FEBRUARY ROOT - Progress thread

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FEBRUARY ROOT - Progress thread

1cyderry
Fev 2, 2023, 11:34 am

The theme and question this month is LOVE. No surprise but the questions might be.

February is always associated with Valentine's Day. But there are all sorts of different types of love that we give and receive - romantic/partner, parent and child, sibling, friends, pet, etc.

Having been in the hospital 16 days and seeing the devotion of my husband of 49 years displayed in all its glory during that time (he doesn't like doctors, hospitals, etc.), I was frequently reflecting on why in the world does this man love me so much. Not complaining, I am truly blessed.

So the questions I'm asking are:
How do we know that it is love?
Why do we love the people we do?
Do you ever love someone and not like them?
Is one type of love greater than all the others?

Curious to see everyone's opinion.

2cyderry
Editado: Fev 2, 2023, 12:07 pm





PLEASE REMEMBER TO CLICK ON NEW TICKER AFTER YOU HAVE UPDATED

Here are our January totals. Remember, if you are not a member of the group, or have not set a goal, your name will not appear in the list.

Ann_R 7 / 20 ★★★★ 35.0%
brakketh 0 / 46 0.0%
benitastarnd 7 / 72 ★ 9.7%
bumblesby 4 / 20 ★★ 20.0%
ca_dmv 0 / 12 0.0%
Caramellunacy 5 / 25 ★★ 20.0%
Carmenere 2 / 25 8.0%
Cecilturtle 4 / 50 8.0%
clue 4 / 40 ★ 10.0%
Coach_of_Alva 5 / 15 ★★★★ 33.3%
connie53 2 / 36 5.6%
curioussquared 8 / 60 ★ 13.3%
cyderry 8 / 84 ★ 9.5%
detailmuse 3 / 40 7.5%
DisassemblyOfReason 23 / 100 ★★ 23.0%
enemyanniemae 5 / 65 7.7%
Familyhistorian 2 / 65 3.1%
floremolla 3 / 40 7.5%
fuzzi 2 / 100 2.0%
HelenBaker 4 / 48 ★ 8.3%
Henrik_Madsen 4 / 50 8.0%
Jackie_K 3 / 52 5.8%
justchris 1 / 50 2.0%
kac522 6 / 75 8.0%
Kristelh 8 / 30 ★★★ 26.7%
KWharton 2 / 12 ★★ 16.7%
lilisin 3 / 100 3.0%
lindapanzo 9 / 84 ★ 10.7%
LoraShouse 1 / 15 6.7%
madhatter22 4 / 50 8.0%
majkia 13 / 65 ★★ 20.0%
Miss_Moneypenny 10 / 75 ★ 13.3%
MissWatson 9 / 75 ★ 12.0%
Nickelini 0 / 35 0.0%
nikolahall 1 / 50 2.0%
QuestingA 7 / 50 ★ 14.0%
rabbitprincess 6 / 50 ★ 12.0%
readergirliz 1 / 24 4.2%
readingtangent 6 / 50 ★ 12.0%
rebeki 5 / 25 ★★ 20.0%
Robertgreaves 13 / 72 ★★ 18.1%
rosalita 3 / 48 6.3%
sallylou61 6 / 40 ★ 15.0%
si 3 / 30 ★ 10.0%
torontoc 0 / 30 0.0%
vestafan 8 / 60 ★ 13.3%
wandaly 2 / 24 ★ 8.3%

February goal is 381.

3cyderry
Fev 2, 2023, 12:59 pm

How do we know that it is love? Would life be worth living without that special person in your life or would you just continue to exist? For me I cannot, cannot imagine not having my husband with me for anytime in future. Guess that's love. I absolutely adore my husband but there are, of course, things that he does that drive me nuts. Would I change him? After a great deal of thought, I realize I would rather him drive me nuts for the rest of my life than lose that special bond and love and he gives to me.
Why do we love the people we do? I think that I love the people I do because they make me feel special, not necessarily like the most important person in the world, but special in that their lives would be very different if I weren't there.
Do you ever love someone and not like them? Yes, I have a family member that I love, she's family, but I really don't like her attitudes and behavior with other people.
Is one type of love greater than all the others?

