Friday Files 2.10.2023

The  simple luxury of an everything bagel, toasted, with a liberal application of cream cheese, topped with a layer of cucumbers and sprinkled with Himalayan salt is chef's kiss. Happy Friday, everyone!

I switched to this brush a few months ago after my friend and hairstylist of forever Kristi at Salon Harmony used it on me while I was getting my hair done. I don't dry or style my hair and I certainly do not wash it daily so the brushing is important LOL. This really reduces static and helps with tangles which I always have in the back of my head. It's $10 at Target.

Once again I am a fool who is sitting at 50% read of a book at 11 pm and stays up to finish it. More of a fool last night because this was hair raising in multiple places. I know a lot of you love the thriller genre also. This comes out in May and you should know that I paused in several spots because the description of violence specifically regarding women and children was graphic - I read books like this all the time and if I'm pausing over it, I should do the courtesy of giving others a content warning heads up. 

Last night was the perfect night to return to the beach for the first time since January 29. 

I've got a lot of balls in the air personally and professionally but juggling schedules and sharing a car is no longer one of them. On the 55th day after his car was totaled, MFD purchased one yesterday and the universe wept with relief. I'm not a sharer in general, and I'm really not a check in with someone else before I schedule things person. I've also gotten used to being a person who does not live with their spouse full time and that has been a bit of a shock to go back to. Next week is a nightmare schedule-wise so this is perfectly timed. Say goodbye to your viewing post, Billy Hicks. Philly doors that were ordered in August - and have needed to be replaced for many years - are being replaced next week. 

It is clear that the person who feeds dogs off of plates does not eat in peace and the person who does not feed dogs off of plates does eat in peace.

I assume you've seen or heard of the absolutely unhinged blackface video courtesy of Northeast Philly white girls as it's viral now. I posted about it on Instagram as soon as I saw it and when I woke up the next morning the three stories were gone. Instagram had removed it for hate speech. No shit. White people wonderwhining(tm) why everything is still about race should pay particular attention. This is why, numbnuts. Because this shit still happens. Because this country was built off the backs of the unpaid labor of Black people who were enslaved by white people and we've never reckoned with it or paid for it. Because Jim Crow never ended it just became Jim Crow 2.0 and Jim Crow 3.0. Because the prison system in this country is the current iteration. Because we excuse and protect and tsk tsk white kids who do stupid shit and vilify and incarcerate and harm Black kids who do stupid shit. Because racist white folks elected by racist white folks are attempting to whitewash history and remove Black history from schools so what they teach their kids at home - that shit like this is acceptable or funny or excusable or kids will be kids - sticks and carries through the generations versus being ripped out at the fucking root and discarded.  

I am not going to go into how fucking unhinged Marjorie Taylor Green is, and how unable she is to function as an adult in society. 

My favorite sheet pan dinner is kielbasa, red onion, bell pepper, banana peppers, and sweet or red potatoes. 

Crew this week

Even I use the standard Go Birds greeting/pleasantry/hi/bye and watch the Super Bowl when the hometown team is in the Super Bowl.

Have a great weekend!

Snippets of the weekend 2.6.2023

Weekend started bright and early on Thursday with a 9 am flight to Atlanta after two nights of very little sleep. I saw an old train co-commuter douche causing issues on the flight there with very high maintenance white man shit and my blood was boiling. Gwen's flight landed around the same time so we met up at the Marta and took the train to our hotel (Marriott Marquis) to drop our stuff off and grab lunch at Gibney's Pub. It was raining and that was close. They had no lemons, fries, or White Claw, but we made it through. Mimi arrived soon after and we relaxed in the room then hit Kuts steak house for dinner, also very close due to torrential rain. I was very happy to go the fuck to sleep and slept 10 freaking hours.

Friday we walked to breakfast at Atlanta Breakfast Club and it was fantastic - food, service, music, vibe. I got the chicken and waffles topped with peach cobbler. I am not a typical waffles person but the chicken was seasoned amazingly and I'm glad I did it.

We walked back to the hotel - why were we unaware Atlanta had hills? - then off to Cabbagetown to see amazing street art in the neighborhood and through Krog Street Tunnel. I'm sharing here for my own keeps despite some shadows due to time of day. Skip down past a bunch of collages if you DGAF.

