2023*2 LizzieD: Still here. Still reading.

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Discussão75 Books Challenge for 2023

Entre no LibraryThing para poder publicar.

2023*2 LizzieD: Still here. Still reading.

1LizzieD
Editado: Abr 2, 2023, 11:25 pm



A dogwood in April before anthrax began its nasty work several years ago.




2LizzieD
Editado: Dez 28, 2023, 12:58 am

READ IN APRIL
13. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2nd or 3rd reread)
14. Exit Strategy
15. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2nd reread)
16. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
17. Marianne, the Magus, and the Manticore

Into the House in April
21. Bride of the Blue Wind - Kindle (I resent paying so much for 56 pages, but then I've bought more expensive cups of coffee.)
22. The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho ✔ - ER ARC
23. Network Effect
24. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir ✔ - Kindle daily deal
25. The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
26. *Broadway Revival ✔ - Kindle
27. The Last Rose of Shanghai - World Book Day freebie
28. The Margarets - PBS
29. The End of the Game - AMP

READ IN MAY
18. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (reread)
19. Broadway Revival
20. *The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho
21. Judgment in Death
22. A Bitter Feast
23. In Ashes Born (reread)

Into the House in May
30. The Witchwood Crown - Kindle deal through BookBub
31. Like the Appearance of Horses - ER ARC
32. The Bear - Molly at Bellevue Literary Press
33. The Candy House - Kindle deal through BookBub
34. The Flight of Mavin Manyshaped - AMP
35. Blood Heritage - PBS
36. A Killing of Innocents
37. The Bookseller of Florence - Kindle daily deal
38. Persephone Station - AMP
39. Delusion in Death - PBS
40. Calculated in Death - PBS
41. Daphne Du Maurier - AMP

READ IN JUNE
24. To Fire Called (reread)
25. City of the Lost
26. The Silk Roads
27. A Darkness Absolute
28. Eligible

Into the House in June
42. The Midnight Library - PBS
43. City of the Lost
44. The Ladies of the Grand Tour - Stasia, who knows all my alleys and sends me up them
45. A Darkness Absolute
46. This Fallen Prey
47. Watcher in the Woods
48. School Days

*Review on Book Page

3LizzieD
Editado: Jun 29, 2023, 1:04 am

OPEN FOR JUNE READING


(Just because they're open doesn't necessarily mean that I'm going to get to them this month.)(I'm also silly to include the first two since I haven't looked at either of them this year, but I live in hope.)

4LizzieD
Editado: Jul 1, 2023, 2:01 pm

Best-to-Me or Most Memorable in First Quarter



What a black and gold group of covers!

Second Quarter - not stellar

(For the Casey Duncan series)

5PaulCranswick
Abr 2, 2023, 11:24 pm

That means...........happy new thread, dear Peggy. xx

6LizzieD
Abr 2, 2023, 11:26 pm

Why, thank you, dear (((((Paul))))!!!!!

7quondame
Abr 2, 2023, 11:41 pm

Happy new thread Peggy!

8LizzieD
Abr 2, 2023, 11:42 pm

Thank you, Susan! I appreciate your company here!

9vancouverdeb
Editado: Abr 3, 2023, 12:12 am

Happy New thread, Peggy! Glad you enjoyed Spook Street. I have read several in the series, and they are fun books.

10FAMeulstee
Abr 3, 2023, 7:02 am

Happy new thread, Peggy!

11ffortsa
Abr 3, 2023, 8:40 am

Happy new thread, Peggy! Does anthrax kill dogwood??

12karenmarie
Abr 3, 2023, 9:01 am

Hi Peggy, and happy new thread! Happy Monday, too.

From your last thread, Maybe I'll get back to adult books someday. You’re reading Harry Potter, I’m reading romances. *shrugs* I think the reading’s what’s important, and I know you do, too.

>1 LizzieD: Glorious Dogwood. I just noticed one on our property in bloom, but we have lost so many over the years. It’s sad.

>4 LizzieD: I loved The Last Remains, of course, and am sort of getting intrigued with the Mick Herron Slough House series.

Wordle took me 5 today, but it's okay. Gets my brain going with my first cup of coffee.

13figsfromthistle
Abr 3, 2023, 9:06 am

Happy new one!

14LizzieD
Abr 3, 2023, 10:08 am

Visitors! I love that about a new thread! Thank you for your visits, one and all. I wish that I may have something beyond Wordle endeavors to repay a visit one day. *sigh*

Anita and Anita, thank you! I wish I were in a position to visit you both regularly - you both have so many good things going on.

Judy, I'm sorry to say that anthranose is killing dogwoods. The glorious one above is now half-dead Here is a short page about it. Meanwhile, you are very welcome here.

Deborah, I'm happy that you're back, and I am also happy that I have quite a few Slow Horses yet to read, and am hopeful that Herron will have left some of my favorites alive by the later books.

Karen, my Wordle partner, rejoice with me and my first word!!! Never mind the five. I have more of them than you, and they keep us going.

Wordle 653 2/6

🟨🟨🟩⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, flora A two is a rare bird around here.

15BLBera
Abr 3, 2023, 11:51 am

Happy new thread, Peggy. I love the photo.

16drneutron
Abr 3, 2023, 3:43 pm

Happy new one!

17LizzieD
Editado: Abr 4, 2023, 9:55 am

Hi, Beth and Jim! Thank you both for dropping by.

18LizzieD
Abr 4, 2023, 9:56 am

Wordle 654 4/6

🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜
🟩🟨🟨⬜⬜
🟩🟩⬜🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, roady, razor, ratio Weird guesses from a woman in a hurry....

19ArlieS
Abr 4, 2023, 12:38 pm

Happy new thread!

20LizzieD
Abr 5, 2023, 10:05 am

Thank you, Arlie. I'd love to give you reason to visit here.....

HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX by J.K. Rowling
From here on, I'm less enthralled with HP & Co. I really like them better younger. This is my third time reading it, and I can't remember time 2 at all.
However, when I think about what I'll read next, I'm afraid it may be #6. Oh well.

Wordle 655 5/6

🟨⬜⬜🟩⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟩🟩⬜
⬜🟨🟩🟩🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Here's another "Oh well." arose, unity, flask, chasm, smash I don't know why the second use of a consonant comes to mind so slowly.

21LovingLit
Abr 5, 2023, 6:33 pm

>4 LizzieD: a seriously themed set of books there!!

I got the Wordle in two guesses, TWICE in a row last week. So pleased :)

Today I was a '3', which is also pleasing. And, I am now committed to mixing up my first word choice and go with whatever tickles my fancy.

22PaulCranswick
Abr 5, 2023, 7:43 pm

>21 LovingLit: Random beginnings is my "strategy" too, Megan.

>20 LizzieD: More than enough reasons to visit here, Peggy. First and foremost you are here dear lady!

23LizzieD
Abr 6, 2023, 12:26 am

Oh, thank you, Paul! You warm my heart

You and Megan challenge me to randomness (my normal MO), but I just can't quite bring myself to do it. Anyway, Megan, two 2s and a 3 are seriously fabulous!!!!!!!

I did absolutely nothing today beyond helping my mother with the bare necessities. Tomorrow I'll need to cook and work on her taxes, but today was an indulgence.

24vancouverdeb
Abr 6, 2023, 1:08 am

Nice work with Wordle >14 LizzieD:

I love wordle too and yes, so fun to see how others arrived at their solution. Thanks for the warm welcome.

25Whisper1
Abr 6, 2023, 2:18 am

I'm stopping by to say Happy Easter to you and your family my dear friend! You are loved!

26LizzieD
Abr 6, 2023, 9:49 am

Thank you for generous words and kind visits, Linda and Deborah!!!!

Wordle 656 3/6

🟨⬜⬜⬜🟨
⬜⬜⬜⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Yay! arose, unity, leafy

27karenmarie
Abr 7, 2023, 9:56 am

Hi Peggy! We've got thunder rumbling around, and lots of rain right now.

>23 LizzieD: but today was an indulgence Something you always deserve.

28LizzieD
Abr 7, 2023, 10:20 am

Good morning, Karen! It's a bit overcast here but no rain yet. I hear that counties close to you were under flash flood watch this morning.
(You are dear, but you have no idea how self-indulgent I am without taking a whole day off!!! At least, yesterday I did get the meatloaf made, and we have sandwiches in our future. Yum!

Wordle 657 6/6

⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟨🟩🟨⬜⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟩🟩
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 No comment arose, unity, sough, bogus, focus, locus

29LizzieD
Abr 8, 2023, 10:20 am

Wordle 658 5/6

⬜⬜⬜⬜🟩
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟨⬜🟩
⬜🟩🟨⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Better than yesterday, but I had to look at a list when I finally got the first letter fixed in my mind. I have no idea why it accepted my 4th word. Bah! arose, unity, plebe, welke, ledge

30karenmarie
Abr 9, 2023, 7:58 am

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Easter to you, your dear mama, and your DH.

I got Wordle in two today. Extremely unusual, and I had to look at a list like you did yesterday. All's fair in love, war, and Wordle, right?

31LizzieD
Abr 9, 2023, 10:03 am

Good morning, Karen, and thank you for the happy Easter wish! I am indeed celebrating life!

Congrats on Wordle in TWO!!!!! I'm plenty happy with my three, so it's already a good day for us!

Wordle 659 3/6

🟨⬜⬜🟨⬜
🟨🟩⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, snafu

32LizzieD
Abr 10, 2023, 10:03 am

What a gorgeous day!!!!

AND Wordle in 3 with a grin.
Wordle 660 3/6

⬜🟨⬜⬜🟨
🟩🟩⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, under

33LizzieD
Abr 11, 2023, 10:07 am

No grinning today! Idiocy on the 4th word - using one of my target letters twice in the same wrong places I had tried before, and not thinking to try that rare but useful consonant.

Wordle 661 5/6

🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜
🟨⬜⬜🟩🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, laugh, uvula, qualm

34richardderus
Abr 11, 2023, 8:58 pm

SO!! Trying to hide your thread from me, I see...well fine, I see how the wind blows *sniff*chinwobble I'll just go now

(belated happy new thread, Peggy)

35LizzieD
Abr 11, 2023, 11:52 pm

I thank you for the good wish, Richard. I wish there were more to bring you here, but I'm glad that you found it. Also, "There, there."

36karenmarie
Abr 12, 2023, 8:42 am

YOU'RE here, my dear, all the incentive needed.

It's a gorgeous Carolina blue skies day, of course. Trees are leafing out, birds are singing, I'm coming along with PT and etc. I got Wordle in 3, by the way.

37LizzieD
Abr 12, 2023, 10:07 am

YOU'RE here too, Karen, and that makes the visits happy. Thank you!

Gorgeous day, but DH has taken our Lulu to the vet after another day of throwing up + hiding. We had isolated her while she ate and digested, and that seemed to be working well, but yesterday was not good. I'm waiting for a call.

There's nothing "by the way" about getting today's Wordle in 3. Good for you! I looked at a list after my 4th try because I was tired of it.

Wordle 662 5/6

🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜
🟨🟩🟨⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, roady, torah, coral, borax I've grown to be anxious when I see 3 letters turn up in my first try. It usually means that I'm going to be awash in alphabet soup. Oh well.

38richardderus
Abr 12, 2023, 10:33 am

>35 LizzieD: Happy Humpday, smoochling! Also, what >36 karenmarie: said...you're here, and that's enough of a draw.

39LizzieD
Abr 13, 2023, 12:37 am

Many thanks for Humpday wishes, Richard, and the same for you on Thursday. We had a day, and Mama ate a bit more than usual, so I'm counting it as success.

EXIT STRATEGY by Martha Wells

I'm really glad to have read this one right now. Murderbot is not only defending his crew successfully, MB is developing into a relational being. This may be my favorite so far, but I'm pretty well convinced that I will love Network Effect even more. I won't read it quite yet, but I'm really happy to have the next one of the series ready to read.

40karenmarie
Abr 13, 2023, 8:28 am

‘Morning, Peggy! Another gorgeous day. These days don’t make up for the dog days of summer, but they do sooth the soul a bit.

>37 LizzieD: I’m sorry to hear about Lulu and hope it’s something minor.

>39 LizzieD: So glad your Mama ate more than usual – I know how difficult it is to tempt her appetite these days.

41LizzieD
Abr 13, 2023, 9:58 am

Good morning, Karen!!!!! Gorgeous this morning! Likely too warm this afternoon, but not hot, so it's' OK with me.

Thanks for good wishes for Lulu. We're waiting to hear from blood work. Meanwhile, an anti-nausea shot and some sub-cu. fluid have perked her up, and she's eating again.

Wordle 663 4/6

🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜
🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Happy to see 4 again! arose, unity, track, carat

42karenmarie
Abr 14, 2023, 6:51 am

'Morning, Peggy. It's cloudy here this morning. It got to 84F yesterday afternoon and I had to root around in my closet to find a short-sleeved shirt to wear to go pick up my SUV with its shiny new, expensive battery. It's always something, but thank goodness for AAA, who towed it to the Ford place in Siler.

Congrats on your 4. Today I lucked out with my starting word and got it in 3.

43LizzieD
Abr 14, 2023, 9:58 am

Good morning, Karen. It wasn't as warm here yesterday, I don't think. Anyway, our walks were very pleasant. We've already had a shower since I got up and expect more.

