Author Topic: The Library (Read 2085040 times)

Gumtree · « **Reply #1000 on:** February 13, 2010, 11:23:43 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!

Everyone is welcome!

Suggestion Box for Future Discussions

Steph: It's not surprising your memory or recall or whatever is a bit out of whack after what you've been through. Don't be hard on yourself - it will all come right given time.

Ginny: Just name the day for a discussion of Possession and I'll be there. There are a few others in the Archives that could do with another airing one of these days- like some of the ancient classics I see listed there

marcie · « **Reply #1001 on:** February 13, 2010, 02:53:34 PM »

What a great photo, Ginny. Thank you!

I'm currently reading a non-fiction book, THE LANGUAGE OF LIFE: DNA AND THE REVOLUTION IN PERSONALIZED MEDICINE by Francis S. Collins. It's very readable (not too technical) with case histories that describe how recent advances in understanding the human genome are leading to treatments and cures that can and will be adapted to each person's own DNA sequence.

marcie · « **Reply #1002 on:** February 13, 2010, 02:56:06 PM »

FYI, If you go to the PBS website at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/index.html#giveaway in the middle of the page, one of the blurbs let's you click to sign up for a giveaway of a set of Jane Austen DVDs. When you complete the form you can either sign up for the email newsletter that announces upcoming PBS programs or just enter the contest.

PBS is going to show an adaptation of John Buchan's The 39 Steps on Masterpiece Classic on February 28. Read more about it at http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/39steps/39steps.html

Written in the depth of World War I by British public servant John Buchan (later to become Governor General
of Canada), The 39 Steps was eagerly read by soldiers in the trenches, and since then has been adapted several
times for screen, most famously by Alfred Hitchcock in 1935. (A stage adaptation of Hitchcock’s 39 Steps is
currently on Broadway).

To make this experience even more enjoyable, PBS is offering our SeniorLearn readers a free copy of the book but for the postage. These free copies will be available to the first ten people who post a request in our PBS discussion at http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=1023.msg59466#msg59466 or who email JoanP at jonkie@verizon.net. Don't miss this one! We'll be talking about both the book and the TV show.

pedln · « **Reply #1003 on:** February 13, 2010, 05:48:02 PM »

Marcie, your post is full of good news, about the Jane Austen DVDs and the upcoming presentation of 39 STeps and the books that are available. Could you put a copy of your post in Movies and Books into Movies? or may I do it?

marcie · « **Reply #1004 on:** February 13, 2010, 05:49:21 PM »

pedln (and anyone else), please feel free to post the information in any discussion. Thank you!

joangrimes · « **Reply #1005 on:** February 14, 2010, 01:06:25 AM »

Found the 39 Steps on Kindle and it is free.

I have downloaded to be read and be ready for watching the PBS production.

Joan Grimes

Steph · « **Reply #1006 on:** February 14, 2010, 06:03:33 AM »

I have been reading up on memory and its functions and I realize that the reason I cannot remember the day of the accident until just before the accident is that I lost my short term memory. When they got us to trauma,because of pain, they gave me morphine and that would stop the short term from being absorbed into the long term. Nice to know why, but I still mourn the loss of his last day.

Babi · « **Reply #1007 on:** February 14, 2010, 10:00:18 AM »

GINNY, I haven't seen the study, but I would think it depends on what
you're doing while sitting. If you're reading, doing a crossword, trying
to follow the clues in a TV who-dun-it..your brain could hardly flatline!
   However, it the book or the TV isn't holding my interest, I do find
I tend to doze off, now. That's a new development for me and a definite
sign of advancing age.
   The large showy memorials and grave markers are not seen much anymore. I do remember reading with great amusement
a book about the messages left on tombstones. My favorite was one I can't recall exactly, but I can give you an idea. A couple buried side by side (I've made up the initials):
His tombstone reads, "H____ H____, genius, poet, artist, philosopher."
Then on the wife's tombstone you find, "A____ H____", longsuffering wife of H.... H...."

  STEPH, I was moved by you loss of all memory of you last day with your
husband. Even if it was no more than another ordinary day, not being able
to recall it must leave a hurtful gap. Why not pick up as much as you can
from any friends, neighbors or family you might have seen that day. Make
yourself a 'piece' quilt of that day if you can.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #1008 on:** February 14, 2010, 12:44:26 PM »

Oh, Steph. It takes a while to find and mourn anew each new loss, doesn't it? There are still times when I want to call my sister and tell her about something, to share it with her. It's been 16 years.

Judy Laird · « **Reply #1009 on:** February 14, 2010, 01:28:11 PM »

I put 39 steps on my kindle too.
Am now reading on the kindle about The Onion

JoanP · « **Reply #1010 on:** February 14, 2010, 01:42:37 PM »

Hi Judy! - For those of you who do NOT have a Kindle (yet) - I still have five more free copies of John Buchan's "39 Steps" to give away - thanks to SeniorLearn's Partnership with PBS in the Library of Congress' Reading Promotion Partnershop. Let me know if you are interested and I'll put you on the list. The PBS production will be Feb. 28.

