Monday Moments - Minions and Monsters

 News is nutso. It's hot and humid. Time for a small escape.  Ray and I ran away to our local movie theater to enjoy a Minions and Monsters matinee. 

And we laughed out loud starting with the opening credits -  a black and white homage to old Hollywood with minions meddling in the middle, and inevitable messing up a scene. So clever.  As old farts, we could pick up on so many references. I loved it. 

The general theme of the movie has school kids at a history museum and learning about James and Henry - minions who made a huge impact on the world. 

As the docent spins the story, we follow the guys as they muddle along in ancient times (reference Cyclops), or look to a Russian warlock to follow, and ultimately they land on a Hollywood set - thinking that the robbers are real. They are hired and are successful until the talkies some along. Minion tongue (all done by Pierre Coffin, the director) doesn't translate.  

So, kicked out - James and Henry decide to make their own monster film. I won't give away more. 

This movie is funny, silly, and dumb in a good way. It's creative and catchy. Ray and I both left giggling and amused. Success!  It was a bright spot on a Tuesday. 

Finally Friday - The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage

 New Year's Day - Tasmania. Lexi Villers is a second year medical resident. Everything's going great. 

alas, a helicopter lands.

Her  father and older brother were killed in a skiing accident. 

She is now the heir to the throne. Lexi's grandmother is the Queen of England. 

Lexi returns to England reluctantly.  Her grandmother gives her a year  to make a very important decision.  

Let her scheming uncle claim the throne?

Give it up and be with Jack?

Lexi must chart her own destiny.............The Heir Apparent by  Rebecca Armitage. . It's not obvious what route will be chosen.  Whew!

Whatever Wednesday - The Great Divide by Cristina Henriquez

 The Great Divide by Cristina Henriquez is a fictional tale of the Panama Canal.  She did her research and brings this huge feat of engineering alive. 

Francisco is a local fisherman who hates the foreign powers involved. 

His son, Omar, chooses  to work for the canal dig.  Oops -  family drama. 

A  huge contingent of foreign workers arrive - eager for the work, and the money. There's Omar. There's Ada  from Barbados - she needs money for her sister's surgery. 

So many stories.  Henriquez brings this to life through her characters.  

cover blurb: This book explores the intersecting lives of activists, fishmongers, laborers, journalists, neighbors, doctors, and soothsayers.  History carved its course.  Lots to acknowledge in the process. 

A very good read!

Monday Moments - The English Teacher by Lily King

 Vida Avery is one of the best English teachers Fayer Academy has ever seen. She's a fixture. Her son Peter has managed his life.  Now his mother marries, rather impulsively.  He's very happy to have a new dad - Tom Belou - and new siblings.  He seeks a normalcy.   His mother is still adjusting. She's been so accustomed to an isolated life and has protected Peter from so much.  She uses books as a wall. 

The English Teacher by Lily King is really well written.  Vida is a peculiar heroine. You root for her and her new marriage. And then you root for Tom because she is not treating him well.  Peter wants his siblings  to love him, but they still mourn their wonderful mother,  They weren't ready to move on. 

So many emotions in this book.  It is extraordinarily well written, yet  tears at the soul.  

Dang.  Tears.  Heart!  I recommend this for its deep feelings. 

Have tissues ready. 

Finally Friday - It's Primetime Summertime and the heat is on

The heat is on  in  Texas.  Not excessive - just "normal".  But whew!  

Summertime...An' the livin' is easy - Ira Gershwin from Porgy and Bess

Spray on enough bug spray and hammock time is comfortable at 8:30 pm.  A lovely hang out

The hammock sky view. 

1836  Ralph Waldo Emerson  The reason why the world lacks unity, and lies broken and in heaps, is because man is disunited with himself. 

Peace and Love is needed. Ray and  I attended our local fireworks in person.  We walked to the park about an hour ahead of time. The place was packed - a good band was playing, kids were running about, folks were eating, talking, and laughing.  Black, brown, white - any and all just there to enjoy July 4th. 

Everyone was behaving and having fun. Outdoors. Personal interaction. I actually felt the overall good vibe.  We need that every day. 

We must all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.  Ben Franklin  July 4, 1776.

Are not the mountains, waves, and skies a part of me and my soul, as I of them?   Lord Byron 1812

 

Whatever Wednesday - Random family reunion and more

Look at that - it was the Rabe family 93rd reunion.  Attending was Ray with son Chris, his wife Krystal, his daughter Abby and her son Levi.  Plus son Kevin and his wife Maria with daughters Makyla, Skylar, and Dakota.  

this is all in honor of Ray's great grandmother Rabe. 

Ray's folks at this juncture are physically unable to attend.

I do not attend.  It's too freakin' hot and Ray's busy with cousins, etc.  I host Sangria Saturday poolside at home with dear friends Linda Hoffman and Julie Walters.  Let's just say " All  parties are happy". 

I was blessed a long time ago by Ray's grandmother Ivy.  She said I did enough other family events.

 ( smile emoji)

 

Oh Dallas Wings - so fun.  My friend Trish and I have attended since tickets were $10 and parking was free. 

Now these seats on the 200 level are $60 and parking is $30.  Say what?  Yes - that's nuts.  But we have fun.  Alas, the Minnesota Lynx had all the answers.  Our Paige Bueckers (awesome) and  Azzy Fudd did not.  We lost.  But we had a good time on a Sunday afternoon. 

Can't go wrong with some inspiration from Maya

Carry on everyone. 

Happy July.  We still a democracy?    ................................just checking!!

Monday Moments - David Sedaris Latest

 I love David Sedaris humor.  The man is a gem. He's a national treasure. His humor and observations are priceless. 

I own every book in his career and can chuckle reading any page.

His latest, The Land and Its People, investigates what it means to be a traveler, a brother, a lifelong friend. 

cover blurb - Throughout these essays - at once acerbic and tender, playful and profound - Sedaris shows how much there is to marvel at when you keep your head up and your eyes open, observing warmth - our fascinating human species, and the land we inhabit. 

Trust me - as you read and wonder where he's going with a story, he will zap you with a hilarious final line. 

I  laughed out loud multiple times.      Enjoy.

(PS - I  saw him once at a public reading - This was a bucket list item.  He is hysterical and gives it his all live in performance. )

Finally Friday - July 4th Weekend

 Well, 250 years of the United States of America

Here's my table decor

Are we, America, going to survive?

I actually question if we can survive the current presidency.   I am at a WTF question mark. 

On a side note, the whole World Cup joy has brought me joy.  Get rid of politics and crap - people are people are people.  I've learned this from travel.  Folks are kind, thoughtful, and generous in real life situations.

Folks  discovering Buc-cees, Taco Bell, BBQ, and more in Texas - it's been joyously fabulous. 

so, we'll see if the Great American Experiment can survive the current crap administration and carry on. 

I'm now going to re-watch Hamilton for the zillionth time on  Disney+

Cheers, fireworks, pool float, hot dogs, hamburgers, and family time. 

Enjoy and all the best to YOU!!!

Whatever Wednesday - GOOOOAAAL

Greetings.   When I went to see SASSY MAMAS at the Jubilee Theater in Fort Worth, I visited Sundance Square ahead of time.  Very fun.  The soccer ball sculptures were on display

The fountains were rising and kids were enjoying the water. Folks were taking pics with these very cool soccer ball  sculptures. 

Colorful joy. A band was playing.  A big screen showed a soccer/ football game, and families  were enjoying a free Fort Worth afternoon  (well....there was parking prices.....never free now)

 All in  all  - it  was a ball.   World  Cup fever, baby!!!