Greatest global online bookclub in town

I hope you reported him!

Jan, Clive said your book came, but I’m still in St Paul, so it will be this weekend before I get started on it. Daughter’s surgery went well, but she woke with a migraine, which she is also prone to, and it lasted 8 hours. She asked if I would come and stay the night as the night nurse was very slow about answering her calls. I saw what she meant, her empty IV beeped for a long time, and it still took over 10 minutes for Thad to come, in fact I got another RN, who changed the bag. Thad had been chatting with other staff, I noticed. I know they are overworked and under staffed, but he was not trying.

Otherwise, the night staff were wonderful, and the headache left, so the rest of the night went well.

Jacky

Today is much more reasonably ‘warmed,’ at least so far. I had been getting up to 80° plus by 8 am but today it is only 75° outside and 71° inside. HOWEVER, after the kinds of temps we’ve been having, my lightweight jacket feels good. I like to sleep in a cool room and 72-74° is just about right, but it is a mite nippy inside. I left the slider open to let in just a TAD of warmth.

I must admit, though, that the lower temperature is MORE than welcome. It’s easier to put on a sweater or ??? but awfully hard to take off things, esp by the time you get down to your skin!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m not a ‘summer’ fan, give me spring and fall and I’m happy !!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is Jodi Picoult’s latest, I believe, and it is probably one of the best.  I have probably said that about other books she has written.  She is one of my favorite authors, I guess because she always makes me feel some empathy for characters I ordinarily would not consider.  This  one involves a mother who must make a decision about whether or not to accept the heart of the man who killed her daughter and husband.  Another daughter needs a transplant and the criminal, on death row, wants to give his heart to her.  That is the basis of the story, but oh – there is so much more – an in-depth look at the attorney handling the case, the criminal’s spiritual advisor and surprises very close to the end of the story.  I highly recommend it.

Yes, this is a new book. Only available in hardcover right now.

Joanne

Isn’t there a neighbor who could come in and stay while the repairman is there? Seems a shame to have to let it go until you get back.

booksfree didn’t have Bleeding Kansas so I’m assuming it a new book; they have only paperbacks and audios.

HOT HOT HOT here today already. We are looking for rain the end of the week and probably the weekend. My flowers will love it. Me too.

Jo

I am looking forward to reading this book. It sounds like my kind of book.

I’m glad to read your description of this book. I enjoy her Warshawski books but had hesitated getting this. Sometimes authors change direction and it doesn’t quite work. Looks like this is a good one. If you can’t see how it’s going to end, that’s good.

Candace

I am currently reading “Bleeding Kansas” by Sara Paretsky. We probably all know this author from her V. I. Warshawski detective novels. However, this is not a detective novel. There is a tiny thread of mystery moving through the story, but it is so good, such terrific writing, and boy, can she build tension! I probably have 100 pages left to go. But had to put the book down and go to sleep last night. In essence it is a family story, built around how life goes in Mid-West farming communities, where everyone knows everyone else’s business and are not afraid to pass on any information they know, or think they know! I pretty well know that there is a tragic ending coming up, but not exactly how!

I recommend.

Joanne

The washer didn’t leak but I had to get all of the wet clothes out and then dip the water out. I have been doing that a little at a time and have it almost all out. I have to take it to my bathroom to dump as there is no sink in the laundry area. Unfortunately I can’t call a repair man until I get back from VA as I have to be gone tomorrow and I am not sure when I get back. I have DR. appointments and they don’t always show up when they are supposed to. There is the laundro-mat or Jenny’s—or the old wash by hand. I don’t have a wash board though.

I watered some stuff outside this morning and it was already so hot I came in soaked, and not from the hose.

Oh my – well Darlyne, at least it didn’t leak all over the floor as mine did when it died!

The party was inside a big party building. It had AC but believe me, the AC was very much overworked what with the 100 or so people who showed up. I finally got someone sitting next to me to open one of the outside doors, which helps the cool air inside circulate. Fortunately he was known by people and after some comments on the air moving, the doors were left propped open about half way. I did stay longer than I thought but still was definitely not the last one to leave. It was a nice party, the b’day girl was really surprised – as she said, she was speechless but she is never speechless, so everyone laughed.

After I got home and cooled off some, g’daughter, her SO and their toddler came over and invited me to go with them to get a salad – it was too hot to cook. That it was – 91° even at that time of day. Around 5:30. It was so hot and so yucky, I went to bed and read. Fell asleep at 9 pm. Woke up around 2 and discovered I had not turned the AC back on after turning it off earlier as it was nice inside..obviously I remedied that situation and slept the rest of the night. It’s supposed to stay hot the rest of the week and rain around the weekend.

Well, I’m off to a dr appt. Take care all.
Jo

I don’t blame you for not being enthusiatic about an outdoor thing today. I walked yesterday morning when I thought it was cool enough. It wasn’t and I wasn’t sure I would make it home. I did and was fine after I cooled off but I won’t do that again.

This morning my washing machine died and wouldn’t spin or empty out. I had a load of winter heavy stuff in it. I got all the clothes out and drained them on the shower floor and started dipping out the water. I then took the heavy wet stuff to my daughters to finish them. She is bringing them over later. This would have to happen before my trip to Julie’s. Tomorrow is the only day I could have a repair man come and I doubt if I could get one that soon. I may try. I have to dip some more water from the machine. Keep cool.

