Horror Movie Wednesday

September 1st hits and I'm all about Fall and Halloween! I gifted myself two-months' of Shudder and have not been disappointed. Shudder has some great shows and documentaries on there. I watched Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror based on the book Horror Noire: Blacks in American Horror Films from the 1890s to Present by Robin R. Means Coleman. I added a ton of movies to my ever-growing horror movie list.

There were Black film makers from the very beginning of cinema, like Oscar Micheaux, who used their own film crews and actors. It also talks about how Hollywood used Black characters in their films in the early days like as the stereotypes of "mammie" or the "magical negro." And how they disappeared once white sci-fi and monster movies came out in the 50s and 60s. Then blacksploitation films of the 70s and 80s. Present day we finally get horror movies made for Black people like Get Out.

It's a fantastic documentary. I recommend renting it and watching even if you're not a horror fan.

Here are a few I've added to my must-see list:

Blacula (1972)

Ganja & Hess (1973)

The Craft (1996)

Candyman (1992)

The People Under the Stairs (1991)

Tales from the Hood (1995)

Eve's Bayou (1997)

Attack the Block (2011)

For more info on these movies check out the links to IMDB's descriptions and trailers.

Shudder has some excellent movies on there right now, especially Host and Prevenge. So if you are a horror movie buff and haven't checked out Shudder yet, do so now!

And this weekend Antebellum releases, Friday!

Week-in-Review: Cold Week and Concerts

It got cold last week like record-breaking temps cold. Hurricane winds came through the northern part of my state. My town didn't get hit with the super high winds but we got 35 mph winds and all my tomato plants toppled. Some places clocked 100 or higher! The Salt Lake Tribune has pics and info. It's so sad to see the trees toppled.

 

Here's a pic of what the outside looked like--an orangey sun and haze everywhere...then the winds blew it all out.

DH and I went on a bike concert tour. We went with a few other couples. We were all masked. I rented a greenbike from the city and DH brought up his own bike. There were 5 locations and 5 different bands did covers from the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and David Bowie. They were all great and it was so much fun to be outside and get some exercise and listen to live music. I hope they keep this going next summer because that is the kind of concert I like--no people!

 

We've been putting up our Fall and Halloween stuff over the last week or so. With the cooler temps it's starting to feel like fall. Halloween is going to be different this year. We're saying no to trick-or-treating but hopefully we can make up for some how. Just not sure what yet...

Things I'm Grateful For:

1. Cooler temps. It gets hot during the day but as soon as the sun sets, it cools off quickly.

2. Fresh homemade salsa. Made some last week and it's been a yummy snack over the weekend.

3. Getting out on a date with DH. We haven't done that since the pandemic hit!

Reading:

I finished up my philosophy book The Dream of Reason: A History of Western Philosophy from the Greeks to the Renaissance by Anthony Gottlieb and The Sword of Summer: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard by Rick Riordan.

I'm still reading Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff, which I will finish this week; First Days by Rhiannon Frater; Emma by Jane Austen; and I've been focusing on Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen. I've been reading this one on and off for awhile now but I'm getting back into it and hopefully can keep it up. I started the second book in the Asgard series, The Hammer of Thor. The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix is another one I picked up this week. Love Hendrix. After this one I'll have only one other book I haven't read of his. Looking forward to it.

I also started When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. This is a graphic novel memoir as told to the great Victoria Jamieson. I'm reading it first and then G will read it after and we will discuss. It's his experience living as a kid with a differently abled brother in a refugee camp.

Listening to:

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas.

And I listened to the two-part series from The Daily podcast about what happened to Breonna Taylor. It's a tough listen but necessary. Heartbreaking.

Watching: 

Movies:

I watched Arachnophobia with G last night. Such a fun monster movie. G was a bit scared but he survived and he'll thank me later. Ha! I'm Thinking of Ending Things on Netflix was weird and layered but overall, highly enjoyable. Granted, I am not above checking the interwebs about what the whole thing meant!

TV:                           

Woke on Hulu is fantastic. DH and I are almost done with Umbrella Academy on Netflix. And I'm still watching Lovecraft Country as it drops each week on HBO Max. And lots of NBA playoff basketball.