We got coffee/beer at Krog Street Market, then drove to Ponce Market and did a walk around and had lunch at Minero's, which we all thought was Miner's LOLOL

Then it was time to lay down for a minute. Gena & Greg arrived and settled in, Tess arrived and her and Mimi went to get ready, and we walked over to the State Farm Arena. I cannot believe how orderly and nice everyone was. Super different experience than events in Philly LOL. Once inside we split up for our seats. Gwen and I loved where we were, and there was a standing/seated table area right behind us and we spent a lot of the concert there singing and dancing. It was so great to see Bruce with the band again. I saw them on their last tour in 2016, then saw him on Broadway in 2018, and hoped like hell Covid did not kill my chances of seeing him again. He played for 2.45, never left the stage. Still great at 73. We all met up after and hit up Gibney's for two nightcaps. Fantastic day.

Saturday we walked to Apache for brunch. I had eggs over medium with fried pork chops and another stellar food/service/music/vibe situation. Loved it. 

We had tickets for the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and we did that an hour earlier than planned so as to only do the hill back to the hotel once LOL. An important and heavy experience. To know that it was not that long ago. And how far we have not come.

Back for a period of rest before walking literally next door for dinner at Pacific Rim Bistro. Something Gwen ordered arrived at the table on fire and it was hilarious. We sat in the lobby bar after dinner before saying our goodbyes. This is us in the elevator: 47 floors of a hotel and we were in 3622 and 3621 without planning it at all and checking in a day apart. 

Sunday alarms started going off at 4 and that is just unkind. Mimi dropped us at the airport and the goddamn guy from my train was on the flight again and talked the ENTIRE time and everyone was so mad. MFD picked me up, I had groceries delivered, slept for four hours on the couch, and we ordered cheesesteaks and watched the entire second season of Hacks.

weekending reels on Instagram 

These ladies are my first internet friends that I've known for 23+ years. We used to try and get together yearly, and that spread longer a lot of times over the years for us as a group. Super happy to have weekended with them in May and again this past weekend and we floated Groundhog's weekend next years too, closer to Gwen this time. I was also happy to see Tess in person for the first time in years and meet Gena's man Greg in person, and he fit right in with us. A great weekend with forever friends I adore. 

 

January 2023 reads

Lots of reading time this month. I probably won't finish what I'm reading now today, so no reason to delay. Here we go, January reads:

Engrossing Reads

Maame by Jessica George - I really loved this - the writing was wonderful, loved Maddie and watching her grow out of and also into herself. She was a real combo of strong and vulnerable and ugh I just loved the whole reading experience and put the book down feeling warm. ARC paperback from St Martins Press & digital ARC from Netgalley  - I read the paperback

Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro - I don't even recall putting this on hold at the library, or where I heard about it? But I picked it up when I got the notice it was in and devoured it. I loved this book. It's so tender and terrible and great. OCNJ library hard cover

The Last Beekeeper by Julie Carrick Dalton - I loved this even though I not read up on it and was not expecting a whirlwind dystopian novel. Really good. I stayed up until 2 to finish this in one shot. Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book comes out March 7

Weyward by Emilia Hart - Every time I'd start a section I'd say okay this is my favorite of the three, and every time I ended it I was sure of it, then started the next and the cycle began again. Hart did a good job weaving things together and making the Weyward women real and related despite the years between. Love the play of wayward Weyward. Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes February 2

All That is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay - When I started this I thought I was reading a forward, so I started out disoriented. This was brilliantly pieced together. The second part was the best. I loved the writing and idea behind this. Story-wise it's more of a three for me, but the work as a whole is a 4.5-5 Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book comes out March 7

On the Savage Side by Tiffany McDaniel - I barely know how to describe this book. I didn’t want to put it down but had to. I could read the lyrical writing forever and not for another minute because of what it was describing. A searing look at being a woman in this world, and at addiction, abuse, mental illness, violence, and poverty…and cutting holes in all of those terrible things to let the light in and grasp at life in the face of a deeply disturbing present. A masterful tangled web. A harrowing, heavy, and powerful read. I hope readers who see this billed as a thriller don't expect the surface thrillers we typically get, and that people who read (versus readers) don't read this book because it's being talked about and pan it because it's too much. The world is too much, and that reflects in literature. This is serious shit. Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book comes out February 14

