Allene Tew was born into a well-off family in rural New York during Victorian times. But her parents were thAn interesting story of a life well-lived.
Allene Tew was born into a well-off family in rural New York during Victorian times. But her parents were the poor relations. So her prospects seemed dim. But she leveraged herself into a promising marriage. She had three children (1 died young), and did her best to be a good wife & enter society. But her first marriage was doomed, first by her in-laws’ rejection of her, then by her husband’s gambling & drinking.
She went on to acquire 4 more husbands, along with two European titles (princess & countess), and eventually wealth that would be enviable today, wealth that gave her access to the world she dreamed of as a child, and the world her first in-laws denies her.
Allene was scrappy; resourceful; courageous; and learned well. She lived through 3 wars; the deaths of all her children; several recessions & The Great Depression. She traveled in circles with the Vanderbilts. She made a match for the Dutch Princess Juliana & was the godmother to the heir to the throne. She bought the Astor home she had never been allowed in, Beechwood. She built a 7-story mansion in NYC that still stands in glory. She traveled often & extensively. And she was devoted to the people who were kind to her.
Of all her accomplishments, though, my favorite was how she shaved 4 years off her life, and no one held her to account ...more
So great! I am nowhere near what you’d call the Beastie Boys’ biggest fan. Still, I had no trouble following along, & thoroughly enjoyed hearing theirSo great! I am nowhere near what you’d call the Beastie Boys’ biggest fan. Still, I had no trouble following along, & thoroughly enjoyed hearing their story. A tribute to MCA - an apology to the people they wronged - a yearbook full of scribblings from their peers - a love letter to their inspirations - it is full of awe at the life they led, the tricks they pulled off, and the things they accomplished. It’s also an immersion into a bygone era that may never come around again.
Listen to this on audio - you’ll love it ♥️...more
When you’re reading a book, & you’re hoping the main character gets killed by the ghost, not the bad guy, you know the tension is high.
This is the stoWhen you’re reading a book, & you’re hoping the main character gets killed by the ghost, not the bad guy, you know the tension is high.
This is the story of Viv ... and 35 years later, Carly. Viv leaves homes, lands at the Sun Down Motel, and so far as anyone can tell, never leaves, though she’s never seen again.
Her niece, Carly, decides to track down the fate of her aunt. She follows in her footsteps - going to Fell, getting a job at the motel, even living in Viv’s old apartment. She meets the people Viv knew, living & dead. And she follows the trail of crumbs, not giving up until she gets to the truth.
Really great book - definitely a page-turner to take you out of your regular routine....more
Devotion to Stevie Nicks is nothing new. But 50 years into her career, it’s easy to take her for granted.What a beautiful love letter to Stevie Nicks!
Devotion to Stevie Nicks is nothing new. But 50 years into her career, it’s easy to take her for granted. (Yeah - she’s over 70 now, and put out Buckingham Nicks in 1973, so yeah, more than half the world has had Stevie Nicks singing to them for their entire lives.) And this book does a fantastic job of pulling together her body of work, her achievements, to review & refresh her remarkable career - and life. Like all icons, she is a lesson in being your true, authentic self, and watching success follow from there. Because in all that time, Stevie hasn’t changed - but we let her change us. Long live Stevie Nicks!
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