It’s finally the ‘ber months and I’m gearing up for a productive cozy season. Here’s a brief look at what I’ve been up to as I get my chickens in a row before the cold weather hits.
Reading
Cocaine & Rhinestones: A History of George Jones and Tammy Wynette – Tyler Mahan Coe
Tyler Mahan Coe’s Cocaine and Rhinestones takes a in-depth look at the lives and careers of country music legends George Jones and Tammy Wynette, drawing on his popular podcast of the same name. Coe’s detailed exploration into the couple’s discography and personal lives offers an insightful, if somewhat overwhelming, journey for fans. The book examines the psychology behind Jones’s reliance on alcohol and cocaine to combat stage fright and the pressure of being “The Greatest Country Music Singer Ever”. It also examines Wynette’s need for attention and validation, highlighting her tendency towards dramatic events and reliance on pills. Throughout their tumultuous relationship, both Jones and Wynette struggled with excessive spending habits, even when facing financial difficulties.
If you’re a sucker for knowing every little detail about your favorite country music legends, then this is a great addition to your library. Tyler does tend to derail the topic a bit by diverting to the history of moonshine, pinball and other Nashville lore, but he manages to get back on track quick enough to keep the reader from losing interest.
Watching
And Just Like That – I was never much of a fan of the original Sex and The City series. I found the girls whiny, a lot of their problems self-induced, and the writing overall to be pretty shallow without a lot of character development. That said, it was fun for what it was… a little fluff TV. Imagine my surprise to find myself bawling my eyes out by the end of the first episode of the new reboot. Spoilers Ahead!
Of course, it hit a little too close to home and really exposed a fear I’ve been living with for almost a year. you see, I’ve been with the same man for 21 years now, and in November of 2023 he had a heart attack. It was not fatal, and he is doing well with recovery, but the whole experience has been eye-opening on just how fast it can all end, and that’s a reality I’m nowhere near ready to face.
As for the show, I did binge both seasons and I thought overall it was a great improvement over the original. Instead of trying to push boundaries, the writers seemed to explore the challenges women our age would actually have, from sexual and gender identity to maintaining strong friendships and navigating career shifts when the goalposts are constantly moving.
Listening
Ella Langley – You Look Like You Love Me
Post Malone – F-1 Trillion Longbed Edition
Cross Canadian Ragweed – 17
Writing
Drinking
Hochatown Distilling – Bottled In Bond
Coming Soon
Coming up next month is a whole lot of nose to the grindstone work as I prepare content and build out a whole new concert-focused website. Also expect to (finally) see a few updates on the tiny home compound as the weather cools and construction is a little less hazardous.
Cheers!