Whatever Wednesday - July Joy

July in Texas and out come the heat memes.  And they capture the moments. 

Meanwhile I am in Pinehurst, NC hanging with the ladies.  It's  the gang and we've converged to enjoy a week of laughs, chat, book club, and more.  Will Pinehurst ever be the same?    Ha!

This is the honest to God truth.  No real cold water out of the tap until  October. 

We are in training here for Hell.  I am ready!
 

Wednesday Whatever - July Junk

Crazy from the heat in July. This summer is turning out to be a HOT one. It was about time - the past  few summers have not been "too bad".  It's all relative in TX.   So - here's some flashback summer items.  Chinese Lanterns at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens was an awesome exhibit. 

Here's a way back photo of our backyard - BP - Before Pergola.  We still have the mister system and it turns the temp down about five degrees.  That can mean a lot. 

Oldie flashback  to a New York City trip.   Central Park.  John Lennon.   Cue  "Imagine"  Aaaahhh

And another backyard flashback  to a fantastic crepe myrtle  display.  Ever since ice-m-aggedon in Feb 2020, we've been a bit on the sparse side. But she's coming back yearly. 

Friends.  You gotta have friends.  This is last year  - 2021- with Julie and Linda H. 

Sweet!
 

July Junque: Day 31 Grand Finale Jumble Sale

Man Hanging Out - Prague, Czech Republic

Well, I achieved my goal of posting every day in July. Like entering a junk store, you never know what you'll find. I classed things up with the "que" on the end of the word. Hope you were impressed and amused by the assortment of goodies we encountered on our adventure.

Now, I plan to hang out for the rest of the summer. Still have to work, but at least I'm in air conditioning. Post at my leisure, see movies and keep those reviews in the queue.

Keep checking back. You never know what word jumble I'll be selling.

July Junque: Day 30 Movie Review Madness: Boyhood

Boyhood is a fantastic and creative film. Director Richard Linklater had a vision and it worked – took twelve years, was quite a gamble, but it worked. When he cast six year old Ellar Coltrane as Mason, Linklater had no idea he cast movie magic. He also cast his own daughter Lorelei as the older sister, Samantha. Patricia Arquette plays the mother, and Ethan Hawke is the ex, was absent dad, now trying to make up for lost time dad. They filmed life vignettes over twelve years.  

This is a real movie with dialogue and no doubt some improvisation, but it mirrors true life. Lots of moving, plenty of bad choices, throw in alcoholic stepfathers, and we watch Mason try to blend into the world, quietly establish his persona, puzzle over what people say and do, and unite with his sister as they cope with life.  The film is seamless as it moves from year to year. Haircuts change, voice change, attitude, clothing styles, music, and facial hair – we watch the film eager to see Ellar/Mason’s growth spurt, eager to root for him, and hope that he makes friends, has a girlfriend, rebounds from stepfather stress and abuse.  

Often he’s the quiet one with huge watchful eyes. Samantha grows into a lovely young lady. The mother goes to school, gets her degrees, teaches at the university, and struggles to do her best for herself and the kids. Ethan Hawke’s dad is the motor mouth – exudes cool, wants his kids to love him, and seeks their reassurance. He, too, ultimately grows up, remarries and has a baby boy, and has had a positive influence on Mason.  

Boyhood is superb. We laugh and worry for Mason. We attend his high school graduation party and want to give him a big hug as we send him out into the “real” world. After watching him grow from six to eighteen we have a vested interest. There’s a great line near the end of the film as he explores Big Bend Park with new college friends. “I don’t think it’s always seize the moment. I think the moments seize us.”  That sums up Boyhood – life moments.

July Junque: Day 29 Tireless Tuesday

Break Through From Your Mold By Zenos Frudakis, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

wake me

 

from my reverie

beckon, break the ennui

paper shuffle routine 

run rampant

douse doldrums

savory aromas

chocolate dollop

tease temptation

 

by  Joanne Faries

July Junque: Day 28 Monday Mayhem

When I wrote up this post, I had no idea what transpired over the weekend. However, based on world news these day, I assume some mob stormed something. Let's look at a few quotes about mobs:

A Mob's a Monster. Heads enough, but no brains - Ben Franklin  1747

The mob is man voluntarily descending to the nature of the beast - Ralph Waldo Emerson 1841

A mob is humanity going the wrong way - Frank Lloyd Wright  1958

You shall not follow a multitude to do evil - Moses Exodus 23:2

Mobs must be faced if civilization is to be saved - George Bernard Shaw  1912

July Junque: Day 27 Silent Sunday

The Knotted Gun, Turtle Bay, New York

July Junque: Day 26

Ever since Eat, Pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert has been on an upward trajectory. I liked that book (especially the eating in Italy section), and have read others. Her latest, The Signature of All Things, is now in paperback. I reviewed it many moons ago. She's interviewed in Entertainment Weekly (August 1st issue) and seems down to earth with a good sense of humor.

