Susie Finkbeiner's Blog, page 2

March 29, 2019

#FBF: Beach Party Movies

When one thinks of the 1960s one typically thinks of the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, women’s liberation, burning draft cards, and…





Beach Party movies.





[image error]



From 1963 to 1968 teens were wild for movies set on the beach. They all had the same basic formula. Teens/college kids, goofy grown ups, a surface level conflict, dancing, singing, surfing!





[image error]



When the very first Beach Party movie released in 1963 (called Beach Party…who could’ve guessed?) it was a surprise hit, selling more tickets the weekend it opened than any of their competition.





[image error]



The movie starred Frankie Avalon (at that time a 23 year old teen idol) and Annette Funicello (one of the original Mouseketeers). The duo starred in the majority of the follow up Beach Party movies including Pajama Party, Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine, and Thunder Alley.





[image error]



Because Annette still had a contract with Disney, she needed permission to star in the beach films. They gave their blessing with one condition. Annette couldn’t wear a bikini. And she especially couldn’t show off her belly button!





Heaven forbid!





Lots of stars made cameos in the beach movies including:





[image error]



Buster Keaton in Beach Blanket Bingo, How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (yes, that’s the actual title…I know, I know…), and Sergeant Deadhead.





[image error]



Mickey Rooney. Also in How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (goodness, that title just never stops being inappropriate, does it?).





[image error]



Stevie Wonder in Muscle Beach Party and Bikini Beach.





[image error]



Don Rickles in Muscle Beach Party, Beach Blanket Bingo, and Bikini Beach.





[image error]



Shockingly, this genre of movie couldn’t go on forever. They jumped the shark before that was even a thing (Fonzie wouldn’t do that until 1977!) with a flick called — and I’m NOT making this up — Ghost in the Invisible Bikini.





It wasn’t the last Beach Party movie (even if it should have been), but it was the beginning of the end.





[image error]



I mean, you know it’s bad when even Batman starts trolling you with a parody show called Surf’s Up! Joker’s Under!





[image error]



It wasn’t long before Beach Party movies were replaced in popularity by Outlaw Biker films starting with The Wild Angels.





I mean, that’s not a jarring transition. Not at all!





Fun fact: Teens often threw Beach Bashes in the 1960s. They’d play games, roast marshmallows, and dance to The Beach Boys and Jan and Dean. I wrote a beach party scene into my soon-to-release novel All Manner of Things . You can preorder the book now at Baker Book House or wherever great books are sold.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on March 29, 2019 06:04

March 25, 2019

What pain has taught me

I’ve been struggling with frequent migraines for the past few years. It’s not the most fun part of my life, so I very rarely talk about it. Who wants to talk about a big bummer all the time? Not me!





But the experience of chronic pain has taught me more than a few lessons about life, faith, and perseverance.





Today I’m going to share some of what I’ve learned (lucky you!).





