Author Topic: The Library  (Read 2111519 times)

Frybabe

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24200 on: November 26, 2024, 05:44:21 AM »
Fetterman is an interesting person. I am never quite sure what to make of him. Unconventional and unpretentious to say the least.

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24201 on: November 26, 2024, 01:22:27 PM »
Good grief did it again - wiped my entire message - shoot - well later...
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” ~ Goethe

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24202 on: November 28, 2024, 01:36:21 PM »
Days scoot by so quickly - Happy Thanksgiving
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” ~ Goethe

Frybabe

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24203 on: November 29, 2024, 12:53:20 PM »
Happy Day After Thanksgiving! The sun that came up this morning has disappeared behind clouds and the weather outside is definitely chill.

I've got a few household chores to do today. Other than that, it is a good day to sit and read awhile. What I am reading, now, from the library is The Club by Leo Damrosch. It is supposedly about the club, started by James Boswell and Samuel Johnson, that met at a bar and was populated by the likes of Adam Smith, Edward Gibbon, Edmund Burke, Joshua Reynolds, Oliver Goldsmith, and other intellectuals of the 18th Century. So far, it seems more like a bio of Johnson and Boswell. Their names appear in many of the chapter headings. Years ago I read Boswell's The Life of Samuel Johnson. In fact, I still have the book. It had belonged to my Dad.

I am continuing on with  Iain M. Banks' The Algebraist. It reminds me of his Culture series, but it is not part of it. It isn't bad, but it isn't his best either.

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24204 on: November 30, 2024, 01:03:23 PM »
Brrr it is cold here today - after spending more money than I have in months on Amazon's Black Friday Sales I feel like I'm one of the characters in Wind in the Willows having worked harder than usual and now all I want is to be snug in my tree house with a few quiet weeks ahead of me -

Another fund drive on PBS and so the usual schedule for Saturday night is not to be... If I remember this goes on for a couple of weeks - their substitutes are mostly music venues from the past - for sure this will push me to get my CDs organized - I prefer my choice in music that yes, includes Russian Composers that are no longer shown on TV since Russia is supposed to be our enemy - Lordy I'm so tired to the media telling me what will influence my support for their views...

Ordered this book for my grandson and since my gifts will go up to Lubbock with Paul and Sally I had them delivered here and so I get to read this before it is wrapped -  he has a lot of math and hope he sees this as eye opening as I think it is... Book is... Proof!: How the World Became Geometrical I'm going to copy and past the Amazon review because it says it all better than I could...

An eye-opening narrative of how geometric principles fundamentally shaped our world

On a cloudy day in 1413, a balding young man stood at the entrance to the Cathedral of Florence, facing the ancient Baptistery across the piazza. As puzzled passers-by looked on, he raised a small painting to his face, then held a mirror in front of the painting. Few at the time understood what he was up to; even he barely had an inkling of what was at stake. But on that day, the master craftsman and engineer Filippo Brunelleschi would prove that the world and everything within it was governed by the ancient science of geometry.

In Proof!, the award-winning historian Amir Alexander traces the path of the geometrical vision of the world as it coursed its way from the Renaissance to the present, shaping our societies, our politics, and our ideals. Geometry came to stand for a fixed and unchallengeable universal order, and kings, empire-builders, and even republican revolutionaries would rush to cast their rule as the apex of the geometrical universe. For who could doubt the right of a ruler or the legitimacy of a government that drew its power from the immutable principles of Euclidean geometry?
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” ~ Goethe

bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24205 on: December 03, 2024, 11:10:37 AM »
Oh, Barb, you are so correct in pointing out how time seems to just fly by so quickly.  I can't seem to catch up on anything lately.  Hubby and I came down with sinus infections this past week so off to urgent care yesterday. We have not been able to get an appointment with our primary care physician since before covid.  We call his office for an appointment and are told nothing is open for weeks and to just go to urgent care.  I have to admit the urgent care closest to us is nice and we get in and out faster than when we went and sat at our doctor's office forever.  So, now it's meds and rest for us.  I decided to do as much Christmas shopping online as possible since I detest going out searching in the stores.  Luckily my grandkids are all old enough to send me links with what they want, color, size and all so it makes it a lot easier.  I do love walking around the mall just for the sights & sounds of Christmas, so I manage to get there at least once a season.