This week: G has a reading test at his school this week and after I'm making him grocery shop with me. But hopefully I can sweeten the deal with a donut bribe.

We're still putting up Halloween decor and going through the basement to clean up a bit. I'm planning on making chocolate chip pumpkin cookies this week or tonight. And I'm working on three crochet projects for friends and family.

Looking forward to possible paint night outdoors and distance with some friends this weekend. Or maybe next weekend? Someone's gotta confirm, I think!

Joining in with Readerbuzz's Sunday Salon

Cat Thursday--Ladies and Their Cats

Welcome to the weekly meme (hosted by Michelle at True Book Addict) that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite lolcat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats!

Bored Panda's article features New York photographer BriAnne Wills who wanted to create a project to debunk the stereotype of the "crazy cat-lady." She photographs women and their cats and shares their stories about how they met and they saved their lives.

Aisha Awadallah and Alexander the Great

Maggie Freleng, Daisy, and Bandit

Jen Hsieh, Jeff Goldblum, and Bubba

Jessa Jordan and Gambit

So many great pictures and so many beautiful stories. Check them all out!

August Movies

 You Should Have Left

Director: David Koepp

Writers: David Koepp (screenplay) and Daniel Kehlmann (novel)

Stars: Kevin Bacon, Amanda Seyfried

Tagline: The house find you.

Genre: Horror

Release Date: June 18, 2020

Watched: On demand rental

It was creepy and overall a lot better than I was expecting. There's a bit of a twist and I liked it.

Black Is King

Director: Emmanuel Adjei and Ibra Ake

Writers: Beyonce and Yrsa Daley-Ward

Stars: Beyonce, Folajomi 'FJ' Akin Murele

Genre: Music video

Release Date: July 31, 2020

Watched: Disney+

I enjoyed the music and the visuals. Beyonce always makes some beautiful music.

The One and Only Ivan

Director: Thea Sharrock

Writers: Mike White (screenplay) and Katherine Applegate (novel)

Stars: Sam Rockwell and Bryan Cranston

Genre: Children

Release Date: August 21, 2020

Watched: Disney+

It was a nice movie to watch with the family. The book source is done a lot better and with more heart.

An American Pickle

Director: Brandon Trost

Writer: Simon Rich

Stars: Seth Rogen, Sarah Snook

Genre: Comedy

Release Date: August 6, 2020

Watched: HBO Max

I really liked this. Seth Rogen can be hit or miss with me but I liked this oddball comedy about a immigrant Jewish man who gets pickled or brined for a few decades and wakes up to realize his family is all gone and his only descendant is a schmutz. 

Project Power

Directors: Henry Joost, Schulman

Writer: Mattson Tomlin

Stars: Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Leavitt

Tagline: What would you risk for 5 minutes of power?

Genre: Action, Sci-fi

Release Date: August 14, 2020

Watched: Netflix

I also thought this was a fun action-packed movie. The mystery was interesting and our young heroine was flawless. 

1BR

Director: David Marmor

Writer: David Marmor

Stars: Nicole Bryden, Giles Matthey

Tagline: Welcome to the neighborhood

Genre: Horror

Release Date: April 24, 2020

Watched: Netflix

I loved this twisted thriller. You need the stomach for it but it was right up my alley.

Behind You

Directors: Andrew Mecham, Matthew Whedon

Writers: Andrew Mecham, Matthew Whedon

Stars: Addy Miller, Jan Broberg

Genre: Horror

Release Date: April 4, 2020

Watched: Netflix

This was a wacky demon-haunted horror. The script was terrible and the acting but I don't know, I kind of liked it. I guess I'm hard up for horror and it kind of hit the spot. It was an Oculus wanna-be but didn't.

August Wrap-up

August flew by....see you later! G started up school all online. It's been mostly a go, though there have been plenty of breakdowns and moments where we all felt like giving up. I've gotta hand it to the teachers at his school. They are doing live online classes and in-person classes. And to make it all work and trying to keep track of the students and their work and still contact parents, etc. I'm super grateful for it. It makes my job so much easier. I can be support staff rather than teacher and parent. I'm willing to do it but I'm glad I don't have to yet.

Things I'm Grateful For:

We also got a beautiful hike in on Friday with some friends who are also being extra cautious. It was much-needed as Labor Day weekend started.