I think many people would say parental love is greater than all the others, but for me, I feel more to the partner love, mainly because that love is freely given with a commitment for a lifetime. In the hospital, I felt the "better or worse, sickness and in health".

My reflections on love seem a bit overwhelming for me right now.

4kac522
Fev 2, 2023, 2:06 pm

>2 cyderry: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ -- Cheli, that's 5-heart answer! Just lovely.

5connie53
Fev 3, 2023, 4:23 am

I really don't know which love I feel is bigger. They are completely different for me. The love I have for my kids and grandkids is something fundamental for me. It's just there and was there from the minute I saw them for the first time (the grandkids) and from the minute I knew I was pregnant with my kids.

The love for my partner has changed over the years. From teenage love ( I was 16) to something more deep and familiar. Right now it has changed to 'for better or worse, sickness and health.' And is more a caregiving commitment, not love. And I find that very sad.

6torontoc
Fev 3, 2023, 4:54 pm

I finally finished a book from my TBR pile. I did read most of this book last year but I had a hard time finishing it.
So ROOT #1 for Feb and the year. My review is on my thread and no tickers updated.

7Jackie_K
Fev 4, 2023, 4:10 am

I've added my first ROOT for February (#4 for the year) to my own ticker only.

8Cecilturtle
Fev 4, 2023, 10:05 am

I finished my first Feb ROOT, La fille de papier by Guillaume Musso, and that's 5 overall. I've updated both the group tickers and mine.

You answered much the way I would, Chèli, but I would add that love can change through time. My ex-husband and I separated after 20 years together: it was a very tough time to get through but we did it and now our love has transformed from romantic to friendship, and has stayed just as precious as it was, just in a different form.

For me, love is a deep attachment, one where there is trust, faith and an ability to be oneself.

9fuzzi
Fev 4, 2023, 10:10 am

>8 Cecilturtle: this is sweet.

My dh and I were friends before we fell in love, so when the infatuation fire died down we still had friendship embers glowing underneath. Now I'm in more of a caretaker role, but although the love has changed, it's still there.

10rabbitprincess
Fev 5, 2023, 11:47 am

Finished my first ROOT of February: Whose Body?, by Dorothy L. Sayers. My personal ticker is up to date.

11Familyhistorian
Fev 5, 2023, 8:14 pm

Oops, forgot to update my ticker at the end of January. But I'm not getting through the ROOTs as quickly as I did last month so maybe that's a good thing!

12Cecilturtle
Fev 6, 2023, 4:21 pm

I finished Feb ROOT 2; with 6 ROOTS overall.

It was Crocodiles by Philippe Dijan, a collection of short stories on the many forms of human relationships.

My ticker and group tickers are updated.

13connie53
Fev 7, 2023, 11:23 am

Reporting ROOT # 3 for the year, # 1 for February

Kruispunt by Jonathan Franzen

Own tickers updated

14benitastrnad
Fev 7, 2023, 4:46 pm

I finished my first ROOT for February. Volcanoes, Palm Trees, & Privilege: Essays on Hawai'i by Liz Prato

The author takes a dim view of all of the development in Hawai'i and believes that it has done very little to help out the people who actually live in Hawai'i. She delves into the past colonialistic history of the take-over of Hawai'i and how that attitude of white privilege manifests itself today in low wages for the people who actually work in paradise. She is an advocate for higher wages and curbing tourism for many of the same reasons why Yosemite has had to curb visits to that park. Tourists are doing severe damage to the environment, wildlife, and to the native peoples who live there and restrictions should be put in place. This was a very enlightening book and I recommend it to anyone who is going to be vacationing in Hawai'i anytime soon.

15Kristelh
Fev 8, 2023, 6:02 am

There are different types of love. Love of friends, love of romantic type, and love that is encompassing, accepting without question. I agree that the love we have for children and grandchildren is there the moment they arrive in our lives. Romantic or passion love might be the shortest love that evolves more toward an all encompassing love but not always for everyone I guess. And love is a choice not just an emotion. We choose to or not to love everyday.

16KWharton
Editado: Fev 12, 2023, 4:12 am

I'm glad you're out of hospital, Chèli! I hope you're feeling better.

