Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

Last night. We were tourists in our town on an absolutely perfect night. We walked along Wisconsin Avenue enjoying #sculpturemilwaukee. It was a  nice change of pace to get out of our neighborhood...our bubble. Sundays bring us downtown for church, but we rarely find ourselves there during the week. We appreciated the vibe so perhaps that will change. We had plans to have dinner at an east side favorite, but we opted instead for a restaurant with a table smack downtown right on the river. It was a good choice because that vibe and that rare quintessential summer night are nothing short of magic. 

Public art, and my husband and daughter for indulging my interest in the installation and also my need to take lots of pictures.

Not just indulging it, but getting into it...

and having fun with it.

  

Nostalgia. It was my favorite because I connected with it...I got it...I get it.  

During dinner, we talked about our upcoming trips to Chicago and Michigan. Chicago for Lily's birthday and Michigan to visit family. It's not certain whether Teddy will join us for our visit to the windy city. Lily opined that he should because he would have fun. I love that she wants him to come even though he may not see it that way and we may have to force him.

It's been a no air condo week. In fact, right now I'm wearing a sweatshirt. Pleasant days sandwiched between cool morning and evenings are my favorite. I'm not ready for summer to end or for fall to set in, but I appreciate gentle transitions. My boys appreciate open windows and doors.

Fresh-made beds.

Raspberries fresh off the vine.

They are sweet and taste like sunshine, and they also take me back to my 7 year old self. Raspberries were a summer staple. The patch in our yard lined a shortcut secret passage to the dead-end block all of our friends lived on so my brother and I would sneak a handful coming and going from games of Statute Maker, Hide and Seek and Red Rover Red Rover. We were supposed to come home as soon as the street lights came on, but often we held out for another game. My mom would eventually call our names from the back porch. We waited until we could sense she was losing patience and about to come find us. Eventually we raced home giggling and were then ushered straight to the bath to wash away the evidence of the day: muddy feet, grass stained knees, berry dyed fingers and popsicle mustaches.  Yep, all from picking a few berries.

I stocked up at the farmer's market.

I came home with some beautiful lettuce so I decided to make a BLT with a tomato from the yard. It was so delicious. I may have to make another one today because we have three more ripe tomatoes.

This bouquet I picked up at the market has made me smile all week too.

Garden shots.

Dreamsicles. Talk about nostalgia.

A mid-week movie night with a bowl of popcorn. Red Sparrow was meh, but the popcorn was a treat.

Lily had a great golf lesson this week. One more week until her season starts.

Ted's at Badger Golf Camp this week and he's having lots of fun shooting well at University Ridge. If he goes to Madison, this will be his home course. Even though he's not home much these days, I miss him this week.

Grandparents who host him. He's been using their house as home base since they live so much closer. I am grateful that he's being well taken care of and also for this opportunity for Teddy to exhibit some independence. It's a good step. For him. For me.

Friends who come to do your hair for an event and then take your daughter to dinner while you are gone.

These two had a fun invitational despite the fact that they didn't win their flight. They sure looked cute!

Watermelon. Every week we're eating a whole melon and pounds of cherries.

Faith.

It's Friday!

Not Just Your Average Friday Night

It started at Pizza Man. Jess and I got the last two seats at the bar. We stopped for a glass of cotes du rhone and an appetizer. I had my heart set on escargot, but sadly it's no longer on the menu. We opted for a charcuterie plate instead and were not disappointed. The mortadella was an unexpected treat and my best bite was the crusty bread topped with strawberry preserves and the creamy blue cheese or maybe with the brie and apple. I tell you it was a very close call.

We walked down the block to the book store where we were excited to hear Tayari Jones read from her recent bestseller. We were in the back of the 300 seat packed space because one glass turned into two so I couldn't see her, but it really didn't matter because I could hear her. She was warm and witty. It was such a treat to listen to her bring her characters to life. I actually just closed my eyes. She read from Celestial's POV on the day Roy is sentenced. It was a good passage to share. She divulged that she set out to write a story that highlighted the plight of African American men in the prison system. She was actually completing a fellowship studying the penitentiary system when she overheard two people in a mall. The impeccably dressed woman said to the fine specimen of a man, 'Like you would have waited six years for me?" He said, 'It doesn't matter." She imagined they were talking about being separated due to an incarceration and that's when the story was born. She knew she had a story because she could see both of their points of view.

