katikat | Reading

I had a chiropractic appointment this morning, so I didn’t get to mom’s until 9:20am. I took advantage of the fact that I needed to go downtown for that appointment to do some shopping; I got in Walmart and Price Chopper before my appointment, and the Pharmacy after. I also got in a walk around the park before my appointment.

I then had to go home and unload the car and put away groceries. I was home in time to make supper (Pip requested grilled cheese). I also hand-wash dishes, scooped kitty litter, and placed an online order.

I started the next Duncan Kincaid book and watched the current ep of Resident Alien and an HGTV program.

Temps started out at 65.5(F) and reached 84.2.

Mom Update:

Mom was sitting on her porch when I got there this morning. ( more back here )

china_shop posting in

sid_guardian

Poll #33343 Changcheng's qualifications

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 8

View Respondents

What did Guo Changcheng study at university?

View Answers

Anthropology
0 (0.0%)

Chinese Language Teaching and Applied Chinese Language Studies
1 (12.5%)

Computer Science
0 (0.0%)

Corporate Governance and Sustainability
2 (25.0%)

Creative Writing
1 (12.5%)

Criminology
2 (25.0%)

Economics
2 (25.0%)

Environmental Studies
0 (0.0%)

Financial Accounting and Management
1 (12.5%)

History or Art History
0 (0.0%)

Law
0 (0.0%)

Media Studies
0 (0.0%)

Philosophy
0 (0.0%)

Psychology
1 (12.5%)

Visual Communication Design
0 (0.0%)

other
0 (0.0%)

he couldn't settle on a major and kept switching
4 (50.0%)

Best forgiveness/redemption moment

View Answers

Wang Xiangyang relinquishing the Merit Brush on his deathbed
0 (0.0%)

Ya Qing switching sides and then kneeling to Zhu Hong
2 (25.0%)

Ye Zun's posthumous reconciliation with Shen Wei
2 (25.0%)

Zhao Xinci fighting alongside the Yashou elders
1 (12.5%)

Cong Bo agreeing to work for the SID
1 (12.5%)

Ye Huo acknowledging the Envoy's authority
1 (12.5%)

Lin Jing becoming a double agent
3 (37.5%)

Da Ji fighting to protect Dragon City
0 (0.0%)

Wang Yike crying after accidentally ageing her girlfriend
1 (12.5%)

Dr Feng Qubing giving his life force to reverse the harm he did
4 (50.0%)

other
0 (0.0%)

spikedluv

I was at mom’s by 6:30am. Before I headed to mom’s, I did a load of laundry, hand-washed some dishes, scooped kitty litter, and dropped Grant off at the garage.

I stayed until 3pm (again, giving mom a couple of hours by herself before my sister arrived). I stopped at the library on the way home to drop off a book and found a surprise book waiting for me, as I hadn’t yet received the notification. I also stopped at Stewart’s (for gas and milk).

I grilled Italian sausage for Pip’s supper (I’m not a fan), hand-washed more dishes, hung up Pip’s uniforms (last night’s load of laundry), dried the dog sheets (this morning’s load), emptied the dishwasher, and took a shower.

I finished the Clare Fergusson book and read two cozies, the next two in the Inn at Holiday Bay series, on my Kindle app.

Temps started out at 73.2(F) and reached 81.4. It was overcast all day even though we weren’t forecasted to get any rain. I hate not having sun, but it would’ve been much hotter if we had.

Mom Update:

Mom was tired today. ( more back here )

spikedluv

What I Just Finished Reading: Since last Wednesday I have read/finished reading: Silence in the Library (A Lily Adler Mystery) by Katharine Schellman, The Falcon at the Portal (An Amelia Peabody Mystery) by Elizabeth Peters, I Shall Not Want (Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries) by Julia Spencer-Fleming, and Portent in the Pages & Poison in the Pudding (The Inn at Holiday Bay) by Kathi Daley.

What I am Currently Reading: I just finished reading the last book last evening, but today I’m going to start Necessary as Blood (A Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mystery) by Deborah Crombie.

What I Plan to Read Next: Heir, Apparently by Kara McDowell, unless something else comes in at the library that eclipses it.

Book 53 of 2025: Silence in the Library (A Lily Adler Mystery) (Katharine Schellman)

I enjoyed this book! ( spoilers )

This was a good book and I've already requested the next in the series. I'm giving this one five hearts.

♥♥♥♥♥

Book 54 of 2025: The Falcon at the Portal (An Amelia Peabody Mystery) (Elizabeth Peters)

Good book! ( spoilers )

I enjoyed this book and have requested the next in the series. I'm giving this book five hearts, despite my one disappointment.