That it’s okay to cry when something hurts: I have always prided myself for being a tough cookie with a high pain tolerance. I mean, I can handle a lot before I reach the breaking point. BUT over the past few years I’ve been at the brink more than once (actually, at least a dozen times). When I’ve allowed myself to cry (like real life physical tears) I somehow recover more quickly. No kidding! It’s science! It’s just one more way we’re fearfully and wonderfully made! Crying releases oxytocin and other stuff that get adrenaline pumping. In fact, there are all kinds of health benefits to crying. Who knew? That I HAVE to take care of myself: My migraines are caused by an enormous list of factors. Dehydration, too much caffeine, too little caffeine, lack of sleep, too much sugar, change in weather, hormones, stress, inactivity, eye strain…it all contributes to giving me an ouchy head. I’m learning that in order to be healthy, I need to stay on top of taking care of myself by eating well, sleeping plenty, and getting some exercise every day. When I slack, I regret it. That pushing through the pain usually just makes it worse: I’m a tough old bird (see point 1) and have tried to push through the pain for my whole life. In fact, when I was in middle school I had a molar knocked out before it was ready (don’t worry, it was a baby tooth). I went to the sidelines and shoved gauze in my mouth to stop the bleeding, gritting my teeth to hold it in place, and finished the game. It hurt like the dickens, but I played through it. I’m learning that pushing through the pain doesn’t work for migraine. It just causes more strain, more fatigue, and more time down and out later. It’s far better if I allow myself to take it easy, which is so hard for me to do. But in the long run, it pays off. I’ve come to realize that it’s not quitting, it’s practicing a different kind of perseverance. Not to minimize the impact migraines have on my life: When someone asks me how I am my default answer is, “GREAT!” with as much pep as I can muster. If ever I do mention that my head hurts, I usually say that it isn’t too bad or that I’m fine. Part of that is because I get all awkward and fidgety over small talk. Mostly though, it’s because I don’t want to admit my vulnerabilities. But when the person asking is someone I have a good relationship with, I really need to be honest with them. I need to trust that they’ll be understanding and that they genuinely care about me just as much as I care about them. To take advice with a grain of salt: When some people do find out about my migraines, they tend to have super solutions to cure them. I’ve heard all kinds of ideas: getting my daith pierced (it’s a bumpy part of the ear), taking this or that supplement, buying this kind of powder for my smoothies or that kind of oil to rub on my temples, special diets, certain exercises…I could go on all day. I’ve tried a few of them with mixed results (for example, some essential oils actually cause migraines for me even when other people have them on). What I’ve learned is that just because something works for someone else doesn’t mean it will work for me. If there’s a suggestion I know doesn’t work for me or that I’m uncomfortable with, I can thank them for the idea…but I don’t have to feel pressure to give it a try. When folks offer advice it’s usually because they care and want to help. To find a way to be thankful, even on the most painful days: The other day, when in the middle of a brain crusher, I wondered if I could possibly be thankful. I’ve been coming back to that thought ever since. As I write this, with a minor migraine, I’m able to say that, yes, I can. While I’m not thankful FOR the pain, I’m grateful for the ways it’s made me a more compassionate person. I can offer thanks for the days when I’m not in pain, for the very moment when the aches subside. I’m thankful for the people around me (most of all my husband) who support me with prayer, pills, and peppermint oil. But most of all, I’m thankful for the way pain has taught me to rely on God in ways I’ve never had to before.



Living with pain isn’t fun. It sure can derail a lot in our lives. But it can also be used by God in order to refine us into what He’s forming us to become. And, for that, I’m grateful.





(Note: I’m scheduled for an appointment with a new-to-me doctor to look into finding solutions to this problem. If you’re a person who prays, it wouldn’t hurt my feelings if you thought of me once or twice. Thanks!)

1 like ·   •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on March 25, 2019 05:30

March 22, 2019

#FBF: When good people made bad Jello

Hey…pssst! Yeah. You! Have you preordered your copy of All Manner of Things yet? You can go ahead and do that now. Don’t worry, this post isn’t going anywhere.





Friends, I want to talk to you today about one of the more disturbing things that was common place in the 1950s and 60s.





That’s right.





I’m here to talk about…





JELLO SALADS



Now, don’t get me wrong, I like a good Jello once in awhile. Put on a little whipped cream and we’re talking. Hey, I’ll even let you throw in some fruit.





[image error]



But that’s not what I’m getting at here, and I think you know it.





I’m talking about people putting weird stuff in their Jello. It was a phenomenon encouraged in all the ladies’ magazines, cook books, and swooned over at church potlucks.





Sure, they usually used flavorless Jello in these recipes. Still, there is something gravely and texturally wrong about these. Wrong, I tell you!





Let me show you some of the more troubling concoctions.





[image error]



It appears we have some celery going on in there and some funky looking lettuce. But what I find most troubling are the GREEN OLIVES! Why? Why would someone do that?





[image error]



Please, please don’t tell me that’s green pepper, zucchini, eggplant, and tomato in there. What’s that you say? That’s exactly what’s in that monstrosity? Goodness gracious.





[image error]



This right here? This is PROOF that Jello knew what people were doing with their product. They can’t even pretend that this didn’t happen. People. Seafood salad with lime Jello? Nope. This is not a good idea.





[image error]



That’s shrimp. That. Is. Shrimp.





[image error]



Nope. It doesn’t. I mean, where’s the gravy? Just kidding. Don’t bring gravy into this.





