Postcard from Mars

My postcard from Cade arrived today. (Yes, he's been back almost a week!)

Cade's Adventures in PA

Two weeks ago Bridget asked if Cade wanted to accompany her to Pittsburgh for the week. We were all surprised when Cade actually agreed to go. He definitely has an adventurous spirit! They left Monday at noon and came back around 8p on Friday.

Bridget took Cade to Mars, Pennsylvania to see the spaceship. Here he is with the UFO.

Later he spend some time hanging with Michael. Cade and Michael were trying to keep cool by eating popsicles.

Bridget's brother, Barry, still lives in Pittsburgh. Bridget, Cade and Bridget's folks had dinner one night at Barry's house. Here Cade is brushing one of Barry's dogs. This one is Kimber. Barry has another dog named Ruger.

A Book Report

A few weeks ago I received an email from Netgalley. The email mentioned that this book will be THE book EVERYONE will be talking about this summer. If everyone is going to be talking about it, well, I certainly wanted to weigh in on the conversation. So I requested it.

Donna Hayes, the Publisher and Chief Executive Officer, writes a letter to the reader that lends credence to the impending hype. She writes, "...a story so powerful that I am moved to personally bring it to your attention." She adds, "What ensues is at once a captivating story and a poignant examination of the human condition." She is not wrong.

Jason Mott's premise is a simple one. What would you do if your dead loved one suddenly returned?

In the southern town of Arcadia, Harold Hargrave opens his door one afternoon to find a government agent on his doorstep. With the agent is a familiar looking 8 year old boy. It's his son Jacob, who drowned in the river 50 years earlier. Jacob has suddenly Returned. In fact, all over the world the dead are Returning.

I was fascinated. Harold and Lucille certainly grieved the loss of Jacob, but in the years since, there grew a quiet acceptance. How does one handle this miraculous interruption to life that has gone on? Of course, Lucille embraces her son while Harold remains aloof. Slowly, and at Lucille's insistence, Harold warms up to Jacob.

At the same time there are so many Returned that governments are unable to control the escalating situation. This eventually leads to military presence for the arrest and detention of all Returned. Schools, offices, lots and homes are requisitioned as containment centers. The fear is that too soon the Returned will outnumber the True Living.

I became frustrated with the middle third of the book, which deals with Harold and Jacob living at the Arcadia containment center. This part begins the "poignant examination of the human condition" that Ms. Hayes writes. For me, the story began to drag and I found myself skimming the pages rather than giving my full attention. It wasn't until Lucille decided to take out-of-character action that the pacing began to pick up. After that it was indeed a page turner right up to the end.

I've been thinking about this book all day, so again, Ms. Hayes is correct. I certainly have been captivated. And while I'm not sure the story was "so powerful," I can tell you that I am hugging my 11 year old son more tightly today.

ABC has turned the book into a series. I will be watching Resurrection this fall. You can watch the YouTube trailer here.

Happy Independence Day!

OMG! Did you know they now have Tropical Skittles? I didn’t know, but I do now!

I had the Banana Berry (yellow) first since I don’t particularly like banana flavored things. Next was Pineapple Passionfruit (blue) and it was delish! Kiwi Lime (green) was okay; a tad better than Banana Berry. The Strawberry Starfruit (red) was nice and very tasty. The last one, Mango Tangelo (orange) was fab. Still, I think the Pineapple Passionfruit is my new favorite Skittle.

2013 Goals Update - Monthly Update

Here's how I did with my goals for June.

See a minimum of 5 Broadway and Off-Broadway shows in NYC
- Nothing planned. I do have a free weekend the middle of July. Perhaps then....

Read 65 books for my Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
- I read 5 books toward my goal: Hot Rocks, True, Unconditional, The Heist and Secret Sisters
- Total books toward my goal of 65 - 28 books.

Read a minimum of 9 books off the BBC Reading List
- Once again I didn't read a single BBC book this month. I've got to jump on this or I'll never meet this goal!


Visit:
1.The Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA
- "I'll Never Be Hungry Again" (Completed April 7)

2.The Moulin Rouge in Paris, France
- Definitely September, sometime between September 7 and 14.

3.Walt Disney World or Disneyland
- Nothing planned.

4.Boston, MA
- I'd hoped to take Cade and meet up with my brother on June 12, but a.) I couldn't get the time off work and b.) my brother had plans.

5.Pittsburgh, PA
- Nothing planned.