I’ve tried all the different brands of bottled sauce but none are as tasty as homemade. And the good news is that homemade is almost as simple as opening a jar. You can double the batch and refrigerate or freeze for later.
Easy Marinara Recipe
Homemade Marinara
Ingredients:
1-28 oz. can San Marzano or other Italian whole tomatoes
4 cloves of garlic – minced
1 Tbs butter (optional)
1 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil (use 2 Tbs if not using butter)
1 pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
1 Tbs tomato paste (I like the paste that comes in a tube)
3 or 4 leaves of fresh basil
Italian Seasoning to taste (optional)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
Pour the canned tomatoes in a bowl and mash them by hand. Do this gently so the juice stays in the bowl and not all over you. Add 1 Cup of water to the can washing remaining tomato juice down the sides. Set tomatoes and water aside
In a deep skillet add the olive oil and butter and heat
When the butter is melted, Add the garlic and sauté for 1 or 2 minutes, until you smell them
Add the red pepper flakes
Add the tomatoes and water and stir
Lay the Basil leaves on top of the sauce, allowing them to sink on their own.
Stir and simmer until thickened and oil on surface is a deep orange.
Season to taste
Tell Me What You Think
I hope you try this simple Marinara recipe. If so, let me know and/or share your own recipe in the comments section. I’d love to hear from you.
Note: This blog is sponsored by me, Karen J Adams. Any recommendations or suggestions are my own without the exchange of money.
Now that I’m of a certain age, I must endure many insurance recommended tests. One of which is the DEXA Scan (aka: bone scan). For those who know me, I’ve always been a daily exercise kinda gal. So when I got the news that I had osteoporosis I was bummed. If you don’t know, Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes the bones to become weak and brittle.
My exercise regimen has always included strength training, cardio and yoga over the past 3 decades. That’s why I felt so unhappy with the diagnosis.
I Found a Solution Down Under
It didn’t take long for me to find an osteoporosis study performed in Australia called the LIFTMOR Randomized Control Trial. Click here for details. Basically it is a heavy weightlifting program that also incudes one set of impact-based exercises. After fact-checking all the references in the article I decided to give it a try.
My first roadblock came when searching for a trainer to help get me started. The program suggests using someone certified in the program. I understand two reasons behind that suggestion. The first is safety for participants who are unfamiliar with lifting weights. The second is that the program suggests using a weight that is 80% of your one-rep-max. Simply put, find the heaviest weight you can lift in a given exercise for one repetition. Multiply that weight by 80%. That will be your training weight for that exercise.
Example: You can Deadlift 100 pounds one time using full range of motion. Multiply 100 x .8 (80%) = 80. So, you will lift 80 pounds in your deadlift.
You can probably understand why having a trainer is a good idea to get started .
The Exercises
There are only 3 weightlifting exercises and one impact exercise. Each of which should be performed as 5 sets of 5 repetitions.
Example: Do 5 repetitions, rest 1-2 minutes then repeat 4 more times with each exercise. Do this 2 days a week (a rest period of at least 48 hours is needed between workouts).
I couldn’t find any LIFTMOR certified trainers in Florida. That did not discourage me. Since I worked as a personal trainer for many years, I decided to give it a go on my own. First, I guessed my 80% of one-rep-max by adding and removing weights as needed. I wanted it to be difficult without compromising form.
FORM = Each rep uses full range of joint motion without wobbling or struggling.
If it was too difficult, I lightened the weight. If it was too easy, I added weight. Watching in a mirror is necessary. When I determined my weights for each exercise, I logged them in my phone’s notes app.
I had initially thought that 5 sets of 5 repetitions would wear me out. It didn’t! In fact it was invigorating! And after just a couple of weeks I was noticeably stronger.
Keep Adding Weight
After the first few weeks the weights became easier. It’s important to increase the challenge as you get stronger. I did this by adding 2 repetitions on the last set. Then at the next workout I added 2 repetitions to the last 2 sets. Once I was capable of completing 7 reps for all 5 sets, I added weight. Then I went back to 5 reps.
