March 2023 Books

♥ Dragon's Fat Cat by Dav Pilkey - So cute!! I can't wait til October when I can read Dragon's Halloween. Dav Pilkey can literally do no wrong.

* Braiding Sweetgrass ¹ by Robin Wall Kimmerer - This one was recommended to me by Natalia a couple years ago and I finally got around to it. The section on language was fascinating and this was definitely an important book that needed to be written. The author makes for an excellent narrator. Some parts were less intriguing than others but I'm still glad I listened to it.

♥ Carry On by John Lewis - What a brilliant, kind, extraordinary man. This book showcases his brilliance.

* Ratburger ¹ by David Walliams - This book was just okay. Not my fave David Walliams, that's for sure. But when Zoe's stepmum calls her Dad a "useless git of a husband" I broke out into hysterics and then later that Dad calls her an "evil cow" I was busting out laughing all over again. The last third of the book is what earned it the asterisk.

Jessamy Court by Anne Maybury - I loved Maybury's The Jeweled Daughter but felt genuinely let down by this one. I started reading Jessamy in 2022 but other stories took it over for the number one spot. I wasn't crazy about it from about halfway through but decided to keep reading until on the third chapter from the end. It just started to annoy me beyond belief and I put it down. But I went back, sped read and skipped a few pages til I read the end. Totally dumb.

¹ - audiobook

² - abridged version
* - liked
♥ - loved
Any unmarked titles were, in my opinion, so-so.

Kate's Date Slice

In August of last year Barbara sent me her friend's recipe for date bars and they sound delish!

• 125g (or 8 ⅓ tbsp) butter

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 cup coconut

• ½ cup walnuts, chopped

• 1 cup dates*

• 1 tbsp icing sugar

• 1 ¼ cup flour

• ½ sugar

• 1 egg

Grease a Swiss roll tin - melt butter - add into beaten egg - combine with rest of the dry ingredients. Mix well. Press into tin. Bake for 30 minutes at 180°C (or 356°F). Cut into small squares in tin. Leave to cool.

* I tend to chop dates and soften in water or apple juice until tender.

Ask Someone (Emily)

In what part of the world do you imagine me being the happiest?

I can imagine you being happy and peaceful in Scotland or Ireland. Not the city but a quiet place close to the city...

What would you use to lure me into a trap?

To lure you into a trap I'd use some really good organic mango salsa dip and chips and maybe some really good herbal tea that you can smell and a good ole cigarette waiting for ya....

In a perfect world, who would I end up marrying?

In a perfect world you wouldn't get married because you'd be content on your own and you wouldn't need anyone to validate you or even take care of you because you have hit the mainstream with your children's stories and are now a billionaire...but if you wanted to marry it would be Keanu Reeves because he's such a great guy and he's super super hot.

What is your favourite moment we've shared?

My favorite moment I've shared with you...well obviously it meant the world to me when you began visiting when I was sick but more than that when I was about 14 you bought me a ballerina music box for Christmas because I was finally old enough to sort of be included. I know I acted like I didn't care but that affected me alot. I felt really special that Christmas I even remember telling your dad about how I felt about it...

What name do you think suits me better than my own?

And what name suits you better than Lisa Star??  I love your name for you I wouldn't change it at all. 

What things remind you of me?

Things that remind me of you would be when I see a lady with some cool glasses...pink lady apples...sarcasm...when I read a good book or watch a good movie that I think you'd like...cute or funny stationary...guacamole...the beastie boys...Aerosmith (not sure why)...

What do you hope I will always remember about you?

I hope you will always remember how much I have always looked up to you and how much you remind me of your dad. You and your dad have so many similar facial expressions and also before I forget some of my favorite memories of you picking me up from school when I was sick or taking me and Pete and Xavier to McDonald's for fries and on the way home you'd drive fast and wiggle the steering wheel to shake us up and make us laugh. I would always be like again again!

I hope you'll remember that no matter how messed up I am and no matter how sick in the head I am my love for you and all of my family is as real as it gets and I wouldn't trade you for the world. I mean it.

(Got to hang out with this lovely lady tonight after work, just the two of us. We both desperately needed time together and it was wonderful.)