We got together with some neighbors outside and listened to music, drank a few beers and danced and laughed. Everyone was able to just have fun and relax after this long and hot and crazy summer.

Starbucks has their pumpkin spice blend coffee out. I bought a bag and have been sipping on it all weekend!

 

Books Read:

The Shadows by Alex North

Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander

Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks

Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the Most Dangerous Man by Mary L. Trump

Begin Again was my favorite overall but Mary Trump's book was fascinating and insightful. Mooncakes was a delightful surprise and I really enjoyed reading Bowling's book with G.

Movies:

You Should Have Left

Black Is King

The One and Only Ivan

An American Pickle

Project Power

1BR

Behind You

1BR was a surprisingly fun horror. I highly recommend that one on Netflix. Project Power was also one we all watched together on Netflix.

Reading:

I picked up Emma again after a couple months off. I've committed to reading a chapter or two each night. They're not terrible long chapters and I know the story well so I can pick up where I leave off easily.

I picked up What Language Is: What It Isn't and What It Could Be by John McWhorter. I've been reading this one on and off since April. It's not a long book at all but other books, etc have been grabbing my attention. But I finally picked it back up earlier this week and plan on finishing it this week. I'm so close!

I also started The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. I'm reading this along with Michelle over at Castle Macabre for her horror read-a-long. It's pretty long but I hope I can keep up mostly...

I'm almost done with The Dream of Reason: A History of Western Philosophy from the Greeks to the Renaissance by Anthony Gottlieb. I've been reading this one since March with my friend who lives in Washington. We have a little philosophy club and we take turns picking a philosophy type book and we read along together and FaceTime each week to talk about it and catch up. One more chapter and then on to a new philosophy book!

Lovecraft Country: A Novel by Matt Ruff is so good. I'm reading and watching the HBO series at the same time.

I'll also finish Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Summer Sword by Rick Riordan either today or tomorrow. It's been reading it with G. He's on the third book and I'll soon be on the second. We discuss.

I also just started The First Days by Rhiannon Frater. I haven't read a good zombie series in awhile in I hear this one's good.

G and I are getting closer to finishing off The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman. And it's getting good! Can't wait to read the finale. It's going to be epic.

Listening to:

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This is a beautiful book. I ended up buying the physical copy so I could mark passages and reread slowly. But listening to her is so healing.

Since tis the season of horror, I started Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas. 

Watching: 

Movies:

I signed up for Shudder this week to indulge my love of horror. I watched Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror, Prevenge, and Host. All fantastic!

And for family time we have watched all the Bill and Ted movies and the new one Bill and Ted Face the Music. Bogus Journey is not good but we had to watch but the other two are pure gold!

TV:                           

Jazz lost their last game. So sad. But I've been enjoying watching all the other teams still. Yay NBA! DH and I are catching up on The Umbrella Academy on Netflix. And Lovecraft Country on HBO

This week: I ran out of yarn to crochet my Halloween blanket but it should be here tomorrow....crossing fingers. Also my yarn for other projects will come with my orange. So lots more crocheting to be crocheted soon!

Looking forward to cooler weather and everything Fall and Halloween. But DH and I and some friends are doing a bike concert on Saturday. Everyone bikes around in a guided group to 8 mini concerts. We get to enjoy for 15 min or so and then off to the next one. I've never done anything like this so look at me trying new things during Covid. And masks must be worn while enjoying the concert! So safety first.

Joining in with Readerbuzz's Sunday Salon

Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.

Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.

Published: April 21st, 2020 by Crown Publishing Group (NY)

Genre: Nonfiction, History, Current Events

Format: Kindle, 272 Pages, Own

Rating: 5 stars

My Thoughts:

Eddie S. Glaude Jr. writes a much-needed book on how we can begin again and keeping moving forward despite all the steps back. And what better way to do this than with the words and life of James Baldwin.

James Baldwin "...saw, and felt deeply, the effects of America's betrayal of the black freedom struggle of the mid-twentieth century: The country had refused once again, to turn its back on racism and to reach for its better angels..." And here the country sits at the brink do we refuse once again to learn about the foundations of this country? Do we refuse to acknowledge and the cries of Black people and people of color, for their cries of acknowledgement and change? "A moral reckoning is upon us, and we have to decide, once and for all, whether or not we will truly be a multiracial democracy."

