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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 26, 2021 4:14:18 GMT
The absolute worst for me is the brutality and senselessness of slavery in the US. I wanted to read 12 Years a Slave, or see the movie, but could not. The anger, frustration, and other emotions I feel are too strong for me. This is hard, as I’m a serious lover of history, and have attempted all my life to read everything that will help me understand it better.
I can read Murder mystery type things, and even true crime, as long as it ends with the perpetrator (s) being caught and punished. The emotional roller coaster of these fills something within me if there is a sense of someone paying for their actions. I think it’s that my soul cries out for a just world.
I have recently stopped reading books set in world war 2. I’ve read many, many of them, both true and fiction. But I’ve hit a place where I’m done. I’d like to tell Bookbub this, as they keep sending me suggestions for these. But I know so much of what was happening, I can see what’s coming usually, and it’s just too depressing for me.
As a survivor of sexual assualt, some books I must skip, and sometimes I’m ok reading a book that references such things. Fortunately, in books, I’m pretty adept at skipping or skimming pages if I wish to continue the book.
Even at this place in my life, I don’t need my reading to be rainbows and roses and happy endings. I still find immense satisfaction from learning new and difficult things, and going on some pretty rocky literary journeys.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 24, 2021 5:01:10 GMT
I'm so very sorry to read this. I adore historical fiction but for some reason, or another I haven't read any books by Sharon Kay Penman yet. My sister has been telling me for years to read her books. I always forget when I'm at my local library or when I'm selecting books to put on hold. Or I'll get in a phase with my historical fiction like reading books about WWII or reading books by Alison Weir about England's Kings and Queens. Now is the time. I just put two books by Sharon Kay Penman (The Sunne in Splendor and Here Be Dragons) on hold at my local library. I'm very much looking forward to reading these books. You will not be disappointed! Your sister is right. Enjoy.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 23, 2021 20:43:46 GMT
Oh goodness. That describes my first copy. It was an old school paperback with a garish cover. I brought it with me to the first book signing I attended, and she held it up to the audience and said it was proof that as a new author they gave her no say in the cover design. Ha ha, was it this gold one?  www.fictiondb.com/title/here-be-dragons~sharon-kay-penman~29763.htm Very "bodice ripper-y"! That's the one I have. yes!!! It was on a table of 99 cent books, and I almost dismissed it, but I have a habit when shopping books of just randomly opening to a page in the middle to sample the writing. Impressed, I brought it home and was blown away.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 23, 2021 7:01:38 GMT
Sad to lose a talented author. I had not heard of her, but I just purchased Here Be Dragons on iBooks after reading this thread. Enjoy! I’m a little jealous you get to experience it for the first time. I hope you love her writing as so many of us do.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 23, 2021 6:59:39 GMT
So sorry to hear this news. I think she was the first historical fiction author I fell in love with, and the two you mentioned were my two favorites, especially Here be Dragons. I first read it in high school and have read my copy to tatters. Oh goodness. That describes my first copy. It was an old school paperback with a garish cover. I brought it with me to the first book signing I attended, and she held it up to the audience and said it was proof that as a new author they gave her no say in the cover design.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 23, 2021 6:54:59 GMT
I had two of each. Daughters were MUCH harder than sons. I know it hurts, but take care of yourself and don’t let it get to you.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 23, 2021 2:45:28 GMT
My favorite author, the best historical fiction writer ever, has passed from a rare cancer she was only diagnosed with recently.
If if you haven’t, do yourself a favor and read either The Sunne in Splendour or Here Be Dragons. All her books are incredible, but these seem to be the best for introducing readers to her magic.
I am devastated that no more will be coming from this brilliant and talented woman. Who was also an incredibly kind and compassionate human being as well.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 20, 2021 9:21:25 GMT
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 18, 2021 9:29:15 GMT
This helps explain how my DIL got some of the bizarre ideas she has. So frustrating.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 17, 2021 8:36:04 GMT
Jenna bragged she was ready to go to war. She has a very distorted view of war if this bit of trouble is more than she can handle. What does she actually think war is like?