Here are few blurbs from that interview -
they ask her to name a book considered overrated - Having written a book that many people consider grossly overrated, I feel the only polite thing for me to do here is to gently dodge the question. (I am deeply sympathetic to authors who get pegged. We are a brotherhood of the apologetic and the abashed.)

any books you wished you'd written?  Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantel. All you can do in the presence of such singular genius is to bow down in wonder.

time you tried to buy your own book?   I recently tried to buy a copy of The Signature of All Things, in an Atlanta bookstore, only 10 minutes after I had finished a big event there. I asked the clerk and she'd never heard of it.  Say what?  Oh well, never mind.

things you've written that make you cringe and/or proud?  I feel cringey whenever I read passionate old essays of mine.
I am sincerely proud of all my books, though. If you've worked at something with all your heart, then you should feel free to love it with all your heart - no matter how it holds up or doesn't hold up over time.

July Junque - good writing advice - stay proud of your work, if you truly gave it your heart and soul.

July Junque: Day 25 Killer Book Review

We know who the killer is – a man wearing a clown mask drives a Mercedes through crowds of people at a job convention. However, he gets away and is now plotting against retired Detective Hodges. Stephen King is a master of suspense. He hooks you and reels you in bit by bit in the book Mr. Mercedes. It’s a race against time and an insight into a killer’s mind.  

From the cover blurb: The killer “loved the feel of death under the wheels of the Mercedes, and he wants to feel that rush again. Only Bill Hodges, with a couple of eccentric and mismatched allies, can apprehend the killer before he strikes again. And they have no time to lose, because the next mission, if it succeeds, will kill or maim thousands.” 

This is not a book with creatures who go bump in the night. This is a book with an insane monster functioning in society. He’s a computer geek with two jobs, and he gains access to homes, families, and kids easily. Now, that’s scary.

 

Stephen King knows how to poke into the psyche and hit the nerves. He writes with humor and everyday chatter, and he keeps the pages turning. If you haven’t read a Stephen King book in a while, Mr. Mercedes is a good one to pick up for summer reading. It’s fast paced and nerve wracking. Root for Detective Hodges and figure out the twists and turns with him. Your heart will thump, scared there will be an explosion.  Accelerate or swerve. Whew!

 

July Junque: Day 24

I think I've read some essays by Nadine Gordimer. I certainly knew the name, so when I read her obituary (passed at age 90), I felt remorse in not reading more. She was a Nobel Prize winner in 1991, and considered South Africa's literary conscience.

From Time Magazine 7/28/14 - her destiny was written in geography - in the racial and political agonies of apartheid. Her work was distinguished by her ability to sketch characters from every part of society and across the political spectrum with equal insight and empathy.

She was quoted, "Television and newspapers show people's lives at a certain point. But novels tell you what happened after the riot, what happened when everybody went home."

Sounds like a wise lady. I shall seek out her work.

July Junque -  a wide world of literature awaits exploration

July Junque: Day 23 Scandal

Summer guilty pleasure - Scandal binge watching on Netflix. OMG.

I saw Shonda Rhines and Kerry Washington interviewed on Sundance The Writers' Room - entertaining show hosted by Jim Rash. He discusses television shows with the writers, producers, and often key actors. The process is fascinating. After seeing the Scandal episode, I decided to check out the show. All three seasons are streaming on Netflix.

Well, Ray joined me by chance and we are hooked. Kerry (as Olivia) is phenomenal - she's smart, savvy, and looks fabulous. Tony Goldwyn as President Grant is flawed, but has Olivia Pope fever too.  She is the fixer in Washington, DC. Her worker bee team is unique, and the show delves into past stories so we see how they all came to be. Kate Burton as the First Lady is conniving, power hungry, and is a formidable ally/foe to Olivia. Oh the twists and turns. Oh the power and money.

this is high class tv trash and I have no regrets in watching it. I urge you to get hooked too.

