What are you up to today? This week?

[Deb]

5 hours ago, blueirishmoon said:

I love those books, too Deb! They always make me laugh, particularly that first one, when she's foiling that interrogator in Albania. 

 

There's always an unexpected giggle in Dorothy Gillman's books and after all these decades, she still makes me laugh.  "But Mrs. Pollifax, you seemed like such a nice little old lady."   hehehehehehe    I started reading Mrs. Pollifax when I was a kid and never tired of her.  Going back to those books now is like visiting with an old friend.  I don't think I ever watched the movies tho.  Holly, wasn't Angela Landsbury cast in the Mrs. Pollifax role?  

Tracy, have a wonderful day with the grandbaby!  

[sparklepuppies]

Thanks Deb! We are about to pull in now, 4 hours later... We made a couple detours, normally a 3 hr trip. But I was occupied, for once I had phone signal the entire trip! I had brought a scarf to knit, but guess that will have to wait until later. Have a great day everyone!

[havanaholly]

Deb, Angela Lansbury was in the TV version and Rosalind Russel was in the movie.  Somehow I totally missed out on Mrs Pollifax, but I have surly had a lot of fun following Miss Jane Marple.

[rodentraiser]

I can't remember which book it was, but in one, the guy is looking at Mrs. Pollifax and saying, "You look like such a nice lady. You are not a nice lady." I have read a couple of her other books as well, The Clairvoyant Countess, A Nun in the Closet, and a few others. I really like the first 4 Mrs. Pollifax books. Those were the best ones.

[KathieB]

Okay, okay ... you got me. I just printed out the Mrs. Pollifax titles in order and ordered the first two for my Kindle. 

For those interested:

Order	Title	Series	Genre	Date
1	The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax		E	1966
2	The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax		E	1970
3	Elusive Mrs. Pollifax		E	1971
4	A Palm for Mrs. Pollifax		E	Apr-1973
5	Mrs. Pollifax on Safari		E	Dec-1976
6	Mrs. Pollifax on the China Station		E	1983
7	Mrs. Pollifax and the Hong Kong Buddha		E	Sep-1985
8	Mrs. Pollifax and the Golden Triangle		E	Jan-1988
9	Mrs. Pollifax and the Whirling Dervish		E	May-1990
10	Mrs. Pollifax and the Second Thief		E	Sep-1993
11	Mrs. Pollifax Pursued		E	Feb-1995
12	Mrs. Pollifax and the Lion Killer		E	Jan-1996
13	Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist		E	Oct-1997
14	Mrs. Pollifax Unveiled

[sparklepuppies]

Made it home from my daughter's, was gone just over 12 hours. Baby was cute as usual, he turned one 3 weeks ago, and he just about has the "Frankenstein walk" down, 5-6 steps holding his hands up for balance. Love it!

[Deb]

4 hours ago, rodentraiser said:

I can't remember which book it was, but in one, the guy is looking at Mrs. Pollifax and saying, "You look like such a nice lady. You are not a nice lady."

I think that was in "The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax" after the character had just seen her deliver an especially efficient karate chop.  It still cracks me up.  "A Nun in the Closet" is another of my favorites by Gillmore.  It's a laugh riot.

Kathie, glad to hear that you're reading them too.  Mrs. Pollifax books are delightfully entertaining and all the traveling to exotic places would be of particular interest to you..  I'm listening to them from beginning to end on audio book and it's probably the first time I've read more than the first four all at once so it's a fun way to become immersed in the world of intrigue and geraniums.   The one I'm listening to now is "Mrs. Pollifax and the Golden Triangle".  The audio books are very well done, especially since they use the same narrator for the entire series.  

Tracy, it sounds like you had a really fun day!  Watching babies learn to walk is a hoot.  

[CheckMouse]

I love the Polifax books.  I'll have to find them for my Nook so I can listen to them again while I commute.  She was such a delightful character.

[Selkie]

8 hours ago, Deb said:

....  Mrs. Pollifax books are delightfully entertaining and all the traveling to exotic places would be of particular interest to you..  ...

Have not heard of these books before. Just curious for what ages are they appropriate ?

I have some heavy duty readers in my house looking for a new series to read. They have all read the Nancy Drew, Hardy boys and another series about a young girl in the country (can't remember the name - haven't had my coffee yet - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!) They blow through books like water. Not that I'm complaining mind you.

Twinkle is in high school now and has practically emptied the school library of options. Wisteria - the same at her school. Some of the so called "good literature" the schools require them to read is often in the garbage category, imo.

Any other suggestions .....

