Here we are at the end of the alphabet in my list of binge-worthy shows during self-quarantine.
U
Ugly Betty: This is an American comedy-drama television series that revolves around the character Betty Suarez, who despite her lack of style, lands a job at a prestigious fashion magazine.
America Ferrera stars as the title character and she is FABULOUS! There are also some bigger names that guest star/have supporting roles- Vanessa Williams and Judith Light. There are four seasons of laughter and drama. You can watch this on ABC.com & Hulu.
V
Veep: This is an American political satire comedy series that aired from 2012-2019 on HBO. The protagonist of Veep is Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a fictional vice president. The series follows Meyer and her team as they attempt to make their mark and leave a legacy but often instead become mired in day-to-day political games.
In full disclosure, I have NOT watched this show. However, since I couldn't find a show that begins with "V" that I had watched, John is standing in as my proxy. He loved this show and would highly recommend it.
You can watch this on Hulu, HBO & Amazon Prime.
W
Will & Grace: I am talking the original Will & Grace- NOT the reboot. (The reboot may not be bad, but I only watched one episode and wasn't overly impressed.)
This is a sitcom that originally aired from 1998-2006 and focuses on four hilarious characters- Grace Adler who lives with her best friend Will Truman. Karen Walker, played by Megan Mullally, is Grace's HYSTERICAL assistant (usually with a martini in hand). Jack McFarland is everyone's friend. They deal with gay relationships, straight relationships, and friendships. It's pretty funny.
You can watch this on NBC & Hulu.
X
I've got nothing for you. (There are shows, but none that I can recommend...Xena: Warrior Princess? Yikes.)
Y
Young Sheldon: I haven't seen a lot of this show, but what I have, I've liked.
This is a "prequel" of sorts to the TV show Big Bang Theory. It centers around Sheldon (a grown adult character on Big Bang Theory) in his childhood and growing up in the religious South. While a genius even as a child which made him stand out, I feel like this show makes him more "real"/likeable.
You can watch this on CVS, YouTube TV & Amazon Prime.
Z
Another "X"- I've got nothing. I wasn't a big fan of Zorro when I was a kid and I can DEFINITELY say I've not seen Zombie House Flipping...
And now for some book reviews:
Book #15 of 2020: This Side of Murder by Anna Lee Huber
Summary: The first in the Verity Kent mystery series- a tale of deceit, murder and betrayal set just after World War I.
Rating: C. It's bad when I've already forgotten what I did/did not like about the book (this is why I need to write the reviews as soon as I finish- UGH!) I just know that I thought it was average.
Book #16 of 2020: The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg
Summary: The Red Address Book is a charming, but very sad tale about Doris, a lonely 96-year-old woman who lives in Stockholm. She reminisces about her life and those individuals she encountered as she pages through an old address book she received from her father when she was young.
Rating: A+. Yes, it was sad (and I bawled at the end), but it was an AMAZING tale of a woman's life and the characters that came in and out of it the tale that was woven. Read it- it's just plain great. Book #17 of 2020: Amnesty by Aravind Ariga
Summary: This book focuses on Danny- an illegal immigrant living in Sydney, Australia. He works as a house cleaner and gets caught up in a friendship with one client that leads him down a dangerous road.
Rating: D+. This was just an odd book that didn't capture my attention. It moved too slowly and none of the characters were likeable.
I am back with the second part of the binge-worthy TV shows (aka the almost to the end of the alphabet). I hope you find some on my list that you haven't seen and might enjoy!
L
Land Girls: This is a British television period drama series that focuses on four girls doing their bit for Britain in the Women's Land Army during the war. It was only on for three seasons, but is an interesting historical series.
You can watch it on Netflix.
M
Marvelous Mrs. Maisel : Do I even need to describe this one? (I think probably everyone has seen it. And if you haven't (yes, I'm talking to you), you MUST! This is a comedy/drama series, created by Amy Sherman-Palladino (also created Gilmore Girls). The series stars Rachel Brosnahan as Miriam "Midge" Maisel, a housewife in late 1950s and early 1960s New York City who discovers she has a knack for stand-up comedy and pursues a career in it. And so much more. It's hilarious. Huh-larious.
You can watch this on Amazon Prime.
