Author Topic: The Library (Read 2089294 times)

maryz · « **Reply #5560 on:** July 02, 2011, 11:39:12 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!

*Suggestion Box for Future Discussions
*SeniorLearn's Archives

We're at the beach, so I'll check in when I can (wifi at the house). Steph, I'll get in touch when we get home in a week. Be thinking of a place that you might like to visit.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #5561 on:** July 03, 2011, 01:04:18 AM »

Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #5562 on:** July 03, 2011, 01:53:34 AM »

Thank you everyone for your very nice messages about my son and his new job - it's great to have so many friends! I told him all about everyone here and their good wishes when I wrote to him.

Sheila and Steph - our first retriever was born and brought up in the country and loved it - but the one thing she could not cope with was the suspension bridge across the River Dee at Cambus O'May, a small hamlet near Ballater. The bridge is wrought iron painted white - it's quite famous - and when you walk across it you can see the river underneath through the slats. Dog took one look at it and was flat down on her stomach refusing to move. In the end my husband had to carry all 5 stone of her to the other side. Here is a link to a photo of the bridge:

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/85786

Sheila, we too are thinking about our next dog. We hope to move into our new house at the end of July, and after we have sorted ourselves out (of course that may be in about 2050!) we will be looking. We still can't decide between an older rescue dog or a puppy - largely because we don't know what an unknown rescue dog might do with our cats - what are you thinking of?

I am off to Aberdeen with Madeleine this morning, back Tuesday night. Taking that Rascal Fair book with me in case I finish Louise Penny

Rosemary

kiwilady · « **Reply #5563 on:** July 03, 2011, 04:31:30 AM »

I would get a rescue young small dog. A small dog will get his come uppance from the cats. They are also much cheaper to feed etc.

Carolyn

Steph · « **Reply #5564 on:** July 03, 2011, 08:29:21 AM »

I am of course prejudiced..I have two Pembrook welsh corgi. These are probably around the 9 and10th corgi in my life over the long haul.. I have had corgi since my 30's.. With a Cairn and a Westie in between.
They are small dogs, long, very short legs.. If you see pictures of Queen Elizabeth. They are like her dogs.
Corgi are very bright.. need a firm hand and early training. But.. mine do not bark except in warning ( m 14 year old has developed a grudge about dogs on TV
and now will give a woof..). They walk on their leads, are wash and wear.. have a double coat, so they shed all the time.. Both of mine are rescues, so not particularly outgoing,but the ones I raised from babyhood loved the world.. Rescue dogs are often a bit shy. Noone ever loved them when they were young.. As you can see. I can go on and on. They are so bright and intuitive.. They have kept me sane for the past 18 months with him gone.

Babi · « **Reply #5565 on:** July 03, 2011, 11:35:46 AM »

A beautiful bridge, ROSEMARY, but if the floor of it is anything like those
lacy sides, my sympathies are entirely with the dog.

Frybabe · « **Reply #5566 on:** July 03, 2011, 03:55:17 PM »

With a little nosing around and Don's (Radioman) help, we finally found Eloise. Here is Don's post from the Classical Music forum on Senior's and Friends.

Quote

I finally made contact with Eloise this afternoon. We chatted for almost half an hour.

She has some issues which she shared with me but wants to come online to divulge personally. I asked if we could send cards or letters and she emphatically said yes!
With her permission, here is her address:

E.DePelteau
10207 Av Larose
Montreal Quebec
Canada
H2B 2Y8

I would ask those who are aware of the other forums in which she posts that you copy this message so that word gets out.

I think a truckload of cards would bring a lot of cheer to her.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #5567 on:** July 03, 2011, 04:12:50 PM »

Thank you so much Frybabe for staying with it and tracking down those you knew who knew Eloise - like everyone we were all concerned - this is such good news to know that Don spoke with Eloise.

serenesheila · « **Reply #5568 on:** July 03, 2011, 11:06:17 PM »

ROSEMARY, I will be laughing out loud, all night over the retriever who refused to cross a bridge! Just shows how smart dogs are. { : D

I want a small dog, with a personality on the quiet side. It MUST be house broken. I can no longer get down on my knees, to clean up any messes. I would enjoy a lap dog. For much of my life my preference has been a Collie. When my children were young teens, they raised them for 4H. About thirty years ago, a friend had to move into an assisted living place, and asked me to take her Shetland Sheep dog. I fell in love! Since then, those have been my favorites.

At some point, I did have a Westie. She was too wild, for me. Totally dedicated to digging, too. I gave her to my vet. When my daughter was living with me for 14 months, she brought her Yorkie with her. That little girl was soooooooo sweet. But, she did not want to go outside to do her business. She had been trained to use a potty pad, inside the house. Sometimes, she missed.

