April 28, 2018 THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND

Met up with my best friend from grammar school today. Haven't seen her in 11 years. Back in the day--we were thick as thieves--attached at the hip--so they say. She's one of the few who knew me when....... Life wasn't easy for either of us. Both products of divorce--living with mother's who were TOO busy working-- trying to make ends meet--to have time for us. I had to come home from school every day to watch my sibling--make dinner--do laundry. A little mother. She was the youngest, often home alone because her mom worked crazy hours. Life definitely threw us SEVERAL curve balls-- somehow we survived. We've come a LONG way from free hot lunch tickets--that's for sure. Our friendship has ebbed and flowed over the years--sometimes due to circumstances beyond our control--and sometimes-- just because we were young and dumb. Seeing her today reminded me yet again that the older I get--the more I enjoy being with OLD friends. They are lights that sometimes dim but can never be fully extinguished. The connection runs too deep.

 If the main characters in Eshkol Nevo's novel Three Floors Up felt more connected to each other than perhaps they would have made better choices in life.  Set in Tel Aviv in an apartment building, Aron, Hani, and Devora, the three narrators face struggles that change their lives in unexpected ways. Aron lives on the first floor with his wife and children. His marriage is in serious trouble after he becomes obsessed with the safety of his youngest daughter and almost kills his neighbor.  Meanwhile on the second floor, Hani is at her wits end caring for her children alone while her husband travels around the world for business. After her brother-in-law comes begging for her to hide him from the authorities, loneliness causes her to risk the safety of her family. Devora lives on the third floor. She is a retired judge whose husband has recently died. Even more painful though is her estrangement  from her only son. How will she make her life meaningful again? These three stories are not only a window into Israeli society, but also a window into the souls of men, women, friendship, love, betrayal--the warts and flaws of the human condition. This is an excellent book that I highly recommend. It's about 300 pages or a 3 mile run that will stay with you for a long time.

April 25, 2018 BRAIN DAMAGE

Is technology making kids less intelligent?? This is a question I wrestle with quite often. Between spell check, calculator's, GPS and GOOGLE--technology is doing all the thinking. Real learning is sequential. Students need base knowledge which is then connected to new information in order to internalize and learn. Looking it up on GOOGLE takes no effort. And the brain discards random facts because there is NO scaffolding waiting to be built on.  It's too easy for them. They simply generate answers with NO CONTEXT. WHAT THEY REALLY NEED ARE THE FUNDAMENTALS FIRST-- technology should ONLY enhance the process--build on existing bases of knowledge. Kids are NO longer using their BRAINS to process and memorize information.  GOOGLE has become their sole source of information. LOOK IT UP AND FORGET IT.  Imagine a world where people  DEPEND on technology to THINK FOR THEM. That's where we are headed. No wonder people go into PANIC mode when they lose their phones--IT'S BRAIN CENTRAL-- They can't operate without them. Scary.

What's even scarier is that I almost missed out on one of the National Book Award finalists of 2015. It's called Fates and Furies (taken from Greek mythology) by Lauren Groff. Here's the premise. There are two sides to every story right?? So let's take that a step further. There are two sides to every marriage too. What if you wrote a book depicting your marriage and your husband did too. Would it be the same? How would the perspectives change?? Set in New York in 1991, Lotto and Mathilde meet at the end of college and marry by graduation. They are truly, madly in love or so Lotto believes. His narration of their 24 year marriage is the first part of the book called Fates. As the second half of the novel unfolds, Mathilde has taken over with her version of their story. This novel is the portrait of a marriage--love, betrayal, lies, heartbreak--damaged and even delusional characters. Do we really only see what we want to in people?? I loved most of this book but  thought it was a bit  too long. The concept was so interesting though that I had to know how their marriage would pan out in the end. This book is about 400 pages long--or a 6 mile run--that is absorbing and unforgettable.

April 19, 2018 MOTHER'S DAUGHTER

 One month from TODAY my daughter will graduate from college.  I can't believe it. Where did the time go? Seems like just yesterday she was CUDDLE-BUNNYING on my lap. When my daughter was young--she ABSOLUTELY loved me. She was so attached to me that she used to sleep with my picture under her pillow. NOT KIDDING. Fast Forward.  When she got to be a teenager--she pretended I didn't exist-- it was ALL about her friends. Today--it's really come full circle. I'm pretty sure she ABSOLUTELY loves me again--MOST of the time. And the neat thing is--she has become not only my daughter--but also my friend. For that I'm thankful. I look forward to spending time with her and miss her when she's not around. Don't get me wrong--she STILL drives me crazy at times--but that's just because WE'RE SO MUCH ALIKE.  When I look at her--I see my younger self. She really looks--speaks--and acts so much like me. It's CRAZY.  I guess that's what happens when you spend 21 years together. Ain't that the truth!!

