Play Book Tag discussion

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend, whether you were in the US and celebrating the 4th of July Independence Day or just enjoying a break from work/school.

NYC had really lovely weather -- a break in the heat and humidity (which returned today with a vengance). It was so cool on Saturday a light jacket or long sleeve shirt was needed if outside! My friend Liz and I had Sunday in Central Park with Cosmopolitans - and a picnic. Liz's birthday is this week so there were presents, cupcakes, and a lovely green salad accompanying those cosmos. We sat for hours solving the world's problems and reminiscing. We've known each other since August 1973...

I will be on vacation next week, meaning I'll be skipping starting Kaffeeklatsch. If someone else wants to do so, please be my guest! I will be attending the virtual Royal School of Needlework US Summer School -- KateNZ is attending the downunder version next week - virtually.

I am taking 2 class projects: the flamingo and the goldwork dragon.
If you are curious about the program: https://royal-needlework.org.uk/cours....

I'm hoping to read my Fly the Skies book this week so that it is done before my classes start. Have to finish my Feminerdy Book Club selection first as that meets to discuss on Sunday. Choice is N.K. Jemisen's The City We Became - set in NYC, recognizably so. It's a very fast read so far (I'm about a quarter in). If anyone is interested, there is a virtual discussion tomorrow afternoon (Wed. 2 PM July 7 EST) between NK Jemisen and Claire North about their current releases - The City We Became and Notes from the Burning Age. It's free. Here's a link to get login: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/jemisin-no...

I'm enjoying the book but also finding it confusing and sometimes creepy. I know Jemisen herself refers to it as speculative fiction, and I can see why. I'm also planning to use it for Popsugar prompt afrofuturism. I know it shows up on some of the lists and it seems to fit the current definition. It's my challenge, my decision, right?! 😎

I also stumbled across this interview with Jemisen regarding her upcoming virtual Masterclass on writing fantasy in which she talks about writing during the pandemic and how it has affected her research on the sequel. I'm always fascinated by artistic process so share it here: https://ew.com/books/n-k-jemisin-the-....

Anyone else reading it now? If so, I'd set up a buddy read. It's definitely one that will trigger a lot of discussion.

Theresa wrote: "I will be on vacation next week, meaning I'll be skipping starting Kaffeeklatsch. If someone else wants to do so, please be my guest! I will be attending the virtual Royal School of Needlework US Summer School -- KateNZ is attending the downunder version next week - virtually.."

I hope you have a fabulous time! One of these days I am going to bring my slate frame out of the attic and finish the crewel project I have there. It means ripping something out I wasn't happy with (self-designed and overly ambitious in certain ways--an experiment didn't turn out the way I wanted it to.)

@ Theresa, I was wondering what your Feminerdy Book Club was reading! I started this book when it first came out, and could not get into it. It is still on my TBR and I will go back to it. Interested to hear your thoughts

@Joanne - First 10 pages... that prologue ... totally left me cold except for the geography. And worried this was going to be my first DNF in a long time as just too fantasy out there world building for me. Then came chapter 1...grabbed me and next thing I knew I was on page 50. It is really set on the streets of NY and recognizable in every way.

WOW! Fierce thunder/lightening storms over NYC today. In fact, the simultaneous thunder/lighting felt like it was over my apartment building! I actually jumped in my chair!

Storms like this in NYC, especially Manhattan, tend not to have the same impact as sitting in a house due primarily to the density of buildings and highrises. But this.... and we haven't even had the remains of Hurricane Elsa hit this area yet!

Last night, in the Owego/Binghamton area of NYS, historic storms roiled through with the highest winds ever recorded -- in fact the storm center was over the area of the family farm and caused a tree to fall and bring down power lines (power lines are above ground there). No power to house since not currently occupied but still... The winds were clocked at .... are you ready for this? .... 104 miles per hour!!!!!!!!😲

We still have the remnants of Elsa to pass by.

We just had an earthquake. I don't believe there is much damage. My ceiling lights were swinging.

I just heard about the earthquake! Glad you are okay.

We are actually going on vacation to California on Saturday, mostly to Carmel/Monterrey, with San Francisco and Marin on the edges. So a lot to do tonight to start to get the house back in order from the events of the last 6 months. But also on my agenda tonight, to write on Jason's thread about the children's books. And certainly before I go.

