Author Topic: The Library (Read 2085002 times)

Steph · « **Reply #1040 on:** February 19, 2010, 06:05:05 AM »

The Library

Our library cafe is open 24/7, the welcome mat is always out.
Do come in from daily chores and spend some time with us.

We look forward to hearing from you, about you and the books you are enjoying (or not).

Let the book talk begin here!

I just bought The Reliable Wife, but am busy reading some other stuff just now.. I have one of the last Robert Parker on the Jesse Stone series..REading that. I did like him so much.
Yes, I agree on the driving in cities. I am now driving all around where I live, but am not comfortabvle in driving even in the Orlando-Winter Park area. Shame, because that is where the cultural activities are and there is not bus service.. I love european cities.. You can get everywhere and see everything.. Had a good friend who is now a widow in
Grenoble and she goes everywhere in the city and feels included in the cultural events.. Wish th e US did that sort of thing. Our senior citizen center is half an hour away.. Nothing in our town at all. Too cheap to spend the money.

JoanK · « **Reply #1041 on:** February 19, 2010, 06:20:16 PM »

GUM: when I moved from East US to the West Coast, I was thrilled to see the sun set over the ocean. I've been looking for something called the "green flash" which supposedly happens just as the sun sets. Do you have anything like that in West Australia?

Here, the sea reflects the sky, One day, half of the sky was covered by sky, the other half clear, and the sea was half gray and half brilliant blue.

Gumtree · « **Reply #1042 on:** February 19, 2010, 09:29:10 PM »

JoanK: I've watched the sun set over the ocean for most of my life -they don't call this 'sunset coast' for nothing - don't know about a 'green flash' but it's amazing how one can be watching the sun sinking for ages and then suddenly, seemingly without warning, it's gone - gone in a flash as they say

winsummm · « **Reply #1043 on:** February 19, 2010, 09:47:06 PM »

green flash?? is that the summer phospheros thing from fish etc? will ask google. goodle says there is s resturant in san diego called THE GREEN FLASH and soeone is selling prints of photos taken in the winter on christmas of the green flash only my monitor is sick and they look recd to me. sooo??

Octavia · « **Reply #1044 on:** February 20, 2010, 04:49:05 AM »

Pedln, it wasn't the sexual content or the depravity in A Reliable Wife that made me shudder, because to be honest it didn't seem that shocking. I've read a lot worse.
It was the way the people lived their lives. In my own family, we had people who were so consumed by loathing and jealousy and hatred for each other,they missed most of their own life and their childrens, and for what?
I'm having trouble explaining my feelings. I've just spent 4 looong hrs playing some incomprehensible(to me anyway)car game with a 3 yr old. My mind is jelly!

No I haven't read David Maloufs book Gumtree, I'll check the Library.

Winsum, I remember a discussion on Seniornet about the green flash. Isn't it a thin line on the horizon just before the sun sets? For a few seconds? I wish I could remember who saw it. Norm perhaps?

Steph · « **Reply #1045 on:** February 20, 2010, 05:57:05 AM »

I know that ifyou go down to Key West, you get to see the sunset over the gulf.. Very beautiful and people talk of the green flash. Supposed to be a thin green light just as the sun says.. Goodbye for the day. Dont think I have ever seen it, but the sunset alone is gorgeous.

joangrimes · « **Reply #1046 on:** February 20, 2010, 08:04:42 AM »

Always wanted to go to Key West . Just never did get down there and I guess it is just too late now. Read lots of books about the area but can't even remember the names of any right off the top of my head. Guess Hemingway was the one who made me want to go there. Although I hate Hemingway as a man. I love the flow of his words in his writing. I think his writing is just beautiful but the I abhor the man. Oh enough of that. He wrote the most beautiful book about Paris that I ever read..." A Movable Feast". We had a discussion lead by Harold Arnold on SeniorNet of that book.

Oh here I have changed the subject from Green Flash to other things sorry Folks. My mind wanders all over when I remember a book.

Joan Grimes

Gumtree · « **Reply #1047 on:** February 20, 2010, 10:27:00 AM »

I think we all wander all over the place at times JoanGrimes - that's what makes it fun ! I feel much the same as you do about Hemingway - can't stand the man but his writing can be superb. My son visited Hemingway's house when he was visiting the states and told me you could feel his presence - the cats were still there too. Son came home a Hemingway fan.