[image error]



Now you’re just messing with us, aren’t you?





[image error]



You guys do know that hamburger doesn’t deserve to be treated like this, right?





[image error]



Hey! That’a fun Jello mold! Hold up. They put salmon in that? Nope. Uh-uh.










[image error]



I SAY NO! I SAY NO FOREVER!!!!!





Thank goodness this fad fell out of favor (or should I say flavor) in the 1980s. Still, over two decades of this nonsense? That is shocking.





Merciful heavens.





Did you ever eat such an abomination? If so, did you do so willingly or under duress? Even more importantly, did any of you MAKE this kind of Jello salad. Don’t worry, this is a safe place. We won’t judge you.





Well, maybe we will a little.






 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on March 22, 2019 06:00

March 15, 2019

#FBF: An Unsung Hero of Music

Unless you’re the kind of person who reads through all of the names on an album’s “credits”, you may not have heard the name Hal Blaine.





Honestly, I hadn’t until I saw a Tweet reporting that he’d passed away.





After doing a little digging, though, I realized that I’ve been a fan of his work for my entire life, I just didn’t know it yet! You see, Hal Blaine was what those in the recording biz call a “session drummer” or a “studio musician”.





Essentially, Hal Blaine recorded with some of the great artists of the 1960s and 70s as a temporary member. The cool thing about a gig like this is that Hal got to play in all kinds of bands. I thought I’d highlight five of my favorite songs from the 60s that he played drums for. You can find out more about Hal Blaine over on Wikipedia.







Written and originally recorded by Bob Dylan, The Byrds covered Mr. Tambourine Man in 1965 with Blaine on the drums. I’ve always loved this song (both versions).







The Blossoms might be one of the most underrated girl groups of the 1960s. He’s a Rebel is their most popular hit, recorded in 1962. Sadly, when the song hit the charts, the Crystals (another girl group) got the credit, even though they had nothing to do with the song. Ugh!







Aw. Sonny & Cher! I often wonder if in 1965 they had any idea how many times people would perform I Got You, Babe in karaoke bars all across the world.







Ooo! Another great girl band! The Ronettes were amazing and the drum line Hal Blaine provided on this recording of Be My Baby is fantastic. This song came out in 1963 and it’s still such a great tune!







If you happened to have grown up in the 80s you might remember A Hazy Shade of Winter song from The Bangles. But — SURPRISE! — it’s a Simon & Garfunkel song from 1966! And this super sweet drum part really shows Blaine’s skills. This is, perhaps, my favorite song on this list and one of my favorite by Paul and Art.



Listening to these songs and hearing Hal Blaine’s beats in each of them makes me appreciate the unsung nature of his work. His name isn’t next to the title, he’s not an official part of the band, his picture isn’t on the album cover.





Still, he took part in the music. His fingerprints are on each of these songs and so many more. His work made a difference to the world of music.





I, for one, am grateful for his contribution.

1 like ·   •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on March 15, 2019 05:05

March 11, 2019

Now Go: Writing and Fear and Madeleine L’Engle

Life can be scary. We’ve been at war for over a decade, there are rumors and hints of new wars in our newsfeeds near daily, our kids go to schools where they have to practice hiding in the case of a shooter entering the front doors. And on and on and on. 





As Mrs. Whatsit said, “Only a fool is not afraid.”





In this world we will have trouble. Jesus let us in on that truth. BUT, we can’t quit. We can’t curl up in a ball and despair. We’re to take heart. Because as bad as it is and as bad as it might get, Christ has overcome. 





“Now go.” 





Move through your day, loving through the fear. Radiating joy beyond the pain. Bestowing mercy and gentleness and downright goodness on whoever you encounter (that counts for online, too). 





Because we know that, ultimately, we are not meant for this world but another. We are created for a place where there is room for us, where nothing will rot or decay and where violence is abolished. 





That’s the hope that we have. 





Walk in that hope today, friends.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on March 11, 2019 06:37

March 8, 2019

#FBF: Great toys of the 1960s that we still love in 2019

We have a lot of cool toy that we can thank the 1960s for. Many of these you may still have in your house now! Check it out!





