Off to PA

This picture of my Dad is from August 2014.  I'm headed up to PA to see him and do some work around the old homestead with my siblings. He's been having some medical treatments, so probably not as perky.

I shall assess the situation. My younger sister (by ten years)  assessed a month or so ago and suggested I come up for spring cleaning. She just wants to point and have me move furniture. I require a lot of breaks, so it's good I'm there for a week.

My brother's already buying some mulch for a bush spruce up. We don't want Dad's place to be the neighborhood eyesore (at least from the front).

Absolutely DO NOT walk around back - it's gotten out of hand, like Sleeping Beauty's castle - a tangle of overgrown crazy.

So, everyone have a good week. I'll be posting some of my usual reviews, etc. but I might be remiss in commenting due to hard labor. My sister is stingy with the work passes.

Book Review: A God in Ruins

Last year I declared Life After Life by Kate Atkinson my favorite book. The story and writing was stunning – very unique.  Now her new book, A God in Ruins, is not really a  sequel but contains many of the same characters.  Instead of Ursula, we read younger brother Teddy’s story – heroic pilot, husband, father, and grandfather. Atkinson handles time in a unique fashion. We read about Teddy as a grandfather and then seamlessly move back to his WWII pilot days and harrowing danger. She gives witness to an ordinary man and his path through extraordinary times.  

Here are some samples of her writing.  P.97 Teddy’s attempts to be an author are a struggle.  The great authors of the past had set standards that made his own attempts at artifice look puny. He could find no engagement with the one-dimensional lives he had created. If an author was a god, then he was a very poor second-rate one, scrabbling around on the foothills of Olympus.  

p.135 the move to an assisted living center.  He had begun to lose the thrifty habits he had once had, growing tired of the relentless culling and resolution that the material world demanded. Easier to let it pile up, waiting for the great winnowing of goods that his death would bring.  

p.440 The trumpets sound the end of the revels. The baseless fabric begins to disintegrate. The stuff that dreams are made of starts to rend and tear and the walls of a cloud-capped tower tremble. 

A God in Ruins is not the page turner Kate Atkinson’s other book was for me. However, the characters are richly drawn and I liked Teddy a lot. She obviously did research because his time as a pilot on bomber runs was well written and thrillingly scary. Teddy’s time as a mortal man prove more difficult. Dealing with his very annoying daughter, he’s at a loss and misses his wife, Nancy, who dies far too soon. This book is a leisurely read. I like a book that’s intelligent (albeit, maybe a tad stodgy). This won’t be for everyone, but I’m a Kate Atkinson fan.

 

Adrift at Sea

No more landline.

I'm sure this is not news for many. It's an all cellular world with everyone saying, "Huh, what did you say?" into their smart phones.

However, I held on to the last vestige of clear signal. Ray paid the bill each month. But, we've been a week without service (I assume it was weather related) and Ray was losing the battle with the customer relations folks. Actually there were no folks - he was in auto dial hell. No end in sight.

So, since I don't chat with my father weekly on the phone (we pretty much email because he keeps weird hours), and I mostly email or text with friends to arrange a get together, this made sense.

It's all moving quickly. I've only had a cell phone for two years. Yes, you read that right. I was a hold out. I still haven't mastered all the buttons and programs and swiping stuff. Now I don't have a backup plan. I can't reach for the phone on the wall.

I will learn and I guess I need to turn on my ringer.

So what ringtone shall I put in for you?   A movie phrase, a blast of classic rock, or an animal sound.

No more landline. I am adrift at sea. My ringtone shall be a foghorn...........

Movie Review Madness: Entourage

The boys are back and as foul-mouthed and rowdy as ever. Vincent Chase (dreamy eyed Adrien Grenier) has his Entourage. It was an HBO show and now it’s on the big screen – still saluting Hollywood excess. The houses, the pools, the beach, the cars, the drinking, the partying – nothing has changed. Well, maybe a few things. Ari Gold (the irrepressible Jeremy Piven) is now a studio head. His self-imposed retirement did not last long. He’s back stressing over details, money, and whether his big star Vince can act AND direct. A lot is on the line, like over a hundred million dollars for a blockbuster called “Hyde”. The money man from Texas (Billy Bob Thornton) and his goober son (Haley Joel Osment) fit the stereotype, and they are exerting power over Ari. 