N
NCIS: New Orleans: This version of NCIS follows a team of Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) agents stationed out of New Orleans, Louisiana and led by Special Agent Dwayne Cassius Pride. The team focuses on crimes that involve personnel in the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and their territory ranges from the Mississippi River to the Texas Panhandle. The supporting cast really make this show- from CCH Pounder as the Medical Examiner to Darryl Mitchell as the computer whiz (who just happens to be in a wheelchair) Patton Plame.
There are five seasons and you can watch on CBS.com, Hulu & Amazon Prime.
O
One Mississippi: This is a (dark) comedy inspired by events in comic Tig Notaro's life. Starring as a Los Angeles-based radio host, Tig is still dealing with serious health issues, including recovering from a double mastectomy. When her mother becomes gravely ill, Tig returns to her hometown in Mississippi, where she is forced on a painful (and at times, hilarious) journey that unearths uncomfortable truths about herself and her family. In order to heal, both physically and emotionally, Tig must reconnect with her roots before moving forward.
In the beginning, this was difficult for me to watch, as the double mastectomy plays into multiple storylines and at one point, she shows the results.However, it's a poignant series about real life stuff. You can watch this on Amazon Prime.
P
The Politician: This is honestly one of the top three favorites of the shows I've listed. I briefly mentioned it in a previous post I wrote. Honestly? It seems impossible to accurately describe it and not turn off the person reading it...LOL. Here's a scripted summary: Wealthy high school student Payton Hobart has known since he was 7 years old that he is going to be the president of the United States. The first step toward that goal is to become his school's student body president. To do that, he will have to navigate the treacherous political landscape of Saint Sebastian High School. Hobart feels he needs to win the election to secure his spot at Harvard and continue on his projected path to success. To achieve his goals, he'll have to outsmart his ruthless classmates without sacrificing his own morality and -- most importantly -- carefully crafted public image.
It is weird at first but then it sucks you in. You can watch it on Netflix.
Q
Quantum Leap: Since we already have one Scott Bakula series (NCIS: New Orleans) on the list, may as well go for two!
This goofy sci-fi series aired from 1989-1993. Bakula is a physicist who leaps through spacetime during an experiment in time travel, by temporarily taking the place of other people to correct historical mistakes. You can watch it on NBC.com
R
Rock of Love with Bret Michaels: This might be the one show on this list I'm embarrassed to say I watched. (And I watched more than one season.) It's an MTV reality dating show with 80's band Poison singer Bret Michaels.
So cheesy. So obviously NOT a dating show. So many bad dye jobs. So much skimpy clothing. Oh, and they all live together and drink heavily. Sounds like a recipe for disaster? It is. But a disaster I could not look away from. (Don't judge!) You can watch on Tubi and Hulu.
S
Stranger Things: Like Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, this show needs no introduction. It's ascience fiction series set in the 1980s in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. It focuses on the investigation into the disappearance of a young boy amid supernatural events occurring around the town, including the appearance of a girl with psychokinetic abilities. I wrote about the allure of this series set in the 80's in this post.
You can watch this on Netflix.
T
I'm guessing most people would recommend This Is Us or Tiger King. I watched the first episode of This Is Us and back & forth between past/present but the presence of Gerald McRaney really threw me off. Maybe I'll go back eventually. I watched two episodes of Tiger King and couldn't stop thinking about the welfare of the animals so I decided to cut that off. So, what did I choose?
Tiny House Nation: This is what it says it is! A reality show where two renovation experts help tiny house buyers to get the house of their dreams in less than 500 sq. ft.
It's Thursday. April 2nd. Some of you may have lost track of what day/week/month it is. I get it.
Today was day #21 of staying at home/working from home/quarantining/AKA the "new normal."
In some respects, I have a routine down and am following my own advice that I posted in this blog post.
I've been better about getting up, showering and eating breakfast right away, as if I was going to the office.
We've also been out on walks everyday except maybe three (due to rain/snow). But, on those days, I step outside and either get the mail or walk around the yard. Fresh air is essential.
My anxiety still comes in waves and I am doing my best to manage it, as I get the sense this will go on longer than I hoped (or anyone hoped!)
I also want to take a minute to thank again doctors, nurses, pharmacists, grocery store workers, and all those considered essential during this time. Stay safe.
Now that I've checked in, how are you doing?
On a lighter note, let's get back to my TV shows to binge watch during quarantine. I had two thoughts after I made my last post.