My Results
I followed the program as consistently as possible for about 6 months. Then I had a second DEXA Scan. My doc and I were ecstatic with the results that showed small improvements in bone density. My Osteoporosis diagnosis was reduced to Osteopenia (a precursor to Osteoporosis).
I plan to continue the program for the rest of my days. My hope is that the news of this program will spread throughout the country and become readily available.
If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or want to avoid it, give the program a try. I recommend studying up on it first. Then find a trainer who is willing to also study up on it. If you do try it, let me know how it’s working out for you.
Until next time, have a Happy and Healthy 2025!
P.S. A lot of subscribers missed my last post because of issues on my end. Sorry about that. You can find it here.
Note: This blog is sponsored by me, Karen J Adams. Any recommendations or suggestions are my own without the exchange of money.
I thought I’d share a typical day in Charlie’s life. But first, a little history. Charlie spent his first 7 months surviving somewhere else before we met him at the Brevard County Humane Society. We looked at each other, Charlie and I. He opened his mouth with a soundless “Choose Me, Please”. I picked him up which he seemed to enjoy and I discovered that he was very heavy. That was all we needed to know so we brought big ole Charlie home. He quickly became a source of joy and wonder.
Now, 10 years later, Charlie hasn’t changed much. He likes to start his day with a little wrestling. We don’t always see him in the act. What we do see are a series of crumpled throw-rugs. Not sure why he’s a rug killer but possibly it has something to do with those first 7 months. After he’s finished his murder patrol, Charlie can be found sleeping belly up in the middle of a room or hugging a baseboard.
Charlie’s Special
Charlie has a few quirks. Concerning his litter box, if he has used it to poo, he will not use it again until his humans have cleaned it. Instead he’ll use one of the rugs he likes to murder. Or he’ll just pee on a piece of clothing that mysteriously ended up on the floor.
Another Charlie ‘Speciality’ has to do with entering and exiting through a door. He needs time to decide. A lot of time. He looks around and sniffs the air. When he finally makes up his mind he leaps over the welcome mat to get inside. We believe he dislikes the way the mat feels on his paws.
Forever playful, Charlie’s funniest eccentricity is his love for helping me change the sheets. He chases the movement of the fabric like it’s an underwater serpent. Many times I have tucked him into said sheets where it takes him a while to find his way out.
A Reluctant Tourist
Charlie’s also an experienced traveler, although somewhat reticent. He manages the 8 hour drive to our mountain cabin with little fuss. This is something we do several times a year. Of course, we keep him locked up in his carrier for the whole drive. When we arrive, we open the carrier and he jumps out (after some thought, of course) and makes himself at home. Beware the braided rugs.
Charlie also accompanies us in our Motorhome where we are often out for a couple of months at a time. On these excursions he gets plenty of attention from fellow campers. He loves people and will get close to anyone who visits. He especially loves dinner guests where he will put his paws on the table and peak over the top. He’s always ready to try out human delicacies.
Regarding the motorhome, Charlie is in tune with our human behaviors. He can tell when we are packing up to leave a campsite. To Charlie, this means driving, which he hates. On a couple of occasions, Charlie went missing just as we were ready to leave. He’s usually hiding under the coach. This has not been a big issue because Charlie cannot resist a wiggling drawstring, something we also keep on hand. It’s just another quirk that makes Charlie special.
At Day’s End
Charlie ends each day by snuggling up between our heads on the bed. His belly-up posture is usually the first thing we see in the morning. Big ole Charlie remains a joy and sense of wonder.
Note: This blog is sponsored by me, Karen J Adams. Any recommendations or suggestions are purely my own opinion without the exchange of money.
