Chick Chat, Group Post, Mysteries

Chick Chat: Let’s give it a big thumbs-up!

And by “it,” we mean any and everything that we’re liking, loving and gushing over. See what’s moving us to extend that most majestic of handy digits, then weigh in and share what gets a big thumbs-up from you. 

Lisa Q. Mathews

Thumbs up for the ridiculous gag bug-swatter with a head twice the size of mine that the kids and I bought at the South of the Border gift shop on I-95 a couple of decades ago. It actually does work, though not always on the first try. Maravilloso! The mosquitoes are extra-pesky and bloodthirsty this year, thanks to all the rain we’ve had in the Northeast. But much more importantly, thanks to all the New Englanders and others who have pitched in to help their neighbors and repair demolished roads and bridges. On the TV front, my husband and I have officially made it halfway through Season 12 of Blue Bloods (yup. lots of rain). Only one more season left, and then we’ll  truly be sad until the striking writers’ triumphant return for Season 14.

 Ellen Byron

A big thumbs-up to The Righteous Gemstones, an outrageously out-there and funny show on HBO Max. Of course, we’re predisposed to like it because we know Edi Patterson, who plays Judy Gemstone. She’s married to my old improv pal Dan O’Connor, and if Edi doesn’t eventually get an Emmy nom – and WIN – there is no justice in the world. A big thumbs down to the multi-millionaire/billionaire entertainment CEOs who have forced a strike. Our industry overlords are literally pricing yachts as they fire employees and refuse to negotiate with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA. (I’m a member of both unions, although on honorable withdrawal from SAG-AFTRA.) A 2019 study by the Economic Policy Institute showed CEO compensation has increased 940% since 1978 while worker compensation increased 12%. And that study was done four years ago. As the network I spent many seasons writing for would say, #themoreyouknow…

Vickie Fee

Giant thumbs way up for air-conditioning! Those of you who live south of where I live (which is most of you!) may me thinking, “But, Vickie, aren’t the summers cool in the U.P.?” Why, yes. Yes they are. But a couple of weeks ago I traveled to Tennessee for my niece’s wedding. Temps were hovering at the 100 degree mark. It gave me flashbacks. A lot of folks in the Yoop don’t even have A/C. But I live downtown and don’t have shade trees overhanging. It’s nice to have the option to turn the A/C on for a bit if I get warmish. Friends in Arizona, Tennessee, and Georgia: Please don’t throw tomatoes at me! Hubs and I just finished a mystery series on Amazon Prime titled Deadloch that we I’d give a thumbs up, especially as it can be hard to find new mysteries on the tube in the summer. It’s dark humor and definitely not cozy, with some gory violence and some nudity. Also, it’s not set in Scotland, which hubs and I had assumed from the title. It’s actually set in Tasmania.

Leslie Karst

As I write this, what I’ve been gushing over for the past three weeks is the Tour de France. Yes, I’m a bit of an addict. (“More than a bit,” my wife Robin would protest, since I watch a large part of every single stage for all three weeks of the race.) But now that it’s finished, I can turn my TV streaming to other items: Like so many others, I’m a big fan of Ted Lasso—we could all use a shot of something happy and uplifting these days, no? But if you want something more dark and edgy—though still fun—try Russian Doll, (warning: the trailer I link to, as well as the show itself, is chock full of profanity). Or for something else dark and edgy (but yes, still fun!), the star of Russian Doll, Natasha Lyonne, is also terrific in Poker Face. (And just as foul-mouthed as she is in Russian Doll. Come to think of it, Roy Kent in Ted Lasso has a pretty severe case of potty mouth, as well. Does this say something about me…?)

Kathleen Valenti

I’m going to give a big ol’ thumbs up to reruns–if we even call them reruns anymore(?!!). I’ve been spending some glorious time in the SS Way Back Machine watching shows that I enjoyed in days of yore. Seinfeld? Don’t mind if I do. The Office? Bien sur. MacGyver? Yes please. I would watch The Facts of Life, Growing Pains, and Heart to Heart, as well, but don’t seem to have the right subscriptions or magic words to summon them from the Telesphere. I enjoy these trips down a commercial breaked Memory Lane because they a) Are a fabulous snapshot of our collective psyche at the time b) Bring back fond (and occasionally not-so-fond) memories c) Deserve to be called classics and d) Are a fun touchstone for People of a Certain Age–or those of us who simply like our television vintage.

Becky Clark

I am totally digging on my new Oofos brand shoes. I am not a paid company spokesman unless you’re listening Oofos! I’ve been having annoying issues with plantar fasciitis in my right foot and for the last six years, since my back surgery, kookoobananas nerve shenanigans in my left. I tried a zillion shoes, but if they made righty feel good, then lefty got cranky and vice versa. Then my doctor niece suggested the Oofos. Believe you me, I was skeptical. But now I have three pairs: white in sizes 8 and 9, and black in 8.5. Covers all my bases. And because I like to go sockless, I had a stroke of genius and covered the insoles with no-show socks. It’s the simple things, right?