Wordle 664 3/6 We're the 3 sisters!

⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
⬜⬜🟩🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, thief

A sigh about books .... I will try to finish The Silk Roads, but even though I'm only in the 17th century, Frankopan's silk roads have strayed to the new world. The blurb says that he's refocusing history, but I was hoping to stay in the Middle East where my knowledge is severely lacking. Instead, I'm reading about the Dutch building trading dominance. Oh well.

44richardderus
Abr 14, 2023, 10:13 am

Good Friday morning, Peggy! I'm being shouted at by Matlock on WeTV, oh the joy. May you be blessed with less-annoying surroundings.

45LizzieD
Abr 14, 2023, 3:32 pm

Arrrggh, Richard. I can tune out game shows and maybe Matlock, but talk shows and news defeat me. Good luck to us both!

46karenmarie
Abr 15, 2023, 7:25 am

Happy Saturday, Peggy!

I'm sorry The Silk Roads have left the Old World for the New.

>44 richardderus: Gag. Bill's Mama was in Wilmington when they were filming one time and got an 'extra in a non-speaking role' gig for a few days. I don't even remember which episode it was, but she was thrilled.

I got Wordle in 3 again, Sister.

47LizzieD
Abr 15, 2023, 10:11 am

Me too! Me too!

Wordle 665 3/6

🟩⬜🟩⬜⬜
⬜🟨⬜⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, agony

I have a soft spot for Andy but not for Matlock.

48LizzieD
Abr 16, 2023, 10:09 am

No 3 for me. I looked at a list of words with those last 3 letters - and done.

Wordle 666 4/6

⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜
🟨⬜🟩⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, teeth, dwelt

49vancouverdeb
Abr 16, 2023, 7:31 pm

Wordle - always fun! It took me 3 as well, though my path was different from yours, Peggy.

50karenmarie
Abr 17, 2023, 8:18 am

'Morning, Peggy, and happy Monday to you.

Wordle was 5 today, but it beats 6 or getting skunked.

51LizzieD
Abr 17, 2023, 9:46 am

Good morning and Monday wishes right back to you, Karen.

I'm chuffed because I did Wordle in 4 with no help. It doesn't take a lot to please me. I'd have been satisfied with 5, and I hope you are. Mean one!

Wordle 667 4/6

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, climb, whiff

52LizzieD
Abr 18, 2023, 10:02 am

Hmmm. I neglected to put a letter I had in my third guess. Would I have gotten the word if I had remembered it? Inattentive, but doubtful I could have done better.

Wordle 668 4/6

⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, lough, hound

53LizzieD
Abr 19, 2023, 10:33 am

Ciuldn't have done it in fewer tries.

Wordle 669 4/6

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟨⬜⬜🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, thumb, thump

54richardderus
Abr 19, 2023, 10:37 am

Happy Humpday *smooch*

55LizzieD
Abr 20, 2023, 12:40 am

Thank you, Richard. Humpday was certainly good enough. Now I wish us both a satisfying Thursday! *smooch*

The Silk Roads is not what I was hoping for, as I've said. It is exactly what it's subtitle indicates, "A New History of the World." I am just now understanding that the increased taxation on the American colonies that led to the Boston Tea Party was an effort to finance the salvation of the East India Company. I had no idea......

56karenmarie
Abr 20, 2023, 9:30 am

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Thursday.

I got Wordle in 4 today.

I didn't know about the increased taxation on the colonies being to bail the East India Company. Live and learn.

57richardderus
Abr 20, 2023, 9:44 am

>55 LizzieD: The best gift being a reader gives us is the knack of life-long learning. The saddest thing I know of is when Old Stuff, f/ex, says "why do you even care about that bullshit?" when I forget and try to share something I found amazing.

Bailing out markets and corporations has been the source of huge amounts of civil unrest over the centuries.

58LizzieD
Abr 20, 2023, 10:05 am

Good morning, Karen and Richard. It's beyond me how living can happen without learning. I'm sorry that OS is such a limited little man, Richard. You'd be such a gift to a roommate with even a portion of his mind open. I always remember a Latin student, who incidentally knew a lot, saying, "People who know stuff are boring." REALLY?????

Just when I think my 2 words could change, Karen, I get Wordle in 3. That's the golden number for me. It means I had good instincts and figured it out. I'm most often a fourder though.
Wordle 670 3/6

🟨⬜⬜⬜🟩
⬜⬜⬜🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, plane

59richardderus
Abr 20, 2023, 10:25 am

>58 LizzieD: "people who know stuff are boring" is so wrong-headed that I can't even, as the kids say.

60LizzieD
Abr 20, 2023, 11:40 pm

<59 I predicted a long hard life for that kid if he was sincere, but I don't think he was.

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE by J.K. Rowling

My book page says that this is the third time I've read this, but I don't remember the second time. Anyway, this seems to be my current reading level, so I'm on to polish off the series again.

61karenmarie
Abr 21, 2023, 8:05 am

'Morning, Peggy! Pretty, if a bit hazy blue skies out here. Too hot for my liking. 87°, really?

You're reading complex and interesting fantasy. Don't be hard on yourself - heck, I'm reading smut. You're up several levels from me, for sure. *smile*

Wordle in 3 today.

62LizzieD
Abr 21, 2023, 10:05 am

We are the 3 sisters again, Karen! Heh heh heh!

No haze here, and we'll be a touch cooler than yesterday. I'm pretty sure we topped 90°. I'm fearful for the long, hot summer with shooting already proliferating around the country. I really don't want to start a political discussion here, but this is my only outlet beyond my DH, who thinks this is so obvious as to go without saying. I'm going to say it anyway just to get it out of my system.

I'm looking at the "Right to Life" people who also oppose any gun control at all (or in NC, food for poor children, health care, etc.). I think we need to start calling them "Right to Birth" people. All they want is to get the child born, then it's root-little-pig-or-die.

Wordle 671 3/6

⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 unity, arose, kayak

63ffortsa
Abr 21, 2023, 10:17 am

>62 LizzieD: Agree with you.

And good for you for getting today's Wordle in three. Took me 5.

64ArlieS
Abr 21, 2023, 12:21 pm

>62 LizzieD: I prefer to call them "forced birthers".

65LizzieD
Abr 22, 2023, 1:06 am

Hi, Arlie and Judy. I'm always glad for support, and "forced birthers" also works for me.

66karenmarie
Abr 22, 2023, 9:54 am

‘Morning, Peggy!

>62 LizzieD: You know that I call the GOP the Gang of Psychos, so that is indicative of my opinion of them. The things they’ve become emboldened to do here in NC and across the country are breathtaking in scope and their disregard for law, morals, and ethics. And why people vote for their perverted understanding of their religion instead of their pocketbooks continues to amaze me. And yes, get the kid born, then leave the family out in the cold.

Today’s Wordle is 3 for me again.

We just had a serious thunderstorm- lightening less than a mile from the house, which the thunder shook. Possible hail and isolated tornadoes, lovely. Stay safe! Gentle hugs to your mama, kind regards to your DH, and lots of hugs for your own dear self.

67LizzieD
Editado: Abr 22, 2023, 10:10 am

Good morning, Karen, and the same loving wishes right back your way! I still see some blue sky, but we are supposed to have weather today too. I just took out last night's garbage, gathered after dark with no desire to run into the neighborhood raccoon who is showing up during the day.

We're 3 Sisters again. Thanks to my first word, I was faced with alphabet soup and should have gone in alpha order - I had the word on my list. I went with the more common letters first. 3 makes me happy though.

Wordle 672 3/6

⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, drone, broke

Another thing that I don't hear anybody say about the GOP (with your meaning, Karen) in Tennessee, for example, is how absolutely terrified they are of losing their power. The two Justins are smarter than they are, have more support than they have, represent the future in which their kind will have no part, and are even better looking. I hear my older friends say about their more progressive grandchildren, "Don't worry, they'll grow up and come back to the right side." I don't know whether they actually believe that, but the smarter ones know that it doesn't matter. White majority is dying.
I think I'm through.

68richardderus
Abr 22, 2023, 10:05 am

Happy Saturday, Peggy! *smooch*

69karenmarie
Abr 23, 2023, 6:29 am

'Morning, Peggy!

It took me 4 today with Wordle, and I admit that I had to look through the list of 2,309 words AND the list of words already used.

70LizzieD
Abr 23, 2023, 9:52 am

Good morning, Richard and Karen! I wish you both a happy day!

I did Wordle in 3, but I looked at a list with the first 2 letters in place, picked 2 from it, and chose the right one first. At least it was quick!

Wordle 673 3/6

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟨⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, unzip

71richardderus
Abr 23, 2023, 12:43 pm

Happy Sunday *smooch*

72LizzieD
Abr 24, 2023, 12:12 am

I hope your Sunday was as good as ours, Richard, and return a *smooch* for the week ahead.

THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR by R.A. Dick

This was a Kindle daily deal, and I got it because I remember the movie kindly but not whether I've ever seen it all the way through. It is a perfectly good, ordinary novella, and I liked it well enough to finish it. Occasionally, there's an observation that lifts it above the average. It was a nice break for one who is immersed in Harry Potter.

73karenmarie
Abr 24, 2023, 7:20 am

Hi Peggy!

I remember the TV series The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, but not the movie. Not sure if I knew it was a novella first.

I got Wordle in 3 today, but once again used my lists. It's still detective work, as I keep telling myself.

74LizzieD
Editado: Abr 24, 2023, 11:48 am

Good morning, Karen! I had no idea that G&MM was a TV series...almost different generations, you and I?

I got Wordle in 4 and used a list for #3. My excuse: no time. I'm still not sure what my third word means in English, but it was the only one on the list that had acceptable letters because I missed the target word. The target word makes me "duh" myself.

Wordle 674 4/6

⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨🟩⬜
🟨🟩⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, tinto, ditto

75richardderus
Abr 24, 2023, 10:35 am

>72 LizzieD: I remember getting a terrible crush on Rex Harrison after seeing that movie. Like Horrible, I don't recall knowing that it was a novella first. The conjunction of that with Harry Potter is a touch weird on my mental palate but you do you, Boo.

New Sunday *smooch*

76karenmarie
Abr 25, 2023, 8:27 am

'Morning, Peggy! Beautiful Carolina blue skies. I'm meeting high school friend Jan for lunch at Taziki's in Cary today, so I'll get in some audio book listening time with The Cuckoo's Calling, and a good lunch with a dear friend.

I got skunked today, darned alphabet soup.

77LizzieD
Abr 25, 2023, 10:02 am

Welcome to my thread which also smells of skunk today, Karen. Since I've been listing the words used, I see that this is my third loss when the word ended in -er.
Enjoy Jan, good food, and *C'sC*!

Wordle 675 X/6

⬜🟨🟨⬜🟨
🟨⬜⬜🟩🟩
⬜🟩⬜🟩🟩
⬜🟩⬜🟩🟩
⬜🟩⬜🟩🟩
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩 Botheration. arose, otter, boxer, cover, loner, poker

78klobrien2
Abr 25, 2023, 12:38 pm

>77 LizzieD: Same result here—big bomb-ola! I got smack dab into that no-win guessing game. I still love the game. Good luck for tomorrow!

Karen O

79LizzieD
Abr 26, 2023, 10:10 am

Good morning, Karen! Yep. Yesterday was ridiculous. However, it makes me extremely grateful to have the word in 4 today. Hope you did at least that well or better!

Wordle 676 4/6

⬜🟨🟨⬜🟨
⬜🟨⬜🟨🟨
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, loner, retro, metro

80richardderus
Abr 26, 2023, 10:16 am

Hiya Peggy... nothing new to report... just checking in on your Wordling. Solid performance today. *smooch*

81LizzieD
Abr 27, 2023, 10:06 am

Good morning, this morning, Richard! I curtsy to your compliment and offer today's Wordle.

Wordle 677 4/6

⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, comic, logic

82LizzieD
Abr 28, 2023, 10:10 am

I fourd on.

Wordle 678 4/6

🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
🟩⬜🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, chair, circa I liked the logic of this one in moving from guess 3 to guess 4.

83sibylline
Abr 29, 2023, 9:09 am

That is indeed a glorious set of covers up there at >4 LizzieD:.

84LizzieD
Abr 29, 2023, 9:58 am

Hi, Lucy. I think you often have that cover serendipity, but I don't remember its happening to me.

Wordle 679 4/6

🟨🟨⬜⬜🟨
⬜🟨🟨🟩🟨
🟨🟩⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, tread, debar, cedar Climb every mountain. Fourd every stream.

85richardderus
Abr 29, 2023, 11:11 am

Hey there Peggy. I hope the weekend treats you well. *smooch*

86karenmarie
Abr 29, 2023, 7:42 pm

Hi Peggy!

Late to the table today, but I hope you've had a good day and I wish you all good things for tomorrow.

87LizzieD
Editado: Abr 30, 2023, 10:01 am

Good morning, Karen and Richard! Up and down here yesterday, but I'm hoping for more up today!

I totally confess that I checked a word list before guess #5. Not the sharpest this morning...
Wordle 680 5/6

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟩🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 unity, arose, chalk, llama, plaza In unity of purpose we arose to mark with chalk the space to park our llama on the plaza.

88klobrien2
Editado: Abr 30, 2023, 10:04 am

You fixed your spoiler marks—good!

