July 2021 Books

* Mother. Wife. Sister. Human. Warrior. Falcon. Yardstick. Turban. Cabbage. ¹ by Rob Delaney - This crackpot had me in absolute howls of laughter. He was sometimes kinda crass but all in all, I would totes listen to this again because he is just so damn funny.

* Pictures in My Head ¹ by Gabriel Byrne - I could listen to this man speak for days. 

Brat ¹ by Andrew McCarthy - I started this book excited to learn more about McCarthy and his experiences in so many great films and life in the 80s spotlight but I left it feeling like he was kinda bitter. 

♥ The Ice Monster ¹ by David Walliams - The last two Walliams books I had read (Awful Auntie and The World's Worst Teachers) just didn't thrill me like so many of his other stories had. This one though? Adorable. I am so glad that I queued this up after McCarthy's book. It was fresh and fun and I loved it.

♥ The Clue in the Jewel Box by Carolyn Keene - This book was so good I didn't want it to end. I'm sad to learn that Carolyn Keene isn't real and that the books were written by a bunch of different people. That said, this one was written by Mildred Benson and it seems like all the Nancy Drew books that I have read were written by her so I can at least seek out more of the ones by Ms. Benson. I could follow the story like a movie playing out in my mind, it was that well written. 

 

* Who Was Ida B. Wells? ¹ by Sarah Fabiny - This book gave a good glimpse into Ms. Wells' life and I will be looking for a more in-depth account of her life. 

¹ - audiobook

² - abridged version

* - liked

♥ - loved

Any unmarked titles were, in my opinion, so-so.

The Perfect Dress for Booklovers

And it has an option for pockets!! Tag It Girl on Etsy is selling this dress and I am smitten with it!

Happy 100th Bday, Iris!

I first discovered this great beauty in 2013 when she caught my eye in the documentary Bill Cunningham New York. Then came her own doc, Iris, by Albert Maysles, which was absolutely fantastic. It was wonderful to get to know the classy, stylish lady as she really is. I've loved watching her star rise further and further and see her embraced by one and all. I am so happy that at one hundred, she is still going strong. Cheers to you, Ms. Apfel!

(I ordered these Half & Half glasses in Mosaic as sunnies and can't wait 'til they arrive! Everything in the Iris Apfel Collection for Zenni is fun to the max! Iris said of these frames "I love color and I love pattern, so this two-tone style is like having my cake and eating it too." (They're also available in blue swirl.) As a sidenote, Zenni is fantastic and I'm so thrilled with the glasses I've bought from them. Tip: be certain you can understand the writing of your prescription from your doctor and be sure to have your dual pupillary distance correct. There's YouTube videos and at-home rulers to print out so that you get your PD just right.)

I really really want...

...these cute button sets from Kate Gabrielle's shop. Trouble is, I don't really need them. They'd just go in a mason jar to be displayed in my home, rather than worn. But it's so hard to put them in my shoppy cart, enter the coupon code that gets me one set for free and not process the order. Until that happy day arrives when I succumb to my impulses, they'll have to remain here in blog-land. 

From the film classic Laura

Sabrina

The Trouble With Angels

And here are some adorable Kate Gabrielle Christmas originals - also available as super-cute holiday cards.

We Heart Ralph

25 Feb 2017

Kay's Fish

This Summer Kayla is working at a local camp with kids. Yesterday she sent me this pic of the fish art that she and co-worker Pam did. It took three hours! I for one am SO impressed.

Brussels Bathroom Graffiti

Time will keep moving on regardless of whatever happens.

Riders of the Purple Sage

In May of this year I was texting with Uncle Alan and he dropped a golden nugget in my lap. He told me that his father's favourite author was Zane Grey. I had no idea of any of my Grandad's reading habits and had never heard of Zane Grey. I instantly researched Grey and found out that his most beloved novel was called Riders of the Purple Sage. Is that not the most musical title you've ever heard? I bought it off Audible and finally listened to it this week, finishing it today. It was exceptional and had me on the edge of my proverbial seats. For the last half of the story I had a sinking feeling gripping my heart as I silently pleaded to the heavens that it would have a happy ending. Would good prevail over the evil men that roam the Utah plains? Would the lovers find freedom from the rustlers in the end? You'll have to read it to find out for yourself.

Helen Sees Starsky & Hutch

I can't believe I forgot to post this! Back in March of 2017 Helen messaged me on IG to let me know that she saw the vehicles and the cast of Starsky & Hutch when she was in Manchester. 

Victor/Victoria

This is such a classic. I've only seen it maybe three or four times over the years and so it's still got a few scenes I'd completely forgotten about. I'm re-watching it again with the commentary by Julie Andrews and Blake Edwards. They are just too cute together and I loved the moments when they were silent 'cause that's when they were really into the film and forgot to comment on it. Jimmy (Garner, of course) is so dapper with a moustache and Julie is as vibrant as ever. She and Robert Preston are so damn good together and it's just a wonderful way for me to end the weekend.

(photos kidnapped from adamelikeme)

Random Text Convos with M'Bestie

I was going through and deleting pix off my phone when I kept coming across screenshots of texts between me and Amy. They all made me crack up or at least smile and so I am putting them here so I can re-read them years from now and relive the joy.

7.22.2019

8.01.2019

10.17.2019

12.18.2019

11.22.2020

7.1.2021

48 - The Well

The Well

Our town began with a well. This is how most towns begin. A few people get together on a blank patch of land and the first thing they do is dig a well because water is the most important thing. Buildings, roads, and money can be figured out later. Our town has changed quite a bit over the years but the well has always been here, watching our celebrations and revolutions, our fires, thunderstorms, and the arrival of electric lights and satellites in the sky. Yet our need for water remains constant. They say there was a time when the well solved all arguments. If two people disagreed, they met at the well, where the simple act of sharing a glass of water reminded them that they were not so different from one another. Squabbles over money, power, and possessions dissolved when they remembered that they were driven by the same impulses and shared the same needs. Perhaps we should revive this tradition.

The foundations of life are the same for everyone. Make sure these deepest needs are met in those around you, and harmony will follow.

Wicklow 2017

Punky Brewster 2021

I never watched the original Punky Brewster series when I was a kid, but I did catch the first season on DVD through Netflix back in 2012. Earlier this year I saw Soleil's film Kid 90 and it mentioned the new season that was out. I made a mental note of it and today, checked the series out via the Peacock app. I didn't have any expectations and it turned out to be a super cute show! It was definitely in keeping with typical family sitcoms where the parents have wonderful relationships with their kids and work through problems and everything turns out right by the end of the episode. It's the kind of show that I would want my younger nieces and nephews to watch because the cast is diverse, it's fun and everyone is open minded and progressive. Plus Freddie Prinze, Jr. has never looked dreamier. They address some hot button issues in a kind of easy-breezy way that I really admired. I'm hoping they greenlight a second season because I'd love to see more.

(Punky Brewster poster pic kidnapped from imdb - cast photo kidnapped from hollywoodreporter)

A Bit of Vlaeykensgang

Vlaeykensgang is my favourite spot in all of Antwerp and when I was there last I snuck a little mini movie of just part of the walk through the alleyway. It's such a charming, serene place. If I am ever lucky enough to return I will definitely try to capture more of it. But for now, here's seventeen seconds.

An Irish Pilot (Lady Heath)

Photos taken at The Hugh Lane in Dublin - April 21, 2017. I love this painting but I'm so annoyed at myself for not taking my time and actually getting the whole painting in the picture.