July Junque - I want to work for Shondaland

July Junque: Day 22

Photo op of happy authors at Dog Eared Books, in Weatherford TX  Saturday 7/19 was the book signing event. Very fun and decent traffic. We all sold some books, shared publishing tidbits, and had plenty of laughs. 

l to r - Ann Summerville (author of cozy mysteries), Joanne Faries (eclectic mix of memoir, flash, and poetry), Nancy Lynn (author of tales from her late Airedale), and Martha Faulkner (author of Napi - the Pug who survived Katrina).

July Junque - book signings are way more fun with a group.

P.S. July Junque - poetry does not sell.  Sigh

July Junque: Day 21 Movie Review Madness: Begin Again

Nothing blows up in Begin Again and that’s a good thing. This “little flick” stars Mark Ruffalo as a down and out music producer. He has a drinking problem, gets kicked from his own company (by a very professional looking Ludacris), and ends up in a bar listening to a girl sing. The girl is Keira Knightly and she’s contemplating a return to her native London after being dumped by her boyfriend – Adam Levine playing a singer who’s hit the big time. So Mark feels the magic of Keira and convinces her to cut a CD with him. Both are wary, but pull together friends and contacts to form a group. Nobody is getting paid as they record on the streets of New York.  (And NYC is an awesome location – Central Park, between buildings, under a bridge, etc) 

The joy of music shines through. Everybody has pushed their restart button and are trying to figure out their lives. Mark reconnects with his daughter (Hailee Steinfeld) and slowly stops annoying his ex – Catherine Keener (always good). Keira works at forgetting Adam Levine, but they do cross paths. I won’t say how that ends or begins. All in all – the music and songs are quite decent and entertaining, as are the performances. Ruffalo plays shaggy haired well, with those puppy dog eyes and lopsided grin. I will say that fortunately the movie does not give us a cliché hook up for him and Keira. That would be quite oogie. Instead it’s a friendship and that’s more powerful.  

Begin Again starts with angst, but ends with smiles, singing, and joy. This is a nice date movie, or one to enjoy on your own. Just sing.

July Junque: Day 20 Savor

I don't have a picture from Friday night, but I had the tastiest little cupcake from "Slap Yourself" Cupcake Truck. Scrumptious two bites and it was gone. I did not get any chocolate on my new white blouse. Totally worth $2 and a zillion calories.

July Junque motto - splurge and savor

July Junque: Day 19 Reflect on a Fri Night

Friday afternoon led to Friday evening at the Dallas Museum of Art. Here on a balcony overlooking the sculpture garden.  Inside, enjoyed "The Mind's Eye" featuring masterwork drawings. Very nice charcoals, pastels, etc - Degas, Manet, Delacroix, David, Renoir - all the biggies.

Chowed a sandwich in the café, then strolled over to Klyde Warren Park to people watch. Balmy temps for Texas - 80s. That's crazy talk.  Back inside to enjoy a new author talk with Daniel Silva. His book The Heist features the intrepid Gabriel Allon - art restorer and master Israeli spy. Looking forward to a great read.  Came out and the museum was going strong with their Late Night program. Folks were everywhere enjoying art, music, and other entertainment for families. Open until midnight. Yawn - we headed home, but were impressed.

July Junque - stay up late on a Friday night. Things are jumping.

July Junque: Day 16 - 18 Book Signing Fun

July is the best month to poke around the corners of a book store - C'mon out and visit

MEET THE AUTHORS AND BOOK SIGNING

July 19 10:00 – 2:00

Dog Eared Books

318 Santa Fe Drive, Weatherford, Texas 76086  - 817.598.1800

 

 

About the authors:

MARTHA FAULKNER enjoys combining three of her greatest loves: children, writing, and humor. She has taught elementary for over twenty-five years and currently teaches third grade in Aledo, Texas. Martha uses her stories to teach writing skills to her “Frog” students as she shares her love of writing. 

Martha lives with her husband Jim on a small ranch in the West Texas town of Weatherford. She has three grown children, two daughters-in-law, and three granddaughters with whom she looks forward to sharing her stories.

A member of Trinity Writers Workshop since 2000, Martha is also a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Although the author of many short stories and humorous poems, this is Martha’s first children’s book.

