Finished BUCKEYE and it really was a great novel. I will look for his earlier one (Patrick Ryan). It reminded me of a novel from the last century in that it was chronological in its telling and was gentle on its characters. Also watching THE PITT, (more frightening than ever) and the GAME OF THRONES prequel, which I like too. Also DROPS OF GOD on APPLE. And SHRINKING. Finished ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL. Emma Thompson's daughter looks just like her. That is such a calming show but I am glad the War is over.
Weather here is improved. I go to FL for three weeks next Monday. I will put this up in case you want to stop by.
What about you?
18 comments:
I think you'll be happy with the Florida weather, which - for now, at least, is back to normal levels. It's mid-70s here, mostly.
I didn't know that Tristan's girlfriend was Emma Thompson's daughter, though I can see the resemblance.
We finished BEAST IN ME (Netflix), which got good reviews but which we thought was overrated and over the top. NIGHT MANAGER series two was really good. We finally started the second SLOW HORSES series. Also finished PERNILLE (Netflix). Why she killed a main character that way was a shame. Good show.
The one that has surprised me this week is SHRINKING. For whatever reason, I thought it wouldn't appeal to me, but we're really enjoying it so far.
Florida welcomes you with open arms, Patti, because we need a bit of sanity to help offset the Floridaness of it all.
It's been a strange week in our little corner of the Panhandle. I got more good news on my regular post-cancer checkup. It's been three years and my numbers are more than fine and continue to get better. We finally got an official diagnosis on Ellen's Alzheimers, which should allow us to better plan the path forward for her. She had an eye appointment this week, ostensibly to take care of her cataracts, only to be told that she did not have cataracts; evidently she had then removed at one time and did not remember. Walt had been thinking about a homemade chicken soup that used used to make when he was very young and asked her about the recipe; she called two days later to tell him that she used chicken stock. She's also been forgetting her medicine and Walt Sr. is having a hard time dealing with her by herself. The time for her to move in with us is getting much closer.
A bear crashed through a portion of our back yard fence Friday evening and Walt spent Saturday morning replacing it while we went o or first bech excursion in several months. It was cool and breezy and the waves were choppy but the Gulf was beautiful and there were dolphins breaching in the distance. Sometimes you just need the peace and serenity.
Jack's youth football team had been on a roll, winning every game by double digits. They lost their first game Friday night and Jack was not happy. They were skunked 36-0 and Christina said it looked as though their team were in the Monty Python Twit Olympics. This Friday may be better.
Erin has a new job at another vet clinic, starting in two weeks. She really likes working with animals but was getting frustrated by being forced to do the work of a couple of people with seniority over he in addition to her own duties.
It was a good Valentine's Day for most. I spent the day reminiscing about how very lucky I was to have Kitty for so long. Erin and Trey celebrated by going out to dinner. Christina and Walt decided not to go out but then changed their minds and had a good time at their favorite Italian restaurant. And Amy broke her foot.
More later.
Jerry, when I told Jackie your bear story, she asked, "Did they take it in as a new pet?"
Back again.
Amy and Gavin were headed out for a Valentine's dinner when Amy tripped and hurt her ankle. Gavin carried her home. Sunday, Jessie took Amy to the emergency room where they took x-rays. The x-ray tech took a look at Amy's ankle and said, "Yikes!" (It's never a good sign when they resort to onomatopoeia.) Turns out Amy is very broken and in need of surgery. the family consensus was that Amy needed a good cover story because just tripping while you are walking is just not exciting enough. One idea was that Amy had thrown herself on an alligator which had an innocent toddler in nits clutches, saving the child and humanely removing the alligator to a safe location, doing both with an injured ankle. The other idea was that Amy tripped while fleeing ICE while Gavyn held them off by throwing day-old burritos at them; that story had a hint of romance because it was valentine's Day. Time will tell which tale Amy will eventually latch onto. In the meantime fingers are crossed that the surgery will go well and Amy will have no lasting effects.
Perhaps in sympathy with Amy, Mark was sick yesterday and almost called out of work, but at least three other people had called in sick and Mark guilted himself into soldiering through; Christina drove him to work and back because he really did not belong behind the wheel.
On television it was just FATHER BROWN (I really don't care for any pf the supporting characters except for John Burton) and GRACE (as usual, a complicated and interesting web of a plot).
