Becky's Greatest Hits Vol. II

I didn't realize when I first started reading the exquisite novels of Ron Rash that I had missed his very first novel....this one!  I can't even fully describe how much I love this author's words....his descriptions of North and South Carolina....the people, the environment, the speech.....all of it is so true and real.  But the thing I really started thinking on with this novel was how little credit we give people for having very deep thoughts and truly philosophical ways of viewing the world.  Simple people with simple thoughts out there working the land?  Not so much.  My favorite part of the book was reading how Billy thought of his wife Amy working in the house while he was out in the fields as he said "my thoughts were often upon her" and how even though their work was different they were working together toward the same goals: home, family, a future.  A simple sentiment that touched my heart in a very real way.  A truly beautiful book....

I just felt I had to answer the call back when this list was posted by my favorite local morning radio personalities: Bob & Sheri .  It was actually completed by Max & Todd who are loveable guys on the show with wonderful laughs and jokes and fairly good taste in music.  And for the most part, I agree with the list.....well up until the 90's maybe.  But I still had to make my own list.  Hello?  Have we met?  Do you read this blog?  Do you KNOW my feelings about music? Grant it, I'm not always much into what other people might call romantic songs, but isn't romance like beauty?  All in the eye (or ear) of the beholder?  Yeah, I thought so too.... 1960's 1. "Bring It On Home to Me" by Sam Cooke A man pleading for his lady to come back home.  Sexy, romantic and pleading.  Sam at his best before he died much too young. 2. "Lay, Lady, Lay" by Bob Dylan Probably the most well-known track of Dylan's "Nashville S...

So I recently read the un-put-downable Mildred Pierce in one weekend, and now I just simply must see the film starring the great Joan Crawford !  Seriously!  How scathing and wonderful is this novel?  How awful is the daughter?  How tough is Miss Mildred?  I loved the Californianess of it all.....I almost felt like I could feel and see the dreamy landscape around me.....felt like I was in a David Hockney painting. I also felt like I knew what was going to happen, but still couldn't wait to get there.  Turns out, I kinda knew but not really.  That Veda was a real scoundrel.  Wow.....there just really aren't books written like this anymore.  Could there really be?

( Re-post from a time when the word "divorce" still hurt me quite a bit.) Graceland by Paul Simon The Mississippi Delta was shining Like a National guitar I am following the river Down the highway Through the cradle of the civil war I'm going to Graceland Graceland In Memphis Tennessee I'm going to Graceland Poorboys and Pilgrims with families And we are going to Graceland My traveling companion is nine years old He is the child of my first marriage But I've reason to believe We both will be received In Graceland She comes back to tell me she's gone As if I didn't know that As if I didn't know my own bed As if I'd never noticed The way she brushed her hair from her forehead And she said losing love Is like a window in your heart Everybody sees you're blown apart Everybody sees the wind blow I'm going to Graceland Memphis Tennessee I'm going to Graceland Poorboys and Pilgrims w...

So I finally managed to watch the only 2 existing seasons of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.  It's a super cute show....very charming.....very late 50's/early 60's vibe.  The fashions and environments are gorgeous and had me missing Mad Men.  The acting is fun and awesome by everyone involved, and the story is definitely fresh.  I don't remember this particular plot ever being covered before. I particularly loved the set of episodes set in the Catskills.....so very Dirty Dancing.  And I hope everyone else caught the gentle nod to the father/daughter crisis going on in the 1986 movie and this oh-so-new show here. Also, I LOVE at the Jewishness.  Love it. The only thing I don't like is that her kids are rarely seen.  I think the fact that she spends so little time with them and has so many other folks taking care of them is harder to believe than a woman doing stand-up in 1959.  Not hatin…..just sayin......

(Re-post from 2010 that is sadly still relevant and ongoing.  Sigh.) Today I went and read a blog of an old friend of mine. This is something I haven't done in some months because it always upset me so much to see how much she hated me and still carried a huge hurt due to things that happened between us. I was glad to see as I read that she seems to have healed....or at least for as much as she is comfortable sharing. I was glad to see that. I have come to terms with the loss of friends that I will never get back after my divorce. The divorce wasn't the reason, at least I don't think it was, it was the catalyst. Well, it was the spotlight on things they, and I, didn't want to see. Once you see it, you can't unsee it. I know that I will forever miss those girls and will always wish them the best in my heart. If I hear good things about them, their kids, their lives.....I will be glad. But I won't seek out to find it. I don't know when or if I'll...

I'm coming into my very busy time of year again.  Y'all act right out there.  Be back soonish…..

A few notes on Indie films in case you missed it: ~being weird doesn't make a good film ~being independent doesn't guarantee a good film ~even a stellar cast can still star in a bad film ~critics calling something "art" doesn't make it "art" ~even Michael Cera and Nia Long have bad days every now and then This film is honestly awful.  And I love indie-off-the-beaten-path films.  If I could change my title to "Un-Picks" I just might do it.