Hilarious and heart warming I fully expect a movie. It is so visual it will be a blockbuster I’m sure. Here is my book review The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnet
An Unforgettable Road Trip
Some road trips are planned, some just evolve. This one is a bit of both. But it’s the characters of this novel that really make it so wonderful. An eclectic group of unexpected people connected by circumstance and chance. And one orange tabby cat named Pancakes.
Comedy of Errors
What happens when you take one alcoholic sixty-three year old lottery winner and throw in two orphaned kids, an estranged daughter, his ex-wife who is marrying his best friend, a soap opera star and a multitude of other quirky characters along the way? Plus a cat who knows when people are going to die. Well this is The Road to Tender Hearts.
PJ Halliday
PJ is an unlikely protagonist of this story. He loves his family but ever since the death of his oldest daughter fifteen years ago nothing has gone right. His wife left him, he drinks too much, and his other daughter Sophie is fed up with him. But when a cat named Pancakes comes into his life he finds hope. PJ decides to drive from Massachusetts to Arizona to track down his high school sweetheart Michelle Cobb at the Tender Hearts Retirement Community.
The adventure is busting with heartfelt and hilarious moments, as well as several dead people (which Hartnett somehow also makes hilarious), and several police officers. The dark humor makes it laugh out loud and I enjoyed this story tremendously. You will have to read it to find out if everyone lives happily ever after.
Book Review The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnet
I envision someone like Tommy Lee Jones or maybe Bryan Cranston in the role of PJ Halliday. I hope it is a movie…but you gotta read the book first.
*****Five stars for The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnet. Thanks for reading my book review The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnet. See last week’s book review A Family Matter by Claire Lynch.
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As an adult I look back on so many fond memories of my 1960’s and 70’s childhood, including Halloween. As soon as school began in September we began thinking about and planning for that big day. We always made our own costumes just from found things around the house…never sewing anything elaborate and NEVER purchasing anything from a store.
Halloween When I Was a Kid
Unfortunately my parents were not big photo takers so I have only one photo I know of, of me with my siblings on Halloween. That was the year my sister proclaimed she was going to be the Fairy Godmother and I was going to be Cinderella in rags. Okay fine. My brother was a “hippie” and my littlest brother was a cowboy. It was a time in life when it didn’t take a lot ot make us happy.
With my siblings, maybe around 1970
In high school and even college we celebrated the holiday with homemade costumes but the trick or treating gave way to parties. Here I’m sharing a few photos I pulled up from those days.
1979 College
1975 High SchoolAt my job 2005
1983 Newlyweds
Halloween When My Kids Were Little
When my kids were little I made their costumes most years and we had a lot of fun with Halloween as a family. In the 1990’s when my kids were young, trick or treating was still safe and the school always had a special event with costumes.
1988
19941987
1995
Today fewer kids wander the streets, but neighborhoods often have gatherings in safe places.
The History of Holidays
I’ve always been fascinated with how our holidays evolved into what we accept today as normal, ever since I discovered that Santa Claus is a fairly new invention. So I have over the years gathered lots of fun information about holiday rituals and their evolution.
Halloween Began 2000 Years Ago
The origin of Halloween can be traced 2000 years ago to the Celtic festival called Samhain. This festival was a celebration to ward off ghosts and included costumes and bonfires.
Ghosts were responsible for death and havoc
In the 8th Century Pope Gregory III declared that November 1st would be All Saints Day to remember all Catholic Saints and the Samhain festival the day before became known as All Hallows Eve.
November 1st was also considered the New Year to the Celts and was marked as the end of the harvest and bounty and the beginning of the dark days of winter, a time of hunger and death.
People believed black cats were witches in disguise
The Druids (Celtic Priests) gave the Celtic people guidance during this time, when all believed the ghosts were responsible for failed crops, poor health and bad weather. The Druids built bonfires and everyone dressed in costumes to scare away the ghosts. Crops and animals were sacrificed.
Rome, Of Course, Intervened
When the Romans conquered this region, the Samhain festival merged with Feralia, a Roman festival similar to Day of the Dead; and Pomona, a celebration of the apple harvest (assumed to be where bobbing for apples comes from).
Christianity
By the 9th century the Celtic lands had become Christian and the November 2nd Christian holiday All Souls Day merged with All Hallows Eve (Alholowmesse) and the costume tradition expanded.