17Jackie_K
Fev 12, 2023, 8:14 am

I've added my second ROOT for February (#5 for the year to date) to my own ticker only.

I hope your recovery continues to be smooth, Cheli!

18Cecilturtle
Fev 12, 2023, 10:59 am

ROOT 3 for February and 6 overall with Dial M for Merde by Stephen Clarke - if you enjoyed Johnny English (the movie), you'll enjoy this read!

All tickers updated.

19cyderry
Fev 12, 2023, 8:26 pm

>16 KWharton: >17 Jackie_K: thank you for your kind thoughts.
Recovery has been a bit slow, I tire easily and the kidney stone is still cause a lot of discomfort. I'm still working to get the procedure scheduled to obliterate the stone.

In the meantime, my husband Tim and I have been working to pack up the house (more him than me) so that we can get the house on the market by the end of the month (only a month behind our schedule).

I'm hoping to increase my stamina but I do try to at least pack up easy things while I can sit and rest. I've also been making all the phone calls and scheduling all the things related to the move.

Needless to say my reading time has suffered.

20benitastrnad
Fev 13, 2023, 12:19 am

I am trying to read the Murderbot Diaries series this month. So far I have read four of the books and have 2 more to go.

21fuzzi
Editado: Fev 13, 2023, 6:46 am

>19 cyderry: I so empathize with the kidney stone issue. I've had three, but all mercifully passed within hours. My dh has had the ones that last for weeks and require surgery, poor guy.

>20 benitastrnad: I love the Murderbot series, all fun reads!

22Kristelh
Fev 13, 2023, 6:54 am

>19 cyderry: Chèli, sorry to hear about the kidney stone. I share this recent history with you. I had one in January and did end up with hospitalization to "blow it up". Hope you are able to feel better soon.

23connie53
Editado: Fev 20, 2023, 1:27 pm

Reporting ROOT # 4 for the year, # 2 for February.

The Ghost of Ivy Barn by Mark Stay

Own tickers updated.

24Jackie_K
Fev 13, 2023, 8:45 am

I'm very grateful to have never had to deal with kidney stones, I understand they can be spectacularly painful. I hope yours get sorted out soon, Cheli.

Benita, I was thinking I'd like to try the Murderbot books as everyone I know who's read them has really enjoyed them and said how fun they are. I was looking for an e-box set, but they only seem to be sold singly. Maybe I'll try the library first.

25cyderry
Editado: Fev 13, 2023, 9:12 am

>24 Jackie_K: my SIL had a kidney stone and also had given birth to a 10 lb. baby - she said she would rather have a 12 lb. baby than another kidney stone. I had one in the 1990s and they blasted it, but apparently this one keeps shifting so they want to laser it instead. Still waiting for procedure to be scheduled.

26benitastrnad
Fev 13, 2023, 3:31 pm

>24 Jackie_K:
The books are really novella's. Except for Book 5 - it is a full length novel. The others are all 150 -175 pages. For me they are standard space opera with an interesting character.

27Jackie_K
Fev 14, 2023, 7:11 am

I've added my 3rd ROOT for February (#6 for the year to date) to my own ticker. It was my first 5* read of the year - On Gallows Down by Nicola Chester.

28readergirliz
Fev 14, 2023, 9:17 am

I completed Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor earlier in the month as my second ROOT. I found a copy in a Little Free Library from the Good Morning America bookclub. I also finished The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See, bringing my ROOT total to 3 so far this year.

29clue
Editado: Fev 14, 2023, 8:47 pm

On the topic of love: today is Valentine's day and I was in our best local candy shop early. I knew it would be crowded as soon as they opened the doors and sure enough, it was. When I got into the long line of those ready to check out, the door was thrown open and a huge man, tall and broad, walked in with a scowl on his face. He was dressed like he'd just come from a dirty job. Old stained jeans, T-shirt that hadn't been white in a long time, and shoes that I recognized as old steel toe, pretty much coming apart (steel toes have been replaced by a composite toe for years).

