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........ those hedgehog days, and for some a belated happy birthday !

Whose birthday? And a happy one. Mine is later this month.

The weather here is oddly warm and rainy. Not complaining though.

thanks Ice for covering November. Good tag.
In spite of how curious i was about how Petras visit went I could not bear to come here and have to tell you that my housing hunt is on again as this is not working out.
The weather here is not exactly warm but moments of glorious sun today between rain squalls. I will cherish the rest of my time here,
Finished Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate I have never read anything by her before but it seems, looking at her long list of titles, that they are mostly Young romances, if you can judge by the cover, This may be somewhat of a departure for her but it is definitely a well researched historical fiction. It will not be something MaryAnne will enjoy I dont think, but Im pretty sure everyone else will. The writing gets better towards the end and altho the predictable romantic curve took away a bit from the spell, and the politics are questionable, some good questions are asked about privilege and entitlement and of course the twin theme of infant and elder care.
Nothing like a birthday to cheer up a bleak November!

Was it your birthday, Magdelanye?
Hope it was a happy, wonderful day to whoever's special day it was.

Mine is in March. I'm celebrating by retiring.
Strange thing about retiring. There's no word from HR. It's been almost 2 months since I told them and I still don't know my official last day. I'm sure they'll let me know soon enough. I guess I thought the ball would roll quicker.

Magdelanye, I'm sorry to hear that your room hasn't worked out. It sounded so lovely. I hope you find something very soon.

Ellie, the weather here is rather warm, too. Some days are sunny; others rainy but always it's rather warm. I'm enjoying it for my runs: cool enough to not sweat and warm enough not to need a jacket.

Magdelanye, that book is on my TBR list. I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

I spent the weekend finishing 3 library books to return them this week. The library is closed due to flooding.
Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation - I'm not sure if the graphic novel cut the story down too much and made it choppy and disjointed or whether the story just isn't that great.
The Forbidden Worlds of Haruki Murakami - I really enjoyed these discussions of Murakami's themes, his works and his writing. I didn't know he was a big translator of Western literature into Japanese. Thanks to him, some unknown authors are being discovered.
Minding Frankie - I went on a longer run yesterday and a lunchtime walk today to finish this book. It's a very heartwarming story. I enjoy Maeve Binchy's characters.

Ice, your mention of a hedgehog reminded me of my grandmother. One winter she found a hedgehog in the yard in the late fall and brought it. It was in some sort of distress and she was sure it wouldn't last outdoors. She kept it safe all winter; it mainly hibernated; and let it out in the spring. It was healthy by then.

Petra thats a lovely story of your grandmother and the hedgehog.
So however did it play out, the returning of Daisy and the visit with step dad? I hope it went well.

I related to the hedgehog as a perfect metaphor. I am feeling quite prickly at the moment and would love to just curl up in a ball and forget the outside world exists at all. Yet the sun came up this morning, and I spent some lovely time on the rock under the willow, reading but mostly watching the territorial ducks on the lake, This is indeed a very special spot and I am glad Ive got a bit more time to spend here. Thanks for your support Petra.

I just read these posts in Hibernating in November.
Do we have hedgehogs in Canada? I know people keep them as pets.
Magdelanye - you have to move again??? Oh my. Will o' wist!!
Hmm. I wonder why you think I would not like Before We Were Yours? My reading history?
Petra - Hope you hear soon about your retirement.
Happy Birthday to every one who had a birthday this year.
I am on pins and needles until tomorrow to see how the USA will vote. I live in Canada now but what happens there will affect the whole world.
Reading Cry, Heart, But Never Break was a small delight - such a touching little book to help kids understand that death is a necessary balance to life. Good kids' books are great.
I recently finished Robinson Crusoe which I had read before but had since forgotten the very long conclusion of his life after leaving the island. I can see why the novel still has appeal since it fulfills many of man's (it is very much a man's book) secret desires: ability to be self-sufficient; to be master of our territory; to be able to protect oneself against invaders; and to develop a code of ethics and beliefs that make sense given our circumstances.
I love the sun even though it makes it cooler. Having a sleepy-headed sun that goes to bed early and rises late - is it a teenage sun? But since it is the turning of the earth that determines the sun's activities I guess it is an old-age earth that is waiting to be reborn.

