A Different Life II

[JeffKim]

I'll buy some e-books, but a lot of the time I'll borrow from the library and download. If you're reading something that's older it's usually available. More recent and popular books I put a hold on and they'll show up sometimes inconveniently. I feel a little guilty I'm not supporting the author, but otherwise it saves quite a bit over buying (maybe being Capt'n Obvious here).

[Lily&Me]

Yes, very important points.

I used to buy ebooks primarily from the $5.99 and under section on Nook, then someone here turned me on to BookBub.

I only let them send me a list once a week, and rarely is an ebook more than $2.99.

I lean toward the Free and $.99 ones, tho, and if there isn’t something I want I can just pass.

If I start a series that I really like, I’ll get the rest of them, but I am a cheapskate when it comes to ebooks.

It’s like TJMaxx…why pay full price for something when you can get it for 1/4-1/3 of the original cost???

I haven’t had a library card in years, but I have friends who get their ebooks this way and it may be something I look into as I am no longer doing extended travel.

Maggie

[farafield]

I have been listening to books just because I have always loved reading and if I didn't listen, I would never get through a book in less than a year! This way, I have gone through quite a few. For some books, it's a drawback. I think I am the only person on this planet who did not like Meryl Streep narrating Tom Lake! But some books, like Deacon King Kong, hearing the voices is really fun. Most of the time it works for me thankfully. Will check out the Penn Cage series. Keep us posted on your patio.

[Lily&Me]

My daughter tries to get me to do audiobooks, but I just can’t get interested.

I read almost every evening, as it relaxes me and helps me sleep.

Maggie

[Lily&Me]

This article in CNN yesterday, which I had to bookmark to read again this morning.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/31/us/co...nd?cid=ios_app

About 15 coworkers who went hiking together in Colorado.

When one became disoriented and got off trail on his descent, he let his coworkers know where he was and they directed him to return to the trail.

They then descended without him, leaving him up there, alone, disoriented, with a storm coming in.

Where he spent the freezing night, falling repeatedly, until he was no longer able to get up but did have enough phone signal to call 911, which aided the numerous search parties the next morning in finding him.

Now, what’s wrong with this picture???

This man became disoriented and got off trail once, then having found the trail and begun descending, in a storm of rain, wind and sleet, was left behind by 14 coworkers, spent the night and well into the next morning on a mountain, in a freezing storm, disoriented and falling repeatedly …by himself.

What about having an adventure with a group would lead one to believe they would be abruptly abandoned???

Left to find their own way, or not.

There is no judgement made in the article, and no indication of the ages of this group, what they did for a moving, whether there was an appointed group leader, etc.

But, I’ll make a judgment.

When you set out on an adventure with a group, it would generally not be foremost in your mind that you would be left behind…to find your own way, or not.

Some apparently decided it was okay to leave this man behind, by himself, and others either agreed or were unable to defy the herd.

There may be some who read this who recognize this scenario.

Maggie

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

now into a Walt Longmire novel.

I've probably read a dozen of the Longmire books. I find them better than the TV series because the characters are more 'earthy' especially Vic.
The interaction with Henry is great.
I read a couple where Walt goes off on some trip alone and I don't enjoy those as much.
Yes, I have Bookbub too. I get the e-mail every day.
There's only a few authors I spend over $1.99 on. My new favorite is Rick Mofina. It's usually about a reporter who won't give up. They're all stand alone stories.***
Of course, a Robert B. Parker "Jesse Stone" but I think I've burned through all of those.
You reminded me, with the shady government theme, my first Vince Flynn. Before Mitch Rapp appeared. It's called "Term Limits" and is about a group of patriots who eliminate corrupt politicians. You find yourself cheering for the "bad guys".

*** One recent story was about a poor family reduced to shopping at the flea market. Lady goes with her two kids when a tornado strikes. As hard as she tries to hold on, the stroller and toddler are ripped away. Meanwhile the Local Paper sends a reporter to cover the tornado and she hooks up accidentally with the grief stricken mother. Before long, they're on the trail and a baby selling ring might be involved. OMG, it was so well written I felt their agony! It's called Whirl Wind.

[Lily&Me]

Yes, books are often better than the novels by the same name.

My son and his boys hauled my old patio table and chairs to the curb today, two of the chairs being promptly recycled into a neighbors back yard.

He’s going to paint them with a Rustoleum paint, and they will be good for a few more years.

Son brought his pressure washer and hooked it up for me, so I’m going to work on that this week.

The patio is on the west side of the house, so is in shade until early afternoon every day…so I can putter with that at my leisure.

Maggie

[Lily&Me]

This is an interesting article in The Guardian this morning, about a link found between a higher level of mental resilience and lower risk of death from all causes, particularly in women.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/...er-study-finds

“Mental resilience was measured using a scale that included looking at the qualities of perseverance, calmness, a sense of purpose, self-reliance and the recognition that certain experiences have to be faced alone.”

“Various factors, including but not limited to meaning in life, positive emotions, self-rated health and satisfaction with social support, have been identified as potential influences on psychological resilience.

“Triggering these positive emotions may enhance the protective effects of psychological resilience and mitigate the negative impact of accumulated adversity on mental health in adults.”

The getting up, doing your part, what you need to do in times of crisis, and getting thru, as long term survival skills.

Interesting, and there is a common sense element to these findings, in my opinion.

I am plugging away at power washing my patio, which doesn’t seem all that huge until one is doing something like this , and I should have it done in a couple of more days.

About 45 minutes at a time of wielding that thing, and I’m ready to do something else for awhile.

Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Over the course of the past week I have gotten my entire (large) patio power washed, including moving most of a load of firewood into the garage so I could do that last section.

Went to Menards yesterday and bought materials to patch the cracks, then will see how that goes before deciding whether to resurface it myself or hire someone to do that for me.

My son would come help me with it, but he does have his own, much larger house, three kids and a full time job.

Had my pest control service here this morning and just returned from Walgreens for my Covid booster and flu vaccine, so will begin tackling the patching in the morning.

A bucket list trip is planned with a friend for next month, which as my rather ocd self I am already preparing for, because I try to never have to be tearing around at the last minute for things I can do ahead of time.

One thing I will take care of tomorrow is taking my good watch that I’ve had 20 years or more into Bremer jewelry, who for your lifetime with one of their watches will clean it and replace the battery for free simply by your bringing it in. What a deal.

Who needs a watch most of the time in this day and age, but for when traveling when you don’t want to have your phone in your hand all the time.

I’ve been asked several times if I’m missing the Interstate, does it feel at all odd to be without one after 17 years, etc….and the answer is, not at all.

Doug and I had 146,000 miles in the first one together, I have had about 120,000 miles since his death, just with the dog, between the first one and the second these past 6 years.

What a privilege it has been, and I am grateful for it, but deciding to shift gears at this point in my life was the right decision.

Now in kind of a nesting mode, I am going to get some things pulled together at the little house and do different kinds of travel for as long as I am able.

All that said, AirForums has been an integral part of Interstate ownership and travel, and I have appreciated the help, support and feedback I have received from so many here…on this thread, and elsewhere.

Thanks to the faithful readers who have kept this thread alive the last 10 years, and for those who have chimed in on occasion as well as those who have not.

I’ve appreciated the opportunity and the experience, but it’s time to close this thread, and I am asking the moderators to do so.

I’ll be around the Forums for awhile yet, and anyone who feels a need to reach me can always send a pm.

Thank you, and safe travels.

Maggie

[STREMN]

This thread is now closed as requested. Safe travels Maggie!