This book. This character. Holy Cow. There has never been a character like Olive Kitteridge in literature history. I enjoyed this book just as much as the first book Olive Kitteridge, and didn’t want it to end. Here is my book review Olive Again by Elizabeth Stout.
It’s hard to describe the plot of this book…but there are so many adjectives to describe Olive herself. Cranky, cantankerous, outspoken, rude. But she is also empathetic, insightful, kind and sad. All of these things make up this astonishing character who you can’t help falling in love with.
In Olive Again, we find Olive dealing with her aging body, and end of life issues with the same honest and sometimes bewildering approach she had in the first book. Alone and nearly friendless Olive searches for peace of mind while trying to understand all that has happened in her 80 plus year life.
She is a character for the ages and this book will pull at your heartstrings and make you think of your own parents and your own life. Stout is a brilliant writer and Olive is my favorite of all time.
The kind of book you won’t be able to stop thinking about when you close it for the last time.
*****Five stars for Olive Again by Elizabeth Stout
We spent seven weeks in the greater Palm Springs area, enjoying the weather, hiking, golf and much more. We didn’t eat out a lot, both due to Covid and to stay on budget. But when we did eat out we tried to visit some of the best of the valley, as well as some lesser known places. There are literally thousands of restaurants to chose from. Everything from Mexican or burgers to seafood and steak. Every cuisine of the world is available somewhere in the area. And we made some favorite dining discoveries around Palm Springs.
Sherman’s Deli
We tried to explore and through our exploration we offer a list of some favorites we found. Next time you are in the greater Palm Springs California area, you might consider some of these restaurants. And by the way, wherever you are, please support local restaurants and shops to help keep them alive and well during the pandamit…oops I mean pandemic.
Eat Here
Sherman’s Deli – an institution in the valley, Sherman’s is a true New York style deli and bakery. We ate here twice, once for lunch and once for dinner. In true NY fashion they served Matzo Ball soup, Corned Beef on Rye, Chopped Liver, Hot Pastrami and much much more. https://shermansdeli.com/menus/
Sherman’s Deli
Tyler’s Burgers – Many people recommended Tyler’s to us as the best burger in the valley, so yep had to try it. We both had the bacon cheeseburger and it was real good…but even better was the amazing potato salad, just like my mom used to make. http://tylersburgers.com
Potato Salad at Tyler’s
Grind Burger – my husband Arne thinks this was the best burger in the valley. A tiny little eat in or take-away joint in Palm Desert. https://www.gastrogrindburgers.com
Armando’s Mexican – on El Paseo in Palm Desert you’ll find dozens of restaurants, but we happened upon Armando’s (no website) for just an appetizer and drink one afternoon. Outdoor seating was excellent, service was great and so was the food.
Paul Bar – located in a sad little strip mall, Paul Bar was a huge surprise. Despite currently only being take-out, we loved our food we got there, especially the Bacon Balsamic Brussels Sprouts. https://www.thepaulbarps.com
Take out from Paul Bar
Pieros – one of the best meals I had anywhere in the valley. Pieros is known for it’s pizza but I had the Short Ribs and Arne ordered Lasagna. We also enjoyed the Tuscan Wedge Salad. This is definitely one of my favorite dining discoveries around Palm Springs. https://www.pizzavinotogo.com
Lasagna at Pieros
Chef Georges Picasso – hidden in a little shopping center in the tiny community of Bermuda Dunes near La Quinta, this place has a giant menu of many European specialties and a particular focus on Hungarian food. Great service, huge portions. http://chefgeorgespicasso.com
Hungarian Goulash
Lavender Bistro- definitely the loveliest meal we had both for ambiance and food. This was a bit of a splurge for us but worth it for sure. A gorgeous lighted patio, well protected from the wind and top-notch service in every way. My filet mignon and Caesar salad were perfect. https://www.lavenderbistro.com
Filet Mignon at Lavender
John Henry’s – we learned about this restaurant from a local couple we golfed with. They said we had to try it, even though few visitors ever go there. I’m really glad we did. The outdoor patio was beautiful and everyone in our group enjoyed their food from steak to sea Bass. I had Osso Buco and it was delicious. Reservations a must. https://www.johnhenryscafe.com
Lemon Cake at John Henry’s
The Daily Grill – located on El Paseo in Palm Desert this is a great place to sit on the outdoor patio and watch the ridiculously expensive cars drive by: Bentley…Maserati..Jaguar.. Ferrari. Excellent and inexpensive for breakfast lunch or dinner. https://www.dailygrill.com
The Daily Grill
Farm – we only went to breakfast once during our visit and I am so glad we chose to eat at Farm. Tucked into the cutest little space right in old Palm Spring, the outdoor patio is bursting with flowers.
