Saturday, January 9, 2021

The Guest Cat: Get Well Soon; and a Birthday Pie for My Dad

 



I don't like to talk politics, but if Wednesday had gone on much longer, I think I would have had a nervous breakdown. I am angry with the lies and deception and naked grasping for power that have led to the awful events of that day in our capital. Two more weeks? It can't come too soon for me.







One of the books I finished this week was a crazy-ride-of-a-book. You'd never guess that from the title, Get Well Soon: History's Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them, but author Jennifer Wright could do standup with material from this book, oddly, and I'd be first to buy tickets. Thank you, Jen, from Introverted Reader.







I am a few chapters in, and I'm enjoying Miss Benson's Beetle so much. Thank you, Mareli from Elza Reads!

And that's why I love blogging. I get the best recommendations from other bloggers.






POSTS LAST WEEK







CHALLENGES

I made progress in four of my challenges last week. 


I finished one book for the 2021 Back to the Classics Challengea humorous or satirical classicSelected Stories of O. Henry

For The Japanese Literature Challenge 13 and The Books in Translation Challenge, I read two books, an adult fiction book, The Guest Cat by Takashi Hiraide, and a children's picture book, Every Color of Light by Hiroshi Osada.








GOOD THING #1:  I used a recipe from Pie Academy to make this birthday pie for my dad's 94th celebration last week.



GOOD THING #2: All Creatures Great & Small (original series) and The Queen's Gambit. Both of these are excellent. I'm looking forward to the new All Creatures Great & Small series on PBS that starts Sunday night.



GOOD THING #3: Project FeederWatch. I watch and report on birds at my feeder (and nearby) two days each week now. So far, I have seen goldfinches (13 at once on one day); bluejays; mourning doves; red-bellied and downy woodpeckers; cardinals, pine siskins; Carolina chickadees; tufted titmice; crows; one hummingbird; house finches; and yellow-rumped warblers. 




I'm happy you found your way to the Sunday Salon. Sunday Salon is a place for us to link up and to share what we have been doing during the week. It's a great way to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 

Some of the things we often talk about at the Sunday Salon:

  • What was your week like?
  • Read any good books? Tell us about them.
  • What other bookish things did you do? 
  • What else is going on in your life?

Other places where you may like to link up over the weekend are below. Click on the picture to visit the site.


My linkup for Sunday Salon is below.

58 comments:

  1. Congrats on a strong start to the Nonfiction Reader Challenge!
    It seems the birds are appreciating your feeder.

    Wishing you a great reading week

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  2. Love the birds and your pie looks to die for! That is just gorgeous. I can't wait for "All Creatures." I loved the first series so much and one always approaches a remake with trepidation (I never could get into Poldark and the original was one of my all time favorites.) Can the fellow from the Durrells ever be a better Tristan than Peter Davison? But oh, so willing to give it my time and love -- especially with Diana Rigg.

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    1. I am looking foward to the new All Creatures. I understand what you say about remakes. Glad I hadn't seen the original of Poldark, because I loved the remake.

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  3. Happy belated new year Deb!

    The news this week has been dreadful, it’s like living in a dystopian novel.

    Hope you are staying safe.

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    1. It has been horrible. That's an excellent comparison, Heather.

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  4. You're off to a good start with your reading challenges and with Project FeederWatch. I had an unusual bird at one of my feeders yesterday - a Purple Finch. I've only ever seen a few of those in my yard over the years, so this was a real treat.

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    1. Oh my! I had one, too. Two, in fact. The male hid in the shrubs and I could never get a good photo of him.

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  5. You have some interesting books on your list. I hope you are enjoying them. I still can't believe what has gone on this week. I hope you have a great week!

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  6. The pie looks delish! Happy belated birthday to your dad! I was so overwhelmed with the news on Wednesday so sad and yes, I cannot wait until Jan. 20. And, I may not be quite in the mood to read about more pandemics but Get Well Soon sounds fascinating!

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    1. Get Well Soon was published before the pandemic, so it's oddly prescient.

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  7. I find that watching birds on a feeder or bird bath is one of the most relaxing things going these days. And that pie looks beautiful; well done.

