currently

I am...

Reading:  Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann

Listening to: the printer

Thinking:  tomorrow is parent-teacher conferences, and no one signed up

Feeling:  I'm gearing up for an intense therapy session--on the horizon is a challenging, difficult conversation I need to navigate with a loved one

Celebrating:  it's getting closer to my 60th birthday!

Grateful for: my therapist--she was invaluable as I prepare for the conversation.

Enjoying: I put on a cozy sweatshirt after school.  Slouchy, comfy

Weather:  55° and partly sunny

A quote I want to share: 

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing Tunes In

1. Name a TV show you've seen every episode of. M*A*S*H, Friends, Soap, Bosom Buddies, Seinfeld, I'm sure there are more...

2. On which device do you do most of your viewing (television, tablet, computer, phone)? my iPad

3. Name an actor/actress who would make you less likely to watch a show. Rosanne Barr

4. When you were a kid, what show did you love? The Brady Bunch

5. What show do you recommend everyone watch? Freaks & Geeks

6. What show do your friends like, but you don't? Grey's Anatomy

7. When you watch TV, do you also busy yourself with something else (jigsaw puzzle, folding laundry, etc.)? sometimes

8. Do you eat a meal or snack while watching TV? not usually

9. What's your preferred genre (comedy, drama, reality, etc.)?  reality competition (like Top Chef or Big Brother) or mystery

10. Do you prefer mini series (shows that tell their stories in a pre-determined number of episodes) or shows that come back season after season? no preference

finished reading

This is the origin story of Andy Carpenter's career as a defense attorney and life with the world's greatest dog, Tara.  I enjoyed this look at the early days of Andy's career.  And finding out how the different characters became part of the regulars. 

From the publisher:

Andy Carpenter has spent the three years since graduating law school working as a prosecutor in Paterson. But having seen how the system never looks out for the little guy, he leaves to start his own practice as a defense attorney. His office might be a little bit of a dump, but he's excited to make a change.

Andy goes to the shelter to adopt a dog, where he meets his beloved golden retriever, Tara, for the first time and feels an immediate connection. The shelter is crowded and Tara's been sharing space with a dog named Sunny; Andy hates to break them up and so asks to take Sunny, too, but since there's a pending criminal case involving the owner, he'll need to get written permission for temporary possession.

Andy discovers that Sunny's owner, Frank Tierney, has been arrested for the murder of his ex-boss. But he takes an immediate liking to Frank and his clear dedication to his dog, and ends up with his first case along with the two dogs.

This prequel to the long-running and perennially popular Andy Carpenter mysteries is a gift for fans and a terrific entry-point for newcomers.

saturday 9

Mambo No. 5

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 

1) Lou Bega namechecks a lot of women in this song. Is there an Angela, Pamela, Sandra, Rita, Monica, Erica, Tina, Mary, or Jessica in your life? there is are two Jessicas

 

2) Can you think of a song that includes your first name? yes, by Elvis Costello

 

3) Lou sings that flirting is like a sport. Do you enjoy flirting? no, I'm too awkward

 

4) While Lou Bega's recording became a big hit worldwide, it enjoyed great popularity, where it was used during televised cricket matches. Do you know anything about the game of cricket? nothing

 

5) When Lou was riding high with "Mambo No. 5," Cher invited him to open for her on her 1999-2000 tour. Cher has more than 50 hit records, two television series, a Broadway show and an Oscar under her belt. Can you think of another performer who has succeeded in so many areas of entertainment? Rita Moreno pops into my mind

 

6) Lou turned 50 in April of this year. Are you soon celebrating a big birthday (one that ends in a 0 or 5)? I am turning 60 in 18 days!

 

7) In 1999, when "Mambo No. 5" was on the radio, the movie American Pie premiered and was so popular it inspired three sequels. Have you seen any of the American Pie films?  somehow I missed it/them

 
8) Also in 1999, Walmart opened its first store in the UK. Do you often shop at Walmart? it is the only store around here...

