Author Topic: Non-Fiction (Read 439705 times)

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #2120 on:** April 21, 2012, 01:30:30 PM »

TO NONFICTION BOOK TALK

What are you reading? Autobiographies, biographies, history, politics?

Tell us about the book; the good and the bad of it.

Let's talk books!

Discussion Leader: HaroldArnold

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #2121 on:** April 21, 2012, 01:33:06 PM »

Jeanne it is dependent on his income and credit history but with a divorce his credit may have gone to hell in a handbasket - however, FHA have loosened up last fall and if he is not on the deed for another house he should be able to get a 90% loan - they make two loans out of it so that you borrow 10% at a higher rate for only 7 years and 80% at the current lower rate for the 30 years - he may still be on the deed for the house before his divorce or there may be other issues but 30% is the going down payment only if you are an investor where as buying a homestead in this state the down payment is between 10% and 20% with some low income loans backed by cities for 5% down payment plus of course closing costs that are paid with all mortgages and are a Fed Tax write off.

My son just refinanced and he lives in Magnolia right next to the Woodlands north side of Houston - well you know - didn't you say your daughter lived in Magnolia - anyhow he just refinanced with the unbelievable rate of 1 and 1/2 % and because of the loss in value his equity was less than 20% of appraised value - however with the increase in sales they projected a small amount of appreciation so that the numbers for a loan hit the 80% of appraised value.

But if his divorce presented him with any financial hardship they are not being lenient as they were back in the late 1980s and early 90s and he may have to wait out the 7 years. As a young family man that is a long time to keep perfect credit but that may be what he is up against. He needs to visit with a good mortgage broker and not with a builder - most builders pay the fee for only a couple of loan packages where as a good mortgage broker can shop the entire nation among thousands of packages for a loan package that fits your circumstances. Also, credit unions are doing a good job now and have become a source for mortgages. Builders say they are giving you a 3% discount if you use their loan package however, I have noticed always the closing costs add up to at least 2% higher than what I see buyers pay when they are financing a resale.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #2122 on:** April 21, 2012, 01:37:51 PM »

Just ordered The Looting of America - why I do not know - it changes nothing and like so many of us I feel there is not a darn thing we can do about it...

http://www.amazon.com/The-Looting-America-Destroyed-Prosperity/dp/1603582053

JoanK · « **Reply #2123 on:** April 21, 2012, 02:54:41 PM »

Our May book club online is "Women in Greek Drama": reading three Greek plays featuring strong women. Find out why these women have been famous in literature for two thousand years. Join us for the pre-discussion here:

http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=3156.0

roshanarose · « **Reply #2124 on:** April 21, 2012, 11:25:42 PM »

Rosemary - That story about not being able to work while a student is quite weird. What was the reason given?

Actually, our government has agreed to give companies an incentive of $1,000 if they employ "senior" Australians. Obviously to save money on pensions. I wouldn't mind doing a couple of days a week as long as I wasn't hassled. I have already spent too much time working with bullies and bossy women, mostly.

nlhome · « **Reply #2125 on:** April 22, 2012, 08:38:39 AM »

My daughter was not allowed to work when she was in her graduate program. I believe part of the reason given was that the school wanted her undivided attention, to immerse herself in the program and to put in a lot of volunteer hours in the school and community as well. She has some very high loans to pay off, in spite of getting a small grant and some Americorp funding for one internship. She'd have been much happier if she could have worked a few hours a week to at least pay part of her living expenses.

JeanneP · « **Reply #2126 on:** April 22, 2012, 02:43:11 PM »

Barb.

I just do not get involved with the Grandson when it comes to their living. I think they should just sit back and stay where they are in a leased house. The one they wanted to buy was to much house for them anyway. Young people think nothing of going into debt. Now he has a son 10,daughter 8 with first wife so lots of child support. then married a women with a daughter 12. they then had a daughter now 3. Spend money like grows on trees still. He has a good job. She just got through taking her Real Estate test. (Wrong business to be in at this time). Then she talks about wanting another child. All is so crazy. My daughter puts herself out watching the children all the time. Then first wife brings them to her on the weekends ex husband doesn't have them. I love them all but glad I don't live close.