He walked around the store, it's small, checking all the tables where boxed candy is available and when he was quite close to me he stopped, looked at me and asked very specifically about 2 lb heart shaped boxes of chocolates with nuts. Since there was little boxed available at that time I told him I didn't think there were any on the tables. He absolutely panicked and said "oh-no, oh-no". Then he told "us" (since he could be heard all over the store), that he had bought his wife 2 lbs of candy in a heart shaped box from this store every year for valentines since they'd been married. He looked about 50 so if they married young that could have been 30 years of marriage. I pointed to the far wall and showed him several cases of individual pieces of chocolates and explained that if he got in line when he was at the register he could tell them he needed a box made up and they would put one together for him. He stepped toward me and I thought he was going to hug me but instead he "patted" (more like hitting me) on the back and then practically ran to the end of the line, big smile on his face. The people around me were all women. I heard one say "that's a lucky woman" and you could hear voices all over the store say something along the lines of "yes she is". Both a happy and somewhat sad event. And by the way, my one pound boxes were just under $30 so he could almost buy new shoes instead of candy for the money!

30Jackie_K
Fev 14, 2023, 3:50 pm

>29 clue: Wow, what an amazing story!

31rabbitprincess
Fev 14, 2023, 6:01 pm

My second ROOT of February is Blood on the Tracks, a collection of railway mysteries compiled by Martin Edwards for the British Library Crime Classics imprint. My personal ticker is up to date.

32Cecilturtle
Fev 15, 2023, 1:34 pm

>29 clue: that's so sweet!

33benitastrnad
Fev 16, 2023, 10:53 pm

>29 clue:
Thanks for sharing that LOVEly story. It made me smile. I am sure it made the day of many of the people who happened to be in the store as well.

I finished a ROOT. This one is my first 5 star read of the year Down From the Mountain: The Life and Death of a Grizzly Bear by Bryce Andrews. Once I started reading this one I just couldn't stop. The author is a wonderful writer. The book is part memoir and part long nature essay. What impressed me so much was that the author managed to be compassionate and yet able to recognize all the complexities that are happening because of climate change, urban sprawl, and wildlife encroachment in a story about a Grizzly Bear and her cubs. It has amazing people in it and even though it is one of those works of wildlife nonfiction it has so many people for whom you want it to all work out.

34connie53
Fev 17, 2023, 12:45 pm

>19 cyderry: Ai, Kidney stones are so painful.

>29 clue: That's a very sweet story, Luanne.

35Cecilturtle
Editado: Fev 18, 2023, 11:29 am

ROOT 4 for February and 8 overall: Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs, a great thriller based on the controversial findings at Masada, sacred Jewish site.

All tickers updated

36rabbitprincess
Fev 18, 2023, 10:09 pm

Added my third ROOT of February to my personal ticker: Between the Stops, by Sandi Toksvig.

37lilisin
Fev 20, 2023, 3:48 am

I read the first four volumes of The Story of the Stone in 2021 and then because I love not finishing books I'm enjoying, I didn't read the final volume, volume 5, in 2022 and instead read it this month. So I have now finished this wonderful Chinese classic.

39connie53
Editado: Fev 20, 2023, 1:26 pm

I have finished ROOT # 5 for the year, # 3 for February

De Innamorati by Midori Snyder

Own ticker updated.

>38 clue: Luanne, your link leads to another book with the same title, other writer

40clue
Fev 20, 2023, 5:36 pm

>39 connie53: Thanks Connie, got it fixed.

41MissWatson
Fev 21, 2023, 4:04 am

I have finished 6 ROOTs this month and hope for at least one more, but work is busy and I don't always have the concentration for reading in the evenings.

42HelenBaker
Fev 21, 2023, 4:33 pm

Thanks to KWharton we now have a solution to our ticker problems, so I have created a new ticker to replace the previous one. i have also added two roots for the month, Arthur & George by Julian Barnes and My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout. My tally is now 6/48.

43readergirliz
Fev 21, 2023, 5:27 pm

I finished The Unfinished Child by Theresa Shea for ROOT #4 of the year and was not mentally prepared for the reading experience. As a mom of a toddler, I don't enjoy reading books with harm to children in them and this book had harm and worse to children. It wasn't a problem when I was childless, but wow, has my perspective changed!

44Ann_R
Fev 23, 2023, 9:49 pm

I read 3 ROOTs in February and have updated my personal ticker.