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 15, 2021 10:12:05 GMT
AS mentioned, be someone she can talk about dying to. And yes, reassure her of how much she has meant to you.
I once went to visit a friend after she received a terminal dx. I was with others. She said, choking back tears, “ I’m dying!” One of us, meaning well, said stuff like don’t give up, ect.
Then I took her hand, looked into her eyes, and said, “ Yes, you’re dying. It’s so sad, and it’s not fair and we’re all going to miss you very much”. Then I got out my Bible and read the passage in Acts 9, where a woman named Dorcas had passed, and people came together to grieve her and brought and showed off garments that this loving woman had made them. Our friend had been a quilter, and crocheter, and always gifted her beautiful items to babies and newlyweds. You would not believe how this comforted and calmed her down! Knowing that she left behind people who treasured the homemade items from her meant so much.
So, in whatever way would be meaningful to your friend, make her know her worth, and how you will remember her.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 14, 2021 23:45:49 GMT
I’m sorry your child is going through this.
My son married a woman who said she understood he had enough responsibility already with the two children he already had with his first wife. Then bingo! 35 came and she HAD to have kids. Two boys, two years apart, and she got overwhelmed and couldn’t cope while he was at work, so she moved in with her parents and is now divorcing him and being crazy difficult about parenting time.
Her parents do most of the care of those kids she HAD to have. I love my grandsons, ( when u can actually see them ), but my son should have gotten a vasectomy when he knew he had so the kids he could care for.
Being there as a support us the best thing ever you can do.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 14, 2021 10:55:43 GMT
My 85 year old, cancer and stroke surviving, COPD fighting Dad is recovering from Covid 19. I’m daring to hope he’ll make it!
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 13, 2021 4:33:15 GMT
We have not forgotten about Ava. We continue to offer our prayers, thoughts, wishes, entreaties.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 10, 2021 10:59:43 GMT
Paul Simon and James Taylor
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 9, 2021 10:50:38 GMT
Yay. I’ve missed this show.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 8, 2021 8:25:17 GMT
My heart is with you all. I can’t even imagine how hard this is.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 6, 2021 10:30:21 GMT
My first book finished in 2021 is Last Bright River, by Liz MooreIn a Philadelphia neighborhood rocked by the opioid crisis, two once-inseparable sisters find themselves at odds. One, Kacey, lives on the streets in the vise of addiction. The other, Mickey, walks those same blocks on her police beat. They don't speak anymore, but Mickey never stops worrying about her sibling. This book was on Obama’s favorite book list for 2020. I having a hard time figuring out what he thought was so great about it. It’s an okay book, although a little wordy, but nothing outstanding in my opinion. There was one twist I didn’t see coming at all, otherwise nothing special. Thrillers and mysteries are one of my favorite genres, so that was a plus. Very readable, just not memorable. Long, Bright River was indeed a well written, memorable book. There were several twists I did not see coming. The main character was well defined and as a reader I could empathize with her competing loyalties and sense of guilt. I also read Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson. Excellent book, told in a style that matched the subject matter, at once harsh and unsparing, yet poetic yearning. The travails of the Blue People and the prejudice they faced, as well as both the willfill ignorance by some in the community, and yet the extreme value many impoverished persons put on books and reading all swirled into a story that had me feeling as if I were there, every insult and heartbreak my own.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 6, 2021 9:32:28 GMT
That is so scary! I hope she pulls through!
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 4, 2021 9:20:31 GMT
I agree it’s overpriced for the area. I’d be concerned about wiring and plumbing in such an older home. Also, the careful staging makes it so appealing. Try to look beyond that. Envision it with your and your moms belongings.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 4, 2021 9:08:52 GMT
It’s been almost 5 years since I switched to a plant based whole foods way of eating. Goal is 10% protein, 10% fat, and a beautiful whopping 80% of calories of carbs. This occurs naturally when you eat a variety of whole foods.
