June 15, 2025. FATHER FIGURE

 

Happy Father's Day to all the fine fathers out there. Being a good dad AND a good role model is a lot of work. And it's a job that lasts forever. That's something many new parents don't really get. I didn't when my kids were young. I used to think that when the kids were 18--I'd get my life back BUT the reality is  THEY ARE MY LIFE and I wouldn't want it any other way. Neither would my husband. Not sure what he's going to do when the baby goes off to college in August as he's pretty much revolved his life around Tim's schedule-especially-since he retired. Guess we'll be taking more trips to Boston and then getting ready for the big wedding. That should keep us busy for a bit. Hope your're celebrating the dad in your life today by doing something special. Just finished a new novel by Fredrik Backman called My Friends, where many of the characters unfortunately come from broken families. As the story unfolds, Louisa is a seventeen year old foster kid and artist who sneaks into an auction to look at her favorite painting, The One of the Sea by C. Jat.  Many people see the painting as just a seascape but Louisa see's much more--she believes the painting is about friendship and belonging as she spies 3 figures in the background sitting on a pier. After getting kicked out of the auction, Louisa runs and hides behind a dumpster where she meets C. Jat and his friend Ted. Flash back 25 years where four teenagers-Joar, KimKim, Ted, and Ali spend a summer hanging on an abandoned pier where they form a bond that lasts forever. By the end of the summer, one friend has painted The One of the Sea, which becomes world famous. The story then flips back and forth between Louisa's present life and the past--the summer the painting was done. I don't want to say too much more other then that this story is equal parts heartbreaking and funny with a plethera of interesting, unforgettable characters. Pick up your copy to find out where Louisa's adventures take her and what happened that summer long ago. Enjoy

June 5, 2025 DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART

Just finished my 25th year of teaching. I'm telling you--it doesn't get any easier. I'm getting older and REALLY LOSING MY FILTER. I just don't have it in me to put up with the BS anymore. Teachers these days have to practically tiptoe around the kids because we might OFFEND THEM. NOONE cares about offending me. In my day, teachers could give the kids a quick hug, pat their shoulder or arm to urge them on BUT NOT TODAY. Teachers have to worry about having their careers RUINED as kids are literally calling their parents during school to REPORT teachers. It's NUTS. Parents are ACTUALLY calling their kids during the school day too and yelling at them if they don't answer the phone?? HELLO--does this make any sense??  Still looking for a new job but as of now I'm stuck in CRAZY LAND. Thank God for books. Just finished a lovely novel by Marjan Kamali called The Stationary Shop. As this story unfolds, it's 2013 and Roya, the main character, is living with her husband,Walter, in Massachusetts. She's just made an appointment to meet with someone she hasn't seen in sixty years. The novel then flips back to 1953. Roya is a high school senior who loves books and spending time in Mr. Fakhri's stationary shop. One day while at the shop, she meets a young revolutionary named Bahman. The two fall in love and plan to marry when Bahman suddenly disappears. Roya thinks he's a political prisoner, but after receiving several letters from him, he assures her he is not and the two plan to meet in the town square to elope. When Roya arrives, violence ensues because of a coup that not only changes Iran but also her life. Bahman never shows and  Roya is heartbroken. She eventually picks up the pieces and leaves Tehran to study in California with her sister. Find out what happens to Roya in California and over the next sixty years, why Bahman never showed  and so much more when you read this heartbreaking, beautifully written book with really interesting characters thats's also filled with Iranian culture, tradition and history. Enjoy.