This Week – Venturing Out

June 20, 2020June 20, 202015 Comments

Fave Pic IMG_E4764 (1) Last weekend I went to the Botanical Garden to pick up supplies for Gage’s week of at-home camp and found that some of the participants in theParade the Circle decided to get together even though the popular event was cancelled. There were more participants than this but aren’t they cool? They put on a parade for the 40 people who just happened to be there. I was lucky to be one of the few to have our own personal parade 🙂 This also counts for a highlight of the week.

Highlights of the Week Gage had his first play date – outside at the school parking lot riding bikes. I shopped at a store other than a grocery store the first time since February. I needed a Father’s Day gift and Tuesday Morning was having a going out of business sale. Everyone but one person was wearing a mask so that was good. I had a fellow Friends of the Library member come over to go over some plans. We sat on our patio about 10 feet apart. Baby steps and it’s pretty much all I’m comfortable with right now. It was nice to get back to some sense of normalcy.

Finished reading Flawed

Currently reading A Desperate Fortune

Currently listening Such a Fun Age

Reviews posted Flawed Flawed Title: Long Time Coming, Author: Sandra Brown Long Time Coming

In the mail After I saw this on Instagram I mentioned to Jason that if he ever needed a gift idea for me this was it. This week he surprised me with it. I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to have a Keanu coloring book 🙂

Movies watched Last Saturday night we started our first family movie night. We started at 8pm and Gage could stay up as long as he could stay awake. You can see we chose come classics this first time. He made it through all three beating Jason and me. He went to bed at 1:30am and wants to do it every weekend, lol. We’ve decided to make it a monthly thing.

Watching We started season 4 of Bosch on Amazon Prime and did watch the pilot of Dead to Me. I’m interested in watching more, do any of you watch it?

Flawed by Andrea Dorfman

June 18, 2020June 17, 20206 Comments

Flawed. Finished 6-16-20, 4.5/5, graphic novel, 88 pages, pub. 2018

National Film Board of Canada Collection

From the Emmy-nominated, PBS-aired animated short.

Flawed is a true story of self-acceptance, adapted from the Emmy-nominated film of the same name.

In Flawed, author Andrea Dorfman tells the true story of how she falls head over heels for Dave, “the nicest guy in the world.” But she is conflicted about her feelings for her new love. He’s a plastic surgeon; she hates plastic surgery and its power to make people feel flawed.

Dorfman joins Dave in the operating room to watch him fix a man’s badly injured hand. She sees for herself the difference between plastic reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery. Dave truly is an artist. She knows she’s falling in love. But when Dave performs a cosmetic surgery on a healthy boy so he won’t be teased at school, Dorfman questions everything she thinks she loves about him. Her discomfort with Dave’s decision to operate on the boy sends her on a journey of self-reflection that forces her to confront her own fears about the way she looks. She feels flawed.

Dorfman’s playful and colorful illustrations along with her deeply personal writing takes readers through the genesis of her self-image — from the carefree days of her childhood to the gut-wrenching awkwardness of her adolescence, and beyond. When she realizes that her negative self-perception is stopping her from being happy, Dorfman makes the bold move to accept herself as she is — imperfections and all. As Dorfman concludes, it’s our flaws that make us extraordinary. from Goodreads

I loved this quick graphic novel based on Dorfman’s real life. When do we start to think of our various body parts as flaws? For most of us it’s early on and the struggle to self acceptance starts with us thinking a different way about ourselves and our bodies.

The story and drawings are put together in a quality hardcover that you will want to share with friends or family who are going through issues with self love. After reading the book I watched the film short it was based on and thought I’d share the link. Tale 12 minutes and enjoy 🙂 Highly recommend both the book and the short.

https://www.shortoftheweek.com/2011/08/24/flawed/

Long Time Coming by Sandra Brown

June 17, 20203 Comments

Title: Long Time Coming, Author: Sandra Brown Long Time Coming. Finished 6-1-20, 1.5/5 stars, romance, pub. 1988

Unabridged audio

He arrived out of the blue—a flesh-and-blood phantom from the past in a sports car as sleek and sexy as Law Kincaid himself. The world-famous astronaut was as devastatingly attractive as the first time Marnie Hibbs had laid eyes on him, seventeen years before. But she well knew the perils of falling for a ladies’ man like Law. And this time she had someone besides herself to protect. Law is determined to discover who is sending him anonymous letters claiming he’d fathered a son he knows nothing about. Showing up at the Hibbs’s return address from the letters seemed like a step in the right direction. Marnie swears she isn’t the guilty party, but when Law meets her son, it’s like a one-two punch to his solar plexus. The boy is nearly the spitting image of Law. Law can’t remember sleeping with Marnie—then again, he can’t remember much about his crazy past. But there’s more to it than that: Marnie claims the boy isn’t biologically hers.

