Finally Friday - Tulip Time

Every year, every spring, I MUST post tulips pictures and more from the Dallas Arboretum.

so glorious.  My friend, Linda  T., and I strolled the grounds, viewed the beauty, enjoyed lunch in the cafe, and embraced nature.  It's a tad early, but still wonderful. 

Pretty planters

Don't look too closely.  We had some CRAZY winds roll through the area, and I could tell that some of the garden areas had been blasted. 

But those striped tulips popped!!

Eye candy,  my friends.  Now, enjoy your weekend.  You,  too, shall have some spring flowers soon

Cheers
 

Whatever Wednesday - & Juliet

Treated myself to another excellent  Broadway touring production - & Juliet at Dallas' Fair Park Music Hall.  I had an orchestra seat with a grand view of the stage. 

Big twist on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet with current pop tunes to  help the tale.  Basically Anne is not happy with the ending to her husband Will's  latest play. Options  and rewrites are explored. 

Rachel Simone Webb (Juliet) was  stunning - gorgeous young  lady with a fabulous voice.  The whole cast was tremendous.  The  songs (example - Larger Than Life, Show Me  the  Meaning of  Being  Lonely,  Oops...I  Did It  Again, and so many more) applied well to the situations that Juliet  explored.

Just a clever take on an old love tragedy.  The audience left the theater smiling.  Sunday matinees are THE best. 
 

Monday Moments - Love

 Sending some Love on a Monday.    We all need it. 

Hope  that March wind doesn't  blow  us away. 

Finally Friday - Donuts ...

 Donuts and Other Proclamations of Love by Jared Reck is a delightfully sweet book. Such a surprise treat.  I bought this for two dollars at our local library book sale.  It was worth the  price and more. 

Oscar, our  narrator, is a hoot and a wise young man. His voice is rich, his story is one of pluck and verve.  I loved that  it took place in Gettysburg PA - home turf for me.  I  enjoyed the tone of the book and the location settings. 

Oscar and his Swedish grandfather run a food truck together.  Lou, a high school "frenemy" hijacks Oscar's life, so to  speak. Together they use wasted cafeteria apples to spread delicious apple  crisp, apple cider, apple muffins and  more into the town.   (cover blurb)

Oscar never expected this relationship.  His future is uncertain.  His strong grandfather is a fan  of Lou, and then the unthinkable happens. 

I can't say more.   Read this really sweet book and root for the characters.  It's an immigrant tale, a love story, and search for one's future.   And....yum...donuts!  The book makes you hungry! 

Whatever Wednesday - Irving Arts Center variety

A little stir crazy from  some cold blustery Texas days. Where  better to go for a little jaunt than the Irving Arts Center? They put on the nicest displays and  it is free to stroll the galleries. 

Rachel Black's oil painting are lovely. I  felt as if I was in the  various  state parks she visited to paint  nature scenes.   Vibrant colors and nifty perspectives. 

Sudeep Kumar - Invisible Spaces: Watercolors and Drawings.   His urban works brought an old fashioned tone to modern day utilities and such. I liked his watercolors. Almost a sepia  touch.  Very subtle colors. 

LeUyen Pham's illustrations are SO FUN. Huge variety of characters for  various series. She  worked at Dreamworks, then went  on her own to  award winning works.  Over  one hundred books (as an illustrator) bring joy to  children.  She's also written and illustrated her own stories. This  whole gallery was  delightful to peruse. 

On the serious  side,  in honor  of Black History Month, the center featured works from the  Arthur Primas  Collection.   Charles White's  work captured my eye.  His etchings like Cat's Cradle above are fantastic.  He is deceased, but his  works live on fortunately. 
 

And a little  humor as February comes  to  a close.  Weather  has been wacky!

No  doubt March will  throw  us some curveballs  too - Lion  or lamb?

Monday Moments - Pioneer in News

 I was perusing the library memoir stack, and plucked out Connie - a true  treat of a memoir.  What a story and, frankly,  an inspiration. Connie Chung, at age 23 (a daughter of immigrant Chinese parents - and yes, she was born in the USA and is American), began working in Washington  DC as a CBS correspondent. 

Cover blurb - Chung describes her career as an Asian woman in  a white male-centered world. Overt sexism was a way of life, but she  stayed tenacious in  her pursuit of stories.  She made history when she achieved her dream of being the first woman to co-anchor The CBS  Evening News and the first Asian to anchor any news program in the U.S. Nothing is off limits- good, bad, or ugly.  