1. There is another "C" show which merits inclusion on this list (thanks to John for reminding me about it).
Catastrophe
This is a British rom-com (leaning more heavily on the "com.") It is created, written by, and stars Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, who portray single people who become a couple after she unexpectedly becomes pregnant following a fling while he is visiting London on a business trip. Delaney is from a town not too far from where I live, so it's cool to have that Massachusetts connection (it plays in at the very end of the series.) It was a bit raunchy (for me) at first, but once I got past that, I loved watching this couple go from virtual strangers to falling in love. It can be seen on Amazon Prime. 2. The show I originally intended for "I" but completely forgot about should be noted. Indian Summers
I absolutely positively loved this show and am sad it only lasted two seasons. It's a British drama series that details the events of summers spent at Simla, in the foothills of the Himalayas, by a group of the British governing and trading community at the time of the British Raj. The characters are amazing. The scenery is amazing. The costumes are amazing. It was shown on Masterpiece Theatre on PBS, so you can view on PBS.org or stream on YouTube/iTunes. Book #13 of 2020: Fodor's Travel Chicago by Fodor's
Summary: This is a typical travel guide by the legendary Fodor. It details history of Chicago, current state and recommends activities/sightseeing, places to stay, and restaurants.
Rating:B. It was helpful in acquainting me with the various sections/neighborhoods of Chicago. I was able to get a sense of what's near our hotel and what restaurants we might want to try. (We have a Father's Day trip planned, but now who knows if that will happen!)
Book #14 of 2020: The Golden Hour by Beatriz Williams
Summary: A dazzling epic of World War II in which a beautiful young “society reporter” is sent to the Bahamas, a haven of spies, traitors, and the infamous Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
Rating:B+. This was interesting, but a bit too long. I loved the backdrop of the Bahamas (I wish I was there now!) and the intrigue. Williams is a great writer.
Since we're self-quarantining and there are no live sports happening, I thought I'd put together a list of TV shows that I enjoy that you can add to your list to watch.
My OCD/librarian-self thought it would be a good idea to do a list by the letters. So, here goes the first ten eleven:
A
Avengers: The Avengers was a TV series that originally aired from 1961-1969. It's a British spy drama that features John Steed as detective with his trusty ingenue- there were three throughout the series, but best known is Emma Peel.
I love the repartee between Steed & Peel and the background of Britain in the 60's.
You can watch it for free on Tubi (yes, I said "Tubi.") I discovered it as an app on our TV while bored.
B
Babylon Berlin: The series takes place in Berlin during the Weimar Republic, starting in 1929. It follows Gereon Rath, a police inspector on assignment from Cologne who is on a secret mission to dismantle an extortion ring, and Charlotte Ritter, police clerk by day, flapper by night, who is aspiring to become a police inspector. Admittedly, we're only two episodes in and it can be a bit slow, I am really enjoying the costumes and portrayal of Germany in the 20's. It's dubbed, so that's a bit odd and takes getting used to. When someone speaks in a language other than German (Russian), there are subtitles, which are flashed super fast and we've had to rewind a few times to re-watch. I'll keep you updated as we get further in. You can watch this on Netflix.
C
Call the Midwife: This BBC series follows nurse midwives that serve the East End of London in the 1950's and 60's.
The show is currently in its ninth season, so if you're just starting, you'll have some catching up to do (but plenty of time to do it!). This show is a tearjerker, no doubt. However, it's amazing to watch the midwives and all they endure to safely care for and deliver babies at home and in less than ideal conditions. The series stays fresh with new characters every few seasons. (And, there's a young man with Down syndrome in the later seasons and he's awesome!) You can watch this on Netflix.
D
Downton Abbey: This is another British show- a period piece set in the early 20th century. Originally aired on PBS in the US, it's now available on Amazon Prime. It centers around the Crawley family and their estate and those who keep it running. There are six series and a feature-length film was recently made. I LOVE the costumes. I LOVE the characters. Maggie Smith is ah-mazing. I highly recommend it. The subtle British wit will have you smiling.
E
Everybody Loves Raymond: If you have not seen this, you are missing out. MISSING OUT.
It's a sitcom focusing on the Barone family- Ray & his wife Debra and their kids. His brother Robert (the lesser favorite in their parents' eyes) and the parents- Frank & Marie Barone. You can watch it on YouTube TV (with a subscription) and for a fee with Amazon Prime. (Reruns are also on network TV quite frequently.)
