Finally Friday - Stroll the Grounds

 Prior  to the house tour, we strolled  the grounds.  I could  picture  men and women in their finery, enjoying the scenery. 

The money crop here was rice.  Dangerous  work for  the enslaved peoples who  worked the  land. 

Meanwhile, flowers

Tall  oaks

and the danger of alligators.   We took the nature tour tram, and this fellow was happy to pose. 

I did not take any pictures in  the  house, but it was quite spacious. It was on its third or fourth iteration due to fires. A lightning storm burned  the first homestead.  Civil War battle remnants and cannon  fire caused another house  fire. Each time it was rebuilt and  expanded due to growing families and wealth. The Draytons, of course, had a home in Charleston for the high season.  But it was nice to move the  party to  the  "country" too.  

Whatever Wednesday - Magnolia Plantation

 In  between beach times, we did venture out for some  history.  Magnolia Plantation and Gardens proved to be lovely and interesting. 

Greeted by a peacock

Maypole and flowers in one of the lush garden areas

I believe a cherub statue is a requirement

bird, bridge, and a bit of a boggy marsh area

Two tourists

Monday Moments - Beach Folly

Leap ahead to last day at Folly Beach.  We rode the golf cart to  the end  of the island and then  walked the next half mile  to the lighthouse view.  Lori scrambled like a mountain  goat to  do her yoga pose.  No, she did  not do any spray painting. 

Ray and  I - contemplating life?  (or maybe thinking  about lunch?)

Fun times

Lori and another rock pose

Ray.....Ray....come back!
 

Finally Friday - Vacation Posts Begin

Settle in folks for some Folly Beach, SC frolic and fun.   Ray and I flew into Charleston and my brother picked us up. My sister drove in.   Let the  games  begin. 
 

Walked to local pier for a lovely sunset

Fresh air smiles

More sunsets

And some churning waves on the beach.  It was a bit cold. I went up  to  my thighs.  Ray managed ankle deep.  But it was fun  watching surfers, seagulls, and sandpipers.   

More  to come.   Right  now just wriggle your toes in the sand. 

Have a good weekend. 

Whatever Wednesday - Celebrate Spring Arts Fests

Spring time in the DFW area brings arts festivals.  It's not too crazy hot. Whew!   

So - focus  on  this lovely bracelet,  not the horrible picture of my arm and hand.   The bracelet caught my eye at the Southlake Art Fest.  Designed by an artist, Ann  Marie, from Florida  - she uses old watch parts.  The colors and unique style caught my eye.  Ray said, "You know you want it.  Just buy it. "   So I did.  Happy to support this creativity and repurposing.  

 And  two weeks earlier - Main  Street  Art Fest  in Fort Worth.  So many fun  booths.  I bought the upper left hand  wood carved piece and created a little collage for  my bedroom.  These pieces worked together and made the wood piece pop.   Most evenings, I watch  tv in this room and can look and enjoy the display. 

So many talented people!   Go explore your local  art scene and spring festivals.  Enjoy it  all! 

Monday Moments - Three Days in June by Anne Tyler

 Ooh!  A new Anne Tyler book!  I  popped  into the library last week  to return  some books, and I decided to browse the  new fiction  shelf. What  a treat to find - Three Days in  June by Anne Tyler is a very short delightful tale about  second chances. 

Friday - Gail Banes might have lost her job, or maybe just quit it. She wasn't invited to pre-wedding spa  day. And her  ex-husband, Max, shows up...with  a cat...and needs to stay for the  weekend. 

Saturday - daughter, Debbie, is  getting  married.  All  fine and  dandy, except some secrets have  popped out. Gail  thinks  it should  be a deal breaker.  Both Debbie  and  Max sorta say, "Hmm.  You,  of all  people, can  not  judge this situation."  

Debbie  does indeed say, "I do."    The wedding is pleasant, even though  the  new in-laws are almost  "too  much", in Gail's opinion. 

Sunday - well,  is  the cat staying...is Max  leaving?

Typical Anne Tyler writing. Humor.  Humanity.  She smoothly depicts a family and all its foibles. 

I  truly enjoyed this witty book. 

Finally Friday - Mother's Day Weekend Salute

Happy Mother's Day Weekend

Here's my mom  as a young girl.  She lived on a farm and hated  it - always solemn portraits

and my mom in  high school.   Yea...wow

 

And around the time she got married

She never liked having her picture taken.  But she was so pretty.  She had reddish brown hair.  Fair skin. 

She was a good mother  - very fair, always listened, and the  worst thing to hear was her saying, "I'm disappointed in  you."  OMG.   Me (the  oldest), David, and Lori - we can all vouch for "The Talk".   No shouting, no paddling (well,  maybe for David - ha!)....just the talk...about respect, being good, behaving. 

Oh, she was fast.  You never wanted to  hear her footsteps coming down to the rec room.  She heard everything and if she thought there  was trouble, she moved fast and was ready to lecture. 

She died at age 60 from stomach cancer.   Far  too soon.   She was thrilled when  Lisa was born - ready to spoil her first grandchild.  Alas, she passed when Lisa turned one.  She  would have loved her second grandchild - Jeffrey.    And  now, she'd be over the  moon  - Lisa just had a baby boy - Myles. 