JoanK · « **Reply #1048 on:** February 20, 2010, 08:48:05 PM »

Thats the green flash: a green ray that appears at sunset. Apparently, you don't need an ocean to see it, but it's easiest there. I've talked with someone who saw it, but haven't.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Flash

Steph · « **Reply #1049 on:** February 21, 2010, 06:07:37 AM »

Hemingways house in the keys is so nice. It was really his wives house, whichever wife that was.. Lots of cats.. a swimming pool (one of the few in the keys, water isscarce).
Key West used to be so nice .. Not much anymore..Got too too trendy.
Judy L... Thank you for Mexican Hat. Yesterday was the third month anniversary of his death and the silly game kept me distracted in the afternoon.. Anniversaries are hard this first year.

Babi · « **Reply #1050 on:** February 21, 2010, 08:55:22 AM »

Yes, they are bound to be, STEPH. There will come a time, tho', when
the memories will be a treasure rather than a pain. Meanwhile, you have
friends who care. I hope that helps.

serenesheila · « **Reply #1051 on:** February 21, 2010, 10:57:46 PM »

Hi, Steph. The first significant "special" days, following a spouse's death, ARE hard. They were painful for me, as well. Each year after that, gets easier.

I still have some pain, around Thanksgiving time. My husband died a few days before Thanksgiving. Our special days, I still miss him, but they are not painful. I have come to the conclusion that we never get over the loss of a loved one, but we do get through our grief.

My grandmother's youngest child died at the age of 2 years. When she was in her nineties, I asked her if she still missed Betty Jean. She said: "Every day of my life." Personnelly, I am glad that we never forget a loved one who has died.

Sheila

Steph · « **Reply #1052 on:** February 22, 2010, 06:01:19 AM »

Yes, Thanksgiving will forever be painful. He died on the 20th of November. Memories are wonderful. They hurt and I understand that, but I know they will be in the end what keeps me going.
Our library is having their second used book sale next weekend. I think I must maintain a low profile, I mentioned that you sell more books, when they are sorted and rough alphabetized and the President got all prickly and said.. People love to hunt through.. Hmm.. Owning a used book store made you aware of the more you sort, the more they buy..

Babi · « **Reply #1053 on:** February 22, 2010, 08:40:01 AM »

I agree with you about the book sales, STEPH. I like browsing well enough,
but I definitely don't want to have to read every title to find what I
like. There are genres of books I'm not interested in and I would hate
to have to go through all those to find the few I might want to buy.
My library has the books sorted into categories, at least. Alphabetically might be too much work and wouldn't last past the first dozen
browsers.

ALF43 · « **Reply #1054 on:** February 22, 2010, 10:07:24 AM »

So many of us here have such heavy burdens to bear and sadly I must add to your pain.

I come into the library with a heavy heart to notify you that one of our own has passed away- Mary Alice Howland, better known to us as Maryal or Deems.
She went home to meet the Lord this past weekend after suffering and fighting a bitter battle against Pancreatic cancer, with metastasis for the past 4-5 months.

No one on our website had better diction, was more articulate or well spoken than our Maryal and I only wish that I could do her justice with my words so I apologize as I stagger and search for the right words to describe this acute loss.

We have composed a "Tribute Page" for Maryal and ask that you join us HERE.

This will be our loving memorial to present to Susan, Maryal's daughter and her best friend. Please stop by and give us your own kind remembrance of our beloved friend.

nlhome · « **Reply #1055 on:** February 22, 2010, 11:46:28 AM »

Steph, I agree also about sorting books for the used book sales. Ours are sorted by type (fiction, romance, western, childrens, nonfiction) and then within the type whenever possible. Fiction not so much, except for certain popular authors and series, which are put together. Nonfiction into gardening, biography, etc., as the organizers have time. And so on. Of course, our used books are sorted initially for ones that may be better than a copy in our collection or to fill in a series, also.

Of course, I'm not a rummager, I don't have the time. It's like going to a garage sale where everything is piled on tables with no organization vs. one that has things folded and generally sorted.

winsummm · « **Reply #1056 on:** February 22, 2010, 01:28:14 PM »

sorting salesI would rumage by category and authors but don't ever have the option so I don't buy books at library sales. However garage sales are a different matter since they are much more limited as to choices and the owner has already suggested a category relative to personal choice.