I am so impressed how you ladies are able to keep up with your reading.  I devoured that last book in one setting and have yet to pick up another.  I guess in all fairness I do take the time to do my online Bible study a couple times a week which takes at least an hour and a half, so there is that.  I've been with this one study group going on five years now and we just began the book of Acts.  I call it Luke's sequel.  I did borrow another psychological thriller from my granddaughter when we went to spend our day with our great grandson Haze last week.  She has a little row of books on her kitchen counter, and I always take a peek to see if there is anything I might like.  She gave me another one of Freida McFadden's books called The Locked Door. I hope to begin it today since the temps are so cold I don't want to venture outside.  I've managed to get all my Christmas decorations up except a wreath for above the big screen tv which I never needed until now since we bought a lower tv/fireplace unit this past summer.  Fa la la la...

Speaking of YouTube, more and more sports are being broadcast live on there and the reception even with our Direct TV is not as crisp and is also choppy at times.  I am not a big YouTube fan except for music.

Frybabae, your book The Club sounds interesting.  I'm not at all familiar with the names but it brought to mind the movie Casablanca for some reason.  I remember our dear Jonathan, mentioning to me to watch Casablanca since I had never seen it before, and so I went and bought the DVD.  Gosh I sure miss Jonathan.

Pat, I love getting handmade gifts, so I hope Ben appreciates these tees. I mentioned it to Kenzie, and she was so excited she said she thinks he will cry when he opens them because he's been asking if she knew of anyone who could make him some business tee shirts. I got so busy I haven't had a chance to even get the iron out since I last posted.  Wish me luck, much has changed since I last made tees over twenty years ago. 

Ciao for now~ y'all stay warm & cozy & happy reading!
Bellamarie

“What on earth could be more luxurious than a sofa, a book, and a cup of coffee?...Was ever anything so civil?”
__Anthony Trollope, The Warden

Frybabe

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24206 on: December 03, 2024, 04:24:52 PM »
Hi Bellamarie.  I rather suspect that these days, you have to have an interest in English literature and the history thereof to have run across James Boswell and Samuel Johnson. Both were active in the 1700s. Boswell is best remembered for writing a biography of Samuel Johnson which has been acclaimed  to be the greatest biography in written in the English language. Johnson wrote in just about every venue including sermons, poems, plays, literary critique, and lexicographer. He may best be remembered for his A Dictionary of the English Language. It was probably his greatest achievement. It stood at the top of the heap for 173 years, until the Oxford English Dictionary appeared in 1928. These two became steadfast friends and between them, they socialized with a number of intellectuals who also are of lasting fame. I don't actually remember if I ever read any of Johnson's works, but I wouldn't be surprised if I did read one or two. I went through an essay reading phase long ago.

The natives are getting restless. I guess I ought to make moves towards the kitchen soon.

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24207 on: December 03, 2024, 06:20:45 PM »
Interesting to see the increased number of writers with well received books having been published - with so many current authors it is not just a quick litany of recognized names and even more satisfying is noticing the number of women writing in all genres - so different than 80 years ago much less 180 or more than 280 years ago.

Just looked it up and the first English woman to write extensively was Lady Mary Wroth who died at the age of 65 in 1652 - seems she wrote poetry and prose fiction. Just a handful of women in the eighteenth century - picks up with a larger number of recognizable women writers in the nineteenth century - the likes of, Jane Austin, George Eliot, the three Brontë sisters, Christina Rossetti, Elizabeth Gaskell, Margaret Oliphant, Eliza Lynn Linton and more

In 1909 the first female author to win a Noble Prize (established in 1901) from Sweden, Selma Legarlöf and the first American female author to win the Noble in 1938 was Pearl S. Buck.