Ritual bonfires helped ward off evil
Welcome to America
Colonial America celebrated this holiday, despite the New England Protestant objection due to the pagan origins. As immigrants from many nations came together, the American version of the holiday emerged.
Early Jack-o-lanterns were carved from turnips
Outdoor parties, bonfires, scary stories, fortune telling, pranks, games, music and dancing were all part of the early American celebration. By the early 1800’s most communities celebrated an Autumn festival but Halloween as we know it was still a ways away.
Irish Americans Bring the Tradition
As Irish immigrants flooded America in the late 19th century, with them came many of the traditions we today associate with Halloween in the USA. This included costumes, Trick-or-Treat for food or money, and the focus of the holiday became more about children.
Bobbing for apples is an ancient game still practiced today
But in the 1920’s and 30’s vandals hijacked the holiday with pranks and sometimes drunken violence and many gatherings stopped. By the 1950’s local towns redirected the holiday back to family-focused and encouraged family gatherings. Trick-or-Treating was revived.
Today’s Halloween
Small homemade treats gave way to store bought candy in the 1960’s when parents feared for their children eating anything they didn’t know the source of. Today 6 billion dollars are spent annually on Halloween and it is the biggest candy buying time of the year in the USA.
Halloween candy
Both children and adults dress up annually, with many adults wearing costumes to their jobs. Halloween parties for kids and adults happen in the weeks ahead of the actual Halloween night.
Halloween is the second biggest commercial holiday after Christmas in the USA.
And now you know – the history of Halloween.
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I usually don’t use terms like “unputdownable”. But…this book. I almost finished it in one day and would have if my own personal family matters hadn’t gotten in the way. Here is my book review A Family Matter by Claire Lynch.
Changing Views on Love
Lynch brings us a story of love in 1982 in England and love in 2022 in England. She gently layers these two timelines to guide the reader through the nuances of societal changes and the wreckage left behind.
1982
We meet Dawn, dutiful wife and loving mother of toddler Maggie. Dawn goes about her life raising her child but also feeling like something is missing. She has played the game as women are supposed to; married, children, take care of the house. Things that are “normal” until she meets Hazel. Dawn and Hazel will have a connection that is unplanned but impossible to resist. Dawn is lost as how she should proceed given she loves her daughter.
2022
Maggie is now a grown woman with children of her own. Raised by her father after her mother abandoned her when she was four. Maggie and her Dad Heron are very close, always have been, given it was always just the two of them. But when Heron gets a cancer diagnosis, secrets begin to be shared – first covertly and then fully. Maggie is stung. Breathless. Lost. How has this information never been part of her life? How did she not know the truth of what really happened to her mother in 1982.
Beautiful
This story is so beautifully written, deep and powerful. Shameful things that unfortunately happened in a different era…with families paying the price for a lifetime.
*****Five stars for A Family Matter by Claire Lynch. Yes indeed it was “unputdownable”.
Our recent road trip took us through Cleveland Ohio, a city I had never been to. We happened to arrive on the day the Cleveland Guardians were playing in the MLB Wildcard series. The city was excited about that. But we had decided to make a stop in Cleveland for another reason. We came to see two specific things. So if you are planning a visit, here are two Cleveland Ohio Museums Not to Miss.
Cleveland is a big baseball town
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
So the first thing many people ask is why is the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland? Well it’s pretty simple, it’s about history and money. Cleveland, Ohio has some serious rock roots, including DJ Alan Freed coining the term “rock and roll” and holding the first rock concert. Cleveland also offered a substantial financial commitment for the museum’s construction and demonstrated significant public support with petitions and fundraising, winning out over other major cities in a national competition for the site.
Saturday Night Live Exhibit
The King
By the way, Cleveland recently changed the name of their MLB team from the Indians to the Guardians. My husband thinks they should have been called the Cleveland Rocks. You heard it here first.
Seattle has a big presence in rock history
And so does Cleveland
Why Visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
You know, even though I’m not a huge country music fan, I visited the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville and loved it. My point is, even if you may not be a fan of all styles of rock and roll (Rockabilly, Blues Rock, Punk Rock, Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Folk Rock, and Indie Rock) you will find so much of interest. The museum provides in-depth history, costumes and videos, musical instruments and interviews, photos and of course music.
