Author Topic: The Library (Read 2090063 times)

kiwilady · « **Reply #6240 on:** September 05, 2011, 12:15:28 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

Go for it Rosemary! I did a course in Auckland city which was taught by a published author who was a graduate of Auckland University Creative Writing class. (Taught by a famous NZ author and the places are small and heavily competed for) It was great and the tutor used the same teaching models as used at the Uni. I just loved it! The tutor wanted me to go back for the second module but I was finding it difficult to go out at night because of the fatigue that accompanies Fibromyalgia so I had to reluctantly say no. I still have the stuff I wrote in a big folder and I can't believe I wrote it!

My advice would be to find a really good class. You could look for feedback from prior students. If you get the right teacher its an amazing experience.

Carolyn

JoanP · « **Reply #6241 on:** September 05, 2011, 07:39:33 AM »

By now you've probably heard that we've begun the search for a good title to discuss in November. Right now we've got a three-way tie showing. We're only choosing one title this time - for the November discussion. Your input is important to us. The vote will be open until Sept. 8.

Before voting, be sure to read descriptions of each title here - HERE in the Suggestion Box and then cast your vote - today!

Babi · « **Reply #6242 on:** September 05, 2011, 09:51:37 AM »

We've been having cooler temps, BARB. Turning off the AC at night and opening windows.
I guess there are advantages to living closer to the Gulf, though Austin does look better
in hurricane time.

CALLIE, I had a friend with a vivid imagination, who could think up endless stories.
Unfortunately, transferring them to paper was hopeless. Bless her, she really could not
write, or spell for that matter. Why don't you write a first draft of your novel, then
go back to write the descriptions. I've heard that when you have a good feel for your
characters, they'll conduct their own conversations. You just listen and write them down.

LarryHanna · « **Reply #6243 on:** September 05, 2011, 10:04:27 AM »

Speaking of creative writing, do any of you remember Virginia (Hootie) from the old SeniorNet days? There was a lady with an imagination. She was a delightful person with a vivid imagination and a lot of life experience. For some reason she just popped into my mind this morning.

CallieOK · « **Reply #6244 on:** September 05, 2011, 11:02:36 AM »

Babi, the first draft is easy. However, when it comes down to re-writes/editing/etc. and "writing for the market", I do much better with non-fiction.
Better to stick with what I know I can do well - and just enjoy reading fiction.

Speaking of which, have I mentioned here that I'm reading "Prairie Nocturne" by Ivan Doig? It isn't a sequel to "Dancing At The Rascal Fair", the book recently discussed here, but has many of the same characters.

Now there's a writer that can truly "spin a tale" and keep the reader interested. I finally turned out the light at 2:00 a.m. because I couldn't see the page through my eyelids.

MaryPage · « **Reply #6245 on:** September 05, 2011, 11:14:08 AM »

Ginny, re the article you quoted, I do not do Facebook or twitter or tweeter or texting or any of those things. Privacy is the main reason, but also because I already have too many things in my life to more than take up all of my time; I do not need more!

pedln · « **Reply #6246 on:** September 05, 2011, 11:56:19 AM »

Re:Privacy -- It's all out there anyway, regardless of Facebook, Twitter, etc. The search engines, the artificial intelligence -- put it all together and we'd probably be amazed at how much info a determined individual could find about any of us. I remember my surprise, before the huge arise of social-networking, just playing around and doing Google searches on my kids. Surprise, surpise, my daughter and I had both made donations to one the grandkids day care, as had my brother-in-law. It just popped up there, not anything I was looking for.

Look at Amazon and Netflix. They know what you've bought, what you've considered buying, what your film interests are, and so forth. You would probably never type your bank account number online, but your bank sure has it in cyberspace, just as the govt. has your taxes.

That being said, I'm just about finished with Daniel Silva's The Rembrandt Affair, with Israeli Gabriel Allon working in tandem with intelligence agencies from the US and UK, using all the cyber stops available. I have faith they will get their man.

ANNIE · « **Reply #6247 on:** September 05, 2011, 12:13:38 PM »

Pedl'n,
I am in complete agreement with you about our privacy not really being private anymore. Having a son in the computer business at OSU has taught me to quit worrying about it as there is not much one can do to change this technology world we live in.
I watched the interview on "60 Minutes" last night of the Wikileaks owner,

?? Assange. Although he is too busy to hack anymore (which was his talent as a 14 yr old), he does remember how to do it. And I am sure that there are many more of his type around.

