darlenefblog

[darlenefblog]

Tuesday isn't kind

Today is a "hate" day. I hate everyone & everything. Anger is one of the steps of grieving but actual hate isn't talked about. I'm filled with it, I want to go off to sleepy town and I'm too hyped up to close my eyes. Maybe it's all winding through my grief like a snake. It started ok, the usual thinking of Mia when I'm almost awake but still in that place where you don't move. That's what gets me out of bed, I can't lay there and watch the movie in my head.

I had an appointment with an eye doctor my insurance company wanted me to do. Diabetic eye exam? Oh well, it's their call. It's in Millington! They didn't tell me I had to drive 20 miles to the damn doc-in-a-box. Talking to the lady checking me in I found out that my nurse practitioner had marked my chart as diabetic! I was pre and the medicine knocked it down. He was going to try & get the insurance company to cough up the cost for Wegovey because it's also got good properties for heart patients - me. He never submitted the preauthorization to Blue Cross. Dumb-ass called in the script to Walgreens, marked my chart as diabetic and then didn't do the damn request. I called Blue Cross, they didn't get any request. I called the office 3 times, left a message & got nothing. Well fuck him.

Turns out a diabetic eye exam is some kind of scam as far as I can tell. They take a photo of your eyes looking for some kind of swelling in the back of your eye, WTF? Anyway, the testing was ok, the drive & crap I found out was not ok. I'm mad.

I had a book review to do and it wasn't good. The book blurb sounded ok and the book wasn't. Historical romance novels with such unbelievable situations - well you can't suspend belief that much. I was a nice as I could be. Reading other reviews I wasn't the only one with a meh feeling.

The Mia part is having too much time to think. Driving, scraping glass frosting off the shower door, laundry; None require much concentration. I still see the little jump she did when I got her harness out; so happy to go for a walk or car ride - whatever I was doing was ok with her. She jumped in the car happy as could be. Enjoying the ride, didn't matter where we were going. I can't go any further right now. I'm not in a place where I can write about the end and how it haunts me. I just can't right now. I've picked a random photo of Mia, it was hard to take a bad one, she was so pretty. I miss her so much.

[darlenefblog]

Interesting new show I found - Watson

Finally taking a little time to clean up my DVR. I had an entire season of a TV show called Watson. It's a modern take on the Sherlock Holmes stories. Doctor John Watson is working in a clinic at a teaching hospital. The clinic is paid for by Sherlock Holmes (who's dead). It reminded me of House, the patients and cases that no one else can solve.

Anyway, I loved it. Well done & interesting. They've managed to update the setting and making it Dr. Watson is a whole new slant. I read it's been renewed for season 2.

[darlenefblog]

Jun 24, 2025 10:35am PT

Bobby Sherman, Heartthrob Singer and TV Actor of the 1970s, Dies at 81

Bobby Sherman, a singer and actor who became a quintessential shaggy-haired teen idol of the late 1960s and early ’70s, died Tuesday at age 81.

The news had been anticipated ever since his wife revealed to fans in social media posts in late March and early April that the entertainer had been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, explaining why he would no longer be able to make personal appearances. “Thank you so much for still remembering him,” she wrote then on her Facebook page. “We really appreciate it.”

The young girl I use to be is crushed.

I have a story. In the late 1990's a group of older pop stars were making the rounds of small venues with a variety music show. Peter Noone, Davey Jones, and Bobby Sherman. My husband drove me to a casino in Tunica, Mississippi where he promptly plopped down at a slot machine & actually won $700.00 that night. I loved the show and was at one point almost close enough to touch Bobby. They were all older but so were we. It was a great night.

[darlenefblog]

Eliza and the Duke

The Doves of New York Book 2

by Harper St. George 

A 2 star review

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley

Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 24, 2025

Print length ‏ : ‎ 333 pages 

Story description:

"American heiress Eliza Dove was resigned to a polite marriage of convenience...until she spent one wicked night with the Duke. All hopeless romantic Eliza Dove asked for was one night of adventure. One glorious evening of freedom to explore the dark corners of London with a mysterious stranger before a lifetime trapped in a quiet, respectable marriage of convenience. Except now she wants more. Now she wants him.   Simon Cavell is no gentleman. Known only as ‘the Duke,’ Whitechapel’s prize boxer is one fight away from achieving his goal: to safeguard his late sister’s only treasure and leave the streets for good. He cannot allow some pretty young heiress to spill his secrets, no matter how tempting she might be. In return for her silence, Simon will give Eliza a taste of the darkness…and hope he doesn’t lose his heart in the process. But one night together could never be enough. And now Eliza has a new plan—an even more scandalous bargain that will either land the heiress her duke or ruin them both."

