Back in 2023, I read Deanna Raybourn’s Killers of a Certain Age. My thoughts about that one can be found here. At the end of my recommendation, I wondered if the ladies from the book might show up in another story. Sure enough, they do. This time it is in Kills Well With Others.
I knew the book was due out this year. While at a library visit with my kids, I saw it on the shelf and immediately checked it out. I read it in two days.
Here is the Goodreads synopsis:
Four women assassins, senior in status—and in age—sharpen their knives for another bloody good adventure in this riotous follow-up to the New York Times bestselling sensation Killers of a Certain Age.
After more than a year of laying low, Billie, Helen, Mary Alice, and Natalie are called back into action. They have enjoyed their rest, but the lack of excitement is starting to chafe: a professional killer can only take so many watercolor classes and yoga sessions before she gets the itch to get back in the game. When they receive a call from Naomi Ndiaye, the head of the elite assassin organization known as the Museum, they are ready to tackle the greatest challenge of their careers.
Someone on the inside has compiled a list of important kills committed by Museum agents, all of them connected to a single, shadowy figure, an Eastern European gangster who rules her business empire with an iron fist and plays puppet master in international affairs. Naomi is convinced this criminal queen is bent upon revenge, killing off the agents who attempted to thwart her, and the aging quartet of killers is next.
Together the foursome embark on a wild ride across the globe on the double mission of rooting out the Museum’s mole and hunting down the gangster and her assassin. But their nemesis is unlike any they’ve faced before, and it will take all their experience and a whole lot of luck to get out of this mission alive.
I believe it was one of the first book’s reviewers who said it was “Golden Girls Meets James Bond.” I remembered that as I started to read the sequel. I wondered if I needed to go back and read the first one to catch up, but it wasn’t necessary. Once the story started, I recalled the characters pretty quickly.
There were a couple throwbacks to the first book, but you can still read this one without reading the first one and enjoy it. The sequel was a little less “James Bond” than the first book. Yes, there was still some sense of it, but the story was very character driven. I really enjoyed it.
Was it as good as the first book? It was close. At the end of the first book, I couldn’t wait to see if there was more to their story. This time around, I still felt that way, just not as much. It is not a bad sequel, and it is open ended so that a third book in the series is certainly possible.
My father-in-law asked me if I would be available Sunday to help him swap a few deck boards at his place. “It should be a quick job. We’re only replacing a few bad ones,” he said. Well, it indeed started off with “a few bad” boards…
On the porch itself, we put in three new boards. On the ramp, we used 4 long boards to replace 7 boards. As you can see from the above photo, the thought eventually was to just go ahead and replace all the ramp boards. And we did.
It actually came out pretty good and only took about half the day. Then at some point, the decision was made to do the whole porch.
In the above photo, you can see the three boards we replaced. Once we knew we were doing the whole porch, we had to rip out the rest of the boards. It was a job! My father-in-law and brother-in-law ran up to Home Depot to get more boards and more screws while I ripped out the deck boards.
When they returned, they helped me with the remaining boards. We worked pretty much up until dinner time and we called it a day. We still had half the porch to finish which meant we were back at it on Monday afternoon. I stayed until about 6pm, and left because I needed to get the kids home, bathed and in bed for school the next day. They were almost finished when I left.
Tuesday morning, I had to stop over there after dropping Ella off at school. My wife bought something from a fundraiser and I had to bring over the money for it. When I walked up the ramp I saw that they had all but the very end board done. They didn’t finish it because my father-in-law was going to put in a different size board to avoid cutting the size they were using.
It looked fantastic. I can tell you, though, Sunday night I was sore. Monday night, I was stiff and sore. My hips were on fire, probably because we were hoping over deck boarding all day. My knees were killing me too because we were on them the entire time we were screwing in deck boards.
I’m always glad to help out my father-in-law. Lord knows how many times he has helped me! I’m happy it is done and that my mother-in-law is happy with the way it looks.
Happy 51st Birthday to Natalie Maines of The Chicks (Formerly the Dixie Chicks).
In 1995, Natalie got her lucky break when she was recruited by the Dixie Chicks to replace their lead singer, Laura Lynch. Things turned around quickly for the band. With Natalie as lead vocalist, the band earned 10 CMA Awards and 13 Grammy Awards.
Their album Wide Open Spaces offered up five singles. All of them were Top 10 and three of them went to number one. The fifth and final single was my favorite from the album – Tonight, The Heartache’s On Me.
