Author Topic: The Library (Read 2088556 times)

MaryPage · « **Reply #5040 on:** May 12, 2011, 05:17:16 PM »

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

Thanks, Tomereader. My son-in-law warned me about that, as well, and so I keep the charger handy and remind myself to recharge about once every 2 weeks. Grateful for your input.l Ta!

CubFan · « **Reply #5041 on:** May 12, 2011, 06:53:11 PM »

Because a cell phone needs charging is the reason I'm keeping my land line. When the power is out, which happens with storms, my phone line still works. If the power is out and you use your cell phone, you have no way to recharge it. The longer the power is out, the more valuable the phone line is for maintaining contact.

I have also learned from a friend's situation, not to bundle my TV, phone & cable because when one is out they are all out. I've had the experience of my phone being out & I was able to contact the phone company via computer email & have the situation fixed immediately. And again, if the power (TV & cable are out) I still have my phone. When she lost all three, she had to spend time trying to reach the supplier from another location which ended up very time consuming, frustrating and a major inconvenience.

I carry my cell phone for emergencies only - not to receive calls - and am on my daughter's plan for $10 a month. I refuse to accept calls while driving and have not come up with any reason to carry on a conversation in the grocery store. I think this need for constant contact novelty will pass as people (especially teenagers) decide that they don't want to be accountable 24/7. The old pendulum will swing back. I sure appreciate my independence.

Mary

bellemere · « **Reply #5042 on:** May 12, 2011, 08:28:18 PM »

Cub Fan, those little emergency radios endorsed by the Red Cross can charge a cell phone if the electriciy fails.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #5043 on:** May 12, 2011, 08:43:35 PM »

Since I recharge my phone on the car battery with a $9 auto plug-in I find the easiest is to leave the phone in the car under the armrest and it is always charged - came in handy when the storm knocked out the electricity - too many squirrels in the neighborhood that chew up the lines - an no, this practice does not drain the battery - the charge is coming as the battery is being recharged when a vehicle is in motion.

roshanarose · « **Reply #5044 on:** May 12, 2011, 09:45:33 PM »

I have actually had to use my mobile (cell) phone in an emergency. When I fell and shattered my ankle I was outside in my apartment's car park, and there was absolutely no one around. First of all I passed out because of the pain, then when I came to I started to undo my shoes, and then realised that I had my mobile with me. I also realised that I had no credit on it (my mobile is prepaid). I remembered hearing somewhere that if your mobile (or land line) were not operable, for whatever reason, you could still ring Emergency and get through. I dialled 000 and got through and told them of my plight. An ambulance arrived within minutes. I hate to think what would have happened had I not been able to make that phone call. So it is probably a good idea to check if your cell (mobile) would work under similar circumstances.

marjifay · « **Reply #5045 on:** May 12, 2011, 11:08:59 PM »

We have a TracFone that we keep in the car mostly for emergencies. No monthly fee. We just pay $20 for 60 minutes. We have to use them in 90 days or lose them, so the cost for us is only $20 every three months.

We don't use our land phone to gab with friends. I talk with friends once in a while by email, not phone, if I have something to tell or ask them. We save most of our talk for when we meet for lunch usually once a month.

Marj

kiwilady · « **Reply #5046 on:** May 13, 2011, 05:50:30 AM »

A cell phone is essential to me. My extended family are techno addicts and their way of communicating with me is by text messages. My phone has lots of functions and requires charging every three to four days. The more stuff the phone does the more often it has to be charged.

Carolyn

Steph · « **Reply #5047 on:** May 13, 2011, 05:57:33 AM »

I found that with my new digital hearing aids, that my cell phone works better for me than my land line..Turned out to be the home phone that you could carry around simply hated the hearing aids. Bought a new home phone last week with an old fashioned cord and wow.. I can now hear on it again. One of those things that either the telephone people or the hearing aid specialists could not manage to tell me.. Whew..

Gumtree · « **Reply #5048 on:** May 13, 2011, 06:21:39 AM »

Kiwilady I was worried about you after that tornado hit Auckland area - Good to 'see ' you again.

kiwilady · « **Reply #5049 on:** May 13, 2011, 07:16:56 AM »

Just have not had time to enter into any book discussions. I do come in to read from time to time. I have also caught up with two nieces on Facebook and have been spending time in there with them. One is down the bottom of the South Island and one in Adelaide in Australia. I have another one I do see who is in outback Australia ( she is working on an Aboriginal settlement about 7hrs from Alice) Then there is one in London expecting her first baby.

My sister lives in the Tornado area but it did not hit her place. Last time she got one she was outside and her windbreak on the side of the patio tore away from its posts and fell on her nail side down. Her back was all torn. It was not as big as this last one but it did kill one man. Albany is in a Tornado alley. My niece Jade was on her way home from lunching with a friend and luckily did not take a short cut she had decided on or she would have been hit while she was driving. She saw it all and small bits of debris fell around her as she drove.