Claire

maryz · « **Reply #1057 on:** February 22, 2010, 07:05:43 PM »

Alf, thanks for bringing us the sad new about the loss of Maryal. Pancreatic cancer is a terrible thing. Our hearts go out to her family.

Our library definitely sorts the books for our sale. I cannot imagine doing it any other way. Some of our volunteers spend their time keeping the various tables in good order, and restocking. I’ve helped “reprocessing” books that are being removed from the library shelves. But then the workers who work most of the time do the sorting into categories. It’s a must, IMO.

Steph · « **Reply #1058 on:** February 23, 2010, 06:05:38 AM »

I went to the first Friends of the Library yesterday. Timing is a bit hard. They meet at 5 in the afternoon and go on until 7.. Since I am still terrified of night driving. I stayed until about 5:45 and left.. Dont think I missed much. They go on and on about not much.. Nice people though.

maryz · « **Reply #1059 on:** February 23, 2010, 08:19:44 AM »

Steph, I don't think any formal meeting needs to go longer than an hour - and I'm usually the one starting to make noises about adjournment if that happens.

Work sessions might need to go longer, thought. Glad you got to the meeting in any case.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #1060 on:** February 23, 2010, 11:16:45 AM »

Have you read Jasper Fforde? He seems to take some getting used to as I tried his Well of Lost Plots and never could get really into it. When Shades of Gray appeared on lists I chose to give him another trey and it's working out well. Fforde has quite an unique imagination which amuses as he explores social themes from his skewed viewpoint.

Quote

From the bestselling author of Thursday Next - a brilliant new novel about a world where social order and destiny are dictated by the colors you can see . . . Stunningly imaginative, very funny, tightly plotted, and with sly satirical digs at our own society

The key word here is "see" as not everyone can see all colors so grass, flowers, etc., which appear gray, must be supplied with artificial colors which can be viewed by all classes of people from the gray drudges up to the exalted purples. It is exciting to read something so novel (pardon the pun); it feels like exploring the outer reaches of someone's imagination, heady yet dangerous, knowing the world will never again be the same.

Frybabe · « **Reply #1061 on:** February 23, 2010, 02:37:48 PM »

I have been reading the Thursday Next series off and on. They are a little screwy what with the "real world" being somewhat surreal and where time travel exists as well as the ability to jump in and out of books. More than the stories themselves, I like the play on words/names and puns. The Well of Lost Plots was my favorite of those I've read because she pretty much stayed in the story world and didn't jump in and out of the real world so much. It is hard enough to keep track with one or the other let alone both. It also doesn't help that time travelers can go back in time and change events. Then there is what goes on in the book narrative and what goes on behind the scenes when the characters are not called on to be part of the narrative.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #1062 on:** February 23, 2010, 05:49:17 PM »

Fry: The Thursday Next series is my next reading project.

For Georgette Heyer fans: Havce you read Joan Smith's Regency stories? Sort of Heyer Lite, for after you've read and re-read all the original Regency Romances by the queen herself.
Behold a Mystery and Dame Darden's Daughter were lent me vby my sister while we were at the beach last week; perfect fluff reading.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/joan-smith/

Steph · « **Reply #1063 on:** February 24, 2010, 06:04:30 AM »

I have read some of the FForde work. They are the type of book, best read.. once a year for each one.. I like them, but they do go on and on.
I am reading a recommended author. Sharon Shinn, who does fantasy and the first one is riveting. Taking names from the bible and angels, etc she has woven a fantasy with mortals, angels and others..Wow.. I love it.

Babi · « **Reply #1064 on:** February 24, 2010, 09:09:48 AM »

STEPH, I think that is why I never was a 'joiner'. Clubs of all kinds
seemed to weigh heavily in the area of on and on 'discussion', not to
mention mind-numbing committees. I dropped out of the Brownies!

I am waiting impatiently for my older daughter to bring me the first of
the 'angelus' series from her library. Mine only has one Shinn book, and it's number 5 in Shinn's other, equally wonderful, series. I really must
speak to them about that.

serenesheila · « **Reply #1065 on:** February 24, 2010, 09:08:55 PM »

Babi, thank you for a good belly laugh! Dropped out of Brownies! I was slower in dropping out. At the end of my sophomore year of high school, I was in the Girl Scouts. My troop took a one week vacation at Lake Tahoe. The leader made us get up each morning, go outside, salute a flag that wasn't there, and sing The Star Spangled Banner.