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers and memories of the best. 

Whatever Wednesday - Say What? Yikes!

 "You like  it  darker? Fine. So do I," writes Stephen King in the afterword to this twelve story collection.

You Like  it  Darker by Stephen King is a masterclass in writing, in delving into lives - fate, mortality, luck, and the folds in reality where anything  can happen.  (cover blurb)

It's the creepy stuff, secrets, psychic flash, good luck, bad luck, unbearable  tragedy and more. 

He writes such believable dialogue. It's like you are listening in on a real conversation.  He touches on just  the right quirks that make a character unique. 

Sometimes, a short story is just the right  amount to read in a day.  King  offers the right amount of snack size sizzle that will have you turning  on  the lights and looking over your shoulder. 

Wait...did you hear that?

Um...did you see that?

Turn the page, my friends. 

Monday Moments Memoir - Eric Roberts

 Do you remember the first time you saw the actor, Eric Roberts, on screen?  His big break was King of the  Gypsies and he was gorgeous. And he could act, just  popped  from the screen.  Star 80, Pope  of Greenwich  Village, Runaway Train, and so many more. 

Runaway Train (or  the  story of my life so far) by Eric  Roberts (with Sam Kashner) is a no holds barred memoir.  cover blurb - In this brutally candid memoir, Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Eric  Roberts pulls  no punches about  the ups  and downs of his career and his sometimes stormy relationship with his younger, more famous sister, Julia. 

Crazy childhood in Georgia, controlling abusive father. 

Seventeen - off to New York  City - worked and partied with the likes of Christopher Walken, Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, Robin Williams

Hot star of  the era, affairs with famous actresses. 

Dark side of drugs - way too much cocaine and a horrifying  car  accident

Eric  Roberts has lived to tell the tale of his  life up to now - he is 66.  An actor's actor, he's worked with the best on stage and  screen, he's still active and in the game, and he's still working on his demons. 

I enjoyed the memoir and his sense of humor. What  a crazy life! (so far)

Finally Friday - The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

 The God of the Woods by Liz Moore is an "I absolutely could not stop reading this" book.  When I read the  last chapter, I truly said "Wow" out loud. 

cover blurb: Early morning, August 1975: a camp counselor discovers an empty bunk. Its occupant, Barbara Van Laar, has gone missing. She's the 13 year old daughter of the family that owns the camp, the summer home mansion, and employs most of the region's residents.

1961: Barbara's older brother, Bear, went  missing and is presumed dead. 

Now as the current panicked search begins, a thrilling drama unfolds.

This layered mystery book moves back and forth in time. We explore  the Van  Laar family - lots of secrets, sadness, and corners to poke.  Multi-generational dynasty of tensions, inheritance, second chances, and issues of family versus community. 

Liz Moore kept me guessing and the  pages turning. Lots of twists and turns and surprises. It truly pulled together with a few "whoa" moments. 

Now, stop reading this review and get in the queue for The God  of the Woods.  It  was worth the library waitlist. 

Whatever Wednesday - Who's in Charleston?

Ray and I are off on adventure in Charleston, SC.  We'll be staying at  my brother's  temporary vacation home.  David and Cherie are hanging out there due to brand new first grandson.   Say hello  to Myles. 

He's the new star of the family

Quite exciting

Here's new mother (my niece), Lisa with new father, Jared and their new responsibility - Myles.  

Wonder  what Blue, the cat, will think about  this interloper?
 

Here's David holding his grandson.   I don't know if David's decided on his own name.   My father  went by Pop-Pop for Lisa.   My sister is coming to visit too.  She's been advocating  for "PeePaw" and thinks she's hilarious.  

No matter  what,  this little boy will  be loved...and spoiled. 

And  yes, you'll  get to see future  posts of our  Charleston adventures. 

Note: the formal photos were done by Valerie  Joy Photography in Charleston.  She did a lovely portfolio and Myles cooperated completely.  

Monday Moments - Bye Mavericks Season

April 11th, Ray and I enjoyed  Fan Appreciation Night for the  Dallas  Mavericks. It's been  a crazy season and they did not make the official playoffs.  But on this night, they won - absolutely played circles around  the  Toronto  Raptors. 

We also got to hear a little pre-game  special talk by Avery Johnson.  He is a man age 60 now, but was a player and coach back in the day. He did  take the San Antonio Spurs to an  NBA Championship.  Now he's in investments and also involved in basketball programs. Very personable motivational  speaker.  Nice  sense  of humor and he  gave us a variety of insights into  his career. 

Another treat - oh  yeah - a hot dog, soda, and popcorn  for  ONLY  $6.50.  Actually our hosts  treated, so it was "free" for us.  Then again, our hosts  are our  financial  advisers and they earn money from us. It's a full circle moment. 

Fun entertainment  - Simon  Sez - this is  a guy who runs a real Simon Says game very very fast during  half-time.  Tons of chosen fans were out there playing and he eliminated so many, so quickly.  It  was amusing to watch and to sort of play along. 