It took her six years to write this novel. She stalled for an entire year 50 pages from the ending because she felt that Roy was hijacking the story. She wasn't satisfied with her first ending. She compared it to a lover you tell to leave, but you know will be back in your bed. When she finally figured it out and nailed it, she wrote the ending in a single day and has not looked back. She's over Celestial, Roy and Andre. She's a one book woman. 

Celestial is her star. She admitted confusion over how readers sympathize more with Roy who she sees as selfish. The kind of guy who will go on and on about his day and never ask about yours. The fact that she chose an epistolary format stems from her love of letter writing and also her desire to shield the readers from the horrors of life in prison. We only know what Roy chose to write of his experience to Celestial. That was enough to understand the physical and emotional toll, but not the uncomfortable details. He spared her. She spared us.

She said she chose to not identify the race of the rape victim. It didn't matter in the story she was trying to tell. She didn't want that to muddy the waters. It's since become a bit of an issue as the screenplay is being adapted. Who will play this character? She wants shadows to keep her anonymous. Hollywood doesn't necessarily agree.

It became apparent to me how you put your blood, sweat and tears into a novel and then you have to let it go. She wasn't particularly keen on the title mainly because she is so rarely called an American without a prefix. That broke my heart. She's proud to be an African American, but struggles with how there is a distinction. Ultimately, her editor convinced her that the book stood up to the strength of the title. And of course, it does.

She admitted that the writing life is not easy, but when you've got the calling you really have no choice. Her books have been rejected and out of print. She feared the novel would never be published when she had help from a little angel named Judy Blume. Then she feared she'd have to return the advance she received for this novel rather than write a novel nobody liked, but she persevered. Judging by the energy in the room tonight, it is warmly received.

Write a couple times a week she told the writers in the crowd. Life is busy and that busyness is the genesis for rich stories. 

Tayari told us how shocked she was to get Oprah's call as she was driving. She admitted to always answering blocked calls because she's nosy. She immediately knew it was for real Oprah because that voice. She pulled over and addressed her as Maam. She quickly moved from that sweet starstruck moment she found out An American Marriage would make the coveted book list to reminding us all to give and accept generosity from others. It's a gift to lend a hand, a shoulder, your name.

Her one and only muse is Toni Morrison. It's not surprising, but I was surprised when pressed she couldn't or wouldn't offer even one more name for her Mt. Rushmore of writers. I expected to hear maybe Zora Neale Hurston and cannot dismiss the similarities between Janie, Joe and Tea Cake's love triangle. Maybe a little nod to Alice Walker or Maya Angelou. But then I cannot argue that Morrison is a great.

We waited in the long line to thank her and get our books signed. She signed them with Choose Love. I liked that. It confirmed that's what Celestial did in the end. She chose love over duty.

As Jess and I walked to the car on the beautiful night, we decided that the only thing that would have made the night better would have been to have all the ladies from book club present.

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

The 30 seconds I had to talk to my husband this morning before he left for a golf invitational. He came home late last night and tonight he'll likely be in bed long after I'm asleep. I don't like when he slips away while I'm asleep.

That I was then able to make Teddy a warm and balanced breakfast. It's also the invitational for the club he caddies for so he'll too have a long day.

Then I squeezed in a fast walk. The rain held for my few miles despite the fact that the air was heavy and the clouds foreboding. I know that starting my day on the trails sweating sets me up for success. There's something about the birdsong, fresh air and endorphins.

The rain came just as I turned into my driveway. I felt lucky because it quickly became a deluge.

A new Audible book. I started Andrew McCarthy's The Longest Way Home this morning. I can already tell it's going to be a good walking companion.

Cold showers. I needed one for a quick cool down. I had only 45 minutes before an appoint.

An appointment for a mani/pedi at the spa. That's a splurge. Nail treatments are always a treat, but at the spa it's extra and I enjoy it more.