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Love Story of Missy Carmichael by Beth Morrey - Welp I got this from Netgalley at the end of 2020 and just fucking read it now. I don't know why I was avoiding it. It turned out to be a completely different book than the title led me to believe.  loved this band of characters. Some serious themes in this book, and I liked how they were integrated into Missy’s awakening. Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review

Two Old Women: An Alaskan Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival by Velma Wallis - This reminded me so much of parables from when I was little. I loved it. Super quick read. Paperback, own

A Burning Obsession (Abby Mullen #3) by Mike Omer - I standardly like Omer novels, and though I prefer Zoe Bentley over Abby Mullen, I was happy to read the end of this trilogy especially with Zoe making a crossover. Kindle, own

Spare by Prince Harry - I am not a Royal lover (although I so enjoyed the Royal Wedding Party we had for Will & Kate's wedding, that was a fun day) but I had to read this so I asked for it for Christmas. If you are not a fast reader I cannot imagine how interminable this book would feel. I get a lot of what he's saying, and the way the tabs have gone after Meghan is awful, but Harry is not anti-monarchy and while I also get that as that's how he grew up and what he knew, I sort of don't, if we're approaching this from a societal advancement scenario. Aside from the glaring imperialist racist colonialist history they have as a family...I do not understand how they function in modern society as they are. It's quite sad to me. Hardcover, own and passed on

The Angel Maker by Alex North - High creep factor, but lessened because the parts of this story felt too disjointed even though the plan for them to come together was definitely a unique and good one. It felt fully like reading and trying to follow more than five separate stories Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes February 28

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (Harold Fry #1) by Rachel Joyce - I didn't know if I'd have the patience for this book when I started it, but by the time I finished it I felt warm inside. Looking back on it after I read the other two books, it is my least favorite of the three but still solid. OCNJ library hardcover

The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy (Harold Fry #2) by Rachel Joyce - I loved this character fiercely, first in glimpses of her in the first novel then as the star of her own here, which I liked more than the original impetus novel. I'll remember her for a long time in reading-years. OCNJ library hard cover

Maureen (Harold Fry #3) by Rachel Joyce - Getting this book from Netgalley was the inspiration for me to start the series from the beginning, and out of the three books, it ranks second in my preference. A nice wrap up to the Harold Fry series. It’s always nice to read people come around to who and where they are in life and love themselves. Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz -This was a wild ride, not in a great way? In an attempt to be edgy it gets weird. LOL, I'm still unsure. I'm not sure I've read anything like this before. Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes February 21

Hide (Detective Harriet Foster #1) by Tracy Clark - I quite liked Harriet Foster and Li and will read the next. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Not For Me/Did Not Finish

Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica - I have a checkered past with Mary Kubica books...After four or five of her books, I'd sworn her off because I did not get the draw. I had her last book sent to me unasked for, read it and enjoyed it. This...as I stated in an IG share, the story is held together by Dollar Store brand scotch tape. We are back on a break. NFM OCNJ library hard cover

At Sea by Emma Fedor - One of the least likable characters I've read in a while coupled with a hmm, really story. Loved the cover, title, and the premise was promising but this is a hot mess. NFM Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 7

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano - I might be an outlier here given the high ratings on Goodreads. This was very slow moving and it felt like Walter’s parts almost moved backwards. I loved Sylvie, the writing, and some of the family relation stuff but this largely did not hold my attention. NFM Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review , book publishes March 14

We're All Lying by Marie Still -  I thought Cass was ridiculous and was very WTF about how it all went down with the husband and business and it was frankly ridiculous. NFM ebook

Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter - DNF OCNJ library hard cover

Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger - DNF Netgalley

Such Pretty Flowers by K.L. Cerra - DNF, Netgalley 

Kismet by Amina Akhtar - DNF, Amazon First Reads

Dirty Laundry by Disha Bose - DNF, Netgalley

What have you been reading?