♥♥♥♥♥

Book 55 of 2025: I Shall Not Want (Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries) (Julia Spencer-Fleming)

Good book! ( spoilers )

I enjoyed this book and have already requested the next. I'm giving this book five hearts.

♥♥♥♥♥

Book 56 of 2025: Portent in the Pages (The Inn at Holiday Bay) (Kathi Daley)

It’s been a while since I’ve read anything in this series, but I was looking for something easy to read after I finished the last book, so I looked through my Kindle library and chose this one. (Technically, I chose a different one that I DNF’d before I got more than a dozen pages into it, so this was my second choice.) This is the sixteenth in the series, to my surprise!

I enjoyed this book. It was a quick comfort read. I was happy to be reintroduced to the characters again. ( spoilers )

There wasn't a whole lot of suspense or concern for the characters, but it did what I wanted it to, which was help me kill a couple hours in an enjoyable fashion. I’m giving it four hearts, and I might even go on and read the next in the series.

♥♥♥♥

Book 57 of 2025: Poison in the Pudding (The Inn at Holiday Bay) (Kathi Daley)

After reading the other book, I decided to keep on with the series. This one was an enjoyable story, but a predictable mystery. Thankfully I read this series more for the characters and location than I do the mysteries. ( spoilers )

I'm giving this book four hearts.

♥♥♥♥♥

kayljay

( You're about to view content that the journal owner has advised should be viewed with discretion. )

spikedluv

My sister A had to be to work by 7am. I didn’t quite make it to mom’s before she left, but I was there just a few minutes after 7. Before I left home I managed to toss a load of laundry into the washer AND dryer, hand-wash some dishes, pack my lunch, and scoop kitty litter.

I left mom’s at 3:30pm (though my sister wasn’t going to arrive until 5:30pm – we’re trying to slowly wean her from having care/company all the time because she’s already said she’s going to miss having us there). I stopped at the library on the way home to pick up a book. After I got home I did dishes, folded a load of laundry, tossed another into the washer AND dryer (that’s an accomplishment!), did a load in the dishwasher, and shaved.

I watched the first two eps of Smoke, read some fanfic and started the next Clare Fergusson book, and went for a walk while at mom’s.

Temps started out at 73.0(F) and reached 93. It was hot.

Mom Update:

Mom wasn’t as tired as I thought she’d be after going to the graduation party yesterday. ( more back here )

spikedluv

I decided to watch this show because of Taron Egerton. I’ve seen the first two eps and enjoyed them. ( spoilers )

spikedluv

I had to be to mom’s by 9am to relieve sister S. I did a load of laundry, baked chicken for the dogs’ meals, hand-washed some dishes, and scooped kitty litter before I left. I left ~6pm and by the time I got home I just did some more dishes and took a shower before I collapsed on the bed to relax.

I marathoned four eps of the new show Countdown with Jensen Ackles and attended a graduation party. (My sister S’s step-grandson.)

Temps started out at 72(F) and reached 97 according to Pip. I didn’t doubt it; it was so frelling hot out. We sat outside at the graduation party, but were saved by a slight breeze. I still felt gross and sweaty.

Mom Update:

Mom was tired again today and just had zero get-up-and-go. ( more back here )

spikedluv

I decided to give this show a try mainly because of Jensen Ackles. It's pretty good, though I don't think I'll get fannish about it. And so far I don't have any deep comments about it, but watching the first four eps was a good way to spend some time. ( spoilers )

spikedluv

I didn’t have mom duty until 10am, so I went downtown as usual. I hit Walmart, the Bakery, and Agway while I was there, and got in a walk around the park.

After I got home from downtown I tossed a load of what I call ‘dog sheets’ (the sheets I use to cover the furniture) into the washer, hand-washed some dishes, took the dogs for a short walk (I got in .85 mi today, which is good considering mom’s operation/hospitalization etc has really put a crimp in my ‘I can get to a mile this week’ *spoken in mocking tone* notion), and scooped kitty litter before I headed to mom’s.

I got home in time to make supper, so grilled chicken legs, hand-washed more dishes, dried the sheets, and took a shower.

I watched the current ep of Murderbot and finished the Amelia Peabody book. I also saw my first fawn! Sadly, it wasn’t one of ~our fawns, but a downtown fawn. (I’m always surprised how many deer live downtown! I see them crossing the road or people’s lawns all the time.) Mama and baby were crossing the road as I was heading home (and made it safely, even though baby was taking its sweet time). Baby was so tiny and adorable! All those spots!

