Labor Day Weekend and Anniversary

It's  Labor  Day Weekend.   It's also  our Wedding Anniversary on Monday, September 1

Here's a good photo from two years  ago  in Pensacola

And  a few years ago in Vegas - Ray's my LOVE

Who were these kids?  
 

And thirty six years ago we said "I do" at the justice of the peace

Not sure how  we'll celebrate this year, but through thick and thin, and older and older, we've been laughing.   Ray's my guy.   Happy Anniversary  and thanks  for putting up with ME. 

Whatever Wednesday - Shucked

I enjoyed a Sunday matinee at Bass Hall on August  3rd.  Shucked is a Tony Award winning  musical and the road cast is excellent. As you can tell from the title, this is a very corny show.  Seriously, the first song is "Corn".   The lead character's name is Maizy.  Aw, shucks - she is  so sweet, but can she  save the town in Cob County?

Maizy is almost engaged to Beau and he grows the  best corn.  But there's a crop  problem and no answers.  Maizy decides  to be the first person  to actually leave the town to find answers.   She ends up in Tampa, FL.  (Don't ask too many questions. Yes, this is very silly.  But entertaining).  Anyway, she meets Gordy (he's a corn specialist - i.e. scamming  old ladies and their feet) and brings him back to their town.  Oh, there's a lot of jealousy.  Maizy and her best friend Lulu get crossways. 

Lulu (Miki Abraham) stands out. What a voice!  Her song "Independently Owned" was a wow.  And  her duet with Maizy (Danielle Wade) "Best Friends" is gorgeous. 

"Corn Mix" is one of the finale songs.  This  whole show was just  heartfelt, funny, punny, and we left with smiles. 
 

Monday Moments - Pool Party Anyone?

An August jaunt around the neighborhood yielded quite a sight - The skeleton is ready for the pool party. Floatie and drink in hand. 

On this street, two homes kept their skeletons up since  Halloween 2024.   I'll give these folks props. They've done a Santa hat, Valentine heart, St. Paddy's  green, July 4th  red, white, and blue, and now August summer fun.  

You never know what you'll see when you walk.  (Here in TX - it's  gotta be before 9 am or  90 degrees).  Happy August!   Whew!

 

Finally Friday - House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen

 I was browsing the new book section of the Bedford Library.  Another woman was reading the jacket of a book I had read and I commented to her that it was really good. In turn, she  pointed at this one - House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen - and said it was excellent. She said the author wrote good mysteries.  Okay, I'll give her a try. 

Big thumbs up. cover  blurb - On the outside they were the golden family with the perfect life. On the inside they built the perfect lie.  A nanny plunged to her death...or pushed? A little girl who collects sharp objects and refuses to speak. A lawyer whose job it is to uncover who in the family is a victim and who is a murderer.  But how can you find out the truth when everyone here is lying? 

Lots of twists and turns for Stella, our  child  advocate  lawyer. She's Rose's counsel. But this eerie house, the mother, father, grandmother - all seems to be hiding something.  Is the person Stella's  supposed to protect the one she may need protection from? 

I can't write more.  At times I had to put the book down and step away.  Then I was compelled to read more. Well done. Thank you stranger at the library for your recommendation. 

Whatever Wednesday - School's Back in TX

 I'm in PA, but school is back in session in Texas.   Crazy. It's too hot for  kids to be trudging with backpacks, sweating football practice, and doing homework instead of diving into  a pool. 

Don't get me wrong - I believe in education.  BUT - not until after Labor Day.  Summer is summer is summer.  August is for total ennui, hanging poolside, floating, and complaining about the heat. 

Whew!   (kudos to all teachers - good  luck with this wacky Texas Educational  system)

Monday Moments - Roots

 I'm baaaaack!   Howdy Billy Penn

Time to learn how to talk again, see my sister (in DE), brother (in PA), friends, eat a cheesesteak, go to Longwood  Gardens, dip my toes in the Atlantic (Rehoboth), and generally hang out. 