Okay. I can not tell a lie. I did not finish the book that I'm reviewing--for good reason. I was too traumatized--it actually gave me nightmares. If you like true-crime books though--this is definitely your cup of tea.  It's called I'll Be Gone In The Dark by Michelle McNamara. Not sure if you've heard of McNamara, but she was a true-crime journalist and  the creator of a popular website called True Crime Diary before she passed away in 2016. In this book, McNamara painstakingly poured over old police reports, newspaper articles, interviews as well as  reinterviewed victims of a psychopath she coined The Golden State Killer in an effort to bring him to justice. This monster committed 50 sexual assaults in Northern California and several other gruesome murders before disappearing in 1986.  The book detailed the assaults and the murders and was down right terrifying as far as I was concerned. It was well researched and written and even contained an introduction by Gillian Flynn the author of Gone Girl. If true-crime drama is your thing--pick up a copy of this book. It's about 300 pages--or a 4 mile run-- with a section of color photos in the middle depicting several of the victims. Heed my warning though--if you're a FRAIDY CAT like me--run like HELL.

April 16, 2018 THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD

Summer. It's almost here--TIME to take DRASTIC MEASURES. Not kidding--Got to get rid of the LOVE HANDLES--NOW. There is NO way in HELL they'll be dripping over my bathing suit this summer!! You would think that between the yoga and the running--I wouldn't have this problem. I DO. Once you hit 50something --YOU GAIN WEIGHT EVEN WHEN YOU LOOK AT FOOD.  Must cut down on the CARBOHYDRATES. Couldn't commit to the KETO thing BUT have cut the carbs in half.  The first two weeks were tough but I'm finally getting in the groove.  Keeping it to about 500 calories/20 carbs during the day. I'm not a big DAY eater anyway--too busy at school. It's the NIGHTS that KILL ME--I'm really trying to reign it in there too. NO ICE CREAM OR DESSERT --still enjoying my cocktail and a sensible dinner though.  Been eating riced cauliflower instead of rice--really can't tell the difference--so that's a win. Going to invest in a Zoodle Maker this week to get away from the PASTA too. Hope to be SITTING and LOOKING pretty by June.  My Vanity Knows NO Bounds. Just finished a book that so engrossed me that I actually stayed out of the CARB CUPBOARD.

It's called Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller-- one of NPR's best book of 2017. Set on Dorset Beach, England, Ingrid Coleman, the main character in the novel, writes letters to her husband Gil. They tell her side of their history and marriage-- beginning with their first meeting as student and professor. Instead of mailing the letters, she hides them in the plethora of books that threaten to take over their house. After writing her final letter in July of 1992, Ingrid disappears leaving Gil to care for their daughters Flora and Nan. Although many people believe that she has drown in the ocean,  Gil and Flora believe she is still alive. Fast forward twelve years. Gil is now an elderly "one hit wonder" author. One day while looking out of the window at a local bookstore, he thinks he see's Ingrid across the street. While following her trail, he takes a tumble and ends up in the hospital which prompts Flora to come home to take care of him. What really happened to Ingrid?? Did she drown or did she simply run away from her family?? Why?? Will they realize that the answers to all of their questions are inside the books??   I really enjoyed this book. The writing is great and the characters are down right quirky. It's about 350 pages or a 4 mile run that will keep you out of the carb cupboard too. Enjoy!

April 12, 2018 867-5309/JENNY

Cell phones in school. I get the THEORY--CELL PHONES ENHANCE LEARNING. Now the  REALITY --CELL PHONES INTERRUPT LEARNING.  Teens are SOO DISTRACTED--by those--STUPID PHONES that they WASTE--1/3 of their day or 9 HOURS on INSTAGRAM--SNAPCHAT--GAMES--TWITTER--MUSIC--VIDEOS. Imagine what they could accomplish in those 9 hours????  Imagine what would happen if they actually paid attention in class?? Did you know that 50% of teens today claim to be ADDICTED to their phones and 56% of PARENTS KNOW THAT THEIR KIDS ARE ADDICTED.  Teens actually report that they become anxiety ridden without them while 78%  check their phones at least ONCE an hour for notifications or whatever. CRAZY.  It's a serious problem that makes me wonder WHERE WE'RE GOING AS A SOCIETY. I fear it's in the WRONG DIRECTION.