I did that for one day. The second day, I dropped out! Fortunately, the local sheriff saw me walking down the main highway, and picked me up. He called my mother, and told her he would put me on a bus, going to Sacramento. Sighhhhh
Of course, today, I realize that I put myself in danger, by taking off on my own.

Sheila

winsummm · « **Reply #1066 on:** February 24, 2010, 10:24:26 PM »

Krista Davis and the DIVA series. so far there are only three. I'm halfway through THE DIVA TAKES THE CAKE and have ordered a sample of the last one. It could be called a COZY ONLY IT ISN'T BRITISH IT'S VERY AMERICAN, ENTERTAINING AND FULL OF RECIPES AND DOMESTIC HINTS AS WELL AS ENGAGING CHARACTERS AND A COMPLICATED PLoT. AmaZON HAS IT ON KINDLE.

OOPS didn't mean the capitals. just wasn't looking at the screen as usual.I like these modern cozys like Janet Evonavich's stephanie Plumseries and others.

claire

winsummm · « **Reply #1067 on:** February 24, 2010, 10:29:18 PM »

about brownie. I was one for a little while, later my woodcraft ranger boyfriend talked me into hosting a girls group until one of them age fourteen eloped with her boy friend while waiting for a bus and a group excursion and over night at lake Arrowhead Camp opposite a boys group. 'enough for me but I did marry the boyfriend. it's fun working with teen age girls.

Claire

Steph · « **Reply #1068 on:** February 25, 2010, 06:07:41 AM »

I have never been a joiner, but losing my husband has made me aware that I really dont make friends easily if at all. He brought everyone home to me.. He genuinely loved people. So I am trying to figure out how to meet people to help with the lonliness.. Not sure it will work. But my gym is huge so you never meet anyone there and that is really the only local activity. We traveled so much over the past few years and I had seniornet and now senior learn and thought of all of you as my friends. You are, but it would be nice to have someone local to maybe go to lunch or the movies with.

salan · « **Reply #1069 on:** February 25, 2010, 06:36:29 AM »

Steph, I, too, have been pretty much a loner. My sisters have always been my best friends, but they do not live near by. Jack was always the out going one and had many, many friends. It's been a year and a half now; and I am having a difficult time joining/participating in anything. Thank goodness for my ftf reading group and my sil who lives close by. A couple of weeks ago, I went out to lunch by myself for the first time. I usually just order and bring it home. It was a strange experience to sit in a restaurant and eat alone. I don't think I'll do that again for a while. "Lunching" is so much nicer when you have someone to converse with. Our little movie theater is showing "The Blind Side" this week-end. I really would like to see it, but don't know how I will feel going alone. We travelled alot, but I can't seem to get interested in going anywhere. Ah, me...it just takes time, but I realize that I will have to be the one that makes the effort if I want things to change. This is a new chapter of our lives and we just need to decide how we are going to approach it!
Sally

joangrimes · « **Reply #1070 on:** February 25, 2010, 08:06:27 AM »

Go to the movie alone Sally. You will find that you can do that too an it. You will be glad that you did it. As for eating out alone, just keep on doing it. Just keep on keeping on. We have to do that. There are lots and lots of people out there like us.
Joan Grimes

marcie · « **Reply #1071 on:** February 25, 2010, 11:25:42 AM »

Some public libraries have face-to-face book discussions. You might want to try joining one discussion if your library offers that to see if you find a friendly group.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1072 on:** February 25, 2010, 12:59:51 PM »

I frequently go to small, informal restaurants alone (we NJ people have a love for our diners, ya know). I take a magazine - Newsweek or AARP - and catch up on the "news." I kind of like being w/ people but at the same time being alone. And i especially like that someone else is cooking and i can get something that i wouldn't make. W/ the magazine i don't feel as if i have to sit and look around, or make any eye contact w/ people and i've become very comfortable w/ doing that. In fact, i try to do it every couple of weeks, or so. ................... jean

mrssherlock · « **Reply #1073 on:** February 25, 2010, 02:24:14 PM »

I have found that taking classes provides me with compatible people to discuss and/or argue issues with. Since each person in a class is solo we all meet equally and grabbing a coffee or a glass of wine after class to continue the discussion can turn into a shared meal also.

maryz · « **Reply #1074 on:** February 25, 2010, 04:17:48 PM »

We do a lot of Elderhostels, and there are usually a number of "singles" in any group. John and I have done separate ones, too - so I've been a single. I got a single room, but had no problem finding people to hang out with.

nlhome · « **Reply #1075 on:** February 25, 2010, 08:09:32 PM »

There was a time when I was alone a lot, and I got in the habit of having coffee or eating lunch at a little cafe several times a week - it got to feel so comfortable, and I met people there, had good conversations sometimes. Other times I read.