I enjoyed this memoir and Connie Chung's humor shines through. She herself says she was viewed as a "China doll" until she opened her mouth and blasted old white dudes with frank answers.  Fortunately, a hero of hers, Walter Cronkite, was a true stand up guy and supported her climb in the ranks.  Let's say Dan Rather - um, not so much.  She names names, she discusses the frustrations she encountered and how she just had to work harder.  She had dreams, and pretty much achieved them. 

She is also married to Maury Povich, the longtime daytime talk host. She discusses having a late in life marriage, being a step-mom, and the difficulty in becoming a mother, and thus pursuing adoption. 

Quite the life story. I enjoyed reading Connie Chung's memoir, and would no doubt enjoying sitting down for tea and a chat with her.  

Finally Friday - The Survivors by Jane Harper

 Jane Harper is a very reliable mystery murder writer and I like her Australian settings.  The Survivors is a page turner and Harper kept me guessing up until the grand reveal. 

Kieran Elliott's life changed forever on the day a reckless mistake led to devastating consequences. (cover blurb)

Kieran, his partner Mia, and baby girl, Audrey are back "home" to help his parents move to an assisted living. His mother is worn down caring for his father dealing with dementia.  Lingering overhead is the death of Finn and other close friends back on that fateful storm day. 

Now a body has been discovered on the beach. Long held secrets emerge.  cover blurb - a sunken wreck, a missing girl, and questions that have never washed away...

A memorial statue called The Survivors sits out from the beach, near the caves. It's a constant presence haunting so many other survivors of that fateful day. As the waves crest, as the police question, tensions rise...Whodunnit?   

Whatever Wednesday - oh my goodness

 I am writing up this post in January after a whole lot of  shock and awe. 

I reflect on the Holocaust Remembrance Day in January and I wonder if anyone in the current administration even remotely has read The Diary of Anne Frank,  Night by Elie Wiesel, etc, etc, etc. 

Has anyone considered the "small jobs" that have been carried on forever that do keep the nation running?  Just a mass obliteration without any thought whatsoever seems a tad extreme. 

Sure, review jobs, dollars, etc.  I agree there is waste and that should be addressed - line by line.   But just a slash and burn......seriously?

Read Michael Lewis's The Fifth Risk about the first Trump admin.   It is a scary assessment. 

I worked for  a company that provided satellite support for  NOAA.  It's one of those behind the scenes operations that is actually important for the world.  To have that dropped...out of science ignorance - OMG. Duh. 

I could go on, but the folks that should be reading and thinking are NOT.     Huge Sigh! 

Carry on, folks.   Rome is burning and Nero is fiddling......

Monday Moments - A variety

 So, it's February 7th and our darn tulips are choosing  to  appear.  Say what?  I planted the bulbs early December per instructions.  Alas, I did not cover them and squirrels dug up a bunch.  After cold, rain, and now extremely warm weather (80s), tulips are appearing. 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I  wanted tulips to appear in late March.   Now I'm afraid of the freeze predicted later in  February.  

Stupid Texas weather. Yes,  it's climate change.  WTF

Pre-Valentine's treat.  Toast is a tribute band  for Bread.  Remember soft rock in  1971?  Sorta sissy tunes, but very hummable, sweet, and  yes so lovely?  If,  I Wanna Make it with you, Everything I Own, Guitar Man, and so  much more.   Well, Ray and I enjoyed the tribute band, Toast, at Arlington Music Hall.  Tight band, good  tunes, and the voices were great.    The lead singer truly did a good job. Hard to be as ethereal and airy as lead singer David Gates, but he did an admirable job.  Ray and I could relive memories of the 1970s.   Old fart concert  - damn good. 

Ha!  Yes, even if they are beyond a ridiculous price, I will support the Girl  Scouts.  Thin  Mints  are the only way to go.  And I stick them in  the freezer.  And I shall attempt to control myself from eating  a whole sleeve because they are GOLD. 

What's your flavor  downfall?

Finally Friday - Valentine's Day

 Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope it's a grand weekend.   Big  hug to you, blog friends. 

