The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[Goofyernmost]

I agree, although when I go to a bookstore, I intend to buy a book. I wish they would wise up and just offer more books. Some people who venture into a bookstore wants to buy a book, at least I do. I want to take it home, read in leisure, and pick it up during winter month's, and read again. Then I donate.

I'm sure that there are others that will, eventually, do the same thing. It's not helping keep them financed, but, it is more the "Kindle" that is doing more damage to book stores then anything else.

 

[MinnieM123]

We only have Barnes & Noble too. Like yours its free standing. We used to have Borders also, which I liked the best. Our Barnes & Noble store has so much nook space, there is hardly any room left for books. So disappointing. We do have good news, our tiny library is moving to a new bigger place and will house more books! I can't wait.

Yes, I also miss Borders. They were in the malls and in other locations. As for B&N, ours also has a lot of Nook space (I could care less about those). What great news that your library is expanding!! Our local library is falling apart; it's not the collections, it's the building because it's so old.

 

[Goofyernmost]

You can still keep your Father of the Year award. Somehow, I think you misunderstood what I was saying about public transportation. In my family, I'm sure that one of the reasons why my parents would not buy us cars after high school, was due to the fact that we had excellent public transportation in our area. (So, they figured that a car was a bit of a "luxury" after high school; and if we wanted one, we could work for it.) In your situation, however, you lived in rural Vermont. So, there were no public transit options; and therefore, a car was more of a real necessity for your girls. It was great that you helped them get the car, while they also chipped in on payments until you kindly wrote off the balance, after their graduation.

I'm happy that I can keep it. Does anyone know where I can get one? I think it must have been those severe beatings that are standing between me and that award. Or maybe it was that one time that I took them out of a restaurant because they were having a temper tantrum. One of those must have been my downfall.

 

[MinnieM123]

Banes and Noble is the only book store now beside the small book stores, if there are any. Prices are way too high and that will lead to their downfall.

I think you mean that the publishers charge too much; B&N charges the price that printed on the books. Yet, you're correct in another sense, that there are discount places like Amazon that will often reduce the prices online.

You know, there's just something about browsing a real book store. I don't get that "feeling" online. Odd as this may sound, I'd rather pay a few bucks more in a real book store, and enjoy the full experience of browsing through many books (I'll often have an impulse buy of something I'll see on a display), than save a few bucks, and order a book online.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

CRT was nice, but definitely a one-time deal. It wasn't as "magical" as I'd hoped it would be. Our daughter loved meeting the princesses and getting their autographs, but that's about it. The sound system needs to be louder, as you could barely hear what the narrator was saying, especially during the wishing ceremony. Food was very meh, which we expected, although our daughter loved the chicken nuggets and dinner rolls. There were 5 princesses: Cinderella, Ariel, Jasmine, Snow White, and Aurora. I think Snow White was the best character-wise. Also, since it was so busy, service was on the slow side. Our ADR was for 8:10pm, but we didn't get dessert until after 9:30pm! So, we dawdled a bit in order to catch Wishes, which was cool.

Our last meal at CRT was one of the first dinner times of the day. We got seated right away but it took awhile before the Princesses came out.

 

[MinnieM123]

Although, the little homey "reading areas" would be a reason of it's downfall to begin with. Yes, vastly popular with a lot of folks, in reality they are not buying anything, they are reading books and never taking them home. The first time I ever went into a B&N that was my first thought. No one was at the registers buying, but, dozens were all curled up in those comfortable chairs reading. I doubt that they brought their own books in to do that. Or they were at the refreshment center buying a coffee to sip for the duration. Buildings that size do not stay in business long selling just coffee and snacks unless they are determined to actually be a restaurant.

Since electronics have taken over the world, book stores aren't as prevalent anymore. I can only speak for the B&N near me, and their registers are humming with people buying. There's also a lot of people in chairs, drinking coffee, etc., but the truth is that this particular location has been doing quite well (I'm sure the Nooks also have a decent part of that business), and has been there at least 15 years. So they must be selling something!!

 

[MOXOMUMD]

@MinnieM123 will love that one, while I'm finally enjoying the real weather

86* here. Finally!

 

[MinnieM123]

I'm happy that I can keep it. Does anyone know where I can get one? I think it must have been those severe beatings that are standing between me and that award. Or maybe it was that one time that I took them out of a restaurant because they were having a temper tantrum. One of those must have been my downfall.

Found it!

 

[betty rose]

A few more London Pictures some including food this time...

The serpentine (a man-made pond/river) in Hyde Park
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Hyde Park
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Another beautiful ale
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Some more bangers/sausages and mash for me
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This was hubby's steak or lamb (sorry he isn't around right now to ask)
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Some of the British candy bars we brought home. The mint Aero is amazing, like an Andes mint but lighter.
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A cupcake for breakfast and a café while waiting for the British Library to open.
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Newton at the British Library
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One of the better pictures of the Rosetta Stone I could get at the British Museum. There were hoards of people around it.
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Cool Egypt stuff at the British museum
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It all looks yummy! I'm so curious about the Rosetta Stone. I , like @Cesar R M am interested in ancient history, even with the alien theory. I have always, had an open mind, along with my dad. I have had experiences with UFO's , just so no one misunderstands.... when I say UFO's, it's something I have never experienced before. I tend to believe some of the things, are from governments, around the world, or perhaps not. I just can't say. @ Cesar R M, I will say what I have experienced since the late 60's. I don't want to offend anyone. I just can't explain what has happened to me and at times, hubby.

 

[MinnieM123]

@ajrwdwgirl , more amazing pictures!!! I don't think you're a school teacher. Secret's out -- you're a professional photographer!!!

