Greatest global online bookclub in town

I would find my hearing aid.  About a week ago I discovered it was gone - 11 months old, cost $2000.  After looking

high and low, I realized it must have flipped off when I took my reading glasses off.  Sometimes the little clear wire

gets caught in  my glasses earpiece.  Since it is the same color as my carpet, I knew it was worse  than the proverbial

needle in a stack!  I can’t hear worth a darn without the aid.  Although I still have one in the other ear, it isn’t good

enough.  Has anyone tried the kind AARP advertises (available at Walgreen’s)?

Darlyne, I’m in your club. Last week I stopped to get gas before driving to Austin. I always lock the car, take my keys and credit card. Juggling the card, keys and the nozzle is always awkward. Standing at the pump, I realized the new shirt I had on had a pocket so I slipped the credit card into it. Next day in Austin, getting ready to pay for my chiropractor treatment–no credit card–INSTANT PANIC. Took everything out of my purse. One of the girls at the desk said “did you put it in a pocket?” YES! I’d completely forgotten. My daughter-in-law and one of the other girls had suggested different things but nothing clicked until one said “pocket.”

Candace

PS–Hope the insurance company does the right thing on the stripped truck without a hassle.

I am very happy that I found my drivers license. I thought I had lost it or someone stole it when I left it in my bag at the pool. After searching for two days I found it in my purse, in a pocket I usually don’t keep it in. I don’t take my purse to the pool so just had it in a money clip. I usually put it back in my purse but this time couldn’t remember doing that. I had taken my son to the pool.

The police found the remnants of the truck the same morning. It had been professionally “stripped” of some items: Front end clip, fenders, batteries, two back doors on the crew cab, airbags, etc. They left the engine thank goodness and transmission. Now if the insurance company will get off their haunches and help deal with this, it would be nice. Husband is afraid since the truck was in the auto pound, and we had rain, that the interior, seats and carpet, will now be ruined also.

The celebration is over. Three left this morning and youngest daughter will leave this afternoon but she is at Jenny’s. We all had a great time. Jenny is happy because one of her cats has long hair, mats and claws and she has been unable to groom him. Her brother held the cat, showed the cat that he was the alpha male, and my youngest who knows how to groom got him shaved and clipped. Now she will be able to keep up with it.

The weather was perfect, we had the birthday dinner on the patio and Jenny’s three children and a fiancé were all able to be there along with her siblings. I made dinner two other nights for various members. I forgot, Julie’s youngest was there before he took off for Boston to visit his brother and a friend of Julie’s was with us for a while also. She spent a day in NY.

Jo, I think you might like Steven Kings, The Shawshank ( i am not sure of that spelling) Convention, It was not like his other books and very good. It also made a great movie.

Oh boy - CARRIE the movie was one spooky thing; I was visiting a daughter and hubby and we went to see it. It would NOT have been my choice - I’m not a Steven King admirer although, thanks to Jerry who sent his copies around, I did enjoy The Green Mile. But his other stuff is just too far out for me.

I’ve been rereading stuff although I did read a new one - to me - and for the life of me I can’t remember the name. If I didn’t have to put on a dress or something, I’d go check in the paperback library, right across the hall. But I don’t want to. Well, OK - I changed my mind. I’ll go look.

It’s Sundays at Tiffany’s by James Patterson and I do recommend it. It’s the story of a little girl and her imaginary friend. When she turned nine, he had to leave - that was a rule of imaginary friends. But he assured he that she would forget him — that was another rule. She was, of course, totally heart-broken. So - did she forget him? That’s the story, folks. I enjoyed the story very much.

And now I’ll take it back to the library. I took another one by Steve Berry call The Romanov Prophecy. I like these kinds of stories - a little espionage maybe, or adventure or something like that. Sure beats housework!

We had some weather here today - a bit of thunder which rattled the dishes - and then it was over. I wish I had a screen door - it is great outside but stuff inside even w/AC. I open the door anyhow and then keep forgetting to buy a fly swatter. Horseflies are HUGE! And they bite, which itches. From now on, I’ll do as a neighbor does: scratch it till it bleeds and then it won’t itch anymore. That thing drove me nuts with the itch for about 9 nine days.

I know I don’t have to tell you to enjoy having all the kids around - when daughter Debbie had her 50th (FL) they were all there but #3 son didn’t make it to CO for daughter Suzanne’s 50th.

Well, take care all.
Jo

I love reading about all the family get-togethers. The two weddings in the community reminded me of growing up in Indiana. Sometimes it seemed there was a shower every week. There were certain givens–multiples of the same item were very rare. Many gave the same thing to each bride. Everyone knew who would give a flour sifter, a pair of scissors, a rolling pin, an egg beater, etc. In the depression, gifts were modest and useful.

I’ve been listening to Stephen King’s “Carrie” in the car. It is not at all what I expected–there are still three tapes to go so I’m not sure what is yet to come.

