Monday - meh

 Should have written a post last night, but meh - didn't have a good idea. A bit of a dark cave, black hole, meh.   (This pic is courtesy of a cousin - they are off hiking in Death Valley - and having tremendous weather)

Streaming - started Season 4 of The Crown last night. Jolly good stuff. Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Anderson) just came aboard as the new Prime Minister. She was invited out to the castle in Scotland to muck about. Not her cup of tea - I was amused. And Charles has just met Diana, so that shall be interesting. Plus the I.R.A is bombing a bunch. So in general, the United Kingdom isn't all crumpets. We'll see what the Queen chooses to do. Olivia Coleman is such a good actress. 

Good book - Homefront by Kristin Hannah. Jolene is a mother and a Black Hawk helicopter pilot. The Guard calls her up to deploy much to the distress of husband, Michael. The couple were headed toward divorce, but duty calls on all sides. Betsy is 13, Lulu is 4. Tough family times. Then it becomes even more troubled. Jolene's helicopter takes fire, crashes, she loses her leg, her best friend and co-pilot, Tami, dies. Coming home is not a smooth transition. Homefront depicts the drama of loss, family issues, depression, PTSD, and more. Well written and poignant. Have a tissue ready - sniffle. 

And there's a post. I'm not still sitting in a cave. 

Good luck with your Monday. I'm off to work. 

Finally Friday - Joy

Unabashed joy. Isn't this a fabulous pic and don't we all wish we had this moment, right now, in our lives? Thanks to a Facebook Friend -I met her at a writer conference and we've stayed in touch. She's funny as hell, is a lawyer, an excellent writer,  and mom to these two lovely kids. She gave permission to use this pic (well, she IS a lawyer after all. I had to ask!)

I enjoyed a virtual author tour moment with Barbara Kingsolver and her new book.  She can write anything - fiction,  nonfiction, and poetry - and does it with grace and ease. Her word choices and flow bring me joy

p. 10 How to Do Absolutely Nothing

final lines -  Don't take a cookbook, or anything to cook.  A fishing pole, ok but not the line, hook, sinker, leave it all.    

find out what's left....

                  

This little superstar student, Makyla, is now a teen and she began a blog. I'm impressed and pleased. She's already posted a book review and more.  Check out  http://statesplash-makylafaries.blogspot.com

She's always been a reader and now she's a writer and creator too.  Yes,  I'm bragging and proud.  Very cool.  Joyous

_______________________________________________________________

And now as we enter a weekend,  a whole week into the netherworld of "say, what?"

let's stick  with our theme of joy:

The root of joy, as of duty, is to put all one's powers toward some great end.  Oliver Wendell Holmes

The highest joy of man should be the growth of personality   Goethe

Winning is important to me, but what brings me real joy is the experience of being fully engaged in whatever I'm doing   Phil Jackson

Stay engaged everyone. Have some joy in your life this weekend. Stay safe my friends. 

 

Whatever Wednesday - Veteran's Day Version

Hoorah America.  Navy Blue Angels in flight a year or so ago. I like fighter jets zooming about in non-combat shows. Salute our veterans and all who serve. 

America unbound, unfettered.  Celebrate democracy and the process. It's going to work. It has to work. 

Meanwhile, I go to work. 

Yes we can. As Covid cases rise along with hospitalizations, let science make sense. Wear a mask and use some sense. How can it be so hard?

Quick review of something completely different. The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson is a nonfiction take on Winston Churchill's first year as Prime Minister of England. WWII has kicked off in full swing, air raids are nightly, bombings, speeches,  Dunkirk, and hope for the USA to enter the war - this book covers a lot in very readable fashion.  Larson did his research and kept it to one year of detail - following Sir Winston, Clementine,  and the family as they navigate the war. Oh the speeches, the leadership! This is an excellent read, and a good recommendation for their Remembrance Day,  our Veteran's Day.  Strong leadership and heartfelt caring about country and people. 

Here's a vet. My dad is 89 and served in the US Navy, just after the Korean War. Yes,  he's always cold now. This picture was taken at my brother's place this past weekend - they treated dad to good meals, a nice push around the block, fresh air on the patio,  and yes, he snoozed (a lot) under the blankets. Thanks dad. 

Ray's dad served in the Navy,  and Ray created two Marines. Thank you Chris and Kevin for your service, honorable and stalwart.  

 

Monday Montage

Fall color is popping in Texas. I stole these from some retired friend's FB page - this couple gets out and about during the week and find nifty places to hike. 

These pics are merely something pretty to look at while I give more reviews.  

Since I'm on a chess kick,  I watched The Queen of Katwe on Disney plus.  Based on a true story, it's about a teen girl (Madina Nalwanga) from the slums of Uganda who manages to learn chess from a coach (David Oyelowo) who runs a church camp for kids. She goes on to help this poor group beat some posh school kids, and then on to state champs, and a world competition. Her goal very quickly was to achieve "masters".  Convincing her mother (the wonderful Lupita Nyong'o) that this is not crazy, adds drama to the story. Well done,  kid friendly, and a nice story all around. Checkmate!