F
Flame Trees of Thika: This is one you've probably not heard of- the sleeper of my list. It is a British television mini-series from the early 80's. It's adapted from Elspeth Huxley's book by the same name and is set in and around the town of Thika in Kenya. The story focuses on the lives of British settlers, specifically the Grant family, in this part of East Africa in 1913, when the country was a British Colony, up to the start of World War I. This has a special place in my heart, as I watched this on Masterpiece Theatre when it was released. Each Sunday night I'd settle in with my parents to see the new episode. I was around the same age (9) as Elspeth Grant, the little girl who moves to Kenya with her parents.
Unfortunately, I don't find that this is available for streaming, but you can get used DVDs from eBay/Amazon (or, when libraries open back up, you can see if available.)
G
Gilmore Girls: What TV show binge watch list wouldn't be complete without this? (Does that sentence make sense?) Anywho, this show is ah-mazing. Rory and Lorelai are the main characters, but it's the supporting cast that brings it all together- Paris, Dean, Emily & Richard, Luke, Lane, Kirk, and more. They all co-exist in Stars Hollow (quintessential New England town) and the witty banter is enough to make me swoon. You can watch The Girls (as my friend Andrea calls the show) on Netflix.
H
The Honourable Woman: This is another British miniseries (are you starting to see a pattern here?) It focuses on Nessa Stein, played by Maggie Gyllenhaal, a businesswoman who is devoted to the Middle East peace process. However, family circumstances and a mysterious death unearth many secrets and questions. This is excellent.
You can watch it on Amazon Prime for a fee.
I
In Living Color: Looking for something totally silly and early 90's? Have I got a show for you! This 30 minute show featured comedy sketches with the Wayans brothers, a very young Jim Carrey, and a dance troupe called the Fly Girls. Sounds ridiculous but you are guaranteed to laugh! You can watch this on Philo with a subscription.
J
Judging Amy: Here's another one where I am throwing it WAY back. This was a late 90's/early 2000's legal drama focused on a judge (Amy) who presides over family court and has her own trials and tribulations (see what I did there?) as a divorced mom. The legendary Tyne Daly plays Amy's mom, a social worker.
This is another one that I don't see that you can stream (well, what good is that?), but I bet you could find bootleg episodes on YouTube or order used DVDs. (And check with your library once they open back up!)
K
The Kominsky Method: We'll finish this portion of the list off with a new show. This show is GREAT. This is a Netflix comedy series with Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin (he's hilarious). An aging actor and his aging agent deal with prostate problems, troubled children, death of a spouse, and just life, in general.
You can (and should) watch this on Netflix.
Book #11 of 2020: Blind Side by Penny Warner
Summary:Buford the bullfrog is dead! Connor Westphal, the feisty deaf publisher of the weekly EUREKA! Jumps into the annual Jumping Frog Jubilee festivities when her sidekick and main squeeze, Dan Smith, is retained by Buford's jockey to find the "murderer. " With the help of Sheriff Elvis Mercer and the eccentric denizens of Flat Skunk, Connor and Dan think it'll be a snap, until the sheriff's son Jeremiah comes under suspicion-- and a human body surfaces in Critter's Creek, along with a lot more dead frogs. Connor knows Jeremiah is innocent, and with the aid of a new blind friend, sets about finding out who is killing the frogs--and people-- at Calaveras County. This is the fifth book in the award winning Connor Westphal series.
Rating: C+. The earlier ones in this series were better. The whole frog jumping thing was a bit too hokey for me.
Book #12 of 2020: A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier
Rating:A. I cannot say enough good things about this book. I've not read anything by Chevalier, but her writing style is easy to read/pleasing. The storyline with the Broderers was fascinating. Parallel to that is a storyline about bell ringing in the Cathedral and that is also fascinating. I learned a lot and did not want it to end!
If only at the end of this 90 minute late 80's classic movie could we emerge from the theater and find out that the COVID-19 pandemic never happened. That is was just a figment of a movie director's imagination and not real.
I wish.
And I'm guessing 99.9% of people worldwide wish the same (I'm very literal and do need to account for that wackadoodle .1%.)
(Oh, and if you're not following along, I'm referring to the movie Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.)
However, this is DEFINITELY not an excellent adventure and definitely not a 90 minute movie that we will emerge from.
Unfortunately.
I have a lot of things to write, but not sure I'll be able to get it all out in a coherent manner, but let's give it the old college try, as my Mom would say.