Hubs enjoying the “Garage” music room
As a person who grew up in the 60’s and 70’s my visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame reminded me of many moments from my formative years. Things like the death of rock legends Janis Joplin and Kurt Cobain. The famous rooftop performance by the Beatles. Michael Jackson’s monumental Moonwalk performance and so much more.
One of my favorites from my youth
My husband’s favorite
Although the museum does cover international performers like the Beatles and others, most of the story told at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is about the USA. The museum looks at the shift that was taking place in the United States at the time and how the changing music of the era propelled the country in a new direction.
You probably recognize this…
During our visit we enjoyed dozens of permanent exhibits as well as some revolving exhibits. One recently opened exhibit looks at 50 Years of Saturday Night Live and how the performers on that weekly show mirrored the changing culture of the USA.
The museums hours change depending on the season so check the website. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a cashless operation. You can purchase your tickets online ahead of time (as we did) or at the door by scanning a QR Code. Once in the door you are free to enjoy the museum as long as you like.
The Power of Rock
Parking is really bad in the area of the museum, so plan ahead to park in one of the pay lots near by. Or like us, get a hotel within walking distance.
During our visit in late September 2025 the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was undergoing some expansion and construction to provide even more exhibits and a better experience.
A Christmas Story House
If you aren’t a fan of the classic 80’s movie A Christmas Story, then I don’t know if we can be friends. Okay just kidding. But A Christmas Story is such a family favorite in the Lund house. Why is it so popular? It balances the idealized nostalgia of Christmas with a witty and realistic portrayal of childhood and family life. The movie’s enduring appeal comes from its universal themes, a unique blend of humor and nostalgia, a memorable narration, and relatable characters that capture the authentic, sometimes chaotic, essence of the holiday season.
The house from A Christmas Story
The Old Man’s Olds
If You Know You Know… Fra-Gil-Ay
Take a Guided Tour
We purchased tickets online ahead of time to take a tour of the iconic house used in the movie. Our guide was excellent and provided so much fun information about how the house was chosen in Cleveland and how it became the museum it is today. During the months of November and December guided tours are not offered, because it is peak season. Self – guided tours of the house are available and tickets are available on line. See the website here.
Red Ryder BB Gun
It Was Soap Poisoning
Since the house became a tourist attraction, several other buildings in the neighborhood have been acquired to house a museum, a gift shop and the famous Bumpus House next door is now available for overnight visits.
He Looks Like a Pink Nightmare
The Old Man’s Major Award!
Oh My God I Shot My Eye Out!
Where to Stay and Eat
We only had one night in Cleveland and we stayed just a few blocks from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, at the Hampton Inn Cleveland Downtown. It worked great. We also walked to have dinner at one of Cleveland’s highest rated restaurants, Cordelia. It was incredible and I highly recommend it. Located on historic 4th street, now a pedestrian only area near the baseball stadium. Don’t miss Cordelia.
Cordelia is one of Cleveland’s best
Unique take on Midwest cuisine
Historic 4th Street
Cleveland Ohio Museums Not to Miss
I would have loved another day or two in this city, a place I had never been before. But we made the most of our short time in this historic Midwest town, and I am glad we did. If you have an upcoming visit to Cleveland, be sure to visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and The Christmas Story House. Two very different experiences in Cleveland.
Long Live Rock
Thank you for reading my post Cleveland Ohio Museums Not to Miss. See last week’s post One Day in Chicago Illinois. Be sure to come back soon for more fun from our USA Road Trip 2025.
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Climate change deniers won’t like this novel…a sometimes sad, but also hopeful story of rising seas, changing climate and one families own tragedy and redemption. Here is my book review Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
Rising Tides
This novel set in the not too distant future, looks in a dystopian way at climate change. We meet the Salt family; father and three children, who live on a remote island off of Antarctica. The island of Shearwater is home to a seed vault, a safe house for seeds of the world, in preparation for a global climate event. Dominic Salt is the caretaker of the seed vault. But rising seas are threatening not only the seed vault, but the inhabitants of the island. A former research facility has been abandoned, and the Salt family are also preparing to depart the island forever while they still can.