My answers for Emily: 

In what part of the world do you imagine me being the happiest?

Collingswood, NJ or a nice, friendly, walkable town near your family

What would you use to lure me into a trap?

Anything true crime related!

In a perfect world, who would I end up marrying?

Robert Downey, Jr. because he seems funny, resilient, good with kids, and humble.

What is your favourite moment we've shared?

Hanging out at your house, smoking and talking.

What name do you think suits me better than my own?

Jane Irma

What things remind you of me?

Court trials, true crime, crocheting, our Nana Irma, Covenant, fall colours, small jewelry boxes

What do you hope I will always remember about you?

That I always did my best to stay in touch.

 

March 2023 Donations

Chum Duluth (in memory of Joel Bamford)

Chum - people of faith working together to provide basic necessities, foster stable lives, and organize for a just and compassionate community.

Chum is a 501(c)(3) organization whose programs serve more than 8,000 low-income, homeless, hungry, isolated, or otherwise marginalized community members in Duluth, MN each year. Chum was founded in 1973 when 10 churches in Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood pooled their resources to meet the needs of the neighborhood’s many low-income residents. 

We are now the largest service safety net in Duluth, MN for those experiencing homelessness. We provide the basic needs that everyone has and help our guests move forward to begin to prosper.

The Senegalese Grow Project

Amber mentioned this on her Instagram page and I decided to pitch in and help.

Help create a mural and build classrooms at a village Elementary School in Senegal, Africa.

Once funded I received this update:

Thanks to your generosity we reached our funding goal and construction has begun on the two classrooms for the Diokhor Kaw Village School in Senegal.

We're so grateful for our village coming together to support such an important cause.  As educators and teaching artists we can't stress enough the importance of education and the impact of the arts in the lives of our youth. 

Please join me in the Low Budget Philanthropy movement and help out your community and beyond in the simplest way - donating any amount to whatever charity or organisation that you care about!

Domino Knock-Down

Here are two cute lil' vids from Mother's Day/Rosie's bday in 2019. Finally my old SpongeBob dominoes were getting some use. 

Duo Kitties

I thoroughly enjoy Duolingo but I love the blue-grey kitty character. Have from the beginning. Gomez and Bolito, who are, I believe, identical twin kitties, make me smile every time I see them and the hijinks they get up to in the Duo world. These are some of my faves.

The Last of Us

(photo kidnapped from press-start)

Last night into very early this morning I was over Marina's and we got in the first three eps of The Last of Us. Loads of people had been talking about it and raving at how phenomenal the series is and that was certainly proved in the third episode. Nick Offerman has never been better and how stinkin' great is it to see Murray Bartlett in tons of super-fantastic TV shows these days?! God, he's so good in everything he does. Anyway, the two leads, Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as Joel and Ellie, are interesting, but I can absolutely see that in the next few episodes I'll really get an intense feel for who they truly are. I'm hoping to see these two really bond. Marina wants me to watch every episode with her, but since she never reads this blog, I can admit that I doubt I'll be able to wait until who-knows-when so that we can hang out and see the remaining episodes. Sorry, lady, but I need to BINGE!

ps - Pedro Pascal. My god, that man is like a plague on my Instagram feed - he is everywhere I look. But from the handful of interviews and clips I've seen, he does seem like a genuinely decent guy. Also a bit dorky, which is always a plus for any human.

pps - Finished the season and it was absolutely spectacular. Oh, and I was right, Joel and Ellie bond and it is a beautiful thread through a fascinating series. 

26 - The Wind

The Wind

This town would be perfect if it weren't for the Elephant Wind. Every five or six years it blows through town, making our days miserable and bringing life to a standstill. At night we dream of elephants, big slow beasts marching across the screens in our heads. During the day we can only think and speak of elephants. No matter where we look, we see tusks, trunks, and flappy ears. Worst of all is the sound of the Elephant Wind, the way it screeches like an endless trumpet that rattles the nerves and clenches the teeth. Each time the wind arrives, we forget how we managed to survive it before. Then somebody remembers the book in the library. This wind has blown since the town's earliest days and our ancestors left us with instructions. Blowing the dust off the cover, we see the title and smile: How to Survive the Elephant Wind. 