As the tension between them becomes unbearable and the attraction undeniable, Marnie is forced to reveal a long-held secret…one that might cause her to lose both the boy she loves more than anyone—and the man she desires more than anything. from Goodreads

My teen years, such as the year this was written, were filled with romances. I loved those short teen romances, then the romantic suspense, and finally the historical romance. I remember reading Sandra Brown’s romances and liking them even though she wasn’t a favorite. So, what’s changed? We have. As a society we’ve largely moved from accepting these sexist relationship views. Trust me, I still see plenty of it, but there’s no denying that things that changed for the better. I can still read an 80’s romance and enjoy it, but this is not one of them. The two main characters are weak and reprehensible. I’m considering trying some of my old 80’s faves (McNaught, Deveraux, Joyce) to see what I think now. Hopefully they will fare better than this one.

This Week

June 13, 202018 Comments

Fave Pic Was able to spend some time alone in the woods this week.

Highlights of the Week Gage had online Lego camp this week for 2 hours everyday this week and he really liked it. It also gave me two hours where I wasn’t responsible for entertainment. A win/win. I went to my first social distanced gathering as a few of us got together outside to say goodbye to a Library Friends board member. She was our newsletter editor so now I need to find a replacement. And I’ve been selling books for the Friends on our FB page. The library’s not open but since I’ve been listing online every day we’ve made some money and gotten rid of some books. Of course, I’m running this operation out of my garage so that’s fun, lol. All of the deliveries are contact free so it works for me. Jason worked two days downtown this week and it feels weird. I like having everyone home, even if I’m going a little(lot) stir crazy. Spent a few hours in nature a few days this week and that helped. We also had another drive by birthday parade for another friend in Gage’s class. I’m not sure what it means that I’ve put that under highlights 🙂

Review posted The Birth of Jesus According to the Gospels here

Books Finished Title: The Ask and the Answer (Reissue with bonus short story) (Chaos Walking Series #2), Author: Patrick Ness Can’t wait to start the third book of the trilogy.

Listening to Title: Such a Fun Age, Author: Kiley Reid Book club read, I’m on the fence about it so far.

In the Mail Title: Salvation Station, Author: Kathryn Schleich Title: Dance Away with Me (Signed Book), Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips Title: The Daughters of Erietown, Author: Connie Schultz

Puzzles Finished QDPS5958 So challenging. 1000 pieces. If anyone wants to give it a try I’ll send it on to you 🙂

On the small screen Jason has been obsessed with season 3 of Bosch this week and we’ve watched nothing else.

Plans for the weekend I need to replenish some local Little Free Libraries with books from our Friends of the Library and I’m headed to the Cleveland Botanical Garden at noon to pick up a pack with stuff for Gage to do camp from home next week.

The Birth of Jesus According to the Gospels by Joseph F. Kelly

June 8, 2020June 7, 20202 Comments

The Birth of Jesus According to the Gospels. Finished 6-1-20, 4.5/5 stars, religion, 106 pages, pub. 2008

In this book Kelly turns to the infancy narratives to see what the New Testament tells us about the Nativity. Readers will likely discover that their Christmas celebrations, cards, pageants, and creches are often combinations and embellishments of the gospel narratives. Yet each of these narratives is quite distinct, reflecting the author’s talents and audience. In this practical book readers will:

Encounter the stories in their gospel contexts and learn about the issues facing the early Christians as the gospels were being written. See the difference between the educator Matthew’s approach for an audience of Jewish converts and the great literary artist Luke writing for a primarily Gentile audience. from Goodreads

I loved this historical look at the gospels and the men who wrote them. When you break down the the Bible and try fact checking everything that can be by today’s standards, you lose the purpose or intent of the gospels in the New Testament. But Kelly doesn’t gloss over the fact checks, he provides much needed context, even pointing out when things would have been impossible taken at face value. He also compares the men writing the gospels and how their audience influenced what was included. The story of the birth of Jesus appears in only two gospels, Matthew and Luke and yet even those two stories were laced with differences. Even Mary receives a reality check.

If you have any interest in the Bible or history of the period this quick book is just up your alley. This book was more than I thought it would be and I’m so glad I picked it up at a book sale last summer. Note-I also very much miss going to book sales!