Bold, blue nails and soft heels.

A date to see Tayari Jones tonight. She's reading from An American Marriage at a local book store.

Local book stores and that we have a lone survivor in this Amazon era. A thriving survivor at that.

It was a good day.

It was a good week. A Steady Eddie of a string of days filled with good things like two new tomatoes from the vine, an evening trail walk with my guy that turned into a run because the mosquitoes were thirsty, slow mornings with my book and my coffee, a beautiful night for a softball game sitting beside the grandparents cheering on our #6 first base woman who also played great D on third, a beautiful steak on a Tuesday night just because and the delicious simplicity of a wedge salad, a happy hour send off with a friend the night before she left for Paris, and burrito bowls with another the following after which we had a hair styling session.

Late Spring Reading Inventory

Even as I've struck more of a balance between life and reading these past few months, I still managed to get through a solid stack this late spring. I'm happiest when I have a good book or two or three to escape into when I need to.

Heating and Cooling was a collection of micro memoirs (one was a single word) that was a one cuppa read. I sat down with it one morning after church and I finished it before brunch. I found the format clever and the content witty and meaningful. In looking back, I think it might be best to take your time with this. To read a couple when you have a spare few minutes so they can take hold.

I barely remember Lapena's thriller The Couple Next Door even after reading the synopsis on Amazon. I think that speaks volumes.

Now The Rosie Project surprised me. I read this for my book club so because I had to, but I'm glad I did. I'm usually drawn to literary fiction...to stories that are weighty and make me ponder, question and feel. This clever little tale had me laughing, smiling and rooting for Rose and Don. I was feeling. In fact, it was a book club, feel-good favorite. We discussed it in tandem with A Man Called Ove. It was a compelling pairing: two odd balls who were ultimately charming and redeemable.

An American Marriage is my best read of the year thus far. I blew through it in 24 hours and I didn't want it to end. I was hooked by Tayari Jones's beautifully written account of the complexity of human relationships specifically between black men and women. This culture is underrepresented in contemporary lit. Celestial, Ray and Andre were dynamic, compelling characters. In fact, I found even the ancillary characters to be authentic and rich. The 3 POVs and the epistolary format only added to the impact of the story. We'll be discussing this in my book club in August. I'm expecting a wide range of reactions and opinions. I'm also hoping to hear Jones read from her novel on Friday as she'll be visiting a local book store. 

As Bright As Heaven was another pleasant surprise. Usually historical fiction strikes me as either dull or overly sentimental, but Meissner's story set in Philadelphia, 1918 was neither. It was a compelling tale of resilience and hope even in the face of so much struggle and loss. I loved getting to know the Bright women. They reminded me of more evolved versions of the beloved March women. Strong female characters always get my attention. 

Skip The Perfect Nanny unless it is literally the only thing you have to read. I wish I had. The creepy, disturbing story left me with too many unanswered questions, but then I have to ask myself...do I really want the answers?

I started out a big fan of The Great Alone. Hannah's latest work was one I was excited for, yet the untamed Alaskan landscape was the setting for what proved to be a rather frustrating, predictable story. In a rare turn of events, I found myself anticipating the passages that described the setting and the challenges of homesteading most. The characters - except for Large Marge - annoyed me. They were unsympathetic and flat. Either all good or all bad or all dim-witted. My biggest complaint though was the fact that the major conflicts/events were more or less glossed over. Almost like oh well, and then the story gets tied up with a neat little bow at the end. I felt insulted.

I picked up Nabokov's controversial classic, Lolita, because it was suggested I read it before Reading Lolita in Tehran, which was on my book club roster. They might have also suggested reading Fitzgerald and James and Austen, which I have, because they are also heavily referenced in Nafisi's memoir. Lolita was a tough read because the subject matter was uncomfortable, but also because the artful prose takes time and attention. It's not light reading. But here's the thing...HH manipulated me just as he manipulated his nymphette. I didn't want to like him, but a part of me did. I think it's a good idea to pick up a classic now and again and so I did.

