Random Tuesday

 Time to link up with Stacy for some random nonsense.

Starting off seriously today... I want to talk about the term "broken home" which I completely dislike.  I understand its meaning, but I don't like the stigma that comes with this term.  Having worked in schools for over thirty years, I know that many teachers think kids who come from so-called broken homes are likely to be less "academic" than students from nuclear families.  Besides, who says that a single parent home is broken?  I've known lots of people who come from divorced households who are no more "broken" than other kids whose parents are in the same household.  How can a home where the parents are fighting constantly under the same roof be less broken than a single parent household that is full of laughter?

Getting off my soapbox now...

The countdown is on!  There are 18 days until the wedding.  I still can't believe my "little girl" is getting married.  We have everything, but not everything is ready.  I still need to design and set up how her "candy bar" is going to look, finish making the centerpieces for the reception and aisle décor for the ceremony, put together an arch, print table numbers, and finish the scrapbook I want to give her before the wedding.  That seems like a lot!  But I can do it!

Now this...

We kept our grand-dogs for four days last week. 

Wish I had thought to do this with one of them!

And last, but not least...

Have a great week!

Photo Wednesday

 Here is a beautiful purple rose from the arrangement I received from my husband on my birthday.

Purple roses are the result of a hybrid, or cross hybridization.  The meaning of a purple rose varies by its shade. 

Lavender Rose Meaning

• Lavender: conveys enchantment and mystical love.
• A lavender rose with no thorns: love at first sight.

I'm linking up Wordless Wednesday and Image-in-ing.  Come link up and have some fun!

Random Tuesday

 It's already Tuesday? Time to link up with Stacy!

 Big weekend for me!  The bridal shower was Saturday, and for me, it was an almost all day affair, partly because I had to go pick my mom up and take her home when it was over.  She lives about 45 minutes away.  Exhausting!  But it went off beautifully!  Lots of their friends and family members were there (masks, shields, and mostly outdoors).They got some great gifts, things they can really use.

She had her bachelorette that night, and he had his bachelor party.  I think they were pretty tame.  Games, food, (something involving underwear for her) and movies at the girl party.  Video games, food, and Long Island Ice Teas for him.  I'm glad all that is over!

Now, countdown to the wedding is 25 days!  There are still things to do!  Centerpieces, aisle decor, and seating arrangements.  Plus a little scrapbook I want to give her.  Due to Covid, the venue is requiring a seating chart.  I don't know for sure why.  I feel like we can trust people to sit with other people who are usually in their circle of contacts, so I don't see assigned seating as mandatory, especially when we don't know who is going to want to sit inside or outside.  It's taken FOREVER to get the rehearsal scheduled, but that finally happened this morning.

I'm going for my echocardiogram today.  Next week, I will go for all of my results.  Question... have any of you ever experienced vaso-vagal syncope?

I'll move straight to some funnies this week.

Have a great week!

Sunday Synopsis

 

The Man in the Window by Jon Cohen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really wanted to like this book. I try not to pin myself down to one or two genres so I occasionally choose a book that is not my typical read. This book is classified as "dark comedy," but I saw it more as "literary fiction."

Louis Malone was disfigured in a fire at age 16. He has remained hidden for 16 more years, perhaps showing up at the window with his face covered to hide his scars. He is a recluse living with his parents. Stories around town gossip that he is a monster, and this is how he sees himself.

Iris Shula is a nurse who lives in the same small town, although she hasn't lived there as long as Louis. Iris is short, overweight, and not pretty at all. When Louis falls out of his window, he meets Iris at the hospital, and the two share an unusual bond.

I did not like how the author made Louis seem so pitiful, which was how he created his life to be. And I didn't like the way Iris was described as being ugly, almost to the point of being unlovable. The author spent a lot of time describing things in colorful, flowery, poetic language. The symbolism was forced on the reader rather than happening naturally. And I didn't like the ending.

There was one fascinating aspect of the book having to do with one of Iris's other patients, but this was its main redeeming quality. This is the type of book that usually steers me away from literary fiction. It is too unrealistic, and the word choice is forced. It wasn't a horrible book. I liked it a little, but I didn't love it, and it isn't one I would rank high on a list of recommended reads. Alas, this sometimes happens when I venture out of my genre comfort zone.

View all my reviews

Photo Wednesday

A few photos I took as I was walking yesterday.

We have tons of egrets around here.  An egret is a type of heron. I've linked an article if you're interested.  

Happy Catnesday!

Why did you wake me up?

Link up with Wordless Wednesday and Image-in-ing for more photo fun!