Chocolate, sweetness, and love

Whatever Wednesday - Go Mavs

Our financial advisors  have Dallas Mavericks basketball season  tickets.  Good tickets  and very close great parking. We get invited a few times a year and it's fun.  Lots of good energy. 

The Maniacs crack me up.  These are rather large men dressed in ridiculous outfits - they can dance!  Jelly Bellies flopping. They just have the moves and the gumption  to act the fools. Positive  energy. 

The arena did get loud.  It was a weirdly paced game.  Lots  of fouls, jump balls, foul reviews, and sheer - oh, good Lord, let's get this done moments!

 Prior to the game, we got  to enjoy a talk by J.J. Barea.  Awesome man. He now  lives in Puerto Rico and  hosts basketball camps there.  He  coaches the Puerto Rican team in some capacity. He said he was 5' 10" "on a good day". He was known as a Maverick on the winning  Dirk team who could be fast!!!!

He was "little and quick" in basketball terms.  Now, he stands tall  as a true mentor  - I was very impressed.  Smart, funny, and very positive.  It was a good thirty minute chat.

Then the Dallas Mavericks won somehow.  Whew!  Go Kyrie

PS - they traded Luka... Yikes.  Ignore this post!   

Monday Moments - Babygirl

 This is a PSA - ugh.  This movie, Babygirl, annoyed the heck out of me.  I do like Nicole Kidman as an actress and she's had good buzz on this film.  

Nope, sorry Nicole as Romy.  You can try, but age is catching up.  Antonio Banderas, as husband Jacob - oh sigh.  Young intern dude - Harris Dickinson as Samuel - well enough acted but a bit ick. 

Let me save you time and money.  It's a bit cringe, bordering on annoying "porny", creepy.  The couple next to me left.  The woman kept saying, "This is stupid."  I think the man was fine with watching Nicole get naked and live out some fantasy thing.

So, why didn't I leave?  I was killing time on Inauguration Monday, in a funk, and it was best I sat in a dark room - ha!

Finally Friday - Dreamin'

 Rylee, Disney cruise, Princess Dress.  This is a good friend's granddaughter. 

What is she thinking?

Hopes, dreams, or thinking  about dessert - looked like a lot  of choices  at the  ice  cream bar. 

and the kid loves french fries too....ha!

What will she do in her life....so much potential?

Meanwhile - I seek this innocence, peace, contemplation. 

I'll be honest. I may joke about Disney Corporate blah, blah...but there is magic. 

There were a lot of other pictures showing the sheer joy of meeting Cinderella, Snow White, etc.

They were "real" and these young Disney worker bees truly gave a young girl joy and magic. 

Let this carry you into the weekend with a smile.   Cheers and big hug my blog friends. 

Whatever Wednesday - Miracle at St. Anna

cover blurb: Based on historical incidents and experiences of the famed Buffalo Soldiers of  the 92nd  Division in Italy during  WWII, Miracle at  St. Anna is  a singular evocation of war, cruelty, passion, heroism, and love. It's the story of four black  American soldiers, the villagers, a band of partisans,  and an Italian boy, all of whom encounter  a miracle.  

The author, James McBride, traverses race, class, and geography in this  book.  It's a "hymn  to the brotherhood  of man and the  power to do good that lives in each of us."  (cover)

The  book started slow and I wasn't sure  where it was  going.   But as the  soldiers took  refuge,  the Germans neared, and  the partisans snuck  into the picture, the pace quickened. I liked the soldier characters and cared about their lives. This is a bit of an odd  read, but  the conclusion  was worth any confusion I had at  times.  
 

Monday Moments - Intermezzo

 I keep feeling that Sally Rooney is an author who's making her mark now, but will be used as an example of the era in years to come.  I've read her  very literary books - Conversations With Friends, Normal People, and Beautiful World Where Are You with mixed reactions. She can be almost too observational in her writing, and yet the descriptions of  the situations are spot on. Her characters are very flawed, and often not nice people - and yet that's very true in life. There are times when I question why I'm reading her books, and yet I'm intrigued. 

So - this new review of Intermezzo continues the same way. I'm glad I read it, but it wasn't "easy". This is not an entertaining book.  The brothers are a mess. The women they are with seem too clever, frankly, to be with them. And yet, I was compelled to find out how they all would fare.  Ivan is twenty two, his older brother Peter is thirty two, and their father just died. We follow them as they grieve, face each other emotionally, and react with their loves. It's a new interlude- possibilities abound, and old hurts must heal. 

