pontalba

Short? heh I suppose that'd keep me out too. Once I get going, I'm pretty long winded as well. I suppose I just don't trust something like that enough to do it. Not that I'm any better, or any worse than anyone else, the vibes just don't feel right. That's about the closest I can come to explanation of my feelings. You know, I wonder if it could be of benefit to you to go to a good health food store and speak with a knowledgeable herbalist. Sometimes they can come up with interesting things. I understand and agree you have to trust your doctors and follow their instructions, I just like to investigate all avenues. Just a thought. You do have to be careful of it though. Not all herbalists are created equally.

This was the weekend of the Library Sale around here, and August is usually half price month. Happily, it was in fact, fifty cent day and we bought several boxes of books, all came to 13.50 USD. Can't go too wrong for that, I know some were duplicates, but in a nicer form, for example with a dust jacket as opposed to none, or a hardback instead of a paperback. Haven't unpacked them yet, and don't know all of what my husband found, but I can't wait to do so! A bit ago I finished A First-Rate Madness by Nassir Ghaemi. The front cover blurb says..."Uncovering the links between leadership and mental illness". It profiles leaders like John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and compares Neville Chamberlain and Winston Churchill. There is a section on Tony Blair as well that is most illuminating. Ghaemi doesn't call these people "insane", but speaks of personality types for some, and others bi-polar illness, depressions and the like. One of the most difficult sections for me, personally, was the one on General William Tecumseh Sherman, the infamous (American) Civil War General. Sherman's March through Georgia is one of the most brutal campaigns, ever. And, it actually was a forerunner of modern warfare, although it was more a revival of an ancient manner of warfare. Ghaemi brings out the whys and wherefores of Sherman's thinking and reasoning on that matter. There is a fantastic section on Adolf Hitler regarding his particular insanity, and the huge role amphetamines played in his later paranoia etc. All in all this book opened my eyes to much of the psychology of historical leaders, and why certain people were the best leaders for their times. Highly Recommended 5++/5

The only Shreve we've read is Wedding in December, and it was very good. And yes, her characters are both intelligent and sensetive with difficult backgrounds. Charles read it first, and really enjoyed it, so I had to, of course. Regarding your mention of trusting our own instincts...........Absolutely, right on!! I suppose being a child of the '60's, I have to call it feeling the vibes. lol In my life, I've found that if I go with my first impressions, I'm ok. It's only when I second guess myself and rethink I get into trouble. Done that, been there. lol

Hey Julie, First, Second, oh yeah, there are some excellent bookstores down in N.O. Some great second hand ones I have to say. Two in the French Quarter to begin with that are fabulous, large selection, eclectic selection even better. Their prices are very reasonable too. We have another favorite that is more in the Uptown area that we visit every so often. I like your review of the Warren books above. I remember reading something about those postcards years ago. I can't imagine actually sending something in like that though. Just goes against the grain with me. But they say people can't keep secrets, and I suppose that, in a way, proves it. Lets face it, people are funny critters. heh

Oh phooey Julie, you are not a sissy. You're a sane human being. If you were not scared some, then I'd have to say, waaaaaiiit a minute here, this gal isn't afraid, whass wrong with this picture. I wish I could just set and hold your hand and tell you not to worry. Well, worrying is part of life, but for heaven's sake don't let it take over your life. That doesn't accomplish any thing. Worrying is just the biggest waste of time there is. Doesn't change a bloody thing. So. Allot yourself 10 or 15 minutes at the time of day of your choosing and worry like heck, then fuggetdaboudit! That'll get it out of your system. Done. Period. Look at it this way, you are living your life now, and it's your job to enjoy yourself as much as possible. None of us know what is coming. No one. You. Will. Be. Fine!! Your doctor sounds like a matter-of-fact kind of fellow. That's a good thing. You want the straight poop. It's good that you can depend on him for just that. You have to know the facts. As for me, I have to say we are having a great time. Stayed for two weekends down in New Orleans, had a blast. Room service, the whole nine yards. What the heck, we only live once, may as well enjoy ourselves as much as we can. I'm not getting any younger you know. It's been HOT as blazes here, but we've had rain quite a lot, and the traditional thunderstorms almost every day. All I can say is that it's summer in the South. It's funny. Husband is from New York, and was really surprised at the violence of the thunderstorms here. lol I guess I'm so used to it, I hardly notice them. Last night coming across the Causeway Bridge http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Pontchartrain_Causeway we saw quite a lightening display to the north and east of the bridge. Pretty close to where we live in fact. We make the trip pretty often, several times a week nowadays. Take care Julie, sending hugs and

Hey Julie, Interesting reviews above! Haven't been around much, lots going on here, but I've thought of you often, and hoped you were feeling stronger. Hope the kidney doc went fine. Sending hugs and prayers. Take care. Kat

This morning it was two soft boiled eggs, some sharp cheddar cheese, and a piece of the thin sesame wasa bread with butter. And a large mug of hot tea.

