Ellen’s Comments (group member since Jun 08, 2011)

Ellen’s comments from the flight paths group.

So happy to read one of your lovely poems again Magdelanye

I apologize for my long absence. I don't go on GR much any more I'm still reading--I'm taking two classes--one in ancient Greek (which I'm terrible at but enjoy) and one in British literature from Chaucer to Milton, which I'm better at and also enjoy--but two classes may be a bit much in addition to the rest of the life of this almost-73 year old woman! Yesterday I just stayed home and slept most of the day (it's not just classes of course, (although between travel time, class time, and homework it's pretty time-consuming!) --there's exercise, meditation, my sangha, meeting with my meditation teacher as well as friends and family.

I'm currently reading a book about The Bottom Line (from NetGalley) and a fun mystery by one of my favorite mystery writers, Ann Cleeves. Also a Restoration play (The Roaring Girl) for my lit class.

I'm in a good mood because of the Mamdani win in the NYC mayoral race. I also turned out for the No Kings rally--100,000 of us--which was good but not as good as actually winning an election.

Of course, things are still terrible here. And they're trying to pass a bill (already passed the House0 which will make protests like No Kings illegal. And the cutting of snap while building a ballroom. Just awful and terrifying.

So I try to stay centered and grounded and do what I can and not spend the day obsessing on all that's terrible -- or what could be happening next.

But I think of you two with love (I just looked back and saw Ice posted--hello Ice!)

Hi--I'm sorry I've been absent for so long--I need to catch up on reading all the posts but I wanted to say hello at least. I'm already headed out for the day but I'll come back

Happy New Year!!

A wonderful year ahead for us all <3

Sorry I've been so MIA--my Greek class has overwhelmed me. I think next semester I'll take something easy (I'm thinking 19th century French novels--something I used to love anyway)

reading has taken a backseat but I just finished rereading Daphne DuMaurier's The Parasites, a comfort read--I've been reading it since I'm 14

Hope you are all well this holiday season

Magdelanye, I can't wait to see the pictures--I love to travel vicariously. And this looks like a stupendous trip.

I love Akbar's poetry. I haven't read enough of the book to judge--I'm looking it so far. Sadly, I had to return it to the library--I'll put in again. Hate these enforced pauses.

Funny isn't it?

Hi Magdelanye--

I love how you get around! To me, you are the definition of a free (and literate) spirit.

I've decided to spend my old age learning ancient Greek so I'm auditing a course at a college in the city (just a small fee, no tuition, so almost free). So I'm spending a lot of time studying.

Reading-wise, I've gotten a couple of books from NetGalley--I just finished Cukor's People--about the films of director George Cukor. I loved the book. Now I'm reading a book about the movie Giant, written by a niece of the author Edna Ferber. I loved the book Giant more than I loved the movie but I'm always interested in movie gossip and also info about how they're made.

Slowly making my way, still, through The Covenant of Water--despite the fact that I'm completely caught up in it when reading, I'm easily distracted by other books.

Also, I'm reading Martyr! a novel by Kaveh Akbar, whose poetry I love. Strong start--so far, a straightforward narrative of an addict/alcoholic in recovery. It's due back to the library i a couple of days so I'm a little worried about finishing it and still trying to keep up (or catch up, actually) with the Greek.

Love your welcome to August Petra!

And sorry Magdelanye about your experience of Vienna

I've been pulled back into John Banville's mystery series, set in 1950s Dublin, starring brooding, alcoholic pathologist/detective Quirke. I'm now reading Holy Orders which I'm enjoying

I just finished Clara Reads Proust which is extremely light and which I also enjoyed (very different atmosphere). Love the fairy tale aspect of happening upon a book and it changing your life

And I was approved from NetGalley for a new book about the tv series Friends and I'm having a good time with that

Petra wrote: "Ellie, the beginning was really good. I was pulled into the story right away. But it changed and became quite violent and repetitive. It was harder to continue.

However, I did finish [book:The Fam..."

Thanks Petra. I guess that's the reason I've started Road so many times and then stopped. Maybe knowing that I'll be able to actually keep going

Love the poem Magdelanye!

Petra: I own several copies of Famished Road, lol. I've started it several times--and liked the beginning--but for some reason I've always been interrupted. Can't wait to read your reaction to it

Magdelanye wrote: "Sweet greetings from Haarlem, where i have been growing into my role as Peace Dancer.
To dance in front of the statue of Anne Frank was the culmination of my connection with her.
People have been ..."

Magdelanye, this sounds thrilling!

Wow Magdelanye, I have to look this up in the thread where you elaborate!

My son graduated college this week and had the second wedding ceremony -- the one with the reception -- what a wonderful experience it was, I'm still floating. I should be more present now

I have been very taken up with my son's wedding (the Catholic one is this Saturday and the reception along with a second service is at the end of the month) as well as his upcoming college graduation. I apologize for my long absence.

I just finished The Road to the Country (Chigozie Obioma) a novel about the Biafran war. A terribly painful book--if I hadn't gotten it through NetGalley and had to write a review, I never would have finished it. But I'm glad to have read it--beautiful as well as horrifying.

Now I plan on reading several very, very light books to offset the pain of this story.

I hope you are both well. And Ice too.

A beautiful humming of "mmms"

Thank you Magdelanye

I love your poem this month, Magdelanye. I always do, but this month is especially lovely.

And yes, I'm loving them--I can't seem to get enough of them at the moment.

I'm so glad you loved K-Mart!

Hi--

I'm so sorry you were sick Magdelanye! and glad you're better.

I have been crazy busy and not even reading much--or at least reading very slowly. It feels like the older I get, the more slowly I read. I hate that.

Currently, I'm reading a book I won through GR: Can't We Be Friends: A Novel of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe and I'm grateful that I'm not sorry I won it, which I often am. (I keep telling myself I won't enter any more giveaways--I hate the obligation not only to finish but to also write a review).

Also reading The Bee Sting. I'm liking his writing a lot--I own both An Evening of Long Goodbyes and Skippy Dies but haven't read them (I own so many books that I haven't read!). I think I'll read them next since I'm enjoying this so much. The only obstacle for me is how very long his books are.

After several years of not being able to read mysteries, I'm back in full force. My escape (other than watching old--I mean from the 30s and 40s not the 70s or 80s!--movies. Bette David, Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and so on). I'm currently reading The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle which is very popular; the reviews said it was unusually interesting & clever. Also working my way through Lorac. E C R.--a "golden age" (1930s/40s) mystery writer.

Hi Petra--I also love Moby Dick :)

Thanks for the leading-to-hope words, Magdelanye.

Happy first day of the New Year!

I wish you all peace, love, joy, and good health--and the same for all the people we love

Love all of them!

Happy New Year everybody!