I also found a couple of groups to belong to, and I still have friends from those days.

serenesheila · « **Reply #1076 on:** February 26, 2010, 01:39:41 AM »

STEPH. I understand. Getting adjusted to doing things alone, was difficult for me. However, I am comfortable with it, now. One of the first things I did, was join a bereavement group. They had a lot of activities. I took a bridge class, to refresh my skills. I met so many nice people, and became good friends with a number of them. Four of us, widows, rented a beach house twice a year, on the North Coast of California. We had some wonderful trips together. The other three women have died, but I have some wonderful memories. I found these groups by calling the local hospital, and asking about berevement groups.

I also went to a couple of Senior Centers. Each has a monthly newsletter. I played bridge there. I also took several classes. One was on writing an autobiography, another was genealogy. I made a number of close friends, there.

Today, I saw my dr. I took a bad fall, 2 1/2 wees ago, flat on my face. I have had headaches, and dizzyness, since then. Today, I learned that I have a concussion! There is a big bump on my left eyebrow. I got quite a lecture about going directly to the ER, anytime I hit my head. Now, I am on bed rest. I was given a nerve test, and there is no bleeding in my head. I strongly dislike going to the dr. My husband was blind, had congestive heart failure, cancer and renal failure. He had one, or more, dr. appointments every week. He also was on dialysis three times a week. After he died, I swore off of dr.'s visits.

Sheila

Steph · « **Reply #1077 on:** February 26, 2010, 06:04:35 AM »

I have gone to the movie alone. That seemed fine, since I went to a matinee. I dont think I would go at night however. I also rarely cook lunch. I eat in a variety of restaurants. None fine dining, but all OK.. I also have lunch with old friends who dont live that close, but we get together once in a while.
I have been considering elderhostel,we used to go, but stopped when we got the rvs.. We have no senior centers less than half an hour away and when I called that one, they mostly do night things and I am not driving at night just yet.. Especially if I must drive half an hour.
I have joined a widows group.. They seem nice and I have done a few things with them..They are pretty religious and that makes it hard sometimes.
Classes.. Oh me, I wish I could, but the community college locally is again much more night oriented.
The book club at the library is againa night function. Sigh.. I have joined a local genealogy club. After all I have done genealogy for over 20 years.
So my problem revolves around nighttime and driving and distances. Most of the really good stuff is in Orlando and that is about 45 minutes away and very very congested in traffic. No buses to get me there either.

Babi · « **Reply #1078 on:** February 26, 2010, 08:28:50 AM »

You too, STEPH?!! I'm the same way. I've always been so reserved (tr.
unsure of my welcome, from always being the new kid on the block.) I
don't know how to make friends, really. Mine are the outgoing type who
latch on to me, and I'm very grateful for them. Which makes me all the
more thankful for the friends I've found in these discussion groups.
I hope you do find a local friend. Maybe in a book club, or in your
widows group.

SHEILA, I can certainly understand your desire not to see the inside of
a doctor's office for a long, long time. Still, you're are very lucky
that knock on the head was no worse. You could very easily have died, and that would have been a tragedy. I trust you will take your lecture to
heart and play it safe in future. We have had too many painful losses
here lately.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1079 on:** February 26, 2010, 11:18:53 AM »

I'm reading Earthly Joys by Phillipa Gregory. For those of you who aren't familiar w/ it, it's about a gardener for Earl Robert Cecile in the 16th century. There was a lot of talk about the "knot gardens." Altho i had a pretty good idea about what they were, i went looking for them on Goggle.

Here is a video you might find interesting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AWByZ60I-I

and here are some images

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=knot+garden+designs&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=4feGS7GrHMbPlAeulLg9&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CCIQsAQwAw

sorry, i know there's a way to make a link and not have that long url, but i don't know that yet...............

some of you who are quilters may be interested in knowing that one of the sites suggested that people look at quilt patterns to get an idea for designing their knot garden...........jean

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 2085002 times)