Stephen King’s ‘Lisey’s Story’ has been adapted into a horror drama miniseries for Apple TV+. Photo: amazon
Stephen King is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His recent work includes “If It Bleeds,” “The Institute,” “Elevation,” “The Outsider,” “Sleeping Beauties” (cowritten with his son Owen King), and the Bill Hodges trilogy: “End of Watch,” “Finders Keepers,” and “Mr. Mercedes” (an Edgar Award winner for Best Novel and a television series streaming on Peacock). His novel “11/22/63” was named a top ten book of 2011 by The New York Times Book Review and won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Mystery/Thriller. He is the recipient of the 2020 Audio Publishers Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2018 PEN America Literary Service Award, the 2014 National Medal of Arts, and the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. His 2016 novel “Lisey’s Story” is about Lisey Landon, the widow of a famous and wildly successful novelist, Scott Landon and consists of two stories-Lisey’s in the present, and that of her dead husband’s life, as remembered by Lisey. It has been adapted into a miniseries scheduled to premiere on Apple TV+ on Friday June 4, 2021. It stars Julianne Moore as Lisey Landon and Clive Owen as Scott Landon. (amazon, 2021)
Lisey lost her husband Scott two years ago, after a twenty-five year marriage of profound and sometimes frightening intimacy. Scott was an award-winning, bestselling novelist and an extremely complicated man. Early in their relationship, before they married, Lisey knew there was a place Scott went—a place that both terrified and healed him, could eat him alive or give him the ideas he needed in order to live. Now it is Lisey’s turn to face Scott’s demons, to go to that terrifying place known as Boo’ya Moon. What begins as a widow’s effort to sort through the papers of her celebrated husband becomes a nearly fatal journey into the darkness he inhabited. Lisey has a hard time keeping herself grounded in this world, often finding that she slips back to Boo’ya Moon in her sleep and sometimes while awake.
Spending time in nature can do wonders. Sabal Palm Sanctuary. Photo: Sandra Cruz
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and its purpose is to raise awareness and educate the public about mental illnesses including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, the realities of living with these conditions, and strategies for attaining mental health and wellness. With that in mind, I would like to share simple ways to adapt a healthy lifestyle which can lead to less worry, stress, and anxiety. As someone living with anxiety and panic attacks, I can attest that most, if not all of them, can help.
Exercise regularly. This does not mean training for a marathon, but the simple act of going for a walk can do wonders, especially going on a nature walk. Not only is it a distraction, but exercising regularly lowers stress hormones and releases endorphins, leading to what is called “runner’s high.” In the long run, it improves the quality of your sleep, which helps your overall mental state. To help you stick to a routine, chose an activity you enjoy, such as walking, dancing, roller skating, biking, or yoga. This way, it does not feel like a chore.
Journaling. I am not giving out homework here, but one way to deal with stress is by writing things down. It can be as simple as making a to-do list before bed to help you sleep better, or as detailed as keeping a gratitude journal to help relieve stress and anxiety by focusing your thoughts on the positive aspects of your life. If you are feeling overwhelmed with negative thoughts or emotions, write them down on paper and then tear it up or burn it. Writing down your problems can give you a different perspective and may help sort them out.
Take time out to laugh. I have seen this for myself so I know personally that laughter really is the best medicine. Like exercise, it releases the body’s feel-good hormones that relieve stress and improve mood. Humor also helps to keep a positive outlook which can create resilience. When life throws me a curve ball, I yell out “Plot twist!” and move on. I like to watch reruns of my favorite comedies because they make me laugh and the their predictability has been known to lessen stress levels.
Go ahead and pet the dog/cat. As someone who has an animal companion, I can assure you that petting your dog or cat helps to relieve stress by, you guessed it, releasing those feel good hormones. Not only that, but they help you feel needed, especially dogs because they thrive on routines and are an excellent way to get you out the door to take them on daily walks. Not to worry, they will remind you when it is feeding or snack time.