Carolyn

LarryHanna · « **Reply #5050 on:** May 13, 2011, 10:17:12 AM »

I believe that all cellphones can be used to call 911 (000) in case of an emergency. There are organizations that collect old cell phones for this purpose and distribute to those who cannot afford to have a cell service. I was also going to suggest it is a good idea to have a car charger for your cell phone in case you forget to charge it or in the event of a power outage.

Mabel, I am going to copy and share your posting about all the books you are reading with my wife as she is always listening to audio books from the library and interested in authors that she may not know about. It sounds like you will be busy. You must read very quickly.

bellemere · « **Reply #5051 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:11:15 PM »

for somebody who loves audio books - the entire series by alexander McCall smith of the number 1 Ladies" Detective Agency is wonderful.
I prefer the audioboioks to the printed ones because of the wonderful voice of the reader, capturing the many chracters ina soft lilting African accent. there are now about 10 lf them and i have my name in at the library for the latest: The Big Tent Saturday Wedding.

kiwilady · « **Reply #5052 on:** May 13, 2011, 05:11:12 PM »

Our library has e books and you get a kindle with the ebook on loan. I think the charge is $2. A good way to see if you really want to buy a kindle or e reader. I have been thinking of trying one out.

Carolyn

Frybabe · « **Reply #5053 on:** May 13, 2011, 05:20:32 PM »

My sister now has a Kindle. She didn't think she would like one, BUT.... Her husband bought it; it didn't do what he wanted, so instead of sending it back, he gave it to Sue. She just loves it. He bought a Motorola devise, but I don't know which. What he wanted, if I remember correctly, was something that would show two pages side by side like a book. He wants to download sheet music, I believe.

salan · « **Reply #5054 on:** May 13, 2011, 06:23:29 PM »

Bellemarie, I just finished The Big Tent Saturday Wedding. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I've read all the no. 1 detective series. I tried some of his others, but couldn't get "into" them.
Sally

MaryPage · « **Reply #5055 on:** May 13, 2011, 09:16:27 PM »

Did Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni finally marry up with Precious Ramotswe in that book? I listen to those books on CDs while I take my evening walks, and am currently on MORALITY FOR BEAUTIFUL GIRLS, with THE FULL CUPBOARD OF LIFE next in line. I am already getting tired of them not getting married, so wondering if the Big Tent Wedding is theirs?

nlhome · « **Reply #5056 on:** May 13, 2011, 10:17:05 PM »

Mabel, I read the Haywood Smith book also - can't remember the title now. I enjoyed it, a change from the mysteries I had been reading.

Octavia · « **Reply #5057 on:** May 13, 2011, 10:24:34 PM »

Roshanarose, I thought the mobile emergency number was 112 instead of triple zero? Good to know 000 will still work.
That sounds horribly painful! My sister did her ankle just outside our swish new library. She said the worst part, was not even getting a foot in the door.
The first lady to rush to her aid had both arms in a sling, more moral support than physical

.

I just finished Cath Staincliffe's The Kindest Thing. A novel about assisted suicide. It's sad and honest, funny and moving. What would we do for someone we love?
The trial is gripping." Is the assisted suicide of someone you love murder?" I have to say i don't know what I'd do, in the circumstances.

roshanarose · « **Reply #5058 on:** May 13, 2011, 10:35:36 PM »

Hi Octavia - I think that it can be either 112 or 000. 000 worked for me.

Babi · « **Reply #5059 on:** May 14, 2011, 08:00:55 AM »

Quote

Is the assisted suicide of someone you love murder?" I have to say i don't
know what I'd do, in the circumstances.

Octavia

This has got to be one of the toughest moral problems anyone could face. I
also am not sure what I would do. Isn't forcing a person to endure constant
pain and sickness extreme cruelty?

bellemere · « **Reply #5060 on:** May 14, 2011, 09:14:14 AM »

As I remember, Pricious and Mr. J>L.B. Matacone (sp?) get married in "The Full Cupboard of Life" and the Bit Tent Saturday Wedding refers to Grace Makutse and Pooti . But I understand that that trouble maker , Violet, causes more problems.
I also tried reading (print) the Isable Dalhouseie books, but I can't love her the way I love Priecious.
I had an African student named "Comfort" , and she was perfectrly named!
Alexander McCall Smith is anotehr Barbara Pym.. Subtle charm, comedyu of manners, masterful writing.

MaryPage · « **Reply #5061 on:** May 14, 2011, 09:23:28 AM »

Thank you! I have all of the audio books and will get there eventually. Right now, in my present book, Mr. J. L. B. is suffering from depression and Precious is worrying about a little wild boy who smells like lions.

I love the reader; she is a native of South Africa and therefore does a fabulous job with the names and sound of the speech. I dislike the references to the Bush people, however. There seems to be a prejudice against them as of a different and lower and not-quite-human caste. I fell in love with them in The Gods Must Be Crazy.

Frybabe · « **Reply #5062 on:** May 14, 2011, 09:29:18 AM »

I have yet to read any of McCall's Ladies Number 1 Detective Agency series. I will eventually, but I need to get through my extensive TBR piles first. Anyhow, the last of the TV series that I saw was the cliffhanger season ending where the it was setting up the next season with Violet promising trouble. I think that was when I had six free months of HBO or something. Lots of times these shows end up on regular channels after a few years, but this one never did.