Babi · « **Reply #2127 on:** April 23, 2012, 08:32:03 AM »

JEANNE, I watch the 'House Hunters' program from time to time, and am constantly
astonished by the young couples who want huge four bedroom houses with all kinds of
'updated' feaures. Reject a house because it doesn't have the kind of kitchen countertops
they fancy, etc., etc.

To me, they have no grasp on reality.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #2128 on:** April 23, 2012, 12:08:52 PM »

Babi - or they don't like the color of the walls!?! Guess they've never had to paint rooms, or heard there are people who will do that for you. Have we spoiled them too much? Actually, we lucked out w/ our son and dil - and i do believe much of childrearing is luck - they both like doing house maintenance. They just bought a house and my son says he's looking forward to miwing grass and shoveling snow. They already painted two rooms. Our dgt, on the other hand, will be happy to pay smebody to do anything she needs to have done. She's not getting her hands dirty. As i look at these big houses, i wonder if family members ever see each other. There is apparently a room for each person and for every activity.

I can't fault the young generation too much, a cousin of our generation who lives by herself just moved to the south from the northeast and bought a SIX bdroom house!?! None of the family can figure her reasoning.

JeanneP · « **Reply #2129 on:** April 23, 2012, 01:25:59 PM »

Maybe she is going to open up a Boarding House like there were in the Past. Or maybe a B and B. Just a lot of rules anymore when opening them. Use to be one bathroom needed. Not can't do that. Can in Europe still. Did you ask her reason for doing it.?

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #2130 on:** April 23, 2012, 06:05:51 PM »

according to how far south she may be aware of the heat just when the children are home from school so they will be indoors most days and if they squabble they each can go to their own space plus with computers the connection to the world they can a computer room an office and a craft room and maybe even a reading room in order to be out of the hub bub - but mostly I see a place to cool off especially the first year until they become adjusted and learn to change their eating habits.

Babi · « **Reply #2131 on:** April 24, 2012, 08:58:21 AM »

Mmm, JEAN, I hope the family knows her 'reasoning' is still functioning. There are
those of our generation who have/are losing their grip, so to speak. But who knows,..
that house may be the culmination of the dreams of a lifetime and she's indulging it
while she can. I wouldn't be surprised if she finds it too much trouble after a while.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #2132 on:** April 25, 2012, 06:26:40 AM »

Or maybe she has a "Ladies of Covington' type of plan, and just hasn't let her family in on it?

mabel1015j · « **Reply #2133 on:** April 25, 2012, 11:30:27 AM »

I said to a cousin maybe she's going to open a B n B, or maybe some of her northern friends are also gong to move South.

But we just don't know.

JeanneP · « **Reply #2134 on:** April 25, 2012, 01:38:32 PM »

She will have lots of rooms for family and friends to visit. Maybe planning on that. Needs company. Hope she knows how much it will cost for Insurance, Utilities etc and also upkeep. That is where money goes even if house paid for. Does she have lots of money that is not making any interest these days? Figures may as well spend it. I am beginning to think that way. Not thinking of a big house though. Maybe more travel

Babi · « **Reply #2135 on:** April 26, 2012, 08:34:00 AM »

Savings accounts don't really make much sense anymore, do they? We're much better off
using the money to pay off those credit bills. You know, the ones with interest rates more than
double what you can earn in savings. $:-\$

mabel1015j · « **Reply #2136 on:** April 26, 2012, 12:10:33 PM »

I'm really enjoying The Greater Journey by David McCullough. An added bonus is that it is a book i can pick up and put down here and there. He writes so beautifully and yet packs so much information into a book. I just finished the chapter on "The Medicals" about the medical students from Americans studying in Paris. The French were the most advanced in the world in medicine.

I think DMc is ocassionally jerking our chain - or at least throwing in some humor. He stated when talking about ship travel that a ship had gone down in the early days of 1800s, the name of the ship was "The Crises". I'm sure he could have chosen from sev'l shipwrecks, but he chose this one for which I'm sure he expected the response that i had............Who would name a ship "the Crises"? And who would book passage on a ship named "Crises"

........when he talked about surgical operations he choose some interesting examples there also. It spices up the factual info a bit.