Mindfulness. Not into meditating? Try mindfulness. This is defined as a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you are sensing and feeling in the moment without interpretation or judgment. Basically, it just means slowing down and living in the present. When you are sitting outside, listen to the sounds that surround you, feel the sun on your skin, or how the bench or swing feels on your body. It does not have to mean anything, just take the time to enjoy the five senses: vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch regardless of what you are presently doing.
Stay connected. John Donne, the British poet, said it best when he wrote “no man is an island, entire of itself.” Even if you are an introvert, humans are not meant to be isolated from friends and family. I know it has been a difficult year because of the COVID-mandated quarantine, but socialization is slowly coming back. Living in a digital world, it can be tempting to just send texts and social media messages, but nothing can replace making real contact with others. Always remember that people cannot read your mind. If you need help, you need to ask. Anyone who genuinely cares will appreciate you being honest.
The right tool for the right job. If there is something I learned from previous moves, it is easier and less stressful when you hire professionals. The experience can be daunting, especially with big families. In such a case, consider Texans Movers to handle your next move. From the packing to the heavy lifting, moving is a big project that is tough to handle on your own. When you need to enlist the help of local movers, headquartered in Houston, TX, The Woodlands – Sugar Land, and surrounding areas, you want to find an experienced and well-equipped company to handle your move. Residential moving is one of the many services they offer. These residential movers in Texas provide boxes, pads, and other packing materials, wrap special items to ensure they are secure, pack the entire household, deliver it, and unpack it, give you organizing tips, checklists, and perform a final sweep for forgotten items. They load and unload according to your specifications and provide secure, climate controlled storage for items you no longer need.
Texans Movers are here to make your next move easier. Photo: Texans Movers, used with permission.
The adaptation of ‘The Underground Railroad’ is now available on Amazon Prime Video. Photo: amazon
Colson Whitehead is the author eight novels and two works on non-fiction, including “The Underground Railroad,” which received the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the Carnegie Medal, the Heartland Prize, the Arthur C. Clarke Award, the Hurston-Wright Award, and was longlisted for the Booker Prize. Whitehead’s “The Nickel Boys” received the Pulitzer Prize, The Kirkus Prize, and the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction. He is a recipient of a Whiting Writers’ Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a MacArthur Fellowship. “The Underground Railroad” has been adapted into a TV series for Amazon by Barry Jenkins and is now available for viewing on Amazon Prime Video. It chronicles a young slave’s adventures as she makes a desperate bid for freedom in the antebellum South and stars Thuso Mbedu and Aaron Pierre. (amazon, 2021)
Cora is a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia. An outcast even among her fellow Africans, she is on the cusp of womanhood—where greater pain awaits. And so when Caesar, a slave who has recently arrived from Virginia, urges her to join him on the Underground Railroad, she seizes the opportunity and escapes with him.
In Colson Whitehead’s novel, the Underground Railroad is no mere metaphor: engineers and conductors operate a secret network of actual tracks and tunnels beneath the Southern soil. Cora embarks on a harrowing flight from one state to the next, encountering, like Gulliver, strange yet familiar iterations of her own world at each stop. As Whitehead brilliantly re-creates the terrors of the antebellum era, he weaves in the saga of our nation, from the brutal abduction of Africans to the unfulfilled promises of the present day. The Underground Railroad is both the gripping tale of one woman’s will to escape the horrors of bondage—and a powerful meditation on the history we all share.
It is a fictional “alternative reality” story of people attempting an escape from slavery in the southern United States in the 1800s. In reality, “The Underground Railroad” was a network of abolitionists, hidden routes, and safe houses that helped enslaved African-Americans escape to freedom in the early to mid-1800s. In the novel and the series, it is an actual railroad complete with engineers, conductors, tracks, and tunnels.
Photo: google
First impression: There are a total of ten episodes, all released on May 14, 2021. After watching the first, I doubt I will watch the rest of the series. I love historical dramas, but this one has too much graphic violence for me. I have not read the book, so my opinion is based solely on the first episode of the television series. While I understand the director/producer wanted to make the African American slavery experience as real as possible on screen, for me the whipping and burning alive scenes of a slave who attempted escape were too graphic. These topics are not new to me, I have read and watched other films about them, but I think I will skip this one. If the use of gratuitous violence does not bother you, this is an interesting series on the subject of slavery.
