Book Chat - 3/14/2025

The following are the remainder of the books I read in February. In full disclosure, I did have two long airplane rides, too short ones, and all that time riding in a car all over New Zealand. A girl’s gotta have something to do…

When We Were Friends by Jane Green

A fairly recent divorcée (Lucy) meets a younger woman (Elle) with shared interests. Baby, come fast friends. After introducing L to her friends, Lucy notices that things are not quite what they seem. It’s a short story, and it was good.

When We Were Widows by Annette Chavez Macias

Yessica is very successful in her field, but after an outburst at work, she is placed on leave and ordered to take grief counseling. Meanwhile, her mom and grandmother need a place to stay while their home is being repaired following a plumbing accident. Can the three women coexist without killing each other? It was cute. 

Grave Talk by Nick Spalding

A woman who has lost her husband visits the gravesite one day. She meets the brother of the person who is buried next to her husband. As they continue to meet yearly at the cemetery, we follow their friendship over the next 10 years. It was very good.

Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout

The fifth book in the Amgash Series brings together my current favorite, quirky characters – Lucy Barton, and Olive Kitteridge. We are entertained with the stories they share with one another, and learn more about the usual suspects. I think I may go back and read more of trouts books. Insight into the “lesser” characters in this series might be gained. Anyway, I loved this book.

Nobody’s Perfect by Sally Kilpatrick

Vivian hosts a YouTube channel called Mom Scouts as a way to celebrate the small wins in life. Upon learning that her husband has been cheating and lying to her for a while, she gets rip-roaring, drunk and posts a video that goes viral. Then she starts dealing with the fallout, aided by her neighbors. It was a fun read.

MK out.

Book Chat - 3/6/2025

I read many books in the month of February. Here’s a few:

The Autumn of Ruth Winters by Marshall Fine

Ruth Winters doesn’t think there’s much for which to look forward in the remaining years of her life. She’s retired and widowed. To fill her time she has been babysitting for the young mothers in her neighborhood. Then, a couple of blast from her past come calling. It was such a delightful read.

The Fall Risk by Abby Jiminez

A woman with a stalker, meets her across the breezeway neighbor when a construction company mistakenly demolishes the staircase leading to their apartments. Spark start flying between between the two, while they wait out the days it will be before a new staircase can be built. I enjoyed reading this novella.

Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout 

Covid is coming, and William, Lucy‘s ex, whisks her way to Maine to wait out lockdown. Lucy is grieving the death of her second husband, David William is struggling with the separation from his youngest daughter, Brigitte. Together, they forge a new relationship and enjoy the company of Bob Burgess and his wife, Margaret. We learn more about the foursome and the other usual suspects in the Amgash Series. It was good.

Friends with Secrets by Christine Gunderson

Ainsley, the perfect wife and mother, and Nikki, the perfect mess seem an unlikely pair. The two come together to solve a situation that has a risen in Ainsley‘s life. It was a fun read.

Bummer Camp by Ann Garvin

Cat is summoned back to put out fires in the family business, despite having spent years distancing herself from it. Can she save the day? It’s quite the tall order. It was cute.

In the Company of Men by Carolyn Finch

In this historical novel, Etta Lynne lands a teaching job that was supposed to go to a man. The previous teacher was seemingly abducted, and until her whereabouts are known, the town wants to safeguard the womenfolk. Can she maintain her position, while enduring all kinds of discrimination and harassment? It was pretty good.

Hopefully, next week I will tell you about more.

MK out.

Movie Monday - 3/3/2025

The Oscars have come and gone. I was in the air, coming home from a little trip to NZ during the broadcast. Of course, I’ve caught up on the results. I don’t feel one way or the other about them. As I’ve said many times - ten nominees for Best Picture is just too many, but the Academy doesn’t listen. In the acting categories, some years, there are clear winners. In other years, it’s hard to choose between two people. Sometimes, all of the members in the field are equally good or equally bad. Anyway, I’m not super sad about missing the show - I just like watching movies.

One thing I did get to do on my 13 hour flight - I watched 3 movies!

Nickel Boys is about a young, Black man who was sentenced Nickel Academy for no real good reason, but this film is set in the Jim Crow 1960s; so, there’s that. He’s a bright person, who tries to remain optimistic. He befriends another resident, who tries to give him tips for survival in their abusive environment. It was sad to watch, but well acted. The film was nominated for 2 Oscars, incidentally. One was for Best Picture. It was good.

In Saturday Night, we get to see everything it took to get the first episode of the iconic show on the air for the first episode. The casting company did a pretty good job choosing the actors to play the principals - especially for Lorne Michaels, John Belushi and Garrett Morris. The movie is quite entertaining.

Saoirse Ronan plays a troubled young woman who wants to better her life in The Outrun. She leaves the fast environment of London to return to her hometown on the Orkney Islands of Scotland. There are challenges there too - her bipolar father, her very religious mother and the weather. Let’s not forget the weather. It is a beautifully shot, poignant film. I liked it.

