tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post7049486869825000444..comments2024-03-28T22:42:54.810-07:00Comments on Bitter Tea and Mystery: Reading Summary for April 2021TracyKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-45650497906257609472021-05-08T15:09:35.761-07:002021-05-08T15:09:35.761-07:00Thank you for the info on Nero Wolfe, Tracy! I do...Thank you for the info on Nero Wolfe, Tracy! I do like Archie's commentary and it is fun to read about Westchester which I know fairly well as that is where my mother grew up.<br /><br />Re flowers, I meant petunias, not pansies (although I like pansies and they must be of long-standing popularity in New England because Beth embroiders them on slippers for Mr. Laurence in Little Women). I did manage to find some geraniums today but they were not the best specimens; barely blooming. I bought two just in case I couldn't find more later in the month. We don't expect anything to make it through the winter but it would be nice if what we planted lasted a few weeks! I am impressed with the resilience of the ones you found in your garden - maybe it was a sign. CLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03595294217111602231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-83212396128777111982021-05-07T10:33:51.077-07:002021-05-07T10:33:51.077-07:00Constance, your mother is right that geraniums are...Constance, your mother is right that geraniums are resilient. Last spring, when I was cleaning up the back area from years of neglect, the only bright spot at the beginning was the very large pot of pick geraniums (trailing) that had been planted years ago. There are many different kinds of geraniums. Scented, zonal, regal, ivy (trailing). <br /><br />But in New England I would not think they would make it through the winter? Based on a gardening book I have been rereading (on growing edible plants in containers) it does seem like pansies would not last that long but I have little experience with pansies or related plants.<br /><br />Nero Wolfe has been described as agoraphobic but I think he is just set in his ways. He doesn't want to leave the house and he can get away with it so he stays at home most of the time. But there are books where he does leave home for a short time or for a trip. He is considered an armchair detective but he has his employee Archie Goodwin to send out on errands and freelance detectives he hires when needed. He is very overweight and loves food. He grows orchids and has a greenhouse on his roof. Maury Chaykin played him in the TV show. Archie Goodwin is the best part of the stories, in my opinion.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-2782703123929138682021-05-07T09:43:43.381-07:002021-05-07T09:43:43.381-07:00These are much prettier geraniums than I have ever...These are much prettier geraniums than I have ever seen. I somewhat dislike geraniums in general and realized last year it is because in New England we plant them on graves. Last year, I was in charge of the family plot and all the blooming geraniums were gone! I knew the photo of the grave for a cousin in FL would look bad with no blooms so bought red white and purple pansies and made a double row around the grave. It looked great but only briefly and my mother pointed out that people plant geraniums at graves because they are resilient. That means I will be shopping for some this weekend so I don't get shut out!<br /><br />More urgently, I am puzzled about your friend Nero and scared to google for fear of spoilers. Is he agoraphobic? Does he solve all his crimes from home? What is with the plants? Is he very large or is just his head large? The house is in a very odd location but I like how back in the day you could just park in front, no problem.CLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03595294217111602231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-74841511785183656512021-05-05T13:16:33.197-07:002021-05-05T13:16:33.197-07:00Katrina, I am hoping to find more of that same ger...Katrina, I am hoping to find more of that same geranium this year at my plant store. Half the year (or more) I have no sun in the back area, so it just surprises me that all of a sudden I now have lots of sun in about half of of the back now.<br /><br />I know I have snails in the front, they used to give me lots of problems. But I haven't noticed them in the back, so I will hope for the best.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-33831469176652165892021-05-05T11:45:06.410-07:002021-05-05T11:45:06.410-07:00I bought exactly that geranium/pelargonium last we...I bought exactly that geranium/pelargonium last week but I can't plant it out yet as we still have overnight frosts, we had a huge hailstorm today too. Our weather is not usually this bad. I hope that I'll also be busy in the garden soon - if the weather permits! If you have many slugs and snails in your garden they will adore any hostas you plant. Katrinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18138715309807238198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-32065129902544247132021-05-05T10:17:27.871-07:002021-05-05T10:17:27.871-07:00I will give hostas a try, Rick. Thanks for the lin...I will give hostas a try, Rick. Thanks for the link. The Sebright Gardens website has good information on hosta care and gorgeous pictures of the gardens. No wonder you visit there. Maybe I tried hostas in the front where it is sunnier, although there was a time when we had more shade in that area. In the back I may be able to find the right conditions now.