Glaude takes us on his journey as he thinks about Baldwin's life and works. It's a bit memoir, biography, and literary criticism and history all rolled into one. The pain is real as we see major steps forward and huge reckoning starting with the civil rights movement of the mid-twentieth century but how once again America turns its back on learning and growing and reconciliation. We end up getting Nixon and Reagan and major steps back with the war on drugs and mass incarceration, which has disproportionately affected Black Americans and people of color.

"Revealing the lie at the heart of the American idea, however, occasions an opportunity to tell a different and better story...Not everything his lost. Responsibility cannot be lost, it can only be abdicated. If one refuses abdications, one begins again."

And thus how Glaude takes us through Baldwin's America (which is our America) and his hopes, despair, and reconciliation with America then and how we can like Baldwin did begin again.

Through his book I've also discovered more insights into Baldwin than I ever thought I could know. More of his writings, interviews, documentaries about him, letters, and journals dedicated to analyzing everything he wrote was brought to my attention. Can't wait to dive in.

Frightfall Readathon and Something Wicked September 1- October 31st

 Michelle over at Seasons of Reading and Castle Macabre is hosting a two-month long readathon for all books scary! She's even hosting a read-along for The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins.

I plan on getting to a few mysteries and horror over the next two months:

• The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
• Heaven, My Home by Attica Locke
• Darkly: Black History and America's Gothic Soul by Leila Taylor
• Fledgling by Octavia Butler
• The Likeness by Tana French
• Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chobsky
• Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
• The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
• The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa
• The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling
• Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff

I don't think I'll read all of these! But I've got a big list to choose from so I'm excited to dive in.

I'll also be following along with The Woman in White read-along!

Week-in-review: A Hike and School Begins...

 It's been a really hard two weeks or so. DH's parents both tested positive for Covid last week. And my FIL was admitted to the hospital earlier this week and is still there. We think he'll be OK. But we're all taking it one day at a time. He's breathing on his own; but he has a blood clot and is recovering from pneumonia. My MIL had mild symptoms so she's recovering well.

As Covid continues to spread, more and more of us will know people who get it and will see the extreme ways the disease can devastate whole families, unfortunately. My sister's husband's nephew passed away last week from Covid; he was only 35. I've provided a story one of our local paper's did on his nephew's family and the toll Covid takes on everyone, especially on communities of color.

Things I'm Grateful For:

1. Gabe went back to school online! He started Tuesday with live classes. It's a learning curve but I am grateful we are in a position that we can have him stay home for school this year. Which means I'm also very grateful to his school for providing the options for online as well.

2. We finally made it on a hike last week! It was beautiful. A much needed getaway to the mountains and away from the smokey air caused by California's fires.

3. Nala is doing well on her anti-seizure medication! She's a little loopy and unsteady at times but she's sleeping and seizure-free. Next month we'll try to begin to figure out why and how and what the next step is but for now I am grateful she is doing well.

4. I was able to see some family today. My nephew was able to finally feel safe enough to celebrate the birth of his 6 month-old baby. We all came together today for a little lunch and conversation. I just hope no one was asymptomatic and that my parents will not get sick! But we stayed masked as much as possible so I'm gonna stay positive.

Brighton Lakes hike. We only made it to 2 lakes out of 4 but I'll take it! There was a way too friendly chipmunk we had to scare away!

5. I finished my blanket for my great-niece and I started a couple of Fall crochet projects and I have an idea on what I want to make friends for Christmas.

 

Reading:

I finished Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks and Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.

I'm still reading What Language Is: And What It Isn't and What It Could Be by John McWhorter, How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi,  Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi, (honestly, I've had to take a break for a bit but I'll get back to them), I started Mary Trump's new book Too Much and Never Enough, I also started the Magnus Chase series by Rick Riordan. Gabe and I are reading it together but separately. He finishes the first book and then I read and so on. It's pretty fun. I also started Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff and with Gabe I'm reading the third book in the His Dark Materials series The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman. I'm also listening to Braiding Sweet Grass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I had a hard time reading last week so I started a couple of others. I'll get through all of these one day! Ha!