[KathieB]

Selkie, I'm halfway through the first book and think Twinkle would eat up these stories. Mrs. Pollifax is a grandmotherly and totally unorthodox spy who gets into scrapes but not major bodily violence. So far she has been drugged with something in her tea, crashes to the ground and is kidnapped, then when drugged a second time with something in her tortillas she has the sense enough to lie down before she falls and hurts herself.   The writing style is a bit dated and sometimes a bit wordy, but not enough to be off-putting.

Has she read the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith? Precious Ramotswe is another gentle heroine who solves problems with her head and her heart. Amazon says:

Fans around the world adore the best-selling No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series and its proprietor, Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s premier lady detective. In this charming series, Mma  Ramotswe—with help from her loyal associate, Grace Makutsi—navigates her cases and her personal life with wisdom, good humor, and the occasional cup of tea.

Wisteria may like this series as well.

[Selkie]

Kathie, Twinkle has read the one you sent her but did not process the fact that it was a series I guess. I'll mention it to her this afternoon. 

Oh and I've had my coffee now so I remembered the other girl mystery series. It isTrixie Belden. Whew! I'm not senile yet! 

[havanaholly]

I also enjoy Alexander McCall Smith.  In addition I enjoy Elizabeth Peters' Emerson & Peabody mystery novels, pretty much all of Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, and Diane Mott Davidson's mystery novels include recipes for her heroine's catering menus.  i'm also a huge Kathy Reichs fan, although I don't know that her books are suitable for all pre-adults; the forensics is fascinating.  Rita Mae Brown's Mrs Murphy and Sister Jane novels are also a lot of fun, and animals figure prominently in both series; but there are a few adult themes, nothing pornographic.

[Deb]

Selkie, my mother let me read Mrs. Pollifax when I was in grade school and if it passed her censorship it has to be pretty mild.  There might be two or three exclamations of dam* in a book if it's appropriate for the character but that's about it.  Mrs. Pollifax really is a sweet little old widow who raises geraniums, goes to Garden Club, volunteers for all kinds of charitable organizations and one day she's tired of the tedium she decides on the spur of the moment to visit the CIA to volunteer to become a spy.  In a communications snafu, a director mistakes her for a real spy and sends her out on a mission.   She's adorable.  In the second book she learns how to grow a night blooming sirius and takes karate lessons so she's always unexpected.  Oh, and she wears remarkable hats.  As Kathy said, the books are somewhat dated but for your kiddos it would be an interesting glimpse into the government structures of foreign countries during the 70s while offering fascinating glimpses into the culture of countries like China and Africa.  

Have you thought about the Miniature Mystery books by Margaret Grace?  (aka: Camille Minichino)  Those are not only age appropriate for your girls, but since the sleuths are a grandmother/granddaughter combination who make miniatures when they aren't solving murder mysteries, the girls might really relate to them.  They're exceptionally well written and you'd enjoy them too. Camille is a real miniaturist and a sweetheart.  She's a member here on the forum but I only see her on Facebook these days.

Trixie Belden!!!!!  I adored her!  

[grazhina]

I recall reading a Mrs. Polifax book and to my surprise it didn't grab me. I'll have to give her another try, maybe I picked up a not as great book in the series.

I did love every book in the Mrs. Pargeter series by Simon Brett. Here's a good description of her.

Yesterday I started cleaning out my closet and drawers, getting rid of clothes I was certain I would never wear again. I still wound up making a stack of -- well they're still really good, and they fit fine, just because I haven't worn them in 4 years doesn't mean  I might not like them again next year. 

[Selkie]

Wow! Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions.

These may be in our town library. The school libraries don't seem to stock the type of books that are more wholesome anymore. ... sigh ...

I'm going to head out later to do some errands so I'll stop by there and scope them out. 

Thanks my dear GL pals! I knew you all would have great ideas. 

[havanaholly]

My very favorite series books growing up were Margaret Sutton's Judy Bolton mysteries.

[Roxxie2]

I get to have an MRI today on my hip and back.  I wasn't happy to find out that they have an old enclosed machine........ugh!    I guess I will have to go to my happy place and design a dollhouse scene.  Have a good day :)

[KathieB]

3 hours ago, Selkie said:

... read the one you sent her ...

Oops! Senior moment.

[Roxxie2]

Kathie I am glad I am not the only one to have those "oops" moments!!!   
 

MRI all done!   Now I am just waiting to see the specialist in another month.   I am off to work on my Arthur and decompress!  

[Deb]

4 hours ago, grazhina said:

 

Yesterday I started cleaning out my closet and drawers, getting rid of clothes I was certain I would never wear again. I still wound up making a stack of -- well they're still really good, and they fit fine, just because I haven't worn them in 4 years doesn't mean  I might not like them again next year. 

