I remember this series on PBS. 2018 seems like a lifetime ago! Final score was 42/100, and yes I‘m counting the whole series no matter how many books I read! These, however, are whole series I read.
1. The Giver
2. Lord of the Rings
3. Harry Potter
4. Hunger Games
5. Hitchhiker‘s Guide to the Galaxy
#TLT

If you want to join the fun, here‘s the link: https://www.listchallenges.com/litsy-the-great-american-read-2018-from-100-1

1. I‘m still thinking about the tagged book on a regular basis…
2. I‘m sad to say that I tried two Leigh Bardugo books and bailed on both. Maybe at another time…
#wondrouswednesday

1. We filed in March, I mailed the check last week, and it cleared yesterday 😕
2. Bossy
#two4tuesday

1. I want to kick Bukele right in the nuts and then say “oopsie.” Other than that, I‘m feeling okay I guess.
2. I agree with the idea of affirmations in theory, but I don‘t really use them myself…not even badass affirmations. Maybe I should look into it?
#mentalhealthmonday

The author was a recent guest on the Daily Beans podcast and discussed this book about “legal” immigration, based in part on his own experience. It‘s funny and informative, subtly and not so subtly critiquing the current situation. If nothing else, it‘s abundantly clear that there‘s no “easy” way to immigrate to the US.

As part of the episode‘s “good trouble” segment, she suggested buying several copies and leaving some in LFLs, so I bought five.

Kili doesn‘t have the temperament to be a blanket cat, but he makes a nice book model. 😸

These stories are a little melancholy, so I‘m only reading one a day.

Earlier in the #hyggehourreadathon I finished another book that I‘ll describe later because it has [gasp] political overtones.

Typos!! 🤨 #sundayfunday

Here are my #camplitsy25 nominations. Please add me to the list.

1. Alex Ovechkin passed Wayne Gretzky in goals scored.
2. It was cold and the Nats lost, but it was still a ballgame.
3. Baltimore history presentation at the community center.
4. I didn‘t put away the blanket I‘d taken off the bed.
5. Much needed haircut.
#5joysfriday

I‘m not sure I entirely agree with this assessment, but this is where we are. Blue was also strong.

Red reader - the Passionate Adventurer

Thanks @TheLudicReader for the link 🔗

https://www.readyourcolor.com/

For a few years I made a concerted effort to watch as many of the nominees as possible, but even with that I only managed 30/116; some were pretty memorable though.
1. Philomena 😭
2. Lion😭
3. Get Out 😱
4. Barbie 🩷🩷

1. Survey link: https://www.listchallenges.com/academy-award-nominations-list-5-2010-2024

#TLT

1. I love all the spring flowers. My favorite at any time is whatever is set to bloom next, and for now that means azaleas. Hopefully they won‘t be affected by this latest cold snap.🤞🏼
2. I‘m grateful for libraries, this week and every week. I‘m grateful I didn‘t take my winter coat to be dry cleaned. I‘m grateful for all the spring flowers. #wondrouswednesday

1. I love to read, so I guess that means I love books too.
2. Tagged!
#two4tuesday

That‘s a wrap! Satisfying conclusion to the series. #serieslove2025

My husband stopped at Popeyes and brought home chicken for dinner. I‘m watching the Red Sox in 2025 and reading about the Yankees in 1923. #hyggehourreadathon

Every book I read is a Heist book! 🥁

Tagged book is an interesting heist/caper story.

#sundayfunday

It‘s a dreary #chatterday following a week when I was out and about most days, and my spouse is working, so I‘m catching up with household stuff. Nothing very exciting. 😆

Another very mixed week IRL of joys and otherwise but that‘s life right? This week‘s joys:
1. SOTR discussion at my favorite indie bookstore, complete with gifts and a cool tote.
2. Cory Booker and Susan Crawford.
3. Reconnecting with former coworkers at a rooftop reception.
4. Penguin resistance!
5. Shopping at the Amish market, but first breakfast! Including a big bowl of grits swimming in 🧈
#5joysfriday

As a #longtimefed I never attended a conference that was co-sponsored by an organization that had ceased to exist…but that happened today. I guess that explains why they didn‘t have any staff at the event. 😥