Watching: 

Movies:

I watched An American Pickle with the DH on HBO Max, and as a family we watched The One and Only Ivan on Disney+.

TV:                           

I've mostly been watching the NBA playoffs! The Utah Jazz are playing the Denver Nuggets and I'm loving it! Love watching basketball again. It's been a great week for that.

I had to upgrade my streaming stick/device this week. Roku still had not brokered a deal with HBO Max to stream on their device. I was hoping it would happen or a time-frame would've been announced but nothing. So I decided to go with an Apple TV system. It's a bit different and I don't like their tiny remote that will get lost in our couch one day soon but overall it works and has everything I need and HBO Max. Plus they threw in a free year of their streaming service. So I decided to start Defending Jacob. It's not bad. I know how it ends but it's interesting enough I'll probably finish the season over the next week or so.

Image from PBS

The new season of Endeavour on PBS is on as well so I've been catching up. But mostly, it's basketball viewing.

This week: More crocheting, salsa making with fresh garden tomatoes, errands to run, keeping Gabe on track for online school.

Looking forward to my haircut! I'm going to add some fun color. Can't wait. I also have an appointment to pick up some library books Tuesday. Can't wait to make some fresh salsa as well.

Joining in with Readerbuzz's Sunday Salon

Mini Book Reviews: Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, Devolution

 

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

Published: September 5th, 2017 by Sterling Children's Books

Genre: Juvenile Fiction

Format: Ebook, 262 Pages, Scribd

Rating: 4.5 stars

My Thoughts:

Aven is a middle schooler with some different abilities. She can do almost anything with her feet since she was born without arms. Her life is good. She's got friends who understand her and a life that she's used to...until her parents uproot their lives to Arizona in order to manage a run-down desert and cowboy theme park. That means a new school and new people who don't know her and aren't used to her amazing abilities. Along the way she meets some other differently-abled friends and they set out to solve a mystery about the park and her past.

I read this aloud with Gabe and we both enjoyed it immensely. Aven is hilarious! She faces life's obstacles with humor and insight while making mistakes along the way. It's a great book that talks about people who are differently-abled and what some of their experiences both good and bad and in between are as they interact with humans in this crazy world. 

The Shadows by Alex North

Published: July 7th, 2020 by Celadon Books

Genre: Horror, Crime Thriller

Format: Hardcover, 336 Pages, Library

Rating: 4 stars

My Thoughts:

I loved most of this book. It was super creepy. It had a great atmosphere. This one takes place in the same world as "The Whisper Man" that North wrote last year, I think. The same detective comes to town to investigate. It's a really creepy premise that ends up being pretty lackluster, unfortunately. The ending was a bit of a letdown. But overall, I'm enjoying the worlds Mr. North puts down. I look forward to the next one.

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker

Published: October 22nd, 2019 by Oni Press

Genre: Graphic Novel, Supernatural, Fantasy, Romance, LGBTQIA

Format: Paperback, 256 Pages, Library

Rating: 4 stars

My Thoughts:

This was a fun supernatural fantasy with witches, ghosts, demons, and werewolves. Throw in some romance between the two fantastic leads and it's quite a fun story. The illustrations were pretty and detailed as well. I look forward to more in this series.

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander

Published: April 2nd, 2019 by Versify

Genre: Children, Poetry, History

Format: Hardcover, 40 Pages, Library

Rating: 5 stars

My Thoughts:

This was a beautiful book to read out loud with Gabe. We learned so much about many diverse Black artists, activists, athletes, musicians, writers, etc. Alexander had little bios of each person in the back we were able to read after the book. The illustrations are gorgeous. This is a must-read for all ages.

Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks

Published: June 16th, 2020 by Del Rey Books

Genre: Horror, Sci-fi

Format: Hardcover, 286 Pages, Library

Rating: 4 stars

My Thoughts:

This was a really fun book. It's very similar to World War Z but not as long or detailed, and a little more tongue-in-cheek, I think. But the brother of Kate Holland hires a reporter to look into her mysterious disappearance after Mt. Rainier explodes and chaos ensues in her little commune of Greenloop, Washington. Looks like Bigfoot and her brood are chased out of the mountains and attack Holland and her group. We get her firsthand account with the reporter adding in details about sasquatch and its many myths, and park rangers, and Kate's brother. I also enjoyed Brooks' social and political commentary, which is very relevant. Overall, it's a quick, fun read. Just what I needed right now.