On Thursday, the company I work for gave the directive that we were to begin working from home starting Friday, March 13th. We got emails leading up to this directive that made me think in the back of my mind it was possible (bring your laptop home every night, make sure you can access the VPN, etc...), but honestly, I didn't think it could really happen. Because a directive to work from home meant things are serious...and that's tough to deal with (at least for me.)
So, on Thursday, March 12th, I packed up and said goodbye to the cubicle that I spend 40 hours a week in.
I brought my two monitors, docking station, laptop, keyboard, mouse, etc... home and my trusty in-home IT support guy set me up.
I am thankful that I have a nice space to work from and a view where I can see birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and (if I put my glasses on) deer.
But it's not the same. I can't yell over to Andrea in the next cube to ask if she's having trouble in Teams. I can't walk down to Terry's cube and ask her if she wants to go for a walk. And I can't go into Annie's office to sing whatever song is in my head at that moment (and grab chocolate.) Thus, the social isolation aspect of working from home has been tough. (But I do have that cute in-home IT support guy to chat me up when needed.)
I will say that it has helped when I and others turn on our camera during meetings. It's good to see people's faces and hear their voices. While it's not the same as in person, it's better than nothing!
I also realize that others still have to go to work during this crisis...to help others. I sincerely appreciate those who put their health at risk to help others. Doctors, nurses, other healthcare workers, grocery store and pharmacy employees. Thank you, thank you, thank you, and stay healthy.
Let's talk about something REALLY important, shall we?
Toilet paper.
This was taken the evening of Thursday the 12th at our local grocery store.
My food/paper goods panic started the night prior when I could tell sh*t was getting real. I volunteered to go to the grocery store on the way in to work on Thursday morning to at least pick up bottled water, since that's 90% of what we drink. At 8:45AM it was packed. I got four cases of water and while I wanted to get more, I knew I had to be on my way to the office.
During the day, I told John to work on a list and when I got home, I knew I would be going to the store. I needed something that I could exert control over since it felt like none of this was under my (or anyone's control.) After we ate dinner, I went to the store and piled up with basically anything I thought we might need. From meats to frozen food to bread to Pop Tarts to microwave popcorn. At that point they were out of eggs, pasta (although I got two random/off brand boxes of spaghetti), paper goods (as you can see above), and any type of cleaning supplies.
I felt like I was transported back to the Soviet Union. It was odd. Really odd. Eerie is more like it.
While I couldn't get toilet paper that night, we had enough to get us through the short term, so I laid that obsession to rest (temporarily.)
Over the next day or so, John and I discussed the fact that he's immunocompromised (due to being less than a year out from cancer treatment). I told him that I was worried about him going out into public and that I really thought it best he not do so. I was scared. I still am. Luckily, he came to the same conclusion and agreed that I would go out when we needed something.
It's hard to describe, but after having been through such a traumatic event (his cancer) and surviving it (which was exhausting and wore both of us down), my worry has been off the charts in terms of me getting sick or him getting sick again. This pretty much started right after we found out he had clean scans. I think all of the emotions I had to keep in check while he was sick so I could carry on were finally coming out. And now, with the pandemic, it's ratcheted up another notch. Thankfully, I have anti-anxiety medication that I can take when needed. And a loving husband and friends and family that talk me down when needed.
OK- back to toilet paper.
I went out on Thursday (the 19th, if like me you're getting confused) to get some more groceries and to look for toilet paper as we were getting low. None. No dice.
Ridiculous, but I was starting to panic about not having toilet paper.
I had a really bad day on Friday (the 20th) anxiety-wise and didn't sleep well and was up at 4AM on Saturday morning (the 21st). I decided since I was up and it was unlikely I'd get up this early again anytime soon, I went to the grocery store at around 6:30AM.
That picture you see above of the paper goods aisle? Same thing on Saturday morning. I bought a bit more food, brought it home, and then decided to step up my journey for the toilet paper.
The Target app (liar) told me that they had toilet paper. Nope.
I went to another grocery store. Nope.
I went to CVS. I see the single rolls of Scott toilet paper. (And hear the angels singing Hallelujah in the background). A woman was grabbing some and said, "Do you need some? I'll leave you some." THANK YOU! There were five rolls and I grabbed four, thinking someone might be desperate. She and I (6 feet apart) get up to the register and we start to notice that there are rolls of Scott toilet paper EVERYWHERE. Just piled up.
