The Ballad of Lou the Welterweight

... by The Felice Brothers.



Beautiful and sad. I especially love the line " Heaven knows she thought the world of Lou".
A song that puts in mind the luxury and joy that can be found in the small things in life. A night on the town with your darling. And getting loved from behind.

Mercedes Thompson

... by Patricia Briggs.


Mercy is a VW-mechanic who shifts to coyote whenever she gets a chance. She has a self-proclaimed gremlin for an ex-boss, a vampire in a Mystery Machine for a customer/friend and a nosy werewolf as neighbour. And whenever there's a mystery needs solvin' in the supernatural community, for some reason it always falls on Mercy to do it. Go figure.


I love the way Mercy fights her own fights, but still admits that she can't do it all by herself. It also has a nice balance between the fighting and the romance (well of course there's a guy in the picture!) and never gets to gooey. It's just lovely.


And to make it lovelier still, there are already six books published in the series, which gives you at least a week's entertainment!


Have a great weekend!

The Avett Brothers covering Bruce Springsteen's "Glory days"

 

 'Nuff said.

But will say more about The Avett Brothers at a later date.

Old Crow Medicine Show

... who spin traditional folk and bluegrass yarns with a rock & roll attitude (from Spotify).

They sing about love and friendship, parties and hardships and drugs, and about how we're all in this thing together. In Next Go 'Round I sing along to how we'd do it if we got another chance, but as we all know, in this life, we don't get no next go 'round. No do-overs. So wonderfully melancholic.

Highway Halo - Shine like gold!
Methamphetamine - It's gonna have you beggin' pretty pleeeeease!
Caroline - There ain't no way we can be so free as we were back in -83! So what's the use in even tryyyiiing!?
Hard To Love I wish I was a pretty little bird, I wish I was a pretty little beeeeeeee!
Wagon Wheel Johnson City, Tennesseeeee!
James River Blues - I'll becooome a memoryyyyy!

These are just some of my favourites (with the lines to really sing your heart out to, all the way from your toes) but there are so many great songs on the six albums they've put out so far. And for those of you unfortunate enough not to have Spotify you should go to Old Crow's website.

And enjoy!

White Russian

… which you make by pouring 5 cl of vodka, 2 cl of coffee liqueur and 3cl of cream over ice (according to the IBA).


Since I’m not anal about things like proportions I usually mix to taste and I use milk, not cream, because cream tends to stick to the roof of your mouth. A White Russian should be enjoyed ice cold, with your feet up after hard day’s work.


I recommend pairing it with The Big Lebowski by the Cohen brothers, in which White Russian is practically a main character.

The Cal Leandros Novels

… by Rob Thurman.

Cal, full name Caliban, is a half human, half monster slacker who, together with his ass kicking half brother Nico (fully human) fights bad guys of all species in New York, while trying to keep one step ahead of Cal’s monster kin who want him to join the family business. It’s fast paced and fun and I love the characters, the sharp banter and the witty one-liners.

There are six books in the series so far, which should at least last you through the week.