Reading Lolita in Tehran was also a difficult read. Only 3 of 10 in my book club finished it in it's entirety and few got beyond 50 pages. The heavy historical and literary references were arduous. It was reminiscent of 500 level college courses. I had to pace myself and do some additional research. I had to take notes. Nafisi is a professor by the way. I wanted to like her, but I didn't. She came off as aloof and pedantic. She tells her story all the while keeping the reader at arms length. Her lack of personal insight was shocking to me. Yet the interesting thing about this memoir is that it made for colorful book club banter. Even the ladies who'd only read a chapter or two had strong opinions on women's rights, totalitarian regimes and America's relationship with the Middle East. We discussed into the night around my table where I served a Persian dinner. It was all good.

The Last Mrs. Parrish felt oddly familiar. I was sure I'd read it. I hadn't, but I realized it is basically the same story as The Wife Between Us. So read one if you're in the mood for a mindless thriller.

The Light We Lost was a modern day Romeo and Juliet, which is to say a story of star-crossed lovers. Here's the thing though...I kind of despised both the characters. They were entitled and shallow and selfish, and the worst part was that I never felt that they had anything all that special. The end, which I won't spoil, left me feeling like I'd just wasted my time. Luckily it was a quick read.

weekending

i enjoyed a quiet couple days at home happily in the company of the cats hence the only pictures.

i walked 6 miles, read 2 1/2 books, did countless loads of laundry, cleaned the whole filthy house and baked a batch of blackberry nectarine hand pies.

zero complaints here.

lily had 3 parties (2 birthday and 1 soft ball), 1 shopping spree and a sweaty afternoon of softball practice.

life was and is good.

my guys played 18 holes and tied for first in their tournament.

they came home smiling.

of course, teddy then went out with friends.

sunday he caddied in the oppressive heat, worked out at the gym and couched it the rest of the day spent.

it was just the two of us for sunday dinner.

he requested pasta aglio olio and i served it with a side of wilted spinach happy to fulfill his wish.

i felt not blue, but blah this weekend.

yet, i cannot explain the way i also felt perfectly content watching my family fill their days...sending them off and then hearing their stories when they returned.

it was enough.

On My Mind Monday

But I also say this: that light is an invitation to happiness, and that happiness when done right, is a kind of holiness, palpable and redemptive.

~ Mary Oliver

Girls Burn Brighter

I read this in 24 hours. The story of Poormina and Savitha quickly took hold. It wasn't the kind of book that had me dog earring pages for the beautiful words and ideas written. It was the kind that was raw and haunting and had me firing through the pages to find out how the story would end. Then when it did, I wasn't so sure how I felt. Cheated? Satisfied? A little time has passed and I now think it was a solid ending and it's a worthy read.

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

Girls in uniform.

Beautiful bunts.

A late afternoon walk with a friend on a hot afternoon followed by a cold bottle of chardonnay.

When you realize that sometimes it's better to just watch day turn to night than try to capture it.

Brotherly bonds.

Fireworks that look like constellations in the twilight sky.

Making it to the strawberry stand before closing to stock up on several pints of these fresh-picked beauts. I bought cream to make homemade strawberry ice-cream. Silly me...I should have known that they wouldn't last that long.

While some of us are excited for the things that come in the boxes (golf shoes and boat shoes), the rest of us just love the cardboard.

A trip to the library this week. After checking me out, the librarian wished me luck. This is an ambitious stack for 3 weeks even for me, yet what can I say...I feel rich...blessed...blissed.

I also stopped by the farmer's market. I didn't have much time. I was on a mission to find strawberries. I failed. I did come home with the prettiest green beans though and a reminder to myself to refrain from buying produce at the grocery until further notice.

This is the first tomato from our plant. It will become a BLT soon.

$5 bunches of glads and this sassy ginger.

Lunch still life. Fresh fruit salad and iced tea are perfect on a hot day. I finished this little memoir. I liked it. It feel honest to me.

Watching softball instead of television most nights. Although we did tune in to Sharper Things this week. I read the book and I love Amy Adams. I love watching #6 score more though.

My in-laws who are super fans (and people).

Tigger Leo & Peanut Quincy.

Golf girl.