All in all, we enjoyed Fan  Appreciation Night

Simon Says - Have a Good Week! 
 

Finally Friday - Fiction or Life as we Know It?

 A lot of folks need to  start reading and thinking.  These works are "fiction" ???

Whatever Wednesday - Bear by Julia Phillips

 Bear by Julia Phillips is a mesmerizing novel of two sisters whose lives are upended by an unexpected visitor - a tale of family, obsession, and a mysterious creature in the woods.  (cover blurb)

Sam and Elena live on an island off the coast of Washington where they were born and  raised. Tough struggle from day to day. Both girls are in their twenties and their mother is very ill. Lack of money and future prove frustrating.  

One night on the ferry, Sam spots a bear swimming in the channel.  Next, the bear is at their home. Sam's terrified. Elena is  enchanted.  Themes of escape, dreams, and danger are intertwined as the sisters deal with their  lives.   Phillips writing is rich and very in tune with the vibes of humans and nature. 

p. 87  Sam pictured her mother's pain as swift and final. She understood better, now, what it actually was - not a glass dropped on the tile floor, one terrible burst, but a  tree required to grow over years in a limited  space. Branches  curled in, leaves dropping. A living  thing that was forced relentlessly to submit. 

p. 120  per Elena  The  bear was, briefly and beautifully, teaching them  what it  was living, helping them to make it through. 

Monday Moments - Easter Weekend

Yea for Monday - Blow some bubbles.  So  - Easter Weekend 2025 at Kevin's.   Levi was the star. He's our great great at eighteen months. Ray gave all the kids bubble guns and Levi loved the bubbles.  So  fun, so cute

Then he explored everything on the patio.   It was a gorgeous afternoon in Texas.  Kevin and Maria grilled salmon. Chris fried up some Mahi-Mahi.   Oh, we feasted

 Still exploring. 

Dakota, age 7, is  just a cutie in  her princess fairy dress.  This was during the egg hunt. 

And all the grands - Dakota, Makyla, Abby with Levi, and  Skylar

Delightful  Easter Weekend.  I hope you and  yours had a good family time, peace, feast, chocolate bunnies, and more. 

Now, have  a good  week!

finally Friday - Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle is an endearing tale of being single, finding love, passion, truth, and a key question - what is true romantic love? 

cover blurb - Daphne Bell believes the universe has a plan for her. Every time she meets a new man, she receives a slip of paper with his name and a number on it - the exact amount of time they will be together.  Three days with Martin in Paris, five weeks with Noah in San Francisco, and three months with Hugo. 

Now Hugo is her ex but a long time best friend.  Then along comes Jake and the paper  has no time frame.  So, what is really going  to happen?  Can she really commit?   And can she tell Jake the truth - some difficult information about her, her past, and her future?

I can't say more. This book has some twists and turns and surprises. Daphne is a very filled out rich character, and I rooted for her to make the right decisions. The author definitely pulls you in.  Fun read. 
 

Whatever Wednesday - Mosaic Tile fun

The City of Bedford is creating a community mural in a tree design. Encompassing the  design will be 300 mosaic tiles painted by Bedford residents.  Ray and I went to one of the paint locations and got in  on  the action.  My first tile I picked was for  the "Warm color" section  of the tree.  I used a flower stencil and expanded from there.  

My second design  came from the "blues" section  of the mural - more for  the sky surrounding the tree. I used a sponge for the background blues for some texture, and then whispered around a design. 

Ray stayed in the "blues" area, used a stencil, and colored in  from there.  It had to be 80% blues, 20% other colors. 

And another addition  to the "blues" from Ray.  

We enjoyed our hour of creativity, and it was fun  seeing how other people interpreted the assignment. Some stuck  with stencils, others did free hand designs.   It will be very interesting to see how this all pulls together into  a colorful tree. 

Look  for  community activities.  Free to do.  Fun!  and hey - it's your tax dollars at work for something  worthwhile - ART!  
 

Monday Moments - The Guy Not Taken by Jennifer Weiner

 I perused the  library shelves and found an older  Jennifer Weiner book of short stories.  The Guy Not  Taken has some familiar  characters and some new  ones.  Weiner's trademark humor shines through this collection as we follow love and relationships over time.  

Marlie is home with her new baby. She finds her ex's online  wedding  registry and ponders the "what ifs" of life. What if  she  had wound up with this  guy?

Bruce from Weiner's  novel Good in Bed is drunk and ready  to steal a rat terrier. The bachelor party night  becomes complicated.   

Jessica Norton lists her wonderful New York apartment hoping to win her broker's heart. (Silly woman!)

In the  eleven stories, you meet folks who feel familiar. Some  could  be friends, some enemies, and most are muddling  along. The author explores the hidden  corners of our common  experiences. (cover  blurb).   Thumbs up on  poignancy and laughter - a good combo.  

Finally Friday - Color Popping

 Happy Friday!   I can only hope  that there is some wisteria just around the corner  from you.  On my walk, I  round the bend and this beauty stuns.  Bees buzz.   I inhale the  fragrance and appreciate the delicate blooms.  

Aaah - spring.   Bask in some  sunshine and enjoy your weekend.