Fantastic news! I'm so happy for you. It's been a busy month for us. We've taken two mini-vacations down in New Orleans, over two weekends in a row. Checked out some music venues we'd been wanting to, and ate wonderful meals. The Hotel Monteleone has an amazing restaurant, and a white chocolate creme brulee that is to die for. We're taking dance lessons, husband knows how to dance, but hasn't in a long time, and I am a novice. It's lots of fun, I must say!! Lots of giggling. We're planning a trip to Washington D.C. later in the year, ironing out all the details, and thinking about another possible road trip. I've bought some fabulous shoes.......the 6 inch platform/spikes. /sigh/ We are holding our own on the diet.....gained a few pounds last weekend, but I am happy to report.......they're GONE again.

I loved her Regeneration Trilogy. Thanks for the heads up. I tried to order it through Book Depository, to get it now instead of the October 2nd release date here in the U.S., but couldn't. I've preordered it from Amazon though. That's a shame. I picked it up at B&N a few weeks ago, the cover is great! Haven't started it yet though. I'm still reading Citizen Sherman by Michael Fellman. It's great, I just haven't had time to read for a week or so.

The main feature I like about Library Thing is that they will list dupliate titles. Between my husband and myself we have lots of duplicates, different versions of the same title. Goodreads will not allow duplicate titles, even if the ISBN is different. Of course, it's free, so you get what you pay for. So I won't gripe about it. I transferred our LT accounts over to Goodreads and lots "failed". I think Kylie (?) mentioned some way to get around it, but I haven't tried to.

Oh, loved The Wire! (do ya feel me?) hee hee Present DVD faves are: Burn Notice Seinfeld NCIS The Prisoner Lost Downton Abby

Kept in a general, unorganized mess. I did, at one time, have my books in some semblance of order. Subjects, genre, authors etc. Husband moved in with his boxes, and then counting our untrammelled book buying, organization has taken flight. To where is unknown. /sigh/ I can only estimate a "when did we buy it", or "whose was it to begin with", or "was it one we both had?" to find it. Hopefully. Maybe. Possibly.

I'm within 2 pages of finishing the epilogue of A First-Rate Madness by Nassir Ghaemi. Fascinating study. Newish theories about insanity (per medical definition) and leadership, and effects there of. He has sections of analysis on many leaders of the free world past and present. A great blend of history and psychiatry.

*waving* sending

My grandmother was born in 1890 too, and she was what was politely called "hell on wheels", cussed, did what she pleased, and didn't marry till her mid-twenties. She broke her engagement to my grandfather 4 times, at least. Guess he figured she was worth it. They were married over 60 year, till his death, so I guess it worked.

Re the ear piercing, I had the first set put in when I was in my early twenties (early 1970's), second set put in by early thrities. Both with that gun thingy, didn't know anyone (professional anyhow) used needles anymore. As an aside, when I went in my 30's, my Aunt who was in her 60's at the time had her first and only sent of holes drilled. I think she only did it because I did. hee hee I keep trying to talk my husband into haveing at least one ear pierced, but no dice, won't do it! I've offered cookies, but still, no dice. /evil grin/ poppy, can you imagine it?? oohhh, I wish! :D ^^ We've been taking one day trips, and overnighters down to N.O., seeing and doing. Fun.

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Hey Julie, meant to say, I have a book about clutter around here somewhere...lol People that live in glass houses can't throw stones. However, part of it is about the Collyer Brothers.. Wowee. Talk about a waste. Did you know one of them died under a mass of junk that fell on him? ewwwww. Poor fellow. You know, I wonder about mental illness with those guys. Has to be some in there. How could no one step in and interfere in some way?? Boggles the mind. Hah, lol, girls stay home and become marriage material. Good thing marriage doesn't depend on sewing, I'd never have married. Can't sew a button on, to tell the truth. hee hee I'd have been an Old Maid for sure back in the day. :D

Saw the Korean fencing chick. God, bloody awful, felt so sorry for her, what an outrage.

Oh Noll! I'm so sorry that happened. :( I hope it isn't fractured. Drat. It's hot, hot, hot here, heat index hovering around 108F/42.2 here. No fun at all, but oddly, not too terrible. Well, I can say that, I don't have to be out in the heat. In and out of a/c Going to finally get the oil changed in the Jeep tomorrow, over due. Bringing a friend to pick up her new/used car from repair (tomorrow). Same place. A mechanic I've known for ages. Good guy. Bought some beautiful white linen, flax floaty pants an tops. Loverly.

9th! Yays! Congratulations!! Can't believe it!!

Me!! Although I confess, I read the last one, gave into the hype, and didn't see anything to it. Although that may not be totally fair, as I suspect one should have read the prior ones to make sense of the thing. Husband has read two, and was impressed by them. Much better than the negative press received by them. Definitely worth the positive raves.

Made zero progress, reading wise. Still on above posted books, although we bought some today...that's progress of a sort. hee hee

This puts me in mind of the tradtional "Grand Tour" young men took after University. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Tour The wiki article speaks of European men, but I'm thinking of, for example, Ashley Wilkes...Gone With the Wind...it was supposed to broaden their horizions, complete their education etc. "make Men of them." Heck, sounds like a good idea to me! Not a bad idea, all in all, IMO. Good reviews Julie.

The vet came out today and gave our cats their shots. Always a fun experience. Not. I corral them ahead of time into large kennels so as not to have to chase them into nooks and crannys in the house. Oy. We only have 6 cats now, so it isn't so difficult. They're all inside cats, as out here in the "country", the critters are dangerous to them.