A Monster Calls: Book Review

Some Backstory on Why the Monster Calls

To set the record straight I read this story two years ago and it is a beautiful book. It won awards for best book and best illustration in 2011. I read it because it was suggested as a fantasy grief story and I’m interested in bereavement, ‘which is the state of being deprived of something.’  The author Siobhan Dowd wrote the book and names one of the characters from the: ‘Dowd.’ Dowd passed away from advanced breast cancer in 2007 at age 47 and her legacy lives in books like this. Since, she died in the middle of writing ‘A Monster Calls’ she had  Patrick Ness finish publishing it. And make it into a feature film.

A Young Boy and His Love of Mom

Conor is a young boy raised in England where he lives with his mother. Soon it is discovered she has terminal cancer and is on chemotherapy. Children having to come to terms with life being cut short is an interesting plot. He copes with the loss of his mom through dream walking and talking to a yew tree (monster). The tree is Conor’s confient in away but also is the monster calling to him, which is the loss of his mom.

Pain in a Nutshell

Now you’re probably wondering why anyone in their right mind would want to read about agony? Right … I wonder too. But I think it has to do with how our society is closed off on handling painful moments like sudden loss or terminal cancer. We don’t know how Conor will get through such an unforuante blow. The monster in this book is a metaphor for grief, loss and maybe even cancer. It is beautiful being able to get to the places that scare us and meeting with them open arms. Showing those feelings that we acceppt the hand we were dealt and use it as a channel to help others.

Last But Never Least

Recently, my manager Kim passed away from cancer three days ago. I believe she was 29 years old and had two small children. I orginally read ‘A Monster Calls’ and thought of my mom who passed away in 2009 from cardiac arrest, but now I am coming back to it for Kim may she rest in peace. She should know along with: Dowd, my mom and the many others who left us way too soon are in our thoughts and prayers and their legacies live on. I am so grateful for having been able to be apart of their lives and spirits. Goddess bless all and I wish for you to read this if you have not yet. Please comment your story if you’ve gone through loss. It is helpful to write and share your feelings.

 

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Going to Vegas for Vacation

Going to Vegas for Vacation It’s August and Hot in Vegas

Thinking of Neil Diamond

Since it’s Mother’s Day I find it fitting to reminisce about Neil Diamond today. He was my mom’s favorite musician. I remember her turning up ‘Cracklin Rosie’ in our maroon Mitsubishi Montero. The song went something like this: Cracklin Rosie get on board, We’re going to ride till there ain’t no more to go, Taking it slow, Lord don’t you know. It came out in 1970 and is rumored to be about sparkling rose wine. I use to have distaste towards Diamond, but today I can proudly say I like him because my mom loved him.

My mom passed away in 2009 suddenly and every mother’s day I like throw myself a pity party on my blogs. Come join me in my motherless pity party adventure. Come into my world and find out how empty it can feel not having one, how robbed I feel being reminded I don’t have her support and how jealous I am if you do have one and a good one. You see mother’s day is fantastic! I don’t have kids but I appreciate you if you do. God bless you if you’re a mother.

If you’re a mother you need the courage of an arch angel, the strength of a mama tiger, and the hope of a mother Teresa. You see you’re truly super human if you birthed a child in this world. I use this day to try and remember what my mom’s voice sounded like, and what her favorite things were. And since she died ten years ago I find myself forgetting with each year what she was like. I hang on to these blogs to try to dig up and express memories of her. It’s like little treasuries of gold if I find a good memory of her.

 

About fifteen years ago my mom was really into jazzercise classes. She use to sport the black yoga pants and sweat bands. It was her thing and made her really happy. She always come back from class cherry red and dripping in sweat. So you know those classes worked your ass. Anyways one year they had a mother’s day class. A step class I think they called it. And she wanted me to come, so I did. That was her thing and those sweaty, dorky classes with Living the Viva Loca playing really got her socks rocking.  It was an honor to rock with her.

 

This is what I came up with today in 2018. Let the spirit in the sky live on, yes mom I’m talking about you and your song. ‘Gotta have a friend in Jesus.’ Take care ya’ll –

A Dangerous Breed Allowed

Fires and Rage: California Baby

Baby It’s Hot Outside

In Southern California a few large brush fires broke out last week. Tis the season, not really but it’s the holiday season. Although it feels like a warm August month here. Pretty strange and must admit as much as I don’t like fire when it’s suppose to be getting colder, I like how cool the smokey clouds look.

 

The Price is Wrong Mother Fucker

Mother nature and weather affect every facet of our lives and it deserves more of our attention. Or else your house will burn down too someday. Life here in Southern California is for the rich and the famous. It is bloody expensive for one and very fast paced for two. No but really anyone is welcomed here but you better like heat and high prices. Which may or may not make it an oxymoron.

Ventura California It’s Your Turn to Grow

The other side of the truth you must know. Ventura California has been having very slow growth for years. I mean the city wouldn’t build and it’s a beautiful beach town. The infrastructure is old Spanish style. It doesn’t work for a beach town if you ask me. This fire is going to force them to build some new stuff. Sometimes you have to burn down the old to start the new.

“We adore chaos because we love to produce order.” M.C. Escher 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sugar Plums and Scones

The Pleasure of Warm Bread

When it comes to warm bread count me in, but in this case I’m talking more about warm homemade scones. I made low carb eggnog scones today for blogmas. And no my eggnog isn’t homemade. F*** making your own homemade eggnog. I bought my eggnog from Trader Joe’s just like I buy most everything else from their too.

Trader Joe’s Christmas Isle

Trader Joe’s has a massive cult following. By cult following I mean myself included. And I love every second of my shopping rampages. Especially during the holidays because they theme it up. You should see my grocery bag full of all this Xmas shit. I mean: eggnog this, ginger bread house that,  peppermint this, and cranberry that. It’s fantastic!

Home Alone in the Dvd Player

Last year I pulled the plunge and bought Home Alone 1 and 2 on dvd. However its not on high definition so its like watching a movie made in the 90s today. The quality is very 90s. But I still watch this cult classic to the bone. What can I say I can’t seem to get enough of Kevin Mccallister. Or should I say Catherine O’hara ?

Catherine O’Hara we love you! Will you make scones and drink tea with us?

Power Rangers 2017: Review

(I wish Lord Zedd was in it..)

Yesterday evening I had the urge to see Power Rangers in theaters. I was a big fan in the 1990’s. The movie turned out to be sentimental and has a ‘long’ backstory. There are five rangers and each gets a backstory. The movie takes itself very serious because the original TV show is so dorky. It’s science fiction nerd stuff. I liked the 21st century armor they had. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to see it.  But they only wore the ranger costumes at the end of the movie. This movie would be like if the tv show Degrassi and Green Lateran had a baby.

 

In the end all I wanted to see was the cool computer graphics they advertised. And I’m a sucker for nostalgia. The strangest part was how much Krispy Cream Donuts were mentioned in the film, weird huh? Product placement anyone? Hey someone had to pay for it. It’s up to you if you’re feeling the 1990’s nostalgia vibe. I was fee

ling it last night and it brought up my dorky, youthful years.