Greatest global online bookclub in town

Have a wonderful birthday Candace. Sounds like it will be.

Oh lucky you – that will be another b’day to remember. I know you’ll enjoy it.

I love Colorado, Jo. Working in Denver decades ago, while taking dictation, I had the view of a snow-covered mountain. It was one of the most enjoyable jobs I ever had. There are so many beautiful areas in that state and I felt really good at the higher elevation.

I have a screen on my computer showing Sun Valley, Idaho’s temperature a week at a time. My son and dil invited me to go with them to the Sun Valley Jazz Festival. This week it’s sliding down daily from 39 low and 60 high to the end of the week 18 low and 40 high. If that keeps up by the time we get there next week it’s going to be really chilly. I celebrated my 80th birthday there and, barring some unexpected change in the next few days, I’ll celebrate my 85th there so I’m going to enjoy every minute, whatever the weather.

Candace

I’ve just put Loveland’s zip code into the GGOBIT weather slot and it is quite chilly there so far – like 45°. Clear and sunny. It was about 48° here a while ago but I would guess it has warmed up some – maybe even up to 52°.

I think fall and winter are approaching.

I’m not really feeling bad about that little experience – what I AM feeling is stupid. LOLOL

At any rate, it all worked out fine and my car didn’t get stolen nor did I lose anything from it.

Mercy sakes –

I made an appt to get my flu shot on 10/23. I leave for MD to spend a few days with son/DIL and he will take me to the airport for the flight to CO on the 31st — Happy Halloween. I wonder if the flight people will be in costume! I would guess not. One Halloween, the bank manager came to work in footed pajamas with a teddy bear tucked under his arm. Everyone was in costume of some sort – his would have won a prize. If he had to leave his desk, the teddy bear went with him. It was hilarious. I think he made it a point to leave his desk for something fairly often.

Don’t feel bad about that car key thing Jo. Years ago a co-worker of mine did the same thing only she didn’t discover it until her work day was over—-and her door was locked. I forget how she solved it. Her car idled all day. She was in her early forty’s.

Shook is right – I would have been good for 007′s martinis; shaken but not stirred! Whew! Thanks Candace!

I know how that shook you up, Jo. I’ve done things very similar to that followed by a mix of gratitude that nothing bad happened and shock that you’ve actually lapsed. It takes time to regain confidence. When I was working, I could answer the phone, make a note about work handed to me over my shoulder and know who walked by my door. Now it’s one thing at a time and it’s easy to be momentarily distracted. You will be so careful that you won’t do that again, you can be sure of that.

Candace

I hesitate to relate what I did – it was so stupid and I was so lucky.

I got out of the car, locked and then closed said door and went into KMart to do my shopping. Came back out, looked for car keys. NO KEYS! Something said look in the ignition and I did. KEYS! And not only that, the car was running and it wasn’t locked!!!

I was fortunate that it was windy and hard to hear: engine was running but not heard and wind was blowing the warm exhaust away before it warmed anyone’s legs.

I have NEVER done that before. I came home and didn’t go out again. I still shake my head in wonder that I did such an idiotic thing and didn’t realize it.

CRS Personified
Jo

Darlyne, thanks for proving I’m not out here by myself.

Candace

That’s a big reason I feel comfortable in the company of this group, Jo.

I had an unusual experience last week at the grocery store. For a couple of weeks before, I had been having some of my occasional routine dizzy spells added to one knee acting up, and was generally feeling awful but needed to get a few things, including more Dramamine. This day, the checker looked at me and said, “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better today.” I was a bit surprised but said, yes, I was. She said, “Last time, you looked like you felt so bad it stayed on my heart.” Then I remembered–the last time I was there the checker had asked if I was all right, I took it as routine and said I was, but she had asked again, “Are you sure you’re all right?” I had not been just another faceless shopper passing through her line. This young woman had really looked at me, seen an elderly woman clearly not doing well and was sincerely concerned. It was a lesson–I had not given her the same attention. I like to think I’m observant and considerate of others, but this was a reminder. I have written letters of commendation to stores about employees who were unusually efficient or helpful. I will get the last name of “Rose” and write one about her to Kroger. She more than made up for the ones who talk and joke with each other while ringing up your purchases.

Candace

I make cookies for the Democratic headquarter workers. Last week I made a batch of Chocolate chip ones and I forgot to put in the chocolate chips so they were just oatmeal cookies. The next day I made another batch and guess what, I again forgot to put in the chocolate chips. Is that CRS or what? I did make a batch today and did remember to put them in but it took a great effort. Maybe I should just stick to reading.

You both hit the proverbial nail on the head. I know my one daughter-in-law is 100% certain I am one sandwich short of a picnic but especially around here, I try to make it not quite so obvious!!!!!!!!!!!

You both came up with two very good thoughts there. Thank you.

>On occasion I get a glimpse of ME and sometimes it is shocking

Same here, Georgianna!! Sometimes there’s a real “that’s me?!” moment.

Candace

Candace, you are so funny. —-
must rethink my assumption that I have one.

I can so identify with your thinking. On occasion I get a glimpse of ME and sometimes it is shocking, surprising. I think I am open minded – oh well, I could go on and on but that was really funny to me.

I appreciate this group a lot. Georgianna

As “one of us,” the chronicling of the shift in the mother/daughter relationship of Phyllis and DG as they meet life’s challenges has a special resonance. Many of us may well face similar adjustments and take comfort in their example.

Candace

I thought the book was wonderful and very well written, as we would expect. I could see myself in the future. I hope I have a good a designated daughter as Phyllis has. Thank you both, Debbie and Phyllis, for the insight and the courage to write about it.

I finished this while waiting in a Dr. office—just a check-up

This novel takes place in the Northern Territory in 1867, in a small town. It started out with a women looking for her son discovering a neighbors body. It goes on from there, the son has disappeared and people suspect him of the murder because of this. He is only 17. This is a complicated story of early settlements, tracking, fur traders, murder, romance and even a little homosexuality. From the authors descriptions of the area one feels as if you are there. There is some mention of wolves but it really isn’t about them. The front cover has a blurb, think Cold Mountain— only colder…Mystery, romance and really bad weather. Just try putting this one down.

By the way, I did read The Designated Daughter and thought it very good.

For those of you who read the article, Designated Daughter, it is out in book form. If you go to Borders.com, Borders Media; section entitled “Borders Advice for Living: D.G. Fulford, you can watch/listen to an interview with D.G. It was so nice to see her and listen to her and tell us how the book came about. She has been with her mom for ten years now.

Joanne McIntyre

I must confess, thanks to Jerry, I’m glad I read the book before Oprah recommended it. I have become accustomed to feeing that her choices are just not where I am in reading preference, and would have not given it a thought. So much for an open mind…. must rethink my assumption that I have one.

Candace

I started this book thinking it was one of the weirdest things I’d ever read; more than I ever needed to know about the breeding and training of pedigreed German Shephards. Then, as the plot thickened, the book got to be a page turner and I couldn’t put down the Kindle. The protagonist a teenage boy was amazing in his ability to fend for himself in the wild and not so wild. Finally he gets back to reality and faces the solutions to his problems at home. It was a great book and one I’ll remember (as much as CRS allows) for a long time.

Huggz all,
Jerry