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/us/politics/doge-wilson-center.html

I‘ve seen 32/100 which is fewer than I‘d expected, but OTOH many more are on my TBW list. Here are some favorites from what I‘ve seen.
1. Sense & Sensibility
2. Life Is Beautiful 😭
3. Apollo 13
4. The Crying Game

Survey link: https://www.listchallenges.com/academy-award-nominations-list-4-1987-2010

#TLT

Another winner from Ann Cleeves. Vera is as grumpy and insightful as ever, and the story is compelling. I want to jump right into the next one, but I have book club selections to read! #serieslove2025

When I did my journal #wrapup for March, I remembered I also helped me friends find their new cats. A good development, but it did cut into my reading time.

In any event, here‘s a more realistic #serieslove2025 plan for April. Four books instead of eight. 🤣

1. I was a pretty good student in high school and less so in college. (Big fish, small pond,etc.)
2. Tagged book takes place in a school. I enjoyed it on audio.
#two4tuesday

I have to go somewhere later today and don‘t think I‘ll finish anything else, so I‘m calling it for March. My reading pace slowed down a bit for various reasons.
-I couldn‘t find an #authoramonth book I liked
-Two book club selections that were a little long and I couldn‘t get into them until about midway through
-Getting ready for tax return prep
-The world in general 🔥

Nevertheless, I tore through SOTR and loved it.

#wrapup

After a little trip to Panem, I‘m back in Northumberland with Vera. I spent most of the afternoon washing the bedding and reorganizing my bookcases. As usual, a little tweak turned into an overhaul of half the shelves. It‘s good to just sit and read and eat chicken with snow peas. #hyggehourreadathon

Yesterday I spent 3+ hours at The Last Word bookstore in Mt. Airy MD. It‘s a little bit of a drive but worth it. They have a smaller store closer to me that‘s in the midst of a reorganization, and I‘m looking forward to seeing the revamped space.

#sundayfunday

I went to a discussion thingy at the bookstore today. Besides talking books for three hours (it was only scheduled for two), we drank a couple pots of tea and got some swag. Including the chance to choose two ARCs from a stack. ♥️#indiebookstores

It was a particularly stinky week IRL but there was still joy to be found.
1. While walking in the woods, I ran into someone I knew, and we noticed this sweet little flower next to the path.
2. The library held Tolkien Reading Day event with the editor of the tagged book.
3. The PetSmart cashier and I were both singing along with Bruno Mars on the PA.
4. I had shepherd‘s pie with Impossible “meat,” and it was delicious. ⬇️
#5joysfriday

We‘re in the middle of a hostile government takeover, but it‘s still Opening Day.

I have seen 37/100 for this round. Some highlights:

1. Lilies of the Field
2. Mary Poppins
3. E.T.
4. Breaking Away

Survey link: https://www.listchallenges.com/academy-awards-list-3-nominations-for-best

#TLT

Sometimes the memes just write themselves.

As a #longtimefed I would receive regular briefings and training about the importance of OPSEC. During COVID my office had to jump through hoops to be allowed use Zoom.

These people are ridiculous.

ETA: “But her emails…”

1. I hang out with my cat.
2. The tagged book looks interesting.
#two4tuesday

Heartbreaking. #serieslove2025

1. I feel okay today. Exercise class was fun, and we got some much needed rain.
2. Yes. It‘s how I stay in touch with some of my friends and get some (but not all) of my news. On the other hand, it can also be frivolous at best and mean spirited. I make a point not to argue with strangers, as tempting as it may be.
3. When I shut it down a couple hours before bedtime (except for Litsy of course), I‘ve found that helps.
#mentalhealthmonday

That Maryland game was a little stressful, so I‘m going to chill out with some murder and Vera. #hyggehourreadathon

Reading this on my phone while eating a chicken avocado flatbread and drinking a chocolate raspberry latte in this cafe that suddenly got very busy and loud. I‘m tucked away in a corner. #BandBDay

Yes! Madeline Miller was friendly and approachable at my local indie bookstore. #sundayfunday

Either we outrun the storm or the storm outruns us.

