Sunday Salon, July 31, 2016

Magical door to unknown treasures.

Weather: (Ha! It is nearly 11 AM and I haven't even looked outside. Excuse me for a minute.) High clouds and cool for a summer day, 64 degrees F. Yesterday ended up being warm and humid (we call if muggy.)

Democratic National Convention: I did little else this week than watch the DNC and read about it after it was over for the evening. I don't want my blog to be political in nature but if you are interested, here are a few of my favorite moments from the week. Click on the links in a new tab.

• Flashback Comedy-Beverly Hillbillies (not from the DNC, but very funny about the two parties. Granny gets ready for the election.)
• Shoulders (Suffrage Movement to Hillary's nomination)
• What Hillary Means to Women Through the Ages (Women of all ages reflect on what this nomination means)
• Rev. Barber Speaks at the DNC (Pastor speaks out about Christianity and politics.)
• Michelle Obama's Speech the first night of the convention
• Khizr Khan's speech (about his son, a true American hero)
• Last night of DNC photos, politicians lose their mind over balloons.

Hunt for Wilderpeople: Love, love, love this quirky movie which we saw last night in the local Indy movie theater. Set in New Zealand. Click on the link for more info. It is based on the book Wild Pork and Watercress by Barry Crump which I hope to read some day.

Today: we start a full throttle effort at getting Carly packing for New York.  She had her last day of work Friday and her last day volunteering at the Crisis Line yesterday. She is tying up her business here.

This coming week: Don will go to Spokane to be with his father who is having surgery for a pacemaker; later in the week we all head to Eugene for my parents 65th wedding anniversary and for a family reunion at the Oregon coast later in the week.

Books completed this week:

• Steeplejack by AJ Hartley...a fun and intricate YA murder mystery. I enjoyed it a lot. Print.
• The Great American Whatever by Tim Federle...a realistic YA novel about a gay boy whose hopes of writing the great American screen play is derailed when his sister dies in a car crash. Audio.
• We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson...another YA novel with many similar aspects as the above book, but this one has some paranormal aspects. (I think this book is the superior book.) Print and Audio. (Click on the links for my reviews)

Currently reading:

• Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton...a fantasy set in the desert. I've only just started but so far so good. Print. YA. 10%.
• Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen...I am finally getting back to this nonfiction account of Karen Blixen's time in Africa, Print. 10%.
• My Name is Not Friday by Jon Walter...an audiobook about the Civil War and slavery. I actually haven't started it yet but I have it cued up on my iPod. Audio. 0%.
• The Well Path by Jame Heskett, MD...a health-oriented book with suggestions how to improve my wellness. Print. 20%.

Upcoming books:

• The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald...I have the audiobook from the library checked out ready to go for our trip to Oregon the end of the week.

A brag: the author of a favorite YA novel wrote me a note this week how much she liked my review of her book. The book The Passion of Dolssa, the author Julie Berry. (Burnk, Burnk...which is the sound of one's head expanding from conceit!) Click the hyperlink to read the review.