WEIRD?

When I was around 13 my parents gifted me a bedroom redo. I remember going with my mother to a large furniture store in Newark, NJ to pick out new bedroom furniture. The store was owned by the Schaffer family, and my mother and Mrs. Schaffer, who worked at the store, immediately hit it off and became good friends.

The Schaffers had one child, a son named Bill who was brilliant, but a bit weird. Since I was also a bit weird, we quickly bonded. We used to talk on the phone, and I remember one night he asked me what my favorite word was. Back then it was witticism - a cleverly witty and often biting or ironic remark. I loved the way it sounded and of course loved the meaning.

Looking back, I wonder how normal it was to have a favorite word. Favorite song, yes. Favorite color, favorite movie star, even favorite food, but favorite word?

Although I don’t have the gift of verbal dexterity, since January I have subscribed to Merriam Webster so every day I receive an email with the new Word of the Day.

Told you, I’m weird.

 

Remarkably Bright Creatures

A couple of weeks ago, I saw the trailer for Remarkably Bright Creatures. I was immediately hooked, line and sinker. Since the film wouldn’t be out for a week, I wasted no time and purchased the book on Kindle. The book was delightful and I was halfway through when the film was released on Netflix.

I assumed the film would be as good if not better than the book, but I was wrong. It lacked the character development of the novel and felt a bit flat for me. But what I missed most were the wonderful soliloquies of Marcellus the octopus.

Octopuses are such intelligent characters, and I just hope viewers who loved the film take the time to read the book. I promise, you'll be glad you did!

BTW my favorite octopus is Cassandra Rosebeetle – photo above.

 

 

Beach Therapy

Beach books are usually light, engaging novels that are easy to read while relaxing by the water. I am definitely not at the beach, but figured a light, engaging novel is just what the doctor ordered while I recuperate from my accident.

My first read was Yesteryear and although I was at first hesitant to spend $15 for the Kindle version, I bit the bullet because the reviews were really good. The book was a fast read and for that I was thankful because the story was neither believable nor memorable. The writing was okay, but the ending was bizarre. Worth the price? Definitely Not. Would I recommend it? Definitely not.

#2 was The Love of My Afterlife and it cost me $2.00. Yes, the price was better, but it was just plain awful, like a very bad romantic movie on Hallmark. Not deterred, I went on the hunt for an inexpensive Beach Book that was well written and could capture my heart.

#3 We are Not Like Them. Cost was just $.49 and I literally could not put the Kindle down. The novel told the story of two lifelong friends - one white and one black. It explored important themes through social commentary and believable relationships. Five Stars *****

This unscientific experiment proves you get what you pay for ain’t always true!

 

Dreams Do Come True

Because it wasn’t commonplace in the 80's to have an ultrasound when you were pregnant, I had no idea if I was carrying a boy or a girl. It was no secret that I dreamed of having a blond-haired blue-eyed baby girl, but no one knew how scared I was that my dream wouldn't come true.

It’s not something I’m proud of, but my fear was I wouldn’t be able to love a baby boy. I carried my deep dark secret the entire pregnancy as I did everything possible to prepare for the birth of a boy. His name was to be Daivid. We painted the nursery a pale yellow and I knitted an aqua sweater and bonnet to take him home from the hospital.

Forty-six years later, I can close my eyes and still hear the doctor say, “Congratulations, you have a daughter.” My dream came true at 2:34 PM when Cassandra was born.

 

Mets - 5 

Angels - 1

My very first baseball game was a double header at Shea stadium in 1964. What I cherish about the day was that although most of us in the bleachers were strangers, we sang together, we cheered together and for a few hours we were the best of friends. That was the day I fell in love with the Mets.

This past Sunday we went to Angel Stadium for a dual between the Angels and the Mets. They Mets have been having a not so good season so far, but I had faith they could make a huge comeback from a very bad April.

I had a hard time clapping every time they hit a homer, but pain be dammed.

 

Maud Lewis

Back in the 70's, I had a friend named Henry. He was a sweet guy whose hobby was creating folk art paintings. No shading and very simple stick figures, but oh so pure and innocent. I wish I had his talent but no matter how many times I tried, my paintings never resembled his.

Fast forward 20+ years and by chance I discovered Maud Lewis. A Canadian folk artist, her life was like a novel. Disabled and a life filled with poverty and heartbreak, but she never gave up. In 2017 one of my favorite actresses Sally Hawkins starred in the film Maudie. It is one of my top ten movies of all time which is fitting since Maud Harris is also one of my top ten favorite artists.

Back in 2025 one of my goals was to complete several paint-by-number kits. I painted Frida, RBG and retro Volkswagen bus. Mission accomplished, but I was left with close to 50 small tubs of paint. Then I happened upon a few tiny canvases on easels for just $1.25 each at the Dollar Tree. Kismet. 

My new goal is to copy a Maud Lewis painting with just a tad bit of EllenB flair. Wish me luck!

 

“I paint flowers so they never die.”

I discovered Frida Kahlo in the 1970's. It wasn’t just her art that fascinated me, but her life story. She endured endless physical pain and yet she transformed her suffering into extraordinary art. At close to $55 million, she holds the record for the highest amount paid for any artwork by a female artist.

I went to the Frida Kahlo Immersive Experience when it came to Los Angeles. One thing I loved about the Experience was seeing dozens of girls wearing Frida Kahlo accessories, like flowers in their hair and Frida Kahlo t-shirts. Count me in, because I wore my Frida earrings and bracelet.

I have seen every film made about her plus, have read and own countless Frida Kahlo books – from her biography to her cookbook.

I have learned so much from Frida. She had a lifelong philosophy of courage and determination. And most of all, she taught me to take off my blinders and see the world as she did – in full color.

Thank you, Frida.