June 29, 2020 I WONDER WHY

                            I WONDER...............................................................................

**Why our glorious leader WON'T wear a mask? He is supposed to be a role model. Just think how low our Covid numbers could have been??

**How things would be if we had a president who worked to unify the United States and ACTUALLY LEAD us in our battle against Covid??

**What it would be like to have a president who actually cared about the health and safety of the people??

**What it would be like to have a president who faced the issues armed with REAL knowledge and facts??

**What it would feel like to have a president who comforted Americans during these difficult times??

**When THIS nightmare be over???   

...........These are just a few of the things I wonder........... about---- as we enter the fifth month of Covid............Phase Two--I believe. (HEAVY SIGH)  

Speaking of sighs, I recently finished a novel from 2008 that I absolutely loved called Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo.  Russo is a fabulous writer and has become one of my favorite American writers. He has the ability to write about small-town life and actually make you feel as if you are part of the neighborhood.  This quiet story is set in Thomaston, a fictional town, in upstate New York. Lou "Lucy" Lynch,  the main character, has spent his entire life in Thomaston.  A town where--everybody knows your name.  At age 60, Lucy decides to write a book about the history of the town and his life. While writing the book, the reader learns about many issues that  faced the town over the years including social classes, racism, mental illness, environmental pollution and the cancer caused by the old tannery. The book  also follows Lucy's childhood,  his quirky parents, grandparents,  best friend Bobby Marconi, girlfriend Sarah Berg and just how the family came to own several convenience stores in town. This book is filled with a cast of characters that you will come to know and love because  Russo understands human behavior and has the ability to create rich, interesting, unforgettable characters. If you like beautiful writing, then this is the book for you. It's about 640 pages--or a 6 mile run--that you will never forget. 

 

June 22, 2020 LIE TO ME

As Covid threatens to take over the United States, our fearless leader carried on with his idiotic rally. Are you kidding me? And masks were optional? As it stands now--8 of his staffers have tested positive for virus. DAAHHH....Trump actually said that he wanted to limit testing to keep the numbers down--so that he could spread his "Fake News." OKAY-- let's just stop testing so that Trump can claim he's conquered his enemy. UGH.  The only good news that came out of the rally--besides the fact that TRUMP made an ASS out of himself AGAIN-- was that the rally wasn't  well attended. Many people were smart enough to stay away from an enclosed area full of people--they actually listened to SCIENCE.  I think that the  people who were actually DUMB enough to attend the rally --should have been required to a sign a waiver-- giving up their rights to medical care--when they get Covid. Sounds fair to me.  It's laughable that TRUMP stood there spouting about MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN --when everything that's gone wrong in the United States since his election is pretty much his fault. He doesn't give a HOOT about Racism, BLM, Covid or trying to Unite the U.S.  He wants to divide the U.S. AND spread HATRED so that he can get re-elected.  TRUMP ONLY CARES ABOUT TRUMP-- HIS  MONEY--and GETTING REELECTED.
Another person who seemingly only cares about herself is the main character in Taylor Jenkins Reid's novel,  The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. As the story begins, Evelyn is a legendary actress of "Old Hollywood" living in New York City who wants her story told. She hires an unknown journalist named Monique Grant to write her story. This begs the question why an unknown journalist? At this point in the story,  Monique is barely scraping by as her husband has left her and her career is going nowhere. After the two meet, Monique goes to Evelyns apartment every day to record her biography for a book that stands to make millions. Monique learns that Evelyn made her way to Hollywood in 1950 at the age of fourteen to become a star. She was ruthless in her endeavor and didn't let anyone or anything stand in her way as fame and fortune meant more to her than anything. Evelyn's story is one of  glamour, betrayal, friendship and scandal as  Evelyn explains why she had seven husbands, and why she was forced to leave Hollywood in the 1980s. This book is ultimately about the love of Evelyn's life and her desire to finally speak the truth. By the end of the story, Monique will also learn why she was chosen by Evelyn to write her biography. I really enjoyed the story--it was not what I expected--for that I'm thankful. It's about 400 pages or a 4 mile run that you will find hard to put down. Enjoy.

