Posted by Happy Spring!
Bunnies, possums, raccoons…and birds! Yesterday, Charlie and I watched as a THIRD bird (a nuthatch for those keeping score), just pecked yet another hole into the side of our wood house. As we stood there, charmed and horrified at the same time, it busied itself by tearing off small pieces of bark from a nearby tree and flew repeatedly into the hole (making a nest no doubt).
Birds, holes, and nests, aside, we bit the bullet and have decided to put vinyl siding on our house. A major and expensive undertaking, but we can’t allow more destruction to occur than has already happened. And yes, the house needed either siding of some kind OR a total re-paint (cost would be around the same) as nothing has been done since 1988. So, that’s going to be happening in the near future.
Charlie is whisking me away to Chicago this weekend (it’s the big one – 62! – on March 27). He’s planned the whole thing, so I can’t really speak to what we’re doing. BUT, one thing I DO know – The Balloon Museum in Chicago is on the agenda! (if you google those words, you’ll see a very cool-looking interactive exhibit). Very excited!
So? Writing? Nope, the new novel has not started, but I’m okay with that for the time being. Between some new issues with my brother’s estate (yep, that’s still going on…), my NEW writing class that I’m leading at the senior center, whipping up some movie/book reviews for Candace and her blog, looking into getting siding, doing the occasional event, AND preparing for the massive garage sale that’s coming up in May, as well as other random things, working on a first draft is not quite on the radar.
And I’m okay with that. Just because I’ve been putting out a book every two years for the past 16 years doesn’t mean that I need to tie myself to that schedule. Life happens and I want to be engaged in it. The book will come…when it’s time…and between bloggy updates, reviews, and structuring a monthly writing class, I’m still very active in the creative vein of producing new material. Have you found yourself in a similar situation?
And yes, the NEW blog is still coming! Stay tuned!
So, what in the heck have we been watching?
For the time being, we’ve pulled away from movies (again, temporary), but have kept up on the latest episodes of:
DTF (TV series 2026-): A love triangle between three adults experiencing middle-age malaise that leads to one of them ending up dead. (Google) This episodic show is surprisingly hilarious, off-the-wall, and edgy. Jason Bateman always brings his ‘A’ game, so I had/have high expectations and so far, 4 episodes in, he and the show do not disappoint. If you like smart shows that push the envelope and don’t always behave, this is for you.
The Pitt (2025- ) A realistic examination of the challenges facing healthcare workers in America as seen through the lens of the frontline heroes working in a modern-day hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Google) If you haven’t heard about this show, you might still have rabbit ears on your set! (lol) Not only is this show and all of the actors/actresses winning ALL the awards, but it’s so popular that other shows are already ‘friendly mocking’ characters and scenes. If you loved ER (or any other medical shows), give this a shot. It’s amazing.
Rooster (2026- ) Set on a college campus centering on an author’s complicated relationship with his daughter. (Google) Steve Carrel is a comedy god. BUT, having said that, I wasn’t sold on this show during the first 2 episodes. The dialogue felt forced, the situations were a little too ‘zany’ for me, and I didn’t care for one of the main characters (found her REALLY annoying). But, the last episode we saw was head and shoulders better and funnier than the first two. So…which way will this go? Not sure, but I’m certainly sticking with it.
Okay, peeps. That’s a wrap for today. Keep those birdies out of your siding!
Sue Rovens 