‘Jesus Christ Movie Star’ by Phil Hall will be released on Monday, June 7, 2021. Photo: amazon
Phil Hall is the author of the critically acclaimed books “The History of Independent Cinema” and “In Search of Lost Films” and host of the award-winning podcast The Online Movie Show. BearManor Media is proud to present “Jesus Christ Movie Star,” the new book by the award-winning film historian and podcaster Phil Hall. The 176-page illustrated book will be available beginning on June 7 in a $22.00 paperback edition and a $32.00 hardcover edition. (CW-PR, 2021)
In “Jesus Christ Movie Star,” Phil Hall takes the reader on the most extraordinary odyssey in cinematic studies by tracing how filmmakers from across the years and around the world have sought to fill theaters with the story of Jesus. Beloved classics and bizarre curios are part of this memorable journey as the “light of the world” brings illumination through the lens of a movie projector. The life of Jesus Christ has challenged and inspired filmmakers from the pioneering works of the late 1890s through today’s digital cinema. No other life story has been the subject of so many films, with so many wildly different interpretations. The big screen Jesus has traveled through multimillion dollar epics and microbudget underground films, recreating the miracles of the Gospels while also advocating for modern political issues. Moviegoers have seen Jesus walk on water and conquer death, and also break into show tunes and play straight man to a zany Bette Midler. Films about Jesus have inspired a diverse range of controversies, ranging from a groundbreaking copyright infringement lawsuit brought by Thomas Edison to an intellectual scandal that rocked the 1964/65 New York World’s Fair to accusations of anti-Semitism against Mel Gibson’s distinctive interpretation of the New Testament.
“Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service’ is Carol Leonnig’s new book, out May 18, 2021. Photo: amazon
Carol Leonnig is a national investigative reporter at The Washington Post, where she has worked since 2000. A three-time Pulitzer Prize winner and co-author of the #1 The New York Times bestseller “A Very Stable Genius,” Leonnig is also an on-air contributor to NBC News and MSNBC. Her new book “Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service” is the first and definitive account of the rise and fall of the Secret Service, from the Kennedy assassination to the alarming mismanagement of the Obama and Trump years, right up to the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6. It will be released on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. (amazon, 2021)
Carol Leonnig has been reporting on the Secret Service for The Washington Post for most of the last decade, bringing to light the secrets, scandals, and shortcomings that plague the agency today—from a toxic work culture to dangerously outdated equipment to the deep resentment within the ranks at key agency leaders, who put protecting the agency’s once-hallowed image before fixing its flaws. But the Secret Service was not always so troubled.
The Secret Service was born in 1865, in the wake of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, but its story begins in earnest in 1963, with the death of John F. Kennedy. Shocked into reform by its failure to protect the president on that fateful day in Dallas, this once-sleepy agency was radically transformed into an elite, highly trained unit that would redeem itself several times, most famously in 1981 by thwarting an assassination attempt against Ronald Reagan. But this reputation for courage and excellence would not last forever. By Barack Obama’s presidency, the once-proud Secret Service was running on fumes and beset by mistakes and alarming lapses in judgment: break-ins at the White House, an armed gunman firing into the windows of the residence while confused agents stood by, and a massive prostitution scandal among agents in Cartagena, to name just a few. With Donald Trump’s arrival, a series of promised reforms were cast aside, as a president disdainful of public service instead abused the Secret Service to rack up political and personal gains.
To explore these problems in the ranks, Leonnig interviewed dozens of current and former agents, government officials, and whistleblowers who put their jobs on the line to speak out about a hobbled agency that is in desperate need of reform. “I will be forever grateful to them for risking their careers,” she writes, “not because they wanted to share tantalizing gossip about presidents and their families, but because they know that the Service is broken and needs fixing. By telling their story, they hope to revive the Service they love.”
