Happy Random Tuesday

 

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This might fall under the heading, "You know you're from Texas when..." but I remember that in middle school in the 1970's, part of physical education classes was a unit on dancing in both 7th and 8th grades.  This was the only time P.E. was co-ed, and it was embarrassing!  We didn't learn the "cool" dances of the 70's either.  We had to do the Cotton Eyed Joe, the Schottische, and (shudder) square dancing.  Did you ever learn these dances or have dancing in school P.E.?  I'm 100% sure they don't do that unit today!  It gives us something to look back on and laugh!

Here's a few laughs!

Have a great week, and don't forget to visit Happy Tuesday and Random Tuesday Thoughts.

Sunday Synopsis

Twisted Twenty-Six by Janet Evanovich
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Stephanie Plum, bond enforcer. It sounds a lot more glamorous than it is, and frankly, Stephanie is tired of all the "bad" in life. While she is questioning her career choice, Grandma Mazur has gotten herself into a pickle. Her husband of 45 minutes has died, and his mobster cronies believe Grandma has the keys, literal keys, to financial freedom. The problem is, Grandma doesn't have the keys, doesn't know where they keys are, and didn't even know they existed.

And Stephanie has more than just finding the keys on her plate. She makes her living by locating FTA's (failure to appear) and getting them "rescheduled for their court dates." She has some doozies this time including a professional shoplifter who is able to give her and Lulu the slip multiple times. Stephanie's and Lulu's shenanigans provide much comic relief, and the love triangle with cop Joe Morelli and security expert Ranger provide romance.

Janet Evanovich manages to keep the storylines fresh even through this 26th book. But if you haven't read the previous books, you could pick this one up and still have a funny, twisty, read.

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Thursday Thirteen

 

13 songs I heard today.

1.  Tiny Dancer by Elton John

2.  Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac, live version

3.  Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper

4.  Loves me Like a Rock by Paul Simon

5.  Hard to Say I'm Sorry by Chicago

6.  The Wind by Cat Stevens

7.  Psycho Killer by Talking Heads

8.  The Chair by George Strait

9.  Roar by Katy Perry

10. Amazing Grace by John Newton

11. Baba O'Riley by The Who

12. Slip Kid by The Who

13. Woman from Tokyo by Deep Purple

Kind of a varied list!  Don't forget to visit Thursday Thirteen for more fun!

Happy Random Tuesday

 Maps.  I'm no good at reading them!  I can follow directions, and I can follow my GPS, but if asked to locate something on a map, chances are it will be difficult for me.  Everything on maps is so little!  I am trying to get better, though.  I remember my dad folding out his map and determining the route when we would take trips.  And remember key maps?  Those were fun, huh?  How about you?  What grade would you give yourself on map reading?

Map of the World if there was no land...

Have a great week, and don't forget to visit my friends at Happy Tuesday and Random Tuesday Thoughts!

Sunday Synopsis

Dying for Daddy: The True Story of a Family's Worst Nightmare by Carlton Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The real events of Dying for Daddy took place in Sacramento County, California in the 1990's. Jack Barron's 34 year old wife Irene died suddenly, and no cause could be found. Perhaps it was a rare genetic disorder because in the next few years, both Jack's son and daughter died, both age four at their deaths. But officials began to have suspicions when Jack's mother died not long after his daughter. A genetic disorder was quickly ruled out.

Jack was the grieving widower, father, son... until he wasn't. Friends and family members began to question how four seemingly healthy people could die, all in the same family and all within years of each other. It seems to me that the first death was under very mysterious circumstances, but to wait until four are dead to investigate? That is unreal.

While I hate that this event occurred, I believe the writing could have been much better. Far too much description was wasted on the backgrounds of Jack's parents and grandparents. Much of the story was repetitive. The part where Jack is being questioned by police also went into far too much detail since basically Jack's only words (over and over) were, "I didn't do it." The reader doesn't need the word-for-word retelling of questioning that elicited the same response the entire time.

And worst of all, the book had no ending. It just stopped. We as readers did not find out if he was held over for trial, what that trial was like, or whether or not there even was a trial, and surely not the results. It literally just stopped. There is nothing worse. For these reasons, I can only say that the book was okay.

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Careful! They'll Get Stuck in Your Head!

 If you are of a certain age, you will likely remember these ads!

