Monday Madness and Foolery

 Happy April Fool's Day - then again, considering it's election year - Happy April Fool's Year

Here's an assortment of past blog photos - all out of context, but what the heck - fun to look at and contemplate. 

Monday filler and foolery

Always do right. This will surprise some people and astonish the rest - Mark Twain

Finally Good Friday - Happy Easter Weekend

Greetings and Happy Easter.  Hope it's a grand weekend with family,  friends, or just you - eat bunny ears with no regrets.    This is a past  arboretum picture - tulip festival

More arboretum

An ancient pic of me and dad at the Morris arboretum.  This very vital man is now 92 and I don't know that he knows it's Easter.  Oh Dad!

And one of my Easter displays.

We'll be going  to Kevin's. The girls shall have an Easter egg hunt. We'll eat a nice feast.  And plenty of chocolate overload. 

Cheers to you and blessings.  And yes, while not religious, I appreciate and honor the lovely aspects of the religious season.  Peace.    Peace.  That's all I ask.  No judgements.    Just  peace for all. 

Love

J
 

Wacky Wednesday - Come and Get It by Kiley Reid

 Come and Get It by Kiley Reid is a very current, sharp novel that explores the choices we make, particularly for the things that can and cannot be paid for. (cover blurb)

2017  University of Arkansas.  Millie Cousins is 24, an RA at Belgrade dorm.  She's saving money, wants a house, and planning to graduate. (Yes, she is black)

Agatha Paul (white/lesbian)  is a writer/visiting prof who sees potential with Millie for her next current topic.  But the side hustle by Millie (letting Agatha listen to the dorm young ladies) ends up problematic.  A lonely transfer student, unruly residents, and illicit intrigue.  Oops.  How much trade off is warranted?  cover blurb

Potential suicide?  Gay exploration or exploitation?  Racism?  

A lot of current issues are explored in this extremely well written book. It's subtle. It's interesting. 

I enjoyed the characters, the college. the story lines.   Give it a chance. Go and get it (I got it from the library)   

Monday Madness - Book Review - Geena Davis

 Thelma and Louise,  The Accidental Tourist, A League of Their Own, Commander in Chief

Plus The Fly!

You know Geena Davis. Two Time Academy Award winner, world class archer, advocate for women. 

This incredible woman has written an amusing memoir - Dying of Politeness.  It's a very fun, interesting read.  She dishes a bit, is quite wacky (in a good way), and you'll absolutely enjoy her book. 

She's dated quite a bit, married a lot, and has worked hard for gender parity.  She truly fights for women everywhere and wow - I really appreciate her journey. 

She's a gem and if you don't really know her work - then read this book, watch her movies, and then applaud.  Kudos Geena Davis. 

Finally Friday - Cute Kids

Spring break in Texas.  No, we did not attend a glamping event, but pictures were sent for us to admire. Sounded like they had a lot of fun.  This is younger son Kevin's crew -  Dakota, Skylar, wife Maria, and eldest Makyla

Dakota has her style

 They were with another family. Nice boys and yes, Makyla and Will are "dating".  Puppy love - aw.....

I'm proud of Kevin and Maria for giving these girls experiences.  They spend time, have adventures, and truly enjoy their girls.  It gives me fond memories of my childhood - not a spring break, but summer time trips.  Or a weekend when my mom hauled out the PA guidebook and we'd find a historical home to visit.  Lots of history within a short drive.   Aaah...memories. 

So, hooray. I'm happy to report that there are parents  that still travel with their kids, stay off their phones (except to send some cute pics!), and really do stuff - hike , camp, cook  s'mores. 

Whatever Wednesday - Easter Prep

I quickly shoved St. Patrick shamrocks into a bin to make way for Peter Cottontail.  March winds are blowing, and the Easter bunny is getting ready to hop a trail. 

Spring is popping out in PA - forsythia from a past visit

And it's tulip fest at the Dallas arboretum

 This is a past fun Easter display.  Ray is currently working on a jigsaw puzzle at this table. I need to find other space for Easter decor. 

Happy Wednesday.  Hope spring is peeping around your corner.  Or our TX temps have indicated a complete surge into summer.  Yikes!   Chocolate eggs will melt - must eat quickly. Darn the bad luck. 

Monday Moments - The First Ladies

 What a nice surprise treat!  The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray gives us a novel insight into the friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune. Two women. What's so strange about this?  Well, back in 1927 this was the beginning of a life long friendship between a white woman and a black woman. (Swoon!)

Frankly, as I read this book, I did keep shaking my head. The segregation. The ridiculous treatment of Dr. Bethune is beyond fathom.  And yet, sadly today, still a bit current. From then, through the 1930s, the 1940s (WWII), and 1945 - the UN Charter these women grew to work together, to appreciate each other, and truly make life better for so many. 

I love how this book gives equal story opportunity to both characters.  We all feel we know quite a bit about First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. She was a force to be reckoned with and worked hard on so many causes in the shadow of her husband FDR.   Mary McLeod Bethune is less well known, but should be. An activist and educator, she is a person to admire. 

Their friendship formed the foundation for the modern civil rights movement. 

Kudos to the author - one  white,  one black. Their  melded chapters flowed and like The Personal Librarian (another genius book) they truly give us a story for the ages.  Please read The First Ladies - learn and appreciate an amazing piece of history in novel form.