She gets up to the cashier and the cashier says limit of one roll per person. ONE? OK- now I know why people were dumping the toilet paper rolls everywhere. I think to myself that one is better than none and I'll hit Walgreens next. The cashier says to the woman, "I have some multi-packs back here- do you want one of these?" (Again with the angels singing Hallelujah in the background.)
So, let me get this straight. We can only buy one single roll of Scott toilet paper, but you'll sell me a multi-pack of 18 rolls? SOLD!
I stepped up and got the last multi-pack. Phew. I could now let that obsession go...for now.
I want to end on a positive note. I've discovered that there are certain things that are helping me get through each day.
A routine. A routine is huge.
Get up and shower as if you are going to work.
Get dressed.
Put on makeup (if you feel like it).
Each lunch at the regular time.
Take a snack break when you'd normally walk to the vending machine.
GET OUTSIDE. We have gone for a walk everyday so far (except one) and it's been amazing. I've never seen as many neighbors out and about as I have in the past week. And everyone's friendly (from a distance). I can honestly say that this has made me smile.
Exercise. The outside walk will do it, but if you want to do more, do it.
CONNECT with people. My friend Terry and I did a video chat. I did one with my parents today. Talk on the phone. Message. Send smoke signals.
Find something that will make you smile and be thankful for the day at hand, even though it may be a struggle. (And if you can't find it today, you'll find it tomorrow.)
About a month and a half ago, John and I started watching Netflix's series Stranger Things.
I tend to be a "late adopter" of TV series that are all the rage at the time. This series originally aired in 2016, so I was about four years fashionably late. 😂
Wikipedia calls Stranger Things "...an American science fiction, drama-horror web television series." Neither John nor I are into science fiction or horror (probably the reason we weren't drawn to the show in 2016), but I am a big 80's fan. I grew up in the 80's, so I love it when TV shows/movies portray that era. I heard from a few different people that they really enjoyed the show and they referenced the fact that it was set in the 80's and there were a lot of 80's pop culture references.
SOLD!
We've now made our way through all three seasons. I have to say that the first season charmed me with the perms, puffy shouldered shirts, blue eyeshadow, and the Volkswagon Cabrio and I was able to see past the science fiction "stuff." Unfortunately, the charm wore off and by the time we were in season three, I was not as thrilled with the show.
The ONE THING that made season three worth it was the Suzie Poo/Dusty Bun/Neverending Story scene.
We were watching it and John looks at me and says, "Is this the song you're always singing?"
YES!
Totally random, but yes.
OK- I digress.
In Stranger Things, the alternate dimension/universe where the aliens/science fiction "things" live is called "The Upside Down." It's a scary slimy place that seems to suck the characters in and miraculously they all (mostly) come out slightly worse for the wear but then go on to live their rad 80's lives.
John and I had a moment while watching and seeing the Upside Down and likening it to his experience last year with cancer. Absolutely terrifying and scary. But, like Nancy, Hopper, and other characters, we made it out of the Upside Down. We came out with slime on us and couldn't "unsee" things we'd seen, but we made it.
One of the last remnants of living in the Upside Down went down the drain recently (literally).
After John shed his feeding tube, he often struggled to get enough calories/find things that tasted OK/didn't spike his blood sugar. He drank these Enterex Diabetic shakes for quite a while. I was cleaning out our refrigerator in our basement and this was the last shake. I ceremoniously poured it down the drain and photographed the moment.
Goodbye Upside Down!
Book #9 of 2020: The Dream Lover by Elizabeth Berg
Summary: A work of historical fiction of Amantine-Lucile-Aurore Dupin, best known by her pseudonym George Sand, a 19th-century French novelist and memoirist; rich in character, culture, and history. Rating: A-. I really enjoyed this book. I'm not always a huge fan of historical fiction but I am a huge fan of Elizabeth Berg- I've loved all of her books (which are not historical fiction- just "regular" fiction). I think she handled this topic exquisitely and I found what can sometimes be boring/stuffy history stuff to be interesting.
Book #10 of 2020: Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes
Summary:In a small town in Maine, recently widowed Eveleth "Evvie" Drake rarely leaves her house. Everyone in town, including her best friend, Andy, thinks grief keeps her locked inside, and she doesn't correct them. In New York, Dean Tenney, former major-league pitcher and Andy's childhood friend, is struggling with a case of the "yips": he can't throw straight anymore, and he can't figure out why. An invitation from Andy to stay in Maine for a few months seems like the perfect chance to hit the reset button.
You can imagine what happens!
