pontalba

That's just it, poppy. Just like antibiotics kill all the bacteria in our guts...good and bad. Being exposed to a certain amount of "dirt" and germs early on builds up our immune system so we're able to fight off colds and flu, etc later. I've heard that TV remote thing, but not the one at home, the one in a hotel room. I can understand that, sort of. We don't know who was there last, or what they touched before the remote..... But certainly we know what's what with our own. Sheesh. Besides, most viruses can't survive beyond a little while out in the air. I know what they say about doorknobs and such, but if people would wash their hands, with only regular soap, not necessarily anti-anything soap, we'd all be better off. A nurse friend of mine once told me that even simply rinsing your hands was very effective.

.....and this stopped you???? Come on girlfriend!

We're into the 6th season of Inspector Lewis, and loving it! Love the fact that.............

Ok, folks! More news on the Amazon/drone delivery system! http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2013/12/09/were-much-closer-than-you-think-to-a-revolution-in-drone-shipping/?wprss=rss_technology&wpisrc=nl_tech

That is quite a difference! I don't know what publishers are thinking. The differences in price is just wrong. Something else they do that totally annoys me is when they publish a book over there, and then it comes out weeks later over here. It may happen the other way around, and I haven't noticed. Why can't they simultaneously publish?? grrrrr!

What you say is very true, and that's a whole 'nuther ball of wax as far as I can tell. Lazy is lazy and needs no encouragement.

I've been on the fence about The Plantagenets.....Amazon keeps recommending it, finally put it on my Wish List there.... In a way, following one thread is a good thing. Not the Big Picture, I realize, but interesting. Thanks for a great review.

Oh, I'm so glad you've resurrected this thread!

Yes. Who, me?? Meant to say to this.....I feel that the NYT author was being somewhat 'tongue in cheek' at that juncture. But some good points are made for it.......

Oh, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I've heard of some of his inventions being created before, but this seemed so much more.

Devi, very sorry about your feeling so badly. Mucking about in the garden should, hopefully, be therapeutic. At our old house, I enjoyed it. I used to keep quite a few hanging plants and potted plants around the house. That is, till the Twinkletoes the Kitty came along, and wanted to eat them. So. No indoor plants in any room she can get to. As far as outdoors gardening, the dirt around here is so poor, only pine trees, azaleas, and grass fit for horses grows. I do have huge philodendrons in both bathrooms.......does that count?

Even if your BF wasn't close to his father, for those good reasons, it still has to hurt. Even if BF is only mourning the loss of what could have/should have been. Re wedding costs, my husband and I circumvented most of that. We didn't invite anyone, got our paperwork in order, bought the license, and went to the Justice of the Peace and, she married us in a Civil ceremony. The expense of having all the "stuff" was just too high, and for us, was not worth it. We were happy with it, and that's what counted. We'd already told friends and family, and most of them understood and were happy for us. There is one friend that is still (2 years later) miffed at me about it. However, as far as I am concerned, if someone is a true friend, they accept you and what you want, without judgment or repercussions.

Funnily enough, spoilers don't bother me, 99% of the time. By the time I get to read the book, I've forgotten anyhow.

I have an iPhone4, it has Safari as an OS. I can go online with it, and can check my Library Thing page to see if we already have a book. Although, I have to admit, it isn't always accurate. Sometimes they have told me we don't have it, and we do. I did contact LT about it, so hopefully, they've fixed that problem. Your reviews really make me want to get back to reading Donna Leon!!

Yeah, just checked Amazon over here, and even the second hand ones are expensive. The kindle one is 7.99 USD even.

Knowing the NYT crowd as I do, I'm quite sure that is the fact!

LOL, already put a post in the ask a mod section.....the new title is interesting a well.....I think!

I wonder if I can adjust the heading.....will check. I didn't realize the U.K. connotations.....

I've heard a lot about the Atkinson. Good things. I'll look forward to your review.

Yup, me too. Always read the Amazon blurb, or Good Reads.....not always exactly the same. Also do the first page and the "page 69 test". If all of that looks good, we buy. ` ` ` ` ` An aside....LP, love your sig line..."Save the Earth - it`s the only Planet with chocolate". YES!

Always the safe option! I agree, compromise is always, well, usually the best option. It all depends on circumstances. However, what I mostly agree with re the article is the fact that we obsess over the entire cleanliness thing way too much. Yes, you can be too clean, IMO. For the last 20 years I've seen articles about children coming up with all kinds of allergies that were not predominate before.....to dust, pets, etc. Now it's coming out that when children are not exposed to a certain amount of those things, it is more likely they will develop said allergies. No, I don't believe in garbage strewn about, but messy is fine. Life is messy. There should be a certain amount of "order", but not excessively so, IMO. "Housework" is BORING, dull, repetitive, deadly dull. Yes, there is a certain amount of satisfaction to see a sparkling clean area. But the minute that area is used, it's fairly messy again. That is frustrating, and makes the point quite moot. For me at any rate. I have a very low threshold of boredom.

Ahhh, good question, Athena. Interestingly enough, we split it, perhaps not in a traditional manner though. We both have wonky backs, mine being a bit touchier. Mopping through the house (downstairs is all Mexican tile) usually means a trip to the chiropractor. Husband does the heavy carrying, or we do it together. Right at the moment he is in the kitchen getting our morning toast and tea (for me) and coffee (for him), as he does almost every morning. I do the balance of cooking, such as it is. Fortunately we both like "simple". I do all the cat clean up, I had the cats before we married, so feel they are more my responsibility, although he does love them and serves as a Lap for all cats. Most all surfaces are covered by books that are moved about, so not too much dust gathers there. It looks a bit cluttered.....well, it is cluttered, but since it doesn't bother either of us, so what. He is also learning to cover the butter when finished, and throw away empty containers when appropriate. Actually, both being retired, we do everything together. Shop, read, errands.....all the things, I guess that many (most I suppose) women have to shoulder the responsibility for, as husband is away at work. And I consider that a fair way of doing things. I was always the "strong" one before. It was my Aunt and I on our own, and she was ill the last 4 or 5 years of her life, so it all fell on me. I had to do it, so I did it. I'm learning to ask for help, and my husband, bless him, is upset when I don't ask.

He means the smoke coming out of my ears is only white(ish), not gray.

Interesting ideas, and concepts regarding feminism, women's rights are brought out in this article. Not to mention good old-fashioned common sense. New York Times article, entitled, The Case for Filth by Stephen Marche. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/08/opinion/sunday/the-case-for-filth.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20131208&_r=0 A few excerpts: I especially enjoyed the end of the article.

I knew you'd like it, poppy.