It was a song that had been previously recorded in 1994 by Joy Lynn White. The Chicks version sounds so much better. I think the reason for this is the groups amazing harmonies. Their voices blend so nicely. I’m not sure what chord they are hitting when they sing the line, “Bartender, pour the wine …” but there is something about that line that gives me goosebumps. LOL
Happy Birthday, Natalie – the birthday wish is on me.
I heard this song while driving into work this week. When I am not listening to a book on tape or a sermon from a pastor friend, I am surfing through the channels on Sirius XM. Albert King’s tune, Born Under a Bad Sign was playing on BB King’s Bluesville. I had forgotten how much I liked it.
The song is considered a blues standard. Albert recorded it in 1967. In his book, Deep Blues, Robert Palmer said “the song also had strong crossover appeal to the rock audience with its synchronous bass and guitar lines and topical astrology reference.” It was recorded at Stax Records.
The song was written by Stax singer William Bell and Booker T. Jones. Bell said, “We needed a blues song for Albert King … I had this idea in the back of my mind that I was gonna do myself. Astrology and all that stuff was pretty big then. I got this idea that [it] might work.” Booker’s arrangement was unique in that it was dominated by an R&B-style bass/rhythm guitar line, which Bell claimed that he came up with “while fooling around on the guitar.”
The song was backed by Booker T and the MG’s and the Memphis Horns. Albert would jump in with vocals and guitar fills. Released in May of 1967, it would reach number 49 on the Billboard Top Selling R&B Singles chart.
Describing the song in an interview, Jones said, “At that time, my writing partner was William Bell. He came over to my house the night before the session. William wrote the words and I wrote the music in my den that night. That was one of my greatest moments in the studio as far as being thrilled with a piece of music. The feeling of it, it’s the real blues done by the real people. It was Albert King from East St. Louis, the left-handed guitar player who was just one of a kind and so electric and so intense and so serious about his music. He just lost himself in the music. He’s such a one of a kind character. I was there in the middle of it and it was exhilarating.”
The song is included on The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.” Rightfully so.
It is time once again for a new Turntable Talk topic from Dave at A Sound Day. Each month he offers up a musical topic for us to write about. This month we are Going out on a High Note. Dave’s instructions to us:
We all have seen artists (not to mention athletes, politicians…) who stick around long after they should have exited gracefully. For this round, pick a musical artist who you think ended their career on a high note, a great final album, or triumphant concert tour before they grew stale.
I had a difficult time with this one. As I began to think of artists, I kept coming up with artists who are still recording and touring. Willie Nelson, for example, is still making music and hitting the stage. Has he stayed around “too long?” Some say yes, while other say no. So my search continued. Then I remembered Bill Withers.
Bill served in the US Navy for almost 10 years. It was while he served our country that he began writing songs and became interested in singing. After he left the Navy, he decided to relocate to California in hopes of starting a career in music.
He found work as a mechanical assembler for several different companies including IBM, Ford, and the Douglas Aircraft Corporation. He used the money from his job to record demo tracks that he could take to record companies. He also began to play his songs in nightclubs in the area, hoping someone might discover him.
In 1967, he had his first official release – “Three Nights and a Morning.” It was a song that got little recognition. Three years later, he was signed to Sussex Records and Booker T Jones was assigned to produce Bill’s first album. That album, Just As I Am, included his first hit – “Ain’t No Sunshine.”
The album was a huge success and Withers rounded up a band and went out on tour. “Ain’t No Sunshine” was a Top 10 song and went on to win the Grammy for Best R&B Song in 1972. It also got him noticed by Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, who sent him a letter inviting him to appear on the show.
When his tour wrapped up, he used the time off to write and record songs for his second album entitled Still Bill. This album included Bill’s first #1 song – “Lean On Me,” which hit the top of the charts in July of 1972. This was followed up with his third million selling record – “Use Me.”
Bill’s relationship with Sussex record eventually went sour. He said of Sussex Records “They weren’t paying me.” He claims to have erased an entire album that he had recorded for the label in a fit of pique. “I could probably have handled that differently,” he said. There was an ongoing legal dispute with the Sussex company, and because of that Withers was unable to record for some time thereafter.
Sussex Records eventually went out of business and Bill had to find a new label. He wound up at Columbia Records in 1975. His first album on Columbia included the song “She’s Lonely,” which was featured in the movie Looking For Mr. Goodbar (which starred Richard Gere and Diane Keaton). He released an album every year afterward, including the 1977 album Menagerie which contained the hit “Lovely Day.”