Karen O

89karenmarie
Abr 30, 2023, 10:09 am

'Morning, Peggy, and happy Sunday to you, your dear mama, and your DH.

Wordle took me 5 today. I like your word sentence.

90LizzieD
Abr 30, 2023, 12:06 pm

>88 klobrien2: Hi, Karen! I hoped nobody had seen that ----- When I said I wasn't the sharpest, I really meant it.

>89 karenmarie: Hi, Karen! Sunday greetings back to Jenna, Bill, and your own dear self! A word like demands a sentence!

Back to Marianne, the Magus, and the Manticore.

91quondame
Abr 30, 2023, 4:26 pm

>90 LizzieD: Oh! Marianne, the Magus, and the Manticore! I love that book, and the others as well. So many of Tepper's books are favorites.

92LizzieD
Abr 30, 2023, 11:46 pm

>91 quondame: Susan, you inspired me to work on completing my Tepper collection. This was the first one that came in, so I read the first of the trilogy. I love Tepper, but apparently not in the same way as you.

MARIANNE, THE MAGUS, AND THE MANTICORE by Sheri S. Tepper

This is very early Tepper fantasy. I don't have my copy at the moment for quoting, but she was always a writer. She always cared about the language, and occasional turns of phrase catch my ear and mind and emotions, and that's what a real writer does.

I really loved the first half of the book. Marianne's half-brother wishes her ill and has made her life a misery since her mother died. She meets a distant relative, who is a powerful magus, and who recognizes forces of evil working against her. Then comes the second half in which her real enemy sends her to a borderland where she is trapped and isolated. The rest of the book is fantastic indeed in a way that is less to my taste. I expect that if I had read it when I was younger, I'd have fallen in love with it more. As it is, I'll read the other two as I can because I will enjoy good chunks in them and because I'll take a somewhat academic interest in watching Tepper develop techniques for developing her themes.

93quondame
Maio 1, 2023, 1:27 am

>92 LizzieD: Well now, I don't think of it as early Tepper because I was already quite familiar with her when I first read these - they follow The True Game books and are contemporary with The Gate to Women's Country, so I guess they are sort of early, everything after that seems late, but probably just to me.

Oh dear, though, the rest of the series stays more on the fantastic side than the dealing with family drama, although that does resurface. The second book really makes a duology with the first, the third being an altogether independent adventure, and I adore the Buttercup section.

94karenmarie
Maio 1, 2023, 7:16 am

'Morning, Peggy!

I took 5 to get Wordle today but am happy it wasn't a skunk. Simple pleasures...

It's a gorgeous if cool Carolina morning. Jenna's gone to work and Bill just left. *blinks* House to myself...

95LizzieD
Maio 1, 2023, 10:10 am

>93 quondame: Interesting, Susan. I take it that you also have read her mystery series, both of which I love but Shirley a bit more than Jason, and horror. I think of *Women's Country* as her break-out book, so I consider it fairly early too. After Long Silence is maybe my favorite, and I think of that as early. She was PROLIFIC!!!
As I say, I'll eventually get all these read, and the Maven-Jinian-Peter series too.

Good morning, Karen, who looks around and finds herself able to sink into her own company!!!!!
I haven't been quarreling with 5 lately either, but I'm happy with my 4 today.

Wordle 681 4/6

🟨🟨⬜⬜🟩
🟨⬜🟨🟨🟩
⬜🟩🟨🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, glare, barge, range

96richardderus
Maio 1, 2023, 12:30 pm

>92 LizzieD: Tepper was quite a force in mid-1980s FSF writing and deserves credit opening the field to her fellow older women.

I don't think I'll revisit her oeuvre, but she changed a lot just by being there and visibly female.

97quondame
Maio 1, 2023, 8:33 pm

>95 LizzieD: I haven't read Tepper's mysteries or horror - I may have noticed that they existed a time or two, but I'm not even certain of that. Horror is something I generally avoid unless I really trust the author in specific ways.

I liked Jo Clayton's fantasies that seemed to parallel Tepper's in themes and inventiveness - her SF is a hoot too, so I encountered her a few years earlier than Tepper who had a few books out before I found her.

98LizzieD
Maio 2, 2023, 12:24 am

>97 quondame: If you like mystery, Susan, I especially recommend the B.J. Oliphant *Shirley McClintock* series, beginning with Dead in the Scrub. The A.J. Orde mysteries are good too with a male protagonist, but I love Shirley and crew. Every time I reread them, I'm relieved to find that they hold up for me.

A copy of The End of the Game arrived today, and I will be glad not to have to read Jinian in a ratty little 80s mass pb.

I don't know Jo Clayton, but I will have a look!

>96 richardderus: Right you are, Richard! I think people like Pamela Sargent and James Tiptree were around, but Tepper reached the masses. One little mass was me.

Anyway, I'm on a mission now to own the Teppers that I don't have.

I'm still in happy days with David now moving to Colorado to cure Youmans. It's bound to turn dark, but I'm loving the sunny part.

99quondame
Editado: Maio 2, 2023, 1:00 am

>98 LizzieD: I have that same SF Book Club edition. Of course Fish Tails is the actual end of the game, well sort of as there are characters but no game. I still think Tepper missed a bit with space travel and elapsed time and Mavin's 1000 year curse. It could have been so elegantly done, and well it wasn't.

Jo Clayton's series are highly interconnected, all the SF and all the fantasy, though sometimes by a single appearance of a character. Without having to go through the entire Diadem Universe, I'd suggest starting with The Skeen Trilogy or The Drinker of Souls, as they are compact with Clayton's quirky qualities, one SF, one Fantasy.

100karenmarie
Maio 2, 2023, 8:45 am

‘Morning, Peggy!

>98 LizzieD: Tepper reached the masses. One little mass was me. You’re so cute…

I got Wordle in 4 today.

My lunch plans got cancelled, but I'm toying with the idea of meeting up with the book sort team at Virlie's after they've finished sorting. It may or may not happen...

101richardderus
Maio 2, 2023, 9:38 am

>98 LizzieD: BROADWAY REVIVAL has some less-sunny patches but in the main never veers too far from the Happy Trail I am delighted you're enjoying it!

*smooch*

102LizzieD
Maio 2, 2023, 10:08 am

*smooch*, Richard, and an extra *smooch* for introducing me to such a satisfying book!

Dear Karen, you and my mama think I'm cute. Thank you!
Four is my natural place, I think, as long as I insist on using my two first words. Without them I'd likely be a fiver though.
Wordle 682 4/6

⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜
🟨⬜⬜⬜🟩
⬜🟩🟨🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, musky, sulky

Susan, I'll look for the two Claytons that you mention. I'm frustrated right now because I can't find my copy of either The True Game or the first Mavin. I ordered *Search* last night, and when I find what I have, I will have enough Tepper!!!!

103quondame
Maio 2, 2023, 5:47 pm

>102 LizzieD: I found 2 Marianne's hiding on the bookshelves in my husband's office - I thought I had segregated ALL the Tepper onto my favorites' shelf in the bedroom - or the shelf behind my Mac. But no, I'd picked up duplicates for them in my pre-LT days.

104LizzieD
Maio 2, 2023, 11:36 pm

>103 quondame: If they're in good shape, you probably want to hold on to them, Susan. I'm appalled at how much some of those slender mass pbs are selling for.

105karenmarie
Maio 3, 2023, 7:23 am

'Morning, Peggy!

I got Wordle in 3 today so am pleased.

Wishing you and yours a good'un.

106LizzieD
Maio 3, 2023, 10:09 am

Thanks and back atcha, Karen!

I thought today's Wordle was hard, and I was relieved to get it in 5, having taken a dunk in the soup.

Wordle 683 5/6

⬜🟨🟨⬜🟩
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, force, gloat, borne, horde A small part of my problem was insecurity about the spelling of the word. I was thinking "stuff" not "people." Duh.

107richardderus
Maio 3, 2023, 10:14 am

>106 LizzieD: Oh, great Wordle word today. Not easy but not weird either.

Wednesday orisons, Peggy, and a lovely day. *smooch*

108LizzieD
Maio 4, 2023, 10:26 am

Good morning, Richard! Today's word was also interesting, and also took me five tries. If only I had tried my second word first!

Wordle 684 5/6

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟨⬜⬜⬜🟩
⬜🟩⬜⬜🟩
🟨🟩⬜🟨🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, lucky, pudgy, guppy

109richardderus
Maio 4, 2023, 5:35 pm

>108 LizzieD: Hey there Peggy! Dropping off a *smooch*

110LizzieD
Maio 5, 2023, 9:55 am

Good morning, Richard, with a *smooch* right back for your Friday!

Wordle - an "Are you kidding me?" day.....
Wordle 685 3/6

⬜⬜🟨⬜🟨
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, below

111karenmarie
Maio 5, 2023, 9:58 am

Hi Peggy! It's a beautiful Carolina blue skies day, isn't it? I'll be out and about to the 11:15 chiropractor appointment, then alone lunch out waiting for my 1 pm PT appointment.

Took me 4 on Wordle today, but I'm happy with it. Congrats on your 3.

112LizzieD
Maio 6, 2023, 10:15 am

Good morning, Karen and Richard, if you come by.

Wordle 686 4/6

🟩🟨⬜⬜🟨
🟩⬜⬜🟩🟩
🟩⬜⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, after, amber, anger Could have been a lot worse!

113karenmarie
Maio 6, 2023, 10:19 am

Hiya, Peggy! happy gorgeous Saturday to you.

Normal stuff around here, although I really need to clean the desk off in the Sunroom since I'm now pushing stuff aside for new stuff.

Gentle hugs for your mama, kind regards for your DH, and lots of fierce hugs for your own dear self.

Wordle took me 4 today. I went alphabetical instead of reverse alphabetical, alas.

114richardderus
Maio 6, 2023, 1:43 pm

I love May weather, don't you? A brief shining moment of not gros, not too hot, flowery goodness...*happy sigh*

115LizzieD
Maio 7, 2023, 9:50 am

Good morning, Richard! May is proving itself temperately lovely here. We'll be in the mid-80s for the first time in more than a week, but that's nothing. I remember the Mays of my childhood, slipping around in my sweaty wooden desk (hmm. I had sweated; the desk hadn't) in the 90s of late May with no AC and maybe one inadequate fan. Anyway, this morning is gorgeous! Wish your day may be equally lovely.

Wordle 687 4/6

⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜
🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, cloud, ghoul That was pretty satisfying.

116LizzieD
Maio 8, 2023, 10:17 am

Ha. Ha ha. That was very satisfying. I am _____.

Wordle 688 3/6

🟩⬜🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, aglow

117richardderus
Maio 8, 2023, 10:38 am

>116 LizzieD: Good one, Peggy! Monday morning *smooch*

118LizzieD
Maio 9, 2023, 10:15 am

Good morning, Richard. Not such a good try today. I checked a word list. *smooch* anyway

Wordle 689 4/6

🟨⬜🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟩⬜🟨🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, chaos, cocoa

119richardderus
Maio 9, 2023, 10:19 am

>118 LizzieD: I don't think that word is one that would readily occur to most of us. 4 seems like a darn good result to me!

Tuesday *smooch*

120karenmarie
Maio 9, 2023, 11:04 am

Hi Peggy! Happy Tuesday to you.

Congrats on getting Wordle in 4. It took me 5 today.

It's a relaxing morning here with Bill at the dentist. I have a chiropractor appointment this afternoon - yay - then a couple of errands. Lots of time to listen to The Cuckoo's Calling in the car. I'm on disc 11 of 13, so getting close to the denouement.

121LizzieD
Editado: Maio 9, 2023, 3:31 pm

Good mid-day+, Karen and Richard.

I am MEGA-frustrated with our new cheap-O tv in the kitchen, where I want it to come on 2 or 3 hours a day. I CANNOT MAKE THE SPECTRUM REMOTE CONTROL IT. I don't have time to call customer support although I guess I could have in the amount of time I've spent watching it reboot and then reboot again and then reboot again. I have about as much patience with this as I do with the IRS forms: none. Oh good. I finally figured part of it out.... I have to OK with the Spectrum rather than the TV remote. I am not talented this way.

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS by J.K. Rowling

At least I finished this one and am free of book Harry for a few more years. I liked it better than the first time I read it.

Now I have a couple of ARCs to concentrate on, and I'm not best pleased with the first one, The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho. Oh well.

122karenmarie
Maio 10, 2023, 7:31 am

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Harry-free and Spectrum-controlled Wednesday to you.

I hate technology woes, too. Yesterday my printer didn't have power, but fortuntately it was the power strip/surge protector that died, not the printer. I need to get another surge protector strip, but for now at least have a power strip for it and the foot warmer under the desk.

Wordle in 4 today for me. Just another day in Paradise...

123richardderus
Maio 10, 2023, 9:58 am

>121 LizzieD: There are few more disappointing feelings than a sub-par ARC read. I know you, like me, start each one hoping against hope that you're about to stumble upon your next favorite new author and story.

Wednesday *smooch*

124LizzieD
Editado: Maio 10, 2023, 10:10 am

Good morning, Richard and Karen! I"m happy to arrive here and see your two names shining kindly again.