Steph · « **Reply #5063 on:** May 14, 2011, 10:57:31 AM »

I read two of the first books with Precious, but simply could not get into it.. My African passions are Beryl Markham,, Elspeth Huxley.Both real and marvelous.

MaryPage · « **Reply #5064 on:** May 14, 2011, 11:22:55 AM »

I would love to have been Beryl Markham, without the stupid streak about men.

Why is it so many strong, gifted and outstanding women have been such weak willed dupes for the worst type of man? I count a married man who works his charms on another woman as a worst type even when everything else about him is worthwhile.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #5065 on:** May 14, 2011, 12:23:20 PM »

Oh yes Bellemere - and Alasdair McCall Smith is also a great Pym fan. Isobel Dalhousie is a tad annoying, I know. The Scotland Street books are my favourites, but my mother loves the Detective Agency ones and doesn't like Scotland Street (which is a real street a few streets away from our flat, but does not have a number 44) - so it just depends on your tastes, as with everything.

Rosemary

jeriron · « **Reply #5066 on:** May 14, 2011, 01:28:16 PM »

I couldn't get into the Detective agency books but I enjoyed the movies on HBO. I wish they would make some more of them but it doesn't look like they will.

Steph · « **Reply #5067 on:** May 15, 2011, 09:21:43 AM »

Mary Page, I agree with you. Beryl had such strength and determination about all except men.. But oh her adventures.. Elspeth Huxley has spent some many years pining for the lost years in Africa. Again to have been a child like she was and living there. Isak Dinesen had the same weakness about men.. Hmm. maybe its Africa.

ANNIE · « **Reply #5068 on:** May 15, 2011, 11:13:47 AM »

Roseannakaye,
How are the Scotland books titled? I have not been able to get into the detective agency books either but I am willing to test the Scotland books.

Babi · « **Reply #5069 on:** May 15, 2011, 01:06:40 PM »

Quote

maybe its Africa.

(Steph) Alas, no. It's everywhere.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #5070 on:** May 15, 2011, 02:32:30 PM »

Adoannie: the first one is "44 Scotland Street" and the second one is "Espresso Tales". After that come "Love Over Scotland", "The Unbearable Lightness of Scones", "The World According to Bertie" and "The Importance of Being Seven" - I think that's the right order. They either appeal to you or they don't, so it would maybe be best to get at least the first one from the library rather than buying it.

Rosemary

Steph · « **Reply #5071 on:** May 16, 2011, 05:59:26 AM »

I read 44 Scotland Street..Liked it better than the African ones, but just never got around to the rest. Always so many books on my need to read list.

isak · « **Reply #5072 on:** May 16, 2011, 10:16:03 AM »

Someone mentioned Isak Dinesen - I have been a big fan of hers ever since college days, since a friend had done his thesis
on her. Seven Gothic Tales and Shadows on the Grass are other titles of hers and are longtime go-to-books when I need
something timeless to read. Even have a set of audiotapes of Julia Harris reading her works - and one recording of Isak
speaking to a gathering and reading two of her short stories. Excellent
isak

ANNIE · « **Reply #5073 on:** May 16, 2011, 10:41:50 AM »

Thanks, Roseanna. I will see if I can reserve the first title at my library.

PatH · « **Reply #5074 on:** May 16, 2011, 10:57:39 AM »

Isak, those are two incredible books.

JoanP · « **Reply #5075 on:** May 16, 2011, 02:41:56 PM »

Okay, we're set - we'll begin with the discussion of Jane Gardman's Old Filth in June. And then we'll schedule both The Novel Bookstore and Dancing at the Rascal Fair for July and August. Not sure which we'll do first yet. This is really a strong summer line-up.

Rosemary, we are really hoping you join in OLD FILTH - even though you've read it before. Your knowledge of the UK and the British mentality will be a tremendous addition to the discussion.

If you are thinking of joining us in June - we are starting to gather HERE in June. Come on over and save a seat!

Steph · « **Reply #5076 on:** May 17, 2011, 06:03:43 AM »

Hmm, Finding Old Filth is not easy.. I just gave Amazon way too much money for some books and may look to see if they have a Kindle version..

JoanP · « **Reply #5077 on:** May 17, 2011, 06:34:49 AM »

Oh Steph...I'm dismayed to hear that Old Filth is turning out to be hard to find. Had thought that it would be an easy library find since it was written in 2004! Please keep us informed of your search!

LarryHanna · « **Reply #5078 on:** May 17, 2011, 07:32:21 AM »

I just checked Barnes & Noble for "Old Filth" and they have both the ebook and the printed book and it said they have 23 used books starting at $3.73. I have purchased a number of used books over a period of time and found them to be most satisfactory, some you can hardly tell they have even been opened.

JoanP · « **Reply #5079 on:** May 17, 2011, 07:40:40 AM »

Thanks, Larry. By the way, I think YOU would like this book - Pat too!

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 2088556 times)