Book then. I read Donald A. Wollheim's second Mike Mars juvenile, MIKE MARS FLIES THE X-15, and followed that one with Frank Harvey's late 1950s collection AIR FORCE! Both dealt in different ways with the early days of the Space Race, and I combined both as my FFB this week. I then read one of Wollheim's young adult books in the old Winston "Adventures in Science Fiction" series, SECRET OF THE NINTH PLANET, filled with gosh-wow derring-do, strange aliens, and then-current-now-hopelessly-outdated view of our solar system; it reminded me of how much I truly enjoyed that Winston series when I was a kid. Christopher Golden's ALIEN: RIVER OF PAIN was an original novel based on the ALIEN film franchise, and a good one. James Lee Burke's latest Dave Robicheaux novel, THE HADECOL BOOGIE, was a poetic take of despair and hope for modern times. Just more proof that Burke is one the most talented novelists of our time, hands down. I also read three Hard Case Crime graphic novels, including the one by Megan and Allison Gaylin. Good sutff,
Today is the 47th day of 2026 and, thus far, I have read 48 books. That record of a book a day is about to go down the tubes because I am starting TOM'S CROSSING by Mark Z. Danielewski, a 1,229 page doorstop with very small type and dense language. Thus far, it has the same lyrical grace of Burke's book. I just hope I have the stamina to carry me over the finish line.
UPDATE: As I type this, Mark is in Urgent Care for his flu-like symptoms. Hoping this is nothing serious. Mark needs a doctor's note for his work.
Life sure is interesting, Patti. Stay safe, stay warm, and enjoy Florida.
No. It skedaddled before we could tame it. Plus, our pets are also household pets; we don't really don't want to find out if a bear you-know-whats in the living room.
Patti, can't speak for the West Coast, but here it is predicted to go to the upper 70s late week, then drop from 79 Sunday to 69 on Monday.
Western NY is finally getting out of the Freezer with temps in the high 30s today. The weather-guessers predict 40s for the rest of the week. At that rate, we'll lose some of the two feet of snow on the ground. Rain Wednesday for Diane's Book Club meeting--yes, she's hosting again.
Patrick leaves for Vegas on Wednesday to run a marathon. Katie is getting ready for her trip to London, Paris, and Barcelona next month to celebrate her 40th Birthday. It seems like was just taking her for stroller rides just yesterday...
With the Olympics on, Diane and I have been following the Men's and Women's Hockey teams. But, we're also chipping away at all the programs we DVRed in December when things were chaotic here. We're down to 67% after flirting with 80%. Have a great trip!
I've heard Buckeye was good; I'm glad you enjoyed it. I hope you have a safe, peaceful and enjoyable trip to Florida.
Thanks, Margot. Me too. I can't believe Katie is 40. Where does time go? I only seem to watch ice-skating but I have seen a lot of that. We have a lot of big piles of ice to get rid of. It melts in the day and refreezes every night. I guess Amy fell the exact wrong way, Jerry. I am not sure I have all of the Normandy Gold comics. I have been ordering the Criterion DVDs where Megan either wrote an essay or interviewed someone. THE MAN WHO WASN" T THERE comes out this month and BODY HEAT in May.
We have finally gotten some rain today. It actually started late last night but I did not notice any rain during the night. This morning it was pouring. But we also did not have internet earlier this morning.
I have been sick again. I haven't eaten normal meals in four days. I am hoping it improves today.
Lots of interesting comments on your post today. Not much going on here. We had been going out on walks, but not since I got sick. Like last week, we have continued watching PERRY MASON MOVIES, COLUMBO episodes, and MIDSOMER MURDERS. Plus our normal crime shows.
Glen finished METROPOLIS by Philip Kerr and gave it five stars. Now he has started reading THE STALIN AFFAIR: THE IMPOSSIBLE ALLIANCE THAT WON THE WAR by Giles Milton. He has read several books by that author so I am sure he will enjoy it.
In the last week I finished THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE by Muriel Spark. I really did not enjoy reading it, but after reading reviews for it, I can see why it gets the acclaim that it does. I will have to read something else by her. I also finished reading DEATH AT GREENWAY by Lori Rader Day last night. Greenway was Agatha Christie's home in Devon and the story is about a group of evacuees living at Greenway during the war. I liked it a lot.
Patti, have a good time in Florida. I have spent some time visiting Florida, but mostly in the general area that Jerry lives in.
I think I saw the movie before I read the book. (PRIME). She is such a powerful figure and so unsympathetic. Maggie Smith was brilliant and unflinching.
Whatever this year's flu is, people seem to have it for weeks. Trying not to get it before I leave.
"I will put this up in case you want to stop by."
Are you kidding? I stop by every week.
Tracy, I read JEAN BRODIE because I loved the Maggie Smith movie. Yes, she was an awful woman.
My son and daughter-in-law were out in Madison again this weekend. They should have bought a place there. Always good to hear about how everyone is doing.
Jackie watched the latest Harlan Coben series on Netflix, Run Away. I can't stand them, but she likes them.
I have seen one or two of his novels on Netflix. Not for me.
If they want to make a real estate investment a purchase in Madison would likely be worth it. It does not sound like the real estate demand will shrink any time soon.
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