Indeed, Richard. You don't doubt yourself, but I always wonder what I'm missing or willfully ignoring when an ARC arrives with some hype, and I don't like it. (Stephen Frye claims to have been enthralled by this one.) Sancho was a real person who left some writing - a black man in 18th century London. I'll try to say this better in my review, but if the author's conceit was to fictionalize a diary, why didn't he take the time to make it sound like a diary???? I can't care much about Sancho so far, but I've read only the first 100 or so pages.
*smooch*

Thank you for tech sympathy, Karen. This morning, like last night, the system came on just fine, played my program choice for 7 minutes, cut off and started rebooting. It's rebooting for about the third time now as I type. I do not want to give it another day. Grrrrrr.
I fourded today too without any help and was glad of it.

Wordle 690 4/6

⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
🟩🟨⬜🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 unity, arose, eight, ethic

125karenmarie
Maio 11, 2023, 9:32 am

'Morning, Peggy.

Sorry about your continuing tech problems.

I was very lucky with today's Wordle. I honestly just guessed at the 3rd word, and lo! behold! that was the word.

Chiropractor, other slight errands, reading, and etc. I read and posted The Federalist No. 47 a few minutes ago.

126richardderus
Maio 11, 2023, 10:01 am

>124 LizzieD: I am not inclined to doubt my opinions, but then I am a white man in a world where those two identities combine to create a degree of privilege that doesn't require me to question myself too deeply. It's also true that I have spent most of my adult life involved in things literary.

My good luck continues...

127ffortsa
Maio 11, 2023, 10:20 am

>125 karenmarie: I can't quite believe it, but I got Wordle in TWO today. Just a lucky guess after my usual start.

128LizzieD
Maio 11, 2023, 10:24 am

Good morning, Karen. Tech problems continue. DH has spent another hour trying to make the thing work and is taking the box back to Spectrum sometime today. Meanwhile, I'm only now getting to Wordle, and I felt lucky to get it in 6. Maybe tomorrow!
Enjoy your day.

Good morning, Richard. I've spent most of my adult life involved in things language. I expect my doubts are simply who I am, but at almost 80, I'm not likely to change!

Wordle 691 6/6

⬜🟩🟩⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, croup, unity, growl, brook, broom

129karenmarie
Maio 12, 2023, 7:46 am

'Morning, Peggy! It's another beautiful Carolina blue skies day.

I got Wordle in 5 today.

I'm enjoying watching the birds fight over the feeders. The kitties have been in and out through the kitty door several times already, and both have come up on the desk to visit.

130LizzieD
Maio 12, 2023, 10:05 am

Sounds like a great day in central NC. SE NC isn't so bad either. I'm happy because my longest, best friend is coming by today for a walking visit. I won't let her in to Mama, but we'll walk and talk by the river. This, of course, is Bobbie, Karen. I'll remind her of your presence. Maybe someday you two can get together and some other day, I can join you!

Wordle 692 3/6

🟨⬜⬜🟨⬜
⬜🟩⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, snack About time I had a Wordle break! I can see how your first word didn't give a lot of help, Karen. You did well to nail it down in 5.

131richardderus
Maio 12, 2023, 10:14 am

Friday orisons, Peggy me lurve. I hope it's as pretty there as it is here!

132karenmarie
Maio 13, 2023, 10:22 am

'Morning, Peggy!

World in 2... very rare for me. Only 16 of 359 in my current set of statistics.

I hope you and your mama and your DH have a wonderful day.

133LizzieD
Maio 13, 2023, 10:41 am

Congratulations for your 2, Karen!!!!! I haven't even hit double digits for 2, but I don't expect to with my set second word. I am greatly pleased with 3. I like this word because it feels in the mouth like what it means - not that I like what it means!

Wordle 693 3/6

🟩🟨⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, acrid

Still reading and enjoying Broadway Revival and reading but not enjoying The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho.

134LizzieD
Maio 14, 2023, 9:56 am

Whew indeed! I don't know that I could have done any better if I had sat longer and thought about it.

Wordle 694 6/6

🟨🟨⬜🟨⬜
🟩⬜🟩🟩⬜
🟩⬜🟩🟩⬜
🟩⬜🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, stark, snarl, shard, scary, scarf

135richardderus
Maio 14, 2023, 10:01 am

Sunday orisons, Peggy! Tell your Mama that I said "thank you" for giving you to us so she'll know we appreciate her this Mother's Day.

*smooch*

136karenmarie
Maio 14, 2023, 10:04 am

'Morning, Peggy!

I echo Richard in thanking your mama for giving you to us. Happy Mother's Day to her, with gentle hugs.

I, too, tried scary before scarf, darn it.

137LizzieD
Maio 14, 2023, 11:51 pm

Good night, Karen and Richard. Thank you for sweet words!

Off to bed to almost finish Broadway Revival. I've loved it! Thank you for that too, Richard.

138karenmarie
Maio 15, 2023, 7:17 am

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Monday to you. It took me 5 for Wordle today.

Overcast/gloomy out here this morning so far.

139LizzieD
Maio 15, 2023, 9:59 am

Good morning, Karen!!! IT is perfectly lovely here right now - not a cloud in the sky, a breeze, and temp still not quite 70°. There's a cardinal sitting on top of the bluebird box AND I eventually got Wordle in 2!!!!! Would that I could keep this perfection going!

Wordle 695 2/6

🟨⬜🟨⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, canoe

140LizzieD
Maio 15, 2023, 1:40 pm

BROADWAY REVIVAL by Laura Frankos

I'm hard put to say how much I enjoyed this book. Thank you, thank you, Richard, for the BB. I loved it all the way through and read the last chapter and Epilogue through tears of pure joy.

David, composer, actor, lyricist, playwright, director, producer, is able to take modern meds from 2097 back to 1934 to save Vincent Youmans from his TB and George Gershwin from his brain tumor. He has other interventions projected too. In the meantime, he makes a life for himself in the musical world and with the people who become his family in the Village. I'll read this again to follow up on songs I don't know already from the likes of Gershwin, Youmans, Porter, Kern, Weill, et al. and to long for the ones that didn't make it into our universe.

My one question, and it may be a fact of history rather than the responsibility of the author, is why there is no mention of the Harlem jazz scene: no Apollo Theater, no Duke Ellington, no Sarah Vaughan (my candidate for Best Voice of the Century). David mentions Ella Fitzgerald once. I also found a sentence to the effect that Youmans, in common with the rest of Broadway, didn't like swing. Oh well.

At any rate, anyone who loves the classic Broadway through the Golden Age should scamper to get a copy of this satisfying book NOW!

141richardderus
Maio 15, 2023, 2:23 pm

>140 LizzieD: Given how much reverence our generation, on average, has for swing and jazz, it's hard to credit the fact that that generation thought of it in terms similar to the ones most of us think of hip-hop and rap. Time does really interesting stuff to taste... the Impressionists are as mainstream as you can get, but that term was one of deepest opprobrium in the 1870s.

142LovingLit
Maio 15, 2023, 6:47 pm

>133 LizzieD: that Wordle was a tricky one, I was pleased to get it in 4!

>121 LizzieD: Tech issues are so draining. "Technology" promises so much, and fails to fully deliver, imo.

143karenmarie
Maio 16, 2023, 8:01 am

'Morning, Peggy!

See >138 karenmarie:. Change out Tuesday for Monday and 3 for 5 and you have my day so far.

Between you and Richard I really need to either start Broadway Revival or Los Nefilim.

144LizzieD
Maio 16, 2023, 10:18 am

Good morning, Richard, Megan and Karen!!! Back soon to speak better!

Wordle 696 3/6

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145richardderus
Maio 16, 2023, 10:30 am

>144 LizzieD: "Better" in my case means "after coffee" so caffeinate well, Peggy. *smooch*

146LizzieD
Maio 16, 2023, 5:28 pm

>141 richardderus: Thank you for more information about the place of jazz among our Broadway leaders, Richard. I just think it's a world-sized pity if Gershwin never heard Vaughan sing "Summertime" or "I Loves You, Porgy" at the very least. Early Sassy was singing pretty straight, and her voice was already ripe.

Megan, I'm always happy to see you visiting! At last with a replacement cable box, I'm good. I simply have no intuition about how things work these days.

I'll get *Los Nef* soon too, Karen. I can assure you that *Broad.Rev.* was the most fun I've had in a book all year!

147LizzieD
Maio 17, 2023, 9:56 am

Whaaaa????? I have no idea where this came from....

Wordle 697 3/6

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, plank

148LizzieD
Maio 18, 2023, 12:38 am

THE SECRET DIARIES OF CHARLES IGNATIUS SANCHO by Paterson Joseph

To be reviewed tomorrow when I am awake!

149karenmarie
Maio 18, 2023, 8:15 am

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Thursday.

I got Wordle in 4. Another day of doctor visits and a grocery store order to be picked up between 4 and 5.

Hi to your ma, hi to your DH, hugs for your own dear self.

150LizzieD
Maio 18, 2023, 10:25 am

Fondest greetings right back to you and your family, Karen! I wish you may get through your day in good order.

I should have stuck with alpha order since I had the target word on my list from guess 3 on, but no.
Wordle 698 5/6

⬜🟨🟩🟨⬜
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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, story, scorn, sworn, shorn

151richardderus
Maio 18, 2023, 3:39 pm

Thursday orisons, Peggy. I'm a lot better grounded today... things that didn't go well yesterday are in a better footing now... and thus my need to come visit my pal who always finds something kind and supportive to say. I'm grateful for your kind friendship.

*smooch*

152LizzieD
Maio 18, 2023, 6:19 pm

I'm glad that you're in a better place today, Richard. I'm grateful for your friendship too, so that's all in all a very good thing. If you come back to read this review, please look at the second quotation, my nominee for worst sentence of the year at the the very least!

THE SECRET DIARIES OF CHARLES IGNATIUS SANCHO by Paterson Joseph

I wanted to read The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho by Paterson Joseph (and my thanks to Early Reviewers for the opportunity!) for a couple of reasons. Sancho himself, 1729-1789, was a black man in London, born into slavery and in service for his childhood to three sisters in a place and time in which slavery was not strictly legal. I was also intrigued to read his imagined diaries, a form that afford the writer a safe outlet to express his intimate thought and feelings.

Mr. Joseph is an actor by profession, and this is his first novel. It is not bad, but it's not particularly good either.

It was a mistake to take on the diary format, which is augmented by sections in italics in which Sancho is making comments to his son for whom he is supposedly compiling a story of his life from diary excerpts. He also includes a selection of letters exchanged between himself and the woman he eventually marries. A straight limited third person point of view would have served Mr. Joseph better. My problems with the book, which distracted me all the way through, are tied to the un-diary-like writing and the woodenness of the characters. Joseph has Sancho tell us what he felt, what he said and did, sometimes why he did it, but none of this ever comes to life. He writes for example, having escaped the three sisters without any means to support himself in London, "I stretched my stiffened frame and felt a kind of damp sluggishness wash over me. Hunger, my constant companion lately, began to knock at the door of my stomach, and I felt the emptiness of having not eaten for some time." Or, when he first meets the woman he later marries, he writes, "My ear drums vibrated deliciously as she spoke - directly - into my ear." I think that this and pretentious word choice are meant to convey an idea of eighteenth century diction. They don't.

This could have been a fine novel in the hands of a more experienced writer. I wish I had let ER award this copy to somebody who would have appreciated it more.

153karenmarie
Maio 19, 2023, 7:08 am

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Friday.

>152 LizzieD: Sorry this didn't work for you. Sounds like he let the complicated format dilute what might have been better-focused writing. And again, perhaps not...

154richardderus
Maio 19, 2023, 9:53 am

>152 LizzieD: Yee-ikes, Peggy! I concur with your assessment of the writing. I get the author's desire to convey the different diction of the 18th century but really think his editor made a poor judgement call on this one. The voice is the main thing that a diary format offers the reader. If that doesn't work, the entire point of reading the work disappears into a fog of disappointment.

Oh well, it's done now and you get to move on to better reads.

Happy weekend*smooch*

155LizzieD
Maio 19, 2023, 10:17 am

Good morning, Richard and Karen! Thank you for the support, Richard. Sancho was obviously an unusually gifted individual, and I'm sorry that this fell flat.

I am celebrating the end of Joseph over weekend by indulging in an *In Death* and a Deborah Crombie. I'll pick up my remaining ARC from Bellevue on Monday. I haven't liked everything I've gotten from them, but I don't think they publish bad books. I didn't know when I asked for Like the Appearance of Horses that it is the third of a trilogy, so I'll be at a disadvantage. I'll get the other two if I like this one.

Wordle 699 3/6

⬜🟩⬜⬜🟨
⬜🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, tried, grief Hooray for good old first word!

156richardderus
Editado: Maio 19, 2023, 10:24 am

Bellevue Literary Press has had more hits than misses with me...they published a peak-read book of short stories by Michelle Latiolais, WIDOW: Stories, and are publishing Norman Lock's American Novel sequence, which I've enjoyed so far. I hope this new one from the ER is a big hit for you.

157LizzieD
Maio 19, 2023, 3:13 pm

Thanks, Richard. I've read a few of the Norman Lock ones and collected most of the others. I am also a huge fan of Jerome Charyn, whom they publish. AND --- I now have a copy of Persephone Station, which I will have to start immediately. Thanks for the BB. I guess D. Crombie will have to wait.

