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Saturday, December 29, 2018

Hearts Beat Loud (2018) - Nick Offerman, Kiersey Clemons, Toni Collette

Hearts Beat Loud (2018) - Nick Offerman, Kiersey Clemons, Toni Collette

If you don't have a library card, get one. Why? Because you need to access Kanopy. Now. If for no other reason than to stream Hearts Beat Loud.

In their own words, Kanopy "stream[s] thoughtful entertainment to your preferred device with no fees and no commercials by partnering with public libraries and universities."

With Kanopy, I never would have seen this little gem, Hearts Beat Loud.

Father Frank (Nick Offerman) is a failed musician who owns a dying record store. Daughter Sam (Kiersey Clemons) is sensibly pursuing a career as a doctor despite ludicrously real musical talent.

The story examines the space between a parent and a child after high school graduation and before college. Father Frank and daughter Sam are learning to let go: adulthood, dreams, ambitions, relationships.

Although I'm not a big Parks and Recreation fan, I have come to adore Nick Offerman, particularly after watching him as the pontificatingly drunken barrister, Karl Weathers, in the second season of Fargo (Rhinoceros was my favorite episode). His leathered face and pugnacious eyes never quite prepare me for his irony-filled drawl.

Couple him with his onscreen daughter, Kiersey Clemons, and his maybe/maybe not lover, Toni Collette, and you have quite a trifecta. Then for a real throwback, Ted Danson resurrects his Cheers chops as a loopy bartender. Round out this unexpected ensemble with Blythe Danner as the klepto grandma.

The music is unexpectedly good and Kiersey Clemons voice, in and of itself, is worth the watch.





Director: Brett Haley
Writers: Brett Haley, Marc Basch
Stars: Nick Offerman, Kiersey Clemons, Blythe Danner
Country: USA
Language: English
Release Date: 8 June 2018 (USA)
Filming Locations: Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Friday, December 7, 2018

What Child is This by Rhys Bowen

What Child Is ThisWhat Child Is This by Rhys Bowen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A holiday novella, Rhys Bowen's story covers a British couple made homeless by the bombing of their home during WWII.

What ensues is a melancholy tale of suffocating loss and hopelessness until fate intervenes.



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Saturday, December 1, 2018

August Moon: Humor and Hijinks by Jess Lourey

August Moon: Humor and Hijinks (A Mira James Mystery Book 4)August Moon: Humor and Hijinks by Jess Lourey

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


A heavier read than I expected. The lead wasn't very likeable and bit rough for me. Not a big fan of alcoholic or drunk detectives. I won't be reading any more in this series.



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Monday, November 19, 2018

Dark of the Moon by John Sandford

Dark Of The Moon (Virgil Flowers, #1)Dark Of The Moon by John Sandford

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I used to read Sandford all the time--read quite a few. Then I quit for about 10 years. Reading this one, now I remember why.

His books are fairly mysongynstic. Kept referring to the female characters' anatomy, but never got a real sense of what any of the male characters look like.

For a police procedural, it was good. But I could have done without all of the T&A.



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Sunday, September 9, 2018

DavidsTea: a review

I'm a new devotee to herbal tea.

Lihsa's Reviews: DavidsTea
I joined a Muslim colleague in observing Ramadan. I am Catholic but wanted to experience and understand the season. This decision resulted in a long-term change in my eating habits.

One big change: I gave up caffeine.

Which brought me to herbal teas.

Caffeine-free, organic herbal teas

I am not talking about colorful cardboard boxes stuffed with little translucent packets.

These herbal teas from DavidsTeas, which I discovered through Elle Florence (@ElleFlorence), are full-bodied and robust.



I was introduced to DavidsTeas when I purchased their annual Advent Calendar--a charming collection of 40 different tea samples. These included black teas, green teas and herbal teas.

But now, as a caffeine-free follower, I am all about herbal teas.

DavidsTeas organic herbal tea offerings

DavidsTeas offers a wonderful diversity of herbal tea blends.

My developing palette has discovered a few:

Organic Cold 911: this is probably one of my favorites. It is meant to be medicinal but I enjoy the flavor. Filled with eucalyptus, peppermint and orange, it lifts the lid off my head.

Organic Earl Gray Rooibos: closely following is the organic, herbal take on a classic. With a touch of honey, this is perfect for Sunday mornings and a good book. This has rooibos, cornflower petals, bergamot and tangerine.

Organic Mother's Little Helper: another organic, this tea has valerian, nature's little Valium. Want to calm down? Have a sip. This tea contains peppermint, lemongrass, mibiscus, rosehips, chamomile, valerian root as well as cornflowers and peppermint flavoring.

Organic Super Ginger: if you like your teas spicy, this one's for you. With ginger, green rooibos, black pepper, white pepper and pink peppercorn, you will become your own Spice Girl.

And the list goes on and on ...

Be aware of the Teaware

Plus DavidsTeas offers great tea accessories: mugs, infusers, steepers, pitchers, teapots. But my favorite has to be the iced tea press. I actually bought mine from a DavidsTeam boutique in Chicago. The guy at the store was so great, he actually blended mine up for me so I made the trek back to the hotel sipping some refreshingly iced ginger tea. I was as cool as a cucumber!



A post shared by Lihsa (@lihsa) on

And keep an eye out for their sales and annual specials. Christmas will be coming soon so this is a great time to sample their wares with their Advent Calendar--plus it includes an in-store coupon if you are lucky enough to have a store near you. The calendar is not out yet but keep an eye out--it will probably be out in early November.



DavidsTea is based in Canada but has stores in the US--just not in Houston yet.

And remember, pinkies out!