 

JOANNE FARIES, originally from the Philadelphia area, lives in Texas with her husband Ray. Published in Doorknobs & Bodypaint, she also has poems in Silver Boomer anthologies. Joanne is the film critic for the Little Paper of San Saba. Look for her humorous memoir My Zoo World: If All Dogs Go to Heaven, Then I'm in Trouble, a story collection Wordsplash Flash and three poetry books - Wordsplash Poetry Puddle: Nature, Hazy Memory, and Tread Water on Amazon.

http://wordsplash-joannefaries.blogspot.com

 

NANCY LYNN was born in Fort Worth, Texas, grew up in the countryside west of the city, and returned to live in Fort Worth. She attended TCU and has a degree in education. Although she worked in banking for many years, she is also a contract writer and continues her hobby of writing short stories. THE AIREDALE'S TALES is told by Bentley the Airedale, who lived with Nancy Lynn for 12+ years. You will see that he was a charmer and a rascal and wanted to share his adventures about life on earth (Fort Worth in particular) with everyone who reads about them. Be prepared to laugh and maybe cry a little as you read THE AIREDALE'S TALES.

 

ANN SUMMERVILLE, author of A Graceful Death and Grandmother’s Flower Garden, was born in England, and in search of a warmer climate, moved to California before settling in Texas.  Her short stories and flash fiction have been published in the Lutheran Digest, Long Story Short, The Shine Journal, Doorknobs & Bodypaint, Associated Content, Trinity Writers’ Workshop newsletters and also their collection of Christmas stories.  Ann resides in Fort Worth with her son, two boisterous dogs and a somewhat elusive cat and is currently working on her 9^th cozy mystery.

www.annsummerville.com

www.cozyintexas.blogspot.com

July Junque: Day 15 Birthday Greetings

July Junque - can't go wrong with flowers

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

In the morning, the patio does get a bit of shade and the Mexican Petunia blooms. This is a good corner to poke around in and discover something pretty.

My father has painted flowers and always enjoys them. So, here's to you Dad.  July 15 - he's 83 - and darn perky.  I'm a lucky daughter.   In this picture - we froze in early Dec. 2013 in front of the Michener Art Museum.

July Junque: Day 14 Bastille Day - Philly Style

Saw this blurb in my Philadelphia magazine -

In honor of Bastille Day, folks that show up at Eastern State Penitentiary (now an historical tourist site) can see 3,000 Tastykakes thrown from the tower by Marie Antoinette (played by London Grill co-owner Terry Berch McNally)

The thought of that cracked me up. My favorite Tastykake is peanut butter tandy cake, but the butterscotch krimpets would be more amusing.

Crazy times in July - Let 'em cake

July Junque: Day 13

July Junque - classic literature is a challenge

When I attended the One Day University back in May, the book lecture session suggested that one step out of the comfort zone and read a classic (if that isn't your norm). So I bought a doorstopper of a book - Middlemarch by George Eliot - and (gasp) I am enjoying it.

Now, I can't recommend it because it is daunting and it is actually easy to put down. Since end of May, I've also read my usual magazines, and a few other books (plus the graphic novel Snowpiercer).
However, in the proper frame of mind, this slice of life from the late 1800s is amusing. Many of the manners and mores in the town of Middlemarch are quite applicable today or not.  The question of a proper marriage and what that entails. Women swooning at times, and men assuming women are not capable of scholarly thought. If you consider the times, the book is a social history lesson.

This is not a book to peruse or gloss over. I will read a chapter and wish at times for a dictionary. The language is rich and dense and mindboggling in structure. But there's scandal, heartbreak, love, and yearning.

p. 776 She had never felt anything like this triumphant power of indignation in the struggle of her married life, in which there had always been a quickly subduing pang, and she took it as a sign of new strength.

July is a good month to stretch the mind while sitting on the patio. Just don't drop Middlemarch on your bare foot.

July Junque: Day 12 is Snowpiercer

July junque - explore new material. For me - a graphic novel
I've been reading stellar reviews and plan to see the movie Snowpiercer. However, the blurbs aroused my curiosity, since the movie is based on a graphic novel. I've never been a big comic book person, but I've heard that the artwork and stories in the graphic novel genre are often quite clever and nuanced. Thus, I purchased Snowpiercer 1:The Escape and I was impressed. It is a page-turner and tells a gripping tale.

Here's the back cover blurb: Coursing through an eternal winter, on an icy track wrapped around the frozen planet Earth, there travels a train that never stops. This is Snowpiercer: one thousand and one carriages long.

Surviving humanity lives here in a similar hierarchy to earth. The elite travel in the front car luxury. The back cars are squalid and miserable. Will Proloff, our hero, be able to move forward and reach the engine?  Is there a battle? What does he find for his future?

Quite a tale told in stunning detail. Something different for July.