The Requisite End-of-Year Post

 What is there to say about this year that hasn’t already been said?

What can I write that could possibly convey enough to encapsulate this strange, brutal year?

There’s been a lot of anxiety, fear, and disappointment.

For some, there has been loss, sadness, and struggle.

It’s been a hard time to be a parent, weighing every decision and saying no, a lot. 

The election was an ugly time for me. I was judgemental, afraid, and demoralized. I swung back and forth from thinking I was on the right side of things, to wondering if I was one of the crazy ones.

I don’t see 2021 being much better than 2020. I don’t think that, just because the calendar page turns, things are going to be different. At least for the first six months.

I think it will be a year of hope, and tentative steps toward normalcy. 

There is still much to learn from this event, and I hope changes come about because of it.

(Now, I'm going to make a big, honking chocolate cake and eat it in the middle of the day!)

There were some positives too.

Time. More time to reflect (and worry), and to write. There’s been more time spent with family, and enjoying nature. I've spent time with friends in the rain, and in the freezing cold just to be together.

Celebrations. Birthdays, holidays, and milestones celebrated in memorable ways.

                   Gigi:

She’s given us such joy, and taught us patience, and the art of making people feel loved and special. 

Also:

Democracy won

Carbon emissions went down

Racial injustice protests

LBGTQ inclusion

The 1st female vice president!

Trends I tried, and even liked: a hot chocolate bomb, TikTok dances, and wearing yoga pants in public.

Favorite Books:                                                                                                                                    

The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton:

magical realism meets gothic mystery.

The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue: superb writing

Circe by Madeline Miller: all around great read

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell: disturbing story of student/teacher relationship that blurs the lines of what is a victim. 

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson: how prison systems are intrinsically flawed businesses with no interest in reforming people

TV Shows:

Dark (Netflix): a mind-bending puzzle

The Queen's Gambit (Netflix): who knew chess could be so compelling?

The Spy (Netflix):

Modern Love (Amazon Prime): not the sentimental love stories you expect

What were some of your positives from 2020?
Or, if you need to rant, complain, or whine I'm here for that too!

My 3-layer chocolate cake with chocolate nibs sprinkled on top. 

A Day of Thanks, Or a Day of Mourning?

I'm reading a book right now called Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice. 

I think it's a timely novel since, to me, it feels relevant to our current situation: apocalyptic, a slow burn to the end.

But it's also timely because Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and the novel centers on the Anishinaabe community, a group of indigenous people that includes various tribes from the U.S. and Canada. 

Starting in elementary school, we only learn about that first Thanksgiving Day; where pilgrims and Indians came together for a friendly meal. But the origin story of America is largely a myth, and one we only began to question in recent years, and then, only once we reach high school and college.

In reality, the coming of the white people was an apocalypse for the Native Americans. As Aileen, the oldest community member in the novel says; “Yes, apocalypse. We've had that over and over. But we always survived. We're still here. And we'll still be here, even if the power and the radios don't come back on and we never see any white people again.”

For many Native Americans, Thanksgiving Day is a reminder of the slaughter, and displacement of millions of their descendants. Some celebrate the day not as one of thanks, but instead have declared it National Day of Mourning.

Now that my eyes have been opened to what this day represents for so many others, I will celebrate with this in mind. The day has been turned upside down by the pandemic, with no outside family or friends coming, but we will make it a holiday. The change gives us an opportunity to create some new, "woke" traditions, and to take our time together. 

I can remind my family of the people that lived on the land right under our feet (click here to find what tribes were on the land you live on). For my particular area of Ohio that would be the Hopewell, Adena, Shawnee, and Wyandot. I can discuss with my family the Native Americans' struggles as a people, and also the enriching culture that continues on. 

So is this a day of thanks, or a day of mourning? I think it can be both. 

Let's be thankful for all we have, especially during these uncertain, scary times. Let's be thankful for those closest to us, probably the ones right at our dinner table, who we may get irritated and bored by with all this forced togetherness.

Let's not celebrate this holiday only as the anniversary of the Mayflower landing at Plymouth. We should also celebrate by remembering the indigenous people that lived here before. Let's think of them as we give thanks for all we have.

For an interesting article or broadcast on this topic, go to Here & Now on NPR.

Have a wonderful day of thanks and reflection!

