Cat Thursday--Gli at Hagia Sophia

 

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! 

I recently read an article on Medium about Gli the kitty who lives at the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. I thought I'd post some pics and link the article so you can read all about her. She's adorable! 

Lots of people take selfies with her while visiting.

There are many more pics of this cute thing and some pretty pics of the grand Hagia Sophia.

Mini Book Reviews: Fiction: Lovecraft Country, Sword of Summer

Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff 

Published: February 16th, 2016 by Harper

Genre: Horror, Fantasy

Format: Ebook, 329 Pages, Scribd

Rating: 4 stars

My Thoughts:

I read one short story of H.P. Lovecraft a few years ago. And I've heard of the mythos of Lovecraft with Cthulu the Elder God, etc but I didn't really become interested until I learned what a racist he was. I read The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle a couple of years ago which turns a very racist short story by Lovecraft on its head. I loved that idea. And that brings us to Lovecraft Country. Matt Ruff wanted to combine the horror of everyday racism combined with actual supernatural horror and base it all on one of the most racist horror writers ever. It's a fantastic combination. Each chapter is a mini adventure that each member of this diverse family goes through. Atticus, Letitia, Ruby, Horace, Hyppolyta, George and Montrose. And some of these stories are freaky. The one with Horace and the Devil Doll. Super creepy.

And I will recommend the HBO version that's airing now. Now you can take a great idea and run with it. Bring on a diverse writing staff and directing staff and you get some of the best television out there. Go read and watch!

*read this as part of the Frightfall Read-a-thon over at Seasons of Reading.

Magnus chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

Published: October 6th, 2015 by Disney-Hyerion Books

Genre: Fantasy, Juvenile

Format: Paperback, 499 Pages, Own

Rating: 4 stars

My Thoughts:

Magnus Chase is a homeless teenager trying to survive on the streets of Boston and mourning the death of his mother. He's got a couple of guys who help lookout for him and some long-lost uncles and a cousin too. Soon a fire demon finds him and all hell breaks loose. He summons a sword and dies and ends up in Valhalla. He soon discovers he's a son of the god Frey and has the power to bring on the armageddon of Ragnarok or find a way to keep Fenris the wolf tied up and the worlds safe for another day. Along the way he befriends Samirah, and Blitzen and Hearthstone. All are prepped and ready to help.

I really liked this one. It brings the Norse myths and gods to life with likeable characters and of course lots of silly humor. My son has been enjoying the series and I am too.

Mini Book Reviews: Non-fiction: Too Much and Never Enough, The Dream of Reason, When Stars Are Scattered

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

Published: July 14th, 2020 by Simon & Schuster

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Psychology

Format: Kindle, 236 Pages, Own

Rating: 3.5 stars

My Thoughts:

I really liked Mary Trump's analysis and her interactions with her uncle through her young years. But it wasn't as well-written as I would have liked. She repeats a lot of the same ideas throughout. I feel like it could've been an ever shorter book. But overall, I found her insights and her own interactions and that of her mother and father ever more disturbing. This is not a well family. And who Trump is and how he's become this way is more disturbing that I could imagine. It's definitely an important book to read and understand where we are today.

The Dream of Reason: A History of Western Philosophy from the Greeks to the Renaissance by Anthony Gottlieb

Published: August 30th, 2016 by W.W. Norton Company

Genre: Nonfiction, History, Philosophy

Format: Paperback, 512 Pages, Own

Rating: 4 stars

My Thoughts:

Anthony Gottlieb takes us on a journey of Western philosophy from the Greeks all the way to the Renaissance. He's a great writer and most of the chapters were humorous and down-to-earth in layman's terms. I was fascinated how he brought their ideas and how others through time have morphed their ideas into their own. I never knew how it was quite done and his book allowed me to see those changes and ideas come together. Fascinating stuff. My friend and I had a great time reading this one together and discussing all the ideas. So if you are interested even a little bit in philosophy, I highly recommend Gottlieb's series. We'll be on to the next one soon.

When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

Published: April 14th, 2020 by Dial Books

Genre: Nonfiction, Juvenile, Memoir, Graphic Novel

Format: Paperback, 264 Pages, Library

Rating: 5 stars

My Thoughts:

Omar lives with his little brother Hassan and his guardian Fatuma in a refugee camp in Kenya. They had to flee Somalia after war broke out and his father was killed and they were separated from their mother. He goes into great detail about the struggles of daily life in the camp. From waiting in long lines for water every day to taking care of his brother with disabilities. It's hot and food is on short supply. They can't leave the camps because they are not Kenyan citizens and they can't return home because they'll be killed.

He eventually attends school, meets friends, stays true to his faith, and keeps hope alive that him and his brother will be able to relocate to the United States and find their mother. It takes a village and many other kids and teachers, a UN worker, especially, help along the way.

It's just heartbreaking. People are born, growup, and can die in a refugee camp. Eventually he and Hassan are relocated to Arizona and he's able to get help for Hassan and go to college. But so many don't get to.

Cat Thursday

 

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!

My cats Nala and Shadow have been extra cute this last week! I thought I'd share a couple.

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!