Author Topic: The Library (Read 2297761 times)

maryz · « **Reply #10960 on:** March 19, 2013, 08:23:38 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!

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*SeniorLearn's Archives

Our youngest daughter tread about the shirt. Her comment was "Silently???"

JoanP · « **Reply #10961 on:** March 19, 2013, 09:32:58 AM »

Missing Babi... here are two recent messages received from her daughter, Valerie:

Quote

We love the messages . My brother added some of them to his eulogy for Mom so you all could be there with us . They will be very special reminders of the friends she had . I have a lot of books I will be needing to find homes for . I will get a list and put them in Senior learn when the time comes to see if anyone would like any of them .

Quote

Thank you for sending me those lovely comments and memories . The card and flower were beautiful too . I don't know how much she spoke of herself online. She was not one to complain but she had been sick for years . The picture posted was about 10 years old I believe . She had lost over a hundred pounds and was just at 108 pds when she passed . She wasn't strong enough to do much but she could still read and was sharp as a tack . She loved going on every morning to see everyone and if she missed more then a day she wanted me to get online and tell everyone she was ok and would be back ASAP! Y'all kept her brain active and strong and her heart happy and content to be with friends . Remember her as she was in that picture . Smiling and happy and healthy . My love to all her friends please . Val

JoanP · « **Reply #10962 on:** March 19, 2013, 09:37:12 AM »

Maryz - has your husband persisted to the end of Plainsong - without quotation marks? I'm interested to hear. Haruf uses all other punctuation marks. I found myself forgetting about the lack of quotes as I read on. Am interested in following these characters into his next, Eventide, after which he was silent for ten years. Recently he's come out with Benediction...some of the same characters from the same little town of Holt, Colorado.

maryz · « **Reply #10963 on:** March 19, 2013, 10:49:34 AM »

JoanP, no, he stopped and took it back to the library. He had ordered another book by Haruf, but it, too, was without quotation marks. It's going back, too. Life's too short and there are too many books to read to deal with ones that are frustrating.

marjifay · « **Reply #10964 on:** March 19, 2013, 11:23:49 AM »

Wearing that T Shirt that says "I'M SILENTLY CORRECTING YOUR GRAMMAR"
would be a good way to keep people from talking with you. I like good grammar but can't imagine wearing that message.

Marj

maryz · « **Reply #10965 on:** March 19, 2013, 12:57:33 PM »

I may not wear it, except at the beach with our family and closest friends, marjifay. But I absolutely LOVE having it and having my daughter get it for me.

JeanneP · « **Reply #10966 on:** March 19, 2013, 12:59:27 PM »

I find myself going back on my postings here at times. My English Teacher would cringe if she read them. On the computer I make so many errors and it is because I type so fast and think what I am going to say faster. Grammar, comma, colons all missing.
Now I still like hand written letters for both sending and receiving. I make sure I do much better when writing them.

pedln · « **Reply #10967 on:** March 19, 2013, 09:20:11 PM »

Jane, I went to your first link and of course could not get Mary's T shirt. But I sure enjoyed looking at all the other photos which I assumed were yours. What a cool tall cabinet by the side of your fridge. Does that pull out from somewhere?

Beautiful azaleas. I love your bike. I have two old ones in the garage, but don't trust myself on a two-wheeler any more. But I think I've finally found the adult trike that I want, a recumbent, but with two wheels in back and one in front.

Both those T-shirts look like fun to wear. Enjoy, MaryZ.

Back to Summer's Lease. I tried to watch the DVD, but there were no captions, so will track the book someplace. My library has other Mortimers, but not that title.

It's not too late to participate in The End of Your Life Book Club discussion. We've been listing all the books that Will and Mary Anne talk about, so come on over and put in your two-cents worth about some of these titles.

jane · « **Reply #10968 on:** March 19, 2013, 09:35:54 PM »

Pedln... Re:Jane, I went to your first link and of course could not get Mary's T shirt. But I sure enjoyed looking at all the other photos which I assumed were yours. What a cool tall cabinet by the side of your fridge. Does that pull out from somewhere?

Yes, it pulls out and it's the depth of the fridge. We use it for spices, cooky sheets, etc. Very handy and uses space that would have been wasted otherwise.