And my next library foray will include a search for that Daniel Silva book. Sound enticing!

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #6248 on:** September 05, 2011, 12:20:28 PM »

I'm OK - Steiner is only a couple of miles to the west of me - where as Bastrop is 45 minutes to the east of me - the winds have been at 45 miles an hour and are as dry as the land...my patio is a couple of inches deep with dry leaves - we have been under such strict water conservation but I am using the hose to wet down my roof - I have so many large trees there is no way I can get them moist enough with a hose...I'm gathering my important papers and family photos now...

http://www.statesman.com/?r=t

maryz · « **Reply #6249 on:** September 05, 2011, 01:09:11 PM »

Oh, dear, Barb - that's so scary. Keep checking in when you can. And stay safe!

mabel1015j · « **Reply #6250 on:** September 05, 2011, 01:19:37 PM »

Tho't about you, Barb, when i saw the noon news. Sounds very scary. As Mary says, stay in touch if you can.

Jean

CallieOK · « **Reply #6251 on:** September 05, 2011, 01:53:13 PM »

OMG, Barb! I haven't seen any news today and am horrified to read that you are so near a wildfire.
Stay safe - and God Bless!

Frybabe · « **Reply #6252 on:** September 05, 2011, 02:34:02 PM »

Barb, stay safe. I groaned when I saw a whole new set of wildfires were going strong. Knowing you are so close to them makes it even more worrisome.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #6253 on:** September 05, 2011, 03:10:06 PM »

Well I have my emergency packing done - evidently according to those affected it comes so quickly that many could not even use their vehicle to get out -

So far nothing this side of loop 360, which circles the west side of town - the wind died down a bit and now back with a vengeance - I cannot settle down - I try and keep looking out the window - all this dry dry grass and earth surrounding us and knowing it takes just one spark from an AC starting up that miss fires so to speak or someone who left a coke bottle in the sun - no rain in the forecaste so hopefully all we can look for is the wind to settle down.

I NEVER have the TV on during the day but mine is on the weather stations which is giving us updates - Looks like they have dumped by helicopters enough water on most of Steiner that no more homes or vehicles are burning but they still cannot get a handle on the brush surrounding the area that was once the Steiner Ranch - we are talking acres and acres - and as long as the fire is in the brush it can easily hop up - whoops look like the 7,000 acres southwest of Spicewood which is about 45 minutes west of Austin is now being helped by the Austin fire department. and they expect Bastrop to get worse yet before it gets better - 5,000 people have been evacuated from Bastrop 300 homes burned to the ground.

OK I am getting too nervous - need to go take an aspirin and mediate - I am jumping out of my skin again - I have been through Hurricane and had a small twister in my backyard but never have I gotten this jumpy...Thanks for letting me spill - haha have no idea - just presuming - the silence of a computer make you think it is OK to be a jerk...

Oh shoot while writing just got a call from a friend of a friend who was building her retirement house using subcontractors for the stuff they could not do and it burned to the ground - of course a house under construction is not insured - she lost their retirement...

CallieOK · « **Reply #6254 on:** September 05, 2011, 04:36:14 PM »

Barb - please come in and vent as much and as often as you need to. We all care and are concerned.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #6255 on:** September 05, 2011, 04:51:09 PM »

Oh my goodness - I've been out all day and only just looked at all these posts - Barb, do keep safe; we will all be thinking of you.

Rosemary

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #6256 on:** September 05, 2011, 06:35:51 PM »

OK I am breathing - finally realized while I was anxious - getting ready for the worst - not being able to provide the protection I needed - worrying about forces beyond my own property I was in a panic feeling all jumpy -

After getting word about a friend from another friend about the retirement house they were building gone and then talked with both my one sister and my daughter - who by the way is without electricity and great swaths of North Carolina, and South Carolina are without electricity - then hearing my daughter tell me about another mutual friend who is closer in age to my daughter who lost her home in Bastrop and does not know what to do - hysterical on the phone so that my daughter suggested she just up and come - stay with her and then settle to live in NC where she is and where several of their friends from years ago have settled -

Fredda like most of us are worn out from this summer's heat - the high high Electric bills - rationed water - therefore no gardens - high gas bills and now she lost her house to fire.

Half a large loved state Park is gone up in flames - over 400 homes gone in Bastrop - 64 structures and 7,000 acres in the fire near Spicewood - 45 homes and over 150 acres in Steiner and only 20% of these fires are under control at 5:30 in the evening with the winds predicted to blow at the 45 miles an hour till 10: tonight.