1.  My bologna has a first name...

2.  I am stuck on Band-Aid brand

3.  From bikes to trains to video games

4.  Ancient Chinese secret!

5.  Meow, meow, meow, meow

6.  Hey Mikey! He likes it!

7.  Plop! Plop!  Fizz!  Fizz!

8.  Sometimes you feel like a nut

9.  Who wears short shorts?

10. I'd like to teach the world to sing

11. When you say Bud...

12. Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce...

13. On the label, label, label

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Happy Tuesday

 Happy Tuesday, everyone!  I've missed you.  But, no time for chit-chat today.  Just some laughs.

Anyone else?

Please visit my friends at Happy Tuesday and Random Tuesday Thoughts. Have a great week!

Sunday Synopsis

 

The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love historical fiction, and Philippa Gregory is my favorite author, but while most of her books rate five stars, this one only got four from me, and I will get to the reasons why soon.

In the beginning of this book, Queen Mary has died and Protestant Elizabeth I has come to power. She faces a number of challenges, particularly the change from Catholicism to Protestantism and the fact that her country is bankrupt. Additionally, the French are threatening to invade Scotland. She must also rule in a country that experienced weak leadership from its first female ruler. Add to this her desires as a female, and the fact that she is expected to wed and produce an heir.

In the midst of this comes her childhood friend, Robert Dudley, tried and convicted as a traitor. Nevertheless, Dudley has ambitions of being King, and thus woos Elizabeth all while his own wife remains constant in her faith and her love. Will Dudley set aside his wife Amy and marry Elizabeth? Will his ambition get the better of him and alienate those who already know him as a traitor?

A few things bothered me as I was reading. All of a sudden, about halfway through the book, Elizabeth began calling her advisor by the word, "Spirit." It did not fit with all of her other dialogue. And also in about the middle of the book, a habit was noted over and over that she picked at her fingernails. These two things did not add to the characterization, and in fact, detracted from the realism.

Also, if you read up on the real Amy Dudley, you may find some particulars about her which weren't included in the novel and actually did add to the characterization and drama. And last, the novel just ended without resolving all of the conflicts and answering the questions I had as a reader. This is not typical of Gregory, so for these reasons, this book only earned four stars from me, which is actually still really great.

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Thursday Thirteen - Snacks

  

I know that eating snacks may not be good for me, but I'm craving a snack right now, so that's what I'm listing here:  some (not all) of my favorite snacks, in no particular order.  My scale won't thank me, but what the heck?!

1.   Sour cream and onion Lays potato chips.

2.  Peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwich.

3.  Fiber One brownie.

4.  Ben & Jerry's peanut butter cup ice cream.

5.  String cheese.

6.  Frosted Flakes. Must be eaten out of my favorite bowl.

7.  Peanut Butter M&Ms.

8.  Munchos (especially on a road trip!)

9.  Toast and chocolate milk (the no-sugar variety)

10. Single-serve Velveeta Shells & Cheese.

11. Chocolate milk shake.

12. Buttered saltine crackers.

13. Cheetos - crunchy or puffy (but not the flamin' hot kind).

Do you like any of these?

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Sunday Synopsis

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love re-reading this series! It's been over 20 years since I read it the first time, and I had forgotten how good it is, probably because there is so much in the book that is not in the movie.

Harry is having a perfectly miserable summer, but, he gets to leave the Dursley's early and head to the Weasley's for the World Quidditch Cup.  Toward the end of the World Cup, the Dark Mark appears in the sky creating chaos.

When the kids return to Hogwart's, they learn that Alistor "Mad-Eye" Moody will be their new defense against the dark arts teacher. They also learn that there will be students from two foreign schools attending Hogwart's to compete in the Triwizard Tournament. The schools are Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. Any student age 16 or older is welcome to submit his or her name to the Goblet of Fire in hopes of being selected to compete. Somehow, Harry's name gets past the charms placed on the Goblet, and he is selected as a second champion from Hogwart's although Cedric Diggory was already selected. Harry will have to compete along with Cedric, Fleur Delacour, and Victor Krum.

The first task involves a dragon, the second has the champions rescuing someone from a lake, and the third task is a labyrinthian maze. The end of the tournament does not turn out as planned, but I will not give away what happens in case you have not had the pleasure of reading it. I will end by saying that there is no mistake that Lord Voldemort has returned by the end of the book.


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