Friday 5ive- September 16, 2022

Welcome to the Friday 5ive, a weekly-ish post featuring five things that caught my attention this week.

The weather has been glorious this week in our corner of the world, hope it has been in yours too.

1)  Last Friday the New York Yankees honored retired all-star Derek Jeter for his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. We attended the game with a few family members, and although the Yankees lost to Tampa Bay, it was great to see Derek and his family- mom, dad, sister, nephew, wife, and three young daughters- there. During Derek's speech, his oldest daughter broke free from Mom and erased the batter's box chalk lines with her shoe. It was funny and adorable. Members of his Yankee family reunited as well- Jorge Posada, C.C. Sabathia, Mario Rivera among others and it was fun to see them all together again. We even got a replica of his Hall of Fame plaque that night for attending the game.

2)  On Saturday we had a celebratory birthday dinner for two brother-in-laws and an anniversary at 

Harry Cipriani's in the Sherry Netherland Hotel. The restaurant is a replica of Harry's Bar in Venice, and the food was delicious. It was Fashion Week so there were lots of very fashionable and tall people there.

From Harry Cipriani's website

3)  Speaking of Fashion Week, While running errands on Monday afternoon, I stumbled upon a Fashion Week garden party called LoveShackFancy at the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum. People were lined up outside the gate taking photos of the beautiful people at the party. You never know what you'll find walking around NYC. (I guess my invitation got lost in the mail.)

4)  Showtime's City on a Hill returned a few weeks ago. Kevin Bacon plays Jackie Rohr, a disgraced former FBI agent in 1990's Boston now working security for a wealthy retired former head of the FBI in Boston, played skeevily (is that a word?) by Corbin Bernsen. Bernsen is up to no good and Kevin Bacon must decide if he can look the other way to keep his lucrative job or bring this horrible man to justice. Bacon is fantastic in this role and although there are other storylines in this drama, it's Bacon that keeps us watching. 

 

5)  I read a few good books this week. My September Book of the Month selection was Deanna Raybourn's Killers of a Certain Age, about four 60-something women who are retired assassins. They have spent the last forty years killing drug kingpins, dictators, arms dealers and sex traffickers as part of an organization that began by hunting down Nazis who escaped justice.  While on a retirement cruise they discover that they themselves have been targeted for assassination by their own organization. This is a fast-paced thriller filled with humor and fascinating characters. The women decide they have to kill the people who want them eliminated and go on a road trip. It just screams out to be a movie and there are many terrific 60-something actresses who would be perfect for these roles. Thanks to my friend Allison who has raving about Deanna Raybourn's historical mysteries for a long time and that convinced me to give this one a try. I will always trust Allison's opinion. This one is a blast!

I also read Gretchen Anthony's The Book Haters' Club, about Irma, a woman who summons her daughters- Bree, who works in her mom's bookstore in Minneapolis, and Lacey, who owns a tire repair store in Oakland with husband- to a lawyer's office to tell them that she is selling the bookstore she has owned for 30 years (along with her recently deceased business partner and best friend) to a developer who wants to build high-rise condos. Her daughters are shocked and they, along with the deceased partner's life partner  try to stop the sale. It's filled with heart and humor and everyone has secrets that come out. Why is

Irma so adamant to sell quickly?  Book lovers will adore it. My full review publishes Saturday. 

Have a safe, healthy week.

The Contract by Derek Jeter with Paul Mantell

The Contract by Derek Jeter with Paul Mantell
Published by  Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers/Jeter Publishing ISBN 9781481423120
Hardcover, $16.99, 160 pages

Baseball fans across the country have been watching with interest and sadness as New York Yankees captain and baseball icon Derek Jeter is playing out his last year in baseball. Many people wonder what he will do next, and his answer is : become a publisher.

Jeter has his own publishing imprint with Simon & Schuster, where he will publish books by authors he finds have an something interesting to say. The first book under the Jeter Publishing imprint is for children ages 8-12 titled The Contract. Jeter wrote it with Paul Mantell, and it is based on his own life as a Little Leaguer.

Young Derek Jeter, called 'old man' by his mom because he went to school in a suit and carrying a briefcase, is a talented baseball player and a serious student. When his classroom teacher assigns the students an essay describing their realistic future dreams, Derek really wants to write that his future plans include playing shortstop for the New York Yankees.

He discusses this with his parents, who encourage him to realize how difficult it will be, but with his excellent work ethic and determination and practice, he can do just that.

Derek signs up for Little League and ends up playing on a team with his best friend Vijay. He wants to play shortstop, but the coach's son is the star shortstop with a bad attitude.

Much of the book describes in detail many of the Little League games, and children who love baseball will so enjoy the thrilling play-by-play. But this book is also one parents should read to or with their children.

Derek would not be the great player he is today were it not for his parents. They created a contract for Derek, detailing what he needs to do to set himself on a path to achieving his dream. The items include respecting himself and others, doing his chores, being a good role model for his younger sister, maintaining good grades and the number one rule is family comes first.

The Contract not only teaches children how to be responsible, it can help parents with their own parenting skills. The Jeters are good role models for their two children, and hold them both to high standards, knowing that it is the key to raising good citizens.

I liked how important school is to Derek, how he works as hard at school as he does at baseball. And Derek is not a perfect child here; he gets frustrated and angry, but when he makes a mistake, he tries to be better.

The final scene is a sweet one, with Derek playing catch with his grandma, with whom he and his sister spend their summers. They clearly have a loving relationship, as many young children do.

I highly recommend The Contract for both children who like baseball, as well as their parents. It would make a wonderful gift for the young baseball fan in your life, and it would be a terrific addition to your child's school library.

5 of 5 stars