The Pulitzer was established in 1917 - the first female to win the Pulitzer, Edith Wharton in 1921 for her novel The Age of Innocence. 33 women have won the Pulitzer however double that for men... of late I am seeing more and more female authors, more so since the late 20th century however too many limiting their writing to what I call chit chat books - books of little consequence but at least they are being published and able to independently support themselves.
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” ~ Goethe

bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24208 on: December 04, 2024, 01:42:35 PM »
Frybabe, just happened to see your post about Fetterman.  Like you, I don't know what to make of him either.  When he first ran for Junior Senator of Pennsylvania, I thought it was a joke. He looked like a homeless man possibly needing some mental health counseling.  This small amount of info in this bio doesn't give much on him:

John Fetterman
United States Senator from Pennsylvania since 2023
fetterman.senate.gov
John Karl Fetterman is an American politician serving as the junior United States senator from Pennsylvania since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania, from 2006 to 2019 and as the 34th lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania from 2019 to 2023. Fetterman studied finance at Albright College and earned a master's degree from the University of Connecticut before beginning a professional career in the insurance industry. Wikipedia

Born   John Karl Fetterman, August 15, 1969, West Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Age   55 years
Political party   Democratic


Barb, I am such a fan of Jane Austin, Pearl Buck and Elizabeth Gaskell.  I have a compilation of Austin's books and have read them all.  I think other than the obvious Pride and Prejudice, I would say Emma is my favorite of all.  For my one granddaughter Hayden's 18th birthday I gave her Austin's books.  I told her since she loves to read every young girl coming of age should read at least one of Austin's books. I also have a hardcover compilation of the Brontes poems.  I bought it used, and it stays on the bookshelf in the living room.  I like glancing at it every now and then.

So many of the women author's books are e-readers of late.  I came across a couple I absolutely love but are easy love stories where you can usually predict the ending early on. 

Well, I did not get to the tees as yet, but I did manage to go to Michael's craft store and buy some yarn to make granny square bulb ornament covers and everything to make a huge wreath to hang over my big screen tv.  I saved so much money using my rewards back that I felt like I stole the items.  Here is a pick of the finished wreath I made.



If anyone knows how to resize this feel free to do so. 

Okay, must get some things done.

Ciao for now~
“What on earth could be more luxurious than a sofa, a book, and a cup of coffee?...Was ever anything so civil?”
__Anthony Trollope, The Warden

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24209 on: December 04, 2024, 05:29:04 PM »
ah Christmas - with so much news about Notre Dame in the news you have to contemplate on how many midnight masses are part of the memories in the stones not affected by the fire. I think what moved me the most visiting especially France was entering many of these very old churches with stone steps to the entry door that were so obviously warn down in the middle by inches from the I guess millions who attended Mass for centuries - that more than anything gave me a real perspective of how my life was a blip in the history of mankind.

Found this great article about the archeological finds uncovered during the restoration

https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20241204-archeological-dig-at-notre-dame-paris-unearths-2-000-years-of-history

And then they found two skeletons - one was in a marked coffin and so they know the identity but another they are still tracking - currently they think it is the poet, Joachim du Bellay  - found a nice web site that includes a bit of his poetry.

https://mypoeticside.com/poets/joachim-du-bellay-poems

And another site with more of his poems

https://allpoetry.com/Joachim-du-Bellay

I thought the poem O how happy is he who is not compelled to feign, interesting and could be applied to today.

As to Fetterman - I saw his interview with Jo Rogan - he is outraged at the huge amount of money, millions of dollars spent to smear someone's name who is running for office from in some instances the smallest of districts - during the interview he summarizes the Congress as all about money - Congressmen pay huge sums to be accepted on a committee and every vote in Congress is bought and sold between each other. He did not get into specifics about how lobbyists sweeten the pot - my own conjecture is they provide some of the fund used to buy position and to buy votes. However, when various issues were brought up by Joe Rogan, Fetterman is a Democrat through and through.
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” ~ Goethe

bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24210 on: December 05, 2024, 06:08:22 PM »
Oh, Barb, I got lost in reading the poems thank you for sharing.  I have written poetry since I was a child and have actually submitted for print in two different anthology books in the Library of Congress and was accepted.  I cherish those books, and I pray my kids and grandkids will remember my poems are in them and not get rid of them when I am no longer here. 