Mary Anne, my grandmother lived in Germany. I don't know if we have hedgehogs in the wild here. The place in Germany where my family comes from is roughly at the latitude of Kamloops, so it is possible that it's possible. :D

Magdelanye, the Daisy transfer and visit with step dad went well.
Daisy and I had a pleasant ferry ride. It's quite enjoyable spending time on the car deck during the trip. A few people hang out there and are very pleasant. Many dogs get walked about. Daisy had a good time. Then we went back to the car and snacked. She liked that, too.
Things went well at step dad's, too. I had brought dinner with me ( a menu he helped plan). After dinner I got a text from my brother that they were leaving the airport and we headed out to Daisy's home. She was so excited to see them. We spent an hour visiting, then let them get their rest. Cross-Atlantic travelling is tiring.
Next day, step dad and I went out to choose a gas fireplace for his home. We've been talking to him about it for years now. Not sure why he changed his mind but I'm happy for him. It'll make the house more comfortable for him (since he won't turn on the heat). It should be installed any time now.
Then I came home. It was a short visit and a pleasant one. I was grateful for the help I got here in how to handle the situation. You all made this visit (and those of the future) a pleasant one.

Good to hear Petra. I suppose you are missing Daisy a bit but I'll bet she will have some fond memories which will make it easier if the situation arises again that she needs to be boarded...with family.
I wish I was so lucky.
I believe hedgehogs are everywhere/

MaryAnne I believe I remember you telling me that you did not read anything about abandoned children so I am assuming that includes kidnapping and selling them. This is based on a true story unfortunately one that needs telling. My review is up.

internet has been wonky and GR kept telling me to go read a book! and i have! finally, the world to come. yes Petra its a delight!

I'm so glad you're enjoying it, Magdelanye. I've been to 2 used book stores looking for more of her books but no luck so far. She should be more popular than she is, I think. It's a shame her books aren't more well known.

Daisy will be back one day, I'm sure. This experiment was a success and everyone was happy, so we'll see her again when my brother & sister in law go away again.

I had a disappointing read: Bone & Bread. It started out so well and then fizzled. It's like the author lost focus and/or introduced too many elements. Also, she didn't seem to make the characters hit on the "issues" that she introduced and left them just hovering in the background. This could have been a good story.

The weather is fantastic here again today. I'm going out for a run just to make the best of this weather. It can't last much longer. This has been a marvelous November.

Magdelanye, have you found a new home yet? If so, where is it? Closer to the city?

@petra I’m glad things went well with your step-dad! What a relief for you 💕💕

I finished reading two books and basically had the opposite opinion as other people on them. I read Motherhood which I loved and women talking which was for me just ok. Apparently this is not an appropriate opinion to have. But I stand by my thoughts on both.

Moving again?! I hope you find a great room situation soon! It’s winter, it’s time to hibernate so I hope you find yourself settled before long 💕

Not an appropriate reaction?! Whatever your reaction is, is an appropriate one. Don't listen to whoever said that to you, Megan. Your reaction to any book is indeed appropriate.
I'm sorry that someone made you feel badly, Megan.

@Megan.....found the discussion. Never mind anyone else's opinion. A book resonates with a person and that resonation is valid.
I've often not agreed with "the masses" on issues. That's okay, I think.
I haven't read the book yet (but will), so I have no opinion at the moment. :D

Thanks Petra, it’s just been happening more and more over there. I think I need a break. That’s why I love this group so much!

@ Megan - Ditto.

Magdelanye: are you moving? Hopefully somewhere wonderful.

Megan: What does it mean in this context, "appropriate"? You feel what you feel. Such an odd response to you I think.

Today is my birthday. 66 seems so unlikely; heaven knows I don't feel like it, whatever that means. Still, I'm grateful. Katie spent the day with me: she took me to the new Fantastic Beasts and an all-you-can-eat sushi dinner. David's in a play so we're celebrating today (which is my actual birthday anyway but Katie has class). We all took off from work for various reasons (my treat to myself!).

I'm reading The Feral Detective by Jonathan Lethem. I'm enjoying it but it seems like another light book. I feel like reading something more substantial although what with work I have very little time to read and little energy for a book that requires thinking. But I'm considering reading Camus' The Plague. I already own it, so there's that. Plus I just bought myself a birthday gift: two books, of course. Trampoline: An Illustrated Novel by Robert Gipe which sounds interesting (another group I'm in is reading it) and Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon which sounds substantial enough to be satisfying but in shorter bites of essays which may be more doable.

Any other thoughts on what to read?

argh. The internet has been mostly down all week, and altho sometimes I could read messages, no connection to GR meant a frustrating gap.

