Thursday, July 1, 2021

Coffee Talk and June's Mini Book Reviews

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Let's catch up on life off the road over a cup of coffee! I'm having my usual Dunkin with a scoop of GLG collagen and a splash of half and half. Lately, I've been pouring it over ice and it is oh so good on these hot steamy mornings we've been experiencing. What are you having? What would you tell me over coffee?

If we were having coffee, I'd share with you that some of our home renovation projects are moving forward again! When the work started on our street, my hubs put the breaks on everything, worried that the dust and the mud would find it's way inside our home (it did). However, he surprised me this week by taking me to look at carpeting for the upstairs and by calling a few upholstery places to get prices to recover a chair we have. All this makes me happy and I will share the progress as we move forward. The driveway is still on hold, though, until the street is done. They've poured the sidewalks, so it feels like things are moving in the right direction.

It's still here and was just freshened up yesterday!


If we were having coffee,
I'd share an updated photo of the mural being painted in the scary tunnel on the bike path. My patients and their mother, who are the artists, were featured in the local paper. I am so proud and excited about this! Every Friday when I run through the tunnel, I will think about what a beautiful gift this is and how fortunate I am to care for such a wonderful family.

They are still working on it.


If we were having coffee,
I'd talk about how excited I was to see my son's dog (ok, I was excited to see my son too) last Friday. She is just the nicest dog and so affectionate. While I love my Cocoa, it's fun to have another dog in the family. Tom and his roommate just spoil this pup--as it should be. It was kind of funny, tho, she kept chewing on my wrist brace. I wonder if she thought it was a toy?

It seems like the love is mutual.


If we were having coffee,
I'd share with you some of the drama that has been playing out over my high school reunion. It was supposed to be held last year, but, pandemic. Fast forward to this year. The event, which was originally organized by my friend, was railroaded by another classmate who made an alternative plan. So my friend canceled the original event and organized a mixer for the night before the event. Then the classmate who organized the alternative event ghosted our class, completely dropping off FB. No one knew where she went or what was happening. The drama that exploded in the class FB group was both amusing and disturbing. Bottom line, my friend stepped back up, found the classmate who bailed, refunded everyone's money and the mixer is still on. Those are always more fun anyways. The bickering continues, though. Hoping the haters stay away. Good vibes only, right?

I won't tell you how many years ago I graduated...


Whew! 
If we were having coffee, I'd share all the books I read this month! For my full reviews, follow me on Goodreads.

  • Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid is the 'it' book of summer. Taking place on one day in 1983, 4 California siblings throw their annual epic bash where everything comes to a head. I have to admit that this one disappointed me. I'm definitely in the minority and so I may try it again, to see if I missed something...
  • Where the Grass is Green and The Girls are Pretty by Lauren Weisberger, who also wrote The Devil Wears Prada, is a fictional take on the college admissions scandal. Another disappointment and I couldn't even finish it. I just didn't want to waste my time reading about insufferable people. 
  • Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny was a quirky love story set in a Midwestern town. The main character falls in love with the guy who has been with every woman in town. Beautifully written, this was one to savor. Loved it. 
  • When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McClain was an engaging 'literary mystery' about a missing young woman and the search to find her. Of course, one of the detectives has hidden issues that come to life during the story, but it all worked out well. Beautifully written, I couldn't put it down!
  • What's Mine and Yours by Naima Coster is the story of 2 families who become connected through a school integration project. The two main characters are the mothers and there is a lot of drama involving them. The writing is beautiful, but I had trouble following the alternating storylines until about 75% of the way through. I stuck with it, though, and I'm glad I did.
And of course, my running book review of Cory Reese's Stronger Than the Dark has a full review on the blog. Have you checked it out?



What would you tell me over coffee? Have you read any good books lately? Have you ever gone to your high school reunion? What's new in your world?

I'm linking up with Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date and with the ladies of Fit Five Friday:  DarleneMichelleReneeJenn, and Zenaida.



40 comments :

  1. You know, I haven't heard much about my high school reunion which should have been this year. I guess maybe it was canceled early in the year? Thanks for some more book recommendations! I think I need to branch out and read a non-running book this summer.

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  2. I think I was only ever invited to my 10 yr reunion and the venue went belly up before it happened. That's really sad there is so much bickering and drama. Life is too short. Your Grand dog is a cutie!

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    1. The reunion drama was kind of shocking. We had such a good class. Who knows what happens to people throughout life, tho.

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  3. You are so lucky that your hubby is interested in home projects. Mine says "Its looks fine. Do what you want." Well I procrastinated on the kitchen and now wood is too expensive. I just got all new appliances. Baby steps.

    It's my reunion year too. 50!! Too much drama. I went to my 20 and 40 but I didn't know (or care to know) most of the people. We'll see if they can plan a 50th and if I'll go.

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    1. I wish my hubby wasn't so interested in the home renovations...its kind of a mixed blessing.

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  4. Ha ha... maybe your classmates were trying to get you into the true spirit of the thing by creating some high school-like drama! Seriously, that sounds like something that would happen with teenagers, not adults.
    Thanks for the book reviews. I know people loved Malibu Rising but I was kind of iffy on it- now I'll skip it for sure. I read When the Stars Go Dark and loved it, and our vacation is coming up next week which means I get to read Cory's book (I've been saving it for a couple weeks now- I can't wait!)

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    1. That is a great way to look at it, lol!!! Maybe those people never grew up?

