What has my attention this week?
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Book: The Last Boy by Jane Leavy
Ever since watching 61*, Billy Crystal’s loving ode to baseball legends Maris and Mantle, I’ve been interested in their history. So when this one popped up a long time ago as a Kindle freebie, I had to grab it. I’m only now getting around to it, but it was worth the wait. Honest, incisive, interesting — and written in an intense, hard-driving prose — it’s the best kind of biography.
Movie: Dead Reckoning directed by John Cromwell
I love the old classic movies from Hollywood’s golden days. And I love Bogie (of course!). This one steals maybe a line or two too many from The Maltese Falcon and relies way too much on voice-over narrative, but it’s a clever mystery with gorgeous femme fatale Lizabeth Scott doing an sultry imitation somewhere in between Lauren Bacall and Patricia Neal.
Song: “Just So Far Away” by Slide
I’ve always liked this song from Irish band Slide, but in listening to it here recently, it’s done what all my favorite music does: puts me in mind of a story. The future sequel to my work-in-progress Wayfarer doesn’t even have a title yet, but now it has its first song in its playlist.
Beverage: The Organic Coffee Co. Ground, French Roast
If you hang out with me on Facebook and Twitter, you may know I’m on the hunt for the perfect brand of organic coffee. The Bridgehead blend I talked about a couple weeks ago came close, but, alas, it’s not to be had in the States. So the hunt goes on. This mix is nice, but a little weak in the flavor department. I’ll have to try brewing it stronger today.
LifeHack: Spectrum Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
I’m in love with coconut oil right now. It is good for everything. No lie. Aside from the fact that it’s just plain good for you (I eat it out of the jar with a spoon when I remember to), it’s also great as a skin moisurizer. I hate the way even natural lotions make my pores feel clogged, so I started using coconut oil instead this winter. I love it. It absorbs so quickly that it doesn’t leave any grease behind, and it’s a gazillion times healthier than even the paraben-free lotions. Plus, it’s great a great anti-fungal if your pets deal with ringworm problems.
Quote:
Cute Animal I Want This Week
Photo taken by 6 Kym Parry
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Hi Katie
If you like old movies, have you seen the Roadshow version of “The Sand Pebbles” ?
The one with Steve McQueen? Love it. I think it’s his best performance ever.
Well, so far, I do like the La Llave that you like. I’m learning to drink it a little stronger every time But besides that, I like a local company: Parisi’s French Roast (it may be a Parisian roast–I can’t remember.) It’s really smooth. Until I ran out, I would mix in about a teaspoon of the La Llave with my grounds for a bit of a boost in strength. 🙂
I’m going to have to check out the band you mentioned. I love Irish music! My favorite is Gaelic Storm. Have you listened to them?
What self-respecting Celtic music listener hasn’t heard of Gaelic Storm? :p
I use coconut oil for oil pulling too. Google it!
I have a grievance to air. When speaking of films, you always credit the director, and never the writer. Granted, you’re not a screenwriter. But you’re a writing mentor so you should know you can’t have a great film without a great script. But you can have a great film even with a lousy director.
You have a point, and I’ve thought about that. But because movies are such an endlessly collaborative affair and because the director is the “chief,” I’ve chosen him as the easiest reference point.
Had to make sure! 😉
Love those old noir movies. I think I’ve seen almost all of them. If you haven’t seen Dark Passage, check it out. One of my fave Bogart/Bacall movies.
I love coconut oil. We use tons of it around here, for cooking/eating, and skin care. If you like bananas, try sauteeing a greenish banana in coconut oil for 2 minutes, about a minute on each side, then sprinkle with cinnamon. A wonderful healthy treat.
My favorite brand of coffee is Kicking Horse Organic. I like their Three Sisters medium roast. Kicking Horse coffees are excellent, very fresh. I get them on Amazon and do their subscribe and save. 🙂
Yes! I have seen that one. What’s not to love about Bogie and Bacall? Thanks for the coffee recommendation. I’ll have to try that. Just bought the organic Marley brand today, so I’ll give that a go first.
Hola,
Hope you find that perfect blend of organic coffee.That’s critical. That’s right up there with things like, national security. I feel your pain.
Just had some delicious yellow curry saturated with sumptuous coconut oil. YUM. Love the quote you added. “Yesterday you said tomorrow just do it”. That’s so true. I’m such a procrastinator. Can you donate some of your “planning blood”? I need a mail order please. Mine are at critical levels. A genetic makeover would be nice too. Is that a gerbil? Looks like a mouse. Cute little guy.
It’s a mouse. Cute, isn’t it? 😀 as long as it’s not in the trap…
I don’t think it’s organic, but I love Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf’s Kona blend coffee.
Oh, Kona is da BEST!
Oh, don’t get me started on coffee now! There’s been a few new brands I have been trying. One is called “Eight O Clock” and it’s the Dark Italian Roast. Pretty good! Still on the hunt for a coffee that I love so much I have dreams about it. Another one I tried recently is from the Fair Trade Organic (I remember you said you tried a type from that brand) and its the French Roast. Also, very good. Again, I will harass you about using a French Press: “Katie, it makes your coffee taste SO MUCH BETTER, AH!” Yes, it is a bit more timely, but the flavor is worth it in my opinion.
Huh, interesting choice of song. I can’t say I know much about or have listened to much Irish folk music. Interesting thing… what makes you remember this song? It doesn’t really have a chorus (the memorable part for most people) just many verses. Something interesting that stuck out about it to me.
I like songs that are ballad-y, and this strikes that chord for me. I tend to find melancholy tunes inspiring for stories and characters as well.
I totally get your view on melancholy. I feel the same way about certain songs!