Happy Birthday Ellie!
I love JL but the feral detective?
Do not read the Plague for the reasons you mentioned.
Try Dara Horn

Megan I can hardly wait to see what the fuss about Motherhood is about. Sheesh, I bet I know what group likes to shame people for their alternate opinions

I dont have much time left today...Petra did I say how much I ended up loving Eternal LIfe

Magdelanye wrote: "argh. The internet has been mostly down all week, and altho sometimes I could read messages, no connection to GR meant a frustrating gap.

Happy Birthday Ellie!
I love JL but the feral detective?
..."

Thanks for the birthday wish. I got to see my son David act in a play which was a delight. Also saw the new Fantastic Beasts with my daughter which was pretty good. We do a Harry Potter every year on my birthday. Amazing how long that's been going on!

I don't know yet about Feral. Still reading though. But thanks for the heads up about The Plague. Moving on to Dara Horn.

Sorry about your Internet. Such a drag.

And I'll have to check out Motherhood as well.

I'm happy with my 4 day weekend for out Thanksgiving. I'm trying not to think too much ahead although I'll have to work at least one day of this weekend. But I'll be seeing friends for the rest so it's all good.

Btw, any particular Horn I should start with?

I can't see if my message posted. Looks like it was lost!

So if it did post, skip the following.

Thanks Magdelanye for the birthday wish. It was a great birthday.

Is Motherhood the one by Sheila Heti?

And which Darla Horn should I start with?

Enjoying my 4 day weekend. I'll have to work on one day but I'll be seeing friends for the rest. So it's all good.

@Magdelanye and @Ellie, I loved Motherhood. It was quirky and weird. It's stream of consciousness and deeply personal.

Happy belated birthday, Ellie! It sounds like you had a terrific time.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving. I can almost smell the turkeys roasting up here. :D
We don't make a turkey. They are simply too large and hubby isn't that fond of poultry (I love it). I drool at the thought of a delicious roast turkey with stuffing.

I've only read one Dara Horn: The World to Come. It was terrific.

I finished listening to Barkskins the other day. I really liked it. If there's a downside, it's not enough detail and time given to the characters. The scope of the book is so big and despite the 700+ pages I wanted even more detail and time to spend with each generation. It's a family saga ranging from the early settlement days to today; showing in full force the destruction of the forests, as well as following 2 families through the generations. Greed plays a big role, too.

Petra wrote: "Happy belated birthday, Ellie! It sounds like you had a terrific time.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving. I can almost smell the turkeys roasting up here. :D
We don't make a turkey. They are simply too lar..."

Thanks for the birthday wish, Petra.

We're piscaterian (we eat fish but not meat) so no turkey here but lots of other good food.

Thanks for the Horn recommendation. I look forward to reading it.

Happy belated birthday, Ellie. Glad you could spend it with family.

Magdelanye, hope your internet and living conditions align to give you happiness.

I am reading Sarah Caudwell 4-book series that starts with Thus Was Adonis Murdered. It is a very witty, intelligent British murder mystery set in a law office with 4 young lawyers. Caudwell was recommended by Dorothy Sayers in an interview. Think the Peter Wimsey series when Harriet Vane shows up. I want to give the series to my middle daughter (Seattle) for Christmas so I am reading the series before I give them away.

2 minutes left on my internet search
i agree world to come is the horn to read first

they say internet will be fixed tomorrow

It's tomorrow, Magdelanye. Hope your internet gets fixed quickly today.

I've been on a book buying frenzy this week. Mostly for gifts but still.....books!
I'm participating in 2 Secret Santa book exchanges this year. It's fun to choose titles for someone else who enjoys reading.

I also found the David's Tea advent calendar of teas: a new tea to sample for 24 days through December. I sent one to my sister-in-law.

Who's shopping to day for Black Friday? I will check some sales on-line but have nothing that I'm specifically looking for.

The weather has changed here and it's turned rainy. I guess my run will be on the treadmill today. I've had a good time running outdoors until the end of November; guess that's come to an end. LOL!

@Petra, I've already been to 3 stores online and have 2 stores to rush to on my lunch hour today! Although after today, I'll be 90% done my Christmas shopping, so that will be nice.

My reading has been somewhat hampered this week because we have a new coffee table that is big enough to do a puzzle on, so that's what our family has been working on. I'm practising up for Christmas holidays when my mom always has a massive puzzle on the go.

There was also an Indigenous Craft show downtown yesterday, so it was nice to support local artists. I am loving my new mitts.