January Books 2024

Nancy Drew: The Mystery of the Ivory Charm by Carolyn Keene - This book was so-so. Most of Mildred Wirt Benson's Nancy Drews are spectacular and I can't put them down. This was not one of those.

* An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good ¹ by Helene Tursten - Maureen and Autumn recommended this book to me and it was really good - short stories about a feisty ole broad who takes no shit. I aspire to one day be like that!

♥ I Don't Need Therapy ¹ by Toni Lodge - I'd seen Toni on Insta with her pal, Ryan, and so when I discovered this book on Libby I decided to give it a try. Oh my gosh, this woman is an utter delight. Funny and real and honest and like someone who would instantly fit in to my circle of friends. I would definitely listen to this again and again.

* Murder at The Breakers ¹ by Alyssa Maxwell

¹ - audiobook
² - abridged version
* - liked
♥ - loved
Any unmarked titles were, in my opinion, so-so.

January 2024 Donations

Girl Scouts of America

Lucy's Girl Scout troop was selling cookies and since they have vegan options I decided to go wild! Plus I reached out to a handful of friends (Bishop, Bella, Kay, Amy, Terri, Natalia, and Wayne) and was able to score more sales for our gal!

When you buy Girl Scout Cookies, you are creating opportunities for Girl Scouts to learn, grow, and thrive through the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world. From learning how to interact with customers to creating budgets and taking orders, the Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches Girl Scouts invaluable skills that they’ll need to succeed throughout their lives. 

The Girl Scout Cookie Program provides opportunities for Girl Scouts to practice and develop their entrepreneurial skills, giving them an edge compared to their non-member peers, according to a study by the Girl Scouts. 

Plus, Girl Scout Cookie proceeds stay local! From trekking through the deep woods to traveling the world, you're helping fuel new experiences and adventures for local Girl Scouts all year long.

Girl Scouts build a better future for themselves and the world. And the Girl Scout Cookie Program makes it all possible, thanks to your support. 

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!

The Barber Chair

Marina's fab brother, Jason, was hanging with a friend and complimented him on a beautiful barber chair he had. Apparently the man's daughter used to own a salon and he took the chair off her handswhen she sold the business. He then proceeded to ask if Jason wanted it. Hells yeah! He knew his lil' sis would love it and that it would be perfect in the corner of her dining room. And he was so right! Marina's house is pure perfection and I wish it were mine.

Old Timey Postie

In digging through the postcard box at Baldwin's Book Barn a few years back, I stumbled upon a vintage Colonial Theatre postie from 1989. I tried to make like filmtourismus Instagram account but wasn't quite up to Andrea David's precision. Still, I think it's kinda cool.

(photos taken 1 September 2019)

Another House to Save

This home is absolutely darling and I can't help but formulate plans in my mind's eye as to how I would change it and restore it and make it my own. I'm so glad I discovered Cheap Old Houses on Instagram because on really bleak days, they make it so easy to daydream. 223 East Oak Street in Mason, Michigan? I wish you were mine!

My New Fave Website!

MyRetroTVs is perhaps the greatest website in history! It gives you the option of watching anything TV through the decades. The viewer can choose from the 50s all the way through to the aughts/noughties. I watched a bit of the 80s the other night and caught the end of The Blue Yonder, which I'd not seen since it first aired. Then the next channel showed a bit of Back to the Future while another offered up The Smurfs. It is endless amounts of fun!

Lauryn's Memorial Tattoo

Lauryn's beloved father passed away last year and has left the family rudderless. It was a long time coming but they were all still utterly devastated. In honour of this great man, Lauryn got a tattoo of an owl, with the background being Old Forge at sunset, since that was where the family would vacation every year. I think it is one of thee most incredibly beautiful tattoos I've ever seen.

Save St. Stephen's Green Shopping Centre

Today I found out (via savestephensgreen on Instagram) about plans to basically butcher St. Stephen's Green Shopping Centre in Dublin. I saw a link for a petition and instantly WhatsApp'd Barbara to let her know. (Please feel free to sign it!!) Look at all the features that will be lost: 

1. Façade: This is an iconic feature at the top of Grafton Street and looking onto St Stephen’s Green. It’s made from steel and aluminium panels, in a style inspired by the glass houses in the Botanic gardens and meant to compliment the Victorian character of the Green.