Temps started out at 51.1(F) (what is with these cool temps?!!) and reached 91.0. In the shade.

Mom Update:

Mom was tired today. ( more back here )

facethestrange posting in

sid_guardian

Hi, and welcome to this week's installment of the Guardian novel readalong! ♡

Here are last week's chapters, and you can find all previous discussions in the schedule posts (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5), or via the !readalong tag.

This week's chapters:

Chapter 17: Guo Changcheng can't get ahold of the rest of the team, and drives alone to the nearest town. An angry crowd is begging the police to find their loved ones who went missing at Spring Harbor Resort. Guo Changcheng manages the crowd and promises them that the SID is already on the case. Zhao Yunlan's sacrifices some of the true Soul-Guarding Order to save Shen Wei. Shen Wei defeats the Chaos shadow that chased them, but Ghost Face stabs him in the heart with an icicle and takes him away, demanding that Zhao Yunlan brings him the Soul-Guarding Lamp in exchange.

Chapter 18: Zhao Yunlan asks the Magistrate to take him to the Reincarnation Cycle in order to awaken Kunlun's spirit. Lin Jing regains the use of his senses and finds himself imprisoned at the Seal, surrounded by youchu. Ghost Face brings Shen Wei there too, and shackles him to the Merit Tree. Shen Wei is in pain, but he mocks Ghost Face and reveals that he's always had the power over the Mountain-River Awl, and that he has tracked Ghost Face and manipulated his actions. Ghost Face attacks him with the icicle again and Shen Wei passes out.

The corresponding chapters in the Chinese version on JJWXC/the fan translation are 98-99.

Excerpts:

( 1) Xiao Guo manages the crowd )

( 2) Zhao Yunlan's burns the Soul-Guarding Order )

( 3) Ghost Face kidnaps Shen Wei )

( 4) Lin Jing talks to the youchu )

( 5) Shen Wei mocks Ghost Face )

Questions:

Are you as surprised by Xiao Guo's bravery and competence as he is? What do you think about Zhao Yunlan's decision to sacrifice the Soul-Guarding Order? What's your favorite comic relief moment? Favorite angsty moment? Any thoughts about the many parallels between these chapters and their drama adaptation?

You can answer as many or as few questions as you like, or just comment without answering any of them at all! And if you see this post and you're not actually reading the novel, I would love to know what you think about any of this with limited context. :D

And here is the schedule, where you can sign up to host a post!

spikedluv

Happy belated The Original No Kings Day.

I had mom duty from 8am to 3pm. Before I left I hand-washed some dishes and changed kitty litter. I returned a book to the library on my way there. While I was at mom’s I went for a walk. (I had eyed up this walk previously, thinking it would be close to my half-mile walks, but this was the first time I tried it. It turned out to be .65 mi, but it was a nice walk. Aside from the horrid sidewalks. The village really needs to fix the sidewalks, which have been in poor condition since I was a child, and probably before that.)

When I got home I did more hand-washing of dishes, grilled steak for Pip’s supper, shaved, and tossed a load of bath towel in the washer (AND dryer!).

I started the next Amelia Peabody book.

Temps started out at 57.4(F) and reached 77. It was a lovely day, sunny with a strong breeze.

Mom Update:

Mom was doing okay today. ( more back here )

spikedluv

I did not have any mom-duties today so I went downtown like usual. (My old usual. *g*) I hit Walmart, but was unable to get in a walk around the park because it started to pour just as I was checking out. (I stood in the self-check out area and stared in dismay out the doors. It was not supposed to rain this morning.) Thankfully, by the time I got home, it was no longer raining here. (Must’ve hit us first and headed east to downtown.)

Once I had unpacked the car and put everything away, I left to visit my aunt, stopping at the library on the way. The librarian working today is the one who got me into two of the book series I’m reading, and I had to talk to her about them. *g* I showed my aunt photos from Ian’s graduation and paid my monthly visit to the business office.

I stopped at Sunnycrest on the way home and picked up more of the beef sticks Pip likes, hit Stewart’s for milk on the way to pick up the dogs, then went for a short walk with the dogs when we got home. I did a load of laundry, hand-washed dishes, hard-boiled some eggs, and scooped kitty litter. Being home meant I could make supper, so I grilled pork chops.

I finished reading the second book in the Lily Adler series, watched an HGTV program, and talked to mom on the phone like old times!

Temps started out at 63.3(F) and reached 82.4. There was some sun, but not much.