Candace

“America America” by Ethan Canin. Good read but took a while to get into it. “Ted Tails in Love” and”Central Park in the Dark” by Marie Winn- both about birds, nonfiction. Most enjoyable. “Testimony” by Anita Shreve - don’t usually enjoy her books but this one was intense! “Resilience” by Elizabeth Edwards -not sure why I bought it and expected to dislike it, tho she certainly has my sympathy In fact, I liked it a lot and like her, too! Gutsy lady.

I haven’t been here for so long that I don’t know if you discussed “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”. Bought it after reading a review, and ended up giving a lot of them for Christmas. My husband liked it too. Also gave “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” - very good read.

My best to all my old pals, and any new ones who are reading this!

Fondly,

Gretchen

How delightful to have all four of your offspring together, Darlyne! And its hard to believe that Jenny is 50. She and Susan walked over to our home when they were little and your folks were here in Oslo. She was blond and Susan had dark hair, such a pretty pair! They liked our daughter’s chubby, stubborn, mare, Misty.

We have two wedding this afternoon, life in a small town where one has lived all one’s life. I like weddings though. One is Norman Nelson’s grandson, and the other Walter Michalski’s great grandaughter. We can’t make both, I just brought a gift to the later. If Clive goes to one wedding—-its more than enough for him.

We have lovely weather too, but Crookston, MN, 50 miles from us, had 2 inch hail and 60 mile hour winds Thur night.

Jacky

Sure is good to hear from both of you. I don’t have a kindle and probably won’t get one.

I am going for a swim and then preparing for the arrival of two daughters and my son. He was sent to Baltimore for a conference or something and is taking the train here and will be with me until Tuesday. He was lucky that we had planned a 50th party for Jenny and my other two daughters will be coming so he will see his sisters. It will be a busy time and I am looking forward to it. We and he didn’t know he was coming when we planned the party so it indeed was a stroke of luck. El Paso is too far away to just fly here for a day or two.

We have had a great summer so far, cool at night and not too hot or humid during the day. Haven’t had to use the AC yet. We had no spring, it rained almost every day. It was good for the plants though. My neighbors tomato plants are over 8 feet tall. He had to get 8 foot stakes from Home Depot. (it was also good for the weeds)

First of all, here’s an email I got from Traude today.

< < Hi, Jo!!

After months and months of trouble with -mail and labor over it every single day. Wede's post was the first I received. What a miracle!
Several others from the group followed; nothing could have delighted me more. The latest came this morning, from Jerry and I sent a reply, right away.
If he received it, I'll probably let all of you know.

It's summer - albeit a wet and chilly one in Massachusetts, the grands are popping in and out, spending the night even. The main attraction is my new iMac, of course, They know everything about it, but I am still coasting. My friend Connie came to "help" ... and made it worse. She "streamlined" and "combined" things, which I can no longer find. Arrrrggg. I can't describe the mess she made of my e-mail. My son said, "How could you let her touch the computer?" I have never been so furious in my life.

It is sooo good to hear from you. Thank you, thank you. A treat !
You are brave to have made another move, but you are near your daughter. You sound good too and probably are adjusting well. I 'm still in my house , trying to downsize - sorting through the books, my great passion. My arthritis and an incisional hernia limit my mobility; my traveling days are over.

I take it Jenny has not responded. What about Charlotte in CA? Gretchen?

Please let's stay in touch.
Fondly, >>

I did answer her queries about Charlotte, who passed away a couple of years ago or so, and also Gretchen. I have not yet written to find out about Jenny but I shall.

It is Dick Francis who writes about horses etc., he was a steeplechase rider in Britain in his younger days but now lives in FL. His latest book, I see, is SILKS written with his son.

I am unpacked; my four craft boxes are stuck in storage bins, I will be thrilled when my g’daughter finally gets a job and her own apt and can take the things I’m giving her. But it feels pretty good! I have no pictures hung yet - I still have stuff I’m not keeping which will change things and I do want to get curtains of some sort for my living room. Miniblinds are nice but they don’t block much light when the sun comes up! at 5 a.m.

I’m so sorry to hear about your hubby’s truck, Georgianna. My daughter is rather blasè about locking her car - she says this is Loveland, Mom - but I don’t care. I lock my car and I lock my door to the balcony. Why tempt fate???

Am I the only one without a kindle?

Take care all,
Jo

So sorry about that theft, bookworm. Our friend had a new truck stolen in the Phoenix area two years ago. What made matters even worse, was how indifferent the police were about it. Our friend had left his cell phone in the truck, so he called his number and the thief laughted at him. The police didn’t come to the house, our friend had to go to the police station, and never got the vehicle back. I sometimes forget to lock our house here in Oslo, it has been quite safe, but years ago, Darlyne and my cousin had her car stolen from in front of the grocery store where she worked. It was Jan Olimb, Darlyne, and she had left the keys in it. It was found in MT, alright except for miles.

I couldn’t resist Jodi Picoult’s newest book at Sam’s, Change of Heart. Just started it this evening, and she grabs your attention in the first page.

Jacky

Georgiana, I went to the “app store” and typed in ‘gratitude” and it is called “gratitude journal’ and is 0.99 and in my opinion well worth it.

I apologize for taking so long to answer your question.