Been a long time since I’ve posted a blog. So I thought I’d finish 2023 with some book reviews from other authors I’ve read over the past year. Below are 4 of my favorites. If you’ve read any of them, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Someone has created a list with the heading ‘Just in case you need it’ followed by 8 well-known fiction novels. This mysterious list is written in an elegant hand and there are multiple copies floating around a London neighborhood. The characters who encounter the list are struggling in one way or another. Two of these characters are the main focus of the story.
Mukesh is a self-conscious, aging man who feels lost since the death of his wife. She was his inspiration during their many years of marriage. Now he finds himself alone and lonely. At least until he discovers an overdue library book under his bed.
Aleisha is a teenage librarian for the summer break and would rather be any place else. Unfortunately, she and her older brother Aidan are the only breadwinners in the family. Their father left and their mother suffers from crippling depression. Aleisha feels lost and alone until she encounters Mukesh at the library.
An assortment of other characters pass through the pages. Each with their own unique challenges. But they all gain new insights after encountering ‘the list’.
I loved reading this author’s debut novel because it demonstrates the power of a good story and the value of community, culture and tolerance. It is a book that I will read more than once.
Fifteen-year-old Esch lives in the fictional town of Bois Sauvage, Mississippi. She narrates this tale of her life with her father and 3 brothers. The family struggles to survive on their late mother’s ancestral land.
Esch’s alcoholic father is currently obsessed with preparing for a hurricane, only 10 days away. Brother Skeetah only cares about breeding pit bulls for fighting. Oldest brother Randall hopes that his basketball skills will get him out of Bois Sauvage. Young Junior runs wild. And Esch stands in the center of this chaos in auto-pilot.
When Esch discovers she is pregnant by a neighborhood boy who doesn’t care about her, memories of her mother’s death during childbirth haunt her.
When the hurricane strikes it is with a vengeance and everything that Esch thought was important is lost.
I was impressed with the poetic prose in the voice of Esch, alternating between unsightliness and beauty. Esch narrates a day by day countdown of a community living in poverty while preparing for a category 4 hurricane. Her family is put to the test where survival of the fittest reigns. The losses are great but the community comes together, giving Esch a new sense of value.
At Glasgow Princess Royal Hospital there is a ward for terminally ill children called the May Ward. 17-year-old Lenni will spend the rest of her life there. She will touch the hearts and minds of Father Arthur whose hospital chapel is always empty, New Nurse whose red hair clashes with her uniform, Paul the Porter whose arms are covered with questionable tattoos, The Temp who was over qualified to work at the hospital, Pippa the art therapist who is very good at her job and Margot whose 83 years added to Lenni’s 17 makes for a 100-page pictorial account of their combined lives.
Margot and Lenni share in the narration of their lives before and up to Glasgow Princess Royal Hospital. Although it is Lenni that this reader longs to interact with, Margot’s bits and pieces of her long life are a joy to read.
In Lenni’s words, “When people say ‘terminal’ I think of the airport.” Lenni has a way with words and her interactions with Father Arthur regarding God were a pleasure to read. She manages to distract others from her obvious ‘terminal’ outcome with humor and wisdom. In the end, Lenni will return to her airport metaphor in a beautiful and touching way.
Jo Nesbo, famous for Norwegian crime novels, has the reputation of creating scary bad guys and smart but flawed good guys. There are 12 stories in this collection, each with its own unique Nesbo twist.
One story takes place in an airplane’s first class section. A woman, seated at the window seat is leaving her unfaithful husband. But she wants to leave him with a message. She has signed an unbreakable suicide contract that ensures her death within a 3-week period. A death that will not appear to be suicide. Then she falls in love with her seatmate.
Another tale takes place on a small island in Greece where identical twin brothers are visiting for rock climbing. One brother goes missing and an investigation reveals that both men were in love with the same woman. Without a body, the Athens detective must unravel what happened to the missing brother. All this while a storm pounds the island.
There is also a story that focuses on a Chemistry student working as a cashier and who hates it when people cut in line. She sees it often but she has a unique method for relieving the world of such people.
