For What It's Worth


Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Update - Life, books, TV...

 Helloooooo! Happy Spring! Will I ever get into a blogging groove? Not likely lol So here's a quick update.

Life: My breathing saga continues. I got a sinus CT scan and my sinuses are a hot mess of of structural issues (deviated septum, bone fragments (???), polyps and more! lol I see an allergists and surgeon next. Still not sure if any of this is related to my coughing and breathing problems but there is a possibility that the blockages and post nasal drip could be contributing. Oddly, I never have a stuffy nose so it's not anything I've considered as a major problem but it's all blocked back there. 

Spring has spring-ish in the PNW. Well, it's trying anyway. The bulbs and cherry blossoms are making an appearance but it's still mostly cool (40's) and rainy most days with a few scattered fake spring days interspersed. Our farmers market started again and that makes me SO happy! It's one of my favorite things living out here and we have more vendors and early veggies than ever before. 





I read Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn ~ Goodreads I thought for sure
that I was going to love this one! I am "of a certain age" lol and I love any type of assassin stories/movies. This story of 4, 60-ish year old women assassins, on the brink of retirement, instead find themselves with a bounty on their heads.

I listened to it on audiobook (which seemed like the way to go with an action packed story like this) but it was the wrong choice. The story is told from only one of the women's (first person) POV, instead of the group, and jumps from her present tense, to third person, past tense flashbacks. 

The tone was so dry and void of emotion that I felt like someone was reading a file to me about the women rather than jumping into a fun caper. Most of the certain age content was for a punchline...a menopause app, ooh my back hurts etc...


I wonder if I would have liked it more if I read a physical copy as I think my imagination would have made this seem more action packed and I might have been able to tell the women apart better.

And the end...while final, leaves an opening for more adventures, but was also a letdown for me. Sadness...




I'm currently reading The Honey's by Ryan LaSalla ~ Goodreads After Mars sister, Caroline, dies he attends the Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy, a place of bad memories for Mars, but where his sister seemed to live a totally different life that distanced her from him. He's determined to uncover her secrets and those of the camp and The Honey's, a group of beautiful, mean girls that seem to hold the key.

I'm listening to this on audio and I'm loving the narrator, Pete Cross. He really captures Mars grief, fear, sarcasm and occasional humor. I really have no idea where this story is headed - unreliable narrator? Magical realism? A touch of paranormal? It has a Nova Rema Suma or E. Lockhart vibe so far. I don't know - but I'm fully invested so far (about 40% in). I can't speak fully to trigger warnings yet but there is bullying and taunting due to Mars gender fluidity that's tough to read at times.

There are also neat little touches to the audio like crickets and a crackling fire in the woods, that make you feel more immersed.   


We watched M3GAN on Peacock. Has anyone seen this movie??? It's wild and awesome lol The movie is very fast paced, keeps the plot simple and campy while still being creepy. They understood the assignment. We did not expect to love this movie as much as we did. Heads up - lots of gore, including towards children and (off screen) pets.

Kaleidoscope on Netflix - this is a heist series with a gimmick. Each episode it titled after a color and can be watched in any order - except the final White episode - which must be watched last. The show has time jumps so you can google first and find out how to watch in chronological order, just go random (I do not recommend) or go in the order presented - which is what we did. It stars Giancarlo Espisito from Breaking Bad and that's why we watched it and he's great. The show, overall, isn't awesome but it was fun and worth watching. 

Shrinking on Apple+ - Jason Segal stars as a frustrated therapist and grieving widower/single dad. He starts using unconventional methods to help his patients and things don't go well, yet they do, in a way, eventually. This is a really great cast that includes Jessica Williams and Harrison Ford. Ford's storyline as an aging therapist and estranged father with Parkinson's disease really hits home for me. He has a very strained relationship with his daughter but still has to discuss his health care and future. My father had Parkinson's and we had a very similar relationship when I had to step in to be his care taker.I cried multiple times with how honestly it's portrayed. While, sure, the show mines therapy for laughs, I felt like it has a deep respect for everyone involved and shows growth, accountability and consequences. 

👍👍👍👍to all of the above Now Showing titles!

36 comments:

  1. Bone fragments!!??! Ok I thought my issues were annoying. Like having a sinus infection every few months, but I doubt there is bone fragments in there

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    1. OMG I AM FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRST

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    2. No idea. I know I have seasonal allergies but I've never felt like I had post nasal drip or blockages but the CT scan shows every sinus but blocked and bone pieces. I've never been in an accident or had a severe nose injury that I recall.

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  2. OMG! Your dog is smelling the flowers. How cute! Good luck with the sinus issues

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  3. It's been cool here too. I'm so over it. Sorry to hear about your sinuses! Gah. I hope things don't get too outta hand w/ that...

    I need to see M3GAN. I should d a live watchalong post

    OMG I am thiiiiiiiiiiird

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    1. OMG yes, watch and post about M3GAN. It's a wild movie. It's good horror but also funny.

      Linda was always my first commenter for years until she had her baby lol She used to catch all my mistakes so I could fix them ha!

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  4. Oh No! That sounds awful. I can't imagine sinus surgery is pleasant at all, but hopefully after it's all done, your respitory issues improve.

