OK, I'm back shortly. Mark, Paph schoseri is one I couldn't get for blood nor money, unless I paid a lot of money, when I was collecting species. I maybe saw it available twice, for wads of cash. This guy is little, but way stupid cheap, and I figured why not. I don't think it's a jacked-up hard to bloom thing (and I've dealt with those). Too much on-topic. Joaquin is a fantastic kitten-child and makes me very happy. The bitey thing is going away as he grows up. He retains his spotted gorgeousness. He's ever so smart (I refrained from swearing here so as not to get tossed off the forum, but really...). And not to be too off-topic on-topic (that kid of mine), what are we reading lately? I could start a new thread, but I don't wanna. I'm reading 'Tieta' by Jorge Almado, and not being thrilled by it-a bit ponderous and too many interruptions by the author to drop in his comments...I don't know. I'm liking the story but not the telling, and it may just be the translation. I had a lovely break in the tale with the 'Brokeback Mountain' short story (borrowed for a friend from a friend, and of course I read it first). A dandy story. You should probably all know that I get drunk and loaded (some of you may know what the loaded part is about, aside from the drunk) before these little sillinesses get written out. Chemicals happen. It's not always a bad thing. In fact, sometimes it's pretty good. At any rate... I'm off. Love you kids. -O-

I just cut up some pineapple, and green pepper for some shrimp kabobs I'm making tomorrow at the river. I'd be there today, to get the mowing out of the way, but DD and family are here from California, and DD #3 is having us all there for a cookout around 5:30. So, we'll head up about 7:00 AM tomorrow morning so I can get it mowed by 9:00 or so. Last night mom and I went to DD#1's for taco's and taco salad. Then Saturday I'll be having everyone at the cabin/river for hotdogs/hamburgers and shrimp kabobs. Sunday my younger sister is having us all out there for a cookout and swimming. By 'all of us' it means 22 extra people for her and her DH. But she has lots of room outside, and a lake for the kids to swim in. It is to be 85° that day so it'll be fun. Plus they have a pontoon boat and BIL loves to give everyone rides around the lake. My sister's DD and her two little ones are flying in Sunday also, around 2:00. Nobody else knows this except me, and her mom, dad and sister. So everyone will be surprised big time. Another surprise is that I didn't blow the secret. Almost did yesterday though, when I asked mom when Heather had to go back? Luckily she is hard of hearing and didn't hear me start the question, so I quickly changed the subject. I don't know when the last time my DD from California, and my niece have seen each other. They always seem to miss during their visitations home. It'll be fun. Today is only 65° so far with a high expected of 72. I've got my windows open, and the AC off.

I didn't know it was adapted from a book. That works out for me pretty nicely. I'm tired of reading the book first and being disappointed by the film. I think I will see the movie first and if I like it go for the book. I could only enjoy it more that way! Enjoy the movie gals and guys CT

Wow. Thanks everyone. There is certainly a lot to think about there. Choosing book group books is always tough for me as there are so many to choose from. At our book group we take turns to host the meetings at our own home and then the person that hosts gets to choose the next book. There is no group concensus on the books we read. The person that hosts chooses and that is that, so I try to put a bit of thought in as the others don't really get a choice when it is your turn. It is great for choosing more unusual books that the others wouldn't ordinarily choose. A number of titles seem to keep coming up like 'Peace Like A River', 'To Kill A Mockingbird', 'The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie' and 'Invisible Man'. Certainly 'The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie' would be a classic choice for us as we are based in Edinburgh. However I think that some of the other women at our book group have read that already and we try to avoid books we know others have read. However I have not read it and will try to read it some time. I had not considered 'Peace Like A River' before so that is a great find. Thanks. The other two look great too actually. So many books, so little time!! There are a couple there that I have considered previously to this discussion and may choose like 'Ella Minnow Pea' and 'I Capture The Castle'. However there are some that I have not heard of and I am going to have to look them up to see if I like the look of them. For example I know very little about 'Book Thief' and many of the books posted by 'wrmjr'. Are they good? Thanks