Study the past and apply its lessons to the challenges you face today. Contemplate your history before you move forward. Energy is a gift when controlled and directed.

Ask Someone (Marina)

In what part of the world do you imagine me being the happiest?

Belgium

What would you use to lure me into a trap?

Hugh Jackman

In a perfect world, who would I end up marrying?

Bruce Campbell or Henry Rollins

What is your favourite moment we've shared?

Movies at your parents on the old green farty sofa or double feature drive in. Driving morrison at 15 in the Kmart parking lot in williamstown

What name do you think suits me better than my own?

I can only imagine you as Lisa

What things remind you of me?

SpongeBob SquarePants, the office, anytime someone hits the drums at the end of a joke "badum ch", patchouli, Depeche mode, Madonna, for some reason Dustin Hoffman 🤣🤣🤣, the phrase "what in the Sam hill?" And "toot suite", bertuccis

What do you hope I will always remember about you?

My real name is marina lol

My answers for Marina:

In what part of the world do you imagine me being the happiest?

Initially I would say somewhere out West like New Mexico because it's the climate and culture you admire and feel at home in, but I think you are happiest being close to your parents and siblings, surrounded by a strong support system of family who always have you and your son's best interest at heart.

What would you use to lure me into a trap?

A large tin of homemade (by me) cookies.

In a perfect world, who would I end up marrying?

Aaron Paul 

What is your favourite moment we've shared?

So many!! Eating food in a parking lot in my car, the drive-in, going to see Jason play at various bars and restaurants, The Boy from Oz, the hug outside the airport when I arrived in Armenia, that Christmas Eve at my old place on Tilton Street where we stayed up all night rubbing feet and watching The Boondock Saints on repeat, and that time at your party in Laurel Springs when you thought the ice you were rinsing down the sink magically was melted into a perfect star shape and the joy you exuded, followed by a humongous pout when I told you I used star-shaped ice cube trays. Oh! And reading excerpts from The Onion until we were crying laughing.

What name do you think suits me better than my own?

Marina Vivien

What things remind you of me?

A freshly opened bag of potato chips, Hugh Jackman, The Office, Desperate Housewives, anytime I struggle with a Spanish word during my Duolingo course, period films where someone inevitably says "m'lady" and doesn't say "m'lady, m'tuna, m'petunia", plantains, Ellen Burstyn, Stevie Wonder, bidets, pineapples, spackle, and Jennifer Aniston.

What do you hope I will always remember about you?

That you and I are two halves of one soul.

Joel Bamford

On March 12th Maria Bamford posted on Insta that her wonderful father had unexpectedly passed away. I came across the obituary online and it really showed what a kind and decent man he was. With Marilyn and Joel Bamford as your parents, it's no wonder that Maria Bamford is the gift they gave to the universe. I love this quote from Mr. Bamford: "Life is the opportunity, thought and action are the substance. Joy is a bonus." Words to live by!

Joel Thomas Mitchell Bamford of Duluth, Minnesota, USA

We are heartbroken to announce the unexpected passing of our dear Poppi, "the Best Dad in the Whole World". Deeply beloved father, grandfather, husband, neighbor and dermatologist, Joel T. M. Bamford passed away very peacefully in the grateful presence of his two daughters, Sarah Bamford Seidelmann and Maria Bamford at Solvay Hospice house where he and his departed wife Marilyn been strong supporters of its building campaign March 10th from complications due to COVID. Joel wished to express his experience in his life with the following words:

"Life is the opportunity, thought and action are the substance. Joy is a bonus."

Dr. Bamford lived up to his words from his boyhood "Cookie Club", self-started at the age of 6 to join 6 year olds, their mothers and cookies in his neighborhood, to his over 30 years of service at the Duluth Clinic.

Dr. Bamford was born 6 May 1941 in NYC, NY to Dr. Thomas Edwin Bamford (Neurologist and Psychiatrist) and Fannie Lee Raup, RN (Psychiatric Registered Nurse) at Columbia P and S where his parents met and worked.

