I started this blog with one daughter, kept it up with the other, to spend time together doing something we enjoyed.
However, things change and people evolve. My daughters are older, busier, and not as interested in writing.
From now on this blog will be mostly mom with occasional contributions from my daughters and maybe even my husband.
Nothing else will change. We'll still focus on sharing fun places to go, fun things to do, and more, and we would  still love to hear your views too

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Tips for Tuesday - Books: Missing & You Did Nothing Wrong; Movie: Tow

We may have been given complimentary copies and/or access for review purposes to any books, products, and/or any other visual or audio media mentioned below. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Books: Missing & You Did Nothing Wrong 


Today, we recommend Missing by E.A. Jackson. Baby Bella is taken from the window of a hotel room. Later, the baby is returned by a young woman named Nell Beatty, who claims to have found the baby on a park bench. 

Only Detective Inspector Martha Allen questions the woman's story, but she is ordered to drop the case. Years later, the young woman turns up dead. Martha, by now a superintendent, is determined to find out not only what happened to Nell but what her connection was to the case of the missing baby all those years ago. 

This is a highly original and largely unpredictable novel. Just where most thrillers of this type would be wrapping up the plot, this one is just getting started with the most unique and exciting aspects of the story. Even some elements of the plot, which would normally be considered boring and cliched are given unique twists which make them feel new and interesting.   

Martha is a very likable heroine. Her persistent and determination are quite admirable. The depiction of the difficulties she faces working in a world mostly populated by men who think women aren't as capable of success or don't even want them to succeed makes the book feel very authentic and relatable to many people. Her struggles to have a child also make her quite relatable, although this may also be triggering for some people. Martha and her world feel very real, which makes the character that much more believable and the story that much more enjoyable. 


Today, we are discussing You Did Nothing Wrong by C.G. Drews. Single mother, Elodie, is living a Cinderella story. She has been swept off her feet by the handsome and capable Bren, who is eager to be a father not only to the baby they are expecting together but to her autistic son, Jude.

Still, Bren can't take care of Jude as well as Elodie can; no one can. At least that's what Elodie thinks. However, even she doesn't understand why Jude seems to think there is something in the walls of the house that Bren is building for them.

This is a very shocking and disturbing thriller. The mystery of what is going on with the house is actually the least interesting part of the book. Although Elodie clearly had a horrific childhood, that doesn't excuse all of her actions. Even her behavior toward her child is extremely unhealthy for both of them. She is very manipulative of him and wants him to love only her. This is a woman who clearly could have benefited from a healthy dose of therapy. 

Although Bren is far from as perfect as he may at first seem, his actions mostly pale in comparison to hers. However, on the whole, neither of them is that stable and/or likable, so unless you really like villainous main characters, you probably will not enjoy this book. 

Movie: Tow

Today, we highly recommend Tow. This is the story of a homeless woman who, through no fault of her own, loses the car she was living in and then has to fight to get it back. The film is extremely upsetting. Anyone who isn't equally saddened and horrified by the plight of its main character should examine whether they actually have a heart themselves. 

Rose Byrne's poignant portrayal of the main character is heartbreaking. She is ably supported by an excellent supporting cast, which includes Domnic Sessa, Octavia Spencer, Demi Lovato, Arianna DeBose, and Corbin Bernsen (the latter of whom does a brilliant job of playing an extremely hateful character). 

This film should be required viewing for anyone who thinks that people are homeless or jobless by choice or because they are just lazy. The fact that the film is based on a true story only strengthens its impact and the need to share its message. 

And that's our view. Missing & You Did Nothing Wrong were both published today. Tow will be released in theaters this Friday, March 20. 2026.

Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.

All images except film images used in this post are our own.  Film images have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms. Address any concerns regarding image usage here. 

Monday, March 16, 2026

More Theater Monday - Star Kid's The Trail to Oregon

We received complimentary tickets to Star Kid's The Trail to Oregon for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: Star Kid's The Trail to Oregon

Where: The Wild Project
             195 E. 3rd St.
              New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 16 and Up

When: Through March 22, 2026


If you are looking for a raucously good time at the theater, you are definitely going to want to catch S&L Productions' staging of Star Kid's The Trail to Oregon. This hilariously fun musical parodies the educational video game series of the same name. The show was originally produced by StarKid Productions,  a group formed by a bunch of theater students at the University of Michigan, including future Glee star and Tony winner, Darren Criss. The group is renowned for its parody musicals, which include several Harry Potters among others.  The Trail to Oregon is one of their best.

The show is full of uproariously funny idiosyncratic characters, ranging from a seven-year-old son (played by a grown woman) who likes to throw food supplies off the family's covered wagon just to see how they bounce, to a father who buys a wagon with square wheels. The songs are engaging and delightful as well, and one or two of them actually may stick in your head. They include such crazy titles as "Dysentery World" (if you know anything about the video series the show is based on, dysentery is a big part of it), "Caulk Your Wagon", and "Naked in a Lake." You definitely wouldn't find songs like these in any other show. 

The show is also extremely interactive. Not only does the audience get to pick the characters' names. Some of them can be bizarre, to say the least, depending on the audience. At the performance we attended, the names included Lucifer and Lard, and those are the ones we can actually mention here. Needless to say, we would not recommend the show for young children, as some of the humor is completely inappropriate, and there is a lot of sexual innuendo. 

The current production of the show is a joy.  Every member of the cast shines. Particular standouts include Steven Horn, who, as the father of the clan, does an excellent job of keeping the show really grounded despite its bizarre nature, and Scout Mayberry, as the cheeky, troublesome young son. 

The design team shines as well. The sound, light, and scenery are terrific. The dancing is frenetic and crazy, befitting this wild show.  Just be aware that a lot of dancing takes place on the floor in front of the stage, so if you sit in the front row, be prepared to keep your legs out of the way.  In any case, you won't want to miss this extremely fun musical!

And that's our view. For more about Star Kid's The Trail to Oregon or to purchase tickets, visit thewildproject.org/performances/starkids-the-trail-to-oregon.

Images used in this post were sent by publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used by permission.  Address any concerns regarding image usage here.

Giveaway: Win a Copy of Saoirse by Charleen Hurtubise in the Chasing Rainbows Giveaway Hop!

 Welcome to the Chasing Rainbows Giveaway Hop

hosted by Mama the Fox and Mom Does Reviews


For some people, running away and starting their life over again is a fantasy. For others, it's a necessity. That is the case for Saoirse in the novel of the same name by Charleen Hurtubise. She moves to a new country and forges a whole new identity to escape from her past. The only problem is that indentity belongs to someone else. For more about this novel, see our previous post Tips for Tuesday - Books: Saoirse. Enter to win a copy below:

Giveaway Dates 3/16 - 3/31
Giveaway Open to Ages 18+ 
US & Canada


Win a Copy of Saoirse Once you have entered our giveaway, hop around to the other blogs listed below to see what other great prizes you can enter to win.

Disclaimer: Hosts and participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors and self-sponsoring bloggers who do not fulfill prize obligations. To win any giveaway, please remember that following all instructions for any giveaway entry claimed is mandatory for that entry to count. Entries will be checked, and those that do not follow all instructions will be disqualified. Please do not claim entry for following our blog, Twitter, or whatever if you do not do so. Repeatedly entering our giveaways and claiming to be a follower when you are not will result in disqualification from all current and future giveaways. If you do follow our blog and/ or social media, don't let your entry be disqualified; be sure to leave your follower name and/or a link to your comment. 

All pictures used in this post are our own. Address any concerns regarding image usage here.