158LizzieD
Maio 20, 2023, 10:17 am

*squeak*

Wordle 700 6/6

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, clasp, glass, flash, flask

159richardderus
Maio 20, 2023, 10:35 am

>158 LizzieD: Not skunked! Yay!

Happy Saturday, Peggy. As it's raining here I'm not going to the Little Free Library today. I'll have two, possibly three, book drop offs with the extra day to write a Burgoine or two.

160LizzieD
Maio 21, 2023, 9:57 am

Good morning, Richard. I'm about to trot over to see whether you were able to improve your extra time yesterday. Hope today will be about relaxing, re-energizing, and finding some joy!

Wordle 701 4/6

🟨🟩⬜🟩⬜
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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, trash, crash, brash That's two days that the alphabet hasn't been kind to me.

161richardderus
Maio 21, 2023, 10:40 am

It's a gorgeous sunshiny day today, Peggy, with a mild sea breeze and perfect comfort at 60-ish degrees all day. I'll get my walk in today for sure. I'm releasing THE SENSE OF AN ENDING and an older read, KIDNAPPING THE LORAX, into the Little Free Library. This afternoon I think I'll revisit the Isle of Man with Aunt Bessie. Sometimes I need a bit of challenge free eyeblinking and today is one of those times.

*smooch*

162LizzieD
Maio 22, 2023, 10:01 am

Hope you had fun with Aunt Bessie, Richard. I'm putting my time into the current *In Death*, a fascination you are immune to. We do both enjoy Norman Lock, and I wonder whether you read Voices in the Dead House. I started it eagerly but bogged down soon because Walt Whitman is about the most irritating voice I've ever read. What do you think?

Wordle 702 4/6

⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, logic, igloo I'm happy with this!

163richardderus
Maio 22, 2023, 10:30 am

>162 LizzieD: Morning, Peggy! I'm afraid I have a similar response to VOICES because it has been two years since I even tried to read in it. I was less irked by the voice of Whitman than annoyed by his meandering. Just get on with it! Tell the damned story already!

I'll go back to it one day... I'm sure I will. I'm immune to JD Robb because I don't care about Eve and her dithering between men. I think the guys should just get together and leave her to dither. Aunt Bessie failed to ensorcel me this time. Just not in the mood I thought I was. TWELVE THOUSAND MILLION MANPOWER was more my speed yesterday, and it was exactly what I needed: a dose of Modernism.

Happy New Sunday *smooch*

164LizzieD
Maio 23, 2023, 9:58 am

>163Good morning, Richard. I have a feeling, and it's fear, that Lock may have gotten Whitman exactly right. I've never read anything else about him and have avoided his poetry. Alcott, though, was the voice of my childhood, so I'll try it again.

Hmm. I think you're thinking of some other Eve than Dallas *In Death*. I don't remember her ever having a romantic relationship with any man but Roark. (Karen? Stasia?) Sorry about Aunt Bessie, but glad you had what you needed on hand. May we always have what we need on hand!

Wordle 703 4/6

⬜🟨⬜⬜🟨
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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, cheer, clerk I'm not sorry to be back in 4 territory.

165richardderus
Maio 23, 2023, 10:10 am

>164 LizzieD: Wasn't Even interested in someone called Somerset or something like that? It's been forever, so I easily could be conflating her with any one of a zillion other sleuths.

Have a lovely day today, Peggy! *smooch*

166LizzieD
Maio 23, 2023, 2:13 pm

>165 richardderus: Oh no! Somerset is Roarke's assistant and Eve's worst personal enemy for the first few books. I am impressed that you remembered his name.

167LizzieD
Maio 24, 2023, 10:02 am

Wordle 704 3/6

⬜🟨⬜⬜🟨
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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, utter Ha!

168ffortsa
Maio 24, 2023, 10:04 am

>167 LizzieD: Dang. Took me 6 today.

169klobrien2
Maio 24, 2023, 10:05 am

>167 LizzieD: Great Wordle-ing! I flailed around a bit, got it in 4.

Karen O

170richardderus
Maio 24, 2023, 10:05 am

Happy Humpday, smoochling. Hoping for you and yours to have a perfect -summer day!

171karenmarie
Maio 24, 2023, 12:09 pm

Happy Early Afternoon, Peggy!

>163 richardderus: and >164 LizzieD: Eve has only ever had eyes for Roarke. You must be thinking of someone else, RD. Kinsey Millhone perhaps, another character with a long-standing series?

>167 LizzieD: Had I not tried upper first, I would have gotten it in four, too. Your choosing unity gave you the T I didn’t get.

172LizzieD
Maio 24, 2023, 12:38 pm

Happy day to come back and find that visitors left a kind word! Remember my 3, Karen, Karen, and Judy, when I'm feelng discouraged and relieved at the same time with a series of 5s and 6s.

Happy Humpday and beyond to you too, Richard! We're still enjoying our spring.

JUDGMENT IN DEATH by J.D. Robb

This is one of the really good ones. I'm never happy when Roarke and Eve are on the outs, but having Somerset tell Eve that she was right was a real bonus. Anyway, with a cop killer on the loose, Eve & Co. with integral help from Roarke, manage to wrap up two cases. I think I'll give this one an extra half star.

173ffortsa
Maio 24, 2023, 5:02 pm

>171 karenmarie: I think he's thinking of Stephanie Plum.

174LizzieD
Maio 25, 2023, 10:07 am

Thanks for the tip, Judy. I read a couple of the Plums as they came out in mass pb but didn't like them well enough to continue the series. When our study club had Favorite Woman Author as its focus several years ago, somebody gave a program on Stephanie and Co.

As predicted but sooner than I had hoped ---
Wordle 705 6/6

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, cheap, weald, label, bagel 6 is not a skunk.

175richardderus
Maio 25, 2023, 10:12 am

>174 LizzieD: Excellent non-skunking!

Which one is Stephanie Plum? There are so many...

*smooch*

176LizzieD
Maio 25, 2023, 4:31 pm

Hey, Richard. S. Plum series is by Janet Evanovich, and I think One for the Money is the first. I doubt that you're going there. My recollection is that she has a feisty grandmother. Could be wrong.

177richardderus
Maio 25, 2023, 5:31 pm

>176 LizzieD: OIC, thanks Peggy... I think I even have that one somewhere. Have to go digging and either read it or Little Free Library it.

178karenmarie
Editado: Maio 27, 2023, 10:37 am

‘Morning, Peggy! Happy Friday to you. I hope you and yours have escaped all booster side effects.

>173 ffortsa: and >174 LizzieD: I liked Stephanie Plum until I didn’t. I got seriously frustrated with her waffling between Morelli and Ranger. I really wanted her to s**t or get off the pot, so to speak. I think I gave up at 16 or 17 then gave them all away.

Six is definitely not a skunk.

179LizzieD
Maio 26, 2023, 10:02 am

Good morning, Karen. I caved on Plum because I didn't find her all that funny, and the humor was what was supposed to carry the books, I think. I need to get what I have out of my library if I haven't already done it - will check.

Six is not a skunk. Five is not a skunk either. *sigh* Alpha order bit me.
Wordle 706 5/6

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, shine, spine, swine

180LizzieD
Maio 27, 2023, 10:28 am

Bah. Stupid. I am, not the puzzle. I looked at a list and still couldn't get it.

Wordle 707 5/6

🟨🟨⬜⬜🟨
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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, bream, derma, maker, ramen

181karenmarie
Maio 27, 2023, 10:38 am

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Saturday to you.

Not a skunk, but I also admit to being less happy with 5s than 3s.

Serious laziness going on over here for me today.

182LizzieD
Maio 27, 2023, 12:21 pm

Me too, Karen, but we have to do the shower and shampoo. Oh well.

183LizzieD
Maio 28, 2023, 9:44 am

Wordle 708 4/6

⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜
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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 SO happy to see a 4 again! arose, unity, slick, skimp

Back after church!

184richardderus
Maio 28, 2023, 9:49 am

Sunday orisons, Peggy! Your 4 had to feel good indeed. Today's Wordle word was a really good one, no?

Hoping your day goes smoothly and well. 💗

185LizzieD
Maio 28, 2023, 12:59 pm

Many thanks for the visit and the good words, Richard. I naturally think today's word was a fine one! I wish the same for your day. I am, in fact, on my way to your thread to have one more say about name-calling. I debated putting my response here in order not to encumber your thread, but I don't think you'll mind, and I can move the post if you do.

186Storeetllr
Maio 28, 2023, 2:29 pm

>185 LizzieD: Hi! Just saw your response over on Richard’s thread and came here to respond rather than hijack his thread. You put it really well—much better than I could—what it’s like to be condescended to by men.

As for Eve Dallas, long before she met Roarke, she had a one-night stand with a cop named Webster (Conspiracy in Death) who, I think, after she got together with Roarke, tried to get her back, but she wasn’t having any of it. Other than that, nothing was ever mentioned about Eve having a lover of any duration besides Roarke. (Can you tell I’m a huge fan of the In Death series?)

Have a lovely rest of the holiday weekend!

187LizzieD
Maio 28, 2023, 11:58 pm

>186 Storeetllr: Thank you, Mary, for the visit and the affirmation. I'm sure you could have said your piece clearly and effectively if you had felt a need to. I think that Richard and I are going to have to be disappointed in each other and move past it.

You'll see that I just finished *Judgment* in which Webster plays a major role. I'm wondering whether he will join her group of supporters as the series progresses. Anyway, I'm happy to know there's another *In Death* fan among us!

Enjoy the Monday off!

188LizzieD
Maio 29, 2023, 10:11 am

Oh well. Alpha order bit me again; I could have had it in 2.

Wordle 709 4/6

⬜⬜🟨🟩🟩
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, house, louse, mouse

I've started The Covenant of Water, and it has grabbed me more quickly than *Cutting/Stone* did. I love that book. It was my Best Novel of the Decade.

189LizzieD
Maio 30, 2023, 10:05 am

Wordle 710 4/6

⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
⬜🟩⬜⬜⬜
🟨🟩⬜🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, ender, kneel

190richardderus
Maio 30, 2023, 10:32 am

>189 LizzieD: Today's Wordle feels like a strange one to me...I tried to do it again but was dissuaded by my inability to grasp meaning from the grid pattern. Apparently my brain is still grouchy about coping with geometry. Damned good thing I haven't driven in years, because I sure as shootin' shouldn't do it now!

*smooch*

191LizzieD
Maio 30, 2023, 12:39 pm

>190 richardderus: I thought it was one far, far down any list I'd use if I were choosing a word. (Is the woman still picking them or have they gone back to random choice?)
Richard, I am positive that you are not far from picking up the Wordle habit again if you want to. I also retain faith in your ability to choose what you should try as you recover.

*smooch* That's 2 for your day!

192LizzieD
Maio 31, 2023, 1:04 am

A note to those who may be following my cousin drama.

I texted her to find out whether she planned to come today since she had said that she would let me know. She replied that she had never said she would come today (not true) and that she was coming Saturday. This is typical; we didn't discuss Saturday. We'll have to change Mama's shower schedule, but that's easily done. Now I have until then to unlearn my lifetime habit of reacting badly to her second or third word.

For anybody uninformed, she is preserving her DNA intact by staying unvaccinated for COVID since December, '21. She'll visit with Mama, the only remaining aunt, through the front door, masked and outside. Mama is likely to go to sleep after only a few minutes.

193LizzieD
Maio 31, 2023, 10:13 am

Very satisfying!

Wordle 711 3/6

🟩⬜⬜⬜🟩
🟩🟨🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, aline, agile

194karenmarie
Maio 31, 2023, 11:39 am

Hi Peggy!

>192 LizzieD: Gads. What a rude woman, on top of having drunk the Cool-Aid and thinks threatening her relatives with a deadly virus is okay. I hope your mama falls asleep after one minute, so there. I'm not a nice person...

In the meantime, congrats on Wordle in 3. It took me 4 and i was pleased with that.

195LizzieD
Jun 1, 2023, 10:24 am

No time. I'll hope to be back before tonight!

Wordle 712 X/6

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🟩🟩⬜⬜🟩 Boo. Hiss. arose, unity, dally, happy, wacky, jammy

196LizzieD
Editado: Jun 2, 2023, 10:37 am

>194 karenmarie: I didn't make it back. Karen, your words are a tonic! Honestly, I've never thought about HC's habitual MO (and her mother's before her) as being rude. It's just who they are/were. Her toxic mother ruined her, and by the time she was nine or ten she ruled her family, including her mother, with an iron hand. Most of my cousins on my father's side of the family have lived fairly close to home. That family has one son who stayed in the Wilmington area where they grew up. HC herself has lived in DC, San Diego, Tucson, and Canada. The oldest brother is in Castro Valley; the youngest in the Campagnia of Italy. Does that say, "Get as far away from home as I possibly can!" to you?

We're fine. My eye shots were good. The worst part is getting the cleaning and deadening goop out of my eyes, so I slept a lot of the afternoon to protect those numb eyeballs. IF I can maintain what I have with treatments every 3 months for a year, I may even be able to stop the shots. Four times a year doesn't sound bad to me!

Wordle 713 5/6

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Better than a skunk! arose, unity, cubic (I wish I had thought of "cupid"), pupil, humid

197SandyAMcPherson
Jun 2, 2023, 9:31 pm

Hi Peggy, a quick delurk to let you know I admire your forbearance with that cousin.
>194 karenmarie:, Karen is spot on, about mama falling asleep. Except the HC person strikes me as someone who will be oblivious.