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-58970778602419953402021-05-05T09:42:25.143-07:002021-05-05T09:42:25.143-07:00Hosta are easy! Just be sure they get light but do...Hosta are easy! Just be sure they get light but don't get much hot direct sun. Though you will undoubtedly buy yours locally, check out Seabright Gardens, a favorite place of ours which, except in 2020, we visit every year. http://www.sebrightgardens.com/index.aspx<br /><br />Rick Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07978136287154214297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-47130504304984431062021-05-05T09:40:53.637-07:002021-05-05T09:40:53.637-07:00True, Col, my crime fiction reads this month were ...True, Col, my crime fiction reads this month were not the type you go for. I hope you do try The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne someday.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-68008836082615546532021-05-04T23:58:21.932-07:002021-05-04T23:58:21.932-07:00Glad you had a great month's reading. Probably...Glad you had a great month's reading. Probably the Moore book is the one that has the most appeal for me.col2910https://www.blogger.com/profile/06422138069939709043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-5755359679707047492021-05-04T15:14:36.468-07:002021-05-04T15:14:36.468-07:00Cath, I had seen things about an adaptation when I...Cath, I had seen things about an adaptation when I was looking up The Pursuit of Love online, but I did not realize it was new, soon to come out TV show. I could not find a lot about it, but it looks like it will be available here on Prime sometime. So will definitely try it. <br /><br />I am looking forward to reading the Lovell book sometime this year.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-27119796381900376202021-05-04T15:00:45.847-07:002021-05-04T15:00:45.847-07:00What a beautiful geranium that second one is.
I&...What a beautiful geranium that second one is. <br /><br />I've read one of Anne Fadiman's books about books but am not sure if that's the one. I enjoyed it but marginally prefer Susan Hill's two books.<br /><br />The Pursuit of Love has been made into a TV drama and begins here next week I think. I'm endlessly fascinated by the Mitford sisters and Mary Lovell has written the best book about them in my opinion. Cathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06371069000185280668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-59008327091659204832021-05-04T14:17:42.545-07:002021-05-04T14:17:42.545-07:00Sam, I had read posts about the Mitford sisters an...Sam, I had read posts about the Mitford sisters and related books at blogs but never been really interested myself until lately. After I read The Sisters by Mary S. Lovell, I will see if I am interested in more nonfiction about them.<br /><br />It will still be a while before I feel like venturing out much, but I am getting more interested in some organizing and purging that I let fall behind in the last year, and want to make further headway on making better use of our small outdoor area.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-69305948603781761442021-05-04T13:37:31.153-07:002021-05-04T13:37:31.153-07:00You read an interesting group of books in April, f...You read an interesting group of books in April, for sure. I've only recently become somewhat interested in the Mitford family and their history. Certainly a remarkable set of siblings. Oh...and I suspect that lots of us are going to be blogging a little less soon - and that's probably a really great thing if it means we are finally seeing some real light at the end of that long, dreary COVID tunnel. Here's hoping...Sam https://www.blogger.com/profile/17448913705757509608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-40029896613447931752021-05-04T11:49:05.257-07:002021-05-04T11:49:05.257-07:00Margot, you definitely need to read that Leo Bruce...Margot, you definitely need to read that Leo Bruce. I am only going to read one more Poirot book, CURTAIN. And then I will be done and move on to Miss Marple, Tuppence and Tommy, and stand alone books by Christie. Plus short stories. I have read only one or two short stories by Christie.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-26215304422114297512021-05-04T11:45:38.709-07:002021-05-04T11:45:38.709-07:00Patti, Geraniums usually survive the winter here, ...Patti, Geraniums usually survive the winter here, especially in big pots. I have one big pot of pink geraniums that has been there for at least 8 years and looked totally dead at times and has come back beautifully in the last two years. <br /><br />More sprinklers will help a lot. The area I have is so small I haven't considered any watering system, although it would probably be smart. <br /><br />I need to look into hostas. I think I tried some years ago and did not succeed with them, but with shady areas I should be able to try them out and see how they fare.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-26223636055819761662021-05-04T09:46:46.069-07:002021-05-04T09:46:46.069-07:00Bookertalk, I did find that Pursuit of Love was wi...Bookertalk, I did find that Pursuit of Love was witty although some of the attitudes shocked me. In one sense I felt like serious situations were trivialized in The Pursuit of Love, and I often miss a lot of wit and humor in books, but I did enjoy it. <br /><br />I would have guessed that Love in a Cold Climate would be very similar to The Pursuit of Love. Thus if you didn't like one you would not like the other. However, one review I read of Love in a Cold Climate said that the story was more serious than in The Pursuit of Love. So you might like that one better. Hard to say.