I am just finishing Jodi Picoult's the Book of Two Ways, and honestly, I am obssessed with it. I have 35 minutes left to listen to tonight, and never have I recently been so blown away but such a beautifully and brilliantly done book. I also need to finish the Patriots before I go, because that is a chunkster. I am 80% through. That is my fly book. Also counts for Ancestry. Kids have been out of the house now, some for a week, the last one only for a few days, and I am feeling some malaise tonight. Inexplicably low and low motivated. I know they are all having a great time which is most important. Not entirely sure what this odd mood is about, but I can ponder that as I somehow tonight clean the dining room table. Which is the evening activity - the one I am reluctant to start.... Here goes.....

Booknblues wrote: "We just had an earthquake. I don't believe there is much damage. My ceiling lights were swinging."

😲

And in northern Wisconsin / Minnesota there is a frost warning for tonight (!) .... Yes, it's still July ....

Amy wrote: "I just heard about the earthquake! Glad you are okay.

We are actually going on vacation to California on Saturday, mostly to Carmel/Monterrey, with San Francisco and Marin on the edges. So a lot ..."


Amy, enjoy your time in CA. You will be glad you are on the coast where it stays cool, as it is going to be hot as Hades inland. We will be up over 100 this weekend.

BC you could fan in a little coolness in exchange for some of our heat and we would both feel better about it.

To go with our Regency theme, another group posted this link to a quiz about balls in Jane Austen:

https://janeausten.co.uk/blogs/uncate...

I only got 2 out of 10 myself.

Fun quiz! I got 4 out of 10 and second guessed myself to the wrong answer on 2 of them. Not bad. I did best with the couple of Austen books I've read multiple times. No surprise.

Theresa wrote: "Fun quiz! I got 4 out of 10 and second guessed myself to the wrong answer on 2 of them. Not bad. I did best with the couple of Austen books I've read multiple times. No surprise."

Theresa, how are things in NYC today? I saw things were getting a bit wet.

Amy wrote: "I just heard about the earthquake! Glad you are okay.

We are actually going on vacation to California on Saturday, mostly to Carmel/Monterrey, with San Francisco and Marin on the edges. So a lot ..."

San Francisco--my former stomping grounds (we spent several years there over two different times when I was growing up--my dad did his last 2 years of surgery residency at Kaiser and then did a year of pathology there 5 years later). I am sure it has changed, but enjoy!!!

Carmel/Monterey is fabulous, too :)

Booknblues wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Fun quiz! I got 4 out of 10 and second guessed myself to the wrong answer on 2 of them. Not bad. I did best with the couple of Austen books I've read multiple times. No surprise."

..."

Quiet. Cooler temps. No rain now. Beaches are seeing some storm surge. Subway etc. normal. However storms to move in this evening and flash flooding warnings still up. Need to bet any errands done now.

Storm Elsa has been raging here since some time last night but should be starting to wane and done by early afternoon, so I hope the weather prognosticators are correct.

This is a very strange confluence:

In CA we had an earthquake and now a heatwave, over a hundred degree predicted until Tuesday.

BC is seeing freezing weather.

Storms on the eastern seaboard.

What am I missing?

Booknblues wrote: "This is a very strange confluence:

In CA we had an earthquake and now a heatwave, over a hundred degree predicted until Tuesday.

BC is seeing freezing weather.

Storms on the eastern seaboard.

W..."

It took me a moment. BC is Book Concierge here, of course, but seeing it right after CA and about weather, I immediately thought of checking weather in the province of BC!

We are at the tail end of Storm Elsa, which started off as a hurricane.

Apparently I need to read more Austen - got only 3 right, and one was accidental.

annapi wrote: "Apparently I need to read more Austen - got only 3 right, and one was accidental."

I didn't do well, either, because I am mainly familiar with Pride and Prejudice. A couple of times I second guessed myself when I knew the right one, which dropped my score down to a measly 2.

Well Elsa include a tornado in Jacksonville FL....

Yeah, Mother Nature is going all out to show the naysayers that climate change is real. That is my take.

Book Concierge wrote: "And in northern Wisconsin / Minnesota there is a frost warning for tonight (!) .... Yes, it's still July ...."

LOL! Calgary has had snow in every month of the year... Of course, snow in July really just means a few flakes in the air. Nothing stays on the ground. And it's certainly not common!

Karin wrote: "It took me a moment. BC is Book Concierge here, of course, but seeing it right after CA and about weather, I immediately thought of checking weather in the province of BC!..."

British Columbia is also where my head went, Karin! (No surprise, I'm sure), but I certainly knew it's not freezing there - no where near!! It also took me a minute to realize "Book Concierge"!