The Curse of Quon Gwon

 I like silent films. 

They are kind of like those beautifully illustrated picture books without words. 

There is a story there, but you have to look at all the details to see it. 

I came across one the other day that was beautiful and unique in many ways:  

I was so impressed with this movie. It is beautifully restored (though some scenes and all dialogue tags are missing) with very fitting piano music created to accompany it. The lighting, the costumes and the cinematography are to be admired as much as any movie today (or more so).

It's a family melodrama about a young, Westernized Chinese girl who marries a more traditional man, and doesn't respect the household gods, and the in-laws, as much as she should. 

Unfortunately, it was never released, and it was thought lost for decades, until the reels were discovered in 2004, in the possession of the daughters of Violet Wong, the lead actress in the film.  

What is most astonishing about this movie is that:

1. It was written, produced, and directed by a woman, Marion Wong (click here for a great article on her)

2. That woman was a Chinese-American, as were all the actors, and crew

3. It presented the Chinese culture to Americans, and showed images of Chinese people in ways they weren't normally portrayed which, back then, was as exotic villains and opium users  

    

Most people don't watch silent movies. But you should really give them a try. Right now you can watch The Curse and a handful of others on Netflix in the Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers series. Click on the box below for a guide that will teach you how to enjoy silent films*:

ARTICLE, SILENT MOVIES 101 by MOVIES SILENTLYSEPTEMBER 22, 2015

Watching a comedy is a good way to start. 

Try one with Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, or Buster Keaton. 

*mobile version may not show text in the box--don't ask me why

State of Mind for November

November is NaNoWriMo. For those who haven't heard of it, National Novel Writing Month is a movement created to inspire anyone who dreams of writing a book to write 50,000 words in one month. 

That's a lot. About 1,667 words a day.                        

I have never "won" NaNo, and I don't know if I will this year either, but for the last few weeks, I have been paving the way to do so. 

I have been outlining, character sketching and researching. Everything but the actual writing. 

I have nightmares about not having anything to write, about quitting because it's too hard.

What if I just like the research?

What if I don't have the skill? What if I don't have the stamina, the persistence, or the focus?

I don't think I have any of those things in abundance. What I do have is a passion for writing, and for reading. I have a love of character and story. I feel closer to my writing than I ever have before. I feel like I'm about to take a big leap where I'll either fail, or succeed, both of which are frightening.

So, if you don't hear from me in November, it might mean that I'm busy writing, or that I'm hiding under my blankets in shame. 

OR, I may just be hiding because...

I'm a worrier. And it's overwhelming lately. There's so much to worry about right now:

Covid-19: going into lockdown again

                 "living with it" through winter 

                 getting it

                                                                                                     spreading it

                                    The election: Trump winning

                                                           Trump not winning

                                                           four more years of this surreality

                                    The environment:fires

                                                                  floods

                                                                  hurricanes

                                                                  melting polar ice

                                                                  climate change

Never mind the everyday things that certainly haven't gone anywhere. 

But, I take solace in my friends, and family who I commiserate, and complain with. I can take solace in my dog, whose innocence/ignorance is sometimes enviable. 

Obligatory cute puppy photo:)

And, I have my reading and my writing, which is the best blanket to hide under. 

                                    

            

Crisp, Autumn Fiction

Halloween is right around the corner. Can you believe it??
As quickly as the time is passing, this year, it may be a blessing-hoping that things are better in the next anyway. They can't be worse, can they? The sad things is, I think they can.

But each day is a new day to change our mindset, to try again, to work for something better, to make a difference in the world. If you are like me, and feeling despondent and demoralized, escape into a book now and then. It's good for the soul.

 Here are some newly released and upcoming titles that I'm looking forward to (click on the book to take you to the goodreads.com description):

I'm really looking forward to reading this literary suspense novel. It's getting a lot of buzz since it has been long-listed for the National Book Award.

 I'm not sure what to expect from this novel about Imperial Russia. Reviews suggest to be prepared for Game of Thrones-like sex and violence.

This is going to be a long read--over 700 pages! But I'll read anything this man writes.

This is one of the highest rated books I've ever come across on goodreads.com. I'm not surprised, since Schwab has a handful of highly rated titles. She skirts the edge of adult and YA fantasy.

Though his books have gotten somewhat formulaic, I LOVE the formula! Follett takes us to the Dark Ages this time.

