Book Review - The Book of Polly

The Book of Polly by Kathy Hepinstall is a hoot.  This book has Southern flair, a dynamo heroine, and a unique family.   I chuckled out loud multiple times, and was also surprised at very simple twists and turns.  I think the cover blurb gives you the full flair and gist of the book:

Ten year-old Willow Haven is obsessed with the fear that her mother, Polly, will die. Polly – a take-no-prisoners Southerner who lives to drink margaritas and antagonize the neighbors in their small Texas town – was in her late fifties when Willow was born. Willow knows she’s here by accident, and she is desperate for clues about all that preceded her, especially Polly’s secret past.  The Book of Polly is a hilarious and bittersweet story about the grip of love in a truly quirky family – it’s a page turning battle royale…where the weapon of choice is love.

A friend lent me this book. I recommend you look for it in your library or, what the heck, find it on Amazon. It’s got heart and humor – a fun summer read.  Enjoy!

Soar with Superman at the Symphony

Went to the nicest show last Saturday. The Fort Worth Symphony presented an abbreviated version of their regular program at 11 am. As part of the Family series, it was the Superhero, Juniors. Kids could wear their costumes - lots of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. ( I wore my Underdog T-shirt. Yeah, I'm that old). The show was only 45 minutes - just right for ages 4 to teen. Ticket prices were $15.00.!

The place was packed. This was a bargain and so entertaining. The conductor gave great intros to the tunes. He had folks clap who were first time symphony goers  - there were a lot. It was an excellent way to let folks see and hear a symphony in a relaxed environment. And frankly, the place stayed quiet. You could hear some kid voices and questions, but in their "indoor" voices.

The themes soared - Captain America, Avengers, Wonder Woman, a step back to Lone Ranger, Batman, and I enjoyed the Incredibles music. And of course the finale was Hans Zimmer's creation Man of Steel....Superman.

Look in your own backyard - the arts are not unobtainable. And I had to smile - two little boys behind me kept asking their dad before the show began, "Is this only music?  Really...and we have to sit still? No videos?"   They did sit still and they did enjoy the "only music".

Movie Review Madness - Searching

Searching is quite different in a good way. We first meet the Kim family via pictures, videos, their phone interaction. We see the good times and sadly the bad, as the mother gets reminders for doctor appointments, and then is in the hospital, and then she’s gone. From there the movie depicts life in texts with the dad played by John Cho and his daughter Margot, a high school student. Only child, pianist, gets decent grades. The interaction via facetime and texts seem “normal”.  That is until, Margot doesn’t respond. And then she’s not home. And very quickly Dad is worried. He phones the police, alerts are put out, and the detective (played by Debra Messing) suggests he dig deeper into  her phone and laptop. Find friends, get the scoop.

Keep in mind, this movie is playing out with us seeing computer/phone/facetime/facebook/ etc.responses. Sounds weird, but it works. And as he digs he questions if he even knows his daughter. I won’t give away any more, but of course there is banking, money flow. There’s a lot of questions for boys and girls alike – who knew Margot? There’s questions on data manipulation and friendships made on the internet – what’s real or not?

Searching has a ton of twists and turns and the suspense builds with each text, each new finding, each new avenue on the internet. John Cho is excellent as the very worried father. You want him to keep digging, don’t give up, and trust me you’ll be jumping to conclusions yourself. Who did it? Where is Margot?  I suggest you seek out a theater and find out.  Enjoy!

Monday Moments Part 2

 More from a Sunday stroll at the arboretum in August

 pure poetry in the Poetry Garden

 C'mon everybody, be free

Be a whirlwind today!

Dedicated to Teachers

By now, everyone should be back to school, back in the trenches, back in fall work mode.
Vacation is over. Beach towels are washed and put in the cupboard.

Pencils sharpened, new school shoes still unscuffed, peanut butter sandwiches cut in quarters taste yummy.

Good luck to all the teachers out there. Despite the administration b.s., you hang in with lesson plans, tolerance, and humor. You care. And you try.  And you try to make the kids care.

Teaching is a tough profession.  I liked this picture above that I nabbed off Facebook.

I wish for a calm 2018-2019 school year for all.

Teach in/and Peace


The trouble with every one of us is that we don't think enough...knowledge is the result of thought - 
    Thomas J. Watson Sr. - Former CEO of IBM

I am excited to be a part of 

Where in the World Blogfest

thanks to an invite by Sherry Ellis 

Prompt: If you could go through the Earth and end up in another country, where would you go?

Australia (again)
 Lovely country, wonderful people, and so much variety. I need more time in Sydney, Melbourne, and I want to visit the west coast. G'day mate)

but that's just me. Let's see what happens with:

Page Count: 93 
Digital Price: 3.99 
Print Price: 7.95

BUY LINKS:

Amazon/ Barnes and Noble

iTunes

Kobo

Books-a-Million

Amazon UK/ Amazon CA

BLURB: Squirt doesn’t believe Bubba can dig a hole to China. But when the hole swallows them, the kids find themselves in Xi’an, China, surrounded by Terracotta Warriors.

It gets worse when the ghost of the first emperor of China appears. He tells them they can’t go home until they find his missing pi. The kids don’t know where to begin until they meet a girl and her grandmother who promise to help find the pendant.

Soon they realize they are being followed. And they are no closer to finding the missing pi. Will Bubba and Squirt ever make it back home?

About the Author: Sherry Ellis is an award-winning author and professional musician who plays and teaches the violin, viola, and piano. When she is not writing or engaged in musical activities, she can be found doing household chores, hiking, or exploring the world. Ellis, her husband, and their two children live in Atlanta, Georgia.

Author Links:

Website / Blog / Goodreads

Facebook / Twitter / Amazon

Sounds like quite an adventure for kids to enjoy. Sherry's writing brightens a day.
Get your copy now!

Happy Anniversary Ray

Happy 29th Anniversary, Ray.   

Love of my life

We have so much fun with more to come

Enjoy your dove hunt weekend.

We can celebrate any day of the year, and we do!

September 1, 1989 - September 1, 2018

Dang, that's a long time