Finally Friday - Love May Fail by Matthew Quick

 Love May Fail by Matthew Quick is about the heartache and daring choices it takes to become the person you know deep down you are meant to be.  (back blurb)

Portia Kane escapes her cheating husband and fancy Florida life. She goes back home and tries to start a new life. She is sure that her old high school  English teacher, whom she adored, is a key to regaining faith in herself.  He retired after a violent incident in his classroom, and now she finds he is perhaps more desperate than she. They both need a reset. 

She encounters a few people - Chuck, handsome  brother of an old school  friend, a sassy nun, and a little  boy - who all help a bit to restore her faith in  the human race.  (back blurb)

I didn't love this  book, so  I guess it  failed  a bit. It was a tad too slick, a bit too enamored with its own cleverness.  The characters were a bit too broadly written, in  my opinion.  It had almost  too many coincidences to  keep  the plot rolling.   I was amused and the tale  was frothy.  I could  predict the ending and that can be okay.   

Whatever Wednesday - The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins

 Oh my,  Paula  Hawkins has written quite the tension filled, WTF, suspenseful book - The  Blue Hour. 

cover blurb: Eris is an island with only one house, one inhabitant, one way out. Unreachable from the Scottish mainland for twelve hours each day. 

Vanessa - a famous artist lived here. Her unfaithful husband disappeared twenty years  ago. 

Grace, Vanessa's best friend (?) inherited the home and is content in  her isolation. She fiercely protects the legacy of Vanessa. 

But  - there's a shocking discovery.  One of Vanessa's art pieces contains a human bone. 

An art  gallery visitor arrives to  investigate.  The secrets of Eris threaten  to emerge....

I will not divulge more.  This is a page  turner with way too many twists and turns.  Holy cow!

Monday Moments - It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

 It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover is an emotional read. I found it easy to skim and I could predict the ending. I did not see the movie that was popular in theaters this summer. 

Lily grew up in an abusive household. She was happy to leave Maine, graduate from college, and move  to Boston to start her own business. It's almost too  good  to be true to find a spark with a neurosurgeon, Ryle Kincaid. His sister becomes a new best friend. Life is great.    BUT...(play ominous music)

Her  first love, Atlas Corrigan, is in Boston - a chef in a hot new restaurant. Lily and Atlas  have history. Guess who's supremely jealous?  Guess who lashes out easily? 

back blurb:  Sometimes the one who loves you is the one that hurts you the most. 

Hoover hands tough situations well and this is a worthwhile story under a lovely gloss. 

Finally Friday - my Nana Snowman

 Awww.  My Nana Crowther (photo on left) crocheted that snowman a zillion years ago. It's been kept at my father's and put out each year.  Alas, he did pass in  May,  the house was sold, and I nabbed the snowman.  

So now he has a place on  my shelf and can  enjoy Christmas in Texas. I'll work hard to keep him from melting. 

Do you have any special home made Christmas crafts?   Keep the lore in tact. 

Whatever Wednesday - Christmas Cheer

Ray went hunting  over Thanksgiving.   Whew!  No deer were harmed in this adventure. 

Meanwhile, I put out some Christmas cheer.  Fun to see the splash of red  once again. 

 When Ray got home,  he  donned his elf hat and worked on his light extravaganza. 

Are  you on  the Grinch naughty or nice list?

Tis the Season.  Enjoy. 

Monday Moments - Defy Gravity

 By this time, you might be saying, "I'm sick of the hype." 

BUT....Wicked, the movie,  is absolutely  tremendous  in my opinion.  And you must  see  it on the  big screen.  And  yes, it's over two  hours,  but the time flies by with all of the magical scenes filling your eyeballs.  

There's  plenty of homage (Easter eggs) to  the original 1939 movie Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland.

And there's also treats from the Broadway stage musical starring  Idina Menzel and Kristen  Chenoweth. 