I’ve read many of Nesbo’s novels including the Harry Hole series. What I enjoy most is a common theme of the love and lust that drives his characters. And the unexpected which always shows up.
Happy Holidays and Well Wishes for the coming year.
In late August we packed the RV with a lot of stuff, including two cats, and hit the road. Looking for cooler temperatures, if there were any to be found. Plus we wanted to sample some of the barbecue in the Southern USA.
First stop was Gunter Hill Campground, a short stay on our quest. As a sidebar, it is an Army Corps of Engineer (ACE) facility. ACE facilities are our favorite for four reasons:
The campgrounds are usually on a body of water and the sites are often waterfront.
Next, we headed north and were pleased (and lucky) to discover that Bluff Creek Campground had vacancies. This was over the Labor Day Weekend. Bluff Creek Campground lies on Walter F. George Lake which borders Alabama and Georgia. And our first southern barbecue experience.
A short scooter ride in search of fuel helped us solve both our needs. Across from the gas station was 4 Way BBQ in Lumpkin, GA.
Some good old fashioned Southern humor.
Our First Barbecue Taste Test
The vinegary sauce was tasty. We ordered a rib platter with beans, potato salad and rolls. I had a hankering for a pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw. They had the pork but not the slaw.
The ribs had a smoky flavor. However, those folks did not follow the low and slow rule. They used the high and fast one, which resulted in us having to tear the meat off the bones. Best part of the meal was the beans. They were drenched in sauce and held chunks of pulled pork. Yum!
I suppose 4-Way BBQ could have been having a bad rib day. Or perhaps that’s the way Georgians like their barbecue ribs.
Providence Canyon State Park
While near Lumpkin we went out to exploreGeorgia’s Little Grand Canyon. Said to be the result of poor farming practices in the 19th century. Hard to believe those huge gullies were created initially by inexperienced farmers.
On September 8th we arrived at Watsadler Campground in Harwell, Ga. It’s just a stones throw from South Carolina.
Our campsite was on the lake and offered some mighty nice sunrises.
In town, we found Backstreet Bar-B-Q. I was ecstatic to learn they had pulled pork and coleslaw. We got our order to go and feasted for dinner back in the RV.
The sauce was thick with a faint taste of vinegar. And the rib meat fell off the bones. I made some sourdough onion rolls for the trip. And they were a perfect compliment to Backstreet’s pulled pork and slaw.
Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about
Our third and last barbecue quest was near Pike’s Ridge Campground in Knifley, Kentucky. I’d researched barbecue in this area and discovered that Kentucky was the only state that served barbecue mutton. Alas, we did not find any barbecue mutton. Maybe on our next trip.
We did find some impressive ribs at Brothers Restaurant , located in downtown Campbellsville. We got a sampler platter that included pulled pork, ribs, chicken and brisket. The meat was dry rubbed and smoked. The accompanying sauce was thick and sweet. I will say this was my favorite. I especially enjoyed the brisket.
My new favorite
Scooter Travel is Not Fun in the Rain
Rain became the norm so we packed it up and headed back to Florida. Where it was not raining and the temperatures were cooler than when we left.
Until next time. Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.
My Uncle Jim passed away during our RV trip after having led an extraordinary life. I will certainly miss him. And with the theme of this blog in mind I’m sure he would argue that Texas has the best barbecue. Rest in Peace Uncle Jim.
Note: This blog is sponsored by me, Karen J Adams. Any recommendations or suggestions are purely my own opinion without the exchange of money.
My last post was in November 2021. Yikes! After the chaos of the holiday season, I got busy on a huge writing project. A novel. First draft is finished. Hurray!
Will be doing some revisions and then on to the challenge of publishing. I’ll keep you posted.
In the meantime I have read many books. Here is a list of my seven favorites (not in any particular order):
A time travel story with a twist. Gaspery-Jacques Roberts is a detective living on the Moon’s Night City. He is hired to investigate an anomaly in the North American wilderness. On Earth. Beginning with a stop in 1912.
