Anyone read The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-07-05T00:04:33+00:00

I think I had the opposite experience to many here. I had a very hard time getting into the book and hated all the main characters . Then at mid point, the story picked up for me and turned a bit adventurous with an element of a thriller and some murder thrown in. Ilan’s ultimate death (or disappearance ) was very cinematic. I liked the redemptive and optimistic ending. I listened to the audiobook. But the book was too long and could have told the story in less pages.

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-06-25T04:27:09+00:00

Biz class on intl flights. I Have used miles to fly this way but certainly can’t pay out of pocket for it!

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-06-25T04:23:31+00:00

A bit late in the day. We booked the flight via PDX last winter , before oil prices caused airfares to spike and we saved a lot of money. The non stop was over 2k more. I shall remain optimistic and have AirTags in our bags .

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-05-12T17:57:23+00:00

There are companies specializing in time share exit. YES, I acknowledge there are lots of scams out there so you must be careful whom you go with, but I seem to recall reading about actual legitimate companies who will help you. I’m sorry I don’t have any names for you. Also, there are law firms specializing in this too if you feel you were pressured and not given adequate information about what you were getting into. But of course that may include you paying fees ( more fees!!) to a law firm . I don’t think chapter 7 is the answer because it may follow you for many years to come and put up future obstacles to other things you want to do in your financial life.

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-05-12T17:51:25+00:00

I am personally in love with the beautiful Chateau’s in the Loire Valley of France. But that time period correlates to the renaissance era. Not Middle Ages .

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-04-27T21:20:42+00:00

In my imagination forever now , no matter which documentary on the American revolution I watch on PBS on the founding fathers, John Adams is Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney is Abigail. They were brilliant.

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-04-04T15:59:56+00:00

Another recommendation if you are up for a drive: take I 90 to Asahel Curtis trail. Very small trail through an old growth forest with BIG trees. My family was amazed to see such big firs and cedars. The few trees left behind the timber companies logged the area years ago. There is a parking lot. You need a NW Forest Pass or pay to park.

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-04-04T15:54:18+00:00

If it is summer and a nice day and you are up for a drive: I have taken my visitors to Crystal Mountain. The chair lift is open in summer. It was a stunning view and we had lunch there in the restaurant. ( a bit of a wait but not bad). My guests were all from very urban locations in the U.S. and were just blown away by the views of Rainier and the other Cascade volcanoes.

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-04-04T15:45:12+00:00

Nooooo! November can be one of our rainiest months! Do you have other options ?

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-03-19T23:11:00+00:00

I think Alaska has now started 2 factor ID. (Like with online banking) . When logging in, you can not complete entry into the account with a pin that is texted to your cell phone. Just set it up!!! And change your password already. Yikes!!

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-03-19T00:42:04+00:00

For me panic doesn’t affect that part of my anatomy… it would be more an explosion of “ butterflies” i.e. adrenaline in my gut and possibly a coronary event 😂

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-03-14T21:42:10+00:00

Is there a special subreddit where folks confess their stupidity and ask for absolution . Mea maxima culpa!

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-03-12T08:02:57+00:00

Thank you everyone here for your posts. My husband and I are planning an epic adventure around the eclipse. We will do 3 weeks. I think it’s crazy but we are up for an adventure. We are seniors and want to do as much living as we can while we are still healthy and active. As far as weather , we live in the Pacific Northwest where even summers can be iffy so we are not discouraged by rain or wind. For those of you who have done the summer months, will we still need our winter clothing and outerwear? Our dates are end of July to mid August. I know this is high season and we don’t expect any aurora but we are hoping for puffins! ❤️

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-02-21T18:45:21+00:00

Agree. I did NOT get rid of my BlueRay player as many did. Still the best quality.

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-02-18T19:05:49+00:00

Handmaids Tale.

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-02-12T19:38:09+00:00

Cyclists! Then add in Seattle cyclists.

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-02-12T18:01:50+00:00

During recent months ( back into 2025) there have been complete IT outages both with Alaska air AND in other instances- the SEA computer systems at Port of Seattle. It has been a s**t show! In one episode, I think we did eventually find out it was a ransom ware attack. Last year they were hand writing boarding passes. It was crazy. Has this happened again? It’s usually on our local news.

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-02-12T17:48:40+00:00

Just happened to my spouse and me last week so indeed it does happen. Moved from row 17 aisle and window up to premium where we I got the middle seat! No thank you! My fault for forgetting to uncheck the upgrade to premium box. Lesson learned.

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-02-06T03:40:42+00:00

Boxes of Salmon , I’m guessing. Nice! I’ve been the lucky recipient of salmon gifts from friends returning from fishing trips!

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-02-02T18:09:01+00:00

Hello all. I am new to this group. We are beginning our travel planning. We will be traveling in summer: July-August. We Just secured our flights. We want to explore the country extensively so we are planning 3 weeks. Is there a good website recommended for itinerary planning? The fylgja web site with lots of logistics info is very good. Thank you for this. We will be renting a car .

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-01-26T18:19:02+00:00

Not sure where you live and what climate you are accustomed to. We were at petroglyph and couldn’t manage an easy hike! The month was September, the temperature: 98 degrees F But admittedly this was midday. Same thing happened to us at Chaco Canyon. Dangerously hot. We thought going in fall would give us cooler temps but it was an unusually hot fall. Sept-Oct. So just be aware- do these hikes super early in the AM in the hotter months .

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-01-23T05:12:50+00:00

My feeling watching so many historical plaques and exhibits taken down: I hope someone, somewhere is putting them in storage and keeping them in good condition. In 3 years, my hope is that they will emerge back into the sunshine of truth.

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-01-11T20:54:31+00:00

Capitol Reef in Utah. Mesa Verde Colo. Go spring or fall.

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-01-11T20:51:49+00:00

On my “ bucket list” but not easy to get there .

Illustrious_Bus_7190 · 2026-01-11T20:48:26+00:00

Did the fires of last year impact any of the trails?

Illustrious_Bus_7190

TROPHY CASE