{{{Steph}}} - I'm so sorry...and yet feel that it is perhaps a blessing that you don't remember the accident at all.

marcie · « **Reply #1011 on:** February 14, 2010, 01:55:48 PM »

Steph, I'm sorry about your loss of memory for that day. There is a lot that scientists are learning about memory and it does make fascinating reading.

JoanP · « **Reply #1012 on:** February 14, 2010, 03:25:47 PM »

As promised, the poll to determine our Spring Book Club Online in-depth discussions is now open -

We will stay open until Feb. 26.
You may vote once.
Notice the titles in the Suggestion Box heading are linked to reviews.
Note the two different categories:
1. Your first choice
2. All the titles that interest you for future discussion

VOTE HERE - (click this link)

joangrimes · « **Reply #1013 on:** February 14, 2010, 04:15:21 PM »

Lost memory of the day the accident happened might be your own body's protection method. Of course I really don't know because my two husbands died of natural causes although they were sudden unexpected deaths and very shocking to me. I remember both deaths and days in detail and they haunt me every day of my life.

FlaJean · « **Reply #1014 on:** February 14, 2010, 06:13:49 PM »

Quote from: JoanP on February 14, 2010, 01:42:37 PM

I still have five more free copies of John Buchan's "39 Steps" to give away - thanks to SeniorLearn's Partnership with PBS in the Library of Congress' Reading Promotion Partnershop. Let me know if you are interested and I'll put you on the list. The PBS production will be Feb. 28.

I would love to have a copy. Please let me know what info you need as I haven't done this before. Thanks, FlaJean

JoanP · « **Reply #1015 on:** February 14, 2010, 08:32:28 PM »

Jean, just email me your name and address - and I'll send off a copy when they get here.

Steph · « **Reply #1016 on:** February 15, 2010, 06:03:50 AM »

No, I remember the accident and the dinner immediately before it.. At least where we went. I think because the EMTs kept asking me a lot of questions and where we had just been was one of them. It is the day preceding that, I dont remember. I have asked at the gym.. People remember we were there..but nothing past that until the accident itself. That I remember and like Joan says.. remember every inch of that.. Not fun

joangrimes · « **Reply #1017 on:** February 15, 2010, 07:54:38 AM »

Give it some time Steph. It might come back in little pieces and eventually all come together.

Octavia · « **Reply #1018 on:** February 15, 2010, 08:04:34 PM »

I'm back on line after an enormous amount of frustration and a fair bit of money

.
I've been reading a lot, and the highlights would probably be Gilgamesh which I really enjoyed, The Memory Keepers Daughter, and Tread Softly by Wendy Perriam. I've mixed feelings about The Memory Keeper's Daughter, it really held my attention because I read it through without stopping, but I think it would have benefited by a bit of pruning.
Tread Softly was hilarious.Perriam managed to make a comedy out of bunion operations, specialists, a drunken husband and a nursing home and its inmates. I know it sounds appalling, but she makes you feel sympathy for some rather yukky people plus the alcoholic hubby, without any icky sentimentality. I loved it.

Quensland is a giant sauna bath at the moment. I made a phone call this morning and when I took the phone away from my ear, I had to hold it sideways to drain the water out of it. Every time I glance out the window the lawn's a couple of centimetres higher.

JoanK · « **Reply #1019 on:** February 15, 2010, 09:23:51 PM »

GINNY: you've done it again. You turned me on to the Shopoholic books. Now, I've ordered "The Gatecrasher".

Amazon was pushing another by her "Wedding Girl". Have you read it?

Steph · « **Reply #1020 on:** February 16, 2010, 06:09:03 AM »

I read a shopoholic book, but was turned off by it.. I guess it is supposed to be a parody of greed, but most chic lit escapes me.
Just finished a Linda Fairstein.. Lethal Legacy which is about the NYC public library and is fascinating on ressearch libraries, gifts of books from wealthy and how it all works.. Neat little mystery buried in there as well.

Babi · « **Reply #1021 on:** February 16, 2010, 08:31:45 AM »

"Tread Softly" sounds good, OCTAVIA. Anyone who can make you feel
sympathy for 'yukky people' without sentimentality has to be good. But
Heaven! I thought Texas got humid, but I've never had to pour water out
of my phone! In the unlikely possibility that I ever visit Australia, I
definitely don't want to do it in your summer.

