Finally Friday - Frivolity

Finally Friday and a family trip for Kevin and his crew out west.  Here he is with Skylar on his shoulders and Dakota by his side to view the Grand Canyon. I hope the girls appreciate the grandeur and absorb the awe. 
 

Plus they had fun at White Sands, New Mexico.   A fleeting Faries mark

Every week lately has seemed like, "Wow, what the heck is going on?"  

Deep yoga breath.  I hope you have a good weekend.  If nothing else, step outside and really look at what's around you. 

Nature has her own mode of doing each thing, and she has somewhere told it plainly, if we will keep our eyes and ears open - Ralph Waldo Emerson  1860

Whatever Wednesday - Power Ballad

 I needed a short escape on a dreary, rainy Friday and treated myself to a movie - Power Ballad. This is a small film with a big heart.  It's a bit less than two hours - hooray.  It stars Paul  Rudd and Nick Jonas - two pleasant cuties.  It has some music, laughs, and is just entertaining. 

Paul Rudd (Rick Power) was a former star in a decent band. After he married an Irish woman, had a kid, and took off a year, he lost that gig. Since then, he's the lead singer in an Irish wedding band. It's a living - a human jukebox. 

The latest gig is at a very fancy Irish castle and turns out a groom's best friend is Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas) - a former boy band superstar who's not found his next groove.  After the show, Rick and Danny  end up talking music, playing some tunes, and noodling on a song. No big deal.  "It's been fun"

Six months later, Rick hears his song "How to Write a Song (Without  You)", only  it's a massive hit by Danny Wilson. Say what?

Here's where some hijinks ensue. Rick just wants some credit and some payment for his song. Danny's manager gives Rick the "buzz-off" and "do you have any proof"?  I won't tell more except Rick and one of  his Irish bandmates head to the U.S. to find and confront Danny. 

Power Ballad is about music, art, integrity, and family. Rick wants his wife and teen daughter to be proud of him. Deep in his soul,  he knows he's a good songwriter.  He wants the acknowledgment.  And then there's Danny who can really interpret a song - put  the soul into the tune.

I  predict this film will not  stay in  theaters long. It's a "little film". Look for it on  streaming and thank me for  a pleasant two hours.

Monday Moments - Rangers Baseball, Lou Gehrig, and more

A quick Monday post.  Yesterday, Ray and I enjoyed a Texas Rangers baseball win over the Cleveland Guardians. 10 to 0  Rah.   The Ranger mascot, Maverick, is rather silly looking.  We enjoyed the game energy. 
 

Between innings, there was a little film of Lou Gehrig - the very famous Yankee who had to retire early due to ALS.  June 7th was Lou Gehrig Day, sending the message of the need/ search for a cure.

And alas, Bonnie Pemberton, a writer friend of mind, passed in December from this horrible disease. It was sad to see a vibrant amazing woman slowly lose her words and ability to communicate. She was a presence!

Anyway - it's good of the MLB to have special salute days, emphasize awareness, and to contribute funds for research. And it evoked memories for me - Bonnie had a great hearty laugh. 

Have a good week my friends. And take a moment to remember/ salute a special person who's gone from your life. 

Finally Friday

This is a pull it out of my butt post at 9:20 pm Thursday night.  I have a pile of book reviews to do. Just been too lazy to write them up for you.  Some good reading. 

I've also changed up my YMCA exercise routine, and it's wearing me out.  Whew!   Water aerobics on Monday/ Thursday.  Yoga on Tuesday.  Pilates on Wednesday. And Terry's Silver Sneakers Weights Class Friday.  (Terry is a beast).  Finally Gentle Yoga to finish out the week on Saturday.  Are  you tired just reading that?  

Plus, frankly the state of America is exhausting right now.  Just reading the daily newspaper makes me sad (often). 

Be the chief, but never the lord.   Lao-Tzu  6th century BC

One must steer, not  talk - Seneca the Younger   5 B.C   (I'll add - not text at midnight and beyond. Holy crap)

Random - Netflix shows I've enjoyed.   RAFA - a documentary about Rafa Nadal - the great Spanish tennis player.  It's an eye opener. I had no idea how much pain he endured as he won so many matches. What a competitor.  He's now retired.  Just turned 40. Has a very cute young son and lovely wife.

Four Seasons - stars Tina Fey and more.  She's awesome and this is just a funny little series - thirty minute episodes. Good for my attention  span

Pop  Culture Jeopardy with Colin Jost as the host.  Totally mindless.  The competitors are excellent.  Amazing  how much crap people know (and I've surprised myself- ha)

 I love this picture.  It sorta equates to my brain  currently.  Up and down the staircase

I hope you folks are well and have a good weekend.  We, in the DFW area, are having wacky weather.  Sultry build-up.  3 inches of rain in an hour.  Then, sunny and bright.  Let's go sweep  that mulch back into  the new landscaping again.   Rinse and repeat. 

Our weatherman keeps promising that the "gates of hell" heat will hit soon.   Oh boy!

Happy June!  Enjoy your weekend. 

Whatever Wednesday - Shut Up and Read

 Shut Up and Read by Jeannine A. Cook is a revelation of a memoir.  Harriet's Bookshop in  Philly opened right before the pandemic. Holy Cow. 

This book talks about the author's literary art salons in Princeton, Paris, New York, and Nairobi

She held book events for Michelle Obama! and so many other fabulous literary celebrities. 

She delivered books on horseback. 

This woman is freaking amazing.  cover blurb - This is a behind the scenes look at one bookseller's quest for creative freedom - part confessional, part call to action, part love letter.  Between book bans, AI, big box competitors, and real life, Cook writes her story. 

I loved this book. This woman is a tour de force.  She is amazing and inspirational. 

And she just loves books.  Truly - just shut up and read!!!!

You're welcome. 

Monday Moments - Seasons of Love

I treated myself to a matinee ticket at the Circle Theater in Fort Worth TX.  What a delight.  The show was RENT - book, music, and lyrics by Jonathan Larson (RIP).  I saw this show many years ago in Dallas and loved it. When it first won the Tony Awards in 1996, I bought the CD and wore it out. Loved the songs, loved the words, loved the message.  

Fast forward to now. 
 

The Circle Theater is very intimate. I had a great seat and here's the stage. The actors sang their hearts out with gorgeous voices. Great acting and production.   One Song Glory, Light My Candle, I'll Cover You just brought my chills. 

When the second act opens with Seasons of Love - oh my. I'm a-goner. 

Huge thumbs up.  Support local theater.  You are in for a lovely afternoon.  Definitely go see RENT!

Finally Friday - The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware

 You can count on  Ruth Ware's writing to you keep your attention, keep you surprised, and keep those pages turning. The Woman in Suite 11 is  a follow-up to The Woman in Cabin 10 and it's a doozy.

cover blurb - Lo Blacklock returns to attend the opening of a luxury hotel, only to find herself in a white-knuckled race across Europe. She's ready to reestablish her journalism career, but she's been out of the game for ten years. It's a different landscape. 

The luxury Swiss hotel is owned by billionaire, Marcus Leidmann. She hopes to land an interview. A late night call from his  room leads to her being greeted by an alleged mistress in  life or death jeopardy. 

cover  How much is Lo willing to sacrifice to save this woman...and can she actually trust her?

I can't write more. I don't want to give away secrets.  Money, power, and intrigue. Who will survive?

Whew!