Mom Update:

Mom had her follow-up visit with the surgeon this morning. ( more back here )

china_shop posting in

sid_guardian

I wrote a treat for

idproquo and another

fan_flashworks flashfic. :-)

Title: Sunshine and Honey (4126 words) [Mature]
Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian (TV 2018)
Relationships: Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan
Additional Tags: Ye Olde Haixing Era, Plot What Plot/Porn Without Plot, Outdoor Sex, Feeding, Finger Sucking, Oral Fixation, First Kiss (for one of them), First time (for one of them), Treat
Summary:

They were halfway to the Allied Forces’ southern boundary when the sun came out. Shen Wei pulled back his hood and looked around, conscious of the breeze on his bare face. The heavy clouds were finally breaking up.

Meanwhile, Kunlun had dropped his bag and flopped onto his back on the grassy slope. “Let’s rest here a while.”

Title: Pages for You (1762 words) [Teen and Up]
Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian (TV 2018)
Relationships: Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan
Additional Tags: Post-Canon, Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Established Relationship, Domestic Fluff, Fade to Black, Community: fan_flashworks
Summary:

Over the course of the evening, an impulse had taken root, and now Shen Wei submitted to it. He switched on his desk lamp, laid out several large sheets of paper and quietly ground some ink. If Zhao Yunlan wanted to read of their time together through the eyes of a Dixingren soldier, who better than Shen Wei to write an account—to show Zhao Yunlan exactly how much his arrival had meant to the war effort and to Shen Wei himself.

spikedluv

I had the morning off of ‘mom-duty’ because of appointments. I told my sister S I’d be there by noon definitely, but would try to get there earlier, just so I didn’t have to rush. I got there around 11:30am.

I had a chiropractic appointment this morning (to go over results of last week’s tests and an adjustment) followed by a pedicure (I cancelled the last appointment because mom was still in the hospital so I really need it as I have an ingrown toe nail issue that needs addressing almost every visit). I chose a pretty lilac purple for my toes. I also got in a walk around the park.

I was also relieved early because my one sister has ‘summer hours’ and gets out early, and since she wasn’t staying the night, she bridged me and our other sister. I was home early enough to grill baby back ribs for Pip’s supper (saving the frozen GF pizza for another night). I also did a load of laundry, emptied the dishwasher, hand-washed dishes, and scooped kitty litter.

I started the second Lily Adler book, watched an HGTV program, and showered.

Temps started out at 66.7(F) and reached 84.4 that I saw. It was beautiful today, hot but not humid and there was a lovely breeze. A perfect day, really.

Mom Update:

Mom was up and sitting at the table with my sister, who was putting together a puzzle, when I got there. Mom didn’t seem that interested in the puzzle, but she was eating a yogurt. She later got on her tablet and then ate some rice krispies. I turned on Matlock while I was eating lunch, but it was a bust because it was two eps that my mom didn't like to watch (with Matlock being locked inside a prison to solve a crime).

I asked my sister S about scheduling for Friday and she was like, I can barely think about Thursday. *rolls eyes* I told my sister A (can't recall if I mentioned it to S) that I want to have a meal free to cook something for the holiday, either lunch or supper. I'm happy to spend the day there as long as I can get off early enough to grill (and it better not rain). We'll see what happens.

china_shop posting in

sid_guardian

Poll #33318 Location, location, location

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 16

View Respondents

What's your favourite location in the show?

View Answers

the main room at the SID
9 (60.0%)

Zhao Yunlan's flat
10 (66.7%)

Shen Wei's office
3 (20.0%)

the Dijun's palace
0 (0.0%)

the Sky Pillar in its field of ruins
4 (26.7%)

the SID lab
2 (13.3%)

the Inspectorate lab
0 (0.0%)

Shen Wei's flat
4 (26.7%)

the streets of Dragon City
3 (20.0%)

the streets of Dixing
3 (20.0%)

the Dixing bar
4 (26.7%)

the Allied Forces Head Quarters (YOHE)
0 (0.0%)

other (please specify)
2 (13.3%)

When we first see Da Qing in Ye Olde Haixing Era, how long has he been wandering around looking for Kunlun?

View Answers

thanks to the Hallows' planning, only a few hours
2 (12.5%)

a day or less
3 (18.8%)

several days
1 (6.2%)

one to two weeks
0 (0.0%)

he kept getting distracted chasing mice and birds, so more than two weeks
6 (37.5%)

Shen Wei sent news of his benefactor (short hair; strange weapon) to Ma Gui and Fu You, who did the math and sent Da Qing out to find him, so less than an hour
9 (56.2%)

other (please specify)
1 (6.2%)

spikedluv

I finished five books this week! That's what happens when you spend the days at your mom's and have so much time to read.