Turns out there are several people involved in this anomaly. As well as several centuries. Notably, an old man playing a violin in an airship terminal. Once he learns the source of the anomaly, Gaspery must choose between his gut and the rules of time travel.
This novel is a mosaic of time and space. At the center of the story is an ancient Greek book. Entitled Cloud Cuckoo Land. It is the fictional novel about a shepherd, Aethon. Aethon dreams of being turned into a bird so he can fly to a utopian paradise. Cloud Cuckoo Land has made it into the hands and minds of five characters.
Fifteenth century Anna is an orphaned seamstress residing within the walls of Constantinople. She crosses paths with Omeir, a village boy. He lives outside the walls. Omeir and his beloved oxen are conscripted into an army. One that will siege the city.
In present day, elderly Zeno, enjoys translating ancient Greek texts. He spends his days in an Idaho library. Seymour, an autistic teen, also spends time in the same library. Seymour becomes involved with ecoterrorists. He plans to bomb the library.
In the distant future, on an interstellar ship is 12-year-old Konstance. The ship, Argos, travels to a planet that her future offspring will inhabit. Konstance questions the purpose of the journey. She is familiar with the story of Aethon. Passed down to her from her father. It is a story that she will also pass along.
Each of these characters have a common need for survival and a longing for a happy ending.
This tale requires a small stretch of imagination. But it’s worth it. The widowed Tova Sullivan takes a custodial job at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Staying busy helps her cope. Like when her 18-year-old son, Erik, went missing 30 years prior. Tova forms a relationship with Marcellus, a grumpy giant Pacific octopus.
Marcellus resides in the aquarium where Tova cleans. He was rescued at an early age. Although Marcellus thinks of himself as a prisoner. Here’s where your imagination must extend itself. Marcellus narrates his story and his observations of the human species as a whole. He is also aware of what happened to Erik all those years ago. How will he get that information to his friend, Tova?
A beautiful tale of love, loss and unexpected connections.
Take a walk down memory lane with Ron and Clint Howard. Learn about behind the scenes activities of the Mayberry crew. The book includes details about Ron’s directorial debut and how he got it. Clint discusses his substance abuse. Both brothers speak warmly of their parents.
If you were a fan of nightly television in the 60’s and 70’s, you’ll enjoy this memoir.
You have your serial killer. Your stolen child. Revenge. Death. This novel is filled with surprises. At the beginning, you’ll be certain you know what’s going on. You don’t. Each chapter offers a new unexpected tidbit. Coming together for a satisfactory ending.
Ray Carnie is almost completely legitimate with his Harlem Furniture Store. His cousin, Freddie, doesn’t pretend to be legitimate in his dealings. Then Freddie offers Ray a deal too good to be true. How will Ray maintain his stellar reputation, keep Freddie alive and get his fair share of the deal?
How does a High School Science teacher save the world? That’s what Ryland Grace is tasked with. However, when he wakes up from a very long sleep in an unfamiliar place, he doesn’t remember anything. Not even his name.
On top of that, there are two dead bodies in the room with him. Also with him is a set of robot arms that care for his needs. He remembers scientific data but doesn’t know why. It all comes back to him in short flashbacks. Until he realizes he is on a suicide mission. Earth’s last resort for survival.
With lots of science and plenty of mystery, the story unfolds. With some unexpected assistance, it may not be a suicide mission after all.
Note: This blog is sponsored by me, Karen J Adams. Any recommendations or suggestions are purely my own opinion without the exchange of money.
Netflix’s most watched series, Squid Game, is a phenom. Why? Is it the unabashed violence? The exaggerated character dramas? Its South Korean roots? Could be the stark differences between the players. Or maybe it’s just the idea of deadly child’s play. Regardless, there seems to be no shortage of viewers or contestants who are dying to win.