I'm not adding this to my list, but I know a lot of people would really enjoy this upcoming title. It's considered a Grey's Anatomy meets Scrubs read.  

This seems very different from Picoult's other books. It's an alternate worlds story about the choices we make.

I'm currently reading another of Turton's books (see below) and it's so beautifully, and cleverly written that I have to put his new one on my list too.

My current line up:

 I'm not sure how this is going to end, but so far it's a compelling mystery/magical realism that I can't put down. 

Next:

This is not what I typically read, but it's about two writers and it sounds so fun.

I'm so excited to read this, that I bought it! Historical literary fiction, set in the 20's--right up my alley!

And, coming to the big screen (or maybe just Netflix:)

 I'm excited to see this movie starring Tom Hanks.

For your younger readers:

A new middle school read by the author of The War That Saved My Life. Watch for this to be on the Newberry lists!

This is a survival tale told in verse. Think Hatchet for girls.

Coming YA:

I liked Lacour's We Are Okay. This sounds even more intriguing (and no, it's not historical fiction but I adore this cover).

This looks like it will be the perfect YA thriller!

Happy Autumn and happy reading!

What's on your to-read list?

Count Alexandre Dumas

 Do you remember The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas fils*? 

It's the story of Edmond Dantés, who is wrongfully accused of being a traitor to Napoleon, and put into prison where he languishes, whilst his life on the outside is also destroyed.

I read it in high school because it was French, it was an adventure story, and written by the author of The Three Musketeers. Full of adventure, drama, and the the human plight of the wrongly accused. But, it was also a morality tale warning how the need for vengeance can warp our own integrity, and endanger one's own soul.  

Add caption

   The Black Count is the story of the author Dumas' father who was the son of a black slave and a French aristocrat. He was the inspiration behind all his son's novels, but especially The Count of Monte Cristo. For a biography, it was like a swashbuckling adventure, though at times, it was heartbreakingly sad. There were some boring military logistics and background info that I skimmed over. And at the same time, so many tidbits that piqued my curiosity (like the medical practices of the day-enemas were a daily treatment for some and sperm conservation was crucial matter). 

Here is a concise biography of General Alexandre Dumas: 

Alex Dumas was highly educated in the Paris of the late ancien regime before the Revolution and was a great equestrian and swordsman. He was also a beloved husband and father. 

                                                             Marie-Louise Labouret, his devoted wife                                                             

He started in the lowest ranks of the military, and quickly rose to general, then military governor, then a general leading 50,000 men. His heroics are near-unbelievable. But there are multiple contemporary sources describing his exploits-as well as his humanity. In fact, he was mockingly called “Mr. Humanity” (which sounds much cooler in French), due to his compassion toward his soldiers, prisoners and the people of the towns he "liberated."

Napoleon had an unusual hatred of him, the repercussions of which led to Dumas fils' impoverished childhood.

Why did Napoleon dislike him so much, when he was such an accomplished, celebrated, daring, intrepid soldier?

Well, those are some good reasons right there. But also because of Napoleon's famed hang-ups regarding his height (after all, General Dumas was over 6-feet tall), and the typical penchant dictators have for not tolerating their motives being questioned (Dumas could not help but speak up against injustice and speak up for the values of the revolution that Napoleon was flouting more and more). And, we think Bonaparte was a little racist. 

Dumas was taken prisoner after Napoleon up and left his men and generals overseas. In a

prison in Taranto, Naples, Dumas was treated cruelly for two years, slowly being poisoned,

and with no word to his family in all that time. 

When he was finally released and returned back to France, Napoleon went to great lengths to insure General Dumas' military feats were forgotten and ignored those who pled on his behalf to give him his backpay.

His death a few years later was cruelly slow (stomach cancer) and painful to read about as

he prepared his family for it and watched as Napoleon imposed cruel race laws in France, reinstituted slavery in the colonies, and made sure any black who wore an officer’s uniform was killed, or captured.

His family was shunned and penniless,

Alexandre, the author, only four years old.

Alexandre Dumas fils wrote: “You see, Father, I haven’t forgotten any of the memories

that you told me to keep. From the time I could think, your memory has lived in me like

a sacred lamp, illuminating everything and everyone you ever touched, even though

death has taken it away.”

               *fils, after a French name, differentiates son from father