Author Topic: The Library (Read 2318340 times)

Frybabe · « **Reply #12080 on:** October 05, 2013, 11:40:34 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!

*Suggestion Box for Future Discussions
*SeniorLearn's Archives

I saw that Barb, and my first thought was - how many people did he have to ask before he found some who didn't know they are the same?

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #12081 on:** October 05, 2013, 12:00:00 PM »

From what I observe not many - when you look at the stats for neighborhoods as we do for investors in Real Estate you find only pockets of most cities that have more than a quarter of the population with a college degree and some pockets have that many or more who have not graduated from High School - we can too easily assume the majority in this nation are like ourselves and you are shocked when you learn otherwise - for me I thought those who seem clueless to how things function were a few yahoos who rode around in beat up old pickups pasted with stickers announcing their loyalty to some point of view or other. Not so - what appears to be nice clean cut neighborhoods and talking to a potential seller I am always floored but at least I have learned to keep my chin from dropping. The church goers or really the Christian Right sorta church goer seem to be among those who do not read, pay little attention to the news and get all their political views from the pulpit, half of which is out of this world unbelievably mis-informed.

MaryPage · « **Reply #12082 on:** October 05, 2013, 12:56:56 PM »

Bottom line, as Steph points out, the Affordable Care Act does NOT mandate that people must use birth control or must have abortions. It just does not allow the Act to prohibit those things which have been declared by our Supreme Court to be our right to use or have under the laws of our nation.
If it IS THE LAW, then no other law should prohibit it; especially not a law pertaining to our health.
The government has mandated that no one can be denied the right to purchase health insurance because of a pre-existing condition. It has mandated that we may carry our health insurance policy from job to job and state to state.
Otherwise, it is the PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES who are setting the premiums and selling the policies. They are in competition with each other, and Capitalism Reigns. No Socialism involved whatsoever.
I find very, very few people who really seem to know what it is all about. I expect that is basically because most of the people I know are long retired and get Medicare and their federal government issued health insurance as a secondary. I hope the 45 MILLION without insurance prior to October first are boning up like mad.

ginny · « **Reply #12083 on:** October 05, 2013, 01:03:04 PM »

I love trains, too, Octavia, I love to go on train anywhere.

Two new books out are looking wonderful. One by Dave Eggars, we've read something of his before here, but this is a novel called The Circle? About an online site that sucks people in, in an evil way. They say it's wonderful, anybody reading it?

Also the new Johnny Carson book, by his former lawyer, wow! They have an excerpt of it in the new Entertainment Magazine, who knew?

I think both of those have to be on my TBR List!

ginny · « **Reply #12084 on:** October 05, 2013, 01:07:23 PM »

We're finding out all kinds of interesting things in these polls!! Here's the result of our last Reader's Poll:

Question:    Reader's Poll #5: Do you use your local Library? If not, why not?

Yes I use it regularly.    - 17 (65.4%)

It's not near me and I don't use it.    - 0 (0%)

I take grandchildren for programs but don't check out books myself.    - 1 (3.8%)

I don't like used books or the stories I've heard about bedbugs, etc.    - 1 (3.8%)

I just don't like the Library and how I'm treated.    - 1 (3.8%)

Other (please tell us more in the Library)    - 6 (23.1%)

Total Voters: 23

Our new poll is on the EBook versus the in print book, where will you stand?

JeanneP · « **Reply #12085 on:** October 05, 2013, 01:42:09 PM »

I have to admit on this Obama care health thing . I don't understand it and

just staying doing what been doing since retiring and Medicare. Crazy on the Birth control. Abortion fight . This is 2013 . If didnt want to get pregnant then don't. So many ways. We went by that thought in the 50/60s with common sense only. Obama just looking at the ( mostly black teens) who are having one a year and hurting the Welfare system that was not brought out to cater to that. Last year in my area 42 pct of births were these. From there they hit the food cards, free clinics ,housing. Nursery school, all without going out and doing one days work. Got Gm.Mothers, daughters all on the system. Something has to change.

Have you noticed that soon Seniors, retiree s will be paying the highest for health ins. Now $1200 is deducted from SS Ck . Some are paying another supplement policy of $350. Or higher and paying some on prescriptions. Yet no welfare for them. Yet most of us worked 40 years.

Winchesterlady · « **Reply #12086 on:** October 05, 2013, 02:17:20 PM »

Two new books out are looking wonderful. One by Dave Eggars, we've read something of his before here, but this is a novel called The Circle? About an online site that sucks people in, in an evil way. They say it's wonderful, anybody reading it?