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  8. All creatures great and small is a tv program now ? I missed that, I'll catch up. And the Queen's gambit is soooo good. I couldn't believe what happened in the Capitol last week ! I'll take a look at your Japanese reviews tomorrow, it's 00:39 now, I've been fighting with Blogger and I'm tired. Good night !

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    1. Loved the Queen's Gambit. And yes, you must look for the new All Creatures. I'm looking forward to seeing it tonight.

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  9. I am nervous about these next two weeks. I really hope nothing more happens, but I worry it might. Get Well Soon sounds really interesting! I may have to give that one a try. I'm looking forward to reading Miss Benson's Beetle. I am so glad you are enjoying it. Happy Birthday to your dad. I love the look of the pie--those hearts are a great touch. I hope you have a good week, Deb.

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    1. I'm trying to imagine that we are taking steps so that no further violence occurs. Horrifying.

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  10. Your pie looks delicious!

    I've steered clear of politics on my blog too but I just had to say a little something this week. This has gone on too long.

    I'm so glad you enjoyed Get Well Soon! Thanks for the mention!

    Enjoy your week!

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  11. That pie is a thing of beauty! What a great birthday pie for your dad! My favorite pie is pecan but no one else in my house eats it so we compromise with apple which I'm seriously considering making one this week. Get Well Soon and Miss Benson's Beetle both look good. Hope you have a great week.

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    1. There was something wonderfully relaxing about making that pie.

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  12. Hi dearest Debbie! First of all, thanks for the shoutout! Funny enough, I have a shoutout for you too on my blog post! Ha, how awesome is that. I'm so glad that you are enjoying Miss Benson's Beetle. I thought you might enjoy it.

    That pie... It looks delicious! I should work on my pie-making skills.

    I didn't know there was a series on All Creatures Great and Small? I will need to check that out! We've also started watching The Queen's Gambit and it's good yes.

    Hope you will have a good week and enjoy the feeder watching. I believe it must be very peaceful and calming.

    Lots of Love,

    Mareli & Elza

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    1. The Queen's Gambit was everything I love in a tv show---thoughtful plus a beautiful depiction of a time.

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  13. Yummy looking birthday pie! Happy 94th birthday to your dad.

    Enjoy your books and your week, and stay safe.

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  14. What a beautiful looking pie! And what a cool way to ensure the pastry stays lovely and crispy, with all those fabulous hearts, Deb:)). Many happy returns to your father - what a wonderful age to get to...

    I can understand your anger at the horrible events last Wednesday - let's hope it isn't just the idiots who got sucked into taking part that get punished, but the manipulative ratbags who put them there...

    I love the pic of the little bird - what a joy! And I'm also tempted by Get Well Soon, as I loved Journal of a Plague Year when I read it at college. Have a good week, Deb.

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    1. I agree with you completely. I hope everyone takes a tumble.

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  15. That pie is so lovely and the crust would be perfect for my husband as he is not big on crust - I usually eat his LOL - This week had more lows than highs: I was thrilled to hear about GA and what it means for the new administration, but, then what an embarrassment for our country the storming of the capitol was. I do hope they arrest all responsible parties. Have a good week Deb.

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  16. Again thank you so much for my book present!
    We loved the Queen's Gambit too.
    We Canadians, watched in horror, the Capitol storming as well. I do wonder what might happen in the next two weeks.

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  17. Great job on that pie, it's a beauty. I know your Dad was happy with it. Love the bird photos.

    It's crazy about the covid abreak numbers and I have sympathy for you in your twon. Florida has more cases than ever so we stay in as much as we can. I thought 2021 would be better!

    I'm about to beg my husband to get an antenna so we can see All Creatures. Loved the books and the show when it was on decades ago. I really want to see the new version.

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  18. I think we can watch All Creatures over Roku. At least I hope we can.

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  19. i would love to have a feeder like yours, but with all the squirrels it presents a problem. maybe i'll have mr wonderful come up with something

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  20. Congratulations on your awesome start to your 2021 challenges!

    I am very angry about Wednesday but I am more scared about the future. If we have people who don't think it's wrong to storm a building and call themselves patriots for doing that, then we really have to so much to fear for next week.

    That pie looks delicious! Happy birthday to your dad!

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    1. I hope as these people are gradually fired from their jobs and are picked up for questioning by the police and condemned for their actions that the activity will be over.

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  21. I've been hearing lots of good things about The Queen's Gambit. I really need to watch that show soon!