I am going to go over and see what titles are suggested. It's been so long since I've found a title enjoyable that others rave about. Maybe something on their list will click.

Steph · « **Reply #10969 on:** March 20, 2013, 06:21:23 AM »

So in the past six days, I have a contract to sell my house and a new contract to buy another one.. Moving the last week in April.. Same town, over 55 community. Then my older dog had a large bleed two nights ago.After xrays, a large mass in her lower abdomen.. She is 14.. Blood work will be back today, but I suspect the answer will not be nice. I can never understand inmy life why the joys are always tempered with such sorrow.

maryz · « **Reply #10970 on:** March 20, 2013, 06:41:55 AM »

Steph, so sorry about your doggie baby. We do hate to see them get old. But wonderful news about the new place. Is it in a retirement complex?

Frybabe · « **Reply #10971 on:** March 20, 2013, 06:59:11 AM »

Oh Steph, I'm sorry to hear about your dog. My Twerp was 16 when I had to put him down because he had a mass on his lung. It's traumatic. Hope you have a better outcome.

Congratulations on finding another house already.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #10972 on:** March 20, 2013, 07:19:09 AM »

Steph, so sorry to hear about your dog. I (along with many people in the group, I'm sure) have been there with dog and cats in the past; always horrible.

Great news about your new house though - well done on finding somewhere so quickly. After the protracted gloom of selling our last house, we then struggled for ages to find anything we liked/could afford in this area - ridiculous when there is so much on the market, but SO much of it turned out to be dreadful. Can't believe I am probably facing doing it all over again in a while.

Take care, and good luck at the vet's,

Rosemary

pedln · « **Reply #10973 on:** March 20, 2013, 10:06:40 AM »

Steph, bless you with your bitters and your sweets. So sorry about your dog, but am happy you've had such good luck with housing -- selling yours and finding one that you like in your community.

ginny · « **Reply #10974 on:** March 20, 2013, 08:04:21 PM »

I echo everybody eles's thoughts here, hooray for you Steph (can't get used to calling you Steph, we knew you as Stephanie so long) with the selling and buying so soon of a new house but so sorry about your dog, I hope it's not too bad.

I came in to say I am still so enjoying A Summer's Lease, i feel as if I'm in a villa on vacation with them, too. What odd friends they are making, odd parties they are invited to, odd conversations, and a mystery is quietly developing, it seems, too. Little clues, little hints, the puzzle coming together slowly, and last night while she was lying in bed, she distinctly heard a door quietly shut; somebody, she is sure, is in the house. I'm half way through and I hate really for it to end.

Tome, in the book, tho it does not appear Molly is paying attention she's on hyper alert, thinking all the time, trying to piece together the various pieces of the puzzle which do not fit. Maybe that's why she looks like she's out of it or impervious in the movie.

JeanneP · « **Reply #10975 on:** March 20, 2013, 08:30:58 PM »

That is the fastest turnover in a house I have seen in a long time. Usually now to have a house one likes but can't sell the one in or you sell and then can't find what you want.
That has sure taken a lot of tension away from you. Do you have a lot to move?. I hate the thought of moving after 40 years here but I can see me having to do it soon. If I could just close the door. Buy all new for another place then I would think about it.

maryz · « **Reply #10976 on:** March 20, 2013, 09:34:00 PM »

Check out these wonderful sculptures made from books.
Book Sculptures

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #10977 on:** March 21, 2013, 04:56:19 AM »

Ginny, I have felt like that (not wanting it to end) with all of the John Mortimer books I have read - he is such a good writer and so easy to read, but so skilful.

Rosemary

Steph · « **Reply #10978 on:** March 21, 2013, 05:23:21 AM »

The community is individual houses ,not a community for retirees.. but one member of the household has to be over 55 and I think no one under 18 living in the community. I had already had a realtor take me through to look at the individual models,so knew which ones would suit me.That is why it was easy to find. I had done the hard work months ago.. There are tons of clubs and groups and things going on in the clubhouse. I am looking forward to this.. Keeps me from giving into my hermit tendencies.
I will let my gracie (14 yo dog) live now until I see that she is having pain.. Then it will be time.

pedln · « **Reply #10979 on:** March 21, 2013, 10:54:40 AM »

That's a very interesting site, MaryZ. One could spend a lot of time there. Thanks.

maryz · « **Reply #10980 on:** March 21, 2013, 03:48:30 PM »

Does anybody use this site? Goodreads ?