Ginny -- This is not the sort of book I usually read but I've pre-ordered it on Amazon. Looks very interesting! But will have to wait til next Tuesday...

mabel1015j · « **Reply #12087 on:** October 05, 2013, 02:41:39 PM »

CSPAN's American History TV has a wonderful program on today on its Lectures in History series - "The Year 1968", by Leonard Steinhorn at American Univ. it will be repeated at 8:00 EST tonight.

maryz · « **Reply #12088 on:** October 05, 2013, 02:58:31 PM »

My preference is to read ebooks, but I will sometimes read a print book.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #12089 on:** October 05, 2013, 03:10:40 PM »

A new publication that I am hearing folks at Starbucks talking about - Snow Hunters by Paul Yohan.

Something about being a Korean War refugee, on a cargo ship to Brazil to start a new life. He befriends a Japanese tailor. The story alternates between Brazil and his time in the prison camp with his blinded childhood friend, Peng. The overheard chatter is about his writing style. And yes, the group was all Asian. They looked a little over college age.

Not wanting to risk $16 or so on an unknown author I decided instead to get a copy for a penny of his first publication - an award winning book of short stories, to see what they were raving about. So get this from the first story in Once the Shore... Jim, lost his brother to the sea. To help his grieving he becomes a head waiter at a resort on Solla Island in the Pacific. He has prepared a surprise for a women who is visiting the Solla Island, the last place where she and her husband spent time years earlier on their honeymoon. She sat all night looking at the beach after Jim took her in the hotel boat to visit some of the caves and other beaches - Jim was just about to cover her eyes with his handkerchief in preparation for his kindness. Here is half a page - the words and sentences are simply and yet moving - he paints a picture you could almost reach out and touch.

Quote

The woman nodded, staring up at him. Behind him the sea was red and the sky thinned toward morning. She felt her heart. And the last thing she saw before her vision was covered in darkness was the boy's T-shirt with the image of a sailboat printed on his chest.

When her eyes were covered, he took her hand and squeezed once quickly and then ran to the truck where the three waiters carried the table and a chair down to the middle of the beach. they covered the table with a white cloth. Jim set down a plate, flanked by a napkin, forks, knives, and teaspoon. He placed a saucer and a coffee cup to the left and two glasses on the right. The chair faced the sea. From the back of the truck they ignited Bunsen burners to heat the small silver trays that contained scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, and sausages. They opened the icebox to reveal a bottle of water, cream, pineapple, melons, and strawberries. The thermos of coffee was still warm. They changed into their outfits, black jackets instead of their usual white.

ginny · « **Reply #12090 on:** October 06, 2013, 08:24:52 AM »

Lots of interesting books and shows being talked about here. You all are so au courant~!

Helps us all keep up with things.

Winchester Lady, OH so it doesn't come out until Tuesday! No wonder I can't find it locally! hahahaha

The New Time Magazine has an entire page on it, that's the third magazine. I really think this one is one I want to read. It apparently shows Big Brother, not in the guise we knew him in Orwell's 1984 but instead with the friendly smile of a Facebook/ Twitter/ Google online site.

I can't wait to read it!

We read something about the internet in a mystery thriller line when we were on SeniorNet called, I think, F2F? It was about a murderer stalking a website with a bulletin board format (like this one). It was really scary, but everybody who read it seemed to like it. The dangers of the Internet.

Switching subject, Irritating CatchPhrase of the Day (maybe we should have a contest on these?)

#1: "Reach out." As in on any news show on TV, including CNN and CBS: "We reached out to...XXX.... You fill in the blank, Governor White's wife as he's been exposed as a porn king and sex slave trafficer....but she has not responded...."

Duh.

Yeah I bet they "reached out. " Probably hounded the poor woman to death, showed up on her doorstep, lined the streets with vans and TV satellite transmissions, paparazzi, cameras, probably had to take the phone off the hook, to avoid their innocent "reaching out..."

"Reach out. reach out and touch someone. Reach out, reach out and just say hi, " and other iterations of "reach out" are positive. The press now, in their efforts to be on "our side," are "reaching out" like vampires, corrupting the use of the phrase and themselves, and us, making euphemisms for their invasive voyeurism, in the process. This "reach out" is new, check how many times you hear it on CNN alone this week.

Absolutely hate it.

Anybody got any other pet peeves for Most Annoying Catch Phrase of the Year?

mabel1015j · « **Reply #12091 on:** October 06, 2013, 01:36:47 PM »

"ABC ( or whatever network or channel you are watching ) has this story EXCLUSIVELY! " or "only NBC 10 has this story."