Eggs Benedict at Farm
Also For Your Consideration
Outside of the valley we also really enjoyed Cafe Aroma in Idyllwild, Pie at Julian Pie Company as well as La Cucina Mexican in Anza ( no website). All worth a visit if you are in the area.
As of this writing, only outdoor dining is open in California. But the nice weather in the valley makes outdoor dining easy. Most restaurants have expanded their outdoor seating and diners are enjoying the new spaces. Masks are still required. Remember the temperatures drop in the desert so bring an extra layer for evening dining. Also, because of reduced capacity, make a reservation no matter where you want to eat.
If you had the chance to live a different version of your life would it be better? This is the question explored and here is my book review The Midnight Library by Matt Haig.
Nora Seed thinks her life isn’t worth living. So she is considering ending it. But instead of dying she wakes up in The Midnight Library. Between life and death lies the Midnight Library. A place with an infinite number of books, each one representing Nora’s alternative lives. Each life based on Nora’s life choices and how those choices unfolded.
All the limitless choices Nora has made in her life, have lead her to the life she is living. The life she no longer wants to live. But what if her choices had been different? Would we make different choices along the way if we knew how life would turn out? In the library Nora sees her alternative lives; married and running a pub, rock star Nora, glaciologist Nora. Would these lives be better in reality?
This book was enchanting and fun to read, but also painful and sad. We can’t go back and change decisions we’ve made…we can only move forward and try to do the best with what we have. The Midnight Library offers this lesson in a beautifully written fantastical tale of fulfillment and redemption. I hope you enjoyed my book review The Midnight Library by Matt Haig.
*****Five stars for the Midnight Library by Matt Haig.
I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with the desert. But after two and half months in the Coachella Valley, I’ve been inspired and intrigued with the unusual beauty of the flora of the desert.
Sunnylands
Flora of the Desert
Coming from the wet and evergreen region of the Pacific Northwest I was unfamiliar with desert plant life. Of course I have seen a variety of deserts in our world travels, but never have I spent an extended period living in the desert. From our Airbnb in Palm Desert California I quickly became infatuated with the unique variety of the flora of the desert as well as the beautiful and musical birds.
Roadrunner
The Coachella Valley
The Coachella Valley is an ancient seabed but today it is an arid desert 50 miles long and 15 miles wide. Surrounded by mountains, including two of California’s highest (San Jacinto and San Gorgonio) the valley sits in a rain shadow from the Pacific Ocean air. This dry region has more than 300 days of sun and averages 3.3 inches of rain a year. So the flora of the desert is uniquely suited to this harsh dry environment.
Moorten Botanical Gardens
There are dozens of ways to get into the desert and explore the beauty of it. There are also options right in town to learn about the desert without venturing out into the harsh climate. Whatever suits your needs, you will find it here. No matter what you do, take a moment to learn a bit about this magnificent ecosystem, its plants, birds and wildlife.
Where to Explore and Learn
Here is a list of some of the best places to enjoy the beauty, learn the lingo and history, and revel in the unique beauty of this valley.
Close to Town;
Living Desert and Zoo, Palm Desert – You’ll need to buy a ticket to the zoo, but it’s worth it to get out into the natural environment adjacent to the zoo known as the Living Desert. If you are up for an invigorating hike, climb up Eisenhower Mountain to enjoy the valley views and look across to the San Andreas Fault. The natural desert landscape is dry and barren with cactus, mesquite, creosote and much more. Learn more here.
Living Desert
Sunnylands,Rancho Mirage – the stunning landscaped desert gardens offer four distinct looks at desert life including an audio walking guide. All for free. The gardens include a sunken garden, a wildflower garden, a labyrinth and a wide variety of cactus. To visit the landscaped area around the mid-century modern home you can take a guided tour for $25. This is possibly my favorite thing in the greater Palm Springs area. Learn more here.
Sunnylands
Coachello Preserve, Thousand Palms
This little known spot turned out to be one of our favs. You can wander the Palm oasis or venture out into the desert known as Moon Country. There are several hikes offering great 360 degree views. Learn more here.
Coachella Valley Preserve
Moorten Botanical Gardens, Palm Springs – this little hidden gem in the heart of Palm Springs has a $5 entrance fee. Wait. What? How can this 85 year old cactus oasis only be $5? Best little gem in the valley. Learn more here.
Moorten Botanical Gardens
Indian Canyons, Palm Springs – entrance to this area on the ancestral lands of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is $9 per person but the wide variety of hiking options is totally worth it. A great way to see and enjoy the palm oasis and palm trees in their natural, unadulterated habitat. Hike to a waterfall, see a wide variety of cactus and birds. Picnic areas available. Learn more.
