Smiley

Please join us at 8:30 p.m. (eastern daylight savings time) on Saturday, March 22, 2014 (i.e. 1:30 a.m. UTM on Sunday for those in other time zones) for a discussion of the short story The Gift of Music by Sharon Lee. The story is a current one, published on line as a free sample. Sharon Lee, a Baltimore ex-patriot now living in the cold environs of Maine, has been an established Science Fiction writer since the 1980's. She has written short stories and novelettes as well as a number of novels, many of them in collaboration with her husband, Steve Miller. Koach will note with approval that Lee, like Poe, spent years in Baltimore. Anyone associated with Crab-cake Corners has to be good at what they do, and Lee is no exception to that rule. I am sure you will enjoy this story. I am also certain it will make for an interesting discussion. The story can be found at: http://www.baenebooks.com/10.1125/Baen/9781625792778/9781625792778.htm?blurb Meeting Place: #Readers_Corner Webchat Users: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner 6667 As usual, please tell your friends about our #readers_corner chats, and encourage them to join us for a stimulating conversation. I hope to see you all there. Please Note: The chat originally scheduled for March 22 has been postponed until April 5 due to real world conflicts. We will discuss the story The Gift of Music on that later date. Sorry for the need to reschedule. Log of discussion attached: Readers Log 5 Apr 2014.rtf

Please join us at 8:30 p.m. (eastern daylight savings time) on Saturday, March 15, 2014 (i.e. 1:30 a.m. UTM on Sunday for those in other time zones) for a discussion of the short story Not a Day Over Twenty-One by Edna Ferber. The story was originally published in "Gigolo" (an anthology of Ferber's short stories) in 1922. This story, as have all those Ferber stories we have discussed in the past, deals with the challenges faced by a working woman in the early 20th century. It demonstrates her sense of humor as well as her down to earth style. I am confident you will enjoy it and that it will make for an interesting chat. The story can be found at: http://fullreads.com/literature/not-a-day-over-twenty-one/ Meeting Place: #Readers_Corner Webchat Users: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner 6667 As usual, please tell your friends about our #readers_corner chats, and encourage them to join us for a stimulating conversation. There will be a virtual wine and cheese tasting following the chat. Log Attached: readers log Mar 15 2014.rtf

Please join us at 8:30 pm (eastern standard time) on Saturday, March 8, 2014 for a discussion of the short story Feathers by Meghan Barker. The story was posted online by the author on the 30th of December, 2013. Although a fairly brief story, it is thought provoking and is one of those that needs to be read several times.. The story can be found at: http://www.spiltinfinitive.com/feathers/#.UxO4AOOffbx Meeting Place: #Readers_Corner Webchat Users: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner 6667 As usual, please tell your friends about our #readers_corner chats, and encourage them to join us for a stimulating conversation. LOG ATTACHED: Readers Log 8 Mar 14.rtf

Happy Birthday :{)

Please join us at 8:30 pm (eastern standard time) on Saturday, March 1, 2014 for a discussion of the short story Vici by Maomi Novik. The story was originally published in The Dragon Book edited by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois 2009. The story is an hilarious, fantastic romp through a brief period of Roman history coincident with Julius Caesar's Gallic War. It gives new meaning to the introductory lines of Casear's report on his conduct of the war: "Veni, vide, vici." I think you will love the story. The story can be found at: http://www.fantasy-magazine.com/new/new-fiction/vici/ Meeting Place: #Readers_Corner Webchat Users: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner 6667 As usual, please tell your friends about our #readers_corner chats, and encourage them to join us for a stimulating conversation. Log attached: Readers Log Mar 1 2014.rtf

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHRISTA

Please join us on Saturday, February 22, 2014 in #readers_corner for a discussion of the short story The Bionic Lobster by Karen Donley-Hayes. The story appeared in two parts published in the January 31st and February 7th editions of the "Saturday Evening Post." I hope you enjoy the story, and I am sure you will enjoy discussing it. Link to the first half of the story: http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2014/01/31/art-entertainment/fiction-the-bionic-lobster.html Please note that at the end of the first part of the story is a link to the conclusion. Webchat Users: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner 6667 As usual, please tell your friends about our #readers_corner chats, and encourage them to join us for a stimulating conversation. Log attached: Feb 22 2014 Readers_Corner log.txt

Happy birthday, B!

After careful examination, I can find nothing in that "cake" that has any food value. I hope that Abi has dental insurance.

I resemble the remarks about grandparents and we only have relative youngsters living in our doll house.

Please join us at 8:30 P.M. (Eastern Standard Time) on Saturday, February 15, 2014 for a discussion of the short story All Cats Are Gray by Andre Norton. Norton (Feb 17 1912--Mar 17, 2005) was one of the most respected and prolific authors of science fiction from the late 1940's through the beginning of the 21st century. She started writing juvenile (young adult) historical and adventure stories then moved into science fiction and fantasy. Many of her earlier works were published under the pen names of Andrew North and Allen Weston (during the 'golden age of science fiction' readers preferred male authors). She was the first woman inducted into the Science Fiction Writers Hall of Fame and is considered by many to be the Grand Dame of Science Fiction. This story was first published in the Aug--Sep 1953 edition of "Fantastic Universe Science Fiction" under the Andrew North pen name. It is a fine example of a well written, classic, sci-fi story. The story can be found at: http://magick7.com/MoonlightStories/1/1664.htm Meeting place: #readers_corner Webchat Users: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner 6667 As usual, please tell your friends about our #readers_corner chats, and encourage them to join us for a stimulating conversation. Log attached: readers log 15 Feb 14.rtf

That lake looks like it should have a mess of crappies and black bass in it (I don't know that either fish is native to Oz).