Roots.   Still gonna be weird with no  dad to visit.  Can you go "home" again?  

Finally Friday - The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline

 I really like Lisa Scottoline's lawyer based novels. But she ventures into some other genres and this psychological thriller, The Unraveling of Julia, is a fun page turner.

Julia Pritzker's husband was murdered in Philly and she's still recovering. Then news arrive from Italy - she's inherited a fortune, a Tuscan villa, and a vineyard.  How? Why?  Julia was adopted and has no biological history. A jaunt to Italy becomes quite the adventure. 

The villa seems haunted. Clues appear to indicate Julia might be related to Emilia Rossi and a Renaissance Duchess - Caterina Sforza. And husband, Mike's murder, no longer seems random. Whoa!

 cover blurb - Before long, Julia fears she's being followed. Events turn deadly, and Julia's search for identity becomes a harrowing struggle for sanity - and survival.  

Solid poolside read with a satisfying conclusion. Scottoline does not  disappoint. 

Whatever Wednesday - The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits

 cover blurb - The Griffin Sisters were the soundtrack of  the early 2000s - until suddenly, they weren't. 

Two sisters bonded by music, divided by fame...silenced by tragedy. 

Now twenty years later, a new generation will try to reunite Cassie and Zoe. Can the love between sisters survive the secrets that remain?

Jennifer Weiner with The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits once again writes an excellent family tale with plenty of drama, mystery, love, and secrets.  I really enjoyed following  the tale of Zoe, pretty and adequately talented, AND Cassie, the prodigy voice and piano sister who hides behind her heaviness and lack of beauty. It's a brief stint as a band with plenty of drama, sleeping  around, a marriage, a death, a pregnancy, a talented kid named Cherry - niece, daughter, and kid trying to figure out the story. 

Can there be forgiveness?

Well written page turner - full  of family drama, angst, and emotion.  Thumbs up! 

Monday Moments - F1 the Movie - Zoom Zoom

 This movie is probably streaming by now.  But on a warm Saturday July afternoon, Ray and I treated ourselves to a small popcorn, a medium Diet Coke, and over two hours with Brad Pitt in F1: The Movie.   Money and time well spent.   Very fun!

Brad looks great and he's just cool as Sonny Hayes.  He's a broken man with a racing  history, now just moving  from quick gig to gig.   Javier Bardem as Ruben tracks him down and convinces him to join  his Formula Team - it's on its last legs and needs a boost and some wins.  The young gun driver, Joshua, (played well by Damson  Idris), is of course irked at "old  man" Sonny.  There's  competition, issues, and then teamwork.  

Kerry Condon is the  team hot shot designer who listens to Sonny as he gives his opinion on the car.  Is there a love kick?  Well, yeah - it's Brad, Kerry.  Hot stuff for a moment.  But the key to the movie  is the F1 racing in exotic locations.  One of the producers is Lewis Hamilton.... Hello - he's not going to have crap on the screen.  And gee - is he prominent in the racing finale?  

All in all, this is  maybe a tad long.   But it's very entertaining, well  filmed, and a good summer  movie. 

And Brad!!!!!!!!!!!!  'nuff said.    Enjoy.  

Finally Friday - All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

 I have been on a tear with my library picks.  Winners each time.  All the Colors  of the Dark by Chris Whitaker is unbelievable.  So good!  Twists and turns galore and just when you say," Are you kidding me?", he hits you with another crazy plot point.  

 1975 Monta Clare, MO, girls are disappearing. 

Patch, a local kid missing an  eye becomes a hero  when he saves the richest, prettiest girl  in  town. But he's taken and is tortured, left to die, and then saved by his best friend - a tough girl named Saint.   She never gave up. 

cover blurb - Patch and those who love him soon discover that the line between triumph and tragedy has never been finer. Their search for answers will lead them to truths that could mean  losing one another. 

