I had a tedious household chore to do that took about 90 minutes. I was excited to try listening to a podcast, which certainly made the time pass more enjoyably, but later wondered if I should have been listening to an audio book instead. Silliness.

I enjoy convoluted mysteries and attempting to sort out the false trails from the likely solution, too. This was still a compelling read for sure. I'll be interested to see if the opening scenes annoy you as much as they did me. 😁

Just finished a whodunit, Robert Galbraith's Lethal White. I enjoyed most of it. The first part felt laborious, as the two main characters continue to string other relationships along when they clearly want to be together. At the end I felt the plot was a little *too* complex, and the lengthy explanations by the villain just too unbelievable. I can't believe I could find anything to dislike by this author, but there you have it.

Sorry. They did a movie too after the series ended.

I guess you could glove up if it's an issue

Finished our book club read, All the Light We Cannot See (Doerr). For some reason, I thought I had read this book already. I must have had it confused with other WWII France novels. What a beautiful book, packed with such believable characters. Thought-provoking as to how each of us would live if born in a particular time and place.

There are two similar trouble spots in our area: Which math stream is taken in high school Whether or not second language is pursued

If you can, I think it is a big positive for the school authority to hold similar values to the parent's. Peers matter. Even if they are privately breaking those standards, they are not celebrated for it. School culture matters.

I've heard a few stories about malfunctioning dishwashers due to chicken bones or cherry pits. It's just easier to give a quick rinse.

Nooo! My kids tortured everyone with that one.

I believe she is 55th in line for 18 copies.

Bright coloured scarf, draw attention to your face? It's been working a bit for me, lol. Just photos... ugh.

I have admired many teachers over the years who seemed to me to have a great grin and bear it attitude about the inevitable kijillion photos. Now you're making me think maybe they were actually hiding their loathing really, really well!

DD wears leggings under other pants, essentially like long underwear, when needed.

I just finished Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. The characters are much concerned with the Old West, so it should count. 😊 While hubby and I ate lunch at a pub yesterday, I thought one of the diners looked like he would have made an excellent Jape Waltzer, the villain of the book. This novel is going to stay with me for a bit.

Yup, if you don't get lucky and/or don't have 2-3 hours to devote to the cause it can be overwhelming. Even rolling it into the house decluttering or college runs probably only works in theory. I totally hear the time constraint.

I would guess that the thrift stores near you may not be that helpful, but you never know... might get lucky. Oh hey, what about a consignment sports store - ski wear?

You could be describing my dd at 13 (actually at 10, 11, 12, 13, 14). The little pieces of paper that were too meaningful to throw away (?), the packaging from items she liked, heart-shaped rock collection (I used to sneak a pocketful outside from time to time)... oy! I used to help with weekly or monthly attempts at purging... it got so bad for our relationship for awhile (and that's on me) I did have to just shut the door and let her be. Just made sure there was a fire exit to the door and enough laundry done so she had stuff to wear. She still doesn't do things the way I would - dresser drawers left open, piles of stuff - but at 16 she is so much better. You can walk in there! And she will spend time on her own initiative tidying things up every week or two. ETA: She is actually now more ruthless than I am about throwing sentimental pieces of paper away. So for her, it has gotten better. Whether that's modeling or just natural maturity, don't know, don't care! All that to say, just keep doing what you're doing, help it stay somewhat under control and be patient .

Thinking about this morning's sunrise against the black and white winter hillside, and suddenly coral seems like a good colour. ☺️

It's been about a month since the Christmas feasting began, and finally today the scale says I am back where I was a month ago, hurrah! Now to begin again towards actual goal weight, lol.

Pale green

John Malkovich is cast as Poirot? But Poirot is short! That is one of his defining characteristics. It's like the inverse of Tom Cruise cast as Jack Reacher : Just... NO.

We used IEW after that. If the kids had kept homeschooling, Wordsmith Craftsman was the next planned step. I've heard good reports of EIW. I'd love to hear what you end up choosing.

The Illiad should make a nice change from all the violence...

Whodunits featuring Poirot are my favourite Christie mysteries. I *just* finished Winter Solstice, Negin! I had the same thoughts - predictable plot lines but oh such a great cozy winter read. Pilcher's ability to describe settings and create a mood is fabulous. I want to visit Creagan, Scotland now, too. I see one company offers a Winter Solstice tour, lol. And I was just thinking I would have loved an epilogue.