Finally, calling to check on clients who I helped them buy in Steiner Ranch and other clients who I helped in Bastrop - cannot get through to the Bastrop clients where over 25,000 acres are gone with nothing under control...

Did get to talk with a client in Steiner Ranch - they did loose their house last night - the kids grabbed their stuffed animals, she got all their important papers and passports and not much else - they did make it out with their vehicle and they have decided to 'go home' - they moved here from New Mexico for the high paying job that Max was able to secure - Max has a week vacation and they are driving home to family tonight and will make up their minds what to do - Max may commute for awhile - but she realized being near her mom and sisters trumps when all is lost.

All that but it taught me how I was beside myself when I was preparing and realized I could not do anything to protect what I had - I know that insurance companies are a bear to get back anything and that would mean hiring an attorney -

I had packed and put the car in the driveway - filled, ready for flight - the hoses hooked up in case I needed the sprinklers on while on my way out the door - I did not settle down till I started to talk with others and could just listen - then I started to figure out things I could do to help and all of a sudden I was human again - no more jumpy -

There will be a long haul for many and here in Central Texas at least no one has lost their life although, the news said a young mom and her baby lost their life in a small town on fire in West Texas - I did not fear for my life - just the idea of starting over at this age, loosing things I love and now I look and there are many who are age 60 and over who have lost everything.

There is no security - if it isn't fire it is hurricane and flooding and sickness - there is something all the time - to be afraid is not helping - like me, we act like jerks whining and showing anxiety - nope - does not do anything for anyone - so now I know what I knew when I was a young housewife - when I was worried or scared I scrubbed the Kitchen floor down on my knees with a scrub brush - well now I can help if in no other way than to listen to folks and I found folks listen to me - so - we were never promised a rose garden as the song goes but with the roses are the thorns and that is how it will always be...

Thanks for letting me dump and thanks for encouraging me during my anxiety time...

JoanR · « **Reply #6257 on:** September 05, 2011, 09:34:09 PM »

Barbara - you are a marvel!! We're all so worried about you but you have carefully made every possible preparation for an emergency evacuation - even the sprinklers on the driveway! No one could be handling this better - just hope it won't be necessary.
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Be safe, be well!!!!!!!

ginny · « **Reply #6258 on:** September 06, 2011, 07:47:19 AM »

Barbara, that is extremely frightening, the air quality alone must be awful. Thank you for sharing the article and photos, it makes it quite real. I hope you will be all right.

I came in to say I've read 50 pages of The Choir and I really like it. It's true it's not much action but I very much like this kind of book. I see it's her 2nd book after The Rector's Wife which I read years ago and also liked. This one is understated but it's so like what I just saw at Wells, and I love the snarky humor peeping through. I think it's nice once in a while to read a book where the action consists of what's in the mind, and of course these are academicians and clergy shut off in their ivory towers or cathedrals which makes it even more interesting.

When they write of wanting to take over the Bishop's residence for a town rec center, you might think huh? But if you can picture this, the Bishop's Palace at Wells Cathedral:

with its Gate House

then you can really get a picture of what she's talking about.

Yesterday we had rain rain rain and more rain. Everything is not crackling with dry heat like it was, it's green. I thought wow, it looks like England, so I'll read something British and The Choir is just the ticket, it's like being thrown into another world.

I also started and am also enjoying A Yank Back to England, (2010) which is about a man returning with his wife to his childhood home and parents in Britain, where he grew up in what sounds like a row house with the most amazing descriptions of plumbing (am not too far into it) I've ever read. I can hardly picture what he's describing but it sounds like something from the pioneer days. His parents actually use the word "copper." I haven't seen that since Dickens, "singing in the copper." It's fascinating. It's about, among other things, going home again.

And to complete my British excursions I am still reading Mary Beard's Triumph but it continues slow going, being an account of the Triumphs of ancient Rome. It's interesting but slow.

Larry, I remember Hootie, what happened to her?

Marcie, where is Gideon's Sword in the cycle of Preston Child books? I see they have a new one out but I never finished the one before it (was it only last year) where they began by killing off the reporter who had made it thru Relic and all the others. I was so angry at them I did not continue. Where does Gideon's Sword come in? I liked your review, if it's not in the cycle I'd like to read it.

MaryPage, glad you liked the soup!

What's anybody reading? Glad to see you back JoanR!!! You survived Irene, then, any damage?