All of your pictures tell a story. You have a good eye for what is truly unique. Aside of the splendid historical locations you visited, I have to say I was quite interested in the pub pictures and the pub food. I think what surprised me about the food in particular, was just how nicely it was plated -- in a pub . . . (Years ago, I worked for a hotel company, so I have an appreciation for "details" in food and beverage, etc.) I love pub atmosphere, and I rarely drink, but enjoyed going to them for the food. (That was back when I visited Ireland.) The pubs were friendly and laid back, and many entire families would go there. They were social gathering places in the cities, towns and villages.

 

[betty rose]

Yes, I also miss Borders. They were in the malls and in other locations. As for B&N, ours also has a lot of Nook space (I could care less about those). What great news that your library is expanding!! Our local library is falling apart; it's not the collections, it's the building because it's so old.

So sorry for you, our library had mostly kids books, I understand that. Kids need to read to expand their worlds. But, I missed our library, growing up as a kid our library had the complete works of James Whitcomb Reilly, and other author's from Indiana. They fueled my love of reading. Went to visit a famous author's home. Shoot, the name escapes me she wrote Little Women. I was in awe of her. I also read Little Men, by her . It's killing me I can't remember her name. I loved poems, as a kid....because sis would read them to me, (before, I could read). My favorite was Little Orphan Annie. Sis had a great way of reading, and I laughed every time.

 

[betty rose]

I think you mean that the publishers charge too much; B&N charges the price that printed on the books. Yet, you're correct in another sense, that there are discount places like Amazon that will often reduce the prices online.

You know, there's just something about browsing a real book store. I don't get that "feeling" online. Odd as this may sound, I'd rather pay a few bucks more in a real book store, and enjoy the full experience of browsing through many books (I'll often have an impulse buy of something I'll see on a display), than save a few bucks, and order a book online.

You are a person after my own heart. I will spend hours, after I have chosen my book, just browsing....sometimes I end up bringing around 3 books to take home. Along with hubby. We know you can't have to many books when winter is coming!

 

[MinnieM123]

So sorry for you, our library had mostly kids books, I understand that. Kids need to read to expand their worlds. But, I missed our library, growing up as a kid our library had the complete works of James Whitcomb Reilly, and other author's from Indiana. They fueled my love of reading. Went to visit a famous author's home. Shoot, the name escapes me she wrote Little Women. I was in awe of her. I also read Little Men, by her . It's killing me I can't remember her name. I loved poems, as a kid....because sis would read them to me, (before, I could read). My favorite was Little Orphan Annie. Sis had a great way of reading, and I laughed every time.

Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women and Little Men. I also enjoyed the old classics as well.

 

[FutureCEO]

At the British museum, hubby being fake surprised that it is empty. (He probably shouldn't have been touching it, I saw a kid get scolded by staff for doing a similar thing about 2 minutes later.)
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More Egyptian mummy stuff at the British museum, I find this stuff fascinating but it really creeps me out at the same time. I couldn't look for long at the actual mummies.
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Trafalgar Square

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Another pub meal: an ale for me
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More sausages and mash, this time it came with Yorkshire pudding which is the bread stuff, it was like a popover but flat. (I didn't really branch out, but each pub had a different twist on their gravy. I had to compare.) We also got a scotch egg to share, it was great!
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Hubby got another steak pie.
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Another trip to Buckingham Palace. I didn't like how my pictures had turned out when we were there the previous day. These were better.
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And a walk through St James' Park
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Yorkshire pudding seems interesting. Totally doesn't live up to it's name. Then again neither does bread pudding. I love bread pudding, never had yorkshire. I remember one day on the Food Network, the Brits have a dish called Bubble and Squeak.

Trip of the Year award is below

 

[Cesar R M]

That's the thing, no young kid could reach the top of the antenna. I can't reach it, while yes I am vertically challenged the SUV is tall and in order to reach the top to change out the toppers I have to stand on the running board and lean quite a bit. The reason why I just let the peeps there pull Mickey off.

Funny some of my toppers fair better than others. I decapitated Easter Donald going in and out of the garage.

I hope @donaldtoo does not read the part about the decapitation D:

 

[Goofyernmost]

Found it!

If I only had a 3D printer.

 

[Goofyernmost]

My X- used to make outstanding Yorkshire Pudding. It really isn't much different from fried bread dough except it is baked in a pan with a lot of left over hot fat from cooking a roast. My daughters make it now, so I don't have to go without. They are, however, more health conscience then her, so it isn't a treat I get very often.

 

[Cesar R M]

Post of the day!!!!!!

nooooooo! I think I am infected by the "DAD" thing.
I forget names soo easily!

 

[betty rose]

@ajrwdwgirl , more amazing pictures!!! I don't think you're a school teacher. Secret's out -- you're a professional photographer!!!

All of your pictures tell a story. You have a good eye for what is truly unique. Aside of the splendid historical locations you visited, I have to say I was quite interested in the pub pictures and the pub food. I think what surprised me about the food in particular, was just how nicely it was plated -- in a pub . . . (Years ago, I worked for a hotel company, so I have an appreciation for "details" in food and beverage, etc.) I love pub atmosphere, and I rarely drink, but enjoyed going to them for the food. (That was back when I visited Ireland.) The pubs were friendly and laid back, and many entire families would go there. They were social gathering places in the cities, towns and villages.

I agree, I really felt like I was in your pubs, and I could almost taste the food!

 

[Cesar R M]

I finally watched the Fox and the Hound today (never seen it before). I caught the last few minutes.

Even has the manly man I am.. I cried many manly tears in that movie..
Like the internet says "THE FEELS man.. THE FEELS!".