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  5. That Mural Is Outstanding And Hoping That It Brings Light And Joy To That Once Scary Section Of Trail - Excellent News On The Pup Front - Keeps Us Posted With The Project There - Have A Delightful 4th Of July Weekend - Stay Strong & Be Well

    Cheers

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    1. I just hope that the graffiti folks don't deface it. It's truly lovely!

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  6. It's scary how people never change, however many years post High School. I'll bet the current trouble makers were the same back in High School! Glad your friend is back in the lead!

    That mural in the tunnel - SO SPECIAL, and even more so that you know the family well.

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    1. They were so excited to tell me about this project--they knew I run there! So proud of them.

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  7. I love that colorful mural in the tunnel. Whenever I see stuff like this it makes me wish that I could draw or paint, anything artistic actually, lol.

    That high school reunion drama sounds intense! It seems like everything will work out in the end but what a very weird turn of events!

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    1. When the kids told me they were going to do this, I never expected it to turn out so well!

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  8. Crazy about all of the reunion drama! I went to my 25th and had a really good time - thankfully the haters stayed away.

    I love the way the mural is turning out! What a gift they are giving everyone.

    Always love to see all of the books you've read. I'm planning to load up my Kindle before our vacation so thanks for the recommendations!

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  9. 100% Kona coffee today - so good, you can't drink just one cup!

    Never been to a high school reunion. My 40th is next year - how is that possible?

    We are on the final stretch of our home improvement project - a complete redo of our landscaping, as in removal of all grass and all but 4 trees. It started a year ago with just a redo of one area in the front, but as Les worked on sprinkler heads, it kept turning in to more. We finally have our "backyard oasis" and coffee on the patio each morning is a treat.

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    1. Sounds lovely!!! Our backyard is in need of a redo. Seems like we just did everything, but that was over 20 years ago. How time flies!

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  10. The last reunion -- the only reunion -- I went to was my 20th. So we're on the 41st . . . really no intention of going. I only went to my 20th because I talked my 2 best friends from HS to go, too. It was kind of fun, and I met up with people I hadn't even thought about in so long.

    Awesome that the renos are going forward! Love the photo of you & your grandpup. :) Love the mural, too. We definitely have some graffiti filled tunnels on our bike paths. But it's always dark in there so we really can't see it much!

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    1. I'll go to the mixer because my friend organized it. I just feel bad for her, for the whole thing.

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  11. That mural is amazing! I went to two high schools (my family moved the summer before my junior year), and last year’s reunions didn’t happen (obviously). No word on either of them happening any time soon. We’re all on FB, so it’s not like we’ve lost track of very many but it’s still fun to get together.

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    1. So many people left FB over the past 18 months that our reunion may actually be one!

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  12. Your HS reunion sounds like it has the same drama as actual HS! Hope it all gets worked out.I have not ever attended any of our reunions. High school was not my favorite the first time around! I do sometimes wonder what people look like now. That is great that you are starting your renovations again. Always fun

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    1. It is going to be nice to freshen up the house! What I cannot wait to do is get the windows washed. Soon. soon.

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  13. my 25th is next year. The usual venue of a bar in our hometown sounded fun at 21, but... not so much now. It's usually my birthday weekend and yeah, I have better birthday presents to myself than drinking with people I didn't much like then and Facebook hasn't given me a huge indication anything changed.
    June was a good reading month, only one disappointment although I may DNF another

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    1. I'd rather go to a bar than a venue with bad food that I paid $$$ for, so there's' that...

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  14. Ugh on the drama. Our reunions have been drama-free from my perspective, but I never was an organizer. I just finished The Dictionary of Lost Words which was very enjoyable and interesting. That mural is lovely!

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    1. I will check that book out! Thank you for the recommendation.

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  15. I got Corey Reese' book after reading your book review. What a great read!
    I'm still in the middle of it, he's done the Vol 500 and now he's describing what it feels like to live with depression. Very impressive description - such a great book for non-runners, too.
    Thanks for the recommendation. Keep them coming!

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    1. I'm so glad you are enjoying it! All his books are good. He's pretty entertaining.

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  16. *Cory Reese. One day I'll learn to spell his name correctly...

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  17. Thanks, Wendy! Wish we were having coffee together, but this is a good alternate :)
    Cute dog
    Like you, I have the huge blessing of sons who all live not-too-far from me, makes me so happy to get to see them

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  18. Lots of books this month for you! I'm taking a day to chill so I will commit to reading.

    What a sweet pup! I just love dogs so much. So. Much.

    Oh, drama. I have never been to my HS reunion, and I'm not much interested in going, to be honest. People are just wild, though, aren't they? And social media really lets us see that.

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    1. YES! If it weren't for social media, I wouldn't be aware of any of this and it would be ok.

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  19. Ugh, I hated high school and couldn't wait to be out. I graduated early and didn't go to the ceremony. I wouldn't go to a reunion. However, it might be fun to go to a reunion of former employees at any of the national parks I've worked at.

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    1. I still sporadically keep in touch with my group of friends. That's really all I care to see, but this will be a fun event.

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  20. Sorry to hear about all the drama but hopefully it ends up being fun!

    I'm gonna have to add When the Stars Go Dark and Early Morning Riser to my list!

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  21. So sad for you. This brings me back to when I broke 2 bones in my ankle. 2 weeks elevated, 8 weeks no mobility and then 3 mos PT. Don't know how I did it.

    You are strong. As I said before, you will be good as new and even better than before.

    Here's some advice. Use those crutches and don't hop around or run before you should. I wound up with a stress fracture in my good foot. Then I healed and then broke my foot (the one with the previously broken ankle.) Oy!

    Stay in touch and let us know how you are progressing. We all get what you are going through.


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