A couple of years ago I purchased Shepherd's Abiding by Jan Karon from a used bookstore and when I opened it up in the front page a mother had inscribed a note to her daughter.  This little note being personal made me wonder how sad it was not passed down or kept as a treasure.  It just seemed so nostalgic. 

Well, I sat crocheting the Christmas bulb covers last night while watching tv and am so happy to say I completed two of them. 





I'm so excited to surprise my kids with these as gifts!  I'm beginning to wonder if I am purposefully procrastinating on those tees because I am so uncertain how they will turn out.  I must at least give it a try, I mean I haven't picked up a crochet hook in over ten years and it came back to me like it was only yesterday.

I so wish we would hear something about Ginny and Jean soon.  It's been a while, and I pray they are doing well. 

Ciao for now~
“What on earth could be more luxurious than a sofa, a book, and a cup of coffee?...Was ever anything so civil?”
__Anthony Trollope, The Warden

Tomereader1

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24211 on: December 05, 2024, 10:07:28 PM »
Recommendation:  Read a lovely little book, supposed to be for my book club, but I've been into other things, so I skipped attending.  "Incredibly Bright Creatures" (I always get the title a bit wrong, but  the author is a VanPelt. I've taken the book back to the library, so I'll look it up and make any corrections here.  I totally enjoyed it.
The reading of a fine book is an uninterrupted dialogue in which the book speaks and our soul replies.


André Maurois

PatH

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24212 on: December 06, 2024, 10:10:27 AM »
Hi, Tomereader.  What's the book like?  That title sounds interesting.

Frybabe

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24213 on: December 06, 2024, 02:12:19 PM »
Nice ornaments, BellaMarie. Not only do the look nice, but they don't take long to do and use up some of the leftover yarn from bigger projects. That always helps when things get busy. You can generally find time to do one or two for last minute gifts and decorations.

I am surprised that my online library doesn't have Remarkably Bright Creatures. It does look interesting. A Hollywood Reporter article says that it has been picked up by Netflix who are keeping their lips sealed as of the article's writing (August). Early stages, but they do say that Olivia Newman (who directed Where the Crawdads Sing) will be directing it. Sally Field has signed on for the lead character. Her son Peter Craig is one of the three co-producers. This is Van Pelt's first novel.

TomeReader, have you post about the book in the Library Bookshelf over on SeniorsandFriends yet? I don't remember seeing it there. I am sure Marilyne will be interested in it as well.

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24214 on: December 06, 2024, 04:20:03 PM »
Everyone has posted in the last few days - wow - Bellamarie you keep us grounded by your love of your family and home - the fun of making simple things to make your home more cozy, warm and welcoming is better than flipping through a current home centered magazine - love it... by the way where is your wreath hanging - it appears to be indoors.

Tomereader looked up on Amazon the book you are recommending - I saw that come across my email in one of the daily messages from Amazon of a few books they either have on sale or they thing would interest me... Had to go back and read the review again - first time I was confused and so just skipped on but this time I think they are suggesting the octopus has a name and is about to become a detective to learn about the son the women lost. Since the octopus is in a tank not in the ocean not sure how this will happen but it sure is a new novel idea - but more it sounds like the relationship the now widow makes with the octopus helps her through the grief.

Yes, Pat I too would love to get a comment from Tomereader that helps summarizes the story since Amazon really doesn't do that in their reviews.

frybabe did not know Where the Crawdads Sing was being made into a movie - appears the movie industry is getting back - took such a hit with covid and the writers strike with few wholesome stories being filmed plus, I am not seeing young actors and actresses with the talent of most of the now older actors like Sally Fields - we are spoiled with so many who were good at their craft playing parts in all the movie we took for granted during our lifetime.