The Storm
The novel begins when a mysterious women washes up on shore of this remote island during a huge storm. Given no boats are due to come to the island for several more weeks, finding a half drowned woman on the beach is a mystery. The Salt family and Dominic are suspicious of her, but begin to nurse her back to health. Her name is Rowan and she has come to find her missing husband.
Book Review Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
Wild Dark Shore has a wonderful collection of characters, both living and dead, who develop the plot and move this vividly described story forward. McConagnhy writes in a way you will feel the bitter wind on your face and the frozen sea water that surrounds Shearwater. You will also feel for the children, Dominic, and Rowan as their lives become entangled as the icy water rises.
This is a story of danger, mental illness, isolation, grief and love. It is also a beautiful story of family, and the feeling of helplessness when climate change brutally takes everything well loved.
Intense and poignant, this gripping story is definitely worth a read. *****Five stars for Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy.
One day in Chicago, Illinois…well, technically I had one full day plus a few hours the evening before. And honestly, it’s not enough to see this beautiful city. But it was all the time we had, so we hit the highlights. If you only have One Day In Chicago Illinois, here are my recommendations.
Cross Country Road Trip
If you saw last week’s post Yellowstone National Park, USA (or if you are following along on Instagram), you know we are tackling a month long cross country road trip from Washington State to Maine and back again. And Chicago is a beautiful city so we thought we would spend two night there on the way.
We arrived our downtown Embassy Suite hotel about 4pm in the afternoon. We had been driving all day, but we wanted to take advantage of the few hours we had. So after getting settled in our room and grabbing a cold drink at the complimentary evening happy hour we headed out.
Navy Pier and Centennial Ferris Wheel
Did you know the first Ferris Wheel in the world was in Chicago? Well it was, an invention of George Ferris for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. That Ferris Wheel of course is long gone, but today the Chicago Centennial Ferris Wheel rises 200 feet above Lake Michigan and gives great views of the lake and the city. We enjoyed a brief walk through the Navy Pier Building and then boarded the wheel with no line at sunset (you can buy tickets in advance here) and enjoyed the ride and the views. A perfect way to start our short visit to Chicago.
Centennial Ferris Wheel
High above Lake Michigan
One Day In Chicago Illinois
Next morning we hit the ground running for a full day around the city. We did not see it all but we did as much as we could and had a lot of fun. By the end of the day I had walked eleven miles! Here is how we laid out our day;
GPS My City
Using our favorite app GPS My City we did a self guided walking tour of the downtown core. Especially when you are pressed for time this is a great way to see the sites.
Pizzeria Uno
Founded in Chicago in 1943 by Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo, Pizzeria Uno is credited with inventing the Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.
Pizzeria Uno, the original Chicago Deep Dish Pizza
Cloud Gate
Cloud Gate is British artist Anish Kapoor’s first public outdoor work installed in the United States. The 110-ton elliptical sculpture is forged of a seamless series of highly polished stainless steel plates, which reflect Chicago’s famous skyline and the clouds above. Chicagoan’s refer to it as The Bean.
Cloud Gate or The Bean
Crown Fountain
Designed by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, the Crown Fountain inMillennium Park is a major addition to the city’s world-renowned public art collection.
Crown Fountain
Harold Washington Public Library
Since completion, the library has appeared in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest public library building in the world. In 2013 the architect and chairman of Hammond, Beeby and Babka, Thomas H. Beeby, won the prestigious Driehaus Architecture Prize for this and other projects.
Harold Washington Public Library
Wrigley Square
This small green park is a beautiful public place for events or quiet moment and includes a Greek style columned platform.
Wrigley Square
Tribune Tower & Wrigley Tower
Two of Chicago’s most prominent and historic buildings stand kitty corner from each other right near the Chicago River. The Gothic Tribune Tower, former home of the Chicago Tribune (now condos) and the Wrigley Building – Chicago’s porcelain crown jewel of architecture.
Tribune Tower
Wrigley Tower
Willis Tower
Formerly known as the Sears Tower, Chicago’s tallest building built in 1974 was the world’s tallest building until 1996. We did not go up to the sky deck but it’s a popular thing to do.
Willlis Tower
Millennium Park
We strolled down to Millennium Park to enjoy the waterfront, but found much of the park closed off for preparations for the upcoming Chicago Marathon. It was a beautiful day however so we took advantage of views of the lake from the park and waterfront walk.
