Dear friends, another change in my format!

Posted on July 27, 2024 by Janelle Hooper

Due to the ever-changing world landscape, I’m going to try posting more often. See the photo below and comment. I thought the new, monthly format would work nicely, but how could I ignore the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France? Be still, my heart!

We’ll always have Paris!
Janelle Meraz Hooper

Yesterday, Paris, the Queen of Beauty and the cradle of culture, spread her arms wide and welcomed the world. Minutes flew by as she cleverly displayed, one treasure at a time, the many gifts only the magical atmosphere of France could have created. You want art, baby? She showed us her Louvre and the beauty she sheltered from the rest of the (dare I say tawdry?) world. She showed us her creative people like Louis Vuitton who make magic every day and share it with a world desperate for her beauty. Her city, thriving with energy, was alive with people and music.
She mixed it all in with her guest athletes, who came to her, hoping to take a little of her golden glitter back home with them. Gone were the dull, exhausting parades in years past that seemed to go on and on until our eyes blurred. In Paris, the athletes arrived via the River Seine in beautiful boats filled with joyful world citizens. Eager to show the world that they belonged on this beautiful stage that Paris made just for them, they filled the air with their music and laughter. The joyful crowd waved and cheered each boatload with equal enthusiasm.
Thank you, Paris, for this beautiful opening I will remember for the rest of my life. Thanks to you, “We’ll always have Paris,” as Bogart said in Casablanca.
And now, let the games begin. Good luck to all!

I apologize for not being able to credit the photographer for the photo. Maybe it was an internet feed. I did not see a name listed. If the photographer would like to claim this magnificent photograph, I’ll happily correct this error.

There are copies of this Olympic Opening in Paris, 2024. If you missed it, I urge you to watch it. It is truly a work of art. I have fans of film and video following this site, along with writers. I urge you to watch this jewel of creation that will certainly not be equaled in our lifetimes.

Check back, I’m out of time but have more to share with you!

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“How do you want to feel at the end of today? What do you need to do now, so you can feel this way?” James Clear

Books

Movies

Find Me Falling– After a failed comeback album, rock star John Allman escapes to a dreamy Mediterranean island, only to discover that his new cliffside home has an unfortunate notoriety that attracts unwanted visitors and an old flame who IS welcome! Harry Connick Jr., Angie Scott, and other wonderful actors and actresses performing in a beautifully written script. The background music is a huge contributor to the success of the movie. I don’t have any information on Oscar qualification (is it too late?) but this film has Oscars written all over it!
This movie has its genre listed as Romance. Don’t you believe it! It is much more–including the treat of seeing so much of Cypris.

Seemy See my books on www.amazon.com/author/janellehooper

Read my short stories and book excerpts Here:

http://janellemerazhooper.substack.com

Geronimo and Friends driving a Locomobile

Featured

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Janelle Hooper

08-02-24: 22,123 followers

Geronimo and Friends driving a Locomobile at the 101 Ranch in Oklahoma–yes, that is Geronimo driving!

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A short excerpt from the book, Geronimo’s Laptop, Historical Fantasy, humor (Amazon. Paperback/Kindle/Audiobook)

Geronimo is visiting with one of his many visitors…A man raises his hand and asks, “Was that really you in the newspaper picture I saw of you driving a Locomobile on the prairie?”

“Yes, it was. It was a Locomobile Model C. They let me drive it because we were out there alone and there was nothing to hurt us—or the car. I don’t know who it belonged to, but we had a lot of fun. Sitting next to me in the front seat was Edward Le Clair, a Ponca Indian. Did you notice the beautiful, beaded vest he was wearing? I’d never seen anything like it….”

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What’s on my TV:

The Diplomat, Netflix. New episodes coming in August, I hear! I’ve watched this series at least three times. The writing is wonderful the casting is more than any series could ever hope for. Featuring Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, and too many others for the space I have on this page.

Madame Secretary, Netflix, 2014-20189. Netflix. My second favorite “government” show. Wonderful writing. I highly recommend both of these shows to writers.

What’s on my music list: I love the music right now. It’s emotional, real, and passionate.

Rod Stewart, “It Had to Be You” and, actually, anything by Rod Stewart!

Michael Buble, “Love”

Lewis Capaldi, “Grace”

Henry Moodie, “Drunk Text”

Taylor Swift, ANYTHING she sings!