Rating: A+. I LOVED this book. I didn't want it to end. It's an easy to read "rom-com" but it totally sucked me in. I loved the fact that it was set in Maine and baseball was a major part of it- two things I'm familiar with and could relate to. I was cheering Evvie on the entire time!
February 22nd- a day that will live in infamy...for two reasons.
On February 22nd, 1980, the US Olympic Hockey Team beat the Soviet team- the "Big Bad Wolf." This became known as "Miracle On Ice." Not only did the US pull off an epic upset against the "enemy" Soviets, but many Americans felt that this was a "check" in the win column of the Cold War between the two powerhouses.
In 2004, a movie was made about this story- simply called Miracle.
It's one of my top 10 favorite movies of all time. It's such a feel good story and a reminder that the underdog can prevail. In fact, since the making of that movie, many professional sports teams have shown the movie in their clubhouses before important games to remind players of what can be done when you set your mind to it.
This is one of my favorite scenes from the movie- when the US Olympic Hockey Team coach Herb Brooks (played in the movie by Kurt Russell):
So many great quotes-
"Great moments are born from great opportunity."
"One game. If we play them 10 times, they might win 9. Not this game. Not tonight."
"This is your time. Their time is done. It's over."
"THIS IS YOUR TIME!"
Here's the final minute of the game with the call by legendary sports broadcaster Al Michaels:
From this, a legendary phrase was born- "Do you believe in miracles?"
Fast forward 40 years to February 22nd, 2020. Another "miracle" of the hockey variety takes place.
The Carolina Hurricanes were playing the Toronto Maple Leafs in Toronto. James Reimer (#1 goalie for the Canes) was injured only minutes into the game and soon exited. Enter backup goal Petr Mrazek. With a minute left in the second period, Mrazek was taken out by a Leafs player.
Enter the backup to the backup.
The emergency goaltender.
A 42-year old Zamboni driver named Dave Ayres came into the game.
Why am I calling this a "miracle?"
The emergency goalie almost NEVER gets into games. In the last few years, I only remember one other time this happened. It's almost like a position player coming in to pitch in a baseball game. Someone who normally doesn't play the position is thrown into the fire. I think that hearing these types of stories gives everyday people (non-professional athletes) a reminder that this could happen to anyone. Ayres played in the minor leagues for years. He stayed close to the game...and he got his chance.
Oh, and did I mention he was also the recipient of a kidney transplant?
GO DAVE!!!!!
Here's Canes' coach Rod Brind'amour's post game speech and Dave's reception from the team:
Did I mention he made eight saves and the Canes won the game??!?!?!
Book #6 of 2020: If At Birth You Don't Succeed by Zach Anner
Summary: This is a memoir of young comedian/filmmaker/YouTube star Zach Anner. Zach was born with cerebral palsy. He chronicles the different stages of his life and the challenges he faced- all with a sense of humor.
Rating: B+. I thought this was a very "real" account of someone with a disability's life. Anner doesn't hold back and shares things from going away to college to control of bodily functions to his first sexual experience (a real topic for adults with disabilities that I don't hear much about.) This was eye-opening.
Book #7 of 2020: A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende
Summary: This story begins during the Spanish Civil War, and spans oceans and continents' worth of political upheaval. When Franco's fascists defeat the Republican army, an exodus of thousands escapes into France. One refugee is Roser, a young pianist, widowed and pregnant with her first child. The chances for her survival become complicated when her dead husband's brother Victor offers her an "opportunity:" Get married – though neither of them wants to – because it will improve their chances at survival. Rating: A. I love Allende's writing and this book was no exception. This saga was rich with drama and deep characters (does that make sense?) Excellent story- highly recommend (and if you haven't read any of her other books, do that, too!) Book #8 of 2020: A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza
Summary: As an Indian wedding gathers a family back together, parents Rafiq and Layla must reckon with the choices their children have made. There is Hadia: their headstrong, eldest daughter, whose marriage is a match of love and not tradition. Huda, the middle child, determined to follow in her sister’s footsteps. And lastly, their estranged son, Amar, who returns to the family fold for the first time in three years to take his place as brother of the bride. What secrets and betrayals have caused this close-knit family to fracture? Can Amar find his way back to the people who know and love him best? Rating: C. I really really really wanted to like this book more, but I found it very difficult to get engrossed in. The characters were interesting but I just found myself slogging through mud trying to finish it. I can't quite pinpoint why. If you've read it, what was your opinion?