But now, this movie is Part 1 and based  on  the book by Gregory Maguire. The movie truly gives a deep dive into the characters, the motivations, the real story and question of  "wicked".  Who  is truly behaving badly?  Do you see  parallels to today's world?  Oh yes.    

The voices soar, the harmonies are gorgeous, the dancing, choreography, sets are lush eye candy. 

The cast is perfect - Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba), Ariana Grande (Glinda), Jonathan Bailey  (Prince Fiyero) is extra charming, Michelle Yeoh  (Madame Mori), Jeff Goldblum (the Wizard), for  me a bonus Bowen Yang who lets his freak flag fly  (I say that as a compliment), and so many more. 

My friend and I sat stunned as the credits came up.  Defy Gravity rang in our ears.  So much to enthuse about.  We agreed we could easily see it again to  absorb more. I wore green. She wore pink. 

WICKED   WOW

Finally Friday - Round the Corner Christmas Whoa

After Thanksgiving weekend, Ray and I headed out for  our usual  morning walk.  We rounded a corner and.....Whoa!   

Wow!   Bumble, the  Abominable Snowman greeted us.  Quite the surprise. 

Hard to believe the original Rudolph movie  is celebrating sixty years. Old Burl Ives memory lives on with his song playing  everywhere. 

Go out for a walk this December  season. New decorative surprises await.  
 

Whatever Wednesday - A Truly Messed Up Family

 The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne is A Family Memoir.    And indeed, what a F**cked Up family it is, but sadly immensely entertaining.   I  don't usually use a curse word, but that is truly the best descriptor.

So,  Griffin Dunne is an actor, producer. He was in  After Hours, directed by Martin  Scorsese. A best friend was Carrie Fisher. His father, Dominick Dunne wrote The Two Mrs. Grenvilles and wrote for Vanity Fair - following  famous criminal trials.  This happened after Griffin's sister, Dominique Dunne ( a rising  actress) was murdered by strangulation and the boyfriend basically got off.  Famous  trial!!

Oh yeah, Griffin's uncle was John Dunne, famous  writer, and his wife was Joan Didion!!!!

See all of these exclamation marks. Honest to Gosh, every page of this book is full of fame, fortune, misfortune, shock, sadness,  drugs, New York  City stories, and Hollywood dirt. 

cover blurb - This memoir is, down  to its bones, a family story that embraces the poignant absurdities and best and worst efforts of its loveable, infuriating, funny,  and moving characters - its author most of all. 

I really liked  this book.  As  a fan of  movies, writers, wit,  cleverness, and also shocking behavior  and dirt, I thank  Griffin  Dunne for  baring his  soul and the family's in a very well written witty memoir. Wow!!!

Monday Moments - Movie Magic

The glory of Disney is shown in detailed costumes.  I enjoyed the exhibit at the Arlington Museum of Art.   So  many princesses.  Here's the  coronation gown for Princess  Diaries 2. It  was worn  by Anne  Hathaway. 

Jadis the White Witch - So Tilda Swinton!   From the Chronicles of Narnia

 This ring is very large.  It was used in a closeup for Leonardo  DiCaprio in Romeo & Juliet. He wore a regular ring, but they need this prop to show the etching inside it.   So cool.

Gotta love some  Monday Movie Magic 

Black Friday - Piece by Piece

I don't know if this film, Piece by Piece,  will  be at a cheap theater or streaming  by now - either  way, this is a fun family film for  Thanksgiving weekend. 

I saw an episode of Hot Ones on YouTube and Sean Evans interviewed Pharrell Williams. He's such a creative. Apparently the director Morgan  Neville wanted to do a documentary on Pharrell. He  agreed but said  he wanted his story as  a Lego  movie.  Sounds wacky.  Trust me,  this works and is extraordinarily innovative, colorful,  creative, and fun.   Great music, quite a life story, and a lot of joy. 

He truly sees color in  music and he was an  odd child who could feel the beat and create new ones. Featured in the  film are Chad Hugo (his fellow Neptunes), Daft Punk, Gwen Stefani, Snoop  Dogg, Jay-Z, Missy Elliott,  and more.  Pharrell worked hard and never gave up - this is a success story with a moral  to keep with your belief and focus. 