A missing  person mystery, a serial killer mystery thriller, a love  story, a unique twist on each.  This book  covers what lurks in the shadows of obsession and  the blinding light of hope. 

It all starts in 1975.  It ends in  2001.   Holy Cow  is  all I can say.   The writing, the characters,  the story arc - un-freaking- believable.     

Get this book. Read it.  You are welcome. 

Whatever Wednesday - More Helicopter and Wow Banff

Afraid of heights - nah!  I loved the front seat  of the helicopter

More glories of Banff  from above

In May - still snow on the mountains.   Hooray!

Clear skies.  We were beyond lucky

 Yep - glorious. 

Thanks Canada for being so  damn perfect

Monday Moments - The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon is a gripping historical mystery inspired by  the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned eighteenth century midwife who defied the legal system and wrote herself  into American history. (cover blurb)

I was pulled into this story immediately and the deep freeze of Maine,  1789 kept me enthralled.  After one man is saved after falling into  the ice, another is discovered entombed.  Martha, the midwife, is  called to examine  the body - her declaration: Murdered by hanging. The man - Joseph Burgess - had also  been  accused of rape. 

Over the  course of one winter, a trial  is  pending, more scandal, more accusations and Martha's word and her journal prove to be at the center.  This is  a time when women were to be seen and not heard. The fact that she could write,  that she  knew every secret in town, and that she truly was a woman of convictions makes this story very powerful.  Martha  Ballard proves  an exception and her husband,  Ephraim, is also a man ahead of his time.

I loved the tone  of  this  book,  the pace, the obvious research done, rich characters, and that  family love that  shined  through.  The Frozen River glistens and each word and chapter  flow. Big thumbs up  from me! 
 

Finally Friday - Happy Birthday Ray!

 Today, August 1st is Ray's birthday.   Old enough.  Here he's on  a glacier in Canada.  The  man is always  up for adventure

He's a sports fan of all sorts.  The  Rangers, this year,  are  breaking his heart.  Don't even discuss the Cowboys - ha!

He bowls

He plays  pickleball (he's got  a wicked  serve!).  Here he's  with me and a friend,  Kathy.  We were all set for the 4th  of July  pickleball festivities. 

And Ray  likes the  beach and  a  big drink at a beach bar. 

Hope it's another year  of fun, surprises, and good cheer.     Love ya, Ray.  Happy Birthday!

Whatever Wednesday - Emerald Lake

Are you tired of Canadian Rockies photos yet?   Oh  well.  I recommend  you  book a  trip  and see the magic for yourself.    Here's  Emerald Lake

So pristine. Colors  so pure

Lush greenery and COLD glacier water

We had a lovely day to enjoy time there. 

Aah!
 

Monday Moments - Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

 Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten is a very fun, energetic read.  This  woman is a gem and has truly taken advantage of forks in the road.  I enjoyed her television series Be My Guest, and  I was hooked.  She makes cooking look easy and fun. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. 

She had a rough upbringing ( very cold  parents).  She met Jeffrey Garten at a very young age, but she  recognized a kindred spirit. She married young and the two of them forged quite  a life.  Their  timing proved impeccable and  they had the guts to say "yes" to so  many choices.   Buy a specialty food store in  the Hamptons - the Barefoot  Contessa. Gutsy choice,  but it proved to be a trail blazing adventure.  

She shares her life choices - no holds barred.   Her humor, descriptions, and enthusiasm are inspiring. 

Huge  thumbs up. I want to hang out in her kitchen.  Sheer joy for life, cooking, and people ooze  from this book.  I loved it and embrace her spirit.  

Finally Friday - Soar With Me Over the Canadian Rockies

So, we said "hell yeah" to the helicopter ride out of Banff over the Canadian Rockies.   Hey - sit  back and enjoy the ride.  

Wow.   After looking up this trip, we got to look down and it  was spectacular. 