June 10, 2020 OLD TIME ROCK & ROLL

Concerts. I read a book a few weeks ago that got me thinking. Back in the day--concerts were a MAJOR event. Remember---Kind of like seeing the The Wizard of Oz on television. Tickets were about $10--Can you believe it? Seriously--you could see Van Halen for $8.50--BUT--that was a lot of money-considering minimum wage was about $3 an hour. CRAZY.  Then I started thinking about some of the concerts I went to in the 1980s.  It's funny--some of them I remember VIVIDLY--while others NOT SO MUCH--I'll leave it at that. To the BEST of my recollection--these are some of the concerts I saw WAY BACK WHEN. Genesis-Rush-Journey-Bryan Adams-Def Leppard-The Police-Fleetwood Mac-Rod Stewart-Madonna-Elton John-James Taylor. I'm sure there were others but I can't think of them right now. I can still remember wanting to be a groupie though. Wanting to run away and follow a band around the country. I fantasized that Rod Stewart would see me in the crowd and whisk me away.......SORRY....back to reality. I'm sure we have all fantasized that we were either in a band or part of the band and if you REALLY want to feel that way again--for a little while-- you must read Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
This book is unique in that it is written as a series of interviews about a famous rock band of the 1970s. The interviewees include members of the band, groupies, agents, and friends of the band, forty years after their mysterious break up. Daisy Jones, the lead singer, grew up in Los Angeles on the Sunset Strip. She hangs out with bands and enjoys the lifestyle of a groupie. As she grows older, she discovers her talent for song writing and eventually as a singer. Billy Dunne, is the leader of The Six, a band gaining popularity in the early 1970s. After the two join forces, the sky is the limit until problems in the band --jealousy-drugs-alcohol-sex--become too much. This is the story of the rise and fall of a rock band and how things are recalled by members of the band forty years later. It's interesting that things that seemed important then--seem quite ridiculous now. The story seems so real that I actually googled the band--only to find out that the book is VERY loosely based on Fleetwood Mac when they were recording their album Rumors. This is a great story. I loved the writing and the format. I fell into it and wanted to stay. I did read that the book is going to become a mini series too. It about 370 pages or a 4 mile run that I thoroughly enjoyed.

June 1, 2020 BLUER THAN BLUE

Have you ever heard of the Blue People of Kentucky? Me either--until last week. Apparently, a man of French descent named Martin Fugate, who had blue skin, settled in Troublesome Creek around 1800.  He married a woman named Elizabeth Smith and four of their seven children were blue. Why were they blue? The color of their skin was due to low oxygen saturation caused by hereditary Methemoglobinemia. Interestingly enough, it was caused by a recessive gene--so both the father and mother had to have the gene in order to have blue children. By the 20th century, descendants with the gene still lived hidden around Troublesome Creek. In the 1950's, two siblings caught the attention of a nurse who then took them to a hematologist who was familiar with their condition as he had seen it in Alaska. After testing and further study, he  was able to treat the them. Sadly, the blue people were discriminated against because of their skin color. They were murdered, beaten, and ridiculed because they weren't white. Unfortunately, things haven't changed much in our world-- They've only gotten worse as witnessed by the events of the past few months. Stand for a moment in Cussy Mary Carter's shoes when you  read The Book Woman of Trouble Some Creek by Kim Michelle Richards.  

Cussy Mary, the narrator of this fine novel, is the last of her kind--the Blue People. She's also a pack horse librarian, one of  Roosevelt's WPA programs of the 1930s. Cussy Mary is a brave, dedicated librarian who faces prejudice, intolerance and attacks from whites as she travels the poverty stricken rural areas of Appalachia delivering books to her patrons. She and her father are not accepted in town and are not considered part of the community because of their difference. Because of the color of their skin, they are persecuted and held hostage in  their own homes. Her father is a coal miner with  lung disease who has one last wish. He wants to see his daughter married and taken care of before his death. But who would want to marry a Blue? This book is so many things. It is a well- researched novel that will make you feel like you are back in Kentucy in the 1930s. It's also a book that pays tribute to the women who rode countless miles over rough terrain to bring hope to the poor, ignorant masses. It's also about prejudice and what it's like to be different in a world that does not accept difference. Find out what happens to Cussy Mary and her father when you read this beautifully written novel for yourself. It's about 320 pages or a 4 mile run that is more timely than ever. 

May 28, 2020 TRAIN WHISTLE BLUES

I'm one of those people who rarely watches the movie after I read  the book. And when I do--I'm generally disappointed with the movie version. It's just impossible to capture so many details on film. It's also REALLY annoying when a book gets made into a movie and they completely change the plot AND the characters. So I went against my better judgement the other night and watched a movie right after I finished reading the book. The movie was made back in 1991 and was a HUGE hit. It was nominated for a few Academy Awards and was loaded with stars. I will admit that I really enjoyed the movie and if I hadn't just finished the book--I would have probably loved it--except for a few things.  First of all, the movie was different. The plot was rearranged and changed because several characters in the book were not in the movie. UGH.  I also didn't agree with some of the actresses chosen for certain parts--but that's my deal. I had a picture in my mind about what the characters should look like and some were completely different in the film. OKAY--I've kept you waiting long enough. Believe it or NOT--I finally got around to reading Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg.
This wonderful story centers on the friendship of Evelyn Crouch, a middle-aged housewife and an elderly woman named Ninny Threadgoode. The two meet at Rose Terrace Nursing Home while Evelyn is visiting her mother-in law-in the 1980's.  Evelyn enjoys Ninny's company so she decides to visit with her while her husband sees his Momma. Ninny regales Evelyn with stories of  the Threadgoode family  and the Whistle Stop Cafe in Alabama.  Many of the stories focus on the adventures  Idgie Threadgoode and Ruth Jamison, owners of the cafe during the Depression riddled South. Her stories are  filled with colorful characters including Smokey, Big George, Sispey  to name a few. This novel explores many themes including family, ageing, racism, lesbianism and friendship. If you read this book back in 1987--it's worth a second read. It's about 400 pages --or a 4 mile--run that's filled with lessons we could really use in 2020. 