Indian Canyons
Shield’s Date Farm, Indio – Date cultivation is big business in the valley, but date trees are not natural to the valley. Learn how the dates have been adapted to this desert area at Shield’s Date Farm. Learn more.
Further Afield;
Joshua Tree National Park – a little more than an hours drive from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park is chock full of nature walks and longer hikes to get up close and personal with some of the high desert flora. You’ll also see astonishing boulders and of course, the namesake of the park the Joshua Tree. The park has three entrances (north, south and west) with the west entrance closest to Palm Springs. Learn more.
Joshua Tree
Palm to Pines Highway – Highway 74, fondly known as the Palm to Pines Highway leaves from Palm Desert and climbs up up up. Even if you only go as far as Vista Point (great views back on the valley) or the Cahuilla Tewanet Vista Point (interpretive signs tell the story of the ancient life of the Cahuilla people) it’s a fun and easy tour of local flora.
Cahuilla Tewanet Vista Point
Like any natural environment be aware of your surroundings at all times. Rattlesnakes are present even in landscaped and cultivated areas. Other predators are also present, watch for warning signs. Always bring lots of water and stay hydrated. Even when cool the dry air can take it’s toll. Wear a hat and sunscreen whenever you are out and about.
Joshua Tree
Visiting the Coachella Valley of California is a must for anyone who loves plants and appreciates our earth’s varying ecosystems. Learning about the ancient history of this valley will help you appreciate what remains of the vast desert that once stretched for miles.
It’s been probably 7 or 8 years since I read McBride’s novel “The Good Lord Bird” and it remains a favorite read of mine. So when my husband suggested I read this latest novel by McBride I was anxious to. Here is my book review Deacon King Kong by James McBride.
Deacon King Kong
I had a lot of distractions going on in my personal life while I was reading this book. Some days I didn’t have time to even pick it up…other days it was a great little retreat for me at the end of a crazy day. McBride’s writing is superb, and in fact even better in Deacon King Kong than in The Good Lord Bird. One of the reasons this book has enjoyed so much acclaim and awards.
The year is 1969 and the place is the “projects” in Brooklyn New York. A rundown neighborhood slowly becoming a drug capital. We are introduced to the men, women and children of the ‘hood, whose lives revolve mostly around each other and church. The majority are black from the South, some Puerto Rican and some Italian. The protagonist is Deacon King Kong who, we will learn, goes by many other names as well. A widower, a deacon, a gardener, an umpire, a coach, a janitor and a drunk. This is the story of Deacon King Kong and all the versions of his life, and all the people in his life and how the story is set in motion on the day he shoots a young drug dealer in the neighborhood.
Three Things I Loved About This Book
Multiple storylines, each one fully developed and engaging, culminate beautifully in the end of the book.
Spectacular character development. There are numerous characters and McBride is brilliant in this area. You truly are rooting for all of these people to make it and to come out happy on the other side.
And the narrative setting of Brooklyn in the tumultuous 1960’s plays out so well in the writing as the multiple storylines follow cops (both good and bad), race and racism, mobsters and drug dealers, poverty, community and faith.
McBride shows us in this book how things may not always be what they appear, how lives can be entwined in ways we may not understand, and how compassion and gratitude can change lives beyond our own time on this earth. This book is about faith. I hope you enjoyed my book review Deacon King Kong by James McBride
I was on the waitlist at my local library for this book for what seemed like forever. So I had high expectations. But it started kinda slow for me, and I was initially dissapointed. But I’m glad I stuck it out because I really began to enjoy it in time. Speaking of time…this book is about time. Here is my book review Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore.
In hindsight I might have struggled in the beginning of this book due to the fact I had just finished The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (which I loved, see the review here) which is a little bit about time travel. And indeed so is Oona Out of Order, coincidentally. But the concept and plot is very different.
On New Years Eve 1982 at midnight, which is also Oona’s 19th birthday everything changes. That is the day that Oona begins living her life out of order. Unlike most people on their birthdays who become a year older, Oona is transported at the end of each year to another time in her life. From 19 years old to 52 years old to 35 years old etc. It’s a jumbled up life full of questions and problems.
There are only two constants in her life, each helping in their own way to keep Oona safe as she jumps around her life. The first one is her mother, who is always there until she isn’t. The second is a young man who is never there when she jumps to early years but is always there later in Oona’s life.
Sounds crazy? Yep it is, but Montimore does a bang up job keeping the reading in line with the developing mixed up plot even while Oona often doesn’t know where she is or how old she is. Sometimes sad and frightening, but also funny, sweet and poignant, it’s a lovely story about family, love and perseverence.
This is another book I expect to be a movie, it’s perfect for the big screen and special effects. I vote for Sandra Bullock as Oona. I hope you enjoyed my book review Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore.
