Wednesday Whatever

So, newly back from a two  week trek in America, I am being lazy and using memes that strike me.  I have to say if you really read the news today, you would just go back to bed. It is soul  crushing. 

RIP Tina Turner.  Omg.  She passed a day after I was at the Rock Hall of Fame.  Holy Cow!

She was a force.  My parents took me to see her in Philly at the Dell - she was with the Ike and Tina Turner Revue - opening, I think, for the 5th Dimension.  Who was this whirling dervish of a woman?  She was in that shimmy skirt and moving, singing, sweating, and giving it her all.  Proud Mary!?? 

Proud Tina?!!!!   She escaped Ike and became her own self.  Wow!  That's all I can say.  What a woman. What a life. What a voice.  

Books, Mickey Mouse, women's bodies, guns, shootings, the list goes on  and on... ex Prez ye who shall not be named  but is bonkers

But - so much is good.  The general spirit of folks face to face is positive.  My time at  our local YMCA is glorious - water aerobics and  the ladies there - OMG - so fun, so  good, just  nice folks and  we are in bathing suits and no one looks great and no one cares.  That's senior life at 9:30  am  M-W-F

 and reading........books are truly a salvation.   Congrats  again to  Barbara Kingsolver for  Demon Copperhead. I reviewed it  and gushed. It is an  amazing book for the ages and so worthy of the Pulitzer Prize for literature.  It is a WOW read. 

Let me paraphrase Wanda Sykes from her latest Netflix special -  We can worry when drag queens kill children  with a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird.....  Amen, sister, Amen

Cheers to a Wednesday.  Hope the week is going  well and we look forward to the weekend. And  I promise some travel tales...aren't you excited?  I am. 

Finally Friday - Memorial Weekend

This is a filler post.

 Ray and I should be back from our trip - tired, laundry awaits, chores abound, and the yard probably needs a thresher.  

But Happy Friday for you working folks eager for a long weekend. This is an oldie picture - stuff I was reading many years ago, plus a nod to the Indy 500. Fast cars go round and round and the winner gets to drink milk. 

Summer heat will be kicking in. Time for that pool plunge

Remember our fallen soldiers and salute our servicemen and ladies near and far. 

And we'll see if the crape myrtle decides to bloom this year. After freezes last December and in Feb, our yards and plants really suffered.  I hope she returns to glory - this pic is from an excellent year. 

Have a safe and happy Memorial Weekend. Hope you enjoy some peace, family, grilling, and a pool plunge. 

Cheers and Solemn thoughts my friends. 
 

Wednesday Whatever

 Italy 2014

Majestic.   Amazing. 

I am on vacation. This is filler.  And that's  okay. 

Be  inspired,  my friends. Enjoy our May day. Write, dream, plan a trip.  Eat gelato. 

Ciao

Monday Moments - surprise

Ray's dad

Ray's dad, bro in  law, sister Connie, and son Chris

James, Pat, Grandmother Ivy, Ray's mom and dad

Ray's dad

Ray and  sister  Connie

What the heck - we are  currently on a road trip.   But this post is a visit  to the past. 

Cheers as you start  a new week.   Revisit your  family - reach out and  say hello!
 

Something to Hide by Elizabeth George

 Holy cow, this is a long  ass book  at 687 pages. I reached a point of not caring.  Darn!

Something to Hide by Elizabeth George is good writing, a huge plot line, and a message about a horrible subject.  But OMG it's too freakin'  long  and absolutely belabors the plot. 

That's  a shame. I like this author. I've read many of her books that feature Detective Lynley and Detective Havers. But this one  goes on and on and on. 

I only paid one dollar at our local library sale. I  felt committed to finish this book and I did. But damn  this was hard work. 

and  that's my review.  Whew!   I am exhausted

Wednesday - Are You There God, It's Me Margaret?

 Wow

Wow, just wow

Are You  There God, It's Me Margaret? absolutely captured 1970 age 11 and 6th grade.  The awkwardness of being  the girl wearing  an  undershirt?  Yes!!! That was me.  The worry about attracting a boy.  Hell yes (and no it really didn't happen - I was such a dork. )

Judy Blume was genius. Her books (now often banned - shame, shame) truly hit all the  notes of being a girl, trying to figure it all out.  Wow. 

This movie stars Rachel McAdams as the mom. She's so good.  Kathy Bates is  the grandmother, Sylvia, who's way cool and awesome in connecting with her granddaughter.  Abby Ryder  Fortson  is a brilliant young actress who is perfect in this role. She's awkwardly cool. ' Nuff said. 

This is a sweet movie. I loved it. Go See It - take your girls, take  granddaughters, or just see it yourself like  I did.  And read the book. Support Judy Blume.  See her doc - Judy Blume Forever - don't ban books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday Moments - May Adventures

Ray and I have hit the road. Ultimately we'll get to PA to see my father and also attend a friend's daughter's wedding. 

 I'll be checking in on blogs, but will probably be behind on comments.  I hope everyone has a good week or two. As we wander the highways and byways, I'll be taking notes and pictures. 

So, can you hear Willie singing, "On the Road Again"?  Wish us luck!