He attended Bronxville public school, Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University BS and MD (seven year program for college/medicine), A Navy veteran, he spent two and one half years with the George Washington submarine.

One of his proudest achievements was his over 60 year marriage to the "love of his life and best decision he ever made", Marilyn Halverson Bamford that began on their wedding day, December 23, 1965. His two "progeny" and daughters with Marilyn, Sarah and Maria welcomed Joel's courageous 2nd chance at love that he developed in his final years with delightful girlfriend and dear friend of the family, Mary Eckman.

Throughout his over 60 years in Duluth, Joel loved this community and participated as a volunteer and renaissance enthusiast in many communities within the city. He mentored a boy with an absent father for several years, taught ESL one-on-one to Hmong refugees, acted in several Playhouse productions, served on Men as Peacekeepers and represented congregants on the St. Paul's episcopal church vestry. Always willing to be an amateur, he sewed, baked, played the guitar and piano and even gave stand-up comedy a go when his daughter needed a last minute opener. A favorite quote of his was by Golda Meir; "Don't be so humble, you're not that great". He was always game to give something new a shot and often spearheaded slightly elliptical ideas, such as the first world congress of trampoline jogging, Dr. Bamford "no soap" (bars of wood to place in your soap dish so you could avoid the menacing skin-drying effect of actual soap) and the jerry-rigged bed seat belt that keeps people who have night terrors in their beds at night.

He adored sailing and as death approached, Dr. Bamford looked upwards and said with awed enthusiasm "It's a perfect day to sail, there's a wonderful breeze". Always curious throughout his life and a scientist at heart, he researched new treatments for Roseacea, volunteered as a general physician in South and Central American communities.

He thought he might be most remembered by his sweet, "telegraphic" communication, where "you assume others are thinking as fast and understand what you propose to say" and poetical manner in writing and emails. His West Kent Alley Snowblowers Association (co-founded by Joel), loved to try to translate what his text messages might mean. (He usually wanted to make + share cookies with them!) He always felt concerned he was not as intuitive as he wished.

Joel is pre-deceased by his sister, Julie Anne Matheson (originally Jo Lee Bamford). Surviving Joel are his 2 daughters Sarah Townsend Bamford Seidelmann and Maria Bamford, his two sons in law Dr. Mark Seidelmann and Scott Marvel Cassidy and four grandchildren George, Katherine, Josephine and Charlie Seidelmann.

Our beloved dad often volunteered for CHUM- making sandwiches and being a greeter in the drop-in center- and we ask that, in lieu of flowers, any donations in his name be made to www.chumduluth.org. 125 N First Ave West Duluth, MN 55802

Services will be Saturday March 18th 11 am at St Paul's Episcopal church. There will be a visitation at 10 am just before the service with a luncheon to follow.

Joel's wish was to end his obit with the following words about happiness, optimism and connection:

"Any one of us can be a rainbow in somebody's clouds." - Maya Angelou

Fresh

Ventura Highway - America

If You Were The Only Girl - Dean Martin

Caution to the Wind - Everything But the Girl

I've Been Failing - Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats

Can't Stop Thinkin' About You - Eli Teplin & Mateus Asato

Bewitched, Bothered, & Bewildered - Ella Fitzgerald

Velvet Ocean - Kenya Soulsinger feat. Remy Shand

You to Me Are Everything - The Real Thing

Marks on My Neck - Charlie Puth

Look of Love - Madonna

She Lit a Fire - Lord Huron

If I Could Reach You - The 5th Dimension

Break My Stride - Matthew Wilder

Hit the Ceiling - LION BABE

If You Could Read My Mind - Gordon Lightfoot

We Used To Be Friends - The Dandy Warhols

Little By Little - Oasis

Gone for Good - The Shins

Oh The Guilt - Nirvana

Flowers Burn to Gold - Tori Amos

Make Them Apologize - Ani DiFranco

Blue Skies - Dinah Washington

What You Won't Do for Love - Bobby Caldwell

Love and Money - Bronski Beat

All I Want - The Cure

The Rockford Files - Mike Post

Given to Fly - Pearl Jam

Bad - U2

Mother - John Lennon

O' Sailor - Fiona Apple

DAM with Bailey

Yesterday I picked up Little Miss Bea and we went to the Delaware Art Museum. Bailey had never been to one before and, being a bit of an artist herself, she absolutely loved it. We are definitely going back again and she's hoping that her parents become members so that she can go back lots more!