Recent Streamer:

Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke - Hulu

Enjoy the rest of the week.

MK out.

Book Chat - 2/20/2025

I have so many books on which to comment. It’s a bit overwhelming. Let me tell you about a few now.

 

Oh, William! By Elizabeth Strout

The story continues. Lucy Barton and her ex-husband William embark in an adventure to find the family he never knew he had. I loved it.

 

The Answer is No by Fredrik Bachman

How does Lucas, an introvert, get sucked into leadership on hi homeowner’s board? All he wants is a night of video games and his favorite Pad Thai (which must have peanuts!), but then he answers his door. It was a cute short story. I liked it.

 

The Bookstore Wedding by Alice Hoffman

Isabel and Johnny have set their wedding date three times, but something always seems to get in the way of the event happening. Will they ever get married? It was another short story, and it was enjoyable to read.

MK out.

WIP Wednesday - 2/19/2025

 I’m making another hat! And I’m using leftovers. 

MK out.

Movie Monday - 2/17/2025

I was able to watch one more nominated film. Sebastian Stan was nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal of  DJT in The Apprentice. Interestingly, it dealt with the early years, before the reality show. OR Maybe, it’s a play on words…

Stan did a great job playing the D learning how to be the man he is today. I don’t think he’ll win, though. He is up against some heavy hitters. We shall see. Stranger things have happened.

MK out.

FO Friday - 2/14/2025

Hello Dear Readers, I hope you’re having a good day.

I would like to show you two recently finished hats:

First, Jason’s Cashmere Hat. Sadly, I did not use cashmere. I used Caron’s Simply Soft leftovers from a chemo cap I made last year. I love a good cable and this pattern does not disappoint.

I’ve made the Basic Norwegian Star Hat before. This time, I forgot to deduct one pattern repeat, and it’s wider than I like. I’m sure it will fit somebody. I used Lion Brand Wool Ease and Plymouth Encore leftovers. I need to do more stranded knitting to improve my tension, although I did pretty well with this one.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

MK out.

Book Chat - 2/13/2025

Y’all! I’ve read ten books since the last time I’ve written. Let me tell you about the rest of the ones I read in January:

 

Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout

The second in the series is a collection of short stories that give more insight into many of the characters that were introduced in the first book. I enjoyed reading it.

 

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich

The book is based on the life of the author’s grandfather. It’s a fictionalized account of how the US government tried to pull a fast one over the Indians, and how the Indians dealt with it. I always enjoy reading Erdrich’s books. Her characters are so well crafted and interesting. I liked it very much.

 

The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center

I read a later book by this author a few years ago and I loved it because the story took place in my hometown. Plus, it was a good story. I learned that the author actually lives close to the G; so, I checked out her first book, hoping her story location stayed local. It did!Jenny’s fiancé leaves her the day before she goes into labor. She is left to pick up the pieces and go on with her life, while navigating single motherhood. It was cute and I’m planning on reading all this author’s books in order of publication.

 

Alrighty then, I’ll be back someday to tell y’all about the books I e been reading in February.

 

MK out.

 

 

WIP Wednesday - 2/12/2025

As I’ve previously stated, I haven’t had much knitting mojo lately. I really haven’t had much mojo of any kind, but I digress…

I’ve made three hats so far this year. I’ll be showing two of them to you, hopefully in a couple of days. I have a couple of bags of yarn left over from other projects. I have also been saving loads of hat patterns. Instant gratification continues to hold sway around here.

Anyway, all that to say that I’m making another hat. 

MK out.

Movie Monday - 2/10/2025

Hey, hey, hey! I hope everyone is doing well out there. I am down to four movies to watch before the Oscars and I don’t think I’m going to make it. Maybe, I’ll get to watch one or two, but I am going to be out of pocket for a while. I won’t be back in pocket until after the Oscars. Boo.

Oh well.

I rewatched Dune: Part One since Dune: Part Two was nominated for Best Picture, and I liked it much more than I did the first time around. As far as Part Two goes, the story continues with Paul reuniting with the Fremen people to fight House Harkonen. The movie was alright, but I did not like the turn that Paul takes in the story. I haven’t read the book; so, I guess I don’t get it. I hear that another sequel is coming based on the book, Dune Messiah. For the Dune lovers, it was probably very good. The visual effects were top notch and it resulted in earning nominations in technical categories.

I saw The Brutalist, about a European architect, Laszlo, who came to the US after WWII to rebuild his life. He is taken under the wing of a rich (and frankly, unstable) man, Harrison, who hires Laszlo to build a community center in honor of his late mother. As one would expect, life is not a bowl of cherries in this situation. Adrien Brody plays Laszlo and he has been nominated for Best Actor. It was good. 

A Complete Unknown, starring Timothée Chalamet playing the Bob Dylan. The film chronicles the singer/songwriter’s arrival in New York City at the start of his career, through his rise as one of the most revolutionary and iconic artists in the 20th century. Chalamet actually sang all the songs. He was also nominated for Best Actor. It was a very good movie.

