Book Review - Things We Do For Love by Kristen Hannah

 This book is a bit of an oldie in the Kristen Hannah collection. But The Things We Do For Love is quite heartwarming and golden.  Her characters have deep souls and there are a lot of issues that are discussed and handled well. 

Angie's divorced and heartbroken in regards to conceiving a child. She returns to the Pacific Northwest and takes over her family's restaurant. She's on the business side of things, clashes with her mother and sisters, and there's plenty of drama as she pulls them into a "current" world.  

Lauren, seventeen years old and smart/talented, is abandoned by her mother,  and becomes a mother after one "hot" night. Angie's actions have far reaching repercussions for all worlds. 

cover  blurb - Together, these two women - one who longs for a child, and the other who longs for a mother's love - will be tested in ways that neither could have imagined. 

 Hannah pulls this book together and I was very satisfied with the outcome. It's not neat or pretty, but neither is life.  Super good read .

Movie Review - Roadrunner

 Anthony Bourdain was a force in life. He was a hot shot chef in New York City who rose from being a dishwasher. He wrote a very behind the scenes look at fancy restaurant life,. and launched a whole new career. 

BUT - he was actually a very shy reserved man - very likeable on camera, very curious about the world, and maybe ready for a whole new life. 

Then again - his television launch, his concern for so many issues might have been his downfall. 

Roadrunner is a documentary that follows the man, the myth, and tries to explain his death by suicide.

This is an excellent film. I watched all of the Anthony Bourdain series and really liked the man's approach to food, people, and life.  When his death was announced, it was a shock. 

Why?

Why?

Why?

There are no firm answers, but this documentary shows many cracks in a man who looks like he's on top of the world.  He should have had it all and been content. 

But there's a dark underbelly.   Bring a tissue.  It's a really good film.  But it's sad and touching. 

and why?..... 

Book review - The Landing by Emma Donohue

 The Landing by Emma Donoghue was charming and an enjoyable read.  It's old fashioned but in today's world.  Sile, is Irish with an Indian mother. She lives in Dublin, runs the fast track, and is a forty year old flight attendant - very worldly.  Jude is twenty five, lives in Ireland, Ontario, Canada, and runs a one room museum. 

cover blurb - On Jude's first plane trip, their two worlds collide in Heathrow. In the course of the next year, their lives - full of men, women, commitments, and complications - will be drawn into a new shaky orbit. 

This book is a love story.  On paper, Jude and Sile do NOT match. In real life interactions, it's love. Sile is high maintenance. Jude is simple. 

But, The Landing is about making the improbable probable.  Love conquers all. It's tough and worthy of the read. I enjoyed the characters and the author's journey with them. 

Monday Moment - Rosebud

 My Rosebud moment (i.e. Citizen Kane)

Yes, I drove to PA to see my Dad and celebrate his 90th.   It was also handy to drive to bring back "stuff". 

My brother accused me of stealing stuff  - ha, ha - he was teasing.  I asked him and my sister and they said yes to my sled.  I was two years old when Santa brought it. 

Yes - it's a freakin' antique at this juncture, as am I. 

But darn cool.................

The sucker is not corroded after all of these years in my dad's garage.  If we have snow in Texas, this sled will slide fast. 

And that's your Monday moment!  It's history. 

Friday - Fun in PA

Here's Dad at 90 on his birthday - this is in the den

Dad and his girls (Lori, Me)  - dining at the William Penn Inn (est. 1714)

More dining at the William Penn Inn - Dad worked with these folks and they still gather for lunch. We heard many tales over a lovely meal.  Dad had the crab quiche - quite yummy. 

More celebration for Dad in his kitchen another day. That's my brother David - he baked the lemon cake. 

And the old homestead - I grew up in this house.  It's the land that time forgot inside. But dad's happy and knows where everything is located. 

I had two weeks in PA, and now I'm back in TX.   Very bittersweet visit - my feet are in TX and part of  my heart is still in PA. 

Cheers all.  And it's damn freakin' hot in TX - holy cow.  The pool is 90!!!  

 

Wednesday Will We.....

 "America is great because we preserve our democratic institutions at all costs. Until January 6th, we were proof positive for the world that a nation conceived in liberty could long endure. But now, January 6th threatens our most sacred legacy. The question for every one of us who serves in Congress, for every elected official across this great nation, indeed, for every American is this: Will we adhere to the rule of law? Will we respect the rulings of our courts? Will we preserve the peaceful transition of power? Or will we be so blinded by partisanship that we throw away the miracle of America? Do we hate our political adversaries more than we love our country and revere our Constitution?"

In my opinion - well said Liz Cheney on the opening of the January 6th hearings. 

Much to ponder for any and all who live in America and root for America

Monday Meltdown

 I AM BACK

    in Texas

        at work

ARRGGGHHHHHH

That's it. That's my poem.  My primal scream. 

We'll be talking soon.