2. Dome: The distinctive multi-faceted dome signals the corner entrance from multiple points throughout the city. It was also designed to reference the turret on the building opposite it on King Street South.

3. Atrium: The glazed atrium is 23 metres high, 16 metres wide and 97 metres long, comprising 2750 sqm of glass. It’s rare to have an indoor space of this scale in Dublin’s city centre which is naturally lit.

4. Clock: With a diameter of 8.9 metres, this is the largest indoor clock in Europe and acts as a smokescreen. It is the only feature that has been identified by planners as worth keeping, but the proposed scheme offers little space for this.

(PS: Special thanks to Barbara, Bella, Natalia, Amy, Maureen, Wayne, Helen, Kayla, Terri, and MeMom for signing the petition!)

Uncle Bud at My Place

These are two of my favourite photos of Uncle Bud and I'm so proud to display them in my home.

Kayla's Books

A person's book collection is such an interesting look into who they are and is a fabulous way to learn more about their personality. Here's Kayla's collection of some of her favourite books.

Where the Sidewalk Ends - Shel Silverstein

101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think - Brianna Wiest

Long Love the Pumpkin Queen - Shea Ernshaw 

Scars - Cheryl Rainfield

Lullabies - Lang Leav

Smoke & Mirrors - Michael Faudet

Dirty Pretty Things - Michael Faudet

The Gift of Fear - Gavin De Becker

Out in the Snow

Today I got a text from Stacey saying that she had Jax over and was planning to take him and Lucy sledding in their development and would I like to join them. I dug my car out and dashed on over. We were the only four people there and the hightlight was filming Lucy making snow angels and Jax sailing down the hill. It was wicked cold out but so much fun! Well, until Lucy hurt her hip and Jax busted his tailbone when they went flying over a snow ramp. But in the end, they recovered and had a great time.

Snow Leopard Cult

Hello - Johnny Mathis

Masculinity - Lucky Love

I Can't Help It - Andy Gibb & Olivia Newton-John

Looking for the Holes - Ani DiFranco

I Keep Forgettin' - Michael McDonald

Heart to Heart - Kenny Loggins

Lose Control - Teddy Swims

End It On This - No Doubt

I'm Gonna Get You - Bizarre Inc

25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago

Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show - Neil Diamond

Cloudbursting - Kate Bush

Silver Springs - Fleetwood Mac

Lay All Your Love On Me - ABBA

I'm Not Your Second Choice - Jeffreymixed

What's Happening Brother - Marvin Gaye

Someday We'll All Be Free - Donny Hathaway

Blue Lights - Gus Glasser

Laughter in the Rain - Neil Sedaka

Star - Mitski

Lazarus - David Bowie

Black Moonlight - Duran Duran

Once In A Lifetime - Deer Tick

You're the First, the Last, My Everything - Barry White

Tell It to My Heart - Taylor Dayne

Do It Baby - The Miracles

Breathe - China Soul

Nessun Dorma - Jonathan Tetelman

(First mix of 2024!)

Nicole Captures Italy

Here are some more photos that Nicole took with my iPod Touch when we traveled in Italy over a decade ago.

Jax is a Hoot!

Jackson says so many things that just crack me the hell up and I'm so glad I filmed him back in December of 2022 telling me all about the stink-bomb that apparently dropped on 295.

The Dark Forest, Take Three - Flowers & Vines

The third broadcast, which I've titled Flowers & Vines, begins with Rickster Rick signing on with, "Listen to the rustling of green leaves as we peer through the branches into The Dark Forest." Talk about a line to get you hooked! After the opening song by Mediæval Bæbes, Rickster Rick came on to tell us that he would be "beating a path through the branches here today for eighty minutes of solid nutty music." And boy, did he deliver. 

I've said this before, but it bears repeating, if I had extraordinary wealth, I would make it my mission to get Rickster Rick on the air every week night for a broadcast of his brilliant series The Dark Forest. 

3