Babi · « **Reply #6259 on:** September 06, 2011, 09:09:31 AM »

I'm currently reading "Prairie Nocturne", too, CALLIE. Doig can 'spin a tale'. I can see,
tho', why "Dancing..." won such acclaim. I think it was simply a masterpiece of the art of
language.

True, PEDLN. I googled myself once, out of curiousity, and was amazed to find myself!
Something from SeniorNet was quoted, I have no idea why.

You bring back a memory, BARB. And while I was scrubbing on my knees, it occurred to me
I might as well pray while I was so well positioned!

LarryHanna · « **Reply #6260 on:** September 06, 2011, 10:35:10 AM »

Ginny, Hootie passed away several years ago. She had many health issues with her heart and was on dialysis for a long time.

Barbara, I saw on the news the morning the terrible fires in your area. Glad you are prepared to evacuate if needed. Certainly a frightening situation and knowing that we know someone in the area makes it even more concerning.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #6261 on:** September 06, 2011, 10:38:25 AM »

Ginny - my grandmother had an old "copper" and I think my mother did too, though not by the time that I was born. It was used to boil up the clothes for the washing. My mother actually still has scars on her legs from when she fell against the copper as a child.

So glad you are enjoying The Choir - Wells is exactly where I would imagine the book being set, or maybe Salisbury.

Rosemary

Gumtree · « **Reply #6262 on:** September 06, 2011, 11:06:56 AM »

My mother used a copper too - most Aussie mums did before the wonderful thing called a 'washing machine' became commonplace. When we moved here we took a copper out of the laundry room - the copper itself was then worth a good amount of hard cold cash. Old coppers are still in great demand here as they are perfect for cooking prawns, crabs or crayfish - unless someone wants to throw them on the barbie.

ANNIE · « **Reply #6263 on:** September 06, 2011, 01:27:50 PM »

Just saw the following:
We have lost a friend; Eloise has died.
This just arrived from Isabelle her daughter.

Hello Don,
Mom has gone to be with her Lord and husband tonight. She went peacefully.
Thank you for everything.
Isabelle

May she rest in peace. She will be so missed. But I am glad she is in a better place. Bon voyage, dear lady.

maryz · « **Reply #6264 on:** September 06, 2011, 02:47:14 PM »

RIP Eloise - always a great contributor to these pages. And condolences to all her loved ones, who will miss her so much.

MaryPage · « **Reply #6265 on:** September 06, 2011, 03:28:00 PM »

Oh, Barbara! Of everything I have ever heard, except for illness and death of loved ones, yours is the most ghastly experience of all. I just cannot imagine going through what you have been going through. My hopes for you are huge.

Like you, when I was young and could still get down on my knees, I could be found fiercely scrubbing the kitchen floor with BRILLO PADS in the middle of the night or whenever. I particularly remember scrubbing and scrubbing when my darling Mama was dying and I could not get to where she was. We appear to be programmed much the same way, you and I.

Sad times for all. There cannot possibly be enough money anywhere in the country to patch up all of the broken dreams and hearts caused by fire, flood, hurricane, tornado and earthquake. I guess plagues and insect invasions will be next?

pedln · « **Reply #6266 on:** September 06, 2011, 08:15:44 PM »

Such a lovely person, Eloise. She will be missed.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #6267 on:** September 06, 2011, 09:16:55 PM »

And now Eloise - a tug - we never did meet but she was such a wonderful part of our conversation for so many years - in another discussion - do not remember which - the thought was shared how Eloise and Anna came together and cooked together when everyone met at the beach house in South Carolina - and now, this year within months of each other both lights are gone -

Here in Central Texas the wind is a calm 10 miles an hour allowing fire to be attacked from the ground. The Leander fire that took a dozen homes and damaged almost as many more is contained and folks who live in the area are being allowed back home as are the folks in Steiner Ranch where there are several reports on the number of houses burned - some say 35 some say 40 and some say 45 - regardless, this is a bit more of an upscale middle class community with most homes around 400K and a couple of blocks of houses are gone.

The saddest to many of us who have been active in land preservation and love the out-of-doors is the loss of Bastrop State Park - of the 6,000 acres they were able to save 100 acres and next to it is Buescher State Park with no word yet of the number of acres destroyed. One plus is, except for two CCC built observation structures and the homes of Texas Park and Wildlife employees, all the other buildings built by the CCC during the 1930s have been saved.