So, I learned today that the past year and a half has solidified my distaste for crowds.

Now, we only just opened up on July 1 - no more restrictions except masks on transit and in care homes (and any other businesses that decide to require it). That's it.

Part of my problem is that I think it's too soon. Ok, open up, but probably better to hold off on large crowds (i.e. Stampede, which is going ahead !!!!!), but otherwise open up, but keep the masks for another month or so, just to be sure. But that's not how it's working.

Anyway, a friend wanted to get some people together outside today for her birthday. She chose a park (so outside) and there wasn't going to be too many people, I don't think.

I went (but I never found them in the park, which was probably better, anyway). As I looked for them, there were so many people. And no one had a mask. :-( I take transit, so I had a mask, anyway, and likely would have kept mine on had I found my friend's party, except when eating or drinking.

But, boy I did NOT like that crowd. I could say it's due to covid, but I don't really like crowds, anyway. This was just worse, right now.

I do wonder if - like with heat (and it's so hot again today...) - my tolerance for crowds is getting less and less.

LibraryCin wrote: "So, I learned today that the past year and a half has solidified my distaste for crowds.

Now, we only just opened up on July 1 - no more restrictions except masks on transit and in care homes (an..."

I would not do anything right now which involved a crowd. I have never been a fan, but it doesn't seem safe yet.

6:21 pm and 110 degrees.

I feel the same way about crowds. I'm even feeling funny about going to my first in-person book club meeting this month. It's a newly formed neighborhood group.

I've been thinking it would be nice to invite a few neighbors over to have drinks on the deck. Maybe start with one couple at a time. That's about my speed these days.

The neighbors on the street behind us are having a big (graduation) party in their back yard, and the kids look like they're having a good time. They have a DJ playing dance music. I don't mind the music (I was dancing a bit myself), but the bass is starting to give me a headache. They live next door to the biggest grouch in the neighborhood, so I fully expect a cop car to pull up shortly after 11:00.

Booknblues wrote: "LibraryCin wrote: "So, I learned today that the past year and a half has solidified my distaste for crowds.

Now, we only just opened up on July 1 - no more restrictions except masks on transit an..."

110 Degrees!! Yikes.

NancyJ wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "LibraryCin wrote: "So, I learned today that the past year and a half has solidified my distaste for crowds.

Now, we only just opened up on July 1 - no more restrictions except ..."

9pm and still 101. When I woke at 8 this morning it was beginning to heat up and I need to close all our windows. Hubby woke up before 6 and opened the house to cool it off. :(

Booknblues wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "LibraryCin wrote: "So, I learned today that the past year and a half has solidified my distaste for crowds.

Now, we only just opened up on July 1 - no more restr..."

How awful! I remember a trip to the Grand Canyon in late summer, landing in Phoenix from where we were driving. Since our arrival was late in the day, we stayed overnight in Scottsdale. Our hotel included several buildings connected by open to air walkways.
Around midnight I stepped out of the hotel room to get ice, having to use one of the open walkways to get into next building where ice machine was. It was so hot, I checked temp on my phone. It was 110F at midnight!

When I was growing up I didn't mind crowds since my parents took us places even thought I grew up in the sticks, but as an adult I like them less and less. Covid has finished the job for me, which I found out at my daughter's graduation ceremony. We used to go to the PNE, which was much better back when I was growing up than it is now, and no, it's not my childhood memory, my aunt warned me about that a couple of years ago.

For those who don't know, that's the Pacific National Exhibition. The grounds also house the rink where the Vancouver Canucks play (yes, I realize how many hockey fans there are in PBT, but someone besides LibraryCin and I must have heard of them).

Ah, yes, for those who commented, it sounds like you are at about my comfort level for crowds. I do wonder if this might or might not go away, though. In any case, I also feel like it's too soon for crowds.

Karin, I recently learned (hadn't realized before) that Anna is a HUGE hockey fan! So, she'll know of the Canucks. (And for those who remember Sara W - I guess she was active in shelfari times; not sure how much she posts here on GR - she is also a hockey fan.)

Yes, I love hockey and my teams are the Kings and Ducks. LOL I would move to Vancouver in a heartbeat, though, for the health insurance, and though my allegiance wouldn't switch over to the Canucks I can cheer for them too!

