1
Outpourings / Re: Winter
« Last post by Diane CBPFC on Yesterday at 03:24:19 PM »Congratulations Roger. I love the name Norah - old-timey yet powerful.
Recent Posts
2
Outpourings / Re: Winter
« Last post by Roger Kettle on Yesterday at 10:25:19 AM »That's an impressive snowfall, Diane! No sign of the white stuff here in Scotland yet but it would be nice to get at least a dusting of it over Christmas.
With everything that's been going on, it's been difficult for me to get into the festive spirit. My sister, Diamond Lil, is still in hospital with her broken hip but, fingers crossed, she may get home early next week. On the other side of the emotional scale, my son and his partner welcomed a little girl into the world last week. My second granddaughter---a gorgeous wee thing called Norah. I'm so happy for them.
It will be a quiet Christmas for us with only four adults and my first granddaughter at the table. She is now three and a half and already excited about what's to come. Quiet but nice.
Okay, I'll wish you all festive greetings nearer the time. Meanwhile, I'll get the mulled wine out and watch "It's a Wonderful Life" in an attempt to get into the spirit....
With everything that's been going on, it's been difficult for me to get into the festive spirit. My sister, Diamond Lil, is still in hospital with her broken hip but, fingers crossed, she may get home early next week. On the other side of the emotional scale, my son and his partner welcomed a little girl into the world last week. My second granddaughter---a gorgeous wee thing called Norah. I'm so happy for them.
It will be a quiet Christmas for us with only four adults and my first granddaughter at the table. She is now three and a half and already excited about what's to come. Quiet but nice.
Okay, I'll wish you all festive greetings nearer the time. Meanwhile, I'll get the mulled wine out and watch "It's a Wonderful Life" in an attempt to get into the spirit....
3
Outpourings / Winter
« Last post by Diane CBPFC on December 15, 2025, 05:35:57 PM »We have had a good dump of snow this year, after the years of drought this is the best Christmas present we could wish for. Well that and a hot bean bag for my poor back from shoveling snow.
We have already watched 4 Christmas movies, new and new to me, this year. All of them with corny plots and Christmas magic and isn't that really what the season is all about?
We have already watched 4 Christmas movies, new and new to me, this year. All of them with corny plots and Christmas magic and isn't that really what the season is all about?
4
Outpourings / Re: TBR pile?
« Last post by Diane CBPFC on November 29, 2025, 05:54:59 PM »Autobiographies read by the authors are the best. I enjoyed the first half of Patrick Stewart's book for instance. I have never followed a podcast, I did watch those three ladies do a Derry Girls review but it was visual on YouTube so not really a pod cast. So glad you love Slow Horses too Tarqs. I can't get anyone in my family to like the show at all which I can't understand LOL
I had a go at the quiz - very hard - I got 7 right but would only have bet money on one of my answers.
Thanks for asking Zesty - I asked the question because I would really like to find another series that I could really get into. I thought Beau Peep fans may have some leads.
I read quite a mix of authors. New to me this year is Louise Penny with her inspector Gamache of Three Pines, Quebec; M.C. Beaton’s Hamish MacBeth of Scotland, and Elizabeth George’s Inspector Lynley. These have all been from the library and unusual for me is that I have not cared that I have not been reading any of them in print order.
The Mick Herron series is hard to beat.
I just looked, Philip Kerr does not have a big presence in our Alberta online library so it would be a case of buying the books. But they do look interesting.
I am reading the Thomas King Thumps DreadfulWater series in order and was on book 5 (out of
when I made this post – lots of funny bits and places named in southern Alberta that I know. My son is buying me the last two books in the series for Christmas. But then right after I started this thread – the shit hit the fan – at 82 years old, the author Thomas King discovered that he is not in fact part Cherokee at all and boy were the critics hard on him, the Edmonton Opera even pulled a version of his Indians on Vacation they had planned for this season. So instead of being lost in the story as I usually am, I ended up the book feeling sorry for the author who says he feels ripped in two.
I had a go at the quiz - very hard - I got 7 right but would only have bet money on one of my answers.
Thanks for asking Zesty - I asked the question because I would really like to find another series that I could really get into. I thought Beau Peep fans may have some leads.
I read quite a mix of authors. New to me this year is Louise Penny with her inspector Gamache of Three Pines, Quebec; M.C. Beaton’s Hamish MacBeth of Scotland, and Elizabeth George’s Inspector Lynley. These have all been from the library and unusual for me is that I have not cared that I have not been reading any of them in print order.
The Mick Herron series is hard to beat.
I just looked, Philip Kerr does not have a big presence in our Alberta online library so it would be a case of buying the books. But they do look interesting.
I am reading the Thomas King Thumps DreadfulWater series in order and was on book 5 (out of
when I made this post – lots of funny bits and places named in southern Alberta that I know. My son is buying me the last two books in the series for Christmas. But then right after I started this thread – the shit hit the fan – at 82 years old, the author Thomas King discovered that he is not in fact part Cherokee at all and boy were the critics hard on him, the Edmonton Opera even pulled a version of his Indians on Vacation they had planned for this season. So instead of being lost in the story as I usually am, I ended up the book feeling sorry for the author who says he feels ripped in two. 5
Outpourings / Re: TBR pile?
