaining to drawing" is from 1756. Meaning "pertaining to the use of diagrams" is from 1866. Related: Graphically. Graphic design is attested by 1956. Graphic equalizer is from 1969.

Connections
Puzzle #127
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yellow—days of the week, green—go bad, blue—“Addams Family” characters, purple—fat _____

>114 klobrien2: You make a good point. It's an obvious thing - in hindsight.

I keep an (physical) address book for passwords, mainly for trivial apps like store cards (everything is apps these days) but I have to remember to update it if I'm out of the house and sign up for something. Mind you, some of the passwords are for time limits on my kids' devices, so I'm not telling them about the book. I did tell my husband when I went overseas in April, though I don't think he paid much attention to it.

And yay for getting the taxes done. I keep hearing that US taxes are a pain. Not that I'm earning, but Singapore has managed to automate it, mostly, so you just have to check that it's correct each year.

>112 klobrien2: An excellent idea...my digital survivor will have all my website passwords on the password manager, which password is on the paperwork; but I'll add my device passwords to that one, too.

New-week *smooch*

>116 humouress: When my life was simpler, I never had trouble doing my taxes. I think the IRS does a fairly good job of documenting what a simple tax return needs to be. The tax software is very helpful, too. I couldn’t have completed our return this year without it.

>117 richardderus: Hiya, Richard! I think you’ve got the right idea! And a big (hug) and *smooch* to you!

Wordle 850 3/6 irate, cloud, adult

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Etymonline.com: adult (adj.)
1530s (but not common until mid-17c.) "grown, mature," from Latin adultus "grown up, mature, adult, ripe," past participle of adolescere "grow up, come to maturity, ripen," from ad "to" (see ad-) + alescere "be nourished," hence, "increase, grow up," inchoative of alere "to nourish," from a suffixed form of PIE root *al- (2) "to grow, nourish."
The meaning "mature in attitude or outlook" is from 1929. As a euphemism for "pornographic," it dates to 1958 and does no honor to the word. In the old British film-rating system, A indicated "suitable for exhibit to adult audiences," and thus, implicitly, unsuitable for children (1914).
also from 1530s
adult (n.)
"adult person," 1650s, from adult (adj.).

Connections
Puzzle #128
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yellow—taunts, green—failure, blue—rudely break off contact, purple—rock ____

Got this wonderful letter from MetLife telling me they were planting a tree in memory of Art. Isn’t that great?! He would have liked that!

193. Hiss and Hers (Agatha Raisin #23) by M. C. Beaton



A typical Agatha Raisin, fun and entertaining.

>119 klobrien2: I LOVE that it's a past participle. LOVELOVELOVE.

>120 klobrien2: That's a wonderful thing for them to do, and cheap good publicity to let you know that they have no need for you to do anything. Great PR move and corporate stewardship.

Spend a lovely, peaceful day. *smooch*

>120 klobrien2: That is really lovely!!

>123 richardderus: >124 RebaRelishesReading: Really, it was one of those win-win situations. Sure made me feel good, I know!

Wordle 851 4/6 irate, loner, rebus, mercy

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Etymonline.com: mercy (n.)
late 12c., "God's forgiveness of his creatures' offenses," from Old French mercit, merci (9c.) "reward, gift; kindness, grace, pity," from Latin mercedem (nominative merces) "reward, wages, pay, hire" (in Vulgar Latin "favor, pity;" in Medieval Latin "thanks; grace"), from merx (genitive mercis) "wares, merchandise" (see market (n.)). In Church Latin (6c.) it was given a specific application to the heavenly reward earned by those who show kindness to the helpless and those from whom no requital can be expected.
Meaning "disposition to forgive or show compassion" is attested from early 13c. Sense of "an act or exercise of forbearance or good will" is from c. 1300. As an interjection, attested from mid-13c. (short for may God have mercy, have mercy on me, etc.). Many of the English senses are found earlier in French, but in French the word largely has been superseded by miséricorde except as a word of thanks. Sense of "discretionary action" (as in at (one's) mercy) is from mid-14c. Seat of mercy "golden covering of the Ark of the Covenant" (1530), hence "the throne of God," is Tyndale's loan-translation of Luther's gnadenstuhl, an inexact translation of Latin propitiatorium, ultimately a rendering of Hebrew kapporeth, literally "propitiatory."

Connections
Puzzle #129
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yellow—something tiresome, green—bit of wind, blue—piquancy, purple—singular of things seen in pairs

>126 klobrien2: A truly fascinating look at the history of a word I've used, unthinkingly, without so much as a scintilla of religious sentiment. Thanks for the interesting deepening of my understanding of the metastatic nature of the religion in the world.