That’s it folks! Catch y’all on the flip side…

MK out.

Movie Monday - 1/28/2025

The Oscar nominations have been announced and I have seven movies to watch before the ceremony. I’m not impressed with many of the films nominated for Best Picture. They really need to go back down to five nominations in this category.

Here’s what I’ve watched in the past week.

 

Mother’s Instinct, starring Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain, is about two women who live next door to each other and are best friends. Each has a son, and the sons are best friends as well. That is, until a tragic accident changed the dynamics. It was a thriller, but kind of predictable. It was alright.

 

In Late Bloomers, Louise, an unfocused young woman meets Antonina, a cranky Polish woman while recovering in rehab. Rather grudgingly on both sides, Louise becomes Antonina’s caregiver post discharge. The two are a very unlikely pair and have a lot to learn from each other. It was cute.

 

I cannot believe that The Substance was nominated for Best Picture and that Demi Moore was nominated for Best Actress. She plays an actor whose career is fading now that she’s turned fifty. She learns of an illicit drug that would restore her youth, but it has conditions. I could accept the science fiction/horror and the relatively entertaining first two thirds of the movie. The last third was absolutely beyond the pale. A critic opined that this film elevates the genre (of horror movies). I beg to differ. And while Demi is a decent actor, this role should not have garnered an Oscar nomination. This film is not worth a watch.

 

MK out.

Movie Monday - 1/20/2025

In the past week, I watched Maria, starring Angelina Jolie as the titular character, Maria Callas. I’m not sure how factual it is, but the movie depicted Callas before she died. She was said to have been reflective at the end and we watch her looking back on her life. It is a heavy movie. Her life was not easy. Jolie’s performance has garnered well-deserved awards buzz. I enjoyed watching.

 

Recent binge:

Nobody Wants This – Netflix

MK out.

 

 

 

 

Book Chat - 1/16/2025

I only have one book to discuss today that I finished in the last week. I’ve already started the second one in the series of four.

 

My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

Lucy is a grown woman who came from a humble, yet abusive background. She overcame her troubles and moved away. Now, she’s lying in a hospital bed in a prolonged recovery and her estranged mother comes to stay with her for a few days. There are tensions between the two, and some are examined. However, they mostly spend their time gossiping about people from the past and giving the nurses silly names – all the while talking around the substantive issues. I liked the quirky characters. The book is by the author who also wrote Olive Kitteridge and Olive, Again. It was good.

 

We’re supposed to get colder weather again next week. Yay.

 

MK out.

 

Move Monday - 1/13/2025

Today was a beautiful day where I was. How about you?

 

I watched a couple of flicks in the last week.

 

In His Three Daughters, the detached sisters return to their childhood home to take turns caring their presumably dying father. Longtime resentments surface and they are forced to deal with them. It was a good study of family dynamics. Natasha Leone, Elizabeth Olsen and Carrie Coon play the daughters.  Except for the wordy conversations by one sister in particular, I liked it. Y’all know how I feel about wordy and forced-sounding conversation, though…

 

Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum star in Fly Me to the Moon. Set in 1969, advertising executive Kelly Jones is hired to film a fake moon landing to be used in the event that the actual mission fails, without letting NASA know. Things become complicated when she falls for Cole Davis, the launch director. Ray Romano and Woody Harrelson are among the other actors who are in the movie. Colin Jost has a small part in the film. It was cute!

 

 

 

MK out.

 

 

 

FO Friday - 1/11/2025

 Y’all! I finished something in the new year!

The pattern is called Travel Hat by Robin Devine. I used Cascade 220 Superwash Aran in the Army Green color way. My knitting mojo has been pretty nonexistent, which is why I chose to make something little. Instant gratification can be a good jumpstarter.

Once again, I’m trying to play with yarn in my stash. I’m not promising a total cold sheep year, but I’d really like to knit with yarn I already have. 

I’ve already started another project. It’s another hat. I hope you’ll see it soon.

MK out.

Book Chat - 1/9/2025

The holidays are over for now. It’s a new year and I’m off to the races in the reading department. In the past week, I finished one book I had started before Christmas, but I put it aside during the festivities. I picked it back up on New Years Day and finished it a couple of days later. And then, I read another book.

 

The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley

Patrick reports for Guncle duty, five years after we left off in the first book. Patrick’s brother, Greg, is getting remarried and the kids are not on board. Before the big day, Patrick takes the children on a trip across Europe while trying to teach them about love. It was cute.

 

The Rent Collector by Camron Wright

A couple living at Stung Meanchey, the largest dump in Cambodia, eke out a living by picking over the trash for recyclables they can sell for food and medicine for their constantly ill child. Real people inspired this novel and there is a documentary about them called River of Victory. The book was very good. I’ll let you know about the documentary.

 

Stay warm, People! We are having winter over here in north Texas. I don’t know about you.

MK out.