Just finished reading PINEAPPLE STREET by Jenny Jackson. Loved it!

The blurb by author Kevin Kwan says it best: “Truly the smartest and most deliciously fun novel I’ve read in ages.” Available at your public library or wherever books are sold.

Sad to learn one of the last big-screen movie theaters in our area has closed. The kids and I have spent many happy hours there, most recently to see Barbie with Mateo and Killers of the Flower Moon with Olivia. I get it: large public screenings are obsolete. And at a few matinees, I was literally the only person seated.

We’d hoped to watch Napoleon, but not meant to be. End of yet another era.

Celebrating Mateo’s return from his Barcelona gap semester adventures and Thanksgiving with family and friends.

When my parents were alive, I flew often from SFO to San Diego to visit them. I’d rent a car at the San Diego airport and nine times out of ten, when I turned on the radio, it was tuned to a Christian station that played what my kids call “Jesus music.” I’m more of a pop/show tune gal myself, but over the years I developed an appreciation for the genre—especially as my parents got sick and were dying. The lyrics and tunes were uplifting and inspirational, a comfort.

Several summers ago, when my mother was already gone and shortly after my father died, I was back in San Diego to tie up loose ends. For a lot of reasons, at that time in my life, I was struggling. As usual, I had rented a car, and sure enough, the radio was tuned to the Christian station. One night I was driving around and the DJ announced he was playing a new release by a singer/songwriter named Lauren Daigle. The title was “You Say,” and the chorus goes like this:

“You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
You say I am held when I am falling short
And when I don’t belong, oh You say I am Yours.”

It may sound crazy, but at that moment hearing Lauren Daigle sing those particular words moved me in a way I don’t remember ever being moved by a song. I started crying so hard I had to pull into a parking lot until I was able to stop.   

A few months later, in February 2019, Lauren Daigle won Grammy awards for the “You Say” single and her album “Look Up Child.” This past week, she performed for one night only at the Golden One Center in Sacramento. I talked Olivia into going with me. We both loved it. #laurendaigle #goldenonesacramento