The other areas, like 7,000 acres in Spicewood are still burning and then last night my son near Houston thought he would be evacuated since there was a fire with two gas tanks exploding less than a mile from his house but working through the night they were able to contain that fire -

Without listing a litany of all the many nearby fires those are the ones that were of greatest concern and now until it rains we live tense - at least we can get a night's sleep tonight. We are expecting the smell of fire and thick smoke to be an issue starting in the morning affecting highway visibility now that the wind is no longer blowing all this towards Mexico and the cold front keeps cool air close to the ground.

Don't be concerned but I am going to take the rest of this week and get myself caught up as well as, call those who live near these damaged areas and I think tomorrow a massage may be in order. Then I have to get back into the frame of mind that I developed during my healing time in New Mexico and use my herbs or I won't be breathing again.

Frybabe · « **Reply #6268 on:** September 06, 2011, 09:46:46 PM »

Don (Radioman) had this link in Classical Corner. I thought I would post it here in case any of you want to ad a word or two of condolences. http://www.urgelbourgie.com/site.php?langID=1&section=obit_details&obituaryID=22493

Frybabe · « **Reply #6269 on:** September 06, 2011, 09:52:54 PM »

Bless you Barb. I am glad to hear things are improving. I sincerely hope it continues to improve. Sorry to hear about the extensive damage to Bastrop State Park. Actually, extensive doesn't quite cover it all, does it.

JoanP · « **Reply #6270 on:** September 07, 2011, 04:45:48 PM »

Barbara, wasn't it a stroke of good fortune that you were taken for the cure - right before your breathing would really be put to the test? Relieved that the pressure is off and that you feel calmer.

Sicne we received word of Eloise's passing last evening, we have been working on a Memorial site where we can share memories and words of condolences for Eloise's family. It will probably won't come as a surprise to them that she was loved, but by so many!

Even if you've expressed some thoughts here since yesterday, will you please repeat them in the site we intend to send on to the family? Thanks.

Memorial Page for Eloise De Pelteau

Babi · « **Reply #6271 on:** September 07, 2011, 07:40:26 PM »

Quote

I guess plagues and insect invasions will be next?

Bite your tongue, MARYPAGE!!

I'm so sorry to hear about Eloise. I didn't know her personally, but I've learned so much about
her from all the wonderful things you all have posted. She was much loved, and will be a loss to
many.

Frybabe · « **Reply #6272 on:** September 07, 2011, 08:19:58 PM »

I have just started Carol Goodman's The Ghost Orchid. Already it is spooky.

ANNIE · « **Reply #6273 on:** September 08, 2011, 10:21:02 AM »

Is Carol Goodman the author who met us in NYC in 2008?

JoanR · « **Reply #6274 on:** September 08, 2011, 11:05:23 AM »

Yes! We met her in one of the conference rooms at the Ritz-Carlton(Ta-Da!) downtown - she was charming.I remember that she brought her mother with her because it was her birthday.
I've read 3 of her books and enjoyed them very much but I have yet to read "The Ghost Orchid". Now that you've reminded me, I'll look for it!!

Frybabe · « **Reply #6275 on:** September 08, 2011, 02:58:11 PM »

Well, they've been closing bits of Harrisburg down since last evening. Now I hear that the flood crest is now predicted to be 29 ft. instead of the 24-26 they had been predicting. Animal rescue has been very vocal about letting people know they are there to help with pets. Zoo America in Hershey had to put down two bison yesterday because the flood waters rose too quickly for them to rescue them. Bison are not all that easy to control in good weather let alone when they are almost up to their eyeballs in water. Everyone is sick about it.

maryz · « **Reply #6276 on:** September 08, 2011, 06:33:38 PM »

Sorry you're having trouble with "Lee". He wasn't too nice to us here in Chattanooga. Eight inches of rain at our house, and that was one of the lower totals. We'd been so dry, but that really soaked the ground and there are lots and lots of trees down, taking the power lines with them. Best wishes to all of you.

Babi · « **Reply #6277 on:** September 09, 2011, 08:44:22 AM »

Lord, if we could only get a 'Lee' for these raring wildfires in Texas. Fire on one side, floods on the other. Do you think Heaven is trying to tell us something?

Frybabe · « **Reply #6278 on:** September 09, 2011, 09:31:44 AM »

It's been a really wicked year, so far, for natural disasters in the US.

PatH · « **Reply #6279 on:** September 09, 2011, 03:28:26 PM »

I wish I could give Texas the week of nonstop heavy rain we've had here. Lots of roads closed for flooding or trees down, but very little serious damage.

News:

Author Topic: The Library (Read 2090063 times)