Octavia · « **Reply #1022 on:** February 16, 2010, 04:46:15 PM »

No,no Babi, It's not always like this. I'm sorry I've given you the wrong impression. This deep low that's been drenching us for weeks is the result of 2 ex cyclones joining forces. Tourists usually flock to Qld for our summers, especially sun starved Brits.
Re memory, one of my son's classmates in Grade 1 lost his father, and his mother told me she lost her memory of that time. It was much longer than a day, perhaps a couple of weeks.

Gumtree · « **Reply #1023 on:** February 17, 2010, 02:57:05 AM »

Octavia Hi - or should I say G'day. Glad you got your computer reorganised - did you need to get a new one or just have young expert wave his hand over it to fix it ?

Either way it sure means money.

We keep hearing about the flooding over your way - please send some to us - we haven't had a drop of rain to speak of for months and sky high temperatures to go with it - topping in the low 40s C - (109-110 F) day after day - it's been hot. Not so bad at present though.

Babiif you dont like humidity you could come to the west - we're just hot and dry. The tourists love it -Europeans, Scandinavians and Brits are all over the place during summer.

Steph · « **Reply #1024 on:** February 17, 2010, 05:56:01 AM »

Even in Florida, this has been the coldest winter ever. I am so tired of walking the dogs in 40degree weather.. I am not a cold fan at all.

Babi · « **Reply #1025 on:** February 17, 2010, 08:03:01 AM »

Noted, OCTAVIA, and my apologies to sunny Queensland. Actually, I'd be
delighted if I thought I could reasonably travel most anywhere.

Yeah, the weather has been weird eveywhere, it seems. Personally,
I like my wet days warm, and my hot days dry.

joangrimes · « **Reply #1026 on:** February 17, 2010, 08:34:24 AM »

It is warming up here if it gets out of the 30's and there has been at least some snow flurries almost every day. This is an area where we just don't have severe cold and snow very often. It has really been difficult for most of us older people who are alone and have no one to help them. There are quite a few of us around here.

Joan Grimes

pedln · « **Reply #1027 on:** February 17, 2010, 11:46:39 PM »

JoanG, I just have to tell my "helping a senior" story, as it was so nice, and such a surprize. I have had a freezer in the laundry room in the basement for years. Several months ago the door handle broke off -- not a big deal, it wasn't in a visible part of the house and I could still manage to open and close the door. Well, a couple months ago, in one week I had two maintenance people come to the house. One was the guy who always comes to check the furnace for winter, and the other was one from the pest control company who comes every year to do a termite inspection. I don't go down to the basement very often -- just for laundry and to get stuff out of the freezer, so imagine my surprise when I found the door handle was again on the freezer door. I don't know which gentleman did it, but I'm thinking the termite man -- he was asking about my house, how old was it, etc. He said his was 100 years old. Anyway, it was a very pleasant surprise.

joangrimes · « **Reply #1028 on:** February 18, 2010, 05:24:32 AM »

Pedlin that is amazing that one of the young men helped you that way. But there are nice people on this earth. We just don't which ones they are most of the time. I am working hard on changing my own attitude toward people that I come in contact with personally. I am always up at such odd hours like right now 4:00 Am but I have a 9:30 dr appt this morning and I am so slow getting things done. Well this has nothing to do with what I am reading does it. However I am just happy to be reading again. If I could get my new glasses that were supposed to be in two days ago I would be happier. However I cannot even get them to talk to me at Walmart where I bought them. I did not have time to wait in line . I have vowed many times never to buy anymore glasses there but it is close and I like the progressive lenses which are so expensive other places. I am trying to change my attitude toward the people who work there. It is not an easy job.

Joan Grimes

Steph · « **Reply #1029 on:** February 18, 2010, 06:07:10 AM »

I got my last pair of glasses at Sears.. They had a sale on and were reasonable. Like you, I like the progressive lens.
My older son came and has spent the night. He is the practical one and he came to sort out the tool mess. He spent yesterday afternoon playing.. good,,,bad,,, ugly... forget it.. Threw away stuff. Made a large stack of garage sale items, a medium stack of stuff he wanted and a small stack that he says I will need one time or another.
He also went through the shelf with all of the products on it. He took a large amount of bottles and containers that are hazardous and not usable. He knows where you take them in his county and so will take them home with him.
Then I got to cook a nice dinner for two and we watched curling.. Cozy.. I do so miss that.

joangrimes · « **Reply #1030 on:** February 18, 2010, 06:55:37 AM »

Glad you had a nice cozy evening.

