Ahoy! I just finished reading I Cheerfully Refuse and it warrants a sea worth greeting.
Hey, it’s no secret but everyone is jumping ship from X/Twitter and leaving for Blue Sky. I am currently in both places and Threads as TiBookChatter. If you are on Blue Sky, please find me!
Right Now:
Today will be a fun morning. Coffee is being enjoyed and then I am hosting for the online church service and then, in student ministry we are having the Turkey Bowl! Flag football. No tackling. Will I participate? I could, but I am still being careful of my skull after brain surgery. It’s also a hoot to cheer from the sidelines.
This Week:
It’s already here! It’s Thanksgiving week here in the US. My daughter is flying to Seattle to be with my son. They have a friends-giving planned. I will cook a pared down meal of classics. The Hub and I, including the Otter Pup (who is hanging on by a thread) will enjoy it and then take food over for my in-laws. They are not doing well. Not comfortable enough to join us at our home so we will go there, feed them and maybe enjoy a slice of pie with them. That’s it. They can’t socialize for long these days.
Aging sucks. Aging pets and aging parents. My own have been gone for awhile but this is rough.
Reading:
Oh my gosh. I am a reading machine! I probably just jinxed myself by saying that. I have been reading four books at a time and I am loving it.
I just finished and reviewed:
I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
I am in the final pages of Pete and Alice in Maine by Caitlin Shetterly. I love a good novel set in Maine.
I am about 25% in to Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. I am late to the party on this one but it’s so charming. I’ve had a copy for ages but needed to quickly find another book to keep up my pace and there it was.
Watching:
Did you watch the fight? I am glad that Paul didn’t hurt Tyson because he easily could have. In the end, he showed respect. I liked that.
Finished Season 2 of Tulsa King. Highly recommend. I was never a huge Stallone fan but he is just so good in it. Kind of humorous and brutal too.
Cobra Kai is back. I just watched the first episode. Yawn. It’s kind of corny and focused on the romance between two of the characters.
I have all my Hallmark Christmas stuff lined up but haven’t pulled the trigger yet. I am off all this week so hello, Hallmark! I’m coming for ya.
Making:
The only days I cook now are typically Mondays. I work remotely that day and it’s easy to simmer something on the stove while working.
Of course, I will be cooking for Thanksgiving. I like to introduce new things but this year, there is a lot on recall, like carrots! I make this really good brown sugar carrot thing but with the recall, I will sub sweet potatoes.
Grateful for:
Every minute that we have with this pup. She is trying so hard to stick around. My adult kids are coming for three days on 12/23. Hopefully they will see her. My son is bringing his cat Root Beer and she loved Chloe when she came as a kitten. We shall see!
Also, the other night the pup shot up out of bed, hopped off and took off down the hall. Hello!! She is not be able to walk much less hop off a bed. I was so half asleep and worried but she seemed pretty proud. See how she rallies? Fourteen and still a pistol.
To everyone who celebrates, Happy Thanksgiving week! Love you, all.
Book Chatter 
Ti, hope you guys have a nice Thanksgiving and enjoy a bit of time with your in-laws. You pup has been around a long time. Fourteen and still ‘hopping’ (some of the time anyway). Take care and thanks for the reminder for ‘Thanksgiving gratitude and happiness’ – my wish for all!
You’re on a reading roll ! And I found you on Bluesky. I just signed up & quit Twitter, no more Musk. I haven’t used it much yet. Aging parents is really hard. We’ll be with my Dad over Christmas. I hope Otter Pup will continue on for Christmas and 2025. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Right now I am on X, Threads and BlueSky but hoping to drop X soon. I have to use it for work so that’s a bummer.
BlueSky is nice but all the trolls are coming over now too. Really have to be selective.
The pup had her turkey and she just watched me set up the tree. She loves the tree.
I think it’s pretty awesome, and a testament of raising them well, that your kids are spending Thanksgiving together. I hope the weather cooperates for her flights. We have had so much rain in the PNW this past week or two. I’m sure your in-laws will appreciate your food and brief visit. Yes, aging does suck. My mom’s 91 and she’s basically tired of life, and yet she’s pretty healthy.
I’m excited to get a copy of I Cheerfully Refuse. It sounds wonderful, and I did enjoy Peace Like a River, so… I’m also eager to get my hands on a copy of Pete and Alice in Maine.
I’m reading a lot of memoirs this month, and also watching The Morning Show and Shrinking.
So sorry that Otter Pup isn’t doing well. Treasure each moment…
Have a peaceful Thanksgiving!
I am so sorry that the Otter Pup is fading quickly; it’s such a tough thing to watch and we love our pets so much.
You are a reading machine! So much fun, enjoy it while it lasts.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
The pup is right next to me snoring right now. A wonderful sound. ☺️
My reading is off the charts!!!! I am reading four books at a time. I need to get some reviews written up.
Aging dogs and aging parents… it’s tough, I know. Hope you have a peaceful Thanksgiving and enjoy the time you can spend with your in-laws. Nice that your kids can be together, too. You’re reading up a storm. I really liked Pete and Alice in Maine… Maine settings get me every time.
I really need to sit my butt down to write up my thoughts on Pete and Alice. Really enjoyed that one.
This Thanksgiving feels different. Partly because the kids aren’t here but also post brain surgery and thinking back to where I was last year. Grateful for so many things.
Aging does suck. I agree with you on that. Our pup is 14 and struggling every day to get up and walk. Then there are days where she’s running around the yard without a problem. So odd. I’ll take it. Not ready for her to pass, neither is her “sister” since they’ve grown alongside each other.
Glad to hear that reading is going well for you. I bet that is a relief. Definitely something to be thankful for. Hugs to you and your family.
Aging also sucks for us humans!! I was SLEEPING and messed up my leg somehow. Excruciating pain. WTH??