Jax Sings Bowie

This video from June of 2017 showcases Jackson's abundant cuteness.

Happy St. Patrick Swayze Day!!

When I saw that Road House was gonna be playing at The Colonial Theatre I immediately called BFF Amy and told her the news. Today we each drove about two hours, searched and found two parky spots in the same lot and finally reached The Colonial to buy our tickets (sidebar: Amy mentioned to the gents at the ticketing booth that The Blues Brothers would be a marvelous choice for an upcoming classic flick and the one fella said he thought he had heard something about that playing in the not-so-distant future!! If it does we will 100% be there with proverbial bells on no matter if we have to take the day off from work. Ahhh...to see Jake and Elwood on the big screen....) 

Then we hoofed it on down to El Burrito for some tasty grub (chimichanga and guac for Amy and avocado salad for me) while gabbing and listening to Marc Anthony in the background. 

After dinner we decided to go a few doors down to Insomnia Cookies. Amy is a certified cookie lunatic and I gasped aloud when she said, "hey, look, they have vegan cookies!" Huzzah!!! I got a delightful vegan choco chip cook and Amy went full-tilt boogie with a  Big'wich - two chocolate chip cookies with buttercream icing smooshed between them!! 

We reached the theatre with 20 minutes to spare, found our seats up in the balcony and settled in for some hunky Patrick Swayze and Sam Elliott viewing. It was such fun and even though it wasn't a packed house, everyone there seemed to really enjoy every minute. They are looking to make this a yearly celebration and frankly, who more that Patrick Swayze deserves to be celebrated? 

After the show we were back in the parky lot where Amy gave me 108 farm fresh eggs from her chickies. We said our goodbyes and our I-love-yous and then I was off to Wayne's house by 10 to deliver 18 eggs. Next up it was a pit stop at Xavier's where Zach let me in and I passed along 54 eggs for their household. He's super buff and into physical fitness and was thrilled to see three 18 egg cartons of protein for him to enjoy. Dave was having a few friends over and the par-tay was still swinging so I made an appearance. I normally have a little anxiety attack at get-togethers but once I was there I was glad I stopped by. Jackson and his poppa were there plus one of Xavier's childhood pals who I hadn't seen in decades, plus family friend Buzz and a few new faces to put with the names I'd heard many times. I finally made it home at 2:30AM (technically I am typing this on the 19th but posting it for the 18th) and ready to turn in. What a fab day!!

(I arrived just after Tom on guitar, Buzz on drums, and Dave on bass, finished jamming. Jax even got in on the action. He's the one that took the above photo.)

Ten Days of Irish Cinema

I usually do 17 days of watching Irish films and TV series in March but Black History Month took a real toll on me and I was not interested in another project. By March 8th I was feeling the need to see Dublin again and decided to start with something new that seemed on the lighter side. I went with Anjelica Huston's Agnes Browne.

• Agnes Browne - Really great show with a standout performance from director and star Anjelica Huston. 

(photo kidnapped from tvguide)

• Pixie - This film was recommended to me by Uncle Alan last Spring. Unique film with gorgeous scenery and fine acting. Colm Meaney in an apron was my fave bit. 

(photo kidnapped from imdb)

• Love/Hate - Not a single character in the show to root for or like in the least. That made it hard to stay interested in and see the series through. It was okay, but the drug and criminal lifestyle is so not my thing.

• Derry Girls - This show never ever gets old. 

• Inside I'm Racing - I first saw this short film on a flight back from Dublin on Ryan Air. It was wonderful and then a few years back I saw it on Amazon Prime. It wasn't free this month, but the rental was only two bucks so how could I not give it another look? It was beautifully done and I wish that more short films were readily available. What's the feckin' point of making a film and then no one is able to see it?? It's the story of a young man with autism who's bananas for cars and racing. His family takes him, all decked out in his racing kit, to the track to see the cars in action. His sister takes her eyes off him for a bit and he gets in one of the race-cars and takes off. It brought me to tears every time I watched it. Just a great, great film.