45cyderry
Fev 26, 2023, 10:42 am

Yesterday I spent the afternoon in the ER. It seemed that the symptoms from my 16 day stay in the hospital were starting to recur, Tim and I decided that discretion was the better part of valor, we returned to the hospital. After numerous tests, x-rays, CT scans, it was determined that the infection was still active but it wasn't necessary for me to stay at the hospital. Just more anti-biotics.

Hopefully, this will be over soon. It's really bad when I haven't enough concentration to even read.

46clue
Fev 26, 2023, 12:07 pm

>45 cyderry: I'm so sorry you still have this to contend with but hopefully another round of meds will kill it. And, of course I wish you a quick reading recovery!

47cyderry
Fev 26, 2023, 3:29 pm

Newest update - I am back in the hospital. They called at midnight to say that I need to come back as soon as possible. Don't know when I will get home, March numbers will probably be late

48benitastrnad
Fev 26, 2023, 3:33 pm

I finished listening to Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I found this novel to be a bit of disappointment. I had been wanting to read this novel for some time and when I noticed that the recorded version was at the public library I decided to check it out and get it read. This novel was done with a full cast and that works very well in this case due to the original format of the novel. However, I was never able to connect with the characters and it just didn't click with me, even though it was highly recommended by a couple of my dedicated reader friends. It wasn't a waste of time, but I won't be out there subscribing to the streaming service that hosts this series. I will be happy to wait until it is available in the back files of some other streaming company. That may take a long time, and in the case of this title - that's OK.

49benitastrnad
Fev 26, 2023, 3:38 pm

This last week I finished reading two more of the Murderbot Diaries series. I read Rogue Protocol and Artificial Condition. I have been doing some waiting in the HR office in the last week, and these small books were perfect to take in with me. I hope to finish a third one Exit Strategy before the end of the month as well.

50benitastrnad
Fev 26, 2023, 3:41 pm

I finished reading The Winners by Fredrick Backman. This was the last book in the Beartown series. I loved the series and this was a perfect finish to the series. Unusual plot, setting, and great characters. Very well done. This is a series that I will try to watch the TV series. If it is anywhere as good as the books, it will be a must watch for most people.

51kac522
Fev 26, 2023, 5:16 pm

>47 cyderry: Oh my goodness, Cheli! Take care and get well.

52rabbitprincess
Fev 26, 2023, 5:29 pm

>47 cyderry: Oh no! Rest up and take care of yourself!

53atozgrl
Fev 26, 2023, 9:17 pm

How is it that I haven't seen this thread until now? I have finished 4 ROOTs this month, plus one in January. I've updated my ticker.

>47 cyderry: Chèli, so sorry to hear that you have been ill. Please take care of yourself, and I hope you feel much better soon!

54MissWatson
Fev 27, 2023, 4:41 am

>47 cyderry: Keeping my fingers crossed for a happy outcome. Take care of yourself!

55sallylou61
Fev 27, 2023, 9:39 am

>47 cyderry: So sorry to hear about your health problems. Please take care of yourself and get well which is the important thing. The March thread can and should certainly wait.

56rosalita
Fev 27, 2023, 9:42 am

Thinking of you and sending healing thoughts your way, Chèli. Don't worry about the March thread; we are all understanding that your first priority has to be getting well.

57clue
Fev 27, 2023, 11:13 am

>47 cyderry: So sorry to hear it. I hope you can go home soon.

58curioussquared
Fev 27, 2023, 12:13 pm

Sorry to hear, Chèli -- feel better soon!

59HelenBaker
Fev 27, 2023, 5:20 pm

>47 cyderry: Oh Cheli you are having a rough time. I hope they are able to resolve it this time and life returns to normal for you.

I will finish my current book today, Scrublands by Chris Hammer. I am running behind in my reading challenges. The weather events in New Zealand have been a bit distracting plus I have read a couple of 500 pagers. 7/48

60Robertgreaves
Fev 28, 2023, 1:48 am

61Cecilturtle
Fev 28, 2023, 9:13 am

ROOT 5 for February and 9 overall.

I've finished Mind your Manners by Claire Wallace, a 1953 Canadian etiquette dictionary. It is sometimes useful (how to call a waiter), sometimes interesting (how to eat bacon) and sometimes downright comical (how NOT to clean your fingers from lipstick by dragging them on the bathroom wall - that one sounded personal).

group tickers updated.