Vince needs to finish the film, that’s the key to the plot line. Meanwhile, Johnny Drama (Kevin Dillon) is still Vince’s dimwitted older brother, still plugging away, and hoping that his four pivotal scenes bring him the stardom he yearns for. Eric “E” (Kevin Connelly) is the common sense manager/producer who’s awaiting the birth of his child with Sloane his ex-girlfriend, as he juggles other ladies. Even E can’t stay out of the gutter. And Turtle,  (Jerry Ferrara) Vince’s old pal who’s the driver, is actually a successful businessman with his own tequila. Who knew? 

This isn’t a good movie, but it isn’t horrible either. For my five dollars I was amused and entertained, realizing this is very low brow and stupid.  There are plenty of star cameos. Behavior is shameful but it’s Hollywood. The key theme is that the NYC hometown boys hang together, support each other, and are friends/family no matter what happens. At this point, Ari is family and he stands by Vince no matter what the studio says. So, will the movie be the downfall of the crew? Place your bets, then hop in the shiny new car with Vince and his Entourage to cruise Hollywood. Just try to stay out of trouble. I dare you.

Friday Night Dance

Had an email last week from my sister as she closes out another school year with eighth grade Jr.High kids. It cracked me up and I asked if I could share. So consider this a guest post courtesy of my younger sister who's been teaching over twenty years. - from last Friday night

 

 

Another dance checked off!  This one was very easy (as the last few have been).  I see that kids today want to take selfies and videos while jumping up and down. This doesn't leave many hands free for groping. There are no couples--girls dance with girls, black boys dance with black boys, and white boys run around with balloons or eat food. Line dances are universally popular and Michael Jackson is still a hit. 

  In fashion news, a colored dress shirt is a must. Lots of black with a bright tie (think red or purple) or Easter egg colored shirts with a black tie. Turquoise, pink, orange, etc. A few vests, bow ties, or suspenders. Pants are skinny right now (Is there a term "pegged" for that narrowing at the ankle?) 

  Girls are in frothy dresses with lots of layers and tulle. Colors like peach, champagne, pink, baby blue, mint green. Some look inspired by the Lupita Nyongo red carpet looks of the past few seasons. Only a few short, tight and trampy. Much more princess-y. 

 A good time was had by all. Previous generations used to get more sentimental and cry and hug at the end of the dance. I guess they had grown up together and some were going to Vo-tech or private schools for the first time. These kids are easy, breezy. Just grab their shoes and phones and head out into the night with a "see ya"! 

That's the news on the youth culture of 2015.

Movie Review Madness: Far From the Madding Crowd

It was enjoyable to go to the movies and not have anything blow up. Well, maybe a heart or two, but it was done quietly in Dorset England, 1870. Far From the Madding Crowd is a rich period movie based on a Thomas Hardy novel. Unlike many of his books, this one actually has a happy ending. Carey Mulligan plays the  very independent Bathsheba Everdene. She’s a young woman who inherits a farm and intends to prove that she can manage it without  a husband. She’s extraordinarily modern in a very modest time full of manners and social mores. 

Miss Everdene says, “It is difficult for a woman to define her feelings in language which is chiefly made by men to express theirs.”  The movie revolves around her independence and interactions with three possible suitors. I will not divulge the winner. Gabriel Oak (a very stoic (hot) Matthias Schoenaerts) is a sheep herder/farm hand with plenty of wisdom from observing the world. Mr. Boldwood  (a shy Michael Sheen) is her wealthy neighbor. It would be quite convenient for them to marry. Or there’s the dashing soldier (charming Tom Sturridge) who’s quite the lady’s man.  

The dialogue is expressive and often what is not said is what counts. There is plenty of soulful eye gazing. The scenery is gorgeous and well filmed. Carey Mulligan is an excellent young actress (only 29) and can say so much with her eyes. She’s smart, energetic, and fully developed as a character.  Far From the Madding Crowd is an artsy flick and far from the summer blockbuster blow ‘em ups. But sometimes it is nice to get away from the crowds, travel to old England in your chair, and watch a love story evolve.

Road Trip

 Finally, Sunday sunshine in TX.   Ray and I decided to stretch the Camaro legs. We zoomed up to  ( **)  mph. Smooth as silk. It wasn't for long, but man....it was fun.

Onward to Hico, TX - ate at the Koffee Kup Café - their motto is "Pie Fixes Everything". Darn tasty.   Then onward to Dublin to tour their soda bottling plant. It used to be a huge Dr. Pepper location and has a very full Dr. Pepper museum. However, a lawsuit a few years ago removed Dr. Pepper. Now it bottles other sodas but still uses the pure cane sugar.

Interesting tour and plenty of Dr. Pepper stuff to peruse.  Fun Sunday road trip and home by 4:30 pm.

NO RAIN in sight.

** use your imagination