1. My friends adopted Snoop and his brother Steve!
2. In my exercise class for a change of pace the instructor swapped out one of the songs for the Cupid Shuffle.
3. Lunch at a local Mediterranean restaurant.
4. I had a good chat with my financial guy who talked me off the ledge…for now at least.
5. We won HERstory trivia at the brewpub, thanks in part to my crack research into the history of women and beer. ⬇️
#5joysfriday

This book should be right up my alley, but for some reason I just can‘t get into it. I checked out something else for #authoramonth so I‘ll see how that goes.

Welcome back @TheSpineView 😀
1. My favorite spring flowers are pansies. I love their little faces!
2. My mystery book club requested a flower-related cozy for our May selection. I found a “bunch” on cozymystery.com including the tagged book. Unfortunately, it‘s not available at the library, but look at that cover! I mean, a cat AND a corgi?!
#two4tuesday

While POTUS was cutting IMLS, he was also dismantling Voice of America and Radio Martí. My career as a #longtimefed started at VOA. I later spent a few years at Radio Martí, where I met my husband and my best friend.

These agencies were not without problems, but they didn‘t deserve to be one more tradition thrown on the scrap heap of history. Meanwhile the “champion of Cuban freedom” does nothing.

Last week I was discombobulated by the time change and didn‘t have a #hyggehourreadathon at all. This week it‘s dark and windy, but the promised rain hasn‘t materialized.

We just had corned beef and cabbage, and I‘m settled in with the tagged book. It‘s for book club tomorrow.

My sister‘s book club was reading this, so I loaned her my copy. Many years ago. In her defense, at one point she offered it back after the meeting, but I suggested she hold onto it until she finished it. I‘m pretty sure she doesn‘t even know where it is now. That‘s okay. I‘ve read it twice and definitely have no desire to read it a third time. 🤣🤣
#sundayfunday

I have a complicated relationship with Williamsburg. My sister went to college there, and I was determined to go anywhere else (contrary teenager syndrome) but ended up there anyway. As a #longtimefed I sent colleagues all over the world but never traveled myself, for the first 10+ years.

Then my first work trip was to…Williamsburg! My very last work trip was to nearby Chesapeake, to learn more about processing travel reservations and vouchers.⬇️

As a #longtimefed I‘ve seen staff cuts before. Now I‘m seeing some stunning “whataboutism,” comparing the Clinton-Gore cuts to what DOGE is doing.

Though my agency at the time was minimally affected, I had issues with the initiative.
-Government as a business
-OPM staff laid off during the process
-Increased reliance on contractors

However, there was a logic and process to it. Employees were treated with empathy, which is apparently now a sin.

It looks like the awful CR was passed. Thanks, traitor Dems!

I don‘t have the spoons to write a #longtimefed post today, so I‘ll be back tomorrow with a fresh take.

Meanwhile, I‘ll leave you with this. I was running errands today and saw the most ridiculous cybertruck ever. (Even more than the one wrapped in a realtor‘s ads.) It was painted bright green on the bottom and jet black on the top. I guess it‘s supposed to look like a convertible?

1. Sunday was our associate pastor‘s birthday, and we had this delicious mango cake (no murder, thankfully).
2. Upgrades at the local park.
3. Another art show at the community center. This work is called Basin of Beauty.
4. My spouse made a delicious (but not photogenic) lasagna, using tortillas instead of noodles.
5. My friends are still looking for a cat, but I saw on the shelter‘s website that the mouthy kitten was adopted. #5joysfriday

Still not many (14) but some are pretty memorable.
1. The Pride of the Yankees
2. 12 Angry Men
3. Gaslight
4. To Kill A Mockingbird

Survey link: https://www.listchallenges.com/academy-awards-list-2-nominations-for-best
#TLT

As GSA is the federal government‘s property management agency, OPM is the HR agency. Perhaps I don‘t have a clue, but it seems to me that when you‘re massively cutting your workforce, you don‘t want to cut the staff that will be processing all those retirements and terminations. At least let the dust settle first!

As a #longtimefed I can verify that retirement actions take months to process in the best of times.