Week In Review: It's August?!

 I'm not sure where the time is going? Living in a pandemic warps time and we're all feeling it so somehow it seems even more pronounced than usual. Summer is usually marked off by how we got out of the house and had some fun. We usually visit our friends in Washington for a week or so in July. June is still warming up from spring so we can get a lot more outside time in. It's my birthday so we usually have some fun that weekend. Gabe usually has a physical summer camp or two. August ends up being pretty hot so we usually do a camping trip with some friends towards the end of the month and sometimes in September. In between all of that we usually get some hikes in with friends. Brunch usually happens once a month with friends. Outdoor neighborhood barbecues usually happen a couple times each month. And throw in some museums, bowling, and movie outings, swimming trips, summer is usually full of fun and entertainment. Usually is the keyword. We didn't quite get that this summer...

We had planned on one outing for this weekend but with the continual illness of our cat Nala we weren't able to. She's been having seizures and we finally got her on some anti-seizure medication a few days ago and not one since Thursday morning! We're taking it day by day with a recheck and assessment in September. We are hoping we can figure out a cause. Because if it's actually a form of epilepsy, she will be on those pills for the rest of her life, which makes leaving for any great length of time impossible. Right now we can handle it. But I'm hoping it's only temporary.

So this has been an unusual summer. I'm trying to look for things to look forward to for our little family. We plan game and move nights. I prepare extra special meals from time to time. We may even try for an arts and crafts fair that is happening each Saturday up north. 

And now it's time to start school...we've opted for online only this year. It starts a week from Tuesday. While I don't feel my state has done enough to combat the virus, I truly feel that his school has been doing their best to be accessible with how everyone feels comfortable. Plus our numbers are going down since more people are wearing masks and taking it seriously (though, not enough).

This is all to say that we have not been doing our usual this summer. Getting outside has been a lot harder this summer. I miss the hikes and camping trips and getting out into nature. So we just make do the best we can. 

This is what we've been doing inside...forts, foxes, and boxes

My cat was sitting on the back of the couch with the sun coming through and I decided the shadow play was appropriate. I'm hurting for pics around this time...ha!

Three Good Things:

1. Nala is actually feeling better since we figured out she has been having seizures and she is on anti-seizure medicine and no seizures now for two whole days!

2.  We celebrated Lammas/Lughnadsah/First Harvest this weekend. I made some no-knead bread, ate chicken and veggie kebabs, and fruit kebabs. We plan on having a fire pit celebration soon depending on the weather and burning our dried sage and giving thanks for the first harvest of the season.

3. I got out of the house this morning. It was cool and quiet. I needed to drop of my library books and I got a breakfast sandwich and a latte to go. Just what I needed.

Reading:

I finished The Shadows by Alex North and Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker.

I'm still reading What Language Is: And What It Isn't and What It Could Be by John McWhorter, How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi,  Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi, Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own by Eddie S. Glaude Jr., and with Gabe I'm reading the third book in the His Dark Materials series The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman. I'm also listening to Braiding Sweet Grass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I had a hard time reading last week so I started a couple of others. I'll get through all of these one day! Ha!

Still reading those above! I also started Devolution: Firsthand Account of the Ranier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks

Watching: 

Movies:

I watched You Should Have Left with Kevin Bacon. Not bad at all. A little hokey the last third but a satisfying ending. I rented this on demand with Vudu.

TV:                                              

I'll be finishing up Perry Mason on HBO this week and TNT's The Alienist. I also watched the entire first season of The Babysitter's Club on Netflix. It's a kids show with a G rating but I was so impressed with how they handled really tough and sensitive subjects. I think it's a must-watch for kids and their parents. Astounding.

This week: I've got plans to get Gabe ready for back-to-school. His school is hosting a virtual back-to-school night on Thursday. I'm also hoping to get some of my classes going again.

Looking forward to a hike! As long as Nala stays stable, we plan on heading out for an early morning hike on Thursday or Friday this week. Fingers are crossed.

Joining in with Readerbuzz's Sunday Salon