Had an interesting experience with a Kindle book I 'borrowed' and 'returned' back, well over a year ago - I had not read it but wanted another and so let this one go... Well I hit on the image and it said I had borrowed it but nothing about returning it. And so I went into the online 'content' page provided by Amazon  where it showed the book - I checked and nothing was indicated that it was or was not returned - then went to the Amazon website where the book is available and it said I could read it so I hit the proper buttons and after I few I can no longer even remember what and in what sequence the book comes up that I bought it for FREE - normally 2.99 - cannot deduce if the money came from my points accumulated or what happened but there it is and I started it, like I really need to start one more book however, I'm finding the story fascinating...

One of these stories where horrible things happened to this young man from a mother disappearing when he is 5 and a neighbor looking after him and then his father who left a week before the mother dies 7 months later - even as a child he had few feelings about how this affected him only questions about why this or that but mostly that it just happened and he had a place to sleep.

Now age 62, not functioning well enough to hold onto a job however, he had married twice and each women left him within a short time after the marriage -  His second marriage the partner did not just disappear but did remarry - she had/has a teenage daughter that comes to him still for advise and just to visit. The now aging neighbor is still his mother figure calling her his Aunt - Aunt Iris is now elderly. She arranged when he was a child for all his ID etc etc. - Her frame house is in its original shape with no remodeling although, in fairly good repair thanks to him and his carefully planted garden including stepping stone paths and appropriate flower cover between each paver - their house is located in a favorite area for young couples remodeling so it is worth a fortune but they lives on as they have always lived much to the other neighbors chagrin. Flocking Real Estate folks and unrepresented buyers daily send all sorts of offers for their home - some by mail and some knocking on their door.

The thing about reading this book that to me is so fascinating, most everything is said in his head and he sees everything or turns everything into humor - his come-back at comments, usually shouted at him in anger by neighbors who would all like to see both of them gone, is with simple sentences that he realizes they really do not hear him and his logical explanations since they are so wrapped up in their complaint, shouting at him what they want or showing disdain for him.

Already comes to mind - we can, in our heads decide how we assimilate what we hear and see regardless of how others would prefer we hear, look, even think and feel - we don't even have to let on that it is all bouncing off us as a comedy, sometimes granted a black comedy but, for sure not a cesspool of sadness or woe is me or you're scaring me... Book is by Yiyun Li If You Are Lonely and You Know It  

Looked again and still can't tell if I purchased it with points or it was a freebee because of some glitch that I had occurred because I originally borrowed it... whatever, timing is perfect.
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” ~ Goethe

Tomereader1

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24215 on: December 06, 2024, 10:09:37 PM »
I get the name wrong every time I try to tell someone about it.  It is Remarkably Bright Creatures.
The story is basically about a 70 yr. old widow who takes a job cleaning at a small Aquarium.  She works the night shift.  She is a very neat and tidy woman personally, and this shines through in the cleaning job she does there.  Everything has to be just so.  She says good night to all the aquatic creatures and the star of the aquarium is Marcellus, a 60 pound octopus.  I won't "spoiler" here about how she and Marcellus meet, but it is lovely, and kind of frightening.  The novel also has a family saga, which you may find perplexing, but might figure out most of it.
I realize this might sound off-putting to most of you, but I thoroughly, deeply enjoyed the entire book.  If you can get it from your local library, be sure and use the correct title, and the author's last name is Van Pelt, and get the large print copy if it is available.  Sorry to have led you in the wrong direction with the mis-titling of the book
The reading of a fine book is an uninterrupted dialogue in which the book speaks and our soul replies.