Jennifer Chow

I just got back from camping. It’s always nice to take a break from tech and sleep under starry skies. Plus, s’mores! A big thumbs-up from me is the Perseid meteor shower that happens every year from mid-July to late August. Although the peak should be happening around August 13th, we did see some shooting stars while camping! (FYI, the Perseids are caused by Earth passing through debris like bits of ice and rock.) I’m also enjoying relaxing with the family through: watching the World Cup (honestly, I probably enjoy their reactions more than the games); making summery salads (here’s a strawberry recipe I like); and eating my weight in watermelon and juicy peaches & nectarines (must go to the farmers market soon!).
Readers, drop us a note in the comments below!

34 thoughts on “Chick Chat: Let’s give it a big thumbs-up!”

  1. I’ll give a thumbs up to the Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference, at which I (humble brag) won their Silver Falchion award for my Natalie McMasters Mystery Killers! last year. KN is one of the best conferences I’ve ever attended, not only for their content, but also for the organizers’ effort to make every writer who attends feel welcome and valued. This year’s con is August 17-20 and I’m sorry to say I won’t be there, because I’m (humble brag) installing my youngest as a college freshman that week. Incidentally, (humble brag) my Natalie McMasters Mystery Sister! is a finalist for this year’s Silver Falchion award.

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    4. Congrats on all counts, Tom! I used to live in the Killer Nashville area and have always planned to attend someday.Maybe next year?

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  2. I give a thumbs up to finding a lawyer to handle my auto claim again the driver of the car that caused the accident. Didn’t realize how hard it is to find someone to take a case. Thank you Lisa for your advice. It came in handy as well

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  3. Thumbs up for our kids and their families! They have been such a help with getting our house cleared of the 35 years of STUFF we have collected. We are almost there. We just need the carpet guy to give us a quote to replace 2 rooms of carpet and we can clean and stage and get our house sold. We are supposed to move into the new place mid Sept. I can’t wait until all this is behind us.
    In the meantime, we have been enjoying the Netflix show “Somebody Feed Phil” He takes us all over the world trying the local foods. Some look wonderful and some…… no thanks, I’ll pass. We finished that show and have now moved on to The Crown. I love history and have been a bit of an Anglophile, so this is very interesting. My kids have been talking about it for years, but we just got Netflix when we changed phone plans, so we are a bit late to the party. It is very hot here today, but I will not complain as so much of the country is in dangerous heat. New England has been spared for so long. My asthma kicks up in the hot humid weather, but as long as I stay indoors, I’ll be ok.
    Everyone be safe.
    Carol

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  4. Leslie, we watched the first season of Russian Doll and really liked it, but the second was meh.

    Right now, I’ll give a thumbs-up to Unstable on Netflix. Rob Lowe and his son. The episodes are very short (25 minutes), but there are a lot of laugh-out-loud moments.

    Also thumbs-up to the last season of Jack Ryan on Amazon Prime. Nice way to end and still leave the story open.

    Also thumbs up to my Sketchers slip-ons. Like Becky, my feet are…problematic and comfortable shoes are a must.

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    3. I have to check out Lowe’s show. And a big thumbs-up to Skechers. i live in them. Hokas are the “strike shoes” – everyone is wearing them. I got seduced into buy a pair but then I returned them – and bought two pair of new Skechers for the same price!

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  6. BECKY! I am obsessed with Oofos. They are the best invention ever (sliced bread? please), and I won’t stop talking about them. I’ve owned several pairs and they greatly helped my plantar fasciitis, knee pain, back pain–whatever pain. I love them so much.

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  9. I have to give a big thumbs up to my current read – THE BODY IN THE CATTAILS by Catherine Dilts. It is utterly charming, and I’m enjoying every page. I’ve got 90 pages left, and I’m going to be sad to finish it since I’ll have to say goodbye to the characters until the second book comes out.

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  10. School is starting again here in Indiana, so I want to send a big bs up to teachers, especially those in public education. We need them now more than ever!

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  11. I second Vickie’s thumbs up for air conditioning. It is finally starting to warm up (get hot) here in Southern California, and I’m so glad to have A/C (especially at night).

    On the TV front, a big thumbs up to the show Suits. My husband and I thought we had watched just about every legal series, but Netflix has proved us wrong. If the WGA and SAG/AFTRA strikes continue for months, I bet a lot of us will be discovering previously unwatched gems just like we are doing.

    –Barbara

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