‘The Plot’ is Jean Hanff Korelitz’ exciting new novel. Photo: amazon
Jean Hanff Korelitz is the author of the novels “You Should Have Known Better” (adapted for HBO as “The Undoing” by David E. Kelley, and starring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant and Donald Sutherland), “Admission” (adapted as the 2013 film starring Tina Fey), “The Devil and Webster,” “The White Rose,” “The Sabbath River,” and “A Jury of Her Peers.” Korelitz is the founder of BOOKTHEWRITER, a New York City based service that “Pop-Up Book Groups” where readers can discuss books with their authors. Her new novel, “The Plot” is a propulsive read about a story too good not to steal, and the writer who steals it and was just released this week. (amazon, 2021)
In “The Plot,” Jacob Finch Bonner was once a promising young novelist with a respectably published first book. Today, he is teaching in a third-rate MFA program and struggling to maintain what is left of his self-respect; he has not written―let alone published―anything decent in years. When Evan Parker, his most arrogant student, announces he does not need Jake’s help because the plot of his book in progress is a sure thing, Jake is prepared to dismiss the boast as typical amateur narcissism. But then he hears the plot.
Jake returns to the downward trajectory of his own career and braces himself for the supernova publication of Evan Parker’s first novel: but it never comes. When he discovers that his former student has died, presumably without ever completing his book, Jake does what any self-respecting writer would do with a story like that―a story that absolutely needs to be told.
In a few short years, all of Evan Parker’s predictions have come true, but Jake is the author enjoying the wave. He is wealthy, famous, praised and read all over the world. But at the height of his glorious new life, an e-mail arrives, the first barrage in a terrifying, anonymous campaign: You are a thief, it says. As Jake struggles to understand his antagonist and hide the truth from his readers and his publishers, he begins to learn more about his late student, and what he discovers both amazes and terrifies him. Who was Evan Parker, and how did he get the idea for his “sure thing” of a novel? What is the real story behind the plot, and who stole it from whom?
The Alex Meixner Band will perform on May 27, 28 and 29. Photo: Krause’s Café & Biergarten, used with permission.
Due to popular demand, Krause’s Café & Biergarten is excited to add an additional night of music by nationally acclaimed musician and polka music favorite, The Alex Meixner Band, on Saturday, May 29 (the May 27 and 28 shows are almost sold out). Doors open at 5p.m. with The Lederhosen Junkies as the opening act and Alex Meixner will take thehttp://www.krausecafe.comstage at 7p.m. Locals are encouraged to come and enjoy the squeezebox sounds of The Alex Meixner Band while enjoying classic German favorites with a New Braunfels twist, such as Krause’s Bavarian Pretzel and Texas Schnitzel. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online or through Eventbrite. (Krause’s Café & Biergarten, 2021)
Alex Meixner is a nationally acclaimed musician, performer, and a leading advocate of polka music. Alex has cross-pollinated his versatile playing styles through pop music, funk, jazz, and polka. He is an active ambassador for polka music, revitalizing interest coast to coast, resulting in sold-out shows, renewed cultural interest, and growing mainstream acceptance.
Krause’s Café & Biergarten 186 S. Castell Ave. New Braunfels, TX 7813
Krause’s Café & Biergarten, a New Braunfels historic restaurant, opened in 1938 and honors the previous traditions of the restaurant with the addition of a ‘biergarten,’ live music, and more. The menu reflects New Braunfels’ German heritage as well as South Texas flavors. Over 70 beers are available on tap with local, regional, and international options. The restaurant also features cocktails and wines on tap. Krause’s Café is located at 186 S Castell Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130, next to the popular New Braunfels Farmers Market.