Do i care!?! I'm watching your channel, just tell me the story! The television professionals are the only people who care if they have an exclusive. I doubt if any viewer ever thought "Isn't this great! Only channel 10 got this story."

Jean

jane · « **Reply #12092 on:** October 06, 2013, 03:21:21 PM »

"What the American people want"....if I hear one more arrogant, bloated, ego-centric, totally clueless politician of whichever political party say those words, I'm going to scream so loud you'll all hear me.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #12093 on:** October 06, 2013, 03:40:35 PM »

Unfortunately in numbers we do not let them know - This past year women finally rose up but it was not the constent drip drip drip of weekly correspondence, email or twitter letting them know what we want - they only hear what big money tells them we want and the few organized groups with lobbyists - It is time consuming and if the Senator of your state is not of the party you prefer, it makes it difficult but we really need to write a regular note and get as many of our friends and family to write at least a monthly note so that there is some contact with reality or else we have to sit back and realize big money owns this nation.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #12094 on:** October 06, 2013, 04:02:47 PM »

Oh! Jane! I agree, they abuse us over and over, taking our name in vain!

I constantly talk to the tv "not this American person!"

Barbara, i agree with you too. Fortunately, or unfortunately, our Congressman is a member of the opposition, so i delight in calling his office to remind him that he runs in a moderate Republican district, not a tea party district, and i can have some effect, bcs this district is not crazily gerrymandered. It includes Dems as well as Repubs, so we can all have some influence on our officials.

MaryPage · « **Reply #12095 on:** October 06, 2013, 04:04:54 PM »

Barbara has a good point there. We women, most of us, have spent the greater part of our lives thinking "they," whoever the heck "they" are, will take care of the problems in our society, and we don't have to get our heads all fussed up over such like.
But when I look back on the 80 plus decades I have lived through, I realize it has so often taken one extraordinary individual to make us all really examine a problem and take steps to fix it. And the ones who have most often been willing to make the necessary changes to fix things are the very ones who made MOST of the changes to the next generation's backsides when they were little things: the women of our species.
Remember Eleanor Roosevelt? Clare Booth Luce? Rosa Parks? Margaret Sanger? Rachel Carson? Billie Jean King?

Octavia · « **Reply #12096 on:** October 06, 2013, 08:34:56 PM »

Our new PM also thinks he knows 'what the Australian people want', must be catching

If, at any time you don't want Obama, can we have him? I'm not enamoured of our PM. Probably a nice person socially, but he has outmoded beliefs(I think). Especially about women's rights.
Mabel, there are lot of 'exclusive' programs on TV here too! They're exclusive for such a short time, I wonder if it's worth the money and effort.
I'm filling out some of my pre-admission form. List all your operations! I wish they'd say 'relevant operations', I can't see the point of early childhood ops. Sigh.
Prince Harry has had a weekend trip to Australia and dazzled a lot of women and children in his dashing naval uniform. He seems very affable and approachable, like his brother and sister in law.

jane · « **Reply #12097 on:** October 06, 2013, 09:10:33 PM »

I email my Congressman and Senators all the time. It's so easy with their emails and my IPAD or laptop or I can go to their websites and they have email forms right there. My Congressman, at the time of the Syria debate, sent out a one question survey to those on his mailing list.

1. Should the U.S. become involved in the Syria situation?

Choices were three: Yes, No, I don't know.

He later sent out an email that said he'd gotten over 20,000 responses (He's one of 4 Congressmen in Iowa...so represents just the Eastern part of the state), and had over 75% who had said NO. He said he got the message loud and clear!

I wish more of our Representatives would do this sort of polling. I detest the polls that are slanted in their questions to get you to have to agree with them because they give no other choices.

JeanneP · « **Reply #12098 on:** October 06, 2013, 09:56:19 PM »

Octavia.

Great time to be in Sidney .so much going on. Would love to see the ships. Harry to. He is a charmer alright.
Some of my UKFamily are there at the moment for a month. Perfect time to be in Sidney. They are having a great time.