Bill began to have trouble with Columbia. Apparently he was unable to get songs approved for his album. The label kept passing on the songs he wanted to record. Because of this, he decided to focus on joint projects beginning in 1977. He worked with the Crusaders, percussionist Ralph MacDonald, and jazz saxophonist Grover Washington Jr.
“Just The Two of Us” appeared on Washington’s 1980 album Winelight. It was released as a single in February of 1981 and went on to win a Grammy for Best R&B Song. In 1985, Withers released his final studio album, Watching You, Watching me. It was at this point that Bill decided to “go out on a high note.”
Withers was quoted in interviews that “a lot of the songs approved for the album—in particular, two of the first three singles released—were the same songs that had been rejected in 1982.” This played a big part in the eight-year hiatus between albums. Bill also stated how frustrating it was to see his record label release an album by actor Mr. T, when they were preventing him, an actual songwriter, from releasing his own.
With Columbia trying to exert control over his sound to sell more albums played a part in his decision to not record or re-sign with a record label after 1985. I would imagine the Mr. T thing played a part, too. This effectively ended his performing career, though remixes of his previously recorded music were released well after his “retirement.”
Withers was an artist who found musical success later in life. He was in his early 30’s when he began his career. Now at 47, he said he was socialized as a “regular guy” who had “a life before the music, so he did not feel an inherent need to keep recording once he fell out of love with the industry.” Bill felt he made the right decision. After leaving the music industry, he said that he did not miss touring and performing live and did not regret leaving music behind.
Accolades continued after his “retirement.” In 1988, he won another Grammy, this time as a songwriter for the cover of his “Lean on Me” by Club Nouveau. It won the Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Song. In 2005 he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, followed in 2015 with his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He said:
“What few songs I wrote during my brief career, there ain’t a genre that somebody didn’t record them in. I’m not a virtuoso, but I was able to write songs that people could identify with. I don’t think I’ve done bad for a guy from Slab Fork, West Virginia.”
Bill passed away in March of 2020 in a Los Angeles hospital due to cardiac complications.
He is still receiving accolades in 2025. Last month, he was selected to be inducted into the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony usually takes place in October.
Thanks to Dave for once again hosting Turntable Talk. I am already looking forward to what next month’s topic will be.
First, I’d like to thank those who have already reached out to me about the devastating Tigers loss last night. It certainly was a very exciting game, but not the outcome I had hoped for.
Early in the season, when they were hot, people kept saying “The Tigers will be in and win the World Series this year.” I absolutely hate when people make bold predictions so early. I’m not superstitious, but I feel like those things always come back to bite us.
To lead the division almost all the way through the season only to slump and give it away in the final weeks hurts. I wonder what happened to the pitching coaches or batting coaches at the end. Something had to be up for such a massive collapse.
I had hoped that the win over the Guardians would be the spark to ignite the team. I can’t help but wonder how it would have gone if the first couple games had been home instead of away. The crowd and fans were such an important factor early on.
Skubal did well. He was hot. Why do managers not let pitchers go more than 100 pitches anymore? The Tigers of my youth – Jack Morris, Dan Petry, Dave Rozema and so many more pitched complete games all the time. I don’t get it.
AJ Hinch said “He emptied his tank” and that’s why they pulled him after 6 innings. I don’t know if that is true, but it doesn’t matter. Maybe he was done. Maybe they relied too much on him. You can’t do that. It’s a team effort and others have to come through.
The heart of the order, and the guys who were so productive during the season – Torres, Green, Torkelson and Keith all were hitless. Torkelson struck out 4 of his 6 at bats! Sometimes I wonder what they are looking at!
With all that being said, I’m still happy we even got some postseason play. For a while, it looked like we wouldn’t. I can only hope that we do what we need to in the off season to avoid the mistakes of this season.
Happy 4th birthday, Andrew! I will never forget holding you for the first time.
Since day one, you have kept us VERY busy!! Through all of the various health concerns, your smile was always there!
I don’t think you’ve ever slowed down. From the minute you started walking, you have never stopped running and adventuring. You are always looking to discover something new.
You have an abundance of love and kindness to share with others. That love extends to God’s little creatures, too. Whether it is a dog, a caterpillar, a bird, or a kitty, your love shines through.
You have no fear. Maybe that is because of all the various medical stuff you’ve been through in the past four years. Maybe it’s because of your relationship with your sister. Whatever the reason, stay strong and keep exploring.