Despicable Ralph
The first episode offers up our main character. I’ll call him Ralph. Ralph is a 30-something “ne er’-do-well”. He lives with his ailing mother who cooks and cleans for him. Ralph lost his union job and works part-time as a chauffeur. His wife divorced him and took their daughter. Ralph believes his luck will change so he steals his mother’s debit card and uses the cash to gamble. He manages to win a bundle after several misses. That’s good, right?
Could have been if he didn’t owe money to the local loan sharks, who happen to chase Ralph at the casino. Ralph runs and collides with a girl (I’ll call her Suzi). Turns out Suzi is a skillful pickpocket. Once cornered in the public restroom by the loan sharks, Ralph reaches for the cash, which is no longer in his pocket. Uh-oh! Ralph negotiates one last chance. Repay on deadline or give up organs. Hmmm, is that a “thing” in Korea?
The Thrill of Winning
By this point Ralph has proven his unworthiness to himself and to us viewers. As he is slithering back home, via the rail, he meets a stranger who engages him in a game. It’s a Korean version of Slap Jack – only different. Each time Ralph loses, the stranger slaps him. Across the face. If only Ralph had money, then he could have avoided the slaps.
Ralph finally wins and as he readies to slap the stranger, he is rewarded with cash! The stranger also gives him a card. On it is a phone number. The other side is decorated with a circle, a triangle and a square. An invitation to play more games.
A Beaten Down Ralph
Ralph makes the call and is picked up by a van filled with sleeping people. He’s excited at the prospect of winning big money but quickly falls asleep when the van fills with gas.
A New Kind of Child’s Play
Enter the House of Games! Ralph finds himself in a warehouse filled with other people, all wearing the same crayon green warm-up suit. And they are numbered. Ralph is the last, number 456. He buddies up with an old man, number 001. 001 is frail and doesn’t seem capable of playing any game, much less winning.
Ralph notices Suzi is there and so is his neighborhood buddy, Sam. Several other contestants emerge, all of which are in some form of financial distress.
The caretakers of the games are dressed in hot pink boiler suits with hoods and black masks. A stark contrast to the green track suits. Their masks have one of three shapes: square, triangle, circle. We’ll call them the Pinks. The Pinks are like robots. Void of emotion and carrying weapons.
The Pinks and The Contestants
Shock and Awe
The first of six games is Red-light, Green-light. This is how it’s played: One player, in this case a giant Baby Doll, turns their back on the other players. Baby Doll calls Green Light and the other players race toward her. She turns around and calls Red Light for all the players to stop. Baby Doll has roaming, movement-detecting eyes. The players who moved are eliminated. With a bullet. Ralph is paralyzed by this new turn of events. Which is good because he’s not moving. But Sam reminds him that a clock is ticking and there is a finish line to cross.
Killer Baby Doll
A lot of, not so smart, players freak out by the violence and run in the other direction. Only to be sprayed with automatic weapons. Improving the odds for Ralph and his friends.
Back in the warehouse, Ralph makes a stand. He wants to go home and others agree. It’s a good thing the Pinks have ‘Yes and No’ buttons handy so everyone can vote. The old man has the last vote to break the tie. He takes forever to decided, like the demented dude that he is meant to be. Ralph’s team wins and everyone goes home.
Handy Buttons
What Now
But wait, there’s eight more episodes! You guessed it; they return but with different attitudes. Every man or woman for themself. Plenty of interesting sub-plots to enjoy that I won’t go into. One has to do with organ harvesting. I guess it is a thing.
Throughout the games we viewers feel compassion for some of the characters and learn to hate others. So, in the sixth episode, many of our favorites are “eliminated” in the one-on-one game of marbles. Sigh…
Sam and Suzi Meme
If you want to know more, you’ll need to watch it. Or not. My personal ‘shock absorber’ is to close my eyes at certain, uncomfortable parts.
