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Friday, July 9, 2021

A brief update and two recommendations

 May.

That was the last time I wrote anything here, and I have no excuse except choosing to do other things, many of which were no doubt a complete waste of my time.

Case in point. Driving to Florida with my brother to visit my mom.

I won't go into detail but I will never, ever in a million years drive to Florida if I can possibly help it. I can give you lots of reasons why, but the loss of time would be #1.

Just not worth it.

Oh, and a piece of advice. Never stay at the Knights Inn in Allentown, PA. The check in person when we arrived was busy smoking outside, told us to go in and wait. Then when she began to check us in, she got on her phone to discuss grocery shopping with her kid. My brother finally says, "Will this take long?" She says, "I can multi-task!"

Clearly not, but whatevs.

Anyway. No driving to Florida, and no more 2 star hotels. I deserve better!

Here's a few happy pics from Lieu Gardens...


 

 



Now for my recommendations.

11/22/63 by Stephen King and Mare of Eastown with Kate Winslet.

The book (no surprise) is long. Very long. But I was invested every step of the way with the narrator, who has been shown a way back and given the tools to stop the assassination of JFK. Needless to say it won't be simple, and it definitely won't be easy since time doesn't like people messing around with it. If you're a Stephen King fan, I highly recommend this one.

As for Mare of Eastown, all I can say is wow. Kate Winslet was fabulous as the main character, trying to solve a murder investigation while still grieving (or resisting grieving) the loss of her own son. Her friend Lori, played by Julianne Nicholson of Law & Order fame, was equally amazing. I can't say enough about this show and am sad there were only 7 episodes. 

 

And last but not least, my favorite new song



35 comments:

  1. Crap, bet that was a long drive. I'm at the age that anything over eight hours is too much - I'd rather fly.

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  2. I heard there's a train where you can load your car and ride down to Florida, and then you have your car when you get there. But flying's faster.

    There's a TV version of the King book that I've been eyeing. Maybe that'll be worth it, but we all know the filmed version isn't ever like the book.

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    Replies
    1. I've yet to see a screen version of an SK book that met my expectations. The book is totally worth reading, even if it does take you a month to get through it!

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  3. Sorry the Florida trip was a bust. I've heard good things about "Mare of Eastown" and now your comments confirm it -- I'm putting it on my "to see" list!

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    Replies
    1. Being in Florida and seeing my mom was great, but yeah, that trip down was a killer. Do watch Mare, you won't be disappointed.

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  4. I really, really dislike long car trips - even without substandard hotels. I am sorry that yours lived up to my expectations.
    I have never warmed to Stephen King. Some day I will try again.

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    Replies
    1. You're not alone in your feelings toward SK. Not everyone likes his verbose style, lol.

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  5. Hope the stay with the momsie was better than the trip itself LOL

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  6. I would think seeing your Mom is worth any effort, but 2-star hotels are rarely a positive experience.

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    Replies
    1. 5 days of hell is too much effort, though if I absolutely had to - like there were no more planes - I'd do it again, with proper nice hotels where I'd at least feel a little pampered after a hellish day. The other 2 star hotels were fine, but the Knights Inn...ugh.

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  7. I'm not a fan of long road trips either! And that hotel sounds awful!
    LOVE the pics - and your header - always so beautiful!

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    Replies
    1. I think it would've been more enjoyable with shorter days and nicer hotels. Like extra nice.

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  8. I have driven across the country and it's only worthwhile if we stop and see something each day, and stay somewhere at least okay - not the hotel you mentioned.
    Thanks for the recommendations!

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  9. I bet the drive was long. I hope you can fly next time.

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    Replies
    1. I will definitely be flying next time.

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  10. That drive must have seemed never ending. I can't comment on anything about Stephen King because the only one of his books I've read is Carrie.

    Love,
    Janie

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  11. Train travel from ME to FL will take nearly two days, but you can read a lot and enjoy yourself.

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  12. Oh gosh. We drove to Florida (from Maine, as you already know) twice with all four kiddos. Yeah. Twice. Never, again. :) And the first time, we had to come home two days early because our business partner had a death in his family. We drove straight through without stopping - except to use a bathroom. It was awful.

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    Replies
    1. Awful is a good word. I might use hellish. Either way, too miserable to do again! Sorry you had to endure the nightmare twice!

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  13. I drove from Maine to Florida (and then back again) with my sister and niece a couple of years ago. We stayed in a terrible motel for about twenty minutes before we pulled the rip cord on that and kept driving. The only other time I did the drive was when I relocated to Florida. My husband and I did it with two cats and two dogs. He swears he'll never do it again.

    I love 11/22/63. Such a great book! The TV adaptation, in my opinion, was so not worth it.

    And I loved Mare of Eastown. The cast was really great.

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    Replies
    1. The cast of Mare was awesome. I should've mentioned Jean Smart. Gosh she was great as mare's mom.

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  14. Sorry to hear of your disastrous road trip. But glad to see you've made gratifying media discoveries.

    I should really explore Stephen King. Horror is not my thing but he's so much more than that.

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    Replies
    1. He definitely is much more than horror. The Stand is really Dystopian, for example, while Firestarter is more paranormal imo.

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    2. Absolutely. And I do like what I've read.

      His son, Joe Hill, writes an excellent comic book series: Locke & Key - also a TV series now. I haven't watched it.

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    3. Loved the show Locke & Key. Read Horns which was good, but really liked Nos4at2. You'll never think of Christmas in quite the same way :)

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    4. Ha! I'll keep an eye out for both. Thanks for the recommendations.

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  15. Better late than never? I've heard so much about Mare of Easttown. I really need to watch it. But I know what you mean about limited series with only 7 or 8 episodes. They leave you unsatisfied and wanting more. I felt that way about The Queen's Gambit.

    Maine to Florida -- whew! That's the longest drive ever. Definitely fly next time.

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