Parenting Roundabout Parenting Roundabout

On our latest weekly roundup, Catherine needed some tech support, and Terri needed to spend a lot of time following the latest Taylor-Travis news. Mentioned: The Senior Swifties Sideline.

What we're watching: After watching the Ripley TV series, we decided to visit/revisit the 1999 movie, The Talented Mr. Ripley. Tom and co. are younger, in color, and more focused on music than visual art (no detours to the Italian Renaissance) in this version, but there's no cat! Mentioned: Purple Noon, a French movie adaptation of the story.

Catherine's library find this week is a first novel that's gotten a lot of attention since it was published in 2022: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. It's a charming story with two unlikely leads: A 70-year-old cleaning woman and a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus.

In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed a new member of Terri's family (July 3, 2023), the work-life seesaw (July 1, 2020), and fake life deadlines (July 3, 2019). Disclaimer: Terri is not a Medicare expert. Go to https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up/part-b-only for official Part B info.
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Next week, we will be debuting a new format. As our kids have become adults, we find ourselves more interested in getting caught up on movies and streaming than in going over the same parenting topics over and over. So we’re going to talk about what we’re watching, what we thought about it, and maybe what parenting advice we can take from it, if only what not to do.

We'll check out an older TV show or movie and a newer one each week, starting with Lost as our oldie (S1 E1, "Pilot: Part 1") and A Gentleman in Moscow as our newcomer (S1 E1, "A Master of Circumstance"). Follow along!

On our latest weekly roundup, Catherine reported on her son living it up in NYC, seeing lots and lots of theater. Mentioned: A past episode in which we discussed a BroadwayHD presentation of She Loves Me.

What we're watching: We finished up season 3 of Bridgerton with episode 7, "Joining of Hands," and episode 8, "Into the Light." Yay for Penelope and Colin, but there were too many Bridgertons and altogether too much going on in this season. We wanted more Polin, less everything else (but still had fun with it).

Catherine's library find this week is a trio of children's books that will strike fear in the heart of our former podcasting pal Nicole Eredics: Frankie D, Vegan Vampire by Sally and Brian Dutra, illustrated by Tiffani Brown; Harold the Iceberg Is Not a Super Food by Lisa Wyzlic, illustrated by Rebecca Syracuse; and 1 Big Salad: A Delicious Counting Book by Juana Medina.

In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed mandatory attendance at family events (June 29, 2023), occasions worthy of photo shoots (June 27, 2022), and movies that made us cry (June 26, 2015).
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Next week, we'll return to the story of Tom Ripley with the 1999 movie The Talented Mr. Ripley. Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, Terri went to the New Jersey Special Olympics, and now will never hear How Far I'll Go from Moana the same way again.

What we're watching: We're into the second half of Bridgerton season 3 now and watched two episodes: 5, "Tick Tock," and 6, "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton." While thrilled to be engaged to Colin, Penelope is now juggling her secret identity, her fractured friendship with Eloise, and some serious scheming from Cressida.

Catherine's library find this week is a follow-up to a previous find, The Sandal-Making Workshop. This time, we're learning ​How to Make Custom-Fit Bras and Lingerie (or, rather, discussing why we won't be doing that, thank you). 

In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed proud parent moments (June 19, 2023), scary advice (June 17, 2020), and ambiguous kid-speak (June 19, 2019).
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Next week, we'll discuss the final installments of Bridgerton, season 3: Episode 7, "Joining of Hands," and episode 8, "Into the Light." Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, Catherine's dogs are getting a little too close to nature, while Terri's pup seems, thankfully, not to follow in the footsteps of her predecessor.

What we're watching: In the final episode (for now) of Ripley, "Narcissus," Tom's got a pretty good thing going in Venice, including a new friend played by John Malkovich.

On Bridgerton's season 3, episode 4 ("Old Friends"), it's finally time for the carriage scene everyone's been waiting for—although Terri thinks Lord Kilmartin's gesture is far more romantic.

Catherine's library find this week is an earthworm-themed two-fer: I Can Only Draw Worms by Will Mabbitt and The Worm Family Has Its Picture Taken by Jennifer Frank, illustrated by David Ezra Stein.

In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed keeping everything on Zoom (June 11, 2020), parenting ghostwriters (June 13, 2019), and talking vs. texting (June 16, 2016).
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Next week, we'll discuss the next two installments of Bridgerton, season 3: Episode 5, "Tick Tock," and episode 6, "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton." Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

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.
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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). 
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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.