My ideal would be to get a small dog, whom someone else had trained. With all of my health problems and limitations, I am not up to doing that myself. STEPH, I know about the Queen's Corgis. They look so sweet, and loveable.

Sheila

MaryPage · « **Reply #5569 on:** July 04, 2011, 08:23:58 AM »

Sounds to me as though you need a Bichon Frise. They are so easy and they want to be right with you all the time. Very affectionate and sweet.

Steph · « **Reply #5570 on:** July 04, 2011, 08:30:22 AM »

Bichons are very nice dogs, but an adult that is trained should be your choice.. Most toys are hard to housebreak, so you want that done for you. Both of my corgi were housebroken and leash trained when they came to me as adults. They are both rescues and that makes a difference. They are both clingy. Right now both are under my feet sleeping while I work on the computer.

kiwilady · « **Reply #5571 on:** July 04, 2011, 05:06:21 PM »

Mary P. Not all bichon frise are placid. My dog is really active and nearly drove me demented with her antics. Totally different from the late Zoe and Penny. In fact I almost decided to rehome her at one stage because she was too much for me. I would advise an older dog. Maybe a rescue three to four years old. Bichon frise are well known for their unreliable toilet habits. They take a lot longer to train than most other breeds. Chich walks up to 5 kilometres every day. If we do not do big walks she just has too much energy and she gets into mischief. She will be 2 on the 10 August and she is only just now becoming a cuddle girl. She could not sit still before this.

PS once we got over the first year I began to enjoy my bundle of energy and now I would not part with her for a million dollars.

Carolyn

serenesheila · « **Reply #5572 on:** July 04, 2011, 10:20:45 PM »

Obviously I need to do some more research. I like the looks of the Bichon. But, I sure do not want any dog that is not consistently housebroken. Can any of you advise me about how to find someone who would housebreak her for me? As you can see, I would prefer a female.

I do have a fenced yard, both front and back. However, I cannot walk well enough to take her for walks. I can, and will play ball with her inside my home.

Sheila

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #5573 on:** July 04, 2011, 10:37:49 PM »

Sheila I may be able to put you in touch with someone - a few years ago I worked with a young couple that moved into a house out in Ceder Park between 183 and Parmer - he not only trained dogs but something - and it has been awhile but vaguely I remember he was doing something with dogs that he visited hospitals and nursing homes with them - let me know if you really want a trainer and I will contact him and then put him touch with you - I have his email address so it will not be difficult - just let me know if you think this would be something that you would like - I have no idea but he may be in a position to find you a dog or make a recommendation where in Central Texas to get the kind of dog you would like.

Steph · « **Reply #5574 on:** July 05, 2011, 07:53:19 AM »

An adult trained Bichon should not particularly need walks. Lots of toys in a fenced yard. Get Kongs. YOu put frozen food of some type inside them and they provide a dog with hours or work to get the treat out. They are bright and there are a number of dog toys now that challenge the dog. Dogs will generally do anything for cookies ( dog type)

marcie · « **Reply #5575 on:** July 05, 2011, 10:39:25 AM »

We're just starting our discussion of A NOVEL BOOKSTORE. I think you'll find it mysterious, witty and entertaining.

You'll also find lots of recommendations for other interesting books, nominated by a secret committee who select books for the novel bookstore! Will your tastes match theirs? Will the act of determining "good books" become dangerous? Join us at http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?board=120.0 and find out!

MaryPage · « **Reply #5576 on:** July 05, 2011, 10:44:44 AM »

Dogs, like people and all other animals, are each individuals with their own personalities and idiosyncrasies.

That being said, and having owned many breeds (a German Shepherd and a Lab being top favorites as ones I bonded deeply with), I honestly believe the Bichon four of my 5 daughters have had so many of is one of the best companions for an older person. None of theirs had any difficulty with becoming housebroken, although the males were more difficult than the females. Two daughters used the ruse of a bell on a ribbon on the back door. Their doggies go tug the ribbon when they want to go out.

Daughter Becky will arrive in an SUV with her husband and her granddaughter, my 17-year old GREAT granddaughter, and three (3) Bichons this coming Friday evening from Missouri. Abby, Bailey and Belle are the Bichons. They stay at motels that allow pets. They stay, of course, with family here.

marjifay · « **Reply #5577 on:** July 05, 2011, 03:18:25 PM »

Thank goodness July 4 is done and gone! I hate that day. Can't leave our house for fear it will be burned down by our idiot neighbors who get those loud illegal fireworks from Mexico and pop them off until almost midnight. Find fireworks in our yard, on our roof, everywhere the next day. I think our town is the only one that still allows fireworks at home. Except another town, Fillmore, CA, which we drove through the other day and counted 25 fireworks vendors. It's a wonder that little town hasn't burned down.

