Parenting Roundabout Parenting Roundabout

On our latest weekly roundup, home improvements continue (in the Midwest) and are regretfully declined (in New Jersey).

What we're watching: In episode 7 of Ripley, "Macabre Entertainment," Tom does some scrambling in Sicily but pulls off another escape in the end.

On Bridgerton's season 3, episode 3 ("Forces of Nature"), it's time for the old suitor switcheroo as Lord Debling shows an interest in Penelope and Colin comes to his dang senses and sees what's been in front of him the whole time.

Catherine's library find this week is a nonfiction charmer called The African Svelte: Ingenious Misspellings That Make Surprising Sense by Daniel Menaker, with illustrations by Roz Chast.

In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed life skills lessons we'd like to see (June 7, 2021), emergency contact forms (June 5, 2019), and privacy at home (June 4, 2018). Mentioned: The Ostrichpillow.
​
Next week, we'll discuss the final episode (at least for now) of Ripley, called “Narcissus,” and episode 4 of Bridgerton, season 3 ("Old Friends"). Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, some of the men in our lives are dealing with excessive amounts of mulch (or bark, or wood chips; whatever the terminology, there is too much of it).

What we're watching: In episode 6 of Ripley, "Some Heavy Instrument," the law starts to close in on Tom, in the form of Inspector Ravini, played wonderfully by Maurizio Lombardi. Mentioned: The murderous leg of lamb episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, based on a story by Roald Dahl.

On Bridgerton's season 3, episode 2 ("How Bright the Moon"), Penelope discovers that Colin is a writer (!) and the Queen finds a debutante who interests her. Guess what? It's piano-playing Francesca.

Catherine's library find this week is another pick from the department of Crafts We'll Never Do: The Sandalmaking Workshop: Make Your Own Mary Janes, Crisscross Sandals, Mules, Fisherman Sandals, Toe Slides, and More by Rachel Corry. We're impressed at Corry's industriousness, but we'll stick to buying our sandals (and all of our other shoes) at Zappos.

In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed secret handshakes and inside jokes (May 27, 2021), what robots could do for us (May 27, 2019), and weird things that make you happy as an adult (May 29, 2017). 
​
Next week, we'll discuss the next episode of Ripley, called “Macabre Entertainment,” and episode 3 of Bridgerton, season 3 ("Forces of Nature"). Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, it's Catherine's turn to deal with an outage, as the water main near her home was shut down (by the same project that caused a gas leak a few weeks back). 

What we're watching: In episode 5 of Ripley, "Lucio," we caught up with the flash-forward that started the series off: Tom dragging a dead body down the stairs of an apartment building, very noisily and bloodily and under the watchful eye of a handsome cat. 

Then we jumped back 150 years to season 3 of Bridgerton, with episode 1 ("Out of the Shadows"). Here, the colors are bright and beautiful and no one is getting hit in the head with anything heavy—although, of course, there is plenty of subterfuge.

Catherine's library find this week is from the department of Crafts We'll Never Do. It's called Abstract Embroidery: Slow Stitching With Texture, Colour, and Creativity by Emily Botelho. We also took a detour into a non-library find from the same department of not-gonna-happen: Tooth Gem Style: Bedazzled Styles From Around the World.

In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed the kind of families we aren't (May 24, 2021), connecting with kids (May 20, 2019), and stuff we need to get rid of (May 23, 2017). 
​
Next week, we'll discuss the next episode of Ripley, called “Some Heavy Instrument,” and episode 2 of Bridgerton, season 3 ("How Bright the Moon"). Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, Terri reports on a power outage that almost derailed her viewing of Ripley, while Catherine's daughter had a close call with a tornado. Mentioned: Unfrosted (the Jerry Seinfeld Pop-Tart movie) and the upcoming Twisters, an "update" of the 1996 movie Twister.

What we're watching: Episode 3 of Ripley is called "Sommerso," which means "submerged" in Italian, so maybe you can guess what happens in that one? It taught us that blood spatters look extra-dramatic in black and white, for one thing. Episode 4, "La Dolce Vita," showed us Tom's new situation in Rome. It's not really a sweet life, but it is a double one--for now. Mentioned: TV critics Daniel Fienberg, Roxana Hadadi, and Ben Travers on the show, and particularly the ages of the actors and their characters.

Catherine's library find this week is ostensibly a children's book, but we think it's aimed squarely at Gen-Xers: It's a board book called Goodnight, Girls, starring cartoon versions of TV's Golden Girls. Mentioned: A new version of Matlock, coming soon and starring Kathy Bates.

In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed Mother's Day (May 15, 2023), proud mom moments (May 17, 2021), and what's bugging us (May 19, 2021). The children's book about a mouse that Terri was trying to recall is The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo.
​
Next week, we'll discuss the next episode of Ripley, called “Lucia,” and the first episode of Bridgerton, season 3! It's called "Out of the Shadows" and we're confident it'll be quite a contrast with Ripley. Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, a delicious fundraiser benefitting the library where Catherine works prompted us to talk about clever ways to solicit donations (and how involved parents get in the process).

What we're watching: We started Netflix's Ripley, a series based on the 1999 movie The Talented Mr. Ripley, with episodes 1 ("A Hard Man to Find") and 2 ("Seven Mercies"). In the series, the characters are aged up and the color is drained out for a you-can't-miss-it moodiness. We didn't love it (listen in to hear why) but we'll keep going.

Catherine's library find this week is from the quirky nonfiction category: Dogland: Passion, Glory and Lots of Slobber at the Westminster Dog Show by Tommy Tomlinson. It's a perfect audiobook for Terri, except she'll miss out on pictures of doggies.

In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed kids in public places (May 10, 2023), gestures of generosity (May 9, 2022), and what we'd do with villa-in-Italy riches (May 12, 2016). Mentioned: Best in Show; "Craig"  by Walker Hayes.
​
Next week, we'll watch the next two episodes of Ripley, “Sommerso” and “La Dolce Vita.” Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, our resident Swiftie gives her review of The Tortured Poets Department. Mentioned: The video for the song "Fortnight," with Ethan Hawke and Josh Charles (of Dead Poets Society ... get it?). 

What we're watching: We came to the end of Reservation Dogs and we're so sad about it. But the final pair of episodes ("Elora's Dad" and "Dig") were a beautiful celebration of family and community and the perfect way to go out.

Catherine's library find this week is Monster's New Undies. Check out a read-aloud so you can appreciate the rhymes from Samantha Berger along with the illustrations by Tad Carpenter. Plus, a follow-up to previous library find Butt or Face: There's a sequel, Butt or Face: Revenge of the Butts!

In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed pre-pandemic peeves (April 29, 2020), trade-in values (April 29, 2019, and the hardest thing to give up (May 2, 2016). Mentioned: Seinfeld complains about cheek-kissing; Forever My Girl.
​
Next week, we'll start watching the new Netflix series Ripley. We'll watch the first two episodes, “A Hard Man to Find” and “Seven Mercies.” Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.