Book Review - Memory Man by David Baldacci

 The Amos Decker series began in 2015. Memory Man by David Baldacci is the first book and what a kick-off. Amos is a genius mess of a man. You'll like him, feel sorry for him, root for him, and be intrigued by him. 

A football hit that made everyone's video to watch changed Amos Decker's life. Suddenly he could remember everything - every detail of every moment of his life. He also saw in colors - numbers, people  - all associated with  colors. Weird. And it took a lot to learn how to live with this new "gift."

But everything was going for detective Decker - married, one child, moving up in his career (detail oriented is fabulous for police work) and it all crashed around him. Murdered, horribly murdered - wife and girl dead. His world collapsed. Homeless, jobless, depression, suicidal. 

Now some maniac is back killing in the same manner and taunting Decker to solve it. Figure out these murders. It's a challenge and frankly it takes the whole book to watch Decker piece together puzzles, get stumped, stopped at dead ends, and question himself. 

Baldacci knows how to write a thriller. He's got a great character to work with  and I look forward to more Amos Decker reads. They are in my queue. Meanwhile - start with Memory Man and stretch the brain a tad. Enjoy

Friday - Fritter, Fret, Freeze

 We are in triple digits through the weekend, so as I float in my pool I'm ready for cooler weather. Now I know these pictures are drastic, and no I don't want snow. But....it's the thought of goose bumps that just seem delightful.  Freeze!

Work has been a bit tension filled this week. My part of the job has been okay. But there's some issues and just a touch of anxiety on dealing with customers.   Fret!

Thus - heat, tension....I feel tired. I find after dinner I'm sorta reading, sorta watching TV, sorta outa sorts. Poor Ray. Yes, he puts up with me. Best to leave me alone. And I just putz my time away. Fritter!

I'll get my act together this weekend. Until then - Happy Friday

Whatever Wednesday - More Mena AR

 I believe I promised to bore you with more flora and fauna from Mena, AR.  Here you go. It was just such a lovely break and cool temps.  We are back in the heat wave in TX, but our pool feels nice and we're very fortunate. 

Nature is whole,  and yet,  never finished - Goethe

Nature never makes excellent things for no mean or no uses - John Locke

Accuse not nature, she hath done her part; Do thou but thine -  John Milton  Paradise Lost

Happy Wednesday

Book Review - Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner

 Jennifer Weiner is a reliable author - she writes rich characters, very real plot lines, and truly captures human emotions. Mrs. Everything, her latest, checks the boxes and delivers. 

Back blurb - Jo and Bethie Kaufman, born in 1950s Detroit, have a world of promise ahead. Jo's the tomboy. Bethie's the pretty good girl. But the 60s bring free love, Vietnam, Woodstock, and women's lib. Bethie goes counterculture. Jo is a proper young mother in CT with three girls. She's a witness to the changing world instead of a participant. Jennifer Weiner tells a story of two sisters who, with their different dreams and different paths, offer answers to the question: How should a woman be in the world?

Big issues - lesbianism, feminism, rape, religion (Jewish), race are all featured in this book. Mrs. Everything is not heavy handed. This is fiction, but it does make one think about the characters' choices. You do root for the sisters, and no matter, what they do end up having each other's back (No,  I'm not blowing any major plot point). Oh there's moments of frustration, guilt, and disappointment. 

But there's love and family. Darn good themes and read. 

Book Review - The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

There in the mirror, in letters maybe six inches high, STOP DIGGING. 

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware had me only reading in daylight. Oooh - very creepy book and kept me guessing.

Laura Blaylock, travel writer, was fortunate to get a gig on  the launch of billionaire Richard Bullmer's Aurora cruise boat in the fjords. She mingles with other top notch reporters,  all looking for an angle. Laura is awakened one night by a splash and fears someone is overboard. But is she reliable - a  little booze, some pills, is there a woman in the next cabin (10) or is she hallucinating? The ship board detective has Laura questioning herself.

Bullmer's rich wife is on board (she's the big money behind the scenes) and she's suffering from cancer. Rumor has it he's been seen with young ladies on the side. So, what's the scoop there?

Plenty of intrigue and a lot of things that don't quite add up on this lovely cruise.  And now...where's Laura?  Her fiance, her family haven't heard from her at all.

Yikes!  That's all I can write.
Enjoy - with all of the lights on.

Wednesday Whatever - Mena Arkansas

 Me enjoying the rocks near the Little Missouri water falls

 Kevin hiked out to a "little" falls

 Ray chilled on the big lovely deck, while Kevin dunked into the shallow river below

 Kevin's art project

 Ray and I at the two-footed tree.  A nifty little pit stop

Ray behind the wheel rarin' to go


We ran amok this past weekend in Mena, Arkansas.  Believe me - this was some social distant nature. Ouachita National Forest is gorgeous and thick.  It was a 4-1/2 hour drive from our house. We left Friday morning - arrived about 1 pm, and were on some trails by 2:30.  Zoom Zoom and jounce the brain.

Ray had a blast with his RZR.  We enjoyed time with son Kevin and his wife Maria. Total chill - for real - the temps were high 70s by day and 60s in the morning. Wow!  Even had a nifty bonfire Sat eve.

Altogether logged about 60 miles on trails over 3 days. It's reassuring to know there's a lot of nature out there and some darn thick woods.  I'll share some more pics on Wednesdays.  Deer, fawns, butterflies!

Monday Moment - Ray's a Bit Older

Happy August and that means Happy Birthday Ray - his day was Saturday.   We were off on a social distant jaunt to Mena, Arkansas. Staying in a cabin and riding in his zoom zoom RZR.  I'll post some pics from there at a later date.

Meanwhile - it's all about Ray. The man knows how to have fun. So, it's been a quiet 2020 for adventure. Ray's saving up his energy and no doubt when we can bust loose again...he'll be ready. Older, wiser, and crazier!

Love ya, Ray!