My review:

The story description sounded like an interesting change from all the actual historical duke romance books I've read lately. Unfortunately it dragged so much I almost put it down but I did make it to the last page. I found the Dove family strange in a bad way, not quirky. The father of the girls, that was a complete fail for me. None of it would have happened and I couldn't get past it. Seeing as it was the catalyst that brought the family to London that thought interruption stopped the flow of the story. I never engaged with the characters and felt detached from, the leads and secondary.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

(The book wasn't that good but the cover art is the prettiest I've seen in a long time.)

[darlenefblog]

Sad tired old lady today. Monday, Monday, can't trust that day...

It's a heat index of 106 this afternoon so I'm in the house with the blinds closed and curtains pulled. Makes it kind of claustrophobic. I've been puttering around the house doing chores and a couple of to-do list items. Too much time to think.

About 2 this afternoon my stomach started to roil and I felt weak. My head was pounding too. My BP was 144 today so it's not that. I'm always afraid it's another stroke. If I couldn't take care of myself where would I be? I'm alone here in the house, my nephew and his wife both work and have 2 kids. My sister-in-law and her sister are both older than me and not in much better shape. How awful to be at the mercy of a stranger.

I've typed up a new listing of my medications and a list of my doctors. I started this for my sister when she was in and out of doctors offices and the hospital. Remembering all that info was impossible and time consuming. This is easy, hand it to them to make a copy. I taped a copy of both list on the outside of my kitchen cabinet doors. I was so pleased with my idea that I typed one up for Buddy with instructions on his medicine. He's in my will, even though he's 13 I have no doubt he'll outlive me. I'm leaving money to his caretaker for care, feeding & meds. Gotta make sure my boy is taken care of. Morbid but I figure I'll die in this house, unless there's an accident.

A photo of Mia looking like my driving was worrying her. I have no idea where we are, Memphis of course but I don't recognize the scenery. I'm having a hard time remembering little things about her, smell, heft laying beside me on the bed. Her muzzle has turned so silver here at the end. I discovered that Buddy doesn't want to lay on the sofa with me, maybe he never did. When that stinker wanted to he would jump up, start grooming Mia's ear, which she hated, wait for her to jump down, before curling up in her spot. He hasn't sat beside me once since she died.

I'm tired.

[darlenefblog]

A Wedding for Belle - 2025

Shown on UPtv

Directed by Lexi Giovagnoli - herself a romance movie actress before heading behind the camera.

"Belle grew up in an idyllic town that was famous for weddings and always dreamed of having her wedding here. Now working as a wedding blogger and journalist for a big wedding publisher, she has her sights set on marrying her fiancé, the publisher owner’s son back home. Once back home she reconnects with her old high school boyfriend and realizes she’s marrying the wrong man and rushes out from her nuptials to be with him."

Not every movie is an actual Hallmark production. Crown Media and Larry Levinson can only do so much. Most of these small budget romance movies are independently made and sold to a channel, hopefully. The first thing I notice is the actual film itself, it isn't as crisp and sharp. I have no idea if it's the actual film or cameras, beats me but it's different. The actors are usually fine, the sets and costumes are fine. Money shows and these small movies don't have it. A lot of the actors you'll see are from soap operas. If it's not on General Hospital then I don't recognize it or them. Example: Jen Lilley was originally Maxie on General Hospital, to name one, and then moved to Hallmark. From there she moved to Great American Family and has now gone free agent.

This movie falls in the just ok category. Nothing offensive or plain awful, UPtv doesn't show racy movies or controversial subject matter. What you read in the information blurb is exactly what happens in the movie. Boredom set in and I flipped through a magazine, I've seen so many romance movies that I'm jaded and about done with them except what would I watch?

[darlenefblog]

InStyle magazine again. They've become a favorite of hers. Meghan is pushing the idea of a fashion line hard, gaging the public interest is my guess. As if anyone wants wrinkled too long pants.