I am amazed at the record-breaking audiences for the show. I am also, somewhat ashamed to have been one of them. Squid Game is a source of entertainment filled with the unexpected. Sharp contrasts of colors and themes. And believable characters that are all dying to win.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Note: This blog is sponsored by me, Karen J Adams. Any recommendations or suggestions are purely my own opinion without the exchange of money.
Some of my earliest memories come from my childhood in Texas. My grandfather loved hearing me say, “I’m a Texas Partner”. I wore my Annie Oakley outfit at every opportunity. I watched a movie called “The Searchers” with John Wayne and Natalie Wood. My first exposure to a tale about a girl captured and raised by Indians. I was enthralled and secretly wished to be that girl.
Over the years two more prize winning films hit theaters. In the 1970’s Little Big Man and in the 1990’s Dances with Wolves. Tons of others did not become blockbusters. There are heaps of books, too. Some were written and/or narrated by the captors, themselves.
~ A Recent Novel ~
In 2016, the novel, News of the World, by Paulette Jiles was released. Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd travels through Texas in the year 1870. A difficult time for Texas and its post Civil War reconstruction. A veteran of the War of 1812 and the Mexican American War, Kidd wanders from town to town entertaining locals for a dime. He reads newspapers aloud to his audiences, sharing the news of the larger cities.
Captain Kidd stumbles upon an unexpected task. A self-imposed assignment of returning a girl to her remaining family members in Castroville, Texas. The girl, Johanna, was removed from a Kiowa Tribe who captured her four years prior. Johanna has no desire to be anywhere other than with her Kiowa family.
~ Historical Nitty Gritty ~
Captured children assimilated quickly into tribal life. They refused to go back to their civilized lives. Returned kids ended up stuck between two worlds. One world that wanted them and the other who couldn’t have them. Read some of their stories here.
Olive Oatman ~ captured and returned; Read about Olive here
Children from the white homesteads adapted well to Native life. Less stress. There were no crops to tend or livestock to care for. The low maintenance and nomadic lives of the Natives was a lot more fun.
Why did the Natives capture children? Tribal conflicts have gone on for centuries. Survivors of the conflicts were often children. Those children would replace tribal members lost to disease and to wars.
~ The Newest Movie ~
News of the World Movie is now available on HBO. As with most movies made from novels, details were missing. Details that add more insight to the characters. Missing was the depth of confusion and discontent among Texans regarding reconstruction. The movie was, however, engaging on its own. The acting by Tom Hanks as Captain Kidd and Helena Zengel as Johanna was excellent. If you like the movie, read the book. You won’t regret it.
~ Alas ~
Gone are the days of my childhood fantasies. Yet, I’ll never grow out of my love and fascination with the Wild West. Novels and movies alike.
See ya next month, Partner!
Annie Oakley
Note: This blog is sponsored by Karen J Adams. Any recommendations or suggestions are purely my own opinion without the exchange of money.
Fully vaccinated, Marty and I were ready to satisfy our social needs. He suggested a long road trip in his Porsche Boxster (his other love). I could do that. In the planning stage, the trip grew like Pinocchio’s nose. We would drive from Florida to California and back; 7000 miles. Oh my! I pondered the struggle getting in and out of those bucket seats.
Fortunately, the Porsche had a cruise control problem. The shop couldn’t fix it in time for the trip. Saved! I quietly cheered. We settled on the sensible Subaru Outback.
What About the Cats
Next we needed to find house/pet sitters. We use an online service, Housecarers.com. Contacted a retired couple that has sat for us before and set it up.
I loaded our food supply with, what a Cajun friend refers to as “Ape Food”. Because any ape could prepare it! Noodle bowls, lunchmeat, cheese, crackers and so on.
Overnights
We have family and friends spread out across the country. Marty and I adjusted our flexible schedule to meet those of others. We are thankful for our hosts in New Orleans, Austin, San Antonio, Apache Junction, Palm Springs and Seal Beach.
Priceline was our go to for other overnight stays. Using the app and searching for an Express Deal saved us money and time. Most rooms were nice. Some brought memories of the Bates Motel.