Gerald Everett Jones’ new novel will be released on June 29, 2021. Photo: amazon
Gerald Everett Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Santa Monica, California. He is a member of the Writers Guild of America, the Dramatists Guild, Women’s National Book Association, and Film Independent (FIND), as well as a board member of the Independent Writers of Southern California (IWOSC). He holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from the College of Letters, Wesleyan University, where he studied under novelists Peter Boynton, F.D. Reeve, and Jerzy Kosinski. “Harry Harambee’s Kenyan Sundowner,” his new book, is about a lonely widower from Los Angeles who buys a tour package to East Africa on the promise of hookups and parties. What he finds instead are new reasons to live. It will be released on Tuesday June 29, 2021 and is available for preorder now in trade paperback and e-book formats from booksellers worldwide, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Google Books, and Rakuten Kobo. (Black Château, 2021)
LaPuerta Books and Media announces the release of “Harry Harambee’s Kenyan Sundowner,” the eleventh novel by award-winning author Gerald Everett Jones. This is literary fiction with geopolitical overtones, reminiscent of “The Heart of the Matter” by Graham Greene and “The Constant Gardener” by John le Carré.
Locals tease main character Harry with the surname “Harambee,” the Kenyan national motto meaning something like, One for All. He is not sure whether that means he is being played. Slick Italian tour operator Aldo Barbieri convinces Harry to join a group of adventuresome “voluntourists.” In a sleepy resort town on the white sands of the Indian Ocean, Harry does not find the promised excitement with local ladies. Instead, he meets Esther Mwemba, a demure widow who works as a bookkeeper. The attraction is strong and mutual, but Harry gets worried when he finds out that Esther and Aldo have a history. They introduce him to Victor Skebelsky, rumored to be the meanest man in town. Skebelsky has a plan to convert his grand colonial home and residential compound into a rehab center – as a tax dodge. The scheme calls for Harry to head up the charity. He could live like a wealthy diplomat without costing him a shilling. Harry has to come to terms with questions at the heart of his character: Is corruption a fact of life everywhere? Is all love transactional?
LaPuerta Books and Media is the small-press imprint of La Puerta Productions, Santa Monica, CA. The LaPuerta imprint and its logo, an open door, symbolize unlimited access to knowledge, opportunity, innovation, fascination, and delight. In its support for authors and thought leaders, the publisher’s mission is to help influential voices achieve worldwide platforms.
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Release of ‘Harry Harambee’s Kenyan Sundowner’ by Gerald Everett Jones
JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in Sonora, Tx. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.
To offer its guests an immersive look at the life on a West Texas ranch, the luxury JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in Sonora, TX has introduced a one-of-a-kind Horse Psychology Experience for guests and locals. Before you can find true harmony and develop rapport with a horse, it is best to try and understand the nature of a horse—and this experience does just that. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2021)
Led by the working ranch and resort’s equine experts Jon Joseph and Sydney Béïque, guests can learn about horse psychology, the basics of horse behavior, and how to be comfortable around horses; for example, guests will learn that a round pen makes it easier to train horses as well as techniques for optimal upkeep and engagement. This provides a deeper appreciation for the majestic animals as well as a fun, engaging way to immerse yourself in Texas Hill Country ranch culture.
In addition to JL Bar’s classic horseback riding excursions across the property’s sprawling 13,000 acres and Cowboy Cookout adventures alongside their 32 luxurious accommodations and top-notch spa, the Horse Psychology Experience is a once-in-a-lifetime immersive experience that belongs on any traveler’s bucket list. Guests and locals can partake in this special one-hour course for as low as $50 and gain a deeper understanding and comfort level when interacting with horses.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the program and answers by JL Bar’s equine expert Jon Joseph:
Horse Psychology + Equine Program:
What inspired the JL Bar team to introduce the Horse Psychology experience to guests?
Jon/Sydney wanted to change guests minds and teach them “why horses do what they do.” For example, understanding the history of horses, the body language of a horse, herd mentality of horse and why some are leaders and some are followers, etc.
What are a few examples of how guests can interact with a horse by going off their body language and emotions to train them? What are a few things guests learn during the horse psychology experience (i.e. round pen, how to approach, etc.)? Can you explain why round pen is better for training?