The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin is a fiction version of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's life.  It's a good read and offers quite a contrast to the myth that is Charles. She's the "plain" daughter who's very malleable. He's the dashing hero who needs a co-pilot in life. By that, he wants a yes person by his side. The author slowly shows Anne evolving into her own person, aware of his affairs, but loyal for the children, and a talented writer and person who stretches her wings too.

 Saturday I tuned in to the virtual Texas Book Festival that's normally held in Austin. I've gone to the live version in the past and it's awesome - so many authors, programs, and books, books,  books.  The virtual is working out okay and I did pay for a ticket to hear Matthew McConaughey chat with Ethan Hawke. Matthew was promoting his new memoir Greenlights. He's a very zen dude with his own life philosophy. He grew up with a bit of an abusive father, but a loving mother and strong siblings. He's been keeping journals for thirty six years and at fifty decided to peruse them and write his book. He's worked hard at his craft, worked hard to not let the noise of fame drown out what's important. He appreciates solitude. Very cool dude.  

I was excited for Ethan Hawke to be the  host. I like him as an actor. But he proved annoying and talked too much. Almost tried too hard to outshine Matthew, who stayed chill but looked a bit on camera like, "Dude, let me promote my book. No one cares about your crap today. Stoplight."

That was my culture moment for the week.  

Happy Monday!  

Finally Friday

Finally Friday and I think my first week back has gone okay.  I stole this lovely picture from my cousins. They live up in the Northwest and do lots of hiking. I thought this photo was wonderful, and I wish I could be there now. Can't you just hear the water rushing along? I bet it's cold

Hey - we have to laugh. I found this quite humorous. 

 Aah - Mary Oliver. 

And now a mini-review since what I've mostly been doing with my time when not working is watching Netflix. 

The Queen's Gambit is fast paced, intriguing, and well done. We meet our flawed heroine as she emerges from a car wreck caused by her mentally ill mother. As the show progresses, we flash back and forth in this girl's life as she goes to an orphanage, learns to play chess from the janitor, goes to a foster home, and works her way up in the chess world. 

Alcoholic, brilliant, a young lady in a man's world, and flaunting conventions. Who knew chess could be this exciting? I highly recommend this short series. I binged it in a weekend. 

The Home Edit is a fixer upper type of series and it's fun. Two ladies working out of Nashville will organize the heck out of your closet, garage, or pantry. In thirty minutes they work magic for some lucky "normal average" people, or they are organizing Reese Witherspoon's (she's a producer of the show) costume room. I watched this show and had two trips to the Container Show. It's organization porn - addictive, fun, and creative. 

Last Tango in Halifax - this has been a PBS series, but I'm catching up with it on Netflix. What a soap opera - only it's classy with British accents. And you can't go wrong with Derek Jacobi as Alan. Such a good actor. But long lost loves reuniting, step sisters sleeping about, one choosing lesbianism, out of wedlock babies, deaths, and more all while drinking lots of bottles of wine or pints of beer. Good acting, fast paced, and plenty of story lines - Last Tango will keep  you dancing in life and wanting to visit Halifax. Lovely countryside. 

Have a good weekend everyone. 

 

Whatever Wednesday

I am writing this Tuesday evening with no clue what shall happen in America. 

It could be a wreck like this heap left on the trails in Marble Falls. A warning to slow down and heed signs of danger.  Or what the heck - speed up and go out like Thelma and Louise.

Yes - I am killing time here for a Whatever Wednesday. If you want to social distance and even leave a cell phone tower zone, head to the hills (Hill Country Texas)

Some pretty fall weed foliage.  Will we dig out of the weeds?   America is resilient. No matter what,  the alarm is set and I shall go to work tomorrow. 

 Lady Liberty may sob quietly, but her lamp will stay raised to guide us - the tired,  the poor, the huddled masses. 

Carry on and stay safe.  Does anyone have leftover Halloween candy? I might need more chocolate!

November - Are we ready?

I love the show Hamilton and when Jefferson returns from Paris, he comes in singing, "So what did I miss?" 

Well I wasn't really gone that long, and I still was reading and commenting on blogs, so I don't feel I missed  too much.  And I can't sing. 

So, here I am with a small amount of stuff to kick off November. 

Food for thought  for, no doubt, a nutso week ahead. 

We did go to Marble Falls in Ray's RZR - zoom zoom. Lovely  weather and some rocky scenery. 

Yes, I am queen of this hill

 

And I enjoyed a pop-up art event in Arlington. We took off our masks for two seconds for this picture. This is my friend Stacy, a poet, and artist, and all around cool chick. And yes, she LOVES Poe. 

So, nothing too profound on this post. Just a toe back in the water. I'll be doing book reviews again - I've kept reading.  Still going to work.  Ray's back working from home and he did test negative after a co-worker was idiot enough to let his family go to El Paso (duh, hotspot) and then they ended up positive.  But, yea for Ray - he's fine! And he's glad to not have the drive again. 

I'll close with a quote I read in a magazine - possibly attributed to Lenin - 

There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks, where decades happen

Strap yourselves in, the ride's going to be bumpy.