Today is MD DIL’s mother’s 75th b’day party in Mechanicsburg, about 45 minutes or so from here. Temps are supposed to be HOT but I’m going even if I don’t stay very long and I likely won’t. The people who will be there are totally unknown to me and since I’ll know only son, DIL, their younger daughter, and Pat the honoree and their immediate family, I’m not all that enthused about speaking to a bunch of strangers in 90°+ weather. Actually, I’m not enthused about ANYTHING in 90°+ weather except staying close to the AC.

I hope you midwesterners are getting some relief from the weather. Our share comes the end of next week. Oh joy.

Take care all,
Jo

From what I saw of g’son’s Wii, you connect it to the TV (don’t as ME how!) and connect the two controllers which are hand operated to ??? and then, you use the controllers to do whatever the action is: if boxing, you actually do boxing moves; golfing, you swing the club motion with your controllers to make the club held by the player on the screen hit the ball. And since you, the player, are actually going thru the motions, you get exercise because you have to stand up to do most of the things.

That isn’t too technical, but I hope you understand.

I don’t know how Wii works–is it a video game and you control what goes on on the screen? I’ve never actually seen a video game but I’ve seen pictures of “seniors” apparently playing Wii. I don’t understand how they get exercise out of it.

Candace

Jo, I read on Kindle. I posted the info about audio for Darlyne. I have no interest in audio for it. One thing I appreciate is the shape of the plug on the recharger. Often the boxy shape of the plug on rechargers is so large it takes up a lot of space on an outlet strip. This fits in the space of a normal plug.

My FL g’son (who has now moved back to CA) bought himself a Wii for Christmas and his mom and I both enjoyed watching him LOVE the thing. His facial expressions were great to watch as he really got into the games.

Kindle may be in my future – do you read or listen? If I have to listen, forget it!

It is hot here today and supposed to be the same tomorrow; the wind is blowing mostly gently. I opened the door to see my thermometer better and a neighbor was walking into the bldg; I looked at her after checking the temp and went, “Bleah” and she said, “That’s it!!!!” But it isn’t quite at 90 so there’s hope for tomorrow. My MD DIL and her sisters are giving their mother a surprise b’day party at a park so I may or may not stay very long. Depends on the temperature for sure. Bleah!

The fog did blow away however.

What a lazy day – I’m NOT going outside.
Jo

I didn’t know Roma but I remember the name and I believe there were four McFarland boys.  She must have married Arlyn.  Vernon was the oldest and farmed our farm for years;  now Jeff Chialkowski (Vernon’s grandson-in-law) is farming it.  Small world, huh?  I do remember  hearing about the drownings – a real tragedy.  The boys must have been about my age, though I didn’t know them.

We have a WII here in our activity room.  It is great  fun – my grandchildren here have one too.  You can bowl, play golf, as well as exercise.  I haven’t used it since I fell because my right arm is still sore.  I’ll bet Clive would really enjoy it, and you too.

The book is in the mail, Jacky!  I was able to get out late yesterday and mail it.  I still feel shaky and no appetite, but the worst is over.  I was really sick for four days and now on the mend.  I think “Gatorade” and “Propal” have been the secret to restoring my health.  Appa

And I hope you’re feeling better. Please don’t feel you have to rush at all mailing the book. Its fun reading all the good comments about it.

I’m going to St Paul Sunday afternoon, to help youngest daughter who is having surgery for that dizzyness problem on Mon. I don’t know how long I’ll be there. Husband would have gone too, but has a Dr appt on Wed and when I tried to change it found it wouldn’t happen until out in Aug. He doesn’t care for the tv situation there anyway, they have only one tv and the family room is chilly in the basement.

Jan, you may remember the Tove Kallock family? Roma, the only daughter, who is a year older than me, died yesterday of cancer. We went through country school together and I always liked her. She married a McFarland from Big Woods, and they have 6 children including two sets of twins 11 years apart. I remember a front page photo in our Grand Forks Herald of the four of them walking toward the Oslo school in Sept, Mike and Mary Jo were seniors, and Leah and Lisa were in first grade. They are all grown and married now plus the two single kids. You may remember Roma’s oldest brother 10, and his cousin also about 10, were swimming in our Red River, went under and the uncle dove in to save them and they all drowned. It happened in the 30′s.

We got a lovely inch of slow soaking rain last night. Many thankful farmers and us.

That Kindle business sounds very interesting, two of our grandkids just saved and bought a wii deal for the tv. it has an excercise program that might help my husband move a bit, but its rather costly, and it would probably go the way of the tread mill and stationary bike, which is just that —stationary.

Good to catch up again, Jacky

Talk about multi-tasking!!!!!!!!! Don’t wear yourselves out Kindle-ing, turning pages, and snacking, you two!!!!!!!

LOLOLOLOL

I love the option of using either hand. Now, Jerry, you’ve opened my eyes to Kindle snacking!

Candace

I meant Kindle.

It is almost worth getting that device. I have to grab a napkin to wipe the butter off my hand before turning the page, sigh! This does slow down the reading.

You are truly a genius, Jerry!

I love my Kindle…last night I discovered another great up-side to this machine: I can hold it in my left hand, reading and turning pages and with the right…eat popcorn!
Huggz all,
Jerry