I became no longer pre diabetic quickly. My cholesterol went down. As a heart patient from a birth defect, my cardiologists are thrilled with me.
I eat huge plates of delicious food every day and never feel deprived. I’ve learned how to cook and shop for this by resources like Forks Over Knives, Brand New Vegan, and Dr. John Mc Dougall.
I’ve never in my life had a diet be this successful, easy, and lasting. Since I got to my current weight, I’ve stayed here. When I was sick last year, I lost more weight, but most of it returned when my health improved, and I’m fine with that.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 3, 2021 8:43:06 GMT
The first one wasn’t enough, so I had another one 8 months later. ( I had other health problems I had to address first ). This one did the trick and I stay mostly in Sony’s rhythm now. Scars from a childhood heart surgery keep causing the arrhythmia, so they say it will keep happening and needing to be addressed. I did not give myself enough time to recover after the first one, and took it a little easier after the second. But it’s a pretty straightforward procedure. I hope your second one lasts forever! Do you have any advice for recovery? The doctor says I’ll be off of work for a week. Nothing out of the ordinary. Watch the site or sites where the catheter is put in, be careful in case you get dizzy. First few days you’ll have some restrictions. Then go at about 50% the rest of your down time. Give yourself a lot of rest, but also get some walking in, both times afterward I needed to work to get my heart rate up.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 3, 2021 8:34:17 GMT
I’m going to play devils advocate here. Not that I love this terminology. However, when I have heard it used before, the context really conveyed a more dignified idea than property. As mentioned above, the value of human personnel is in the future, the potential. I remember reading about members of the wealthy who made it a point to live on their interest income, and “Never touch the capital!” I don’t think it’s meant to be demeaning.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 2, 2021 10:38:30 GMT
A good discussion with my therapist has steered me in a helpful direction: my goals are to say No if that’s what’s best for me and let other people be unhappy, and to try for mediocrity.
I’ve been working on this about a month, and I really think it’s improving my happiness my perfectionism and desire to please and fear of disappointing people have been paralyzing and caused so many panic attacks. As well as choked creativity.
So “No” and mediocrity , those are my goals.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 2, 2021 6:20:38 GMT
I’m finding myself living neatly trimmed beard more and more. Clean shaven looks naked to me, now, and a man has to be quite handsome to pull it off.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 2, 2021 6:18:16 GMT
The first one wasn’t enough, so I had another one 8 months later. ( I had other health problems I had to address first ). This one did the trick and I stay mostly in Sony’s rhythm now.
Scars from a childhood heart surgery keep causing the arrhythmia, so they say it will keep happening and needing to be addressed.
I did not give myself enough time to recover after the first one, and took it a little easier after the second. But it’s a pretty straightforward procedure.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 1, 2021 10:00:46 GMT
Grammie is traditional on my maternal side, and I love it. I remember my own Grammie, ( my great grandmother) who was born in 1898. So when anybody suggests I’m being cutesy and trendy, I just smile.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 1, 2021 4:40:13 GMT
I am so sorry to hear this. So young, you have been cheated of decades of time together.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Dec 29, 2020 21:55:28 GMT
Did you read the story I linked above about the 25 y.o. in TN with Autism who wore his masks and was worried about those who came into his place of work without masks?  The non-maskers that he had to deal with not only didn’t care that he was able to wear a mask even though he had a disability, they didn’t care that their going maskless caused him psychological and then physical harm. He died of COVID. I think that your and your dd’s concerns are real and valid. It's causing many of us psychological harm. And people are quick to dismiss that. Or make fun of it, living in fear, are we?  This is so true. I have been so terrified of this killing my father since March. And now, there’s a very real chance it will happen, and the anxiety symptoms are so bad I must medicate every day This anxiety is real! The symptoms are real. And some people ridicule people like me, saying things like, “i won’t live in fear”, and “it only kills the old and sick“ it makes me want to scream.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Dec 29, 2020 12:53:02 GMT
Thank you for posting this. He’s been a favorite of mine forever.
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