I don't - just wondered if it was familiar to others here.

jane · « **Reply #10981 on:** March 21, 2013, 04:06:29 PM »

I do, Mary. I've come to enjoy it. I used to go to Barnesandnoblebookclubs, but lately, there's very little posting by the moderators and others in the areas I'm interested in. So, I've been going more and more to goodreads.

ginny · « **Reply #10982 on:** March 21, 2013, 07:29:55 PM »

Somewhere on our boards Pat H posted a link to one of Shirley Jackson's essays, and I wanted to thank her for that as I enjoyed so much the nostalgia of reading it again. As I was reading it I kept thinking "Laurie, Laurie," and sure enough her son Laurie was in it. I really used to devour her books, her memoirs Raising Demons and Life Among the Savages were classics.

This time in looking for her books I found an article on her and what it was like to go to dinner with the Hymans (her married name) by a prominent author today and was struck again by sadness for her and her life. This time in reading that short story things I never noticed before jumped out in 2013: by her having to move her cigarettes and her brandy from this bed to that when the children were sick and wanted to pile in, (it really is hilarious as Pat said) but it's sad too, when combined with the knowledge that she died of an apparent heart attack at 48. Such a huge talent. I came to hate her husband for some reason, I can't remember why, now, but apparently he was quite critical of her, and brilliant, himself, according to the article. In reading her two memoirs one always felt in sympathy with her and the way she saw the world and the world saw her: apparently she did not fit in well. She was an extraordinary person, and I guess that's why she wrote such extraordinary books. The memoirs bring out how she felt about things, lots of wonderful positivity from the person who could write The Lottery, The Haunting of Hill House, and We Have Always Lived in the Castle.Very much like The Egg and I.

In 1995 two of her children, Laurence and Sarah, published a book called Just an Ordinary Day, containing more of her stories found in a box in a barn? which were unfinished and which were apparently unpublished. They might be interesting. There remain 49 stories yet to be published.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #10983 on:** March 21, 2013, 07:51:40 PM »

didn't get anything when I tried Barnesandnoblebookclubs Is there really a link to it?
Also, what is the point of Goodreads? Some of the comments were dated 2010, and showed me as having one (1) friend, and I have no idea who she is, but she commented on a lot of books. I had signed up a long time ago, and my ID and password were still good, so I rated a couple or three books and marked some "Want To Read". I am NOT going to bring FaceBook friends into that and I don't Twitter so don't have friends there either.
I know that Borders used to have a wonderful Book Club, and I often wonder what happened to all those nice ladies who did that program? I miss my Borders.

JeanneP · « **Reply #10984 on:** March 21, 2013, 07:56:02 PM »

John Mortimer. Are all his books just on "Rumple'? Lots of LP in our library. All look to be .

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #10985 on:** March 22, 2013, 04:09:27 AM »

Jeanne - no, Mortimer wrote numerous Rumpole books (which were all televised) but he also wrote Summer's Lease, Paradise Postponed, The Sound of Trumpets, Titmuss Regained, and lots of other stuff. His autobiography is also very good.

Rosemary

Steph · « **Reply #10986 on:** March 22, 2013, 05:25:22 AM »

I find Goodreads a tad confusing. I joined one of the groups, but soon gave it up.. 30 or so entrees a day and at least half from the same person.. May try again when life calms down a tad.

Frybabe · « **Reply #10987 on:** March 22, 2013, 08:03:53 AM »

I'm with you, Steph. I also found GoodReads confusing, and somewhat annoying. Too many discussion groups which pretty much covered the same things, for one. I found a local discussion group but no one showed up on it. One person apparently was from my area, but after initially contacting me, she(?) never answered my response. Too many people making comments on books they read but not much in depth thought. Nothing I found after spending lots of time looking around that seemed to compare with our focused book discussions. Many of the discussions I looked at seemed to be like fan sites of particular authors or genres. I canceled my account in frustration.