When guests arrive, Jon likes the horses to be the calm and allow guests to approach them. To get here, he has the horses go in the round pen and run laps to get in exercise, etc. Once that’s done he gives them a signal to follow him and stand next to him while interacting with guests. During this time, the horses know it’s their break to be calm, be loved on, and no need to be scared of the guests. If they leave his side and start acting crazy, they know they will have to do the round pen again.
Round pen is best to use because if the pen has corners the horse will typically end up staying in the corner with their backside facing you. They will not run around or express interest with humans.
How many horses are on property? Can you share any of their personalities, guest favorites, recent additions, etc.? What kinds of horses are on property?
There are 8 horses that guests can ride (all ex-show horses), 2 horses in training that are not in front of guests yet, and 2 babies (1 born on the Ranch in last March).
Chexamillion is a fan favorite among guests, he is in retirement mode from a successful show career and is very calm and good with all guest types.
Outside of the horse psychology experience and horseback riding excursions, are there any other ways that guests can interact with the horses during their stay?
Guests can partake in a “Horse Meet & Greet.” JL Bar has noticed it is typically younger or older guests that come and participate. Guests can come love on the horses and take pictures with them. JL Bar is currently building a new barn and once it is ready guests will be able to help take care of the horses by brushing them, help feeding them, etc.
Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.
Blue Star Contemporary designs art making activities for University Health’s Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program. Photo: google
Blue Star Contemporary (BSC), San Antonio’s first and longest-running contemporary art nonprofit, is pleased to announce its partnership with University Health’s Salud-Arte: Art of Healing Program to create an art activity kit for patients of University Health’s Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Program. University Health’s AYA Cancer Program delivers comprehensive, expert medical care to teenagers and young adults with all types of cancers. (Blue Star Contemporary, 2021)
The goal of University Health’s Salud-Arte: Art of Healing Program is to use art to inspire healing, compassion, hope, and trust. The art kits, conceived and organized by BSC’s Education Manager Mari Hernandez, use the healing power of art to help young cancer patients navigate the difficult emotional and physical challenges that are part of a cancer diagnosis. Hernandez worked with San Antonio-based artists/educators Joe Harjo and Kim Bishop and writer/educator Viktoria Valenzuela to create art kits that are available to patients of the AYA Cancer Program. “I selected these remarkable artists for their ability to facilitate creative activities for patients in a thoughtful and sensitive manner,” Hernandez said. “We hope to create safe space for reflection and provide aid in the holistic process of healing.”
The kit contains three art activities that stimulate and guide patients through the creative process. Joe Harjo’s photographic prompts encourage the imaginative use of a black and white disposable camera as a form of documentation. Kim Bishop presents a series of cards with playful prompts that encourage the patients to make drawings and watercolor paintings. Viktoria Valenzuela’s poetry writing guide inspires self-expression and emphasizes the importance of one’s ideas and voice.
While the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in limited access to its exhibition spaces, Blue Star Contemporary sought new ways to fulfill its mission to inspire, nurture and innovate through contemporary art. By partnering with University Health, BSC serves a new community and upholds its promise to help San Antonio heal through the power of art.
Blue Star Contemporary (BSC) is the first and longest-running nonprofit venue for contemporary art in San Antonio, Texas. Founded by artists and grown from a grassroots art exhibition in 1986, BSC arose from the need to provide a platform for the work and ideas of contemporary artists. As an artist-centric, educational, forward-thinking, inclusive institution that strives to exceed expectations, BSC welcomes 30,000 residents and cultural tourists each year to experience contemporary art through its exhibitions, public art projects, and education programs. In 2016, BSC became the only San Antonio arts organization to be W.A.G.E.-certified, solidifying its commitment to fair compensation of artists and creative professionals.
“We are thrilled to join University Health’s Salud-Arte: Art of Healing Program to provide a moment of respite for young cancer patients, whose strength and resilience is worthy of admiration, particularly during this trying year. I commend BSC Education Manager Mari Hernandez and the three artists she’s worked with to create an extremely thoughtful and nurturing set of activities with the intent to inspire healing and hope.” – Mary Heathcott, Blue Star Contemporary’s Executive Director.
SA Examiner 