Please join us at 8:30 P.M. (Eastern Standard Time) on Saturday, February 8, 2014 for a discussion of the short story The Swamp House by Lisa Westerfield. You may recall other stories by Westerfield that we have discussed, those being very humorous. This one is a bit of a change of pace for her offering a brief journey into the frightening side of living alone in an aging house in the deep south. The story can be found at: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977717591 Meeting place: #readers_corner Webchat Users: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner 6667 As usual, please tell your friends about our #readers_corner chats, and encourage them to join us for a stimulating conversation. Log of chat attached: readers log 8 Feb 2014.rtf

Please join us at 8:30 P.M. (Eastern Standard Time) on Saturday, February 1, 2014 for a discussion of the short story Jukebox Gifts by Dean Wesley Smith. This is a fantasy that deals with friendship and the sacrifices one might be willing to make for his friends. It should lead to an interesting discussion. The story can be found at: http://www.baenebooks.com/chapters/9781614751045/9781614751045___4.htm Meeting place: #readers_corner Webchat Users: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner 6667 As usual, please tell your friends about our #readers_corner chats, and encourage them to join us for a stimulating conversation.

Thanx Dash

Please join us at 8:30 P.M. (Eastern Standard Time) on Saturday, January 25, 2014 for a discussion of the short story The Battle of the Pewhasset Pie Palace by Cynthia McGean. This is a humorous story that was a runner-up in the 2013 Saturday Evening Post's short story competition. I am sure it will prompt a few laughs while you are reading it and it should make for a very entertaining chat. The story can be found at: http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/wp-content/flbk/2013-Fiction-Contest/The_Battle_of_the_Pewhasset_Pie_Palace-by_Cynthia_McGean/#/1/ Meeting place: #readers_corner Webchat Users: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner 6667 Virtual wine and cheese for anyone bringing in a new member. LOG Attached: readers log 25 Jan 2014.rtf

That would be funny if it weren't true.

Some of us consider ourselves lucky to still be looking at grass from the green side.

Which brings up the story of the Texan who got delivery of his mail order bride. They drove the wagon over to the general store and picked up provisions, drove to the JP and got married, and started off on the 10 mile ride to his ranch. After a few miles the mule balked and refused to go any farther. The man got out of the wagon, walked up to the mule, shook his finger in the mules face and proclaimed: That's once. The mule started off again and got another mile or so then stopped again. The man got out, walked up to the mule, slapped it up side the head and said: "That's twice." The mule started off again, got another couple miles then stopped a third time. The man got out, pulled his 45, shot the mule in the head, then started to walk back to the ranch for a replacement mule. His new wife started to complain that her new husband was foolish for shooting a mule for just being a bit stubborn. The man turned to her, held a finger up and said: "That's once".

Please join us at 8:30 P.M. (Eastern Standard Time) on Saturday, January 18, 2014 for a discussion of the short story Five Whole Fingers by T.K. Lee. This is a strange story that should make for an interesting chat. I'm not sure that you will enjoy the story itself, but I think it you will enjoy discussing it. The story can be found at: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/FiveWhol924.shtml Meeting place: #readers_corner Webchat Users: http://koach.com/chatlogin.php?chan=readers_corner mIRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com:6667 -j #readers_corner 6667 Virtual wine and cheese for anyone bringing in a new member. Log attached: #readers_corner 20140118.rtf

Please join us at 8:30 P.M. (Eastern Standard Time) on Saturday, January 11, 2014 for a discussion of the short story That Hell-Bound Train by Robert Bloch. This is a fantasy, reminiscent of The Devil and Daniel Webster by Washington Irving. Robert Bloch is well known as a science fiction writer. This story was originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in September 1958, and it won the Hugo Award for best short story (in Sci-Fi/Fantasy) in 1959. The story can be found at: http://will.tip.dhappy.org/projects/unsorted/project/media/text/Robert%20Bloch%20-%20That%20Hell-Bound%20Train.html Meeting place: #readers_corner Webchat Users: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner IRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com -i #readers_corner 6667 Don't forget to bring a friend. Log Attached: Log Jan 11 2014.rtf

Does the hair turn blue in chrome?

It was a lot funnier the first time you told it.

Please join us at 8:30 P.M. (Eastern Standard Time) on Saturday, January 4, 2014 for a discussion of the short story Carnival by Scott Atkinson. This story appeared in the Summer 2012 edition of Carve Magazine, an on line (and print) literary magazine. The publication offers stories and poetry by English language writers from around the world. This is an slightly off beat story which I think you will find thought provoking. It should make for a great chat. The story can be found at: http://carvezine.com/2012-summer-atkinson/ Meeting place: #readers_corner Webchat Users: http://koach.com/cha...=readers_corner IRC Users: /server -m chat3.koach.com -i #readers_corner 6667 As a special treat, in lieu of the our usual, virtual wine and cheese, we will serve up some cotton candy and and left over eggnog (bring your own spirits if you want it spiked). Please bring a friend. Log Attached: Readers Log Jan 4 2014.rtf

One of them is definitely I, but I'm not telling which one. By the way....Merry Christmas everyone !!!!