I had the front seat next to the pilot. wow.   Dramatic.   120 kilometers an  hour.  
 

Clouds and mountains.   We had the most  perfect  weather and  views. 

 Beyond words and feelings.  Just so damn cool!  

Whatever Wednesday - Art Adventure

Sunday June 22, I awoke and decided  on a Fort  Worth  art adventure.  Ray was off  to his family reunion (it's tradition - I don't go).  Anyway, I drove to  the Kimbell Art Museum  first.  The current exhibition - Modern Art and Politics in Germany 1910-1945 was  a WOW and very timely for our current fraught American situation.  And it was the last day - so  a must see, and the Kimbell had quite  a queue. I was glad to see so many people open to this exhibit. 

above - Christian Schad's Sonja depicted the so-called "new woman" of 1928.  In the aftermath of 1918's  wartime, women won  the right  to vote.  Lots of change afoot. 

Numerous works of this time period  were declared as "degenerate"  art - denounced and confiscated.   The artists were the earliest to express displeasure with what they saw brewing in Germany.  Emile Nolde, Kurt Gunther, Curt Querner, Otto Dix, Paul Klee, Max Beckman, and George Grosz pushed the envelope and many had to flee. 

Let's think about  today - art bans, book  bans, television and movies and more....hmmm

 Horst Strempel's Night Over Germany (oil  on burlap) is a stunning, shattering work.  Jewish families hiding in fear.  

There  was hushed admiration in the Kimbell.  I'm sure many people left thinking...
 

After a light lunch in the Kimbell cafe, I walked down the  block  to the Amon Carter.  Forty photos for forty years since Richard  Avedon's American  West exhibit.  I remember that one - I  was fairly new to  Texas.  The black  and white photos of  just regular folks are stunning.  Crisp, clear, and the people staring back at you - their eyes say so  much. 

Here's a compilation  of  photos  from  the opening  day.  Avedon  was THE photographer  for  famous people and Vogue.   Then he explored the West - oil workers, ranchers - a tough life in  the summer heat.  One of  the  coordinators for  the  project was a photographer in her own right  (Laura  Wilson - mother to actors Owen, Luke).  Her keen eye helped Avedon  on the shoots.  

I truly enjoyed my art afternoon.  Then home for a dip in the pool.  And Ray  arrived home after a fine  time  with family and full from BBQ. 

That's how  we  roll. 

Monday Moments - This is a Love Story by Jessica Soffer

 Central Park, NYC has been witness for a half  century of love for  Abe and Jane. Alas, Jane is dying and Abe is recounting their life together.  

Cover blurb: Told in various parts of view, even in conversation with Central Park, these  voices weave in and out  to paint a portrait as complicated and essential as love  itself. 

An homage to  NYC, to romance,  and even to loss, This is a Love  Story by Jessica Soffer tenderly captures deep  truths about life and marriage in radiant  prose. 

I really enjoyed  the chapters featuring  just life in Central Park.  Very short  paragraphs covered the movements of folks  in and out of various sections, the picnics, the kisses, the children floating boats, the vendors, the seasons.  Truly lyrical especially if you've ever visited and enjoyed a day there. 

p. 1   The Park is a beating heart, an adagio, a dreamy parenthesis

Finally Friday - Don't Fall In

Listen.

Look

Stay on the path

Look Up


 

Don't Fall in Johnson Canyon

Whatever Wednesday - Athabasca Glacier

 Got to ride in the Arctic Terrain vehicle up  to the Athabasca Glacier.  Very impressive piece of equipment.  Our driver  was a lad from Blackpool,  England.  

Another gorgeous day and while  cool, it  was not bitter cold

Avoid the slush parts.   (oops, Ray did step in a melty spot and  got his shoe, sock, and pants leg wet. Silly boy

The ice chunks were SO clear

I'll pose happily with the Maple Leaf.   Oh Canada!  You filled my heart with  joy