Marj

marjifay · « **Reply #5578 on:** July 05, 2011, 03:58:10 PM »

What did those of you who were following that trial about the woman who was accused of killing her little daughter, think of the verdict? Not guilty. That didn't take long. Personally, I'm glad it's over. I like to watch MSNBC and CNN, and it seems like every time I turned those channels on, they were ranting about the trial.

Marj

Frybabe · « **Reply #5579 on:** July 05, 2011, 04:20:00 PM »

Quote

Can't leave our house for fear it will be burned down by our idiot neighbors

I hear you Marj. I thought I moved away from all that, but my newest neighbors decided to set of some. Now, here I am with four huge white pines, and a Colorado Blue Spruce. The white pines drop needles at a whisper of a breeze, and there are still dead branches from earlier this year I need to break up and bag for the trash. Pine needles and sparks do not mix too well. They were using some kind of sparkler thing that produced sparkles about four feet high. It is a very good thing there was no breeze at the time.

jane · « **Reply #5580 on:** July 05, 2011, 05:02:05 PM »

Marjifay...I'm stunned by that verdict on Casey Anthony.

pedln · « **Reply #5581 on:** July 05, 2011, 05:09:39 PM »

Marjifay, I was surprised to see it on FOX. Usually all they want to do is bash the current administration. I was surprised they reached a verdict so soon, but haven't been following the trial except for the closing arguments. It ought to do a lot for Jose Baez' career. What do you suppose the legal fees are going to be for the Anthonys, and do you think they will ever be a family again? It's hard to believe the daughter could live in the house, lie so much, and get away with it.

As for fireworks, yep, we've got 'em. A couple of years ago in the next town over a house did catch fire on the roof, and I think they've made some restrictions as to what kinds can be used. But they're still around.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #5582 on:** July 05, 2011, 05:19:18 PM »

No fireworks here it is so dry and windy - we have had the smoke in the air from the fires in New Mexico and Arizona for a week now - I have had to change the filters in the AC twice and still I clog up at night and that smell is worse then the burning from Central America that we put up with every Spring that some years is so thick it covers the sun like a misty day. Oh for a good soaking rain...

I've been having such fun this afternoon using the Google Map virtual Tour feature to sightsee all over the mountains of France - here it is summer and everyone in the villages has jackets and coats on - amazing - well I need to get something done and then back to my reading.

I am really fascinated with what Hugh Blair has to say in Lectures AOn Rhetoric and Belles Lettres I know it sounds awful like a text book but it isn't - it is the lectures he gave in Edinburgh during his lifetime in the nineteenth century - He is so logical and each thought is sectioned as if a proof to solve a Geometry problem - I love that kind of thinking - every thought is laid out so clearly, this leads to that or that and now which that do we follow and on down the trail -

Didn't know but there are 3 levels of elegance as opposed to the - I love this wording- the tricks of Sophistry - which is just what many of us think explains elegant writing and speech making - This information is backed up by his explaining - Conviction affects the understanding only and is one way to inclination or heart - where as Persuasion affects the will and the practice. It is the business of the philosopher or speaker to consider man is a creature moved by many different springs and he must act on all of them to convince us of the truth of his conviction.

marjifay · « **Reply #5583 on:** July 05, 2011, 06:09:28 PM »

BarbStAubrey said, "I am really fascinated with what Hugh Blair has to say in Lectures On Rhetoric and Belles Lettres..."

Gosh, why are you reading that? I never heard of him. Just shows my ignorance, doesn't it LOL. I don't read philosophy much and managed to get thru college without taking a philosophy course. Am trying to read The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera for another group. Someone said it's a philosophical work with a fictional base, but I'm finding it boring as h..., and doubt I'll finish it.

I sympathize with you about the smoke from those fires. We had that problem here in Southern California a couple years ago and it was just awful. Hope it ends soon.