I will go back to Walmart this morning after I see my dr and see if I can find out where my glasses are. I have also ordered another pair from Costco but ordered them later and they are all the way across town. I don't have a Sears near me. So I have two pair of glasses ordered and already paid for and I really need a stronger pair of glasses. Oh well this too shall pass.
Joan Grimes

salan · « **Reply #1031 on:** February 18, 2010, 07:36:33 AM »

Steph, After my husband died (1 1/2 yrs ago), my son-in-law did the same thing for me. We only have one daughter and she and her husband (and my precious 8 yr old grandson) live 4+ hours away, so I don't get to see them as often as I like. They live in Dallas and I don't drive in cities. My husband loved to drive and always drove us everywhere. I drive everywhere except in cities.
My ddh and I always watched the Olympics together and enjoyed sharing and commenting on events. One of the hardest things about his death has been having no one to comment/share events with. There are so many little things you take for granite until they are gone. I have always been fairly independent and it's hard to ask people to do little things for me. Pedln, how nice that someone saw something that needed doing for you, and did it without you even asking!
Sally

JoanP · « **Reply #1032 on:** February 18, 2010, 10:56:37 AM »

Just in case you missed this giveaway -

On Feb.28, PBS will be airing John Buchan's "The 39 Steps" - Because we are Partners with PBS in the LOC's Center for the Book, PBS is giving away 10 copies of the book to SeniorLearners. When I wrote to our partner at PBS and told her we had an excess of 10 requests for the book, she wrote back immediately saying she would send an extra 10 copies. So now I have 5 more books to give away -If you are intersted, please email me (jonkie@verizon.net) and include your name and address - Ill get a copy out to you as soon as they arrive here - which should be any day now - maybe today.
Oh yes - I need to be sure to mention that you are invited to join in the PBS discussion as we share reactions to the film and/or the book...

Steph - that does sound like a nice cozy evening. I love to watch the curling - though I think it is kind of an odd Olympic sport.

JoanK · « **Reply #1033 on:** February 18, 2010, 04:34:38 PM »

I love watching curling too, and the only time I get to see it is during the Olympics. I'm afraid the American teams will be eliminated, and then they won't show it anymore.

How nice that your repairman put the handle back on. Twice as nice that he didn't even mention it. Now THERE'S a person who knows how to give.

Octavia · « **Reply #1034 on:** February 18, 2010, 05:04:52 PM »

Gumtree, the computer man was very good but not so young

He was kind enough to refuse payment for his last visit, as it turned out to be a very simple adjustment. I made him take $10 for petrol though.
I really wish I could send you some rain. I knew it was hot when Chris in Karratha said the heat was 'not bad' one 36/37 day. I do love the colour of your water. We have the white sand/blue sea beaches, but not that gorgeous turquoise shade.

After my husband died I realised how much I depended on his calm, take control way with anything that happened the boys. One was at college, two at high school and our baby was 8. The older boys were learning to drive, went fishing in tinnies, swimming in creeks, camping trips, motorbike riding, in fact anything involving testosterone. I was a nervous wreck!

Yesterday, I read a A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick. Lovely writing, intriguing storyline, but I shuddered when I closed the book.

pedln · « **Reply #1035 on:** February 18, 2010, 09:39:46 PM »

Octavia, my f2f group is going to read Goolrick's A Reliable Wife for our May discussion. Now you've certainly given me something to wonder about. I always pass on to some of the others whenever anyone here comments about our upcoming local reads. You'll soon have a group of us wondering.

maryz · « **Reply #1036 on:** February 18, 2010, 11:06:53 PM »

I'm reading "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. Terrific! Thanks to whoever recommended it here.

joangrimes · « **Reply #1037 on:** February 18, 2010, 11:39:38 PM »

I was the first one on SeniorLearn to read The Help. I think it is a wonderful book.

Joan Grimes

maryz · « **Reply #1038 on:** February 19, 2010, 12:29:08 AM »

Then, thanks, Joan!

Gumtree · « **Reply #1039 on:** February 19, 2010, 04:04:57 AM »

Quote from: Octavia on February 18, 2010, 05:04:52 PM

Gumtree,
I really wish I could send you some rain. I knew it was hot when Chris in Karratha said the heat was 'not bad' one 36/37 day. I do love the colour of your water. We have the white sand/blue sea beaches, but not that gorgeous turquoise shade.

Octavia
I didn't know it ever got that cool up in Karratha

Sometimes the water at out beaches is truly glorious and can be any shade from grey through greens/turquoise and into the rich ultramarine blue -the colour often depends a lot on weather conditions.
I'm never very comfortable at Sydney beaches where the sand is often that rich, red brown colour - Of course Bondi is fairly white and Balmoral is whitish but with a pinky tinge to the sand - all due to minerals I guess. I get a trifle disoriented there too because the sun rises over the ocean and sets over the land - spin me round twice and I don't know which way is up

Have you read David Malouf's 'Ransom' - I've had it since it came out and started it sometime ago but didn't finish - picked it up last night and began again. It's written in his spare poetic style which I think you'd like. Malouf revisits [i Iliad[/i] and the wrath of Achilles. Love it and can't wait to settle into it again tonight.

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 2085040 times)