Steph · « **Reply #12099 on:** October 08, 2013, 09:00:05 AM »

IF AT first you dont succeed>> try try>> SO I got home yesterday. No air..first repairman said unit is dead.. no freon, frozen ouside,, etc. remembered I had gotten a Home Warranty and called them, they gave me a number, a company and telephone. called them, got answering stuff, no call back.. so far.. Since it was late yesterday, will give them some time.
also no internet, no cable... since I had instructed the company as they requested, I called them, they apologized over the oversight, but I remarked that they were batting two for two in not turning on when asked. Then had to call the tech support since while I was gone, they did something called turbo and I did not want it. Sigh.. Adding to the stress of my old dog who is feeling horrible.The motel had put me on the second floor, no elevator. I had booked very precisely a 1st floor room,, but the check in did not care. I do hope they ask me for how it went. I have a lot to discuss with them. As you can see, I am meaner than a junk yard dog today. Oh please let this day be a little easier. It is way too hot for this.

maryz · « **Reply #12100 on:** October 08, 2013, 10:02:34 AM »

Steph, I asked elsewhere if you were in FL - I see that you are. Sorry the transition hasn't gone well this time. Hope for better things by the end of the day. Maybe next year, you should stay another month in NC - it's beautiful up here, and still hot in FL.

MaryPage · « **Reply #12101 on:** October 08, 2013, 12:51:46 PM »

Oh, Steph, honest to goodness, I am so sorry.

Too much stress!

I agree with Mary, and take it one further. Am one who believes the scientists, and seems we are in for stronger and longer warm months for the rest of our lives. You might want to think seriously about giving up the Florida residence and enjoying the ever milder Carolina winters.

But hey, unasked for advice is rarely welcomed, and I want to keep you as a friend!

Octavia · « **Reply #12102 on:** October 09, 2013, 03:06:30 AM »

Steph, in your shoes, I'd have a melt down

Jeanne, my niece met Harry and said he was handsomer in the flesh than in photos or video coverage.
She's in her 50's so could be objective. Rumour has it, he's about to pop the question to his girlfriend.
I'm looking at all these Christmas cards, the foot and mouth people have sent me, and feeling terribly guilty. Hardly anyone sends cards now, it's just got far too expensive, and I wouldn't be popular for sending out cards, even such deserving ones.
To make it worse, they've sent 2 lots. I'll have to return them and feel like Scrooge.
There's a food thing too, that bothers me, at this time of the year. People at fast food places complaining they don't have enough money to eat well over Christmas, but would never touch a lentil or chickpea, through the year. It's alcohol and fast food, and the charities are struggling.
I'm looking out for my discussion book, it's been dispatched, so mustn't be too far away.

JeanneP · « **Reply #12103 on:** October 09, 2013, 12:43:08 PM »

Octavia
I heard that he is more handsome than his pictures. Not has handsome as his brother though. I really have always liked Father Charles but they didn't get their looks from him.
I look for him to marry soon also. He his so into little George and seeing married life with his brother. He is ready to settle down.

Steph · « **Reply #12104 on:** October 09, 2013, 01:24:16 PM »

My reason for staying in Florida is that both of my sons live here, one 2 hours, the other 3 hours away..Otherwise I would move.. I dislike the heat and always have. Florida was my husbands choice. He adored it.
Air conditioning.. Warranty company just called.
They will replace the compressor.. it is on order.. I owe 190.00 for upgrades..And it is cool today , so that my older dog seems a bit better. I may live.

maryz · « **Reply #12105 on:** October 09, 2013, 02:41:59 PM »

Steph, I'm glad things are looking better (and cooler).

MaryPage · « **Reply #12106 on:** October 09, 2013, 04:43:16 PM »

Oh, Steph! Thank goodness for that!
Heat makes me feel weak and ill and just unable to cope with anything.

Steph · « **Reply #12107 on:** October 10, 2013, 10:07:06 AM »

MaryPage, I agree with you. I am not coping well, it is supposed to heat up again today and since the compressor is on order, who knows when I will actually get air conditioning. I went out back to sweep off a step and realized my small back yard is all pine needles and dollar weed and dead azalea bushes. Sigh.. so somehow I must find out who takes care of it.. Kings Ridge, the golf course or me.. My temper is way too short,, sorry about that..

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #12108 on:** October 10, 2013, 10:11:53 AM »

Steph an idea - why not run down to Loews or Home Depot and pickup a small window unit and cool off one room until the compresser is installed - the window unit could be an emergency backup for you or bring it to NC for the couple of days when it would be nice to relieve the house of humidity.

jane · « **Reply #12109 on:** October 10, 2013, 11:01:49 AM »

Nobel Prize In Literature 2013: Canadian Author Alice Munro Honored With Prize
Posted: 10/10/2013 6:59 am EDT | Updated: 10/10/2013 7:36 am

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/10/nobel-prize-literature_n_4076481.html

PatH · « **Reply #12110 on:** October 10, 2013, 12:53:55 PM »

For once, a Nobel Prize winner I've actually read, thanks to SeniorLearn. We read her The Bear Came over the Mountain in our short story discussion.