Marj

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #5584 on:** July 05, 2011, 06:27:59 PM »

No no no it is not a book on philosophy unless maybe the philosophy of language - it is a book about reading and writing and the last quarter of the book are lectures about Belles Lettres which too often in recent years was considered only about letters written and collected in a book where as, it really is about a style of writing - it must be clear and sentences should be written with a knowledge of where you are going and therefore, the writer must be thinking ahead. This style is considered elegant or Belles -

I come across these words that I have heard over the years and become curious what it is all about - and so my book buying is usually satisfying my latest curiosity - Like the whole idea of Salons in France - sounds so umpha pha when actually we need to be bowing low to these women who opened their homes to those who gathered and spoke of the latest political and scientific thought- it was in these Salons that our very Democracy was conceived along with the wave of Revolutions against kings that took both France and Germany and later unified Italy -

This time in women's history is fascinating and yet, true to form anything that was a women's initiative is so bad mouthed and ridiculed so that we women think along those lines and assume because the Salons were in the homes of wealthy women we should consider them as something to put high on a shelf, out of reach and therefore, we have no clue what hostess was responsible for encouraging what thoughts.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #5585 on:** July 06, 2011, 03:03:54 AM »

Marjifay - I have not read the Unbearable Lightness.... but I did see the film with my husband many years ago when it first came out. I too thought it was the most boring and pretentious thing I had ever seen - in fact I think i went to sleep in the middle of it. Husband purported to think it was a work of genius, but this was clearly based on one of the female characters strutting about in stilettos, fishnet stockings, a top hat and not a lot else....

Now Alexander McCall Smith's "Unbearable Lightness of Scones" is quite another matter...

Rosemary

Steph · « **Reply #5586 on:** July 06, 2011, 08:57:01 AM »

I suspect that Casey Anthony will hire a ghost writer and make a fortune on telling what really happened to her daughter ( not the truth, probably, but her version of lie for the day), The prosections problem was that by the time they found the body, it was a skeleton and they could not prove cause of death or when.l I have always thought it was anh accident, but have no idea why she panicked.. The darndest liar I have ever heard of.
Jose will get rich..but he is still a jerk and under sanction from the judge.

PatH · « **Reply #5587 on:** July 06, 2011, 09:02:25 AM »

More news about Eloise, posted by Don (Radioman) in the Classical Corner on the other site:

I received an email from one of Eloise's granddaughters in response to a number of twitters I had sent.

Rather than paraphrase her comments I will paste the entire email for which, you will note at the end, she has given permission to do. And as before please forward it to the other forums in which she participated.
_______________________________________________
Hey,

So I wanted to thank you so much for your concern for my grandmother. She is still able to walk, though only with a walker. She is mentally present on an intermitent basis. The tumor is located in the control center of her brain so it is hard to make decisions (like getting up, out of bed,...). She is in good spirits though, her faith is strong and she is enjoying the most she can out of every day. I got to have great conversations with her since her diagnosis May 13th. Her children and grand-children are by her side, for the greater part out of every day (though it is hard to juggle work and hospital visits and arraging for her further cares.. My mother Isabelle and my father Dan are doing the job of superheros, really.)

My grandmother is waiting on a transfer from the hospital to a paliative care residence. We are waiting on a spot... She has been at the hospital non-stop since may 24th when she went under the knife for a biopsy that turned out to be inconclusive. The doctors wanted to try another one but the chances that it would still be inconclusive was high. So my family and grand-mother have decided not to undergo another one. Because we don't know what kind of tumor it is, we can't predict how long she has, though her current state of regression lets us imagine anything from 2-6 months. There aren't any treatments possible due to her age and the size of the cancer.

It is hard for us all, especially my mom, dad, brother and I because we lived near her for the last 18 years. She is like a mother to me. I am sure you miss her lively presence on seniors and friends. She talked about her web community very much to us and you all shared a dear part of her life.

If you have any questions, or inquiries, I am happy to oblige.

Take care,

Katia

P.s. You can share this information with her friends.

Babi · « **Reply #5588 on:** July 06, 2011, 09:35:38 AM »

From what a read in summary of the trial, Casey Anthony was guilty of being a liar
and of poor moral fiber, but the prosecutors did not really make a case for murder.
They couldn't even prove conclusively how she died. A couple of alternative possibilities
were at least just that...possible. It simply wasn't enough to convict the woman of
murder.

The only fireworks allowed around here are those sponsored by the city under safe
conditions and professional handling. Those, blessedly, Valerie and I could see from
our back door. We enjoyed the beauty without the heat and the mosquitoes.

Tut, Rosemary. Surely not.

I'm sorry to hear the news about Eloise. She is fortunate, tho', to have such a large, caring
family. It can make such a huge difference.

marjifay · « **Reply #5589 on:** July 06, 2011, 10:07:34 AM »

Thanks, Rosemary, for the movie review and recommendation of Alexander McCall Smith's Unbearable Lightness of Scones (LOL) I'll have to read that. Have never read any of Smith's books, but almost everyone seems to love them.

