Parenting Roundabout

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a Lucky Day pick called West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge. It's based-on-a-true-story historical fiction, which is right up her alley, and maybe yours too. Mentioned: The audiobook version, the history of the San Diego Zoo (toward which the giraffes of the title are traveling).​Terri's random recommendation is an audiobook enhanced by its narrator's performance: Life's Work by TV creator David Milch (of John from Cincinnati, NYPD Blue, Deadwood, and others), narrated by Michael Harney. Mentioned: Butler by Salena Zito, audiobooks narrated by Simon Jones of The Gilded Age.​In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2019 on iffy etiquette.Next week's lineup: Lost S3 E9, "Stranger in a Strange Land," on Tuesday, July 29The Gilded Age S3 E1, "What the Papers Say," on Wednesday, July 30Weekly roundup on Thursday, July 31Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.This episode was recorded

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and we've now traveled back in time to The Gilded Age with the first episode of season 3.  The battles for control of the title refer to the Ada/Agnes household, the Fane marriage, the Russell marriage, and of course the Russell mother and daughter, as we set up the game pieces for the season. We're ready!Next Wednesday, we'll watch season 3, episode 2, "What the Papers Say." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.This episode was recorded before a live audience ... of dogs.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This week, we're mostly off the island, learning more about Desmond--who is both flashing back and flashing forward. It's confusing. Plus, Bad Dad Charles Widmore makes another appearance.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 3, episode 9, "Stranger in a Strange Land." Tomorrow, The Gilded Age is back, and we'll discuss season 3, episode 1, "Who Is in Charge Here?"This episode was recorded before a live studio audience ... of dogs.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is another for our scatology shelf: It combines farts (hilarious) with Where's Waldo-style search and find illustrations. She encountered Who Farted?, but reports that Find the Farter is also an option, should you need more than one of these titles.​Terri's random recommendation is a shout-out to central air conditioning. After living without it for several days, she's appreciating it now and wants to make sure we all do, if we're lucky enough to have it.​In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2020 on the emptying nest.Next week's lineup: Lost S3 E8, "Flashes Before Your Eyes," on Tuesday, July 22The Gilded Age S3 E1, "Who Is in Charge Here?," on Wednesday, July 23Weekly roundup on Thursday, July 24Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.This episode was recorded before a live studio audience ... of dogs.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's Duster. This episode was nothing but parenting, with kids trying to avenge their parents, parents sacrificing for their kids, and everybody using those family relationships against everybody else. And, of course, a couple of shoot-outs. This was far from a perfect show, and we're not too put out that it won't be back for a second season. But it was a good time and an enjoyable reunion with Josh Holloway. Mentioned: A past (really past--2015) episode where we talked about parenting in a health crisis, such as cancer.Next Wednesday, we'll return to The Gilded Age with season 3, episode 1, "Who Is in Charge Here?" We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.This episode was recorded before a live audience ... of dogs.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This week, we finally get some variety in our flashbacks: We're checking in with the Juliet of a few years ago and finding out how she ended up on Other Island (which is not, in fact, Portland or anywhere near it). Not mentioned, but relevant: This video Ryan Reynolds made to explain how to pronounce Rob McElhenney's name; McElhenney shows up briefly in this episode.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 3, episode 8, "Flashes Before Your Eyes." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, Duster.This episode was recorded before a live studio audience ... of dogs.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a novel by Elinor Lipman: Every Tom, Dick & Harry. She picked it up because she remembered enjoying the author's previous works... and then didn't recognize a single thing on her website. No matter. because she enjoyed this one! Mentioned: Books by Linda Holmes.​Terri's random recommendation is a new ​Peanuts datebook that's going to transform her life and make her organized and productive. Or if not, it will at least look cute. Mentioned: Artful Agenda, Trello, the Ugmonk Analog System, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and The Gospel According to Peanuts.​In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2020 on telling parenting like it is.Next week's lineup: Lost S3 E7, "Not in Portland," on Tuesday, July 15Duster S1 E8, "'66 Reno Split, on Wednesday, July 16Weekly roundup on Thursday, July 17Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.This episode was recorded before a live studio aud