Meghan Markle Explains Why She Went Against the Public’s “Natural Inclination” for Her to Launch a Fashion Line

Story by Rachel Burchfield: InStyle

 •https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/meghan-markle-explains-why-she-went-against-the-public-s-natural-inclination-for-her-to-launch-a-fashion-line

“It was definitely something that people were asking me to get involved with.”

The Gist

On the June 17 episode of the “Aspire with Emma Grede” podcast, Meghan Markle shared why she didn’t automatically go into fashion, as many expected she would.

She and Grede talked about her fashion influence and whether she’d ever enter the space.

Ahead of the Duchess of Sussex’s As Ever restock on June 20, Meghan opened up on why she decided to go the route she did with her business venture.

In fact, as Meghan said on the June 17 episode of the “Aspire with Emma Grede” podcast, going straight into fashion might have been the obvious choice for the style icon after she and husband Prince Harry left royal employ five years ago in 2020. On Tuesday’s episode, Meghan told Grede—who knows about working in fashion, as she’s a top exec for both SKIMS and Good American—that the “natural inclination” was for her to go straight into fashion, but something else tugged at her heartstrings more.

As for a potential foray into fashion and beauty, “It was definitely something that people were asking me to get involved with,” Meghan said. “I think it could be fun, and I think there’ll be a time for that.”

“I think there’ll certainly be a time for fashion,” Meghan added, before jokingly telling Grede—again, experienced in the space as CEO of Good American and founding partner of SKIMS—that “You and I can talk about it later.”

Grede addressed Meghan’s influence on fashion, noting that when she makes public appearances, the items she wears sell out with frequency—the Meghan Markle Effect, if you will. “Have you been able to reconcile the fact that you have that type of influence?” Grede asked.

[darlenefblog]

Another article taking a bit from the Aspire with Emma Grede. There've been several magazine articles using a bit from that and made an entire article. This is the part she said about fashion. As if. Anybody ever hear about the 5 year old selling scrunchies? New one to me.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/duchess-meghan-just-hinted-at-starting-her-own-fashion-line

Duchess Meghan Just Hinted at Starting Her Own Fashion Line

Story by Joel Calfee: Harper's Bazaar

One thing you can’t deny about Duchess Meghan? She’s got a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

In a new appearance on the podcast Aspire with Emma Grede, the Duchess of Sussex spoke about her many business ventures, tracing her interest in entrepreneurship back to when she was only five years old and selling scrunchies to her neighbors.

Earlier this year, the With Love, Meghan star launched her own lifestyle brand, called As Ever, where she sells a plethora of goods,(seriously?) from homemade jams and her signature “flower sprinkles” to shortbread cookie mix and tea. But, while discussing her sold-out home products, Meghan revealed that she’s considered going into other ventures too.

But the idea that’s sitting strongest in the back of Meghan’s mind seems to be starting her own fashion company. “I think there’ll certainly be a time for fashion,” Meghan added, before teasingly saying to Grede: “You and I can talk about that later.” (Grede is currently the CEO of the denim company Good American, as well as a founding partner of the shapewear brand Skims.) **Run before she takes your money and Markles your company!!!**

And while chatting with Grede, the host brought up the fact that whenever Meghan makes public appearances, the items she’s wearing sell out almost instantly. “Have you been able to reconcile the fact that you have that type of influence?” Grede asks.

“You know, it’s funny because that’s been now for several years, that effect,” Meghan said. “I think my feelings surrounding it have ebbed and flowed because they say imitation is the best form of flattery. And at the same time, you start to watch how it’s being monetized at such a huge level globally.”

[darlenefblog]

Here's an article I found about Meghan's podcast interview on  Aspire With Emma Grede. I did a paste & copy on a couple of highlights. The lie about the farmers market is there.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/the-unexpected-way-meghan-markle-is-teaching-archie-and-lilibet-about-money-and-privilege

The Unexpected Way Meghan Markle Is Teaching Archie and Lilibet About Money and Privilege

Story by Alyssa Bailey:ELLE Us

THE RUNDOWN

In a new podcast interview, Meghan Markle revealed how she is using gardening to teach her 6-year-old son, Archie, and 4-year-old daughter, Lilibet, about the value of things and money.

