Hi Everyone,
Welcome to the 12th issue of the Thursday Bouquet. I covered a lot of ground in the first eleven bouquets! So many movies, books, podcasts, youtube videos, tv shows, websites, articles….etc. etc. etc.
A lot of the topics I’ve covered have been popping up in new and interesting ways lately, so I thought it would be fun to revisit some past Read/Watch/Listens and share new ways to enjoy them.
All of today’s recommendations include a combination categories. So, instead of breaking them up into Watch/Reads/Listens, I’m giving you the theme to run with. Take it in whichever direction suits your fancy.
It will be like a choose your own adventure!
Columbo
Remember this guy?
A few summers ago, I went on the hunt to find DVDs for my dad. He didn’t have internet at his little cabin and he had watched the few movies he already owned so many times, he couldn’t stand the sight of the covers anymore.
I scoured garage sales and found quite a few gems along the way. I got the complete Seinfeld series and a stack of decent movies. Eventually, I stumbled upon the Piece de Resistance: A complete Columbo boxed set.
Priced at just five dollars, I found it sitting on a card table in someone’s front lawn. I could hardly believe my eyes. I knew this purchase would make me a hero. The only thing my dad liked more than Columbo, was a good deal.
Dad was beyond excited to receive the boxed set and called me often to let me know he was enjoying it. Five dollars well spent!
I briefly talked about Columbo in Thursday Bouquet #6 when I shared Rian Johnson’s Columbo inspired, Mystery-of-the-week throwback “Poker Face”. Many of you responded with stories about your own love of Columbo. Some of you just discovered it, or like me, watched it with your parents as a child.
After all that enthusiasm, I knew I had to share my latest Columbo-centric discovery with you.
In April, “Decoder Ring” released the first two episodes of their new season: The Curious Case of Columbo’s Message to Romania Parts 1 & 2.
"Decoder Ring is a podcast dedicated to solving “cultural mysteries”. Currently in their 6th season, they’ve covered everything from mullets and the evolution of razors to alien abductions and McGruff the Crime Dog.
The episodes about Columbo refer to a specific incident involving Peter Falk and his connection to U.S. cold war efforts in Romania. It’s a wild and wonderful journey down a weird little rabbit hole. If you are a Peter Falk fan, this is a must listen.
You can find “Decoder Ring” on apple podcasts, or spotify, or on the Slate website through the links below.
The Curious Case of Columbo's Message to Romania Part 1
The Curious Case of Columbo's Message to Romania Part 2
Uhtred of Bebbanburg
I have mentioned “The Last Kingdom” a few times in this newsletter, most recently in Thursday Bouquet #5
What can I say? The main character, Uhtred, is the man.
I just finished reading “The Burning Land”, the fifth book in Bernard Conrwell’s Saxon Series. It’s my favorite book in the series so far, which is saying a lot because I’ve loved every one of them. I cannot get enough of Uhtred, the Saxon-turned-Dane hellbent on reclaiming his home lands of Bebbanburg.
I’m waiting to watch the BBC & Netflix adaptation until I finish all the books in the series. From everything I’ve seen and heard, it’s an excellent show. I look forward to a time when I can curl up and binge every episode. Until then, you better believe I’ve been keeping an eye on this guy…..
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Alexander Dreymon plays Uhtred in the series and he certainly looks the part! He’s tall (enough), blonde, gorgeous and absolutely stacked with rippling muscles. A carbon copy of the Uhtred that lives in my imagination.
A few weeks ago, Alexander made a guest appearance on the podcast “Ten Percent Happier” and he was an absolute delight. Turns out, he’s every bit as exceptional as the character — larger than life Uhtred — he plays on TV.
Ten Percent Happier is a longtime favorite of mine. The host, Dan Harris, is on a mission to make meditation accessible to everyone. A mission I can get on board with.
Here’s the link to Alexander’s episode of the Ten Percent Happier Podcast:
Yoga With Kassandra
Kassandra made her appearance in Thursday Bouquet #7 when I discussed my appreciation for her YouTube channel. Shortly after publishing that issue, Kassandra released a new 30 day challenge. I’ve been following along and loving it.
The challenge is extra special because the classes are extra short. The videos are all between 11 and 13 minutes long and vary in difficulty.
I like that length because it gives me a lot of flexibility. I can squeeze a class in on the busiest mornings. I also like that I can stack the classes. If I do one and I want more, I just load up another. Otherwise, I sometimes like to pick a gentle one first thing in the morning and load up a more demanding class later in the day. AKA - after i’ve had my coffee.
I also like that Kassandra gives actionable steps for taking the practice of yoga off the mat and into daily life. That’s what it’s all about!
Kassandra published two videos for each day of the challenge. One video with a yoga class and second shorter video (2-3 minutes) with a task to complete during the day. Both videos share a theme. Some examples include “cleanse”, “Integrate” and “feel”.
All of the classes are simple and feel accessible to most levels of experience.
Check it out here:
Flexible Body, Flexible Mind - 30 Day Challenge
That’s all for Now
I hope you enjoyed this greatest hits addition of the Bouquet! I’ll be back Sunday with a new issue and some big news for the newsletter.
See you then!
We are big fans of The Last Kingdom and just watched the movie based on the series (based on the books-- lots of "based ons"). I follow Alexander Dramon on IG. In my post asking folks to share where they would like to spend eternity, one subscriber wants to go Viking style. A burning arrow shot out over a body of water, landing on a wooden raft where their corpse awaits Valhala.