My Junie all Dolled Up

 My Beautiful Girl 

I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Ian Reid

Up until the last few pages I loved this tale of psychological terror, even though, as a blurb on the cover promised, I couldn't say *why* I was so affected. But shaken I was, stopping every few pages out of fear for what the narrator was sure to endure next. No spoiler here, but the ending is relatively renowned and applauded; I agree with its necessity but despair of it all the same. That knocked the book down a peg for me. Still, well worth a read. #IainReid

A Time to Scatter Stones & Keller's Fedora, both by Lawrence Block

I was happy to see a new book by the great #LawrenceBlock, even if it was a novella, and even happier to welcome the character of Matthew Scudder back after a ten year absence. Unfortunately, I didn't care much for the work. I thought the story was thin at best, with a villain that could have been thwarted without a PI's help, and some of the dialogue was downright pretentious. Worth a read if you're a fan, but skip it otherwise.

Unlike the Scudder novella, the return of everyone's favorite stamp collecting assassin is a hoot. By all means, read it.

That Hurt

Just took a spill on ice 15 minutes ago. Right hand, left arm, and most importantly my bad hip, all feel the effect. I'm continuing my day (hell, I'm already across town) but ugh. Ugh. Ugh.

More Snow

The snow was high enough to prevent us from opening the back door. This pic ain't it, but it's all I took.

My Boo

I've earned my fifth (or is it sixth?) Boo. #RaisingAnotherWinner #MyBoo #FutureChampion #GOAT

150 Years!

This is great news. I"ve been a fan of the 1869 team since reading the novel "If I Never Get Back" by Darryl Brock  when I was a kid. 

 

 CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds are fashionably celebrating the 150th anniversary of the professional baseball-pioneering Red Stockings team.

Joey Votto and crew will play games in 15 sets of throwback uniforms, including a navy blue and a red-pants “Palm Beach” version, during a season-long celebration of the city’s baseball heritage highlighted by the undefeated 1869 Cincinnati team that barnstormed coast-to-coast in post-Civil War America. Baseball’s first openly all-salaried club, the Red Stockings popularized eye-catching uniforms with knicker-style pants and bright red socks while elevating the sports with a variety of innovations.

 

25 years ago today Robin Yount announced his retirement. 

What the ?

 Public school = state sponsored indoctrination..

Team Slap on Display!

 #TeamSlap (artist rendering lol). Lisa and I have wanted family decals for the cars *forever,* and now we have them!

2 More Finds

 Two other great record finds at the thrift store today.

Sneaky Snake

St. Adalbert peeps - do you remember this LP from Sr. Virginia's 1st grade classroom? I've been singing "Sneaky Snake" since 1980 LOL and was overjoyed to find a copy of the record today at a thrift store.

Another Officer Has been Slain

 

MILWAUKEE — After going 22 years without a line-of-duty death in the Milwaukee Police Department, three officers in the last eight months have been killed. [WTMJ4]

The officer, as of now unidentified to the public, was in his late 20's or early 30's and was shot and killed near 12th and Dakota, in a neighborhood I know well. 

RIP

Foe by Iain Reid

An isolated married couple is visited by a man who declares the husband has been conscripted for a government program and must depart indefinitely. In his place, the man will install a replacement spouse, identical in every way, until his return. A disturbing, philosophical novel that I recommend highly.

The not-so dreaded Bifocals

 My new (and first) bifocals. I'm a little disappointed that the switch was eezy-peezy; everyone I asked claimed there was at least some difficulty getting used to them. Me? I tried them on and promptly asked the technician if they'd screwed up and given me standard lenses. I guess when you're practically perfect in every way, everything is easier.

A Simple Favor

The last half is radically different than the book, and not for the better, turning it into a farce. Still, not the worst movie ever.

Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes

We watched this four part documentary yesterday. The recordings themselves were superfluous, as they neither revealed anything nor drove the narrative, but overall it was a great mini-series.

What A Wonderful Gift!

The Bookends went thrift store shopping tonight and returned with two presents for their ol' Dad - an LP of The Glenn Miller Story and a wonderful album of 78's of Bing Crosby, circa (I believe) 1934. Hot dog!

Deep Star Six

Junk. But entertaining junk.

Well, that was miserable

That was one hell of a boring Super Bowl. The halftime show was equally zzzzz.

A Simple Favor by Darcey Bell

A good thriller that slips a bit near the end.

60 Years On

As far as I can determine, that's a picture of Buddy Holly getting off the tour bus in Clear Lake, Iowa on the afternoon of Feb 2, 1959. The heat on the bus was broken, and in frustration Buddy hired a local pilot to transport him to the next gig just after midnight. 60 years ago today, on a cold dark Iowa night, that plane crashed and forever changed music history. Buddy would be 82 now, still a viable age, and so the loss still resonates deeply with me. Other greats are touring well into their 70's; Buddy should be among their number. RIP Buddy, Ritchie, JP, and Roger (the pilot.) You will never be forgotten. #NotFadeAway

Lunch Notes :)

The note in my lunch today.