(photo kidnapped from imdb)

• The 8th

• The General - Another effortlessly flawless performance from Brendan Gleeson as Martin Cahill.

(photo kidnapped from imdb)

• Harry Wild - I saw this show on Hoopla in November mainly because my neighbour from Dublin, Michael James Ford, is in an episode. It's a really good series with familiar faces and especially the glimpses of one of my fave places. Jane Seymour is wonderful as Harry and I can't wait for series 2!

(photo kidnapped from irishmirror)

• The Outcasts - This one I discovered because my other neighbour in Dublin, Bairbre Ní Chaoimh, co-stars. Check it out on rarefilmm.

• Ondine - I had never seen this film about a woman caught in a fisherman's net who is suspected of being a selkie. I thoroughly enjoyed it until the baddie came in. But I powered through and it had a good ending. Another singular film by Neil Jordan.

(photo kidnapped from sobrosnetwork)

• Bonus: As Luck Would Have It - Tonight Mum and I rewatched this Hallmark movie with that cutie patootie Allen Leech. It was one of the better Hallmark's with gorgeous shots of my favourite island.

(photo kidnapped from thesilverpetticoatreview)

From Across the Sea

Look at this super cute St. Patrick's Day card from Miss Barbara!

And Barbara got mine as well!

The 8th

(photo kidnapped from rocofilms)

I remember being in Ireland just after they repealed the 8th amendment so as to legalise abortions and protect women's rights to their bodies. There was such a sense of joy in Dublin, with Repeal the 8th stickers on windows, doors, t-shirts, pins, and street art, all showing their support. Abortion is such a dividing issue, especially with those crazy religious maniacs, and it felt good to see people of all ages, beliefs, and genders support the repeal. This film made me angry at all the people who didn't even attempt to understand why someone would need or want an abortion. They blindly believed it was wrong because someone told them it was and they refused to see reason. It was infuriating, but in the end, justice was served. 

Ask Someone (Jackson)

In what part of the world do you imagine me being the happiest? 

Ireland

What would you use to lure me into a trap? 

Irn Bru

In a perfect world, who would I end up marrying? 

The guy on your (phone's) background.

What is your favourite moment we've shared? 

First trip to Crayola.

What name do you think suits me better than my own? 

Anna

What things remind you of me? 

spiky hair and Mini Coopers

What do you hope I will always remember about you? 

That I'm funny.

My answers for Jax:

In what part of the world do you imagine me being the happiest?

In a colonial style house in the suburbs on a nice plot of land with a gorgeous and secluded yard, garden, and pool, with two or three dogs romping around.

What would you use to lure me into a trap?

A cache of Revolutionary War weapons

In a perfect world, who would I end up marrying?

Millicent Simmonds

What is your favourite moment we've shared?

Our first Christmas outing together in 2016

What name do you think suits me better than my own?

Jameson "Jem" Kent 

What things remind you of me?

Irn Bru, drums, Moler Bowls, Lord of the Rings, yellow cars, Rush

What do you hope I will always remember about you?

That I was fun, even though I sometimes had a short fuse, and that I loved you like crazy and thought of you as one of my bestest friends.

Amy as Richard Crenna

This little clip of Amy reciting Richard Crenna lines from First Blood cracks me up. It's from July 27th 2010 when we met up at a diner in North Jersey. The best is that she doesn't even try to do an impression. I dunno, I just love this gal so much and find this to be super silly and adorable. 

Camino Daydreaming

Lately I've been thinking of all the things I may never do before my exit. The ones that bother me the most are not finishing all the books I want to, mostly all of Dominick Dunne's, and especially not walking the Camino. I'm sure if I ever did get there I would feel instant stress and regret and wish that I were at home in my grandparents' old recliner watching reruns of Gidget. That being said, I truly feel in my gut that if I was able to complete the Camino Francés, I would leave Spain a completely changed person, one with a feeling of invincibility and the knowledge that I was capable of accomplishing great things and that I can finish what I started. 

(photo kidnapped from routes_et_chemins IG page)