Tough read, but interesting. Sally Rooney does tap into deep feelings and her writing is rather gorgeous. 

Finally Friday - September 5 (the film)

 Munich 1972

Olympics

September 5 - a day the terrorist group Black September invaded the Israeli rooms in the Olympic Village, they killed, took hostages, made demands, and the sports viewing public saw the tragedy unfold before us thanks to ABC coverage. 

The film September 5 is a stirring, fast paced ninety minute recounting of how a normal sports coverage broadcast day became THE top news story of its time. Peter Sarsgaard plays Roone Arledge, the sports director. He recognizes that he and his sports crew have the inside angle and wherewithal to scramble for the best reporting.   

Keep in mind it's 1972. No cell phones. Filming is done on big reels. Graphics are hand cut letters. CBS has some key satellite usage times and ABC has to negotiate for it. This was not a 24/7 instant news world.  

So, not only is the actual story sadly gripping, but just observing the  technology of the time is "entertaining".  I found myself holding my breath at times, even though I knew the outcome. And tears welled up at anchor Jim McKay's words.    At the end, Ray said, "Wow, that was really good." 

September 5 is a very worthy film to watch.  Kudos to the ensemble cast and the production crew. 

Whatever Wednesday - Winter Art

Remember I zoomed up to Delaware to hang with my sister and we went to Longwood  Gardens?  Here are a few treats from their conservatory.  This is a wire sculpture "tree" in a planter.  Very cool, right?

 And here's another.  My pictures  don't really show the haunting shadows, but I liked the window  reflection. 

Then walking outdoors, this illuminated structure and its shadows left me in awe. 

I hope your January or February has a moment of wonderment.  If it's outdoors - bundle up!

Monday Moments - Finding Freedom

 For someone who doesn't cook very well, I do like cooking stories. I was a huge fan of Anthony Bourdain. I've watched a lot of Ina Garten shows.   Martha  Stewart is entertaining. And I've read a lot of cook  memoirs.  Let's add Finding  Freedom to the list.  

Erin French, from Maine, grew up working in her dad's diner. She thought she'd escape small town by being  the first in her family to  go to  college.  But, an unplanned  pregnancy brought her "home". A jobless single mother, she thought she  found salvation with an older  man willing  to  love her  and her  son.  Oops. 

In this memoir, Erin French writes about her struggles with the wrong man, her addictions, her goals to  have  a restaurant, the loss of it,  and her fight to  rebuild  her  whole life and culinary career.  She has packed a lot of living  in  a short  time.  

Now her Lost Kitchen is a cooking achievement, with folks clamoring to book reservations a year in  advance. This book is  honest, bold, and shows a woman with a food passion who found herself again.  

cover blurb - There's a timeless connection between food  and  generosity, renewal, and freedom. 

P.S. I want to  visit  her restaurant. Or  just hang out on her patio. I'll  take leftovers!  

Finally Friday - A Real Pain

By the time you read this review, A Real  Pain might be streaming. It's a small artsy film created and directed and acted in by Jesse Eisenberg.  I've always liked him - he plays an excellent nerdy, angsty dude with a good heart.   His close cousin in this film is played by Kieran Culkin - a rather eccentric actor with soulful  eyes. 

The two are off on  a special Poland tour with an emphasis on Jewish history and the Holocaust.  They leave the tour a day early to visit their grandmother's town to see where she grew  up.  Both men fondly remember the grandmother, but Benji (Culkin) talked to her weekly and took her death hard. He's a "lost boy/man" and even attempted suicide. David (Eisenberg) is married with a young boy, but worries about Benji and is trying  to understand his cousin.

Benji is the charmer and makes friends with all in the tour group. He's extra sensitive and seems to extract MORE from the whole experience. David just wants to not make waves in the world.  The movie is "small" and yet is filled with great acting, a lot to think about in regards to family and connection, and it respects history.  The Poland backdrop is a bonus. 

It's a very weird little thinking movie, and I liked it.  Not  for everyone, that's for sure. 
 

Whatever Wednesday - James by Percival Everett

 James by Percival  Everett is a Pulitzer Prize finalist  and very worthy of that title.  cover blurb: A brilliant reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn- both harrowing  and ferociously funny - told from the enslaved Jim's point  of view.    Who knew someone could match Mark Twain in clever observation of  American ridiculousness?  Mr. Everett has raised the bar immeasurably. 

