Yappy Hour Month of January 2021

 January 9

January 27 Not Just About A Book Club reads "The Vanishing Half"

Let''s Dine Al Fresco

 

Your Strength

 

 

 "Fame is a Vapor,

Popularity an accident.

Riches take wings.

Only one thing endures

and that is

CHARACTER." -Horace Greely

You Know

 

 

 "At the center of 

your being you

have the answer;

you know who you

are and you know

what you want." -Lao Tzu

Be The Light

 

 

“For there is always light, 

if only we’re brave enough to see it. 

If only we're brave enough to be it.” -Amanda Gorman

Not Just About A Book Club Meeting January 27, 2021

 

Happy New Year to our book club. To kick off our 6th year of reading we chose "The Vanishing Half" by Britt Bennett.  

We enjoyed this book which focused on the lives of two identical twin sisters and the complicated twists and turns their lives take as they go their separate ways.  It is a book which deals with identity, race, relationships and the withholding of truths.    It is about choices we make, small and large that have huge implications on the outcome of our lives.

We continue to meet by zoom which has been a technology gift during the time of Covid 19.   We are making the best of it and look forward to a time, hopefully soon when we can all meet together in person again. Happy New Year 2021 and happy reading to all of us.

 

 

 

“Reader's Bill of Rights

1. The right to not read

2. The right to skip pages

3. The right to not finish

4. The right to reread

5. The right to read anything

6. The right to escapism

7. The right to read anywhere

8. The right to browse

9. The right to read out loud

10. The right to not defend your tastes”
― Daniel  Pennac 

 

Then and Now

Love Our President 

 Then and Now President Joe and First Lady Jill Biden

 

We Are Filled With Hope

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." —Helen Keller

 

 

January Cold

 

Snow was falling, so much like stars filling the dark trees that one could easily imagine its reason for being was nothing more than prettiness.

All Things Splendid

 

 

 

 "All Things SPLENDID

have been achieved 

by those who dared

believe that something

inside them was superior

TO CIRCUMSTANCE..." -Bruce Barton

I Need to Take A Trip Anywhere

 

I am looking for this sign!

My Motto

 Save water

Drink Champagne

 

 

Make Things Happen to Make Your Happy

 

 

 "I like things

to happen.

And if they

don't happen,

I like to make

them happen." -Winston Churchill

The Important Ingredients in Life

 

 

 

 

 

"Life was meant for 

Good Friends and

GREAT 

ADVENTURE."

Wonderland

 The Mad Hatter: "Have i gone mad?"

Alice:  "I'm afraid so. You're entirely

bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret.

All the best people are." 

Time Flies

 "The bad news is

Time flies.

The good news is

You're the Pilot." 

 

 

An Inexpensive Getaway

 

 

"Here's to books, the cheapest vacation you can buy." -C. Harris

Venice

 

"At the bridge I stood

lately in the brown night.

From afar came a song:

as a golden drop it welled

over the quivering surface.

Gondolas, lights, and music-

drunken it swam out into the twilight.

My soul, a stringed instrument

sang to itself, invisibly touched,

a secret gondola song,

quivering with iridescent happiness.

-Did anyone listen to it?"-  Friedrick Nietzsche, Venice

Being Better

 "IT'S NOT ABOUT

BEING THE BEST

IT'S ABOUT 

BEING BETTER

 THAT YOU WERE

YESTERDAY!

You Just Know

 "And suddenly

you know...It's 

time to start 

something new

and trust the

magic of beginnings."

the Important things

 

"The older i get, the more

I realize I just need the

simple things in life:

a comfy ghome,

good food on the table and

surrounded by

the people I love." 

I Wish

 

1952 Paris

 

 

Fortune cookie message:  "You will soon be involved in many gatherings and parties"

Your Thoughts Please

 

"Think before you speak. Read before you think.” ― Fran Lebowitz

That's All Folks

 

 "Choosing HAPPINESS this year that's all!"
 

Music To My Ears

 "The earth has music for those who listen."-Shakespeare

Age

 "Age is irrelevant. Ask me

how Many sunsets I've 

seen, hearts I've loved,

trips I've taken, or 

concerts I've been to.

That's how old I am." -Joelle

State of Gratitude

 

Barb: "Love this picture of you. This is a fulfilled man."

Luis: "In a state of gratitude."

Barb: "that is a state we all need to live.

Luis:  "It exists on a razor's edge."  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Father Son Bonding Time

 Aria told Daniele "I think bottle feedings will create a special bond between you two this week." and Daniele said "we already have a special bond."

My Birthday

 

This happened today. My friend Sherri

texted me at 6:30 this morning to come to my front door 21 bottles of Prosecco and two pieces of my favorite chocolate cake and serenaded me with her car music in a dog mask. Too funny.

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Cousin Jan

 I miss my cousin Jan. We often celebrated our birthdays together growing up.

Lots of big family birthday parties for all the cousins.

Happy Birthday in heaven cousin Jan!

Lessons Learned in 2020: Carpe Diem

 

 If 2020 taught me anything it was "Carpe Diem". So many valuable lessons learned by us all. This morning when I was talking to Sofia I said "Sofia it's a new year and that's so great. I think as soon as Gramma gets vaccinated I will be on a plane to come see you." Usually when we facetime she wants to immediately go into our play acting scenes but after I told her I'd be coming she said, "Gramma let's just talk about all the things we can do together when you are here." She began to tell me where she would take me: the library, the lake by her house and on and on. Then she said, "I think I could take you to that store Claire's by the mall because Gramma (and then she got very close to the camera and whispered "at Claire's they even sell jewelry!" That girl knows the way to gramma's heart! We had so much fun dreaming about being together. I hope it will be soon. (this picture from a year ago New Year's eve. )

Meatballs For Dinner

 

 Mike returned from his daily early morning bike ride and announced I’m making homemade meat balls! Now he’s got the sauce going. He seriously is so happy in the kitchen. I feel like all we’ve done this year And especially for the holidays is focus on what we are going to make to eat. This Monday is my birthday and I told Mike I don’t want to have the special meal We had planned. I just want leftovers. On the other hand champagne is a must. Took down the Xmas tree and the few decorations we put up. The sun is out. It’s good to be alive and well. I hope your day is a happy one!

Welcome January Welcome A New Year

 

First Day of 2021

We spent several hours this morning walking by Marine Stadium onto Bay street and then sitting by the water reading our new books. It was a beautiful way to begin the new year. Stunning weather. Happy 1st day of 2021 y'all!  Then we had a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.