Plus, imho, Karen, you are so 'a nice person'. I love your acknowledgement that HC is in fact incredibly rude. I would say, if I was going to dig myself into a hole, that cousin is unpleasantly self-centred and without any empathy for others.
Peggy, you take care of yourself! I hope after your visitor leaves you can chill out 😍.

198LizzieD
Editado: Jun 3, 2023, 1:02 am

I agree, Sandy, that Karen is an incredibly nice person! So are you!! Yep, "oblivious" is the word. She's sadly sensitive and hurt when people eventually reject her.

Mama did get her shower and shampoo today instead of tomorrow, so if HC deigns to appear, we'll be ready. She was supposed to give me a time of arrival today. Nope.

Meanwhile, I've had my late night on the sofa with a book, The Silk Roads again, and I'm happy and ready for bed.

199karenmarie
Jun 3, 2023, 9:26 am

'Morning, Peggy! I hope that the HC visit is short and not too disruptive.

I am all admiration that you are continuing to read The Silk Roads, which is on my shelves and available to be read.

I've started The Making of Biblical Womanhood, if you can believe it. Friend Karen in Montana discovered it and she's already read it but wants to spend time with me on it chapter by chapter. I've read the intro and first chapter, "The Beginning of Patriarchy". Karen, by the way, is a cradle Baptist, immersed in Christian and Talmudic readings, and incredibly intelligent. We always have a wonderful time discussing books, and this one is eye-opening so far.

>197 SandyAMcPherson: and >198 LizzieD: Aww, shucks. Thanks to you both.

200LizzieD
Editado: Jun 3, 2023, 10:25 am

Good morning, Karen. I'll be interested in what you and Karen make of the book. I haven't ever heard of it or the author, which doesn't mean anything....
Still haven't heard when the cousin is coming. That's not a surprise.

I think I've said before that *SRs* is not what I hoped it would be. It's pretty interesting though - looking at history with the Middle East rather than the West as the focus.

I'm on a roll --- another fail. Oh well.

Wordle 714 X/6

🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨⬜⬜🟩
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩 arose, unity, fancy, manly, bandy, hanky

201richardderus
Jun 3, 2023, 10:53 am

>200 LizzieD: I don't know whether to hope she stands you up, or shows up anyway...either way, she's a giant PITA with the manners of a wolverine.

Just remember...they always find the body. Prison has very few books. *smooch*

202LizzieD
Jun 4, 2023, 12:37 am

>201 richardderus: Thank you all around, Richard. She came at approximately the time she said she would and with remarkably few annoyances. Among other things she had forgotten a mask, but I had one, of course. Her visit was relatively brief, and for once she managed not to raise my ire with any of her ignorant hate messages. I count this as a win, and Mama was not particularly bothered by her either.

Tonight I had a lovely time again on my own sofa and read a few pp in *Silk Roads* and *Covenant of Water*. Nice.

203LizzieD
Jun 4, 2023, 9:47 am

I throw my hands up in exasperation. This is the day I should have stuck with alpha order to have it in 2. But no.

Wordle 715 4/6

🟨⬜⬜🟩🟨
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, least, feast, beast

204karenmarie
Editado: Jun 4, 2023, 11:16 am

Hi Peggy! Happy Sunday.

>202 LizzieD: Well, I'm glad she gave you and your Mama a win, even if you had to give her a mask. And yay for sofa time with two good books.

Alphabet soup. Sorry you didn't get it in 2. it took me 3, but I got lucky with my alphabet soup guess.

Jenna helped me stuff 8 trash bags with clothes that are now too big for me and put them in my SUV for me to take, in stages, into the thrift shop. The next round of clothes to make decisions about is out on the chairs in the bedroom.

205richardderus
Jun 4, 2023, 12:17 pm

>203 LizzieD: Oh hell! Bad luck indeed. I put it down to the lingering cousin-miasma...she left her perturbations and annoyances behind in that unaltered DNA she shed during the visit. At least it's over now!

*smooch*

206LizzieD
Editado: Jun 5, 2023, 10:40 am

That's a comforting thought, Richard. Unfortunately, today I'm too stupid to live - thought of the word immediately but was spelling it wrong. 30 minutes later - duh.

Wordle 716 5/6

⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
🟨🟩🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 You don't even want to see. Maybe I just don't want to confess.

Dear Karen, Did I ignore you???? I had spoken on your thread and didn't think to reply here. (See above about my mental state.) You are smart to get rid of the big clothes!!!!!

207LizzieD
Jun 6, 2023, 10:23 am

Whew. This is more like it. I did stick to alpha order after try 2, which incorporated letters from my normal second word, and was rewarded.

Wordle 717 3/6

⬜⬜🟩🟨⬜
🟩⬜🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, snout, scout

208richardderus
Jun 6, 2023, 12:29 pm

>207 LizzieD: Brava! That's an excellent result indeed. Thank goodness you didn't opt for reverse alpha order...you'd still be there.

*smooch*

209karenmarie
Jun 7, 2023, 8:17 am

'Morning, Peggy, happy Wednesday to you.

Our magnolia is blooming. Just looking outside at it makes me smile.

Wordle took 5 again for me today.

I should have taken at least some of the bags of clothing into the thrift shop because when I opened the back of the SUV yesterday, I realized that getting all the groceries on the back seat was going to be a challenge. As my MiL used to say, "I miss my mind."

210LizzieD
Jun 7, 2023, 10:07 am

Good morning, Karen. I missed you yesterday all around - sort of. I read your thread in the morning, but since I figured you were already sorting, I'd speak when I knew you were home. Didn't do it. Our cape jasmines are explosive, but the magnolias aren't there quite yet. I have managed to smell one!
I miss my mind too, and it was often a bit absent. I'm getting some surcease of Wordle exasperation after my 2 failures and many 5s lately.

Good morning, Richard! Thank you for kind words and no need to alphabetize today at all!
*smooch*

Wordle 718 3/6

🟨🟨⬜⬜🟨
🟩🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, heart, hater

211richardderus
Jun 7, 2023, 12:52 pm

>210 LizzieD: Well! No indeed, you weren't in any need of any extra techniques. Brava for your 3-day.

*smooch*

212vancouverdeb
Jun 7, 2023, 9:44 pm

Hi Peggy! Thanks for stopping by my thread. I did indeed purchase The Covenant of Water. I got it for 40 % off at my local bookstore, and I really enjoyed Cutting for Stone like you did. I've not started it yet, and it may be a month or so until I do, I'm not sure. it's such a chunkster that I felt I might not read it at fast enough for a library book , and it is in hot demand at the library. If you are nearly half way through it must be a good read. Good for you getting Wordle in 3! I have not posted my world results yet, but it took me six tries today. We have magnolia's here as well, though we live in a townhouse, so I don't personally have one. We did plant one in out detached home that we owned in the past. I really love the tulip magnolias, but the star magnolias are lovely too. The magnolia trees around here bloom fairly early in the spring. I happy to see that my pot of tiger lilies are beginning to bloom. We have a hanging basket as well. I hope your mama is doing okay.

213LizzieD
Jun 8, 2023, 12:50 am

Thank you for your visit, Deborah! A quick correction is that I've started the second section of *Water*, which is not quite 20% of the way into the book instead of half. Even so, it's a good read!

We have tulip magnolias, but I've never seen a star one. I wonder whether they smell good..... Hooray for SPRING in any case!

Ah, Richard! A curtsy and a *smooch*.

I'm still reading The Silk Roads. I do love learning things, as we all do.... I didn't know that the Germans kept their troops from feeling the Russian cold or their hunger so severely in Operation Barbarossa by giving them amphetamines. Nor did I know that in 1940 a group of Jewish leaders, the Stern Gang, proposed to Hitler that he send the German Jews to Palestine to found a Jewish state which would then support Germany in the war while taking a base in the area from the British.

214LizzieD
Jun 8, 2023, 10:03 am

Wordle 719 3/6

⬜🟩⬜⬜⬜
🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, crumb Lucky! Wordlebot apparently doesn't like the use of my second word although it set me on the right track. Wordlebot can get over it.

Has anybody tried Martha Wells's new fantasy, Witch King? I have it coming to me.

215karenmarie
Jun 8, 2023, 10:39 am

'Morning, Peggy!

I laughed at your "Wordlebot can get over it." Yay you for your 3.

Took me 4 today.

216richardderus
Jun 8, 2023, 11:20 am

>214 LizzieD: *popcorn bowl*

I eagerly await your verdict on Murderbot's Mama's new book.

Thursday orisons, Peggy! *smooch*

217LizzieD
Jun 9, 2023, 10:16 am

Good Friday morning, Richard and Karen!!! I'm back to my old tricks with Wordle. I didn't even ask Wordlebot to tell me what I know, and no need for alpha order because I didn't think of the word until it was the only possibility.

Wordle 720 5/6

🟨⬜⬜🟩⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟨🟩⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, clash, salsa, balsa

Richard, I'll let you know about the Wells fantasy when I get it and get to it. I think it's big too, so it may be a long time!

218richardderus
Jun 9, 2023, 10:18 am

I got time....

*smooch*

219alcottacre
Jun 9, 2023, 10:22 am

Adding The Covenant of Water to the BlackHole. Thanks (I think), Peggy! I loved Cutting for Stone and had not even heard of The Covenant of Water.

220LizzieD
Jun 9, 2023, 12:09 pm

You DO have time, Richard! That's the best news of the year.
*smooch*

I haven't read much of it, Stasia.... just over 100 pp, but it pulled me right in. *Stone* took awhile for me, but when I did succumb, the pull was much stronger. I don't see how we can go far wrong with this one because it's Verghese, and I do expect it to get better.
As to *Raj*, I also love the Granada series, so I ground my teeth and got it on DVD before the supply runs out forever. (I fell in love with the young Charles Dance here.)

221lauralkeet
Jun 9, 2023, 12:21 pm

>220 LizzieD: I fell in love with the young Charles Dance here
OMG me too! And why is it that he's been a baddie in everything I've seen him in since?

222LizzieD
Jun 9, 2023, 2:37 pm

Hi, Laura! CD wasn't a baddie in Rebecca, but yeah - Bleak House. I guess those are the only ones I've seen except *Raj*. Now I need to see what else he did all those years when I didn't follow him.

223quondame
Jun 9, 2023, 6:27 pm

>221 lauralkeet: I know. It took a while to adjust to Charles Dance as a baddie, but he did it well.

224atozgrl
Jun 9, 2023, 11:21 pm

Hello, Peggy. This is my first time visiting. I noticed on another thread that you are also in NC, and thought I would come check out your thread. There seem to be quite a few of us in NC here on LT!

So you still have access to Wordlebot? It stopped letting me get to its analysis as of the beginning of this month. It wants me to pay a subscription before it will deign to give me its feedback. So foo to that, I can do without!

Have a good weekend, and good Wordling!

225LizzieD
Jun 10, 2023, 1:13 am

Hi, Susan! I've just seen that Dance was Tywin Lannister in *Game of Thrones*, which I never watched but did read. Yikes! I think that he must be best known for his portrayal of baddies now.

Hi, Irene! Thank you for the visit. I still have Wordlebot access because I supported WUNC last year on the day that a cyber subscription to NYT was the premium. It's about to run out, and I won't renew the subscription although I am a sustainer of NPR in a small way. Good to have you here, and I'll return the visit in the morning when I'm awake!

226Berly
Jun 10, 2023, 1:28 am

Hi Peggy! I found you again. And I've added The Covenant of Water to my must-get list. I really enjoyed Cutting for Stone so high hopes. Happy weekend!!

227lauralkeet
Jun 10, 2023, 6:57 am

>222 LizzieD:, >223 quondame: Oh yes, when I saw Dance as Tulkinghorn in Bleak House I thought, "what happened to that lovely man Guy Perron?" I can't remember what else I've seen him in (not GoT) but as Susan said, he did it well.

Have a great day, Peggy.

228richardderus
Jun 10, 2023, 8:36 am

*smoochiesmoochsmooch* Happy Saturday

229karenmarie
Jun 10, 2023, 9:21 am

‘Morning, Peggy!

>225 LizzieD: Irene lives in Cary, so we make a nice triangle, so speak. *smile*

I started my NYTimes subscription with the WUNC offer. I think I got it when I upgraded my small-way-too sustainer membership by $5/month … can’t remember, but of course the NYTimes subscription is opt-out and I’ve chosen to keep it. AND, in a late-night cell phone splurge this week added the NYTimes Cooking subscription because I get tired of LT links to NYTimes Cooking that I can’t see. Will I use any of them? Don’t know. However, it was only an additional $/month for a while. I'll probably opt back out of just it when the price/month jumps.

Wordle took me 5 today, and that was with spreadsheet help.

Gentle hugs to your mama, kind regards to your DH, and lots of hugs to you!

230LizzieD
Jun 10, 2023, 10:32 am

What a great way to arrive at LT! Thanks for visiting, Karen, Richard, Laura, and Kim!!!! One of my HS friends, Rita, is coming to walk this afternoon, so the day has started well, and I still have good stuff to look forward to!!!

(((((Karen))))) I'm really not using the subscription. I thought both of us would, but there's just too much. My best to Jenna and Bill too...
Our Wordle see-saw continues to give us a ride.