Meghan spoke about how important it is, especially for her children who have privilege, to learn these lessons at a young age.

Meghan also explained how her self-esteem changed after becoming a mother, marking an evolution from her “chapter of self-doubt as an auditioning actor.”

“We sometimes do a little farmer’s market stand,” she began. “We grow a lot of veggies and...gardening is really, really so great for children because it teaches them patience. [It] teaches them to value and appreciate their food. So you start from seed, and you watch it grow, and they wait. But with that, it’s like, now do you want to sell your harvest? And do you want to share it with our community? And also, what do you want to do with those funds once you have them? So really starting to understand, as they’re learning counting and numbers and all of those things, that there’s a cost and a price for things.

[darlenefblog]

Cleaning up and finding memories

I don't remember what grade but this was done in elementary school. That would have been Treadwell in Memphis. I only went there 4 years before I switched to First Christian. My hair is still short-ish so 1st or 2nd grade. I vaguely remember the teacher sitting us in front of a light & drawing our outline. There's a bell ringing in my head that this was a mother's day present.

[darlenefblog]

As Ever rose wine may be on the way for Summer. Which has already started but hey, who has a calendar.

I've pasted the link in case you want to read the whole thing for yourself. The photo is from the announcement.

**Meghan uncorks wine venture to ‘bring joy to you and your loved ones’

Story by Victoria Ward: The Telegraph

https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/meghan-uncorks-wine-venture-to-bring-joy-to-you-and-your-loved-ones

The Duchess of Sussex has said she hopes her new Napa Valley rosé will “bring joy to you and your loved ones”.

She revealed that she would be selling a rosé wine from July 1 “just in time for summer entertaining”, but did not disclose its cost or which Californian vineyard is behind it.

On the forthcoming wine, the Duchess said: “With soft notes of stone fruit, gentle minerality and a lasting finish, this bespoke blend is launching just in time for summer entertaining and will be available for purchase on July 1.”

The announcement comes as the Duchess revealed plans to branch into hospitality and entertaining, suggesting that a book offering tips on the domestic idyll “could be fun”.**

[darlenefblog]

I loved her so much.

I woke up at about 5:30 this morning and knew better than to lay down again. I had dreamed about Mia and stopping the vet from killing her. I said no, I managed to get the words out. I wasn't frozen, crying hysterically still in the grip of my massive panic attack. I know what I've lost, my best friend. It's a huge hole in my life that I'm not adjusting to or able to get past. Mia made everything fun, riding around paying bills or roaming the park in the morning; she'd lay on the sofa and pretend to watch General Hospital with me.

I do want another dog, a companion. I don't do well on my own anymore. I used to have my coffee in the morning while checking my e-mail and didn't turn the TV on until about 10 or so. I liked the quiet. Now I'm sleeping with the TV on and...actually it's on 24x7. Is it fair to a dog if I'm still so upset or would a companion lessen the panic attacks. I'm torn.

[darlenefblog]

Crash Landing - 2025

by Annie McQuaid -Debut Novel

A 2 star review

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Avon

Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 1, 2025

Print length ‏ : ‎ 302 pages 

About the book:

"Piper Adams is completely, totally, one hundred percent over Wyatt, the former love of her life. At least, that’s what she tells herself. After he broke her heart, she stopped taking risks and focused instead on building a perfect—and perfectly safe—life. But bumping into Wyatt at the airport on the way to her best friend’s destination wedding wasn’t part of the plan. Neither was a canceled flight nor Wyatt’s offer of a ride on the tiny plane he’s flying to attend the same event. Desperate to make it on time, she accepts his offer, but things go from awkward to full-blown nightmare when their plane crashes in the Caribbean, stranding Piper on a deserted island with the last person she ever wanted to see again.

At first, rule-following Piper clashes with adventure-driven Wyatt, but as the days tick by, she can see the boy she once loved has grown into a man. A man who makes her laugh, knows his way around a fire, and is annoyingly hot shirtless. A man she could love again. As the chemistry still simmering between them boils over, Piper begins wishing Wyatt was more than just a survival partner. But for their love to survive a second chance, she’ll have to not only trust Wyatt again, but also learn to trust herself and find the courage to let go of her carefully curated life for the chance at something far greater—if they can survive the island long enough for rescue."