The outbound journey consisted of visiting people and the dental office. Inbound would include bucket list items.
Medical Tourism
In case you’re curious, the Dental Office is located in Algodones, Mexico. Marty did his research ahead of time. Called and made an appointment. This is how it panned out:
Park at the lot on the US side in Yuma, Arizona for a nominal fee.
Walk across the border.
A driver was waiting for us
The driver delivered us to the dental office.
Marty’s assessment was made and 2 root canals performed. Ouch! (Marty said he didn’t feel a thing)
After treatment, the driver brought us back to the border.
The crowns were ready the next day. The friendly staff filled out and emailed paperwork for our insurance claim. We paid with a credit card. The price was close to half that of the US cost. I should have brushed up on my Spanish.
Success
This journey offered so much for us. We mingled with friends and family we hadn’t seen in years. It was pure joy to be out and about, talking to locals and learning the best places to go for food and fun.
Palo Duro Canyon, TexasRooster Cogburn’s Ostrich Ranch – Hidden between Apache Junction and Tucson, AZThe Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National ParkJust a couple of affectionate Saguaros waving at passersby in Apache Junction, AZA cool and quiet cave in Arches National Park, UTMe and some big Rocks in Arches National ParkMarty checking out the Colorado River in Arches National Park.
After enjoying much of what Utah has to offer, we headed home. Our last 3 days on the road had few stops and a lot of driving. We were getting mighty tired of Ape Food. Well rested and home again, it’s time to plan our next adventure.
“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” Author Unknown
Until next month, Adios.
Note: This blog is sponsored by me, Karen J Adams. Any recommendations or suggestions are purely my own opinion without the exchange of money.
We like road trips. We take a lot of them. Driving along highways. Through cities and farmland. While we drive we listen to audiobooks. We get these books through Audible, our local library and Chirp. Our first Virgil Flowers novel was from the library. That was June of 2020. We are fans of the author, John Sandford. And the book sounded interesting. Turns out, we loved it. We got another one and loved it, too. We became Virgil Flowers’ greatest fans.
Virgil
You see, Virgil is unconventional. He works for the Minnesota Department of Criminal Apprehension. He wears his blonde hair long. Always in a t-shirt, jeans and boots, Virgil likes music and fishing. His collection of t-shirts depicts popular rock bands. He’s been married and divorced 3 times.
Virgil is also honest and kind-hearted. The son of a minister, he talks to God most nights before going to sleep. He keeps his gun in a safe in his truck. Virgil’s friends and co-workers all agree that’s the best place for his gun. Virgil is a poor shot with a pistol. When things get dangerous, he calls down the muscle. Jenkins and Shrake.
Sidekicks and Cases
Jenkins and Shrake are mostly literate and dress in suits and ties. They are hard-drinking thugs that often take the night shift surveillance jobs. They like to tease Virgil whenever possible but they always have his back.
The crimes Virgil investigates are also unconventional. A shootout with Vietnamese spies made headlines. There’s the dog snatchers who sell the full blooded dogs to breeders and the mutts to labs. A mating pair of rare tigers are kidnapped for their body parts. Sold off for medicinal purposes. The cases are many and often more than one in each novel.
Characters
A quote from Holy Ghost:
“Wardell Holland, the mayor of Wheatfield, Minnesota, was sitting in the double-wide he was renting from his mother, a Daisy Match Grade pellet rifle in his hands, shooting flies.”
Each story is filled with rich characters and humorous scenarios. That’s why we looked forward to hopping in the car for a listen. Even if we were just going to the market. Unfortunately, we have listened to all 13 novels.
Now we must carry on without Virgil. So, in parting:
Been a long time since I’ve posted a blog. So I thought I’d finish 2023 with some book reviews from other authors I’ve read over the past year. Below are 4 of my favorites. If you’ve read any of them, I’d love to hear your thoughts. 
