Finally Friday - No Business Like Show Business

Saturday November 19, only a day in New York City.  Alas, no time for a show.  Oh the lights. Oh the bustle. Oh the energy of Times Square.  I want to see all the musicals. 

I actually did see Lion King many years ago on Broadway. So innovative

Josh Groban stars in a new Sweeney Todd.  I bet his voice sounds awesome booming from the stage

I did see a touring production of Hamilton. I'd like to see it again. Clever show

My sister saw the original Wicked twenty years ago.  I did see it a few years later on Broadway.  Defy gravity!

 Times Square is magical

Whatever Wednesday - NYC Adventure

Saturday November 19th, I enjoyed a bus trip to New York City with my sister and friends.  Here we are in Union Square.  Lori, Jenn, Me, and Colleen.   We wandered a farmer's market and Christmas bazaar. Plenty of tasty food booths, lots of folks, and a nifty energy on a crisp clear day. 

Rockefeller Center area

A quick stroll into St. Patrick's Cathedral.  I feel some religion here. 

Oh my - that's a big plate of meatballs.  Ten of us met for a family feast at Carmine's  So yummy!

No, Lori and I are not tall enough to be Rockettes. 
 

Monday Moments - Mum Mountain

I returned from PA in time for Thanksgiving. All settled in now  and prepping for Christmas.  Meanwhile, I enjoyed a blast from my past and visited Ott's Nursery in  Schwenksville PA. My mother loved going here in the fall, and I loved to run up the Mum Mountain.  Isn't it glorious?

This nursery is over one hundred years old

Such a pretty day and the colors popped.

Wow

 I enjoyed reliving a fun memory and seeing other families bring their kids or grandkids to explore. 

The nursery itself is huge with a whole conservatory and exotic plant section. Nifty family business. 
 

Finally Friday - Horse by Geraldine Brooks

 Having been to Kentucky this spring and enjoying horse country, Horse by Geraldine Brooks struck a chord for me. 

cover blurb:  A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history - from different time periods (Kentucky 1850, New York City 1954, and Washington DC 2019),  Brooks weaves a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice. 

Her writing is so smooth, her characters are memorable, and I am in awe of her obvious research to create an excellent novel. 

Kentucky 1850 An enslaved groom and a bay foal have a bond. The horse proves victorious, but alas has some issues. Follow this story and treatment of an educated black lad grown to adulthood with a magic touch for horses. 

Meanwhile NYC 1954 - follow the tale of a nineteenth century equestrian oil painting of mysterious origins. 

DC 2019 A Smithsonian scientist and a Nigerian American art historian are connected by a horse. Bones offer clues to the winner's speed and health issues. Art uncovers a story of unsung Black horsemen.

cover blurb: Inspired by the true story of thoroughbred Lexington, Horse is a novel of art and science, love and obsession, and our unfinished reckoning with racism. 

I highly recommend this novel. I loved the characters and became very vested in the outcomes as each tale intertwined. Huge thumbs up.   And go visit Kentucky for an even greater appreciation of the book's backdrop. 

Whatever Wednesday - Calm

Nabbed another photo from an Aussie friend who's traveling in Japan.  This is an ancient floating gate. 

Glorious view. 

Another one  for the bucket list
 

Monday Moments - Exit Interview by Kristi Coulter

 Exit Interview - The Life and Death of My Ambitious Career by Kristi Coulter - is a fascinating  memoir. 

cover blurb - What would you sacrifice for your career?  All your free time? Your sense of self worth? Your sanity?

In 2006, the author Kristi Coulter left her cozy dull Midwest job to go west to Seattle and Amazon. Fast growing, new exciting  company. Turned out soul crushing. 

In a culture of fear,  she survived the chase, the visibility, the goal to try to gain a level 8 manager, and yet the goal posts kept moving. The money, the stock options kept her going until she couldn't recognize herself anymore. 

This book is well written, funny as hell, surprising, and very truthful. Kristi Coulter is obviously smart, driven, and very aware of the ridiculousness at times of female ambition in the reality of the working  world. She also gives quite a look at the Amazonian mammoth enterprise that is Amazon. I'm still gob-smacked. 

And I admit - I would never ever have been able to endure the path  she traveled. My personal credo - really doesn't play well with others, doesn't want to do meetings, just leave me alone and I'll get the work  done.  Whew!  Glad now  I'm retired. 

Finally Friday - The Painted Drum by Louise Erdrich

 I bought this 2005 book at a library sale for one dollar. Oh my - Louise Erdrich's writing is worth so much more. The Painted Drum is rich in  characters, story line, description,  and life.  I have become a fan and I'm trying to read more of  her works. 

This  book stars Faye Travers and a rare moose skin and cedar drum created by an Ojibwe artisan. She finds it at an old New Hampshire  estate descended from a North Dakota Indian agent. 

cover blurb - And so begins an illuminating journey both backward and forward in time, following  the strange passage of a powerful and yet delicate instrument, and revealing the extraordinary lives it has touched and defined. 

Erdrich explores mother/ daughter relationships, the strength of family, and grief. 

I enjoyed this book and  took my time to appreciate the writing and her respect of Native American  culture. She embodies the lyrical story telling skills of ancestors, and  also shows some current conditions of the community. Open your heart and it will  soar when reading Louise Erdrich's work.