2023: Books, Nooks, Tricks? Picks!

Oh great, another Jelly journal entry! 2023 was a year I read some books (not to brag but I actually listened to many of them because I have the rare ability of reading by ear and my mother lets me use her Audible credits!I digress) 

The Crusades of Cesar Chavez– this dude had A LOT going on. He was kind of like Mother Theresa, Che Guevara and MLK wrapped into one. He dedicated his life to helping the poor farm workers whose back breaking labor under the scorching sun results in our well stocked market produce sections but Chavez could also could be cut throat, controlling, promiscuous and paranoid. He fought the establishment (and many others) tooth and nail in an effort to break through well established racial and economic barriers. The first half is far more entertaining in my humble opinion, but I certainly think he deserves to be taught about in schools, especially given his prominence in the union/labor activist scene and his quest for closing the gap between laborer and owner. Which brings me to my next book 

RFK: His Life

RFK and Cesar Chavez were called “soul mates” by this books author. He didn’t discuss whether they ever got it on or not, but he did masterfully chronicle a most fascinating life. Robert fucking Kennedy loved ice cream, helping the poor, touch football, his brother and adrenaline more than you or I could ever hope to love anything. He was known for swimming in category five rapids in the winter, revitalizing Brooklyn, eating ice cream paired with Heineken, and did I mention he loved touch football? Bobby Kennedy, king of the gridiron! You can’t tell me the bloodthirsty Kennedy back yard games of touch didn’t inspire the wedding crashers football scene, which is up there for the finest scene in any movie ever. Also Bradley Cooper’s Sack Lodge character has a very interesting last name. More on this later. 

Speaking of the Lodges, JFK and the Unspeakable paints an interesting portrait of Henry Cabot Lodge Jr, who I believe to be Sack Lodge’s grandfather, and Sack does not want you to look into the JFK assassination any more than he wants HR to double check his expense reports or decongestants to help with his sniffles. 

Interesting book, it paints a bizarre picture of disappearances, strange happenings and provocative motives involving the Kennedy assassination. The terms Cia, FBI and military industrial complex are used ad nauseam but there are some great historical tidbits. Not the kind of book that helps you focus on what you can control, instead one that may make you question everything you ever once believed?Soon you realize you are just bumming people out when you bring it up and that there are far more productive, enjoyable and exotic (although JFK knew how to get down, good gracious that sweet boy was really loving on the run!) things to discuss over evening tea.Such as the next book, maybe pair it with some double shots of Vodka in the generals honor 

Patton:genius for war- Speaking of loving on the run and touch football, Patton combined both as he was promiscuous but also a force to be reckoned with on the battle field and polo field. He actually came closer to dying playing polo than in battle. He was a psychotic competitor who loved sword fighting, tanks, sweet victory and time travel. It was fascinating to read about a trailblazing military genius who was seemingly much less intellectual than his cuban counterpart, Che. Now there’s a real celebrity death match I’d spill my popcorn over!

Hope to see you at evening tea soon, man it got dusty in here since our last publication. I think I saw a naked squatter sprint out when I walked. Ooooh is that a half smoked Marlboro Red?! I might have another entry in me after all. RHONDA, Hold my calls!!! daddy has an appointment with the Marlboro Man, his most self indulgent pal.