I was rooting for Montreal during the Stanley Cup finals, because of two on their roster - Tyler Toffoli was one of my favorite Kings and Corey Perry one of my favorite Ducks. Unfortunately the Habs fell short again, though at least it wasn't a sweep.

annapi wrote: "I was rooting for Montreal during the Stanley Cup finals,..."

Although I don't watch anymore... I have to admit this is probably the first time I've ever "cheered" for the Habs (the Montreal Canadiens) .

I grew up in a French town (in Saskatchewan) with a lot of Montreal Canadiens fans, but I was a Calgary Flames fan! In Alberta, the big rivalry (of course) is Calgary/Edmonton, but for the longest time I'd have rather cheered for Edmonton than Montreal!

annapi wrote: "Yes, I love hockey and my teams are the Kings and Ducks. LOL I would move to Vancouver in a heartbeat, though, for the health insurance, and though my allegiance wouldn't switch over to the Canucks..."

On May 18, 2021, he five least affordable metros for housing in North America, according to Oxford Economics (taking in income as well as costs) are, in this order: Toronto, Vancouver, Hamilton (Ontario), San Jose and Los Angeles. https://resources.oxfordeconomics.com...

Of course, this was done in the UK, but I think the benefit of that is that it's not an us vs them contest. Another article I read put Vancouver the most expensive.

But then there are also the much higher taxes that pay for most of that health care.

It's not cheap to live in most of Canada. Also, major appliances, cars, etc also cost significantly more--it's not for naught that my parents bought cars both times we lived in the States (and my dad also bought his first new car there before he was married when he was an intern--it was much less expensive than in Canada, and if you live in the States for a year or more there is no import duty).

LibraryCin wrote: "annapi wrote: "I was rooting for Montreal during the Stanley Cup finals,..."

Although I don't watch anymore... I have to admit this is probably the first time I've ever "cheered" for the Habs (the..."

Yes, that makes sense, even though they were originally the Atlanta Flames but were bought and moved to Calgary. I wonder, if I was your age and living in Alberta, if I'd have backed the Flames or the Oilers--the Oilers were a WHO Canadian team first. It's hard to say--if I grew up in Calgary could I have backed an Edmonton team?

I have had the same hockey team since my early childhood, but then I am not a big sports fan so just stayed loyal to the same team even if it was from across the country.

But the Ducks and the Kings--for me it would be the Kings over the Ducks if I lived in California as they have been a CA team for a long time and weren't started by a movie company ;)

Really, I take none of this very seriously. It drives serious sports fans crazy sometimes.

Karin wrote: "Yes, that makes sense, even though they were originally the Atlanta Flames but were bought and moved to Calgary...."

I think they were Calgary Flames first, then moved to Atlanta, then came back to Calgary? Am I wrong?

I am wrong! You are correct. They were originally in Atlanta:
https://www.nhl.com/flames/team/history

Hmmm, if you lived in Alberta, I guess if you were interested before the Flames came to Calgary, you might have been an Oilers fan. It looks like the Oilers were around for only 1 year before the Flames came to Calgary, so who knows!
https://www.hockey-reference.com/team...

Anyway, I really only got interested in hockey in 1989 (good year - Flames won the Stanley Cup, and my Swift Current Broncos won the Memorial Cup (that Major Junior hockey in Canada) that same year!). Not sure why I chose to cheer for the Flames. I thought Dad did, but ultimately he's a Toronto fan. Maybe he cheered for the Flames when the Leafs weren't doing well. Calgary was the closest NHL team to my small town in Sask, anyway.

LibraryCin wrote: "Karin wrote: "Yes, that makes sense, even though they were originally the Atlanta Flames but were bought and moved to Calgary...."

I think they were Calgary Flames first, then moved to Atlanta, th..."

The Oilers were only an NHL team for one year before, but prior to that they were in the World Hockey Association, so they were a Canadian team longer. Even now Canada is always my first loyalty in the Olympic Games and in any sporting event even if I don't have a team for that. In the Olympics I often have the US in my top three now that I am a dual citizen.

Of course, back then most of the players were Canadian, so one could argue that even when they were in Atlanta they had a strong Canadian presence ;).

But I watched hockey with my dad at times as a child and he took us to games now and then--the first time was to see the California Golden Seals because the first time we moved to CA it was before the Canucks joined the NHL. They are no longer there, of course. He also took us to Candlestick Park to see that local baseball team (forget the name) over there for the experience. I have also seen the Cinncinati Reds play live (not into baseball, but it happened).

After that it was only Canucks games. I don't care enough to buy tickets to go to see the Bruins play the Canadiens.