I wish you a prompt recovery, Chèli!

62Miss_Moneypenny
Fev 28, 2023, 9:21 am

Popping in to say that I've logged all my February roots and my personal ticker is updated! 5 books down for February, 15 for the year. I haven't updated the the group one though, as I'm worried about messing it up.

>47 cyderry: I hope you feel better soon Cheli! You've had a heck of a year so far and I hope it turns the corner soon!

63fuzzi
Fev 28, 2023, 12:03 pm

>47 cyderry: Don't worry about March, you get better FIRST.

64curioussquared
Fev 28, 2023, 12:10 pm

>61 Cecilturtle: That lipstick note is hilarious!

65LoraShouse
Fev 28, 2023, 3:03 pm

My bad. I coulda and shoulda updated a few days ago, but didn't get to it today. I finished 2 ROOTs in February. I have updated my personal tickers, but not the group tickers.

Don't know about the love questions. It's sort of like respect; I know pretty well what it isn't, but less sure what it is. I think at this point (we have recently passed 50 years of marriage) that the caregiving part is really coming to the fore.

Wish I lived closer to my daughter and the grandkids so I could love on them a little more!

66Familyhistorian
Fev 28, 2023, 7:32 pm

>25 cyderry: I agree with your SIL. Weeks after I'd given birth, I had kidney stones blasted. Passing a blasted stone was more painful than having a baby. Hope your procedure goes well and concentrate on your recovery.

I read half as many ROOTs in February as I did in January for a total of 5. I'm now at 15/65.

67MissWatson
Mar 1, 2023, 8:42 am

I have finished another ROOT on the last day of February, which makes 7 in total this month. My own tiucker is up-to-date.

68benitastrnad
Mar 1, 2023, 6:53 pm

I thought I had a slow reading month as I got bogged down in my lengthy biography of Beatrix Potter. However, it turned out that I had one of my best reading months ever. I had 10 (yes ten!) ROOTS this month. This included my first 5 star read of the year and 3 novella's. No tickers updated.

Fiction titles read
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
Silver Pigs by Lindsey Davis

Nonfiction
Volcanoes, Palm Trees, & Privilege by Liz Prato
Down From the Mountain: The Life and Death of a Grizzly Bear by Bryce Andrews 5*
Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature by Linda Lear

Sound recordings
Winners by Fredrik Backman 4*
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Pink Suit by Nicole Mary Kelby

69cyderry
Mar 1, 2023, 7:23 pm

Update - I got home from the hospital a few hours ago. With all the phone calls (doctors) I have to make tomorrow, don't know if the numbers will get done tomorrow.

70Robertgreaves
Mar 1, 2023, 8:06 pm

Take as much time as you need, Chèli, and concentrate on your recovery. We can wait.

71curioussquared
Mar 1, 2023, 8:07 pm

Glad you are home! No rush on the numbers. We have plenty to read ;)

72kac522
Mar 1, 2023, 8:42 pm

>69 cyderry: Glad to hear you're home. No worries--catch up on the rest you probably didn't get in the hospital.

73Kristelh
Mar 1, 2023, 8:51 pm

>69 cyderry:, Glad you’re home.

74atozgrl
Mar 1, 2023, 11:21 pm

>69 cyderry: I'm just glad to hear that you're back home! Please take care of yourself first--the numbers can wait.

75Familyhistorian
Mar 2, 2023, 1:36 am

Good to see that you are home from the hospital. Take care of yourself.

76MissWatson
Mar 2, 2023, 4:11 am

>69 cyderry: Oh, that is good news. Take good care of yourself, Chèli, everything else can wait.

77connie53
Mar 3, 2023, 8:00 am

Good to hear you are home. Take all the time you need for your recovery. We don't go anywhere.

78majkia
Mar 3, 2023, 8:27 am

>69 cyderry: Take care of yourself. The numbers can wait.

79enemyanniemae
Mar 4, 2023, 1:42 am

5 this month for a total of 10 this year. Updating personal ticker.

80cyderry
Mar 6, 2023, 3:48 pm