[image error]Invented in 1960, more than 100 million Etch-A-Sketches have sold. You can read more EAS fun facts here.




[image error]Little Sally can be a bake sale rock star with her Easy-Bake Oven (invented in 1963)! Thank goodness for those built in safety features.

My mom wouldn’t let me have one. I had to use the real oven when I wanted to charbroil a batch of brownies.



[image error]Barbie hit the shelves in 1959 but had to wait two whole years for her boyfriend, Ken! Poor girl!



[image error]1967 the moms of the world were introduced to the joy of little colorful pegs getting lost in the shag carpet. I bet they were all SUPER pleased to have a Lite-Brite in their house!



[image error]In 1964 boys got a doll of their own to play with. Ahem. Sorry. Action figure. GI Joe went on to have his own comic books and television show. What a guy.



[image error]Because dolls aren’t creepy enough, the 1960s decided we need one that could talk! Chatty Cathy (a nickname EVERY Cathy/Kathy/Kathi I know HATES) said such things as “I hurt myself”, “I love you”, and “Let’s play school”. Dads all over America were reported to be NOT upset with the pull ring broke, rendering Cathy less than chatty.

While we may no longer have Chatty Cathies in our homes today, we may have her offspring The Ferby.



[image error]Christmas of 1968 meant boys all over the place were going to get a stocking full of Hot Wheels. Well, and some girls, too. I mean, they’re cool.

Unless you step on them in the middle of the night. Then they’re horrible.



So many GREAT toys! So much FUN! Which do you have? Which did you enjoy when you were a kid?





And, just for a fun bonus, check out this TV ad for Chatty Cathy (and keep your eyes open for Marcia Brady):

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on March 08, 2019 05:18

March 4, 2019

Liver and onions, books, and a matter of taste

My mom loves liver and onions. I know this because she cooked them for us more than a few times when I was a kid, making our house smell like a dirty penny.





I, obviously, do not love liver and onions. I know this because I ate them when my mom cooked them. Sometimes the flavor made me cry because I found it so abhorrent.





See above comment about dirty pennies.





At one point in my life, I questioned my mom’s soundness of mind. How is it possible for someone to actually love liver and onions? Had her tastebuds been damaged by some freak hot coffee accident?





I believed with the whole of my existence that something was dreadfully wrong with her to make her adore such a vile meal.





Now, though, I’m not so sure that it’s a black and white as that.





Don’t get me wrong. I still think liver is one of the most horrific food items. It’s up there with cow tongue and bologna. But this is an opinion, not a fact.





A fact is something that is true and can be proven. An opinion is how I think of, feel about, or perceive something. It’s not a matter of right or wrong, but a matter of preference.





It’s a matter of taste.





De gustibus non est disputandum. There’s no accounting for taste.





In other words, matters of preference are not debatable.





The other day I finished listening to an audiobook that I didn’t care for. The writing was good, the imagery vivid, the literary elements spot on. But I just couldn’t manage to care about a single character.





It wasn’t my flavor.





But, I noticed on Goodreads that several of my friends LOVED it. They gave that book rave reviews.





It obviously WAS their flavor.





For a minute I wondered if I’d missed something. If maybe I was wrong in my opinion. But then I remembered that there’s no accounting for taste.





See, authors can’t write books that everybody will like. That’s just not possible. So we focus on a specific type of reader. And, in writing for those people, we offer the very best book that we can.





We refine the flavor of what we serve, happy when it’s to the liking of our readers.





And just like I let my mom have all the liver and onions she wants, filling my plate instead with the white meat of a turkey (which she’s not altogether fond of), I leave my reader friends to books they love while I enjoy stories I can adore.





In doing so, we all get what fits our needs most.





Happy reading!







 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on March 04, 2019 05:10

March 1, 2019

#FBF: Favorite Books of the 1960s

If you’ve followed me around on Instagram or Goodreads you’ll already know how much of a book nerd I am. In fact, whenever somebody asks what my hobby is, I usually say, “reading”.





So, when it came time to research for All Manner of Things I just HAD to know what books my characters might read. I found that some of my favorite books were published in the 1960s.





What follows is just a sampling of what released from 1960-1969, all of which I’ve read. I hope you find a few great books to add to your to-read pile!





