Random Tuesday

Hello everyone.  I'm linking up with Stacy.

How do you celebrate your adult children's birthdays?  My twins turn 23 tomorrow.  My daughter won't be here to celebrate until the weekend, but my son is here.  I know some people stop celebrating their children's birthdays once they reach a certain age.  What is socially acceptable?  I'm in my 50's, and my mom still gets me gifts and usually a cake as well.  What are your customs?

The NBA Awards were last night.  I didn't watch.  I knew that Harden wouldn't get MVP two years in a row.  Besides, I see this awards show as a money grab.  They used to announce the MVP regular season and the playoff MVP following the final games of each.  They've added other awards such as Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man, and Most Improved.  I believe they are just trying to sell advertisements to make more money.

Have you see the photo below?

The "gorilla crow" has become an Internet sensation.  The video/pictures have been retweet 111,000 times since showing up on Twitter yesterday.  Here is a link to the video you can watch.

Kaelie Swift, Ph. D., explained why the crow appears to strike a gorilla pose:

"What it’s actually doing is sunning itself. When birds sun they drop their wings and cock their tails.At the right angle that could obscure the legs and tail making it look like they’re missing. Usually the mouth is open and the body is closer to the ground, making the behavior more obvious, but perhaps the videographer caught it in a moment of transition. In any case sunning like this is a common behavior among birds."

I learn something new every day!  And now...

This is a joke.  I hope no one is offended.

Have a great week!

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Sunday Synopsis

A Gambler's Jury by Victor Methos
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I liked this book. It's my second book by Victor Methos, the first being The Neon Lawyer. First of all, I had to learn what is meant by "A Gambler's Jury." A defense lawyer might use this to describe a jury that might convict based on race although the evidence points to acquittal.

Now, that is exactly the kind of case that main character Dani Rollins walks into. Her client is Teddy Thorne, a black teenager (17), who has mental difficulties. He's been accused of selling drugs. Teddy is obviously a fall guy. He doesn't have the mental capacity to arrange a big drug deal. He should be tried in juvenile court, but prosecutor's insist on trying him as an adult on a felony drug offense. Worse, still, his parents can't wait to get rid of him when he turns 18.

It seems that, at every turn, people are working against Dani and Teddy - the prosecutors, the District Attorney, the judge, Teddy's so-called friends, and even Teddy's parents. What can she do?

I liked this book, but I found Dani's courtroom behavior not only disrespectful, but unbelievable. There was nothing realistic about her courtroom attitude. In a real court of law, had she behaved the way she did, she would have had to do worse than spend a night in a cell by the judge's chambers. I was also put off by having Teddy's character add the word "see" to almost every sentence. For example, he might say, "Kevin's my friend, see." Or "I have to eat pancakes, see." That was just a personal irritant.

Overall, it was a good storyline. I felt I got to know the characters well. It moved with the speed I expect a good book to have. There weren't any really slow parts and there weren't any parts that didn't add to plot or characterization. So... read it if you like legal fiction.


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Photo Day

Beautiful flowers from my anniversary last month.

I'm linking up with image-in-ing and Wordless Wednesday.  Come join the fun!
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Random Tuesday

I'm linking up with Stacy.

I've only had two outings so far this summer.  First, the family and I went to an Astros game.  It was super fun, and we got a George Springer thumbs-up bobblehead.

Second, I went to Garland to see my daughter and her boyfriend.  Sunday we went to the Dallas World Aquarium.  I loved it!  They have so many fish and birds, but also a sloth, penguins, sharks, stingrays, crocodiles, an ocelot, and a manatee.  I took tons of pictures, of course, the better to scrapbook with later. (Click a picture to enlarge it.)

Old Crocodowndillies

Can you see Nemo?

Giant Octopus

Penguins

Seahorses

 I didn't have any kind of Father's Day celebration because my dad is in Heaven.  It's still difficult for me after all these years, but I was able to get my mind off it by spending a busy, active day with my daughter and her boyfriend.

And now...

Image Credit

Image Credit

Have a great week!

Sunday Synopsis

The Rooster Bar by John Grisham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've always loved John Grisham, but this book underwhelmed me. It was just okay.

A group of law school friends, Mark, Todd, and Zola, experience a personal tragedy which changes their lives forever. They, and a fourth friend, had racked up massive debt attending a third-rate law school. With one semester to go, no viable job prospects, and no way to repay the loans, they make other plans, plans that involve a great deal of risk.

Their friend, the one who is involved in the tragedy, finds out that the law school is one of several schools that is linked to a hedge-fund operator who also owns a chain of banks that specialize in school loans. They detect some fraud that could be remedied with a class action law suit, but it will be difficult to prove. They had been tricked by the law school and were chasing false promises rather than dreams. Not only that, but they all have debt collectors waiting to come after them.

Woven into the fabric of this story is also immigration and deportation issues and mental health problems. I don't usually enjoy when an author weaves in social problems. I feel like they are using their book as a platform for their ideation, whether or not I agree with it. I just want to be entertained.

In my opinion, Mark, Todd, and Zola are not likable characters. They engage in risky, illegal, activities for which they have no consequences. The only one who has any saving grace is Zola who actually has a reason for her actions. Mark and Todd remind me more of spoiled brats who make poor decisions and feel they are above the law.

The book was somewhat entertaining, but I prefer to have a connection with the characters.

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Passing of a Lady

My mother-in-law was a proper, English lady.  She lived in the US for 55 years, but she maintained much of her British upbringing in her voice and customs.  She was polite, gentle, demure, and wonderful in every way possible.  She was also very clever and delightful.  She passed away yesterday after a fairly long illness.  Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.  I'm thankful for her influence on her children and granddaughters.

Photo Day

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Beautiful rainbow from one week ago.  

I'm linking up with image-in-ing and Wordless Wednesday.

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Random Nonsense

Where I live it's still Tuesday, so here I go.  Linking up with Stacy's Random Tuesday Thoughts.

The parting gift I received on the last day of school?  A summer cold virus.  It has mostly run its course 12 days later except for one thing.  My ear.  I can't remember the last time I had an ear infection, but I do!  It all started with blowing my nose and hearing the swishing in my ear.  Then, I heard a pop and had a sharp pain.  After, it was a dull ache.  Decongestants haven't been drying it out, so I finally, FINALLY, went to the doctor.  Big, bad, ugly ear infection, including fever.

Enough about that... It's summer!!! No school!!! I will go back for one year and then retire.  Actually, I might retire in December.  I deserve it!

I took my cat for her yearly checkup today.  Unfortunately, she didn't get her yearly shots.  She's been itching and has some scabs that the doctor wanted to treat first (no fleas).  That means I have to take her back in two week for her regular shots.  Getting her in the carrier is no easy feat.  It requires planning, stealth, and surreptitious behavior!  She's a great patient, though.  She doesn't whine, bite, scratch or even try to get away when she's there.  Just another adventure to add to my summer calendar.

And now...

Thought this was funny!  Get it?

This is sooo me!

This cracked me up!!!

Your daily laugh!



Have a great week!

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Under the Weather

But I'll be back soon!