In any case, i think it wld be a good book for a book discussion here. There is a lot to talk about. Last night i even ran across a mention of our old friend James Audabon in his later life in Paris.

Babi · « **Reply #2137 on:** April 27, 2012, 08:18:09 AM »

David McCullough is very good at making hisory interesting. This sounds like another good
one. I can imagine him smiling when he finds the episode about the "Crises".

serenesheila · « **Reply #2138 on:** April 28, 2012, 09:22:15 AM »

I am just begining to read: "The Greater Journey". It sure sounds interesting!

Sheila

marjifay · « **Reply #2139 on:** April 28, 2012, 03:02:41 PM »

A member of another book group posts a literary calendar of events that happened to authors on a certain day. One of the events for April 27, 1932: Returning by ship from Mexico, where he has gone on a Guggenheim Fellowship, Hart Crane jumps overboard, a suicide at 32.

Maybe I'm the only one who never heard that, but it seems so sad that I want to read THE BROKEN TOWER; THE LIFE OF HART CRANE by Paul Mariani.

Marj

JoanK · « **Reply #2140 on:** April 28, 2012, 08:01:02 PM »

I diidn't know that either. So sad.

serenesheila · « **Reply #2141 on:** April 29, 2012, 02:24:34 PM »

I am safely here in a little town called Springboro, Ohio. I arrived last Sunday. Furniture arrived on Tuesday, I bought a home in an over 55 community, and my car came on Thursday. This has been a really busy week. I love my new home!

It has 2 bedrooms, a den, and a sunroom. A beautiful couch came with it.

My furniture will be in storage, until June 11th. Then it will be moving day. My son, dil, grandson, granddaughter, and their "significant others, all plan to help me.

This is prepared for handicapped people to live in. No steps to access, or leave, showers that will accomadate wheel chairs, wider halls and doors. I think it is ideal. So, I am very happy.

I haven't been able to read, this week. Too tired each evening. It is so good to be with people who love me. Especially my grandson, Shane, and grandaughter, Sarah. My son's name is Scott, and my dil is Shirley. I am thoroughly enjoying being with them. I will be moving into my new home about the 11th of June. I am very excited! I thank God things have gone so smoothly with the sale of my home, the trip to Springboro, and moving in with my son, and his family.

Sheila

mabel1015j · « **Reply #2142 on:** April 29, 2012, 02:59:43 PM »

How nice Sheila, a new adventure which sounds like it's a pleasant one. It's so nice to be near family, but not having to live w/ them. You can have your solitude when you want it. Relax and enjoy it!

maryz · « **Reply #2143 on:** April 29, 2012, 03:32:11 PM »

Sounds like a great situation, Sheila. I wish we had something like that around here. Does your place have facilities in other locations?

Frybabe · « **Reply #2144 on:** April 29, 2012, 04:24:23 PM »

Wonderful, Sheila! Your new home sounds so nice.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #2145 on:** April 29, 2012, 05:05:58 PM »

Congratulations on your move and wishing you every happiness in your new home, Sheila. When things go as well as that, you know you have done the right thing. No wonder you haven't had time to read lately!

Rosemary

JeanneP · « **Reply #2146 on:** April 29, 2012, 05:38:18 PM »

Sheila.

One of these days I am going to have to do as you have. Sounds ideal. My family are just to far away and I have lived in my home now over 40 years. So comfy and everything close. Nice city. But I know that soon will not be able to keep up all the maintenance that it takes. I just can't see myself living in the State my family lives. Never have liked it. Can stand to visit only. Not done that now for a few years. I know is is harder for them to come here. Time will tell. You enjoy your new home.

serenesheila · « **Reply #2147 on:** April 30, 2012, 03:40:55 PM »

Thanks for all of your responses! I do not know if th management has other facilities, in other states. My home is considered a separate,single home. But, it is part of a home owners assoc.They will take care of the outside property. So. no lawn mowing, or snow removal to do.

I feel absolutely exhausted. We did too much running around for my low energy. So, this will be a quiet, restful week. Hioefully, I can get back to some reading.