    Here’s my Sunday Post!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog

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    1. The Queen's Gambit is so good. Who would guess that chess could be a great subject for a show?

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  22. That pie looks delish Deb! I understand your pain about Wednesday and feel the same way. I feel like we are now going to be expecting the worst every time our legislative branch meets and if I FB feed is any indication we have a lot to be worried about :(

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  23. You are amazing. I am just now signing up for my challenges and you have already read several books for your challenges. Your feeder watch is going well too.

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  24. We Canadians were just as shocked to see what was happening south of our border. Crazy times! You're off to a good start on your challenges. Hope you enjoy all the books you plan to read.

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  25. Wednesday was an absolutely horrible day! I am beyond words, but pray we get to January 20th safely.

    You're doing great with the challenges. I enjoyed listening to Get Well Soon, too... surprisingly funny for the subject matter. Adding The Lazy Genius to my list.

    Happy Birthday to your dad... what a beautiful pie!!

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  26. Your pie looks delicious!! Amazing job!

    I too am so excited about the new All Creatures Great and Small! I loved the first series and I love all of the books as well. :)

    Wednesday...what can I say? Horrifying.

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  27. That pie looks great!
    I'm glad you are enjoying The Queen's Gambit, it was one of my favourite shows last year!
    The Guest Cat is on my to read list as well. This week I read If Cats Disappeared from the World, I quite enjoyed enjoyed it, althought the writing style was quite simplistic.

    Wednesday was horrible, let's hope the coming weeks are a lot better and without any incidents.

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  28. Yes, Wednesday was unbelievable. I saw a lot of police cars and then I remember hearing warning sirens and I had to go online to see what all was going on. Glad we at least have books to distract us.

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  29. Wednesday was a horrible day and I found myself doom-scrolling very much as I did after 9/11. I was terrified something else was going to happen later in the evening. I'm still very worried about the next week or two, but I'm trying to avoid the news as much as I can. I should get back in the kitchen and start baking. Your pie looks fabulous and I'll bet your dad loved it! I agree that The Queen's Gambit is excellent. I could watch it again! What a great close-up of that sweet little bird (a finch?). Here's to a calmer week, right?

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  30. Wow, you've got a great start to your reading this year! And you've reminded me about one of the challenges I use to love to participate in - The Japanese Literature Challenge! I might have to join in on this one because Japanese literature is still a favorite of mine. On another note, I've heard great things about The Queen's Gambit and am going to give that a go. I also heard that there has been a surge in sales of chess sets because of the show. Have a great week!

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  31. That pie certainly looks delicious. This week has been terrible and horrifying, to say the least. Two weeks ... the waiting seems like an eternity.

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  32. I have very fond memories of watching All Creatures Great and Small back in the day. I think I read at least one of the books as well. I would like to read the entire series now. Books like that are a balm for these uncertain times. Like you, I am appalled at what happened in Washington this past week.

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  33. I have to finish the Lazy Genius Way.. being too lazy about it, I guess. and that pie looks delish.. Miss Benson's Beetle looks so good..

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  34. Wednesday was wild! I watched TV all day because I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Nice variety of books and a nice way to keep track of your challenges. Great looking pie too! Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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  35. Thinking of you Deb and may the lies soon be gone or at least the person who gives so much attention to making them. Take care and keep making those gorgeous looking pies.

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  36. Glad you are moving right along with your reading challenges. I have started on two or three for my challenges. I'm trying to keep organized so I don't forget! Get Well Soon has been on my list. I may change my disease book for this one...

    Those pies look so good! Yum. I hope you have a wonderful week and yes to the 20th! It can't come soon enough.

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  37. In spite of what happened at the capitol, I loved life this week. The January Robins came "bob, bob, bobbin' along" to my yard and it was such a treat !
    Didn't you just love "All Things," and O. Henry is one of my favorites! I went to his house/museum in Austin where he lived when he was embezzling that Austin bank. I love his surprise endings and did my Freshman English (high school) research paper on his life and works...fascinating experience, becoming immersed in him. I'm pretty sure I've read everything BY him, and I've read several books ABOUT him along the way.

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  38. I really liked The Queen's Gambit too. Great show. And now I'm now #86 on the wait list for Miss Benson's Beetle. Happy reading!

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