André Maurois

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24216 on: December 06, 2024, 10:33:23 PM »
Thanks so much Tomereader - it does sound like an intriguing story..
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” ~ Goethe

bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24217 on: December 07, 2024, 12:55:09 PM »
Barb, yes, there is a movie of Where the Crawdads Sing.  I read the book and the very day the movie was released in my town I took my hubby to the theater to see it.  I must say it is a very moving story, and it has stayed with me since.  The producers did a great job in staying true to the book, as well as the casting. The actress Daisy Edgar-Jones as you point out is an unknown, and she played the character of Kya outstandingly!  I can still remember as I sat in my seat in the theater and saw the very opening of her in the boat, I felt chills just knowing this movie was going to touch me the same as the book did. I actually love the fact the big names in Hollywood are no longer in all the movies today.  Sadly, for me they have taken their stands on politics and culture too far and I feel for me have lost all the luster I saw in them years ago when they didn't have to be spokespeople for such asinine causes and participate in such vial behavior off screen. End of rant. lol   
https://www.thewrap.com/where-the-crawdads-sing-cast-characters/


Frybabe, yes, I love sitting watching tv at night with yarn and crochet hook in hand creating these bulb covers. And of course, I had to go off pattern and create a few designs of my own.  Each morning, I leave a new one on the tree so my hubby can see it when he wakes up.  I truly am enjoying this year leading up to Christmas more so than ever making the ornaments, wreath, tees and soon to be photo bulbs for the kids and grandkids.  There is such a warm feeling knowing these are one of a kind and they will have them for years to come.

Here is a pic of where I placed the wreath.


Tomereader, your book sounds quite interesting, thank you for sharing, it's certainly different from the norm of relationships with humans.  Sometimes I have to say animals of any kind came bring us more comfort and yes, even knowledge than humans.  We all have our own personal feelings about how a book touches us and as long as you find it touching that is all that matters.  I will take a peek at it after the busy holiday season is over.

PatH., What have you been reading as of late?  How is your sister Joan doing?  Please tell her we think of her often.

Ciao for now~

“What on earth could be more luxurious than a sofa, a book, and a cup of coffee?...Was ever anything so civil?”
__Anthony Trollope, The Warden

Frybabe

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24218 on: December 10, 2024, 06:31:44 AM »
Lovely photo, Bellamarie. I see you have one of those TV consoles with an electric fireplace. They look so nice. I seriously considered getting one for the apartment, but ended up opting for something with more bookshelf space instead. My tiny little Christmas tree is sans lights. I discovered one tiny lightbulb is missing, so now the whole string won't light.

My reading time has been limited the last week or two. My eReader went with me yesterday so I could read while waiting for my car to get inspected. Unfortunately, that didn't work out thanks to an Indiana Jones movie on the screen in the waiting area, conversations with others waiting, AND, for the first time ever my car was in and out in about an hour and a half: a record.

bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24219 on: December 10, 2024, 12:25:24 PM »
Frybabe, thank you, yes, I love our new built in fireplace tv stand and it fit perfectly in that area.  I don't actually use the heater much since my living room is plenty warm, but I do love the ambiance of the fireplace in the winter.

What is that they say about the best laid plans, but then you were able to visit with others and your car is all set, so I suppose giving up your ereader time was worth it. 

I spent the day shopping yesterday after going to the noon Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception celebration.  I love the Home Goods store it has everything from as they say soup to nuts there.  Great prices and selections then came home and did the online shopping my granddaughters sent to me.  Oh, how nice it is to just click the link, place the order and it is on my front porch sometimes the very next day. 

Okay I have vowed to choose from the list of Christmas book recommendations Barb listed and begin reading one.  Let you know which one once I have decided.

I have a question... is there a preferable font size to help with reading the posts in here or is what I am using okay for y'all?  Over in Senior Friends Nate's Bait & Tackle I realized it is much easier to use the bold and bigger font especially with most of our aging eyes.  Please let me know.

Ciao for now~

“What on earth could be more luxurious than a sofa, a book, and a cup of coffee?...Was ever anything so civil?”
__Anthony Trollope, The Warden

Frybabe

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24220 on: December 10, 2024, 12:57:48 PM »
I agree that the slightly larger font is much easier to read these days. No one, has bothered to use it here. Don't know why. This is a 12pt. Same font but it looks a wee bit bigger and bolder. Is it better? I think so. I have no idea why it looks bolder though.