 A cell phone certainly didn't help the main character in Ruth Ware's psychological thriller The Woman in Cabin 10 because she had NO service. Lo Blacklock is a journalist for a travel magazine who just got the opportunity of a lifetime. She's been assigned to the Aurora--a luxury cruise ship with 10 cabins on a voyage to the North Sea.  The Aurora is all the pamphlet claims--magnificent dinners, parties, cabins--along with interesting guests including Lo's ex-boyfriend, a fellow journalist named Ben. One night after too many drinks, Lo  thinks she see's a woman being thrown off the balcony of Cabin 10. She brings her concerns to captain but all the passengers and crew members are accounted for the next day.  The ship continues its journey but Lo isn't convinced. Instead, she digs for evidence because she believes someone has been murdered. Did Lo really see someone murdered? Who is the woman in cabin 10? Find out for yourself when you read this book  that is full of twists, turns and suspense. I actually really liked the ending of this book. It's about a 340 page book--3.5 mile run--that you will not be able to put down.

April 8, 2018 HARD HABIT TO BREAK

It's time to face the UGLY TRUTH-- I have a problem. It's hard for me to admit this but--I'M A BINGER. NOT even sure that's a word but it should be. I OVERINDULGED--GORGED--Whatever you want to call it. I went on a BENDER this weekend. Some folks binge--EAT--DRINK--Hell--I've even heard of  binging--NETFLIX. My problem is much WORSE. I BINGE READ BOOKS. Don't laugh--it's a problem. I virtually ignored--my family--and EVERY other responsibility I had this weekend because of my DEBAUCHERY. Do you think SITTING on a  couch for 7 hours reading a book IS a bit excessive????  I DON"T KNOW!!! While I'm in the  THROES of it--I forget that there are consequences. TODAY-- I'm haunted. What did I miss??   What did I say?? Where was I supposed to go on Saturday??  AND Why is my family eating cereal for supper again?? Oh yeah--  I was too BUSY BINGE READING.  I'll get through it--DON'T WORRY--I've BEEN HERE BEFORE. The guilt and humiliation will subside--EVENTUALLY. Oh well--that's the price I'm gonna have to pay because The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen was THAT GOOD!! 

Don't want to give too much away, but here's the premise. The story begins with the main character devastated as her husband has left her for a younger woman. She is not taking the break up well. To make matters worse, she's living with an aunt because she's lost everything. She drinks a lot to escape her sorrow and is on the way to having a nervous breakdown; especially, after finding out that her ex-husband is getting remarried  The other main character is the younger woman.  She is in love with Prince Charming. He is perfect--handsome--thoughtful--rich--but is it all too good to be true?? This book will hook you in on the first page. It will mess with your mind and even confuse you. You will think that you know where the story is going and then you'll be second guessing your second guesses. It's full of twists and turns all the way until the last page. Not kidding. So if this sounds like a fun ride to you--then pick up a copy for yourself. It's about 350 pages--maybe a 3-4 mile run--that's worth the ride. Enjoy.

April 5, 2018 PLACES IN MY PAST

Last Saturday I ran a race that was a real --BLAST TO THE PAST. Went to Baltic--with my comrade from grammar school-- to run the St. Joseph School 3 mile road race. Hadn't been through the town in at least 20 years--Talk about going back in time. When you're young--EVERYTHING LOOKS SO BIG--but Baltic-- is actually--a tiny speck.  If you blink a second too long--you'll miss it. So--I kept my eyes peeled as we  drove around town because I didn't want to miss a thing. Drove down Main street-- passed the  gristmill--post office--elementary school--fire department--in 3 minutes. Even stopped to check out the  duplex  I lived in--BACK IN THE DAY. It's seen better days OR  maybe not. Either way--I'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY.  Reading an interesting book right now that's also taking me back  called White Houses by Amy Bloom.

As a great admirer of Eleanor Roosevelt, I felt compelled to read this historical fiction written after Bloom pieced together the documentation available about Roosevelt's "forbidden affair" with Lenora Hickok. Hickok, whose early life in South Dakota was ridden in poverty, grew up to be a well-known American journalist. In 1932, she was assigned to report on FDR's first political campaign and met Eleanor. As their friendship grew, it eventually became intimate and after FDR was elected President she actually moved into the White House as the "first friend" to Eleanor. Their affair went on for several years as Hickok later work under the Roosevelt administration promoting and protecting the Roosevelt name. Told from the point of view of Hickok, Bloom's story is intriguing as it re-examines an important time period through another lens while introducing us to a love story kept hidden for too long. This novel is only 220 pages--or a 3 mile run--and a real page turner that you will certainly enjoy.