Miley Cyrus, “Flowers” Is it possible to wear out a piece of music you’re streaming? I’ll let you know!

What’s on my bookshelf:

Crosswind, Karen K. Brees-Love this novel about women spies during World War II! Yes, we had women spies!

Joseph’s Coat, Vastine Bondurant- When is a beautiful romance more than a romance? Vastine weaves a plot that just keeps giving. From romance to paranormal, it’s full of surprises!

The Conjurer, Nick Oliveri-Nick is a wonderful writer and I’m way behind my own writing schedules because of this book.

The Lost Apothecary, Sarah Penner- I just ordered this book on the recommendation from my daughter. The premise of the Apothecary in London in 1791 is…well, I don’t want to spoil it for you! Prepare to be startled!

Atomic Habits, James Clear- If anyone needs guidance on how to best organize their thoughts and time, it’s a writer! Especially if you’re freelance! My college-aged grandson (at the time) was reading this book and I ordered my own copy.

The Last Rose of Shanghai, Weina Dai Rand? (I’m having trouble with their tiny font.) This is the third novel about WWII I’ve purchased this year. This peek at life in Shanghai during the war mesmerized me!

Sherman Alexi, Love all his books. Also, check out his shorter pieces on Substack: (shermanalexi.substack.com)

West with the Night, Beryl Markham- What a story! A plot set in Africa makes it difficult for a reader to put down.

My Favorite Movies:

A Man Called Otto, Tom Hanks- I loved this realistic slice of normal people with normal lives getting by in a well-written plot with down-to-earth characters. Aren’t you tired of movies where everyone has a fancy car and is just hanging around until he can get a bigger one?

Boogie, Boots, & Cherry Pie art by Sherri Bails for my little romance set in Seattle. Doesn’t she do marvelous work?

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Whatever you’re doing today, do it with the confidence of a four-year-old in a Batman tee-shirt. credit unknown, my Pinterest site

See you next month! Feel free to comment! Janelle

Come visit me on Instagram and Twitter (@janellemhooper) and Janellemerazhooper.Substack.com
www.JanelleHooper.com

New format will be delayed…I’m posting this page before I lose it!

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Posted on April 6, 2024 by Janelle Hooper

08-02-24 22,113 followers

Photo by a staff member of the Tacoma Art Musem. He did such a good job!

Hello! I know I promised you a new, updated format for this site and it has been on my mind. Honestly, most of the delay is due to design issues. What I designed on my work board did not look good on the post. And then…my little laptop died with no warning. Today is my first full day back at my computer. AUGH!

Over Christmas, my daughter, Chanel, and I took an afternoon to see the gorgeous art exhibit at the Tacoma Art Museum. She’s holding me back because we were way too close, and we were both afraid that I might fall into that huge painting.

Geronimo’s Laptop:

Geronimo’s Laptop has been on the road the last few weeks. Most recently it has been at selected bookstores in UK and Ireland.

AudioBooks.com The audio version of Geronimo’s Laptop came out recently on AudioBooks.com

Podcasts: I’m hoping to post some of my podcast guest spots soon. They were a lot of fun!

What else is new? In my new sections planned for this site: Of course, every category won’t be addressed on each post. I know how valuable your time is! They include:
What I’m reading.
Interesting people I’m meeting out in social-media land.
My Photography
What’s good on TV
Music
My Short Stories

Reviews I’ve written for other authors’ books:
Top review from the United States
Janelle Meraz Hooper
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful book that is truly a work of art.
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2024,
Verified Purchase

Shadows of China, Warren Rapelye White
In a strange way, this beautiful book reminds me of my grandmother, who had a large part in raising me. She used to say, “Make the family proud.” With this book, Shadows of China, Warren Rapelye White has beautifully documented his family’s lifelong Missionary experience in China from 1893-1940.
I originally chose this book because it mentioned on the cover that it covered the Japanese invasion of 1937…not realizing until I held the book in my hands it is so much more than that. This book is a gift to those of us who treasure the art of journalism: beautifully written, thoroughly documented with letters, sketches, photography, and news clips from the period, this book is a treasure in its content. Add to this the loving care given its production and design makes this proud book a stand-alone example of a beautiful book that is truly a work of art from cover to cover.

Quote:

“Be so good they can’t ignore you.” Steve Martin