May 23, 2020 STILL THE SAME

My life feels like the movie Groundhog's Day. You know-- Where Bill Murray wakes up and everything is--EXACTLY THE SAME--every day. Yup--The MONOTONY IS KILLING ME. I love my family as much as the next person--BUT SERIOUSLY--ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Being together THIS MUCH-is getting OLD.There is NOTHING left to talk about. O-M-G. Trying so HARD to stay positive but SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE. I can only run SO many miles--then it's back to the prison. THE DREADED ROUTINE. HOW MUCH CAN I COOK?? How many times can I wipe down the counters?? Scrub the toilets? Sweep the dog hair? Fold the leggings? You know things are bad when GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE IS THE BEST PART OF MY DAY--at least its's a diversion from my routine. Hopefully things will get better soon. Outdoor venues are starting to open and one of the libraries has opened with curbside service--so that's a plus. I'm Trying not to FALL DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE in the meantime. Udo, better known as Little Bee, has problems of her own in Chris Cleave's novel from 2010 Little Bee.  

Little Bee is a young Nigerian girl who flees her home for a better life during the Nigerian Oil Wars. As the story begins, Little Bee and four other refugees are being released from an Immigration Detention Center near London. After staying at a farm near the center, Little Bee decides to make her way to the home of Sarah Summers and Andrew O'Rourke--the only people she knows in London. Little Bee and her sister briefly met the couple two years earlier when Sarah and Andrew were on a  beach in Nigeria during their vacation. After a confrontation with the sisters and some hostile soldiers, Andrew lost his license while Sarah lost a finger. Two years later,  Little Bee shows up at the house on the day of Andrew's funeral and stays on to help Sarah and her son Charlie. I don't want to say much more except that this is a book about choices. Some are good, others bad but they ALL shape our lives. I enjoyed this book that was made into a movie in 2018 although I did not find some parts believable--but that's just me. It's a 270 page book or 4 mile run that is definitely worth your time. Enjoy.  

May 19, 2020 NOTHING'S GONNA STOP US NOW

I have two words for you. VIRTUAL GRADUATION. It's that time of year again. Our seniors will graduate this Friday. We usually have all kinds of special activities--a breakfast--awards program--beautiful graduation--BUT NOT THIS YEAR. I feel badly for ANYONE who is trying to celebrate in the midst of COVID-19. The struggle is REAL. After much debate, my school decided to hold a virtual graduation. This involved the COORDINATION  and DEDICATION of many people. I happily agreed to help with the filming AND I'M SO GLAD THAT I DID. I got to see "the kids" again in all their finery. There were "congratulation signs" covering the lawn as the seniors readied themselves with their--caps--gowns--cords--to walk down the aisle and accept their diplomas. Each was captured on film and will be put together for friends and family to watch--this Friday at 6:00.  I know it's not the same as actually being there together BUT we did our best to honor the graduates. Congratulations Seniors. Happy Trails.
Too bad the trail wasn't happy for Lily Millington, the main character of Kate Morton's mystery The Clockmaker's Daughter. This lovely novel is part love story, part mystery and part ghost story. It also spans 150 years, and is told through multiple voices. If you are okay with that then you will love this book. Lily Millington, a one time thief living in England in 1862, falls in love with acclaimed painter Edward Radcliffe while working as his model. The feeling is mutual, but Edward is already engaged to a wealthy socialite named Fannie Brown. In order to escape his future, Edward, Lily and a group of painters escape to Edward's home in the country, Birchfield Manor. After a fumbled robbery, Fannie is dead and Lily disappears. A few years later, Edward dies and leaves his home to his sister Lucy who uses the house as a school for girls and later a museum dedicated to her brother. What's important in this novel is Birchfield Manor and its effect on the people who visit the home over 150 years including a student named Ava in the 1900's, Julia & Alan Winston in 1928,  Leonard, Jack, and Elodie Winslow, an archivist, who finds an old satchel containing sketches of a house and a picture of a woman that sets her on the hunt for answers. I really enjoyed this book but have to admit that it was NOT an easy read. You should make a list of all the characters because they are all connected in the end but it's hard to keep track of them because the book flips back and forth through time and has a ghost who is an unreliable narrator. WOW. This book is about 500 pages or a 6 mile run that I thoroughly enjoyed.