Jim hears he's  about  to be sold.  Huck has faked his own death to escape  his violent father.  The two begin their dangerous  raft journey down  the Mississippi River toward the elusive and unreliable promise of Free States. (cover blurb)  

 From Jim's point  of  view,  we see his intelligence, compassion, and internal life  as a man not  a possession. He can read,  write, and speak the King's  English.  But he can turn around and speak as a slave, the way white men expect him to - example "Who  dat dere in  da dark lak dat?"

James is a commanding, entertaining, funny, and heartrending book. I give it a super WOW - must read!     And it's JAMES...not  Jim.

Monday Moments - Winter Wonderland

Well, I zoomed up to Delaware to hang with my sister, Lori.  Note to self: um, it's a bit cold in January. What the heck. We bundled up and went to Longwood Gardens (a glorious place) for the grand finale of their Christmas lights.  
 

Glistening frozen pond

That's me enjoying the lighted trees

We warmed up in their fabulous conservatory.  Gotta  love the Orchid room.  Wow!!!!!

And how about an all succulents Christmas tree.  So pretty.   A feast for the eyes. 

Don't let cold weather get in the way of fun.

P.S.  I believe the flag should still be at half staff in honor/memory of Jimmy Carter.

(get over yourself DJT and be the bigger man.  Ha - that will never happen)

Also - it's Martin Luther King Day. I salute his memory.  Folks are still trying to reach the mountaintop. 

And Good Luck America.  Buckle up, it's gonna be a bumpy ride

Finally Friday - Shake Down the Stars

 Shake Down the  Stars by Frances Donnelly is a deep immersion into England 1939 to 1945 and three young women. It's a turbulent time, six dramatic  years that shaped these women, friends, families, and lovers. 

At a village garden party, we meet Virginia Musgrave - gorgeous, spoiled. Lucy Hallett - sensible, compassionate. Beattie Blythe, intelligent and  lovely. Also the Musgrave's gardener's daughter.   Everyone knows their place in  this village hierarchy of wealth and privilege. 

Then war turns each woman's life upside down. No debut for Virginia - instead life is rationing, real work, and casual affairs. She's a classic bitch. 

Beattie - her first lover proves to be a bad decision. She's obsessed and that proves to  be trouble. 

Lucy - a sudden war bride, volunteer work that immerses her. She's a backbone to  the Virginia and Beattie story. 

Donnelly's work intertwines these women against the backdrop of war and strong airmen who fly each night and confront death.  This is not a frothy read. You will truly feel the struggles of  these women as they find their way. The emotions are real, the dialogue does deep, and you will be surprised at  some decisions.  Shake  Down the Stars kept  me engaged and intrigued, mad and annoyed. I felt  like  I knew these  women and I wanted to give my opinion on their lives.  Great writing!  

Whatever Wednesday - Going Dutch

We don't have to "go dutch" at the Kimbell Art Museum. I can treat you with my membership guest privileges.  A friend, Trish, and  I enjoyed a lovely hour or so visiting this new exhibit - Dutch Art in a Global Age.  

Artists with bold strokes showed the  power of  the seas as ships transported goods. The  swirling skies  and rough waters are presented in dramatic  renderings. 

The Netherlands, 1600s, was the world's marketplace.  The Dutch East India Company had trade routes to every exotic land. Commodities flowed. Money was made. Artists were fueled by Dutch society.  Hals, Rembrandt, Ruisdael - these artists commemorated their world with portraits, landscapes, seascapes, and rich silver and ceramic objects. 

This still life by Jan Davidsz de Heem shows the mastery.  The gleam of glass, the rich rare fruits, the realism.  From across the exhibit room, this painting positively glowed. 

Amsterdam was a cosmopolitan hub. Numerous  maps, paintings of homes and interiors, churches - all of the works demonstrated a rich and vibrant life.  This  exhibit brings home the power of  a small nation in a global economy. The Dutch had it all - tea, coffee, sugar, spices, tobacco, silks. One underlying issue is the slave trade that accompanied this  wealth.   There's always more to  the story. 

Well done Kimbell by way of Boston Museum of  Fine Arts. Start your year off right  and visit a museum.  Your eyes and brain will thank you.