Book Review - The Point of it All

The Point of It All  (A Lifetime of Great Loves and Endeavors) by Charles Krauthammer and edited by son Daniel is a collection of essays written by a legendary writer and thinker. Krauthammer passed in June 2018, but his words live on.  Cover blurb – Spanning the personal, the political, and the philosophical, it includes never-before-published speeches and a major new essay about the effect of today’s populist movements on the future of global democracy.

Charles Krauthammer writes about statecraft, foreign policy, and reflects on baseball, spaceflight, and medical ethics.  His writings are challenging in that he does make one think. However, his writings are also clear and insightful – not gobbledygook just to write “fancy”.  While I do not agree on all of his opinions, I appreciate his rationale and thought process. It comes from a great appreciation for history, knowledge, and experience in the political feature writing arena.

Cover blurb – The Point of It All is a timely demonstration of what it means to cut through the noise of petty politics with clarity, integrity, and intellectual fortitude.

In all of the noise and hubbub in the news and social media, Krauthammer brings reason and reassurance for the Constitution – the foundation of these United States of America. He frankly gives an argument for the checks and balances system working out even in these crazy times. The man left a legacy of coherent writings. He and his son worked together and the son finished the project. Daniel Krauthammer’s eulogy for his father is published in this book and it strikes a chord for the man – a writer, husband, father, and thinker.

Take Flight

A Sunday dawned lovely. We did a ton of chores on Saturday. It was time to have an adventure.
Ray chose the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Addison TX.  50,00 square feet of hangars were filled with aviation history. Sopwith Camel - yep. P-51 Mustang, Fokkers, Spitfires, and more.

I had Ray pose in front of a Bell helicopter since Kevin works for Bell. 

We enjoyed walking around the spaces and appreciating the zoom power.  Take a Sunday drive and enjoy a jaunt in your own backyard (i.e. within an hour away).

Book Review - In Pieces by Sally Field

You like her, you really like her.  But she didn’t always like herself.  Sally Field’s memoir In Pieces shows a woman with a troubled childhood, problematic relationships as an adult, and plenty of confusion and lack of confidence. It took her over seven years to write this memoir, to pull the puzzle pieces together, face some demons, and find peace. It’s well written and interesting.

The girl we met as Gidget, who became the Flying Nun, hated these roles. Her need to get validation was rejected over and over again. Not pretty enough, not fitting the Hollywood mold. It’s  a tough business. Her time with the Actor’s Studio proved enlightening. She could explore more, seek help, and make connections. Meanwhile, a rocky marriage and two young boys, kept her grounded in reality. She was the breadwinner. It was a lot of pressure when she wasn’t getting auditions or jobs. It seemed directors didn’t want to take a chance on the former Flying Nun, like she was a joke.

Finally – the breakthrough of Sybil.  The part brought much of her own issues to the surface. She gave her heart and soul  to the despair of a woman with multiple personalities. Working with Joanne Woodward gave her strength and she won an Emmy for her portrayal.  Meanwhile, she had filmed Smokey and the Bandit and was paired with Burt Reynolds. Her trajectory into the limelight soared. But Burt had his issues and this was another unhealthy relationship. Again, she segmented her life – trying to be a mother, be an actress, and be subordinate to a strong personality. Finally, she broke free.

Norma Rae and Mary Todd Lincoln demonstrated the growing range of this tough little cookie. She enjoyed success as the matriarch in Brothers and Sisters. Now in her seventies, she’s happily married. Proud of her boys – now young men – she can reflect on the life her path took. She can forgive her mother – a powerful cord through the book. Her life In Pieces has pulled together and Sally Field is still exploring. 

World Poetry Day a Day Late

 Thursday was World Poetry today.  But what the heck, I'll make it Friday. Just a day late. Maybe I was too busy writing some poems

or gazing at the sky

or watching the return of 

the ducks

returned to hang poolside

as they flew overhead did they notice

weeds in our yard, leaves in the pool

wish we'd clean up more?

non-judgmental, they glide under

diving board overhang, content quacks

settle in sun, afternoon snooze

raise flag for cabana service

to no avail, one last dip

before takeoff, emerald head

glints in cloudless sky

by Joanne Faries

Happy Friday and Weekend and Poetry 

Wordless Wednesday - Shadow play

Wednesday...whew...waiting for the weekend

New Zealand

Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern says, ""It's clear now that this can only be described as a terrorist attack. These are people I would describe as having extremist views that have absolutely no place in New Zealand and, in fact, have no place in the world."

 "My whole reason for getting into politics was because I had this strong duty to care for other people." 



Ray and I visited New Zealand - such a lovely country and people. 
The whole country looked like a set from Lord of the Rings - no CGI needed for that filming by Peter Jackson. It was beautiful. And now sadness. A ridiculous attack upon innocent people. 

This makes me very sad.  I just don't understand such hatred for no reason. 
At least no reason that I can comprehend. 

Why?

Big sigh!

No words. No poetry. 

Just NO.   There has to be a NO. 

Friday Freedom

It's Friday.   Stand out from the crowd today and be flexible

(Had some dental work yesterday and never did write my book review I was planning to post. So here's some fillings..er, filler)

Happy St.Patrick's Day Weekend.