Snippets of the weekend 1.30.2023

Workday spent with Mae and Billy while the best friend dogs were upstairs with MFD. Fresh nails (Olive Ave Pisces - dark purple - and Essie below zero). Knocked off at 4 to head to Cape May Courthouse to go to ReStore and TJMaxx on the hunt for a new side table for the shore main living room. Check, and check on two of my favorite candles that are no longer made, and check on a collapsible sled MFD purchased for...I don't know why. We are 46, do not sled, and in fact have seen no laying snow in Philadelphia this winter. We followd up with a dinner at the Lobster House. I got baked stuffed shrimp and did not like them but not because they were bad, just personal preference. Closed it out staying up late to finish a devastating book.

Since I was up late, I slept in and slid slowly into the day. I packed up some returns and dropped them at the post office, then headed up to the boardwalk to take a walk around. I saw the theater getting ready to make a comeback, which is super exciting. Those of you who grew up going to Ocean City boardwalk movie theaters on a rainy day or during a night of vacation know!

I also checked out the beach replenishment project which was at 11th from the Music Pier, then headed back home to sit out on the winter dirty porch and air out the apartment. MFD went back to Philly to work, and I made slaw for carnitas tacos - pulled the meat off the bone for those as well. I read throughout the day, puttered around, took a long walk with the best friend dogs, and sacked out on the couch at night.

Sunday we had a little lie in and MFD decided he wanted to go home to watch the Eagles game on a whim so we got our shit packed up and cleaned up, took a walk, and headed home. I started laundry and dropped him off at my brother's for the game while I ran errands through the first half - returned a bunch of shit and picked some random needs up. I watched the end of the game outside there and we came home and watched a bunch of Yellowstone episodes. 

weekending reels on Instagram 

As you know, I don't fuck with sports much period, particularly the NFL, but I do love many of the Eagles players, everything about Jalen Hurts including his game day outfits, the story of Jordan Mailata, Nick Sirianni's F bombs, both Kelce brothers and their podcast snippets (not a full podcast listener), how much Philly people love being from Philly and how hard they go for their teams, when players on said teams truly understand what the city and its fans are about, and the humming energy and shared excitement when one of our teams is on a championship run. And of course also football food so looking forward to Frank & Amanda's Super Bowl party already. 

 

Friday files 1.27.2023

Sometimes I arrive at Friday and have no idea what happened throughout the week overall. Like today.

Monday was National Handwriting Day. I burned through all of my shore candles. Lots of beach trash pickup. Wind and rain made for a miserable Wednesday. I had a persistent sore throat out of nowhere. I read a lot of books. I've been existing on the turkey veggie rice soup I made Sunday, buffeted with a pork roll egg and cheese a la MFD. I've read a lot. I don't think I've left the house since Monday aside from going for walks and that's evident when I look at photos from the week.

Have you tried Tabitha Brown's popcorn from Target? I like the sweet and salty. I cannot locate the garlic parmesan anywhere and I desperately want to. It doesn't ship. The dill pickle doesn't have enough flavor for me. The vegan jalapeno hummus is excellent!

I'm poised for February but surprised at how full my calendar is when that is usually not the case in the history of Februarys. 

Another week passes without the bathroom posts I've been meaning to do for months.

This week the Union League of Philadelphia hosted Ron DeSantis who has supports the state banning AP African American studies curriculum. Local Philly folks, please call on all of your elected representatives to decline to attend events hosted at the Union League and any organizations you are a part of to find another location for events. If you need help on what to say or who to contact, let me know!

Speaking of DeSantis and his fans...you shouldn't be proud of being "anti-woke" without knowing where the term came from. Of course, many people do know where the term came from and are proudly anti-woke. If you don't know, in an unsurprising turn of events, what anti-woke means is anti-Black. Check out how woke went from black to bad. 

Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day, which coincides with the date the Nazi death camp  Auschwitz was liberated. Just 78 years ago today, which is not that long in the grand scheme of things. Certainly not long enough for anti-Semitism to be on the rise globally in the way that it is. Fascism rising the world over and it is fucking infuriating and discouraging. When people are trying to stop children from learning history and what discrimination is, that is all a part of the rise of fascism. 

I more than earned my pay this week, putting in some hours at night due to a deadline, and I am really ready to get my plan-less weekend started. I hope yours is super!