One nice this about GoodReads is that you can sign up to "win" a book. All they ask is that you read the book and review it. Most of the people who "reviewed" books only typed a couple of sentences at most. I get better review info from Amazon reviewers, bloggers, and editors.

marjifay · « **Reply #10988 on:** March 22, 2013, 08:21:08 AM »

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has trouble navigating Goodreads. But, then, I also have been unable to manage Facebook or that other one, Twitter.

I do belong to one very interesting group at Goodreads -- the Constant Reader group. A lot of interesting people who are serious readers post there. Their discussion book for March was THE ROUND HOUSE by Louise Erdrich, which I thought was a great book. They also discuss poetry, films, books people are reading, etc.

Marj

mabel1015j · « **Reply #10989 on:** March 22, 2013, 11:19:06 AM »

Yes, Goodreads does not make it easy to navigate their site, even getting to a point where you can add books to your own booklist can be daunting. I haven't participated in any of the book discussions, but have checked to see what reviews a book has gotten.

Jean

JoanP · « **Reply #10990 on:** March 22, 2013, 09:52:20 PM »

We are happy to announce that Wilkie Collins' The Moonstone has been selected for the Book Club Online discussion. We will begin on April 15 and continue through the month of May. This is a delightful selection, believed to be the first detective/mystery novel. We hope you drop in now and say hello, select your chair...

Steph · « **Reply #10991 on:** March 23, 2013, 05:51:06 AM »

I joined or tried to two groups, one never answered me and claims to be exclusive for serious readers. Not sure how they know that without answering you.The other is a kindle group and they are just flat out too much from basically one person..

Frybabe · « **Reply #10992 on:** March 27, 2013, 08:44:27 AM »

Kim Komando found a freebie screen reader for the blind to help with the newer "visual interface" screen technologies. http://www.komando.com/downloads/category.aspx?id=13495&utm_medium=nl&utm_source=dotd&utm_content=2013-03-27-article-title&page=1
Be careful to read the instructions if you are using IE because IE doesn't like it much and will block the download. There is a work around on the NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) site.

NVDA uses open source programing and works with Windows OS. Since it is open source, and one of the major sponsors is Mozilla (home of Firefox Browser), I don't see why it would work on a Linux OS, but I don't see that listed. There is also a free speech synthesizer that apparently comes with it.

If any of you use this or know someone who does, let me know how you like it.

Steph · « **Reply #10993 on:** March 28, 2013, 06:38:07 AM »

maryz · « **Reply #10994 on:** March 28, 2013, 05:11:17 PM »

I know many of you are SciFi fans. I'm not particularly, but someone here once mentioned Clifford Simak. His daughter (and friend of ours), Ellen Simak, has been the head curator at our Hunter Museum of American Art. She is retiring, and one of her goals in her retirement is to work on her father's legacy. Just thought y'all might be interested.

PatH · « **Reply #10995 on:** March 28, 2013, 08:57:51 PM »

I'm very interested. Clifford Simak is one of the big classic figures of sci-fi. I'm not sure if I've read any of his novels, but he published a lot of short stories in Galaxy, and I read some of them there.

maryz · « **Reply #10996 on:** March 28, 2013, 09:46:53 PM »

I'll keep you posted if I hear anything else.

Frybabe · « **Reply #10997 on:** March 29, 2013, 07:18:41 AM »

I've never heard of him. SciFi wasn't on my reading list when I was younger. I think I read The Street That Wasn't There last year. Liked it. Amazon has a bunch of his books, some of which are free. So, I will be downloading them. Way Station (not a freebie) gets excellent reviews. It is out of print, so the available copies are very pricey indeed. I think I'll see what Project Gutenberg has available.

Steph · « **Reply #10998 on:** March 29, 2013, 07:20:13 AM »

Simak was a towering figure in the late 50's etc for sci fi.. Wrote tons of short stories as well as novels.. Excellent writer indeed.

Frybabe · « **Reply #10999 on:** March 29, 2013, 07:47:57 AM »

FYI: Project Gutenberg and ManyBooks have only one novel (Empire) and four short stories (The Street That Wasn't There is among them).

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 2297761 times)