We'll be going to Kevin's. The girls shall have an Easter egg hunt. We'll eat a nice feast. And plenty of chocolate overload.
Cheers to you and blessings. And yes, while not religious, I appreciate and honor the lovely aspects of the religious season. Peace. Peace. That's all I ask. No judgements. Just peace for all.
Love
J
2017 University of Arkansas. Millie Cousins is 24, an RA at Belgrade dorm. She's saving money, wants a house, and planning to graduate. (Yes, she is black)
Agatha Paul (white/lesbian) is a writer/visiting prof who sees potential with Millie for her next current topic. But the side hustle by Millie (letting Agatha listen to the dorm young ladies) ends up problematic. A lonely transfer student, unruly residents, and illicit intrigue. Oops. How much trade off is warranted? cover blurb
Potential suicide? Gay exploration or exploitation? Racism?
A lot of current issues are explored in this extremely well written book. It's subtle. It's interesting.
I enjoyed the characters, the college. the story lines. Give it a chance. Go and get it (I got it from the library)
Plus The Fly!
You know Geena Davis. Two Time Academy Award winner, world class archer, advocate for women.
This incredible woman has written an amusing memoir - Dying of Politeness. It's a very fun, interesting read. She dishes a bit, is quite wacky (in a good way), and you'll absolutely enjoy her book.
She's dated quite a bit, married a lot, and has worked hard for gender parity. She truly fights for women everywhere and wow - I really appreciate her journey.
She's a gem and if you don't really know her work - then read this book, watch her movies, and then applaud. Kudos Geena Davis.
I'm proud of Kevin and Maria for giving these girls experiences. They spend time, have adventures, and truly enjoy their girls. It gives me fond memories of my childhood - not a spring break, but summer time trips. Or a weekend when my mom hauled out the PA guidebook and we'd find a historical home to visit. Lots of history within a short drive. Aaah...memories.
So, hooray. I'm happy to report that there are parents that still travel with their kids, stay off their phones (except to send some cute pics!), and really do stuff - hike , camp, cook s'mores.
Happy Wednesday. Hope spring is peeping around your corner. Or our TX temps have indicated a complete surge into summer. Yikes! Chocolate eggs will melt - must eat quickly. Darn the bad luck.
Frankly, as I read this book, I did keep shaking my head. The segregation. The ridiculous treatment of Dr. Bethune is beyond fathom. And yet, sadly today, still a bit current. From then, through the 1930s, the 1940s (WWII), and 1945 - the UN Charter these women grew to work together, to appreciate each other, and truly make life better for so many.
I love how this book gives equal story opportunity to both characters. We all feel we know quite a bit about First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. She was a force to be reckoned with and worked hard on so many causes in the shadow of her husband FDR. Mary McLeod Bethune is less well known, but should be. An activist and educator, she is a person to admire.
Their friendship formed the foundation for the modern civil rights movement.
Kudos to the author - one white, one black. Their melded chapters flowed and like The Personal Librarian (another genius book) they truly give us a story for the ages. Please read The First Ladies - learn and appreciate an amazing piece of history in novel form.
We kids grew up there. But it was time. Stairs - scary
Fixing meals, problematic
Taking correct meds - um, dang
An end of an era. Heartrending for all.
Wish us luck that he acclimates to new surroundings. The new place is super duper nice with a chef that cooks amazing meals.
The staff has been fantastic. More power to nurses and aides who will do geriatric work. Patience and more. Wow!
Wish us luck. He's a sweet man. The old ticker is crazy good. I hope the brain keeps up.
I am not religious - but prayers. Voodoo. I'll accept anything. Thanks.
We had a good walk. I did not post my pic of the baby gorilla since it wasn't very good. But She was so damn cute. At one point, she stood up and beat her chest like one would expect from a jungle movie.
The Fort Worth Zoo is well done and the new African Savannah area makes us the ones behind bars.. Let these cool creatures roam free.
It's a Monday. Emma is very preoccupied, constantly on her phone, and absorbed in her work life. Dan, her husband, is coping. Her son and daughter are existing. Even the dog ignores her.
Social media, clients "emergencies", groups for kid sports, school, playdates, and more. She makes her own day frantic and "busy". But is that really life? Is she in the moment and truly enjoying her family? No.
Then it's her anniversary... there's a screech of brakes...
cover blurb - Dan is dead
the next day, Emma wakes up...and Dan is alive.
It's Monday again
again
again
She tries to change the course of fate. Will she ever learn the lesson being taught in regards to the social media, to being with her children, to enjoying her husband, to really living her life?
This is a What If? story and I enjoyed it immensely. It shall make you appreciate setting down your phone and truly being with your family or whomever you love.
You'll keep the pages turning on this one. cover blurb: A scientist and reluctant psychic. A little girl who haunts her. Can she find the truth? Everyone believes a little in something they can't see.
cover: Vivvy Bouchet, age ten, saved a boy's life with an impossible prediction. Now she's an astrophysicist in Texas, devoted to science, and she tries to leave visions behind.
She is called to help on a cold case of a kidnapped girl, and teamed with Detective Sharp, who questions her "skills". She's in the crosshairs of a conspiracy podcaster, haunted by her dead mother, and overwhelmed with dreams. cover - Can she lure a kidnaper out of hiding, find a child who haunts her, and lay some of her ghosts to rest?
Whew! It's a lot to process. Heaberlin's characters are a hoot. The dialogue is snappy. And she keeps the plot tight. Had me guessing until the end. (I did read this in daylight...gets a bit creepy at nightfall).
Now back to square one. What have you done for me lately? Ha!
Buy me some peanuts and crackerjack....(also can't afford)
Spring fever Wednesday
Sally is a sketch writer for the Night Owls that airs on Saturday nights. She's long abandoned the search for love.
cover blurb: 2018 Enter Noah Brewster, a pop music sensation - he's a guest and host for a show. Dazzled by his charms, Sally hits it off with Noah instantly, and as they collaborate on one sketch after another, she begins to wonder if there might actually be sparks flying. But this isn't a romantic comedy - it's real life. And in real life, someone like him (super hot and famous) would never date someone like her...right?
2020 - pandemic. Noah reaches out via email to Sally. Communication turns into a trip to LA for her. Sparks do fly. Is this real? Is it "LOVE?"
You have to read the book to find out, but the author does a great job with the neurosis-inducing and heart fluttering wonder of love, while slyly dissecting the social rituals of romance and gender relations in the modern age. (cover blurb)
I liked this book and was along for the ride. Well done.