Wordle 721 3/6

🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟨⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, again Wordlebot says that after my second guess I had a choice of only two words on their list. I played around hunting with other patterns, so I was lucky to think of the word sooner rather than later.

*SMOOCH*, Richard. Happy weekend to you too!!

Deep sigh from me too, Laura. I also fell in love with the very stiff, very handsome David Rintoul, who was the perfect Darcy to Elizabeth Garvie's perfect Elizabeth in *P&P*. I saw him later in an unmemorable series, and he was still very stiff (and shouldn't have been) and undergoing male pattern baldness. How are the mighty fallen!

Kim!!! YAY!!!!! I love seeing you here, and I think you will dive right into the new Verghese. I'm certainly in a happy reading place right now with it and the first book in an old Kelley Armstrong series for sheer entertainment. Hope you're feeling better.

231atozgrl
Jun 10, 2023, 1:07 pm

>229 karenmarie: Well, I'm actually Apex, not Cary, but since the cities just about overlap, what's the diff? ;-) I'm actually a bit closer to you than you knew. But we are a good triangle!

I have a subscription to The Athletic, which NYTimes apparently took over a few months ago, and that gave me access to the recipes at that time. I hope that continues. Unfortunately, it doesn't apparently include games going forward, because they want me to subscribe now to see the Wordlebot. I've got too many subscriptions already, so that's a pass for me right now.

232karenmarie
Jun 10, 2023, 1:40 pm

>231 atozgrl: Oops! I think I knew Apex, Irene, just got lazy and didn't look it up.

233LizzieD
Jun 11, 2023, 10:00 am

Hi, Irene and Karen! Brilliant morning here, but I don't look forward to the heat so much. Humidity will be returning too, alas!

Wordle 722 4/6

🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜
🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟨🟨🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, garum, guard The inner Latin teacher took over at guess 3, but it was a lucky guess if I wasn't going to come up with the right word automatically.

234karenmarie
Jun 12, 2023, 8:38 am

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Monday to you.

Today's my last Friends Board meeting as President. I'm very glad. Other than that, a few errands and lots of reading.

Today's Wordle took me 5.

235richardderus
Jun 12, 2023, 9:13 am

Happy new-week's reads, Peggy! I love your #3 from yesterday. I see it characterized as "Roman ketchup," which calumny on garum makes me litigiously furious as garum actually tastes good and ketchup decidedly does not.

*smooch*

236LizzieD
Jun 12, 2023, 9:55 am

Good morning, Richard and Karen!!! Happy Reading to you both!

Richard, I've never tasted the sauce. My provincial taste buds don't deal well with fish sauce, I don't think..... I need to get out and try to talk with the Thai cook at his wonderful local restaurant to find out what's in what I love and in what I hate.

CAONGRATULATIONS, KAREN!!!! I am more pleased than I can say that you get to retire from active leadership and do exactly what you want for your Friends!!!!!

Wordle 723 4/6

⬜🟩🟩⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, trout, irony, wrong #2 was stupid and wasteful, but I was in a hurry. #3 didn't please Wordlebot but was a lucky guess.

237LizzieD
Jun 13, 2023, 10:05 am

Not my best day with Wordle, but the bot at least approved my #4 guess.

Wordle 724 5/6

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜
🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, lunch, flung, plunk ---------plunk???

238LizzieD
Jun 14, 2023, 9:52 am

Again, not a great day. Oh well.

Wordle 725 4/6

⬜🟩⬜⬜🟩
⬜⬜🟩⬜🟩
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unite, grime, crime

239karenmarie
Jun 15, 2023, 8:15 am

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Thursday to you.

it's a nice quiet morning here, crows and other birds making noise, kitties all outside getting some fresh air. Jenna's off to work, Bill's still sleeping.

Nothing on the agenda for today, thank goodness. Wordle took me 5, but I'm not complaining too much.

240LizzieD
Jun 15, 2023, 10:14 am

Good morning, Karen! Still quiet around here too.

Wordle! I'm disgusted, but I finally got it despite my stupid try at guess 3 just to stop staring at the thing. At least it kicked my brain back in gear.

Wordle 726 4/6

🟨⬜⬜⬜🟩
⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
⬜🟨⬜🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, delay, maybe

241LizzieD
Jun 16, 2023, 9:50 am

Oh Happy Day!

Wordle 727 2/6

🟨🟨⬜🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, strap

242klobrien2
Jun 16, 2023, 9:59 am

Wow! You rock! Congratulations!

Karen O

243LizzieD
Jun 16, 2023, 10:04 am

Many thanks, Karen! I was just at Karen's thread where she had posted her statistics, so I thought I'd put mine up too. You see how rare a 2 is for me.

Statistics
507 Played
98 Win %
13 Current Streak
100 Max Streak (Penultimax Streak 99 That hurt so bad!)
Guess Distribution
1 0
2 12
3 143
4 187
5 113
6 41

244klobrien2
Jun 16, 2023, 10:29 am

Excellent stats! I checked, and of 427 games played, I’ve had 29 “in 2”s. They feel great, don’t they?!

Karen O

245LizzieD
Jun 16, 2023, 9:05 pm

2s really do feel great, Karen. You Karens are both champs!

246karenmarie
Jun 17, 2023, 6:21 am

Hi Peggy! Happy Saturday to you and yours.

>241 LizzieD: Congrats. I’m impressed.

It took me 4 today.

247lauralkeet
Jun 17, 2023, 9:12 am

Applause for yesterdays Wordle in 2, Peggy! My stats say 18 2s out of 350 (my stats got wiped out a year ago, to my eternal frustration). But yeah -- what a thrill, eh?

I hope you have a great day today!

248LizzieD
Jun 17, 2023, 9:50 am

Hi, Wordlers Karen and Laura!!! I"m sorry about your stats, Laura. Boo and Hiss!
Because I like to use the same second word if I have fewer than 3 letters from the first, I don't get many 2s. I'm thrilled when I do! I really, really like to get it in 3. That means that I have some thought involved along with luck. Wordlebot said that my trusty #2 word eliminated all but the correct choice. I'll take that too!

Wordle 728 3/6

🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, ranch

249karenmarie
Editado: Jun 18, 2023, 6:03 am

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Sunday to you.

Today's Wordle is tricksy. Took me 4, and I admit that I used the 2,309 word list AND the list of already used words.

250LizzieD
Editado: Jun 19, 2023, 9:58 am

Morning, Karen! I used a list to eliminate an option too. Not my favorite word today.

Wordle 729 4/6

⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜🟩
⬜🟨🟩⬜🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, psych, shyly

THE CITY OF THE LOST by Kelley Armstrong

Super escape mystery/thriller! Casey with her best lifetime friend Diana needs to escape before their enemies locate them. They gain admittance on probation to an off-grid community in the wilds of the Klondike where Casey's skill as a detective is needed and she won't go without Diana.

Casey is thrown into the middle of cases of disappearance, murder, and dismemberment. While not as graphic as the middle Cormoran Strike mysteries, this is not for cozy readers.
Lots of stuff going on with a bit of romance thrown into the mix.

251LizzieD
Jun 19, 2023, 10:00 am

Oh, lousy, lousy Wordle. I did use a list to get my last two words.

Wordle 730 6/6

🟨⬜🟨⬜⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩⬜🟩⬜
🟩🟩⬜🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, cloak, kapok, kabob, kazoo

252richardderus
Jun 19, 2023, 12:22 pm

>251 LizzieD: Your fourth word sent me to Encyclopedia Google-ensis. I don't know that I've ever run across it...at all...and it was fascinating! *smoochiesmoochsmooch*

253karenmarie
Jun 19, 2023, 12:22 pm

Hi Peggy!

>250 LizzieD: Ah, you got me! Got it for my Kindle. I’m in the middle of the Cormoran Strike series, reading the most macabre one of all, IMO, Career of Evil. However, this book reminds me a bit of a book I read in May, an MM romance of course, Exposed, by HL Day. Tate and X end up escaping to an off-grid community where X’s skillset – mayhem, murder, violence – is appreciated and even needed.

Sorry it took you 6 on Wordle.

254atozgrl
Jun 19, 2023, 6:19 pm

>251 LizzieD: >252 richardderus: I agree with Richard, I was completely unfamiliar with your fourth word, and I also had to look it up. Strange Wordle today.

255karenmarie
Jun 20, 2023, 7:03 am

'Morning, Peggy! I hope you and yours are doing well.

We got 2.7 inches of rain yesterday afternoon. Senior kitty Inara apparently came in soaking wet. Jenna got her dry and she was even amenable to getting the capsule crammed down her throat last night.

It was raining when I got up. I'll be heading off to book sort this morning so get to play with books, run a few errands in town, then head on back home to read, perchance to nap.

Wordle took me 5 again today. Sigh.

256LizzieD
Editado: Jun 20, 2023, 10:08 am

Good morning or good afternoon or good evening --- whatever time you come back here, I hope it's good, Karen. I'm happy to have gotten you with Kelley Armstrong. I'm well into book 2, and it's hard to put down.

We need rain really badly. We can see the bottom of the river in the middle of the run. We got a bit more than a quarter of an inch yesterday and live in hope for more today. I hope that Lady Inara doesn't suffer from her dousing yesterday. I was just looking --- our original sibling pair will turn 14 this year and the younger pair will turn 9, I think, with Mama Willow a yer or so younger. The Brat is 1 and turning into a hefty cat.

Hi, Richard and Irene! I have no idea why that word was in my brain. Obviously, it's from something I read, but why did it stick???

Wordle! They're in my good graces. The bot pronounces it luck, but I'll take it. Got it in 2! (Up and Down; Up and Down.) You know your day is coming!
Wordle 731 2/6

⬜🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, frost

257karenmarie
Jun 21, 2023, 7:29 am

Hi Peggy!

i hope you get a gully washer soon. We might get more this morning.

Congrats on your Wordle in two. Fantastic.

Today was my usual four.

258LizzieD
Jun 21, 2023, 10:44 am

Good morning, Karen! We got caught in a downpour when we walked yesterday. After 5 blocks I said, "This is stupid," and we turned around and came home. Of course, by the time I had my wet stuff off (and we did have umbrellas), it had calmed to a sprinkle, but it was stupid. We were walking in the middle of the street to avoid standing water. Even if a car coming from behind didn't hit us, it would have splashed enough water in passing to finish the soaking. More today!

Wordle 732 3/6

🟨🟩⬜⬜🟩
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, irate, crane ~ I think my second guess wasn't very good because a third vowel would be unlikely. I thought my third guess was logical because I wanted an "n". Bot called it lucky. Humpf. I love my better deviations from standard 4, but 4 feels normal.

Happy Summer!

259richardderus
Jun 21, 2023, 11:56 am

Humpday orisons, Peggy! *smooch*

260LizzieD
Jun 22, 2023, 10:24 am

Good morning, Richard! Raining here again, and we need every drop. We're also keeping our temperature down, and that pleases me no end.

Wordle 733 3/6

🟨⬜⬜🟨🟩
🟨🟨🟨⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, stale, taste Love it! The bot scores my luck at 67, and that makes me happy too.

261ArlieS
Editado: Jun 22, 2023, 1:27 pm

>258 LizzieD: *sigh* I used to be able to buy really good wet weather gear from our local hardware store, intended for people who worked outside in all weathers.

I recall happily walking my first dog in weather like you described; only the dog got wet.

Now the best I can get is intended for hikers, and it never fully protects one's legs.

Clearly the manufacturers and vendors "know" that their customers are just like them - office workers who rarely step into the big green room outside, and then only for recreation, even getting their regular exercise in indoor gyms which they travel to by automobile.

And capitalists *claim* that if there's a potential niche, someone will see it and fill it. Instead, I have a long long list of products I can't buy, only some of which have substitutes that while less attractive to me, are at least worth buying and using.

262LizzieD
Jun 22, 2023, 4:06 pm

My sympathy, Arlie. We walk twice a day every day except in the extreme heat because we are going on 79 and 80. We don't have very good wet gear, but we generally don't mind getting wet. Tuesday was not good - bad visibility and no flashlight. Otoh, yesterday and today were idyllic.
Happy walking to you!

263karenmarie
Jun 23, 2023, 8:19 am

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Friday to you.

We got quite a bit of rain last night. I got Wordle in two, and I may go spend gift cards at the local Indie book store today. It's all good.

264richardderus
Jun 23, 2023, 3:17 pm

Friday orisons, my dear lady. Disfruit the days of leisure ahead to their fullest capacity to ensnare and ensorcel you.

265LizzieD
Jun 24, 2023, 12:43 am

Many thanks, Richard! I don't know about the leisure bit, but I will hold myself ready to be ensnared and ensorcelled every chance I get!

THE SILK ROADS by Peter Frankopan

If only I could read, I would have read the subtitle *A New History of the World* and left this one in the store. It is a sweeping history of the world centered on the Middle East as opposed to Western European civilization (although it still comes from a western POV). Even though I've been reading it for 7 months or so, I still retain a good bit more about the area than I knew when I picked it up. I'm glad to have read it, but I'm even gladder to be moving on.

No review here.

266lauralkeet
Jun 24, 2023, 6:39 am

>265 LizzieD: Congratulations on powering through to finish that one, Peggy!