This Week – Listening

June 6, 202016 Comments

Fave Pic FOKI7319 On Tuesday, Gage and I visited one of the Cleveland Metroparks that was new to us. It was much needed to calm the chaos.

Highlights of the Week We went to the Cruise the Zoo last weekend and had a good time. It was nice to have someplace safe to go as a family. The animals were sometimes so far away that you only saw glimpses but driving at 2 mph through the zoo with other family with kids hanging out of windows or popping out of sunroofs was a great thing to see.

Unfortunately, Cleveland, like many other cities, got wrecked last weekend. It was devastating to see. I watched the peaceful protest for a bit online and thought everything looked great. Everyone was respectful and there was no need for police presence. I checked back later in the day to find that after that group had started the walk around downtown, others showed up and started the violence and destruction of property. Cleveland was on curfew until Wednesday morning. Jason went into his downtown office for the first time since March on Wednesday and called the place a ghost town. Thankfully, there have been many smaller protests all over the suburbs here this week and they’ve all been peaceful. I’m listening and reading and trying to come up with some personal goals to make myself more of an active ally.

Books finished Who Was Davy Crockett? by Gail Herman read with Gage.

Reviewed (I’m so behind on reviews!) A Conspiracy in Belgravia

Currently reading The Ask and the Answer (Chaos Walking, … loving it.

In the mail The Rose Garden

Movies Steve McQueen gambling his way through life. Watched this true life inspirational movie with Gage.

My 5 word May movie reviews

TV Jason and I watched a few episodes of and liked it for a few laughs.

Plans for the weekend Although we’ve got a few things happening next week I don’t think we have anything set in stone for the weekend. How about you?

A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas

June 4, 2020June 3, 20207 Comments

A Conspiracy in Belgravia. Finished 5-23-20, 4/5 stars, historical mystery, pub. 2017

Unabridged audio. 10 hours, 30 minutes.

Book 2 of the Lady Sherlock series (1- A Study in Scarlet Women)

Lady Ingram, wife of Charlotte’s dear friend and benefactor, wants Sherlock Holmes to find her first love, who failed to show up at their annual rendezvous. Matters of loyalty and discretion aside, the case becomes even more personal for Charlotte as the missing man is none other than Myron Finch, her illegitimate half brother.

In the meanwhile, Charlotte wrestles with a surprising proposal of marriage, a mysterious stranger woos her sister Livia, and an unidentified body surfaces where least expected. Charlotte’s investigative prowess is challenged as never before: Can she find her brother in time—or will he, too, end up as a nameless corpse somewhere in the belly of London? from Goodreads

In the first book of the series, Charlotte was disgraced and in Victorian England this meant society shunned her and her family would try to hide her away. Charlotte, ever resourceful, found a way to use her smarts to support herself, but not without the aid of Mrs. Watson, a fellow renegade. Chaorlotte set up shop on Baker Street offering the services of her bedridden brother “Sherlock”.

Sherlock is approached by Lady Ingram to find a lover she had thrown aside to marry a rich man. That man just happens to be Charlotte’s close friend, Lord Ingram. Deciding to take the job and keep it from Ash was risky. Fielding a second marriage proposal from his brother was another tricky thing to maneuver. He enticed her with dead bodies and secret codes, wooing her for her mind and offering her a chance to enter society once again. Charlotte managed both with the analytical thinking that had gotten her that far.

I have loved these first two books. The mysteries have been top notch and the secondary characters well drawn with complex relationships. I’m looking forward to spending more time with this fine cast of characters.

May’s Movies & Money For Charity

May 31, 2020June 5, 20205 Comments

What a sad movie month this was. We did make it halfway through The Cincinnati Kid (1965) tonight and I already know it’s going to beat all of these movies hands down.

You know the drill, add your 5 words (or less!) to mine in a comment and earn $1 for charity. Once we get to $100 the person with the most reviews will choose the charity. Click here to see the past winners, the charities they chose and the other reviews you can add to. Anyone is welcome to join in at any time.

We’re at $44 right now. Your charity could be next

Atomic Blonde poster.jpg Atomic Blonde, 2017 (Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John Goodman) Grade B

Attractive spies betraying each other.

Not a favorite…Charlize = badass (Michelle)

Brutal fight scenes…no McAvoy (Heather)

Enemy, 2013 (Jake Gyllenhaal, Melanie Laurent, Sarah Gadon, Isabella Rossellini) Grade B-/C+

Messed up and confusing thriller.