My review:

I liked the plot description of second chance stuck on an island when the plane crashes. It's not often used so it's got a fresh feel to it. The part where they're stuck at the airport, manage to rent a small plane & then crash was, to me, the best part of the story and I expected more from it.. There was potential for provocative talk, looks, a little hands touching moments but I didn't get enough of them. Piper and Wyatt were stranded for 7 days and there could have been more feisty enemies to friends to enemies again. Back home things were awkward with misunderstandings, expectations, emotions kept in check until they blew up - which was a good thing. Getting home and being overwhelmed by everyone's idea of what happened was a good way to carry out the confusion which led to a nice ending.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions express in this review are completely my own.

[darlenefblog]

Just my 2 cents worth but this isn't a commercial for food products. I thought it could be a park? Selling swings? Selling fruit "spread" is a big no.

[darlenefblog]

Maybe it will help...?

Every decade or so I realize I need new pajamas. Seems they wear out while you're not looking. Life is such a mess this year that I decided to Hallmark movie my pajamas. I watched two movies over a weekend where the lead wore cute PJ's and I had a lightbulb moment. It's Walmart but hey, I'm poor and they had what I wanted. I took, or tried to, photos of 2 of the sleep sets. Cute polka dots & a nice flower print. The Hallmark style is shirt with a collar, maybe a pocket, and long pants. During the next week or so I paid close attention and I was right, it's the same style. So here are 2 of my replacement PJ's a la Hallmark Style. (Cat not included)

[darlenefblog]

Saw this and it gave me a laugh. Meghan chastising people about telling lies. I'll cut and paste a few things and include the link. She's clapping back hard and in plenty of social media and print.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/meghan-warns-a-lie-can-t-live-forever-and-would-ask-people-to-tell-the-truth

Meghan warns ‘a lie can’t live forever’ and would ‘ask people to tell the truth’

Story by Laura Elston, Evening Standard

*The Duchess of Sussex has said she would “ask people to tell the truth” if she was able to rewrite her public narrative from scratch.

Meghan referred to a “lie” told eight years ago, saying “a lie can’t live forever. Eight years is a long time, but not forever”, in a new podcast interview.

Enterpreneur Emma Grede asked Meghan on her Aspire podcast: “I want to say this to you in the best way, because I wonder if you could rewrite your public narrative from scratch, is there anything that you would do differently?”

Meghan replied calmly: “Yes, I would ask people to tell the truth.”

The duchess gave no specifics about to whom who she was referring, but later referred to a “lie” told eight years ago.

She added that her “dear friend” tennis champion Serena Williams told her “a lie can’t live forever”.

The duchess said: “She told me years ago, a lie can’t live forever. Eight years is a long time, but not forever.”

She also addressed her recent twerking video, which showed her dancing to the Baby Mama song in a bid to bring on labour with Princess Lilibet, describing it as a reminder of a “real authentic fun life.”*

[darlenefblog]

Found this article and thought it might be of interest. I think we all hurt her feelings. I'll cut and paste some parts and provide the link if you want to read it all.

Meghan Markle speaks out after critics slam viral delivery room dance video with Prince Harry

Story by Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOX News

https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/entertainment-celebrity/meghan-markle-speaks-out-after-critics-slam-viral-delivery-room-dance-video-with-prince-harry

*Meghan Markle is speaking out about a video of her dancing in a delivery room with husband, Prince Harry; the viral clip drew mixed reactions on social media. 

In the video, Markle and Harry were seen grooving in a room with a hospital bed in the background before the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to their daughter Lilibet. 

While critics took aim at the Duchess of Sussex and called the moment "cringe" and "attention-seeking," Markle dubbed the video "authentic."

"You have to be authentic," she said in a preview clip for the next episode of the "Aspire" podcast. "Did you see my ‘Baby Momma’ dance? … By the way, that wasn’t yesterday. That was four years ago."

"It’s a really great reminder that, with all the noise or whatever people do, there’s still a whole life. A real, authentic, fun life that’s happening behind the scenes," she remarked.

"I’m just grateful that now, being back on social as well, I have a place where I can share it on my own terms," Markle added.

When asked if she could rewrite her public narrative from scratch and if there was anything she would do differently by host Emma Grede, she replied, "Yes, I would ask people to tell the truth," according to Vanity Fair.*