And as he says, life is kinda  like a Lego set - you build it piece  by piece! 
 

Be Kind on Thanksgiving

 Happy Thanksgiving everyone

Levi turned one a few weeks ago.  Is he ready for turkey?

Whatever Wednesday - Whet the Appetite for Thanksgiving

 That time again. I whisked away Halloween on November 1st, and whipped up some Thanksgiving cheer

Oh man - Memories from 2011 - Dad, me, and Lori in Delaware.  We went to a local beach park for a walk after a feast.   Sadly, Dad is gone now.   But I'm grateful forever that he  was my dad.   We  were so lucky to have him  on this earth. 

 

Forget diet in  November and December.   Moderation...yes.....?

A past turkey a la Ray - he's the best baster

I wish everyone a Happy  Thanksgiving weekend.  I  hope there's some gratitude and good attitude. 

I'm lucky - the Faries gang are all convivial and everyone will contribute to a feast.  Very fortunate and blessed. 

Cheers my blog friends. 

Monday Moments - Costume Magic

Emma Watson was Belle in Beauty and the Beast

Lana Parilla was an Evil Queen in the TV series Once Upon  a Time     Quite dramatic

How about Anna Kendrick's Cinderella in Into the Woods?

One of many glass slippers

Lily James swirled in the Cinderella gown

 And then there's Satine (Nicole Kidman) from Moulin Rouge    You can tell how tall Nicole is from this costume.  So many of the costumes throughout the show are tiny. 

Oh and shout out today to my "baby" sister Lori.  Happy Birthday!!!  She's the best......

Finally Friday - Disney Costumes

The Arlington Museum of Art is hosting an excellent exhibit of all things Disney.   The Crown Jewels include tiaras, watches, earrings, jewelry, and more.  So many little detailed accessories that add to a character.  Quite fascinating.  And  sometimes two items are made - one  real, and one for a stunt double to wear depending on what the object (a pocket watch)  might do in a scene.  Things you don't consider when  enthralled in the movie. 

Heroes & Villains - the Art of the Disney Costume - glorious array of costumes all on the life sized mannequin of the actor who portrayed a character.  
 

Consider Hocus Pocus 2 starring Kathy Najimy, Better Midler, and Sarah Jessica Parker

 

How about Meryl Streep's Witch in Into  the Woods

Jafar from Aladdin 2019  worn by Marwan Kenzari

More  to come.  The  details and richness of the costumers in person is marvelous to behold.   I wanted to touch them all. 

Whatever Wednesday - Sonny Boy

Sonny Boy by Al  Pacino.  Wow

What an  iconic actor on  stage and screen. 

Michael  Corleone

Serpico

I don't need to say much more.  What a life!  He grew up with a mentally unwell  mother, really just wild in the South Bronx.  Crazy friends, but he had a lot of  promise  and a teacher that recognized it.  He entered the New York High School of Performing Arts and never looked back.  Stage, screen, rich,  poor,  drugs and alcohol, bankrupt, success.  So much of life that would worry us - he shrugged as only Al Pacino would, and then  worked to make his life work.  He embodies art and art is in his blood and  soul.

A unique individual who has given it his all.  I can't begin to list all the credits.  Read the book and you'll hear that distinctive voice in your head. 

It's Al F@*king  Pacino!!!!!!!
 

Monday Moments - Hum Along with John Oates

I treated myself to a music night - John Oates - an acoustic evening.   It  was really, really pleasant. 

As he said, "No video screens. No synthesizers.  You have me and my stories with music." 

I saw John Oates when he and  Daryl Hall played in my high school cafeteria. John was a graduate of North Penn High years ahead of me. He met Hall at Temple  University (Philly, PA) and the rest is some music history. A top selling pop duo.  Alas, they are fighting now.  So John has his three talented guys for acoustic shows and musically it was awesome. 

