Monet - The Late Years

If you want an hour of serene contemplation, go visit the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, TX for their latest featured exhibit: Monet The Late Years. 

Ray indulged me Sunday and we strolled the art museum enjoying huge water lily canvasses. This exhibit covers the final phase of Monet's career with more than fifty paintings. From 1913 to his death in 1926, he reinvented his style - bolder, different use of scale and composition, and much larger canvasses than painted prior. The splashes of color, the subtle hues of shimmering light and dark. I enjoyed them all. His eyesight was failing. His brother and son had passed. But Monet kept busy - gardening at Giverny, and painting - that's what kept him going.

It was fun seeing some old film clips - a man in a suit, a jaunty brimmed hat, long white beard, cigarette clamped between lips, and a paintbrush in hand. A force of art for the ages.

The Kimbell, once again, brings a classy exhibit to Fort Worth. Well done!

Friday Film Frolic and Loaded Fries

Finished work early on Friday. Came home and nabbed Ray - off to Alamo Drafthouse movie theater for a full fun 3:15 pm film frolic. This theater chain is pricey but I'd been wanting to check it out. Nice! And I'm not big on food service in theaters, but this was part of the Friday plan - share a super good snack - loaded queso fries (OMG, Yummy) and two Alamo draft root beers.

We settled in for the ridiculousness that is the Fast & Furious series. Hobbs & Shaw is crazy town entertainment with Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham snarling at each other, but saving the world. Car chases, a killer virus, super cool villain (Idris Elba) with a snazzy motorcyle, London, Russia, Samoa, Shaw's sister played by Vanessa Kirby adds a kick to the action. Back in prison, Helen Mirren (head of the Shaw clan) is a briefly seen hoot. Throw in CIA "friend", Ryan Reynolds and his wacky chatter. I don't need to tell  you plot line. The stunts are amazing, the film making rocks, it's loud, it's fast, it's furious. No brain power required. Summer Friday Frolic.


***Note - in light of the various serious matter of shootings in Dayton, El Paso, etc. I do want to say that I'm not a "gun" person. Far from it. 
However, I've always been fine with mob movies, cop movies, fast & furious movies, James Bond movies - guns, explosions on the screen, etc. Just like the use of the F word these days, it can be a bit much, but I can stay that step away from the silver screen, recognize it is Hollywood film making, and not confuse "pretend" with "reality". ***

Good luck with Monday and your week, my blog friends. Stay safe (and cool!)

Toni Morrison

Some authors just command respect. Toni Morrison who passed away this week at age 88 is/was one of those authors. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988 for Beloved. Her writing and presence was strong, commanding, classy, and unique. She offered a challenge to life, conscience, and history.

Here are a few quotes from Toni Morrison. She is a writer who will remain a current and constant in American literature. A formidable body of work.

Narrative has never been merely entertainment for me. It is, I believe, one of the principal ways in which we absorb knowledge.    Her Nobel lecture.

I decided that winning the Nobel was fabulous. Nobody was going to take that and make it into something else. I felt representational. I felt American. I felt Ohioan. I felt blacker than ever. I felt more woman than ever. I felt all of that, and put all of that together and went out and had a good time. 

1993  It is not possible for me to be unaware of the incredible violence, the willful ignorance, the hunger for other people's pain. 

2012  When I'm not thinking about a novel, or not actually writing it, it's not very good; the 21st century is not a very nice place. I need writing to just stay steady, emotionally. 

Her books and work live on , they breathe and keep us aware of history, life, and the human challenge.

Movie Review - Quentin's latest flick

I’m often conflicted on Quentin Tarantino movies. Some can be so good (Pulp Fiction, Inglourious Bastards) and some can stink (Hateful Eight).  Once Upon A Time in Hollywood is a winner. Whew! Quentin captures the 1968 and 1969 vibe with the look, the music, and so many nuances. Leonardo DiCaprio plays an actor on the downhill slide, and Brad Pitt is his stunt double with some issues. Both are excellent. Trust me, there’s a scene with Brad facing off against an actor playing Bruce Lee – it’s priceless.  

Margo Robbie plays Sharon Tate. She’s not in it a lot really, but she does shine and, obviously the Tate figure with the whole Manson ordeal plays a big part of Tarantino’s rewritten history. It’s good to know the backdrop from that time period and understand the references. A younger guy at my workplace thought the flick was boring…but he didn’t “get” it. With Tarantino, you do have to think  a bit (in a good way).

My husband thought it was a tad long and would have edited it down. I can understand his point, but I was okay with the whole flow and mood of the movie. Plenty of laughs and good acting. And I was curious where some of the twists would take us. All in all, I give credit to Quentin for his efforts as a very creative director. He’s unique. Yes, there’s a blast of violence at the end and it works. Plus stay through the credits – some funny touches there with Leo. Plenty of famous faces show up with bit parts – Al Pacino is funny. Once Upon A Time in Hollywood totally entertained me on a rainy Saturday morning – yes, three hours of movie amusement.  Worth the tub of popcorn.

What to Say?

 Do not turn away, through cowardice, from despair. Go through it.

...Pass beyond. On the other side of the tunnel you will find light again.  

Andre Gide 1928


El Paso,  Dayton, and on and on.

Will we find a light? 


Wednesday I'll be back with a movie review, and yes, my life moves on as do most of ours.
Yet, such sad senseless shootings chip away at the psyche. In one day there are millions and millions of  acts of kindness. That's the big picture. But, one horrible act causes countless sorrows and sears into our souls.

What to say?   What to do? 

Book Review - What my Mother and I Don't Talk About

What My Mother and I Don't Talk About edited by Michele Filgate is an interesting collection of essays. Various writers explore their estranged relationships or their very close ones. Others explore trying to have a conversation with their mother that doesn't involve their father. One has a deaf mother - that had different ramifications in growing up.

The editor Filgate says in the cover blurb, "Our mothers are our first homes, and that's why we're always trying to return to them. There's relief in breaking the silence. Acknowledging what we couldn't say for so long is one way to heal relationships with others, and perhaps most important, with ourselves."

I found this book and the essays quite touching. There was such a huge variety. I have to say - I loved my mother but took her for granted. I did move to Texas after college at age twenty-one. I came back to visit my mom and dad twice a year, taking so much for granted.

My mother passed away when I was thirty four years old. Frankly, that has affected me for the rest of my life. Conversations we could have had as adults, questions I did have, etc - no chance for them. I think that's why this book hit a nerve with me.   A winner from my library.

 I will say - if you don't talk to your mother.....consider doing so...before it's too late.

August is all About Ray

Happy Birthday Ray.  Today. August 1st - the man is a Leo

He golfs, hunts, bowls, swims, laughs, reads, likes margaritas. Loyal family man, hard worker, hard player, sports enthusiast - fantasy baseball, fantasy football, cheers his Cowboys, constantly shaking his head over the Texas Rangers.

He's my cabana boy, weed plucker, project man extraordinaire - knows how to use tools.

He makes a mean batch of sour cream enchiladas, and grills a steak to perfection.

Ray's my sweetie pie hubby.  Treats all day and all month - the goal is a decent cobbler tonight and I'll sing Happy Birthday off-key.

Cheers to Ray on his birthday.