What I Just Finished Reading: Since last Wednesday I have read/finished reading: The Ape Who Guards the Balance (An Amelia Peabody Mystery) by Elizabeth Peters, The Prince and the Apocalypse by Kara McDowell, Fugitive Telemetry (The Murderbot Diaries) by Martha Wells, Where Memories Lie (A Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mystery) by Deborah Crombie, and All Mortal Flesh (Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries) by Julia Spencer-Fleming.

What I am Currently Reading: I haven’t had time to start another book, but my plan is for it to be the second Lily Adler book.

What I Plan to Read Next: I have the next Amelia Peabody at the library, so probably that one.

Book 48 of 2025: The Ape Who Guards the Balance (An Amelia Peabody Mystery) (Elizabeth Peters)

It was slow-going getting into this book, but once I did I really enjoyed it. ( spoilers )

I enjoyed this book and have requested the next. I'm giving this book four hearts only because of how difficult it was to get into.

♥♥♥♥

Book 49 of 2025: The Prince and the Apocalypse (Kara McDowell)

This was so good! I can't recall who posted about this book, but thank you! ( spoilers )

I highly enjoyed this book and have already requested the next from my library. I'm giving this one five hearts.

♥♥♥♥♥

Book 50 of 2025: Fugitive Telemetry (The Murderbot Diaries) (Martha Wells)

I really enjoyed this! Though I'm glad I was warned to read it out of order as it would have been weird to read this one then System Collapse. ( spoilers )

I enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one to be released. (I heard there *is* a new one coming out, but I haven't seen a release date for it.) I'm giving this one five hearts. And have the urge to re-read the entire series.

♥♥♥♥♥

Book 51 of 2025: Where Memories Lie (A Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mystery) (Deborah Crombie)

I really enjoyed this book! ( spoilers )

This book was very good and I'm giving it five hearts.

♥♥♥♥♥

Book 52 of 2025: All Mortal Flesh (Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries) (Julia Spencer-Fleming)

This book was so good! ( spoilers )

I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading the next in the series. I'm giving this one five hearts.

♥♥♥♥♥

spikedluv

I was at mom’s by 6:45am so I didn't have much time to get things done before I left. I did manage to fold a load of laundry, hand-wash some dishes, cut up chicken for the dogs’ meals, scoop kitty litter, pack my own lunch, and dropped Grant at the garage. Whew!

My sister called to tell me she got out of work at 2:30pm and could relieve me early, so I was able to get home in time to actually cook supper! I planned to grill something, but it started to pour the moment I got inside the house, so instead I got sauce out of the freezer to defrost and we had spaghetti. I also baked chicken for the dogs, did the usual amount of hand-washing dishes, and did a load in the dishwasher.

I started and finished reading the next Clare Fergusson book and watched the rest of the Hannah Swensen movie.

Temps started out at 72.1(F) and it was only 73 when I got home ~3pm since the storm was moving in, but it had to have broken 80.

Mom Update:

In mom’s own words, today she was ‘whooped’! ( more back here )

kayljay

( You're about to view content that the journal owner has advised should be viewed with discretion. )

spikedluv

Murderbot: Good ep. ( spoilers )

Resident Alien: Good ep. ( spoilers )

don't be dull, be fannish

Reading

Navigation

The Day in Spikedluv (Wednesday, July 9)

Poll: Guo Changcheng's major (drama)

The Day in Spikedluv (Tuesday, July 8)

Wednesday Reading Meme & Books 53 - 57 of 2025

Should add the good news . . .

The Day in Spikedluv (Monday, July 7)

TV Talk: Smoke (1.01 & 1.02)

The Day in Spikedluv (Sunday, July 6)

TV Talk: Countdown (eps 1.01-1.04)

The Day in Spikedluv (Saturday, July 5)

Guardian Readalong: Vol. 3, Chapters 17 & 18

The Day in Spikedluv (Friday, July 4)

The Day in Spikedluv (Thursday, July 3)

Two Weilan fics: Sunshine and Honey (M-rated) and Pages for You (T-rated)

The Day in Spikedluv (Wednesday, July 2)

Poll: Location, location, location (drama)

Wednesday Reading Meme & Books 48 - 52 of 2025

The Day in Spikedluv (Tuesday, July 1)

Fuck you GOP

TV Talk: Murderbot & Resident Alien

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