Marj

LarryHanna · « **Reply #5590 on:** July 06, 2011, 01:57:24 PM »

PatH, are you or have you posted that message concerning Eloise on S&F? I well remember Eloise from years back and I am sure others will and would be interested to know. Thanks for sharing the message here.

PatH · « **Reply #5591 on:** July 06, 2011, 02:01:36 PM »

I copied that message from S&F. Radioman (Don) posted it in the Classical Corner, probably elsewhere too, and asked people to spread it around.

Frybabe · « **Reply #5592 on:** July 06, 2011, 02:23:34 PM »

PatH, Thanks for posting Don's second communication (see post #5566 for the first)

I'll repeat Eloise's address if you want to send her a card. She would love to receive them.

E.DePelteau
10207 Av Larose
Montreal Quebec
Canada
H2B 2Y8

JoanR · « **Reply #5593 on:** July 06, 2011, 02:59:42 PM »

I'm so sorry to hear that Eloise is so ill. I met her first in Montreal at the "Bash" that she hosted and again in NYC at our "soiree" last fall when I got to spend a lot more time with her She was such good company, a good sport,too, wanting to do absolutely everything - and then doing everything that time would allow.

I have great photo of her, taken at our big dinner in Montreal, singing happily into the microphone - it's a good way to remember her.

It's a comfort to know that she is surrounded by such a loving family at this time.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #5594 on:** July 06, 2011, 03:02:16 PM »

JoanR, can you post that photo here? Of Eloise? She is such a beautiful woman. Loved that white hair!

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #5595 on:** July 06, 2011, 05:16:00 PM »

It is difficult to hear of old friends, regardless they live thousands of miles away, not able and near the end of their life. Eloïse added so much to this site and SeniorNet before it was closed. French was her first language so Eloïse led a discussion group that spoke in French of books read in French and other thoughts on the day. A special and beautiful lady now in critical condition - my prayers for her and her family.

serenesheila · « **Reply #5596 on:** July 06, 2011, 07:50:10 PM »

My vision is not good today. It seems as though there is a film, over my eyes. So, I won't spend much time online, today.

BARB ST., I do not live in Texas, I am in California, near the state capitol. I would much appreciate you either giving that man my email, and/or phone number. (916) 965-1611. He might be able to point me in the right direction to find someone in my area.

FRYBABY, the fireworks, vs your pine trees, is a scary situation. No wonder you stayed home! I keep wondering why we can't just forbid them, except with professional people. The neightbor behind me, set off a big one, about noon, and it souneded as if a bomb had been dropped. I almost jumped out of my chair.

MARJIFAYE, I agree with what you said, about the fireworks. Surely, someone could come up with a less dangerous way to celebrate Independence Day.

I spent one New Year's Eve. in Germany, with my son and his family. He and his wife went to a party, and I stayed home with the children. To my horror, at midnight, people were in the streets, intentionally throwing fireworks at other people's roofs. It was scary, for me!

STEPH, thanks for you tips. I a medium size Schnauzer. He dearly loved for me to throw his ball down the hallway. He and I both got quite a bit of exercise. {: D

Sheila

kiwilady · « **Reply #5597 on:** July 06, 2011, 08:44:41 PM »

I am very upset about Eloise. Its so unfair. She led such a very healthy lifestyle. Her family must be distraught. They are all so close. I have never known so many people who have or have had brain tumours in the space of such a short time.

Eloise is the loveliest lady. She is a lady in the true sense of the word.

Carolyn

JoanR · « **Reply #5598 on:** July 06, 2011, 09:24:12 PM »

I found the picture of Eloise in my Picasa - I had copied it from a post after the Montreal bash. I don't think that it's one that my daughter took. I don't know how to post photos on our website so I sent the photo to myself and will forward it to someone who can post it. I really stumble around in photography whereas all my offspring do such lovely work with it!

roshanarose · « **Reply #5599 on:** July 06, 2011, 11:26:24 PM »

serenesheila - I hope your eyes will be better soon and easier to see through.

I haven't had a dog since I was small. After it was run over by a car, my father said that there woukld be no more dogs, and so it has been. I then entered the wonderful world of cats and none of my cats would tolerate a dog. If I could have a dog, though, it would be a medium schnauzer. They seem very intelligent and calm dogs - a lot like you and me.

Take care ..

Rosemary - Maybe to get even with hub, you could kit him out in some fishnets and a white lace pinny and get him to whip up a batch of unbearable (y) light scones.

News:

Author Topic: The Library (Read 2089294 times)