Fun follows you wherever you go. You seem to be the center of it. Whether you are at the park, at school, or jumping in a big pile of leaves – always find the fun in life!
Not that you need extra energy, but drinking your “own coffee” when you crave it certainly adds to it. I want you to know how cool it is for me to have coffee (well, a lot of cream with a shot of coffee) with you.
Your fine motor skills have come a long way and it will not be long before you’ll be beating me at the games you and I love to share. Take it easy on your old man in the coming years, ok?
Thanks to “Pa,” I know that as days go by, I will be able to count on you to help with the projects around the house. I could be wrong, but you probably know how to use the power tools better than me! I also know better than to look for my tools in my tool box. I know they are in YOUR tool box.
What a joy it was for me to be out on the soccer field with you. I cannot wait to cheer you on in whatever sport you choose to play. I may have to get you some clubs so we can hit the links this summer!
The day you started pre-school was emotional for me. My baby is no longer a baby. You look forward to going every day and are prepared to learn. You are making friends and gaining knowledge. To hear from your teachers how empathetic you are to others makes me proud of you.
In the years ahead you’ll go from practicing your letters to writing your name. From there, well, the world is yours!
You’ve come a long way in four years, Bubby Drew. You are a source of happiness, laughter, and curiosity. You are truly an amazing boy!
Happy birthday, Bubs. I love you to Pluto and beyond!!
I anxiously await Game 5 of the ALDS and am rooting for my Tigers today. But I thought this post is worth resharing
Life lessons are all around us and a blunder from last night gives us something to think about.
From someone named Christopher Rice:
“For all those parents of youth baseball, let last night’s ending to the Phillies/Dodgers be a lesson.
The game is hard. Arguably, the most difficult sport in the world to be consistently good at.
Beyond the mere physical skill aspect, the game is as much if not more mental than physical.
Last night, we saw a professional player in a high pressure moment allow the panic to set in and make a mistake.
He’s being chastised by the fans, many of who enjoy the game but don’t truly understand how difficult it is.
He was comforted by those around him who truly know the game.
The isolation and aloneness he must have felt in that moment must have been soul crushing.
We’ve seen multiple physical errors in these playoffs by the people at the top of this game.
The pro players have pressure from thousands who don’t know them personally.
Your player can feel that same level of pressure from you because with you it’s personal.
So the next time your 12 year old makes a bad throw, boots a grounder in the field or does something dumb on the bases, have some grace and patience and remember it’s part of the game.”
While looking for another picture, I stumbled on one from a day trip Sam and I took shortly after we started dating.
The above photo was taken in front of the Whitehouse Restaurant in Clare Michigan. We had headed up that way to visit with her Goddaughter. Sam asked if I had ever been to this place and I told her I had not. She raved about the burgers here, so we made it a point to stop.
I’ve heard people call places a “hole in the wall,” but this place really is just that. It is one of the tiniest restaurants I’ve ever seen. There are literally 6 booths. One row is almost on top of the grill where they cook!
There are three booths on each side of the restaurant.
The booths are small as well. You can fit two people at each one. 12 customers max in this place. It was like something out of the Twilight Zone.
The burger I had was delicious! We’ve been talking about going back up there for dinner, but schedules haven’t allowed that.
If you ever happen to be in Clare, be sure to check this place out!
I woke up for work yesterday happy to see that the Tigers beat the Mariners 9-3 to tie up the series. The “winner take all” game #5 happens Friday night.
In what I read, the bats came alive after being down 3-0. This is good to hear as some of the bats had cooled down toward the end of the season. I truly hope that they will get everything together to beat Seattle. They are playing away, so they need to strike early and often to quiet the home crowd. My fingers remain crossed.
If they can take the series on Friday, they will go on to the ALCS and play Toronto, who have already secured their spot there. They beat the Yankees 5-2. The Blue Jays haven’t been to the ALCS since 2016. I won’t lie, I am glad to see the Yankees out of it. Toronto has a good team this year and if the Tigers advance, the series will be a good one to watch. Both teams are hungry to head to the World Series.
I heard that the national announcers were poking fun at Tiger fans during the broadcast today and yesterday. There were a lot of open seats in the stadium, so they were saying a bunch of junk about it. Let’s face it, the MLB makes it pretty hard for fans when you schedule games in the middle of the day on a workday.
I know I have to let my bosses know at least a month ahead of time to take time off. I’m sure that I am not the only person who can’t just decide to take a personal day at the last minute. They really need to do better about scheduling these games later.
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 