 

9) Random question – Have you recently fallen asleep somewhere other than your bed? If yes, where did you doze off? on the couch

three on thursday

One:  I've had a great time with my Virginia sister, brother-in-law, nieces, and niece's boyfriend!  I didn't want them to go!

Two:  and a great time with my Pennsylvania sister and her husband.  They were hanging out at my place tonight.

Three:  luckily, it's a long holiday weekend, and I should be able to catch up on some rest.  

currently

I am...

Reading:  Dogged Pursuit by David Rosenfelt

Listening to: tinnitis

Thinking:  organizing tomorrow:  my out-of-state sisters are visiting, and I took today and tomorrow off to spend time with them.  I want to make the most of my last day off with them!

Feeling:  exhausted but really happy

Celebrating:  sisters!

Grateful for: this time together!

Enjoying: it is October and the temperature today was in the low 80s--freakish!

Weather:  62° and cloudy at 9 o'clock at night

A quote I want to share: 

sunday stealing

Click the icon to play along

In The Past Month Meme

During September, did you ...

1. Drink alcohol? no

2. Try a new recipe? yes

3. Go shopping with friends? no

4. Eat an entire box of cookies by yourself? no

5. Dye your hair? no

finished reading

The lying game began as typical teenage indulgence—thoughtless, slightly cruel amusement played with tall and taller tales. Years later, four former players find their adult lives still bound and threatened by the secrets they share.

The players are:

• Isa, the narrator, a lawyer navigating the demands of new motherhood on maternity leave.
• Fatima, a practicing Muslim and physician, whose childhood friends struggle to accept how her faith has shaped her life.
• Thea, who is struggling to find a career, hiding evidence of alcoholism and self-harm.
• Kate, who can't break away from the ghost of her artistic father, living in his old home and studio.

Shifting between their past and their present, the story unfolds as their long-buried lies and darkest secrets threaten to resurface, binding them together and tearing them apart. It's a twisty tale where the past is never truly over, and the game is always being played.

From the publisher:

The text message is just three words: I need you.

Isa drops everything, takes her baby daughter and heads straight to Salten. She spent the most significant days of her life at boarding school on the marshes there, days which still cast their shadow over her now.

Something terrible has been found on the beach. Something which will force Isa to confront her past, together with the three best friends she hasn't seen for years, but has never forgotten. Theirs is no cosy reunion: Salten isn't a safe place for them, after what they did.

At school the girls used to play the Lying Game. They competed to convince people of the most outrageous stories. But for some, did the boundary between fact and fantasy become too blurred?

And how much can you really trust your friends?

saturday 9

That's So True

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 
1) In this song, Gracie Abrams can't stop thinking about her ex. Who is on your mind this morning? my sisters and their husbands, two nieces, and a boyfriend are here for the week.

 

2) She wonders if she should warn his new girl about him. Think of the last time someone offered you advice. Did you take it? yes

3) She concludes her old boyfriend wasn't worthy of her love and attention, and now sees him as "just another dude." What is something you regret spending time on? (It doesn't have to be a romance.) a student that I don't connect well with made some provocative comments about current events, and I took the bait.  I regret engaging with him

 

4) On July 31, Gracie Abrams performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago. More than 100,000 attended the first day of the outdoor festival. It was sunny and 79º. Describe your perfect day (weatherwise). an upper 60s to mid-70s sunny day with a breeze is my perfect day

 

5) Gracie's father is J.J. Abrams, perhaps best known for directing the 2009 Star Trek movie and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Would you rather watch Star Trek or Star Wars? Star Wars

6) She is very much a 21st century artist in that she doesn't rely on radio to introduce her music to her fans, often sharing demos on TikTok. Do you watch, or create content for, TikTok? no content, but occasionally I get sucked into the world of TikTok

7) In 2024, when "That's So True" was released, Madonna set a record. Her free concert in Brazil drew the largest audience (1.6 million) ever. What's your favorite Madonna song? Crazy for You

8) Also in 2024, former President Jimmy Carter died. In addition to his work in politics and philanthropy, Mr. Carter wrote more than 30 books. Who wrote the last book you finished? Ruth Ware

9) Random question: What sound stresses you out? squealing tires