Sheila

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #2148 on:** April 30, 2012, 04:42:47 PM »

Sheila, I don't feel I've completely recovered from my 3 moves last year - it is absolutely exhausting. So give yourself lots of TLC and rest, and enjoy your new life,

Rosemary

JoanK · « **Reply #2149 on:** April 30, 2012, 06:44:35 PM »

Oh, Sheila, I'm so glad for you! I did a similar thing five years ago, and have never regretted it.

JeanneP · « **Reply #2150 on:** April 30, 2012, 08:37:36 PM »

That is the reason I have staying put for 40+ years. Hate the thought of moving. If I do I think I will just try to leave lots of furnishings and things here. Start again with some new. Could have the Auction house just come in and take all other than a few antiques I would keep.

serenesheila · « **Reply #2151 on:** May 01, 2012, 11:13:59 AM »

WOW,

serenesheila · « **Reply #2152 on:** May 01, 2012, 11:28:13 AM »

i can't seem to catch up and get rested. ROSEMARY, thanks for the post about making 3 moves in pne year. How did you survive it? For the3 first time in my life, I wrote a little over $2000.00 in checks, than was in my checking account! Fortunately, I have overdraft protection.

Sheila

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #2153 on:** May 01, 2012, 01:30:56 PM »

Sheila, at the time I just did it - moved out of our house of 10 years and moved into flat in friend's house with youngest daughter. Stayed there 6 weeks, driving daughter 25 miles each way to/from school each day. Then we moved to husband's rented flat in central Edinburgh - three of us + other daughter at weekends, plus 2 illegal Siamese cats, in a 2 bedroomed, one bathroom, tiny kitchen, flat. Stayed there 4 months till finally bought a house and moved into it at the end of July. It's only when you stop that you notice how tired/stressed you are. Although we have now been here 9 months, I still find that I often feel very tired, and I do worry that I will never feel as I did before all of this! But I have nothing to complain about, live in a lovely area, have nice neighbours, etc - just feel rather old sometimes!

Very best of luck in your new home,

Rosemary

JoanK · « **Reply #2154 on:** May 01, 2012, 01:52:22 PM »

That very tired feeling is stress. When I was under stress, I felt tired all the time. Felt like my bones were tired (my doctor daughter says she heard that from patients a lot). Tried to rest more, and it didn't help. Finally found that walking, or other mild exercise helped.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #2155 on:** May 01, 2012, 03:39:21 PM »

Joan, thanks for that. I find that if I go swimming - which I have done 2 or 3 times a week for years - the next day I feel completely wiped out. Walking, however, seems fine; I walk up the hill near my house most days - the walk is about an hour door to door. I wonder if I should give up swimming? I do think we perhaps underestimate how long it takes to recover from these things. Good excuse to sit down and read novels I suppose!

Rosemary

JoanK · « **Reply #2156 on:** May 02, 2012, 02:50:01 PM »

Any excuse is a good one for sitting down and reading anything!

maryz · « **Reply #2157 on:** May 08, 2012, 11:06:08 AM »

We've mentioned Drift by Rachel Maddow. She's going to be interviewed on BookTV on Saturday, 12 May, from 4-5 p.m. Eastern Time (with a repeat on Sunday).

mabel1015j · « **Reply #2158 on:** May 08, 2012, 11:11:04 AM »

Thanks for that heads up abt booktv.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #2159 on:** May 18, 2012, 12:40:19 PM »

I read only a modicum of Non-Fiction, usually as research into a subject that was touched on in a novel. (Am I really weird?) A couple of years ago my f2f book group read "The Last Town on Earth" by Thomas Mullen. The premise dealt with the 1918 influenza epidemic. Rehashing the book awhile back, I thought to read some more about that awful time, which would have been during my mother's post-teen years. So now I am reading "The Great Influenza" by John M. Barry.
The most eye-opening thing to me was how little we knew about the practice of medicine, even at that time. This book details, at great length, the researchers trials and errors, and does a great job of giving us biographies of the various scientists and their collaboration with others to try and find a cure for this terrible flu. You will find it a comparatively slow-moving book, of necessity, but totally fascinating.
I hope you don't mind me popping in here with this post, as I mostly just "lurk" here, but post in the fiction/mystery categories regularly.

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Author Topic: Non-Fiction (Read 439705 times)