Here’s my general problem. I need stuff in a (reasonable) format that I can copy and paste. Like, for instance, Last name, comma and space, first name. That way I can insert the recommendation in alphabetical order.

Other recommendations: Some sort of quick glance recommendation level. I chose stars. A sentence or two about the book, although that’s not necessary.

OK, so here’s an example:
Austin, Jane. Emma. 5*. Emma thinks she’s a good matchmaker, but isn’t.

But maybe we’re disinterested in continuing the recommendations. That’s ok, too.

So tell me* what you want!

So I made a new CB blog over at WordPress. And we’re going to test drive it for a few days, to see whether we like it. If we do, we’ll load the moving van, gather up the lurkers and settle in.

If you hate it, we’ll delete it and do something else. We’re resilient that way.

So go over there and poke around, make a few comments and give your opinion. I’ll still be tweaking things like colour for a few days, but the basic bones are there.

It would be great if each of you would please try to leave a comment in the next couple days. The FIRST time you comment, you will go to moderation. Sorry, that’s to repel boarders. Every time you comment after that should be no problem. The thing is, until we decide whether we like the new format, I’m the only moderator. Believe me, that will change once we make a decision. But for now, it’s just me. And I’ll do my best to check moderation regularly over the weekend.

But during the work week? Pffft. You all are going to be stuck in moderation hell until I get home from work. And you will fret and worry and think, “OMG, BCB hates me and I’m never going to be allowed to comment at the new place. Oh, woe!” And I will say, “Oh please, knock it off already.”

So go now. Peruse. Comment. Opine. Avoid mid-week angst.

It’s here: CBBandG

EDITED TO ADD: Bryan, not to say we have no faith in your ability to fix things here or that we are eager to part ways with you. In fact, it must be said that you have been a gracious host and a good friend. But we do realize that we have been, at times, more than a bit of a bother. And many of us believe the time has come to make the leap out of your comfy nest here and forge our own path. We’d be delighted if you left this site up (or helped us export the posts). It would be even more delightful if you’d come visit the new place on occasion. Once we decide what it will be.

I’ve been going through my closets, shelves, and drawers, organizing things and getting rid of stuff I no longer wear, read, or use. (I must say, I really impressed myself with what I’ve done with my bedroom closet.) Then this article caught my eye: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=7130147&page=1 The headline is: Learning to ‘Green’ Your Books; Forget the Trash, Give Your Old Books a Second Chance. I did a double-take. Did this writer just suggest some people throw away books?!

If you remember my very first post here last year, I had trouble parting with a favorite book that lost a few pages. Even though I bought a new copy, I still have the original book, still unable to relegate it to garbage.

I can’t believe anyone would toss a book. Especially at these prices. I have never thrown out a book. I’ve given them to friends, sold them at garage sales, donated them to library used book sales and the Salvation Army, and even left one in the Dayton hotel’s guest library. But throw them in the trash?

Are they nuts? Or maybe it’s me.

How’s your spring cleaning coming along?

So, I’m taking the opportunity to ask a question-  I need some new audio books.  Are there authors you like that translate well to audio books? Are there authors to avoid? Likewise with readers, who are some of the people you like and some you don’t like?

The reason these people are in my mind is because of the really really really yummy peanut butter cookies and monster cookies I ate last night at play practice.  Doris made them.  Doris makes cookies for all of the practices of the drama team at church.  Even when we have two a week like we’re doing now.  She started making goodies for us when her granddaughter was in the plays and she was her ride.  The granddaughter got to junior high and was too cool to be in the plays anymore, Doris stopped coming to practice, and we are still getting cookies. Every week she makes dozens of cookies, pops them in her gallon zip top bag, and delivers them to the church.  And every week we eat them.

We include her in the programs under technical support as Cookie Lady but that’s not why she does it.  I’m not sure why she does it.  I’m not sure why people like this do what they do.  We have some of those people in our midst at the Bar and Grill, and you probably have some of those people in other parts of your world.  Take the time to tell them thank you and to let them know they are appreciated.  For me, I’m taking a few bags of sugar and some chocolate chips to church and putting a note on them for Doris.  Hey, maybe I can learn to be one of those people.

Pretty, isn’t it?  Would you believe that this is a photo taken at a botanical garden here in Scotland?  Yes, here’s your random trivia for the day.  There are palm trees growing in Scotland.

If someone who has something to say actually wants to say it that would be great.  If not, you’re stuck with my rambles.

I’m off to work on the office some more- it’s really more of a workroom with a desk, two large countertops, a vent hood, a sink, and lots of floor. Unfortunately not lots of storage.

In the days following Katrina, when one of my friends was still missing, I picked up JoAnn Ross’s Magnolia Moon in which a hurricane plays a significant role.  I did the same thing again this week with her High Risk series which features soldiers who’ve just returned home from Afghanistan, none of them whole.

I take a lot of comfort from her books. She writes characters that resonate with me*, obviously. I know they’ll overcome whatever horrible things she throws at them, save the world and find love.

It’s been rough over here at the Bar and Grill for many folk lately.  I was lying in bed last night, unable to sleep as I thought of all the things we do to comfort ourselves.  And I know this is a group that dives into a book every chance they can get.  Or chocolate.

Chocolate is my main comfort food. I ate it even when I was sick this week.  Not a lot but enough to soothe my battered soul. I stretched out on the couch and let the cat’s purrs send healing ultrasound through my belly.  I scratched Ky’s ears a lot. I’m very tactile and surround myself with textures.

I listened to Some gave alland watched I want you to live which was filmed at Canadian Forces Base Trenton. Strange comfort indeed. 

It’s important to use all the senses, remind ourselves of our connection to this world so that we can find our way out of the fog of grief. When we’re ready.

And of course, there are the CBs. Chatting. Listening. Hugging. Whipping up hot chocolate, chili, guacamole, margaritas.  Whatever we need.

Thank you.

Now what can I do to offer you comfort?