It’s been five weeks since we arrived in Palm Desert California for a bit of winter sun and fun. Despite the pandemic we have found lots of outdoor activities we can enjoy in the region, while staying safe and protected. This past week we took a fabulous two-day excursion to the little mountain town of Idyllwild. What a hidden treasure. When in Southern California, you must idle away in Idyllwild California.
Less than an hour from our Palm Desert Airbnb but like a whole different world, Idyllwild is a breath of fresh mountain air. From Palm Desert at 300 feet above sea level you climb the beautiful Palm to Pines Highway (Highway 74) into the San Jacinto mountains and to the little village of Idyllwild. At 6000 feet this area is popular with the Los Angeles crowd on the west side of the San Jacinto and the Palm Springs crowd on the east side. Locals know the secret to idle away in Idyllwild California.
Welcome to Idyllwild
The desert valley Cahuilla Indians came to the region for generations to escape the heat of the desert. In the late 1800’s a summer camp was opened called Idyllwilde, and later a sanitarium for tuberculosis patients. Although there is no skiing in the area, Idyllwild today attracts hikers, mountain climbers and cyclists.
Taquits Rock also known as Lily Rock
Two beautiful rock formations look down on the village nestled in the small valley where the Strawberry Creek runs, famously known for wild strawberries in the summer. Tahquitz Rock, also known as Lily Rock juts majestically out of the mountain while Suicide Rock is less steep but no less beautiful. Rock climbers love the area.
On the trail over the creek
Hikers Paradise
We aren’t rock climbers but we are definitely hikers and we took advantage of the sunny and cooler mountain weather. We arrived on a quiet Tuesday and spent several hours exploring Idyllwild park just a half mile from town. The Idyllwild Nature Center is currently closed (check website) but the trails are open and mid-week we practically had it all to ourselves. Amazing views no matter where you look.
Hiking Trails
The gorgeous Ponderosa Pines and Sugar Pines as well as Manzanita, fir trees, oak and many other beautiful green flora contrast with the gorgeous blue skies and I was smitten. Signs warn of mountain lion, bears, rattlesnakes and poison oak. We did see some poison oak (educate yourself) and lots of gray squirrels and birds…but no snakes or large mammals.
Tranquility Room at The Grand Idyllwild Lodge
Lodging and Food
We checked into The Grand Idyllwild Lodge, one of the premier lodging choices in the area. There are many options for overnight stays, but The Grand Idyllwild Lodge came highly recommended to us so we splurged a bit and were glad we did. We had a beautiful cozy room in the three story lodge, including an amazing “continental” breakfast. On weekends the breakfast is “gourmet” but the weekday “continental” was pretty darn gourmet in my opinion. Fabulous. Currently The Grand Idlywild Lodge is “contactless” and masks are required. They are following California Covid regulations so both guests and staff stay safe.
Continental Breakfast
Idyllwild is home to a wide variety of eateries from pizza and tacos to burgers and fine dining. We enjoyed an after hike beer (or two) at the Idyllwild Brewpub. We did not eat here but the food that was coming out of the kitchen looked amazing. The beer WAS amazing.
Cafe Aroma
The only meal we ate out was dinner, and again on recommendation from our friend we headed to Cafe Aroma just down the street from our lodgings. Outdoor seating under current California Covid rules was well done with large mega heaters keeping us toasty in the cool mountain evening. The service was incredible too. We enjoyed wine with our dinner from their extensive wine list. I had fresh-made Tomato Basil Soup, and Pork Chops with Potatoes. My husband ordered the Steak Frites special which was huge and delicious. We finished our lovely day with fresh made Beignets and coffee.
Giant Boulders on the mountain side
Day two we headed out for another hike along the Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail. National Forest or National Park pass required, so stop in at the Ranger station before heading up Fern Valley Road. Park where the road ends and begin your walk. Here on the north facing slopes we encountered some snow from the big storm more than three weeks ago. But easy passage brought us to south and west facing trail with dry and beautiful trails. The incredible giant rocks in this region are astonishing, tumbled down from the mountains and strewn about – the rounded boulders reminiscent of dinosaur eggs.
We returned to Palm Desert late Wednesday via the Banning-Idyllwild Panoramic Hwy (Rt 243) where astonishing views nearly to the ocean welcomed us along the way. At Banning we picked up Interstate 10 east into the greater Palm Springs area and back to our Palm Desert Airbnb.
Manzanita
It would have been very easy to idle away in Idyllwild California for a few more days. I’m not sure how I have never been to this lovely little treasure of a town high above the bustling Los Angeles metropolis. Add it to your list. You won’t regret a day or two enjoying some idle away in Idyllwild California.
More Palm Desert posts coming soon. Meanwhile we love it when you pin and share our posts.
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