<grinning>  I keep hearing the rule of "If you haven't worn it in a year, throw it out" and for some reason I just can't bring myself to do it.  My closet has categories of sizes and moods which means I save the old favorites just in case I get into that mood again sometime.  A couple years ago I ran across one of my old tube tops and discovered that I could still wear it.......but only if arm bands become a fashion trend.  <le sigh>  

Roxy, I'm glad your MRI went well.  There's a lot of apprehension about those things.  I'm not claustrophobic but I don't like the close quarters of the machine either.  I close my eyes and count the thumps, trying to convince myself that I'm just hearing waves on the shore.  If I take a couple of valium first I can almost believe it!  LOL!  Keep us posted on the results.  I'm crossing my fingers that they'll be good news for you.

I've completed some household chores this morning and started a beef stew in the crockpot for dinner so the rest of the day is a blank slate.  <rubbing hands together gleefully>  Now to see what kind of trouble I can get into...

 

[Roxxie2]

Hi Deb!  Long time no see you!      I had more anxiety before the scan than during although I wasn't prepared for the volume of the sound from that machine.   I tried to go to my happy place but it was pretty hard to do anything else but hear the darned machine!   lol   I just hope the specialist can help me out when I finally get to see him next month.  I can't believe how long I have to wait just for the consultation let alone any treatment.    Oh well.......whining now over!  
I am painting porch railings and making some progress this afternoon so I am in my happy place now!  

[Anna]

Checkens in from. Great Fuertaventura stay, wi-fi is spotty to say it kindly so it is a hit and miss game ;)

hugs

[rodentraiser]

 

19 hours ago, Deb said:

Trixie Belden!!!!!  I adored her!  

There are approximately 30+ Trixie Belden books in the series, the last time I checked. Maybe more now. But really, the original 6 written by the  original author are the best ones. The rest are like the book Scarlett compared to Gone With the Wind.

 

20 hours ago, Selkie said:

Have not heard of these books before. Just curious for what ages are they appropriate ?

I have some heavy duty readers in my house looking for a new series to read. They have all read the Nancy Drew, Hardy boys and another series about a young girl in the country (can't remember the name - haven't had my coffee yet - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!) They blow through books like water. Not that I'm complaining mind you.

Twinkle is in high school now and has practically emptied the school library of options. Wisteria - the same at her school. Some of the so called "good literature" the schools require them to read is often in the garbage category, imo.

Any other suggestions .....

If you can get hold of it, The Phantom Filly by George Agnew Chamberlain is a good book and he's written a few others I haven't read. So are the Katie John books, although they are a trifle young. How about the "stories"? A Black Bear's Story, A Beaver's Story, An Otter's Story, etc - all about animals by the same author, Emil Laresen, I think his name is - I could be wrong on that one. How about Mary Stewart books - Airs Above the Ground, Nine Coaches Waiting, The Crystal Cave, The Hollow HIlls, etc? Then there are a whole bunch of books by Joyce Stranger (or Strange) about the people in one village in the UK. Those may be a little adult though. Ben K. Green wrote a lot of books about cow and horse trading and wrangling in old Texas and those are always fun to read. Maybe you could introduce them to (nickname of Richard) Francis books. Some of those are a little dated and they may be a little adult, too, but I was reading them when I was 16. How about the Flicka trilogy by Maureen o'Hara - My Friend Flicka, Thunderhead son of Flicka, and Green Grass of Wyoming? Or the Albert Payson Terhune series on his collies, Lad: A Dog, Gray Dawn, Bruce, etc? Or the dog books by Jim Kjellgaard - Big Red, Lion Hound, Snow Dog? Yeah, I like books about animals.

There are some series that are about a group of kids solving mysteries, like the Bobbsey Twins or the "adventure" books (The Ship of Adventure, The Castle of Adventure, etc), but some of those books have been out of print so long even I don't know where you'd find them.

What I do is go on our city library homepage and then search for the books I want, then special order them. Most of them come from libraries nearby, but a lot of them have to be special ordered from across the country. I used to go in and order 25 or 30 books at a time (I've completely run through my library's content as well). Sadly, they've limited me to only three special requests a week now.

[blueirishmoon]

I always liked Perry Mason, and didn't think they were too graphic. I enjoyed the 40's vibe they had. Also the Saint books, but they're pretty hard to find, and not all of them were published in English, some were in French, I think.

[havanaholly]

My favorite Western author is Louis Lamour; Zane Gray is also suitable for young readers.  My friend Lucia's books are great reads but more mature content than your young readers might be ready for.