Truly twisted. Loved it! (Michelle)

meh? (Heather)

Evolution, 2001 (David Duchovny, Julianne Moore, Orlando Jones, Sean William Scott, Ted Levine) Grade C

Much needed levity as chaos reigns.

A favorite. One word – Duchovny (Michelle)

Classic Meta Duchovny, super cheesy. (Heather)

The Rocket Poster The Rocket, 2018 (Richard Blake, Brady Tutton) Grade C-

Cheesy acting was so bad.

This Week – Breathe

May 30, 2020May 30, 202010 Comments

Fave pic JHEH5565 Taken from our driveway Memorial Day evening.

Highlights of the week We had my parents over for Memorial Day. The guys even got in a convertible ride before the rain came.

I’m the current president of our local library Friends group and curbside pickup starts Monday. That means I started tentatively planning and working on things this week. Exciting.

I received all of Gage’s end of year and summer stuff on Wednesday, but I’m keeping him in ‘school’. I spent 30 minutes the last three nights planning a schedule and lesson plans for each day. Sound mean? I couldn’t take one more day of hearing “Mom, what can I do now?” “Mom can I have screen time?” “Mom, mom, mom…” So he has mom school until the early afternoon. To entice him he has a list of everything we’re doing that day and a list of required chores. Once everything is crossed off he gets $1. I’m considering it a $5 a week allowance 🙂 I’m actually having a good time planning fun things to go along with the hard stuff. Today he tried oragami for the first time and is so proud of his little fox.

Reviews posted The Starless Sea by Erin Morganstern Megabat by Anna Humphrey

Finished reading Megabat (Megabat #1) A Conspiracy in Belgravia love this series! The Birth of Jesus According to the Gos… fascinating.

Currently reading The Ask and the Answer (Chaos Walking, … Long Time Coming

In the mail A Desperate Fortune

Watching We finished season 2 of Bosch and loved it.

New recipe a day challenge

Plans for the weekend Our friend had a pass to Cruise through the Zoo that she couldn’t use so we’re taking Gage tomorrow. The zoo is still closed and we’ll have to stay in our car, but I’m more excited about it than I should be 🙂 It takes so little to entertain these days.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the state of what’s going on in this country right now. I plan to devote some meditation time this weekend to try and figure out how best to use my voice and my resources.

What’s up in your neck of the woods?

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

May 29, 2020May 29, 202013 Comments

The Starless Sea. Finished 5-20-20, magical fiction, 4.5/5 stars, 498 pages, pub. 2019

Far beneath the surface of the earth, upon the shores of the Starless Sea, there is a labyrinthine collection of tunnels and rooms filled with stories. The entryways that lead to this sanctuary are often hidden, sometimes on forest floors, sometimes in private homes, sometimes in plain sight. But those who seek will find. Their doors have been waiting for them.

Zachary Ezra Rawlins is searching for his door, though he does not know it. He follows a silent siren song, an inexplicable knowledge that he is meant for another place. When he discovers a mysterious book in the stacks of his campus library he begins to read, entranced by tales of lovelorn prisoners, lost cities, and nameless acolytes. Suddenly a turn of the page brings Zachary to a story from his own childhood impossibly written in this book that is older than he is. from Goodreads

It’s hard to know where to start with this book because it was…dreamlike? timeless? mindbending? a rabbit hole I’d love to fall into even if only for a moment? It’s all of those, of course, but it’s also a story about stories and if you’re willing to lose yourself in those beautiful fairy tales for a bit you are in for an enchanted ride. Where does one story end and another begin?

Ezra is a gamer and a graduate student who finds a forgotten book on the library shelves. He picks it up, curious, but becomes disturbed when he discovers one of the stories is about him. One clue leads to another until he finds himself at a swanky NYC literary party where he meets Max (Where the Wild Things Are) and later Dorian, a master storyteller. Then the fun begins. There are doors, old and new, edible stories, seas made of honey, an underground warren of tunnels and rooms that can confuse time and space, and the place seems to have been forgotten. But there are still stories to discover and be written, quests to pursue, dangers to be averted, and mysteries to solve.

We read this for my book club and my first words were, “I loved it even if I didn’t completely understand it.” This was mostly true. I felt like I understood the book, even if my brain didn’t always keep up. I’d read the reviews of some who didn’t care for it and I get it. It took me a little while to sink into it, but once I did I was hooked and really didn’t want it to end. And it was 500 pages! If you’re going to give it a try, give it some time and just enjoy the ride.

Stacy's Books

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