Finally Friday - By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult

Jodi Picoult is a reliable writer.  Here in By Any Other  Name she introduces us to  two women, centuries apart.  One is the real author of Shakespeare's plays. The other hides behind her name to get published. 

Melina  Green has written a play about an Elizabethan ancestor, Emilia Bassano. The theater world  is tough for  women. But  her best friend submits the  play to a festival under a male pseudonym. 

Meanwhile, Picoult also  explores Emilia's  life in  1581. She becomes a mistress to a wealthy man and  sees the workings of  the art/ theater world.   Her plan - pay an actor  named  William  Shakespeare to front  her work. 

cover blurb. 

Picoult weaves the two  tales and interlaces the issues of ambition, creativity, and prejudices for women.   Should a writer  do whatever it takes  to see her story live on...no matter the cost? 

I enjoyed this book a lot and the rich characters along with current day and historical backdrop. 
 

Whatever Wednesday - Stay Upright on Skates

Oh Canada - Ice Hockey time.  Here's a new recruit - Ray

Rah for the Canmore Eagles. We enjoyed the  ice hockey experience.   Some  films, stories, history of ice hockey, and more. 

Ray and I are suited up.  You can't see my ankles waver.  It's been  a long,  long time since I  was a little girl in  PA and went ice skating. 

and here  we  are with a fellow traveler, Gwen.  She ended  up being quite good on the ice hitting pucks.  Ray and I clung to our ice "walkers" and shuffled  our feet.  I let go for two seconds to attempt a puck hit.  Happy to report I  did not fall down.  

Just  getting on  all of the gear was tiring.  

Alas, while in Canada, our Dallas Stars  got beat in  playoffs  by  the Edmonton Oilers. 

Then in  the  Stanley  Cup - the Oilers were  beaten by the  Florida  Panthers for  the second time. 

 

Monday Moments - Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow

 My PA book club read Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow. Considered a classic, this lyrical book is set in New Rochelle, NY before the First World  War.  For the rich, life  is good. For an immigrant Jewish peddler, Tateh, it's challenging.  And for Coalhouse Walker, Jr, a black ragtime pianist from Harlem - his story brings a shocking climax.  (back blurb)

Doctorow weaves fictional characters with famous people of that period - Harry Houdini, J.P. Morgan, Evelyn Nesbit, Emma Goldman, Henry Ford.  It's musical, well-paced, and the author orchestrates themes of American innocence, energy, and ambition. The writing seems  old-timey and yet it works - it  puts you, the reader, into the lives. 

Ragtime is piano music with a syncopated melody. 

Ragtime is a ragged music book  of the  ragged times.   It's a novel about oppression, social change, and the search for stability in a rapidly evolving world   (source - various  reviews)

I'd say Ragtime is a very worthwhile read in this day and age as  we come off  a challenging July 4th and rather wild 2025 so far.  Whew!

July 4 Weekend

 We can dream....

Flag color joy

No Kings!

Stay safe all.  Happy (?) 4th of July Weekend. 

Whatever Wednesday - Athabasca Falls

Can you hear the roar?

whoosh

power

majesty

beauty

Thank you Canada!   My eyes  are full of wonder
 

Monday Moments - Matriarch by Tina Knowles

 Matriarch by Tina Knowles is a powerful memoir of a strong woman from  a  long line of  strong women. She's the mother of  Beyonce and Solange. Enjoys her bonus daughters Kelly Rowland and Angie Beyince.  cover blurb - She's known the world over as the quintessential definition  of a matriarch: a fiercely determined, self-possessed, creative, wise woman. But this story is about so much more than that. 

1950s Galveston, TX - little Tina learns a lot  about race, female limitations, and dreams. She, as a talented clothing  designer, can sing, is creative, and audacious. Romantic turmoil, tragedies, and triumphs abound.  She's  the backbone  behind Destiny's Child. She is strong and values the multi-generations of strong women behind  her.  This saga is the story of America - and the wisdom that women pass on to one  another, mothers to daughters, across generations.  (cover blurb)

I enjoyed this book and was very impressed  by Ms. Knowles. I admit to skimming a  teensy bit a times - maybe  too much detail on  some small incident. But overall, I admire her determination and fortitude. Tough times as a light skinned  black woman in a judging  world.  Kudos (and  I'd say Beyonce and Solange turned out pretty darn good!). 

Finally Friday - Enjoy the Views

Early in our Canadian Rockies trip - oh  darn, just a little pit stop.  Cold  water, snowy mountains, greenery.  

A view out the bus  window.  Glad to leave the driving to someone else - thanks Trafalgar Bus Tours

Stretch the legs in front of some fun displays

How many people  could cram into that  cable car?

 Hooray for the Maple  Leaf!

Hope you have  a scenic  weekend