    I am SOOOOOO SAD that you didn't enjoy KoCA in audiobook. I gave both the story and narration As. I was confused at first, but once I was into it, I liked the two different narrators - but it took some adjustment. The past tense narrator was very plain like you said. But I felt the present day narrator was perfect. Oh well, I'll be sad in the corner over here.

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    1. Ha! Please come out of the corner of sadness - or I'll replace you for being the one to send you there lol

      I thought the present day one picked up some later in the book but I already struggle with audio so it was all too dry to keep my interest at that point.

      Audiobooks are still iffy for me. I can only do very specific types of voices lol

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  5. How are you experiencing SPRING??!!! We still have lots of snow on the ground haha and still in 30 degree weather haha I am craving spring so badly. Sometimes I think you can enjoy a book better either through audio or physically reading it but sometimes you pick up the wrong format haha

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    1. Yeah well, it's one nice day and 8 pouring rain or snow so lol

      I'm definitely format specific these days lol

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  6. Ugh, sorry to hear the sinus issues continue. How miserable and frustrating. My husband has had sinus/coughing/throat clearing issues for 4 years now. He's had 3 endoscopies and many specialist appointments to determine a cause. He's finally landed with an allergist who had the same issue as him. He underwent testing and just started weekly allergy shots. Hopefully this will help. And hopefully your appointments bring some relief, too!

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    1. I've done the bloodwork allergy testing but now that I'll be seeing an actual allergist they might do the more specific one or start shots. I'm allergic to mold weeds and dogs. Yeah - I'm never near any of that lol

      I'm glad your husband finally resolved his issues though. It is super frustrating!

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  7. First things first...the new banner is lovely and funny as usual!

    We have already discussed your health issues on Twitter, so...BOK CHOY 🤣.

    Spring has been acting wacky here as well - the next days will see a temp drop, go figure.

    YAY YOU'RE LIKING THE HONEYS!

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    1. I am enjoying it so far! I really like the audio.

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  8. Love the Easter banner, that is too cute.
    Sorry to hear about the sinus problems.

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  9. My son has a big problem with post nasal drip. I'll be looking out for what you find out. I can't get him to go to a doctor because of all the damage the greedy gastroenterologists did to him. 😐 I told him he shouldn't worry because he now has public option insurance and they can't milk it like they did his father's employer's insurance. 😏 I hope they can get all of your problems sorted out. 😕 That bone fragments find is strange. Do you think maybe you broke your nose as a child and don't remember? 🤔

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    1. The thing is - I don't feel the post nasal drip and my nose never really feels clogged so it's so weird.
      I don't recall anything other than a few dogs jumping up and wacking me int he nose lol Nothing that ever bruised or required ice though.

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  10. Oh wow! How does one get bone fragments in their sinuses?! Fingers crossed you get some resolution soon, Karen!

    I hate it when books that, in theory, should be right up your street flop. It's sad and annoying.

    Spring is slowly making an appearance here and my husband is back in the veggie garden so I'm excited for when the first crops start arriving in the kitchen! :)

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    1. No idea! I'm really looking forward to my appointment so I discuss the findings more.

      I have some lettuce planted. We're still getting very cold weather and rain but at least a few days of sun are peeking through!

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  11. Firstly, I hope you're feeling better soon. That sounds so frustrating and exhausting. M3GAN was a lot of fun! We need more fun horror movies like it. I LOVED The Honey's. It really kept me guessing.

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    1. I loved The Honey's too! It was unpredictable and surprised me which is rare these days.

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  12. Gah, I am SO sorry about your sinuses being jerks (a jerk? well either way), I really hope you get to the bottom of it and feel better soon ♥♥ I really need to read The Honeys! Glad it is going well, especially since that other one was such a bummer. I want to see M3GAN and Kaleidoscope too! For me, Tati Gabrielle is the lure (Gaia from The 100) but it sounds really good too!

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    1. Well, it turns out my vocal cords are the true jerks lol I have to go to speech therapy and fingers crossed that will help.
      M3gan was a hoot!

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  13. KAREN! I've missed you.

    I really enjoyed The Honeys. I thought it was a very unique - albeit creepy - story. I hope you like it as much as I did.

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  14. I've heard good things about The Honeys so I'm glad you're enjoying it/hope you liked it since I'm commenting late. LOL

    Sorry about the sinus issues. I had chronic recurring sinus infections last year so I had to start doing allergy shots every week. We'll see how it goes. It's only been 6 months, and that can be the EARLIEST you notice changes.

    Lauren @ www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I did end up loving The Honey's! Finished just the other day lol

      Turns out it's more my vocal cords than sinuses so the search for a fix continues lol

      Kevin had allergy shots for several years. But it did help him!

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  15. It's interesting that I run across your blog on the same day that I receive an email advertising a discounted e-book of THE HONEYS.

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    1. My friend bought it too since I was telling her about it and she caught the sale. Hope you enjoy it!

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  16. I just saw your comment about re- reading Radio Silence. YES that sounds fun. If you're still intereted I am definitely in!

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    1. K! I started the audio today and hate it lol so I need to check if they have the e-book. If so we'll read! We can email for chat/updates? fwiwDOTkeaATgmailDOTcom Or did you want to DM on the bird app? I don't see you around much so whatever works for you.

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    2. Sounds good! I can do either Let's do the bird app. I don't tweet much but I'm there daily DM'ing and stuff. Sounds fun!!

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