JeanneP · « **Reply #12111 on:** October 10, 2013, 01:37:10 PM »

A portable AC are handy to have. Window ones have to be installed . Take a window out corking and insulating. They should get yours to you in a couple days surely. I have little patience now when things dont work right.. Nothing lasts years like they did years back. Getting things done is another problem.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #12112 on:** October 10, 2013, 09:20:05 PM »

Oh Steph, what a frustrating situation to come home to, when you just want to be "at home" and comfortable. Actually, a small air conditioner sounds like a very good idea. The window ones are very easy to use, w/ sliding sides to fit any window, if you have the strength, or someone to assist you in lifting it into the window. If not, there are actually ones you can just set in a room like a space heater. I hope you frustrations lessen each day.

Find a good, fun book, a glass of ice tea, a comfortable chair, and remember this too shall pass!

Frustrations seem to come more frequently at my age. I have fibromyalgia which makes every little pain into a big pain. I've spent almost six months figuring out what is giving me a back and groin pain. After every test known to humanity we've decided that it starts w/ a herniated disk, which impacts on the SI joint (hip) which refers to or impacts on a nerve in the groin. Last week we had very nice weather and i sat with one less pillow on my chair - i had much less pain and was thinking "ah ha! I've got it under control!" Yesterday and today we're having a nor'easter and i no longer have it under control! Aaarrgghh! Chiropractor tomorrow and a third steroid shot next week, hope those will help. I'll take my advice to Steph about the book, chair and tea and try to remember TTWP!

Jean

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #12113 on:** October 11, 2013, 02:03:03 AM »

OH yes, been there - one tip make sure the Chiropractor is familiar with an aging body because they try to get movement between the disks which is actually exasperating the problem most of us share as we age the channel within our spine thickens so there is less room for all the nerves that are packed in that space and affect groin, thigh, hip and some even go up into the lower diaphragm. I had a Chiropractor who was not working with folks over 70 and he put pressure on my spine to manipulate my spine into alignment and ended up crushing with the weight of his hand - the pain for weeks till a CT scan and appointments with a spine surgeon who did what you are saying you have steroid shot into the spine into the nerve - however, my shot lasted about 6 months and allowed the nerve to heal so that there was very little pain after the 6 months for about 3 more months till the nerve was fiinally healed.

Steph · « **Reply #12114 on:** October 11, 2013, 10:31:18 AM »

No window air... against all the rules here.. Did not see the ones that just sit on the floor. I have five fans now that I bought as out of season stuff.. Trouble in Florida is actually the humidity, which makes it tricky.. The list grows of things not functioning, but I have gotten in touch with my old handyman and he has agreed that he will come to Kings Ridge, even though he is not fond of the place to help me.
The nights are cooler, its the days that drag my sweet
Gracie down so far.. She pants and pants and simply cannot settle..Sigh.. Called plumbers, other han dymen, etc yesterday, not one had the courtesy to call back. 24 hours is up.. along with the high poobah of the yards here in Huntington village in Kings Ridge. I do need some sort of decision on all of these dead bushes and pine needles.. Lots of black mildew as well. so I need a pressure washer person.

PatH · « **Reply #12115 on:** October 11, 2013, 10:59:14 AM »

Arrgh! I get tired just thinking of all the stuff you have to work through.

maryz · « **Reply #12116 on:** October 11, 2013, 11:15:40 AM »

I'm so sorry, Steph - and you moved there thinking things would be easier to manage. Sigh....

LarryHanna · « **Reply #12117 on:** October 11, 2013, 11:37:19 AM »

Steph, we used on of portable units that sit on the floor with just a flat plate in the window for the exhaust in our bonus room over the garage before we put in a heat pump. Our daughter was living with us and it was extremely hot up stairs and the unit did a good job in a relatively small area. I didn't want a window unit sticking out my upstairs window, although out neighbor across the street has such an arrangement. It is a bit unsightly but understand why they have it if anyone is living up there.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #12118 on:** October 11, 2013, 12:20:14 PM »

Barbara - thanks for that caution, i'll have that discussion with the chiropractor before he touches me.

Jean

JeanneP · « **Reply #12119 on:** October 11, 2013, 09:20:02 PM »

Steph. I thought when taking a look at the Kings village on line,that they would have their own Tip Top maintenance crew there. Maybe I have been looking at a different place than yours. Don't you live in Claremont,Florida?

News:

Author Topic: The Library (Read 2318340 times)