Lake Michigan waterfront
Buckingham Fountain
As we continued our stroll we stopped to admire Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. The fountain is distinguished not only for its exquisite decorative details and finely wrought bronze sculpture, but also for its innovative use of technology which creates a dynamic light and water display on a massive scale.
Buckingham Fountain
Museums
Chicago is home to several museums and two of my favorites are world class-
Art Institute
I love this museum and have visited in the past, but unfortunately they are closed on Tuesday – the day of the week we were in town. But I can highly recommend this world class art collection, both the permanent collection and the revolving special exhibits.
Art Institute of Chicago
Field Museum
Another amazing and diverse museum is Chicago’s Field Museum. We had visited this museum before as well, but still found ourselves able to enjoy three hours wandering around this beautiful building. From dinosaurs to gem stones, Africa to China and so much more.
Having fun at the Field Museum Chicago
Architectural River Cruise
Well it had been an amazing day already, but the Architectural River Cruise was hands down the best thing we did all day. There are several companies offering this tour, but I recommend Wendella River Cruises, the original. I’ve done this before and would do it again. An hour and a half tour leaving from the historic DuSable Bridge, the tour includes a guide with exceptional narration about the history and people who made Chicago what it is today. Don’t miss this tour.
Wendella Tours is the best for the interesting and entertaining Architectural River Cruise
On board
Giordanos Pizza
Okay now we were starving. What a day it had been. We knew we wanted Chicago’s famous deep dish pizza for dinner, and we headed to one of several highly rated Pizzerias – Giordano’s. The first Giordano’s opened in Chicago in 1974, making Mama Giordano’s famous double stuffed pie. Today it is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. We loved it and had enough left for lunch the next day too.
There are several places to enjoy Chicago style pizza – Giordano’s is my choice
You won’t go hungry with a Chicago style pie
One Day In Chicago Illinois
Hopefully you will have more than one day in Chicago. But if you only have one day, you can see and do so much in this beautiful city. It’s one of my favorite cities in the USA and worth a visit, one day or more!
Thanks for reading my post this week One Day in Chicago Illinois. I hope you saw last week’s post Yellowstone National Park, USA. Keep following for more of our USA Road Trip coming soon.
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Firstly, don’t get this book confused with another book by the same title My Friends by Hisham Matar. I gave that book five stars back in January. But today I am doing a book review My Friends by Frederik Backman. Two very different books.
Backman
Author Backman has had some very popular books in the past 15 years including the well loved A Man Called Ove. I have read four books by Backman, loved two, liked one and really did not like the fourth. So I was hesitant to read another Backman, but My Friends was getting such great accolades I decided I should give it a chance. I listened to this in the car with my husband on a road trip. The narrator was very good.
My Friends by Frederik Backman
I really enjoyed the unfolding of this story about four friends and a pivotal summer. I reminisced in my mind about the summer I was 14 years old. One of the best I can remember, and how, like in this novel, you don’t appreciate it until it’s gone.
Backman introduces us in this novel to Louisa, a homeless young woman with no friends and no where to go. But a chance meeting in an alley behind a church will change the projection of her life. Louisa thinks she is meeting a homeless man who lives behind a dumpster. But this man is actually a very famous artist, a dying man, and a friend.
Four Teenagers
Four young teenagers, each with their own set of troubles, find and connect with each other for one spectacular summer. Lives will be changed forever, and each will carry the friendships made that year to their grave…some sooner than others.
Ted is one of those friends, and after Louisa meets the artist in the alley, Ted will be tasked with finding her and giving her a gift. A life changing gift. But the gift itself will not change Louisa as much as meeting these friends will. Ted and Louisa will embark on an adventure, and Backman will describe these escapades with fantastic prose both laugh out loud funny, and earth shatteringly heartbreaking.
A Beautiful Story
The novel is a story of the four friends, individually and as a unit. And Ted will share his friends with Louisa in the telling of their lives. It is a beautiful story with some unexpected twists, and some very funny moments. Thank you for reading my book review My Friends by Frederik Backman.
*****Five stars for My Friends by Frederik Backman. I’m really glad I decided to get this novel. I rank it the best of the five Backman novels I have read. See last week’s book review The Parable of the Sower by Olivia E. Butler.
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