Sing into the Weekend - Come From Away

The Day the World Came to Town. I read this book and reviewed it two years ago. I was prepping before seeing a Broadway touring production of Come From Away     Alas, my tickets were for March 2020. Whoops!  Pandemic shut down the world. 

Two years later, here's my Playbill for Come From Away. I enjoyed it two Sundays ago. This was a glorious production. Very clever telling of September 11, 2001 when thirty eight planes landed in Gander, Newfoundland. They were diverted due to airspace closures and an American shutdown due to the terrorist attacks. 

The population of Gander (7000) doubled in size and everyone worked  together to care for, feed, shelter, and help strangers who were scared, worried, and stressed. Multiple languages, cultures, food needs, and more needed to be addressed. 

This Broadway show is a complete ensemble - no major standout songs or stars. There is no intermission. It's a small cast that transforms in different  scenes with a clothing change and movement of chairs and tables. There is humor even in dark times. The love and care shine through some catchy tunes and good voices. 

Come From Away is a show with heart that shows the goodness of people in  a tough time. The lessons from 9/11 shine through and are applicable today. It was worth the two year wait to see. Live theater is just SO fun. 
 

Book Review - Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

My PA book gang just read this rather sad, candid coming-of-age story by Michelle Zauner (musically known as Japanese Breakfast) - Crying in H Mart. I'll be honest since I chose this book that it was quite difficult to take at times due to the heartfelt material. It was a lot deeper than I expected, but in a good way. 

At mid-twenties, Michelle was a waitress and trying to launch a musical career in Philly. She stopped everything and  flew to Oregon to be with her mother who was battling final stages of cancer. Whew!

Her book reveals how she grew apart from and then back to her Korean identity.  cover blurb With humor and heart, she tells of growing up Asian American, straining to meet her mother's expectations, moving across the country, and returning home  to reckon with grief. As an adult she learns to cook Korean dishes that revive her memories. She savors the unexpected solace of weekly trips to her favorite Asian grocery store. 

This book definitely digs into a mother/daughter relationship. I had to keep reminding myself as I read this about her youth. 

p.53 Music rushed in to fill the void. It cracked a fissure, splintered a vein, through the already precarious and widening rift between my mother and me; it would become a chasm that threatened to swallow us whole.  

p.225  The lessons she imparted, the proof of her life lived on in me, in my every mood and deed

As someone who has no knowledge of Korean food, this book offered interesting descriptions to me. Food was a connection to Michelle and her mother and heritage. I want to wander the aisles of H Mart, but not cry. 

I did however cry for Michelle and her mother, for a too young death, and a young motherless adult. 

Crying in H Mart is an interesting memoir, well-written, and it gives insight into Michelle Zauner's (Japanese Breakfast) music. 
 

Monday Moments - Right Around the Corner

A few Thursdays ago, I drove Ray right around the corner (well, it was a few more streets than that but still super close and tucked in a very fancy neighborhood) to the Colleyville Nature Center. 

I figured he could use some new scenery and at least walk to a bench. He's making super good progress from the knee surgery.  Well, he did walk  a bit on a path and then back to the car.  He rested and I zoomed off for a better look. 

Nifty little paths, some right behind these monster homes. I did not take pics of people's backyards. Trying to respect some privacy. But trust me - Wow!   Instead I peered over the sides of a bridge over a creek. Lovely reflections. 

 Nice little park and so close to us. Once spring emerges, this will be a lovely haven for more walks.

I did get Ray home and he elevated and iced the leg.

(P.S. Now it's two weeks later and he is released to drive!  Not a major road trip, but at least to his rehab.  Hooray)

Pop-Up Blog for CassaDark by Alex J. Cavanaugh

 Consider this a little Pop-Up tent as a side bar to his book tour. I am happy to support Alex J. Cavanaugh, a blog leader extraordinaire, fantastic writer, and all  around good guy.

Here's his blurb

CassaDark

By Alex J. Cavanaugh

 

“Cavanaugh returns to the world of his Cassa Series…for a fourth inventive space opera.” – Publisher’s Weekly

 

His world is unraveling…

 

Bassan’s father is stepping down from command. His best friend almost dies when Bassan freezes. Now, he’s being sent across the galaxy to speak at an important conference. Despite saving the eleven races years ago, he’s paralyzed by doubt. Could things get any worse?

 

Once there, new acquaintance Zendar convinces Bassan to visit his planet for a humanitarian mission. Bassan’s special connection to ancient technology is the key to saving Zendar’s people. One problem though—it’s a prisoner planet.

 

On Ugar, he discovers things aren’t so straightforward. As each truth reveals itself, the situation grows more desperate. If he can’t find the right answers, he might die along with Zendar’s people. Can Bassan summon the courage to be a hero again?

 

Print - 9781939844842

EBook – 9781939844859

Science Fiction – Adventure/Space Opera/Space Exploration

 

Links:

iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id1574189874

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0982FL3SH

Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940164947033

Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/cassadark

Scribed – https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844859&language=0

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58461762-cassadark

Good luck, Alex and happy reading for all of your fans

Have a good weekend everyone

Wednesday What?

 Blythe Grossberg's nonfiction book I Left My Homework in the Hamptons (What I Learned Teaching the Children of the One Percent) is a very interesting quick read. Dr. Grossberg is a tutor and learning  specialist. Her experiences inside the high-end apartments of Fifth Avenue are beyond what ninety nine percent of us could fathom. 

She writes this book using  composites of the teens she tutored in writing. Kids are kids and often she's the one adult these kids actually have time to talk with in a day. Otherwise they are being driven  to squash practices, then to private school. They are being fed by cooks or ordering room service if they live in  luxury hotel  (!!), and maids do their laundry. Many of these kids do not see their executive parents who are traveling. 

There is SO much competition, status anxiety, and absolutely NO unstructured time for these youths. The key is the Ivy League - whatever the cost, hundreds of thousands of dollars, are spent to prepare these kids for a slot.  cover blurb  Grossberg shows us the privileged world of America's wealthiest families and the systems in place that help them stay on top. The stories are funny and shocking. 

I enjoyed reading this book and just shaking my head. Beyond imagination. 

Monday Moment - Sing Like an Angel

 Renee Elise Goldsberry in concert was the grand finale event for my previous Sunday. This was after my DMA and Nasher art strolls. At 3 pm at the Myerson Symphony Hall, she appeared with a small band (piano, drums, guitar, bass, and backup singers) to sing. Oh my, this Tony Award winner gave quite a performance. Just lovely. 

She opened with "On a Clear Day" and that transitioned to "I Can See Clearly Now (The Rain is Gone)". From there, she spoke briefly about the past two years - pandemic, protests, war - and declared "Let's enjoy music and  have some joy in this  world."  She is doing her part!

From soul to pop to Broadway, her voice covers the gamut. She did appear as Nala on Broadway in The Lion King, as Mimi in Rent, and  best of all as the original Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton. Her numbers from that show brought down the house. 

Renee Elise Goldsberry shared her voice and energy with us for two hours. Joyous!

Finally Friday - More Treats

Finally Friday. Push away the worries of the week

Lean into the weekend

Rest your weary bones

After our DMA stroll (see Wednesday post), now we check out the Nasher Sculpture Center. It's right next door in the Dallas Arts District.  I enjoyed their outdoor area.  Indoors was an exhibition of Harry Bertoia's work - astounding metal pieces including a whole grouping that "play like instruments". The thrum of the art was quite a vibe. 

What's your vibe this weekend?   Enjoy as spring slowly evolves