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24221 on: December 10, 2024, 01:22:32 PM »
Full day yesterday and today - catch up with y'all tomorrow... yep, bigger font is nice...
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” ~ Goethe

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24222 on: December 13, 2024, 01:18:52 PM »
Don't want to abandon the Library but frankly I am not reading and will probably not for at least the next week - so much trying to accomplish and then with  the quieter Christmas week I've several books I want to get into...
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” ~ Goethe

Frybabe

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24223 on: December 15, 2024, 08:07:28 AM »
Same here Barb. I am not getting as much reading done lately. Several appointments, lots of interruptions, getting side-tracked, and falling asleep on what reading I am reading.

Today, I need to get up onto my online library and renew a book. I only just managed to get chapter, three read. The chapters are long and so is the book. Even so, I think I will skip several chapters since they are mostly all background bio information about him. I took a moderate dislike to him and don't care to follow his shenanigans until where the book gets to the forming of "The Club" and the people who join, many of whom I know of but not much more than for what they are famous.

bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24224 on: December 16, 2024, 03:38:09 PM »
Barb, and Frybabe same here.  I was so hoping to settle in and read a Christmas story and I just have no time.  I don't want to lose contact with the Library and all of you who make the effort to continue to post, so I hope we will not give up completely.  Possibly after the holidays come and go, we will find more time to read and share. 

My weekend was like a whirlwind with the two youngest grandkids Zak (16) and Zoey (13) surprising me with asking to come bake Christmas cookies and sleepover.  I was thrilled because last year their schedules did not allow for it and so hubby, and I did them ourselves.  We surprised Zak & Zoey with taking them to the Toledo Zoo Lights Before Christmas which was all of our first time going and they were thrilled.  They were able to do decorate prebuilt gingerbread houses, make peanut cluster candy, and make easy dipping Oreos and Chocolate mint store bought cookies in melted white and milk chocolate and decorate them before the zoo.  We managed to fit in taking them out to a neighborhood restaurant for dinner and back home to do cut-out cookie making before we all crashed for the night.  Hubby and I will decorate the cut-outs ourselves. 

Holidays are so fun, but boy at our ages it takes a day to recover from the weekend hustle and bustle.

Y'all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and let's check back in 2025!!

Ciao for now~ 
“What on earth could be more luxurious than a sofa, a book, and a cup of coffee?...Was ever anything so civil?”
__Anthony Trollope, The Warden

Frybabe

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24225 on: December 21, 2024, 06:59:43 AM »
PatH, I wish you, Joan and all your family a wonderful holiday season.

As you may have noticed, the three of us, Barb, Bellamarie and I have been posting mostly over on SeniorsandFriends lately since none of us have been keeping up with our reading lately.

I also want send my best wishes for a great holiday to Jane and Ginny in the hopes that they glance this way. I miss both of them popping in every now and again.

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24226 on: December 23, 2024, 01:33:59 AM »
Tonight had my special read - love the story/poem A Child's Christmas in Wales and then found a TV version from Welsh Television and I was knee deep in glory - love the story, the rhyme the sentiment, the fun of it all - my Christmas season is never complete without reading or hearing the story one more time. Still love hearing from the first few phrases "I can never remember whether it snowed for six days and six nights when I was twelve, or whether it snowed for twelve days and twelve nights when I was six."

Can't believe it - found the version I watched available on Youtube - here it is...

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-e&q=youtube+a+child%27s+christmas+in+wales#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:0d38fff1,vid:9BTSQYdBuZY,st:0

A Merry Christmas to all of you who post your thoughts here about your latest read - and yes, agree, hope you Ginny and also Jane peep in and know we miss you and will look forward to hearing how you are doing when you are up to posting - Blessings to all through the holy day of Christmas.
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” ~ Goethe

Frybabe

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Re: The Library
« Reply #24227 on: December 23, 2024, 06:31:15 AM »
Thanks Barb. It has been awhile since I have visited Dylan Thomas, or for that matter, a reread of How Green Was My Valley.