Judith

I am so sorry about your stolen truck. The mechanic said today if they disable the horn you would have no horn and one needs a horn at times. I do feel sad that we have to lock everything up. When our kids were growing up the house was always open. With four of them going in and out I am sure keys would be lost. We did have a wimpy dog but he was big and did bark when someone new came around.

So sorry–one of my worst fears is my car being stolen. Sure hope he gets it back intact. The hassle of calling the police and dealing with insurance is additional stress. We had another police chase yesterday–a stolen red pickup loaded with equipment shut down a freeway when it crashed and threw the equipment into other cars. Two days ago one of our local TV newsmen was hijacked as he was leaving to come to work. Just think–there was a time when we left the keys in the car, house unlocked and windows open without concern. Let us know how it goes.

Candace

Wish we had had one of those annoying car alarms - - my hubby’s truck was stolen from our driveway sometime between 10:30 last night and 4:30 this morning. Imagine his surprise when he walked outside, all ready to go to work, and said “Where’s my truck?”

I’ve been on the phone doing Police Reports, Insurance reporting, car rental setup. I’m ready to go back to bed for a nap!

I asked if it could be disconnected and they said it couldn’t because of the lock system or something. I would even be happy to not be able to lock the darn thing. The car is eight years old but doesn’t have that many miles on it but I think the age would keep someone from taking it. I live in a pretty safe area, i guess I should knock on wood.

IGNORING THE INAPPROPRIATE SALE INTRUSION….

Darlyne, they ended up disconnecting it. There are so many false ones they are often ignored. People who want to break in are usually skilled enough they’re gone before anyone could respond.

Candace

I wonder how your neighbor’s car alarm got fixed? I thought mine was but it went off again so back to the garage, the mechanic says he is talking to the dealer and has the same stuff the dealer has so will call them again,.

Jacky, I can just imagine what that episode was like for you! Poor child. No doubt she was embarrassed but it just might be the best thing that could have happened and next time she will return or call when expected. There are just so many things to be concerned about these days.

Darlyne, a neighbor up the block recently had the same problem. Your story reminded me of something I haven’t thought of in at least 65 years. I was on my way home from visiting a friend about 50 miles away. In just a few miles for some unknown reason the horn would honk every time I turned the steering wheel to the left. I tried to avoid passing any cars–not wanting to seem rude–just ordinary steering, turning corners was a combination of funny and irritating. About 10 miles from home it was getting dark–no headlights!–obviously something shorted out–I was never so glad to get home. These days it would all be computerized and probably wouldn’t run at all. Thanks for prompting that old memory.

Candace

Judith, do you remember how you found the app about gratitude for your phone? I think I would like that.

Thanks, Georgianna

That was a horrible experience Jacky and I am happy that it turned out OK. We lost track of a two year old at out last family reunion at the beach and it gave us all what seemed like hours of panic when in reality it was about ten minutes. He could have found a round about way to the ocean by climbing a dune. Luckily we found him in the front yard of a neighbors place. He had found a way out of the yard that we didn’t know was there.

I am reading Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. It is a group of short stories that all take place in a small town in Maine and Olive, a school teacher is featured in all of them. She starts out working but then retires. this book is a Pulitzer Prize winner and very popular right now. I have heard tell it is the darling of book groups. I am enjoying it. She is a beautiful writer.

I enjoyed reading of your iphones and kindles, I need a new phone and will look into iphones.
Its been a busy summer, including my calling 911 for the first time. I’ll try to make a long story short, my husband and I rented a cabin at a lake where our son and family have a RV for the month of July. They come and go with working, farming ect. Our 16 year old grandaughter asked to spend the week with us when her family left Sun eve. I said she could if she promised not to be bored. Famous last words! She and I were trying to get my lap top to work at the “game room” near the office, when she asked if she could talk to this “hot” dude at the next table. She promised to come to the cabin in a half hour. 2 hours later, after riding my bike all over the park and asking at the office several times, I called 911. A very nice lady put me in touch with a deputy, who came to our cabin. Can you imagine giving Carley’s description, 5 seven, 125 lbs, long blond hair, wearing very ragged jeans, a tank top, no shoes, and her birthday is Christmas Day. 3 hours and 5 minutes after I last saw her, she appears at our cabin, with Seth, the hotty, who is shorter than her and looks about 12, he is her age. Anyway that nice cop had walked around the park asked some young folks a few questions and called Seth, who Carley told us had said to her, “Carley, what have you done, the police are looking for you?”

My husband says that it was the most frightened he had seen me in our 55 years. Talk about mixed feelings! I was so thankful to see her, but also angry. She said she was fine and had no idea we would worry. She and Seth were just hanging out. I haven’t done much reading, so its good to hear of your books.

In Aug two more grandkids are coming, but they are our youngest and stay put better. Jacky

I am happy that my car alarm finally got fixed so it doesn’t randomly go off when ever it felt like it. It took three trips to the garage to get it fixed. I really hated it when it would start honking in the middle of the night, I am sure my neighbors weren’t to happy about it either although they were nice enough to say they didn’t notice it.

There is a simpler way–on Amazon I just put in “Free Kindle Books” and a list came up.

Candace