<br />TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-29803180989798435752021-05-04T08:41:26.424-07:002021-05-04T08:41:26.424-07:00Oh, those flowers are beautiful, Tracy! I don'...Oh, those flowers are beautiful, Tracy! I don't blame you for wanting to spend more time in your garden. You've had some good reads this past month (of course, you probably figured I would say that about your Agatha Christie choices!). And I need to read that Leo Bruce...Margot Kinberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08599589137890528065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-42269586923214870302021-05-04T06:32:39.002-07:002021-05-04T06:32:39.002-07:00Gorgeous geraniums. I am afraid to plant annuals y...Gorgeous geraniums. I am afraid to plant annuals yet. The weather hasn't settle into something reliable. <br />I am putting in more sprinkler heads in the back of my house next month. Will be nice not to drag the hose all around. When I put the system in the front there was not much behind the house (very narrow). But I planted a few hostas and now I have dozens. pattinase (abbott)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02916037185235335846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-42830607933082736642021-05-04T01:46:19.201-07:002021-05-04T01:46:19.201-07:00I've been wondering about The Pursuit of Love....I've been wondering about The Pursuit of Love. Part of me wants to try it but I read another of her books about two years ago (Love in a Cold Climate) and wasn't that impressed. She is always described as a witty author but I didn't find that at all in that book. Is it in evidence in Pursuit of Love?bookertalkhttp://www.bookertalk.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-88791507173471682102021-05-03T21:26:58.275-07:002021-05-03T21:26:58.275-07:00Bill, I agree with you on the phrase "marryin...Bill, I agree with you on the phrase "marrying books." It was a lovely essay. <br /><br />No, Glen and I have not done that, in most cases. Our books are very different and there is less overlap in types of books and topics. Glen has way more nonfiction than I do. I have more fiction. Glen shelves the books he has read and wants to keep. He also has stacks of art and photo books all over the place. I shelve mostly the books I have not read yet (I have a lot of them). We share graphic novels, cookbooks, and illustrated children's books. And occasionally if we are interested in the same book we buy it together. Sometimes Glen lends me books to read, and they end up in my stacks for quite a while.<br /><br />Our latest purchases of geraniums included several red ones, which I plan to put in pots on one side of the walk up to our door. In the back we can play around more but we do have issues with light availability. The arbor over the gate in your backyard sounds lovely. I would love to have you visit and see our flowers. We don't travel much, but it will be very good when travel is safer.<br />TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-1664014369084922332021-05-03T21:00:22.266-07:002021-05-03T21:00:22.266-07:00Dfordoom, I like both the book and the movie versi...Dfordoom, I like both the book and the movie version of GREEN FOR DANGER also. And I would agree with you and Rick, it is one of those cases where the movie is better. I usually prefer the book over a movie, though.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-68641409457403886832021-05-03T20:54:53.599-07:002021-05-03T20:54:53.599-07:00TracyK: What a wonderful evocative phrase "ma...TracyK: What a wonderful evocative phrase "marrying books". A clever means of marital togetherness. You did not say whether you and your husband have "married books"?<br /><br />The geraniums are beautiful. on Friday we bought 9 pots of red and 1 pot of pink geraniums to go in stands at the front of our home and on the arbor over the gate in the backyard. They currently spend their nights in the garage. It will be close to 3 weeks before it is safe to put them out in Saskatchewan. We usually stop worrying about frost for the Victoria Day Weekend.<br /><br />I hope sometime we can be traveling again and might be able to see your flowers.Bill Selneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-53490137737067107742021-05-03T20:52:15.615-07:002021-05-03T20:52:15.615-07:00Mary, I recommend Ex Libris by Fadiman very highly...Mary, I recommend Ex Libris by Fadiman very highly. I have only found one other book of her essays and I will be reading that one too.<br /><br />The geranium in the photo at the top was new last year and did not have flowers until this year, so the colors were a lovely surprise. <br />TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-5070300641316008442021-05-03T20:36:44.924-07:002021-05-03T20:36:44.924-07:00Thanks, Diane. It was a good reading month for the...Thanks, Diane. It was a good reading month for the most part, and I like adding other genres into the mix. I would have liked to have read more nonfiction so far this year, but I am stuck in a very long nonfiction book that I am slow in making progress on.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-72189152970188276162021-05-03T19:31:22.305-07:002021-05-03T19:31:22.305-07:00Rick, I worry about a drought here and being able ...Rick, I worry about a drought here and being able to maintain some of our plants. I try to plan for that but sometimes forget. It used to be a real problem when I was working and could not find time to water at the allowed times. Now I will be able to fit it in better, if they limit watering.<br /><br />I would rather be blogging than doing other things (even gardening), but I have put off a lot of things in the last year and now I have to make a dent in them. I probably won't cut back a lot, just now and then.<br /><br />That is fun, finding books you have forgotten about. I have some uncatalogued books that will probably surprise me when I get to them. We like the film GREEN FOR DANGER also. I read the book a while back but haven't read much else by that author. Except for a short story recently.<br />TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.com