267karenmarie
Jun 24, 2023, 8:24 am

Hi Peggy! Happy Saturday. I'm glad you've finished The Silk Roads so you can, as you put it, be moving on.

I've got a few books I've started that I need to continue with, too.

Wordle in 4 for me today.

268LizzieD
Jun 24, 2023, 10:11 am

Good morning, Karen! I'm not sure what I'll read next in the nonfiction department. I have several clamoring to be read, including The Sway of the Grand Saloon that I was trying to read in tandem with *SRs*. That didn't work.

Wordle 735 4/6

🟨🟩⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, brand, grand

269LizzieD
Jun 25, 2023, 10:15 am

Back to normal except that I changed my first word. It wasn't particularly helpful, and I ended up looking at a list.

Wordle 736 4/6

🟨🟨⬜⬜🟨
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟨⬜🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 orate, sling, probe, rodeo Second and third guesses were dumb, but I'm in a hurry!

270richardderus
Jun 25, 2023, 11:21 am

Sunday orisons, dear lady. Wordle, annoyingly, still defeats my processing centers...but the challenge keeps on appealing to me. Guess we'll see if my brain recovers this skill in time.

*smooch*

271LizzieD
Jun 25, 2023, 12:48 pm

Good afternoon, our Richard. I'm sorry that Wordling hasn't come back yet. I have every conviction that it will. You're healing, and that's a cause for great rejoicing on Thread Peggy and all over this friendly place.

A DARKNESS ABSOLUTE by Kelley Armstrong

Book 2 in the Casey Duncan series. It's winter in the Yukon, and Casey and Deputy Will Anders take refuge from a violent storm in a cave as they are trying to find a Rockton resident who has gotten lost in the forest. They don't find Shawn, but they do find Nicole, a woman who had disappeared from Rockton over a year before. She has been kept prisoner in a hole in the cave. Casey and Dalton's instinct is that the captor is a settler, somebody who left Rockton or a descendant of a Rockton resident.

I found this one even more chilling than the first because passages about spelunking give me the willies. I have been in the Linville Caverns, but there I could always walk upright in a well-lighted place with little sense of the weight of the earth over me. The prospect of getting stuck in a chute or falling in a hole or deep pool ensure that I'll never do more than read about real caving. I'm also not a fan of real cold or being lost, so this was a real thriller. But oh! Casey gets a puppy, a first in Rockton, and Storm is a treat. Add some moral ambiguity and romance, and Kelley Armstrong has done it again.

On to book 3!

272ffortsa
Jun 26, 2023, 10:02 am

>271 LizzieD: Oh yes, spelunking gives me the willies too. There is one book in the series about the park ranger (can't recall the character's name at the moment) that has a lot of action in a cave, and it just made my skin crawl.

273LizzieD
Editado: Jun 26, 2023, 10:44 am

Mensagem removida pelo autor.

274LizzieD
Editado: Jun 26, 2023, 10:45 am

Hi, Judy! I do believe you're thinking of Blind Descent in the Anna Pigeon series when Anna is working in Carlsbad Caverns. It turned me inside out. I just looked at my tags, and one is "Claustrophobics Beware!"

AND ---
Wordle 737 3/6

⬜⬜⬜🟩🟨
🟨⬜⬜🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, guest HA!

I'll also add that I'm hoping to finish one more little book before the month's end. That would make me happy.

275ffortsa
Jun 26, 2023, 3:48 pm

>274 LizzieD: Exactly. I still have pictures in my head from that one!

276LizzieD
Jun 27, 2023, 9:57 am

I should just have gone for it and gotten it in 2; didn't. 3 keeps me happy.

Wordle 738 3/6

🟩⬜🟩⬜⬜
🟨⬜⬜🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, about

277richardderus
Jun 27, 2023, 10:01 am

Happy Tuesday, smoochling.

278LizzieD
Jun 28, 2023, 10:14 am

Good morning, Richard. Hot here but not as hot as tomorrow. I sigh.

Wordle 739 4/6

🟨🟩⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, train, track, tract

279LizzieD
Editado: Jun 30, 2023, 4:03 pm

ELIGIBLE by Curtis Sittenfeld

(First, this peculiar thing. I had tagged this book "read" and scored it at 3 stars. It was all a surprise to me, including the author's essay about her friend to whom she dedicated it. I have no idea.)

*Eligible* is CS's modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice. I think of CS as a superior chick-lit writer, and this one sort of confirms my opinion. It's supposed to be satire, but it somehow lacks that critical edge. In fact, I found it only mildly funny: pleasant but mild. That said, I was happy to keep reading and got through it quickly for me.

CS gets some things exactly right. Jane turns 40 in the course of the story, and Liz is 38. Mrs. Bennett is a Cincinnati club woman and shopping addict. Mr. Bennett has gone to the office every day of his working life, but the only money he has managed has been his family's.

Some things are not so good. Lydia and Kitty are horrible, as loud and insistent with vulgarities as uncensored Bevis and Butthead. Kitty gets a personality though and some indication that she may, in fact, be salvageable. Jane is almost a non-entity, and Chip Bingley is a sweet lightweight. Mary is entirely detached and self-sufficient.

Liz is the only one of the daughters who is completely self-supporting. She and Jane, a yoga instructor, live in NYC, but Jane gets an allowance. Liz is the problem. She is the responsible one, and a reader has to love her for that. However, where JA's Liz sparkles and glows, this Liz glitters and with an occasional flash. In his first proposal Darcy tells her that she's not nearly as funny as she thinks she is. He's right. A great compensation is the fact that Darcy is a thoroughly nice guy and Kathy de Bourgh is a lovely, remarkable woman.

That's a lot to say about a book that I didn't love and adore. I think that JA fans may find it worth a summer reading. 3½ stars from me now.

280Whisper1
Jun 29, 2023, 1:07 am

Hello Dear One.

I vow to visit threads more often as I've really been remiss this year. Thinking of you and your dear mother. I send musch Love.

281karenmarie
Jun 29, 2023, 8:53 am

'Morning, Peggy!

The heat is not fun at all, but Sunday and Monday are supposed to get to 97F here. Ugh.

I got Wordle in 3 today with a lucky guess after my initial word. N for the wrong V, and there it was.

The jelly beans are quite wonderful...

282richardderus
Jun 29, 2023, 9:59 am

Midsummer ain't a happy time down south. Stay indoors!

*smooch*

283LizzieD
Jun 29, 2023, 10:09 am

What a warmth (in exactly the right way) to find that favorite people have visited me today. Thank you, Richard, Karen, and Linda!

Linda, I wish I thought I could visit threads more often. Yours is always a treat for eye and spirit when I get there.
Karen and Richard, the heat is a challenge. Did I say that my DH had the brilliant idea that I carry a little cold pack with me when we walk? It is melted by the time we get home, but it is such a help!
I'm so happy to think of you eating jelly beans, Karen. I have a few more at the bottom of an old jar, and then I'm indulging myself too. When I shopped, I'd look at every available container in the store so that I could take the one with the most tiramisu beans.

Wordle 740 4/6

⬜🟨⬜⬜🟨
⬜🟨🟨⬜⬜
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, liner, diner I'm happy enough with this. I could easily have gone to 6.

284richardderus
Editado: Jun 29, 2023, 5:40 pm

Peggy, I had another thought, which is here

285LizzieD
Jun 30, 2023, 10:21 am

As you have seen on your thread, Richard, I found it, and I expect I'll give it a try. It's so nice to yield to temptation.

Wordle 741 3/6

🟩⬜🟨🟨⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 slate, strap, straw Would I have gotten it in 3 if I hadn't used Wordlebot's favorite first word? I think so since I would have had 3 letters.

286richardderus
Jun 30, 2023, 5:08 pm

Happy weekend-ahead's reads, smoochling!

287karenmarie
Jul 1, 2023, 9:36 am

'Morning, Peggy! Happy Saturday.

I got up late and have only just finished my first cup of coffee and last piece of German Chocolate Cake for breakfast. Sigh.

Wordle took my usual 4.

288LizzieD
Jul 1, 2023, 10:14 am

Thank you always for the visit and the greeting, Karen and Richard. We've decided to give up our walks for the duration of this extra heat. I hope it's not the whole summer!!!!

Wordle 742 3/6

⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, bleep Sometimes what you don't have to work with is as helpful as what you do. The bot says that my first 2 choices left me with 2 possible answers, and I thought of the right one first. Lucky!

289vancouverdeb
Jul 2, 2023, 12:37 am

I'm sorry you are having such bad heat that you and and your husband have had to give up your walks! I sure hope it does not last all summer. YIkes! Here's to some rain for you.

290lauralkeet
Jul 2, 2023, 6:44 am

>288 LizzieD: Hi Peggy. I don't think I've ever had that sort of Wordle experience. That's fascinating.

I'm sorry you have to give up your walks for a while though.

291LizzieD
Jul 2, 2023, 10:05 am

Thank you for kind wishes, Deborah and Laura. We did get a little rain last night. It came with a tornado warning, but that didn't manifest here! It's in the mid-80s now and heating up.
Laura, That was a new one for me too.

I got today's down to 2 possibilities for word 3 and chose the wrong one. Fine with me. I'm not apologetic for 4s.

Wordle 743 4/6

⬜⬜🟨🟩⬜
⬜⬜⬜⬜🟩
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, bossy, mossy

292richardderus
Jul 2, 2023, 10:17 am

>291 LizzieD: Mid 80s at 10am. Hiss boo.

Good Wordleing! Trying again gave me a persistent eyegrain...might just not be in my cards anymore...still it's not like there's nothing else for me to do.

*smooch*

293LizzieD
Jul 2, 2023, 1:13 pm

Good morning, Richard. I remain the voice of "Have patience with yourself as you take whatever time you need." Meanwhile, it is a wonderful world right where we are with what we have! (Possibly my father should have named me Polly-Anna.)

294karenmarie
Jul 2, 2023, 7:59 pm

Late day greetings, Peggy. I was very busy today and am whupped, but in a good way. I hope you've had a good day and I'll try to visit earlier tomorrow!

295LizzieD
Editado: Jul 3, 2023, 10:16 am

Good morning, Karen! Glad your day was good. Aim for another one today! I'm staying in out of the heat!!!!!

Wordle 744 5/6

⬜⬜🟨⬜🟨
⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜
⬜🟨⬜🟨🟨
⬜🟩🟩🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, depot, totem, hotel Best I could do. Wordlebot never likes my second word, but when it works, it saves me a world of trouble.

296LizzieD
Jul 4, 2023, 10:11 am

Wordle 745 3/6

🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨🟨🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 aeons, mirth, irate Dedicated to you, Richard, as you see! I think my first two would have gotten me there too.

Meanwhile, I can't wait to get back to my Kelley Armstrong. At the halfway point it's thrill after thrill after thrill. I didn't read too late last night, but I had to get everybody's feet back on the ground before I could go back to sleep. This Fallen Prey is another entertaining entry in her Casey Duncan series, but it's not for the queasy.

297richardderus
Jul 4, 2023, 12:15 pm

>296 LizzieD: You got there in excellent time, Peggy! *smooch* with thanks for reviving my Wordle presence.

298LizzieD
Jul 5, 2023, 10:35 am

It's my pleasure to branch out a little, Richard, and we'll hold your Wordle spot for you.

There was no help for me today until I checked a word list for the right middle 3 combo.

Wordle 746 5/6

⬜⬜🟨⬜🟨
⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜
🟨⬜⬜🟨🟨
🟨⬜⬜🟩⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 arose, unity, olden, echos, venom Bot says I should have gotten it in 4. Didn't.

299richardderus
Jul 5, 2023, 10:45 am

Have a very indoorsy lovely day, Peggy! *smooch*

300karenmarie
Jul 5, 2023, 1:38 pm

Hi Peggy!

Ugh to the weather. I was out in it this morning, book sorting, brekkie with fellow volunteers, treadmill. Home now, inside with no plans beyond puttering and reading.

Wordle was 5 for me today, too. I had to use the list of 2,309 words...

301atozgrl
Jul 5, 2023, 6:16 pm

Hello, Peggy! I finally worked my way back around to your thread after getting back from our trip. I'm very glad to see that I missed a few days of the bad heat here while we were up in Bryson City. They were actually predicting that it would get into the 90s there at least one day, but it was cloudier than expected and didn't get that hot. We were also up in the park or higher in the mountains most of the days, so we were cooler. The day we took the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad trip, it was hot, and we were in the open-air car. Because of the breeze, we didn't really realize how hot it had gotten, and we were pretty tired by the time we got back to our hotel. But we felt much better after an hour in the air conditioning. That was the hottest day we had, otherwise we were pretty comfortable.

I am not enjoying the heat and humidity that we have returned to! I hope you are staying cool.

302LizzieD
Jul 5, 2023, 11:51 pm

Irene, how nice of you to visit!!! I haven't been to our mountains in years, and I miss them. I'm glad that you enjoyed your time there and that you got some heat relief. It's been miserable here, so I've stayed in and done even less than usual if that's possible. It was cool enough to walk this evening, and we did. I've been getting minimal exercise on an exer-cycle, and that's not very satisfying.

I do think it's time for me to start a new thread, so I'm going to do that even if I don't get much done on it tonight. Hope to see you there!
Este tópico foi continuado por 2023*3 LizzieD: Still here. Still reading..