Afghan, Books, Movies, and Roses oh My!

 

Here is Firecracker done, being blocked/drying here as we speak.  I was pleased when I found more black yarn so was able to edge each square with black after getting everything sized with the red.  And then edged in black as well.

And here it was in the beginning.

And next up Pink Petals.  Some of the pink here is quite bright as you can see...sorta like the hideous pink car I posted previously.  So, am bringing squares to size in the light pink which I think will tone things down.  I may join in the same pink, or perhaps find a contrasting color...will see as it progresses what I think.

Hubby and I recently attending ball game, such a fun summer thing to do.  It was a beautiful night and our home team won.  Not something we do often,  maybe once or twice a summer.  Don't think we made it at all last summer.

There were places in the book where I definitely disagreed with trumpie's Press Secretary, Stephanie Grisham; but found the book still quite interesting.  It points out, as many of his former cabinet and staff books have, that most of them thought they were doing the right thing........initially, then when they realized otherwise they were in too deep and or had become addicted to power and excitement of being there.  But, she was the first to resign after Jan 6th, when 45 and his gang/cult tried to over throw the government.  She recently spoke at the Democratic Convention throwing her support completely behind The  Kamala Harris Ticket.  It takes a big person to say, I was wrong and now am fighting for the other side. Recommended.

But, one can't read just heavy duty books.  One still needs the entertainment of the Elin Hilderbrand books.  Catch up with the characters from The Summer of 69 (the year I graduated from HS), 10 years later.

Bonfire at the beach to celebrate graduating from High School.  Drinking, cars, anger, young love........so much going on.  And the subsequent police investigation.

When summer jobs at the club change peoples lives, and coming of age.

*I continue to enjoy and recommend all the Elin Hilderbrand books.

Thoroughly enjoyed this movie and highly recommend it.  I watched it on Prime.

LOVED this movie.  I've always been a huge fan of Eleanor Roosevelt, what a remarkable woman she was.  The time frame of this story about her is right after her husband passed and how she got on with her life.  Jean Stapleton did a magnificent job portraying her.  Highly recommend this.  This too was on Prime.

Meh....very disappointed in this.  It had gotten such rave reviews when it and the silly Barbie movie came out at the same time in the theaters.  Can't recommend this, even though I'm probably out numbered on this opinion.

Gorgeous dark red/burgundy roses tinged with grayish.  Hubby brought these home for me a few days ago.  I've never seen any quite like this before.

Filling My Summer Days with Crocheting, Audio Books, and Walking

 

Fire cracker in the works.  I'm over half done with sizing the squares, so it's coming alone.

One twin lives on Nantucket, one on Martha's Vineyard.  These two take sibling rivalry to a whole new level.  Does a family emergency bring them together...or not?

The wild night life associated with fast money in the restaurant/bar business.  Love vs friendship.  The gamesmanship of who sits where and why, money talks.

The year I graduated from high school, so naturally I had to read this one.  The story of the chaos of the times experienced through one family.  Oldest granddaughter pregnant with twins stranded in Boston, 2nd granddaughter in the midst of civil rights demonstrations, the only grandson fighting in Vietnam, and the youngest grandchild at age 13 lonely and angry and coming of age.  Ted Kennedy and Chappaquiddick.  Perhaps no other year in history experienced so much.

Recommend all 3 of these Elin Hilderbrand books.

You're not in Kansas anymore Todo.  Failed marriage...maybe?  Corruption and lust in a small town, government only for a few.  Who's having an affair with who?  Lots of action.  I rated this book a 3 out of 5.  It's a summer read, as it takes place at the beach.  I wouldn't put it tops on your list; but if you're running out of summer books for fun.

Super disappointed in this book.  It received The Good Reads Choice Award, but I don't know why.  As I read the reviews, people either gave it a 5 or a 1.  I gave it a 1 because I couldn't give it a zero.  James McBride sees love in this book and the people in the neighborhood.  I saw deceit, lies, violence and all around shameful behavior on almost everyone's part.  I forced myself to finish the book, even though I didn't want to.  I kept thinking it was rated well, won awards, perhaps it will get better.  From my perspective, it did NOT!.

I thought this was a powerful meme.  

During one of my walks through the neighborhood to a park, I spotted this hideous Pepto Bismol pink car.  I've never seen anything like it and wonder why anyone would buy and drive it.  I've seen some pink Mary Kay cars, but they weren't like this.

Speaking about walking, July's average miles per day is 3.73 which is down slightly from June at 3.85.  My best day was July 4th with 8.20 miles.  I mentioned Fitbit has ruined the webpage by removing the dashboard and the backlash is huge.  The number of complaints in the forum grows daily.  It remains to be seen if they will make their people happy but bringing it back, or sending the people to other platforms like Garman, Apple Watch, and or Samsung Watch.  Many have said they will leave Fitbit if it's not reinstated.

I've been removing some folks from my blog list.  Some that don't seem active any longer, and others who don't return blog visit.  But, I happily have added some new bloggers to the list as well.  I find it fun to meet new bloggers.

Yarn Stash Oh My, Fresh Mint and More

 

Fresh Mint is done, it's been laundered and is now being blocked/drying.  Some of the squares were a bit more stretchy than others, so there's a bit of a wonkiness to it; but it will keep someone warm, and it's cheery and bright.

Just laid this one out to begin sizing the squares.  Don't believe I have enough black so plan to use red to even up sizes, then edge in black, perhaps in a strip vs each square...again because I don't think I have enough black, then maybe a red and black final edge?  Will have to play it by ear and may need to make some adjustments as I go.  I've not come up with a solid name for this one yet....perhaps Firecracker?  Love some thoughts from you all.  Maybe RedDawn?

There are many memes out there, but this one spoke to me.  The double standard in this day and age is most annoying.  And JD Vance's comments about how woman who aren't mothers are less, should get less of a vote, etc etc.  I'd like to knock him upside his head for starters.

 

Yes 3 more Elin Hilderbrand books!!!  All good, all entertaining, and all are recommended.  Golden Girl might be her most unusual book, dealing with the beyond......what happens after death if you could watch you family and friends.  Nantucket Nights probably the most entertaining and made me think of Casper the friendly ghost...yes those of you my age will remember that cute cartoon.  Silver Girl.......think Bernie Maydoff, it's full of who knew what and when.

#1 New York Times Best Seller!  The behind the scenes, how things unfolded with trump trying to be a dictator, to his impeachment trials, to the insurrection on Jan 6th.  We're still very much dealing with the fall out, and the scary possibility he could make it even worse.

Back in December my daughter convinced me I needed to start thinning out my stash.  I sent her home with 41.5 pounds of yarn at that time, and previously showed you a picture of the donation.  She donated it to several different locations in St. Louis.  I've continued to sort, separate, untangle and roll yarn since then.  And when she was home over the 4th of the July, I sent her home with 51.5 pounds of yarn (forgot to get a picture of it).  Actually thought I had taken one...who knows, I don't have one.  Those donations are full and partial skeins but not bits and bobs like you see here.  Here are 6 bags of smaller left overs I call bits and bobs, that a friend and classmate said an art teacher of hers could use.  This was only 3.75 pounds.  Am I done......nope!  I'm still sorting; but can't get rid of all my stash until I finish making all the afghans I have from donated squares, and rectangles.  This is an ongoing project.