« Last post by ZestyWhite on November 26, 2025, 04:19:41 PM »That really is all go, Roger. Hope Lil recovers swiftly - and the same for your son's partner when the time comes. Christmas babies are an interesting thing. My youngest was born on the 20th of December (he'll be ten this year). We hosted the family for Christmas dinner five days after his birth, so that my wife could escape to her bed without us having to physically leave somewhere and travel first. Turned out that in pity, everybody left early, Ruth went to bed five minutes after they departed and I spent the rest of Christmas evening doing dishes.
I read the first Slow Horses book years ago and returned to the second one which I found on my kindle library. I must have snaffled it on some kind of deal that I don't remember.
I am also halfway through Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther novels. They are fantastic. If you've never read them, I can highly recommend. I believe they are being adapted for TV and Jack Lowden will be starring.
I've also found myself listening to a fair bit of comedy on BBC Sounds (some of it turns out not to be overly comedic). Cabin Pressure would be a highlight. John Finnemore's writing is really tight and laugh out loud funny.
What are you reading Diane?
I read the first Slow Horses book years ago and returned to the second one which I found on my kindle library. I must have snaffled it on some kind of deal that I don't remember.
I am also halfway through Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther novels. They are fantastic. If you've never read them, I can highly recommend. I believe they are being adapted for TV and Jack Lowden will be starring.
I've also found myself listening to a fair bit of comedy on BBC Sounds (some of it turns out not to be overly comedic). Cabin Pressure would be a highlight. John Finnemore's writing is really tight and laugh out loud funny.
What are you reading Diane?
6
Outpourings / Re: TBR pile?
« Last post by Tarquin Thunderthighs lll on November 25, 2025, 10:02:12 PM »I have binge-watched the first series of Slow Horses over the past three days and am utterly hooked. Thank you both for the heads up - pushed me over the edge after being curious about the title for a while now. Terrific cast and riveting viewing. I'm off to watch Season 2 once I've posted this.
I tend to listen to either talk radio, podcasts, or music during the day while I'm working, Diane. Not sure if I can squeeze audio books into all that, but I'll give it some thought. My daughter recently recommended the audio version of Nicola Sturgeon's latest book, narrated by the lady herself, so that might be a good start for me. A few years back, that same daughter (my eldest) gave me a CD compilation of an autobiography by Chris Evans (the ginger one), also narrated by the eponymous hero, which I thoroughly enjoyed, albeit in well-spaced-out segments (or chapters as I think books used to call them). Maybe that is the way forward for me? I'll let you know if so.
The quiz link is https://www.funtrivia.com/private/main.cfm?tid=79189 - everyone welcome! :-)
I tend to listen to either talk radio, podcasts, or music during the day while I'm working, Diane. Not sure if I can squeeze audio books into all that, but I'll give it some thought. My daughter recently recommended the audio version of Nicola Sturgeon's latest book, narrated by the lady herself, so that might be a good start for me. A few years back, that same daughter (my eldest) gave me a CD compilation of an autobiography by Chris Evans (the ginger one), also narrated by the eponymous hero, which I thoroughly enjoyed, albeit in well-spaced-out segments (or chapters as I think books used to call them). Maybe that is the way forward for me? I'll let you know if so.
The quiz link is https://www.funtrivia.com/private/main.cfm?tid=79189 - everyone welcome! :-)
7
Outpourings / Re: TBR pile?
« Last post by Diane CBPFC on November 23, 2025, 04:21:57 PM »I hope you are given the book early. Bad choice for Christmas day when you are supposed to be visiting with people and helping with the cooking etc - when all you will want to do is sneak off and read a chapter or two lol
I tried to get all my family to read this series, can't even get them to watch the TV series. Nice to know that you are a fan :-)
I tried to get all my family to read this series, can't even get them to watch the TV series. Nice to know that you are a fan :-)
8
Outpourings / Re: TBR pile?
« Last post by Roger Kettle on November 22, 2025, 10:17:13 PM »Diane. I'm so glad you also enjoy the "Slow Horses" series. I find them an absolute joy and the latest book is already promised as a Christmas present.
Many thanks for your kind wishes regarding Diamond Lil. I will, of course, pass them on. I really appreciate it.
Many thanks for your kind wishes regarding Diamond Lil. I will, of course, pass them on. I really appreciate it.
9
Outpourings / Re: TBR pile?
« Last post by Diane CBPFC on November 22, 2025, 05:13:47 AM »First off, poor Diamond Lil – that must have hurt a lot – please send her my get well soon wishes.
Second, congrats on the new grandbaby!
Tarqs – have you tried an audio book when you are doing other things such as dish washing or playing games on your phone?
Good news for you Roger “Clown Town” is book #9 – there are also I think 5 short stories – I absolutely love the humour in them, some of it can’t be translated to the screen as it is often thoughts. I also read the 4 earlier books, the Zoë Boehm series that is now also a TV series.
Tarqs – could you link to the game – maybe we could all have another go?
Second, congrats on the new grandbaby!
Tarqs – have you tried an audio book when you are doing other things such as dish washing or playing games on your phone?
Good news for you Roger “Clown Town” is book #9 – there are also I think 5 short stories – I absolutely love the humour in them, some of it can’t be translated to the screen as it is often thoughts. I also read the 4 earlier books, the Zoë Boehm series that is now also a TV series.
Tarqs – could you link to the game – maybe we could all have another go?
10
Outpourings / Re: TBR pile?
« Last post by Roger Kettle on November 21, 2025, 09:55:21 AM »Thanks, Tarqs---will pass on your kind wishes to my sister.