He's seventy-six now, lives in Nashville. A lot more country and blues influence in his new works. His latest album is "Reunion" and I like the songs. Oh, and he did have some deep cuts of Hall and Oates songs, plus the famous "She's Gone". 

Thanks John, I've been a longtime fan and your voice is still mellow and smooth.   
 

Finally Friday - We Live in Time

 I needed to escape one day, so I headed to the movies.  I didn't want stuff exploding.  I didn't want to think too much.  I just wanted fluff.

Success.  We Live in Time filled the requirements.  Yes, I paid admission and I was fine  with it.  You can wait for this to arrive on streaming.  It could have been a "made for tv" movie, but the cast elevated the whole storyline. 

I like Andrew Garfield ( so pretty,  so hot, and such a good actor) and Florence Pugh (so pretty, so hot, and such a good actress).    They had chemistry in this film and were nicely believable.  This movie followed them falling in love (cutesy), them dealing with couple/marriage issues, and finally dealing with a cancer sentence.  (So Sad).   

It was predictable and yet well done.  That's it. That's my review.  Maybe  catch it on  a streaming day when you have nothing else going on. 

Cheers!   Sniffle.  

Whatever Wednesday - More Pumpkins - hey it's fall

Fall at the Dallas Arboretum is absolutely beyond spectacular.   Ray was busy calculating the pumpkin count. Over 500 on one building alone.

Our Texas drought has affected  other areas.  Even the arboretum's flower  color is a tad faded. Still lovely,  but you can only water  so  much.  We  needed rain in  October   (hello climate  issues)

Um, pumpkins  galore

Cue the mums.................oh, yeah!

and a sweet statue finale
 

Monday Moments - A bit more State Fair of Texas

October 17th - the iconic Big Tex -  bigger, bolder, badder than ever - Howdy Folks!   So fun

The Hall of State is a gorgeous Art Deco building that we always visit.  They host excellent exhibits.  This year was a card building exhibit.  Sorta wacky.  This dude uses playing cards and builds replicas.  He was an architecture major, but realized his talents lay in cards.   He's making a living!

Here's the Austin, TX state capitol building

Cotton Bowl....football.  This year Texas Longhorns totally destroyed the Oklahoma Sooners

 And here's the dude with a reflection of Ray watching him work on this tower.  He was very precise in the card stacking. 

Don't sneeze! 

Finally Friday - State Fair of Texas (yes it is over)

Thursday October 17, Ray treated me to the Great State Fair of Texas - a late birthday present.  And really we say "Thanks, Dad" because a very old insurance policy came  to light.  We claimed it from dad's estate and voila - dad chipped in funds.   Whatever - it was a grand day.  I did wear my sling (rotator cuff recovery Week 10) due to crowds

Ray wears the boots in the family. 

Had to try a 2024 prize winning fried food and it was crazy tasty good. 

Cotton Candy Bacon on a stick.    Now think about it.... savory,  sweet....bacon.   OMG, it was really tasty. 

The Latina Mundo folks were celebrating  Day of the Dead at the Women's Museum.   Fun!

 Yes,  I wore the sling.  We went here after Pig Races, Stunt Dogs,  Cars, Fletcher Corny Dogs, and more.  The crowds were beyond nuts.  Ray even said after a million years of fair going, he did not remember crowds this big.  I got a tad overwhelmed and called it quits after 5 hours.  Whew!

Whatever Wednesday - Pumpkins and Fall

Has America fallen?   Nah - I doubt it.  We don't know WTF has happened yet.  So let's enjoy the Dallas Arboretum pumpkin fest.  This covers October and  November.   Enjoy!

Misty fern  glen.  Always so pretty

Me with a fake huge armadillo.  No sling.  Week  11  - the shoulder is healing - slowly, but it's all about time.  Many weeks to go

Ray's face at the Pumpkin  Village Saloon - there was no free whiskey offered.  Well,  shucks!

 There were a zillion  pumpkins everywhere.  So amazing and lovely.  As a member, I'll  take  credit!