Monday Moments - The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan

 cover blurb -  When the  Blitz imperils the heart of a London neighborhood, three young women must use their fighting spirit to save the community's beloved library.  The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan is based on a true story, and  I would say  the author did some research. 

Juliet is the new deputy librarian at Bethnal  Green. She is immediately entrenched in the community and as the Nazi bombs move everyone down into  the tunnels, she is determined to keep everyone reading. She has the  folks bring down shelves, books, and she starts reading out loud at  night. Unity  is the key.

Katie works in  the library, finds  herself to be an impending unwed mother (her  beau is dead on  the front line), but finds the strength to determine  her  own fate.  Thank goodness for the library and neighbor ladies. 

Sofie, a Jewish refugee, also finds calm and strength with the library. Juliet is key to all of their fates. The background  of war unites so many and this book tells the tale. Strong  characters, fear, love, life - it's all wrapped up in this page turning story. I  cared about them all.  Good job. 

Finally Friday - Book Review - Godwin

 Godwin by Joseph O'Neill was a very odd book.  I almost gave up halfway through, and yet was curious as to how the author was going to finish. I don't know that I liked the characters, and yet was curious as to what the heck was really going to happen. Very conflicted.  I did skim. 

cover blurb - it's the  odyssey of two brothers crossing the world in search of an African soccer prodigy who might change their fortunes. 

Mark Wolfe is a technical writer. His much younger half-brother, Geoff, is  a very loser guy who's currently a soccer  agent, but always  looking for  the next "deal".  Geoff suckers  Mark into flying to England,  then France,  then Africa searching for Godwin, a kid once seen on a  film who could be the absolute best.   Is this a unicorn? Why does Mark join in on Geoff's scheme?  Is he seeking  something more to  his life,  yet he has a wife and daughter that he loves?  And the mother of Mark and Geoff is an  elusive  character that  does pop in - hence the reason  to fast forward (skim) the book. 

How's that for a review? The end surprised me.  Kinda glad I did skim. 

Whatever Wednesday - Piano Men: Generations

August  3rd, the stage was set at the Arlington Music Hall.  Dueling pianos awaited the Piano Men: Generations show.   Terry and Nick Davies would play the tunes of Billy Joel  and Elton John. 

Here's the gang. We enjoyed  food at the  Grease Monkey across the street (I ate a very yummy burger).  Then we found  our Row E, sat back, and clapped along.     

L-R  Nell, Charla,  Claudia, Barbara, Me, Sharon.   Fun  crew!

The father and son due were great and their band was excellent.   Here's the son doing his  best Billy Joel "Angry Young Man".  

Such a fun  evening.  We  left  humming  our favorite  tunes. 
 

Finally Friday - Anniversary and Labor Day Weekend

If you would be loved, love, and be lovable - Ben Franklin

It will be 35 years of wedded bliss on Sunday, September 1st.    Wow!

The proof  of true love is to be unsparing in criticism - Moliere

"Ray, are you sure that's what you are wearing  today?"     "Hmmm". 
 

I enjoy his sporty stuff.   He's become a museum guy.   You have  to grow  together, but also  have separate hobbies too.  Then you have  fresh stuff  to talk about.  I  truly believe in that. 

And you have to find the magic, keep the magic, revere the magic, and laugh together. 

Love ya , Ray!!  Thanks  for putting up with me.  And yes, he's put up with a month  of me after rotator cuff surgery.   When you say "for better or worse", this medical  issue is  part  of the  "worse". 

Also, Happy Labor Day Weekend to all of my worker bee blog friends who enjoy a three day weekend. When retired, it's just another great weekend!

Cheers  all.  

Whatever Wednesday - Renaissance Tapestries

Once again the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth brings us Renaissance treasures to enjoy.  This stunning Italian armor is  our introduction to the Battle of Pavia, fought on February 24, 1525 by the forces of Charles V (Habsburg ruler, Holy Roman Emperor) versus the King of France, Francis I. 

After a long siege in Pavia in northern Italy, Charles V proved the victor. His technological superiority was thanks to powerful weapons and riflemen. 

 Seven tapestries were designed by court artist Bernard van Orley and woven in the Brussels atelier of Willem and Jan Dermoyne.  They were presented as a gift in 1531.  They've been restored and are now on display.  Absolutely stunning in color, depth, detail, and size.  I was in awe as I spent over an hour studying the detail and historical story told in these tapestries. 

Here's an example of just one teensy piece. Notice the rich colors, the teeming masses, action, detail, and expressions.   Every piece has a huge story to tell of battle, Pavian life, and death. 

Along with the tapestries are pieces from the Farnese Armory - masterworks of steel carving and fretwork. 

Thank you Kimbell Art  Museum in Fort Worth.  Go visit and support your local museums.  They are a treasure unto themselves. 
 

Monday Moments - Robot Pour

 Here's your Monday moment from the All Star Saturday event.    Adam the Robot Bartender

Looked cool, but wasn't working. Maybe on strike?  Called in sick?   Gee, you just can't get good  help  these days. 

I didn't take a picture, but we watched a teen getting cotton candy from a machine.  Yep - stick in your credit card and you watch the sugar magic spinning on the stick.   Ding - ready to come out.  It  looked pretty  good.  He said it was sugarlicious!       $12  yes    twelve dollars from a machine.  (No tip required)

Oh, it's a crazy world.  Happy Monday. 

Finally Friday - John Stamos memoir

 John Stamos's memoir If You Would Have Told Me is an easy read and rather interesting. He's a celebrity star we've grown up with - from General Hospital soap opera teen idol star, to comedy on Full House, and drama on ER.   He's pushed boundaries on Broadway (the emcee in Cabaret!), and has musical chops - actually playing with the Beach Boys. 

He's had substance abuse issues, never thought he'd find true love, and fortunately had a strong family and good friends that were his rock. 

cover blurb - A universal story about friendship, love, loss, and the courage to embrace love once more, John Stamos's memoir is filled with some of the most memorable names in Hollywood, old and new. Funny, deeply poignant, and brutally honest, this book is a portrait of a boy who went  from believing  in Disney magic to a man who leans that we have to create our own magical moments in life. 

I enjoyed his story and he seems like a decent guy who's just damn good looking and is aging well.