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's Duster. And what's a show set in the '70s without both Watergate and Howard Hughes? Terri's having flashbacks as if she were on Lost. We also discover here that Luna is both subject to TV trope (kid stowing away in trunk of car) and actually kind of a good partner to Jim.Next Wednesday, we'll continue with episode 8, "'66 Reno Split." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.This episode was recorded before a live audience ... of dogs.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. Here, we found out some of the lengths people will go to for love (or passion): They'll marry a cop even though they're a fugitive, for example, or withhold very crucial pieces of information, or purposely nick a patient's kidney with a scalpel.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 3, episode 7, "Not in Portland." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, Duster.This episode was recorded before a live studio audience ... of dogs.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is another nonfiction series about animals for kids. But this time, instead of arguing about which animal would win in a fight, we are arguing about which baby animal is the cutest. ​Terri's random recommendation is your local small parking-lot carnival. She can't vouch for the safety of the rides, but the people-watching and bad-for-you food are sure to be top-notch.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2020 on supporting stressed-out kids.Next week's lineup: Lost S3 E6, "I Do," on Tuesday, July 8Duster S1 E7, "K-129, on Wednesday, July 9Weekly roundup on Thursday, July 10Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's Duster. Highly recognizable FBI agent Nina is now undercover, and that goes about as well as you'd expect. Plus, this week's TV trope: A character who's been told that he must avoid alcohol is forced to drink vodka with some scary Russians.Next Wednesday, we'll continue with episode 7, "K-129." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. On this Eko-flashback episode, it was another day on the island, another goodbye to a cast member, and another round of mind games. So, about what we've come to expect from Lost.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 3, episode 6, "I Do." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, Duster.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is an introduction to a longstanding, popular series: The Chief Inspector Armand Gamache mysteries by Louise Penny. She checked out the first one, Still Life, and found it to be a good balance of "cozy" and "mystery."​Terri's random recommendation is Waffle, a time-wasting daily word game that doesn't waste too much time, making it a nice little mid-day break.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2020 on whether, as parents, we should have known better.Next week's lineup: Lost S3 E5, "The Cost of Living," on Tuesday, July 1Duster S1 E6, "Meet by the Clothes, on Wednesday, July 2Weekly roundup on Thursday, July 3Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's Duster. The tension is ratcheting up as Nina meets with Sax in person, Jim drags his dad (hi, Corbin Bernsen) into the mix, and Nixon shows up (it's 1972, in case you forgot). Plus, the old TV chestnut: Jim makes, and then breaks, a promise to a kid.Next Wednesday, we'll continue with episode 6, "Meet by the Clothes." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. In this episode, we return once again to a Sawyer flashback, which tells us that "con men gonna con." What a shock! On the island (or islands!), we get another introduction to Paulo (theoretically here all along) and whaddya know, Desmond can see into the future.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 3, episode 5, "The Cost of Living." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, Duster.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a series of non-fiction books for kids that finds new and clever ways to teach history and science. We agree that You Wouldn't Want to Be an Egyptian Mummy and You Wouldn't Want to Live Without Gravity, but we're living just fine without video games, thank you very much.​Terri's random recommendation is a report from her annual trip to the New Jersey State Special Olympics, which featured good times and very good dogs.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2023 on anti-dopamine parenting.Next week's lineup: Lost S3 E4, "Every Man for Himself," on Tuesday, June 24Duster S1 E5, "Ravishing Light and Glory, on Wednesday, June 25Weekly roundup on Thursday, June 26Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's Duster. We're sensing a pattern here: Jim keeps escaping from immediate danger, but the coming consequences are piling up. Please stay away from little Luna until things improve, Jim!!Next Wednesday, we'll continue with episode 5, "Ravishing Light and Glory." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.

Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. In this episode, we flashed back once again to the sad life of John Locke, understanding yet again why life on a very weird deserted island is an improvement for him.Next Tuesday, we'll continue with season 3, episode 4, "Every Man for Himself." Tomorrow, we'll continue our discussion of a newer show, Duster.

Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.Catherine's library find is a book that frankly made us tired: Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst-Case Scenarios by Lisa Bedford. Can't we leave this to the survival dads? Mentioned: How to Survive History: How to Outrun a Tyrannosaurus, Escape Pompeii, Get Off the Titanic, and Survive the Rest of History's Deadliest Catastrophes by Cody Cassidy and a past discussion on how we'd do in a zombie apocalypse (hint: not well).​Terri's random recommendation is a comedy special from Brett Goldstein, of Ted Lasso and Shrinking. It's called The Second-Best Night of Your Life and we both enjoyed it, although we'd slap a content warning on it for profanity (this is Roy Kent, after all). Mentioned: Goldstein telling Seth Meyers about how he got his role in Ted Lasso.In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2020 on laws of parenting.Next week's lineup: Lost S3 E3, "Further Instructions," on Tuesday, June 17Dus

Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's Duster. For a violent show about organized crime, it's yielding a surprising amount of parenting advice and family dramas. Mentioned: Brian Grubb on Duster.Next Wednesday, we'll continue with episode 4, "Crimunalis Velocitus Super-Sonicus." We'll be back tomorrow with our weekly roundup.