1960



[image error]Is it cliché to say that To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my all time favorite books? No. Good. Because I wouldn’t care if it was!

Fun fact, in the first chapter of All Manner of Things Annie Jacobson has a copy of Harper Lee’s novel in her purse. Yeah. My protagonist is a reader.
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on March 01, 2019 05:17

February 25, 2019

How audiobooks are upping my writing game

I’ll admit it. I’m late to the game.





For years, friends have been talking about audiobooks, recommending that I give them a try. But stubborn old me refused. I said that they weren’t for me. I shrugged them off.





Then I got a new car.





And that car has a bluetooth thingamabobber that allows me to stream from my phone.





“Maybe I’ll try one audiobook,” I thought, installing the CloudLibrary app from my local library.





Once I started, I got hooked. I can listen to books while I drive, clean the house, exercise. It’s this nerd girl’s dream come true!





But then, after listening to my 9th audiobook this year, I realized something amazing.





Listening to audiobooks is making me a better writer.





Wanna know how?





I’m getting more time to read: I tell people all the time that the number one way to train yourself as a writer is to read. Read. READ! Listening to books is a great way to get more training in! Plus, it sure beats whining the whole time I’m washing the dishes.I’m trying books I might not otherwise read: Let’s face it. Life is short and reading time is precious. While my preferred reading method is done with a good old paper and ink book, there are just so many hours of the day for that. So — I admit it — I’m picky. With audiobooks, I don’t need to be. I can try out a book for size and if it isn’t engaging me, I can return it for another. That’s the beauty of the library, friends. So, I’m stretching myself and honing my taste by reading out of the norm books. It’s like adding squats to your cardio routine. Voice is EVERYTHING in audiobooks: Stephen King once said (in the author’s notes in the audiobook of Sleeping Beauties) that reading out loud is “unforgiving”. If there’s a word out of place, it’s very obvious. If the voice is inauthentic, it’s glaring. If dialogue is stilted, it’s painful. As I listen, I’m quite aware of the author’s choice of rhythm, tone, and words. I can’t alliteration and clever word play. I delight in the poetry of language. And, in listening, I am more mindful of my own choices.



I’m glad that I (finally) took my friends’ advice and added audiobooks to my day. It’s a great use of my time.





Oh! And this is a massively shameless plug, but…





Did you know that the Pearl Spence books are now available for audiobook readers? A Cup of Dust and A Trail of Crumbs released recently and A Song of Home releases on March 12.





If you are an Audible member you can download them from Amazon. If you prefer a disc check them out on the Oasis site. Or you can request that your local public library make them available. In fact, that’s more helpful than you’ll ever know.





So, what audiobooks have you enjoyed? Which should I add to my list?

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on February 25, 2019 06:17

February 22, 2019

#FBF: The Monkees

Yesterday we learned the sad news that Peter Tork of The Monkees passed away at the age of 77. In honor of my personal favorite Monkee I’m devoting this post to some fun facts about this goofy band from the 1960s (and 70s).





[image error]



Their first four albums (The Monkees, More of the Monkees, Headquarters, and Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, & Jones Ltd) were released between October, 1966 and November, 1967. Each hit #1 on the charts.





[image error]



While the theme song for their hit television show is recognizable around the world, it never managed to get in the top 5.





[image error]



Peter Tork was the only one of the band who actually played an instrument on the first two Monkees records. Even then, he only played guitar for one of the songs. Instead, a studio band covered the instrumentals.





[image error]



Davy Jones was on The Ed Sullivan Show the same night at The Beatles’ first appearance. Davy performed a number from Olive Twist.





[image error]



Jimi Hendrix Experience opened for The Monkees for seven shows before he left the tour. Maybe wasn’t the very best fit…





[image error]



David Jones changed his last name to Bowie so as not to be confused with Davy Jones.





[image error]



The fellas even had a series of comic books based on them!











According to Rollingstone, Daydream Believer is the fan favorite Monkee song. Enjoy!





What’s your favorite Monkee song? Did you watch the show when you were a kid or read the comic book? Who is your favorite Monkee?

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on February 22, 2019 05:04